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

[stagemomx3]

Happy Birthday to your DH!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That's nice to give little surprises all day! Have fun and enjoy the birthday dinner!

Happy Birthday to your DH!

Thanks ladies! I'll pass on the birthday wishes.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Happy Birthday DH brookelizabeth!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Happy Birthday DH brookelizabeth!

Ohhhh yummmmmmmmy!

 

[brookelizabeth]

04-13-2008 - Fun with Knives

Dinner for DH was awesome! DH had no idea we were headed until we were literally within a half block of the restaurant!

We had a fantastic time and the food was INCREDIBLE. I've never had such good steak. All the friends that joined us have come back saying they had a blast and loved every bite of food too. We didn't get back until about 12:30 am, and Henry was staying overnight at Grandma's house. I gazed into his crib just before going to bed, missing my baby so, so, so much - but thankful knowing he was sleeping soundly at his Grandma's. It was REALLY hard for me being away but I know it's a good thing for DH and I to have an evening of just adults!

Here are a few pictures from the night - every time the chef would pull out knives and do his thing I'd be gasping and shrieking. He even lit the grill on fire which I knew was coming, yet still caused me to shriek!

Our chef would toss the eggs for the fried rice in the air, catch and crack them on the flipper and the shell would somehow not end up on the grill. It was pretty awesome!

DH enjoying some very, very, very good chicken.

A river of sushi! YUMMMMMMMM!

Our waiter also sang DH Happy Birthday - and he also sang to about 12 other tables in the place! We think he was the 'Official Singer' - it really wouldn't surprise me, he had a great voice!

I wish Teppan Edo had good reviews...I found maybe one out of six reviews that was decent. Has anyone here eaten there? What did you think? (I am not going to change ADRs! Just taking notes for future reference!!)

I would love to convince DH for us to head down during Free Dining for a long weekend--then I'd be much more risky with my ADRs! If we could get really cheap air fare, I think I could convince him....

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay, I just read your handy dandy links.

After doing the DDP this last feb, I would be more inclined to do more 2TS meals. We just got so tied into making our ADRs that it didn't really give us the flexibility we wanted especially with small children. Unlike paying out of pocket, when you cancel an ADR on the DDP, you need to reschedule the ADR or else lose $$$. If you had a few 2TS...you could be a bit more flexible just a thought.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Okay, I just read your handy dandy links.

After doing the DDP this last feb, I would be more inclined to do more 2TS meals. We just got so tied into making our ADRs that it didn't really give us the flexibility we wanted especially with small children. Unlike paying out of pocket, when you cancel an ADR on the DDP, you need to reschedule the ADR or else lose $$$. If you had a few 2TS...you could be a bit more flexible just a thought.

You have a good point here.



Hmmm...I need to think about this - while DS is a VERY well behaved baby and very used to eating out, all the excitement through the entire day may cause him to be a tad more fussy than norm. Hmmm....



Is this gonna be the start of a big change... We'll see. Gotta talk to DH too.

Thanks for the words of wisdom Jordan!

 

[jordanyosh]

You have a good point here.



Hmmm...I need to think about this - while DS is a VERY well behaved baby and very used to eating out, all the excitement through the entire day may cause him to be a tad more fussy than norm. Hmmm....



Is this gonna be the start of a big change... We'll see. Gotta talk to DH too.

Thanks for the words of wisdom Jordan!

I don't want to put a wrench in your plans. Really. There were a few days when it would've been nice not to have to worry about where we had to be for dinner, even if it meant a CS meal or two OOP.Erin and Dylan are really good at meals too, even if they're tired, but we're a family that likes options and scheduled ADRs on the DDP became like a ball and chain at times.

 

[CJsMom]

I don't want to put a wrench in your plans. Really. There were a few days when it would've been nice not to have to worry about where we had to be for dinner, even if it meant a CS meal or two OOP.Erin and Dylan are really good at meals too, even if they're tired, but we're a family that likes options and scheduled ADRs on the DDP became like a ball and chain at times.

I liked the DDP because the meals were prepaid, but I agree with what you're saying. In fact, I'm pretty sure that next time we go we will not do the DDP. I will still make ADR's but it will be nice to have the flexibility to cancel some and do CS if we want (and not feel like we've wasted money). I was so worried about someone getting sick and not being able to eat meals we had already paid for (luckily that didn't happen)! Also, I would have preferred to order adult meals for the kids in some CS places, rather than being forced to order off the kids' menu. Sometimes there were only two kids meal choices and they didn't want either one (Pinoccio Village Haus in MK was a good example of this - they wanted pizza and it wasn't on the kids' menu - so I ended up ordering the kids' turkey and cheese pinwheels for myself and the kids split my adult pizza meal - the kids' meal was small and not very good!)

 

[thewesterberg]

Great PTR! I had to check it out after you posted over on mine. Your DS is adorable... you guys are going to have such a great trip! I look forward to reading more.

Your DH birthday dinner looked/sounded like a lot of fun! We're always looking for new restaurants when we head to Minneapolis. Seems like we always end up at Chipotle's though! (we don't have any up north. ) I'll have to file this one for a future trip.

 

[blueeyesrnc]

Looks like you all had a wonderful time. Happy birthday to your hubby. I like what you did for him throughout the day. Very sweet.

 

[stepdisney]

I don't think you have to worry about loosing money. The only ADR's you have to worry about are the ones where you have to leave a deposit like CRT the dinner shows and the fantasmic packages. I changed and canceled my ADR's a lot last year. Just go to the concierge at your hotel and/or the parks and they will happily cancel for you and the credit is not deducted from your card. If the baby is cranky one night, you can always go to a table service at your hotel. Last year we stayed at WL and ended up eating there quite a bit. It was no problem for them to "fit us in." Of course it does matter when you are staying.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Just wanted to say HI
Off to catch up on your adventures

 

[brookelizabeth]

Just wanted to say HI
Off to catch up on your adventures

Will read the rest of the replies in a bit here, just wanted to say hello to DisneyBride! We were thinking of you over on the AKL Lite thread...hoping all is okay... I'm so glad to 'see' you! Be sure to head over there when you have a moment and pop in.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I don't want to put a wrench in your plans. Really. There were a few days when it would've been nice not to have to worry about where we had to be for dinner, even if it meant a CS meal or two OOP.Erin and Dylan are really good at meals too, even if they're tired, but we're a family that likes options and scheduled ADRs on the DDP became like a ball and chain at times.

No worries... You brought up a very good point-I have time to switch up if I do decide to go that route, but after thinking about it a bit, if we don't have something scheduled I can literally envision DH and I doing the "What do you want?" "I dunno. What do you want?" "I dunno." game. So, I'm thinkin' we'll just stick with what we've got.

I liked the DDP because the meals were prepaid, but I agree with what you're saying. In fact, I'm pretty sure that next time we go we will not do the DDP. I will still make ADR's but it will be nice to have the flexibility to cancel some and do CS if we want (and not feel like we've wasted money). I was so worried about someone getting sick and not being able to eat meals we had already paid for (luckily that didn't happen)! Also, I would have preferred to order adult meals for the kids in some CS places, rather than being forced to order off the kids' menu. Sometimes there were only two kids meal choices and they didn't want either one (Pinoccio Village Haus in MK was a good example of this - they wanted pizza and it wasn't on the kids' menu - so I ended up ordering the kids' turkey and cheese pinwheels for myself and the kids split my adult pizza meal - the kids' meal was small and not very good!)

Ya, I've heard that about the kids' menus too-when Henry gets older it's something I will really research before jumping on the DDP. Even now, since he's under 3, he shares a meal with us, and we are both big eaters, so I know we'll be forking out some out of pocket cash for a few sides for DS.

Great PTR! I had to check it out after you posted over on mine. Your DS is adorable... you guys are going to have such a great trip! I look forward to reading more.

Your DH birthday dinner looked/sounded like a lot of fun! We're always looking for new restaurants when we head to Minneapolis. Seems like we always end up at Chipotle's though! (we don't have any up north. ) I'll have to file this one for a future trip.

Thank you!!! Dinner was a blast! Ichiban is a bit on the expensive side (DH got a Coke, me a lemonade before we were seated, then DH got another Coke and we both got the steak/chicken meal) we spent $100 with a very nice tip. BUT, I know there are similar places, Bennyhanas, that are cheaper. But Ichiban is awesome for a special meal! I LOVE CHIPOTLE! How, oh how can Duluth be deprived of such a delicacy?! It's a college town! You poor woman. Our nearest one is St Cloud-so we often eat there too when we can. We used to have a "fake" Chipotle that a local guy opened-it was sorta weird on how similar it was, but suddenly it closed...I'm thinkin' he might have gotten into a bit of trouble with mimicing it so closely!

Looks like you all had a wonderful time. Happy birthday to your hubby. I like what you did for him throughout the day. Very sweet.

Thank you! It was really fun to surprise him all day long.

I don't think you have to worry about loosing money. The only ADR's you have to worry about are the ones where you have to leave a deposit like CRT the dinner shows and the fantasmic packages. I changed and canceled my ADR's a lot last year. Just go to the concierge at your hotel and/or the parks and they will happily cancel for you and the credit is not deducted from your card. If the baby is cranky one night, you can always go to a table service at your hotel. Last year we stayed at WL and ended up eating there quite a bit. It was no problem for them to "fit us in." Of course it does matter when you are staying.

Good to hear!! We are planning on the Fantasmic package-but, if we do the dinner and skip the show, would they even know?

 

[jordanyosh]

No worries... You brought up a very good point-I have time to switch up if I do decide to go that route, but after thinking about it a bit, if we don't have something scheduled I can literally envision DH and I doing the "What do you want?" "I dunno. What do you want?" "I dunno." game. So, I'm thinkin' we'll just stick with what we've got.

Sounds like a plan!!!! You'll have a great time!!!!Happy eating....

 

[brookelizabeth]

Sounds like a plan!!!! You'll have a great time!!!!Happy eating....

Oh the eating...I can't wait!

***WARNING TO ALL CROCS-LOVERS, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO READ BELOW***
And I LOVED your Crocs installment on your TR.

Though Angela (camelotcats) did find a cute pair - so they are finally making styles that I may consider.

 

[RachelTori]

Oh the eating...I can't wait!

***WARNING TO ALL CROCS-LOVERS, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO READ BELOW***
And I LOVED your Crocs installment on your TR.

Though Angela (camelotcats) did find a cute pair - so they are finally making styles that I may consider.

You haven't been converted yet? Me either! I tried on a pair once and couldn't stop laughing at myself! Yes, I looked ri-di-cu-lous!

 

[jordanyosh]

Oh the eating...I can't wait!

***WARNING TO ALL CROCS-LOVERS, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO READ BELOW***
And I LOVED your Crocs installment on your TR.

Though Angela (camelotcats) did find a cute pair - so they are finally making styles that I may consider.

I saw some men's flip flops that aren't bad..........

 

[stepdisney]

Good to hear!! We are planning on the Fantasmic package-but, if we do the dinner and skip the show, would they even know?

They wouldn't know at all if you didn't go the the show.

By the way, we don't find Fantasmic offensive and we would probably be viewed the way you describe yourselves as far as your faith. I read one of your posts where you explained your reservations. We are not fans of the witches and goblins themes at all. They will show all of the bad guys from the movies and it may seem a bit "dark" for a while but the ending is very happy and Disneylike with boats and all of the main characters. Maybe on youtube you can see highlights of it. Your DS is so young so it will mostly be about what you and your DH deem appropriate for yourselves.