Monday, August 23, 2010

Tonight We Dine…

The other day, a co-worker of mine—Joe—told me some startling news. Joe, like me, is a frequent Disney visitor. He and his wife go every November. He called Disney Dining to make reservations for their trip—exactly 90 days from their vacation. But they found out something that had surprised them and he passed it along to me.

Disney had gone back to a 180 day (6 month) window for dining reservations.

When did that change? And why wasn’t there any notice about it?

So, Friday night, my dad and I focused on making our dining reservations. We tried calling, but we were ten minutes too late—the call center shuts down at 10PM EDT/EST. But we did try the Online Booking. And I must say, it was quiet easy. You can search by a park or hotel or you can find a specific place. You can also search for restaurants that are on the dining plan. Next, you select the day you would like and a desired time to make the reservation. The system will then check to see if your time is available. If it isn’t, they will find the next available time closest to your desired one. You can book your reservation then and there and specify if there are any special dietary needs or allergies of which the staff should be warned. They give you a confirmation number to keep with you.

For those who know where and when they want to eat and do not have any questions, I would suggest you use the online booking. It’s easy and quick.

We only made two reservations online—reservations for the Liberty Tree Tavern and for the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge. We would’ve made the others, but we’re trying the Fantasmic package. My father and I felt it wiser to talk to someone for that reservation.

The next morning, I called the Disney Dining Call Center and was quickly connected to a cast member. I told her when we were going to Disney and that we wanted the Fantasmic dining package. The lady was very helpful and we were soon booked for reservations at Hollywood and Vine for the package. The cast member also helped me book the rest of our reservations for the Rose and Crown, San Angel Inn, Cape May Cafe, the Primetime Cafe, and Teppan Edo.

At the very end, I stayed on to take a survey. I felt odd answering the question “How would you rate the service you received?” Because it’s Disney, I always expect excellent service from their employees. And this one was no different.

But seriously—did anyone know that Disney had changed their reservation policy?

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Congrats!

The Creative Arts Emmys have been handed out and congrats go to Betty White and Neil Patrick Harris.

White won for her turn hosting Saturday Night Live, which was a no-brainer.

NPH won two Emmys—the first was for his turn on Glee, which was great. The second was with all those behind last year’s Tony Telecast. He picked up the statuette as the show’s host.

Also, NPH will become a father with his partner in October, so another round of congratulations to him for that!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

TV Premieres

I cannot believe how fast September is approaching. Before we know it, a brand new TV season will be upon us! Here is  run down of selected shows and their return dates.

* indicates a new night for the show

Sunday

The Simpsons (FOX) 9/26

The Cleveland Show (FOX) 9/26

Family Guy (FOX) 9/26

American Dad (FOX) 10/3

*CSI: Miami (CBS) 10/3

Monday

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 9/20

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 9/20

Two and a Half Men (CBS) 9/20

House (FOX) 9/20

Chuck (NBC) 9/20

*90210 (CW) 9/13

Gossip Girl (CW) 9/13

Tuesday

Dancing With the Stars: The Results (ABC) 9/21

NCIS (CBS) 9/21

NCIS: LA (CBS) 9/21

The Good Wife (CBS) 9/28

Glee (FOX) 9/21

*One Tree Hill (CW) 9/21

Wednesday

America’s Next Top Model (CW) 9/8

Criminal Minds (CBS) 9/22

*Law and Order: SVU 9/22

Thursday

*Big Bang Theory (CBS) 9/23

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 9/23

Private Practice (ABC) 9/23

CSI (CBS) 9/23

The Mentalist (CBS) 9/23

The Vampire Diaries (CW) 9/9

Bones (FOX) 9/23

30 Rock (NBC) 9/23

The Office (NBC) 9/23

FRIDAY

Medium (CBS) 9/24

*CSI: NY (CBS) 9/24

Smallville (CW) 9/24

Supernatural (CW) 9/24

I highlighted only RETURNING shows, not any NEW shows. Please note if your show has moved.

I’ve decided to save my recaps for the weeks preceding the Glee season premiere so we’re all caught up and reviewed for the upcoming season. So, look for the first recap Aug. 31st.

 

On Our Way…Now With a Place to Stay!

See that above? That is the extent of my rhyming ability! Sorry if it’s a bit corny, but Dr. Seuss I am not.


We can check off another step on our path to Disney. On Thursday, my parents and I went down to the travel agency and booked our trip! Though we were considering staying in a moderate resort, after getting estimates, we’ve decided to return to our usual stomping grounds.


That’s right—it’s back to Pop Century for us!


(Building in the 80s at Pop Century)


We are also trying the dining plan this go-round, so expect a review of that from me. Hopefully, they’ve ironed out the wrinkles and the confusion we’ve seen in the past years, when we were the annoyed customers behind the people who couldn’t figure out how to use the plan.


Friday, August 6, 2010

How I Met My Co-Star

With Don taking the job in Chicago, breaking poor Robin’s heart, our favorite early early EARLY morning newscaster needs a new co-anchor.

Enter Laura Bell Bundy, who was nominated for a Tony for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical. According to reports, she’s been cast in How I Met Your Mother as Robin’s new co-anchor who may have a storyline with Ted. Maybe she’s the mother? Maybe she’ll be a girlfriend Ted keeps around for more than one episode? Either way, I’m excited for this casting news. I’ve seen Bundy in both “Wicked” (as Glinda) and Legally Blonde. She’s a good comedic actress and will serve as a nice foil to Robin.

So, all this casting news is making me excited for the new season!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Mama Who Bore Me

The next season of “Glee” gets better and better…And it’s only August 4th!

Reports are saying that “Glee” mastermind Ryan Murphy has cast legendary actress Carol Burnett as Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) mom!

If this is true, the episode(s) she will be in will be great. You know with Sue’s personality, her mother is even more brash and bitchy. And I can just see Carol Burnett camping the role out magnificently.

Oh, I hope they give her and Lynch a great duet to do!

Either way, this makes September 21st seem so far, far away.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

On Our Way…

I’m going to Walt Disney World in January!

And now you’re all heading for the door.

So, for those of you who are staying, here’s how the vacation plans are going:

My father, in true form, has already booked our flights to Orlando and back home. Once again, we’ll be flying JetBlue but won’t be leaving at the crack of dawn, as we usually do. While this means that your favorite non-morning person blogger gets to sleep late, it also means that there is a higher chance of the flight being delayed. It also means that we’ll lose more time in the parks, but it is only day one.

And Epcot does have evening Extra Magical Hours that day.

Where are we staying? We don’t know yet. Since we’re going at off-peak, it means the rates are lower. So we don’t have to stay in Pop Century and can upgrade, if we want. I’m pulling for Port Orleans, either the Riverside or French Quarter side. I don’t know what my parents are considering, but we can’t find anything on the Disney website past December 31, 2010.

What gives Disney?

Stay tuned for more vacation plans!

Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Sam goes to spend a weekend full of music in Austin, Texas!

Friday night: Southern Converse Avenue is full of tattoos, neon and hot rods. It looks like you stepped back in time to the 1950s. Sam hits the Continental and gets to go upstairs to meet the artists. She meets a local blues legend, Gary. Sam tries to jam with him but can’t keep up. Sam wonders how he can be able to really play the blues at such a young age but he says he can.

Saturday morning: Sam goes to Jo’s for some coffee and music. Sam meets Kinky, another local music legend. He says he’s been performing in Austin since Christ was a cowboy. They get some breakfast and enjoy the house band. Sam then hits Sixth Street and walks into a…tattoo parlor? Oh, she’s just getting a henna tattoo. Sam notices hula hoops, which the owner keeps it out so people waiting can keep entertained. She also teaches hula hooping. After a quick lesson, Sam gets a henna tattoo of the lotus. She tells Sam her tattoo means whatever she wants it to mean. So what does our girl decide on? “Buy me a beer.” That’s our Sam!

Coming up: Sam takes a dip.

Saturday afternoon: Sam decides to spend some time outdoors and goes to Lady Bird Lake. Sam joins John at the Barton Springs, an Austin institution according to John. Sam gets in and it is cold. Rather than a morning jog, some people take a morning dip in the springs. John does a cannonball into the springs, causing Sam to laugh.

After getting out of the springs, Sam goes to Lockhart to eat at Smitty’s Market. It is Texas barbecue, complete with giant fire. She meets the pit master, who is the grandson of the founder. San is surprised the Market still accepts checks. Sam eats with two locals, though one is a vegetarian. He says he comes for the cole slaw. Sam gets a food coma and learns the vegetarian is the designated driver.

Coming up: Bats.

Saturday night: Sam stands by the Bat Signal, leading to the Bat Bridge. There’s an audience. Bats moved in to the bridge once Austin redesigned it. And as the Ride of the Valkyries plays, 5.5 million bats fly out of the bridge. It’s a swarm and the creatures of the night inspire Sam to hit the town rather than hit the hay. She goes to Broken Spoke to experience some honky-tonk. Many have stopped by the place and the owner shows her pictures of Willie Nelson over the years. He even serenades Sam about his place. Sam gets to be apart of a tradition—she pushes the wheel to get the party started. She gets a private lesson on the two-step and dances the night away.

Coming up: Cars and Chickens?

Sunday morning: Sam goes down to an annual Austin festival celebrating cars. Like his club, the festival founded by the Continental owner are inspired by the 1950s. He introduces her to Sweet Nadine and gives her a spin in the Black Dahlia.

Sunday afternoon: Sam spends her last hours in Austin in Little Longhorn. You can drink, dance, listen to music, play dominoes and ever tailgate in the parking lot. Sam joins some of the Austinites outside. But the real draw on Sundays is Bingo. And not just any type of bingo. You put money into a pot, pick a number and if a chicken poops on your number—you win!

Eww.

Sam doesn’t win and she grabs her bags to leave. But first, she gets waylaid by some friends of the tattoo artist who gave her her henna tattoo. Turns out they wrote a song for her because she saved them when they were stuck in a blizzard. They play their song for her and Sam says “adios” to Austin.

Sam’s weekend in Austin looked like great fun. If I go, I’m not going in the summer—too hot! But it seems a car ride across the US is in order.