Hi!

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:05

bali

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dragynally wrote:

Hi my name is Dana. My best friend and I are headed to Disney in September. 24 days away!!! Very excited. When I get back I'm going to be a total geek and blog about the experience from the perspective of someone who doesn't get to go to Disney very often. Since this is my BFF's first trip and I haven't been back to Disney in over 7 years we need all the help and advice we can get! Thanks.

Welcome to WDWFG!!! You have come to the right place! We've got a lot of experience on this board

Where are you staying when you go? Do you have dining planned yet, or are you guys gonna wing it?

Congrats on your trip!

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:46

LifeIsForLiving

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Welcome! This is a great place to visit with friendly people and learn some helpful tips.

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:49

dragynally

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Thanks Bali! We are staying at the Bay Lake Tower in a Magic view room (exciting but from what I'm reading over-priced). I actually think I made too many dining ADRs because I have one signature meal for 6 out of our 7 days. And on 4 days I have reserved lunch. I remember when I went to WDW as a kid that having reservations was important and as an adult there are SO many restaurants I want to try.

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:50

dragynally

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LifeIsForLiving wrote:

Welcome! This is a great place to visit with friendly people and learn some helpful tips.

Thanks!

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:53

bali

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dragynally wrote:

Thanks Bali! We are staying at the Bay Lake Tower in a Magic view room (exciting but from what I'm reading over-priced). I actually think I made too many dining ADRs because I have one signature meal for 6 out of our 7 days. And on 4 days I have reserved lunch. I remember when I went to WDW as a kid that having reservations was important and as an adult there are SO many restaurants I want to try.

You are DEFINITELY in the right place, then! We have a lot of Disney Vacation Club members here, and a few who have already experienced Bay Lake Tower and should have some good tips! Plus, we all love food around here.

Would love to hear your list of restaurants! Looking forward to hearing your trip report as well.

Will you guys be staying on property the whole time, or are you planning to head to some other theme parks/attractions?

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:59

dragynally

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bali wrote:

dragynally wrote:
Thanks Bali! We are staying at the Bay Lake Tower in a Magic view room (exciting but from what I'm reading over-priced). I actually think I made too many dining ADRs because I have one signature meal for 6 out of our 7 days. And on 4 days I have reserved lunch. I remember when I went to WDW as a kid that having reservations was important and as an adult there are SO many restaurants I want to try.

You are DEFINITELY in the right place, then! We have a lot of Disney Vacation Club members here, and a few who have already experienced Bay Lake Tower and should have some good tips! Plus, we all love food around here.

Would love to hear your list of restaurants! Looking forward to hearing your trip report as well.

Will you guys be staying on property the whole time, or are you planning to head to some other theme parks/attractions?

All 7 days are devoted to Disney World (Yay!) I'm not in the vacation club but it's on the "life long to do list".

My restaurants in order of appearance (loll) are Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, Cali Grill for dinner, Coral Reef for lunch, Flying Fish for dinner, Narcoossee's for dinner, Jiko for dinner, Brown Derby for dinner, Via Napoli for lunch, Cali Grill for dinner, and Le Cellier for lunch. I'm worried it's too much but I got the Deluxe Dining Plan for a reduced rate and I don't want to waste it.

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:09

bali

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Those all sound WONDERFUL! You're doing Cali Grill twice? Way to go! There's always so much I want to try on that menu.

Have you been to those restaurants before?

Also, will you be there for MNSSHP?

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:14

dragynally

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bali wrote:

Those all sound WONDERFUL! You're doing Cali Grill twice? Way to go! There's always so much I want to try on that menu.

Have you been to those restaurants before?

Also, will you be there for MNSSHP?

Only Liberty Tree when I was a teenager. Other than that it's all new! I did a lot of research and these seemed to be the places that kept coming up. Cali grill especially hence the two ADRs. No I think I arrive just before MNSSHP which is good because there will be less crowds (I hope).

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:49

scrappy

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Hello and Welcome
Someone is going to Disney .
Sorry, I always get excited over a Disney trip!

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:06

Vettelover

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HI! right back to you, and let me add my welcome to WDWFG we have a great bunch of people here and you will really like it here .

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:39

cdub

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Welcome to the board! Great picks for your ADRs! Can't go wrong staying in BLT either.

Have you considered trading in the second Cali Grill for a Citricos? I might do 2 CGs as well, since you're right there in the hotel, but Citricos is a similarly posh experience. Inferior view, but great food and it might be fun to compare. Just throwing it out there. I personally love to eat in the resort I'm staying at so I don't blame you for going twice.

The Wave is another consideration, although I'd rather do another CG.

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 18:29

milliehubbard

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cdub wrote:

Welcome to the board! Great picks for your ADRs! Can't go wrong staying in BLT either.

Have you considered trading in the second Cali Grill for a Citricos? I might do 2 CGs as well, since you're right there in the hotel, but Citricos is a similarly posh experience. Inferior view, but great food and it might be fun to compare. Just throwing it out there. I personally love to eat in the resort I'm staying at so I don't blame you for going twice.

The Wave is another consideration, although I'd rather do another CG.

Welcome!! I can recommend Citricos, we ate there on our last trip (Jul 09) and the food was fabulous...I agree with cdub...the view is nothing to write home about, but great food and attentive service make for a wonderful dining experience. My other suggestion for great food is BOMA...we like it because you can sample so many different foods and all I can say is ZEBRA DOMES!!!

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:17

dragynally

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scrappy wrote:

Hello and Welcome
Someone is going to Disney .
Sorry, I always get excited over a Disney trip!

I'm excited too! And thanks.

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:17

dragynally

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Vettelover wrote:

HI! right back to you, and let me add my welcome to WDWFG we have a great bunch of people here and you will really like it here .

Thank you!

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:19

dragynally

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cdub wrote:

Welcome to the board! Great picks for your ADRs! Can't go wrong staying in BLT either.

Have you considered trading in the second Cali Grill for a Citricos? I might do 2 CGs as well, since you're right there in the hotel, but Citricos is a similarly posh experience. Inferior view, but great food and it might be fun to compare. Just throwing it out there. I personally love to eat in the resort I'm staying at so I don't blame you for going twice.

The Wave is another consideration, although I'd rather do another CG.

I might try something other than Cali Grill the second night but there seem to be so many options on their menu. Citricos has been on my radar for a while so I might have to try it.

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Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:21

dragynally

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milliehubbard wrote:

cdub wrote:
Welcome to the board! Great picks for your ADRs! Can't go wrong staying in BLT either.

Have you considered trading in the second Cali Grill for a Citricos? I might do 2 CGs as well, since you're right there in the hotel, but Citricos is a similarly posh experience. Inferior view, but great food and it might be fun to compare. Just throwing it out there. I personally love to eat in the resort I'm staying at so I don't blame you for going twice.

The Wave is another consideration, although I'd rather do another CG.

Welcome!! I can recommend Citricos, we ate there on our last trip (Jul 09) and the food was fabulous...I agree with cdub...the view is nothing to write home about, but great food and attentive service make for a wonderful dining experience. My other suggestion for great food is BOMA...we like it because you can sample so many different foods and all I can say is ZEBRA DOMES!!!

I actually was just going to grab zebra dome from the Mara for a snack credit when I visit the Animal Kingdom. Thank for the second vote for Citricos.

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Fri, 08/13/2010 - 00:47

cdub

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dragynally wrote:

I actually was just going to grab zebra dome from the Mara for a snack credit when I visit the Animal Kingdom. Thank for the second vote for Citricos.

That's no substitute for Boma!

It's so hard to get everything in. As far as Cali Grill twice, I always get the filet there so I'd probably just get the same thing both nights! The ravioli appetizer is a meal in itself though and it's a must get. What are you eyeing on the menu?

Fri, 08/13/2010 - 03:58

dragynally

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cdub wrote:

dragynally wrote:

I actually was just going to grab zebra dome from the Mara for a snack credit when I visit the Animal Kingdom. Thank for the second vote for Citricos.

That's no substitute for Boma!

It's so hard to get everything in. As far as Cali Grill twice, I always get the filet there so I'd probably just get the same thing both nights! The ravioli appetizer is a meal in itself though and it's a must get. What are you eyeing on the menu?

So far the ravioli, the sushi (I LOVE sushi), the bison fillet, all of the fish options... There's just so much to choose from! But I know there are only fireworks on one of the night we'll eat there so it might be good to consider other options. I am trying very hard to use all of the Deluxe DP credits and even with all of my ADRs I'm still 2 short.

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Fri, 08/13/2010 - 10:43

scrappy

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Two credits left??? Just enough to have a room service breakfast!!!

Fri, 08/13/2010 - 11:19

dragynally

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scrappy wrote:

Two credits left??? Just enough to have a room service breakfast!!!

You read my mind!

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Fri, 08/13/2010 - 12:00

dragynally

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2 quick questions for everyone. Where do you get those awesome countdown badges? And what s your one WDW "must do"? Because even though I was in Disney in 2003 I still feel like it's the first time.

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Fri, 08/13/2010 - 16:05

Brad

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dragynally wrote:

2 quick questions for everyone. Where do you get those awesome countdown badges? And what s your one WDW "must do"? Because even though I was in Disney in 2003 I still feel like it's the first time.

Most of the badges I see are from:

http://mickeypath.com/

As far as the must do, have they started any Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties by the time you get there?

Sat, 08/14/2010 - 00:08

dragynally

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Brad wrote:

dragynally wrote:
2 quick questions for everyone. Where do you get those awesome countdown badges? And what s your one WDW "must do"? Because even though I was in Disney in 2003 I still feel like it's the first time.

Most of the badges I see are from:

http://mickeypath.com/

As far as the must do, have they started any Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties by the time you get there?

I love the badges so thank you! And I think we are there right be for MNSSHP.

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Sat, 08/14/2010 - 03:49

subvetss

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Dana,,
It seems we might be in the World at the same time. We will be ariving at Pop Century resort on the 5th How about you?
Joe

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Sat, 08/14/2010 - 04:04

dragynally

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subvetss wrote:

Dana,,
It seems we might be in the World at the same time. We will be ariving at Pop Century resort on the 5th How about you?
Joe

I hear the Pop Century is awesome! I am actually staying in the Bay lake Tower. Second time on the property. First time in a Deluxe villa. Nice to know I'm not the only person opting for the first week of sept.

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Sat, 08/14/2010 - 04:12

Annie

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dragynally wrote:

2 quick questions for everyone. Where do you get those awesome countdown badges? And what s your one WDW "must do"? Because even though I was in Disney in 2003 I still feel like it's the first time.

You found your countdown badge, so I'll speak to the second question! Our WDW "must do" is to RELAX and take it easy! I know -- sounds cliche -- but with all the planning and preparing, we have to take a step back and remind ourselves that we can't do everything and that we'll be happier if we just enjoy the time and remember to slow down, take a few naps, spend some time by the pool, and really feel like we're on vacation

Still, it's hard to do when all I want to do is cross things off my list on every trip!

Sat, 08/14/2010 - 10:55

dragynally

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Annie,
I couldn't agree more. it's just it is my bff's first tip and I want to make sure she tries at least one very awesome thing per park.

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Sat, 08/14/2010 - 15:41

dsoup

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dragynally wrote:

Annie,
I couldn't agree more. it's just it is my bff's first tip and I want to make sure she tries at least one very awesome thing per park.

Well for people going their first time lots of things that we take for granted are must-dos. Don't forget to do some things that you might not do every time like Muppet Vision 3-D. I think everyone loves that show! It's really fun to see first-timers see all the classics for the first time.

Sat, 08/14/2010 - 15:50

dragynally

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dsoup: very true...

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Sat, 08/14/2010 - 15:59

dsoup

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dragynally wrote:

dsoup: very true...

Oh, I just mentioned the Animation Academy in another thread. I don't know that it's a must-do, but it's a really fun changeup activity. Not something they're probably expecting at WDW.

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