MVMCP-Dec 2010- Cape Cod & Fall photos-Update 11/16

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi! April
found you...I love the new purse! the color is great...
do you think Alamo is just not up to date yet so it shows as booked or do you think that something big is going on maybe (hopefully nothing to do with Disney).
Hope you have a great Easter!
Connie

 

[aprilisis]

Found your new pre-trip report. I hope that you had a wonderful Easter holiday.

Thanks. I had a great Easter! I hope yours was good, too. I'm glad you found my PTR. I just had to get rid of the poll.

Ahhh! much easier to follow. Thank you.

I came across yours a few weeks back because I was thinking of taking a trip in October. I am hoping it will become a reality in a few days. Though, it will not be a Disney trip per se, but a (off-site) FL trip that will include Disney.

I was thinking of early to mid to combine my BFF birthday and perhaps a D23 event. I am concerned that Alamo is out of cars! What is UP with that?!

I am hoping to do MNSSP & checking out Harry Potter as well.

Looking fwd to your PTR

Thanks!!! I'm glad you posted. Well, Alamo WAS out of cars (Probably just a glitch somewhere), but I ended up booking a deal for a rental from them through Southwest. It was about $100 less than the price on Orbitz. Did you end up booking your trip to FL?

I completely forgot about making my ADRs yesterday! I've been so stressed over the fact that I managed to lose a piece of my tax documents it slipped my mind completely.

I did make them this morning once I got to work. I'll be posting about it soon. I think I'm going to make more changes though.

Ugh...Did you ever find the document you lost?? I'm going to chack out all of the TR's I am behind on this afternoon.

Hi! April
found you...I love the new purse! the color is great...
do you think Alamo is just not up to date yet so it shows as booked or do you think that something big is going on maybe (hopefully nothing to do with Disney).
Hope you have a great Easter!
Connie

Thanks! I did finally end up booking Alamo through Southwest at a significant discount. I hope your Easter was wonderful. Mine was great- I got to visit with family.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Ugh...Did you ever find the document you lost?? I'm going to chack out all of the TR's I am behind on this afternoon.

Nope. I obviously put it somewhere incredibly safe. It's a w-2 from my part time job, and should be on it's way to me know. Luckily the home office is in Deadham, MA so it should get here in time for the 15th. Ugh!

 

[aprilisis]

Nope. I obviously put it somewhere incredibly safe. It's a w-2 from my part time job, and should be on it's way to me know. Luckily the home office is in Deadham, MA so it should get here in time for the 15th. Ugh!

Well, Dang! I could have picked it up for you! I work about 10 minutes from there.

 

[aprilisis]

Well, I have had a crazy week at work. My car has something seriously wrong with it, but I don’t know what it is. It wouldn’t be a big deal, but I drive 600 miles a week. I haven’t worked closer than an hour from home since 1999. Isn’t that crazy? Other than that, I have just been working & doing yard work.

(***Lisa…Have you been watching “Top Model”?? I can’t wait to find out where they go this season.)

As far as October- THE BOOKING OF DINING HAS BEGUN!!!! A tad over-dramatic, I know, but I feel like the trip is REAL now. So far I have put in a request for my facial on arrival day, booked dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse(a first for me) on arrival day, booked Cape May Café for breakfast on day #2, and booked The Wave (another first for me) for dinner. It is a little tough to plan when I have no clue what the Universal/IOA hours & event dates are.
Since I only have one new photo (it is one of my turtles):

I wanted to post a few older photos. This is the pirate outside the Pirates of the Caribbean:

Here are some sunset photos:

I’ll probably have nothing very exciting to report again until Monday. I’m going to go get caught up on everyone’s PTR’s/ TR’s now. I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Sigh, you have the best sunset pictures. So beautiful!

What day is your Cape May ADR, I made one as well - for the 6th.

I would have gone for the drive up to MA myself if they would have let me. My father was on a temporary transfer for a couple of years in Natick back when I first got out of college, so I'm a bit familiar with the area. He'd come back to CT to see my mom on the weekends, and I'd drive up with my friends to use his room.

 

[MyMuse]

Thanks!!! I'm glad you posted. Well, Alamo WAS out of cars (Probably just a glitch somewhere), but I ended up booking a deal for a rental from them through Southwest. It was about $100 less than the price on Orbitz. Did you end up booking your trip to FL?

I did indeed book my condo & car with Alamo. I haven't done anything else.

I've decided to arrive a few days early to hang with my BFF & goddaughter, so my ADR daily days do not begin for a few days.

I really got to get a move on!

 

[racefanof88]

I love your sunset pictures . The one at DTD is amazing.

 

[aprilisis]

Sigh, you have the best sunset pictures. So beautiful!

What day is your Cape May ADR, I made one as well - for the 6th.

I would have gone for the drive up to MA myself if they would have let me. My father was on a temporary transfer for a couple of years in Natick back when I first got out of college, so I'm a bit familiar with the area. He'd come back to CT to see my mom on the weekends, and I'd drive up with my friends to use his room.

Thanks! My Cape May is one day before. I have Boma on the 6th because I want to head to AK that morning. What do you have on the 4th for dinner? I have an early dinner at Yachtsman.

I did indeed book my condo & car with Alamo. I haven't done anything else.

I've decided to arrive a few days early to hang with my BFF & goddaughter, so my ADR daily days do not begin for a few days.

I really got to get a move on!

Did you hit that ADR window yet??

I love your sunset pictures . The one at DTD is amazing.

Thanks! Do you see the hidden mickey in the clouds?? It looks like a profile of Mickey.

 

[aprilisis]

This past weekend was uneventful. Saturday I didn’t really do anything, which was nice, but I felt guilty about not cleaning. Sunday I went to my cousin’s son’s 2nd birthday party. I love that kid & we all had fun.
Here are some of the Birthday Boy:

I got him this monkey from Discovery Kids that makes monkey noises until you put the “translator” in front of his mouth- then he tells jokes & fun facts.

Here are the other two “kids”:

My super exciting news: I got all but one of my dining reservations! So here it is:
Monday October 4, 2010: I got my facial reservation booked at Mandara Spa!! Dinner will be at Yachtsman Steakhouse- a first for me.

Tuesday October 5, 2010: Cape May Café before driving over to Universal. If there is no HHN that night, dinner will be at The Wave- a first for me.

Wednesday October 6, 2010: Breakfast at Boma (one of my favorites) and dinner at Coral Reef- another first for me.

Thursday October 7, 2010: Go figure- the restaurant that I read was the worst on property is the ONE reservation I couldn’t get!!! I ended up with breakfast at the Fresh Mediterranean Market- another first- and dinner at my favorite- California Grill.

Friday October 8, 2010: Late breakfast at Kouzzina- yet another first- followed by dinner at Jiko- another favorite.

I have no reservations for Saturday because I plan to eat my way around World Showcase.

Sunday October 10, 2010: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare & dinner at Artist Point.

What do you think? I am trying 5 restaurants I have never been to on this trip. I am also going to a spa for the first time.

I hope everyone has a great week and weekend. I’m headed to New York for the weekend & I’m sure I will have 6 billion photos for you next week!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Thanks! My Cape May is one day before. I have Boma on the 6th because I want to head to AK that morning. What do you have on the 4th for dinner? I have an early dinner at Yachtsman.

I'm having lunch at Le Cellier that day. We'll have to figure something out when we get closer.

Thursday October 7, 2010: Go figure- the restaurant that I read was the worst on property is the ONE reservation I couldn’t get!!! I ended up with breakfast at the Fresh Mediterranean Market- another first- and dinner at my favorite- California Grill.

I'm curious, what were you trying to get? I love Cali Grill though. Yum!

 

[MyMuse]

Did you hit that ADR window yet??

I hit it today for the Disney portion of my trip. Since, I'm off-site, it'll be DAILY. Soooo looking fwd to that!

My super exciting news: I got all but one of my dining reservations! So here it is:
Monday October 4, 2010: I got my facial reservation booked at Mandara Spa!! Dinner will be at Yachtsman Steakhouse- a first for me.

Tuesday October 5, 2010: Cape May Café before driving over to Universal. If there is no HHN that night, dinner will be at The Wave- a first for me.

Wednesday October 6, 2010: Breakfast at Boma (one of my favorites) and dinner at Coral Reef- another first for me.

Thursday October 7, 2010: Go figure- the restaurant that I read was the worst on property is the ONE reservation I couldn’t get!!! I ended up with breakfast at the Fresh Mediterranean Market- another first- and dinner at my favorite- California Grill.

Friday October 8, 2010: Late breakfast at Kouzzina- yet another first- followed by dinner at Jiko- another favorite.

I have no reservations for Saturday because I plan to eat my way around World Showcase.

Sunday October 10, 2010: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare & dinner at Artist Point.

What do you think? I am trying 5 restaurants I have never been to on this trip. I am also going to a spa for the first time.

I hope everyone has a great week and weekend. I’m headed to New York for the weekend & I’m sure I will have 6 billion photos for you next week![/COLOR][/B]

Wow! I can never tear myself away from the parks to eat at a resort on parks days. I'm coming to Disney as you are leaving.

 

[aprilisis]

I'm having lunch at Le Cellier that day. We'll have to figure something out when we get closer.

I'm curious, what were you trying to get? I love Cali Grill though. Yum!

I was trying to get Garden Grill because I wanted to try their vegetarian version of eggs benedict. I couldn't get any time that morning. I wonder if they are going to rehab the restaurant or something.

I hit it today for the Disney portion of my trip. Since, I'm off-site, it'll be DAILY. Soooo looking fwd to that!

Wow! I can never tear myself away from the parks to eat at a resort on parks days. I'm coming to Disney as you are leaving.

I usually rent a car, so it makes it easy for me to get around from the resorts to the parks. I just have SO many favorite restaurants at the resorts that I can't skip some of them! That stinks that you arrive as I'm leaving! What are your trip dates??

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've been doing a sorry job keeping up with my subscribed threads (and my own too). Yes, I am watching America's Next Top Model. I've missed one episode and that was a couple of weeks ago. I wonder what country they will travel to this year?

Very cool that you scheduled a facial. I've never had one.

I can't remember if you've eaten breakfast at Cape May Cafe before. I booked us an ADR there for our upcoming trip. We arent' big breakfast eaters but I thought it might be nice to have a good breakfast on one of our "down" days.

Your cousin is the cutest thing ever! I think I like the picture of him with all the stuff on his face the best.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Coral Reef. We have eaten there a couple of times and it's always been delish. John really wanted Mama to see what it's like so we made an ADR there again.

 

[aprilisis]

I've been doing a sorry job keeping up with my subscribed threads (and my own too). Yes, I am watching America's Next Top Model. I've missed one episode and that was a couple of weeks ago. I wonder what country they will travel to this year?

Very cool that you scheduled a facial. I've never had one.

I can't remember if you've eaten breakfast at Cape May Cafe before. I booked us an ADR there for our upcoming trip. We arent' big breakfast eaters but I thought it might be nice to have a good breakfast on one of our "down" days.

Your cousin is the cutest thing ever! I think I like the picture of him with all the stuff on his face the best.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Coral Reef. We have eaten there a couple of times and it's always been delish. John really wanted Mama to see what it's like so we made an ADR there again.

I ate at Cape May this past January & I LOVED it!!! The breakfast potatoes, breakfast pizza, grilled asparagus & fresh fruit were all good. I hope you like it, too. Coral Reef sounded so good from your report that I wanted to try it, too!

 

[aprilisis]

Sorry for the "diet talk"...So far I have made a few diet changes, hoping that will kick off the weight loss. For breakfast, I used to have: 1 large Dunkin Donuts coffee with extra cream & no sugar and a toasted onion bagel with veggie cream cheese. Now I have a large iced coffee with skim milk and egg white & cheese on an English muffin. Savings= approx. 270 calories.

For lunch I used to have whatever the heck I wanted. Sometimes a Calzone or leftover pasta…but now I have a Greek salad (with fresh black pepper instead of dressing & no olives) or one of the “Amy’s” brand soups or Campbell’s tomato soup. Lunch ends up being about 200 calories plus or minus 50. This saves me hundreds of calories. I plan to have an occasional Subway sub (about 300-400 calories) or Chipotle burrito bowl on occasion, though- they are both still not bad options. Dinner will be my challenge. Once I have my garden, all I will want to eat are fresh veggies, but until then, I will have to figure something out.

I have to get off of my butt to get back into an exercise routine, too. The main focus of the week, though, is that I have entirely changed my sleep pattern. I am going to bed by 10pm in order to get up at 5:45am. I feel MUCH better in the morning so far this week. I have also been trying to drink WAY more water- I haven’t been doing great with that, though. I have to try harder.

John & I went to dinner Monday night & when we paid for the bill, we gave a cash tip. I checked my account & the restaurant charged me an extra $15 over the receipt! I left a message for them to get in touch with me. This is a reputable place- probably one of the busiest in the city- so I was very surprised that something like that would happen there. I’m going to start paying cash for everything from now on.

I’m at work until 7:30pm today… ugh. Tomorrow morning, I’m off on the Acela Express to NYC! We are going to a comedy club tomorrow night & Saturday we are going to see the Tim Burton Exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art and to the Top of Rockefeller Center. Hopefully, we will get a bunch of shopping done! I will be back Tuesday with tons of photos & a few stories to tell.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Don't apologize for the diet talk, even the food you talked about sounded good to me. I need to get into a regular exercise routine. So far that routine is walking back and forth to the utility room to load and unload the washer and dryer, walking from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator while preparing dinner, etc. etc. etc.

I hope that you have a good time on your little excursions. I know you'll take lots of pictures to share with your Dis friends.

Oh, by the way, what'd you think of Top Model last night?

 

[aprilisis]

Don't apologize for the diet talk, even the food you talked about sounded good to me. I need to get into a regular exercise routine. So far that routine is walking back and forth to the utility room to load and unload the washer and dryer, walking from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator while preparing dinner, etc. etc. etc.

I hope that you have a good time on your little excursions. I know you'll take lots of pictures to share with your Dis friends.

Oh, by the way, what'd you think of Top Model last night?

Thanks, Lisa! Oh- I wish those girls on Top Model would just STOP FIGHTING already!!! They are making me crazy. Do you have a favorite contestant?

 

[aprilisis]

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Here in MA we get Patriot’s Day (the 3rd Monday in April) off to commemorate the battles of Concord and Lexington, so I had yesterday off from work. I thought I would share my NYC trip with you guys today (and maybe tomorrow). First I should give you some background. I met my friend from PA and her friend in NYC. I have another friend who lives in Manhattan who met up with us for some things, too.

Friday morning John dropped me off at the Providence train station at 6am. I grabbed a bagel & John sat with me while I ate. He took off to work and I headed to wait for the Acela on the platform.

The train arrived on time (6:45), and it was packed. I slept part of the way to NYC, which was nice. I got to NYC at 9:45am. I made my way out of Penn Station & into a cab headed for the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Check-in was a breeze and my room was ready!
Outside of the hotel:

The room:

The view:

And we couldn’t figure out what this was…but it looked like a mini-golf green!

I waited for my friend & her friend to arrive & I got really hungry. Room service didn’t deliver until 11:30am, so I was out of luck. When they arrived, we got on the subway & got to Canal Street.

On the way to the subway:

I want to see this show someday:

Lots of Times Square:

On Canal Street:

Continued in next post…

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hello April,
sounds like you have a good diet plan going...just be sure to eat enough calories or it will do the same as too many...I have a really hard time with the water too! and the exercise I hope you were able to get the charge straightened out...I don't think that is too cool charging you a tip what if you did not feel that was adaquate to the service...
can't wait to hear about your NYC weekend! I would love to travel there one day!