Wait - We're staying Where? and When????

[DMGeurts]

Oh Tess... Gwen sounds like just a wonderful lady. And I loved seeing all those photos again, it wasn't that long ago that you were out there (less than a year?) and I remember that TR so well. Thank you again for sharing with us.

I am also thankful that Gwen didn't linger, but when I heard the news yesterday morning, I thought it was all so sudden too. I cannot imagine the shock and sadness in your family right now, and I pray for peace for all of you.

Please know that you have been in my constant thoughts, and if there is anything at all I can do for you, or that you need, please know that I am here. (((Hugs)))

D~

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

All my love and support to your family. May they find comfort and healing.

 

[Iamthequeen]

Thank you both so much. Your support means a lot to me.

We got Mickey Mail yesterday! A very nice little booklet telling us all about the Magic + and giving us some information about the parks and our resort. Also included a magnet with target dates - for making adrs, fastpass+, and on-line check in.

Of course, we got 2 of them - one for CBR and one for BWV - for the exact same dates. I did cancel our ressie for CBR about 2 weeks ago, so I guess the mailing was already in the works.

I'm going to have to start thinking about ADRs - I only have a little over 2 months before I need to call. Time is running short -

I hope everyone has a magical day! Keep us in your prayers. The next week is going to be rough.

 

[DMGeurts]

I've been thinking of you Tess, I hope that all is going well. My continued thoughts and prayers for you...

And I am glad you got some Mickey Mail... I hope it brightened your day a little bit.

D~

 

[Iamthequeen]

Things are certainly moving slowly in Hawaii. As Jim says, they live "aloha" there, which pretty much means they do things in their own time. The report we got on Saturday said they couldn't get a flight out until 1/6, but then we heard from Jim who said it would be the 9th or 10th.

Patti (my sister) and I met with the funeral home here in town on Friday. At that point we were looking at today and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday for a viewing and service. Boy were we optimistic.

So the latest news is that one of Jim's neighbors works for United Airlines and it appears that she was able to get an earlier flight, sometime this week. Mike (my nephew) told us that they just needed to coordinate with the funeral home. That is the last we have heard, but I expect to hear more today. With the 5 hour time difference, it makes it a bit harder.

Shannon and I are going shopping today - she needs new running shoes and then I plan to relax for another day before I have to go to work tomorrow. Right now I'm planning to be off on Thursday and Friday, but that may change depending on when Gwen arrives.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

 

[DMGeurts]

Thank you for the update Tess... YOu've been in my prayers, I sure hope everything goes well, Gwen arrives safely and this go smoothly. (((Hugs)))

Despite the sadness you've experienced this holiday season, I hope you have a Happy New YEar.

D~

 

[KatMark]

Tess, thank you for checking in. I have been keeping you all in my prayers.

Here's hoping that 2014 will be a better year for all. (((hugs)))

​

 

[Iamthequeen]

Thought I'd start planning for some ADRs for our trip in Sept. We will be there for 9 nights and are not planning on getting the dining plan this year, though that could change.

Some "must do" restaurants that Charlie wants to do again are:

Tusker House - breakfast - AK
BOG - dinner - MK
Cape May Café - dinner - Epcot

My "must dos" include

Tony's Town Square - dinner - MK
BOG - dinner

Ok, so that leaves other "like to do" restaurants -

Crystal Palace - breakfast? MK - new
Raglan Road - dinner DTD - new
Rose & Crown - dinner - Epcot
Garden Grill - dinner - Epcot - new
Plaza - lunch or dinner - MK
LTT - lunch or dinner - MK
Chefs de France - dinner - Epcot - new

We haven't done any restaurant in Mexico, but I'm not sure that is high on Charlie's list

We also don't have a favorite in HS - although I did like Mama Melrose. C does not want to eat at 50s Prime Time - we did that last trip.

Anyone else have any favorites? I was thinking of adding Ohana, maybe or 1900 Park Fare

 

[KatMark]

Thought I'd start planning for some ADRs for our trip in Sept. We will be there for 9 nights and are not planning on getting the dining plan this year, though that could change.

Some "must do" restaurants that Charlie wants to do again are:

Tusker House - breakfast - AK LOVE
BOG - dinner - MK Like a lot
Cape May Café - dinner - EpcotI can take or leave it

My "must dos" include

Tony's Town Square - dinner - MK did not like lunch in June except for my appetizer; could be what I ordered
BOG - dinner Like a lot

Ok, so that leaves other "like to do" restaurants -

Crystal Palace - breakfast? MK - new This is a must do for us every trip
Raglan Road - dinner DTD - new We like this a lot; Andy (our oldest son) ate there last week and loved it
Rose & Crown - dinner - Epcot we had a great meal here in August and we will be back in September
Garden Grill - dinner - Epcot - new Wasn't a fan; Mark got sick and thought it was from the chicken
Plaza - lunch or dinner - MK A must do for us (always our last meal of the trip
LTT - lunch or dinner - MK have never done dinner as I'mm not a "Thanksgiving meal" person; but we loved our lunch in August
Chefs de France - dinner - Epcot - new we've only done lunch and we love it


We haven't done any restaurant in Mexico, but I'm not sure that is high on Charlie's list

We also don't have a favorite in HS - although I did like Mama Melrose. C does not want to eat at 50s Prime Time - we did that last trip.

Anyone else have any favorites? I was thinking of adding Ohana, maybe or 1900 Park Fare

Comments in red above. We've done 50's Prime Time and Sci Fi the last three meals at the Studios. We won't be back at 50's--awful food; Sci Fi is good for burgers and onion rings but we are getting tired of it so we are going back to Mama Melrose. How about taking a break on your Studios day and going to Beaches & Cream? They are now taking reservations.

 

[DMGeurts]

Thought I'd start planning for some ADRs for our trip in Sept. We will be there for 9 nights and are not planning on getting the dining plan this year, though that could change.

Some "must do" restaurants that Charlie wants to do again are:

Tusker House - breakfast - AK For sure!!! A Must-do of ours!
BOG - dinner - MK - we did enjoy dinner here, and we would do it again.
Cape May Café - dinner - Epcot - we did do Cape May one year, it was good - definately need to be good at "crab cracking" though.

My "must dos" include

Tony's Town Square - dinner - MK We've never eaten here.
BOG - dinner - Yup...

Ok, so that leaves other "like to do" restaurants -

Crystal Palace - breakfast? MK - new Must do for us - before the park opens, the earlier the better, so you can get out before they let everyone else in.
Raglan Road - dinner DTD - new Never eaten here.
Rose & Crown - dinner - Epcot - or here
Garden Grill - dinner - Epcot - new - we do like GG, and the girls did show interest in eating here because we missed it on our last trip, but BFF wants Akershus...
Plaza - lunch or dinner - MK - never eaten here, but I've seen great reviews on it, and it's on my "do someday" list.
LTT - lunch or dinner - MK - Yup, this is our Must-do... Unfortunately, we are not doing it this trip, because it's been kicked to the curb by BFF. Sigh. We may have to do it twice on the next trip to make up for it. LOL
Chefs de France - dinner - Epcot - new Never eaten here either.

We haven't done any restaurant in Mexico, but I'm not sure that is high on Charlie's list

We also don't have a favorite in HS - although I did like Mama Melrose. C does not want to eat at 50s Prime Time - we did that last trip. Scifi was OK - but we definately like 50s better.

Anyone else have any favorites? I was thinking of adding Ohana, maybe or 1900 Park Fare

We like Ohana breakfast, but their servers are less than stellar. We've never had a good one there. So, don't go in with great expectations, but the food is great.

We liked 1900 last time too... we are doing it again for this trip, but I am not sure how often we'll do it after that. It depends on how it goes... It was kind of "meh" last time... NOt fantastic, but not bad.

Also wanted to let you know that you and your family continue to be in my thougths and prayers.

D~

 

[LB1122]

Be Our Guest dinner - LOVED it!!! The Gray stuff really is delicious

loved Tusker House as well for breakfast

 

[Chicago Mo]

remember me???

i hope we somehow over lap in our ADR's too!!!

As you know you and your family were always in my prayer over the holidays.
i didn't miss a beat on facebook.. and well. since the blizzard outside i might be snowed in today. unless i am called into work you will hear me scream all over the continental US...


i love your ADR'S!!! we Do tusker for breakfast too!!!!

are you going to do the party?!?!

 

[Iamthequeen]

I've been neglecting this ptr but this has been a challenging 2 weeks for us.

My youngest dd went back to NY on Tuesday, but I'm not sure how long she will be staying there. I think she is seriously considering moving to Chicago.

Well, that will just give me more reason to visit....

I'm waiting for my son to come home. He was in Florida this week for work and since he left from here on Monday, he has to come back here to get his car. I'm hoping he will stay until Sunday before he heads back to Pittsburgh.

The family got together for some steamed crabs this evening. It was nice to have all my siblings in the same place for a fun outing. Jim heads back to Hawaii on Monday. His sister-in-law and her husband have been staying at the house in Na'alehu with the dogs while Jim was here.

On a trip related note, I asked Charlie for suggestions for dining. He is going to do some "research" to see if there are any "new" restaurants he wants to try. He wants to check out some in DTD - we haven't been there in years.

I think we are going to get annual passes for the trip in March, but we haven't done that yet. I'm not too concerned about fastpasses for this trip, but I do know that we will want to do Soarin' once or twice, and it would be nice to have the fps for that ride.

We will be going to the MNSSHP during our Sept trip, so I need to think about costumes. I would love to make one of the dresses from Frozen for me. I wonder if I could get Charlie dressed up as the snowman?????? Nah, probably will be too hot and he'd melt.

We are going to see Frozen tomorrow night!

 

[DMGeurts]

Hi Tess~!

I am glad your week went well, despite the circumstances.

I think it would be awesome if your dd moved to Chicago... I forsee a Dismeet or 3 in your future!

I think it's great that Charlie is helping with some of the research.

And Yay for APs... Some day I hope to be able to go enough to justify them.

Are you planning to do MNSSHP on the same night as Mo? Or do your trips not overlap that much?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! You and your family have been on my mind all week.

D~

 

[LB1122]

Glad you are making it through the hard times right now.

Chicago Dis fans are pretty awesome if I do say so...but is she sure she wants to move to Chicago...she is saying that in the middle of this crazy winter cold??? Must really want to move out of NY

Glad planning is moving along well. I think any husband would look wonderful in a snowman costume... Hope you enjoyed the movie.

 

[Iamthequeen]

Hi Tess~!

I am glad your week went well, despite the circumstances.

I think it would be awesome if your dd moved to Chicago... I forsee a Dismeet or 3 in your future!

I think it's great that Charlie is helping with some of the research.

And Yay for APs... Some day I hope to be able to go enough to justify them.

Are you planning to do MNSSHP on the same night as Mo? Or do your trips not overlap that much?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! You and your family have been on my mind all week.

D~

And you've been on my mind this week.

I think that I will be at Disney the entire time Mo and her group are there. Since our schedule is flexible, I can plan to be at the party the same time as MO.

Glad you are making it through the hard times right now.

Chicago Dis fans are pretty awesome if I do say so...but is she sure she wants to move to Chicago...she is saying that in the middle of this crazy winter cold??? Must really want to move out of NY

Glad planning is moving along well. I think any husband would look wonderful in a snowman costume... Hope you enjoyed the movie.

Thanks! It's going to be hard for Jim when he goes back to Hawaii, and he knows that. He has a lot of "stuff" to do once he gets back. He is planning to get the house ready to sell. He wants to move back here to be close to family.

Charlie has been teasing Shannon about how cold it is in Chicago, so she is very aware of what is in store if she does move.

 

[javamom]

So sorry for your loss. Lost my mom to lung and breast cancers, that had migrated to her spine and brain.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hello my dear friend.

How is everyone? You have stayed in my prayers and know I think about you always.

I love the idea of her coming to Chicago and hope she knows if she ever needs anything I will help!!! That also means you will be coming to Chicago more often!!!


Yes we will be together in Disney too!!! I'm so excited about this!!!!! We will have to figure out our days so I can bump into you a lot!!! Lol!!!
Don't forget I warned you about getting squished by me!!! Charlie too. May as well warn him. Ha ha

The party will be a blast!! I have NO idea what we will do as far as dressing. Must be simple and easy for me to put together!!! Lol.

Tom surprised me yesterday we were both on out laptops. I of course was planning and researching.. he I thought was doing something else until he said where do I go to see menus!!! How cow!!!!

So far he will not let go of:
Ohana
Tusker house
Bog although he says looks fancy and I reassured him we can go in shorts and tee.

He is looking at raglan road for downtown Disney still looking at epcot stuff!!!

Just excited he is getting into this!!!

 

[Iamthequeen]

So sorry for your loss. Lost my mom to lung and breast cancers, that had migrated to her spine and brain.

Hello and welcome. I'm so sorry you lost your mom. I lost my mom many years ago to cancer also. Its never the same without your mom around.

Hello my dear friend.

How is everyone? You have stayed in my prayers and know I think about you always.

I love the idea of her coming to Chicago and hope she knows if she ever needs anything I will help!!! That also means you will be coming to Chicago more often!!!


Yes we will be together in Disney too!!! I'm so excited about this!!!!! We will have to figure out our days so I can bump into you a lot!!! Lol!!!
Don't forget I warned you about getting squished by me!!! Charlie too. May as well warn him. Ha ha

The party will be a blast!! I have NO idea what we will do as far as dressing. Must be simple and easy for me to put together!!! Lol.

Tom surprised me yesterday we were both on out laptops. I of course was planning and researching.. he I thought was doing something else until he said where do I go to see menus!!! How cow!!!!

So far he will not let go of:
Ohana
Tusker house
Bog although he says looks fancy and I reassured him we can go in shorts and tee.

He is looking at raglan road for downtown Disney still looking at epcot stuff!!!

Just excited he is getting into this!!!

Thanks Mo, we are doing well here. My brother went back to Hawaii yesterday and I plan to call him later today.

I think Shannon is seriously considering moving to the Windy City. She is pretty much done with NYC.

Easy costumes are best - remember that it will be hot, so something light and airy is good too.

Charlie surprised me last year when he was so into checking out youtube videos on the parks, rides and restaurants. He also checked out different resorts. He's been checking out new restaurants for our trip this year too.

Reassure Tom that BOG is not a fancy restaurant. Just looks that way. That is also on our must do list.

I think we are going to check out Ragland Road - my son and his fiance went there a couple of years ago and told us that they really liked it alot.

*********************
Okay, so on with more planning - well sort of....

I have not been feeling great lately and I know its because I haven't been very active. So that means that I need to get up and get moving. Which is easier said than done...

Our treadmill is not working properly so it is a challenge to walk on it, but I've been pushing through. Just need to do it every day, or every other day. I am also taking some inspiration from D~ and bought a weight training dvd for beginners. I've actually even started it! I've never lifted weights before and was not sure what size weights to start with, but we had some 2 lb weights, so I started with those, but on the 2nd try (today), I moved up to 4 lb weights. We'll see how I feel tomorrow . I figure if I alternate days between weight training and walking, I should be in better shape by our trip in March.

We will be getting a new treadmill soon - the one we have is over 20 years old. Also, my son left some weights behind when he moved out, so I need to see what they are and if I'll be able to use them. If not, I will be buying some barbells that I can use. Just want to make sure I'm following through with this first.
Next up is to work on meal planning.....

 

[disneychic2]

Oh Tess, I am the worst Dis friend ever! I lost the subscription to your ptr long ago and with all that's been going on with me and my sporadic internet time, I forgot to check or notice that you have a new ptr!! So, I'm here, finally. I read your tr from September and loved the shirts and bags and costumes. You have quite a talent!

Of course I can't remember all I wanted to respond to, but I did enjoy getting caught up. My youngest DD lived in Maryland for a few years. As a thank you for everyone who helped her and her roommate move into their place, they did the blue crab thing with the newspapers and mallets etc. It was a hoot! They got such of kick out of me getting grossed out when I ventured where I shouldn't have with the crab.

I liked the line up of ADRs you've got so far. For Hollywood Studios we like 50s Prime Time really well, but we tend to leave the park for a resort restaurant since nothing in HS really stands out. Also, if you are looking for a wonderful place that is fairly quiet and the food is really good, try the Grand Floridian Cafe. We've eaten there twice and both times had excellent service and food.

Congratulations on the DVC purchase!!! That will give you a lot of flexibility for future visits. As far as going to Home and Garden, we went in April of 2012 with our 5 year old Granddaughter and had a blast. The butterfly house was a favorite of hers, but the topiaries and flowers are what caught my eye. Stunning color bursting everywhere! You'll get lots of great photos I'm sure.

We've eaten at Raglan Road a couple of times and it is fantastic. The atmosphere as well as the food. We enjoyed Garden Grill, but the characters came around so often we had a hard time getting our meal eaten. It was fun, though, when Dale and Pluto were fighting over me.

You have been so faithful to keep Jennifer in your prayers and I really appreciate that. I have been praying for you and your family daily as well. I hope 2014 shapes up to be a wonderful year for you and your family! Now that I've found your report, I'll be back! Have a great day!

Oh, almost forgot! Dan surprised me last year and a trip that was supposed to be cancelled wasn't and we ended up going!! No time to plan DIS meets, but now I see we were at MK on the same day and I think HS too. Wish I'd known!