Practically Perfect at the Poly? **UPDATE 7/28 -- And We're Back!!

[tinacaplan]

Ok, I laughed SO hard when you said you beat Max at TSM! Good for you!

Your July plans sound awesome! Although I vote not to cancel Sanaa!!!

Thanks! Nothing like beating a four year-old.

I know that Sanaa is supposedly so good, but isn't it just basically Indian food? Is there something about it that stands out that I couldn't get at a good Indian restaurant here? I know that's ridiculous logic for choosing dining options while at Disney, but I'm just curious as the place gets such raves from folks.

I can't wait to ride Star Tours this year! Reid is also super excited about it since he's tall enough & he loves Star Wars. I also had a stuffed Ewok growing up! Actually I had 2 - a boy & a girl. I still give my mother grief about throwing them away. The woman keeps EVERYTHING but for some unknown reason chose to throw away my prized Ewoks. I told Reid about them & now he fusses his Grammy about throwing away his Mommy's Ewoks.

Can't wait to hear what happened with the ADR that night. I have a feeling things got quite mixed up.

And it sounds like your plans for July are coming together quite nicely!

I wish I still had my Ewok...how funny. I only had the girl and I think she was grey. The things you remember...

Oh, yes...that night...that crazy night. I'm looking forward to writing and posting that update as it was quite a night. But I don't want to give it away yet!

I'm so excited for our July trip. Its going to be nice to have all that time, as my last two trips have been pretty quick.

I love your July dining plans!

I vote that you check out Boma for breakfast. No characters and I can't think of what really stands out about it, but it is just GOOD!

So I don't see much EPCOT time in your planning. When will Max go through his beloved SSE? First night before dinner? Maybe on your resort day at the Beach Club?

I see a lot of Hollywood Studios in my very near future- 8 thrill-seeking teenage boys. Can you say RNR, ToT and Star Tours. Again. And Again. And Again???

I'm pretty pleased with my plans, too!

We'll spend plenty of time at EPCOT, believe me. I may switch things up if Max makes 40" before then. But we'll hit EPCOT mostly in the evenings, which is such a HUGE bonus of being at the Beach Club for the beginning of our trip!

Are you getting excited for your big trip? I'm sure it will be great. And yep...lots of DHS for you!

I will be back for pics but it will be great when Max can actually ride Star Tours!!!!! I love that ride!!!!!!!

I hope you can work out another trip before your AP expires.

Great July ADRs. Love Saana - don't cancel. I miss that place. I would love to go back for a meal there. Hmmmmmm......

I really hope he makes it this time, but I can understand Disney's policies, too...sorta. I think he should be able to ride Star Tours and Soarin', but what do I know? Not much about ride engineering, that's for sure. But...if he doesn't make it...there's a reason for a trip in January!

Either way, we will have more than paid for the APs with just the February and July trips, so it will have been worth it. Who knows when I'll have one again, if ever?

 

[amandaw]

I wish I still had my Ewok...how funny. I only had the girl and I think she was grey. The things you remember...

Yes! My girl was grey too....with a purple vest. My boy Ewok was brown with a brown vest. I still miss them. Thanks a lot, Mom. Maybe I should go to therapy to get over my Ewok separation anxiety.

 

[dizneeat]

Hey!!!!!! What do you mean NO February trip?????? How am I going to be able to meet up with you guys, then?



A real bummer you cannot go in February, I was so counting on you all again.

As for July plans ..... your dining lineup looks good and I am another one who seconds Sanaa and Boma for breakfast - yum, yum!
It'll be here before you know it!

 

[eandesmom]

I'll try to speak to the Sanaa raves. A couple of things make it stand out versus an Indian restaurant at home (and we love Indian, have a couple of standard favorites).

1. Ambiance. Ok hands down, no Indian restaurant around here is this gorgeous, not even remotely in the same league!

2. Service. Again, can't compare (at least to our local haunts)

3. Food. Yes, you have many of the standard things but a couple of things really jumped out and made it special.

• Bread service. Oh the dips!!! We ordered two, the first one got inhlaed so fast.
  
• "Gravy" dishes. Most are pretty standard I guess but really, the ability to have different options as one entree is a huge treat, you wouldn't get that at home without ordering 2 entrees. Ok sure, it probably would cost the same at home to get 2 as the one here but it's the principal of the thing and the presentation.
  
• Signature entrees (Sustainable fish etc). Our local place wouldn't have anything like that offered and for those not big on "traditional" Indian, a huge bonus.

Price. For Disney, this is by far one of the more reasonable sit down menus in the OOP cost category. Cheaper at home? Of course.

Uniqueness. Ok, Indian might not be unique in the real world of dining options. At Disney with a lot of buffets and same old same old at many of the menu's...it's a refreshingly different option, at least to us.

In reality, when we do Indian, it's takeout. Going to Sanaa is a treat with food we love at a gorgeous location for the right price (relatively speaking lol!)

Fun DHS morning, bummer about the February break. I'm used to the 2 weeks at Christmas but it's a pita to travel then so we generally don't however am looking at it for 2013/14 new years eve...

We are HUGE fans.

 

[tinacaplan]

Yes! My girl was grey too....with a purple vest. My boy Ewok was brown with a brown vest. I still miss them. Thanks a lot, Mom. Maybe I should go to therapy to get over my Ewok separation anxiety.

Let me just tell you that I got your post via e-mail as I walking out of school to go to Max's eye doctor and this really made me laugh out loud and put a smile on my face. So, THANK YOU!

Hey!!!!!! What do you mean NO February trip?????? How am I going to be able to meet up with you guys, then?



A real bummer you cannot go in February, I was so counting on you all again.

As for July plans ..... your dining lineup looks good and I am another one who seconds Sanaa and Boma for breakfast - yum, yum!
It'll be here before you know it!

Yes, my friend...I am sad to say that it seems that our February trips will be a thing of the past. While I get it from the point of view of our school's overall calendar (we have our big state tests just a few weeks after that break) and most states here don't get a Feb. break, I will miss having that week as an option for trips. While its crazy busy down there at that time, there's nothing like being able to get away in the middle of February and, of course, its been awesome to see you!

And I was really hoping we'd made a cruise, together!

I'm really looking forward to July...it should be our best trip yet!

I'll try to speak to the Sanaa raves. A couple of things make it stand out versus an Indian restaurant at home (and we love Indian, have a couple of standard favorites).

1. Ambiance. Ok hands down, no Indian restaurant around here is this gorgeous, not even remotely in the same league!

2. Service. Again, can't compare (at least to our local haunts)

3. Food. Yes, you have many of the standard things but a couple of things really jumped out and made it special.

• Bread service. Oh the dips!!! We ordered two, the first one got inhlaed so fast.
  
• "Gravy" dishes. Most are pretty standard I guess but really, the ability to have different options as one entree is a huge treat, you wouldn't get that at home without ordering 2 entrees. Ok sure, it probably would cost the same at home to get 2 as the one here but it's the principal of the thing and the presentation.
  
• Signature entrees (Sustainable fish etc). Our local place wouldn't have anything like that offered and for those not big on "traditional" Indian, a huge bonus.

Price. For Disney, this is by far one of the more reasonable sit down menus in the OOP cost category. Cheaper at home? Of course.

Uniqueness. Ok, Indian might not be unique in the real world of dining options. At Disney with a lot of buffets and same old same old at many of the menu's...it's a refreshingly different option, at least to us.

In reality, when we do Indian, it's takeout. Going to Sanaa is a treat with food we love at a gorgeous location for the right price (relatively speaking lol!)

Fun DHS morning, bummer about the February break. I'm used to the 2 weeks at Christmas but it's a pita to travel then so we generally don't however am looking at it for 2013/14 new years eve...

We are HUGE fans.

Well...thanks for the comprehensive list! I think everyone has convinced me that we shouldn't cancel the Sanaa ADR!

 

[KatMark]

Don't feel bad, Tina. I got real excited when I beat one of the girls on our January trip.

Great update and love all the photos.

Can't comment on your ADR's as I don't think we've eaten at a one of them and probably won't.

 

[amandaw]

Let me just tell you that I got your post via e-mail as I walking out of school to go to Max's eye doctor and this really made me laugh out loud and put a smile on my face. So, THANK YOU!

Well....you are welcome! I'm glad I could make at least one person smile today. Most days, I usually just make Reid cry & scream because I'm a mean mommy who won't let him do any of the crazy things his 4 year old self deems fun. And Ed usually just has looks of exasperation when I tell him all of the things I need him to do in the house.

 

[tinacaplan]

Don't feel bad, Tina. I got real excited when I beat one of the girls on our January trip.

Great update and love all the photos.

Can't comment on your ADR's as I don't think we've eaten at a one of them and probably won't.

Thanks, Kathy! You've had breakfast at Kona and at Boma, that I know for sure.

Well....you are welcome! I'm glad I could make at least one person smile today. Most days, I usually just make Reid cry & scream because I'm a mean mommy who won't let him do any of the crazy things his 4 year old self deems fun. And Ed usually just has looks of exasperation when I tell him all of the things I need him to do in the house.

I'm sure you're a very mean mommy.

 

[brookelizabeth]

No February trip!??! I was looking forward to our paths finally crossing!!! BOO! I hope they don't take that way this year from NYC schools too...I'm a little worried because Henry's charter school starts a week earlier than public and Easter is earlier this year in March.

I guess I'll know next month at the open house, we have Club Level booked for that week-I REALLY hope I don't have to cancel it.

 

[tinacaplan]

No February trip!??! I was looking forward to our paths finally crossing!!! BOO! I hope they don't take that way this year from NYC schools too...I'm a little worried because Henry's charter school starts a week earlier than public and Easter is earlier this year in March.

I guess I'll know next month at the open house, we have Club Level booked for that week-I REALLY hope I don't have to cancel it.

Yes, well...I'm in negotiations with my husband for a trip right after the first of the year. I think I'll be off that whole week, so my thought was to take off with Max on the first and come back that Saturday. I really, really, really wanted to squeeze one last trip out of those APs!

As for crossing paths... I will be there while you're there in October, so surely we can work out a time to at least say helllo...oh, and an NYC Dismeet this summer would cool, too.

I hope you don't have to cancel your trip, but the school should be able to give you a calendar by now. Also, and I can't believe I'm even suggesting this as I'm a teacher, but I don't think missing school at this age is the end of the world. Not optimal, for sure, but not a tragedy, either. Although, maybe I'm wrong.

 

[tinacaplan]

OK...so...I've been spending some serious time looking at picturess of the new Art of Animation resort for a possible mother/son trip in January. I thought we could do a mermaid room and Max could see the exteriors of the Radiator Springs section.

I showed some of the pictures to Mark tonight and we agreed that the place does look amazing. And have I mentioned that Max is a HUGE Cars fan? Well, he is. Seriously huge. His first bed was Lightening McQueen. And it has always bummed me out that the only thing DW has to offer in the Cars department is the nonmoving, noninteractive Lightening and Mater at DHS. And there's the car show, too, I guess. Haven't seen it yet. Maybe this time. Anyway...

So there's an entire section of this big resort that looks like Radiator Springs come to life.... well, you can probably guess where this is headed.

Then Mark said, well, what if we did the split there, instead of AKL? Wow...he's just full of good planning ideas this time around, huh? First inadvertently suggesting the split stay in the first place, now this!

Fear not...we are still staying at the Beach Club. That's just not negotiable for us, at least not this trip. So I did some figuring with Disney's website and for almost the same amount as we were paying before, we can do one night in a Cars suite, and the rest at the BC! It sorta blows my mind, btw, that a night at AoA is more than a night at the BC, but they are suites, so there you go. I couldn't justify spending more time there than that, though. I know I"ll miss the covered bus stops, and the slide and hot tub at the pool. But, who knows, maybe I'll be a value convert? At any rate, doing one night there, right at the beginning seems to make sense. That way, Max can see it and experience it, but the whole rest of our trip will still be at the BC.

Yes, we could have done three resorts, but that makes my head spin.
Truth is, AKL was something only I really am interested in, and it certainly isn't going anywhere. I know I will get to stay there eventually, but Max won't enjoy AoA as much when he's a few years older than he is now. So, it just seems to all make sense.

Of course, this involves lots of plan rearranging and new ADR making, because God forbid I leave things alone. I know we'll spend the first day at the resort, enjoying the pool(s), the food court (which I hear is supposed to be amazing), and the room itself before we leave for the Beach Club the next day.

So...that's my latest and greatest idea on the trip planning front. Feel free to chime in with any comments and/or suggestions. I already did an impromptu poll on FB!

 

[natebenma]

I'm in favor of this change!!! I want a first-hand account of AoA!!! And you are just the person to do it!

Please keep us posted!

 

[KatMark]

You really crack me up with your changes. But I can certainly understand this one with Max's love of anything to do with CARS. I, however, do not believe you will ever become a value convert. Just a feeling I have.

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm in favor of this change!!! I want a first-hand account of AoA!!! And you are just the person to do it!

Please keep us posted!

I think its a go! And I really do think the one night will work out well.

You really crack me up with your changes. But I can certainly understand this one with Max's love of anything to do with CARS. I, however, do not believe you will ever become a value convert. Just a feeling I have.

I just can't seem to stop messing around with this trip! Let's just say today wasn't the greatest and Disney trip planning always puts me in a better mood. As for being a value convert, I have to say that since I've started staying deluxe, I'm having a hard time thinking about going back to a mod. Now, I will stay in a pup tent if it gets me to Disney (maybe ), but where I would prefer to stay is a different story. I should never have left CSR!

 

[tinacaplan]

There are a few pitfalls to trip reporting. One would be not taking enough pictures to have a running record of your where-abouts and I’m certainly guilty of that. Sometimes I feel like I’m stopping to take pictures just for the sake of taking pictures, rather than enjoying the moment, if that makes sense. The other would be not taking any notes while on vacation. I fell into both of those on my February trip and as time marches on (and I’ve been to Disney again since then), the details are beginning to get fuzzy, so I’d like to wrap this up somewhat quickly.

That said....I’ve really been looking forward to writing this update as it was an interesting evening full of firsts. Kinda.

In my previous installment, I mentioned that there was some serious Disney ADR malfunction happening. I had originally made a 5:45 ADR at Cali Grill, which I ended up dropping before we even left for Florida because of the time of the ADR (a bit early for a romantic dinner, in my opinion) and the fact that the menu at Ctirico’s was really calling my name. So, I left for the trip thinking I had an ADR at Citrico’s for 8:00. The e-mail confirmations I get from Disney dining tell me something else; namely, that I still have an ADR at Cali Grill. Fine. I decide we’ll just go with that. I had been apprehensive about Max staying at the Neverland Club so late, as this was his first time at any sort of babysitting service place like this. I knew he’d be fine and probably love it, but I also didn’t want to my poor baby to be there, exhausted, wondering when we’d come to get him and take him to bed.

Around 5:30, Mark and I dropped Max off at the Neverland Club without incident. Its a lovely spot with a window right into the Darlings’ nursery and given Max’s love of Peter Pan, this was tailor made for him.

We stopped to admire this topiary at the TTC:

We then hopped on the monorail over to the Contemporary.

Oh...someday I will stay here...really I will.

We’re a little early, so we spend some time in the shops. For some reason, I always find cool things in the apparel shop there. Not that I usually purchase anything, but that’s not the point, is it? I have to say that I, for one, love the hustle and bustle of the Contemporary. It feels like its own self-contained city to me, teeming with all sorts of life.

We eventually make our way to the desk you have to check in at on the lower floor before you can get into the elevator up to the top. There is a bit of a line and we just happen to be behind a large family with a rather loud older gentlemen seeming to be running the show. Not only was he loud, he was also wearing a bathing suit. Seriously. I mean,. they were full-on swim trunks, but they were absolutely, positively a bathing suit. Most places this would not be give me pause, but we’re talking about a restaurant that gets upwards of forty bucks for an entree. Meanwhile, behind us, was a family with small, rather boisterous, children. They were fine, but they were not going to be contributing to the overall mood I was after that night. I also scanned the menu and nothing was really jumping out at me.

At this point, I was really hoping we’d be told that we didn’t have an ADR at Cali Grill and could go on our way. Possibly over to the Grand Floridian, where my Disney mobile app told me tables were available at Citrico’s. While I am thinking all of this in my head, I had not bothered to articulate any of it to Mark, who was just standing there, waiting, unaware of my thought process. He’s the type of guy that will tend to go for the easiest option in a situation such as this and since we were already at the Contemporary (oh, and there was a sudden, torrential rain happening at this point, too...did I fail to mention that?), why wouldn’t we just stay there?

When it was finally our turn, the swimsuit family was already being whisked upstairs. Seriously? Isn’t there a dress code? Not a particularly strict one, but come on! Anyway... I announced our presence and of course...NO ADR. Nope. Not at all. Sigh. Of course. But the very gracious CM at the desk offered to fit us in anyway. So Mark’s ready to go and I blurt out, no, that’s all right.

And then BAM. Mark just loses it, as much as he ever does. Which is to say that he got pretty annoyed and we walked around the corner into a lounge-area in front of one of the convention rooms to hash it out. Bottom line was that it became an disagreement about our collective inability to make even simple decisions and stick to them. For my part, I told him that this was all why I wanted him to pay more attention when I was making Disney plans. He then came back with the charge that all I want to do is talk and talk until he finally agrees with me. And there may be some truth to that. It was at this point that he brought up how unhappy he was with the Poly and wished we had stayed at the Beach Club, that he had said he only wanted to stay at the Beach Club, but I didn’t listen. But there’s also some truth to Mark just not paying enough attention to my planning, as I had suggested switching to the Beach Club before we left after hearing that the volcano slide at the Poly was being repaired while we were there.

All disagreements aside, I managed to rally Mark and off we went to the monorail and the Grand Floridian, where, perhaps we maybe had an ADR still? Although, probably not. But, again, I had checked on my phone and knew they had tables available. Gotta love smartphones.

We strode into the Grand Floridian and I must say... this place really does live up to its status as the flagship. That lobby is just gorgeous. I feel sort of like a character out of Lady and the Tramp or something. One of the human characters. Just that whole sorta Victorian motif that’s present in a few Disney movies, namely Lady and the Tramp and Mary Poppins. Its a place I’d love to visit, let’s put it that way. I have no idea what the rooms look like, although the comforters do not look promising. Probably doesn’t matter because I don’t imagine we’ll be able to afford a stay there anytime soon.

We went over to the waiting area outside of Victoria and Albert’s and Citrico’s and I approached the CM at the desk to begin to explain my plight. No, we did not have an ADR. He then scrambled around and spent a few moments figuring out how to accomodate us. He was sucessful and told us we would have a brief wait. This kid was great and he was only in the training phase of the college program! Disney should promote him...immediately! He was just so courteous and went out of his way to accomodate us.
We decided to take a seat at Citrico’s lovely bar to wait for our table. Now, here we are in one of the classier establishments on property and what does my husband order from the very professional looking bartender? A MAGIC STAR COCKTAIL! Seriously, dude? Here? And I have to be seen with that glow cube? Sheesh. Not the classiest move, but whatever.

I spied a Bellini on the drink menu and knew that this had my name all over it. I love real Bellinis. In fact, I am a huge fan of champagne and any sparkling wine, really. Except for Asti Spumante. Too sweet. So I am presented with a beautiful, peachy Bellini which I take a few, delicate lady-like sips of and place it back on the bar. We strike up some idle chit chat with the gentleman to our left.

Now, I am Italian. I talk with my hands. A lot. And I have been known to get a tad excited about things and then my hands really start going. And that’s what I did right there, at this super adult bar. I waved my hands around maniacally and next thing I knew, my glass was crashing down onto the marble bar and there was glass and Bellini everywhere.

Mr. Professional Bartender did not look particuarly pleased with me and I wondered how he was going to handle this. Would he replace my drink without my having to ask? Or would I have to ask for another? Once the mess had been contained, he turned and started making me another drink. And then he put a child’s sippy cup with a Mickey straw on the bar and said that perhaps this type of cup was more my speed.

Totally unexpected bit of cheeky good humor from Mr. Professional Bartender and it made me feel, in all of my inglorious fumbling, special. And there’s that Disney magic at work.

Not long after, we were taken to our table. We had a lovely, attentive server whose name I do not recall, but she was really perfect. She even replaced my white napkin with a black one, as I was wearing a black dress and she explained that the white napkin might leave unseemly white lint on my dress. Who knew?

Needless to say, I was feeling like I had made a very good call.

Mark agreed with me, really he did...even if his face seems to indicate otherwise:

To start, Mark had the Chef's Tapas Plate - Beef and Pork Spiced Panada with Tamarind Sauce. I don’t remember much about this, but he certainly liked it.

I did something I don’t very often and went right past the first course list to the salads. Yum! I had the Florida Tomato and Mozzarella Salad - with Serrano Ham, Modena Balsamic Glaze, and Multigrain Croutons. This was magnificent. The flavors were perfectly balanced and the tomatoes were so flavorful. I was very pleased with my first course.

For dinner I had the Grilled Swordfish - Trenne Pasta, White Anchovy-Poma Rosa Tomato Sauce, Kalamata Olives, Roasted Fennel, Baby Artichokes, and Black Truffle Vinaigrette. This was also an amazing dish. For one thing it involved several things I love: truffle oil and anchovies being chief among them. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and, again, all the flavors came together beautifully. I am drooling just thinking about it; even now!

Mark had the Madeira-braised Short Ribs - Trofie Pasta, Wild Mushroom Ragout, and Truffle Creme Fraiche. This was also incredible, although I’m not sure that I actually tasted any of Mark’s dinner.

While I might not have wanted to, we did pass on dessert. Generally, I’m so full after dinner that I don’t want dessert right away. So we skipped it. However, our server did bring us a lovely parting gift of biscotti and a few Mickey straws for Max, which he still uses, I might add.

All told, our evening was lovely. Mark and I amicably resolved our disagreement, the total failure of the ADR system made no difference, and we had a fantastic meal. Perhaps one of the greatest, over all, of my life. Seriously. The atmosphere, the service, the food and the company were just pitch perfect that evening and I could not have asked for anything more.

But there was more.... believe it or not, this night was going to get even more amazing.

It had been my original plan to walk back to the Poly, so went downstairs to the main lobby and asked at the concierge desk how we could find out way to the walkway. He happily pulled out a GF map and showed us the way, but did not fail to add that the walk was over a mile. Or something. I don’t remember what it was, but it was further than I had planned on walking at that moment. So we decided we’d try the boat.

We enjoyed a beautiful stroll through the GF grounds, which I’d never seen before. While one might say that the Poly is very brown...the GF is very white. Very. Mark said it reminded him of the...wait for it....I know you’re gonna be shocked...the BEACH CLUB!

My camera takes horrendous pictures at night...I have a Nikon point and shoot. Anyone have any thoughts about what I might be doing wrong?

We walked past Narcoosee’s and found the boat launch.

Within ten minutes, the boat was pulling up and we were getting on it. The boats that run between the GF, Poly, and MK are my favorite boats by far. They are much smaller and totally open, making for a much more scenic little jaunt than the boats that run from the BC to DHS.

We got back to the Poly pretty quickly and enjoyed our walk over to the Neverland Club to pick up our own little darling. And wouldn’t you know? He had a great time! They made pirate hats and had dinner and watched a movie and he made some friends and he just thought it was the best and wanted to go back the next night. So... if you are considering leaving your child in the hands of one of the Disney kids clubs, I would say don’t even hesitate. It was really nice to have a few laidback hours of adult time in the midst of our family vacation. And it was just as nice to go back and pick him up, too. Sure, we could have taken Max to to Citrico’s and it would have been OK (probably...we did take him to Jiko last summer), but what would the point have been? The kid clubs are something we’ll definitely be doing on our future trips. As an only child, its a nice break for Max and a chance for him to talk to some other kids around his own age, which is never a bad thing.

After picking up Max, we walked over to the GCH where I availed myself of the Dope whip machine and Max and Mark got something sweet, as well, but I don’t remember what. We hung out in the room for a little while and then made our way down to our little slice of beach to watch the EWP and Wishes!

There was another family down there already; parents and their two kids who were right around Max’s age. They turned out to be very friendly and laid back (they were from Alabama and I am pretty convinced that everyone in the South is infinitely more friendly than anyone in the Northeast, so we made easy conversation with them while the kids ran around the beach and played, in anticipation of Wishes!

They were with a friend of theirs, a CM who apparently had some sort of job that involved him wearing professional dress, as opposed to a costume. No clue what he did. I thought it was funny that when he tried to reveal new plans (such as changes to Fastpass and the new Sorcerers of the MK game), I already knew them! But it was interesting to talk to him, nonetheless.

We all watched Wishes! and it was just magical. It was Max’s first time seeing it and I think he actually enjoyed the distance. It was all a lot less overwhelming to him, plus he was free to run around at will.

Overall, none of us could have asked for a better night than this one. In fact, thinking back on it now, it just might have been the best night I’ve spent at Disney yet.

And I leave you with a shot of the Contemporary, across from our little beach at the Poly.

 

[glennbo123]

Caught up!

I'm still looking forward to my first ride on the refurb'd Star Tours. It oughtta be good!

I hope you get to stay at the Art of Animation resort -- I'm curious to see how people will like it.

Sorry that you had a little moment of disagreement with Mark. I think you're the first couple ever to argue during a trip to Disney. But kudos to you -- you worked it out and it turned into maybe you best ever night at Disney.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Tina. Glad you and Mark enjoyed your dinner at Ctirico’s. We've never done a signature restaurant (my Mark refuses to dress up even a little on vacation).

I had no doubt that Max would love the kids club.

 

[amandaw]

Well, first.....congrats on switching AKL to the one night @ AoA. Although, you already knew I was in favor of it. I think Max is going to be so excited!

On to the update.....loved it!

I'm so glad y'all were able to have a wonderful evening even if there were hiccups with the ADR & a disagreement.

Your story of knocking over your Bellini cracked me up.....only because I've done the same thing! Let me tell you....Cajuns are like Italians....we speak with our hands! Ed says all the time that if he tied my hands behind my back I wouldn't be able to speak. Anyway....I did the same thing one night at a very nice wine bar.

Your meal sounds delicious! I would really love to try out some signature restaurants at Disney one day. I've heard soooo many good things about the Neverland Club. Hmmmm.....okay.....you are really making me think how I could work something like that out for our trip this year.

And, one last thing.....I definitely have to agree that us southerners are extremely friendly!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I think that's really cool of you guys to stay at AoA so Max will get to see Cars Land! I bet he's really going to love it!! I agree, 3 resorts would have my head spinning too!

I'm glad your dinner decision resolved itself well! Sometimes it can be hard to plan plan plan, and then want to change your mind, and then it's like, but what happened to the plan?? But your meal at Citricos looks great! DBF had had the same entree as you, and loved it as well.

I'm glad Max enjoyed the kids' club!! Those sound like a fantastic resource to have!

 

[PopArtGal]

La Hacienda food looks really good! Yum!

Sounds like my kind of relaxing evening. Glad you got to have adult time.