We're flying from Never Land to see Mickey! A June 2011 PTR Update 6/3 Leaving Today!

[QuirkyButterfly]

We have more dining "problems"! Since Coral Reef and Les Chefs de France weren't having amazing reviews, we decided to book Garden Grill too...now we have to decide which 2 to cancel...Why is going to Disney such hard work?

Since we are done making ADRs, I'm at a loss of what to do until our trip...any ideas of ways to pass the time or more planning I can be doing?

Even though I am not a big fish eater I really like the idea of Coral Reef because of the aquarium. I was also thinking that Garden Grill looked good. I also think that it looks like one of the more healthy places to eat. I am trying to get a good balance in dining. I really don't want to come back from my holiday having to go up a dress size. There are already too many temptations with all of the treats I want to try.

Good luck deciding.

 

[ZFamily5]

Sorry for the lack of updates lately...I've been on a Disney hiatus for a while, but I'm back and ready for more planning!

As of now, I'm leaning towards sticking with Coral Reef for 6/12, but the decision isn't up to just me, so we'll see how things go...

Since the last time I posted (much to long ago, not since last year!), Thing2 and I have started a Disney binder. She decorated the outside with drawings of the park's "landmarks", characters (Figment, Dumbo, etc.) and just random things that come up when we think of Disney. I was going to begin filling up the binder yesterday on our day off, but we don't have a black ink cartridge, so that will have to wait until we can get to the store.

I have also found some t-shirt designs I would like to but on shirts for us for the trip...Mom said maybe a couple, but not one for everyday. I'll try to post pics of them later tonight...how do you do that? I would like to learn to post pics so you can see what we look like and we can go back in history to look at our last trip.

In other news, I would like to purchase a small plush toy for each of my sisters (probably Tinkerbell or Mickey for Thing2 and Pocahontas or Stitch for Thing3) and have them waiting in the room (I would go on ahead to put them there) with either Disney Dollars/Disney gift card OR a gift certificate to build a light saber at the World of Disney store (is that where you do that?). I just have a couple of questions
1. How much does it cost to build a light saber?
2. Are there any better alternatives for two girls?
They both really like Star Wars, but I just don't know if my mom's too keen on her "dainty" daughters stocking up on light sabers.

Thanks for reading and PLEASE don't be afraid to post!

 

[ZFamily5]

Hey! My advice about your dining problem would be: go with your gut. If you're feeling a little "ehh" about Coral Reef and Les Chefs, I would go with Garden Grill then. I have an ADR to go there on my trip in 2 weeks and I am veryyy excited! The food is great there and the characters are so much fun!

As for passing the time, you could plan what EMHs you're going to do and some things you want to get accomplished! You could also design T shirts for your whole family to wear! That's what my family does every trip! I'm so excited to make some soon!

Thanks for all the dining advice! I like the sound of all the places, I just don't know which reviews to believe. We've been to Garden Grill once before and liked it a lot, so that would be the safe way to go, but something new might be fun too...it's too hard to decide!

I have started looking at t-shirt designs, it is kind of addicting!

Thanks for sticking with me!

 

[ZFamily5]

Even though I am not a big fish eater I really like the idea of Coral Reef because of the aquarium. I was also thinking that Garden Grill looked good. I also think that it looks like one of the more healthy places to eat. I am trying to get a good balance in dining. I really don't want to come back from my holiday having to go up a dress size. There are already too many temptations with all of the treats I want to try.

Good luck deciding.

We are okay fish eaters. Really, we'll try just about anything (well...except for me...I don't really care for any variety of meat except a rare once in a while...) so we are fine with the menu, but the reviews aren't helping much, they are a mix of really good and really bad, I just don't know what to believe!

Thanks for reading along!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Hey sorry I haven't been on in a while, it seems so much easier to keep up with threads when I am on Christmas holidays! Full time work really sucks the energy out of you. Are you back at school? Here in Australia schools are still out for summer holidays.

You might have figured out how to post photos yet but if not this might help: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1947588

I use photobucket to store my photos, its free which is good.

Hope to see some photos soon

 

[ZFamily5]

Hey sorry I haven't been on in a while, it seems so much easier to keep up with threads when I am on Christmas holidays! Full time work really sucks the energy out of you. Are you back at school? Here in Australia schools are still out for summer holidays.

You might have figured out how to post photos yet but if not this might help: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1947588

I use photobucket to store my photos, its free which is good.

Hope to see some photos soon

Yeah, I haven't been posting much either since Christmas break ended. We've been back at school since January 3rd. Lucky ducks! When does the summer holiday end for kids in Australia? I would love to visit Australia one day...

I followed the link and learned how to post pictures, so I'm going to do a post of photos highlighting our 2008 trip in just a minute! You'll get to see pictures of us finally!

 

[ZFamily5]

I decided that I would do a post of photo highlights from our 2008 trip since I learned how to post photos. Keep in mind that this was 2, almost 3 years ago...

Thing2, Thing3 and I on the Magical Express

Seeing the Castle for the first time on the trip

Eating at Crystal Palace

We got picked to open Animal Kingdom and hold a cage with a tarantula in it. People came up and asked us questions about the insect and we got to wear safari vests.

Us with Belle

The girls of the family

Thing2 fighting Darth Vader

And I'll leave you with Thing3 on the plane ride home...

Thanks for reading along! Sorry the pics are so big...I'll fix them for next time!

 

[ZFamily5]

I found this cool Disney survey on ash-n-brensmom's PTR (she took it from Jelloarms). If you have time copy and paste so you can fill it out too!

DISNEY WORLD SURVEY



1. What is your name?::

On this PTR I'm know as Thing1, but if I had a Disney name probably Belle...


2. When was the first time you went to Disney World?::

August 1997

3. When was the last time you went to Disney World?::

July 2008


4. When is the next time you will be in Disney World?::

June 2011



GETTING THERE


5. How do you usually get to to Disney World?::

Airplane! It's kind of weird, but I absolutely love going to the airport!


6. What do you do to pass the time while getting there?::

Read, color, read more...and of course dream about finally arriving!


7. Do you have any particularly memorable or interesting experiences you can recall happening on your journey to Disney World?::

Nothing too memorable...just remember Thing3 kept falling off her seat on the Magical Express because she's so little and it was a VERY bumpy ride!



LODGING

8. What is your favorite place you have stayed at and why? It does not have to be on property::

I loved staying at the Polynesian! It was fabulous (especially the pool!)!! We also loved the convenience of the monorail!

9. What is your least favorite place you have stayed at and why? (It doesn't necessarily have to be a bad place, it's just that maybe out of all your list of favorites, this would be your least favorite)::

The only places I remember staying are the Poly (twice), Grand Floridan and Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter) and they were all fabulous...I can't pick a least favorite, I mean, you're at Disney World for crying out loud! I'd be happy anywhere!


MAGIC KINGDOM

10. What is your favorite attraction in the MK?

It's a toss up between Splash Mountain and Peter Pan...as you'll learn, I'm rather indecisive!

11. What is your least favorite attraction in the MK?

Probably the Indy Speedway thing...I just don't have any desire to stand in line to do something I can actually do in just a few years...

12. Tell me a random memory you have involving the MK.

This is gonna make me look bad, but I remember sitting on the curb of Main Street waiting for the SpectroMagic to start, throwing a fit that I wanted to leave and go home right that minute and that I didn't like Disney World. Why I was doing this...because I didn't get my own cookie, I had to share with my sisters!


13. What is your favorite place to eat in the MK?

Columbia Harbor House or Crystal Palace



EPCOT

14. What is your favorite attraction in Epcot?

Soarin' no doubt!


15. What is your least favorite attraction in Epcot?

I don't really like any of the movies in World Showcase...I just can't sit/stand still that long!


16. Tell me a random memory you have involving Epcot.

I remember being really scared when we got seated at Akershus and I saw the buffet of cold fish. I'm not generally a picky eater, but that cold fish didn't look very appetizing, so I was kind of scared for that meal!

17. What is your favorite place to eat in Epcot?

Garden Grill or the UK counter service...is it called Yorkshire Fish Shop?


18. What is your favorite country in the World Showcase?

Probably the UK



HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

19. What is your favorite attraction in HS?

Toy Story Mania!!!

20. What is your least favorite attraction in HS?

The Great Movie ride. I know, I know, it's a classic, but all I remember of it is waiting in a really long line and then when we finally got on the ride, being very squished. Not quite my idea of fun!



21. Tell me a random memory you have involving HS.

Before the parade started, Mr. Skip-to-my-lou was doing a pre-show and picked me to come up and demonstrate barking like a mad dog!


22. What is your favorite place to eat in HS?

Mama Melrose

23. Do you watch the Citizens of Hollywood?

Haven't yet, but maybe this time...



ANIMAL KINGDOM

24. What is your favorite attraction in the AK?

Expedition Everest!!!


25. What is your least favorite attraction in the AK?

Dinosaur

26. Tell me a random memory you have involving the AK.

When we got picked to help open the park!


27. What is your favorite place to eat in the AK?

Yak and Yeti! Sooo good!


OTHER DISNEY PLACES

28. Which water parks have you been to and which one was your favorite?

We've been to both...I prefer Blizzard Beach

29. What was your favorite part about that water park?

The little kid tube slide...except when Thing2 fell out of her tube and cut her nose up pretty badly!


30. Have you been to Disney Quest?

Nope, but I hope to someday


31. What was your favorite thing about Disney Quest?

N/A


32. Have you been to the Wide World of Sports?

No.


33. What was your favorite thing about the Wide World of Sports?

N/A




EXTINCT DISNEY

34. What are some of your favorite attractions that are no longer around?

I don't really remember anything I loved being taken out...


35. Have you ever been to Discovery Island when it was still running?

No.


36. Have you ever been to River Country when it was still running?

No.

37. What was your favorite part about the now shut down Pleasure Island?

Never been


38. What is your favorite extinct show/parade?

I liked the Stars and Motorcars Parade at DHS


RANDOMS

39. What is one thing you MUST do every time you go to Disney?

I must pester my parents to go in just about every souvenir shop we pass!


40. What is one thing you MUST eat every time you go to Disney?

Mickey ice cream bar and a chocolate chip cookie on Main Street

41. What is something you haven't done yet that you look forward to doing?

I'm looking forward to going to the American Idol show

42. What is something you have done and have no interest in doing again?

Does it count if I say going back to the hotel mid-day for a nap?

43. Who is your favorite Disney female?

Mary Poppins, Jasmine and Belle


44. Who is your favorite Disney male?

Stitch, Winnie the Pooh and Thing3 will probably want me to add Figment to the list


45. Who is your favorite Disney villain?

Prince John (from Robin Hood)


46. Your earliest Disney Park Memory::

Dipping my hands into the fountain outside the Muppet movie on my first trip

47. What other Disney Parks have you been to outside of Disney World?

Disneyland once


48. Have you ever had to explain your love for Disney to someone who just didn't "get" it?

I get told I'm crazy by a lot of people, but I just try my best to explain how much fun it is for people of all ages!

49. Blasphemous I know, but where is your favorite place to travel outside of Disney?

Either Hawaii or Alaska

50. Which Disney character reminds you of you?

Probably Belle...

Thanks for reading along and PLEASE don't be afraid to post! I don't bite, I promise!

 

[ZFamily5]

Nobody's been around for a while, so I thought I would post quickly...

We've been out of school Wednesday and Thursday because of the snow, but we were back today. That has thrown a wrench into the plans because now school doesn't get out until June 3rd...trying to figure out what to do is hard...I'll update when I know more...

Well, got to go...gonna play laser tag with some friends tonight! See ya!

 

[ZFamily5]

Soo...it's been a while since I've posted, yet no new readers yet...

The lack of updates has been due to the fact that I'm a VERY busy 14 year old! 4 honors classes, band and Spanish push me over the edge sometimes! In addition, dance, track and studying for both the Science Olympics and the Science Olympiad take up most of my free time! Besides being so busy, there really isn't much to update on...

We are trying to figure out what to do about the snow days we had during the "Blizzard of 2011"...Now we don't get out of school until June 3rd, so it's kind of problematic...We'll see what happens...

In other random news, I'm getting braces sometime next month probably...Not too excited about that...

I'll try and come up with more to post later, but for now, that's it...and PLEASE don't be afraid to post!

 

[Disneypolyprincess]

We are going the same time as you ! I love your ptr

 

[ZFamily5]

We are going the same time as you ! I love your ptr

Thanks for joining us! It should be a fun trip! Jumping over to read your PTR!

 

[Disneypolyprincess]

No problem I'll try and get you some readers can't wait for an update

 

[tutter99]

I'm in, I'm sure some of the other DisDads will wander over by way of Disneypolyprincess's PTR.

If I remember correctly from last June, the single lightsabers were $18 and the double ones were around $24. I'm not sure if they were at World of Disney but I know they are at Once Upon a Toy.

As far as the restaurants go it really seems to be hit or miss, I wouldn't put too much weight on reviews unless everyone is saying the same thing. We had a really good meal at Garden Grille in September of 2009 but the two times we were there in 2010 it was just OK. We haven't had a bad meal at Chefs du France yet. We were lucky enough to be there when Ratatouille was making the rounds one night and DS still talks about it 2 years later!

 

[afwdwfan]

That was a good strategy to post in a PTR that has gathered a group of DIS Dads.

Looks like a fun trip. Have you had to make any changes due to school going longer than expected or are you just going to miss a day or 2? It isn't like you'll actually learn anything that last week anyway.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

It sounds like you are very busy at school, I am sorry you have to get braces, it will suck for a while but it will be worth it in the long run

 

[ZFamily5]

No problem I'll try and get you some readers can't wait for an update

You sure did! Thank you so much!

I'm in, I'm sure some of the other DisDads will wander over by way of Disneypolyprincess's PTR.

If I remember correctly from last June, the single lightsabers were $18 and the double ones were around $24. I'm not sure if they were at World of Disney but I know they are at Once Upon a Toy.

As far as the restaurants go it really seems to be hit or miss, I wouldn't put too much weight on reviews unless everyone is saying the same thing. We had a really good meal at Garden Grille in September of 2009 but the two times we were there in 2010 it was just OK. We haven't had a bad meal at Chefs du France yet. We were lucky enough to be there when Ratatouille was making the rounds one night and DS still talks about it 2 years later!

Thanks for jumping over! I was getting kind of lonely! I'm probably going to make my sisters a "coupon" to make their own lightsaber...have to start saving for the little surprises like these! Yeah...it's hard to decide what restaurants to go to, especially with my dad, whose a foodie! I'll keep you guys posted as to what we decide...

That was a good strategy to post in a PTR that has gathered a group of DIS Dads.

Looks like a fun trip. Have you had to make any changes due to school going longer than expected or are you just going to miss a day or 2? It isn't like you'll actually learn anything that last week anyway.

It was wasn't it? I owe it all to Disneypolyprincess! We are still trying to decide what to do...thinking about moving the trip back, but then we loose free dining...it's a tough decision....Mom is hoping they'll come out with another free dining promotion for later in the summer...don't know how likely that will be...

It sounds like you are very busy at school, I am sorry you have to get braces, it will suck for a while but it will be worth it in the long run

I know it will be for the best, but it doesn't make me like the idea any more now! Haven't heard from you in awhile...how are things going?

 

[ZFamily5]

Just a super quick update!

Might have a DIS Teen meet in the works with Disneypolyprincess!

I'll keep you posted on whatever we end up doing with that!
Thanks for reading!

 

[carlnix30]

Just a super quick update!

Might have a DIS Teen meet in the works with Disneypolyprincess!

I'll keep you posted on whatever we end up doing with that!
Thanks for reading!

Just remember..an often quoted rule for disdads.. "pictures or it didn't happen!"
I am dinseypolyprincess dad! Great TR so far hopefully we meet your parents there. :

 

[ZFamily5]

Just remember..an often quoted rule for disdads.. "pictures or it didn't happen!"
I am dinseypolyprincess dad! Great TR so far hopefully we meet your parents there. :

Hi carlnix30! I'll definitely remember to bring a camera to commemorate the DIS Teens meet! Thanks so much for jumping over here and hopefully I'll get to meet you and your daughter this summer for some fun!