March 2012: The Year I Almost Survived Spring Break

[mblc14]

I vote for Chronological, please...but thats just my OCD talking too

 

[DMGeurts]

Are any of you starting to wonder if all the March 2012 Disers are OCD??? Or maybe it's just a Diser trait in general??? ROFL

D~

 

[Lidian]

We arrived back at the resort around 3:45. While sitting on the bus, we were pretty sure we were staying in Aruba and seeing the buildings, we knew we were right. So we hopped off the bus and decided to wander around since no one could remember which building.

First we found the quiet pool (pics were bad, so not sharing).

Hmmm... is this our building?

Yup! There's our building. But which room is it? I know it faces the parking lot, so it isn't one of those ...

We finally found our room (#5163) so I took a picture of the door. This way, if we get lost again, we could flip through the camera. lol

We went into the room and relaxed on the bed for a bit. DH took a quick doze while the kids and I played with their purchases (and I got autograph books ready for dinner). We watched some TV and we all freshened up a bit.

Then it was off to dinner with a Mouse!

We piled into the car (SUV) and followed the signs! Soon, these wonderful sights could be seen!

Wow... Space Mtn is soo close!

I'm not sure what these ugly things are hanging down from the balcony ... It really ruined the resort for me seeing this...

We parked and went inside. It was VERY windy! I was terrified I'd give everyone a show with my dress (and regretting wearing it at this point). We walked in and a CM asked if we were checking in, and I let him know we were headed to CMs. He directed us to where we needed to go (the elevator was out), so we enjoyed riding the "alligators". (Kids are so precious!)

This day was full of pixie dust for us. Some happened naturally and some created by CMs. This next experience ... it was my personal pixie dust.

Before long, after enjoying our alligator rides, we saw the sign!

It was a pretty lengthy line, but moved pretty quick. While standing in line, we looked over the menu for the night:

Before long, we were handed a pager, directed to pose with a statue, and then sat. We were sat in the dining area where the characters come out. I laid out our autograph books (all four of them, open, turned to a clean page) on the table with pens. The server came over and was impressed. She said she only wished half of the guests would do that. I told her this wasn't our first rodeo and we knew the characters had lots of tables to visit. She saw that our ADR was noted with a food allergy, took our drink order, and came back with a chef. We discussed her allergy and then he took us over to the buffet where he explained every dish and said if she could or could not enjoy it. (She has a milk allergy.)

After he walked us through the buffet, made sure we didn't have any questions, he started to turn away. I asked about desserts. He hesitated for a moment and said that there was nothing on the buffet she could enjoy for dessert, but he'd be happy to get her a dairy-free cupcake and some ice cream (I think he said it was rice, but it could have been soy). She was happy she'd get a special treat all to herself and we made our way back to the table.

This is what we stared at for the evening (well, what I stared at):

Isn't it cute?

Our first round of plates! Here's mine:

There's carved beef (YUM!!!!), some fruit; cheese; cole slaw; salad; Mickey ravioli (yuck!); sauteed green beans with cherry tomatoes and vidalia onions; stir fry mixed veggies; orecchiette pasta with peas, onions, and bacon in a carbonara sauce; some kind of shrimp

I loved the carved beef and the green beans! The salad bar items were nice and fresh, but my cheese disappeared (DS snatched it all). The stir fry veggies and pasta were "okay" ... I don't remember anything about the shrimp, and the ravioli was YUCK.

DD tried her first plate!

Fruit, broccoli, green beans, peel & eat shrimp, and salmon filet with mango chutney. She ate it all (and went back for seconds).

DH and DS were already munching away, and I didn't bother taking pictures of their plates. Nor did I take pictures of DD's second plate (or the boy's second plates). I did, however, take a picture of mine and DD's dessert plates ... but first ....

My favorite duck made an appearance!

I told DH that he was in charge of the camera for the rest of the night, because I wanted to be IN the pictures!

I didn't mean like that ... lol DH was a smarty-pants.

So while Donald came over to our table to sign the books, he wasn't thrilled there was four, but when I started chanting "Donald Duck #1", he got over it and made sure everyone else knew he was #1. He showed off his signature to everyone else at the table and kept pointing to me like "you should listen to her!" Donald pulled me up for a picture.

Then a picture with the kids! (DD didn't want to get up apparently lol)

Then Minnie came around. She asked if we were enjoying our food, and I let her know her recipes were amazing and she looked beautiful tonight! She "blushed" and thanked me for the compliments (of looking nice and serving good food).

So then it was time for desserts ...

I enjoyed the carved turkey, cranberry sauce, and more green beans. Along with a key lime tart, a Minnie cheesecake, a Mickey Mousse Dome, and a brownie. The turkey was so delicious and moist! The cranberry sauce, amazing! And obviously I loved the green beans (since this was my second serving). The key lime tart was good, but not amazing. The Minnie cheesecake was nice and I loved the fresh blueberry. I tried the brownie ... it was ... okay at best and only had the one bite. The Mickey Mousse Dome was amazing! (And for those who are counting, everyone had two plates plus dessert except for me. I had two plates total and both are pictured.)

DD got her desserts:

She ate the icing but didn't care for the cupcake. She said that chocolate "ice cream" tasted more like coffee than chocolate and didn't care for it. She ended up going back for more fruit.

Then it was time for the celebration ... where one of my best memories was made. It was a natural occurance ... no CM did anything to make it happen ... It just happened.

For those who have been to CMs ... during the "celebration" you pick up your napkin and twirl it over your head (and send any food particles that was on the napkin flying to your neighbor's table lol). Back in 2009, when we first enjoyed CMs, I remember DH rolling his eyes and telling me I looked silly (for twirling my napkin). Of course, the kids love it and they try to see who can twirl the fastest.

My non-Disney-loving DH really surprised me tonight. As soon as the song and instructions came on, he told the kids to grab their napkins. Then he grabbed his. Stunned, I just sat there for a moment ... Then I broke out, yes, with teary eyes, and picked up the camera.

He had a huge grin on his face and he was twirling his napkin. He asked why I wasn't twirling mine, and I commented that I was too busy capturing this amazing moment!

Look at those amazing smiles!!!!! And yes, I really did cry. THIS was my moment. This was definitely what made my night so special. I don't think I had ever genuinely seen my DH smile at WDW ... and here it was ... on our first night. I was really on . (The CM asked if everything was okay when she saw me stifling back tears, and I reassured her everything was PERFECT!).

Shortly after the amazing napkin twirling (where DH got smacked in the face alot by DS's napkin) ... our favorite mouse came to greet us!

He asked if we were enjoying the food (and loved seeing the empty plates). I told him he was an amazing chef. He pulled me up for a picture with the kids and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I have never, ever kissed the characters (but he wanted kisses from the kids), so when the kids were done, I planted a kiss on his nose, too. He put his hands over his heart and acted as though he was going to faint, then showered me in kisses. If you ever want a great reaction from the characters ... give them a kiss. (And don't think about the germs.)

Then Goofy came along. He wasn't thrilled that we had four autograph books and afterwards, fell over with a cramp in his arm.

We had finished eating awhile ago. We were just waiting for characters at this point. So while we continued to wait, I was starting to get a bit cranky. All we needed was Pluto (and the check), then we could go. After several minutes, with no Pluto in sight, I finally said something aloud. I think a CM overheard me, but we had finished eating 20 minutes ago ... so for 20 minutes were were waiting on characters (and the check). I passed the time by walking around a bit. I tried to get pictures of the buffet, but the entree and salad bars were too crowded. So you'll have to settle for the treats!

I didn't try the carrot cake, since I don't like carrot cake. (I think DH did and said it was pretty good, but I'm not 100% on that.) And the crispy treats, well, I knew I'd get those at Goofy's Candy Company. So I wanted to fill my tummy with things I couldn't get somewhere else!

Our sever came over with our check, and then about 5 minutes later, she came back with Pluto.

I told DD to scratch behind his ears ... so DD asked if she could first (what a polite thing to do!) and Pluto leaned down so she could reach better. It was great, and I was a bit upset with DH for not taking pictures of it. Then DS asked if he could, so he had a child on each ear and was loving it! The kids had a blast and loved his reaction! He then tickled both of the kids and scampered back to the kitchen (apparently, he came out just for us).

We paid using our DDP, charged the tip to the room, and then went back out to our car to return to CBR.

Chef Mickey's Ratings
Food: * * * ½ The food was, overall, good! The few items I didn't like, wasn't because of quality, it was I just didn't like them. It wasn't the greatest buffet we had all week, but it was still good overall!
Service: * * * ½ Service was okay. We sat with empty glasses a lot, but the chef was very attentative. He came back out twice to check on DD and make sure she was okay. We had issues getting her dessert, but there are a million reasons why it was slow to come out.
Recommend?: Absolutely! It was a great value for the DDP, and truthfully, I'd probably return and pay OOP. The food was good (not amazing, but good), the characters were great ... the only negative we had was having to wait so long for the characters. I don't think it was a typical issue, and it could have been anything. Pluto could have gotten sick, or he could have been working the grill and was too busy.

 

[Lidian]

I vote for Chronological, please...but thats just my OCD talking too

Thanks for the vote!

My OCD is torn ... I like chronological ... but with all the jumping around, it gets a bit confusing ... so I was kinda thinking by "land". But everyone is voting for chronological, which is much easier on me, I'll work it that way!

Are any of you starting to wonder if all the March 2012 Disers are OCD??? Or maybe it's just a Diser trait in general??? ROFL

D~

Hmmm... I dunno. Okay ... for my next Stats project, we'll figure it out.

 

[johnsonginad]

Another vote for chronological here!!!

And the napkin twirlin? Yep...I teared up reading about it. It sounds like your vacay started PERFECTLY!!!

 

[KatMark]

I am finally all caught up. Glad to see you arrived safely at CBR and got checked in (sorry about the second floor, though). for an almost empty bus ride to DTD. And LOVE WPE; I ate there for the first time in January on the girls trip and it is now on the list for our September trip.

Love the photos while shopping. And I particularly love the "Old is Sure Better Than Dead" t-shirt. I bought that for DH last year and he wears it all the time.

How fun for your DD to be able to help draw Mickey.

It looks like a fun meal at Chef Mickey's. I have to admit I got teary-eyed when you talked about your DH twirling his napkin.

 

[Lidian]

Another vote for chronological here!!!

And the napkin twirlin? Yep...I teared up reading about it. It sounds like your vacay started PERFECTLY!!!

Thanks for the vote! I'll go chronological, because it's definitely the majority, even if people suggested otherwise.

I was teary eyed writing it. And yes, our vacay _started_ out perfectly .... Too bad it didn't stay that way.

I am finally all caught up. Glad to see you arrived safely at CBR and got checked in (sorry about the second floor, though). for an almost empty bus ride to DTD. And LOVE WPE; I ate there for the first time in January on the girls trip and it is now on the list for our September trip.

Love the photos while shopping. And I particularly love the "Old is Sure Better Than Dead" t-shirt. I bought that for DH last year and he wears it all the time.

How fun for your DD to be able to help draw Mickey.

It looks like a fun meal at Chef Mickey's. I have to admit I got teary-eyed when you talked about your DH twirling his napkin.

The second floor was really bad. I should have asked for another hotel. But I didn't want to raise a "stink" about something like that ... And while DH offered several times to carry me up those stairs, I wasn't about to submit him to that (even though those stairs got REAL rough on me later in the week).

We had a great meal! It was a wonderful experience.

 

[Moodyzblu]

What a fun time !!

I got teary too reading about hubby ! That is SO sweet.

 

[BridgetR3]

I'm worried that my DS will toss it out when it comes out. I keep reminding him that it's treasure and the tooth fairy pays for teeth! So hopefully when it comes out, he'll tell someone. I know the teachers at his school have "tooth boxes". They're adorable ... cheap little plastic boxes that hold 1-2 teeth. The tooth goes in the box, the box goes into a ziploc, the whole thing goes home to mom with a certificate that a tooth was lost.

Wow, yours pulled one at a game? WOW! I bet the coach wasn't expecting that! (I trust he was okay though?)

I hope your DS saves his tooth for you too!!! Yep he was fine!! Coach was shocked and a bit weak - kneed poor guy but other than getting out while running to first base holding onto a tooth with blood on his lip he was fine. I went to the dugout and cleaned him up and he finished the game. Actually yesterday was our "opening day" where the teams take pictures and play games all day long in celebration of the beginning of the season. Well between his individual pictures and his team pictures (10 minutes max) he pulled another one so he is now known as "toothless". Ahhh boys!

 

[BridgetR3]

Are any of you starting to wonder if all the March 2012 Disers are OCD??? Or maybe it's just a Diser trait in general??? ROFL

D~

I think to be a DIS'er you must be OCD!!! Who else would go through so much trouble to plan every second!?!?

 

[Lidian]

What a fun time !!

I got teary too reading about hubby ! That is SO sweet.

Thank you! I was very much in shock that DH was finally getting it .... it only took four years.

I hope your DS saves his tooth for you too!!! Yep he was fine!! Coach was shocked and a bit weak - kneed poor guy but other than getting out while running to first base holding onto a tooth with blood on his lip he was fine. I went to the dugout and cleaned him up and he finished the game. Actually yesterday was our "opening day" where the teams take pictures and play games all day long in celebration of the beginning of the season. Well between his individual pictures and his team pictures (10 minutes max) he pulled another one so he is now known as "toothless". Ahhh boys!

Toothless.

I think to be a DIS'er you must be OCD!!! Who else would go through so much trouble to plan every second!?!?

D, she has a very valid point!

 

[sjs314]

Liddy, I think CBR is a beautiful resort but DH has always refused to stay there because of it's size. I did get him to stay at CSR we arrived the day it opened and were in Casitas 1 which was ideal so he had no complaints.

I find it unbelievable there was not a first floor room available in a resort that huge and I would have put up a stink.

When we checked in the first words out of my mouth to the CM checking us in were " Were you able to accommodate our room requests " and that was when she informed us of our wonderful upgrade.

Glad to read you dinner at Chef Mickey's went so well and DH actually had a good time!!! We went there years ago and enjoyed it.

Loving your trip report. I want to go back so bad. We have been talking about Oct/Nov 2013. I want to go back sooner but since we both fell in love with the BWI and want to stay there again for F&W going sooner will be financially not feasible.

 

[DMGeurts]

D, I feel you about the trip. Honestly, Sunday night I was ready to go home. And once we got home, I was so happy and so thankful and told DH we'd never go back to WDW again. Then a few days later I start asking for a trip next year. (Heck, I even tried to get him to go for the FD offer in August.)

I know, I am soooo ready to plan another trip... Honestly - I think it's partially because I miss my PTR.

Loving your trip report. I want to go back so bad. We have been talking about Oct/Nov 2013. I want to go back sooner but since we both fell in love with the BWI and want to stay there again for F&W going sooner will be financially not feasible.

Liddy, Marianne and I (Chiara, Lisa, Andrea - hopefully Judy... and a bunch of others that post a lot in my PTR/TR) are trying to find some way to plan a trip together during this time frame too... That would be awesome if we could all go at the same time.

D~

 

[sjs314]

I know, I am soooo ready to plan another trip... Honestly - I think it's partially because I miss my PTR.



Liddy, Marianne and I (Chiara, Lisa, Andrea - hopefully Judy... and a bunch of others that post a lot in my PTR/TR) are trying to find some way to plan a trip together during this time frame too... That would be awesome if we could all go at the same time.

D~

I have two trips all planned one for March/2013 and one for Oct 29 - Nov 5. I have est. cost for the Oct trip of room, tickets & DP and even told DH we will need to pay $322 for 16 months starting in June when new rates come out hopefully. I need something to plan and want to see the transformation in the parks from Fall/Halloween to Christmas decorations.

I am 99% sure we will do the Fall trip. Of course I may get antsi and book March not sure I can wait to book until June .... I can always change the dates later

When are you all talking about going? It would be fun to go the same time!

 

[kittylady1972]

Awww....loved your "special moment" at Chef Mickey's! How great! The photos were awesome and the food is actually making me reconsider trying dinner there again in the future. We almost always do breakfast, but maybe we'll switch it up a bit next time!

 

[cogero]

I am always ready for another trip to Disney. Oh wait I already have a couple planned . One of the joys of owning DVC.

 

[solana131]

Loved your personal pixie dust at CMs Having a non-Disney loving husband also I can feel for you! I would've been teary-eyed too

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Liddy, what a great update! I absolutely LOVE your special DH moment at Chef Mickey's! My DH really got into it this time too. I had a special DH moment on my trip too, but it was our last full day there. You will have to track my TR the whole way through to get to it!

 

[Lidian]

Liddy, I think CBR is a beautiful resort but DH has always refused to stay there because of it's size. I did get him to stay at CSR we arrived the day it opened and were in Casitas 1 which was ideal so he had no complaints.

I find it unbelievable there was not a first floor room available in a resort that huge and I would have put up a stink.

When we checked in the first words out of my mouth to the CM checking us in were " Were you able to accommodate our room requests " and that was when she informed us of our wonderful upgrade.

Glad to read you dinner at Chef Mickey's went so well and DH actually had a good time!!! We went there years ago and enjoyed it.

Loving your trip report. I want to go back so bad. We have been talking about Oct/Nov 2013. I want to go back sooner but since we both fell in love with the BWI and want to stay there again for F&W going sooner will be financially not feasible.

I wanted to put up a stink ... and I think DH wanted me too, as well, but not too much because he didn't want me to draw attention.... he knows how bad stairs are. I should have requested a new resort, and in retrospect, I truly wish I had. Especially with several nights, DH offering to carry me, or assisting me with the stairs.

I do three flights of stairs, three times a week at school ... but for some reason, they don't bother me. I've only had slight issues, but there are elevators if I need them.

I have heard such mixed reviews of CM ... so I was worried about it. However, we loved it and would go back in a heartbeat (both times, we've had not-the-best service, however).

I really want to go back, too ... but I'm afraid to approach the topic with DH so soon.

I know, I am soooo ready to plan another trip... Honestly - I think it's partially because I miss my PTR.

Liddy, Marianne and I (Chiara, Lisa, Andrea - hopefully Judy... and a bunch of others that post a lot in my PTR/TR) are trying to find some way to plan a trip together during this time frame too... That would be awesome if we could all go at the same time.

D~

As much as I'd love to go, I couldn't do it for a few years. I can't miss school.

I have two trips all planned one for March/2013 and one for Oct 29 - Nov 5. I have est. cost for the Oct trip of room, tickets & DP and even told DH we will need to pay $322 for 16 months starting in June when new rates come out hopefully. I need something to plan and want to see the transformation in the parks from Fall/Halloween to Christmas decorations.

I am 99% sure we will do the Fall trip. Of course I may get antsi and book March not sure I can wait to book until June .... I can always change the dates later

When are you all talking about going? It would be fun to go the same time!

Can't wait to hear when you decide to go! I don't think I'd like another March trip ... but that's just me.

Awww....loved your "special moment" at Chef Mickey's! How great! The photos were awesome and the food is actually making me reconsider trying dinner there again in the future. We almost always do breakfast, but maybe we'll switch it up a bit next time!

I highly recommend it! If I had to pay OOP, I'm not sure it would make the list, but ONLY because of the cost. Even DH said he'd be okay with going back (I think he wants to twirl napkins again ).

I am always ready for another trip to Disney. Oh wait I already have a couple planned . One of the joys of owning DVC.

Lucky you! I'd love to own DVC ... but I doubt that will never happen.

Loved your personal pixie dust at CMs Having a non-Disney loving husband also I can feel for you! I would've been teary-eyed too

I'm glad someone can relate! Most people either don't take their spouse or their spouse loves WDW.

Liddy, what a great update! I absolutely LOVE your special DH moment at Chef Mickey's! My DH really got into it this time too. I had a special DH moment on my trip too, but it was our last full day there. You will have to track my TR the whole way through to get to it!

I'm so glad your DH got into it!!! It's such a great feeling!

I think you need to hurry up and finish your TR so I can read about it.

 

[DMGeurts]

As much as I'd love to go, I couldn't do it for a few years. I can't miss school.

OK... Fine... Be that way... I'll just have to plan 2 trips. What year can we plan a fall trip???

D~