Mentally Preparing: A Focker, A Croc & Waldo hit POFQ! Trip Report Link is UP!

[Castillo Mom]

Tracy, we love the Plaza! And they serve so much food there. That place gets pack though so we usually get there at around 11:45 when the line starts to form during the busy season, which is almost always.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I sure hope it is better than the Nemo ride at Epcot I know they are completely different types of rides, but man that Nemo ride at Epcot boy I wouldve been pissed to wait 20 minutes for that..

I haven yet to experience the Nemo ride in Epcot, but the reviews don't look too hot. Evan loves Nemo so as long as he is happy...

We are only going to be there for a weekend We will be in San Diego for about 3 weeks, but plan to go to Anaheim for a couple of days. I've been before, but I was a teenager (I love Morrissey, too ) so it was a long time ago. I think we'll only do one day in Disneyland and one in CA. I wish we had longer, but DH is out there on business and we're tagging along.

Bring on the heat and the crowds!

Well, carp! If you have your choice, do Sunday. I've been surprised more than once at an empty park on Sunday afternoon.

Tracy, we love the Plaza! And they serve so much food there. That place gets pack though so we usually get there at around 11:45 when the line starts to form during the busy season, which is almost always.

That's Maddies favorite place. She loves the childs Pasta. You know we strolled in around 12:50 with no crowds at all. Which is unusual, as you know. It was great! :

 

[Sabrina90744]

I haven yet to experience the Nemo ride in Epcot, but the reviews don't look too hot. Evan loves Nemo so as long as he is happy...

He will like it, but I really dont recommend standing in a long line for it. It is really short

 

[DisneyJo]

Did I just pull a Lauralee? You know, a mini-trip report within a pre-trip report?

Go ahead Tracy, you're so lucky visiting so often so please share

I forgot to mention, I rode over the new Nemo ride, whilst taking the Monorail into Dland.

Oh Tracy you've obviously been spending too much time chatting with me as you're now saying whilst

 

[DisneyJo]

Tracy just thought of something, you know you were saying about eating at Alfredos but after V's report on GG you may change did you know that Alfredos is closing for good at the end of August so if you really want to eat there it's now or never!

Just thought I'd add to your planning dilemmas!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Tracy just thought of something, you know you were saying about eating at Alfredos but after V's report on GG you may change did you know that Alfredos is closing for good at the end of August so if you really want to eat there it's now or never!

Just thought I'd add to your planning dilemmas!

I just saw that on allearsnet. Here's what I've been thinking....
Alfredo's gets mixed reviews, right? And they are closing a few days after our scheduled ADR. What if the staff and restaurant has the "we're closing in few days so who cares" attitude. Then I was looking at the pictures of the GG and I don't know if I like the ambience. So, now I'm thinking of changing Alfredo's to Chefs de France, just because we need to do a lunch time TS at Epcot that day.
Also, I noticed on allearsnet, that Teppanyaki was going to re-opened on 8/15. So, that was on our original ADR request, until refurb dates got pushed back. And now the refurb dates are different, according to allears. Well, I called to make an ADR for Teppanyaki and they said it's not open until 8/27. I'm so confused.
I'm thinking I'm going to make a second ADR for Chefs for our Alfredo's day and just keep them both until I figure out if Teppanyaki is going to open in time or not. Then, if it does, I'll cancel Chefs and Alfredos.

Boy, I bet your sorry you mentioned it, huh Jo?

 

[DisneyJo]

Boy, I bet your sorry you mentioned it, huh Jo?

We wanted Teppanyaki for the 26th (I think) and when I did my ADR's they wouldn't book, so I thought we might GASP wing one night of our trip with no ADR GASP, hijacking thread here but any ideas? Or a good suggestion, trouble is it was the only restaurant DH wanted to go to, see he does get a say I know I know I should start my own TR trouble is mines all done and dusted except that one meal so how funny would that TR be

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I was going to ask you the same.

Let's see... going around the Epcot TS eateries...

San Angel Inn - nah, I don't think my kids will like it
Akershaus - nah, I don't think DH will like it
Nine Dragons - nah, can get better Chinese locally
Germany - uh, no way. I don't eat wieners. (Easy there, LL)
Alfredos - possibly
Teppanyaki - hoping for
Marrakesh - Waldo and I are the only ones interested (I know!)
Chefs de France - possibly
Rose & Crown - already have ADR
LeCellier - already have ADR
GG - not really interested
Coral Reef - already have ADR

Do you see my dillemma? Feel free to jump in anyone with your 2 cents.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Tracy, I don't know if you'll be able to convince your family but we really enjoyed the food at Marrakesh, even the boys. Tell the males that there'll be a belly dancer! Waldo would love it there.

Askerhaus and Biergarten, I agree with you on those. San Angel, I agree there too for obvious reasons. I was iffy about Rose and Crown but skipped
it since we're doing the International Dinner. I would've considered it if I wanted a VIPish spot for Illuminations and may later on if we have to cancel our GG event at Epcot.

Teppanyaki is more my bag so I booked us for 8/30. I sure hope they don't push the date back because Damian (my eldest) really wanted to eat there last trip but we weren't able to make it.

Ooh, I forgot to tell you! Do you have a Costco membership? At the one in Cypress they had the cutest Disney board shorts/rashguard sets for boys. I loved this one they had that was Pirates-themed in red and black. You know those are going to fly out the door. Oh, and they also had these really cute button down cotton shirt/t-shirt/matching short sets too. I noticed in the Costco magazine for March that they're going to be having the Disney one piece bathing suits with matching terry cover-up pretty soon. Last summer I wanted to get a couple for my niece but by the time I noticed they were selling them, they were out of her size. I'll try again this year. Can you tell I'm a Costco fan? I'm there every two weeks faithfully - have to with 3 teens that would gnaw my arm off if I don't keep the fridge fully stocked.

 

[DisneyJo]

I was going to ask you the same.

Let's see... going around the Epcot TS eateries...

San Angel Inn - nah, I don't think my kids will like it agree
Akershaus - nah, I don't think DH will like it doing breakfast
Nine Dragons - nah, can get better Chinese locally this is a maybe
Germany - uh, no way. I don't eat wieners. (Easy there, LL) German food yuck
Alfredos - possibly agree maybe
Teppanyaki - hoping for me too
Marrakesh - Waldo and I are the only ones interested (I know!) no thanks
Chefs de France - possibly went as a kid and the CM's were really rude
Rose & Crown - already have ADR feel silly eating here
LeCellier - already have ADR same
GG - not really interested booked
Coral Reef - already have ADR same

Do you see my dillemma? Feel free to jump in anyone with your 2 cents.

I'm so much help

Ooh, I forgot to tell you! Do you have a Costco membership?

I know she has as she's buying me some milk duds, see I haven't forgotten Tracy

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Tracy, I don't know if you'll be able to convince your family but we really enjoyed the food at Marrakesh, even the boys. Tell the males that there'll be a belly dancer! Waldo would love it there.

Why do you think Waldo is interested? I perused the menu and I love Moroccan food. I think I may book it anyway.

Teppanyaki is more my bag so I booked us for 8/30. I sure hope they don't push the date back because Damian (my eldest) really wanted to eat there last trip but we weren't able to make it.

Yeah, I agree w/ you there. Do you ever go to Sambi? Is it still good? We haven't been in years. BTW, I love that name, Damian. I sooooo wanted to name Evan that. Everyone gave me grief about it, b/c they associate it with the movie, but I didn't care. It's a beautiful name.

Ooh, I forgot to tell you! Do you have a Costco membership? At the one in Cypress they had the cutest Disney board shorts/rashguard sets for boys. I loved this one they had that was Pirates-themed in red and black.

Got the Mickey Pirate one for Evan :

I noticed in the Costco magazine for March that they're going to be having the Disney one piece bathing suits with matching terry cover-up pretty soon. Last summer I wanted to get a couple for my niece but by the time I noticed they were selling them, they were out of her size.

They already put them out at the LaHabra Costco, which is the one I go to. They didn't have Maddies size anymore. Oh well, she's so skinny, the 2 I bought from there last year, still fit!

I'm so much help

Yeah, thanks, Jo! You know we did Chefs last year and the server was SUPER nice to us. But the food stunk. I was really disappointed in the food, but I'm willing to give lunch a try. How can you screw up a Croque Monsiour? (sp?)

I know she has as she's buying me some milk duds, see I haven't forgotten Tracy

Oh, just you wait and see. I'd love to see how your going to get a vat of Milk Duds back to England!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Nope, haven't been to Sambi in years. I live in walking distance too. Don't know why but it just hasn't crossed my mind to go. I'd rather travel 3000 miles and have Japanese food in WDW.

Ok, this is getting creepy! I should've known you're a Costco shopper, I mean aren't most bargain hunters? And you got the one I would've bought if my boys were little. I didn't know they had the girl's swimsuits though, darn! No time to go this weekend and by the time I get over there next weekend they'll probably be gone.

Ha, I got the same grief from my family about Damian's name. My kid, didn't care what people thought. I'm the one that went through 2 days of labor, I'll name him Fido if I want to! Besides, no one teases him about that name at least he's never mentioned it.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Time to get back on topic. I've got this pre-trip report all mixed up and out of order. Oh, well. I'm sure y'all can figure it out. It's like a movie that flashes back and then goes to present time. It'll all pan out, soonish!

Ok, flash back...
It’s been an odd year, so far. It’s only March and things are not right. In early January our stove/oven started acting up and needed to be replaced. ca-ching….just a little hit to the Disney Fund. A few weeks later, coincidently the week before Super Bowl Sunday, our TV starts acting strange. DH insists it needs to be replaced, not repaired. Not only does it need to be replaced, but it needs to be replace with a larger, LCD Sony Bravia flat screen uber expensive (to our budget) TV. CA-CHING! Ok, I’ve had it! I confront DH and ask him if he is deliberately trying to sabotage my Disney Fund. Of course he innocently shakes his head claiming innocence. Hmmmf!
Things are moving right along and *POOF* my beloved ‘puter crashes! According to the Geek Squad it is super infected with spy ware and worms and everything you could think of that makes a ‘puter choke and die. Apparently, my virus protection subscription expired over a year ago and DH never re-subscribed or updated my virus protection. Sabotage, I tell you. I have to shell out more cheddar to get my baby fixed and returned to Mama in perfect working order.

Now DH, thinks my Disney Fund has taken a huge hit and wonders how we will be able to afford our trip. He is clueless, I tell you. He doesn’t know that mama can turn those pennies into dallah’s baby! And I have been. I’ve been socking away money left and right. They way I have it figured; I should have enough money to pay off the trip by the end of June. Maddies school tuition will be done in May, so I can sock away the June and August funds that would have gone to the tuition as spending money. You see, DH has one request… and that is vacation must be paid in advance and must be paid in cash. No credit cards. No balances. Zip. Zero. Nada. I don’t even get to use a credit card on vacation. I can respect his request, because, well because I don’t’ work. Not that I’ve not been trying to find work, well, honestly I haven’t, really. I’m too busy planning our trip. That’s a job in itself.
Playin’ with my money is like playin’ with my emotions!
Sabotage diverted, let’s play ball.

Up Next: Free Dining prospect = nightmares for Mama

 

[Lauralee131]

Did I just pull a Lauralee? You know, a mini-trip report within a pre-trip report?

I thought this sounded familiar!!!!

I wasn't on line at all last night...and worked out in the yard since early this AM...need a nap, but had to stop by and see if I was missing anything!

Edited to add: Man - dig me...I was replying to an older post, and somehow I'm first to the new one...JUST GOING ON RECORD...I haven't read it yet..going to RIGHT NOW...

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I thought this sounded familiar!!!!

I wasn't on line at all last night...and worked out in the yard since early this AM...need a nap, but had to stop by and see if I was missing anything!

Edited to add: Man - dig me...I was replying to an older post, and somehow I'm first to the new one...JUST GOING ON RECORD...I haven't read it yet..going to RIGHT NOW...

I was wondering where you were. I was starting to feel neglected.
No soup for me!

I'm just about to head outside. We're going to plant our herb and veggie garden today. Maddie thinks she's Martha Stewart or somthin'. Total Cruise Director attitude. Lord, give me strength!

 

[Lauralee131]

Time to get back on topic. I've got this pre-trip report all mixed up and out of order. Oh, well. I'm sure y'all can figure it out. It's like a movie that flashes back and then goes to present time. It'll all pan out, soonish!

Take it easy on me...It's like watching Pulp Fiction...I'm totally lost

Ok, flash back...

A few weeks later, coincidently the week before Super Bowl Sunday, our TV starts acting strange. DH insists it needs to be replaced, not repaired. Not only does it need to be replaced, but it needs to be replace with a larger, LCD Sony Bravia flat screen uber expensive (to our budget) TV. CA-CHING! Ok, I’ve had it! I confront DH and ask him if he is deliberately trying to sabotage my Disney Fund. Of course he innocently shakes his head claiming innocence. Hmmmf!

Sniff, sniff....I smell a RAT!!

Things are moving right along and *POOF* my beloved ‘puter crashes! According to the Geek Squad it is super infected with spy ware and worms and everything you could think of that makes a ‘puter choke and die. Apparently, my virus protection subscription expired over a year ago and DH never re-subscribed or updated my virus protection. Sabotage, I tell you. I have to shell out more cheddar to get my baby fixed and returned to Mama in perfect working order.

NO WAY... This can't all be happening...too much!

Now DH, thinks my Disney Fund has taken a huge hit and wonders how we will be able to afford our trip. He is clueless, I tell you. He doesn’t know that mama can turn those pennies into dallah’s baby!

FDM, bayyybyyyyy!!!!!

And I have been. I’ve been socking away money left and right. They way I have it figured; I should have enough money to pay off the trip by the end of June. Maddies school tuition will be done in May, so I can sock away the June and August funds that would have gone to the tuition as spending money. You see, DH has one request… and that is vacation must be paid in advance and must be paid in cash.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah blah blah...it's all carp...DH is pulling the same line on me...WHATEVER...

Honey, if money were meant to hold on to, it'd have come with handles!! In theory, paid in cash and in advance sounds great...this is REAL LIFE, not General Hospital...

No credit cards. No balances. Zip. Zero. Nada. I don’t even get to use a credit card on vacation. I can respect his request, because, well because I don’t’ work. Not that I’ve not been trying to find work, well, honestly I haven’t, really. I’m too busy planning our trip. That’s a job in itself.
Playin’ with my money is like playin’ with my emotions!
Sabotage diverted, let’s play ball.

Be careful out there!! You never know what danger is lurking...

Up Next: Free Dining prospect = nightmares for Mama

Oh man, you're killing me...I gotta go get some more...

 

[Lauralee131]

I was wondering where you were. I was starting to feel neglected.
No soup for me!

I'm just about to head outside. We're going to plant our herb and veggie garden today. Maddie thinks she's Martha Stewart or somthin'. Total Cruise Director attitude. Lord, give me strength!

Cute! I asked Tony if we do a little veggie garden this year...Of course by "WE", I mean the invisible French guy that works around the house, cause he ain't doing it and I - well, I just can't...no gardening skills... I gave it a shot today...got dirty and everything...

OOOh...that reminds me...DH went to the hardware store to get me some spray weed killing stuff and I asked him to get me a pair of gloves and what did he bring me back???? LIME GREEN GARDENING GLOVES!! He was so proud of himself...

There's hope for him yet!!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Cute! I asked Tony if we do a little veggie garden this year...Of course by "WE", I mean the invisible French guy that works around the house, cause he ain't doing it and I - well, I just can't...no gardening skills... I gave it a shot today...got dirty and everything...

OOOh...that reminds me...DH went to the hardware store to get me some spray weed killing stuff and I asked him to get me a pair of gloves and what did he bring me back???? LIME GREEN GARDENING GLOVES!! He was so proud of himself...

There's hope for him yet!!!

Ding, ding, ding, ding! We got a winner here! Score 100 points for DH.

 

[Castillo Mom]

In early January our stove/oven started acting up and needed to be replaced. ca-ching….just a little hit to the Disney Fund. A few weeks later, coincidently the week before Super Bowl Sunday, our TV starts acting strange. DH insists it needs to be replaced, not repaired. Not only does it need to be replaced, but it needs to be replace with a larger, LCD Sony Bravia flat screen uber expensive (to our budget) TV. CA-CHING! Ok, I’ve had it! I confront DH and ask him if he is deliberately trying to sabotage my Disney Fund. Of course he innocently shakes his head claiming innocence. Hmmmf!

Used to be a SAHM. Little do the hubbies know that we can be super creative with the budget. Once shortly before our first trip to WDW my husband complained about having left over leftovers I said, " Hush up and eat your Top Ramen, it's good for you!"

I've also had a few hits to the Disney budget this year but have been able to work some OT to compensate. In fact I'm at work right now. Love that time and a half!

Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[DisneyJo]

So many similar things in the last 3 months we've needed a new vacuum, big TV, fridge freezer, bed and after 18 months we finally bought a dining room table (we hardly use it but what else do you put in a dining room ) We have a holiday fund (well my account) DH pays me to do his accounts and the child benefit goes into it too and we just forget it's there, then each year there is hopefully enough for a nice holiday. But as I have suddenly got a very expensive vacation habit last year we spent a week in a caravan in Scotland to save a bit for this year!

It was actually a very beautiful day here too and we didn't need our coats Maddie sounds so sweet has she got her own gardening gear?