A Bit Of This & A Bit Of That DVC Trip 2009 – Pre-trip - **Final update 16/3/09**

[wickesy]

Dad and I were bitten by the Disney bug in April 2007 and after falling in love with the savannah view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge in April this year we decided to buy into Disney Vacation Club. One of the incentives for purchasing was an offer of 160 ‘developer points’ to be used at Saratoga Springs within one year of purchase, so in our case by 22nd April 2009.

Initially I had decided that we would use the points in the week before Easter as I like getting back to the UK on the Thursday and having the whole bank holiday weekend off before going back to work. As the 7 month window for booking approached I got to thinking that maybe the eight nights on points wasn’t really long enough and maybe we could add on a week somewhere else for cash. So while I was at work over the late August bank holiday weekend and the printers were whirring away happily I started hunting around on the internet and working out figures.

We were originally going to fly out on 31st March and return on 8th April 2009 but there were no miles plus money flights available for those dates so we would have been paying cash. By bringing the departure date forward by a week to 25th March miles plus money flights suddenly popped up saving us a few hundred pounds. The money we saved there would pay for the extra week’s car hire and go towards paying for a week at Saratoga Springs (which we would get at a discount by being DVC members). In addition there was an offer on for 14 day ultimate tickets for the price of 7 days so we wouldn’t be paying any extra for park admission.

I got home and ran the idea past Dad, who goes along with anything I say anyway, and as bringing the check-in date forward had also brought the booking window forward I was able to phone and book the following day. So using miles plus money, plus DVC points, plus cash we had put together a two week trip for a couple of hundred pounds more than a one week trip would have cost us. Flights are booked with Virgin (PE both ways), car hire is with Alamo through USRentacar who were offering a free upgrade to the next size up (we booked a compact with upgrade to Intermediate and have registered for Direct To Road) and park tickets we got through Attraction Tickets Direct and got them to price match the official Disney website saving us £40.

The full itinerary will have to wait until the April park hours are released next month but initial plans are to do all of the Disney parks, a couple of shopping mall trips and this year we are going to try Gatorland for the first time plus I want to do the MK monorail loop from the front of the monorail at some point.. Dining wise Le Cellier, Golden Corral, Sweet Tomatoes and Artist Point will all be in the mix somewhere and I was thinking of throwing a couple of new ones, such as Sci-Fi Diner in there somewhere as well. For evening entertainment we will definitely be doing Wishes, Spectromagic and Illuminations but I am thinking of giving Fantasmic a miss this year now that they have cut the number of shows down.

So that’s where things stand at the moment and I will give you an update once I’ve got the final itinerary worked out.

[Pinky166]

It all sounds great so far David. Two weeks is definately better than one! Especially for just a couple of hundred quid more! :cool1:

[natalielongstaff]

Great plans David, looking forward to hearing more :cool1:

[Snowy-girls]

Excellent David :thumbsup2 .2 weeks for a few hundred more sounds great-well done.I am waiting on the April dates to be put up as well-let me know if you see them first and i will do the same for you :thumbsup2 .Can't wait to read more of your plans.x.

[wickesy]

I am waiting on the April dates to be put up as well-let me know if you see them first and i will do the same for you :thumbsup2 .

Will do. :goodvibes

[wilma-bride]

Great start David - can't believe you are going back so soon. Our next trip seems ages away :sad2:

[irongirlof12]

happy planning ! :cool1:

[Lizzybear]

Your plans sounds great and I look forward to reading your TR, the last one was fab :goodvibes

[florida sun]

Sounds like another great holiday to look forward to David:goodvibes

[suzycute]

Sounds like a fantastic deal :banana: :banana: :banana:

[SusanEllen]

Great start David - can't believe you are going back so soon.


Of course they're going back so soon, Joh. With the bargain deals David found, they'd be losing money if they stayed home.

[jockey]

Great start David :)

[mark&sue]

don't forget you can stroll down to Raglan Road and then stagger back. Be sure to ask for a Congress Park downtown disney view.

Hope you have a great time looking forward to your trip and an even better time there,


susan

[wickesy]

So now TGM has finally published his least crowded park charts for April I have sketched out a rough itinerary which looks like this:

24th March - Spend the day at work :guilty: before rushing home to travel down to Gatwick for twilight check-in and overnight at the Sofitel. :cool1:

25th March - Virgin flight to Orlando, pick up the car and check-in at Saratoga Springs.

26th March - Disney Hollywood Studios in the morning, leave after the first Lights, Motors, Action show and take a trip to Wal-Mart to stock up on goodies.

27th March - Magic Kingdom

28th March - Rest day but hoping to get tickets for Atlanta Braves v. New York Yankees baseball game at Wide World of Sports when they go on sale in January.

29th March - Animal Kingdom

30th March - EPCOT (Future World section)

31st March - Rest Day

1st April - Magic Kingdom

2nd April - Probably start off with the Around The World Segway tour and then stay at EPCOT to do World Showcase.

3rd April - Rest day but Spectromagic and Wishes in the evening.

4th April - Rest day

5th April - Disney Hollywood Studios with lunch at Sci-Fi diner (I know reviews are mixed but I want to try it for myself).

6th April - Rest day but Le Cellier (one of our favourites. Love the pretzel bread!) for dinner followed by Illuminations.

7th April - Free day but Artist Point for dinner to round the holiday off.

8th April - Downtown Disney check-in and potter around until it is time to return the car and catch our flight home. :sad1:

Plans for the rest days are shopping malls, Gatorland and Tampa but we'll decide which to do when we are out there and we may slip in some extra park days. Eating wise, Sweet Tomatoes, IHOP, Golden Corral and Nascar Grill are all on the list and I may try one or more of Ponderosa, Sizzler and Texas De Brazil plus see if we can get a walk-up at Boma as well.

So all I have to do now is wait until they update the ADR/tour reservation system or push the opening back so far that our dates open up for booking.

[Snowy-girls]

WOW-you have packed an awful lot in there David :thumbsup2 .I still have'nt looked over my plans yet-but i am hoping that we will be in at least one park at the same time on the same day for our mini meet+drink :thumbsup2 ,as were only there from the Apr 1st-17th Apr.
Have you done Nascar Cafe before-what is it like?.x.

[wickesy]

I did have Nascar café in the plans for April but for one reason and another never actually made it there so it is a must-do for next year.

Our days are pretty flexible so I'm sure we can all get together at some point. :goodvibes

[Pinky166]

I did have Nascar café in the plans for April but for one reason and another never actually made it there so it is a must-do for next year.

Our days are pretty flexible so I'm sure we can all get together at some point. :goodvibes

I've been to Nascar Cafe a few times.....nice food and atmosphere. :) The food is on par with Planet Hollywood/Rainforest Cafe. :thumbsup2

Your plans are looking great David.

[wickesy]

I've been to Nascar Cafe a few times.....nice food and atmosphere. :) The food is on par with Planet Hollywood/Rainforest Cafe. :thumbsup2

Great, I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Your plans are looking great David.

Thanks Claire. :goodvibes

[wilma-bride]

Looking good David - I'm incredibly jealous ;)

[jockey]

David your plans sound great! I would love to do the Segway tour :)

[wickesy]

When I left off I was waiting for Disney to open up our dates on the dining reservation system. On the 23rd December they finally announced that reservations could be made 90 days from dining date so I made a note to call once we got to 90 days from our last night so that I could make all my reservations in one go.

Around the beginning of December Dad needed to get a new computer and while we were in PC World I began looking at the netbooks. Now that I have started doing trip reports I like to type them up at the end of each day while everything is fresh in my mind and so I had been taking my laptop away with us. The only problem with that is that it is quite bulky and heavy, which means the bag I take it in is also quite big and even though it is on wheels it is still awkward to pull that and my suitcase at the same time. I had therefore been thinking about getting something smaller and having seen a netbook that I liked Dad offered to buy it for me for Christmas. That means that instead of my bulky laptop I will now be taking this away instead:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0797.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0798.jpg

So with the problem of the bulky laptop solved the next thing was to find a more suitable bag. I knew I wanted one like Dad has which slips over the handle of his suitcase so he can manage both of them together easily. A quick look on Ebay produced exactly what I was looking for and, as the seller was accepting offers on the Buy It Now price I knocked off the delivery charge and had an offer of £39.95 accepted for this:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0799.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0800.jpg

It has a loop on the back which slips over a suitcase handle and means that I will be able to manage my bags around Orlando Airport a lot easier than I did last year.

The next major date was the 10th January when tickets for the Atlanta Braves Spring Training baseball games were due to go on sale at 3:00 p.m. our time. Dad and I went to see a game at Wide World of Sports last year and when I saw these games were on while we are there on this trip we decided that we would enjoy going again. I was on the Ticketmaster website at about 3:02 p.m. but the only seats on offer were on the bleachers way out in the outfield, or in the lawn section which is just a grassy area and doesn’t even have any seats. :sad2: I tried on and off for a couple of hours but nothing decent came up so I think all of the good seats must have been spoken for in the multi-game packages that were on sale. I’ll keep trying Ticketmaster and see if anybody offers tickets at a reasonable price on StubHub but I think that day is going to end up as a shopping day.

Today I phoned up to make our ADRs and managed to get four out of five of what I wanted which are:

29th March 8:20 a.m. breakfast at Boma
2nd April 6:00 p.m. dinner at Boma
5th April 11:30 a.m. lunch at Sci-Fi Diner
7th April 6:00 p.m. dinner at Artist Point

The only one I couldn’t get, and it is the first time I haven’t been able to get in there in 3 tries was Le Cellier for dinner on 6th April. The only times they had available were 4:30 p.m. which would be too early and 8:00 p.m. which would be too late for Illuminations. I’m going to have a think about this one because we do really like Le Cellier so I might try and get in for a different night, or I might just leave it until we get there and get the Concierge desk at Saratoga Springs to have a look and see what dates and times are available during our stay in the hope of getting a cancellation.

The dining reservations system seems to have changed since last year – instead of the old “Press 1 for this, press 2 for that system” it is now done by voice. For example the first option is “To proceed in English say English, to proceed in Spanish say Spanish” (obviously the Spanish option is spoken in Spanish). There then follows a series of Yes/No questions before you are eventually put through to a CM.

The final thing to do was to phone and book the Around The World Segway tour at EPCOT which I have booked for 2nd April at 8:30 a.m., which is normally $95 each but with our DVC discount we got it for $80.75 each.

We have also booked a night at the Sofitel for 24th March so we can start the holiday off in the right mood and we will probably go over to the Wetherspoons in the other terminal for something to eat that night.

Other than deciding what to do about Le Cellier I think we are pretty much set now and the only thing to do is sit back and tick the days off to 24th March – it works out to 52 working days at the moment (or as Dad pointed out recently 1 and a half pages on the calendar on the side of the freezer! :lmao: ).

[Snowy-girls]

Great update David :goodvibes .I was wondering if you had managed to get your tickets(i meant to have asked you when we spoke recently)-what a shame :sad2:,hopefully something will come up for you both-good luck :thumbsup2 .
Great news about your ADR's-well done :banana: .Shame about Le Cellier-hope you get something sorted for that as well.
We have decided to book O'Hana's for brekkie with Lilo+Stitch for Emily,i rang the night we spoke-and was on hold for ages-longer than normal+also noticed the new speaking system-got thru after 17mins on hold-only to be told i was phoning too early :headache: :lmao: ,i forgot about the new 90 day thing :headache: .So i have to ring back Tuesday :thumbsup2 .
Did you get a good price on the Sofitel?.
I love the new laptop-so small+cute,great deal on the bag :thumbsup2 .

Oh we don't have long to go now-do we :banana: ,but lucky you,you go before me :sad1: .x.

[wickesy]

Did you get a good price on the Sofitel?.

It was £97.75 for a twin room which is about what we normally pay.

Oh we don't have long to go now-do we :banana: ,but lucky you,you go before me :sad1: .x.

Ah yeah, but then we fly home before you do as well. :sad1: And you get birthday cake. ;)

[CustardTart]

Great plans, David! :thumbsup2 I think your idea of seeing what the concierge desk can do for you is a good one - on my last trip in October half-term, I didn't make any ADRs and the concierge desk at BWV were able to meet all our needs... :)

Love your netbook! I can't quite justify one for myself BUT we got Samuel (DS) a Samsung one for Christmas and it's a thing of beauty - he'll be under strict instructions to bring it to Orlando... :rolleyes:

We arrive on March 31st for our first stay at AKV and this weekend I've been working on ideas for our trip too. I haven't made any ADRs yet so sounds like I'd better get organised... ;)

[Pinky166]

A great update David!

Shame you couldn't get any tickets for the game, maybe something will come up. I love those little Netbooks but after convincing my hubby to buy me a pink laptop last September I had better not ask for one yet. :rolleyes1

Both you, Michelle & Karen are SOOO lucky! :snooty: I have to wait until September!! :headache: ;)

I'm PM'ing you re Le Cellier.

[Pinky166]

I keep forgetting to say to you.....I love the quote in your siggie. :cloud9:

[wickesy]

Both you, Michelle & Karen are SOOO lucky! :snooty: I have to wait until September!! :headache: ;)

I'm PM'ing you re Le Cellier.

I hope your September trip is a bit better health wise than the one you've just come back from.

Thanks for the PM. ;)

I keep forgetting to say to you.....I love the quote in your siggie. :cloud9:

Thanks, it just came to me when I was talking to Michelle one night.

[Snowy-girls]

It was £97.75 for a twin room which is about what we normally pay.
Ah yeah, but then we fly home before you do as well. :sad1: And you get birthday cake. ;)
Not too bad a price.
Ooh yes birthday cake-how can i forget that.x.

[Snowy-girls]

I keep forgetting to say to you.....I love the quote in your siggie. :cloud9:

David's going to sing it to me when we meet,or he's going to start yelling it to try and find me,so i know where he is :laughing: .x.

[raph_b]

I hope you get to sort something out for Le Cellier so you can get your fix of pretzel bread :) (and if you do bring some home for me!)

[wickesy]

David's going to sing it to me when we meet,or he's going to start yelling it to try and find me,so i know where he is :laughing: .x.

:rotfl: I'll put a hat on the ground in front of me and I might make some extra spending money! :lmao:

I hope you get to sort something out for Le Cellier so you can get your fix of pretzel bread :) (and if you do bring some home for me!)

The pretzel bread is one of the main reasons I want to go back - the other is the cheese soup. :thumbsup2

[Snowy-girls]

:rotfl: I'll put a hat on the ground in front of me and I might make some extra spending money! :lmao:


We can duet :thumbsup2 ,they will probably pay us to stop singing :lmao: .x.

[wickesy]

When I posted the update last week I had no idea of the changes it was going to bring to our plans. Soon after the post went up I had an offer from Karen (CustardTart) to join her, her family, fellow DISer ‘Tink, too’ and her party on an Illuminations cruise on 2nd April. As the cruise is something we have never done before, Illuminations is my favourite fireworks show and always eager to meet fellow DISers I jumped at the chance which meant moving our Boma reservation to avoid any need for clock-watching.

Then on Friday night I found out Michelle (Snowy-girls) had moved her T-Rex reservation from 5th Aril to 4th April. That was down as a rest day on my plans so because Michelle and I had been wanting to arrange a meet, and because I had decided to work T-Rex into our plans somewhere I decided to make a reservation for the same time as Michelle. We are hoping that although they are two separate reservations T-Rex will be able to seat us together and there is a strong chance of an impromptu karaoke session – Islands In The Stream, Tomorrow (from Annie) and U Can’t Touch This so far isn’t it Michelle? :rotfl2:

So the upshot of all that is that 2nd April will now see us doing our Segway tour at EPCOT, followed by a stroll around World Showcase and finishing the day on an Illuminations cruise, 4th April will be a lazy morning followed by lunch at T-Rex and a lazy afternoon and our dinner at Boma is now booked for 1st April at 6:05 pm. As for Le Cellier, I’m not really bothered when we go now as it won’t need to be on the same night we see Illuminations so I’ll leave that until we get there and see if the concierge desk can help us out.

As much as I was looking forward to this holiday before I now think that it is easily going to better our three previous trips and I cannot wait!

[SusanEllen]

As much as I was looking forward to this holiday before I now think that it is easily going to better our three previous trips and I cannot wait!

Bet you're right, David, about this likely being the best trip so far. Looking forward to even one new thing added to the list of old familiar favorites adds an extra spark of excitement to the anticipation of a trip and suddenly you've added several--the Illuminations cruise, the new T-Rex restaurant, and getting to meet a couple of fellow DISers. All this AND it will be here before you know it. Have fun.

[Snowy-girls]

How lovely of Karen to invite you+your Dad for the Illuminations Cruise-i hope you have a fantastic time.
Seaworld in the afternoon+evening for us on that day.x.


Then on Friday night I found out Michelle (Snowy-girls) had moved her T-Rex reservation from 5th Aril to 4th April. That was down as a rest day on my plans so because Michelle and I had been wanting to arrange a meet, and because I had decided to work T-Rex into our plans somewhere I decided to make a reservation for the same time as Michelle. We are hoping that although they are two separate reservations T-Rex will be able to seat us together and there is a strong chance of an impromptu karaoke session – Islands In The Stream, Tomorrow (from Annie) and U Can’t Touch This so far isn’t it Michelle? :rotfl2:


Hi Kenny,
I am so excited about meeting you+your Dad,the girls are really excited as well(although because of shyness they probably won't say a word-lovely peace+quiet-can you join us for ALL our meals :lmao: ).
I really hope they can seat us together-i was thinking that when we meet each other there,we can tell them that were 2 seperate parties but ask them if they have a table for 6 available or how long would we have to wait for one :confused3 ,just a suggestion(up to you :) ).Otherwise it is easter time+i am thinking they may not be able to seat us together if on seperate tables :sad1: .

As for the singing,they won't know what's hit them :lmao: ,we should start after we have eaten-then when they chuck us out they may forget that we have'nt paid :thumbsup2 .Love Dolly.x.

[CustardTart]

...As much as I was looking forward to this holiday before I now think that it is easily going to better our three previous trips and I cannot wait!

I feel the same, David - I hardly spent any time planning (despite my comprehensive itinerary) as it all came together so easily! I just know it's going to be a spectacular trip!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[CustardTart]

...I decided to make a reservation for the same time as Michelle. We are hoping that although they are two separate reservations T-Rex will be able to seat us together and there is a strong chance of an impromptu karaoke session – Islands In The Stream, Tomorrow (from Annie) and U Can’t Touch This so far isn’t it Michelle? :rotfl2:


...Hi Kenny,

As for the singing,they won't know what's hit them :lmao: ,we should start after we have eaten-then when they chuck us out they may forget that we have'nt paid :thumbsup2 .Love Dolly.x.

Dear Kenny and Dolly,
This sounds amazing. :worship: I didn't know you guys were still performing but depending on what me and Boyzone are up to on April 4th, we might have to seize the opportunity and catch you guys performing live!!! May I also request a duet of '9 to 5'... :thumbsup2
Love from Louis Walsh xxx

[wickesy]

Hi Kenny,
I am so excited about meeting you+your Dad,the girls are really excited as well(although because of shyness they probably won't say a word-lovely peace+quiet-can you join us for ALL our meals :lmao: ).
I really hope they can seat us together-i was thinking that when we meet each other there,we can tell them that were 2 seperate parties but ask them if they have a table for 6 available or how long would we have to wait for one :confused3 ,just a suggestion(up to you :) ).Otherwise it is easter time+i am thinking they may not be able to seat us together if on seperate tables :sad1: .

As for the singing,they won't know what's hit them :lmao: ,we should start after we have eaten-then when they chuck us out they may forget that we have'nt paid :thumbsup2 .Love Dolly.x.

I'm so dense, I was going to demand you tell me who Kenny is as I thought you had been arranging to see another man behind my back. ;) :rotfl:

Is this a good time to tell you I'm shy too so it could be quieter than you are expecting. :lmao: (I wish they would put the smilies back where they were. :headache: )

I'm definitely up for getting a table for 6 but maybe it might be better for one of us to change our reservation to a 6 and the other could cancel. :confused3

Dear Kenny and Dolly,
This sounds amazing. :worship: I didn't know you guys were still performing but depending on what me and Boyzone are up to on April 4th, we might have to seize the opportunity and catch you guys performing live!!! May I also request a duet of '9 to 5'... :thumbsup2
Love from Louis Walsh xxx

:rotfl2: It's a special one-off performance so you'd better catch it while you can Louis. I'm sure we can work 9 to 5 into the set somewhere though - probably save it for an encore. :lmao:

[Snowy-girls]

I'm so dense, I was going to demand you tell me who Kenny is as I thought you had been arranging to see another man behind my back. ;) :rotfl:

Is this a good time to tell you I'm shy too so it could be quieter than you are expecting. :lmao: (I wish they would put the smilies back where they were. :headache: )

I'm definitely up for getting a table for 6 but maybe it might be better for one of us to change our reservation to a 6 and the other could cancel. :confused3

:lmao: -i was thinking, 'is he going to cotton on to this' .Of course i would'nt see another man behind your back-only my Hubby :thumbsup2 .

Ok if were all for confessions-i am shy too :lmao: ,this is going to be a great meet :lmao: :rotfl2: ,do you think it's wise to get a table for 6 :) .The only people talking to each other will be your Dad+my Hubby :rotfl: .

As for the table-no problems getting a table for 6-i am all for that :cool1: .Would it intefere with your dining discount though-as i don't understand how that works,do we just tell them that we want seperate bills :confused3 .x.

[Snowy-girls]

Dear Kenny and Dolly,
This sounds amazing. :worship: I didn't know you guys were still performing but depending on what me and Boyzone are up to on April 4th, we might have to seize the opportunity and catch you guys performing live!!! May I also request a duet of '9 to 5'... :thumbsup2
Love from Louis Walsh xxx

Hi Louis :rotfl2: ,
No probs with the request :thumbsup2 ,Kenny's a bit grey+haggard now but i am still at my best :thumbsup2 .Any chance of a spot on X-Factor?.x.

[wickesy]

Ok if were all for confessions-i am shy too :lmao: ,this is going to be a great meet :lmao: :rotfl2: ,do you think it's wise to get a table for 6 :) .The only people talking to each other will be your Dad+my Hubby :rotfl: .

As for the table-no problems getting a table for 6-i am all for that :cool1: .Would it intefere with your dining discount though-as i don't understand how that works,do we just tell them that we want seperate bills :confused3 .x.

I've cracked it - I'm taking my netbook, if you've got a laptop take that and we can communicate by PM, we seem to get on alright doing that. :lmao:

Yeah we can get a table for 6 and ask them for separate bills no problem at all.

[wickesy]

Kenny's a bit grey+haggard now but i am still at my best :thumbsup2

:scared1: That's it the gig is off, you're on your own lady. :snooty: <storms off Diva style>


;) :hug: :flower3:

[Snowy-girls]

I've cracked it - I'm taking my netbook, if you've got a laptop take that and we can communicate by PM, we seem to get on alright doing that. :lmao:

Yeah we can get a table for 6 and ask them for separate bills no problem at all.

:rotfl2: perfect result,we may get some funny looks though-do ya think :confused3 .

What would be better me going from a table of 4 to 6+you cancelling or you going from a table of 2 to 6+me cancelling :confused3 .Let me know what's best.

Is your Dad looking forward to it?.x.

[Snowy-girls]

:scared1: That's it the gig is off, you're on your own lady. :snooty: <storms off Diva style>


;) :hug: :flower3:

Oh sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrry i forget to say..........and still as handsome as ever :thumbsup2 .x.

[wickesy]

:rotfl2: perfect result,we may get some funny looks though-do ya think :confused3 .

What would be better me going from a table of 4 to 6+you cancelling or you going from a table of 2 to 6+me cancelling :confused3 .Let me know what's best.

Is your Dad looking forward to it?.x.

Nah, people will be too busy oohing and aahing at the dinos and meteor storm to worry about what we are doing. :)

I think it is probably going to be easier to go from a 4 to a 6 so if you want to try that first and if you get it I will phone and cancel mine.

Dad IS looking forward to it, especially meeting everybody, although he is a bit shy as well so he reckons it is going to be like a Monk's convention after a vow of silence. :lmao:

[Snowy-girls]

Nah, people will be too busy oohing and aahing at the dinos and meteor storm to worry about what we are doing. :)

I think it is probably going to be easier to go from a 4 to a 6 so if you want to try that first and if you get it I will phone and cancel mine.

Dad IS looking forward to it, especially meeting everybody, although he is a bit shy as well so he reckons it is going to be like a Monk's convention after a vow of silence. :lmao:

All done-table for 6-12noon Apr 4th :cool1: :thumbsup2 .

I am glad your Dad is looking forward to it :thumbsup2 .x.

[wickesy]

All done-table for 6-12noon Apr 4th :cool1: :thumbsup2 .


Well done that girl. :thumbsup2 I've just phoned and cancelled ours so we're all set. :)

[Snowy-girls]

Well done that girl. :thumbsup2 I've just phoned and cancelled ours so we're all set. :)

Excellent -time to get me funky moves going i think http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/dancer.gif.

What time will you be arriving to check in?-have to ask now or i will forget, as i won't have computer access when in Florida to speak with you.x.

[CustardTart]

All done-table for 6-12noon Apr 4th :cool1: :thumbsup2 .



Knickers!!! That's our Tusker House/Finding Nemo day!!! So sad Louis and I won't be able to do any be stalking... :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

[wickesy]

Excellent -time to get me funky moves going i think http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/dancer.gif.

What time will you be arriving to check in?-have to ask now or i will forget, as i won't have computer access when in Florida to speak with you.x.

We normally check in around 15 minutes before reservation time so anywhere around 11:45.

Now about costumes for the performance...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/dollykennynewer2.jpg

[wickesy]

Knickers!!! That's our Tusker House/Finding Nemo day!!! So sad Louis and I won't be able to do any be stalking... :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

Soo you're going to blow off the performance of the Century for Tusker House/Finding Nemo...our popularity isn't what it was Dolly. :sad1:

[CustardTart]

Soo you're going to blow off the performance of the Century for Tusker House/Finding Nemo...our popularity isn't what it was Dolly. :sad1:
I know!!! It's inexcusable but what can I say, Louis really loves performing fish... :rolleyes: ;) :goodvibes

Here's one of you guys from my scrapbook - lookin' good!!! :thumbsup2
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/cheztaylor/Photos/photo-1.jpg

[Snowy-girls]

Knickers!!! That's our Tusker House/Finding Nemo day!!! So sad Louis and I won't be able to do any be stalking... :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:
:rotfl2: ,your going to be missing a great show-better than Tusker House+Nemo anyday-you don't know what you're missing :sad2: ,or you do that's why you're not coming :lmao: .x.

our popularity isn't what it was Dolly. :sad1:

:sad2: .Can you blame them,look at the outfits we used to wear :scared: :rotfl2: .

We will meet you at 11-45am,on the dot.
Do you know roughly how long a taxi to DTD takes from I-Drive :confused3 .x.

[Snowy-girls]

I know!!! It's inexcusable but what can I say, Louis really loves performing fish... :rolleyes: ;) :goodvibes

Here's one of you guys from my scrapbook - lookin' good!!! :thumbsup2
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s84/cheztaylor/Photos/photo-1.jpg

Louis would love us then,were like 2 preforming seals waiting to be fed :rotfl2: :rotfl: .x.

[wickesy]

:sad2: .Can you blame them,look at the outfits we used to wear :scared: :rotfl2: .

We will meet you at 11-45am,on the dot.
Do you know roughly how long a taxi to DTD takes from I-Drive :confused3 .x.

Looks like I could do with losing a few pounds as well.

Taxi from I-Drive to DTD will probably take about 25-30 mins.

[Snowy-girls]

Looks like I could do with losing a few pounds as well.

Taxi from I-Drive to DTD will probably take about 25-30 mins.

Cheers David,well that's me for the night-off to watch a film-until we speak again-http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/hug.gifnight night.x.

[wickesy]

Night Michelle. :goodvibes

[wickesy]

With just over a month to go until we leave there have been a few more changes to the plans and a couple more purchases to make the trip complete.

A couple of weeks ago I put QVC on and noticed that their ‘Today’s Special Value’ was the Archos 7 multimedia tablet at a pretty good price. I had been looking at these for a while and, although I had decided I could make do with my 705, I couldn’t resist QVC’s offer. Dad saw it too and as a result we each own a shiny new toy:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0022.jpg

Dad has already started filling his with music and videos and I will be doing the same over the weekend.

Ever since I had been unable to get the baseball tickets I wanted I had been checking TicketMaster and Stubhub for cheap tickets but nothing suitable had come up. In the end I decided that I really didn’t want to miss the game and that if I went for the first or second row of the upper tier it wouldn’t really be so bad. I did some searching around the net and found two tickets for row B in the upper tier and decided to buy them as my treat to Dad, since he pays for everything else. The tickets arrived this morning and so the baseball game has been inked into the plans.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0023.jpg

As I was browsing the net last night I came across the concert schedule for Mardi Gras and noticed that Kelly Clarkson was appearing on Saturday March 28th. I am a fan of hers and, although I wanted to go, the date sounded familiar. When I looked at our itinerary I found that it is the same day as the baseball game that I had finally got tickets for. I debated for a while and then decided that as the game should be finished by 4:00 and the Mardi Gras parade isn’t until 8:00 with the concert following after we could do both and so I bought two Mardi Gras tickets, which are again my treat.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0024.jpg

The final purchase, which also arrived today, is the new Passporter for 2009.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0025.jpg

I have bought one of these for each trip so far and always buy the deluxe edition so that I get a complete new binder and can keep the old ones intact. The reason I like the Passporter so much is for these

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t120/wickesy/DSCF0026.jpg

the daily pockets which hold my park map and itinerary card for each day and keep receipts safe for when I am doing the trip report at the end of the day. I normally end up losing the pen from them though so I am hoping to complete a whole trip with the same pen this time.

I had also been considering a zipline safari (http://www.floridaeco-safaris.com/ZiplineSafaris/) but since they need to be reserved in advance and we already have so much reserved I am going to save that for another time.

The other bonus since I last updated is that I read that people were getting locked out of Virgin’s website because of flight changes again. I checked the website and, sure enough, there was a message that our flight time had changed but, since we booked direct with Virgin Atlantic this year, I was given the option of ticking a box to confirm I was aware of the change and I was allowed into the site. While I was in there I noticed that the seat map was available for our outbound flight so I decided to have a look at what was available. There were only two seats available – two seats which hadn’t been available when we booked – my favourite two seats, 80H & K. They aren’t available anymore! :cool1: :cool1:

And so, save for any unexpected changes, that is pretty much it until we go away. I will be back in a few weeks for a single digit dance. :thumbsup2

[SusanEllen]

David,
I think you can take it as a good sign for your trip that the plane seats you have now are the ones you wanted initially but couldn't have. Fate has taken a hand. Of course, it's just as well we don't leave everything to Fate, so I'm sure that it will be all of your careful planning that will nail the good time you are going to have.

About the baseball game ending at 4--be prepared for extra innings. No one ever knows how long a baseball game will last!

[wickesy]

About the baseball game ending at 4--be prepared for extra innings. No one ever knows how long a baseball game will last!

That was why I hesitated Susan, because you can never be sure when a game is going to end. At least with (American) football there is some sort of finite time to it. Still we'll see how things go and, if it comes to it, we can always leave before the end.

[irongirlof12]

your sure do like buying gadgets and stuff :banana: . plenty of dis meets planned- are you sure your going to fit in a few visits to one or 2 theme parks?

[wickesy]

plenty of dis meets planned- are you sure your going to fit in a few visits to one or 2 theme parks?

:lmao: I think we'll squeeze one in somewhere. ;)

[Snowy-girls]

Great gadget David-Hubby likes his gadgets and wants to know if it plays AVI please?.
I am so glad you got your baseball tickets+was also happy to hear by pm from you that your Dad was very happy.
As for Kelly Clarkson :rolleyes: :rolleyes1 -what about MC Hammer on the 4th http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/dancer.gif,you are going to miss me in my baggy pants--STOP Hammer Time :lmao: .x.


p.s.what's this i have been hearing about you performing at Seaworld to the ladies on Valentines Day--something you not telling me :rolleyes1 .x.

[wickesy]

Great gadget David-Hubby likes his gadgets and wants to know if it plays AVI please?.

As for Kelly Clarkson :rolleyes: :rolleyes1 -what about MC Hammer on the 4th http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/dancer.gif,you are going to miss me in my baggy pants--STOP Hammer Time :lmao: .x.

p.s.what's this i have been hearing about you performing at Seaworld to the ladies on Valentines Day--something you not telling me :rolleyes1 .x.

Yes it does play AVI files Michelle. :thumbsup2 I'll give your hubby a full run down on what it's like when we have lunch, after we've given them a thorough test on the plane. :)

Hmm, Kelly Clarkson or you in baggy pants....:idea: ....how about you wear the baggy pants to lunch and I get the best of both worlds. ;)

The gig at Sea World was a one off, it was just a solo project and meant nothing to me, I'm still totally committed to us honest. :hug:

[Snowy-girls]

Yes it does play AVI files Michelle. :thumbsup2 I'll give your hubby a full run down on what it's like when we have lunch, after we've given them a thorough test on the plane. :)

Hmm, Kelly Clarkson or you in baggy pants....:idea: ....how about you wear the baggy pants to lunch and I get the best of both worlds. ;)

The gig at Sea World was a one off, it was just a solo project and meant nothing to me, I'm still totally committed to us honest. :hug:

Hubby says thanks, David :thumbsup2 .
I will probably need to wear baggy pants there for lunch-if the portions are as big as everyone says :lmao: .
Comitted-huh,i don't see you offering a slice of the lolly?.I could have sung for the men(in my baggy pants :lmao: ).x.

[wickesy]

Comitted-huh,i don't see you offering a slice of the lolly?.I could have sung for the men(in my baggy pants :lmao: ).x.

Umm....well....I....erm..the cheque is in the post? :confused3

You would have gone down a storm in your baggy pants - everybody would have gone away saying "Have you seen her?" Did you see what I did there. :lmao:

[Natasha&Matt]

Sounds like its going to be a fab trip hun :thumbsup2

[Snowy-girls]

Umm....well....I....erm..the cheque is in the post? :confused3

You would have gone down a storm in your baggy pants - everybody would have gone away saying "Have you seen her?" Did you see what I did there. :lmao:

That old chestnut-when you get the cheque you will be saying 'U Can't Touch This' see what i done there :lmao: .Yes i see what you done as well :thumbsup2 .I am starting to think you're more of a MC Hammer fan than you are letting on about ;) .
David we really don't get out much do we :rotfl2: .x.

[wickesy]

That old chestnut-when you get the cheque you will be saying 'U Can't Touch This' see what i done there :lmao: .Yes i see what you done as well :thumbsup2 .I am starting to think you're more of a MC Hammer fan than you are letting on about ;) .
David we really don't get out much do we :rotfl2: .x.

I'm aware of his work but I Pray nobody ever finds out. ;)

:rotfl: We don't get out nearly enough, but boy do we have fun anyway. :lmao:

[Snowy-girls]

I'm aware of his work but I Pray nobody ever finds out. ;)

:rotfl: We don't get out nearly enough, but boy do we have fun anyway. :lmao:

:rotfl2: :sad2: .
Yes we do have a laugh don't we :thumbsup2 .x.

[wicket2005]

Sounds like you will have a lovely trip, not long now.

My hubbie bought me an Asus netbook for my birthday last year, it is so dinky and so handy just to put in my carry on bag. I love it.

[Snowy-girls]

You can finally say you sre going to WDW THIS month :cool1: :banana: .x.

[wickesy]

You can finally say you sre going to WDW THIS month :cool1: :banana: .x.

I know, how great is that! :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: You're practically going this month too. :hug:

[wickesy]

So we are finally into single digits! :cool1: :yay: Yesterday I did Disney online check-in and noticed that the booking for the first week only had me on it! A quick call to Member Services sorted that little hiccup and within a few minutes the website was showing ‘2’ under ‘Number of guests’.

Having checked in everything seemed much more real and thoughts turned to what sort of thing we could stock up on for the fridge and I remembered something I had fallen in love with when we were in Canada in 2007. A quick visit to the Wal-Mart website left me very happy when I discovered that we would be able to buy some out there. This magic foodstuff? – Strawberry cream cheese. Spread on cinnamon bagels it is absolutely delicious but none of the supermarkets over here seem to sell it – or certainly not from their online shopping sites.

I also made one final purchase for the holiday, a new camera case which I can clip onto the waistband of my trousers as I don’t wear a belt so belt loops are no good and we try to avoid carrying bags if we can.

And that is it. Six more days to get through at work – 5 and a bit if I can help it as I would like to get away early on Tuesday and get home for the trip down to Gatwick for twilight check-in.

Thanks for reading this PTR, thanks for the comments and look out for the trip report when I get back.

[wicket2005]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: It is always so exciting knowing you are going on holiday, very much looking forward to hearing all about it. I cannot wait to go myself but have a few months to wait yet.

[Natasha&Matt]

Woooohoooo:dance3: :dance3: :woohoo: :banana: :banana: :goodvibes :goodvibes Ur gunna have a great time David =) x

[SusanEllen]

Well, David, there's no point in telling you to have fun. That's already been decided, hasn't it?

It's always nice to have enthusiastic visitors, so welcome once again to the land of stawberry cream cheese.

[Pegasus928]

Just been reading through your PTR and it seems to be a certainty that you will be having a good time.
I would love to be a fly on the wall at T-Rex (or maybe a huge prehistoric mosquito would be more appropriate). You and Michelle seem to have a good rapport going so the meal is bound to be a lot of fun.
Have a fantastic trip, and if the trip report is as detailed as the PTR I look forward to reading it when you return.

[Pegasus928]

Could I ask where you got your Passporter from please. This would make an ideal gift for my sister as she is planning for her first trip - with us in October - and may help her with her planning and memories.

[wickesy]

Could I ask where you got your Passporter from please. This would make an ideal gift for my sister as she is planning for her first trip - with us in October - and may help her with her planning and memories.

Hi Kenny,

I got mine from The Book Depository, although I ordered through Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1587710617/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1237313598&sr=8-2&condition=new), which is a lot cheaper than their own web-site. I think some people have got theirs from Borders so it might be worth checking that out if you have got one near you.

Michelle and I do seem to get on really well and I'm sure that will be as true when we meet "in real life" as it is online. :)

[Snowy-girls]

I would love to be a fly on the wall at T-Rex (or maybe a huge prehistoric mosquito would be more appropriate). You and Michelle seem to have a good rapport going so the meal is bound to be a lot of fun.

You will soon see us on posted on youtube,singing Islands In The Stream :lmao:.x.


Michelle and I do seem to get on really well and I'm sure that will be as true when we meet "in real life" as it is online. :)
Could'nt agree more with you.

I wish you a fantastic trip,see you soon Kenny,love Dolly.x.