Not All Who Wander Are Lost Unless You’re Waldo. A Julyish PTR. UPDATED AGAIN! 7/28

[cmp1111]

I'm a bit worried about CM's, though.

We did it as our first meal last year, and while it was nothing special, it wasn't bad. The desserts were really yummy. And I got a glowtini thing. Or two. Because, you know, each kid had to have an ice cube...

 

[HomeschoolMama]

HOLY COW--we arrive late on 8/7 and will be at MK bright and early 8/8. We are staying at BLT and will head there for some pool action in the PM. Is it crazy to think maybe we can pass along the way somehow???I know its a tight day for you guys

I can't wait to hear about your trip!!! Please tell me you're going to report on BLT?! I just bought points yesterday and have plans to visit in March!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your plans look great, T!

 

[PrincessV]

Read the trip report(s) – you won’t be sorry!

Oooo, I should go back and read that one again!

We ended our glorious trips with a huge dinner at Catfoodgarten… ahem… Biergarten with a total of 20 DISers and their families. Meow.

"Meow."

We always have so much fun together. Our husbands enjoy each other, our children enjoy each other, heck even Waldo loves these girls and their families! They’ve become extended family!

To Dining Plan or not to Dining Plan.

NOT to Dining Plan.

Andy decided we should go with the DDP to avoid any confusion since we will be having TS meals together.

D'OH! Do I need to talk to him?!

Chef Mickey’s was Evan’s birthday dinner choice. Our friends V and her son Leo and LL and her DH and DS will be joining us that night to celebrate.

This is gonna be FUN!



T?

Step away from the laminating paper. We're not done. Trust V.

 

[rentayenta]

NOT to Dining Plan.

That's what I am talking about but it looks like you already decided. I do like your choice of eateries!

 

[jcc0621]

I didn't quote..I'm sorry!

ADR's look great. I think Evan at least will like the silly clips that they show at Sci-Fi. The cars are cool, but don't plan on having much conversation...which could be a good thing

 

[DisneyJo]

The kids are going to love all the Birthday stuff at CM and I'm in a dilema whether to add the DDP for December especially as I'll have to buy 4 one day tickets as we already have our tickets!!!

 

[debraW76]

Those ADRs are fabulous! I agree with you about the dining plan. I love it when it is free but don't feel it is worth paying for because of my family's eating habits. We just don't eat that much and also tend to snack a lot. And alcohol is not included

 

[HomeschoolMama]

I'm struggling with the DDP or not DDP question too. When I price out places like Ohana (our favorite), it's $123 for us to eat. The DDP is $142 a day for us. Surely that day we'll spend more money by getting lunch and snacks, right?

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

We did it as our first meal last year, and while it was nothing special, it wasn't bad. The desserts were really yummy. And I got a glowtini thing. Or two. Because, you know, each kid had to have an ice cube...

Thank GOD for alcohol at CM's!

Your plans look great, T!

Thanks Dawn! And CONGRATS on BLT!

"Meow."

T?

Step away from the laminating paper. We're not done. Trust V.

Fine. But it's like my wubby... I just like to KNOW where it is at all times.

That's what I am talking about but it looks like you already decided.

Not me. It was those darn relatives of mine!

ADR's look great. I think Evan at least will like the silly clips that they show at Sci-Fi. The cars are cool, but don't plan on having much conversation...which could be a good thing

I don't need conversation, as long as I have a cocktail.. and their cocktails look F-U-N!!

The kids are going to love all the Birthday stuff at CM and I'm in a dilema whether to add the DDP for December especially as I'll have to buy 4 one day tickets as we already have our tickets!!!

I'd say try it without. You have to at least once, IMO.

Those ADRs are fabulous! I agree with you about the dining plan. I love it when it is free but don't feel it is worth paying for because of my family's eating habits. We just don't eat that much and also tend to snack a lot. And alcohol is not included

Ah yes... my days of free dining are over.

I'm struggling with the DDP or not DDP question too. When I price out places like Ohana (our favorite), it's $123 for us to eat. The DDP is $142 a day for us. Surely that day we'll spend more money by getting lunch and snacks, right?

I have this nifty spreadsheet I use that I can send you to see if the DDP is economical for you or not. I'd be happy to email it to you. It'll knock your socks off!

 

[boysmom5150]

Oh you need to come to DLR! They're building Carsland in a few years! Happy and Bashful would love it. Oh and FYI - GCV open this fall!

Right now its looking good for APRIll keep ya posted Ill have to pick your brain of course

See now, you need to come in a day early! Purty pleeeeeeease!!

funny thing is P said if its only the chge fee for airline and that it would make me happy to do I could change. Of course Continental wants to charge me an extra $223 per ticket

I can't wait to hear about your trip!!! Please tell me you're going to report on BLT?! I just bought points yesterday and have plans to visit in March!

CONGRATS!!!!!I will do some sort of reporting on BLT even if its only pics

 

[HomeschoolMama]

Thanks Dawn! And CONGRATS on BLT!
I have this nifty spreadsheet I use that I can send you to see if the DDP is economical for you or not. I'd be happy to email it to you. It'll knock your socks off!

Thanks!

I'd love it!!! I'll e-mail you my new addy. I think you should have gotten it, but I'll send it again just in case.

CONGRATS!!!!!I will do some sort of reporting on BLT even if its only pics

Thank you!!!
Awesome~ I'm particularly interested in how the pool will look and work. I've heard only DVC will have access. I'm also curious about if there's a store downstairs. I'm hoping to be able to buy milk and a few other little things (snack foods) there so I don't have to worry about groceries.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Note to T.

Please don't start a pre-trippie while I'm not home. I missed the beginning...had to show up on page 4. AND I had to get all misty at the "still holding out for SharkB8"

Love the photo of Waldo in the sombrero. He's rockin' it.

Thanks,
K

 

[cmp1111]

I have this nifty spreadsheet I use that I can send you to see if the DDP is economical for you or not. I'd be happy to email it to you. It'll knock your socks off!

T sent it to me last year - and it proved again that the DDP works for us. But I have kids who won't share and are big eaters for being 7.

Anyway, the spreadsheet is fantastic.

 

[PrincessV]

Thank GOD for alcohol at CM's!

I'd totally forgotten that possibility!

Fine. But it's like my wubby... I just like to KNOW where it is at all times.

I've got this great mental image of you snuggling the package of laminating paper.

funny thing is P said if its only the chge fee for airline and that it would make me happy to do I could change. Of course Continental wants to charge me an extra $223 per ticket

I vote you keep trying - maybe they'll take pity and bring it down some?!

Note to T.

Please don't start a pre-trippie while I'm not home. I missed the beginning...had to show up on page 4. AND I had to get all misty at the "still holding out for SharkB8"

Want some enabling today?

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Want some enabling today?

Can I steal your PIN?

 

[PrincessV]

Can I steal your PIN?

That was my very first thought, lol! Sadly, it doesn't cover early Aug.

 

[jcc0621]

Can I steal your PIN?

I'm PMing you

 

[princessjv]

Agreed with the dining plan. I want a copy of that spreadsheet, if you don't mind.

You are so nice for taking the whole family. A few studio's might be a great thing for the relationships. That is awesome that LL, V & Michelle will all be there too!

 

[lazydoxy66]

T, the dining looks great!

Doug and I saved $100 bucks using the DDP. That is we would have if it wasn't free. A lot of those meals were just too much. I too would rather choose an appy once in a while. Plus, I hate the constraints that ADRs put on the trip. The next trip for Doug and I will be DDP and ADR free. It will be one big experiment. I'll dedicate it to you!

 

[Lauralee131]

My WDW trips are usually planned around some sort of DIS get together to meet old and new friends, but this year things just didn’t seem to work out.

A little DIStory… get it? DIS history? Heh heh heh… sorry. Ahem.

August 2007 – Rats In Pants and Fruity Booze! This was the trip in which I met fellow DISers and Team Focker Watch members, Lauralee131, PrincessV, DisneyJo and Sorul82?. We met for dinner and drinks and had such a blast together. Read the trip report(s) – you won’t be sorry!

Awwww....there's my girls!!

I always like to go back and read the TR's again before our next trip...gives me even more to look forward to!!

August 2008 – "How to Lose Waldo in 10 days" This was the “BIG” meet with about 20 DISers and their families. We had a reunion meet at the scene of the first crime, the Polynesian’s Tambu lounge, where Jo, V, LL and I were reunited again along with about 10 of our new friends from the Team Focker Watch thread. We ended our glorious trips with a huge dinner at Catfoodgarten… ahem… Biergarten with a total of 20 DISers and their families. Meow.

Need sunglasses...something bright pink hurting my eyes...JK - LY K!!

We were lucky that Fay spared us a few minutes for some group pictures...remember the torrential rain storm that hit as we were supposed to be arriving? UGH...

I'm still sorry we didn't get someone (Oooh Photopass!) to take one big shot of everyone with all our kids and hubby's...

Sadly there would be no Fockerfest 2009. We all had different plans this year. Our friend DisneyJo from England wouldn’t be there until December, V was planning her trip in June due to school schedules, LL was in the middle of moving to another state, the list goes on and on. I had no choice but to travel in August, as I had to use my incentive points by the 30th.

This was a tough year...almost had me questioning the vacation planning Gods on this one...

So as I was planning my trip I got an email from my dear friend PrincessV basically saying she’d changed her plans to August, rather than June. Read her PTR on the boards right now, it’s a riot! So V was in for August.

And so it begins...

Now we had to work on Lauralee or rather, Lauralee had to work on her DH. And holy crow, Lauralee pulled one off and managed to book an August trip after all! I was so excited to be vacationing with my friends again!

Some seriously fuzzy finagling went into this one, huh?? Lying, cheating...like a soap opera...

We always have so much fun together. Our husbands enjoy each other, our children enjoy each other, heck even Waldo loves these girls and their families! They’ve become extended family!

Extended family is a good way to put it! We love you guys too!! Apparently now Tony has no interest in going unless our friends are going to be there! Ooh - we need to talk tee times!!

Eventually I got another email from V saying our DISfriend Michelle (mlill or TheDISneyFamily) would be in WDW at the same time. I was completely overjoyed! I really just love Michelle and her family. Read her trip reports – they’re fabulous! This family knows how to do Disney!

No joke there...I live vicariously through Michelle's TR's and can't wait to meet them in person!

So now, not only would I have my 2 amigas, but I would be meeting a new amiga! And I’m still holding out for my 3rd amiga, Sharkb8.

Yoooo Hooooo....are you listening?? Just a little peer pressure...not much. Just a little...LY K!!

Let it be known that I hate the dining plan. There I said it and I’m owning it. My family on the other hand, loves the DDP. Waldo, TE, and The Ducks think it’s the greatest thing since slice bread and it was until all the changes. No appy? No tip? Forget that shizzle!

Yeah they ruined the DDP - I don't care so much about the tip part, as CM's should earn it, not get it automatically - or at least 18% anyway...but I wish they'd give you a choice at least appy OR dessert...I'd rather have the appy anytime over dessert...I have considered the CS plan...but probably will just go OOP this year...

We did a NON-DDP trip last year and we spent probably a hundred bucks more, ate what we wanted and drank all the booze our guts could take. It was fabulous, except for the part where our gut couldn’t take anymore booze. And you’ll have to read all about that in my last trip report.

So the others decided to go ahead and order the DDP and we decided not to. Our kids are little, they don’t eat much and often share meals. I much prefer an appetizer over dessert, unless profiteroles are involved. After further discussion, Andy decided we should go with the DDP to avoid any confusion since we will be having TS meals together. So now it’s 3 for the DDP. Blech. Out voted again. D’Oh

So where to eat?

Every year I send out a mass email to my family asking them to pick a few choice restaurants and every year they don’t. So I end up choosing all our TS places and no one better complain or they’re gonna hear it from me!

You know there'll be complaining...just know it...

We’ll have 7 TS credits and I usually pick around 10 and then narrow it down based on menus and preferences. Usually. This year was a bit harder.

Here’s our 1st draft picks:

Boma
‘Ohana
Narcoossee’s
Tutto Italia
Chefs de France
Chef Mickey’s
Marrakesh
Turf Club
1900 Park Fare
Sci-Fi Dine In
Tusker House

And here’s what we ended up with:

Arrival day – Le Chefs de France
Day 2 – Chef Mickey’s
Day 3 – Narcoossee’s
Day 4 – Tutto Italia
Day 5 – Sci-Fi Dine In Lunch/ 1900 Park Fare Dinner
Day 6 – ‘Ohana
Day 7 – Boma
Day 8 – Turf Club

One question...how many names and phone numbers are these booked under? Are there more than one?????

Ok, that was 2 questions...

Did you notice we have 2 more TS places than TS credits? Yeah, me too. I think we’ll pay Turf Club and Narcoossee’s OOP.

Now I feel the need to ‘splain some of our choices.

We chose Chefs de France because we are HUGE Remy fans. Heck, Remy traveled with us from LA to WDW back in ’07. Granted he was lost, but quickly found and he got us lots of CM attention.

I have yet to eat there...I don't know why...I think I subconsciously connect France/French Food and snails... Real mature, eh?

Chef Mickey’s was Evan’s birthday dinner choice. Our friends V and her son Leo and LL and her DH and DS will be joining us that night to celebrate. I’m ordering a Mickey Mouse head cake and treat bags for the kids at that meal.

Can't wait to celebrate the little big man's birthday with you all!!!

Narcoossee’s… Surf-N-Turf… ‘nuff said.

Mmmmm...Narcoossee's....

You're right...nuff said...

Tutto Italia – despite some negative reviews, LL said she really enjoyed it – so we’re in.

I loved it...order the antipasto...we went thru 2 of them and a few bottles of wine and yummy desserts...spent a small fortune outside of the DDP but sooo worth it...and the service was fabulous!!

Sci-Fi – I’ve always wanted to eat here, but I worried my kids would freak out about the dark, etc. I think they’re old enough now and from the pics on allears, they excited to try it. Yeah, I know… stick to burgers and shakes.

It'll be fun...M loves going there. And yes, burgers and shakes...heh heh...

1900 Park Fare – this was actually Maddie’s choice. She wanted a character meal, but nothing too Princessey. Since we’ve already got dinner with the Mouse, I thought this one fit the bill. CRT was something we’d done and didn’t see the need to do again and Yakerhaus… errr.. Akerhaus was GROSS and I’ll never go there again.

Another place we have yet to try...came close 1 or 2 trips ago but changed it for something else. Shocking, I know...

‘Ohana – Meat! Glorious Meat! And no bones! Yippeee!!!

I was very sad to read about V's last experience there, but we're eating there again anyway...just in case. Definitely a favorite of ours...ahhh...bread pudding....mmmmmm

Boma – no explanation needed. Soup. Yummy.

Boma...big, heavy sigh...I loves me some Boma!! I was so tempted to try Sanaa, but I'm a bit scared...

Although...now I'm thinking that Paradiso looks pretty tempting....

Up Next: AP’s and TIW and Trip Planning Obsessions begin… where the heck is my laminating paper???

I know you haven't lost the laminating paper...no way...LOL

Ok ---now I even more sad to know that I will miss not only you but V AGAIN and LL. WTH!!!I have no mojo

Can't believe another near miss...what's up with that???

We didnt like TUTTO either but I think you have to judge for yourself. We know friends who like it

Oh no - what didn't you like? What'd you eat?

And I got a glowtini thing. Or two. Because, you know, each kid had to have an ice cube...

Way to take one for the team CE!!

Note to T.

Please don't start a pre-trippie while I'm not home. I missed the beginning...had to show up on page 4. AND I had to get all misty at the "still holding out for SharkB8"

Love the photo of Waldo in the sombrero. He's rockin' it.

Thanks,
K

We're not giving up on you K!!

I've got this great mental image of you snuggling the package of laminating paper.

LOL V...can you picture her squeezing it and caressing it like Lenny with his rabbit...

LY T!!