The Little Trip That Could-- PartI: Pre-PTR for our Upcoming Holiday Adventure! About This Page:

[Starla4436]

1. Holiday Happenings
Everything should be decorated and it so beautiful especailly in EPCOT to just wonder around with all the lights...and of course the Osbourne Lights are a must see..

2. ADRs
I really like the Brown Derby so i would definetly book it for the FDP...i am noyt a huge fan of the other two options...Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melroses. Are you going to eat at San Angel Inn?

3. Tours
DH and I are really considering doing the Segway tour on our next trip as well as the Wild by Design tour and I think Cheryls TR covered both of those tours and made them look impossible to pass up.

6. Temperature/Dress
Its all about layers at this time of year...the weather is a bit crazy.

7. Getting in Shape
I am in the same boat and am going to do WW's online...i have lost 50 lbs on it before...but then i got married and gained the "Married 10 X 5). I am also going to start training for the Expedition Everest™ Challenge 5K

[amandal]

Okie dokie. Where to start: I tend to ramble so bear with me. . .

As far as a tour: You already know where I stand. KTTK, without a doubt, you will bow at my feet with thanks if you do it. I know for an absolute fact that you will L-O-V-E it. Even if it is 4 and a half hours.

ADR's: We are doing Le Cellier and O'Hana for the first time in August. Too bad you can't wait til I get back so I can tell you how they were. We love Kona Cafe at the Poly and we also loved Spoodles at Boardwalk (also a great atmosphere!!)

Holiday Happenings: We've always went closer to Xmas and made sure we did MVMCP. I think there will be enough to take in with just the decorations. You really don't need anything else IMO.

Temperature: FL is the most unpredictable state ever when it comes to weather. I would like to see anyone answer this question with any certainty

Getting in Shape: I just bought an awesome book at Barnes and Noble called EAT THIS NOT THAT. It's awesome. It tells you what to order in restaurants to get the healthiest option. It tells you what to buy in the supermarket . . . . all kinds of great stuff. I learned soooo much. Check it out, trust me!!!

Anything else??? Let me know.

[scdisneyfan]

ADRS: Okay so here i would like to say that i agree with amandal and say that Spoodles is one of my favorites by far so if you guys want to give it a try i dont think you'd be disappointed. We are actually trying the hollywood brown derby for lunch and kona for breakfast in sept. I have eaten at ohanas for dinner and it was great but i dunno about breakfast. I will say that i did enjoy Les Chefs de France for dinner. It was pretty good and something different. I had a friend do the 1900 park fare dinner last thanksgiving and she absolutely loved it and couldnt stop raving about it.

Tours: never done any but i swear i keep hearing rave reviews on KTTK tour, makes me think i might want to do it. I did hear something on a podcast about the segway tour and it seems kinda interesting. If your boyfriend is anything like mine...as long as its electronic and different he would be enthralled with that portion of the tour*L*

Calendars: I think they release those anywhere from 7-8 months out. I know we are 6 months out next week and those dates were release about 2-3 weeks ago.

Crowds: I have heard from my friend who went this past thanksgiving that the crowds were high on fri after thanksgiving and that weekend. I'm not sure of your dates but I would expect waits for rides. There are a few threads right now talking about thanksgiving crowds if you are interested. My thing is take advantage of EMH and take a break midday and i would think that it would be manageable.

Temps: I think it was around 80 last thanksgiving but like other's have said the highs and lows are up and down. I would take a little bit of everything and expect it to range in temps.

Getting in Shape: A friend of mine and I are teaming up with some fellow PP to start a thread to get into shape for the EE challenge 5K at the end of september. I dunno what that will entail probably swapping ideas etc. You are more than welcome to swap ideas,tips or that its hard...because for me it is!! I would say my friends and i lost the most with weight watchers. But honestly its all about portion control with exercise and water. Its just hard to get started and motivated for me anyway!!

have fun with the planning...i know i am!!!

Crissy

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by DELG8TOR

This is direct from the IRS site!!!! So depending on how you have your tax refund sent to you will determine how you get your rebate money. You also have to make sure that you file your taxes for this year on time. If not then the rebate money will be delayed!

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits:
Payment will be transmitted:
00 through 20
May 2
21 through 75
May 9
76 through 99
May 16

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits:
Payments will be mailed by:
00 through 09
May 16
10 through 18
May 23
19 through 25
May 30
26 through 38
June 6
39 through 51
June 13
52 through 63
June 20
64 through 75
June 27
76 through 87
July 4
88 through 99
July 11

Awesome! Thanks! I already got my refund (by check) even though we e-filed. So I am good to go for my on schedule May check! Sweet! Rob doesn't get his until July though... I am in the first group and he is the last! lol!
In any case, I couldn't quote your other response but thank you SO much for all the info! What is the Challengers?

Originally Posted by KandJluvdisney

mel,

I can only help you with food as we have never been in nov before - or done a tour - Ohana's is awsome and a must do for us every trip - the fruit is super fresh and the juice is delicious - I would give it a shot - I don't think that you will be disappointed - I am actually with rob on trying france - chef's de france sounds just great and we will be trying it on a future trip for sure
as for losing weight - I have lost about 20 pounds just watching what I eat - I eat 3 balanced meals a day and watch my snacks - the 100 calorie pack snacks are my very best friends. I also walk every day during the summer and when it starts getting warmer out I will start walking again - I also cut out coffee from my diet completely -instead I drink one iced tea a day with splenda. I would use the treadmill and just watch what you eat. Oh and I do have a wicked sweet tooth so sometimes it is hard but I want to maintain what I have accomplished
good luck - hope I could help

I have promised myself that starting on Sunday I am going to turn over a new leaf. I have too much birthday cake and cupcakes still to think I can start now. So I can enjoy my Easter and then start dieting. I really want to get moving on that! Oh and btw, congrats on your wieght loss that is awesome!!!

Originally Posted by Starla4436

1. Holiday Happenings
Everything should be decorated and it so beautiful especailly in EPCOT to just wonder around with all the lights...and of course the Osbourne Lights are a must see..

2. ADRs
I really like the Brown Derby so i would definetly book it for the FDP...i am noyt a huge fan of the other two options...Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melroses. Are you going to eat at San Angel Inn?

3. Tours
DH and I are really considering doing the Segway tour on our next trip as well as the Wild by Design tour and I think Cheryls TR covered both of those tours and made them look impossible to pass up.

6. Temperature/Dress
Its all about layers at this time of year...the weather is a bit crazy.

7. Getting in Shape
I am in the same boat and am going to do WW's online...i have lost 50 lbs on it before...but then i got married and gained the "Married 10 X 5). I am also going to start training for the Expedition Everest™ Challenge 5K

Can you send me a link to Cheryl's TR- I couldn't find it but I am probably overlooking it....hmm...
Also, with FDP, we did Mama Melrose's our last trip and whiel it was a nice one timer I didn't love it enough to go back. We have also done San Angel Inn twice plus lunch in Mexico twice but we might squeeze it in anyhow. lol!

Originally Posted by amandal

Okie dokie. Where to start: I tend to ramble so bear with me. . .

As far as a tour: You already know where I stand. KTTK, without a doubt, you will bow at my feet with thanks if you do it. I know for an absolute fact that you will L-O-V-E it. Even if it is 4 and a half hours.

ADR's: We are doing Le Cellier and O'Hana for the first time in August. Too bad you can't wait til I get back so I can tell you how they were. We love Kona Cafe at the Poly and we also loved Spoodles at Boardwalk (also a great atmosphere!!)

Holiday Happenings: We've always went closer to Xmas and made sure we did MVMCP. I think there will be enough to take in with just the decorations. You really don't need anything else IMO.

Temperature: FL is the most unpredictable state ever when it comes to weather. I would like to see anyone answer this question with any certainty

Getting in Shape: I just bought an awesome book at Barnes and Noble called EAT THIS NOT THAT. It's awesome. It tells you what to order in restaurants to get the healthiest option. It tells you what to buy in the supermarket . . . . all kinds of great stuff. I learned soooo much. Check it out, trust me!!!

Anything else??? Let me know.

Spoodles sounds good... I had never thought of it before. Rob loves Le Cellier... and it was very nice, reminded me of a hunting lodge- like maybe Gaston's little rustic bar in Beauty & the Beast. I would return if he really wanted to I just wasn't as impressed as he was. You will really enjoy the food and ambiance though. In any case, I really want to do the Lilo & Stitch character bfast and that is why I am so motivated to do the OHana bfast! Oh and thanks so much for the book tip I am going to look it up later! I just read Skinnt B1tch... which was an eye opener BUT had a very vegan agenda at the same time. I learned a lot but don't have the money to go and revamp my entire kitchens stock of food so I am going little by little.

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

ADRS: Okay so here i would like to say t
hat i agree with amandal and say that Spoodles is one of my favorites by far so if you guys want to give it a try i dont think you'd be disappointed. We are actually trying the hollywood brown derby for lunch and kona for breakfast in sept. I have eaten at ohanas for dinner and it was great but i dunno about breakfast. I will say that i did enjoy Les Chefs de France for dinner. It was pretty good and something different. I had a friend do the 1900 park fare dinner last thanksgiving and she absolutely loved it and couldnt stop raving about it.

Tours: never done any but i swear i keep hearing rave reviews on KTTK tour, makes me think i might want to do it. I did hear something on a podcast about the segway tour and it seems kinda interesting. If your boyfriend is anything like mine...as long as its electronic and different he would be enthralled with that portion of the tour*L*

Calendars: I think they release those anywhere from 7-8 months out. I know we are 6 months out next week and those dates were release about 2-3 weeks ago.

Crowds: I have heard from my friend who went this past thanksgiving that the crowds were high on fri after thanksgiving and that weekend. I'm not sure of your dates but I would expect waits for rides. There are a few threads right now talking about thanksgiving crowds if you are interested. My thing is take advantage of EMH and take a break midday and i would think that it would be manageable.

Temps: I think it was around 80 last thanksgiving but like other's have said the highs and lows are up and down. I would take a little bit of everything and expect it to range in temps.

Getting in Shape: A friend of mine and I are teaming up with some fellow PP to start a thread to get into shape for the EE challenge 5K at the end of september. I dunno what that will entail probably swapping ideas etc. You are more than welcome to swap ideas,tips or that its hard...because for me it is!! I would say my friends and i lost the most with weight watchers. But honestly its all about portion control with exercise and water. Its just hard to get started and motivated for me anyway!!

have fun with the planning...i know i am!!!

Crissy

Wow thanks! I guess my calendar wont be out for a few more months- closer to my ADR 180 day out. I heard that it can be very bareable if you avoid the right parks ont he right days, you can come across even less crowds then summer crowds which is what I am hoping for. We have never REALLY taken advantage of EMH before so I want to make that a priority this trip... but we will probably go with the PM ones. We also like to take a quick break as well. What section has the Thanksgiving threads? I coudln't find any when I did a regular search.

[scdisneyfan]

i saw it under page four just now under planning your adventure....the thread is called thanksgiving i think....there were a few of them discussing crowds at the first of this week end of last week. Hope you can find it!

[DELG8TOR]

Originally Posted by MyRapunzal

In any case, I couldn't quote your other response but thank you SO much for all the info! What is the Challengers?

Not a problem! Your welcome...
As far as the Challenger group is concerned, this is the description that you get from the user profiles when you join. Go to the kitchen forum and take a look around and it is pretty self explanatory from there.

Challenger: Members of this group participate in the 12-week PassPorter Challenge for weight loss and have access to a private forum for support. For details, see The Kitchen forum.

[jhoshowski]

Mel, I think you got a lot of great advice, so I won't repeat it. As for weight loss (DH and I are trying, too) no soda; and 100 calorie packs are your best friends! Watch artificial sweetners - DH read that the packs you add to water (like Crystal Light) actually interfere with weight loss. Good luck and if you need to vent/need support, you know that you can PM me!

[Starla4436]

Can you send me a link to Cheryl's TR- I couldn't find it but I am probably overlooking it....hmm...
Also, with FDP, we did Mama Melrose's our last trip and whiel it was a nice one timer I didn't love it enough to go back. We have also done San Angel Inn twice plus lunch in Mexico twice but we might squeeze it in anyhow. lol!

Here is a link to the TR...its wonderfully written...

Nineteen nights of MouseFest, Disney and Christmas - THREAD 1 - UPDATED 1/11

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

i saw it under page four just now under planning your adventure....the thread is called thanksgiving i think....there were a few of them discussing crowds at the first of this week end of last week. Hope you can find it!

I just looked it up! What a gret thread- tons of info! Thanks!

Originally Posted by DELG8TOR

Not a problem! Your welcome...
As far as the Challenger group is concerned, this is the description that you get from the user profiles when you join. Go to the kitchen forum and take a look around and it is pretty self explanatory from there.

Challenger: Members of this group participate in the 12-week PassPorter Challenge for weight loss and have access to a private forum for support. For details, see The Kitchen forum.

I haven't had the time to get over there and check it out but the Challenger forum seems awesome!!!

Originally Posted by jhoshowski

Mel, I think you got a lot of great advice, so I won't repeat it. As for weight loss (DH and I are trying, too) no soda; and 100 calorie packs are your best friends! Watch artificial sweetners - DH read that the packs you add to water (like Crystal Light) actually interfere with weight loss. Good luck and if you need to vent/need support, you know that you can PM me!

I have recently gotten my taste for water back (for a while I just didn't want any) but after I started using the Crystal Light packets and stopped read the same stuff about Crystal Light. From what I have come across, its better to sweeten with unrefined "raw" sugar then to use artificial sweeteners. I have been trying to change my habits. Its SO hard though!

Originally Posted by Starla4436

Can you send me a link to Cheryl's TR- I couldn't find it but I am probably overlooking it....hmm...
Also, with FDP, we did Mama Melrose's our last trip and whiel it was a nice one timer I didn't love it enough to go back. We have also done San Angel Inn twice plus lunch in Mexico twice but we might squeeze it in anyhow. lol!

Here is a link to the TR...its wonderfully written...

Nineteen nights of MouseFest, Disney and Christmas - THREAD 1 - UPDATED 1/11

I just subscribed and I am going to try and catch up and read through this weekend (I also need to finish Sharons most recent TR)! Thanks for the link!

[Alice in wonderland]

Hey Mel

SO excited you have booked your trip.
Sorry i havent been on in a while. Being 3 months pregant is taking its toll on me. So much has happened on your TR (it has only been 3 days)!!!
Your party looks great fun, the cake was amazing and i am glad Liam is now ok!!



ADR's
In Epcot - we loved Chefs de France and Le Cellier they were definately the stand out for us.

I would also suggest going to BOMA at Animal kingdom Lodge. The food was amazing, i think our best meal of the whole 12 days. And you also get to see the AKL which is spectacular!!!

[MickeyMAC]

Wow a lot has happened, glad I'm caught up.

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by Alice in wonderland

Hey Mel

SO excited you have booked your trip.
Sorry i havent been on in a while. Being 3 months pregant is taking its toll on me. So much has happened on your TR (it has only been 3 days)!!!
Your party looks great fun, the cake was amazing and i am glad Liam is now ok!!
ADR's
In Epcot - we loved Chefs de France and Le Cellier they were definately the stand out for us.

I would also suggest going to BOMA at Animal kingdom Lodge. The food was amazing, i think our best meal of the whole 12 days. And you also get to see the AKL which is spectacular!!!

Thanks! So glad you had time to make it over here! Hows being prego treating you? Hope all is well!
BTW, thanks for the tip about Boma... I will have to look into it!

Originally Posted by MickeyMAC

Wow a lot has happened, glad I'm caught up.

I am glad you are all caught up too! Glad your here!

[MyRapunzal]

So after reading through all of your replies AND signing up for TouringPlans.com to get crowd and park advice here is my tentative plan of action:
BTW, this is just me putting everything down on paper and using the crowd calendar-- I am sure I will adjust and fill in the blanks in like 5 or 6 weeks when the official calendar for the month is released from Disney...

Arrival either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning (depending on flight schedule and pricing)--
If we fly in Tuesday we will play it by ear so no definate plans there.

Wednesday-
Magic Kingdom (always our first stop)
Break at POFQ
and then off to MGM for some fun and then the FDP and Hollywood Brown Derby

Thursday- Thanksgiving
Breakfast at OHana's-- How long will it take to get from the Poly into Epcot on the monorail? and how long should we alot for time to eat?
Tour (right now I am still set on the World Showcase Segway Tour)
Lunch in Epcot?
Break @ POFQ
Dinner at Le Cellier

Friday- Since Thurs will be our very early day, I think this will be a our late start day and I will let Rob sleep in, maybe shop a little (I am an early riser) or check out POR
Our late morning will start in Downtown Disney today (I know... am I crazy its Black Friday???) I can handle crowds just fine and Rob can walk around and take pictures... lol! I think I am going to do all my Christmas shopping in WDW this year. I think it would be a fun change since there are things that you couldn't get anywhere else! Anyone ever been over to DTD on Black Friday? Whats the damage? What time does everything open?
In any case, after lunch wherever we chose in DTD or POFQ maybe? we will head back to our room for a break and then head to Epcot
Dinner at Les Chefs de France

Saturday-
Back to Magic Kingdom?
Before or after dinner Photog Session at GF
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare


Wow... once I type it out this doesn't seem like such a quick little trip anymore... I guess I am getting my annual WDW vacation!
Whatdoya think?


:::::Next Up:::::
Holiday Wishes!

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans

[amandal]

How long will it take to get from the Poly into Epcot on the monorail? and how long should we alot for time to eat
In any case, after lunch wherever we chose in DTD or POFQ maybe?

You will have to switch monorails at MK in order to get to the Poly, so I would say approx. 30 minutes of travel there is safe. Also, I would say about 1 and a half hours to eat.

You should have lunch at Earl of Sandwich. I've never been but I've heard it's great!!

Your plans look great, of course. Do you have a Disney Visa? You may be able to get a discount on the Tour . . . .