You mean I DO get to go to WDW in 2014?? - Link to TR in post #523

[franandaj]

The Lobster Roll at Columbia Harbour House; at least the one I was served when I was there in September.

Mayo, lettuce and you can see the lobster in it. It's not like New England lobster rolls, not like what Jenny posted, but I thought it was better than the one at F&W. If Fran likes mayo, she may well like the one at CHH.

If anything, the portion was on the small side (which is saying something given that I do think that US portion sizes are generally large).

Hmmmmm.....I showed this picture to Fran and she said, "That's a salad not a lobster roll." I think the last really good one we had was at the Union Oyster House in Boston and that was over 10 years ago. We have made our own at home, and she even bought a pan to make the traditional New England hot dog buns that you can grill on each side. We just need to find the time to make our own bread and then make us some lobster rolls.

In the meantime, we hear that the Gelson's that opened near Belmont shore has a Wolfgang Puck's Express with a pretty decent lobster roll. Maybe we'll head over to Sonny Eclipse's instead and get ourselves a burger loaded down with toppings. Or just go for the Fish and chips and a bowl of chowder at CHH. I think we have some time to decide.

I thought it was auto correct also, but I thought it was really cute... I am sure it was chunks but it just tickled me...

pitiless pictures,,, Oh my.....

I felt so bad when I saw it. She had already responded and quoted, but I changed it none the less. She's still posting over here, so hopefully no offense was taken!

CHUNKS damn autocorrect.




Correct Allison, that was from Nantucket not CHH.

Gotta love that auto correct. After the major system update my phone did a couple weeks ago, I have to be careful, it does new stupid things that I don't expect. They need a "bad phone" smiley here!

We're definitely going to need in-depth reporting on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I've been looking forward to that more than any of the other New Fantasyland additions. Can't wait to see the results!

My kids really loved Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. I was happy to watch it once.

So far all I know is that half the ride is outside and half the ride is a dark ride. I can't wait to try it. It's supposed to be a bit more than Goofy's Barnstormer, but not quite Space Mountain.

Since I haven't seen Sorcerers of the MK, I'll be happy to see it once and then figure out if I want to see it again!

The stepsisters are an absolute riot, you will love it and the buffet isn't bad either. I'm not generally big on buffets but it does have a few nice and different options which helps a ton! But really the characters at that one, make the experience, one of our favorites ever.

We tend to like buffets if I'm in the right mood. The Strawberry Soup was the clincher, that's what we love about this buffet, but the fact that they had a couple carved meats, there is Mac and Cheese and salad and a few other dishes that sounds good, I'll be plenty full. I enjoy a good character interaction and I'm sure the Stepsisters will be fun!

 

[franandaj]

Day 3 of our trip means “Star Wars Weekends!”

As of yet, no real information has been released other than this is an official Star Wars Weekend. However, there is no information on the celebrities that will be there, the presentations that will take place or anything else. Believe me! I keep checking back at the Disney website at least once a week for some new information! However, in doing research for this post, I found a thread on the DIS with a wealth of information started by yulilin3, a local mom and SWW vet.

At first I said that “I will not assume that we don’t need to be there at the crack of Dawn even if the presentations that we want to see start at 12:00, 1:00 or 2:00PM. Hopefully the schedule will come out soon so we know what we want to do, but if it’s anything like any other Disney stuff that we totally geek out over, we will want to be there for the presentations. Depending on how the seating is determined will also dictate how we get up and show up for the park this day.” After finding the thread on the DIS I know that we need to be there at 7AM if possible because even with a posted 8AM park opening, they start letting people go in at 7:30AM.

Our plan is to just have some yogurt or cereal for breakfast with a glass of V8. That’s our vacation breakfast of champions and sometimes even the at home choice. Since the bus is the only transportation method to DHS we’ll be there as early as possible for us.

I’m not interested in autographs and that is good because I read online that there are separate queues that form OUTSIDE THE PARK BEFORE IT OPENS!!!! The people queue up for FP type wrist bands which allow them to wait in the lines for the celebrity autographs, I think we’ll skip that part.

Our first stop will probably be here. This is excerpted from a site where I found these pictures.

“A Galaxy of merchandise will be on display and available for purchase at "Darth's Mall," designed just for Star Wars Weekends. There will be event-exclusive merchandise including limited edition pins as well as Vinylmations, posters, clothing, and other items that commemorate this special occasion. You can even get a nametag with your name written in Aurebesh, a Star Wars alphabet. My advice, get there early as they can sell out.”



Here are some of the merchandise items that they had on offer last year.



If the schedule from last year is any indication of the 2014 schedule (and I am guessing that it is), we can form a rough plan based on this.

2013 schedule:

• Autograph Sessions throughout the day
• Motorcade at 11:00am
• Celebrity Welcome (Main Stage) 11:15am
• Behind the Force (Premier Theatre) - 12:00p, 1:45pm
• Stars of the Saga Talk Show and Q&A Session (Premier Theater) - 3:30pm
• Obi-Wan and Beyond (Premier Theater) - 6:30pm
• Jedi Training Academy - 8:45am, 9:20am, 10:05am, 10:35am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm
• Visit to the Maul starring Ray Park (Premier Theater) - 5:00 pm
• Padawan Mind Challenge (kids 12 and under) at 2:10pm and 4:30pm
• Hyperspace Hoopla (Main Stage) - 8:00pm
• Star Wars Character Encounters- 8:00am - 7:30pm

After we finish shopping, we should head over to whatever you call Main Street in DHS to wait for the parade. Evidently you need to get there at least an hour and a half prior to the parade to get a good seat, two hours ahead of time if you want to be in the shade. I’m not sure how we will get all the shopping in by 9:30 to line up for the parade, but maybe one of us will go scope out the spot while the other pays for and schelps the goods. We can also have them shipped home.

Back to the parade, Mickey seems to lead off the festivities followed by all sorts of Villians and other aliens, at least that seems to be the case from the 2010 pictures that I found online.

























We really need a refresher course in the Star Wars world before we go! I’m not remembering a lot of these cats!



And of course who could forget this dude?



So if the schedule holds true, I think we will follow yulilin3’s advice and hop off to find a QS restaurant to grab some lunch. I am leaning towards Fairfax Fare and their gourmet hot dogs. They have one with Mac & Cheese and Truffle Oil and another with BBQ Pork and Coleslaw. I have it on good authority from the DIS moms that both are good. Then there is always our standard for DHS which is the Backlot Express, we usually gravitate toward either the hot dog, the grilled turkey sandwich or the burger.

Since we are supposed to be eligible for FP+ I think that I might see if I can squeeze in a few of them here. RnRC, TSMM, and since people are saying you have to choose three of them, maybe either ToT or Star Tours. I mean it is Star Wars Weekends.

There should be two relatively identical presentations around 12:00 and 1:45PM so we will try to make those. However, still no word on what they will be. I have a feeling that we will be wiped out by this point and ready to head back to the room for a nap. Especially if I actually go on the FP+ rides!

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that it will be hotter than Hades when we are there! We will definitely need a nap by the time we get back to the room and some good A/C!

Dinner is planned to take place in the room and I planned something nice and refreshing. Chinese Chicken Salad a la Costco. It’s not terribly exciting, but it is tasty and easy. Following dinner we have any number of choices, we could go back to the MK, we could go out on the beach to watch the electric light parade, I think there are movies on the lawn, or we could just get a movie from the Community Hall (or wherever you get them at the VGF). We’ll want to make it a low key evening, because we have another day of Star Wars Weekends!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Sounds great re SSW! I am also finding that SWW thread from the Mom helpful. I am really looking forward to the Hyperspace Hoopla that sounds like a blast! And of course the merchandise. I really hope as this is one of the last weekends there is some left!

Your plans sound great. I loved it when we went one year and they had Storm Troopers on the roof at the entrance of HS! But it was so busy and we misjudged the parade wait times I see you have that in hand!

I am not bothered by the autographs either. I can't wait to hear who is going to be there though. I hope for a big name like Carrie Fisher! Now that would be too cool. I prefer the original movies myself.

Maybe we will bump scooters in the crowds!

 

[dgbg100106]

So we were at SWW once, 2011, and only for graduation, not really for SWW, but I can tell you that I was so miserable in the heat, please take lots of water and lots of naps, most people were really cranky by the afternoon.

 

[PrincessInOz]

SWW sounds like great fun. Looks like nice plans!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I hope that the schedule is published soon. I have to admit that the photos from the parade look great, but I am not sure if I would have the patience to wait two hours for it. Friends of ours were at Hollywood Studios for one of the Star Wars Weekends last year and they said it was crazy busy and they did not bother with the autographs either.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Could that Princess Leah Minnie be any cuter? Great plans.

 

[Pinkocto]

The characters dressed up in SW outfits are just too cute!!!


At VGF you get the movies at concierge right in the villas lobby. This is the first place that said we could keep the movies our whole stay, didn't have to bring them back or call for an extension.

 

[scottny]

MMM. I could drink that alone. LOL. Okay maybe not now but I could in the past.
That strawberry soup is so good. I have the recipe and should try to make it one day.
The plans look good. I have gone twice to SWW and have never seen the parade. LOL
Jealous here. I would love to go down for SWW again but it is not happening this year. 

 

[franandaj]

Sounds great re SSW! I am also finding that SWW thread from the Mom helpful. I am really looking forward to the Hyperspace Hoopla that sounds like a blast! And of course the merchandise. I really hope as this is one of the last weekends there is some left!

Your plans sound great. I loved it when we went one year and they had Storm Troopers on the roof at the entrance of HS! But it was so busy and we misjudged the parade wait times I see you have that in hand!

I am not bothered by the autographs either. I can't wait to hear who is going to be there though. I hope for a big name like Carrie Fisher! Now that would be too cool. I prefer the original movies myself.

Maybe we will bump scooters in the crowds!

Perhaps we will bump scooters! Shopping will take precedence over lining up for the parade (for Fran) so unless I go scope us some spots we won't have them. I know that her shopping takes a couple hours because they have to show her each of the figures she is buying and checking out takes a long long time.

I've heard about the storm troopers on the roof, but I'm not sure if they have them any longer. Perhaps we will run into each other as we each try to take care of our SWW goals!

So we were at SWW once, 2011, and only for graduation, not really for SWW, but I can tell you that I was so miserable in the heat, please take lots of water and lots of naps, most people were really cranky by the afternoon.

We always have lots of water and if we run out we buy some. We know when we have reached our limits and never try to go a whole day in the park. If we get there early we know to go back in early afternoon. If we want later afternoon, we don't get there at rope drop!

SWW sounds like great fun. Looks like nice plans!

Thanks!

I hope that the schedule is published soon. I have to admit that the photos from the parade look great, but I am not sure if I would have the patience to wait two hours for it. Friends of ours were at Hollywood Studios for one of the Star Wars Weekends last year and they said it was crazy busy and they did not bother with the autographs either.

Corinna

I don't mind waiting an hour or two for the parade, between the two of us we can talk, check out local shops or just play games or DIS on the phone in line. I just don't want to wait for hours on end with no relief in sight. I know that Disney waits range in the 1-2 hours range if it's something unique and worth doing. I figure Friday is a better day to wait for the parade than Sat or Sun.

Could that Princess Leah Minnie be any cuter? Great plans.

I know all these characters are so cute! I would also like to get pictures with them if I don't have to wait too long!

The characters dressed up in SW outfits are just too cute!!!


At VGF you get the movies at concierge right in the villas lobby. This is the first place that said we could keep the movies our whole stay, didn't have to bring them back or call for an extension.

We'll see how we do. We never end up having time to watch the movies as much as we say we want to. I wish it was like the Cruise line, that they were just on all the time and you could tune in while in the room.

MMM. I could drink that alone. LOL. Okay maybe not now but I could in the past.
That strawberry soup is so good. I have the recipe and should try to make it one day.
The plans look good. I have gone twice to SWW and have never seen the parade. LOL
Jealous here. I would love to go down for SWW again but it is not happening this year. 

I have the recipe for the strawberry soup too, but I also have a healthier one which I have made and is very tasty.
I'll take plenty of pictures of the parade!

I just need to catch up on the newer episodes. I fell asleep every time we tried to watch them. Now we need to watch them before we go an all our movies are packed up in boxes for moving. I'm hoping we might watch one or two episodes while we are the VGC now that they are predicting rain. Heck I wouldn't complain about just kicking it in bed or on the couch watching movies there! We can hit the parks anytime, when can we sit back and relax watching a movie!!!!

 

[franandaj]

Day 4 of our trip means more “Star Wars Weekends!”

Since we barely accomplished half of what we wanted to do on the previous day, we will back for more on Saturday. This time I don’t think we’ll try to get there at rope drop because the things we will want to do are later in the day and we want to have the stamina left to do them. I’ll also schedule the same FP+ options as the day before in case I don’t get on them. If I do get on them, I hear that it is fairly easy to change them and I’ll have a computer and a smartphone to do so. If we see the parade and the 12:00 or 1:45 presentation the day before, I’ll be wanting to see the 3:30 and 6:00 presentations on this day. I’ll also be keen on getting a few character photos as well.

This is the advice given by yulilin3 on character meets:
“I always do Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Stormtrooper Donald, Darth Goofy first, why/ because their line is completely in the sun and it gets hot, fast. So get one or hopefully 2 of the mentioned characters, then go to...Chewbacca's line, very, very popular, but in the shade. By this point you should expect to wait around 45 minutes for the loveable Wookie. Then you can do Chip and Dale as Ewoks, they are right across from Chewie, maybe go to the Clone Wars characters by Mama Melrose, The Jedi Council by the San Francisco Mural. Darth Vader is another long line but it's under roof and he meets during the parade, so you can meet him then. Expect 1 hour wait.
Then you can do Darth Maul, The Fetts, and the roaming characters around Backlot Tour.”

I don’t think I will be that exuberant to get character photos, but I will want a couple. Here’s some character photos that I found online.





Here’s a picture of the Marquis for the Theater where most of the presentations take place.



We’ll probably squeeze lunch in there somewhere. I know that I won’t be having the mac and cheese topped hot dog for lunch because I’m weird and can’t have the same food twice in one day! But I’m sure we won’t go hungry.

By the time we get out of the 6:30 presentation, it will be getting close to 8PM. There is something called the Hyperspace Hoopla that goes on at 8PM, but someone posted a link of the 2013 show and it didn’t seem like something I would really be into sticking around for. I think it would be nice to head back to the room for a glass of wine and dinner. In my first post of the Plan, I said that I was planning on Club sandwiches for dinner, however, a couple weeks ago, I rethought out that plan and decided I’d much rather have Cresent dogs. How could you not want these beauties?



I think by this time, we will be all “Star Wars’d out” and will be ready for a change of pace on Sunday.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The characters look precious in their Star Wars costumes. Donald in particular looks like a keeper.

The Cresent dogs look delicious. What do the consist of?

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

The characters look precious in their Star Wars costumes. Donald in particular looks like a keeper.

The Cresent dogs look delicious. What do the consist of?

Corinna

Pilsbury's recipe is that you take their crescent rolls that come in a tube and wrap them around the hot dogs and bake for 15-20 minutes. We take it a step further and slice the hot dogs down the center and putting part of a slice of cheese and a pickle inside before wrapping them with the crescent roll. It's an easy and yummy meal. Sometimes I even say that the pickle meets my veggie requirements!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Pilsbury's recipe is that you take their crescent rolls that come in a tube and wrap them around the hot dogs and bake for 15-20 minutes. We take it a step further and slice the hot dogs down the center and putting part of a slice of cheese and a pickle inside before wrapping them with the crescent roll. It's an easy and yummy meal. Sometimes I even say that the pickle meets my veggie requirements!

Thanks, I have to try if I can find something like the crescent rolls in the UK. We would both love this.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Those crescent rolls look mighty tasty!

Funny thing is that last year we stumbled upon a SWW and didn't pay any attention. It was so hot starting off at 9:00 we headed out not much later. Now I'm totally regretting not stopping in the shop or finding any of the characters.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I hope you don't get star wars out during this weekend. I'm a star wars geek and I want to enjoy the vicarious living as much as possible.

interesting dogs.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

So looking forward to those cute characters! I am glad Corinna enquired about the crescent delights because I had never seen or heard of them. I love the sound of them! I prefer your enhancements yum. I just adore hot dogs but in the UK we aren't big into them which is a shame. The other day on Man Vs Food a show I enjoy he had a hot dog with like a whole bowl full of chilli put on top. Looked amazing
I read about how amazing this hoopla thing was saw it online and wasn't over impressed either. Will save my energy for something else.

I wonder what delights Fran will score in stores! I hope you post ! I am hoping to get a few pieces myself ...I have my pocket money saved!

 

[franandaj]

Thanks, I have to try if I can find something like the crescent rolls in the UK. We would both love this.

Corinna

If nothing else you can use puff pastry or if you have some other kind of dough that would be fine. I hope you can work it out. Keep me posted.

Those crescent rolls look mighty tasty!

Funny thing is that last year we stumbled upon a SWW and didn't pay any attention. It was so hot starting off at 9:00 we headed out not much later. Now I'm totally regretting not stopping in the shop or finding any of the characters.

The pack had eight so we did make four according to the package, but you and your mom could have these with veggie dogs. They're really good albeit not that healthy.

I hope you don't get star wars out during this weekend. I'm a star wars geek and I want to enjoy the vicarious living as much as possible.

interesting dogs.

I think we'll get the most of the experience before we max out, but the heat will definitely be a problem. Those doing cosplay must really suffer.

So looking forward to those cute characters! I am glad Corinna enquired about the crescent delights because I had never seen or heard of them. I love the sound of them! I prefer your enhancements yum. I just adore hot dogs but in the UK we aren't big into them which is a shame. The other day on Man Vs Food a show I enjoy he had a hot dog with like a whole bowl full of chilli put on top. Looked amazing
I read about how amazing this hoopla thing was saw it online and wasn't over impressed either. Will save my energy for something else.

I wonder what delights Fran will score in stores! I hope you post ! I am hoping to get a few pieces myself ...I have my pocket money saved!

You probably don't know about this American commercial, but it was in the 70's, the jingle went, "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet..." Hot dogs are quintessentially American. We have them everywhere. Unfortunately I do like them. Sometimes we watch Man vs Food but not often, its fairly bulgur.

Fran will find the best of the best in the stores!

 

[franandaj]

Well we made it safe and sound. We arrived just before 3PM and the room was not ready, but I got the text about two minutes to 4PM that the room was ready.

Both of us were exhausted, we didn't get to sleep until about 2AM. After band we had to pick up the rent checks, scan them and write up the deposit. I had to write a letter to let the tenants know Fran will be coming by today with an appraiser who needs to enter all the units. I also had to write up a sheet with new kitty feeding instructions since we have all the new faces since our last trip.

We were up at 6AM to meet the guy surveying the new house and making detailed measurements in order to draw a floorplan. We also had to buy some plants, light fixtures, and a sprinkler timer and drop them off. After a visit to the bank, the tailor and dropping all our items from HD off at the new house, we went back home to pack Fran's items and load the car.

Needless to say, we were quite punchy by the time we got tot the room. Fran went out right away, but I was so tired that I couldn't sleep. Instead I decided to use the Jacuzzi tub. Remember how I mentioned that I bring along some bleach and run it through the jets in the tub? Best $.97 I ever spent! When I started the water running I noticed something odd about how the water pooled in the tub. Upon closer inspection I noticed an odd sort of yellow tinge to the tub.

The water was "beading" as it touched the sides of the tub. I also noticed "trails" coming down from the jets of a sort of dirty nature. From my best guess someone must have used bath oil and the maids either didn't clean the tub or if they did, it must have been REALLY awful! I used a washcloth to scrub the sides of the tub, thankful that I had a large bottle of bleach handy. This was NOT how I wanted to be starting off my midweek relaxing weekend.

However, once the task was complete the tub was nice and clean and I was convinced all the cooties were removed. I really enjoy my jacuzzi tub at DVC resorts. We're about to get some breakfast and then I'll head to the spa for my massage. By this afternoon I should be feeling much better!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Well we made it safe and sound. We arrived just before 3PM and the room was not ready, but I got the text about two minutes to 4PM that the room was ready. Both of us were exhausted, we didn't get to sleep until about 2AM. After band we had to pick up the rent checks, scan them and write up the deposit. I had to write a letter to let the tenants know Fran will be coming by today with an appraiser who needs to enter all the units. I also had to write up a sheet with new kitty feeding instructions since we have all the new faces since our last trip. We were up at 6AM to meet the guy surveying the new house and making detailed measurements in order to draw a floorplan. We also had to buy some plants, light fixtures, and a sprinkler timer and drop them off. After a visit to the bank, the tailor and dropping all our items from HD off at the new house, we went back home to pack Fran's items and load the car. Needless to say, we were quite punchy by the time we got tot the room. Fran went out right away, but I was so tired that I couldn't sleep. Instead I decided to use the Jacuzzi tub. Remember how I mentioned that I bring along some bleach and run it through the jets in the tub? Best $.97 I ever spent! When I started the water running I noticed something odd about how the water pooled in the tub. Upon closer inspection I noticed an odd sort of yellow tinge to the tub. The water was "beading" as it touched the sides of the tub. I also noticed "trails" coming down from the jets of a sort of dirty nature. From my best guess someone must have used bath oil and the maids either didn't clean the tub or if they did, it must have been REALLY awful! I used a washcloth to scrub the sides of the tub, thankful that I had a large bottle of bleach handy. This was NOT how I wanted to be starting off my midweek relaxing weekend. However, once the task was complete the tub was nice and clean and I was convinced all the cooties were removed. I really enjoy my jacuzzi tub at DVC resorts. We're about to get some breakfast and then I'll head to the spa for my massage. By this afternoon I should be feeling much better!

Oh my that's only 4 hours sleep if that! You both must be so tired. Plus trying to do all those tasks! Thank goodness you brought your clorox you saved yourself some germs and lord knows what else. I bet when you were done and finally got in the tub it was like heaven! I hope you enjoyed your breakfast and well deserved massage.