What are you celebrating? Absolutely nothing! TR writing has commenced!

[Leleluvsdis]

Where are you staying?

We are staying off-site at Westgate Vacation Villas. According to mapquest it's 4 miles from TTC.

 

[disneydusted]

Hi Villainess! I've come to say hi from Ariel 2007's PTR. I saw that you went to school in DC, which one? (It's going to be crazy here the next few days with the inauguration!!! )
Also see that you are on the Jersey shore. We go to Cape May for 2 weeks every summer and love it! Great vacation spot! Ok, now I am off to read your PTR!

 

[disneydusted]

Ok, now I am all caught up! It took me a while, lots of interuptions!
Your two kids are adorable! Your little guy is so cute getting friendly with Pluto (I think it was Pluto not Goofy!) And the tree in NYC is so beautiful! The National Tree in DC needs as many lights as that one!
I hope Disney gets posting schedules for you guys soon!!

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh my gosh, 19 days in WDW you are sooooo lucky!! That is my DREAM! Your son and daughter so just so adorable... joining in on your PTR for sure!!

We are going just crazy without the May hours, too. We will only be there for 8 days but still... I want to plan ADRs and which parks which days and Fantasmic! etc etc. Releasing the hours in February just doesn't give us enough time... and that's if they get them out when they say they will!

I was tempted to switch our trip to the last week of April just because the hours were released ages ago. But I'm trying to stay patient!

Subbing!

 

[autumnpalm]

Whoops! Double post!

 

[Villainess]

Hi Villainess! I've come to say hi from Ariel 2007's PTR. I saw that you went to school in DC, which one? (It's going to be crazy here the next few days with the inauguration!!! )
Also see that you are on the Jersey shore. We go to Cape May for 2 weeks every summer and love it! Great vacation spot! Ok, now I am off to read your PTR!

Hi! Welcome! I went to school at Catholic University. I had an internship on Penn Ave and contemplated going to the office for Bush's 2nd inauguration, but thought best of it and never went. Wish I dealt with the security, crowds, etc now - my office overlooked Penn Ave and would have had a great view of the parade.

Yeah - I'm from central NJ however my cousins and aunt own some condos down in Wildwood Crest (Diamond Beach) and we spend time there and in Cape May every summer too. I love the houses in Cape May and maybe one day will stay at a B&B!

Oh my gosh, 19 days in WDW you are sooooo lucky!! That is my DREAM! Your son and daughter so just so adorable... joining in on your PTR for sure!!

We are going just crazy without the May hours, too. We will only be there for 8 days but still... I want to plan ADRs and which parks which days and Fantasmic! etc etc. Releasing the hours in February just doesn't give us enough time... and that's if they get them out when they say they will!

I was tempted to switch our trip to the last week of April just because the hours were released ages ago. But I'm trying to stay patient!

Subbing!

Thanks for joining me! We're sitting tight w/ the ADRs. DSis just emailed me w/ what DBIL and her want to eat and on what days - completely changing all our plans! I feel like I'm back at square one!

 

[ariel2007]

Oh there are. It is so sad, the world we live in today. Everyone always in a hurry, no patience - just sad. We are going Apr 21 - May 9; my trip will overlap with yours. Maybe we can meet!

Yes maybe we could, that would be good.

 

[Villainess]

As my Mickey countdown shows, tomorrow marks 90 days before we depart for the world!!!!!!!!!!! It is also ADR-Day! Rather than watching CNN or BBC America (as they broadcast USA news better than American news stations, IMO) as the inauguration of our 44th President commences, I am staring at an email DSis just sent Pop Pop and myself and at the dining calendar we've been working on.

A little background: DSis and DBIL aren't big planners, but they will voice their opinions or dissatisfaction especially if we eat somewhere they do not care for. Last year, I heard it bc I told them Nine Dragons would be closed during our visit and surprise! It wasn't. In my defense, everything I read stated it would be closed during our visit and I believe it did close near the end of the trip, but I digress ...

DSis came over this weekend to review the ADRs we have tentatively scheduled. The plan at that time was:

4/21 - early dinner at CP
4/22 - dinner Marrakesh or Rose N Crown
4/23 - dinner O'hana
4/24 - lunch at Sci-Fi
4/25 - Chef Mickey's b'fast (Nonna's choice, arrives 4/24 11pm)
4/26 - Fantasmic dinner pkg. at Mama Melrose
4/27 - early Lunch Yak & Yeti (Nonna & Danielle request), Turf Club dinner, DTD or park of DSis & DBIL choice
4/28 - b'fast at Tusker House, DSis and DBIL depart on ME approx. 12pm


DBIL's and DSis's plans:
21st- Liberty Tree (Dinner) - they don't like CP
22nd- Yak & Yeti (Lunch) - don't like menus of either Rose N Crown or Marrakesh
23rd- China (Lunch or Dinner) - bc they didn't eat here last year
24th- SciFi (Lunch)
25th- Chef Mickey (Breakfast)/ Brown Derby MGM (Dinner)
26th- Mama Melrose’s & Fantasmic Dinner Package MGM
27th- Donald Breakfast Animal Kingdom/France Epcot (Dinner) - didn't like Turf Club menu
28th- (LEAVE) Downtown Disney - only getting 7 day hopper, not 8 day

As you can see, we have some sorting out to do. 1) Yak & Yeti - Nonna wanted to do, 2) Pop Pop wanted to skip Brown Derby this year, 3) move Marrakesh or Rose N Crown to a night in May 4) move Turf Club to a night in May 5) waiting to here back from Disney regarding Nine Dragons having MSG in their food; in viewing their menus I will probably take the kids elsewhere for lunch/dinner regardless.

Looks like the definite plans will be:

4/21 - Liberty Tree dinner
24th- SciFi (Lunch)
25th- Chef Mickey (Breakfast)
26th- Mama Melrose’s & Fantasmic Dinner Package MGM
27th- Donald Breakfast Animal Kingdom

What to do? What to do? Think! Think! Think!

 

[ariel2007]

Personally I think you are not missing out by cutting out Restaurant Marrakech. We did not enjoy it at all there, the food was really bland and so overpriced, one of the most disappointing and expensive meals of the holiday. And the belly dancer came out once for about 5 minutes when we were there, but we could hardly see. Then again this is just my opinion, and maybe one day in the distant future (probably when I have enough money to buy a boat at their prices ) I may give it another try. As for the Rose and Crown, however, what is wrong with the lovely English menu

Your first 3 I have been to and loved them all. I haven't done Chef Mickey's for breakfast yet but we have it booked and can't wait. We also plan to do Tusker House for breakfast. We did the old one at Restaurantosaurus a few times and loved it so hopefully it will be as good. Mama Melrose's I can't wait to hear your review on.
For your other ideas we loved Yak and Yeti, the food was a bit different and very nice (oh and the cocktails ). Brown Derby we enjoyed the food there but do not think it warrants the prices it does at all. I would go back again one day but not too soon.

 

[Villainess]

Personally I think you are not missing out by cutting out Restaurant Marrakech. We did not enjoy it at all there, the food was really bland and so overpriced, one of the most disappointing and expensive meals of the holiday. And the belly dancer came out once for about 5 minutes when we were there, but we could hardly see. Then again this is just my opinion, and maybe one day in the distant future (probably when I have enough money to buy a boat at their prices ) I may give it another try. As for the Rose and Crown, however, what is wrong with the lovely English menu

Your first 3 I have been to and loved them all. I haven't done Chef Mickey's for breakfast yet but we have it booked and can't wait. We also plan to do Tusker House for breakfast. We did the old one at Restaurantosaurus a few times and loved it so hopefully it will be as good. Mama Melrose's I can't wait to hear your review on.
For your other ideas we loved Yak and Yeti, the food was a bit different and very nice (oh and the cocktails ). Brown Derby we enjoyed the food there but do not think it warrants the prices it does at all. I would go back again one day but not too soon.

Thank you for your opinion on Marrakesh. I'm the one who wants to try it. Something different, but you are not the first to say you haven't liked it and it is expensive for what it is. I've been outvoted the past 2 years on Chefs de France, Rose N Crown, and Marrakesh for Le Cellier both times. Don't get me wrong, I like Le Cellier, but prefer Chefs de France more.

We did the Tusker House for breakfast last year and it was our favorite breakfast. Very good food! Chef Mickey's is one of our traditional character breakfasts. Typical breakfast food, but the atmosphere is so much fun!

It's been a couple of years since we've hit Mama Melrose's but the last time was very good - can't remember what I ate though to elaborate more. I had eaten at Brown Derby once before our last trip, but it was Lunch w/ an Imagineer (excellent to do, btw!) The reasons you mentioned are exactly what my father said in wanting to skip Brown derby this year.

As far as Rose N Crown - my sister can't eat any fish and she has lately become very picky with what she will eat and how often. She will only eat beef 1-2x every 2-3 weeks, so she is down to chicken and pasta, and even then picky about how they are prepared.

I will probably let go of Marrakesh. I'm waiting to hear back from Disney about Nine Dragons. Since they are a participant they are not bound to the cooking rules of the Disney operated restaurants. The dietary person I emailed is trying to find out if they use MSG in their cooking.

 

[ariel2007]

Thank you for your opinion on Marrakesh. I'm the one who wants to try it. Something different, but you are not the first to say you haven't liked it and it is expensive for what it is. I've been outvoted the past 2 years on Chefs de France, Rose N Crown, and Marrakesh for Le Cellier both times. Don't get me wrong, I like Le Cellier, but prefer Chefs de France more.

We did the Tusker House for breakfast last year and it was our favorite breakfast. Very good food! Chef Mickey's is one of our traditional character breakfasts. Typical breakfast food, but the atmosphere is so much fun!

It's been a couple of years since we've hit Mama Melrose's but the last time was very good - can't remember what I ate though to elaborate more. I had eaten at Brown Derby once before our last trip, but it was Lunch w/ an Imagineer (excellent to do, btw!) The reasons you mentioned are exactly what my father said in wanting to skip Brown derby this year.

As far as Rose N Crown - my sister can't eat any fish and she has lately become very picky with what she will eat and how often. She will only eat beef 1-2x every 2-3 weeks, so she is down to chicken and pasta, and even then picky about how they are prepared.

I will probably let go of Marrakesh. I'm waiting to hear back from Disney about Nine Dragons. Since they are a participant they are not bound to the cooking rules of the Disney operated restaurants. The dietary person I emailed is trying to find out if they use MSG in their cooking.

I would like to try Chef de France next year, the restaurant is so pretty. We have always kind of ruled it out as I don't like French food, apart from some cheese and bread, and of course the delicious cakes. But the lunch menu looks quite goo and reasonable so hopefully next time.

I would have thought Nine Dragon's would use MSG, most Chinese's do. Quite often though you can asked for it not to be used over here, so it may be the same there. Although I wasn't impressed by Marrakesh I do want to try the Tangerine Cafe, that looks good. I do like different food, and their menu looked good, but Marrakesh unfortunately was just rather bland and boring. And overpriced.

 

[Villainess]

I think I may head to Tangerine Cafe instead of Nine Dragons with the kids while Pop Pop, DBIL, and DSis eat at the other. Most Chinese places around here use MSG and unfortunately the only they will make sans MSG is boiled chicken and white rice. Instead, I just make Chinese (this weekend I made egg rolls, Jasmine rice, stir fry veggies, Pepper Steak, and Sweet & Sour chicken).

 

[ariel2007]

I think I may head to Tangerine Cafe instead of Nine Dragons with the kids while Pop Pop, DBIL, and DSis eat at the other. Most Chinese places around here use MSG and unfortunately the only they will make sans MSG is boiled chicken and white rice. Instead, I just make Chinese (this weekend I made egg rolls, Jasmine rice, stir fry veggies, Pepper Steak, and Sweet & Sour chicken).

Sounds very nice. When I was in high school I worked on the counter of a Chinese takeaway and they only used to add the MSG in the cooking part, not the preparation. A few people used to ask for it without it and it was fine, it was just like some kind of oil or something. Then again my Grandad is celiac and they can't cater for him as they cook different things together and can't guarantee any transfer. We both may be reviewing Tangerine cafe then

 

[autumnpalm]

I would definitely recommend Tangierine Cafe! It is my favourite CS in the entire WS. So delicious.

Out of your ADRs, the ones we have done are Liberty Tree Tavern (although we did it for lunch, but it has a really cute atmosphere and we really enjoyed the food), Chef Mickeys (tons of fun, great chance to meet all the characters!) and the Sci Fi. The Sci Fi doesn't always get good reviews here on the DIS but I really like it. I got the burger and fries with a chocolate milkshake and it was great. Plus, the atmosphere is so neat and I've only ever encountered great service there. I think they make a great burger, and my mom had the Pastrami sandwich and really liked it as well.

I am so impressed with your planning coordination efforts!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Kudos to you! I can't even imagine trying to get that many people to agree on what to eat. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.

Is this just for one portion of your trip? I thought you were staying longer.

 

[littleboss]

LOL! Sorry about your disstress! Today is your 90 days!! Hurray Your better than me as I'm sure you've read on my PTR if I can't please you I'll please myself! Your doing a good job and its hard work to try and make everyone happy. You'll feel better once your ADRs are all booked. Good Luck

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I think I may head to Tangerine Cafe instead of Nine Dragons with the kids while Pop Pop, DBIL, and DSis eat at the other. Most Chinese places around here use MSG and unfortunately the only they will make sans MSG is boiled chicken and white rice. Instead, I just make Chinese (this weekend I made egg rolls, Jasmine rice, stir fry veggies, Pepper Steak, and Sweet & Sour chicken).

What a nightmare trying to please so many with your restaurant choices. Good for you for being so patient!!

I LOVE Tangierine Cafe. It was our very favorite CS at Epcot. I think it's a good substitute since Marrakesh is out.

 

[Villainess]

Sounds very nice. When I was in high school I worked on the counter of a Chinese takeaway and they only used to add the MSG in the cooking part, not the preparation. A few people used to ask for it without it and it was fine, it was just like some kind of oil or something. Then again my Grandad is celiac and they can't cater for him as they cook different things together and can't guarantee any transfer. We both may be reviewing Tangerine cafe then

Forgive my ignorance, but what is celiac? I've seen it mentioned on the boards here in various dietary threads.

I would definitely recommend Tangierine Cafe! It is my favourite CS in the entire WS. So delicious.

Out of your ADRs, the ones we have done are Liberty Tree Tavern (although we did it for lunch, but it has a really cute atmosphere and we really enjoyed the food), Chef Mickeys (tons of fun, great chance to meet all the characters!) and the Sci Fi. The Sci Fi doesn't always get good reviews here on the DIS but I really like it. I got the burger and fries with a chocolate milkshake and it was great. Plus, the atmosphere is so neat and I've only ever encountered great service there. I think they make a great burger, and my mom had the Pastrami sandwich and really liked it as well.

I am so impressed with your planning coordination efforts!

Thanks! It's not easy trying to make everyone happy. Even when we get there, I will usually bow down so there is no controversy. I wasn't always this way, but since my marriage from well, down there, and a divorce on top, I just hate fighting. It bothers me and gets me quite upset.

I like Sci Fi for the atmosphere too. I had a cheeseburger last time and it was good. Not too hard to make that. I think DD had a hot dog and she enjoyed it.

Kudos to you! I can't even imagine trying to get that many people to agree on what to eat. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.

Is this just for one portion of your trip? I thought you were staying longer.

Oh yes. This is just the portion of the trip that DSis and DBIL would be on. The rest of the trip is sort of up in the air bc of the lack of May hours, but we had penciled in restaurants. Now that some of those restuarants we on DSIs and DBIL's list and others they didn't want to eat at were off, we have some rearranging and reconsidering to do. We do have ADRs already for CRT on 4/30 - Nonna, DD, and I. Pop Pop and DS are going to CP for breakfast. In a way I feel bad leaving DS out of eating at the castle, but he blows strawberries whenever any princess movie is put on, throws his sister's princess dolls, and shakes his head when she plays dress up, so I'm probably doing him a favor!

 

[Villainess]

LOL! Sorry about your disstress! Today is your 90 days!! Hurray Your better than me as I'm sure you've read on my PTR if I can't please you I'll please myself! Your doing a good job and its hard work to try and make everyone happy. You'll feel better once your ADRs are all booked. Good Luck

90 days! Oh! That reminds me - kids haven't taken a Mickey off the wall yet today! Pop Pop is calling for the ADRs since he makes them through DVC - I'm not sure what the difference is, if there is a difference at all, maybe since it is a dedicated line for DVC ADRs the hold time is shorter?

We were supposed to have 2 more people on our trip - my grandparents, but they would have been pretty easy to please! They haven't been to WDW in so long, everything will be new to them, especially with DD and DS here now! You know, when noone is going to be happy, you have the right idea - make yourself happy! Afterall, you are the one calling Disney, on hold, stressing, etc, etc.

What a nightmare trying to please so many with your restaurant choices. Good for you for being so patient!!

I LOVE Tangierine Cafe. It was our very favorite CS at Epcot. I think it's a good substitute since Marrakesh is out.

LOL! I'm so glad you all think I'm being patient. I don't think I am. I wanted to hit my head on the wall this weekend when DSis came over and then said, "I need to talk this over with DBIL."

Glad that you liked Tangerine Cafe; I'm pretty sure I am sitting out of Nine Dragons and going there with the kids instead!

 

[Villainess]

Woo Hoo! We have ADR's!!!!!! We have ADR's!!!!!! Well, for the first 10 days of the trip, at least!

Pop Pop was in meetings today and unable to make the ressies. I thought he was making them while giving DD and DS a bath but he was getting ready for a KofC meeting up in Iselin, so he would be missing dinner with us. On his way out, I made the executive decision - hey, I'll never be president, so I have to take executive decisions, no matter how small (IF Disney ADR's can be considered small! HA!), as they come!

After dinner and a quick cleanup, I grab our calendar, tentative schedules and DSis's demands, err, requests and settle down on the couch with the cell phone to dial that wonderful number: 407-WDW-DINE

I spoke with a CM, Marilyn. She was cordial, not overly bubbly or anything, but certainly not rude. Just matter-of-fact.

The Winner's List of Days 1 - 10 are ...
(drumroll, please)




























Continue drumming ...






























OK, here it is!
























OK, really this time

4/21 - dinner 5:25pm Liberty Tree Tavern
4/22 - lunch 12:30pm Yak & Yeti - Nonna said it was ok that she would miss this, but I feel bad since this was one of her requests.
4/23 - lunch Nine Dragons 12pm - for DSis, DBIL, and Pop Pop only. DD, DS, and I will eat CS at Tangerine Cafe, most likely. DSis wasn't thrilled to hear that DD, DS, and I wouldn't be joining them, but I received an email from the dietary person that she couldn't guarantee that they don't use MSG in their cooking. I'm not waiting until I sit down, get the kids settled to find out I can't eat.
4/24 - lunch Sci Fi 12:10pm

4/25 - breakfast Chef Mickey's 10:05am

- the only time slot for a party of 7 at Brown Derby was 4:00pm, and since Nonna has requested that this day be a MK day, in addition to having 10am b'fast ressies, I was not making ADR's for this. I called DSis, told her and said she could call and make ressies for her and DBIL, maybe they could get a better time with a table of 2. Don't think she was very happy, buy hey, Nonna gave up Yak & Yeti, I wasn't going to let her give up her MK day, too!
4/26 - dinner Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dinner Pkg 4:10pm
4/27 - breakfast Tusker House 9:35am;

dinner Chefs de France 6pm -

I think I'm going to call back and see if I can make Chefs de France for a bit later, preferably 7:15 - 7:45pm
4/28 - dinner Turf Club 6:55pm
4/29 - nothing scheduled; currently have this marked as Sea World day; probably just hit Olivia's at OKW for dinner after SW
4/30 - breakfast Pop Pop and DS at Crystal Palace 8:25am;

breakfast DD, Nonna, and I at Cinderella's Royal Table 8:25am

There you have it! Our first 10 days of dining!

And for the remainder of the trip - tentatively looking like:

5/1 - dinner Rose N Crown - looking at 7:45 ressies
5/2 - ?
5/3 - dinner Whispering Canyon Cafe
5/4 - ?
5/5 - dinner Boatwrights
5/6 - breakfast Akershus
5/7 - Mickey's Backyard BBQ

5/8 - ?
5/9 - breakfast Crystal Palace - hopefully early seating, spend morning/early afternoon in MK, head back to OKW to get ME approx. 5pm head home

There are 3 days we need to fill - suggestions? We probably have our share of character meals, but I'm open!

I think I gained 10lbs just typing this all out!