You Want to Stay Where?! A July PTR* TR LINK 8/8!

[jash08]

That passport is a great idea! I wouldn't mind having one myself!

 

[danielle79]

Ok voting. . . Signature- Citricos, Character- Be Our Guest, Table- Boma, and Counter- Columbia Harbor House.
Maddie's "graduation " dress is super cute and again can't wait until you start an Etsy shop!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Ah your stuff is always so amazing! That skirt is so cute! And I love that Maddie is gonna have a dress to match the graduate. That's adorable- I hope you guys take lots of pictures of them together!

The passport for the WS is such a good idea. I love how you incorporated learning into it. Totally awesome. If I had a child, I would love to do something like that. Maybe when Presley is a little older, we can do it with her!

As for the food,

I vote for

Jiko, Be our guest, Boma, and CHH!

Hope you guys have a great week!

 

[AvasMommy526]

You are so crafty!! I love everything and I think the passport is a great way to keep Maddie interested!!

I do want to do a TR and I hope that it will help the Disney blues I'm sure to have when we get home!!

My picks this week are

Jiko, I've just read so many wonderful reviews lately and I love AKL!

Be Our Guest, I just love the new castle and Beauty and the Beast, I can't wait o check it out!

Boma, another one I can't wait for!

CHH, I like both places but I think I like CHH better!

 

[Blessedwithboys]

I am just joining in a little late to the game. <3'ed you 2012 TR! You have a darling family! Your Maddie sounds just like my 5 year old, all about the characters!! It is so fun I could never do the deluxe dining but I love reading through all your meals yummo!

 

[Avery&Todd]

Here are my choices!!!

Signature/Celebrity Chef
5. Citricos - we havent eaten at either, but my family is not a fan of the African spices, so we'd choose Citricos!!


Character/Dinner Show
4. Garden Grill - this was our first Character dinner and the food left something to be desired, BUT it looks completely different now than it did back in 2009 AND the characters were FABULOUS!!!!

Table Service
13. Coral Reef - we've not eaten here, but when I have the chance it will SO be on the list!!

Counter Service
4. Columbia Harbor House - Im a little disappointed in myself to say yet again, that we havent eaten at either of these places, but CHH IS on my list to eat next summer!! I cant wait!!

and can I just say that Maddies mini-me dress was SO DARN CUTE!! F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!!!

 

[merbobear]

I love Maddie's poncho! That is so cute Where did you find that luggage? Adison uses an old suitcase of my mom's, and mine is like yours...I got it about 6 years ago and it has seen far better days...as in the zipper busted open on its trip around the luggage carousel a few days ago. So I definitely need at least a new large suitcase, though I guess I should do what grown ups do and get a full matching set rather than the hodge podge we have currently.

By the way, my target list is always very random, and I always walk out with more than what I needed! The best/worst part of this is that I work in a plaza with a target, so I shop there literally at least 5 days a week on my lunch. Thanks, Target, I didn't need my money anyway!

 

[orangecats2]

I know I'm late in getting here but I thought I'd vote.


Citricos


Garden Grill


Coral Reef


Columbia Harbor House

 

[shan23877]

I'd stay there.

Just sayin'

If you think foam core will stand up to your crazy Canadian weather, I'll make you one! Blue since you're so manly?

My Target list is so random and I always end up buy stuff that isn't on the list....

I would love a copy of your powerpoint...I'm not that crafty but I think Peyton would love to do this!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

If you'd like to PM me your email, I'd be happy to share the passport!

Impressive! That is going to make one heck of a nice AG camping set.


Great idea! That should really be a fun way for her to go through the WS and learn a little bit along the way. You might have a hard time slowing her down though. She might be ready to run off to the next country right away to work on that next question!

Tournament:
Jiko: I'm just going to stick with my stubborn anti-GF attitude. And I really would like to try Jiko anyway.

Be Our Guest: Garden Grill is near the top of my list for character meals that I want to try, but it can't hang with Be Our Guest

Coral Reef: Nothing quite like seeing the menu swimming by your table.

Caseys: I've never really had much interest in getting hot dogs at the MK, but I kind of fell in love with this place last time. Good chili dogs and corn dog nuggets.

Thanks! I have to say being crafty sure does help when you see the American Girl prices!

I'm not much of a hot dog person myself, but I do love Caseys. The only other place I ever eat hot dogs is at the ball park.

The tent came out great. And I love Maddie's matching "graduation" dress.

What a wonderful idea for the Passport. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

Thanks Kathy!

The training spots I’ve seen/heard are:
-When you go out of the BACK of the old character spot, there are two pathways leading between WS by that really tiny bathroom on the Canada side, and the Land pavilion, I’ve seen Belle and Cindy over there say around, 9:30, 10am ish, it was early that’s for sure, especially since Belle starts her meets in France as soon as WS opens.

Then there’s the two HUGE doors between Canada and the UK where there’s a pin cart and a coffee stand, sometimes those doors will be opened up and there will be characters in there, I caught Cindy and Ariel around 3:30, four ish in November.

Then of course the International Gateway (the little path leading to the back entrance to Epcot)

AND finally the space between US and Italy is another training spot! And since you guys are there over summer, who knows if you’ll catch some Halloween characters in traiing!?

I’m choosing:

Jiko, love the African dishes!

Be Our Guest

Boma- again, Africa and ZEBRA DOMES!!

Caseys- gotta love those corn dog nuggets!

Oh my gosh, Maddie’s going to have an Alice dress?? ADORABLE! I’ve been searching for an Alice costume in the stores/parks for Lucy and just can’t find one anywhere but DLR, and I’m never there haha.

That’s a really good passport idea, it’d keep me entertained in WS that’s for sure. Tanessa and I played the “let’s get pictures with the best looking cast member from every country” game, and Tyler and I thought about drinking around the world, but it’s so pricey. Paige and I were going to color Duffy’s but got distracted by characters haha. I’ve thought about getting a little passport thing and doing something like that

Thanks Katt! I may actually print your response and take it with me so that I can remember where to look! Maddie would love to see some new characters!

I'm soooo close to done with the Alice dress. I'll have pics next week for sure.

You could do the pass port too! You could just change the questions to stuff that's more difficult or fun!

I love your passport idea. We may have to do something like that for my niece on our trip this winter.

Ok on to picks for the week

Jiko
Be Our Guest
Coral Reef
Caseys

Thank you! I'm so glad that Karen gave me the idea!

Well, gosh, those results made me a little sad! I know places have to lose, but I seem to always pick the wrong places!!

Let's see if I can do better this week.
Signature/Celebrity Chef
Jiko

Character/Dinner Show
Be Our Guest

Table Service
Coral Reef

Counter Service
Columbia Harbor House

I'm glad the graduation dress is officially done, along with the tent! YAY for an etsy shop soon---you know I keep thinking up new dresses and costumes, so I'm ready for it!!

Yeah, about that Duffy WS thing--they will NOT be using the Sharpies. Just crayons I bring! And we will probably save lots of the coloring for later. We tried the passport once and it just didn't go over well. Who knows, maybe they'll be wonderful and not need something distracting!

I love that you avoid the Sharpies too! Who's idea was that? It's awful!

What is it with kids and WS? I guess I can see why it'd be boring, but for Maddie it's all shopping! I can't believe she doesn't tolerate it!

Love your idea for a personalized Passport! Maddie's looks great! I already have the regular Epcot one for Donovan but I'm definitely going to have to steal your idea of adding the stickers to a World Map. A little Geography lesson will help me feel less guilty about taking him out of school and hopefully help keep him interested in World Showcase. And thanks Katt789 for the heads up on those training areas! My girls would love to spot a princess or two!

On to the next round:
Signature/Celebrity Chef- Jiko

Character/Dinner Show- Be Our Guest

Table Service- Coral Reef

Counter Service- Caseys

Thank you! Please steal away! That's been my favorite part about the PTR, sharing ideas with everyone!

Wouldn't that be cool to stumble upon some unique characters?

Ooohhhh.....tough choices!

Okay....

Signature - Jiko
Character - I'm going out on a limb and saying Be Our Guest. Cause I think it's going to be an epic restaurant.
Table Service - Boma
Counter Service - Columbia Harbor House

Very nice! I love everything you've made! I'm so not crafty like that. I crochet....that's how crafty I get.

Thanks for playing Danielle!

I haven't crocheted in so long! I've tried to learn to knit, but it's not for me. Can't do it!

Cute outfits!

I love love love your WS passport. I hope Maddie likes it too!

I didn't have much interest in most of the restaurants this week, so I asked Ron to weigh in. He voted these:

Signature/Celebrity Chef
Citricos

Character/Dinner Show
Garden Grill

Table Service
Boma

Counter Service
Caseys (this last one I didn't ask him, but I know he would agree with me that Casey's is awesome)

Thanks Mel! And tell Ron thanks for voting!

Here are my picks this week:

Signature/Celebrity Chef
4. Jiko

Character/Dinner Show
5. Be Our Guest

Table Service
Boma...this was a tough one.

Counter Service
Columbia Harbor House...also tough as I've never eaten at either, but have always wanted to try both.

Can't wait to see your Etsy Shop!

Thanks for playing!

Soon I hope!

Signature/Celebrity Chef

4. Jiko

Character/Dinner Show
vs. 5. Be Our Guest - beautiful! Good dessert

Table Service

5. Boma - favorite restaurant in disney! Located at AKL, the most beautiful resort! Yummy desserts and awesome mashed potatoes! Plus it is a buffet! All wonderful in my book!

Counter Service

4. Columbia Harbor House

Thanks for voting! I do hope that we'll get to Boma or Jiko one of these days. They sound awesome!

Wow....you are a crafting maniac!!! The Passport book and countdown calendar are great! And the tent and dresses.... I am a crafty want-to-be but the outcome is much better in my head so I am slightly envious! And I love that luggage!! I so want a set now!!

Seems I missed last week's voting somehow but here are my choices for this week's:

Signature/Celebrity Chef

Citricos


Character/Dinner Show

Garden Grill (I am going to be a rebel on this one because I love the underdog! )

Table Service

Coral Reef

Counter Service

Columbia Harbor House

Thank you so, so much! If your Madison ever needs something special, just let me know!

 

[shan23877]

Ok guys it's that time again! Let's see who came out on top this week in the Tournament of Food!!!

Last week's match-ups were close ones-one region was even decided by only one vote


Signature/Celebrity Chef

4. Jiko vs. 5. Citricos

And the winner is..... Jiko!





Character/Dinner Show

4. Garden Grill vs. 5. Be Our Guest

Be Our Guest seems to be unstoppable, as it received more than twice as many votes as Garden Grill





Table Service

5. Boma vs. 13. Coral Reef

Coral Reef's Cindrella run came to an end when it ran up against Boma





Counter Service

4. Columbia Harbor House vs. 5. Casey's Corner

By just one vote, Columbia Harbor House edged the Main Street favorite




Here's what the bracket looks like now:







We've moved into the Sweet 16, so we can expect the votes to get that much tougher from here on out.


Signature/Celebrity Chef

1. California Grill vs. 4. Jiko


Character/Dinner Show

1. Chef Mickey's vs. 5. Be Our Guest


Table Service

1. 'Ohana vs. 5. Boma


Counter Service


1. Flame Tree BBQ vs. 4. Columbia Harbor House



Remember to vote for your favorite, or for the one that you'd most like to try!

 

[shan23877]

Hey guys! I've been crafting away this week, and I have a ton of stuff finished, but I'm so very close to finishing the Alice dress for Maddie that I decided to wait and I'll share everything next week when that's done.

Speaking of the Alice dress....

On Day 6 we'll be having breakfast at 1900 Park Fare! Maddie had a great time here last year-especially with Alice-and she can't wait to go back! After that we'll take the bus from the Grand Floridian to Typhoon Lagoon.

You may be thinking "why on earth are they going all the way across property to eat breakfast and then going all the way back to TL where they'll have already missed rope drop? And further more they'll be lugging all of their cameras, and an Alice costume to TL where they'll have to store it all in a locker! That's just crazy!" Well, as it turns out I was thinking the same thing.

I made all of these ADR before we booked our flights. At that time I was planning for us to arrive on property midday Day One. Once we added the room only reservation I never really bothered to revisit them.

When we added the WP&M option and decided on Typhoon Lagoon, I plugged that into the My Disney Experience app and found out that TL was having EMH that day. Well, at that point the wheels started turning.

What if we changed our 1900 Park Fare breakfast ressie to Day one? That would leave us the option of making rope drop at Typhoon Lagoon which is very near our resort! Of course that meant we'd have to give up the option of sleeping in on Day One, but with the whole check out/check in think happening that morning we'd probably not be sleeping in much anyway.

Bry agreed, and I was able to score the PF ressie for the time I wanted on Day One! Of course, the next day they cancelled EMH for the water parks.

However, I didn't change anything back. We'll be sleeping in a bit and then hitting up Typhoon Lagoon at 9 am!

This will be our first trip to the water parks, so any tips you guys have would be greatly appreciated. I know that Bry wants to do the shark thing, and we both want to try the wave pool. Maddie is most interested in any slides she can go on with mom and dad and the lazy river (that's my girl).

I did go ahead and buy a moderately priced waterproof camera, so I won't worry about lugging along the DSLR and can still take pictures. I think we'll probably still rent a locker though for our phones and such. Does anyone recall the cost for these? If I'm not mistaken, the towels have to be rented as well? Do most of you bring towels from the resort pool to use, because I'm thinking that's the best option for us. I honestly can't fathom being charged for towels as a WDW resort guest. That's kind of weird to me.

Anyway I'm thinking that if we arrive at TL at rope drop we'll have exhausted ourselves around lunch time. Sound about right to you water park vets? I'm sure we'll want to leave before the afternoon storms roll in at the very least.

What we'll do after is anyone's guess. I'm thinking that Maddie won't really be jonesing for pool time after a morning at Typhoon Lagoon so we'll probably hit a park after going back to the resort to freshen up. My best guess is Epcot since we'll likely have spent the least amount of time there, but who knows?

What I do know is that when we freshen up we'll be putting on our finery because dinner that evening is at Narcoossees!

We're excited to try out yet another new restaurant. The location is divine, and the menu looks great! I really hope we get a nice view, but even if we don't it will be such a nice treat to get dressed up and have a really nice meal as a family.

Our reservation is for 7:30 so I doubt we'll still be around to see Wishes, but if we're really wanting to see it, maybe we'll walk over to the Poly and watch from the beach. It's more likely that we'll go back to POR and crash though.


We'll need to get a good night's sleep because we have an early breakfast reservation to start off our last full day.

There are no clues for the last day's ADR. I'll just list the 3 places that are left, and you'll have to match them to the meal. In this last round you'll have to guess the meals correctly to get points, because otherwise everyone would get all the points!

Here are the standings in the Guess My ADR Game as of now: It's very close!





And the 3 restaurants that are left are:

Chef Mickey

Liberty Tree Tavern

'Ohana

Until next week friends!

 

[afwdwfan]

I've been to Typhoon Lagoon, but it has been a long, long time! I don't remember any of the details about the towels or locker rental. I just remember the lifeguard diving in to pull my mom out of the wave pool. I'm sure you'll all enjoy it though. There's a lot of fun stuff to do and the theming is great for a water park.


Tournament:
Jiko: I'd like to try it and I just don't like sushi. The only reason I'd like to go to CG would be drinks, dessert and the view.
CM: This is a tough one, and I'm sure BoG will win (and it probably should) but I don't want to give it a free pass to the end. I love both of these places and would put both on a must do list for us.
Ohana: An endless supply of meat brought to your table is always hard to beat.
Flame Tree: Sorry, but I think CHH is overrated. Kind of like I said with Ohana... Flame Tree might not be an endless supply of meat, but theres plenty there to fill you up and then some.


Guesses
Breakfast - Ohana
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner - Chef Mickey

 

[disneydancer86]

Signature/Celebrity Chef

1. California Grill - I read that the just updated it again and the DVC view for Wishes is something I will try one day!!! Also...we are sushi lovers so CG is the clear choice.


Character/Dinner Show

5. Be Our Guest - never eaten at either place, but BOG being new makes me want to try it more that CM...Also, no having no children and knowing what I have read about the CM food makes me lean even further towards BOG.


Table Service

1. 'Ohana - this was a tough one...we LOVE LOVE LOVE Boma's breakfast buffet...but Ohana at dinner is the best meal we have had at WDW to date. We would go back every trip if we could!


Counter Service

4. Columbia Harbor House - we avoid them both, really. I am allergic to most BBQ sauce and we always eat at Pinocchio's in MK because we love it. I haven't really heard much about CHH thought...is it good?

Can't wait to see your sewing pictures! Happy Friday!!

 

[katt789]

Jiko!! I don’t know why but I definitely love African food, so it wins that round for me!

Be Our Guest, duh

Ohana, since I voted for Jiko earlier, and I have yet to eat at Ohana, but don’t worry, I have an ADR for June! Bahaha.

Flame Tree! There’s just more stuff there that I would actually eat!

So glad you had fun at 1900 usually breakfast has been a miss for us because of waiting for Alice and the Hatter to get around to the table, lol.

I have no waterpark tips as I’ve never been before, odd because my pass covered them, but whatevs lol. I believe the lockers are a total of 12, with a 5 deposit you get back when you return the key, or at least that’s what they are at the parks.

Imma say:
Ohana breakfast
LTT lunch
Chef Mickey’s dinner

 

[TruLovesKiss]

WOW, down to the last 3 ADRS!! Well here it goes... fingers crossed that I pick the right order!

Ohana- breakfast
Liberty Tree Tavern - lunch
Chef Mickey's- dinner


And my choices for the next round are:

Signature/Celebrity Chef
California Grill

Character/Dinner Show
Be Our Guest

Table Service
'Ohana

Counter Service
Flame Tree BBQ

 

[ronnmel]

I'm confused. Are you, or are you not going to Park Fare that morning? Or did you just pretend you are going just for the game because you changed your ADR after the game started?

As for Typhoon Lagoon, here's what I remember. I don't remember the exact price of the locker, but I do know they give you back 5$ when you bring back the key. I find the locker useful, as I don't like to leave my key/wallet and stuff out on a chair. We rented a towel. We preferred to pay the 2$ than to have to lug around a wet towel. We also bought a little waterproof container that goes around your neck to put our KTTW in, but we didn't use it last time. If you do use it, make sure it doesn't fly out when the giant waves hit you.

Speaking of the waves, they are STRONG! Also, the bottom of the pool is kinda rough so be careful. I think it might be better if one of you goes in the pool first (while the other stays with Maddie in the very shallow portion) to check the strength of the waves at different depth and see where you would prefer to stand. Oh, I just remembered, the pool opens up wide at the entrance, so if you stand way off to the side the waves will be way less strong.

I think you made an excellent decision by purchasing a waterproof camera. You'll love to be able to get photos on slides and in the pool! Don't forget to turn the camera towards you and either film or take a picture (selfie) as you go down a slide. It's also awesome to go underwater and film/take pictures. Very cool and such a different perspective. Just make sure to always have the strap around your wrist. There are photopass people at the bottom of Crush n Gusher, in the wave pool, in the lazy river, and at the entrance of the park.

For the slides, there are lots that Maddie can go on with you. Almost all the tube slides have double tubes (triple in the case of Crush n Gusher). The mat slides are also lots of fun, and Maddie will most probably just float on the mat at the end. It's set up kinda like a "race", so you'll be arriving at the bottom more or less at the same time. Don't forget to get her a life vest if she doesn't feel comfortable in the water. She can go on all the slides (I think) with it. I haven't checked the kiddie area, but I'm sure she'll have lots of fun in there. I would wait to visit it until later in the day though. Same for the pool and lazy river. Reserve those precious morning hours for the slides. Crush n Gusher, and the different "Falls" (Mayday, Keelhaul and Gangplank) should be your first stops (check the height limit, but I think Maddie should be fine).

Wow, I didn't know I would write so much! Oh, one last thing! Make sure to try those donuts from the little stand. They are divine!!! You can go re read my TL days on both my 2009 and 2011 TR if you want more info.


Ohana- breakfast
Liberty Tree Tavern - lunch
Chef Mickey's- dinner


Boo. Most of my choices for the last round did not make it.

Signature/Celebrity Chef
California Grill

Character/Dinner Show
Be Our Guest

Table Service
'Ohana

Counter Service
1. Flame Tree BBQ

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

All caught up finally!! I LOVE Maddie's luggage! I also love all of your sewing and the passport! If you don't mind me asking...which waterproof camera did you decide on? I was looking at getting one for this summer, but I can't decide which one to get!

Your trip is looking so awesome!!

 

[KristinAnne]

Ohana- breakfast
Liberty Tree Tavern - lunch
Chef Mickey's- dinner


Choices for the bracket:

Signature/Celebrity Chef
California Grill

Character/Dinner Show
Chef Mickeys...I seem to be in the minority with this one.

Table Service
'Ohana

Counter Service
1. Columbia Harbor House...again I seem to be in the minority, but I've never had much of a desire to do Flame Tree, although maybe someday I will for the pulled pork sandwich.

 

[cheshirecatattack]

I'm going with....

Ohana breakfast
LTT lunch
Chef Mickeys dinner!

 

[Cinderella909]

And, on the "Keep Maddie interested in World Showcase" front Cinderella909-Karen gave me a great idea! She made a 'passport' for her grand daughter to have in WS. I decided that I liked the idea so much that I made one of my own! Maddie is just becoming interested in other cultures and especially other languages (the other day she was asking me how to say a bunch of stuff in Spanish and I was really knocking it out of the park. Then she started asking how to say the same things in Japanese. I told her I know how to say goodbye in German and Russian, but she was not impressed. Frankly, she knows that I can only say goodbye in German because of Project Runway.)

LOVE your Passport!!! You did an amazing job! And, thanks for the shout out! I'd recommend that you have a little scratch pad to translate exactly what the different cast member write. I didn't do that the first time, and luckily my workplace is very diverse. 'oh excuse me, do you speak Chinese?, Arabic? Japanese?' Everyone I asked was very polite and didn't seem to mind that I might have been stereotyping, but it worked!

There all sorts of really creative things for kids on the creative DISign thread. I have the template for a Flat Mickey with fun things to do while in Epcot, and along with a Animal Kingdom passport. I used them for invitations that the fairies leave at night, gift bag tags, luggage tags. I love doing all these projects. I'm not quite as creative as you and certainly don't know my way around a needle and thread. If interested in any, just pm me.

So sorry to be so late in responding. Been super busy, I just came back from Nashville for a conference. In fact, it was my first National conference and I was presenting!!! But, it was awesome... we went, we saw, we conquered!!!

Not sure, but think I missed the voting last week... but you've got some really tough choices this week.... I'm back!

Great work! Karen