Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! A Star Wars Weekend PTR! New PTR Link pg. 77!

[Native NYer]

It's snowing here again Luckily, not much accumulation so far. That makes me VERY happy.

If airfare goes goes down for Memorial Day weekend, we may be be heading south for SWW

HappyDog's report has sparked an interest in DCL. I Royal Caribbean, but think I need a little bit of Disney at sea. I think you should consider a cruise for summer 2012

 

[Charleston Princess]

I've never stayed at CSR so I'm excited to hear how you like it. We've only stayed at POR and POFQ.

I will be sure to report all the details!!!

CSR sounds great!! Never stayed there but have read many TR's & everyone seems to love it there.

We enjoyed our short stay there, but I am looking forward to a longer stay there.

My family is in love with POFQ. They are having a refurb right now & putting in queen beds, flat screen tv's, new carpets, curtains & bedspreads..
It should be all done when we get there in May. Two of the 7 buildings are done.

The POFQ refurbs will be so great!!! I haven't seen any photos -- maybe I should go look at the resort thread.

Cannot wait to hear about your dining plans. We are eating at Chef's De France for lunch at 12:50 on the 28th (Hint Hint).

We will be at the Magic Kingdom that day!

Ok so I totally missed the start and here I am finally on what page 12 ok it's 11




this is why I love CP PTR's....all the good chatter...but I confess I just read the two posts...which as usual are wonderful!

Hi, Julie!!! I am so glad you are here!!!

how fun for you all to have that great WHITE Christmas and make those great little snowmen...all our white stuff has melted away w/ a quick one day warm up and now it's just blah out here, alas though unlike you in GA I know more SNOW is on the way in Chicagoland

It was fun to have snow for Christmas, but they are calling for it again on Monday -- I don't think I want it -- I don't want to have to make up those days!

JUST LOVE the necklace...did he get it at WDW? hmmm traveling to WDW w/out Matt....

Charles got it from the Disney store, but it was one of the park exclusives.

and I agree I don't like to put away Christmas stuff either...I'm actually not "sick" of it yet.

I put it all away last weekend.

2 thumbs up for your resort choice (if it stays that way) I completly enjoed our stay there in 2009.

I am so looking forward to it!

we didn't have the best experience w/ SWW in 08...so I am looking forward to reading from the pro!

I hope they release some news about them soon.

and hey DC...think July 2012

J

That's a good idea!

I think you guys will love CSR Jackie! The new queen sized beds are soooo comfortable, and a nice addition when you're a party of 4 - those doubles can get pretty tight! Mom & I were in the Ranchos section, building 7B - it was steps from the pool and pretty close to a bus stop. It was a bit of a walk over to Pepper Market though, but it did seem closer than the Cabanas room we stayed in previously. I thought Casitas was the prettiest section of the resort though, it's also closest to PM.

We aren't usually too picky about our room location, so I am sure we will be fine wherever we end up as long as I can make it to the pool bar. LOL!

On another note, I talked to Don about possibly starting our vacation a day earlier so that we could get down to Orlando before you head for home. He was okay with it, I was shocked since that means we will be leaving home on Memorial Day and I know we'll have boys in baseball tournaments that weekend, but he was fine with them missing that day. Now their coaches probably won't like it, but I can live with that. I've got a question for you too, how early do you think we need to leave Atlanta to avoid the awful traffic, we'll be staying by Olympic Park.

Yeay!!! I am so excited about this!!! Actually, being right in downtown, you will luck out of the traffic leaving. Heading out of the city towards Orlando will actually put you going in the opposite direction of morning traffic. From the city, you will probably make it down to Disney in about six and a half hours. Can't wait to make plans with you about our meet!!!

Can't wait to hear about ADRs!

I am writing about them in the next update!!!

I think CSR would be so cool! I like the idea of the Pepper Market and the Queen beds!! How great that Charles is getting in on it now!

Fingers crossed that he stays involved!

I would like to try all the resorts, but now with DVC, we will mostly be using points. I might get a one night stay on a weekend or something and be able to get to all the mods! DH is getting spoiled by the deluxes now.

I could get spoiled by deluxes very easily, too!

You must have been able to book ADRs by now right? Do we get to hear about those soon???

Next update!

What a wonderful white christmas! I love it You are a MUCH nicer mom than I am....we don't let them out of their rooms before 8am on Christmas.

I am hoping one day they will learn to sleep in! LOL!

I enjoy torture. I also enjoy boys who can make it through our VERY long christmas day lol!

Amazingly, my two are never tired out on Christmas -- I, on the other hand, am an entirely different story!

Chelsea's jacket is adorable, very cute color. I have that same pattern, she'll love it, it's so cheery! Evan's big wish was for a North Face jacket as well, of course one he saw online that no one sells in the stores. The drama of the size at that age! I ordered the medium based on the size charts, sent it back to get a large. Which is a bit big on him to be sure but he doesn't seem to mind and loves it!

At least he will be able to wear it a couple of years!

Charles did GOOD on the gifts, I love the tree skirt especially. It's fun once they "get" it, my Anniversary card had a suspiciously Disney castle0like design on it that that just made me smile.

Perfect!!!

CSR looks lovely and those new rooms are pretty! Fun fun fun!

I am so looking forward to being there and relaxing!

That is good news. I hope they put thermostats ininstead of those under the window units that you have to leave on or either freeze or roast.
Then I would love POFQ, until then I will stick with POP that does have room thermostats. I am quite sure CSR has them too.

I love the thermostats! We can never get those window units to work right!

Yep, they do

Yeay!

I loved the new rooms at CSR. We stayed there in Sept of 09. We were in the cabanas & the refurb was really great. The room had a microwave, fridge & coffemaker.

Our upcoming trip will be at CBR our second time there.

The refurb rooms are so elegant at CSR! I hope we can manage to be worthy of them. LOL!

That is so exciting that you get to participate in free dining. That has to be such a huge savings. And Coronado springs is so nice! We stayed there in 2006 and actually got engaged on the little beachy area by the hammocks our first night there. Also I loved the snowman that you all built. Being from Pittsburgh we see a lot of snow but I love it. Can't wait to hear of what you have in mind to eat. Happy New Years!

Happy New Year! How lovely to be engaged at CSR! Love it!

We will save about $1000 with Free Dining! Hard to pass that up!



I promise to return soon with more replies!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yeay!!! I am so excited about this!!! Actually, being right in downtown, you will luck out of the traffic leaving. Heading out of the city towards Orlando will actually put you going in the opposite direction of morning traffic. From the city, you will probably make it down to Disney in about six and a half hours. Can't wait to make plans with you about our meet!!!

That is great news about the traffic! I was a little worried. I may still try and have my family ready to go pretty early so that we can have more time on Disney property. Even though we won't get any park time, I'm very excited about just being there - pathetic aren't I?

I'm so excited about getting the chance to meet! You'll have to let me know what your plans are for that day and we'll figure it out. I'm hoping to head to DTD as soon as we arrive - EOS is calling my name, and I think I'm going to make a late dinner ADR at Jiko. Maybe if I feed Don some amazing Disney food he'll be more willing to return

 

[DWGal210]

Hi Jackie!! I'm here! Late but I made it!

Sounds like great plans! I am so happy that Charles is starting to come around. What a good sport he is!

Coronado looks like a neat place! I would like to stay there someday. My problem is that I always says "We should stay somewhere new" and then I chicken out and pick a place that's familiar and I know I'll like. I have to remedy that situation!

Have a great weekend!! Stay safe!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Coronado Springs looks beautiful!!!! I am looking forward to caramel shop in Germany, all the pictures I have seen of the goodies look delicious.

Try lots of things at the caramel shop and report back on them! Pictures are good, too!

Charles did a great job on the presents! I really like the necklace.
And how about Charles picking the resort??!!!

He was pretty adamant about wanting CSR, too!

It looks like you had a very nice Christmas. Snow on Christmas is nice, any other day it is not.

CS looks like such a pretty resort. I would like to stay there one day.

They are calling for more snow starting tomorrow night! I am starting to get worried that this might be a very snowy winter!

Yes new thermostats too!!.

Yeay!

Charles is my kind of man. He puts food first!! Gotta love it!

Oh, yes! It's one of the things we have in common -- I like my food!

CSR looks so pretty! I saw pictures of the refurb and the rooms look great. What's your favorite mod resort that you have stayed at?

Really, my absolute favorite mod is POFQ -- I love the small layout and the New Orleans feel to it. I just love it!

I just read your snow update - I'm SO HAPPY for you guys that you got snow for Christmas!!!! It's like it was a present just for your family. Love it! What a very fun Christmas, sounds pretty darn perfect.

It was the perfect Christmas present -- all that snow and the flakes were just huge. Now, they are calling for more snow, and I am not nearly as excited. I feel like we already had our winter snow. I don't need anymore. LOL!

I laughed out loud at the dogs eating the cheeseballs! Good idea to make Bert without food products.

Yes, Chelsea learned her lesson on that one!

Hooray for Charles for picking the resort and having input! CSR is such a beautiful resort, everywhere you turn it's a picture. And those hammocks... Next time we are at the Pepper Market I'll have to remember to get those nachos!

I need to remember to take pictures of the kids in hammocks this year!

Yayyyy!!!!! Another PTR!!!! Now we can play tag with our PTR's! I'm so excited for you guys! I wish I could book, but I have to wait and see whether I can afford a mod. or value! Can't wait for more updates!

Thanks! We might have gone with a value, but to get the regular dining plan, we had to book a mod or deluxe.

I love your Christmas snow pictures! I wish I still felt that same joy for snow that Charles and the kids have. I think that mine died about the time I got my driver's license, although our big snowstorm up here last week did give me a snow day. (Had to take it on my own, but still it was lovely!)

Snow days are always an unexpected delight. However, I don't need anymore since we booked this trip so close to the end of school. I worry about having to make up days.

I love your resort choice. CSR is one of those places I want to try one of these days. It just looks so relaxing!

It is very relaxing. I am looking forward to lying by the pool and doing just that!

Since I'm more than 50 pages behind on your last TR, I figured I would catch up here on the new report first then go back over to the old one.

I love Chelsea's jacket and purse.

My family stayed at CSR for Christmas. We stayed in the Casitas. It was my first time staying anywhere on property (my family has stayed on property numerous times before) and I enjoyed it so much. The nachos in The Pepper Market are delicious!

Hi, ChiChi! Thanks for coming over! Yeay! I am glad the nachos are still as delicious as we remember!

 

[Charleston Princess]

OMG! I have to laugh about Charles being in love with the nachos from Pepper Market, because that's exactly how my DH felt about the slushy coke machine at Pop! Slushy coke machine + refillable mug = heaven to my DH! It was ever so sad when they got rid of it.

Do any of the resorts still have their slushy cokes or will you have to find places in the parks? I know they have them at the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland and the Coke place by Test Track.

And I laugh as well, because we are totally the type of people to base where we're staying on food, as you know. I think this a great resort for you guys for this trip, and I'm definitely admiring that pool! I've seen some pictures on the DIS of it all lit up at night and looks beautiful.

You know how important food is to us!

I'm confident that the CP clan will enjoy this resort, just as much or more than before!

I agree! I am looking forward to a longer stay there this time -- I think (if memory serves me), we were only there for two night -- we did Typhoon Lagoon and the Pirate and the Princess party on that trip.

That is one of my few deal breakers now. Must have thermostat to control temp. Window units are sooo 20th century.

You are so right!

A bit late but here all the same!
Julie xxx

Welcome!!! Glad you are here!

Signing on!! I hope I can keep up with this one. My track record has not been the best. I will put that as my new year's resolution.

Welcome!!! Thanks for coming over!

Looks great Jackie! I love Disney in May!

Christmas looked fun! It was snowy here as usual!

As for the food, always love Le Cellier, but you have to do lunch there now if you only want to use 1 credit

I love Disney year-round.

We did Le Cellier on the July trip, so we are going to skip it this year. I do love that cheddar cheese soup though.

Gorgeous picture! LOVE it!

Congrats on picking CSR! Its definitely the most photogenic of the resorts! And the pool is so great. If I can talk the soccer moms into late Sept I really want to stay there for a couple nights. You are so lucky to be able to go over Memorial day and be out of school then.

Can't wait to read more about your plans!

I remember your stay there! However, I must confess I will not be taking those morning runs like you did.

Speaking of cards, just had to share - DH got me a Christmas card with Cinderella and the prince dancing - all done in blue and white and snowflakes - inside he wrote, "You'll always be my princess!" It was my best gift ever!

Ah, I love it!!! So sweet! I saw some really cute Disney Valentine cards at Walmart this morning. I will have to remember to go back for them when it is a bit closer.

It's snowing here again Luckily, not much accumulation so far. That makes me VERY happy.

If airfare goes goes down for Memorial Day weekend, we may be be heading south for SWW

HappyDog's report has sparked an interest in DCL. I Royal Caribbean, but think I need a little bit of Disney at sea. I think you should consider a cruise for summer 2012

We were watching my favorite Jim Cantore broadcasting from Times Square last night on the Weather Channel. He even interviewed the Naked Cowboy!

We would love to do a Disney cruise sometime, but I think we will try to schedule it during the off-season when prices are substantially lower. I loved all the footage of the new Dream coming into Port Canaveral. So exciting!

That is great news about the traffic! I was a little worried. I may still try and have my family ready to go pretty early so that we can have more time on Disney property. Even though we won't get any park time, I'm very excited about just being there - pathetic aren't I?

Oh, I would have my family on the road by 6:00 that day! You aren't pathetic at all -- I am the same way -- and I could possibly be pathetic when it comes to Disney, could I?

I'm so excited about getting the chance to meet! You'll have to let me know what your plans are for that day and we'll figure it out. I'm hoping to head to DTD as soon as we arrive - EOS is calling my name, and I think I'm going to make a late dinner ADR at Jiko. Maybe if I feed Don some amazing Disney food he'll be more willing to return

You know, I think it has been the eating at Disney that has swayed Charles as much as anything. Go for Jiko, definitely! Wednesday is our last full day at Disney, but I haven't made any plans for it -- it is wide open! Maybe we can meet up at Downtown Disney!

Hi Jackie!! I'm here! Late but I made it!

Sounds like great plans! I am so happy that Charles is starting to come around. What a good sport he is!

Coronado looks like a neat place! I would like to stay there someday. My problem is that I always says "We should stay somewhere new" and then I chicken out and pick a place that's familiar and I know I'll like. I have to remedy that situation!

Have a great weekend!! Stay safe!!

Hi, Katie!!! Thanks for coming over! I love staying different places, but my budget doesn't quite extend to those deluxe resorts I always salivate over. LOL!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Before I begin my update about our ADRs (yum, yum, yum!), I had a couple of other unrelated things to share.

First, the South is bracing for a “significant” winter weather event. Supposedly, we are looking at the possibility of getting three to five inches of snow starting tomorrow night. Yikes! When I went to Walmart this morning to grocery shop, they were (I kid you not!) handing out flyers titled “Be Prepared for Winter Weather!” along with a list of items you should purchase. I have never seen anything like it! I wish I had grabbed one now because I am very curious as to what Walmart deems necessary for such an event. At any rate, I bought all the regular stuff we need for the week, so we are prepared one way or another.

Those of you who have been reading my PTRs for awhile now know that every year I hope and hope and hope for snow and snow days. Every year it seems I am disappointed. Well, this year, I don’t want any snow days. Students get out May 20th, I have a teacher workday on the following Monday, and we leave for Disney on the 27th. There is not a huge window for making up days and since those are the only dates for Free Dining during our summer, I can’t really reschedule without losing the savings.

Needless to say that in a complete departure from my usual form, I am chanting, “No Snow! No Snow!” This probably means we will get some sort of record snowfall and be out several days.

Second, I have a funny Charles story to share. Over the Christmas break I was catching up on my D23 reading and was reading the article about Fess Parker and Davy Crockett. It said something along the lines of the theme song being so very popular at the time. I read it out loud to Charles, and what did my darling husband do?

He launched into a rousing rendition of “Davy Crockett” word for word! I was dying laughing! I guess all little boys of a certain age knew that song!

Okay, onward to our ADRs!

Before I ever booked our actual trip, I made our ADRs for this trip! Food is very important to our family. I ran across an Italian proverb in a book I am currently reading that really sums up how our family feels:

“With a contented stomach, your heart is forgiving; with an empty stomach, you forgive nothing.”

We are so much happier when we are well-fed!

So, which table service restaurants made the cut for our trip? (All the pictures were borrowed from the Disney Food Blog except for the Brown Derby ones which are mine.)

Friday:
Via Napoli. We love Tutto Italia, so we are very excited to try out Via Napoli. Hopefully it will have the same delicious food and cute waiters.

Saturday:
The Grand Floridian Café. This is our Magic Kingdom day, and we just weren’t all that excited by the TS options in this park. I really can’t wait for the new Fantasyland with Belle’s restaurant to open. We have never tried the GF Café, but the menu looks enticing. I may have to order those crab cakes.

Sunday:
The Hollywood Brown Derby. This will be our second time eating here (well, except for Charles who has never eaten there). Can’t wait to enjoy Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake again!

Monday:
La Hacienda de San Angel. Another new restaurant for us! Shrimp tacos, please!

Tuesday:
A tried and true favorite: Boma! Those little delectable zebra domes are calling my name. We will be meeting up with Anita and Gang for this one!

Wednesday is our last full day, but we don’t have any ADRs that day. I think we will just do whatever we feel like on that day.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Your restaurant choices look great! We haven’t eaten at any of these places, so I look forward to the reviews in your TR I remember in one you said that the grapefruit cake was really good. I want to try that.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that the storm skips you and comes up North! We had snow this morning, but it wasn’t nearly enough to warrant a snow day on Monday

 

[Poolrat]

The POFQ refurbs will be so great!!! I haven't seen any photos -- maybe I should go look at the resort thread.


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I may have to go look.

Weather update
It is getting really windy here. This may be a significant event.
Of course I actually need milk today so I will look like the hordes of people stocking up.


Love the ARD's I have heard good things about Via Napoli- cute waiters, and La Hacienda.

In MK I have always had a good meal at Crystal Palace. I have done Breakfast and Lunch.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Well good grief Jackie!
and that's all I'm going to say on the subject!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

OK, one more comment.
Was going to start on my Christmas present "The Help" today but I have another novel to read.....
all 13 pages of "Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! A Star Wars Weekend PTR!

Can't believe you sneaked this past me!

 

[wsushocker]

Who drug me over here?

Oops, I think my ticker needs some attention!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Allllll caught up!!!
Fabulous snowman, silly dogs! So funny them having their way with him!!!
I was reading an amazing fact book at school and did you know that snow is 90% air? A second grader piped up that the other 10% was fish pee.....
My jaw dropped. I know his mother would have thought that was so cute. I however at the time did not. A chorus of ewwww gross followed his comment.
Just thinking of Chelsea with her mouth open catching snow flakes. How many times have we all done just that?

We have never stayed at CSR but have seen pics of the rooms. They look so sleek and lovely! Great choice!
I think we have a great group going and hope some more will be joining us around that weekend!

One more comment! I have had some outstanding graduates from my school of enabling! Keep up the good work ladies!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

La Hacienda, shrimp tacos, hmmmm, I think we will be trying for an ADR there....

Caramel shop, ohhh, that caramel corn is to die for! Which reminds me. I have some candy around here somewhere. Need to locate it....

Marc, just told me we ARE eating at La Hacienda! Yay!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your restaurant choices look great! We haven’t eaten at any of these places, so I look forward to the reviews in your TR I remember in one you said that the grapefruit cake was really good. I want to try that.

Some people aren't fond of the grapefruit cake, but I loved it!

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that the storm skips you and comes up North! We had snow this morning, but it wasn’t nearly enough to warrant a snow day on Monday

Our cold front is coming in from the west and meeting up with some Gulf moisture right over us. It almost sounds like a done deal, but we have escaped winter weather before...

I may have to go look.

Weather update
It is getting really windy here. This may be a significant event.
Of course I actually need milk today so I will look like the hordes of people stocking up.

It is so windy here today. I am just chilled to the bone. I keep telling myself if I just get up and start cleaning, then I will warm up. It doesn't seem to be motivating me though. I almost wanted to clarify to the clerk that the two gallons of milk I was buying were the normal ones I buy every weekend. LOL!

Love the ARD's I have heard good things about Via Napoli- cute waiters, and La Hacienda.

In MK I have always had a good meal at Crystal Palace. I have done Breakfast and Lunch.

We have eaten breakfast at the Crystal Palace before and liked it, but we weren't feeling it this year.

Well good grief Jackie!
and that's all I'm going to say on the subject!

Yeay! Anita is here! I kept meaning to PM you, but it was a crazy week!

OK, one more comment.
Was going to start on my Christmas present "The Help" today but I have another novel to read.....
all 13 pages of "Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! A Star Wars Weekend PTR!

Can't believe you sneaked this past me!

The Help is one of my favorite books! You will love it!

Who drug me over here?

Oops, I think my ticker needs some attention!

Yeay! Shocker is here, too, now!

Apparently you haven't been on the DIS for a very long time!

Allllll caught up!!!
Fabulous snowman, silly dogs! So funny them having their way with him!!!
I was reading an amazing fact book at school and did you know that snow is 90% air? A second grader piped up that the other 10% was fish pee.....
My jaw dropped. I know his mother would have thought that was so cute. I however at the time did not. A chorus of ewwww gross followed his comment.
Just thinking of Chelsea with her mouth open catching snow flakes. How many times have we all done just that?

Oh heavens! I can just see that kid saying that! I bet you had your "teacher" look on your face -- I have had to use that look quite a few times.

We have never stayed at CBR but have seen pics of the rooms. They look so sleek and lovely! Great choice!
I think we have a great group going and hope some more will be joining us around that weekend!

I agree! I am going to do a post about all the people we will be meeting up with on this trip, so start deciding which picture you want me to use.

One more comment! I have had some outstanding graduates from my school of enabling! Keep up the good work ladies!

Thanks!

La Hacienda, shrimp tacos, hmmmm, I think we will be trying for an ADR there....

Caramel shop, ohhh, that caramel corn is to die for! Which reminds me. I have some candy around here somewhere. Need to locate it....

Marc, just told me we ARE eating at La Hacienda! Yay!

Hurray!!! Did you happen to make it for that Monday? Please say yes! We could drink margaritas together!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Jackie, we do have La Hacienda at 6:00 on Monday. What time is your ADR?
We also have R&C at 6:50...
If Baylor gets wind of that he will want R&C he has a weakness for their Yorkshire Pudding. Not sure if we should let the cat out of the bag on that or not. Maybe we should try for a lunch at R&C so he can get his Yorkie Pudding!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your ADRs look fantastic. I think you'll love Via Napoli and Hacienda... as well as your other selections. You're making me hungry!

Hoping for no snow for you...

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I adore making ADRs!! I think you got some really great ones Jackie.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yum! I think you'll like the GF Cafe, it was one of my favorite meals last trip

Can't wait to hear about Via Napoli & La Hacienda!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you don't get too much snow. We're supposed to have a storm pass just south of us tomorrow (probably the one headed your way), but Monday we have about a 60% chance of snow, they're saying maybe an inch - so really not too bad. I'll take an inch of snow over the ice we usually get!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm starting to figure out my ADRs for Sept. I think that I'm going to try all new places except for Teppan Edo. DH wants that place. We went to Floridian Cafe, it was so pretty & the food was good. We don't eat dinner at the MK because DH has to have a beer with dinner.

Could I ask for a recommendation for a character meal? I'm thinking that Chef Micket may be the way to go. I'll be with GD age 8 & 5, they are not girly girls.

Hope that you don't get all of that snow, we have more today & I just hate it!

I want ot move to Florida!

Doris