No ticker and no planning make me GO CRAZY.. Feb. 2013 PTR

[jenseib]

Yes, you can call T-Rex directly and make an ADr...they only hold a few for disney.

I know all about these hard decisions. I am doing 3 days of deluxe to give it a try. I figure any longer would be too much for us..and I'll get a taste of what it's like. Right now I do have Yachtsman steakhouse too. I think claire will do fine..she's good in restaurants...and she is always up for a good steak...or chicken strips.
We went to 1900 PK breakfast last year and enjoyed it. We had a later breakfast and saw the characters at least twice.

 

[tinacaplan]

Breakfast -- Never done Park Fare, but it would be cool to check the GF at Christmas. At the same time, I love Crystal Palace, too.

OK, not much help there.

Lunches -- I had a fabulous lunch at Chefs when I was there in April. So much fun and so delicious. Of course, we also love Via Napoli and we've eaten there four times since last summer and loved it every single time.

Don't know anything about LTT, but it just doesn't appeal to me. I don't like Thanksgiving dinner that much, I guess.

I'd definitely be trying to get an ADR at Be Our Guest. I can't wait to check that out!

I think Cape May would only be worth if you did the DDP. We didn't love it. Of course, I'm not a big crab leg fan, so its biggest draw had no appeal to me.

As for signatures, go for either Cali Grill or Flying Fish. Both have fun atmospheres and are pretty casual. Food is still amazing, though. Yachtsmen seems much more subdued, although I've never tried it.

Don't know if I was much help!

 

[amandaw]

I think the restaurants that you're looking at all sound great!

I would probably choose 1900 Park Fare over CP for breakfast. Only because you mention your DH not wanting to go there. And I think it would be so fun to meet the Alice characters!

I agree....I would do Via Napoli for dinner & Chefs for lunch. I think Via Napoli would be a great value for a dinner TS.

And, of course, you have to try to get an ADR for Be Our Guest!

I can't wait to hear what you end up with!

 

[TinksThree]

I am super excited about my choice, but I am sure DH will not love it.

DH is not a big convertible fan, but they look like so much fun when Karin and Tom get one, so I had to book it. I think the one and only time I was in a convertible was when I was about 7 or 8? I expect a big eye roll from DH but I just don’t care, besides what guy doesn’t want to drive a Mustang?


I love the car choice!! My DH would be all over that...he would proclaim me the smartest woman in the world!!



The beautiful (well, it looks beautiful online)

Those pictures did look very pretty!!

I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up going to lunch here

Yum!

I am using these to show my DH why I have plotted the various locations between Mobile and Orlando to stop for lunch!

​

Choosing ADRs for a few days is so difficult for me!!

Here are a couple of places I would like to try to get an adr for-

new to Caitlin and I
true and tried favorite


BREAKFAST OPTIONS

1900 Park Fare Breakfast- Crystal Palace

I would choose 1900 Park Fare because your DH has no desire to go there (mine either so I would jump at that opportunity!) plus I think that Caitlin would (maybe) like those characters better!

LUNCHES

Via Napoli

This is one place I really want to try adn I am so tempted to drop my Les Chefs de France ADR and reserve this one!

Chefs de France

Another one I have wanted to try and last night I tried to convince DH to let me schedule a lunch ADR instead of dinner but he is all about ADRs at supper time. But I am nervous to pay that much money and us not enjoy it! I guess I may (or may not) know if it is worth it by the end of next week!

Liberty Tree Tavern

This is another I would like to try and I think my DH would like it but getting him into MK is like getting a pig to fly...

So between these three choices? I vote for....drum roll....Via Napoli!! Because I hear amazing reviews on this one!!

DINNERS

Ohana I wasn't going to book this but I happened to look for an adr and there was a 5pm time which is perfect. It was a sign that we should be eating there. When is there ever a 5pm slot open a few weeks after the 180opening for adrs.

One week from today I will be able to say I went here! No opinions right now but I am super excited for Ohana!!

T-rex-(could be lunch or dinner)Caitlin and I enjoyed this place last year, and this is one place Jen has actually never been . We weren't going to plan on going to DTD but now that we have an extra night, I think we could manage to make it over there. Now that T-rex is on the DDP can you still call direct to book an adr b/c there are no openings whatsoever.

We adore T-Rex!! This is DH's "must-do" of all the restaurants!

Be our GuestI am hoping this will be open and they start taking adrs for Dec soon. If not we can just eat here CS for lunch, but we have to check it out. It looks amazing!

It should eb open from what I hear and I say if you can score this ADR...DO IT!!!!!!!

Some other options that could be in the running if we were to do the dining plan-
Cape May dinner

Cape May will be another first timer for us next week! So again no opinions right now!

​

No opinion on the signature restaurants since I haven't been to either. But in reference to Caitlin going...I would have taken my kids at that age but I know they would behave and we could have found something they would eat. So I think you judge the age by knowing your own child. However, I have been to restaurants (not just Disney) where the parents didn't judge their own children too well!

Your ADR choices look really good, but I know you are like me and this list may change 100 times between now and then!!

 

[pinkxray]

Hello everyone

I hope everyone is having a great summer. July is just flying by with little to no Dis time. I really need to update over here and catch up on everyone elses TRs. Hopefully next month will slow down and life will be back to normal. Since Caitlin has been in camp full time all month I have been taking advance of working pretty much everyday so between work, camp, and training to train for the run in Sept. I don't have much time on the computer.


I was just looking at a few post I didn't reply to and before I could reply, I realized they aren't really valid anymore.

You didn't really think my vacation plans for Sept and Dec. were final did you? I really, really did. In fact, I am actually pretty embarrased to say that about two weeks ago our girls only trip in Dec. has been completely rearranged.

Now, as of Monday afternoon our Sept trip is a completely different trip.

 

[dizneeat]

Yeah, changes!!!!

 

[pinkxray]

Yeah, changes!!!!

I think you'll like these

 

[pinkxray]

I only have time to squeeze in one updated trip itinerary. The Dec. trips changes are a little boring and I should probably do that update first, but I am just so excited about our new trip in Sept. I have to share with you guys.


As you know we cancelled our cruise on the Freedom of the Seas last month and changed to a few days in Universal. I think we would have had a great time but going on a cruise has been on our minds and we can’t seem to get it out of our heads. DH said maybe Feb or April. Okay.


On Monday, for about the 10th time in a month DH came home from work pretty miserable. He stated that he needed a vacation and needed to go somewhere tropical. He told me not to be surprised if he came home one day and told me we were going on a cruise in Oct. or something.


Now, I know DH and I am pretty sure after really researching cruises he would not plan a spur of the moment trip. However, he can be surprising and I really don’t like the idea of spur of the moment. I don’t really have a job that lets me just take off next week to go on a cruise. I also thought it would be pretty ridiculous to spend money on a trip to FL in Sept. only to have to go back again in Oct.


After talking to DH Monday morning, I started scheming. I did a quick check of the vacation budget for the rest of the year, and due to working full time the last few months and the lack of day trips that we have taken this summer, we are looking pretty good. I called my boss and begged for the beginning of the week that I was already taking half of in Sept. and then I made the call.


I called my Chase rewards travel agent # to get a quote for a cruise on Sept. 22. I happen to have quite a few rewards points to use which I could use to take off the price of the cruise. She gave me the quote for the ship that I wanted and it was a little higher than I liked. However, since my rewards points are worth 20% more when booking travel through them I got about $700 knocked off which brought the price down to a reasonable number.


DH came home for lunch and I had a pretty big smile on my face.

“What are you smiling about?”

“What do you think I am smiling about?” I replied

“I am thinking it has something to do with going somewhere tropical, but if that is the case you are a crazy person!”


Yep, I might be a bit crazy for booking a cruise after DH happened to mention going away, but everything seemed to come together perfectly.



As much as I would have liked to rebook the cruise on the FOS for Sept. 30 I couldn’t rearrange my vacation time, plus flights were cheaper and easier to change to for the week before. However I needed a cruise ship that sailed out on a Sat so that we could still make it to Disney for the TOT run.
Can you guess what cruise ship sails out on a Sat in FL?



Nope, unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to book the Fantasy although believe me I considered it.























Instead I booked-
The OASIS OF THE SEAS!!

That’s right. On Sept. 22 we will be hitting the Eastern Caribbean on the giant Oasis of the Seas!

I would have liked to try the Freedom first and saved the Oasis class for a few years down the line, but it the only other option was the Carnival Dream, which doesn’t seem to have the best reviews.

I am super excited. Dh doesn’t seem to understand the awesomeness that is the Oasis of the Seas, but I am sure he will get it once on board. We haven’t told Caitlin that we will be going on a cruise. I am thinking we might just surprise her that day.

Here are some things I am looking forward to:

Blue Lagoon Island on Nassua

Where DH insists we swim with this guy

A boardwalk view balcony

I had planned to just get an oceanview room, but all the lower categories were sold out. I would like to upgrade to a oceanview balcony but the price difference is just too much to justify when I doubt we will be in the room much anyway.

I am determined to check out some of the shows on this ship, even if I have to go alone


St. Thomas

Has anyone been here before? Any recommendations on which beach to go to? I am looking at maybe Sapphire, Emerald or maybe going over to St Johns?


St. Marteen

DH wants to jet ski and I could only find Orient beach which happens to allow women to be topless. Not a big deal, but I am hoping Caitlin handles it okay. I am just going to mention to her about people doing things differently in different countries as a warning. I am hoping it just helps her become a well traveled little girl.


Cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale

We will be flying in one night before and staying somewhere on the beach. We haven’t really been anywhere in FL besides Orlando so I am very excited to see somewhere new.


On the ship itself I am looking forward to relaxing in the hot tub

Maybe taking a cupcake decorating class

And watching DH wipeout on the flowrider

We are only 59 days aways!!! I am so excited and really need a vacation so it can’t come soon enough.

 

[dizneeat]

That is absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful idea. I am soooooooooooo happy for you all. AND you are going to all our destinations for next summer, so I will get lots of ideas.

Honestly I cannot wait how Caitlin will react when she finds out!

 

[jenseib]

Awesome

 

[amandaw]

What an awesome change!!!

That ship looks fabulous! There was someone on the DIS who did a TR on that ship (in the DCL section) as a comparison to the Disney cruises they've been on. The ship really looked nice & offers so much to do. If I remember right it even has a zip line!

I can't wait to hear what you think of the Eastern Caribbean ports. We're doing an Eastern cruise in May. I may have to pick your brain about the beaches when you get back.

 

[Nermel9]

That cruise ship looks so nice, almost as good as the Disney ships! And all of those islands you will be visiting are going to be so pretty, Brandon's parents go to St. Marteen all the time and they love it there.

Can you please do an update for our trip now? I need to make a new ticker here.... Just waiting for your update...and I don't know the exact dates either!

 

[amazingact21]

Congrats on the cruise! That's so awesome! And sometimes you just need those spur of the moment vacations.


That ship looks huge! I couldn't imagine all the choices of activities you'll have to choose from....

 

[pinkxray]

That is absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful idea. I am soooooooooooo happy for you all. AND you are going to all our destinations for next summer, so I will get lots of ideas.

Honestly I cannot wait how Caitlin will react when she finds out!

I can't wait to arrive at the ship and see what Caitlin has to say when she finds out we are going on it for a week. Right now she thinks we are going to Universal, but I am thinking about telling her that got cancelled and that we are only going to FL to spend a few days at the beach. That will be a little less disappointing than missing Universal.

I haven't been on the Dis much and couldn't remember if your Fantasy cruises were this year or next. I was hoping they were this year so that I could read all about the Eastern Caribbean. I guess I'll have to wait another year.

Awesome

What an awesome change!!!

That ship looks fabulous! There was someone on the DIS who did a TR on that ship (in the DCL section) as a comparison to the Disney cruises they've been on. The ship really looked nice & offers so much to do. If I remember right it even has a zip line!

I can't wait to hear what you think of the Eastern Caribbean ports. We're doing an Eastern cruise in May. I may have to pick your brain about the beaches when you get back.

I have been researching the beaches in St. Thomas and it just as hard to pick one as it is to narrow done dining choices in Disney. A beach can get raves reviews and be called the most amazing place in the world but then have another review that says it is overcrowded and basically a dump


If I can't go on the Fantasy this year, the Oasis is certainly a good enough replacement. And I am much happier that we are going on the Eastern route than the Western

That cruise ship looks so nice, almost as good as the Disney ships! And all of those islands you will be visiting are going to be so pretty, Brandon's parents go to St. Marteen all the time and they love it there.

Can you please do an update for our trip now? I need to make a new ticker here.... Just waiting for your update...and I don't know the exact dates either!

I suppose I could do an update. It would be helpful if you knew the dates, I'm sure

I'm so excited to be going on a cruise for a week. I need to get as far away from CT as I possible for awhile

Congrats on the cruise! That's so awesome! And sometimes you just need those spur of the moment vacations.


That ship looks huge! I couldn't imagine all the choices of activities you'll have to choose from....

I can't wait to see all of the activited that are offered. I am a bit afraid we will be spoiled by everything that there is to do on the Oasis and it will be hard to go back to DCL where DH thinks there is nothing to do. But it's a risk I am willing to take

 

[pinkxray]

More changes......


Our girls only trip has been moved from Dec back to Feb. I know, I know... I have issues. I had been going back and forth between seeing all the xmas stuff at WDW or heading down for the Princess Half. It seems a little crazy to give up what looks like a low crowd, cheap weekend in Dec to brave the madness of President's week but I think it will be okay.

Instead of getting just a quick weekend trip we will be able to extend our trip since Caitlin is on vacation that week and won't have to miss any school.

Our new dates will be Wed. Feb 20- Mon Feb 25.


For our first night we are still homeless. I know it's crazy but I really like doing split stays and trying out new resorts so this trip won't be any different. Caitlin seems to want to spend the night at AOA, so as long as there are rooms available we will most likely spend the night there. Picking the room for the night is on the back burner for now since I just had to pay for our cruise and excursions in full

On Thursday, we will check into our new home for the duration of the trip. We will be spending four nights in a lake view studio at Bay Lake Tower

I am signed up to run in the 5th anniversary of the Princess Half Marathon while Nermel9 is hoping to take place in the Royal 5k.

Plans for our trip our on hold for a bit until we figure out the details. If Nermel9 does do the 5k I would really like to do the pasta party and the breakfast after the 5k, but won't sign up for those event if she doesn't because they probably wouldn't be interesting for her.

Our adr date is in the end of August and I am still thinking about what to book. 'Ohana dinner is the only definite and most likely Park Fare breakfast. We'll see about the rest.

 

[dizneeat]

O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are staying at BLT from Feb 21 on??????????????




Guess who is going to be at the same resort?



ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Now, we HAVE TO get together and at least have a drink at the ToTW Lounge!

 

[amandaw]

I think the changes to your girls' trip sound great!

And I understand all about changing. I made more changes to our trip this morning as well.

How exciting that you get to stay in BLT! I really, really, really want to stay there or CR one day.

Do you think you'll try for an ADR at Be Our Guest?

That's awesome that you're doing the half marathon! We really were planning on going too & doing it but I think that plan has been thrown out. I don't think I could work myself up to that by then. And with us doing the cruise in May, it may be a little tight. We are already considering going back for the ToT race next year if we enjoy it.

 

[pinkxray]

O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are staying at BLT from Feb 21 on??????????????




Guess who is going to be at the same resort?



ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Now, we HAVE TO get together and at least have a drink at the ToTW Lounge!

Do you check in the 21st too?


We would love to meet you and Tom, especially if we are in the same resort. Although as much as I would love to check out the ToTW lounge, I don't know if I can get up there? I am only a lowly DVC point renter, not a DVC owner

 

[pinkxray]

I think the changes to your girls' trip sound great!

And I understand all about changing. I made more changes to our trip this morning as well.

How exciting that you get to stay in BLT! I really, really, really want to stay there or CR one day.

Do you think you'll try for an ADR at Be Our Guest?

That's awesome that you're doing the half marathon! We really were planning on going too & doing it but I think that plan has been thrown out. I don't think I could work myself up to that by then. And with us doing the cruise in May, it may be a little tight. We are already considering going back for the ToT race next year if we enjoy it.

I am would love to try Be Our Guest, I totally forgot about that. I haven't been on the boards much, do we know when adrs start yet?

I saw your changes and they look great.

I'm sad to hear you won't be going in Feb. I am having a tough time keep up with training for the TOT run this summer. It seems like I have a good week and then a bad week. I do think that by the run I will be able to complete the run but it will not be how I expected. Probably more walking than I would have thought, but that's okay. I am just in it for fun so I'll be happy to just finish.

Hopefully I'll have a better time training for the Princess Half once it cools down.

 

[dizneeat]

Do you check in the 21st too?


We would love to meet you and Tom, especially if we are in the same resort. Although as much as I would love to check out the ToTW lounge, I don't know if I can get up there? I am only a lowly DVC point renter, not a DVC owner

YES, we check in on the 21st as well!!!
Hm, I need to figure out if we are allowed to bring a guest. I completely forgot that it is members only, because I was so excited to read that we will be there at the same time.