The Darlings Caved Already! A Sept. '12 PTR -- Sept. 26 - TR link posted!

[Charleston Princess]

Fingers crossed that you can get a Little Mermaid room -- I think it would be fun to stay at a new resort, and I would love to hear all about the AoA -- the food court looks like it is going to be a good one.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Girl...I am so with you on loosing weight! It is so tough! I cut out pepsi completely 2 years ago and I only have one if we go out for dinner which isn't often, I choose that over dessert! Jasmine is my walking buddy .... most days I love to get out there but it's the days I just don't feel like it that she comes in handy! She can usually tell by my face when I walk thru the door and she says "come on mom, go change! We'll go right now and then it's over with" At this point I usually want to poke her eyes out but I do as I'm told (grudingly mind you) and change and off we go!

I would love to stay at AoA but it doesn't open until May 31 I think and we arrive on the 19th! So which building should I request at Pop, I would prefer to be close to a pool!

 

[eeyore04]

Just a quick update folks, on the AoA front. My travel agent called Disney and the CM only had The Lion King suites available for free dining. My TA mentioned that some people were getting LM rooms with FD and the CM could unfortunately do nothing at this time, she did however say that if we try again it might come available, and that only a small block of rooms might be available now, just to be sure the construction will really be done in time. I'm going to keep checking as long as I can and trying to get into a Little Mermaid room![/FONT]

I'm on the fence about this. I want you to get a LM room so we can go over and visit you at AoA and see the grounds, and I also want you to be at POP so we can be close together and then walk over to AoA (if Generation Gap Bridge is open) and see it together.... or "by accident" take the AoA bus back from one of the parks LOL

Girl...I am so with you on loosing weight! It is so tough! I cut out pepsi completely 2 years ago and I only have one if we go out for dinner which isn't often, I choose that over dessert! Jasmine is my walking buddy .... most days I love to get out there but it's the days I just don't feel like it that she comes in handy! She can usually tell by my face when I walk thru the door and she says "come on mom, go change! We'll go right now and then it's over with" At this point I usually want to poke her eyes out but I do as I'm told (grudingly mind you) and change and off we go!

I would love to stay at AoA but it doesn't open until May 31 I think and we arrive on the 19th! So which building should I request at Pop, I would prefer to be close to a pool!

I would request 50s. I stayed in the 50s when I was there in 2009 and we opened our door and saw the pool (mind you we were up a couple flights of stairs but that's not a big deal) and it's pretty close to Classic Hall! Just do a google search for the Pop Century resort map and you'll see what I mean. 60s is probably mostly preferred rooms but 50s you should be ok if they can accommodate your request. Good luck!

 

[teekathepony]

Good luck with the weight loss...if you unlock a secret we do not know on how to shed the pounds faster be sure to share

Hope you and Johnny manage to get a LM room at AoA - they looks so cool and like you said it'll be a new experience.

I guarentee if I uncover a secret I'll let the whole world know... in an expensive book! (Discounts to those who subscribe to my PTR!)
I really hope we can too, they're just so cool looking, and I love 3 of 4 of the movies they represent! (Cars... just couldn't get into that one! )

Good luck with the weight lose thing. I know its really hard and it does require a ton of motivation. I know I feel better when I eat better. Yeah for exercise. I definitely am a big fan of that.

Cool about the AoA rooms. I agree - you should keep trying to see if you can get one. What do you have to lose? I really want to stay there. The whole place looks so super cool!

I lack motivation and Johnny does too, so we don't exactly help each other! It's hard to stay motivated when the other just wants to sit down and watch movies. I hope I can be the motivated one of us from now on!
I love your logic -- what have we got to lose indeed!

Fingers crossed that you can get a Little Mermaid room -- I think it would be fun to stay at a new resort, and I would love to hear all about the AoA -- the food court looks like it is going to be a good one.

All I keep thinking of is how cool would that Trip Report be!? I hope we can get in there too! And it's almost identical to Pop Century structurally, so I think I'd even know my way around!

Girl...I am so with you on loosing weight! It is so tough! I cut out pepsi completely 2 years ago and I only have one if we go out for dinner which isn't often, I choose that over dessert! Jasmine is my walking buddy .... most days I love to get out there but it's the days I just don't feel like it that she comes in handy! She can usually tell by my face when I walk thru the door and she says "come on mom, go change! We'll go right now and then it's over with" At this point I usually want to poke her eyes out but I do as I'm told (grudingly mind you) and change and off we go!

I would love to stay at AoA but it doesn't open until May 31 I think and we arrive on the 19th! So which building should I request at Pop, I would prefer to be close to a pool!

I need to borrow Jasmine and her motivation!!

For Pop, I would recommend the 60's if you can get it. I'm sure a lot of it is preferred, but there might be some that's not. It is closest to the largest pool, the Hippy Dippy pool, closest to the main building & food court and bus stops. If you're not facing the pool, there's a good chance that you're facing the lake and have a nice view of AoA!
My personal favourite so far (I've stayed in the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's) is the 70's. It's quiet. There is no pool directly at the 70's, but it's still very close to both the main and quiet 80's pools (30 second walk to Hippy Dippy!) It is quite close to the main building, and much closer to the bus stops than the 50's -- you can just go around the main building and you're there. 50's is nice too, it does have its own pool which is always very quiet, and it's close to the main buildings too. So that's my order of recommendations!

I'm on the fence about this. I want you to get a LM room so we can go over and visit you at AoA and see the grounds, and I also want you to be at POP so we can be close together and then walk over to AoA (if Generation Gap Bridge is open) and see it together.... or "by accident" take the AoA bus back from one of the parks LOL

Seriously, the more I think about it the more I desperately want to get into AoA!! You guys could come visit and we could have a look around... but we just so badly want to be among the first to stay in those rooms and swim in the pool and see the whole complex finished...

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Good luck with being able to switch!!! That'd be fun if you were able to stay at AoA!

 

[Charleston Princess]

All I keep thinking of is how cool would that Trip Report be!? I hope we can get in there too! And it's almost identical to Pop Century structurally, so I think I'd even know my way around!

That's right. For some reason I keep forgetting that it is the one right across the lake.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Tell you what, if I can get into AoA, you can have my Pop room with free dining!





Just a quick update folks, on the AoA front. My travel agent called Disney and the CM only had The Lion King suites available for free dining. My TA mentioned that some people were getting LM rooms with FD and the CM could unfortunately do nothing at this time, she did however say that if we try again it might come available, and that only a small block of rooms might be available now, just to be sure the construction will really be done in time. I'm going to keep checking as long as I can and trying to get into a Little Mermaid room!

With the week I had a work I'm very tempted to take you up on your offer... But seeing that you can't get into AoA right now, you better keep the Pop room... Otherwise you'll be reading my PTR instead of me reading yours!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Good luck with being able to switch!!! That'd be fun if you were able to stay at AoA!

Thank you for the luck! I'm going to try calling again this week and hope for the best!

That's right. For some reason I keep forgetting that it is the one right across the lake.

Yup, see I'm a nervous person who doesn't like new things so if I can see Pop Century from my new room, it might trick me into thinking I haven't left and therefore there's no need for a panic attack!

With the week I had a work I'm very tempted to take you up on your offer... But seeing that you can't get into AoA right now, you better keep the Pop room... Otherwise you'll be reading my PTR instead of me reading yours!!!

Oh my, don't even say that! Johnny would kill me if I gave away his trip!

 

[teekathepony]

Hello and good day to you all! I Hope you all had a happy Easter and/or a great weekend!

Sheeka (my dog who had knee surgery) got her stitches out on Saturday. The vet is very pleased with her, saying that she's coming along great. We have one last check up with him in a week's time and then we get to slowly start increasing her activity.

Today is the day for the ADR story! Here's how it all went down.


Before the deposits were paid and flights were reserved, Johnny and I had several lists on the go with restaurant names, cuisine types and a star rating system. We had a long list, a short list and a wish list. We had them separated into places we’ve tried and places we haven’t. We had them sorted according to park. In the off-chance that we might get to go, I got up early 180 days before September 21st, thinking that date would be a safe bet. I headed to the online Disney reservation system and snagged an 11:50am lunch at Le Cellier! Score! Lunch at Le Cellier! No hotel, flights, or park tickets but gosh darn it, I’m going to Le Cellier!

The weekend before we booked our trip, my cousin, eeyore04 came over for a Disney chat session. She and her family are going to 50’s Prime Time and we agreed that would be a fun one for all 5 of us to do together. (50's is so fun with a crowd!) She wanted to change the date of her 50’s ADR anyway, so when she got home she did that and made it a reservation for 5. On Tuesday, September 18th I was due to be at 50’s. Still no trip at this point, but I had two ADRs!

Last Friday, the day we officially booked the trip, we came home and had a serious look at our restaurant short list. We wanted to finish it then and there.

On our honeymoon trip, November 2010, we made a mistake in picking all the restaurants we wanted, no matter where they were. This resulted in us skipping back to Epcot multiple times and we found we never had a nice full day in one single park. Last year we chose one restaurant from each park and that worked out great. With that basic structure in mind, we listed the parks.

Magic Kingdom: In MK it’s either Crystal Palace or Tony’s Town Square for us. Crystal Palace...

... means early park entry (which I loved last time!) to get pictures with no one in them like this:

...or Tony’s...

... because we’re not really big breakfast people and we were also considering Kona AND Boma for breakfasts. We decided that there were other locations we wanted more than either of these, so we’re not eating in MK this trip!

Epcot: There were so many places we wanted in Epcot, but we narrowed it down to three – Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, and the Biergarten. Le Cellier was already booked, but we wanted one more in Epcot since it’s our favourite park and we tend to spend a lot of time there. Between Biergarten and San Angel, we chose the Biergarten. Despite the fact that we’ve eaten here before and wanted to try new things, the menu at San Angel doesn’t offer much for me and my incredibly picky pallet!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: We had such an amazing time at 50’s Prime Time Café last year that we definitely wanted to go back. As I mentioned, my cousin, eeyore04 and her family wanted to eat there too, so we combined this ADR. Johnny and I aren’t especially fond of DHS on the whole, so we only wanted one meal here. Consider this one done!

Can't wait for another plate of this:

Animal Kingdom:

Choices are limited here and we’ve done Tusker House two or three times already. Johnny is a little nervous about this one, but I’m determined to try Yak & Yeti!


Other locations: Some other restaurants we wanted were not in the parks. These included Boma (AKL), either Kona or ‘Ohana (Poly), Paradiso 37 (DTD, not on the dining plan!) and the ESPN Club (BW). I didn’t want too many of these restaurants as they’re harder to get to with no car, so we had to narrow everything down. We crossed off ESPN as it’s one of the harder ones to get to, and we went just last year. Although the food was excellent, the atmosphere wasn’t my favourite (equestrian and curling are my sports ) so we’ll be back but not this trip. We also knew we would have to choose between ‘Ohana and Kona, and we went with Kona. I’m not too crazy for character meals and I just want to try tonga toast, and see the Poly!

(That's us at Paradiso last year! We loved it!)

Shows: We debated for a long time over Hoop-Dee-Doo vs. the Luau, and eventually fear of the unknown and pineapple foods won out and we settled on HDD.



So what does our final list look like?




Sunday, Sept. 16: No reservations. We arrive at about 1:00 and will have a counter service meal, saving a TS swipe for later.

Monday, Sept. 17: Yak & Yeti @ 5:45. Park closes at 6 so we wanted as late as possible.

Tuesday, Sept. 18: 50’s Prime Time Café @ 4:15. Party of 5! We’re sharing this meal with my cousins and aunt.

Wednesday, Sept. 19: Kona Café @ 9:30am. Want to try Tonga Toast! And can you believe I’ve NEVER seen the Polynesian? We’re paying OOP for this one since it’s quite inexpensive and we’ve got too many meals booked already!
-- Biergarten @ 5:50pm. I love the selection and atmosphere here. It’s early enough that when we get out it should be perfect timing to find a good IllumiNations spot!

Thursday, Sept. 20: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue @ 9:30pm. Two benefits of the late show are (1) two meal swipes gets you category 1 seating at the late show and (2) I hope there will be a little less children!

Friday, Sept. 21: Le Cellier @ 11:50am. We did Le Cellier once before and had a great time. Our server was from Newfoundland which is close to us here in Cape Breton. She knew we were Cape Bretoners by our accent and we had a great time talking about “Down home!” Then she got a co-worker who was from Cape Breton to come meet us. We were shocked that she was a girl who I graduated high school with, and who had worked with Johnny and I at Burger King – our first job and the place where we met! I can’t wait to go back!
-- Paradiso 37 @ 8:15pm. We’re paying OOP for this one. We had a great time here last year, we thought it would be fun to go again.

Saturday, Sept. 22: Boma @ 10:00am. We’ve been to Boma twice before for breakfast and loved it so much. Despite not really being breakfast people, we enjoyed having a late breakfast and filling up enough to skip lunch. Also, the AKL is gorgeous and I love paying a visit. It's hard to get here too early which is why we opted for a late breakfast. By that time buses should be running and we should be able to get to AKL no problem.

So there you have it! I'm extremely pleased with everything. We got all the ADRs we wanted and when we wanted them. We have a few that we've never tried (Kona, Yak & Yeti and HDD show) so we're gradually branching out. I'm a happy Disney planner.

 

[PixieMama]

We've been to Y&Y before... I don't remember what I had (this was on our 2010 trip, so it's been awhile!) but I do remember liking the meal.

Mmmm, fried chicken at 50sPTC... YUM!

I've neven been to Kona (and while I think the Tonga Toast looks good, I'm not sure I'd ever try it... not a fan of bananas), Biergarten (this place looks like fun!), or Le Cellier (I'm still debating on whether to try for an ADR here or not...)

I've been to Boma for both breakfast and dinner... I actually prefer dinner there. But the Jambo Juice (or whatever they call it now) is delicious!

Yay for getting all the ADRs you wanted! I think you picked some good ones!

 

[MEK]

Nice line up of ADRs.

Don't forget to get the fried greenbeans @ Yak & Yeti. Not on the dining plan, but really, really good.

Love Tonga toast - yum! I had a late breakfast there and was full until dinner!

HDD IS fun! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[eeyore04]

I am so pumped for our reservation at 50s. I know that we'll have a great time because I think all 5 of us are up for playing along on this one.

Actually, David told me he's going to "beat them at their own game" so that will be very interesting to see. I'll have to set my iphone up to record some of our meal... I think that would be hilarious!

 

[Nermel9]

Your ADR's look great! I've always wanted to try 50's but I'm too afraid! I don't want to be yelled at! And I need to find time on ONE trip to fit in Yak and Yeti, I always make an ADR for it then cancel it!

And yay for Le Cellier, I love that place!

 

[amazingact21]

ADRs...I love reading where people are planning to eat at while at WDW. Your choices look great!

I really enjoy Kona, so I hope you do, too, and the Polynesian is gorgeous!


HDD sounds like a lot of fun, as does 50's!

 

[teekathepony]

We've been to Y&Y before... I don't remember what I had (this was on our 2010 trip, so it's been awhile!) but I do remember liking the meal.

Mmmm, fried chicken at 50sPTC... YUM!

I've neven been to Kona (and while I think the Tonga Toast looks good, I'm not sure I'd ever try it... not a fan of bananas), Biergarten (this place looks like fun!), or Le Cellier (I'm still debating on whether to try for an ADR here or not...)

I've been to Boma for both breakfast and dinner... I actually prefer dinner there. But the Jambo Juice (or whatever they call it now) is delicious!

Yay for getting all the ADRs you wanted! I think you picked some good ones!

Thanks! I love bananas so I'm pretty excited for the Tonga Toast. I've never had Boma for dinner, we like the breakfast there so much we can't pull ourselves away! Some day we'll have to try it.

Nice line up of ADRs.

Don't forget to get the fried greenbeans @ Yak & Yeti. Not on the dining plan, but really, really good.

Love Tonga toast - yum! I had a late breakfast there and was full until dinner!

HDD IS fun! Hope you enjoy it!

Ooohh I've been drooling over those green beans since seeing them in a few different TRs, I'll definitely have to get those.
I can't wait for HDD! I just got the email from my TA (had to book that one through her) that it's booked

I am so pumped for our reservation at 50s. I know that we'll have a great time because I think all 5 of us are up for playing along on this one.

Actually, David told me he's going to "beat them at their own game" so that will be very interesting to see. I'll have to set my iphone up to record some of our meal... I think that would be hilarious!

LOL Ohh my, David's going to be interesting there!!

Your ADR's look great! I've always wanted to try 50's but I'm too afraid! I don't want to be yelled at! And I need to find time on ONE trip to fit in Yak and Yeti, I always make an ADR for it then cancel it!

And yay for Le Cellier, I love that place!

I was scared to try 50's too, but my DH was worse! He was terrified! I finally convinced him to try it (swearing that the Disney waiters were not going to make him have a bad time) and now he's begging to go back. They only yell at you if they think you want to play along

ADRs...I love reading where people are planning to eat at while at WDW. Your choices look great!

I really enjoy Kona, so I hope you do, too, and the Polynesian is gorgeous!


HDD sounds like a lot of fun, as does 50's!

Yayyyy I hear a lot of good things about Kona, I'm excited to try it (and see the Poly!)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I called Disney today! I love calling Disney. I read on the Art of Animation thread that someone got a Little Mermaid room with Free Dining for Sept. 15 - 23!! Previously people were only getting 15-22, and we needed till the 23. So I jumped out of bed and called Disney the minute they opened. Got through the long automated process easily enough, straight through to an agent and guess what!

... Reservation system was down. hahaha. I'm going to try again in a few hours. I want a Little Mermaid room!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great ADRs! Now my stomach is REALLY growling reading about all of them!

 

[teekathepony]

Great ADRs! Now my stomach is REALLY growling reading about all of them!

I've got my own stomach growling every time I think about them! Not good for a girl on a diet!

 

[teekathepony]

Well it's been a disappointing day and I'm already ready to put it behind me and move on!

8:15am -- (7:15 Disney time) called Disney. Was told the reservation system is down and I'd have to call back.
12:15 -- called Disney. Was told that since I booked through a travel agent the CM was unable to help me at all, and was even unable to tell me if free dining would be available for me.
12:41 -- (after a very healthy lunch of peanut butter on whole grain bread, and apple and some water! Go me!) called my travel agent. She's on vacation. The rep taking her calls told me "Absolutely no free dining at AoA since it's new." I told her that I'd seen people getting it here on the Dis, as well as the first CM I spoke to this morning confirmed that there was some availability with FD. She put me on hold to check with Disney.
She came back and told me that yes, there is FD at AoA! The CM was checking for a room and if one was available would I like her to switch me over? YES!!
She came back again and told me that there was nothing available. The CM told her to tell me to keep trying. I will, but it's disappointing.

Everyone checking in on the 15th is getting in. Johnny and I are kicking ourselves for booking our flights already! We called to ask about switching our flights and were told that it would cost $75 per person, per direction. Nooooo thank you! So we're going to have to wait until more check in dates are available at AoA.

Also I got on the scale today. I had been working so hard and eating so good and then I blew it with a bad weekend. (I mean really, when mother nature sends her gift on Easter weekend, a woman just HAS to eat chocolate!!) I haven't gained, but I haven't lost either. So I got on the treadmill and found myself incredibly sore and short of breath. I've been doing so good with my running that I can't understand what went wrong today! I do have some early flu-ish symptoms and I'm wondering if that's why...

Anyway, putting it all behind me now. I've ranted and it's over. I'm off to rake my lawn and brush my horses and take some pictures and play with the dogs and generally enjoy this gorgeous 15 (59f) degree weather we're having.

 

[eeyore04]

12:41 -- (after a very healthy lunch of peanut butter on whole grain bread, and apple and some water! Go me!) called my travel agent. She's on vacation. The rep taking her calls told me "Absolutely no free dining at AoA since it's new." I told her that I'd seen people getting it here on the Dis, as well as the first CM I spoke to this morning confirmed that there was some availability with FD. She put me on hold to check with Disney.
She came back and told me that yes, there is FD at AoA! The CM was checking for a room and if one was available would I like her to switch me over? YES!!
She came back again and told me that there was nothing available. The CM told her to tell me to keep trying. I will, but it's disappointing.

knowing you, you will be calling MT to get them to call Disney as often as humanly possible. Just don't give up. I hope you get to AoA... but I hope you stay at Pop too! I'm torn!

 

[PixieMama]

If you really want AoA, I hope you get it!

And it can be frustrating to not see a loss when you've been working hard... but at least the scale isn't going in the wrong direction, right?

Hope you were able to enjoy the rest of your day!