WL Jan-Feb, anyone else!

[Taratink]

I went to college for Hotel/Rest and minored in Cooking. Small strange world.
Tara

 

[mel64]

wildernesslodgelover, DH has blonde hair(what's left of it) Mine is short brown
How we ended up with a redhead i'll never know.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

mel-Hmmm...there are some jokes in there somewhere, but I don't know you well enough to crack those jokes! LOL! But I will look for you...I may just have to try to locate a lime green bandana to tie on our backpack. We always carry our black backpack that has "Disney" stitched on it in different colors. I never realized how much we carry that thing until i was showing my cousin our WDW pictures and she asked if we had a dead body in there cuz it is with us in EVERY picture...whether at a nice restaurant, a park, the pool..wherever!

Taratink-What a coincidence! I am hoping to attend J&W or Florida Culinary Institute ONE DAY. A "Le Cordon Bleu" just opened near my house but I have not heard much about it yet!

Dchef-Ya know, even with a degree, I do not think i would want to work in a professional kitchen...at least not long term. I used to waitress and i saw how stressful it was. Although I thought I heard the pastry chef has the best gig as far as back of the house goes. Maybe I would get sick of all the sweets, but i bet I would gain 20 pounds BEFORE that happened!

Ok, I shall look for ya'll!

 

[PigletFan05]

We will be there Jan 18-23 for our 10 year anniversary. Can't wait ready to start packing. Hope the weather stays warm.

 

[mel64]

mel-Hmmm...there are some jokes in there somewhere

I just tell everybody that the UPS man has red hair

 

[Dchef]

Wildernesslodgelover, I actually attended Johnson and Wales and recieved my Associates degree in Norfolk Virginia ( don't know if it is still there). I am from VA originally then moved to CO.
I wouldn't recommend J&W personally...but hey Emeril went there--maybe different in the Miami or Rhode Island school...But I think I could have stuck it out in the restaurants and learned more. JMHO. (and now, $20,000 later and not working....oh, don't get me started)
So we need to coordenate the best places to eat. I haven't been to WDW since with my parents in 73-74 and we were there the first year it opened.
So I am in for a shock--

I was looking through those old pictures the other day of all the land around there and the Contemporary which to us was a Grand Hotel then. I know things have changed.

I will be sporting some kind of lime...but it may be in my drink!

Darlene

 

[Dchef]

Tara, Where did you attend school? Are you working in the Restaurant buisness now?

D

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Mel-heehee, you knew what I was thinking!

Dchef-The thing is, I am pretty sure I do not want to work in the restaurant industry. That is why I would never take out a loan to go to culinary school. It is something I may do one day after my DD grows up, if we have an extra 30k laying around (yeah, right!) I would LOVE to do the French Culinary Institute in NYC. Honestly, I just want to say I have a degree in something that I love, even if it is just to make me a better home chef. Again, I do not forsee it happening unless we stumble across a pot of money. But it is nice to have dreams. I always do the J&W open house when it comes up.

So even though you are not "using" your degree...I am still envious that you HAVE that degree in something that I find so interesting. And no one can ever take that away from you! So be PROUD of that degree!

Also, just wanted to add that I went with my folks to Disney in the early 70s...right when the Contemporary first opened and we stayed there. But my parents were not big WDW freaks like DH and I are now so I do not remember staying on site with them after that, although we did go to the parks a few times through the years.

I posted on your thread on the restaurants board. The food is overpriced at WDW, that is for sure. I think DH and I will dine at V&A on our 10 year anniversary. Oh, and I think the buffets are pretty darn good at WDW so don't be afraid of them! The only thing to be afraid of is pigging out...I can never control myself at a buffet!

 

[Dchef]

I wonder what the average wieght gain is on a weeks vacation?

A friend told us when we were first thinking of going that if you can possibly let go of the food/money thing I just resign yourself to the fact that you are going to spend it, then you will have a much better time. He said the first time he went all he did was worry and complain over how pricy the food was--got him no where. So now he just plans for it. Which is exactly what we have done...but we want to eat as healthy as possible so I think in order to do that we will spend more than average.

Darlene

 

[mel64]

This year DH and I plan to eat our way around WDW. LOL! I don't even want to think about how much weight I'll gain. At least we'll be doing a lot of walking. Balance it out maybe, Yeah right!

 

[Taratink]

Dchef
I went to a voc. high school where I majored in Culinary Arts. During high school I worked in a couple of kitchens. I went to Endicott College for hotel/rest. mgmt and minored in cooking. I worked at a country club for a while and then attempted front of the house which I HATED. I'm derranged and I belong in the kitchen with my fellow maniacs. It takes a different sort to work thoses crazy hours. I have been a stay at home Mom for the last 5 years. I do miss the hum of the commercial refrigerators and the clanking of the pots and pans. Well.... that was a stroll down memory lane. Maybe a little too much info. LOL
Tara

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Taratink-Well, it sounds pretty cool to me! I always worked front of the house, and at the time I was miserable, but now I miss the camaraderie and team work...and even the fights we would get into with the back of the house! LOL!

Mel-That is our plan, too!

Dchef-Oh, yes. I must tell you that when DH and I go to WDW we dine like rock stars! Another cocktail? SURE? how bout an appetizer for each of us?? YES! Dessert? OF COURSE! We do not skimp, and I would not really want to go if we had to. I have friends that pack food and that just doesn't appeal to me. I like to have one GRAND meal a day...usually dinner but sometimes breakfast. This trip we want to try Flying Fish, maybe Blue Zoo, maybe Le Cellier and Fresh for breakfast.

My point about the food being pricey is this: I do not mind paying big bucks for food. But when I spend $100 at WDW, I feel like I got a meal that should have cost, like, let's say...$70, you know what I mean? I do have the FL resident Disney Dining experience card now. It cost $70 and gives you 20% off all sit down restaurants and some counter service. That includes alcohol! Yipee!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well, I just popped over to the restaurant board and saw that they now offer the Disney Dining Experience card to AP holders! Do you have an AP? This card is well worth it! what a coincidence that I just mentioned it!

 

[Taratink]

Wlidernesslodgelover- My husband is having second thoughts about our stay at the WL. I think that he really wants to stay at the poly. He asked me if we could switch if we were not happy with our stay. I said that I thought that we could. What can I say to him to set his mind at ease? I suggested a split trip but he doesn't want to pack up.(we all know who would do the packing up.) He also said "what if we love the WL and I don't want to leave?" He is driving me crazy. Help me please!
Tara

 

[Aurora in blue]

The home depot has lime green mickeys . They are in the paint department and are actually cards with all the different paint samples on them. On our last trip this dec. I saw a lady who had one attached to her backpack and i thought what a good idea. We stayed at WL and thought it was beautiful.

 

[jenjersnap]

Hi everyone! I have ressies for a quick 2-nighter at WL for 2/2-2/3, afterward, we're moving to the Dolphin to take advantage of that great room rate they are offering for that weekend. Not sure yet if we're actually going to go or not since we just got back two weeks ago. LOL! Everything, however, seems to be falling into place so easily for a last minute trip that it seems like destiny. (DH would roll his eyes if he knew I'd written that)

Hope to see you there. If I come, I will definitely have my 4.5-year old. If the whole family comes, DH and our 18-month old will be there too. I have lime green Mickeys heads from our last trip and they will be on the stroller ...

 

[Taratink]

Aurora-Good idea about the Lime Mickeys. My daughter always grabs a few samples every trip. My husband is going to think that I am crazy when I ask him to grab me some. He makes fun of me constantly about my DIS board habit. He was hysterical when he read my user name. So glad that I can supply him with some more amunition.
Tara

 

[jenjersnap]

Aurora-Good idea about the Lime Mickeys. My daughter always grabs a few samples every trip. My husband is going to think that I am crazy when I ask him to grab me some. He makes fun of me constantly about my DIS board habit. He was hysterical when he read my user name. So glad that I can supply him with some more amunition.
Tara

Ha, yes, mine came from Home Depot courtesy of my DH. He teased me about it but, at the same time went to Kinkos and got them laminated. During our trip - didn't run into DIS people, sadly - he remarked that I was so well-prepared and could rattle off so many facts that he now understood why I spent so much time here!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

My DH also makes fun of the time I spend on these boards...but he loves some of the tricks and time and money saving ideas I have gotten!

Jenjersnap-Have a great trip! I have never stayed at the Dolphin...what rate are you getting (if you don't mind me asking...) Have you stayed there before?

Taratink-Well, I am always amazed...there are some people who do not care for the WL! I had some friends go recently and they were not impressed. Now, I have never stayed at the Poly and there are lots of rabid fans out there of that resort. But for some reason, when I walk around that resort I don't feel the desire or need to stay there. When we stayed at CSR we went over to the WL for a meal..our first time on WL property. As soon as we walked into the lobby, we were in awe. My DH said, "I don't care how much it costs, next time we come to WDW we are staying HERE!

I am sure you will love the Poly, and the monorail is awesome. I live in South FL so I don't care so much for a tropical theme when I vacation...I like the woodsy atmosphere of WL. Good luck with whatever you decide. I would not like a split stay, either....unless I was going on a long trip (more than 4 nights.)

 

[mel64]

We are splitting 4nights at AKL and 5 nights at WL. I keep thinking we should stay all 9 at WL just because of the packing. DS wants to stay where he can "see the animals from the room" and we stay at WL every year. So here we go, I am already laying down the law. Dirty clothes in one bag, only take 4 days worth of clothes out of suitcases. Help! How do you manage the move??