May 2011: The kids are getting 3rd visit surprise! Now w/pics!

[lbuzz52]

Please do not get nervous over the buses at CBR. Any resort can have an "off" day with transportation. The CM we talked to said he has never seen it take longer than 20 minutes for a bus to arrive, so we do truly feel it was a fluke. We wouldn't hesitate to go back to CBR in a heartbeat.

Where abouts are you from? I dunno how familiar you are with East TN to pinpoint where I am.

Your DD will be there one day.

We are in Memphis. Just far enough away to be too long of drive for a weekend trip and too close for the airlines to have reasonable flights LOL. its so pretty on your side of the state.

so i was looking up strange things to tell your kids...

There is a Burt Reynolds Museum in Jupiter, a Coral Castle In Homestead, Dinosaur World in Plant City, and the live mermaid show in weeki wachee. got those from the following list-

50 offbeat Florida attractions

 

[mtgirl29]

Loving the pics of your kiddos with Marie. We will most DEFINITELY have to compare face painting pics. Kay wants Marie and Jay wants a lion, or maybe a dinosaur. He is like his mama..... a bit indecisive!
Are you planning on doing any live reports while in Disney? Hubs thinks we should, but I may be having too much fun to remember.

 

[Lidian]

We are in Memphis. Just far enough away to be too long of drive for a weekend trip and too close for the airlines to have reasonable flights LOL. its so pretty on your side of the state.

so i was looking up strange things to tell your kids...

There is a Burt Reynolds Museum in Jupiter, a Coral Castle In Homestead, Dinosaur World in Plant City, and the live mermaid show in weeki wachee. got those from the following list-

50 offbeat Florida attractions

I've been to Memphis three times my whole life (and had the BEST seafood there). But I have to ask ... have you tried Neely's BBQ and is it as good as it sounds? (I love watching the Neely's on FN channel.) So far, the only BBQ I've found that I like is from Flametree. But we're limited here with just having Buddy's BBQ and a roadside place that I'm too scared to try (or the local grocery store, frozen food section).

Perhaps I'll tell them we're going to the Burt Reynolds Museum. Not that either child would know who he is. Then they'd probably whine the entire trip. It would just be my luck. But they'd be excited once we "got lost at WDW".

 

[Lidian]

Loving the pics of your kiddos with Marie. We will most DEFINITELY have to compare face painting pics. Kay wants Marie and Jay wants a lion, or maybe a dinosaur. He is like his mama..... a bit indecisive!
Are you planning on doing any live reports while in Disney? Hubs thinks we should, but I may be having too much fun to remember.

I'm not quite sure what it was DS got in 2009 ... DH took him once we met back up with mom and DD and DS saw sister's pretty face. But he picked it out himself. I wonder what he'll get this year.

We're taking both kids to do Pirates League, so I'm curious what makeovers they'll get there.

I have an iPhone, so I'll be all over Facebook with posts like "boarding Splash Mountain now" or "wow, wait for TSM is ___ minutes!" I'm sure that by the end of day 1, I'll have no friends due to "spam".

I'll probably make random updates in my livejournal (poolside or curled up on the bed relaxing), but dunno how well my phone will handle Disboards. My PC loads it very slow, so not sure how well it will work over the 3G network.

If you do something live, lemme know! I'll totally follow and be jealous that I'm not still there.

 

[Lidian]

So last night, DH calls me into the other room. He shows me a picture on googlemaps. "This is it."

"This is what?"

"The place."

By now, I'm wracking my brain as to what he's talking about. Then he zooms in a bit more, and I recognized CSR.

"Wow...."

So now I'm scared. He pulled up the view of CBR for comparison ... but I dunno. I asked DH if he thought we should switch to POFQ, but he wanted to stay. I'm just a bit worried we'll be as far from possible to the pool and main building. It's not the walking that bothers me, its DD's asthma. Perhaps by then, it will have settled down some, but I am worried that with all the walking she'll have in the parks, and then adding in more walking to the bus stops and pool/main building, that she'll wear down too easily and have a flare up. I guess worst case scenario, we drive to the main building if its a nasty walk ... but it is something that I am a bit worried about.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I only know where Harriman is because of all the trips to Nashville and KY to visit family.

Most people only know it because the McDonald's is RIGHT off of the interstate. I think I heard once that it's like the #1 visited McDonald's in the state or something.

So last night, DH calls me into the other room. He shows me a picture on googlemaps. "This is it."

"This is what?"

"The place."

By now, I'm wracking my brain as to what he's talking about. Then he zooms in a bit more, and I recognized CSR.

"Wow...."

So now I'm scared. He pulled up the view of CBR for comparison ... but I dunno. I asked DH if he thought we should switch to POFQ, but he wanted to stay. I'm just a bit worried we'll be as far from possible to the pool and main building. It's not the walking that bothers me, its DD's asthma. Perhaps by then, it will have settled down some, but I am worried that with all the walking she'll have in the parks, and then adding in more walking to the bus stops and pool/main building, that she'll wear down too easily and have a flare up. I guess worst case scenario, we drive to the main building if its a nasty walk ... but it is something that I am a bit worried about.

You might want to call and have them add a note to your reservation with a request for a close building due to your DD's asthma. (You might want to check the CSR thread on the Resorts board to find the closest non-Preferred building.) When you check in, if you're assigned to a far away building, ask if there's anything closer and again tell them about your DD's asthma. One of the great things about Disney is that they work really well with guests with medical issues. No guarantee that will work, but it's worth a shot!

ETA: You should try Jim and Nick's BBQ on Lovell Rd near Turkey Creek! It's awesome!

 

[Lidian]

Most people only know it because the McDonald's is RIGHT off of the interstate. I think I heard once that it's like the #1 visited McDonald's in the state or something.

You might want to call and have them add a note to your reservation with a request for a close building due to your DD's asthma. (You might want to check the CSR thread on the Resorts board to find the closest non-Preferred building.) When you check in, if you're assigned to a far away building, ask if there's anything closer and again tell them about your DD's asthma. One of the great things about Disney is that they work really well with guests with medical issues. No guarantee that will work, but it's worth a shot!

ETA: You should try Jim and Nick's BBQ on Lovell Rd near Turkey Creek! It's awesome!

You know, I don't think I've added to the statistic. Harriman is really not that far, and we usually eat before we leave if we're on I-40. I guess it would be possible to drop by there on the way back a time or two, but I really don't recall.

I did check out the CSR thread, but posters are being told conflicting stories by the CM's, so its really hard to say which building would be safe to request without an upcharge. I may have my TA call Monday morning and have her note it on the reservation that we have an asthmatic child. Thank you for the suggestion.

Lovell Rd! I haven't been there in ... wow, nearly 10 years, and that was to go to Cotton Eyed Joes.

I mentioned it to DH, and he hasn't heard of it either. He did, however, try that roadside place one day (it was brought in by his employer) and he lived. He said it was just 'okay' though - equivalent to Buddy's BBQ.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

You know, I don't think I've added to the statistic. Harriman is really not that far, and we usually eat before we leave if we're on I-40. I guess it would be possible to drop by there on the way back a time or two, but I really don't recall.

I did check out the CSR thread, but posters are being told conflicting stories by the CM's, so its really hard to say which building would be safe to request without an upcharge. I may have my TA call Monday morning and have her note it on the reservation that we have an asthmatic child. Thank you for the suggestion.

Lovell Rd! I haven't been there in ... wow, nearly 10 years, and that was to go to Cotton Eyed Joes.

I mentioned it to DH, and he hasn't heard of it either. He did, however, try that roadside place one day (it was brought in by his employer) and he lived. He said it was just 'okay' though - equivalent to Buddy's BBQ.

at CEJ's!! DH has all kinds of stories about that place from college...I can honestly say I've never set foot inside. (Now the one that used to be in Cookeville, that's another story.... )

Jim & Nicks is pretty new. It's where Ruby Tuesday used to be (I think), right beside McD's. It's a chain restaurant...I think maybe there is one in Hilton Head? We went there once right after it opened. The food was great, but the service...not so much. That was 4 or 5 months ago, though, so it might have improved since. If you like BBQ it's worth checking out. (Much better than Buddy's IMO. )

 

[Lidian]

at CEJ's!! DH has all kinds of stories about that place from college...I can honestly say I've never set foot inside. (Now the one that used to be in Cookeville, that's another story.... )

Jim & Nicks is pretty new. It's where Ruby Tuesday used to be (I think), right beside McD's. It's a chain restaurant...I think maybe there is one in Hilton Head? We went there once right after it opened. The food was great, but the service...not so much. That was 4 or 5 months ago, though, so it might have improved since. If you like BBQ it's worth checking out. (Much better than Buddy's IMO. )

I've only been to CEJ's enough times to count on one hand ... but I remember clearly the last time I went (which is a whole other story). CEJ's was not the typical club I would frequent back pre-kids.

I'll mention to DH we should try it, but to be honest, I don't like BBQ.

Okay, so in 2009, when I was searching for QS places for AK to eat at, I marked FTBBQ off instantly. As we were there and walked past it, it made my mouth water. So we ate there in 2010 (I could never get those delicious smells out of my head). It was... YUM! And I don't care what DH and the kids want to eat this year, I'm eating at FTBBQ (with or without them ). So how is it in comparison to FlameTree?

And I've learned, almost every new establishment has issues with service. We love Olive Garden, and when one opened up here, we attempted to eat there three times (we were only successful twice) and each time, I had to complain to management (and I am NOT a complainer in public). The service is fine now, but its pretty much like that at any new place (around here, anyway).

 

[mtgirl29]

We tried Bennett's BBQ in Pigeon Forge last year on our Smokies vacation and it was very good! I have a pic of DD somewhere with sauce all over her face and hands after enjoying her ribs.... I will have to dig around for it. She would kill me if I posted it. I just might have to, though! It is too cute not to.

Do you happen to remember how much the face painting cost? We will definitely do it, but just don't want to have sticker shock when we get there.
Enjoying your posts, as always!!!

 

[Lidian]

We tried Bennett's BBQ in Pigeon Forge last year on our Smokies vacation and it was very good! I have a pic of DD somewhere with sauce all over her face and hands after enjoying her ribs.... I will have to dig around for it. She would kill me if I posted it. I just might have to, though! It is too cute not to.

Do you happen to remember how much the face painting cost? We will definitely do it, but just don't want to have sticker shock when we get there.
Enjoying your posts, as always!!!

Well, if she's persistent that it should stay hidden, you can PM me the pic.

TBH, I wasn't with them when they got their face painted. I wanted to say it was about $15-ish, but DH says he paid $20 for the "cheap" one for DS. I tried to search for a picture of the "price board", but I didn't come up with anything on bing. I can't imagine it being very much, because the Pirate's League is $30, and it includes more. I'll take a pic of the board on our trip, granted, that doesn't give you much time to budget for it. I also thought there was a thread not too long ago about the price being $15ish ... but maybe I dreamt it. I just remember thinking that it wasn't bad for a cute Disney face paint, and they're really quick about applying it, too!

And yes, there's nothing worse than "sticker shock"!

 

[Lidian]

I also thought there was a thread not too long ago about the price being $15ish ... but maybe I dreamt it.

I found the thread. It wasn't a dream.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650820

The consensus shows around $15 for "full face" like Marie.

 

[mtgirl29]

I found the thread. It wasn't a dream.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650820

The consensus shows around $15 for "full face" like Marie.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I appreciate you finding this out for me. $15 or so is very doable. The kids and I loved looking at the additional pics of the painted faces. Jay has changed his mind again and likes the jungle lion. He also changed his mind on his bday cake again. No more Monster Truck, he now wants a Mickey one...... I had nothing to do with this...

 

[lbuzz52]

I've been to Memphis three times my whole life (and had the BEST seafood there). But I have to ask ... have you tried Neely's BBQ and is it as good as it sounds? (I love watching the Neely's on FN channel.) So far, the only BBQ I've found that I like is from Flametree. But we're limited here with just having Buddy's BBQ and a roadside place that I'm too scared to try (or the local grocery store, frozen food section).

Perhaps I'll tell them we're going to the Burt Reynolds Museum. Not that either child would know who he is. Then they'd probably whine the entire trip. It would just be my luck. But they'd be excited once we "got lost at WDW".

I get on here on my iPhone all the time with 3g. It does decently well- but I stay away from the really picture heavy threads. I need to check and see if there is the option to turn signature viewing off because then it would be even quicker.

The neelys- their family has quite a few barbeque joints around here. They are all pretty good, but not my favorite in Memphis. My favorite "neely family" bbq is a place called interstate BBQ. I think their uncle owns it.

I have a couple favorite Memphis bbqs- Central- the midtown location near the zoo and Germantown commisary- mostly on this list because it's what I grew up with. If my husband wants ribs or a sausage plate then it's rendevoux.

We have a Jim and nicks here and I wasn't crazy for it. It's not necessaarily that it was bad- just wasn't Memphis style BBQ for me.

 

[Lidian]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I appreciate you finding this out for me. $15 or so is very doable. The kids and I loved looking at the additional pics of the painted faces. Jay has changed his mind again and likes the jungle lion. He also changed his mind on his bday cake again. No more Monster Truck, he now wants a Mickey one...... I had nothing to do with this...

You're more than welcome! It was driving me crazy, because I couldn't remember.

It's okay, because I feel your pain. DS wanted a cookie cake, then a cake, then a cookie, then a cake. (Details to follow on what was finalized.)

I dunno what DD and DS will pick this year ... DH says we're already doing TPL for them, but I'm sure DH will cave once DD bats her pretty lashes at him.

So how long will the Mickey theme stick for? Pictures or it didn't happen! (At least that's what my BFF's quote is.)

 

[Lidian]

I get on here on my iPhone all the time with 3g. It does decently well- but I stay away from the really picture heavy threads. I need to check and see if there is the option to turn signature viewing off because then it would be even quicker.

The neelys- their family has quite a few barbeque joints around here. They are all pretty good, but not my favorite in Memphis. My favorite "neely family" bbq is a place called interstate BBQ. I think their uncle owns it.

I have a couple favorite Memphis bbqs- Central- the midtown location near the zoo and Germantown commisary- mostly on this list because it's what I grew up with. If my husband wants ribs or a sausage plate then it's rendevoux.

We have a Jim and nicks here and I wasn't crazy for it. It's not necessaarily that it was bad- just wasn't Memphis style BBQ for me.

I tried to load up this thread on my phone, and it seemed to do well for viewing. I didn't try to reply, or load the main DIS threads, but it seemed to be okay. So I may play with it more when I'm out.

I think the Neely's own Memphis. I didn't realize how big their franchise was! I just watch their shows on FN channel and they crack me up - especially when they disagree. They are soo sweet on camera and their arguments are honey-coated. LOVE IT! I actually tried one of their recipes for Thanksgiving (I think it was the cranberry sauce) and it was YUM!

If we ever make it out West, we'll have to try one of the places you mentioned.

 

[Lidian]

DS's birthday isn't until Tuesday, but with everyone's work schedules, we like to celebrate on the Saturday closest to their special day. So yesterday, we celebrated DS's birthday, along with my Granny's. She was excited to turn 5 again. (Poor DS never gets his "own" cake/cookie, he shares with Granny, but she loves aging up all over again.)

DS couldn't decide on just one theme for his birthday ... it went from Thomas (the train) to Pirates to Toy Story. He settled on a cookie cake with Toy Story decorations.

Here's the cookie cake:

After Seth blew out the candles, he wanted to remove them himself. I pointed out that the melted wax was hot, but he didn't believe me. He tried to remove one, but changed his mind:

I never once got a good picture of him. But here's a couple:

And yes, that's chocolate icecream around his mouth.

He had a good birthday overall. He got a lot of Thomas stuff (puzzles, two different "take along" packs, a game) and lots of lego-like stuff. The package said 5+ on it, but he lost most of the pieces before we even got home. He also got quite a few hot wheels items, and a Mario backpack-thing. It was very girly ... it was basically a huge plush Mario that you can wear on your back (with a tiny zipper pocket to stick stuff in).

DS will get presents from mom and dad on Tuesday when we go out for his birthday dinner (he gets to pick the restaurant - right now, its Burger King ). He's looking forward to school on Tuesday, too. In the Pre-K program, the birthday child gets to be "the big cheese" for the day (line leader, helps with the calendar, checks the weather, leads songs and stuff, etc). They call the school principal "the master big cheese", which is adorable. I only wish that it was on Wednesday - that's when DD's classroom comes to the Pre-K room and reads to the kids. It would have been nice for big sis to visit his class on his birthday.

Anyway, celebration is done. Up next: FOOD!

 

[Lidian]

So I went scouting for our pins to see what we had available for pin trading, and I came across old WDW receipts!

Here's a run down of things we ate in 2010 (pics if I had them - and not already posted):

Wolfgang Pucks 4/24/10 Breanna took care of us
This is our FAVORITE WDW restaurant
Me: Chef's Sampler (see pic earlier); Creme Brulee Cheesecake
DH: Chilean Salmon; Creme Brulee Cheesecake
Kids: Chicken Tenders and burger; ice cream sundaes

Kouzzina 4/25/10 Sashi took care of us
Me: Mega-Berry Smoothie; Pastitsio (see pic earlier); Loukoumades
DH: Pomegrante Lemonade; Fisherman's Stew (see pic earlier); Baklava
Kids: Both had cheese pizza with the sundae

Yakitori House 4/26/10 QS
Me: Green Tea; Teriyaki Chicken
DH: Lemonade; Tonosama Combo Deal
Kids: Teriyaki Chicken

Chefs de France 4/26/10 Loic took care of us
I could listen to Loic talk allll day. He was really great with the kids as well, and it was PACKED inside!!!!
Me: Soupe a l'oignon gratinee (onion soup); Filet de Saumon, ratatouille sauce Choron (salmon with ratatouille); Profiteroles au chocolat (puffs with chocolate sauce)
DH: Bisque de Homard (lobster bisque); Demi poulet fermier roti, pommes rissolees et tomate grillee (roasted chicken); Creme Brulee
DD: Croquette de Boeuf en Brioche (hamburger); Choix de Glace ou Sorbet (lemon sorbet)
DS: Blanc de Poulet Aux Nouilles (chicken tenders); Biscuit au chocolat (chocolate chip cookie)

DH's chicken:

Profiteroles:

California Grill 4/27/10 Walter took care of us
Me: glass of Selbach-Oster Riesling; Oak-fired Filet of Beef; "Sponge Cake"? I just remember I had something chocolately .. maybe it was the Valrhona Chocolate Cake?
DH: receipt says "Cod" and "Market Dessert"
Kids: One had steak, the other had Fish, both with salads; one had chocolate pudding, the other had vanilla ice cream desserts
We had no camera with us, so I didn't take pictures, and I really don't remember, just that it was sooo yummy!

Backlot Express 4/28/10 QS
Me: Tukey Sandwich
DH: Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Kids: Chicken Nuggets

Sci-Fi Dine-In 4/28/10 Virtue took care of us
Me: Chocolate Shake; Beef & Blue Salad; Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
DH: Vanilla Shake; Butcher Steak; Ice cream sundae
Kids: Mac'n Cheese and Hot Dog; ice cream sundaes

Kona Cafe 4/30/10 Mel took are of us
We shared a sushi appetizer, but can't find the name of it (volcano something maybe?)
Me: Strawberry Daiquiri; Coconut-Almond Chicken (salad); Chocolate Fondue
DH: Mega-Berry Smoothie; Tuna Oscar; Banana Chocolate Creme Brulee
Kids: Hot Dog and Fish; Fruit and sundae for desserts

I give major thumbs up to all these dishes. We had "happy plates" everywhere (I really do wish I had pics of DH licking his plate). The worst thing we had was the ratatouille - which was fine, just not what I was expecting. I had never had it before. The Pastitsio was really good, but it was one of those dishes that after a few bites, you're just done with it.

My biggest dining complaint was that the kids were eating the same things all week. Kid menus had very little options, which was sad. If it wasn't for the DDP, she'd never order off the kids menu. However, she does help me clean my plate.

 

[mrssmith06]

Aww I'm glad he had a good birthday!!!

and thanks for the "food porn" LOL

 

[Lidian]

Aww I'm glad he had a good birthday!!!

and thanks for the "food porn" LOL

Thank you and you're welcome!