Snacks, Sips & Spooks in October 2012... and a Mexican Fantasy cruise in June 2013!

[cindianne320]

Love it! You need to share the answers here for your faithful readers!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi Emma

I've caught up again. Loved your cross stitch - I used to do loads of them but haven't done one for years! I bought Amber a couple of tiny ones from Hobbycraft but we didn't get them started yet - she is really into Sequin Art at the moment so perhaps we she is bored of those she will give it another go.

Your possible ADR's sound good. We didn't do Via Napoli but did do Tutto Italia which was lovely - I would love to hear your thoughts on VN. We have just decided this week that we are going back in 2014 so will have to try it then

I just read all about the upgraded photopass. It seems that many of the more popular rides and character meals are now going to let you put the photo on your photopass. Should work out cheaper than paying for one at each meal which we did last year!! We ended up with over 300 pictures on ours last year so definately worth the money.

Glad you are having a relaxing BH weekend. I worked in the shop today and will do tomorrow but have been off work all week and have next week off too - yippee!!! We are going up to Edinburgh next weekend for a trip away so hoping the snow they have up there has gone - what happened to our summer like weather - I was sitting outside having lunch last week!!!

I have just started my PTR for this year and last years TR and have put the links in my signature if you want to read them.

We also planned all our ADR's last night with Clare and Lewis so we can see if we have any overlaps.

Sara xx

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I think that it is so neat that you can watch the cruise ship live! I've been listening to the podcast a lot lately and from what they've said about it it sounds like an absolutely amazing ship!

Great April newsletter!

 

[disneybarbie]

Love it! You need to share the answers here for your faithful readers!

Thank you! hehe - no problem - these are the questions for the first four newsletters (I've tried to get a good mix of Disney, Universal and general Florida trivia!) ...

Jan'12
1 What year did Walt Disney World open? 1971
2 What is our outbound flight number on August 9th? VS015
3 What is the State Capital of Florida? Tallahassee
4 What are the names of the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty? Flora, Fauna & Merryweather
5 Which newspaper did Spiderman work on? The Daily Bugle
Feb'12
6 What are the names of the three 'mountains' in the Magic Kingdom? Space, Thunder & Splash
7 What does 'EPCOT' stand for? Experimental Protoype Community of Tomorrow
8 What ride replaced 'Kongfrontation' at Universal Studios Florida? Revenge of the Mummy
9 What is the name of the Orlando basketball team? Orlando Magic
10 Who is the arch-villain of Dudley-Do Right? Snidely Whiplash
Mar'13
11 Which Pixar movie was released in 1995? Toy Story
12 On what date did the elevator breakdown at the Hollywood Tower Hotel? 31st October 1939
13 Who steals Mickey Mouse's hat in the show 'Philharmagic'? Donald Duck
14 In what year did Islands of Adventure open in Orlando? 1999
15 What are the three American football teams based in Florida? Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins
Apr'13
16 Who is there a statue of in front of Cinderella Castle? Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse
17 Name the four student houses at Hogwarts School Huffle Puff, Slitherin, Griffendaw & Ravenclaw
18 Who is Experiment 626? Stitch
19 What were male Disney employees not allowed to have, until February 2012? Beards
20 What is the state of Florida's nickname? The Sunshine State

Hi Emma

I've caught up again. Loved your cross stitch - I used to do loads of them but haven't done one for years! I bought Amber a couple of tiny ones from Hobbycraft but we didn't get them started yet - she is really into Sequin Art at the moment so perhaps we she is bored of those she will give it another go.

Your possible ADR's sound good. We didn't do Via Napoli but did do Tutto Italia which was lovely - I would love to hear your thoughts on VN. We have just decided this week that we are going back in 2014 so will have to try it then

I just read all about the upgraded photopass. It seems that many of the more popular rides and character meals are now going to let you put the photo on your photopass. Should work out cheaper than paying for one at each meal which we did last year!! We ended up with over 300 pictures on ours last year so definately worth the money.

Glad you are having a relaxing BH weekend. I worked in the shop today and will do tomorrow but have been off work all week and have next week off too - yippee!!! We are going up to Edinburgh next weekend for a trip away so hoping the snow they have up there has gone - what happened to our summer like weather - I was sitting outside having lunch last week!!!

I have just started my PTR for this year and last years TR and have put the links in my signature if you want to read them.

We also planned all our ADR's last night with Clare and Lewis so we can see if we have any overlaps.

Sara xx

Hi Sara! Thanks for your comments, I've caught up with your TR and PTR today - I think our trips will overlap by a few days in October!

I have heard that if you've already pre-ordered the Photopass CD, you can upgrade to the new 'Plus' option by visiting one of the photo/camera centers at the parks once you get there... I might suggest we do that for our August trip, it would be nice to get all of the ride photos as well as our Tusker House & Akershus dinner pictures

I used to do those sequin art craft kits that Amber likes! Used to take ages, but the pictures were pretty

I think that it is so neat that you can watch the cruise ship live! I've been listening to the podcast a lot lately and from what they've said about it it sounds like an absolutely amazing ship!

Great April newsletter!

Hi Courtney! Thank you for giving me the idea to do the newsletters for DH's family, I really think they are enjoying them each month and I like writing about the parks & thinking up links and quiz questions



Emma x

 

[cindianne320]

Thank you! What a fun way to get excited for your trip!

 

[Leshaface]

Great shots of the Fantasy! I can't wait to go on that ship...whenever that will be

Your trivia for the newsletter is awesome! I kept asking myself, Experiment 626, I know i've heard that somewhere. And I just watched the dang movie not too long ago!

 

[disneybarbie]

Thank you! What a fun way to get excited for your trip!

Great shots of the Fantasy! I can't wait to go on that ship...whenever that will be

Your trivia for the newsletter is awesome! I kept asking myself, Experiment 626, I know i've heard that somewhere. And I just watched the dang movie not too long ago!

Thanks Lesha! it's been a lot of fun thinking up the trivia questions for the newsletters, I've learnt a few things too! Lol whenever I see the number '626' now, I straight away think of Stitch (Disney geek )






So..... our October ADRs are booked!!!

It was 180 days yesterday.. I tried to book them online but the website couldn't recognise our resort reservation number (possibly because it was a DVC number, or because it kept redirecting me to the UK WDW site ) ... so instead I rang WDW-Dine.. always nice to talk to a cast member anyway

I got everything we wanted! So our booked meals are...

October 8th - 7.10pm - Jiko
October 10th - 7pm - Todd English's Blue Zoo
October 11th - 12.45pm - Via Napoli
October 12th - 7pm - Boatwrights

I'm really pleased with this mix, it just really doesn't seem very many though! I have to remember that we're planning two afternoons/evenings at the Food & Wine Festival, and nothing for the first night.. we're usually too tired from the day of travel/jet lag and if our flight was delayed then we might even miss an ADR.

On the last day, before we head off to Bradenton with my parents, we'll probably go for lunch somewhere in Downtown Disney, but just try a walk-up reservation.. my Dad & I were discussing Paradiso 37, really liked it there

Next I have to buy our MNSSHP tickets, probably on sale May 1st.. and also book the Wild Africa Safari Trek, that'll will be 180 days away on Monday - but I've heard from another DISer that the trek is only booking up until August 25th for now... I'll ring Monday and find out though



Hope everyone is having a great week!


Emma x

 

[Leshaface]

:

So..... our October ADRs are booked!!!

It was 180 days yesterday.. I tried to book them online but the website couldn't recognise our resort reservation number (possibly because it was a DVC number, or because it kept redirecting me to the UK WDW site ) ... so instead I rang WDW-Dine.. always nice to talk to a cast member anyway

I got everything we wanted! So our booked meals are...

October 8th - 7.10pm - Jiko
October 10th - 7pm - Todd English's Blue Zoo
October 11th - 12.45pm - Via Napoli
October 12th - 7pm - Boatwrights

I'm really pleased with this mix, it just really doesn't seem very many though! I have to remember that we're planning two afternoons/evenings at the Food & Wine Festival, and nothing for the first night.. we're usually too tired from the day of travel/jet lag and if our flight was delayed then we might even miss an ADR.

On the last day, before we head off to Bradenton with my parents, we'll probably go for lunch somewhere in Downtown Disney, but just try a walk-up reservation.. my Dad & I were discussing Paradiso 37, really liked it there

Next I have to buy our MNSSHP tickets, probably on sale May 1st.. and also book the Wild Africa Safari Trek, that'll will be 180 days away on Monday - but I've heard from another DISer that the trek is only booking up until August 25th for now... I'll ring Monday and find out though



Hope everyone is having a great week!


Emma x[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

Yay for ADR's! It's always so exciting to confirm the restaurants you want right away.

 

[klacey1]

Glad you got what you wanted! After my first F&W experience, I'd say you'll definitely want to reserve some evenings for snacking on the offerings!
Did you have off for the Easter holidays?? I work for the NY office of a major British newspaper and couldn't get in touch with anyone in the London office last Friday or this past Monday! So jealous of you guys for all your bank holidays!!

 

[cindianne320]

Awesome that you got all the ADRs that you wanted!

Can you book all of your ADRs when the first date of your trip is 180 days away? I always thought you had to wait until all days were within 180.

 

[dreamerchic33]

LOVE the trivia questions!!! SO clever!
and YAY! for getting all the ADRs you wanted!!!!! Your ADR booking makes me excited, since we aren't too far from you!!!!
xxoo <3

 

[jenny105]

I'm glad you were able to get the ADRs you wanted! I had the same problem - the online system wouldn't recognize my reservation number. I think it was because it was a DVC number. I called and got everything though just like you!

 

[disneybarbie]

Yay for ADR's! It's always so exciting to confirm the restaurants you want right away.

Thanks Lesha

Glad you got what you wanted! After my first F&W experience, I'd say you'll definitely want to reserve some evenings for snacking on the offerings!
Did you have off for the Easter holidays?? I work for the NY office of a major British newspaper and couldn't get in touch with anyone in the London office last Friday or this past Monday! So jealous of you guys for all your bank holidays!!

Hi! Yes I'm glad we've got some evenings clear for F&W eating.. when we went in 2008, I think I thought the festival would be selling little tiny portions, like canapes, but we ended up really full up after just a few booths.. and then had to go to a sit-down meal for dinner I want to get one of those wrist-band gift cards for the F&WF, think that will be easier

And yes we had two days off for Easter! Good Friday and Easter Monday are standard bank-holidays here.. it was actually in the news this week that it's been suggested we should have more national holidays.. in England we have 8 a year, whereas the USA has 10 and Japan has 15?!

Awesome that you got all the ADRs that you wanted!

Can you book all of your ADRs when the first date of your trip is 180 days away? I always thought you had to wait until all days were within 180.

Hi! Yes... if you're staying onsite at a Disney resort, you can book restaurants at 180 days for the first 10 days of your trip .. for our August trip, as we're staying offsite, I had to book one a day as the 180 mark came around.

LOVE the trivia questions!!! SO clever!
and YAY! for getting all the ADRs you wanted!!!!! Your ADR booking makes me excited, since we aren't too far from you!!!!
xxoo <3

Thank you when is your ADR day? Can't be long now!! I know it's pretty crazy booking restaurants 6 months before a vacation, but it's a big part of the planning for me

I'm glad you were able to get the ADRs you wanted! I had the same problem - the online system wouldn't recognize my reservation number. I think it was because it was a DVC number. I called and got everything though just like you!

Hi! That's interesting to know about the DVC number.. wonder why it wouldn't work.. last year, for our honeymoon, I had a DVC number for the first night of the trip and that seemed to work fine ... it's great you got everything you wanted too!

Emma x

 

[monica23535]

Glad you got all the restaurants you wanted Emma!

I can' wait to make our ADR's next week as we check into BC on October 18

 

[monica23535]

Glad you got all the restaurants you wanted Emma!

I can't wait to make our ADR's next week as we check into BC on October 18th

 

[TanzUnited99]

Am glad your got all the ADRs you wanted Emma!

Good luck with booking the Wild Africa Safari Trek...can't wait to hear your thoughts on it after your trip. All the reviews so far seem to be positive.

 

[disneybarbie]

Glad you got all the restaurants you wanted Emma!

I can't wait to make our ADR's next week as we check into BC on October 18th

Thank you - hope you get all of yours too this week!

Am glad your got all the ADRs you wanted Emma!

Good luck with booking the Wild Africa Safari Trek...can't wait to hear your thoughts on it after your trip. All the reviews so far seem to be positive.

Thanks Tanz!



So... I phoned Disney yesterday to try and book the Wild Africa Trek tour for October... and the cast member said "I'd love to help you with that, but I'm only able to book that tour up until August 25th for now" - never mind! She said to phone back nearer the 90 day mark, so that will be July Then she asked if there was anything else I needed to book, so I asked about the fireworks dessert party for our August trip (again these aren't yet available so I'll have to keep trying!) ... she asked me if I lived locally to WDW, as I was asking about August and October, and when I said "um... no, England!" - she said "Holey Moley.. two trips in one year? That's amazing!" I still can't quite believe we're going twice this year, and when we get back from the August vacation, there'll only be about 6-7 weeks until we go again


Hope everyone is having a good week so far, I'm at college on a revision course for my exams next month.. it's quite a nice change of pace to being at work, and it's in Southampton where I went to university (and met DH! )


Emma x

 

[Leshaface]

My gosh I completely forgot you'll be going again in another 7 weeks after! That's so exciting! You must have a great Miles credit card or something to pay for all these flights.

 

[ronnmel]

That is amazing to be able to go to WDW twice in such amount of time, especially coming from England!

 

[Dugette]

Got a bit behind and just caught up. Plans are sounding great. Can't wait to hear about the Wild Africa Trek!

Love the cross-stitch you did! And so jealous that it only took you three months! I have a cross-stitch (a fairly large one with lots of teddy bears cuddled up in bed) that I have seriously been working on (well, on-and-off) for over a decade! I hoped to hang it in a nursery for our kid someday, but I've only got 5 months left and over half the project! And it's not even Disney-themed like yours! Oh, well.

Thanks for mentioning the new wine bar thing in Italy. I had not heard of that before, but looked it up now and it sounds like a great addition to Epcot!