Take me back to our Happy Place - a July 2020 PTR * BRIEF update 5/27*

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We might try Whispering Canyon for lunch in August. It looks like a fun experience and it would be new to us!
I love Ozark on Netflix If you like a little Mexican Drug Cartel violence and a lot of cursing, it’s for you! it is so good! The actors in the show are amazing! Jason Bateman and Laura Linney! Very addictive.

 

[ArielSRL]

And I will never turn down a trip up to the TOTWL that's for sure!

What time did you guys get up there before to get a seat inside? When we went, we ended up outside because we didn't go soon enough. We are probably going up on July 1 for Chad's birthday.

really the one I can' wait for, the "Day Disney reopens" holiday!!!

The best holiday ever!

As far as what I am watching, The Handmaid's Tale. Thinking about re watching the White Queen, then watching The White Princess, and the Spanish Princess. Maybe re watching Friday Night Lights, probably Little Fires Everywhere, probably Mrs. America on Hula. I got lots of plans. We'll see what I get to. LOL

 

[lvcourtneyy]

really the one I can' wait for, the "Day Disney reopens" holiday!!!

Oo that's a good one. I think that will be all of our favorites when it happens.

so we'll put on our flippers and swim (probably boat - stay out of the lake!)

I've heard about a lot of bacteria in that water. I like the boat idea lol

We'll be getting our ketchup on at Whispering Canyon Cafe! I had dinner here last May and surprisingly loved my meaty skillet and all the fixin's that come with it. I know the boys will also love the skillet.

Oo we had lunch there in the Fall and we loved it!

I admit I'm far from a morning person either, unless I'm in Disney!

Same!

7/5: Disney Springs; Epcot

We have Cali Grill brunch this day so maybe we'll catch you depending on what time you're leaving the Contemporary?

I'm watching the Fosters on netflix now. It's what Mike calls a "teeny bopper" show lol but I started watching it and now I'm hooked.

 

[pkondz]

he said nope to Schitt's Creek FYI .

I just started watching that. Only seen the first episode and... looks pretty good.

<sigh>
Unfortunately it was...

 

[Terra Nova guy]

So other than Tiger King help us out:

Ariane, you're going to be so excited. I have the perfect suggestion for you! Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Because I know you and I know how much you enjoy the live action Star Wars, so I'm sure you would love watching an animated series.

OK, truth, I really am binge watching Clone Wars now. It was on years ago and it was one Star Wars thing I had never seen. Since it's Star Wars Canon (yes, my geek is showing and I could explain the difference between Canon and Legends, but...) some of the characters from Clone Wars are supposed to come up in The Mandalorian next season so I wanted to watch. OK, that's quite enough Star Wars talk.

My wife and I have a really hard time agreeing on shows. I like the sci-fi type stuff. She likes romantic Hallmark movies. Neither of us like dramas or crime shows. We tend to go for comedies. One we both agreed on a while ago was "Life in Pieces".

 

[Wood Nymph]

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a really good choice for your arrival dinner. All of the heavy park traffic will be to/from MK. But the boat between WL and CR should be fine. And it will be a fun way to start the vacation.

We went to AK on July 4th when we were there a few years ago. It wasn't empty but it wasn't mobbed either. It will be really easy for you to see the MK fireworks on the 4th.

We had a family Easter party via Zoom. It was nice to see everyone. The funny thing was that we didn't have a lot to talk about since we were all staying at home and not doing anything interesting.

The number one reason we cancelled our July trip was because our daughter and her family are moving back to our town after living 1,000 miles away for the last ten years. We are beyond excited to have her living less than two miles away from us. My only regret is that we won't be at WDW when you are there.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I love your plans mainly because you’ve yet to decide which park when. I always have a hard time deciding and then inevitably when I do pick a park, with everyone’s advance input i might add, they all decide the night before that they aren’t feeling it and want to change. It usually works out fine anyway though I have been known to dig my heels in if it’s a newer ride that I’ve passes for!
We’ve just finished watching the Tiger King ( whackjobs the lotta them as far as I’m concerned) and are about to start The Quiz which is new and is about a group of people who cheated on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I’ll let you know how it is. We have a 22 year old and a 13 year old so it can sometimes be hard to get something for everyone. We all get a laugh from Hells Kitchen though the caveat is the language is not to be repeated ( I think the swearing Gordon Ramsey is the 13 year old’s favourite bit ). Adults only I liked re-watching Sopranos and Peaky Blinders but yeah not watching them with my offspring no matter how old they get!
We’ve also been watching some movies- My Cousin Vinny have us all some much needed laughter

 

[missjackiemcg]

So nice that you are still getting to spend some time with Hayden! I don't think I realized they lived right by you either--how nice!!! I know the hardest part of all of this for my Mom has been not being able to see Jimmy (she claims she misses all of us, but we know the truth!)

We've been binge watching King of the Hill and Big Bang Theory, LOL. Rob has all the seasons of both shows on DVD, and Jimmy can watch those, too, so that's where we're at so far!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Here are some oldies but goodies...

1. Justified
2. The Shield

Watch The Outsider!!!!!!

Your plans look good. I love the idea of dinner at WCC arrival night! This also means a mandatory drink at GP!!!

 

[Steppesister]

Subbing in and going back to read now...

 

[Steppesister]

The question we all have though is - WHEN?

WHEN for Pete's sake. WHEN?!

WHEN: July 3-9th
WHERE: 2 nights at the CR garden wing, garden view
followed by 4 nights BWI Club Level

Nice!! That sounds decadent!!

So classy and lovely! I hope you get that again.

plus eating here means I can see my lovely Lodge and - did you have any doubt - grab an arrival night one (or few) of these:

Of course you put in a Magic Bar porn shot.

Looks great right? Raise your hand if you're hyperventilating now because I make FP's in less than a month and don't know what park we'll be in when!

I felt a little bead of sweat run down my face.

Disney Silly Symphony cartoons.

 

[kastoney]

one for the birthday of a favorite DIS'er

How did this only get 1 vote? I demand a recount!

I spy with my little eye our favorite chocolate......

We won't have long to snack as I went ahead and made a dining reservation for 8:30. Yup, I don't normally make lots of ADR's but I know we will all be on the verge of hanger when we land and Steve does not even entertain the idea of eating at the airport before heading out.

You really don't need an ADR. I heard the Boardwalk serves some amazing pizza late at night that should hit the spot.

Are we eating at Storybook Dining? If you know me you know the answer to that is a loud definitive NO!
We'll be getting our ketchup on at Whispering Canyon Cafe!

Are you sure I'm not really writing this report? Cause sames!

Funny we were talking about what we want to do when we go back to Disney on Easter and Casey's meal request was all the ketchup!!!

Chris on the other hand -

Ok maybe I"m not writing this report. Oh Chris. Pretty sure when Casey met him she later asked if he said anything besides no

Don't worry, I'll figure that out on May 3rd, the night before I do FP's.

Oh the anxiety. You really need a colored spreadsheet to track these things.

We're halfway through "Hunters" with Al Pacino and need something to watch next!

We just finished Hunters and really liked it though its definitely dark. If you haven't watched Ozark its great. Season 3 just came out but I'm sure the other 2 are on Netflix. And if you have HBO we love, love, loved the Righteous Gemstones. Its funny but a dark funny with a bit of drama and mystery thrown in. I think Steve would like it.

 

[Tracy161]

I NEED to stay positive as I have a personality that will go downhill quickly if I don't.

That is my personality too, and it's been teetering on the brink of downhill a bit lately... But being on the Dis always helps If I can think Disney, I can stay positive

At least overall the news for NY isn't getting worse so fingers crossed for us

I'm so hoping things will start to really level off and go down soon. How are things where you are? It's been fairly good where I live, but counties all around me are pretty bad

one for the birthday of a favorite DIS'er

Hmmm... lemme guess... @kastoney?

 

[buzzrelly]

plus eating here means I can see my lovely Lodge and - did you have any doubt - grab an arrival night one (or few) of these:

I would expect nothing less

The great thing about older kids who know their way around Disney is that if Steve and I want to go somewhere and they don't - we go! So it's easy for us to go out early and have the kids meet up with us later.

That is nice, especially when everyone seems to want to do something different!

7/4: AK; MK later with the dessert party

Bummer. I thought you were at the dessert party with us on the 3rd. But we have a TH reservation at 9:55 on the 4th, so I guess that also puts us at AK together!

Looks great right? Raise your hand if you're hyperventilating now because I make FP's in less than a month and don't know what park we'll be in when!

I'm all over the place too. I have a basic idea, but will have to pinpoint it soon.

I also switched us over to BWV half-way through our trip from 7/7-7/10. I had been looking for months and I was never sadder to see availability pop up. I went ahead and switched it anyway, hoping for the best. But honestly, we don't even have flights home yet and I think I'll hold off on buying them until after May 31st, which is when I'd have to cancel our DVC reservation by to not lose my points.

So, yeah, we may be seeing you over at The Boardwalk too

In abnormal news Steve and I are watching way too much TV these days (who isn't?) and have run out of new shows/movies/series to watch. It is hard to find one that we both like because he has no sense of humor - he said nope to Schitt's Creek FYI . We're halfway through "Hunters" with Al Pacino and need something to watch next! So other than Tiger King help us out:

I just finished rewatching the whole Gilmore Girls series again…sorry, Steve. And I just started rewatching Mad Men. I made quite a dent in it the other day when it was so rainy and gross out. I love this show. If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend it.

 

[Wood Nymph]

In abnormal news Steve and I are watching way too much TV these days (who isn't?) and have run out of new shows/movies/series to watch. It is hard to find one that we both like because he has no sense of humor - he said nope to Schitt's Creek FYI

DH said no to Schitt's Creek, too. He likes the dark shows, so we have been watching shows like Ozark and Westworld. I told him that I would like to watch some shows were nobody gets killed, but not stupid comedy, either.

 

[ariane37]

I'm hoping it will only be a few more weeks of no grandbaby touching, but I respect DD26's wishes.

I hope so for you! I was just talking to Ricky who is getting tired of his same workout routine at home and really wanting the gym back. I do not think gyms are going to be one of the first things to reopen, so we were discussing finding new things to try. I told him rather than run on the treadmill try running around the neighborhood or get back on his bike that he hasn't ridden since he got his license lol. Bottom line we made it a month now with social distancing and if we have to do it for another month we can. But definitely one of the toughest parts is not being able to see my mom and she misses my granddaughter too!

Hopefully soon we can do some driveway 6 feet apart picnics, if it would actually stop snowing.

Nice! My 2 best friends and I plan on sitting on one's lawn Sunday and drinking a glass or two of wine 6 feet apart of course! As for snow

I'm really enjoying your food plans though - I think I will have to hunt down a Magic Bar on my next trip for sure!

YES! Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge and apparently the qs at Port Orleans Riverside We actually made magic bars at home for a quarantine snack and they came out pretty good! But now I have what I think is a better recipe so going to try again.

I have no TV recommendations unfortunately, I haven't been able to concentrate on anything for any amount of time, although I have been able to keep up with Outlander

I hear good things about Outlander and have thought about watching but not sure it's Steve's type of show so I may have to watch that by myself.

We might try Whispering Canyon for lunch in August. It looks like a fun experience and it would be new to us!

Always fun trying new Disney restaurants!

I love Ozark on Netflix If you like a little Mexican Drug Cartel violence and a lot of cursing, it’s for you! it is so good! The actors in the show are amazing! Jason Bateman and Laura Linney! Very addictive.

Good suggestion, I hear good things about Ozark too so will put on the list. I do love Jason Bateman!

What time did you guys get up there before to get a seat inside? When we went, we ended up outside because we didn't go soon enough. We are probably going up on July 1 for Chad's birthday.

Hmm, 7 or 7:30? Or 6:30? Definitely not before 6:30 and I don't think we sat much more than an hour before the fireworks but I just can't remember what time that was. Going to go with 7 or 7:30! When we got there they had plenty of tables open.

probably Little Fires Everywhere, probably Mrs. America on Hula.

Ooh yes I want to watch MS. America! I think it starts tonight!

Oo that's a good one. I think that will be all of our favorites when it happens.

We have Cali Grill brunch this day so maybe we'll catch you depending on what time you're leaving the Contemporary?

Oh man I should try booking CG brunch for that day before we go to DS! As of now we probably won't leave until 11 at the earliest and possibly a bit later - what time is your brunch?

I'm watching the Fosters on netflix now. It's what Mike calls a "teeny bopper" show lol but I started watching it and now I'm hooked.

LOL I've heard of that. Speaking of teeny bopper I started watching "Pretty Little Liars" on Netflix early last summer and was HOOKED but had to watch when Steve wasn't around as he didn't like it at all - no surprise. So I started like late May and got through most of season 6 but then had like a week where I was too busy to watch. Got back to it only to find the series had been removed from Netflix 2 days before I STILL NEED TO FINISH IT!!!!

I just started watching that. Only seen the first episode and... looks pretty good.

I thought the 3 episodes we watched were hysterical!

Unfortunately it was...

LOL! Fun fact, Howard Baskin, Carole Baskin's husband, was born right here where I live! So thrilling and such a wonderful claim to fame for our area

Ariane, you're going to be so excited. I have the perfect suggestion for you! Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Because I know you and I know how much you enjoy the live action Star Wars, so I'm sure you would love watching an animated series.

My wife and I have a really hard time agreeing on shows. I like the sci-fi type stuff. She likes romantic Hallmark movies. Neither of us like dramas or crime shows. We tend to go for comedies. One we both agreed on a while ago was "Life in Pieces".

Yeah same here unfortunately. I love horror and he'll watch that as long as it's not "campy" which I also happen to love. I like sci fi and he doesn't; I love comedies and so does he but only specific kinds and we seem to have different senses of humor lol. See I also LOVED "Life in Pieces" but he thought "eh"

 

[ariane37]

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a really good choice for your arrival dinner. All of the heavy park traffic will be to/from MK. But the boat between WL and CR should be fine. And it will be a fun way to start the vacation.

That's how I was thinking. Steve and I both love taking Disney boats anywhere and it's more peaceful than a bus.

We went to AK on July 4th when we were there a few years ago. It wasn't empty but it wasn't mobbed either. It will be really easy for you to see the MK fireworks on the 4th.

I feel like I remember you saying that MK on the 4th last year really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be until about 5? Then it started getting crazy and we ate, rode like 2 things and got out of there for Epcot.

The funny thing was that we didn't have a lot to talk about since we were all staying at home and not doing anything interesting.

Yeah.....when we did the zoom call on Ricky's birthdday with my sister and mom (mom here in NY by us but sister in Ga) we kept a steady chat going for like 15 minutes? Then it got kind of quiet.

The number one reason we cancelled our July trip was because our daughter and her family are moving back to our town after living 1,000 miles away for the last ten years.

That's a GREAT reason to cancel!!

I love your plans mainly because you’ve yet to decide which park when

you know, I plan so many itineraries for clients that I've just gotten to the point where I can't think about ours too early! And I have never warmed up to FP+ and don't particularly like planning that detailed so far out so as a protest I leave it until the last minute. Which really punishes nobody except me!

We’ve just finished watching the Tiger King ( whackjobs the lotta them as far as I’m concerned) and are about to start The Quiz which is new and is about a group of people who cheated on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Yes they are, and as I mentioned to @pkondz Howard Baskin grew up right here by me Just mentioned The Quiz to Steve and I think we'll put that on our list, thank you!

We all get a laugh from Hells Kitchen though the caveat is the language is not to be repeated

Steve LOVES Hell's Kitchen and Gordon Ramsey and I can totally see why your youngest would too

So nice that you are still getting to spend some time with Hayden! I don't think I realized they lived right by you either--how nice!!! I know the hardest part of all of this for my Mom has been not being able to see Jimmy (she claims she misses all of us, but we know the truth!)

Yes they are about 4 minutes away and also in the same development as Jay's mom.....which she loves, but my DIL wasn't so sure about when they moved in lol. Just ended up that the right house was in the possibly wrong development but all has worked out well! I miss my mom and I know she really misses the kids, she was also planning to go down to see my sister and nephews in Ga. at the end of April and that obviously isn't happening now

Watch The Outsider!!!!!!

We did and I read the book!!! Oh you know there's another S. King movie I wanted to tell you about since you liked "A Good Marriage" - I think it's called 1922 and it's on Netflix

So classy and lovely! I hope you get that again.

I do too!

Of course you put in a Magic Bar porn shot.

The best kind of porn - on some days lol!

I felt a little bead of sweat run down my face.

I apologize! I know I do that to a few people but I just can't think that far ahead! I do better under pressure and since we end up changing every day anyway.......

Disney Silly Symphony cartoons.

Ooh good idea! I should watch the short that they modeled Gran Destino after too!

How did this only get 1 vote? I demand a recount!

Yeah but, did you notice @Tracy161 KNEW it was your vote??? Gotta count for something!!

I spy with my little eye our favorite chocolate......

And I have pictures to prove it

You really don't need an ADR. I heard the Boardwalk serves some amazing pizza late at night that should hit the spot.

You know, you're right. And I'm going to ask them to make a special funghi pie for you in October

Ok maybe I"m not writing this report. Oh Chris. Pretty sure when Casey met him she later asked if he said anything besides no

OMG I was honestly so embarrassed that day! He was at his WORST. I think he at least spoke and smiled when Jenny and Joe @Jenny Sanders met him in Disney but you know, he HAD just gotten up from like a 4 hour nap............

Oh the anxiety. You really need a colored spreadsheet to track these things.

THAT would cause me anxiety! So don't send me yours

And if you have HBO we love, love, loved the Righteous Gemstones. Its funny but a dark funny with a bit of drama and mystery thrown in. I think Steve would like it.

Puttin' in on the list! Yeah Hunters was dark but so good. You guys should try "11-21-63" by Stephen King and also the movie "A Good Marriage" by him.

That is my personality too, and it's been teetering on the brink of downhill a bit lately... But being on the Dis always helps If I can think Disney, I can stay positive

I'm sorry,sending you hugs I have those days and I fear the longer all this goes on the more frequent they'll be and they kind of go by how the kids are. I get through it by breaking it down; right now we need to concentrate on getting through April and we're halfway there! Then things should be better. Once I find out that things will or won't start opening up/going back to normal for May my mantra will be "now we got through like 6 weeks, we can do 2 more" or 3 or whatever. I'll be ok that way I think as long as by the end of May something has opened backk up whether it's large restaurants, just being able to get together in small groups, something to show the light at the end of the tunnel.

How are things where you are? It's been fairly good where I live, but counties all around me are pretty bad

Well luckily we're not in the city! When they break it down into NYC, Long Island, Westchester and "the rest of NY" we're in "the rest" like you are but we're only 40 minutes from Westchester so barely out of that. Their numbers aren't that much higher than the rest of the state when you break it down and as you know NY is near the beginning of the downside of the curve.....but we're all shut down like the city. I hope Cuomo begins the reopening process outside of the city rather than waiting for the city to be ready.

Hmmm... lemme guess... @kastoney?

Ding ding ding!!!!

'm all over the place too. I have a basic idea, but will have to pinpoint it soon.

I need to get on it! I actually have 4 clients to make FPs for the day we make ours so Steve has to make ours which means I need to be super clear lol

So, yeah, we may be seeing you over at The Boardwalk too

think I'll hold off on buying them until after May 31st, which is when I'd have to cancel our DVC reservation by to not lose my points.

By 5/31 we BETTER know about our July trips

And I just started rewatching Mad Men.

So glad you mentioned Mad Men! About 5 years ago I started watching it by myself while Steve was at work and saw it all but the last season. Would love to watch it again and I really think he'd like it too!

He likes the dark shows, so we have been watching shows like Ozark and Westworld. I told him that I would like to watch some shows were nobody gets killed, but not stupid comedy, either.

He's like me! I want to suggest you guys watch "Hunters" with Al Pacino but it is dark. Super good but dark!

 

[Tracy161]

I'm sorry,sending you hugs I have those days and I fear the longer all this goes on the more frequent they'll be and they kind of go by how the kids are. I get through it by breaking it down; right now we need to concentrate on getting through April and we're halfway there! Then things should be better. Once I find out that things will or won't start opening up/going back to normal for May my mantra will be "now we got through like 6 weeks, we can do 2 more" or 3 or whatever. I'll be ok that way I think as long as by the end of May something has opened backk up whether it's large restaurants, just being able to get together in small groups, something to show the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is an excellent strategy. I will adopt it for myself now

When they break it down into NYC, Long Island, Westchester and "the rest of NY"

Yeah, it always makes me chuckle when the entire REST of the state is referred to as one giant other category. But as far as smaller cases of this, I'm glad we're both considered "the rest of NY".

Ding ding ding!!!!

I knew it!

Yeah but, did you notice @Tracy161 KNEW it was your vote??? Gotta count for something!!

Definitely counts for something!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It’s just been announced here that lockdown will continue for at least another 3 weeks
We had originally planned a July trip which we had to cancel/move to next year but to be fair that’s because of some health issues as much as covid-19. In a way the fact that everyone is doing the same makes it easier for me to explain to my son but it makes me sad for everyone else. On a plus side the sun is out and numbers of those affected seem to be slowing very very slightly. If your new magic bar recipe turns out good please share- we could all do with some magic these days! We will all come through this together. Chins up everyone xx