Bouncy, Trouncy, Flouncy, Pouncy-MAY PTR-*5/9 - FRUSTRATIONS & 6 days left*

[My_Pal_Pluto]

MOST RECENT POST
Frustrations ... and 6 days left

Bouncy ... that's me (ROBB) ... a silly daddy returning to Disney once again with my beautiful band of triplets.

Trouncy ... gotta be Gavin ... a somehow blond boy thrown in the mix with his brother and sister - filled with love and plenty of gumption

Flouncy ... definitely Maddie ... 110% girl - effortlessly cute and pretty much in charge of Daddy most days

Pouncy ... absolutely Ethan ... the youngest of the brood by two minutes - he's curious about everything, soft in spirit .. and prone to fits of endless laughter (Breathe Ethan, breathe!!)

So yep ... this is us ... we're ready to Spring to Disney from May 15th to the 21st. In the days to come I'll take time to tell you a bit about our tale (not to be confused with the coiled orange and black "tail") ... a little of my DIS'history (including - among other things - armadillos, late night tram rides, coral snakes, snakes in the drink, the two finger chin-hold, Oh-Mai-Tai's, the proposal, hot greasy bananas, the swimming cap, 'oops, that's a sun-soaking suit - it ain't meant for getting wet' ... and many more mem'reez from the World) ... my planning thus far ... the changes I'll inevitably make to said planning ... and constant - perhaps even sickening glimpses into the level of unbridled excitement festering (wait, maybe I can think of a better word than that) hmmmm ... "percolating" (yep, sly coffee reference - definitely better) inside of me.

I'd love to have you join ... would love to share the moments and the memories ... and when all is said and done and the dust settles after the vacation is over (wow, what a wave of sadness accompanies that little thought) we should have ourselves a bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy time indeed!!

See you again (REAL) soon!!

CRAZY CONTENTS
Aw-righty ... I'm gonna get a little wild now (hang on) ... the contents below will NOT necessarily follow the order of chronological entry (the tummy-sick bags are just under your seat if your head starts to spin), but will rather reflect sections within my writing ... cause I end up ALL over the map.

Traveling Cohort Introductions
INTRODUCING TROUNCY ... (aka Gavin)
INTRODUCING MADELEINE ... (aka Flouncy)
INTRODUCING ETHAN (aka Pouncy)

I Can't Do This Alone (Questions for my Dis'Friends)
Please help - there's a little crack showing
Park2Park2Park - how do YOU do it?

The Plans - day to day come as they may
The BOUNCY plans - Travel and Day 1
The Children Have Spoken - our Day 2 Plans!

Day 3 ... for 3
Day4 & the Countdown Begins - yes, 21 days out!
Day 5 ... Bbbboma & 17 days till we BOUNCE
FREEZE - No one gets sick now ... and a Day 6 glance
Frustrations ... and 6 days left

And so it begins: (the 'business' stuff - Counter service plans, ADR's etc)
On the DL - the where, the when, & the what (resort & ADR info)
Conquering the QS Quandary
More QS Conquering (the Resorts & Downtown Disney)
SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKS
A Phone Call From Disney with Reassurance about POFQ
SNAX - the Dues Ex Machina of the New Generation

Ruminations: (my memories ... put through the grist-mill of my mind!)
Feels like the First Time ...
Pizza Buffets and a Swimmin' Hole
How to Torture a Fat Kid
A Few of My Favorite Things - Inspiring Pics from our 2008 trip
Snakes, Armadillos, and Line Jumpers ... Oh My!!
On to Trip #2 ... Dad gets his Poly On in '83
Wakes 'n Lakes ... MOST Embarrassing Disney Moments

Miscellaneous Ramblings (somebody stop him ... please)
The s'mores on a stick ... stick me back!!

Rob (My Pal Pluto)

 

[shelbys mommy]

I'm in!!! Triplets!!! A triple blessing!!!!

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

GREAT Shelby's Mommy ... welcome on-board ... indeed I do agree, they're a triple blessing and (most days, most times) triple the fun!!

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

Away we go ...

Our trip in May 2010 will stretch from May 15th through May 21st. Our destination???

Port Orleans French Quarter (ok, just so we get this out of the way; I am a certified Beignet addict and so the POFQ can do no wrong by me ... UNLESS they can't serve me a hot beignet smothered in powdered sugar goodness).

My mom (bless her big wonderful heart) got us the Quick-Service Dining Plan ... so two counter-service meals and two snacks each day are inclusive of our trip (I'll take some time in a later post to explain my strategy for infusing some variety into the QS for the kiddos ... YES, it CAN be done).

Given that two CS/day leaves us with one unattended meal (yes, THIS clan LOVES da'food), we have a TS meal reserved each day we're there ... and THIS my friends will constitute a DINING REPORT post trip ... food porn is promised

Here's a quick pre-trip report of my scheduled ADR's ... of course, I reserve the right to change these plans at any moment (and without notice):

Saturday (the 15th): Cape May Cafe Buffet at the Beach Club ... ok, I know - I know ... it gets mixed and sometimes horrible reviews ... but please understand that my youngest son Ethan goes absolutely fish-bonkers over Clams ... during a recent trip to Red Lobster he ordered crab legs (which is a great choice on their kids menu by the way) and pronounced, "This is practice for the clams at Disney World" (how the two are associated I don't know ... but in his mind it's an effort in Disney prep and I respect that).

Sunday: 1pm Rez at "The Biergarten" in World Showcase ... Gavin keeps telling everyone he's going to see "The Oompah" ... I'm worried he has visions of a big room filled with candy flowers and a chocolate river with little orange men to sing to him ... while daddy dreams of sausages and golden suds ... we'll see who wins!!

Monday: 9:45am rez at Kona Cafe ... they'll be more history to come but suffice it to say that since my first trip at Age 9, my Dad has fitful dreams of Tonga Toast ... only his original dreams would occur at "The Coral Isle Cafe" and "Tangaroa Terrace" (how's that for a little retro fling)

Tuesday: 1:45pm rez at '50's Prime Time Cafe' at HS (doesn't it seem like just yesterday we were all hating this name and refusing to stop calling it "MGM"?) ... Ethan keeps telling me he can't wait to hear the waitress, "make fun of daddy".

Wednesday: 10am rez at Boma ... ok ... so rumor has it this place has declined ... understanding I am a gourmand at heart but also frightfully easy to please (see "Beignets" above); if they'll bring me a press pot of Kenyan coffee the rest of the buffet can be cold fatty bacon and I'll still declare it a thumbs up!

Thursday: 4:40pm rez at the Garden Grill in the Land ... we've done Akershush and we've done O'Hana and even Crystal Palace ... loved ALL of them!! This year the kiddos want to try "that place that spins" ... they remember it vividly from "the Land" boat ride (does anyone else have kids who talk about this ride unwittingly more than any other ride at Disney?)

So those are our ADR's ... and a quick snapshot of our trip ... in days to come I would love to tell you about my Counter Service strategy ... some snack-attack pre-planning ... and a laughable dose of history thrown in for good measure.

 

[shelbys mommy]

Sounds great! And I live 45 mins south of New Orleans, so I'm right there with you on the beignets!!!

Clams/crab legs...same difference, both seafood. Although boiled crawfish sounds alot more appitizing to me

We are considering the Quick Service Dining Plan, so I'm interested to see what you did!

 

[disneyaddicted]

I am looking forward to seeing how you plan to "work" the QS meals and infuse variety. I need some tips on how to actually do that.

You sound like a fun Dad, I can't wait for more.

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

I am looking forward to seeing how you plan to "work" the QS meals and infuse variety. I need some tips on how to actually do that.

You sound like a fun Dad, I can't wait for more.

Thanks DisneyAddicted ... I'm getting started now on a post or two about the QS ... hope it's helpful!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Those sound like intriguing tales indeed!!!

Great start already!!

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

Gavin says, "Noooo daddy, not another order of chicken nuggets!!"

My wonderful mom decided she would treat the gang to the Quick-Service dining plan this time around. *gasp*
I knew the comments and understood that this Bouncy Papa now had a mission ... so off I launched into my hyper-obsessive research mode.
Armed with nothing more than my measly old Dell laptop, a wireless connection, and a few websites - I planned to conquer the QS quandary ... to fell the mundane beast ... to scramble the blase eggs (you get the idea).
So what was my goal ... what did I hope to do that others had not?
Quite simply - I wanted to arm myself with the knowledge of WHAT was available in any given location we found ourselves (whew) and thus become "Super Bouncy Daddy" whenever the kiddos were tired of the "same old - same old" offerings.
So strap on your 3D's cause I plan to go all "James Cameron" on you with this knowledge

Issue #1
I'm gonna be real real with you here ... there is a LOT of repetition in the QS offerings. I think this became apparent when I leapt into the menu for the Tangeriene cafe expecting something magical and exotic ... only to find:

• Hamburger
• Chicken Tenders

This became like some sort of really poorly constructed mantra!! The places I Thought should hold some fine delightful kiddy morsel were relegated to what I'll title, "The Kids Cuisine Curse".
Whew ... this was going to take a truly concerted plan of attack. And so it goes (apologies to my 7th grade English teacher, Mr. Funk, for starting this sentence the way I did ... but it feels GOOD) ... I have documented places in each and every park, the nooks, the buttery little crannies, where I can "jump off the beaten path" and score some unique victuals.

Issue #2
Aggregate the info!! With the knowledge being that, yes - even though the same old would become same old only if it were eaten every time ... the "Mac & Cheese" craving would strike sometimes ... the deep pang of need for chicken in some breaded processed form would still be felt ... and sometimes a hamburger is all they really need!

The Results
(My apologies here for keeping you waiting this long ... I am a suspense monger at heart)
Let me make this simple ... straightforward and honest ... here is a list from each park of the fare that strays from the norm. It may not be a BIG list but it definitely arms me with the ability to turn to Trouncy, Flouncy, & Pouncy and say, "well, if you don't want that then what about this and of course, there respective replies will be:
Animal Kingdom
Flame Tree Barbecue - a Baked Chicken Drumstick
Safari Corndog - yup, corndogs ... and rumor says this can be a snack credit!!
Yak & Yeti - a Pork Egg Roll

(ok, a little aside here ... my kids are VERY diverse little eaters ... so anything different is exciting to them. A pork egg roll or corndogs will definitely elicit cheers. Remember, my goal is only to know where that variety can be found ... aside over)

Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary - Ham & Cheese Wrap
Backlot Express - Sloppy Joe
Studio Catering Company - Chicken Drumstick

Epcot
Sunshine Seasons Food Court - Kid's French Toast, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Make-your-own mini sub, & chicken leg with mashed taters
Liberty Inn - chilled chicken wrap
Lotus Blossom - Beijing BBQ Drumstick
Sommerfest - frankfurter
Yakitori House - Teriyaki Chicken w/ mixed veggies & steamed rice
Yorkshire Fish Shop - Fish & Chips

Magic Kingdom
Casey's Corner - a hot dog of course, and possibly corn dog nuggets
Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Ray's, & Pecos Bill - Mixed greens with grilled chicken
Tomorrowland Noodle Station - Beef & Mac

Whew!! OK ... so there you have the first installment of my conquering plan!! Tomorrow I'll add locales at the resorts ... AND ... my favorite destination for kiddie meal deliciousness ... Downtown Disney!!

Now, quite simply ...

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

Little Miss Flouncy Maddie says, "enough with the snow already, let's get to Disney"

For those of you living in the frigid Northeast with me, you can surely understand why I'm pining for Disney more than ever before. I like the change of seasons and MOST years winter is welcome. But after February back-slapped us till we were black 'n blue ... I'm soo ready for some Disney weather!!

Back to my efforts to solve the Quick-Service Quandary.

So yesterday I shared some of the low-down for the parks. I'll be doubling back around with some snack-info to pair up with the QS variety so my plan can be seen in it's grand expanse ... but for now I'll focus on the resorts and Downtown Disney.

Since I'm staying at POFQ, I'll list here specifically what I've found there and at PO Riverside. Last time we were at Disney we stayed at Pop ... more often than not we ended up back at the resort to gorge at the food court (and spent way more money there than we should have) ... with the CS meals included in the parks and other locations this time, I don't suspect that to be the case. But I have noticed some resorts definitely do better than others when it comes to kid's varieties.

Port Orleans French Quarter:
PB&J, Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Cheese, Pasta with Marinara
I admit my concern here ... the offerings are minimal and offer no variety - I hope my thoughts above hold true!!

(I'll list the Value resorts below - please throw me a post if you want me to comment on any other resort!!)

All-Star Resorts: (nice variety)
Kids Turkey Dinner
Kids Baked Chicken Dinner
Pasta and meatballs
Pita cheese pizza
Turkey Sandwich (Music & Movies only)
(plus the standard burger, nuggets, etc)

Pop Century:
Penne Pasta with Meatballs
Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry (kudos to POP for this variety)
Chicken Noodle Soup (my lil guy Ethan LOVED this on our last trip)
Vegetable Lo Mein

Now I'll move on to Downtown Disney ... since POFQ hosts the boat launch (which is one of our FAVE things about this resort) we plan to get a lot of mileage out of our CS at Downtown Disney:

Earl of Sandwich:
PB&J
Pizza Sandwich
Grilled Cheese
Turkey & Swiss
(ok, this deserves a couple of remarks ... I list PB&J plus Grilled Cheese here as "variety" because they are so unique!! Earl goes out of their way to serve these sandwiches warm and on their awesome homemade rolls ... my kids have told me this is the FIRST place they want to eat at when we get there!)

Wolfgang Puck Express:
Crispy chicken fingers with fries
Linguine with tomato sauce
Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza
Cheese Quesadilla
(again as with Earl, I list things here that are usually "of the norm" because our experience was that the offerings were unique and elevated above the 'sameness')

Cooke's of Dublin:
This is the BEST kid's variety I found in my research for the QS
Fish & Chips
Battered Chicken Tender & Chips
Baby Sausages & Chips
Shrimp & Chips
My kids are HUGE shrimp lovers so this will likely be our destination on more than one occasion ... I'll fill you all-in during my post-trip dining report regarding the quality of these items

So there's part of the picture ... the way I plan to stir things up a bit with the Quick-Service Dining Plan ... giving consideration to the "food burn-out" kids tend to have on this plan ... in hopes that when all is said & done the kids do a little triplet jig over the meals!!

More to come in my next episode ... including my plan to infuse "snack wonder" into the already laid plans!!

 

[ksl5f123]

I am LOVING your PTR! Finding options for my DC besides chicken nuggets is also my particular obsession!!!

Two years ago, my oldest actually started crying over her plate of chicken nuggets because it was about all she had eaten for the previous 4 days. I WILL do better planning this time!!

If you don't like the CS options at POFQ, also consider a quick trip over to POR where (aside from the beignets) there are lots more options.

Looking forward to your snack tips!

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

I am LOVING your PTR! Finding options for my DC besides chicken nuggets is also my particular obsession!!!

Two years ago, my oldest actually started crying over her plate of chicken nuggets because it was about all she had eaten for the previous 4 days. I WILL do better planning this time!!

If you don't like the CS options at POFQ, also consider a quick trip over to POR where (aside from the beignets) there are lots more options.

Looking forward to your snack tips!

Sooo Good to have you on board and it's GREAT to know there's enjoyment to be found in my PTR. I can identify with the tears of your DD!! Thanks for the tip on POR - I did some research there and your comment made me realize I hadn't included it in my last post. I definitely want to walk over ... and that's just one more thing I love about the Port Orleans resorts!!

 

[leamom2princesses]

You're off to a great start. We will be at the world the week after your family. Can't wait to read more!

 

[All7OfUs]

You are a wonderful writer!! I love reading PTRs that have complete sentences, colorful metaphors, etc....

I'm amazed at the amount of research you've put into food options for the kiddos!! WOW! I think finding out the best stuff is a great treasure hunt!! I so totally agree. With kids that want what we eat, it's tough at Disney. I'm not sure why they think everyone wants to eat the same 2 things for a week.

Great updates, Pluto!

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

You are a wonderful writer!! I love reading PTRs that have complete sentences, colorful metaphors, etc....

Great updates, Pluto!

This really gave my morning a wonderful boost (and it was needed since Daylight Savings here now arrives in mid-March ... my usual 6:30am wake-up had ALL the feelings of 5:30).

I am looking forward to sharing a LOT more ... I would call this portion of my PTR "the business section" ... I can't wait to open up the engines and really have some creative fun!!

Have a wonderful day.

 

[My_Pal_Pluto]

I awoke this morning tired, a little groggy, yet infused with those pulpy Disney juices!! Rather than letting them be traipsed over by a day at work, I feel the "right thing to do" is squeeze them out into a tall cool glass for my DIS' friends.

Grab hold, tilt back, and enjoy.

Be right back ......

ok - now I'm set!!

Ever in Disney-mode (yes, this is a documented state-of-mind), Ethan decided this chair, sitting in the chair, and the mood that accompanied it were decidedly "Disney"

I love beyond all doubt that my eight year olds are getting filled to the brim with the bold, rich, caffeinated kind of Disney Magic (wait, is my coffee addiction showing through again?) ... my very first trek to Disney happened in 1979 at the age of 9. Now, at age "ahem", I cannot believe the deep & wonderful impression that trip indelibly marked in my life.

Oh it wasn't a trip without incident ... actually, as measured moments go there were plenty of reasons I should have come away thinking "stinking hot, buggy, snake-filled, armadillo-laden place ... I ain't never goin' back" (remember I was 9 so forgive my grammar).

But three years later ... we were back ... then again four years after that ... and once more three years ... you get the idea ... like so many of my DIS' friends, we Disney!!

That first trip began with a large, old, back-seat turned to the back (now definitely illegal) station wagon. That behemoth was akin to the "family truckster" of Griswold fame only, I swear, somehow it was bigger and uglier!! the ONE thing I remember most ... It did NOT have air conditioning!!

So it goes ... we left the homestead in Lep'nin PA (actually Lebanon, but I threw the 'Dutchy' accent in for effect) and began the sojourn. Now mind you, the family left filled with glee ... but somewhere around South Carolina things turned ugly.

When you're in a big, smelly station wagon ... and when the heat outside begins to rise ... and as you approach that flat part of Georgia on rte 95 where the humidity starts to get close ... the world suddenly begins to change. The windows were down ... but the air that came blowing in was nothing short of an enveloping, soupy, "hot dragon breath" kind of air ... and we were feeling MISERABLE!!

I remember fighting, bickering, complaining, sweating, feeling sick (aside: DO NOT choose to sit in the BACK jump seat of a hot 70's station wagon that faces backwards on I95 ... nothing whatsoever can make it pleasant) and wishing we'd just stayed at home in our air-conditioned house.

Eventually ... through toil and tumult, we made it to "the World" ... our uncle had driven the family (larger family at-hand ... aunt's, uncle's, grandparents, etc) Mobile Home down to Fort Wilderness the week before. The plan was we would trade-off cars ... our aunt and uncle returning to PA in the dragon-wagon while we enjoyed the week.

We BEGGED him to send an air-conditioned vehicle back down the interstate with the next family. He seemed intent that this wagon should be the commuted car ... but the ride through Sheol getting back to PA must have convinced him otherwise cause we had that A/C for the trip home (but I'm getting ahead of myself ... there's a LOT of tale - and tail - between the two bookends).

But that's fodder for my next round of sharing ... for now, let me leave you here ... I'll return to tell of my snack-attack plan (business for a bit) ... then once again, back to this "first time" unraveling.

Have a wondrous day!

 

[All7OfUs]

This really gave my morning a wonderful boost (and it was needed since Daylight Savings here now arrives in mid-March ... my usual 6:30am wake-up had ALL the feelings of 5:30).

I am looking forward to sharing a LOT more ... I would call this portion of my PTR "the business section" ... I can't wait to open up the engines and really have some creative fun!!

Have a wonderful day.

Dude, you are gifted!! I'm eating this stuff up like last night's lasagna!!!

I too, am coffee addicted - I think we're going to get along fine!!



We don't ever do daylight savings, spring or fall, so it doesn't phase me a bit. I'll likely notice over there though that some of my pals knock off earlier than they used to. Sure is fun doing some late night (your side) shooting the breeze.

Snax?? BRING. IT. ON!!

We too, had a family truckster! Big time Brady Bunch style!! BEST. CAR. EVER!!! Fit about a bazillion kids in it facing all manner of which ways. Fake wood vinyl all over the sides of it. BEEP, BEEP, my lane, thank you.

But, all the way to WDW? No, NO Thanks!! I'da been barfing back about 4 hours before you started!!

 

[disneyaddicted]

I am taking notes. You research of the QS variety is going to be so helpful to me on my next trip.

I had to laugh at your mention of pennsylvania Dutch. It actually hurts my ears to hear it, I'm originally from Michigan, so when I moved here and heard,

Outen the lights, you's, and throw the horse over the fence some hay, it was enough to rot my socks.

I mean really. I may have picked up an accent according to my family in Michigan, (really they have the accent) but I have not picked up speaking Pa Dutch and never will.

I totally agree with your miss Flouncy Maddie, enough snow, bring on disney!

I'm in York county, just a hop away from you all. I'm ready for spring!

 

[glennbo123]

Coming over from my friend Leisa's (All7OfUs) thread. Although I must confess, her recommendation alone may have not been enough to get me to subscribe (my User CP page is starting to look like the whole TR/PTR board), but then I saw you were from Hershey and how could I not follow the antics of another Pennsylvania dad? I'm in West Grove, down in the corner near Delaware.

We lived in Lancaster (pronounced Lang-kes-ter, accent on the Lang) for a few years and the dutchy thing we always noticed was "a while" thrown in everywhere. Like at a restaurant a server might say, "let me get you some menus a while".

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I followed over from Leisa's PTR also...

Can't wait for more...