We Couldn't Stay Away...A January/February 2012 PTR--TR LINK UP 2/8

[Nermel9]

Those snow globes are so cute! I've been trying to start a Disney snow globe collection for a while, but so far I only have 2!

Your AK restaurant choices look great! I like Pizzafari, it's really good! I also liked Flame Tree, I didn't see any of those birds around that everyone always talks about!

I really need to go to the Dawa Bar sometime...I wanted to go on our last trip, but Brandon didn't feel like getting a drink and I felt stupid drinking alone so we skipped it! It looks like such a fun little place!

 

[ronnmel]

I love the snowglobes!

Yay! for your disneymoon being officially booked.

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet...

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow dear, lots of shout-outs to me! We had a good trip, didn't we?

Daddy Long-Legs! I still think it's hilarious Little Guy called them that. And I think it's hilarious you remember!

Oooh! Yak & Yeti and the Dawa Bar! We had some good times at both of those that night.

 

[xoktenox]

Those snow globes are so cute! I've been trying to start a Disney snow globe collection for a while, but so far I only have 2!

Your AK restaurant choices look great! I like Pizzafari, it's really good! I also liked Flame Tree, I didn't see any of those birds around that everyone always talks about!

I really need to go to the Dawa Bar sometime...I wanted to go on our last trip, but Brandon didn't feel like getting a drink and I felt stupid drinking alone so we skipped it! It looks like such a fun little place!

well they're an expensive collection to start! My mom usually only gets them at Christmas time lol No birds at Flame Tree? Maybe I'll scope out the area before we nix it then!

You shouldn't have felt silly drinking alone! I always get a Lost on Safari from there and Chris usually doesn't get anything!

I love the snowglobes!

Yay! for your disneymoon being officially booked.

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet...

Thanks! I'm so excited that our Disneymoon is booked!

Oh jeez girl Blame it on being tired from being pregnant

Wow dear, lots of shout-outs to me! We had a good trip, didn't we?

Daddy Long-Legs! I still think it's hilarious Little Guy called them that. And I think it's hilarious you remember!

Oooh! Yak & Yeti and the Dawa Bar! We had some good times at both of those that night.

That's because you're my bestie <3 Our trip was awesome. I will always call them Daddy Long Legs birds from now on!

Loved Y&Y and the Dawa Bar with you guys

 

[Merida]

Congrats on booking your trip!

I like the Tinkerbell snow globe! I've always wanted to start a collection but then I get obsessive and need ALL of them, which isn't really possible on a grad student budget, so I'm still in the market for a collection (besides books or TV on DVD. But those totally doesn't count as a collections). It'll probably end up being blankets or something like that. I loooove throw blankets.

All your Animal Kingdom choices look good! I don't think there's a real stand-out in the park (unlike, say, Starring Rolls at DHS for lack of other choices and the cupcakes). And none of the food is very exciting? All the theming in the restaurants are pretty, at least.

I didn't know about the Dawa Bar! We'll have to look in there, maybe for a rest, on our AK day. It sounds very relaxing.

 

[iixheartxyouxox]

After reading your post i really want some disney pizza lol which is weird because i dont even find it that good i think i just wish i were there so now im craving it haha..& i love those snowglobes..i've been trying really hard to not start collecting those lol

 

[MeMom]

My student teacher is so ready to be out of school. He is hanging in there, but little kids are not really what he wants to teach, and he's not really in his comfort zone with second-graders.

Exciting news on booking your trip!

Animal Kingdom - certainly not least. You know how much we love seeing the animals. Have you ever tried Restaurantosaurus? (Maybe I missed it, if you said.) They have drink stations, so you can refill drinks as you please, and they have a nice toppings bar.

I fear your your snowglobes like you and Dawn fear the birds. Every time I think about buying you both a beautiful bird ornament for your tree, I think about how I would like it if you sent me a snowglobe.

Christmas shopping for the grown-ups in my family has become extremely easy. A few years ago, upon agreement that nobody really wanted or needed anything, I told them I would pay for the big table service meals we do on our trips as their gifts. They were all quite happy with having a nice meal to look forward to w/o having to pay for it, so we've just stuck with it. Since Drew doesn't go with us hardly ever, I give him some money and restaurant gift cards. Since my boys don't have a spouse family that they get gifts from, I still also get them a sack of stocking stuffer things like socks, body wash, treats, etc. just so they will have a little something. I bought the girls some clothes, I'm giving them a pack of paper and some art supplies to keep here, and I'll let them each pick out something small while we are in Disney World. That is the extent of my shopping, other than what I get for others - goodie baskets at church and school - so my shopping is thankfully very easy.

As for spending the holidays in Disney World, we are looking very forward to being there Christmas Day. I want to try to get around to the few resorts at which I have not had a chance to get Christmas pictures.

Have a good rest of the week!

 

[xoktenox]

Congrats on booking your trip!

I like the Tinkerbell snow globe! I've always wanted to start a collection but then I get obsessive and need ALL of them, which isn't really possible on a grad student budget, so I'm still in the market for a collection (besides books or TV on DVD. But those totally doesn't count as a collections). It'll probably end up being blankets or something like that. I loooove throw blankets.

All your Animal Kingdom choices look good! I don't think there's a real stand-out in the park (unlike, say, Starring Rolls at DHS for lack of other choices and the cupcakes). And none of the food is very exciting? All the theming in the restaurants are pretty, at least.

I didn't know about the Dawa Bar! We'll have to look in there, maybe for a rest, on our AK day. It sounds very relaxing.

Thank you! I love all the snowglobes! My mom has so many now but it's been years of collecting. Believe me, I couldn't afford them on my grad student budget either Blankets sound like a nice collection. Chris and I collect vinylmation which aren't exactly cheap but we are obsessed!

You're right about the CS places in AK. There are a few okay places but nothing stand out. I'm just fine with pizza and a salad though so it's fine by me. I do love the themeing at Pizzafari!

Oh you need to try the Dawa Bar!! If you like mixed drinks, the Lost on Safari is my definite recommendation. It's not super strong but it's super tasty!

After reading your post i really want some disney pizza lol which is weird because i dont even find it that good i think i just wish i were there so now im craving it haha..& i love those snowglobes..i've been trying really hard to not start collecting those lol

The pizza isn't anything special but for some reason I find it really delicious...probably just because it's in WDW! lol The snowglobes are all so pretty but just expensive!

My student teacher is so ready to be out of school. He is hanging in there, but little kids are not really what he wants to teach, and he's not really in his comfort zone with second-graders.

Exciting news on booking your trip!

Animal Kingdom - certainly not least. You know how much we love seeing the animals. Have you ever tried Restaurantosaurus? (Maybe I missed it, if you said.) They have drink stations, so you can refill drinks as you please, and they have a nice toppings bar.

I fear your your snowglobes like you and Dawn fear the birds. Every time I think about buying you both a beautiful bird ornament for your tree, I think about how I would like it if you sent me a snowglobe.

Christmas shopping for the grown-ups in my family has become extremely easy. A few years ago, upon agreement that nobody really wanted or needed anything, I told them I would pay for the big table service meals we do on our trips as their gifts. They were all quite happy with having a nice meal to look forward to w/o having to pay for it, so we've just stuck with it. Since Drew doesn't go with us hardly ever, I give him some money and restaurant gift cards. Since my boys don't have a spouse family that they get gifts from, I still also get them a sack of stocking stuffer things like socks, body wash, treats, etc. just so they will have a little something. I bought the girls some clothes, I'm giving them a pack of paper and some art supplies to keep here, and I'll let them each pick out something small while we are in Disney World. That is the extent of my shopping, other than what I get for others - goodie baskets at church and school - so my shopping is thankfully very easy.

As for spending the holidays in Disney World, we are looking very forward to being there Christmas Day. I want to try to get around to the few resorts at which I have not had a chance to get Christmas pictures.

Have a good rest of the week!

I am definitely ready to be done with school, too. What grade is your student teacher interested in teaching? I love having the 11th graders but I will be certified 5th-12th grade so I will take whatever comes my way, even though I prefer the older kids.

I know how you feel about the snowglobes, tinkgurl too! Comparing it to mine and Dawn's bird phobia makes me understand it so don't worry, no more snowglobe pictures will be posted

It sounds like your Christmas shopping is pretty easy! My parents had it easy for me this year since they're paying for most of our Disney trip. However, my brother they always struggle with because he's the pickiest 22 year old guy out there! Luckily with Chris' siblings this year we did a grab bag so we only have to buy for 1 out of 3 of them. Drew should start joining on those WDW trips...he is missing out on those delicious TS meals! Although I'm sure he enjoys his money and restaurant gift cards to use with his friends. Chris' niece is at the arts and crafts stage now too. I'm sure the girls will love their paper and coloring supplies

I'm already plotting a trip to WDW after our honeymoon next year...we'll already have our APs, we have airline points to use and it will give us an opportunity to head over to the West Coast for a few days and check out some places since we'll be moving only 4 months later. I look forward to one day spending time with my whole family in WDW through the holidays. I know you all cherish it and deserve it.

Enjoy your week too, MeMom. Are you all getting snow down there today and tomorrow? From the looks of it, we'll be spaired out here on the Island where I live and just get rain!

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

I am following along! I lurked on your previous trip report from 2010. Your plans look great!

 

[xoktenox]

I am following along! I lurked on your previous trip report from 2010. Your plans look great!

So glad you're here and thanks for saying hi!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[xoktenox]

joining in

Glad you're here! Thanks for saying hi!

 

[monkey30]

stumbled by and recognized the name!!

I am joining in! You have some great places to eat and some yummy looking things I have yet to try!
May have to meet up with you for some Tequila!

Enjoy the trip and you never know if we run into each other!

 

[ronnmel]

Joyeux Noel to the both of you!!

 

[xoktenox]

stumbled by and recognized the name!!

I am joining in! You have some great places to eat and some yummy looking things I have yet to try!
May have to meet up with you for some Tequila!

Enjoy the trip and you never know if we run into each other!

Hey!! Glad you found my PTR! I definitely am up to meet for some tequila

Joyeux Noel to the both of you!!

Thanks Mel, hope you had a lovely Christmas! Just think, next year you'll have a little one around

 

[xoktenox]

Well everyone, Christmas is over...the build up is so great and then in a flash, it’s over. This week leading up to the holiday was crazy but now I’m off today and tomorrow so I have a chance to update! I suck, so I don’t have any pictures from Christmas day but I have pictures from a quick trip to NYC we took last weekend with a bunch of friends to be touristy and check out the tree in Rockefeller Center! We've seen the tree plenty of times but it never gets old. We hopped on the train, and a short time later, we were in NYC. It's actually quicker to drive into the city from where we live than it is to take the train but there was NOOO way we were dealing with the traffic on the weekend before Christmas! Sam and Joe, Chris and I and 2 other couples we're friends with spent some time in SoHo, Times Square and Rockefeller Center. RC was JAMMEDDDD with people when we got there...I was rethinking the whole "it's worth it" thing when I was squished in the mob of people! Here's some pictures from the trip!

Sam and I

We had a great time and I <3 NY! If you remember, my last day of school and student teaching was a few weeks ago, so I now have a Master's degree and my teaching certification! Sam just finished too with her Bachelor's degree! So we celebrated Now that Christmas is over, the trip is the main thing on my mind!! It’s right around the corner, 36 days to be exact! AHHH! Since we're getting close, I'll start on some of our day to day rough plans!

Tuesday, January 31—

*Plane leaves Long Island at 7:00 am, lands in Orlando before 10:00
*Grab DME to Pop and check-in
*Head straight to Animal Kingdom, hopefully by 11:30
*Spend day in AK with lunch at Pizzafari or Yak and Yeti
*AK closes at 5:00, head back to Pop to shower and get ready for dinner
*Dinner at Il Mulino New York Trattoria at 7:45 all together
*If we’re not too tired, head to DTD after dinner
*If we’re too tired, head back to Pop to go to sleep!

Wednesday, February 1—

*DHS day!
*Be to DHS by rope drop
*Spend the day at DHS, with breakfast at Starring Rolls
*Sam and Joe have lunch at 50’s Prime Time Café
*Chris and I will eat lunch at Pizza Planet
*Take a midday break if needed
*Stay at DHS until closing at 7:00
*Watch Wishes from Poly beach at 8:00
*Dinner at ‘Ohana at 8:20 all together (Chris doesn’t know about this! He knows I made Sam and Joe a ressie there and kept begging me for us to eat there too. I kept telling him no, we had to keep this trip really cheap. So he should be happy and surprised!)
*Either back to Pop to sleep or tour monorail resorts after dinner

Thursday, February 2—

*Epcot day!
*Eat breakfast in the room, get to Epcot around 10:30
*Hit what we can in Epcot, lunch at Sunshine Seasons*Take midday break if needed
*Joe and Sam have dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel
*Chris and I will head to the Beach Club and have dinner at Beaches and Cream*Watch Illuminations and stay at Epcot until closing
*If we’re not too tired, go check out the Epcot resorts/Boardwalk area

Friday, February 3—

*Finally, Magic Kingdom day!
*Eat quick breakfast in the room, make it to MK for rope drop
*Spend day in MK, take midday break if needed
*Eat lunch at Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Rays
*Stay in MK until closing, make sure to see Wishes!
*Joe and Sam have dinner at Kona Café
*Chris and I will eat dinner at either Casey’s or CHH or Cosmic Rays
*Chris and I will head to Epcot for PM EMH…Joe and Sam won’t have park hoppers

Saturday, February 4—

*Last day, boooooo
*Get to MK for breakfast at the Main Street Bakery*Spend a few hours here before catching DME
*Our plane leaves at 3:40 so DME should be at Pop by 12:45


Since we’re going with first timers, I decided I want to use a touring plan. When Chris and I go, we just go with the flow and do what we want. We’re in no rush to get everything done because 1) we usually go on longer trips and 2) we’ve been plenty of times and know we’ll be back. This time, we have basically just 1 day in each park and I don’t want Joe and Sam to miss anything. I’ve made customized touring plans on touringplans.com. What does everyone think of this?

Again, I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. Thanks for reading!​

 

[ronnmel]

Your plans sound great! Love the watching Wishes from the Poly beach and then surprising Chris with dinner at Kona.

I've used Touring Plans for my first trip, and partly for this trip, and it went GREAT! Especially in the morning, you can hit SO MUCH! Usually you are done with the majority of the plan by early afternoon, leaving you time to either take a break, watch some shows, and redo your favorite attractions.

 

[xoktenox]

Guess what I got today?!? MICKEY MAILLLLL!!!! That means that we're super close!!! Yayyyyy!
​

Your plans sound great! Love the watching Wishes from the Poly beach and then surprising Chris with dinner at Kona.

I've used Touring Plans for my first trip, and partly for this trip, and it went GREAT! Especially in the morning, you can hit SO MUCH! Usually you are done with the majority of the plan by early afternoon, leaving you time to either take a break, watch some shows, and redo your favorite attractions.

Thanks! Chris is definitely going to be really happy to have dinner at 'Ohana. That's probably our favorite restaurant in WDW thus far!

I'm glad to hear you liked using Touring Plans! Being that the crowds should be really low, I'm hoping we'll be able to do like you said...finish most of the plan before a midday break. I don't want to wear Sam and Joe out on their first trip!

 

[monkey30]

Guess what I got today?!? MICKEY MAILLLLL!!!! That means that we're super close!!! Yayyyyy!
​

YAY for you, we are still waiting. But usually takes awhile to get here.

We will watch out for you along our way, going to make Epcot on Thursday and friday, we leave sat as well but not till 630pm.

We are going to do some touring plans as well, never done them before, it was always a crap shoot with the kids, who was crabby that kind of thing.

Oh and on the tequila note, I got to try some amazing stuff last night at my sisters place 25yr old organic tequila. It was so smooth you could sip it! Yummm!!

 

[xoktenox]

YAY for you, we are still waiting. But usually takes awhile to get here.

We will watch out for you along our way, going to make Epcot on Thursday and friday, we leave sat as well but not till 630pm.

We are going to do some touring plans as well, never done them before, it was always a crap shoot with the kids, who was crabby that kind of thing.

Oh and on the tequila note, I got to try some amazing stuff last night at my sisters place 25yr old organic tequila. It was so smooth you could sip it! Yummm!!

I hope you get your Mickey Mail soon! Maybe we'll run in to each other in Epcot, perfect meeting place for tequila lovers

From what I hear, the touring plans are really a time saver. I'll feel better having it and knowing we won't miss anything! You will definitely enjoy your kid-free touring

Oh wow, that sounds so delicious...may have to try and find that before New Years Eve!