Metro New Orleans DISers - check in!!! - 03/2009

[Where'sPiglet?]

What a surprise! You all are talking about FOOD!

rant ahead....

screen door broke yesterday - the springy thing that keeps the door closed at the bottom broke

ran into a wooden telephone pole here at the complex...didn't even hit it that hard but it looks terrible....and has these brown marks from the pole...of course I cant put it on insurance so guess I will just pay it myself...sigh

another friend's husband suddenly lost his job today...I am so sad for them.

Just wanted to say a quick "hi"! I got a nasty little migraine with this nasty little weather change and DH was off two whole days in a row(!), so I've been MIA because of that- I've got a bunch to read back and catch up on!

DD was on her swingset yesterday with her Mickey ears on, and was singing "I'm just a little black rain cloud (from Winnie the Pooh)- it was so darn cute that I had to take a picture. It makes all of those struggles I've been having with her just kind of melt away!

I have a nasty migraine too. I have a dr appt in 3 weeks and I'm going to see if I can get some prescription migraine medicine. The one I had before didn't work though. Excedrin doesn't touch it - even if I take it right away when I notice it's coming.

Sienna is so cute!

Oh Piglet I hope you have a better day today. Yesterday sure was a winner!

OMG yesterday. Today we were laughing so hard about it at lunch, but yesterday it was ridiculous. Today was far better! Out of the five of us eating together at lunch, I realized I was the only one that had been there the last time the school caught (er, was put on) fire (in spring 2006). All that stuff yesterday has happened before, just not ALL AT ONCE.

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I need to go back a few pages and catch up. I ended up having to go back to the dr. for my respiratory problems. I think its under control now. I hope.

Yesterday, DS got his drivers license. He is driving to school today. I told him to call me as soon as he got there to let me know he made it okay.

I hope you are breathing well.

My DH does not have a driver's license yet. I told him he needs to figure out what he needs to to do get one. He is not getting one here though.

I love planning the dining!

Why am I not surprised?

Morning Y'all,

Thanks for all the prayers for DD & DH! The aide did show up last night & DH was as comfortable with her as he could be in that situation. We'll see if she comes back on Thurs.

Bethany, I hope this morning is going better than yesterday's!

That is good news about the aide. Hopefully it works out for you!

Yes, thank you.

I realized that I'm in double digits for days left in my lease...I missed the 100 day mark! I only have 91 days left in this apartment. Guess I better figure out what the heck I'm doing come July!

 

[lori1043]

Well, I was looking in a 2007 Passporters b/c I wanted a hard copy of the resataurants. I have been on Allearsnet, but need it all laid out.

I sooooo appreciate your advice. I esp like advice that includes why you like it(1st meal there, sit on 2nd floor), b/c sometimes it isn't the food that is the big draw.....

I think I am starting to narrow it down and will PM you Kathy!!

It seems like Columibia Harbour House and Tony's Town Square will be on MK day!

EPCOT seems like it will take me a while!!

DS is looking like a Backlot Express/Pizza Planet compromise(Ash really wants PP but I had BE on my marathon trip and it was memorable) and Sci Fi.

AK- is Tusker House CS or TS??if it is character. Like I said, my book is 2007 and has it listed as CS and no characters mentioned. Rainforest cafe on the way out- b/c it is a tradition for us, ever since Make a Wish. So we won't need anything else there.

We did Earl of Sandwich once, Ash and I did it 2x, so we may go for the Wolfgang Puck Express when there, if it fits.

Ohana or Boma?? IF I have to choose, that will take some thinking!!! I have always wanted to try both of these.

We thoroughly enjoyed Whispering canyon Cafe, yummmmm and funnnnn!!!

Anyone done Mickeys Backyard BBQ???

Lori

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Table Service:
MK:
Liberty Tree Tavern have nothing for you, i know there are no more characters though
Tony's Town Square we liked it here, tony wants to go again - ON our anniversary, no less

EPCOT:
L'Originale Alfredo di Ristorante now tutto italia, another tony repeat request - GET THE SIGNATURE DESSERT
Les Chefs De France* i've seen pics of the french onion soup - it looks to die for
Coral Reef(haven't been with kids here) kids will probably like the aquarium, this was the best new york strip i had all week - and i ate ALOT of steak that week
The Garden Grill food was great - comfort food- and lots of character time
Le Cellier gonna try my best to get an adr this time
Tepan Edo(sp?)

Disney Studios:
Mama Melroses i'd try this, but we want to try brown derby this time, it just smelled SO GOOD every time we passed it
Sci Fi Dine In*(possibly -kids love it) we were unimpressed, although the atmosphere is unique

AK:
suggestions open but not necessary, b/c we LOVE Rainforest Cafe on the way out here. yak and yeti was decent, we'd do it again, but we want to try boma on AK day

Boma we are eager to try this
1900 Park Fare(wicked step mom thing??) i've heard the characters are great
Kona or Ohana can't wait to try kona sticky wings, ohana might be a little loud for us, but your kids might love it
Whispering Canyon cafe* i see a *, so go for it, but it's not an enviornment i want to put myself in

Counter service:
MK:
Columbia Harbour House the chicken strips here were exceptionally good
Pinocchio Village Haus

EPCOT: too many good ts to even think of a cs here
Yorkshire County Fish Shop(we just like the heart healthy food here)
Boulangerie Patisserie(maybe we'll do a snack there)

DS: don't really like any of the cs here, pizza planet was "ok" - check out starring rolls - mmmm pastry
Backlot Express
Toy Story Pizza Planet(the kids are asking for this, but we can get food from the other one!)

AK:
Flame Tree BBQ(I hear a lot about this one!) smelled great when we passed it
Tusker House
Restaurantosaurus
we ate at pizzafari twice - must try the chicken parm sandwich

DD:
Earl of Sandwich* we're checking this out this year
Wolfgand Puck Express we were very unimpressed and disapponited - maybe we just ordered the wrong thing, tony HATED the spaghettti, i might consider trying the rosemary chicken?

Lori

PS Did I name EVERYTHING??? I am overwhelmed to be honest! What to do,where to go???

last year we did:
yak and yeti - not GREAT, but good and would return
coral reef - loved it, will go back every trip ETA - omg, how could i forget the BISQUE!?!?!? and the chocolate wave AND chocolate mousse were GREAT
tutto italia - very good, i COULD skip it for other things, but tony LOVED it
sci-fi - maybe we ordered the wrong thing (steak), should have tried the burgers? only saw our waiter once onion rings were not impressive
garden grill - good comfort food, fried fish and flank steak cooked perfectly, good sides, lots of character time. mickey liked that i had chocolate milk.

this year we'll try to get:
boma, coral reef, le cellier, tutto italia, crystal palace, tony's, kona, garden grill, the wave and brown derby (fantasmic package)

hope that helps a little - good luck!

 

[lori1043]

Thank you!!

Sci Fi is NOT about the food.... I am not overly impressed with the food there either, but something about eating in little cars in the dark with a big movie screen and glow in the dark ice cubes really impresses my children. They were VERY bent out of shape the last time we were there and to fit our whole family, the gave us the umbrella picnic tables in the back.... it was a long lunch........ but we needed to feed my pregnant SIL before our ressie was made...
SO, I am quite sure that passing it over on our POSSIBLE next trip would be a bad thing!

WCC was fabulous, lovely atmosphere, awesome food.... This one could ALMOST be a tradition for us. It was not crowded and the wait staff is unique!

We eat at off times, we do not eat at traditional times and having breakfast out is a treat and we will probably treat it that way this time too.... we may pick ONE big b/fast day. Boma sounds good for that. But there are too many choices!

So, on the DDP, do we each get an appetizer, entree and dessert? B/c if that is the case, Haley will probably have lots of TS meals leftover!
We usually share an appetizer, get entrees and SOMETIMES, depending on the palce we go, Haley or Ash and I will split an entree, and rarely do we ever get to dessert. So if we each get an appetizer, we will be overlaoded with food!

Lori

 

[kmores]

Well, I was looking in a 2007 Passporters b/c I wanted a hard copy of the resataurants. I have been on Allearsnet, but need it all laid out.

I sooooo appreciate your advice. I esp like advice that includes why you like it(1st meal there, sit on 2nd floor), b/c sometimes it isn't the food that is the big draw.....

I think I am starting to narrow it down and will PM you Kathy!!

It seems like Columibia Harbour House and Tony's Town Square will be on MK day!

EPCOT seems like it will take me a while!!

DS is looking like a Backlot Express/Pizza Planet compromise(Ash really wants PP but I had BE on my marathon trip and it was memorable) and Sci Fi.

AK- is Tusker House CS or TS??if it is character. Like I said, my book is 2007 and has it listed as CS and no characters mentioned. Rainforest cafe on the way out- b/c it is a tradition for us, ever since Make a Wish. So we won't need anything else there.

We did Earl of Sandwich once, Ash and I did it 2x, so we may go for the Wolfgang Puck Express when there, if it fits.

Ohana or Boma?? IF I have to choose, that will take some thinking!!! I have always wanted to try both of these.

We thoroughly enjoyed Whispering canyon Cafe, yummmmm and funnnnn!!!

Anyone done Mickeys Backyard BBQ???

Lori

ok there is so much to say....we went twice last year and did a lot of food. I make an Excel spreadsheet with B, L, snack dinner at top and days down the side. then I decide what parks to go to in AM and PM and color code them...(MK-maroon, E=blue, AK = green, HS=orange). justmy weirdness but I like color

try to look at EMH and LMH dates...actually go through each day and write all the open and closing times including EMHs. then try to divide number of AMs and PMs by parks (ex: 12 AMs/PMs divided by 4 parks = 3 times I will go to each park. at Christmas had to work around MCMCP and weird EMH. Did using EMH then made it totally opposite. TGM and others suggest certain days and I may make those based on that. then, once decide where going to go will try to make ressies around it (ex: whispering canyon or Kona/Ohana or Chef Mickey on nights at MK so can go on boat/monorail = less travel time). takes a while to compile, but then parks get equalish time. we usually eat lunch in park we planned (ex: MK AM eat at Tony's lunch on TS or burger place for CS), go home in mid day and nap, then go to dinner then the park for PM (WL dinner then MK). this maximizes time in parks and minimizes time on buses....

wow I sound like a crazy woman. but i have become a master planner (after 5 trips).

never been to CHH or Pinocchio @ MK but hear good.
Tusker House was a gift from friends (reservation) and was awesome with characters for breakfast. incredible amount of yummy foods. make early so already in park when opens - we ran and got FPs for safari/everest when were waiting to be seated - yes I maximize ressies for fast passing also....

Wolfgang puck has TS yummy but we loved WP Xpress too....we did eat at Earl and it was good but prefer WPX

MBYB is waste of credits IMHO..outside, buffet with cold cooked burgers...no real service. save them for something else. if you want to waste 2 creds, Hoop de do is MUCH better IMHO. always cold though -- bring jackets. but hysterical entertainment and good food...

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Thank you!!


So, on the DDP, do we each get an appetizer, entree and dessert? B/c if that is the case, Haley will probably have lots of TS meals leftover!
We usually share an appetizer, get entrees and SOMETIMES, depending on the palce we go, Haley or Ash and I will split an entree, and rarely do we ever get to dessert. So if we each get an appetizer, we will be overlaoded with food!

Lori

On the basic plan you each get an entree, a dessert and a non-alchoholic drink. I've heard of CMs allowing an app to count as a dessert (but ours at sci-fi would NOT do it). At Garden Grill chocolate milk was on the plan! At sci-fi a milkshake could be your drink or your dessert. I guess it depends on the CM too.

We like apps, and NEVER order dessert at home, so we always pay oop for the apps and nibble on the desserts (unless they happen to be uber good! then we devour them). My plan this year is to use the dis visa reward card for tips and apps.

Alot of times we used snack credits in conjunction with our CS credits. For example, at pizzafari we ordered a pizza for me (with drink and dessert), a chicken parm sandwich for tony (with drink and dessert) and an order of breadsticks to split with a snack credit. oh! pizzafari has frozen minutemaid lemonade for dessert. Yum.

 

[lori1043]

OMgoodness, this is why I never tried DDP!!! It is too confusing!

I am SURE I MAY change my mind IF we get to go at all.

IF we did anything with 2 TS credits, it would be the Luau, no doubt. We LOVE that. I still make the dressing from that place. Mango Poppyseed Vinaigrette.

I need to lose some weight before this trip!

On another note, for those of you who have had hysterectomies, how was your fatigue level about a year out? I have been beyond tired lately and it is messing with my schedule and my head. Soo, I have gained some weight. Too bad I hate spin.

I have used TGM in the past too, but won't pay for him again. I will not know EMH days till after we book our meals, unless I change them around after finding out the EMH days.

I got called out for a baby so I am up...and I have a stress test at 7am. Work is doing nothing for my sanity either.

Lori

 

[rie'smom]

So, on the DDP, do we each get an appetizer, entree and dessert? B/c if that is the case, Haley will probably have lots of TS meals leftover!
We usually share an appetizer, get entrees and SOMETIMES, depending on the palce we go, Haley or Ash and I will split an entree, and rarely do we ever get to dessert. So if we each get an appetizer, we will be overlaoded with food!

Lori

You used to be able to get an appetizer as part of the DDP. A 20% tip was also included but isn't any longer.
It is not the deal that it used to be unless you order expensive entrees or eat at the more expensive restaurants like the Coral Reef. We get it because of the convenience of having our meals prepaid.

 

[TigerKat]

Good morning NOLA!

 

[ilovejack02]

Morning all! Goodness it is early.. not a fan of being up before 7:20 lol.

Had my first heavenly hash dark chocolate last night !!
YUMMMMMM!!!

Will look for the gold brick eggs today at Walgreens.

 

[Ms Marigny]

Good Morning!

All of this Easter candy talk is making me think that I need to head over to Target to get some Easter basket goodies...

Lori- Ok, more opinions for ya... If you want a good breakfast, definitely go to Tusker House! It is a TS now (that changed recently), and it is a character breakfast with Mickey, Goofy, Donald & Daisy. This is what we do that day: We go to Tusker House before the park opens, then finish just after the park has opened and get our fast passes and pretty much get everything we want to do done by lunch time. We head back to our resort and use one CS and a snack to split something for a light lunch since we're usually stuffed from Tusker House. Then we relax that afternoon, maybe have a dip in the pool, and then do a TS for dinner that night (one of your resort TS meals, like Ohana, would fit in here nicely)- this solves having that extra TS (we never do 2 TS meals) and you're not still stuffed from having a lunch TS just hours earlier- make sense? While we're on the dining plan, we usually do one breakfast TS, 3 lunch TS meals, and 3 dinner TS meals during the trip- nice and balanced. I know that dinner costs more and maximizes your value, but I honestly don't worry about that-I just kick back and eat what I want!

 

[FloraFauna]

Good morning. I am just getting back from driving carpool.

Those dark chocolate heavenly hash eggs are sounding better and better.

Kristina, are you having a better day today?

Lori, I agree mostly with the dining opinions. I'll give you my .02 if your brain isn't on overload:

Columbia Harbor House--love this restaurant. Best tuna salad sandwich!

Tony's Town Square--this is a tradition for us to eat here.

T-Rex Cafe (in Downtown Disney)--I have to agree with rie's mom. The food was surprisingly good and the kids will have a great time there.

Cantina del San Angel (EPCOT) -- counter service across from Mexico. This was one of my husband's favorite meals last trip.

Chefs de France --this place is beautiful at night for dinner. The streetlights and fountain, such a gorgeous view from the restaurant. Get the profiteroles (ice cream stuffed pastries, with delicious chocolate sauce)for dessert. Those alone are worth going there, food is delicious too.

 

[FloraFauna]

Lorie, I love Sienna's new picture

 

[shovan]

Hey Y'all,

Suffering with a weather change headache today.

I posted some new pics on my facebook page (which some of you have already commented on- wow, y'all are fast! ), one of which was so cute that I had to use it for my sig pic down below. DD was on her swingset yesterday with her Mickey ears on, and was singing "I'm just a little black rain cloud (from Winnie the Pooh)- it was so darn cute that I had to take a picture. It makes all of those struggles I've been having with her just kind of melt away!

Lorie, I hope your migraine is better today. The pic is so cute, but the story is just the sweetest! It is times like those that make it all worth it!

rant ahead....

ran into a wooden telephone pole here at the complex...didn't even hit it that hard but it looks terrible....and has these brown marks from the pole...of course I cant put it on insurance so guess I will just pay it myself...sigh

another friend's husband suddenly lost his job today...I am so sad for them.

Kristina, Sorry about the car, I hope today is going better. Sad for your friend's DH.

Angelina went to a "job fair" at the dome yesterday. She was so mad, only 10 companies were there & only one was actually accepting resumes ( an engineering firm). She went because WDSU was there. They said they had no openings, they were there to remind everyone "tv is going digital"!! WTH! There were a lot of people there & most were professionals, people in management, banking, etc. It's scary & very sad.

I NEED to go easter basket shopping!!

Lori, You've gotten a lot of advice. I have stayed away from the DDP because of all the planning & all that food! I do have some suggestions, between Ohana & Kona, it's Ohana! Just a lot more fun & we like the food too! In Epcot, Teppan Edo is a must do for us, consistently good food & excellent service. Chefs de France is always good, Tangeriene Cafe is a must do also. I haven't done it, but everyone has raved over breakfast at Boma's.

Bethany, What are you going to do when your lease expires?

 

[ilovejack02]

Hey Lori.. another vote for Tusker House breakfast!! We loved it and will book it again.

Off to check dates etc.. Dying to get back to WDW!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Those dark chocolate heavenly hash eggs are sounding better and better.

Hey Y'all,

I NEED to go easter basket shopping!!

Just getting back from Walmart. Mary I found those dark chocolate heavenly hash eggs but I'm not a big fan so I left them for others to enjoy. I was on the lookout for the dark chocolate peanut butter cups but I didn't find those. Sheryl I bought quite a few things for the kids Easter Baskets. Even though mine don't believe I still make up a basket for each of the kids. Now for me to not eat the stuff is going to be my next challenge.

Lorie I love Sienna's new picture. Too cute!

Lori I'm not going to be very much help to you on the ADR's. We've only done the dining plan once and figured out it wasn't for us. My kids want to be on the go the whole time. I felt like we were planning our days around where our next meal would be. Good luck and happy choosing. Lots of choices out there for sure.

 

[shovan]

Tricia, That IS the problem, bringing all of that chocolate goodness in the house! DD & SonIL really rolled their eyes at me for giving them baskets last year, so I just might cut them off this year!


More prayer requests for Angelina! She worked the Better than Ezra charity event this weekend. With all the people she met & worked with, she ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising!

But she is having trouble with Blue Cross setting up her surgery for Friday. She overnighted a check last week for Cobra coverage & her company has re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! If it doesn't show up by Friday, she won't be able to have the surgery. She thinks if she can't get it done now, it could cause problems with landing this job, so she would have to put it off. Please say some prayers that this works out for her.

 

[lori1043]

Just getting back from Walmart. Mary I found those dark chocolate heavenly hash eggs but I'm not a big fan so I left them for others to enjoy. I was on the lookout for the dark chocolate peanut butter cups but I didn't find those. Sheryl I bought quite a few things for the kids Easter Baskets. Even though mine don't believe I still make up a basket for each of the kids. Now for me to not eat the stuff is going to be my next challenge.

Lorie I love Sienna's new picture. Too cute!

Lori I'm not going to be very much help to you on the ADR's. We've only done the dining plan once and figured out it wasn't for us. My kids want to be on the go the whole time. I felt like we were planning our days around where our next meal would be. Good luck and happy choosing. Lots of choices out there for sure.

This is why we have never done it, but I willing to try almost anything for free!

Tricia, That IS the problem, bringing all of that chocolate goodness in the house! DD & SonIL really rolled their eyes at me for giving them baskets last year, so I just might cut them off this year!


More prayer requests for Angelina! She worked the Better than Ezra charity event this weekend. With all the people she met & worked with, she ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising!

But she is having trouble with Blue Cross setting up her surgery for Friday. She overnighted a check last week for Cobra coverage & her company has re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! If it doesn't show up by Friday, she won't be able to have the surgery. She thinks if she can't get it done now, it could cause problems with landing this job, so she would have to put it off. Please say some prayers that this works out for her.

I hope it all works out for her!! Better than Ezra! Love them!


I am LOVIN' all the advice, thank you! Lorie, we may just do your AK day plan!

Lori

 

[Ms Marigny]

Hey Y'all,

Suffering with a weather change headache today.



Lorie, I hope your migraine is better today. The pic is so cute, but the story is just the sweetest! It is times like those that make it all worth it!

I have a weather change headache also- . It is not a migraine, but just an annoying, lingering headache that I woke up with this morning. This weather needs to make up its mind!

More prayer requests for Angelina! She worked the Better than Ezra charity event this weekend. With all the people she met & worked with, she ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising!

But she is having trouble with Blue Cross setting up her surgery for Friday. She overnighted a check last week for Cobra coverage & her company has re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! If it doesn't show up by Friday, she won't be able to have the surgery. She thinks if she can't get it done now, it could cause problems with landing this job, so she would have to put it off. Please say some prayers that this works out for her.

I hope everything works out for her!

I am LOVIN' all the advice, thank you! Lorie, we may just do your AK day plan!

Lori

I hope the advice helps and doesn't just confuse you! I would LOVE to do this for a living- plan out WDW trips! It would be my dream job!

 

[Ms Marigny]

Oh, and since I'm not going to make it out to Target today, I made a chocolate cream pie because I seriously want some chocolate now- thanks y'all! I call it a "cupboard" pie- I used what I had in the cupboard on hand to make it. I had some old graham crackers, so I made the crust, a box of chocolate pudding and some heavy cream that was going out of date soon that needed to be used. I made some homemade whipped cream with the heavy cream and mixed some in with the chocolate pudding for the pie filling and used the leftover whipped cream for the top- yumm!!!