I must be crazy! - An October-November 2016 Solo PTR - Update 10/9 2 Weeks to Go - That's a Wrap

[pkondz]

Je parle un petit peu le francais. Enough to get by (or to order in a restaurant - you know, the important things)

That's all you need.... and not even that.
When we were in Paris, every time I'd try to order something in French, the waiter would switch to English!

By the way, did I tell you I'm a sucker for a guy who speaks a language other than English?

Non, ceci est la première fois que vous l'avez mentionné.

I think you're going to be disappointed with what the adult costumes look like...

No. No I'm not, actually.

Although to be honest, I think you should have the "tail" slit up high.
You know... for ease of walking.

I doubt I could pass for a school girl - even one with a tough upbringing on a Kansas farm.

I refuse to answer this on the grounds I may totally and completely regret it.

I am allowed three suitcases with my flight home.....

Uh, huh.... go on...

Don't throw my own logic back in my face!

I so had to stop myself from typing something completely inappropriate then!

Ooohhhh... Now you've got me curious!

And I may just have to scour the second hand stores this weekend to see if there are any appropriate wedding dresses

Yay!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Cool - I'll keep the beauty queen costume for myself - for me, that's a lot of effort, lol!

You got yourself some real nice ADRs. Congrats on getting both Dine with an Animal Specialist and an Imagineer, that's pretty awesome.

I'm pretty pleased. Although of course they do leave a nice dent in the wallet as well!

I love dressing up and enjoy coming up with my own costume ideas, but I've never done Disney, so no suggestions on that front. Although if I ever did dress up Disney and I could actually pull it off, I'd love to dress up as Ursula.
You're very creative so I'm sure by then you'll have come up with something.

Ursula would be great but I'd be worried about getting my tentacles caught in things! I may have purchased a back up costume today during my lunch break - I'm going to try it on when I get home and see if it's actually a goer!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

That's all you need.... and not even that.
When we were in Paris, every time I'd try to order something in French, the waiter would switch to English!

I found that most times they at least humoured my attempts at basic conversation. I also sprechen zie deutsch (well a little anyway) and there were places in Europe where I definitely needed that as people did not speak English (have you heard of a little place called Lichtenstein?.....)

Non, ceci est la première fois que vous l'avez mentionné.

No. No I'm not, actually.

Although to be honest, I think you should have the "tail" slit up high.
You know... for ease of walking.

I'm glad you finished your sentence with walking

I refuse to answer this on the grounds I may totally and completely regret it.

Good instincts!

Ooohhhh... Now you've got me curious!

Yay!

 

[pkondz]

I found that most times they at least humoured my attempts at basic conversation. I also sprechen zie deutsch (well a little anyway) and there were places in Europe where I definitely needed that as people did not speak English (have you heard of a little place called Lichtenstein?.....)

I speak ein bisschen Deutsch.
Pretty much just enough to say I don't speak it.
And maybe order a meal... maybe.

I'm glad you finished your sentence with walking

Why, whatever else could I have said?

I have very interesting conversations.


Very.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

21 Weeks to Go​

I don’t have much trip stuff to update this week but I have been tinkering with ADRs and have a few new places I’ve added to the list.​

I’ve cancelled most of the duplicates now that all my ADR days are done and have filled some of those spots with new choices. I’ve also been able to move some to better times/days.

The main changes are I’ve managed to get a dinner ADR on one of my non-park days at Beach Club which is way more convenient. I also moved my Whispering Canyon ADR to lunch on one of the party days as it works better in my schedule and I actually prefer the lunch menu over the options at dinner.At lunch they have things like the turkey or pulled pork sandwiches

Plus they have desserts like Wagon Wheel Smores

And apple caramel tart

One of the new things I’ve added in is lunch at Chefs de France. I originally had Sci-Fi booked on my 4 parks 1 one day date but I didn’t really want to do Sci-Fi twice on the trip. I decided on having a late lunch at Epcot instead and Chefs de France looks interesting.I mean they have a plateau de fromage...

I also booked Narcoossee’s to replace the Whispering Canyon dinner on my first night at Wilderness Lodge. I managed to get a time that should let me see the fireworks (Hallowishes) from there so I’m hoping the hours don’t change too much between now and then! P.S they have a cheese plate too...

And then finally there is one new ADR which only became available this week – Tiffins at AK. It looks incredible and the reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive so I’m really looking forward to my AK day now. I mean how can you go wrong with a dessert like this?

​

And that’s pretty much it when it comes to trip planning this week. The only other Disney things happening at the moment are that I have started reading Bob Thomas’s biography on Walt Disney (which is fascinating) and I finished Rolly Crump’s book which has a lot of detail about the creation of Disneyland and attractions. ​

Other than that there has pretty much only been time for work, which is still incredibly hectic, and training for my half-marathon which is now only five weeks away!

 

[Elevationist]

Mmmm, that looks so good. I'm a huge sucker for apple desserts, especially when there's caramel involved!

P.S they have a cheese plate too...

So I'm gonna hazard a guess here that you like cheese?

It's almost too pretty to eat! (Almost.)

 

[pkondz]

I don’t have much trip stuff to update this week

What?!?!? I'm outta here!


Well.... I'll read a bit more and see. But you've been warned!

Plus they have desserts like Wagon Wheel Smores

And apple caramel tart

I think I'll stick around.... desserts are always a reason to stick around.


Actually... funny thing is we almost never get desserts when we go out. We're usually too full!

I decided on having a late lunch at Epcot instead and Chefs de France looks interesting.

That was one place I seriously considered last two visits.
I think I'm going to have to put it at or near the top for the next one.

I mean they have a plateau de fromage...

Ding! We have a winnah!

I also booked Narcoossee’s to replace the Whispering Canyon dinner on my first night at Wilderness Lodge. I managed to get a time that should let me see the fireworks (Hallowishes) from there

I can't think of a better way to enjoy a meal.
Well... of course I can. But that's still pretty good.

Tiffins at AK. It looks incredible and the reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive

I'm not up to speed on the menu or reviews, but I take those early reviews with a grain of salt.
I always find that when something new at Disney opens (ride, attraction, restaurant...) the reviews are always off the charts positive. Only later, after the excitement wears off a bit do you start getting less biased reviews.
Doesn't mean it isn't the best restaurant on property.
But doesn't mean it is either.

I mean how can you go wrong with a dessert like this?

As long as some of that isn't hay or something...
(Pretty though!)

I have started reading Bob Thomas’s biography on Walt Disney (which is fascinating) and I finished Rolly Crump’s book which has a lot of detail about the creation of Disneyland and attractions.

Sounds interesting.
I watched a good documentary on Walt not long ago. It was a show called... I think it's American Experience. They had a two part (so two hour total) doc on Walt. It was very interesting.
Plus on Netflix they have Walt Before Mickey which was pretty good too.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Mmmm, that looks so good. I'm a huge sucker for apple desserts, especially when there's caramel involved!

My problem is I'm a sucker for all desserts - I'd much rather have an appetizer and dessert than an entrée!

So I'm gonna hazard a guess here that you like cheese?

It's a legitimate illness how much I love cheese. I put on like almost 10 pounds on my last trip to France and that was pretty much all cheese (or desserts!).

It's almost too pretty to eat! (Almost.)

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

What?!?!? I'm outta here!

Well.... I'll read a bit more and see. But you've been warned!

I think I'll stick around.... desserts are always a reason to stick around.


Actually... funny thing is we almost never get desserts when we go out. We're usually too full!

I plan my meals around desserts - like it is the first section of the menu I read. I usually stick to just an appetizer so I know I'll have room for dessert!

That was one place I seriously considered last two visits.
I think I'm going to have to put it at or near the top for the next one.

I shall let you know how it goes - unless you end up going there in September - then you can fill me in!

Ding! We have a winnah!

I can't think of a better way to enjoy a meal.
Well... of course I can. But that's still pretty good.

I'm not up to speed on the menu or reviews, but I take those early reviews with a grain of salt.
I always find that when something new at Disney opens (ride, attraction, restaurant...) the reviews are always off the charts positive. Only later, after the excitement wears off a bit do you start getting less biased reviews.
Doesn't mean it isn't the best restaurant on property.
But doesn't mean it is either.

True. But so far I've only read positives. And the people whose reviews I read are generally critical if they need to be (like they did not enjoy the new Daily Poutine in Disney Springs at all!)

As long as some of that isn't hay or something...
(Pretty though!)

Sounds interesting.
I watched a good documentary on Walt not long ago. It was a show called... I think it's American Experience. They had a two part (so two hour total) doc on Walt. It was very interesting.
Plus on Netflix they have Walt Before Mickey which was pretty good too.

Hmm I'll keep an eye out for those if they ever make it to Australia....

 

[pkondz]

Not to worry.
The day I go away from a pretty girl... well... just shoot me.

I plan my meals around desserts - like it is the first section of the menu I read.

I usually stick to just an appetizer so I know I'll have room for dessert!

You do! No way!
I guess when it comes to dinner, I'm all about the mains.
I might have to try your method some day.

Actually, the other day we were at Olive Garden
(you may have heard of it, think quick(ish) service Italian)
I love (LOVE) their salad. The mains? meh.
I decided not to order any pasta dishes and instead picked a stuffed chicken Marsala.
It wasn't bad actually. But I ordered it more because nothing else really appealed.

Next time.... Salad, breadsticks (those are really good too) and dessert!

I shall let you know how it goes - unless you end up going there in September - then you can fill me in!

Deal!

True. But so far I've only read positives. And the people whose reviews I read are generally critical if they need to be (like they did not enjoy the new Daily Poutine in Disney Springs at all!)

There's poutine and there's poutine.
You wanna know if it's good enough, ask a Canadian.

 

[Volunteer]

I've gained ten pounds by looking at the food pictures in this thread.

 

[pkondz]

I've gained ten pounds by looking at the food pictures in this thread.

Just to help out, here are some pics of tofu and diet coke.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Not to worry.
The day I go away from a pretty girl... well... just shoot me.

You do! No way!
I guess when it comes to dinner, I'm all about the mains.
I might have to try your method some day.

Well up until the past year or so I really didn't eat red meat or fish so mains never appealed to me. But now that I've included them back in my diet I found I am enjoying mains a little more!

Actually, the other day we were at Olive Garden
(you may have heard of it, think quick(ish) service Italian)
I love (LOVE) their salad. The mains? meh.
I decided not to order any pasta dishes and instead picked a stuffed chicken Marsala.
It wasn't bad actually. But I ordered it more because nothing else really appealed.

Next time.... Salad, breadsticks (those are really good too) and dessert!

I have heard of it but didn't know it was in Canada as well as the States. But salads, breadsticks and desserts sounds like a winning combo.

There's poutine and there's poutine.
You wanna know if it's good enough, ask a Canadian.

Oh I will ask a Canadian but you'll probably be too polite to tell me if it's bad anyway .

But seeing as I've never had the real thing I've got nothing to compare them too so if they taste good I'll like them (even if it's not authentic poutine!). Plus I would live on chips and gravy if I could so poutine (fake or otherwise) fits that bill.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I've gained ten pounds by looking at the food pictures in this thread.

See that's why I've taken up running...so I can eat all the foods at Disney and not worry about the ten pounds I'll end up putting on!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Just to help out, here are some pics of tofu and diet coke.

See that's just mean. You know one of my resolutions was to not drink soft drink this year and it has been 152 days so far and I still haven't had any but yet you tease me with delicious refreshing diet Coke....

 

[pkondz]

Well up until the past year or so I really didn't eat red meat or fish so mains never appealed to me.

Makes sense.

Not cutting out meat... that never makes sense (my God woman... Bacon! Think of the bacon!!!)

But now that I've included them back in my diet I found I am enjoying mains a little more!

But then... what about the desserts!!!!

I have heard of it but didn't know it was in Canada as well as the States. But salads, breadsticks and desserts sounds like a winning combo.

To both statements.

Oh I will ask a Canadian but you'll probably be too polite to tell me if it's bad anyway .

Nope. We're very honest when it comes to poutine.
(Unless you've made it yourself, then all bets are off.)

But seeing as I've never had the real thing I've got nothing to compare them too so if they taste good I'll like them (even if it's not authentic poutine!). Plus I would live on chips and gravy if I could so poutine (fake or otherwise) fits that bill.

Chips and gravy.... if you know what's good and what's not... add cheese to the good ones and you've got good poutine.

See that's just mean. You know one of my resolutions was to not drink soft drink this year and it has been 152 days so far and I still haven't had any but yet you tease me with delicious refreshing diet Coke....

Whoopsie!
Here's a glass of water instead.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Makes sense.

Not cutting out meat... that never makes sense (my God woman... Bacon! Think of the bacon!!!)

Bacon isn't meat - it's a condiment

But then... what about the desserts!!!!

Um hello - dessert is clearly in a second stomach....

Nope. We're very honest when it comes to poutine.
(Unless you've made it yourself, then all bets are off.)

Chips and gravy.... if you know what's good and what's not... add cheese to the good ones and you've got good poutine.

My problem is I love all chips and gravy - even if I know they are terrible

Whoopsie!
Here's a glass of water instead.

Thank you.

 

[pkondz]

Bacon isn't meat - it's a condiment

I get that... but. I don't eat condiments by themselves.
So... (for me at least) it's a meat and a condiment.

Um hello - dessert is clearly in a second stomach....

Oh, of course. Stupid of me.

My problem is I love all chips and gravy - even if I know they are terrible

McDonalds fries (which on their own are good) with powdered gravy mix?

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

20 Weeks to Go​

This week’s update will start with a little food – I mean I have to pander to my audience now don’t I?​

I made one more ADR this week. It was one I had planned but up until earlier this week you could only made day of ADRs. Have you guessed it?​

That’s right – Jungle Navigation Co Skipper Canteen! (Try saying that 10 times fast)​

The falafels look good here​

​

As do the Arepas​

But I’m all about the dessert – Kungaloosh!

But enough food – it’s time for a movie update.

If you can recall I’ve been trying to work my way through my Disney Classics DVD collection before the trip.

I think last we left off I’d only watched Snow White and Pinocchio. Since then I haven’t progressed much farther – I’ve watched Fantasia (which I probably won’t watch again), Dumbo, Bambi and Cinderella.

But the reason I haven’t made much progress is that they released another collection – the Disney Pixar Collection. And I of course had to buy them all.



So I’ve made a much bigger dint in that collection over the last few weeks.

I’ve watched:​

· Toy Story
· A Bug’s Life
· Toy Story 2
· Monsters, Inc
· Finding Nemo
· The Incredibles
· Cars
· Ratatouille
· Wall-E


I must say that after watching them, the Incredibles is definitely better than I remember and Cars is not a great film. ​

And yes that is a lot of films but you’ve got to remember that it’s winter here so the weather is miserable and there is nothing on the television making it perfect conditions to come home after work and put on a Disney DVD - plus I have this to keep me warm while watching...



So that’s it for this week’s update - next time more running, DVDs and daily plans...​

 

[pkondz]

I mean I have to pander to my audience now don’t I?

Let me ponder your pandering....


yes

It was one I had planned but up until earlier this week you could only made day of ADRs. Have you guessed it?

That’s right – Jungle Navigation Co Skipper Canteen! (Try saying that 10 times fast)

I actually tried it. I really did!
I made it 8 times before I screwed up.


I only do these things for you, you know.

But I’m all about the dessert – Kungaloosh!

I don't know about this one.
It's the "topped with coffee dust" part.

I think I'd be willing to try it, but if the coffee taste is too strong, I won't like it very much.

If you can recall I’ve been trying to work my way through my Disney Classics DVD collection before the trip.

Yep.

But the reason I haven’t made much progress is that they released another collection – the Disney Pixar Collection. And I of course had to buy them all.

Of course.

I’ve watched:
· Toy Story
· A Bug’s Life
· Toy Story 2
· Monsters, Inc
· Finding Nemo
· The Incredibles
· Cars
· Ratatouille
· Wall-E
​

Seen all of them except for... Ratatouille.

I must say that after watching them, the Incredibles is definitely better than I remember and Cars is not a great film.

I recall enjoying both of them.
But then again, I'm a race car fan.

plus I have this to keep me warm while watching...

Awwwww!