
for the summer pre-trip update!
Sounds like you did pretty well with your ADRs! You even got Le Cellier!!

I am so looking forward to hear about your experience at Biergarten. Will that be lunch or dinner? Katharina and I had it on our list, but couldn't really justify an ADR there since there are so many other more unique (for us) places at WDW.
This trip we won't be on the
DDP, so fewer dinner ADRs. Most days when we are in a DVC one bedroom with the kitchen, we will stock up items for a quick breakfast in the room, then do a lunch ADR with either something lighter in the evening or something easy to prepare back in the room. We will have one day where we do lunch at The Plaza in MK, so a possible dinner ADR that evening somewhere. Still making adjustments as I firm up our touring plans.
Certainly understand your trade-off with Biergarten! I'm sure you can find at least one or two authentic restaurants locally when you are at home....
I am LOVING your TR!!!

Just started reading it, and hope to be all caught soon!
Jen!!!!
Great to have you along! I checked out some of your 40th BD TR. Happy belated birthday, and how cool to be a former CM!!! That is some changes in location bouncing back and forth between the North and Florida like that. Talk about major weather differences.........

And

for Tom, another Disney loving Engineer!!!
LeCellier -- a favorite; we've not done Garden Grill since the kids were really young; Love Boma and Crystal Palace; haven't done 50s again since the kids were much younger and I believe it was the last time my mother went with us so it's been a very long time (depending on which way you look at it

); we missed Kona last year and cannot wait to try it this year.
Still fine tuning the ADRs, so some changes will probably occur. I'm still trying to decide between breakfast at Boma or Kona Cafe for our departure day on the 4th. As of yesterday, there are still some amazing ADR options still available for most of our days! I'm guessing a lot of people are still concerned about the travel $$, or trying to cut down where they can and aren't planning to dine out so much.
I have to admit we were very disappointed in Biergarten last September. Although we've always enjoyed it in the past, it seemed a little bland this past trip and I was very upset that they did not have veal for the schnitzel; it was chicken schnitzel

and very dried out at that (and we had the first seating). The desserts, however, were terrific.
I've heard a lot of comments lately about the schnitzel. For now, as I make changes, Biergarten could still be one dining option we put off until a future trip. Maybe they will have the veal back by then....
That won't take......never mind, I'll be nice, Marv.
Only you Kathy!!! (well, and maybe Rosie......and Molly.....and.......)
Those are some fantastic ADR's for your summer trip (some of my faves)!! Also like the idea of staying in DTD then moving over the SSR to save points. We did something similar several years when we couldn't get the Poly for the dates we wanted - we stayed in DTD a couple of more nights than planned, but then booked a great Poly room.
I actually considered with the discount rates staying somewhere like The Poly, or maybe CSR or even The Swalphin. I plan to keep an eye out for any additional discounts and may still make a switch before the trip rolls around.
Speaking of DTD Disney resorts, I would be remiss in not taking the opportunity to offer my usual bedbug caution.

All kidding aside, Disney may have it's share of those critter issues, but some of the DTD hotels have had even worse problems. Be sure to check the bedbug registry and your room/s very carefully!!
Okay..off my favorite soapbox....
Thanks for the heads up! We typically have things along with us to sanitize if needed.
(p.s. You are most definitely a terrific storyteller!

)
Aww, so sweet!
where in Virginia is your son at? My step son and his family are living in Virginia beach. He is (was) stationed at Norfolk most of the time, although for awhile he was at little creek. I say "was" because in a matter of days he'll be officially retired. He's thinking of moving back here this summer and going back to school, but he's also looking into civilian jobs with the military....so we'll see
We will be moving him into an apartment in Norfolk next week. He reports to the Naval Base sometime the weekend of June 4th (he has between the 4th and the 6th). He will have "orientation" classes about 3 weeks and then finally reports to his ship. He went up a couple days ago and checked out apartments and found one he likes, so hopefully the move in will go smoothly since he is already trying to take care of some things.