Tagliarchy Island Part 2

[iluvtink]

Whew, busy weekend! Reagan's older sister's BD party yesterday, DSIL and DBIL drove in with DN for it and stayed with us all day. Then Kelley and I went to the dress rehearsal for her friend's dance recital, then DH and I went out for Chinese. This a.m. I am working on a ressie for a single foster/adoptive mom who wants to take her 4 yr. old adopted son to WDW for a week of "just them" before she adopts a 19 mo. old. She's a government employee with not a lot of cash, and so I wanna save her as much $$ as possible. Is a 4-yr old too young for MNNSHP? I don't think so, but I've never been. Do you think it's worth $61.67 for people on a tight budget? I want it to be as magical as possible for them.

Originally posted by Lewski709
[COLOR=66FF00]iluvtink[/COLOR] in Kathy Mattea's wedding???? You go girl!

Hi Lew - I probly didn't say that right... Kathy and I were bridesmaids in HER back-up singer's and my best friend's wedding... the one whose sister sang back-up for Elvis. I also helped give a bridal shower for her at Kathy's house. I wish she recorded more ... I really like her voice. She was actually a pop/folk singer when she was doing clubs in Nashville, before her record label picked her up and told her she was a "country girl."

[COLOR=FF66CC]llebrekniT[/COLOR] - if you haven't gone to NP's yet... HAVE FUN! Can't wait to see the pix. Be sure and quadruple-bag the poo so it doesn't odor up your car!

Okay, back to catching up.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Welcome cynsaun, I know it's kind of scary to jump in the middle of conversations. We usually have a QOTD (question of the day) and that's a good way to get started.
And, as we don't have one yet, here's a QOTD:

Have you used meal vouchers and are they worth it?



[COLOR=FF66CC]llebrekniT[/COLOR], are you saying you've booked airline tickets for October?? Why did I think you were driving?

I've been on the DIS all morning, researching about meal vouchers (hence the QOTD). Considering picking up a couple of Q&C ones as an experiement. Sept trip will involve more counter service/light meal/snack type eating than we usually do. Will probably only have two $$ ones...Boma for PixieMagic's birthday and then one I get to pick.

I'll check back later......

 

[Danauk]

I've never used vouchers for food at WDW. I don't know anything about them. Could someone explain please?

Just out of interest do any of you know if any restaurants do a traditional Christmas dinner? (Turkey, veg etc.) It is looking like our christmas/new year trip (2005/6) is going ahead We just have to wait for our holiday dates to come out. DH has his and I just need to see what mine are. DH might have to take a few days unpaid leave to go if our holiday dates are not the same.

 

[NC Belle]

I am blue today---last night, hubby found out that they changed his schedule (did not voicemail or e-mail the change) to having him off yesterday---we could have spent Friday at Epcot and the Studios plus it was an e-night. He worked yesterday----well, I waited 45 minutes for the decision of him staying to work or go home...his co-worker got into his truck and left. I thought the guy was going home, but he just wanted to get a milkshake. So, I waited to see if hubby was going to wave me on...only for a couple of minutes. I went home ( a 20.5 mile drive) and just after I checked e-mail...he sends one saying that the boss did not return the page sent to see who they want to cover the shift. Well, the schedule is fixed once again--hubby getys his Birthday night off and all is well for now. I still am working out my trip report...I thought Cadmom and OF would have theirs up by now.

 

[iluvtink]

Hi cynsaun!

Welcome to the Island. We have loads of chocolate, pool and hot tub parties with guest bartenders (can you say Brad Pitt?) and folks are really nice. Some of us are better with the smilies and graphics, some of us have somewhat of an attitude, one of us is pregnant, some are planning a TAG gathering at WDW in October, and one lives in England. It's a diverse, nutty group, and you'll have to just jump in with both feet. Feel free to ask any questions, PM anyone or whatever. Glad you're here!

I didn't look at the NP dinner date, I bet it was yesterday. Just waiting for the re-cap.

Welcome back [COLOR=009966]NC Belle[/COLOR] and [COLOR=FF3300]NC Beast[/COLOR]. Glad you're home safe and sound. Who won the ghastly noise contest when you ate dinner with [COLOR=FF0033]cadburysmom[/COLOR] and Jordan?

DH has gone to Cinci to the Reds Game today. It is overcast and gray, which can be pretty typical of Columbus, and the cicadas are so loud, I can hardly hear the TV set in the next room. I have to go <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_123.gif' alt='Lawnmowing' border=0></a> and <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_8_3.gif' alt='Multitasking' border=0></a>, but I'll be checking in.

I brought a cicada into the house in my hair the other day. It was very, very quiet, then all of a sudden, I heard this definitive buzz near my shoulder!!! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_100.gif' alt='Afraid' border=0></a> I turned my back slowly to Katie and said, "Is there a cicada on my back?" She ran out of the room! Then she crept back in and looked and said she couldn't see anything. I flicked my hair out away from my neck, and there was another buzz and then it flopped out and landed on the floor. Ewwwww! If they just didn't have those opaque red <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_6_20.gif' alt='eye' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_6_20.gif' alt='eye' border=0></a>!!! I didn't want to squish it into my carpet, so I grabbed an empty bowl that was sitting on the table and turned it over on the cicada. Then I got a plate and slid it under, and threw the little sucker back outside where he/she belonged. I HATE THOSE THINGS!!!

wanna know how I really feel about cicadas?

 

[NC Belle]

I used three different vouchers this week.

The breakfast voucher allows you right now to have a breakfast smoothie at Crystal Palace. Paid about $18.50 each---covered meal, tip, and the smoothie.

The Vacation Lunch vouchers saved us a lot. We were going to do RFC at DAK, but we changed our schedule. They accepted for dinner because of same menu and early closing time. We used ours at Le Cellier on Wed. We got about $104+ in food for about $61 using two wouchers. We were able to get non-alcoholic smoothies (red maples), two appetizers, steaks, cheesecake, and dessert sampler. Their menu is changing soon (at least that's what we heard).

The quick lunch and dinner vouchers were worth it at Beaches and Cream ($49 meal for 2 vouchers at $23) and the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs. It is better value at the moderate and delux resort counter service than in the parks. We did not feel it was a bargain at Pecos Bill.

I would buy the VKL and the lunch/dinner vouchers. The breakfast ones are okay, but I am not big on breakfasts.

 

[NC Belle]

Hi cynsaun!

I believed that we agreed on NC Beast because he was the first to go use the restroom. He saved most of it later for our room...gross- not romantic.

Since there is a debate here on who is the pampered princess of the island, there is a hands down winner in the most pampered Princess Pooch--its my Jessie. She came out of the grooming side of the kennel with a bandana around her neck, shiny all over, perfumed, powered, and nails trimmed. Then she got Minnie ears from us.


And she has an attitude this weekend--snubbing me, wants to be accessorized, and fed treats. They must have spoiled her rotten all week. She got a special sticker on her report card and remarks like "she is so sweet".

 

[ibouncetoo]

Originally posted by oddball27

Can we guess again since no one has guessed correctly???

December 7th!!!! [/B]

IF we get a second guess, I'll take MY birthday Nov 7th! (if that isn't taken yet) Now we're trying to guess the date the nurse gave, right? So after this contest....we should do another on the date we guess for the actual birth, maybe with time included, in 2 hr increments (since we'll have an idea of the due date).

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Danauk
Just out of interest do any of you know if any restaurants do a traditional Christmas dinner? (Turkey, veg etc.) It is looking like our christmas/new year trip (2005/6) is going ahead

Danauk Yes, they do It's a very traditional meal, usually....turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, breads, etc.....although it will vary some from restaurant to restaurant. They do it on all the big holidays...Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, etc.... If you want to eat on a holiday, make sure you call and get a PS right at 90 days out 'cause they do book up quick....and I believe this year they were requiring a credit card to hold a PS on the actual holiday...so you'd need a credit card for meals on Christmas Day (not sure about Christmas Eve) but not on the 23rd or 26th.... I'd be happy to help you call in if you need it Just let me know Thanks to the kids I'm always up by the 7am opening time, and I'm sure those "across the pond" phone calls have got to add up for you!

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Lewski709
Anyone planning on getting any vouchers for meals for Oct? I am not interested in the quick and casual. Last trip, I picked one up on hotwiresavingsplan.com. Signed up for a 30day free membership, got one voucher (3 of us ate on) and got a 10.00 rebate check in the mail. I think it ended up being 20.00 and we ate at RFC. Our bill would have been 76.00

Lewski Wow! That's a BIG savings! I saw [COLOR=009966]NC Belle[/COLOR] save a lot, too! In fact, that's better than our Disney Dining card

The hard part for me is planning ahead....we don't always nail down each of our meals so I've never bought them in case we decided to skip....'cause I think I saw someone say they have an expiration date that's only a few months after you get them? Is that right? But we could definitely do them since we're planning a couple of definite meals.... Who has a membership and is willing to order?? Or should we all do our own? And if so, how long did the process take to do it...register, order, and receive vouchers?

 

[ibouncetoo]

Current vouchers expire May 2005.

 

[Danauk]

thanks [COLOR=CC0033]kadaten[/COLOR] that is so sweet of you to offer Obviously we can't book the rooms untill 11 months before (we will be using DVC points to stay at the BCV). I would love to have a real christmas dinner on christmas day but we can't really start planning anything until the rooms are booked.

 

[llebrekniT]

Hey guys!

Originally posted by ibouncetoo
[COLOR=FF66CC]llebrekniT[/COLOR], are you saying you've booked airline tickets for October?? Why did I think you were driving?

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_116.gif' border=0></a> Good job [COLOR=339900]Taglamama[/COLOR]! And I was, but I'm not now. We have one free round trip ticket that will expire in March and $50 in credit toward another ticket that expires in January. This trip in Oct. will be Ella's last time flying for free (she turns 2 in Dec.), so we decided to go ahead and fly this time. We can drive any time, but we are flying the whole family round trip for $546, not bad, I doubt we'll ever be able to fly that cheap again.

Originally posted by iluvtink
DH has gone to Cinci to the Reds Game today.

Ahem, excuse me? He's gone where? Do I need to pull out the guide to be a good buckeye handbook again?

We have tickets to a Reds game in two weeks. Daniel and DH will go to the game while the girls and I do something else, wanna come? Cincy would be a great place for a Meet....

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Danauk
thanks [COLOR=CC0033]kadaten[/COLOR] that is so sweet of you to offer Obviously we can't book the rooms untill 11 months before (we will be using DVC points to stay at the BCV). I would love to have a real christmas dinner on christmas day but we can't really start planning anything until the rooms are booked.

Danauk Oh....so you're talking NEXT Christmas...2005? Ok....well, if we're both still on the DIS 90 days out from then, the offer still stands

BTW, I absolutely LOVE going in December!! We've never done Christmas eve/day, but have gone in December several times, and did turn the millenium at Epcot! What a party The holiday decorations are simply superb and not-to-be-missed!! That time of year I can go, not ride a single ride, but still be happy as a lark just soaking up the atmosphere By then we'll be living in the area...where you want to meet for dinner?

 

[kadaten]

Hey, [COLOR=FF66CC]llebrekniT[/COLOR], Congrats on the airline tickets! That sounds like a FABULOUS deal And think of all the time you'll save that can be better spent in the park

 

[kadaten]

Ok, been putting this off awhile but I *think* I have time...

Our 1900 Park Fare character dinner pictures...

Let me just say that we had SUCH a good time, if we could be promised an equal experience on each trip, we'd GLADLY pay double It was THAT good! Our waitress was possibley the best we've ever had. Her name was MaryEm and she was completely taken with Abbie and how sweet and good she was at dinner, so she spoiled her rotten

Abbie was on all night! She, of course, is at that perfectly magical age where she believes it all You can just see it in her eyes...

On the way in we made pictures in the carriage outside....

Her first view of Cinderella...she'd come up from behind Abbie so she was very surprised when she turned her head and saw her....

More pics of Abbie and Cindy....

Can't you just see the love in her eyes in this next one...

I must've done something right...I got a big hug, too! Thanks to the guy waiting for the valet to bring his car, I got to be in pictures, too...

The Prince, the Prince!

I had pics of the mice and Fairy Godmother, but I seem to have forgotten to upload them...maybe later...

One last shot of Abbie, looking regal in her coach...

For you mothers of daughters out there....if your DD has a Bitty Baby, that is one Abbie is holding. We surprised her with a Cinderella gown for "Dolly", too Now for my secret....Promise not to tell? I got that dress at Michael's in the dress-up bear section!! The BEST part? It cost a WHOPPING $7.95!!! Can you believe that? I scored a fairy dress complete with wings for the same price, same place, but have yet to give it to Abbie... It came with a crown, too, but I hadn't enlarged it in time for the trip. Now it fits, thanks to a velcro extension

 

[cheeringmom]

Hey guys. You've been chatty.

Just popped in and tried to catch up. Hate missing a day but what do you do??

Got Wiggles tickets. Not floor thought. Bummer, but not too bad. After two hours waiting in the rain, dh got better seats then I did by phone!!!!

Love the pics kadaten. You dd is beautiful!! Prince isn't too bad either!! hehehe


ok off to BS then to soccer then to small group!! aaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[llebrekniT]

kadaten what great pictures you have! I recognized BittyBaby instantly, why'd she get a blonde one? Holly has a dark haired one and has loved her so much. She has been to WDW, the Disney cruise, Boston, Chicago, and many other trips we have taken. I could put together a little photo album of just BittyBaby on vacation. I may have one of Holly at the American Girl Store in Chicago somewhere, have you been there?

Back to your pictures. Love them! Shame on you for waiting so long to share them! Love the choker on Abbie, where'd you get it? We haven't eaten at Park Fare in a while. The first time we ever ate there was our 1st trip to WDW and DH got very sick afterwards, VERY! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_2_5.gif' border=0></a> Couple years later we tried it again. This time it was a Villain's dinner and Holly was not very happy at all with it. She was 3 and completely freaked out the entire meal. We went again a couple years ago, just Holly and I, for the breakfast and it was very nice. How was the food this time? I have always felt that the buffet area was a little to small, not as much selection and difficult to get in and out of.

Anyway, just got back from the MK and lookie what I brought back with me -

They're for the garden. Don't worry I asked Mickey and he said it was OK to take them. I'm going to go back and see if I can find some more. Can we find a spot for them Danauk?

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by cheeringmom
Got Wiggles tickets. Not floor thought. Bummer, but not too bad. After two hours waiting in the rain, dh got better seats then I did by phone!!!!

Love the pics kadaten. You dd is beautiful!! Prince isn't too bad either!! hehehe

Congrats on the tix!! Wish they were coming to our area as DD and DS both love them...and DS is the better dancer

I agree with you on the prince In fact, I taught Abbie to say "The prince is a hottie!"

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by llebrekniT
kadaten what great pictures you have! I recognized BittyBaby instantly, why'd she get a blonde one? Holly has a dark haired one and has loved her so much. She has been to WDW, the Disney cruise, Boston, Chicago, and many other trips we have taken. ... . I may have one of Holly at the American Girl Store in Chicago somewhere, have you been there?

Back to your pictures. Love them! Shame on you for waiting so long to share them! Love the choker on Abbie, where'd you get it? We haven't eaten at Park Fare in a while. ... . How was the food this time? I have always felt that the buffet area was a little to small, not as much selection and difficult to get in and out of.

Well, she got a blond one because of the blue eyes. She *had* blonder hair but it's been darkening up over the last year, but her eyes are blue as ever! In fact, that's what most people notice when they meet her in person...just how blue her eyes areNow that summer's here, she's getting some blond highlights back in her hair, so they're close! Abbie just got hers this past Christmas (after our December trip) so this was the first trip for them together! We've never been to Chicago so haven't seen the AG store, yet....but think it'll probably work it's way in somehow....

Glad you like the pics! They're some of my favorites, just because Abbie's happiness really came through Sorry it took so long....just kept forgetting when I had time at night, and don't usually have time during the day (in fact, the kids are waking now, but I'm going to finish typing!!)

The food was good, and the area is still a little small, but serviceable. Not my favorite buffet (that would be Donald's Breakfast or Chef Mickey's breakfast or Libertry Tree dinner) but it was good. Had it just been a meal there, I would have said it was good, but I had other favorites. But everything was SO perfect, the characters so perfectly ON, the waitress so accomodating and sweet, etc.... Cindy and both mice all came around TWICE for pictures....we got Cindy with just Abbie the first time around but when she came back, we did a family photo with her One of the mice picked Abbie up and was hugging her and rubbing noses, etc..... Abbie was just SO into the magic and it was like they could sense that and went all out for her It was just magical...

After dinner Abbie and I waited in the GF lobby for DH to go get the car. MaryEm had given her a "go-cup" of M&M's for the ride home....the jazz band was just starting their second set....she climbed up on a couch like she was at home, munched on her M&M's, and was just tapping her foot to the music....I think we BOTH didn't want the night to end.....

Oh...her choker? I just cut a length of navy grosgrain ribbon and tied it in the back! We had a choker that came with her dress-up stuff that had a velcro closure...but the ribbon was thin and cheap and the velcro caught it and ripped it to shreds! Just made sure not to tie it too tightly, and it was a square knot...she couldn't tighten it, but I could undo it