Oh me, oh my! Are we really going to WDW in.....JULY!?! UPDATES TODAY 07/19 pg 30!!

[MegansMom]

All I have to say is YUM and DROOL! I've got to get moving on our reservations!

I think sometimes one of the hardest things about doing ADRs is that you have to think about all that wonderful food....yet know that you can't eat any of it for another 6 months! UGH!

Yes you do my dear....get crackin' on those plans!

Okay, you have me very curious about Boatwrights, we have never eaten there or heard much about it. Do tell!

Also what about Nine Dragons? We haven't been there either...

We have a Breakfast ADR at Akershus in March, that will be our first time for an early adr there, we have had dinner. I say Megs needs a princess encounter!

Over Christmas we had a blast and good food at Whispering Canyon so I'd give it a two thumbs up!

Ohana is always a favorite with us! I think you have some awesome meals on your list!

Well, we have never eaten there either....it looks like a very New Orleans/cajun themed restaurant---one of Allen and Nicole's favorite types of food, so I think it looks rather interesting! I thought since that is our AK day, we can take a bus from there to POR for the meal---maybe a little resort touring---then a boat over to DTD for a little shopping fun, and then head back to AKL from there. But you never know how it will all end up!

Now the three of us were just talking about our solo plans last night, and Tom surprised me. I thought he might be interested in taking in Akershus for breakfast to see the princesses, but he and Megan both wanted to go back to Cindy's instead. So, now I am going to have to rethink some things on our solo run! Imagine that....changes!!! On a PTR, even!!! You think CP is rubbing off, or what? Or maybe a little LL?

Nine Dragons was a suggestion by Allen and Nicole, and although we haven't tried it, we thought, "Why not?" We all love Chinese, and even though you hear mixed reviews at times about this place, I think it is still a worthwhile adventure for us. I am not expecting anything out-of-this-world, but I am sure it will at least be palatable!!

I am excited about all the prospects for dining....should be at least a YUMMY trip!

You have lots of good eating plans!
I bet your friends enjoyed looking through the menus. It was probably a little overwhelming, but fun to think about all of the good food! When the trip is over, it will be interesting to see which ones end up being their favorites.

The 30th is my birthday. Maybe you can have a birthday zebra dome for me!

I can only imagine what they thought when I sent that document to them.....I am sure they thought I had slipped off my rocker! But if anything, Tom and Allen both love a good meal, so I am sure Allen enjoyed salivating over the descriptions of all the fine cuisine! I think these boys are planning on eating (and probably drinking) their way around the world! They found out about the "beer passport" or whatever it is called that they can earn for drinking a beer in each of the different countries in EPCOT.....I think Nicole and I are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

My dear, for you, I will have a zebra dome each day I am there in your wonderful honor!!! What are DISfriends for???? I wish I could mail you some! Do you think they would survive a trip through the US Postal Service?????

 

[MegansMom]

My stomach is growling now, Jen! So many great places to eat on this trip! I can't wait to see which ones make the cut, but whichever ones do, it will be a week full of fabulous meals!

I know! MINE TOO!!! I think that is what is going to be so fun to see....just what exactly makes the final list!

I have been "hanging" around you and LL too long though......changes are already being made!!!

I thought that might make you proud!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I have been "hanging" around you and LL too long though......changes are already being made!!!

My evil influence continues to wield power over others!

 

[MegansMom]

My evil influence continues to wield power over others!

You made me laugh outloud!!!! I will GLADLY sign up to be one of your goonies---unable to shake the strong pull of your evil unfluence---ANYDAY!!!


SPEAKING OF EVIL INFLUENCE..............changes are being made as we speak!!! Will update with the changes later PTR followers!!!

 

[micandminforever]

Changing ADRs is part of the fun, and now that you can make reservation without calling the temptation is even stronger.

 

[Trentmom]

wow...lot of good adrs

Have to say if you choose to do Prime time cafe, make sure you do not put your elbows on the table

If you are lucky enough to only get a warning, do not do it a second time

That is all I have to say

 

[jenjolt]

Great ADR choices Jen!!!! I have eaten at a few of those places and I loved them!!!! Grand Floridian Cafe was SO SO SO good!! I think you guys would really like it and of course you can check out the GF!!!!!!! Of course you can't go wrong with any of the choices you have made!!! Can't wait to see the final list!!

 

[ampc3]

awesome! We stayed at POR and loved it, but to be honest I wouldn't make a special trip over there for Boatwrites. I have heard the food is pretty good, but the restaurant itself is nothing special as far as atmosphere goes etc.. Think it would be more fun eating at one of the Deluxe instead.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your ADRs are looking great. And making me HUNGRY!!! I am particularly delighted to see you will be in World Showcase on my b-day (the 25th). Please have a treat (adult beverage or otherwise) for me!

 

[lmillercrew]

Yummy ADRs!!!! Jealous that you are eating in fabulous places!!!! I can't wait to see the changes.

 

[MegansMom]

Changing ADRs is part of the fun, and now that you can make reservation without calling the temptation is even stronger.

Hopefully not too many major changes....just some fine tuning....starting to narrow our plans! It is SO much fun playing around with the online reservations....I LOVE it!

wow...lot of good adrs

Have to say if you choose to do Prime time cafe, make sure you do not put your elbows on the table

If you are lucky enough to only get a warning, do not do it a second time

That is all I have to say

ALOT being the key part of that statement!

I will make the mental note.....I don't know if Prime Time is ready for Allen and Tom though....those two together are TROUBLE!!!

Great ADR choices Jen!!!! I have eaten at a few of those places and I loved them!!!! Grand Floridian Cafe was SO SO SO good!! I think you guys would really like it and of course you can check out the GF!!!!!!! Of course you can't go wrong with any of the choices you have made!!! Can't wait to see the final list!!

We have been to GFC when we went with my family in 2008, and I agree, it was SOOOOOOO good! I can't wait to hear all about the trip girlie!!!

awesome! We stayed at POR and loved it, but to be honest I wouldn't make a special trip over there for Boatwrites. I have heard the food is pretty good, but the restaurant itself is nothing special as far as atmosphere goes etc.. Think it would be more fun eating at one of the Deluxe instead.

Good to know about Boatwrights. We will definitely have to keep that in mind!!!

Your ADRs are looking great. And making me HUNGRY!!! I am particularly delighted to see you will be in World Showcase on my b-day (the 25th). Please have a treat (adult beverage or otherwise) for me!

Awww C!!! You know I will indulge myself in your honor on that day! What do you think it should be???? Tell me your favorite WS treat/drink, and I will make sure I "enjoy" it on your behalf! What are friends for?!!?!?!

Yummy ADRs!!!! Jealous that you are eating in fabulous places!!!! I can't wait to see the changes.

Still working out the last kinks, but it is turning up to be a WONDERFUL list! I know we are going to truly enjoy!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Can't wait to see your final (or as of now) ADR list! Disney eating is just the happiest eating in the world!

 

[MeMom]

I wish I could mail you some! Do you think they would survive a trip through the US Postal Service?????

I think as long as you stick a couple of ziplock bags full of ice in the envelope with them, they will arrive safely.

My next meeting with a zebra dome should be on February 28th. That's our AK day. After we leave there, we plan to go over to AKL for a run through Mara and Ziwadi, and then a catch a bus to DTD.

 

[MegansMom]

Can't wait to see your final (or as of now) ADR list! Disney eating is just the happiest eating in the world!

I think it is about as final as it is going to get for now.....quite the work went in it though!

I think as long as you stick a couple of ziplock bags full of ice in the envelope with them, they will arrive safely.

My next meeting with a zebra dome should be on February 28th. That's our AK day. After we leave there, we plan to go over to AKL for a run through Mara and Ziwadi, and then a catch a bus to DTD.

That would HAVE to work! I am glad that your next zebra dome fix is soon though!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMM.....I can taste them right now if I try hard enough! I think those AK plans sound pretty darn good! ENJOY IT!

 

[MegansMom]

Now that line surely raised an eyebrow or two.....especially of my plans-changing friends..................but have no fear, not much has changed in respect to the trip as of right now. I do have some alterations to our schedule and ADRs that I will be sharing with you, but nothing in the way of MAJOR changes....with the trip at least!

But the changes with the trip are the easiest to tackle, so let's just start with those, shall we???

So nothing has changed with our accomodations...still staying in a TWO BEDROOM VILLA AT AKL, and YES, still HEAD-OVER-HEELS excited about it! EEEEEKKKKKK!!!!! I really should say Tom, Megs, and I are tickled pink about it!! Giddy, even!!! We spent a very cold, wintry Saturday morning gazing at pictures of AKL that we had pulled up from the Internet channel on our Wii on our 62" TV this past Saturday........warmed us RIGHT up! Can you imagine how good the AKL lobby looks when you see it that big....almost as good as in person! We also pulled up Youtube and watched a variety of videos of different Disney rides (both at WDW and at DL) while we ate our breakfast. It was a GREAT morning!!! AND, you will NEVER believe whose idea it was........yep, T-O-M'S!!!!!!!! He has been so amped up about this trip, that I think he might actually talk about the trip just about as much as I do! I know, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!!??!!? He has even suggested that we NEED to go to Disneyland.....SOON!!!! I don't know what has come over him, but I do NOT want it to GO AWAY!!!

Anyhoo.....so we will be checking into our 2bdrm villa on Saturday, July 23rd and staying through most of Saturday, July 30th. Nicole and Allen have a late afternoon flight, so we are planning on hanging around---maybe taking in one last park or dip in the pool---and heading out when they do. We will drive home both Saturday night, and part of Sunday, but we don't mind stretching it out as long as we can! Speaking of stretching it out, everytime we talk about this trip, one thing seems to dominate Tom's thoughts....how do we add on more time??? Well, we have stretched just about as far as we can go on the end (Tom HAS to be back to work on August 1st for important work stuff) so NOW, we are going to add on to the front of the trip too!!! We wanted to leave on Wednesday, July 20th, but Tom has a huge quarterly meeting that day that he HAS to attend. SO, barring any MAJOR issues (please pray that there are NO major issues), we are leaving at some point on Thursday, July 21st. More than likely, he will have to at minimum make a conference call that morning from our home, so we aren't planning on arriving to WDW until sometime early on Friday. We are thinking of adding on a night at a Studio at AKL for Friday so that we will already be there for checking in to our 2 bdrm the next day. And when we arrive at WDW, you know there is only one place for the three of us----MK!!!!! AND it just so happens to be an extra magic hour night there---until 2am!!! Now, I am sure we will never make it that long, but it is comforting to know we can have as much as we want once we get there! And we are planning to stay pretty late because we are going to do something we have NEVER done on WDW property on Saturday morning...........SLEEP IN!!!!! Yep, no alarms at all!!! Why, you ask??? Well, Nicole and Allen's flight lands around 11am, so we thought we would just wait until they arrive to the hotel, to check-in again with them, get a little settled, and head BACK to MK for the rest of the day with them! I AM EXCITED!!!! BUT, before I move on to that part of the trip, there is one more exciting thing taking place on Friday. You know how our Princess Megs loves her Princesses, so I am probably going to book a dinner reservation at CRT for dinner with the princesses that night!!! Quite possibly the perfect way to start this trip....don't you think!?!?!?

Okay, so back to our current itinerary and ADRs.....here they are:

Friday, July 22: MK all day and night CRT dinner reservation (just need to pick a time for this)

Saturday, July 23: Relax at AKL, then head to MK when Allen and Nicole arrive Dinner at LTT at 5:45pm

Sunday, July 24: Our 12th Wedding Anniversary!! DHS all day/night Right now we have both a lunch ressie at 11am at Sci-Fi Drive-In and a Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose's at 4:55pm and Fantasmic that night!

Monday, July 25: EP all day/night Lunch ressie at 12:30pm and Dinner ressie at 5pm at Nine Dragons. I think we will probably use the dinner reservation, but I have them both just in case for right now!

Tuesday, July 26: 8am Tusker House Breakfast ressie and AK all day Dinner ressies at 6:05 at Boatwright's and 6:25 at Boma's.....still have both so we can figure out if we want one or not.

Wednesday, July 27: MK all day 5:30pm ressie at O'hanas and 5:00pm at Kona Cafe....still haven't decided which we will do yet. I think I should send out a survey on SurveyMonkey to have them vote!

Thursday, July 28: FREEBIE DAY We are going to leave it up to what we want to see or do again....I still think it will be MK, but maybe another round at EP 5:20pm dinner ressie at Tutto Italia (if at EP) and 5:00pm at Tony's Town Square (if at MK)....jury still out on this one! But Italian no matter what!

Friday, July 29: MK one more time!!! 5:00pm at Grand Floridian Cafe and 5:00pm at Whispering Canyon Cafe.....again, I think I am going to have to send out a SurveyMonkey!!

Saturday, July 30: If we feel up to a park, then we will go wherever the girls want, if not, relaxing at AKL sounds good too!!! Starting to head home at some point, just not sure when!!!


So what do you all think???? I will welcome any and all feedback!!!

I have been very inspired lately by many of my wonderful DISfriends to become even more crafty and organized, and I am thinking of creating my own TRIP BINDER AND I was also thinking about creating some type of packet to send to Allen, Nicole, and Laila to get them excited. Here's where I need the help!!! What should I:
A. Put in the binder?
B. Put in their packet?



OK.....so what ELSE is new?!??!!

Well, we have been having a RIDICULOUS winter with everyone else.....and it has only gotten worse lately with an influx of illnesses. How bad is it? Well, out of the 691 students in Megan's K-8 elementary, 166 were out sick today!!! It has gotten so bad that they are closing down for the rest of the week until next Monday!!!! And of course, my poor Princess is one of the afflicted.....I got the call at 9:28 this morning that she too was suffering from the same flu-like symptoms!!! YUCK! Right now, I am just happy that it is not the belly bug!! BUT, the good that has come from all this sickness is that it has clarified my thoughts quite a bit! It is no secret that this year has been quite a struggle for me with going back into the classroom at a school that is on a completely different schedule from Megs and 40-45 minutes away from her. Today, I received the call at 9:28, and was not able to pick up my love until 10:58!!!! To say I was upset is a gross understatement. I won't lie, I was in tears the entire time I barrelled down the expressway to get back to her. Why did it take so long? Well, there is the 40-45 minute drive of course, but on top of that, I was detained at school until my sub arrived.....and apparently she was in no hurry because they told her I was on my planning period!!! They wouldn't let me leave until she was in the building, and she was told that she didn't need to be there right away because of the extra hour for my planning!! I know it might seem crazy to some, but it about drove me insane! I knew my baby was very sick and needed me, and I couldn't zoom up the road and get her the way I wanted. It was the proverbial straw that broke this camel's back. Although I have been vacillating about whether or not I would stay at my current high school, or take a position at her private school in an 8th grade classroom, or even just sub for awhile......I now know that I need to do not what is best for my "career" but best for my family. I have an interview on Monday for the position in her school....and I know that even if I don't get that....I am leaving my school next year. I need to find something that is going to be the best fit for OUR family. I hate disappointing people, and I know leaving will definitely disappoint quite a few people I greatly admire, but if I don't do what is best for Megan, for me, for us, then who will? There have been so many issues this year-- SO many days where our school calendars don't align AT ALL, or we NEVER have the same snow days, or our school hours just don't line up well--that I realize this is not the best fit for me. I know the school staff/administration will view it as a negative...that I am "giving up" or "quitting" on them, but I am choosing to see it as making the RIGHT choice for me and my family. At the end of the day, isn't that really all that matters??!??!!?!?


Okay, so my friends, THAT is what is new with us......how about you all????

 

[KristEn87]

The plans are sounding great and WOO HOO for adding days! We're in a two bedroom at AKL too and I'd love to send you, Megan, and Tom a text of the room and view once we get there, to get you even more excited about the space you'll be living in just two weeks after us! (if that's okay with you of course). We'll be booking our dining soon finally got responses from extended family joining us.

Hugs to Megan for the cold. It's hit Evan and I too and it's not fun at all!. I wish you good luck with the interview! I agree that's doing what's best for you and Megan is what's most important.

 

[cherbear]

Jen you're a great mom, very selfless and put family first -- who CARES what those people at the school think

 

[lmillercrew]

I think that you are making the right choice, for next year. I am not you or your family, but I DO know that only you and Tom know what's best for you and your family. It doesn't matter what the other people may or may not think or say of you. You and Tom know what's best for Megan and her well being. Now is the time to make the change, before you get really involved in your current school. Good luck at your interview! You know some good joo joo is coming your way.
Now, as far as the folder for your friends, I think that you should definately put in your ADRs and your park schedules. (what days you're going to which parks) Maybe some places to look for hidden Mickey's? Or some must see and do's? Little things that us DISers know about? Random facts about AKL?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Well Jen, I'm just going to say you go for it! This sounds exactly like what you need to do...

I understood completely how you felt thinking about your sick little girl waiting on you to come for her and knowing that you couldn't leave.
What a helpless feeling.

Good luck with your interview!

Oh the other stuff?

I vote for O'hana and WCC!

 

[Cindy-rella]

Just sitting here playing around on the Dis and I came across your trip report and we have a few things in common. First this is my first year back to full time work as a teacher after working part time or staying at home with my kids. My daugher, who is 8, is Megan and her nickname around the house is Megs!! My family and I are headed to the world in June and we are celebrating our 12th anniversary!! I have my kids in a private Christian school where I now teach! Too funny! I'll have to keep checking in here.