'My Very Merry Xmas in November' (checking stuff of the bucket list) WDW Trip. (closed)

[MataHari22]

It's wonderful to hear your positive attitude with everything you have been through. I am a cancer survivor as well. I still don't like to hear myself say it. I try not to think about it...all I have is today...really...one never knows. So it's great you are doing this trip! I'm going in November, first time seeing Christmas Decorations. I love crème Brule'! I have written down all my favorite desserts and where to get them...I will carry that list with me to each park...LOL! I'll send you good vibes for your dinners out...I'm sure you will find plenty to enjoy. I have a weight issue....can't stop eating junk once I start....I've lost 60 pounds this year and really have to be careful but not to the point that it ruins my trip. So planning is everything. Enjoy the heck out of your vacation!

Thank you. Congrats on being a survivor! I know I'm so excited for us to see the Christmas decorations for the first time I hope that you enjoy your trip!

 

[MataHari22]

This sounds like me. I find myself looking up pictures of Disney desserts.

Lol. Me too. Not only do I read all the food menus to every restaurant, but then I look up all the food photos I can find.

 

[sullymom]

Do you guys forget her birthday too when it falls on Thanksgiving? Lol.

Our daughter lucks out, as Canadians we hold Thanksgiving in October so her birthday doesn't end up landing on the Holiday. As cute as the Carvel turkey birthday cakes are, I can understand hating getting one on your birthday.

 

[Jennytoon]

Hi @Jennytoon Thank you! Glad you stopped over. I did look at Boma when I was thinking about staying at AKL. I did read the menu, and thought it looked good. I think I was a little worried about the heat level of some of the items, like with the curry. (Or maybe I am getting it confused with Jiko?) What you listed definitely sounds good. I actually make a lot of butternut squash soup in the fall for myself. I cannot do spicy hot or peppery foods, thanks to the radiation damage to my mouth, how was the food's heat level? Depending on that, if I'm fortunate enough to go back to WDW, I'd like to try and stay at AKL, and I'll put it on my list of things I'd like to try. Thanks!

So how did your trip go?

Ooof, I was trying to find out from someone else in my family who had the curry this trip (I had it previous trips and couldn't remember) about the heat level, but only my husband did this trip and his report is not reliable (his definition of not spicy leaves me falling down and grabbing for a glass of milk), so that was useless. And then I was trying to think about some of the other dishes like the seafood stew for a good answer, because even for me I am very sensitive to peppers, but not so much other items with a little heat such as horseradish or mustard. And then I took so long to think about this that I forgot to come back and answer!

Anyway, I think I don't have a good answer for you on this one, except to say that most of my family are total spice wimps and there is nothing that stands out in our minds. I also have some concerns that often when you have a dish that has just a little bit of warmth to it, there will be day to day variation because after all, many ingredients are biological products and the chemistry / levels of this and that are not 100% reproducible. This kind of variation wouldn't be significant to most, but it might matter to someone who is extremely sensitive. So my recommendation is that you should try to eat there because I think you would be fine, as I said we are mostly spice wimps and are fine so there should definitely be enough there for you to make an enjoyable meal. However, I would talk to the chef and be careful about taking little tastes of things on the day you are there, rather than go with any specific recommendation about a flavorful dish that might or might not be fine for you on a particular day. I hope that makes sense.

ETA: And our trip was awesome!! We did a lot of experimenting this trip as we had a lot of things new from how we had done them before (stayed on-site instead of off, brought my daughter's friend with us, etc.). Some things worked, some didn't, but we all had a great time.

 

[MataHari22]

Ooof, I was trying to find out from someone else in my family who had the curry this trip (I had it previous trips and couldn't remember) about the heat level, but only my husband did this trip and his report is not reliable (his definition of not spicy leaves me falling down and grabbing for a glass of milk), so that was useless. And then I was trying to think about some of the other dishes like the seafood stew for a good answer, because even for me I am very sensitive to peppers, but not so much other items with a little heat such as horseradish or mustard. And then I took so long to think about this that I forgot to come back and answer!

Anyway, I think I don't have a good answer for you on this one, except to say that most of my family are total spice wimps and there is nothing that stands out in our minds. I also have some concerns that often when you have a dish that has just a little bit of warmth to it, there will be day to day variation because after all, many ingredients are biological products and the chemistry / levels of this and that are not 100% reproducible. This kind of variation wouldn't be significant to most, but it might matter to someone who is extremely sensitive. So my recommendation is that you should try to eat there because I think you would be fine, as I said we are mostly spice wimps and are fine so there should definitely be enough there for you to make an enjoyable meal. However, I would talk to the chef and be careful about taking little tastes of things on the day you are there, rather than go with any specific recommendation about a flavorful dish that might or might not be fine for you on a particular day. I hope that makes sense.

ETA: And our trip was awesome!! We did a lot of experimenting this trip as we had a lot of things new from how we had done them before (stayed on-site instead of off, brought my daughter's friend with us, etc.). Some things worked, some didn't, but we all had a great time.

Lol. I was wondering what happened to you. Thanks for getting back to me. I am definitely wimpy. As it is, I finished radiation in May of 2009, and my tongue still feels scalded, like I just drank an almost boiling beverage and burned it. I happened to be at my parents the other night and he made a pasta dish and it was good, but it was hot for me, meanwhile, everyone else wasn't getting any heat at all. There was black pepper in it. Gah! Mustard is definitely burny as well.

So glad you had a great time. That makes me happy! And even more excited for my trip.

 

[MataHari22]

My WDW tweaked BitStrips cartoon.... I'm getting really antsy, now! There's 50 days to go!!



It feels like it's taking FOR. EVER!

Seriously. Like, forever.

Meanwhile, I sat down and did my full daily plans, because I'm beyond impatient at this point. Keep in mind, that it may look a little over scheduled, but I can always skip and adjust on the fly. I just found that the last two times we went, there was a tad too much down time between in my plans.

So, here we go, my seven park days:


1⃣ Friday HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS11/13/15 (9-8pm)
The Great Movie Ride
FP+ 9:05am - 10:05am Star Tours
Muppet Vision 3D ?
Voyage of the Little Mermaid 10:50am show

ADR @12pm HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY
Get there by 11:50

FP+ 1:35pm-1:50pm Frozen Sing-Along 2pm
Beauty and the Beast 2:45pm for 3pm show
FP+ 4:25pm. - 5:25pm Toy Story Mania
Indiana Jones by 5:35 pm for 6pm show
Fantasmic! 7pm show ?
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights


2⃣ Sat ANIMAL KINGDOM 11/14/15 (9am-6pm)

Kilimanjaro Safari
Pangani Trail ?

ADR @ 10:20am TUSKER HOUSE (10:30)

Tam Tam Drummers ?
Meet Pluto or Discovery Isle Trails
DiVine (Oasis) 12:20
FP+ 1pm-2pm Kilimanjaro Safaris
Flights of Wonder
FP+ 2:10pm-3:10pm Meet Disney Pals
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Chakrandi ?

Yak & Yeti Café 3:30

FP+ 4:30 - 4:50 Festival of the Lion King
It's Tough to be a Bug


3⃣ Sun MAGIC KINGDOM 11/15/15 (9am-7pm)

Peter Pan 9:20
Pooh 9:50
Dumbo ? If time

ADR @10:20 am CRYSTAL PALACE (trying for a pre park open)

Mickey's PhilharMagic
FP+ 12:10 - 1:10 Meet Ariel in her grotto
Little Mermaid ride
FP+ 1:20-2:20 Enchanted Tales w/ Belle
Festival of Fantasy Parade
FP+ 3:45-4:45 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Buzz Lightyear
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

ADR @6:55 pm TONY's TOWN SQUARE (trying for an earlier ADR, haven't been able to get one yet)



4⃣ Mon ️ EPCOT️ 11/16/15 (9-9)

️ Meet Pluto?
️ Meet Chip & Dale ?
️ FP+ 9:55 - 10:55 Test Track
️ Meet Belle 10:30 for 11:00

️ ADR @ 12pm CHEFS DE FRANCE

️ Impressions de France
️ Meet Aladdin & Jasmine
️ British Revolution 2:45 for 3 pm show
️ Voices of Liberty 3:30
️ American Adventure 4:15
️ China Pavilion meet Mulan ?

️ Lotus Blossom Café 6:20

️ Jeweled Dragon Acrobats 7:15 for 7:30
️ Pick up a snack for Illuminations at Norway
️ Mexico Grand Fiesta
️ Illuminations. Find a spot, sit & eat snack while
waiting


5⃣ Tues MVMCP 11/17/15 (4pm-12am)

Don't forget about prioritizing MVMCP at Guest Services.

ADR @ 2pm GARDEN VIEW TEA ROOM GF

FP+ 3:45 - 4:45 pm Peter Pan
FP+ 4:50-5:50 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Frozen Holiday Wish 6pm
Celebrate the Season 7pm
CTM & Wishes
Parade
Tommorowland Christmas

6⃣ Wed MAGIC KINGDOM 11/18/15 (9am-10pm)

FP+ Haunted Mansion 12:10 - 1:10 pm
Hall of Presidents
FP+ Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 3:40 - 4:40 pm

ADR @ 4:55 pm BE OUR GUEST

MSEP ?
CTM & Wishes
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean

7⃣ Thurs ️ EPCOT ️ 11/19/15 (9am-11)

️ Soarin'
️ Living with the Land
️ FP+ 10 - 11 am Spaceship Earth

️ Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie 11:20

️ Paul McKenna ? 12:30
️ Ellen's Energy ? 1:10
️ FP+ 2 - 3 pm Character Spot 2:15
️ The Seas & Nemo 2:50
️ Turtle Talk ? 3:20
️ FP+ 3:45 - 4:45 Soarin'
️Matsuriza ? 5pm

️ADR @ 5:50pm TEPPAN EDO
Leisurely dinner and turn in early because we have to be up at
An ungodly hour and out by 5am or something. :-/

 

[ArwenMarie]

You have such a great schedule Matahari! Love all of the MK days, including the party.

So you're doing the tea at the Grand Floridian? Super fun. I did that princess one, I think it's in the same room, it was lovely. There was one sandwich I still dream about lol.

Your trip is coming so soon!

 

[alrushton]

Not much longer.

 

[ckcnj]

ADRs and Food Musings.

So, being a head and neck cancer survivor can be challenging. Unfortunately, one of the (many) side effects that I have due to radiation damage, is dysphagia. Basically, I have a lot of trouble swallowing. There was a point where I was totally dependent on a peg-tube for nourishment. I literally ate nothing for ten months, couldn't even drink for about four of those months. It was pretty horrible. Eventually, after a couple of procedures, and time and work, I was able to get rid of my tube after 18 months of having it. So, now, I can eat and drink (with difficultly), but I need soft foods, and I do get a significant amount of my daily calories by drinking them. (I drink tons of milk) It is a good thing I was an excellent cook before all this crud, because if I didn't know how to cook, I'd've starved to death by now. I have learned to cook and eat in a totally different way. I really cannot swallow any meats. I can do a chicken thigh and a tiny little rack of lamb chop, but I have to cook them "my way" and they cannot be dry. I basically eat a lot of veggies, and they have to be mushy. Like mashable with a fork, soft. I eat a lot of soups, too. It takes me a very long time to eat a full plate of food. I'm never done under an hour, and sometimes, if it's something challenging, like chicken, it will be almost two hours. Basically, eating out is a nightmare. Which sucks, because I used to love to do it, and food is a passion of mine. (At one point in time I wanted to go to culinary school.) I was always the 'Live to eat." kinda girl. So, having to eat out for my entire vacation is pretty stressful for me. Despite it being noted on my ADRs and having the chef come out and speak to me, a lot of times, they just don't get it right. I don't know how much more specific to be when I say I need very mushy vegetables, like they need to be able to be mashed with a fork. Pasta needs to be over cooked. I think it's that they don't want to "ruin" the food. The veg comes out of the kitchen tender crisp, and the pasta, al dente.

Soooooo, after the last two trips, I am going to go back to the few of restaurants that I was able to actually eat something at. In fairness, Mama Melrose actually made me some good pasta last time, but I decided to try Hollywood Brown Derby this time. My otherwise decent diet of lots of veggies usually falls to the wayside at WDW. Pastries, ice cream, Crème Brûlée and shakes, are usually easier to swallow than anything else. So, if I have to make the sacrifice and eat a lot of dessert, I guess it's just what I'll have to do. Poor me. I'll have to suffer eating desserts. (Don't worry, I bring my gummy multi-vitamins along for nutrition.) As far as breakfast, it'll be at the resort unless otherwise noted. Probably a lot of yogurt for me. After reading every single WDW restaurant menu trying to figure out what I might be able to possibly eat, here are my TS:

Fri 11/13 12pm Brown Derby HS
Sat 11/14 10:30 am Tusker House AK
Sun 11/15 10:20 am Crystal Palace MK
Sun 11/15 6:55 pm Tony's MK
Mon 11/16 12 pm Chefs De France Ep
Tue 11/17 2pm Afternoon Tea GF
Wed 11/18 4:55 pm Be Our Guest MK
Thur 11/19 5:50pm Teppan Edo Ep

With The Brown Derby, I thought I would try the scallop appetizer, because I can usually swallow scallops and celery root purée is definitely mushy. Lol. Sometimes, fatty pork works for me. Depends on how it's cooked. We shall see. Meanwhile, I know I can swallow Crème Brûlée, so I will definitely get that for dessert, along with trying the flan. I will let my friend pick the third dessert, she can eat that one.
I haven't a clue what we will be doing at HS for a QS dinner. We will probably do what we did last year, find something on Sunset Blvd and take it over to F! and eat while we wait. Last year, didn't go well at all. I tried a veggie burger. Too dried out and too spicy. Couldn't swallow it. This time, I am hoping to find a banana, some fruit and some milk, maybe at the Anaheim Produce? Also, at some point, I may have some ice cream at Hollywood Scoops. I haven't a clue where my friend will end up eating.

Last year, Tusker House went well for me. I liked the Mealie Pap! I can usually do scrambled eggs. Oatmeal, yogurt, blintz... I remember all kinds of soft things to eat there.
Again, don't ask me what I'm going to do for QS dinner at this park. I'm thinking Pizzafari I guess. I had the kid's Mac and Cheese last year, it was the only thing that was soft. It's pretty terrible. I may end up eating ice cream or fruit for dinner....

Crystal Palace is one of only three places that I have had good luck at in MK. They will make me over easy eggs, and they work very well for me. I tried for a pre park open ADR for here, since making sure I eat breakfast here, is a priority, there's really not anything for lunch or dinner that works for me.

View attachment 109608
Author's rendition of our Crystal Palace breakfast.
Base photo of CP from Disney's CP page.

Tony's. Yes, I know, it gets bashed all the time. But they have consistently cooked good food for me that I have been able to eat and enjoy. They make a version of the Shrimp Scampi for me. My friend also enjoyed her food, so we will be going back. I always get the Pistachio Crème Brûlée for dessert. I had originally wanted a lunch here, because I was hoping for that pre park open breakfast, but I couldn't get a lunch either. All I got was 6:55 PM. And I was even on right when my 180 window opened. I have still been checking for an earlier time, but have not found one yet. It's a MVMCP, so I know they will be escorting me out when I'm (finally) done with my meal. I intend on getting there about 6:15, and hoping maybe they can get me in a bit earlier. That's all I can do.

View attachment 109609
Author's slight exaggeration of Tony's meal. Please Disney, don't sue me for using Lady & The Tramp.


We are trying Les Chefs de France this year. Usually, we have gone to The Rose & Crown, and last year, the chef was really nice and made me a special puréed veggie soup. I am thinking at Chefs, that I can do the Lobster Bisque and a cream puff for dessert.
Haven't a clue where I'm going to eat for dinner this night either, but I do know that I intend on hitting up that bakery in Norway before Illuminations to get a tasty treat and sit down an eat that for dessert whilst waiting for it to start.


Tuesday, we are going to MVMCP and last year, I really wanted to try the Afternoon Tea at GF, I wasn't able to get an ADR, and we ended up eating at The GF Café. This year, I was able to get an ADR for the tea, so that is what we're doing. We'll be going over to MK and hopefully will get in at 4pm.
We will just do QS, I forget what she ate for dinner, I don't think I had a proper dinner last year, I had ice cream, I remember that. I'll probably do that again.

View attachment 109611
Author's concept art of Afternoon Tea at the GF. OK, Minnie probably won't be serving us, and I doubt we'll have the hats on.


Wednesday, we have BOG for dinner. We ate there for lunch last year. I did the potato soup. Have no clue what to do for dinner. I guess I could do the soup again. IIRC, it wasn't that stellar, so I'd rather not. I saw there were two meat entrées where one had puréed cauliflower and the other, celery root...wonder if they could finagle something for me using those garnish, since I cannot eat the meat. I can eat mushrooms and I think I saw those on the menu, maybe they could just sauté me some of those. There are all kinds of desserts that look good on the menu.


Thursday is our last day. I do want to go to Les Halle's for lunch. Everything looks good there. Especially the pastries. Lmao. If you are what you eat, I may end up becoming a pastry after this trip! For dinner, we are going to Teppan Edo. This is the ADR that's making me most nervous, because there will be people seated at the same station as we are. I am hoping to be on the end and have Linda next to the strangers. I am just praying I don't have a total cough-gag-choke-fit while seated with other people. And not sure what I will order. Maybe the scallops, I can usually eat them. I am really hoping I can get plain white rice, because I read that the rice they serve has beef in it. Beef, is like impossible for me to swallow. So wish me lots of good vibes and pixie dust that I can get through these dinners eating out.


View attachment 109612
Author's rendition of what she hopes doesn't happen at Teppan Edo.


So, here concludes my ramblings about my food plans. Not sure what my next post will be about or if it will contain any illustrations. Lol.

Hi, I hope you have a great trip. You deserve it. I work with lots of people with dysphagia as a speech pathologist and I know you worked really hard to get it back. I wonder if coq au vin would be soft enough for you at the French restaurant. Mashed potatoes with lots of butter may be a nice option if they are not too gloopy. Hope you have an awesome time.

 

[deannaf87]

Your plans look great! We are getting so close!

 

[deedee2177]

Your plans look great! I know how you feel about the time dragging..ugh.

Looks like you and I will be trying for Soarin around the same time on 11/19. We have a pre-park opening breakfast at Garden Grill that morning, and my plan is to head over to Soarin after breakfast

We are getting there slowly but surely!!!

 

[alrushton]

Was looking to see how many days til my ADR and thought about how you will have already finished your trip before I reach my reservations date.

 

[MataHari22]

You have such a great schedule Matahari! Love all of the MK days, including the party.

So you're doing the tea at the Grand Floridian? Super fun. I did that princess one, I think it's in the same room, it was lovely. There was one sandwich I still dream about lol.

Your trip is coming so soon!

Since MK is my favorite park, I like to allocate majority of my park days, there.

Yes, I was finally able to get an ADR for tea at the Grand Floridian. The last two years, I was not able to. I am really looking forward to it, so I hope it works out well. I love tea, and have it every day. Also, when I was still married, I used to do tea parties, at least once a year, usually 2-3 times. An "All Around The World" afternoon tea. I'd make little tea sandwiches, sweets, and pastries from different countries. It was fun.

 

[MataHari22]

Hi, I hope you have a great trip. You deserve it. I work with lots of people with dysphagia as a speech pathologist and I know you worked really hard to get it back. I wonder if coq au vin would be soft enough for you at the French restaurant. Mashed potatoes with lots of butter may be a nice option if they are not too gloopy. Hope you have an awesome time.

Thanks so much. Mashed potatoes and gravy usually works. Chicken, not so much.

 

[MataHari22]

Your plans look great! We are getting so close!

Was looking to see how many days til my ADR and thought about how you will have already finished your trip before I reach my reservations date.

Still feels like it's taking forever. LOL

 

[MataHari22]

Your plans look great! I know how you feel about the time dragging..ugh.

Looks like you and I will be trying for Soarin around the same time on 11/19. We have a pre-park opening breakfast at Garden Grill that morning, and my plan is to head over to Soarin after breakfast

We are getting there slowly but surely!!!

Right? Totally dragging.

I will keep an eye out for you around Soarin'

 

[MataHari22]

I'm 45 days out, today. Still have been trying to get pre park open ADRs for my MK day on 11/15, and my AK day. No luck still. Also still trying to get an earlier time than 6:55 for dinner at Tony's on that MK day, since it's a party night. Hoping since it's 45 days, there will be some cancellations and something will open up for me, I will really double up on checking everyday, multiple times a day.

It's getting chilly and the leaves are really starting to change here, definitely fall here now, and I'm thinking I won't have need of my golf skirts and some of the other clothes I want to bring, so I will be getting them washed and pressed and put the clothing I want to bring in one spot, ready to pack.





A panorama of the view up at the top of my road. And then a close up of the neighbors' fields.

 

[alrushton]

Beautiful photos. I love fall!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Wow so pretty where you live! Fall is the best season in the Northeast. But I dread the winter, so my love of fall is bittersweet.

 

[totebagg]

My WDW tweaked BitStrips cartoon.... I'm getting really antsy, now! There's 50 days to go!!

I felt that way too but now I want to slow down time because I feel that I am not ready and I don't want it to be over!!!

Keep in mind, that it may look a little over scheduled, but I can always skip and adjust on the fly. I just found that the last two times we went, there was a tad too much down time between in my plans.

Your plans look great and I am like you - overschedule then you can drop some things off if needed! Perfect plan.

An "All Around The World" afternoon tea. I'd make little tea sandwiches, sweets, and pastries from different countries. It was fun.

This sounds fabulous and I would love to have done something like that!

I will be getting them washed and pressed and put the clothing I want to bring in one spot, ready to pack.

My guest bedroom looks like a clothes bomb exploded. I started telling my family that they couldn't wear certain things starting last week! It does feel like you are getting close once you start putting your clothes together!

This is gorgeous!