Welcome, Foolish Mortals...to an October 2011 PTR! *Trip Report link is up, pg 71!!*

[amazingact21]

Day 4 plans look great!
I vote for keeping the CP ADR, but I say that only because I've never ate there before and it's #1 on my "must-do one day" list.
EMH at DHS are so much fun! And I can only imagine how creepy/cool riding ToT is late at night.

 

[Stefy]

Your Day 4 plans sound great. CDF is a great place for lunch, I recommend the Croque Monsieur

Loving your new purchases, esp your reward treat, v cute bag

 

[therussells08]

Okay I am back and FINALLY all caught up! I though I would have a ton of time for the DIS this summer but it's been the exact opposite! I am so far behind on everyone's TRs and PTRs!

I am loving the plans, everything looks great! YAY for the weight loss! Congratulations! You definitely deserved the Vera Bradley hipster (which is lovely, by the way). I love your new shirts, too! I saw the Disney Store one recently and really liked it. It's perfect for your trip!

 

[DisneyMom14]

I'm two weeks behind but I'm catching up!

GREAT job on the weight loss!!! Keep your chin up girl. You are my hero! I've been trying to lose weight all summer and I've been up and down. My stomach has not been good and it stops me from exercising regularly. It also makes me eat carbs... ugh!

Anyway, awesome shirts, bag, and plans!!! WDW will be here before we know it!

 

[PirateKate]

I love your new bag! It should be perfect for the parks. I'd love to carry one of those instead of a giant diaper bag.

Day 4 sounds really fun. Is Day 4 October 2nd? I think we're spending that day at AK. I'd vote to keep CP, simply because you have the Cape May meal that night. A LTT lunch wouldn't leave as much time to work up a Cape May appetite.

 

[Nermel9]

Great day 4 plans! I vote on keeping the CP ADR, but then again you know I'm a little partial to Pooh! I think at least one character meal is fun, but still isn't overdoing it. Every single time I go over to the Beach Club I tell Miguel how I'm dying to stay there! It is so pretty over there! And we love Cape May for dinner!

Thanks! After your reading your TR, I'm leaning towards keeping CP! I just hope Eeyore doesn't snub us again!

I love the Beach Club! I'm a little tiny bit sad that we're not staying there, but I love my WL, so I'm happy! It's just SO nice being walking distance from Epcot!

Love your day four plans!

Thanks!

Great day four plans!

You're going to love Star Tours. I thought it was just great.

Thanks! I can't wait for the new Star Tours! I feel like I haven't seen Star Tours in years!

Good plans for day #4!
I think you should keep your one character meal. If you change it now, you might rethink it all and change it back anyways! LOL

Thanks! I think I will keep CP! I really love the Pooh characters, and I don't need to do LTT twice in one trip! I do love the lunch menu at LTT though!

I dont know what was going on with photobucket the last couple days...your pics look fine now, but I know what you are talking about with the pictures not showing up the right size at first...same thing was happening to me!

I am so excited for you to try Chefs..we are doing lunch there on our trip in the beginning of our week We have not tried that it before either!

I'm glad my pics are back to normal, they were SO huge when I posted this! Photobucket gets so weird sometimes!

I can't wait to try Chef's!! I really feel like I need to see Ratatouille before I go there! I don't know if we will see Remy or not, since we're going so late for lunch, but I'd still like to see it!

I don't think it's the mini hipster...it's definitely big enough for my phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses. And I remember seeing something on their site and thinking "no, way too small" hahaha.

I used the string backpack for my past few trips, and while they are convenient to toss a bunch of stuff in and carry around, they do dig into your shoulders, and I get REALLY sick of carrying them by like day 3 lol. Wingnut ends up carrying it part of the time actually hahaha. I'm thinking if I use the swingpack, I'll be more okay with carrying it. I'm pretty sure Wingnut will be less okay with wearing the Vera bag .

Ideally, I would love to go to the parks bagless, but I know I could never pull that off.

Your day 4 plans sound like so much fun! Chefs de France is always our "maybe next time" restaurant too lol. Maybe next trip...

I really thought the mini hipster was going to be big enough for me last year, but it is really tiny! I guess it's nice if you don't need to carry a wallet, but I don't trust having all my stuff just in my purse...I need to have a wallet with me!

LOL, Brandon usually has a backpack, so I always put things in there that I can't fit in my purse, but he's never happy about it! So maybe this year, since I have something bigger I can stop bothering him!

I'm so happy we are finally doing Chef's! I've wanted to eat there since 2008, I think it's about time!

 

[Nermel9]

Your plans look great!

I've had lunch at LTT and breakfast at CP... if I had to choose between the 2, I think I'd pick breakfast at CP. Both places have good food, but I just love seeing Pooh and friends!

I'm doing Cape May for dinner on Part 1 of my trip... can't wait to try it and see the BC! We're doing dinner at 'Ohana one night, as well... I'm really looking forward to seeing the Poly, too. So far the only Deluxe Resorts I've been in are AKL and WL. I reeeeeaaaaaalllly want to stay at a Deluxe on our next family trip so it will be cool to get a glimpse at the resorts when I'm there in September.

Thanks! I think I'm keeping CP! I really do love it there, and it's not even so much for the characters, it's the food, it's so good! I really do want to see Eeyore though!

Cape May is so good, but pace yourself! You can get stuffed there, everything is so filling! I love eating at 'Ohana, just to have an excuse to go to the Poly! *Sigh* My dream resort!

I love your Day 4 plans. Personally, if you are not 100% sure on Crystal Palace then cancel it and do LTT lunch if that is what you are feeling more.

Marc & I went to DHS EMHs in 2008 and I really loved it, I'm looking forward to them again this year.

Don't get discouraged on the weight loss, you are doing great and if you start thinking about how much time you have left then you are going to get discouraged and then not do as well. Trust me, I know about this VERY well.

Thanks! I think I'm going to keep CP, for now! I suppose I can cancel it closer to my trip, but we both really like it there, so why not? I think it's becoming one of those restaurants we have to do every trip, this will be the third trip in a row eating breakfast there!

I LOVE DHS magic hours at night!!! It's seriously one of my favorite things about Disney, if I couldn't go, I'd cry! I just hope it's not too crowded! I know you're supposed to avoid EMH nights, but whatever, I love it too much to avoid it!

Thanks, I'm trying not to get discouraged with the weight loss, I've actually been doing good this week! So I hope to see some improvement on the scale! I really really want to lose 20 more pounds before our trip!

day 4 looks awesome!

and i've had that problem with Photobucket in the past....sometimes it just takes a while for the pics to adjust to the changes you make. they're ok now though!

and it's OK that you didn't lose this week....imagine how you'd feel if you gained? I had to put up post-it notes to remind me to "appreciate the small accomplishments!"

your trip is so close! We still have 350 days til our July 2012 trip....but snce we can't go this year, we're already planning a second trip for 2012 (in October, of course!) I wish it wasn't too early to start PTRs!!!

Thanks!

Ugh, I know, I'd cry if I gained! I know that's not a good reaction to have, but I've been doing so good for so long, if I gained, it would be such a disappointment! I should do that post it thing, I need some encouragement sometimes!

I can't even think about a 2012 trip yet. I wanted to go in May, but now we're possibly thinking cruise...so if we do a cruise and NO Disney days with the cruise, I'm going to have to go again at the end of 2012, probably around Christmas to FINALLY see the Candlelight Processional. But Brandon doesn't know this yet, so who knows what will happen? I also want to try doing a solo trip, or a girls trip. So we'll see! I can't go a whole year with no Disney, I know that much!

Great day 4 plans! Personally I would keep CP.... but if you really don't want a character meal then just skip it. Not sure about photobucket but your pictures look okay. Actually a bit smaller than usual but it might be my computer screen. I know when I'm at work, some pictures come up a lot bigger. I guess it depends on the size of your computer screen

Thanks! I love CP, so I will probably end up keeping it! You can't go wrong with puffed french toast!

I'd definitely go with the LTT early lunch. We always eat a CS lunch, but that menu looks SO yummy!!

I love LTT for lunch!! I wish you could order off the lunch menu for dinner! I mean, the dinner looks good too, but I like being able to pick what I want! And I'm gonna miss the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake! I think for now we're going to keep CP, but I'm still not 100% sure yet!

Great Day 4 plans. Personally, I'd keep CP and skip Liberty Tree Tavern. Don't get me wrong; we enjoyed LTT, but we love CP and it is a must-do every trip for us.

Thanks! I think we are going to keep CP, it's so good! And I love the Pooh characters!

 

[Nermel9]

I'm sorry to hear you didn't lose any weight this week Keep going - hopefully it'll catch up next week.

Lol at making another change! I hope you guys enjoy Le Chefs de France - we are eating dinner here and can't wait!

Great day 4 plans! My vote goes for keeping the CP ressie as it'll be nice to have one character meal.

Yay on ending the evening with ToT!

Thanks, I hope I can lose some weight this week! I had this crazy idea at the beginning of the week that I wanted to lose 4 pounds this week, but that's so unrealistic! I will be happy with any loss, as long as it's a loss!

LOL I told you I change things a lot! I'm guessing that won't be the end of the changes either, I still have a little over 2 more months left!

Thanks, I think we will keep CP, I love Pooh!

Day 4 plans look great!
I vote for keeping the CP ADR, but I say that only because I've never ate there before and it's #1 on my "must-do one day" list.
EMH at DHS are so much fun! And I can only imagine how creepy/cool riding ToT is late at night.

Thanks! You haven't been to CP!! You have to go, the characters are so adorable and the food is really good (for breakfast anyway, I don't know about lunch or dinner )! I love riding ToT at the end of the night, it's one of my favorite Disney things!

Your Day 4 plans sound great. CDF is a great place for lunch, I recommend the Croque Monsieur

Loving your new purchases, esp your reward treat, v cute bag

Thanks! I was looking at the Croque Monsieur actually, that's part of the reason I picked lunch over dinner!

Thanks, I can't wait to use my VB bag! I'd use it now, but I never let myself use trip things until the trip is actually here!

Okay I am back and FINALLY all caught up! I though I would have a ton of time for the DIS this summer but it's been the exact opposite! I am so far behind on everyone's TRs and PTRs!

I am loving the plans, everything looks great! YAY for the weight loss! Congratulations! You definitely deserved the Vera Bradley hipster (which is lovely, by the way). I love your new shirts, too! I saw the Disney Store one recently and really liked it. It's perfect for your trip!

Welcome back! I've been missing you on the DIS!

Thanks! I'm so happy I'm finally losing weight, I've only been talking about doing it for over a year now, and I'm finally doing it! I can't wait to wear that Evil Queen shirt at the MNSSHP! I want to dress up at one of them, but if I don't, at least I have something cute to wear!

I'm two weeks behind but I'm catching up!

GREAT job on the weight loss!!! Keep your chin up girl. You are my hero! I've been trying to lose weight all summer and I've been up and down. My stomach has not been good and it stops me from exercising regularly. It also makes me eat carbs... ugh!

Anyway, awesome shirts, bag, and plans!!! WDW will be here before we know it!

Thanks! LOL, trust me, it was SO hard to finally get motivated and start losing weight! You will get on track when the time is right, I really think that's what my problem has been for the last few years, I just could not commit so I always failed! It had to be the right time!

Although, my stomach always wants me to eat carbs too, and sometimes it still wins!

I can't wait for my trip to get here! Hurry up!!!!

I love your new bag! It should be perfect for the parks. I'd love to carry one of those instead of a giant diaper bag.

Day 4 sounds really fun. Is Day 4 October 2nd? I think we're spending that day at AK. I'd vote to keep CP, simply because you have the Cape May meal that night. A LTT lunch wouldn't leave as much time to work up a Cape May appetite.

Thanks! LOL, sometimes I look at the VB diaper bags and wish I had a baby, just so I could get one...someday, I hope!

Yep, Day 4 is the 2nd! You're definitely right, eating lunch at LTT might be a bad idea, because you seriously need to be starving to eat at Cape May, it's so filling! And CP is so fun!

 

[02AggieGirl]

Love all your shopping goodies!! You made some great choices. The Vera Bradley bag is gorgeous

 

[Nermel9]

Love all your shopping goodies!! You made some great choices. The Vera Bradley bag is gorgeous

Thank you! I'm so happy I have my first VB hipster! And I could not have asked for a more beautiful pattern!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

You know, sometimes I think I'm the only woman on the planet who doesn't like Vera Bradley bags?

 

[Nermel9]

Food and Wine Menus!!!

The Food and Wine festival menus are finally here!!! Well, they were actually released yesterday, but I didn't have time to do an update, so I'm doing it today!

Last year, I actually went through the whole list with a highlighter and made notes of everything I wanted to try, and then shared it on my PTR! Well, this year, I'm just going to share the things I REALLY want to try, or eat/drink again after trying them last year, but I'm not going to do each booth, just the really yummy sounding things!

2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival International Marketplace Booths

Belgium, Introduced: 2010
-Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream & Baguette
-Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
-Godiva Chocolate Iced Coffee

I don't want to try the mussels, but Brandon loved them last year! And I loved the Godiva Chocolate iced coffee, and I really need to try those waffles this year!

Canada, Introduced: 1996
-Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup

I love the thought of being able to get cheddar cheese soup every time I'm in Epcot and don't have a Le Cellier ADR!

Caribbean Islands, Introduced 2011 <– New!

-Jerk spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Salsa
-Frozen Dragon Berry Colada

Both of these sound really good!

China, Introduced: 1996

-Xinjiang Barbecue Chicken Stick

I had this last year and it was SO good!

Desserts & Champagne, Introduced: 2000

-White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls

I somehow missed the Dessert booth last year, which is so upsetting! Not missing it this time!

France, Introduced: 1996

-Escargots Persillade en Brioche
-Coq au Vin sur gratin de macaroni (Red Wine braised Chicken, Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, and Macaroni Gratin)
-Crème Brulée au Chocolate au Lait
-Parisien Cosmo Slush (Ciroc Vodka, Grand Marnier, Cranberry Juice)

Going to be spending a lot of time at the France booth! Brandon had the Escargots last year and really liked them, and I can't wait to try the Coq au Vin!

Hawaii, Introduced: 2011 <– New!

-Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise

I love that they have a Hawaii booth this year!

Hops & Barley, Introduced: 2005

-Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler with drawn Butter
-Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll
-Pumpkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce
Samuel Adams® Beers:
-Octoberfest
-Cherry Wheat®
-16th Anniversary Festival Beer Boston Ale®
-Blackberry Witbier

I have a feeling Brandon will be trying everything at this booth! And we both love Sam Adams beer, there is nothing better than Octoberfest and Cherry Wheat!

Italy, Introduced: 1996

-Cappellini con Gamberi Piccanti (Cappellini Pasta with Spicy Shrimp)
-Ravioli Di Formaggio All’Emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Beef Bolognese Sauce, Parmesan Cheese, Melted Mozzarella)
-Cannolo Al Cioccolato (Chocolate Covered Cannoli Shell Filled with Sweet Ricotta Cheese, Chocolate, and Candied Fruit)

I loved the Baked Ravioli last year!

Japan, Introduced: 1996

-Spicy Tuna Roll
-California Sushi Roll
-Tuna and Salmon Sensation

Brandon loves sushi, so I'm sure he will be stopping here!

Mexico, Introduced: 1996

-Rib Eye Tacos
-Shrimp Tacos
-Flan
-Lime Strawberry Margarita on the rocks

Everything here sounds so good, and we skipped this booth last year!

Poland, Introduced: 1996

-Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream

I'm a Polish girl, I gotta visit my people and have some pierogies while I'm there!

And there you have it! Ideally, I would like to try one thing from each booth, but I was trying to keep this list shorter than last year, and just share the things I'm really excited to try! OMG I cannot WAIT for October!!!

If you want more Food and Wine info, click here:

Disney Food Blog

They have all the menus and the festival map!

 

[Nermel9]

You know, sometimes I think I'm the only woman on the planet who doesn't like Vera Bradley bags?

You are!!!

Honestly though, I wasn't crazy about them at first, and even now, some of the patterns I think are hideous! I didn't get the whole craze for these bags for a while, but now I really like them!

I still like Coach bags the most, though!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I don't like Coach, either! I guess that's just because I'm fairly budget-minded and absolutely can't justify spending that much money on a purse. I won't even buy the Disney Dooney and Burke purses because they're just so pricey. I can't justify it.

I dunno, the Vera Bradley ones just don't do anything for me, style-wise. The quilted look kind of reminds me of my grandmother

 

[Nermel9]

I don't like Coach, either! I guess that's just because I'm fairly budget-minded and absolutely can't justify spending that much money on a purse. I won't even buy the Disney Dooney and Burke purses because they're just so pricey. I can't justify it.

I dunno, the Vera Bradley ones just don't do anything for me, style-wise. The quilted look kind of reminds me of my grandmother

Haha, I think this is probably the 3rd or 4th time we've had this purse conversation!

Purses and Uggs are the only things I spend a lot of money on. Clothes and other shoes I couldn't care less about.

I thought the same thing about VB at first, but then I realized some of the patterns were really cute, so I like them now! But some of the patterns, especially the older ones are pretty terrible!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Probably

I'm willing to spend a little more on clothes, but for me "a little more" is shopping at Lane Bryant and Torrid as opposed to WalMart or Target. Part of that is because their clothes actually FIT and aren't designed by someone who simply increased the size of the pattern, but designed it with a plus size woman in mind

But anyway To each their own

 

[Lady Lallie]

I want to sit here and whine! I want to go in October for Food and Wine!! Waaaah!!

Okay, I'm over my hissy fit.

For now.

I saw your solo comment on my PTR. I love going solo. I thought it would be weird but I really liked it. You can do whatever you want, when you want and just to Disney how you want. My husband is very agreeable but I still found I really liked going by myself sometimes. Which could be why I'm going crazy trying to figure out a quick solo trip for September.

And hey...I know someone going in January that would be up for a DISmeet.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I got so excited when the booth info was released yesterday!

You've got some great choices!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Ok, I'm hungry! And jealous that I'm not going to F&W! I want to go soooo bad!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh now I want to go in October for Food and Wine SOO bad!!! I'm attempting to pretend Food & Wine doesn't exist so I don't get super-envious, but that's never going to happen!

All of those dishes sound wonderful, you're going to have the best time! Someday I'll go...I have to!!!