Planning our Wilderness Lodge Adventure! Nov 8-15 ~ We are back!

[Mocharilla]

I love your way of going about the restaurants. I might have to steal that idea for my PJ when we start planning, if you don't mind.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Watch out, it is way to easy to get addicted to that Creative DISign board.

I just spent all evening over there request invitations to all our ADRs.

Ooooh, what is this? Like an invite to your kids from "Pooh" or another character? I can just picture me making those for DH now... I picture his eyes rolling

But, they could be really cute suvioners for DS....

That sounds so neat! Brookelizabeth, you could totally have the invites made out to both DH and DS -- that would be funny!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Check out this thread-

Natalie's Bag of Tricks

Oh good Lord! These people are INTENSE.

And I have the sudden need to have matching t-shirts, dinner invites, Mouskeeping envelopes AND table service tip envelopes. GAHHHH!

I love your way of going about the restaurants. I might have to steal that idea for my PJ when we start planning, if you don't mind.

Thanks! I do believe I would have gone slightly crazy if I had done it any other way. Feel free to steal!

That sounds so neat! Brookelizabeth, you could totally have the invites made out to both DH and DS -- that would be funny!

DH is so gonna think I've lost it. I'm gonna keep it a secret!

 

[stagemomx3]

DH is so gonna think I've lost it. I'm gonna keep it a secret!

Little surprises like the invitations are fun ways to make the trip magical.

 

[brookelizabeth]

02-26-2008 - It's REALLY easy to get sidetracked on the DIS

My title says it all.

It's REALLY easy to get sidetracked on this board! I cannot even tell you how many PTRs, TRs and food reviews I have read recently-not to mention the crafty ones.

HOWEVER, I did manage to pretty much complete Round Two. It didn't go quite as I expected, but slowly and surely some winners emerged and rose to the top of the pack....

Magic Kingdom

• The Crystal Palace
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tony's

Those were the orginal three on my list and I found that the good reviews outweighed the bad. Tony's was probably the worst out of the group, but I'm gonna keep him and let DH/our future touring schedule veto.

For Counters here, I heard good things mainly about Cosmic Ray's and Pecos Bill. I'll probably focus us on Cosmic Ray's, but leaving it up in the air and see where are day at the MK brings us to eat - I just want to have an idea of the quality before I suggest it to DH as we are wandering the MK grounds....same for all the parks really...the only one I'm gonna push hard is at Epcot...

Sunshine Seasons. Gotta try it.

For tables:

• Coral Reef
• LeCellier
• Tutto Italia (if it's still open)

This will be difficult. Coral Reef I read MANY "Eh" reviews on, but the atmosphere makes up for the food-and I know DH and DS would LOVE the huge tank....DH is not a seafood person and will end up eating a lot of steak, so he's probably not gonna be thrilled about purposely going to a steakhouse. But I have already started talking up the pretzel bread. Tutto I read a BUNCH of rave reviews. If it's still open, I will suggest this so DH can have his Italian and it will be good!

Hollywood Studios
'50s Prime Time
Mama Melrose

Wait a sec....'50s Prime Time wasn't on my original list! I know, I know...BUT, the more I read about it and told DH about it, the more I knew he would really like the food there. Meatloaf, pot roast-this stuff is just right for him! Today he finally said "If you want to eat there, we can." OKAY! You don't have to tell this girl twice. And I'm not shy, so if we get picked on for anctics, I'll jump up so DH can just quietly enjoy his meal. Though, I would LOVE to see him get involved, because I know he would love it! It's just the whole 'in front of strangers' thing... We'll see how it goes...

Mamas still makes the list too-read a good mix of reviews-it's Italian, so we'll see, I want to try and hit one Italian place for DH.

And for Counter, if we eat in the park, I'm gonna steer us toward Columbia Harbor House. I added this to my list as per a suggestion here (by John's Mom I do believe) and read many, many, many rave reviews on it. Everywhere I turned it was good news!

Animal Kingdom

• Yak & Yeti
• Tusker House

Kept 'em both on the list. Found good reviews of Tusker and mixed of Yak. I have a feeling we won't do a TS at AK at all...but we'll see.

Downtown Disney

• Raglan Road

Nope, that one wasn't on my list either! The description given in the PassPorter sorta turned me off, but as I read about it and saw PICTURES, my mouth was drooling. Again, "down home cookin'" type food that DH would highly enjoy and I know I would as well. Not gonna push on this one, but we'll see what DH-Round Three-thinks.

I REALLY want to eat at Earl of Sandwich there, I will highly encourage that one!

And for the Resorts
I want to eat a Jiko, but it's 2 TS Credits...resisting.

• Kona, for breakfast, a must for me
• Whispering Canyon (this is already a must by DH)

Now my next step has changed a bit. I am going to hold onto these choices until the EMH's are posted and I plan our touring days. That will weigh in on choices of where to eat. I don't want to be travleing from one of of the World to the other daily just for dinner. Gotta make logical choices!

So, I'm gonna print out the menus of the above TS choices and file it until we have our touring schedule. Then, I'll pull those out and sit down with DH and we'll decide. I CAN'T WAIT! I love the food. Just love it!

All this brings me to a crossroads. I have to wait on final decisions for the eats, EMHs for November aren't posted yet so I can't do the touring schedule....I can either reserach "extras" (The diver in the tank at Coral Reef and other neat little things), or research "baby needs" (strollers, traveling, rides he will be able to do, etc.) or do the budget. There are a few others, but those are the most on my mind.

Hmmm....
I'm thinkin' "extras" would be most fun!

So, anyone out there have an little Disney secrets or "off the beaten path" fun stuff they want to share? While looking at the food threads I found something about making your own candy at Goofy's Candy Shop-DH would get a kick out of that! I also found that you can make a plastic robot at Epcot. I would like to reserach more about both of those-cost/time/where...And I read once about by staying at WL, you can take a bus (or boat?) over to Fort Wilderness and watch a Classic Disney cartoon under the stars! That would be really neat! Anything else you can think of? I love hearing about these tid-bits and working them into the trip!

 

[stagemomx3]

Magic Kingdom

• The Crystal Palace
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tony's

We will be eating at all three of these places on our trip so I'll have first hand experience to share with you soon.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We will be eating at all three of these places on our trip so I'll have first hand experience to share with you soon.

Yea! I look forward to your reviews!

9 Days! You are doing the single digit dance!!! Are you gonna finish your PTR in time?

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
I am going the exact same time you are. I am so impressed with tackling your dining choices.

Mama's at the Studios is only 1 TS credit.

At The Plaza, don't waste a TS credit, pay Out of Pocket-OP, saves you a TS credit.

Just to let you know, Sat/Sunday at the Studios is Soap Fan Weekend, the park will be very packed. On Sunday the 9th is the last day for Food and Wine Fest at Epcot. I don't know what time your plane comes in, but I just thought I would let you know. This is the reason we are flying in on the 8th, so we can get to Epcot on Sunday. I just hope it isn't to crowded for the last day.

We have a split stay. My DH is going to kill me.
Nov. 8&9 Beach Club
Nov. 10 & 11 AKL
Nov. 12-14 POR
Then my 2 older boys are flying in on the 14th and we are heading down to Homestead for the last Nascar Race.

I can't believe you are tackling your ADR's. I have it all in my head yet. I may need to ask permission for your spread sheet.

Ohmari
aka
marisa

 

[stagemomx3]

Yea! I look forward to your reviews!

9 Days! You are doing the single digit dance!!! Are you gonna finish your PTR in time?

Well that depends on if I have any more drama to report on or not?

 

[stagemomx3]

 

[brookelizabeth]

02-28-2006 - A very fun, very girly "Extra" (part one)

Quick note (busy at work...)

Garden View Lounge Afternoon Tea at the GF.

My DH said "Yes, sounds like fun."

(not the response I expected!)



More on that (and our 1st piece of Disney mail) later!

 

[brookelizabeth]

And whoa, when did I become a DIS Veteran? Neat-o!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi,
I am going the exact same time you are. I am so impressed with tackling your dining choices.

I'm ridicliously obsessed with figuring out our plans. Even though it's 8 stinkin' months away... I think part of it is that I'm still green with WDW and want to make sure to pick the best places that DH and I will enjoy. Plus, it helps the days pass more quickly!! I'm so excited about the trip!!

At The Plaza, don't waste a TS credit, pay Out of Pocket-OP, saves you a TS credit.

Great advice!! Thank you! Makes sense, their food is a bit cheaper than your average Table. If we end up choosing this, I will remember that tidbit!

Just to let you know, Sat/Sunday at the Studios is Soap Fan Weekend, the park will be very packed. On Sunday the 9th is the last day for Food and Wine Fest at Epcot. I don't know what time your plane comes in, but I just thought I would let you know. This is the reason we are flying in on the 8th, so we can get to Epcot on Sunday. I just hope it isn't to crowded for the last day.

I had NO idea about the Soap Fan Weekend. UGH. I am soooooo thankful for you telling me that! I would go nuts. I sorta want to do DHS first because it's DHs favorite, but no-way-uh-uh are we going on Sunday. Or if we do decide to go a day early (Saturday the 8th) we will avoid it then as well.

In '06 we were there during the FWF...we don't drink at all, so we didn't get into it. We glaced at a couple of the booths and that's about it. Now that I see pictures of some of the items available, I think I could have EASILY spent quite a bit of money on those snacks if I had realized! My eyes just ended up seeing carts without the really really good stuff! Probably a good thing...

We have a split stay. My DH is going to kill me.
Nov. 8&9 Beach Club
Nov. 10 & 11 AKL
Nov. 12-14 POR
Then my 2 older boys are flying in on the 14th and we are heading down to Homestead for the last Nascar Race.

I can't believe you are tackling your ADR's. I have it all in my head yet. I may need to ask permission for your spread sheet.

Wow! Sounds like quite a trip. I loved AKL! I hope your DH doesn't kill you about moving around so much! We were gonna do a split, but it worked out better with the DDP to just stay at one place the whole time. We are toying around with going down a day early, or extending the trip a day later and staying at POP our first night-as we won't really be able to take advantage of the resort the first night anyway...unless we have an early flight, which I really hope we DON'T!

I tried to keep my plans in my head and just got frustrated-so I started this to get it all out there. And this makes it easier to keep notes for all the things I hear/see. My DH thinks I'm nuts for already having our ADRs whittled down, but I'm such a planner, it's a sickness, I just HAVE to do it!

Well that depends on if I have any more drama to report on or not?

Hopefully none involving a certain young boy, a deal that was made with Aunt Pat and clothing he isn't exactly fond of....!


The DIS is too addicitve. I work a little, DIS a little. Work a little, DIS a little....good thing I currently have 2 computers and 3 monitors in front of me. I can keep track of it all. *insert super nerd smiley icon here* *pushes up glasses, adjusts pocket protector*

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi,
I am going the exact same time you are.

Oh, and I meant to add - maybe we'll run into each other!! We don't do the LGMH or anything to make us stand out though...possibly matching t-shirts at least one of the days...a 1 year old in a stroller...a black baggalini...a 1st visit button for DS...possibly Anniversary ones for DH and I...how about you? Do you do LGMH or anything to say you are a DISser?

 

[stagemomx3]

Hopefully none involving a certain young boy, a deal that was made with Aunt Pat and clothing he isn't exactly fond of....!

I did order him a few shirts that aren't polos, even with the deal in place, so hopefully all will be golden with that!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I did order him a few shirts that aren't polos, even with the deal in place, so hopefully all will be golden with that!

Smart momma you are. I'm taking notes.

 

[stagemomx3]

Smart momma you are. I'm taking notes.

 

[brookelizabeth]

02-28-2008 - We have DISNEY MAIL!

I vaguely remember getting a few items in the mail in 2006 before our trip to WDW. I was much wrapped up in wedding planning, so while the mail excited me, it wasn't the highlight of my day (*week*).

Wednesdays I go into the office, and DH goes into an office about an hour away. That means I'm on my own in the morning dropping DS off at the sitters and picking him up in the afternoon. Well, Wednesday afternoon I pick up DS and as we are driving into our housing development, I stopped to get the mail (which is located not in front of our house like normal world, it's at the entrace to the devevlopment ). I pull out about 4 days worth of mail (yea....it's DH's "job" and he doesn't do it too well! ) and what-oh-what do I see?

A beautiful bright blue piece of mail with gold foil tabs. There is a picture of a castle on the front...clouds on the back with my name peeping through the window. Yes! It's DISNEY MAIL!

I jump back into the car and start babbling to my DS about how we have Disney mail! Despite his silence, I KNOW he was excited too.

We get into the house and after getting him out of his car seat, I grab the letter opener to discover what Disney has sent me...the anticipation mounts...

Before I rip it open, I have to take a picture of course!

I rip it open...Inside I see a letter and some brochures:

Welcome back. Ahhhhhh....I love those words!

I skimmed over it and quickly realized, despite it saying the packet of information was to "answer all my questions that I might not have even realized I had!", I KNEW it answered nothing. The DIS has answered my questions!

But still, it's Disney mail. So it made me happy!

DS tried to eat the letter. I took it out of his mouth and I got a "why can't I eat this?" stare...

The packet-o-info now sits to the right of my computer and hasn't been touched since. I have a pretty good feeling it's all info I already know....I'll read it when I need a "fix" sometime.

Coming up next...Tea time! And...Ugh, Minnesota.

 

[stagemomx3]

Hurray for Disney Mail!

I love the expression on your son's face in that picture, to cute!

 

[brookelizabeth]

02-28-2008 - Tea Time!!

As you know, I have been trying to figure out some "extras" for DH, DS and I to experience on this trip. In '06 I didn't know much about these extras and didn't really care, as EVERYTHING was brand new. But, as I came back from the trip and learned about all these little things you can do/see, I wanted to be sure to incorporate a few into our next trip...so, that brings me to now.

So far I have found a few...
-Mary Poppins umbrella at DHS...but I also learned it's now gone.

-The well to the left of the entrace of Indiana Jones at DHS. I have NO clue what this is about, but the PassPorter mentions to not pull up the bucket for water (or something like that), so of course, that is exactly what I am going to tell DH to do!

-I am sure there are other little things like this for us to experience at the Parks, but these are the only two park-related items I know of so far.



As I have been browsing the DIS, I ran across the MONSTER food thread. And found it's new baby, Part II. On that thread, along with a couple TRs I read, I kept running into the Garden View Tea Room at the GF. This brought me back to a TR I read when I first returned from our honeymoon...a gal and her DBF did the tea and the way she described it made me go into dreamland... I do love tea and this sounded beautiful...and very delicious. Fast forward to this trip, I had forgotten about the tea! Thankfully, it was quickly brought back to my memory and the more I looked at it, the more I knew I wanted to do this.

They don't accept DDP, so it would be OOP...it would be quite "girly" to DH (though, men all over the world drink tea!)...would he go for it?

After days of reviewing pictures and the menu, I finally mentioned it to DH....

"You know, there is something I would just looooove love love to do at Disney World."

"What is that?"

"Have tea."

Silence.

"There is a tea room at the Grand Floridian-and they have tea." And I went on to explain the atmosphere, the reviews I have read and a bit of the food.

"Okay. Sounds like fun."

"SOUNDS LIKE FUN? Really?! Really, really, really?!"

"Yes, if you really want to do it, then let's do it. Please let me know of all the things you want to do." (he might regret that statement, but it's permently burned into my brain. i really should have recored it... )

I love my DH!

Now, the questions that come up are...
1) Can a 1 year old go to the tea? I can't find anywhere with age restrictions, BUT, I don't want to be rude, or perform a huge faux pas...
2) There are 4 or 5 different teas. Decisions, decisions....Though, I am fairly certain I want the Buckingham Palace with a side of Sally Lunn bread. DH and I don't drink-so the sparking wine, while I'm sure is fabolous, would be a waste--and I know you can get sparking cider, but the Buckingham Palace is the same as the Grand and much cheaper. I can do without the cider. And I saw several pics of the Sally Lunn bread. *drool smiley*

So IF I can take a 1 year old, then I'm pretty darn sure this is what I'm gettin'! So excited!!

I also am thinking about having a GF mini-wedding cake delievered as a surprise for DH in celebration of our wedding anniversary! Another little thing he won't know about...

What do ya'll think about the 1 year old? Currently he is a VERY well behaved baby. People are often amazed when we have him in public how quiet he is. Now who knows if this will keep up...I would have to use my judgement there I suppose....

Please let me know your thoughts on this....you can be brutally honest.

...and still to come...Ugh, Minnesota.