PTR-Cheating on Mickey w/Harry!...OMG! Only a month to go!

[franandaj]

It does sounds tricky. But I'm glad you and Fran are getting a little break.

Well it appears from what the relatives have planned we have no splainin' to do. They are ALL taking off tomorrow and coming back Thursday afternoon. We don't have to be there for anyone and we can just be "out to dinner" when they get back Thursday. Friday morning when the daughter has to be at the airport, we can be asleep.

Really glad to hear that you and Fran are getting away for a day or two. Sounds like points very well used to me. I will look forward to your thoughts and perhaps pictures of the anniversary dinner/party. I am excited for you both.

Ann

Well two nights in the hotel is what we could have got three maybe four nights in the Villa, but at least we are using them. I will definitely post pics of the trip and the dinner which should be quite an event!

Enjoy your staycation.

I hope things work out for Arline.

I'm pretty sure we'll enjoy the staycation, we'll just have to see about Arline, but I think I understand now how the higher powers were working out for Arline. I think it is all for the common good because as Patric worked into her finances, things were not good at all. Let's just say no one has any idea how credit was extended to her, and he is exploring the best routes for her including bankruptcy. By her becoming unable to handle her own finances, someone besides Fran and I has become responsible for her. We just have to make medical decisions.

He has all the tough ones like telling her kid and grandkids that their "free cellphones" are now cutoff and other lovely things like that.

Happy to hear more good news about Arline.

to being at GCH tomorrow. Have fun at your event.

Thanks! I can't wait to get to a place of happiness and out of all this ickyness. We have the meeting tomorrow then I hope we can go out to the GCH, but I know Fran. I wanted to have the car loaded tonight, now she is talking that she wants to move crap over to 1st Street before the 12 noon meeting and she is talking that she will get up at 7AM and do it herself. That is stupid talk. If she even thinks she can move anything without me lifting it that is stupid talk, and how she plans to move it and get in there is nonsense. I hope she either wakes me up or gives up on this idea and hopefully gives up on this idea, because it is ludicrous to try and move anything tomorrow. Let me load up the car in the morning not do your stupid stuff. Can we please EVER just enjoy ourselves or do I ALWAYS have to kill myself to earn it??????????

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hope the car loading works out for you.

 

[Pinkocto]

I hope Fran doesn't do anything crazy.

I'm glad Patric is now aware of the situation. Things do not sound good. How is she progressing health wise?

I hope you're able to get to the hotel and relax without any problems.

 

[dgbg100106]

Yes and no. While it's callous to say, her life is ever changed. If she had problems with accepting her limitations before, what is she going to be like when she realizes that she will live in a facility for the rest of her life? We just learned that after 90 days all her social security benefits go to the facility. She will basically be broke.



It is a miracle that she is doing as well as she is!

I believe it is a miracle

 

[dgbg100106]

Shhhhhhh. Don't tell anyone, but Wednesday after Fran gets done with her daily antibiotic infusion, we are taking off for two nights at the GCH. I used 130 of my holding points to get a park view/preferred room. There is a 45th anniversary party/dinner we are attending Thursday night.

That is so awesome! Hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy each other and relax some

 

[franandaj]

Hope the car loading works out for you.

As usual it didn't work like I wanted it to!

I hope Fran doesn't do anything crazy.

I'm glad Patric is now aware of the situation. Things do not sound good. How is she progressing health wise?

I hope you're able to get to the hotel and relax without any problems.

Well, that didn't quite happen...

I believe it is a miracle

We just have to believe that this was a miracle for her to work out her issues and come to peace with the world around her.

For those who haven't heard on other threads. After downward sprial that began Wednesday night and continued through until Saturday, Arline had pneumonia, a stroke, and infections in other organs in her body. She was placed on a ventilator Friday. By Saturday she was paralyzed from the neck down. Because there was no need to prolong the suffering, the ventilator was removed and she passed quickly Saturday night.

Before that she was able to forgive her daughter and be forgiven. She found out that her ex-husband did still care for her (no matter what a jerk he behaved like). With the knowledge that she was loved, she was able to leave this world. We like to think that she is now with her beloved Don.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Peace to you all.

 

[ACDSNY]

 

[franandaj]

Peace to you all.

Thank you. I'm going to try and think about fun things for a while. Hopefully that will cheer me up.

 

[franandaj]

Well we finally have some F&W information released! Sunday they released the Special Events and yesterday they released the Kiosk Menus. I do have to say I am pleasantly surprised that all the foods that I want to eat are back. The only thing that was replaced that I’m not as happy about is that the Tuna Roll in Japan is now a Tuna and Salmon roll. Since I don’t eat Salmon, I’ll just stick with the California Roll and have my Tuna Rolls at home. It’s not like the Tuna Roll was anything special.

Some of the things that I was thrilled to see was that Morocco still has their Beef Kefta, but now they also have a Merguez Sausage. This is one of my most favorite things. I have some in my freezer, but Fran doesn’t like them much (too spicy). Someday in the menu I’m going to have to make us cous cous and I’ll eat the Merguez while she has chicken. Also Le Cellier replaced their Maple grilled salmon with a filet with mushroom risotto!

What essentially stayed the same is Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Caribbean, Cheese, not sure if China changed theirs, but it sounds good. France is the same as last year as well as, Germany (I think), Greece, Hawaii, Hops & Barley (however, the Clam Chowder might be new), and my beloved Ireland still has the Fisherman’s Pie and Chocolate Lava Cake! I’ve been dying to try the South Korea Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw, it was introduced the year after I went.

Florida is new and it sounds interesting. I’ll pass on all the Desserts except the Chocolate Mousse one. Italy might be different, but their offerings still sound good. Mexico and Poland sound good, though they might be a little different since my last visit. Scandinavia is new (as was Hawaii & Caribbean, but I know I’ll like their stuff) and we’ll give it a try. Singapore sounds interesting, and I’ll be happy to skip South Africa. I will be completely avoiding the new booth Terra, all vegan. Blech!

All in all there are probably only three booths (food wise) that I will be skipping. I’m not big on beer, so I’ll probably be skipping most of those. I might have one or two throughout the week, but I’m more there for the wine and the tasty bites. I’ll be drooling over all these foods now for the next couple months and probably work out a “How can I try everything that I want in only a few days? Plan” Good thing I am light on the ADRs and will probably not do as many of the special events as I thought. Next up will be my thoughts for those!

 

[Pinkocto]

I don't eat meat and you're making me hungry!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Looks like you are all ready for the F&W Festival at EPCOT.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thankfully I had dinner before I wandered on in here. Menu sounds great. Can't wait to see what your thoughts are for food and ADRs now that the F&W menus have been released!

 

[Hawleys]

Big hugs to you and Fran and all of Arline's family. I'm so happy she was able to make amends with her daughter.

 

[rentayenta]

I think Arline really will be able to now, rest in peace. You and Fran were amazing gifts to her.

 

[franandaj]

I don't eat meat and you're making me hungry!

There still is plenty without the meat! I'll eat just about anything, once!

Looks like you are all ready for the F&W Festival at EPCOT.

Oh no....I have a loooooong ways to go, I have to make a booth plan of attack now and find out which Special events we are doing!

Thankfully I had dinner before I wandered on in here. Menu sounds great. Can't wait to see what your thoughts are for food and ADRs now that the F&W menus have been released!

Not many ADRs, I learned in 2009. The ADRs are mostly on the nights that we are at the VWL or Sunday afternoon when I know the festival will be mobbed.

Big hugs to you and Fran and all of Arline's family. I'm so happy she was able to make amends with her daughter.

I think that is the only reason that she came back was to have that time to make things up, once that was resolved she left.

 

[franandaj]

So recently the Special Events were released. My biggest disappointment is that the Grand Mariner Tasting is not offered while I am in Florida. I already knew that they would not be having the French Regional Lunches. Bistro de Paris is closed for remodeling and it is taking longer than expected. It was supposed to open in October and now people with reservations in November are receiving calls that it will not be finished in time for their reservations. I’ll have to hope for 2013 for that one. In the meantime, here are the events that I am considering for this year. I can’t do them all otherwise I’ll never make it to the kiosks, but maybe two or three.

I think I’ve pretty much convinced myself that we want to do this one.


Party for the Senses
PftS returns in 2012! Live entertainment will be presented by Cirque du Soleil for another memorable Festival evening. This event is pricey and offered only on Saturdays, so plan accordingly.

The party will have three separate ticketing tiers: regular entry, reserved seating, and Wine View Lounge. That second one is a new option, where guests will pay a slightly higher amount for reserved seats, but have no access to the Wine View Lounge.
When: October 13 2012 from 7:30 – 10:00 pm
Where: World ShowPlace Events Pavilion
Pricing: $145 plus tax = general admission, $170 plus tax = reserved table on main floor (includes specialty cocktail and early admission at 7:15pm), $270 plus tax = Wine View Lounge, (including private tables, entrance 15 minutes early, premium bar, artisanal cheese station, and more.) Gratuity included.


Now I think we would actually go for the lowest Tier because there is another event that we will probably go to the night before which is similar in style. We would bring our “scooter tray tables” along (probably shipped via Fed Ex) and not worry about finding seats. We don’t need to spend an extra $100pp for an open bar and cheese, especially when we can come with our own seats!

I guess beyond this event I would only choose one other and the choice would be between these three:

Italian Food and Beer Pairings
Imported Italian Beers
Head to Italy in Epcot’s World Showcase for a pairing of food and beer at Via Napoli.

When: Tuesdays, 1:30-4PM
Where: Via Napoli, Epcot
Pricing: $55/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required

Italian Regional Food and Wine Lunches <– New for 2012!
In place of the French Regional lunches this year, the Italy pavilion is hosting Italian Regional Food and Wine luncheons in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. Over a leisurely lunch, you’ll enjoy casual, authentic dishes paired with wines.

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, Noon-2pm
Where: Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Pricing: $75 (plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required)

Mexico Tequila Pairing Luncheon

The Tequila Pairing Luncheon debuted in 2011 and returns in 2012, adding Fridays to the schedule. It will be held at Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant. Check out a 2011 Mexico Tequila Lunch quest review here!
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12-1:30PM
Where: La Hacienda de San Angel, Epcot
Pricing: $70/person, plus tax. Epcot Admission Required.


This last one, I think that I would be considering doing that on Saturday. I would have that for lunch and then be good and hungry for the PFTS that night. If we did the regional Italian Lunch we would do that one on a Wednesday, and the Beer tasting lunch is only available on Tuesdays. Now I just have to convince Fran into doing one of them.

The other event that I hope to book is the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. That runs $80 per person and it would be Friday night that I arrive at BCV.

Here is their menu:

• Carved Prime Rib, Roasted Garlic mashed Potatoes Presented by Shula's Steak House
• Custom blended mini Burger, Cheddar Cheese Roll, Truffle Aioli, Caramelized Onions Presented by Fresh Mediterranean Market
• Pork Carnitas - Braised Pork, Sofrito, Pita, Pico de Gallo, Iceberg Lettuce Presented by Cabana Bar & Beach Club
• Texas Style Beef Brisket, Fried Pickles, Brioche Puree Presented by Cib's Smokehouse
• Free Form “Lasagna”, Herbed ricotta, fresh pasta ribbons, seasonal organic vegetables, mushrooms, pecorino Presented by Il Mulino New York Trattoria
• "Shrimp Cocktail" Steamrollers Presented by Todd English's bluezoo
• Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sliders, Iceberg lettuce, Old Bay Aioli, Sesame Rolls, Presented by Garden Grove
• Crispy Shrimp, Tuna, Avocado Presented by Kimonos...
• Fresh raspberry and mandarin cream macaroons
• Intense dark chocolate cake: flourless sponge , concha mousse
• Lemon smores: graham cracker sable, lemon peel chocolate cream, lemon hazelnut crunch, lemon whipped cream
• Exotic and vanilla cream dome: coconut dacquoise
• Carrot cake Verinne: orange mousse, caramel sauce , soaked carrot cake, vanilla whipped cream , carrot meringue
• Paris brest: crunchy pate a chou, praline cream , milk chocolate disk

So far that’s my plans for paid events up front!

 

[franandaj]

I think Arline really will be able to now, rest in peace. You and Fran were amazing gifts to her.

Thanks Jenny. I'm always wishing we could have done more, but we'll just have live with what we can do and be satisfied with that. I'm trying to think about fun and happy things for the future.

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my, how to choose. I think you should extend your trip so you can go to them all

 

[ACDSNY]

I'd have a hard time choosing between Italian and Mexican my two favs. All the events sound good so you can't go wrong. Happy planning!