The Disney Box Made Me Do It TRIP REPORT STARTED SEE SIG LINE

[creativeamanda]

On December 24, 2009, I returned from a fabulous solo trip to Disney World. I ate, I rode rides. . .I completely enjoyed myself. It was the best of times. . .it was the best of times. Hardly any time had passed when I got home that I had to clean house, do the "Santa Claus" thing, rest from my trip, and unpack (which apparently, takes 3 weeks to do). I was busy. Very busy. Less than a week after my return home, I was entertaining friends from Columbia and Baltimore. And before I knew it, it was dh's turn for a Solo Trip to watch college bowl games.

I was a football widow.

An it was staring at me.

For the better part of 2 years, it has been my best friend. My partner in crime, even.

Not chocolate, coffee, and although I consider Kaluha to be a great friend, none of them has been as close to me as this friend has been. With a sadness that I knew it felt, I watched it with pity.

For it was sad.

And empty.

My best friend. . .my Disney Box.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0030.jpg

And nearby the Disney box, some more friends who longed to carry KTTW cards, fly on Expedition Everest, carry loose dollar bills. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0031.jpg

Our Disney World Lanyards.

Oh, friends--how could I ever make it up to you?

"Go to the website," they whisper to me. "Price that trip. There have to be good deals by now.. Come on, you know you want to do it."

Oh, how I wanted to, but I didn't dare. . .









Or did I?

Late the afternoon of January 2, 2010, I logged onto www.disneyworld.com to look at the newest deals. But knowing I could only go during school breaks, I figured that there would be nothing for my family.

I was so wrong. The mother of all discounts (except for free dinng for a family of five)--30% off rack rate at moderate resorts.

I dialed up dh, who I knew would say no. To my surprise, his answer was yes. He's had a rough school year, too. He needed a vacation.

So here are our details:

May 28-June 7, 2010
Port Orleans-Riverside
Regular Dining Plan
8 Day MYW tickets with Water Park and More option

Oh, and the Disney Box? I'll say I have started making it all up to it:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0033.jpg

Coming up. . .Introductions





TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Disney Box Made Me Do It (right here)

Introductions (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35273895&postcount=18)

Fuzzy Disney Math (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35338742&postcount=22)

The Wizard's out of the Bag (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35549655&postcount=29)

Fish are Food, Not Friends (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35627164&postcount=34)

Photography 101 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35721259&postcount=41)

My New Favorite Photo (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36067166&postcount=57)

Top 5 at Port Orleans-Riverside (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36104209&postcount=63)

Top 3 WPM Option (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36199634&postcount=67)

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36272860&postcount=68)

October Update (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36299276&postcount=71)

From the Dinosaur Era to Africa and Asia--Our top five at Animal Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36299578&postcount=72)

Sad October News (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36348624&postcount=81)

Mickey Mail (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36393960&postcount=84)

Top 5 in Hollywood Studios (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36485526&postcount=88)

ADR Planning (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36494347&postcount=94)

Our Epcot Top 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36568588&postcount=111)

Doesn't Everyone Practice Pack? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36576925&postcount=115)

Who Adds to Their Reservation 14 Days Out? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36664217&postcount=130)

Magic Kingdom Top 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36664494&postcount=131)

Single Digit Dance and Online Checkin (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36697025&postcount=143)

Tomorrow! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36781593&postcount=181)

[SadieDog]

:banana: :rotfl2: :banana:

That's great.

[disneylovin24]

popcorn::

[Native NYer]

Great start! Joining in :surfweb:

[PaMom001]

:cheer2:popcorn::

[LegoMom3]

Dude...! How many lanyards do you have???! :eek:

You are SOOO making me want to start my own PTR!!!!! But not yet. I just can't. I would bore even myself.:lmao:

But I'm here for yours and can't wait for more!
popcorn::

.

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

omg I'm super jealous right now!!!!!!!

I will be along for every part of the ride!!!! :)

..take me with you?!

[creativeamanda]

:banana: :rotfl2: :banana:

That's great.

Thanks, Sadiedog and :welcome:

popcorn::

:welcome:

Great start! Joining in :surfweb:

:welcome: Glad to have you here

:cheer2:popcorn::

:welcome:

Dude...! How many lanyards do you have???! :eek:

You are SOOO making me want to start my own PTR!!!!! But not yet. I just can't. I would bore even myself.:lmao:

But I'm here for yours and can't wait for more!
popcorn::

.

LOL, I have one for each kid, one for dh, and 4 for me. One of them I wear to work with my id.

Maybe I can help you get ideas for your PTR. I only have a little less than 4 months, so I think that is probably the perfect amount of time.

omg I'm super jealous right now!!!!!!!

I will be along for every part of the ride!!!! :)

..take me with you?!

:welcome: And can you fit in a suitcase? You'd be welcome to come!

[kimmar067]

:welcome: And can you fit in a suitcase? You'd be welcome to come!

...well now, SHE can't very well fit in your suitcase - I'm goin'....!!

[creativeamanda]

...well now, SHE can't very well fit in your suitcase - I'm goin'....!!

Oh, yeah. Sorry Megan--I did promise to let kimmar go on the next trip. After all, all I know about snarky I learned from kimmar. :rolleyes1

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here too! Can't wait for more of your plans.

[H20DogsNDisney]

I am here can't wait! to read more

[kamikazecat]

I am here for the ride. I loved your reports from your solo trip and can't wait to read more. :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

I'm here too! Can't wait for more of your plans.

:welcome: Thanks for joining me!

I am here can't wait! to read more

Hey, Hallie, and :welcome: !

I am here for the ride. I loved your reports from your solo trip and can't wait to read more. :goodvibes


Thanks and :welcome:

[MainStMandy]

I'm in!! What a great start to your PTR!!

[raider97]

I'm in! I LOVE your reports! :)

[creativeamanda]

I'm in!! What a great start to your PTR!!

Thanks and :welcome:

I'm in! I LOVE your reports! :)

Hey, Stephanie! Thanks for joining in!

[creativeamanda]

So, no good set of stories are good without providing a character map. . .there are 5 main characters, with many supporting characters. I'll start off with the main characters:

First, there is me, Amanda, age twenty-one-fourteen (I have to make myself legal drinking age, lol).
Occupation: Special Education Teacher/Administrator
Favorite Disney Character: Minnie Mouse
Favorite Disney Movie: Enchanted
Favorite WDW Park: Epcot
Favorite Disney Ride: Expedition Everest
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Narcoossee's
Hobbies: Photography, Scrapbooking
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/Image0640.jpg

Then, there is Dan, the DH, age 39.
Occupation: Middle School Math Teacher/Farmer
Favorite Disney Character: Grumpy
Favorite Disney Movie: Aladdin
Favorite WDW Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Disney Ride: Soarin'
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Liberty Tree Tavern
Hobbies: Farming, Hunting
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0197.jpg

This is us together about 2 weeks ago:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/012310004.jpg

On to the kids. . .
Sweetie, age 11 by the date of the trip.
Occupation: 5th grade student
Wants to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse and Quilt and Blanket Maker
Favorite Disney Character: Pocahontas
Favorite Disney Movie: Pocahontas
Favorite WDW Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Disney Ride: Expedition Everest
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Tutto Italia
Hobbies: Reading (all the time)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0205.jpg

Stinky, age 9
Occupation: 3rd grade student
Wants to be a Lego Designer
Favorite Disney Character: Lightning McQueen
Favorite Disney-Owned Movie: Star Wars Series
Favorite WDW Park: Hollywood Studios
Favorite Disney Ride: Star Tours
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Toy Story Pizza Planet
Hobbies: Playing with Legos
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0190.jpg

Boo, age 7
Occupation: 2nd grade student
Wants to be a Princess
Favorite Disney Character: Princess Tiana
Favorite Disney-Owned Movie: The Princess and the Frog
Favorite WDW Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Disney Ride: Expedition Everest
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Ohana
Hobbies: Watching movies
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0239.jpg

The kids at Edisto Island Labor day weekend with our friend, Eric:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0227.jpg

The kids with me in Disney World last summer:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_04222.jpg

The kids with Donald
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0436.jpg

All five of us in Edisto Labor day weekend:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0160.jpg

So, that's us in a nutshell!

Coming up, Fuzzy Disney Math Returns!

[Native NYer]

I'm a teacher too! Isn't it so hard to plan trips around the school calendar? Just once, I'd like to go when school is in session.

Your children are adorable :)

Ohhh and I can't wait for your Fuzzy Disney Math update. That's my favorite kind of math :goodvibes

[Charlefours]

Hi :wave2:! Found your PTR and subbed in!! Your first post is a riot!! Looking forward to reading along. :) :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

I'm a teacher too! Isn't it so hard to plan trips around the school calendar? Just once, I'd like to go when school is in session.

Your children are adorable :)

Ohhh and I can't wait for your Fuzzy Disney Math update. That's my favorite kind of math :goodvibes

It is hard to plan around the school calendar, but I think we have a week where most of the Northeast will still be in session--possibly about 1/2 of the US will still be in school. I hope.

Thanks about my kids--they are a mess, but they are in my eyes, the best.

Ah, fizzy Disney Math! It is always so great!

Hi :wave2:! Found your PTR and subbed in!! Your first post is a riot!! Looking forward to reading along. :) :goodvibes

:welcome:

[creativeamanda]

I've never been a mathematician. DH is a math teacher, and honestly, the most math I've ever learned was from dh trying out lessons on me. (Sorry to all of my math teachers out there, especially Mrs. Puryear and Ms. Cox) This is always funny, because when it comes tax time, dh has me do the taxes because "he's not good with numbers." More like, he's unorganized.

Which leads me to fuzzy Disney math. In January, when I priced the trip, it was for 5 days (4 nights) and less than $3000. As it stands today, the trip is 8 days (7 nights) at $3505. But how did I get there? How did I go from less than $3000 to $3505?

Well we started off POR with Water Park, 5 days and DDP--$2561.84

Then I decided we needed one more day to do one and a half days in Epcot and Magic Kingdom. . .new price of $2813.75.

Then I decided I wanted the Deluxe Plan, my favorite for Dining review purposes. . . .$3353.75

And then, Park hoppers would be just a drop in the bucket next to all of that. . .$3630.67.

And then, if I just dropped the Park hoppers and added one more day, Fuzzy Disney Math told me that I'd only pay $3746.98.

And at one point, I looked at the numbers and caught my breath.

What was the Deluxe plan saving me? I mean, how many of those meals would end up being me canceling an ADR and doing a CS anyway? And how about tips? By my calculation, a whopping $427.31! Seriously!

And it was all getting out of control. I mean, was this a Disney Trip or my own personal bailout for the Walt Disney Travel Company?

I did the Fuzzy Disney Dining Math. . .Using the regular dining plan, we could save over $700, which would be more than enough to cover groceries, tips, and any additional meals not covered in the regular dining plan.

Next were the tickets. $267 for the Park Hoppers when I found only 2 days where we might want to hop. . .we could do without.

Then came $101 for the Lake Buena Vista Comfort Suites on the last night. Did I really care to have that kind of headache? Moving offsite one night, to buy park tickets for another day because we wanted one more park day? Uhm, no.

So, now we are May 29-June 5, all at POR with the regular dining plan and water park tickets. Cost: $1000 more than the original trip I quoted to dh. And somehow, I was able to explain it all in fuzzy Disney math to dh in a way that he would accept it.

I take my earlier statement back--I'm a great mathematician--just at fuzzy DIsney math.

Next year, I'm going to use it to do my tax returns.






Or maybe not.

[LegoMom3]

I love, love, LOVE Fuzzy Disney Math!! It has been the reason we've been able to take our family trips, and is largely responsible for my upcoming solo....:rolleyes:

I also somehow missed your prior post, but wanted to say that the pics of your family are great! Love the crab...(which is not, of course, part of your family...:lmao:... but it's neat in the picture!!)

.

[Native NYer]

I love your Fuzzy Disney Math :thumbsup2

[PaMom001]

It is hard to plan around the school calendar, but I think we have a week where most of the Northeast will still be in session--possibly about 1/2 of the US will still be in school. I hope.

Thanks about my kids--they are a mess, but they are in my eyes, the best.

Ah, fizzy Disney Math! It is always so great!



:welcome:

:lmao::rotfl::rolleyes1

[creativeamanda]

I love, love, LOVE Fuzzy Disney Math!! It has been the reason we've been able to take our family trips, and is largely responsible for my upcoming solo....:rolleyes:

I also somehow missed your prior post, but wanted to say that the pics of your family are great! Love the crab...(which is not, of course, part of your family...:lmao:... but it's neat in the picture!!)

.

:rotfl2: It always makes you feel better, doesn't it?

I love your Fuzzy Disney Math :thumbsup2

Thanks!

:lmao::rotfl::rolleyes1

Typing in the dark is apparently something that is contagious. . . :rolleyes1

[kangaand2roos]

I'm going to jump in here and then go read your solo TR! Looking forward!

[creativeamanda]

I'm going to jump in here and then go read your solo TR! Looking forward!

:welcome:

[creativeamanda]

or at least I think it is. The new package for Universal Orlando including

•Early Park Admission◊ to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
•Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks™ - one per person^
•Commemorative GRAND OPENING ticket – one per person
•Hotel accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel
•3-Day Base Ticket^^ to both Universal Orlando® theme parks – one theme park, per day
•Access to live entertainment◊◊ at Universal CityWalk®(info courtesy the website below)

starts May 28, 2010.

See more information HERE (http://www.universalorlando.com/Florida_Vacation_Packages/bf/harrypotter.aspx#).

So, what does that mean? In my humble opinion, Universal Studios let Crookshanks out of the bag. Literally. I think that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be open in Universal Islands of Adventure no later than May 28. Maybe some parts will still be closed, but some parts I think will be open.

Sweetie, my 10 year old, read all 7 Harry Potter books between August and October and scored perfect scores on the Accelerated Reader tests. She loves the Harry Potter Series.

Her birthday is May 13.

Wouldn't a great present be tickets to Universal for one day so we can go during the trip? I think so.

So, it's gonna be crowded.

It's gonna be shoulder-to-shoulder.

But if it's open, we're gonna be there.

For her.

(and maybe me, too. ;) )

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

yay!!! I wish I could see it!! I've only been to Universal for Halloween Horror Nights so not a really great look on the parks lol. Perhaps I need to go back soon and see!!

[Native NYer]

Oh you definitely have to go!
She'll love it.

[kangaand2roos]

Oh you definitely have to go!
She'll love it.

Ditto! I am seriously thinking of adding a night or two to our October trip to stay at UO and go to WWHP!

[creativeamanda]

yay!!! I wish I could see it!! I've only been to Universal for Halloween Horror Nights so not a really great look on the parks lol. Perhaps I need to go back soon and see!!

You sure do! I'm upset, though--you should be pricing tickets for the same time as my trip, not in March! :rotfl:

Oh you definitely have to go!
She'll love it.

I think so!

Ditto! I am seriously thinking of adding a night or two to our October trip to stay at UO and go to WWHP!

It's really not a terribly expensive add-on. I think it will be crzy busy, but at least it's an awesome experience!

[creativeamanda]

I'm so sorry, Nemo. I think I've just befriended the sharks in the movie. One look at my ADRs is living proof.

5/29--Coral Reef (fish)
5/30--Cape May Cafe dinner (fish)
5/31--Boma
6/1--Ohana and Cinderella's Royal Table
6/2--Tutto Italia
6/3--Captain's Grille (where I thoroughly intend to have crab legs)
6/4--Grand Floridian Cafe (and yes, the only thing that appeals to dd11 is the fish)
6/5--1900 Park Fare
6/6--Liberty Tree Tavern

So, out of 11 ADRs, we will be eating fish at over 1/3 of our meals.

Poor fishies fishies in the sea.

Life isn't always like Finding Nemo. Sometimes the fish gets eaten.

[Charlefours]

:lmao: Sometimes the fish gets eaten. :lmao:

I like your ADR choices!! We are planning three off your lists--if you do a TR I will love to read your thoughts on the others.

I saw that you scrapbook--I belatedly remember to ask about it. What type do you do? I am a traditional scrapbooker but I am considering trying my hand at digital if I get a chance.

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

those are some yummy ADRs!!!!!!!!!

[H20DogsNDisney]

All the adrs sound good. And yes poor:fish:

[SadieDog]

I love your family pictures.
Wow, those crabs are BLUE.

[SadieDog]

I think going with the regular Dining Plan and saving $700 is a good plan.

I hope you do get to see WW of Harry Potter. Yup, it sure will be packed.

[creativeamanda]

:lmao: Sometimes the fish gets eaten. :lmao:

I like your ADR choices!! We are planning three off your lists--if you do a TR I will love to read your thoughts on the others.

I saw that you scrapbook--I belatedly remember to ask about it. What type do you do? I am a traditional scrapbooker but I am considering trying my hand at digital if I get a chance.

:rotfl2: Fish is brain food!

As for scrapbooking, I do traditional scrapbooking. I am a former Creative Memories consultant, and I still swear by their albums.

I honestly don't think digital is for me. I have the latest CM storybook creator software. Still in the shrinkwrap, I think. I enjoy the hands-on more.

those are some yummy ADRs!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

All the adrs sound good. And yes poor:fish:

LOL, poor, poor fish. Oh well.

I do get concerned about the hypocrisy of eating fish in front of fish at Coral Reef. It all still seems kind of wrong to me.

I love your family pictures.
Wow, those crabs are BLUE.

LOL, they were blue. And they were good. :rolleyes1

I think going with the regular Dining Plan and saving $700 is a good plan.

I hope you do get to see WW of Harry Potter. Yup, it sure will be packed.

We are really hoping to go to WWoHP. It's in the plans right now. I just hope that we make it there. . .

[creativeamanda]

I love my DSLR. It's not one of those real expensive ones, but it's a good entry one--a Nikon D60. For what I take, it's awesome. For instance:

POFQ--Dec, 2009:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0285.jpg

Spectro--Dec 2009:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0191.jpg

Holiday Wishes--Dec, 2009:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0336.jpg

Main Street--Dec, 2009:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0115.jpg

Animal Kingdom--Dec 2009:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0014.jpg

Edisto Island, SC--Sept 2009:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Edisto%20Island%202009/DSC_0290.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Edisto%20Island%202009/DSC_0089.jpg

June 2009:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0511.jpg

POR, June 2009:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0016.jpg

Epcot, June 2009:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0487.jpg

Those are just some samples. I have 2 lenses. One 18-55mm kit lens and one 55-200mm lens. And I've learned something about those lenses:


I hate switching them. Hate. It. Immensely. Why did I even waste money on the 55-200mm one? I've been shopping for a new lens for close to a year, since I first realized how aggravating the switching was going to be. And I found the one I wanted. . .and yesterday, I picked it up:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0738.jpg

The Nikkor 18-200mm VRII lens. Yep. I'm still realing from the expense, but I think finally I have something I can walk around with 80% of the day, get the zoom I really want, and not have to change it.

Which comes in handy when you are walking with three kids. . .who wants to change a lens then?

And while I was at it, I picked up a few more things to help me in my endeavors. . .

Camera bag
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0741.jpg

A couple of books:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0742.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0740.jpg

Maybe, just maybe, I'll improve my fireworks photography. . .

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I was just going to ask you if you were updating this Pre-TR!! I guess I didn't have to!! I hope you don't mind but I stole your side view of the castle and set it as my PC's background!! It is very pretty!!!! Thanks in advance :) My Dd almost bought ur camera and ended up with the Canon since it was a better deal and included the extra lense and camera backpack thingy!

[SadieDog]

I love photography and need to read more about my camera. Please let me know if you like the Dummies book. That SC night pic is amazing.

[creativeamanda]

I was just going to ask you if you were updating this Pre-TR!! I guess I didn't have to!! I hope you don't mind but I stole your side view of the castle and set it as my PC's background!! It is very pretty!!!! Thanks in advance :) My Dd almost bought ur camera and ended up with the Canon since it was a better deal and included the extra lense and camera backpack thingy!

You are welcome to it--I love that picture and that is my favorite angle to get pictures of the castle--it's from over on the bridge between Cosmic Ray's and the hub.

I love photography and need to read more about my camera. Please let me know if you like the Dummies book. That SC night pic is amazing.

Thanks, Sadiedog! I'll let you know about the book. I like that it's in color. Years ago the Dummies books were all black and white!

[SadieDog]

I'm with you. :thumbsup2 I prefer the book with color.

[cdotla]

Hey Amanda! Your post about Photography 101 drew me in.

You spoke from my song book...I also HATE changing lens. Up until recently, I only had my kit lens (which zooms, but is obviously not a good lens), or my 50mm, which is extremely limiting, especially with my kids who move a lot faster than me!:rotfl:

Like you, I just shelled out for a great lens that I plan on keeping on my camera at least 80% of the time. I'm a Canon girl, and got the 24-70. I still have the basic Rebel, but was told the lens will affect the quality of your photos far more than the body. So for now, that is where I chose to put my money.

I was hesitant at first because I heard so many people say it is very heavy and akward to use, and I have no strength at all in my arms, but it really doesn't bother me at all!

I will be taking my 1st trip with the new lens soon, and I am very anxious to see what it can do! :)

[creativeamanda]

I'm with you. :thumbsup2 I prefer the book with color.

Oh, yeah. Color is the way to go!

Hey Amanda! Your post about Photography 101 drew me in.

You spoke from my song book...I also HATE changing lens. Up until recently, I only had my kit lens (which zooms, but is obviously not a good lens), or my 50mm, which is extremely limiting, especially with my kids who move faster a lot than me!:rotfl:

Like you, I just shelled out for a great lens that I plan on keeping on my camera at least 80% of the time. I'm a Canon girl, and got the 24-70. I still have the basic Rebel, but was told the lens will affect the quality of your photos far more than the body. So for now, that is where I chose to put my money.

I was hesitant at first because I heard so many people say it is very heavy and akward to use, and I have no strength at all in my arms, but it really doesn't bother me at all!

I will be taking my 1st trip with the new lens soon, and I am very anxious to see what it can do! :)

I know what you mean about the lens being the biggie. I looked at the Canon Rebel, but went with the Nikon because I was used to Nikon. No other reason. I waited a long time to get this lens, and I'm already happy with it.

[lovesdumbo]

Great PTR!

Your children are the same ages as mine. My oldest DD will be 11 on 5/22. DS just turned 9 on 1/10 and DD just turned 7 (at WDW!!!) on 1/21.

We don't have plans YET for a family trip. My next trip is my birthday with DS. My girls & I have APs that expire 7/29 so I'm thinking we really should go to WDW in July to get more value out of those.:rotfl: If airfare wasn't so expensive I probably would have already booked it. I should just go ahead & book because I don't think airfare will drop and I know I'll just have to go.:laughing:


[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"][SIZE="4"][COLOR="Magenta"]I love my DSLR. It's not one of those real expensive ones, but it's a good entry one--a Nikon D60.

I have 2 lenses. One 18-55mm kit lens and one 55-200mm lens. And I've learned something about those lenses:


I hate switching them. Hate. It. Immensely. Why did I even waste money on the 55-200mm one? I've been shopping for a new lens for close to a year, since I first realized how aggravating the switching was going to be. And I found the one I wanted. . .and yesterday, I picked it up:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0738.jpg

The Nikkor 18-200mm VRII lens. Yep. I'm still realing from the expense, but I think finally I have something I can walk around with 80% of the day, get the zoom I really want, and not have to change it.

Which comes in handy when you are walking with three kids. . .who wants to change a lens then?


You will love your new lens. I have a D90 and bought the 18-200 with it instead of the kit lens. It is on my camera at least 95% of the time. I bought a flash (SB 600) last summer for a family trip to Cape Cod to celebrate my MIL's 90th birthday. I really love the flash!

[Charlefours]

I bet you will get gorgeous pictures from Disney!! Looking forward to seeing more :)

[H20DogsNDisney]

I can't wait to see the photo's

[PittypatBR]

Hi, there. You are the first pre-TR I have found who will be there the exact same time that we will! We also thought long and hard about Universal, but we have pretty much decided to wait and do a long weekend Universal trip at either Thanksgiving or Mardi Gras next year. That way we think the crowds will not be as bad, everything will be finished and thoroughly checked out, and we will be able to take our time and see everything. Plus we would stay at a Universal hotel so we could get the Universal fast pass equivalent. So we will see. We may not be able to resist it! :rotfl:

I need to start on a pre-TR but just haven't gotten around to it yet. My son and his family are going in late April so I have been helping them with plans. He hasn't been in years and DDIL has never been. So I have been making their ADR's and planning their days. They just decided to go a couple of weeks ago, so getting good ADR's has taken a fair amount of time surfing around online to see if anything has opened up. So far I am doing well though - just got them Chef Mickey's for their first morning, which was a priority! :banana:

[Trinity524]

I :love: Fuzzy Disney math. I have somehow convinced my DH that if we stay at Pop Century that it's like Disney is paying us in the way of free dining.

82 dollars a night for Pop, 42 pp for the dining plan X2 would be 84 for the dining plan-82 for dining equates to Disney basically gives us a room for free plus $2 a day to stay there. Yeah.. never mind that we stay preferred room and that it's 10 dollars more a night and that it's an additional 10 dollars for weekend nights. And it definetely doesn't matter that we are doing deluxe this year seeing that my 2 year old eats like an 18 year old.... :rotfl2: Poor hubby doesn't stand a chance when it comes to Disney Fuzzy Math... Are the disney water parks worth it? I was thinking of not doing the water parks and doing the WWHP one day instead. What do you think?

[creativeamanda]

Great PTR!

Your children are the same ages as mine. My oldest DD will be 11 on 5/22. DS just turned 9 on 1/10 and DD just turned 7 (at WDW!!!) on 1/21.

We don't have plans YET for a family trip. My next trip is my birthday with DS. My girls & I have APs that expire 7/29 so I'm thinking we really should go to WDW in July to get more value out of those.:rotfl: If airfare wasn't so expensive I probably would have already booked it. I should just go ahead & book because I don't think airfare will drop and I know I'll just have to go.:laughing:



You will love your new lens. I have a D90 and bought the 18-200 with it instead of the kit lens. It is on my camera at least 95% of the time. I bought a flash (SB 600) last summer for a family trip to Cape Cod to celebrate my MIL's 90th birthday. I really love the flash!

I'm gonna have to get that flash. Maybe a Mother's day gift?

I bet you will get gorgeous pictures from Disney!! Looking forward to seeing more :)

I can't wait to show th epicture I got of my daughter with it. It looks professional!
I can't wait to see the photo's

Me, too!

Hi, there. You are the first pre-TR I have found who will be there the exact same time that we will! We also thought long and hard about Universal, but we have pretty much decided to wait and do a long weekend Universal trip at either Thanksgiving or Mardi Gras next year. That way we think the crowds will not be as bad, everything will be finished and thoroughly checked out, and we will be able to take our time and see everything. Plus we would stay at a Universal hotel so we could get the Universal fast pass equivalent. So we will see. We may not be able to resist it! :rotfl:

I need to start on a pre-TR but just haven't gotten around to it yet. My son and his family are going in late April so I have been helping them with plans. He hasn't been in years and DDIL has never been. So I have been making their ADR's and planning their days. They just decided to go a couple of weeks ago, so getting good ADR's has taken a fair amount of time surfing around online to see if anything has opened up. So far I am doing well though - just got them Chef Mickey's for their first morning, which was a priority! :banana:

Let me know when you start your PTR. We'll have to compare notes and see if we can have a DIS-Meet sometime!

I :love: Fuzzy Disney math. I have somehow convinced my DH that if we stay at Pop Century that it's like Disney is paying us in the way of free dining.

82 dollars a night for Pop, 42 pp for the dining plan X2 would be 84 for the dining plan-82 for dining equates to Disney basically gives us a room for free plus $2 a day to stay there. Yeah.. never mind that we stay preferred room and that it's 10 dollars more a night and that it's an additional 10 dollars for weekend nights. And it definetely doesn't matter that we are doing deluxe this year seeing that my 2 year old eats like an 18 year old.... :rotfl2: Poor hubby doesn't stand a chance when it comes to Disney Fuzzy Math... Are the disney water parks worth it? I was thinking of not doing the water parks and doing the WWHP one day instead. What do you think?

That would be fun--doing WWoHP instead of the WP--especially if you have pool time planned.

We're going to forego WWoHP, because dh has never done the Water Parks and we are planning a Universal only trip next year. I think it might be crazy busy when we are there.

[Charlefours]

Looking forward to seeing the photos. :goodvibes

[modernscarlett]

[COLOR="Magenta"]I love my DSLR. It's not one of those real expensive ones, but it's a good entry one--a Nikon D60. For what I take, it's awesome.

COLOR]

We'll be there around the same time. Loving your report so far.

I bought the Nikon D5000 last year, and I have a LOT to learn about night time photos (i.e. fireworks). I might just buy that book! I also am worried about carrying the camera all day, not getting wet, etc. Any suggestions? I'd love to know how you've managed as I really want to get some great pics. I'm thinking we'll need to buy a new bag that's a camera bag/backpack that will carry our stuff and our camera.

TIA!

Lori

[creativeamanda]

Looking forward to seeing the photos. :goodvibes

It's coming!

We'll be there around the same time. Loving your report so far.

I bought the Nikon D5000 last year, and I have a LOT to learn about night time photos (i.e. fireworks). I might just buy that book! I also am worried about carrying the camera all day, not getting wet, etc. Any suggestions? I'd love to know how you've managed as I really want to get some great pics. I'm thinking we'll need to buy a new bag that's a camera bag/backpack that will carry our stuff and our camera.

TIA!

Lori


I got a real good camera backpack at Best Buy (a LowePro). I also have a sling type. I plan to carry the slingtype mostly in the parks during the day when I don't need my tripod, but the larger one in the evening when I need all of my camera gear.

[creativeamanda]

I took this onr a few weeks ago with my new lens. I had to share it with you all. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/20100308099.jpg

Also, I have an idea for the next few weeks. I have 8 weeks until our trip, and I want to do our top five must-dos for:
1. POR
2. DTD
3. MK
4. EP
5. DS
6. AK
7. Water Parks

That leaves me with one place a week, and a little time for the last minute stuff, so tomorrow I'll start with our top must-dos for Port Orleans-Riverside.

[lovesdumbo]

We'll be there around the same time. Loving your report so far.

I bought the Nikon D5000 last year, and I have a LOT to learn about night time photos (i.e. fireworks). I might just buy that book! I also am worried about carrying the camera all day, not getting wet, etc. Any suggestions? I'd love to know how you've managed as I really want to get some great pics. I'm thinking we'll need to buy a new bag that's a camera bag/backpack that will carry our stuff and our camera.

TIA!

Lori
Here's a great (and inexpensive) way to keep your camera dry and he's a diser too!
http://www.************/image_cameraponcho.shtml



I took this onr a few weeks ago with my new lens. I had to share it with you all. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/20100308099.jpg

Also, I have an idea for the next few weeks. I have 8 weeks until our trip, and I want to do our top five must-dos for:
1. POR
2. DTD
3. MK
4. EP
5. DS
6. AK
7. Water Parks

That leaves me with one place a week, and a little time for the last minute stuff, so tomorrow I'll start with our top must-dos for Port Orleans-Riverside.
Great photo!

Happy planning.:banana:

[cdotla]

Great photo...that's a keeper!

Love the top things post idea. I'll be reading!:)

[creativeamanda]

Here's a great (and inexpensive) way to keep your camera dry and he's a diser too!
http://www.************/image_cameraponcho.shtml




Great photo!

Happy planning.:banana:

Oh, yeah--and the bag I got (the smaller one from Sam's Club) has a cover in the bag to keep it from getting wet.



Great photo...that's a keeper!

Love the top things post idea. I'll be reading!:)

Thanks for the compliments, ya'll on the picture. I have some real good ones of daffodils, as well.

[Native NYer]

Beautiful photo :)

[creativeamanda]

Beautiful photo :)

Thanks! :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

Situated on the Sassagoula River, Port Orleans-Riverside offers the charm and elegance of the South. Being a Southerner, born and reared, POR has a quiet charm that reminds me of home. When I enter POR and the Cast Member/Security Guard says, "Welcome Home", I truly feel as if I am home.

So, what are the 5 things we're looking forward to the most?

5. The grounds of POR are beautiful. Just walking through them is breathtaking:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0725.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0705.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0004.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0016.jpg

4. The quiet pools. These truly are quiet. Also, because they are close to the laundry, I can get some laundry done while the kids relax and play at the pool.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0174.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0175.jpg

3. The Riverside Mill food Court. This is one of the best food courts on Disney property, in my opinion.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0684.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0704.jpg

2. The ride from POR to Downtown Disney, which my kids have never done, but I enjoyed beyond belief in December.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0013-2.jpg

Sure this is a picture of POFQ, but it's the same boat. Still a beutiful photo:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0031.jpg

1. Coming onto property and hearing, "Welcome Home."

I can't wait.

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I agree with you, the food court is pretty amazing!!!! I wish they had spots at the quiet pool where you could refill your drink. It would be nice to be able to sit out in your spot all day and have drinks on hand :) The main pool is pretty cool as well :)

[Charlefours]

beautiful photo!

You make me so excited for POR! I have never stayed there. We really enjoyed POFQ. I was hesitant to try POR but I am reading really good things about it lately. :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

I agree with you, the food court is pretty amazing!!!! I wish they had spots at the quiet pool where you could refill your drink. It would be nice to be able to sit out in your spot all day and have drinks on hand :) The main pool is pretty cool as well :)

That would be great, just sitting by the pool with a drink all day. The kids like Ole Man Island, but they are not strong swimmers, so even though there are life guards at the larger pool, I feel safer being at a quiet pool with maybe only one other family there.

beautiful photo!

You make me so excited for POR! I have never stayed there. We really enjoyed POFQ. I was hesitant to try POR but I am reading really good things about it lately. :goodvibes

I've stayed at both and I prefer POR for the food court, the theming, the pools.

[creativeamanda]

What summer vacation is complete without a dip in the pool, the lazy river, and an indoor theme park? Even though dh has never been to Tyhpoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, he is in for a treat. This leads me to our top three choices for the Waterpark and More option. . .

3. Disney Quest. We've never been. But this year, we added a day to the trip, just to be able to go.

First stop. . .Pirates of the Caribbean-Battle for Bucaneer Gold:

Inhabit a world where blade meets blade, booming with swashbuckling action. Steer your pirate's ship, fire cannons at marauding buccaneers and race for the gold! (Guests must meet a minimum of 35" to ride)

That, among others, puts Disney Quest on the top five list. . .picture source: www.disneyworld.com

http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Entertainment/DisneyQuest/DQ_1_998.JPG?t=2009-12-11T15:51:55

2. Blizzard Beach.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSCN3410.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/Image1168.jpg

The Polar opposite of waterpartks, they call it. I call if FUN with all caps. Teamboat Springs, the downhill double dipper, and a wave pool as calm at Myrtle Beach on a summer's day. It's the kids' favorite, with a lazy lazy river and a chairlift up to the top which translates to less walking. You won't find us on Summit Plummet, which has a 120 foot drop, but you will find us in runoff rapids. I just hope I'm not the odd one out and in the closed tube!

3. Typhoon Lagoon.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSCN3405.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSCN3404.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSCN3400.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/Image1110.jpg

The Typhoon Lagoon surf pool has large waves that are cued by a whistle just before a tidal wave comes through. Although Stinky got injured in it last year, we're gonna take it from the edge next summer, and put water shoes on his delicate little feet.

Add in Crush n Gusher, the water coaster I am dying to try, Gangplank falls (in the photopass picture), and the most creative lazy river I have ever seen, and you've got a full day of fun!

[creativeamanda]

I am happy to announce that this pre trip report has become a 2 for the price of one deal.

I've decided to "play the game", so to speak on the Disney Website. What is the best way, people often ask, to get a Pin Code? I don't know what helps, but this is what I did:

1. I logged into the website. I ordered a trip DVD.

2. I deleted all saved offers and saved 3 new ones--one at POP, one at POFQ, and one at BC.

3. I made 2 itineraries for the same time. One I said I was staying at a Disney resort. The other I was not.

4 days later. . .I had a pin code in my email box. I already had used the same deal (20/30/40% off) for my May/June trip. I also was toying with the idea of having another solo trip in the coming year. I looked at the 2010-2011 school calendar and found a long weekend where we teachers were going to be furloughed. After all, if we have to miss work and not get paid, I should make the best of it, right?

I booked a trip with the pin code.

Rather than start another PTR, I'll combine the two. The solo trip is October 14-19. I'll drive down the night of the 14th after work and take the 18 and 19 as my two personal days I get per year. I originally booked with the QSDP, but decided that was no fun, so I changed today to the DxDP with 5day park tickets with park hoppers.

I can't wait!

[lovesdumbo]

Congrats on your pin and booking another trip!!!:woohoo:

You should keep your eye out on AP rates when those are released for Oct. You might want to upgrade to an AP if you're going to take your DD next summer.

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on your pin and booking another trip!!!:woohoo:

You should keep your eye out on AP rates when those are released for Oct. You might want to upgrade to an AP if you're going to take your DD next summer.

I'll definitely think about the AP. Thanks!

[creativeamanda]

First let me give you all an October update. The long and the short of it is this: Sweetie is going with me. DH and I keep saying we need to do something special for her because she is such a good kid. This is the special thing! :cool1: I can't wait. I upgraded first to the reg dining plan, then I dropped to a standard view room, the hoppers, and upgraded to the Deluxe Plan. I made ADRs this morning:

Breakfasts:
Cape May
Kona
Boma
Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace

Lunches:
Grand Floridian Cafe
Yak and Yeti
Tutto Italia

Dinners:
Flying Fish
Narcoossee's
Cinderella's Royal Table
Le Cellier

At which point I'm going to eat my words. I said I'd never do another Food Report. Obviously, with those ADRs, I have to.

Stay tuned! Updates on the May/June Trip forthcoming!

[creativeamanda]

As the sun rises over the Sahara Desert, far in the distance, there is one lone tree. Natives refer to it as Itacen rai. The first French called it L'arbre de la vie. We English translate it as The Tree of Life.

Entering the lush foliage of the park known by travelers as Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life dominates the vast landscape. Anyone who wishes to travel through the Kingdom of the Animals must pass it.

One may ask what there is to do in this Kingdom which divides The Mesozioc era, Asia and Africa by a tree and a series of bridges and footpaths. Our family has a top five to have any of you SCREAMING for more. . .

5. The Tree of Life--Home of It's Tough to be a Bug and many other carvings of animals those who came before us left behind. It's magesty can be witnessed at all corners of the park.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/Dec%2022/DSC_0494.jpg

It is particularly beautiful at night.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/Dec%2022/DSC_0694.jpg

4. Kilimanjaro Safaris. A 2 week voyage is cut down to 20 minutes due to elephant poachers in the area. This ride brings you closer to many animals than you ever thought possible!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0079-1.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_01042.jpg

By the way, the upside down tree? It’s a fake.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/IMG_1086-1.jpg

3. Dinosaur. In a piece of technology unknown to most of us, you are taken back in time to grab an Iguanadon for study. Watch out for the meteors!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0036-1.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_00352.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0283.jpg

2. Kali River Rapids. White water rafting. One of the funnest, yet that same wettest things you can do. When going down the hill, pray you are not facing backward! It’s obvious we were!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0283.jpg

And don’t ride it in 30 degree weather. I promise you’ll be buying new clothes! We did!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/IMG_1015.jpg

1. Expedition Everest. Climb Mt Everest to brave what no other person has braved. . .the destruction left by the Yeti! This is my personal favorite in all of the World!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0266.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0014.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/Dec%2022/DSC_0595.jpg

So there you have it—brave the Kingdom of the Animals. From the Dinosaur age to Africa and Asia, there’s something for everyone!

[Charlefours]

I have never been to TL so if you are planning on doing a TR I will look forward to reading about it. DisneyQuest, granted it was almost five years ago now, we had a good time but were surprised even with the admission cost you still have to pay for some of the games. We really enjoyed doing the make your own rollercoaster than you get to ride it. Lots of fun! :yay: for another trip!! I tried a combination of what you posted last night hoping it would kick me out a pin code. Which resort are you staying at for the second trip? BTW, love the top fives you are posting!! :goodvibes:

[lovesdumbo]

First let me give you all an October update. The long and the short of it is this: Sweetie is going with me.

:cool1:That is great!!!! You will have such a great time!!!!! Does she know yet?

I usually leave the kids I leave behind a little "surprise". Often something to keep them busy while I'm gone like a book or movie. Then I bring them back something from Disney.


Now you'll have to take the other 2 someday too.:rolleyes1

[creativeamanda]

I have never been to TL so if you are planning on doing a TR I will look forward to reading about it. DisneyQuest, granted it was almost five years ago now, we had a good time but were surprised even with the admission cost you still have to pay for some of the games. We really enjoyed doing the make your own rollercoaster than you get to ride it. Lots of fun! :yay: for another trip!! I tried a combination of what you posted last night hoping it would kick me out a pin code. Which resort are you staying at for the second trip? BTW, love the top fives you are posting!! :goodvibes:

DH is really looking forward to the lazy river. DS wants to do the make your own roller coaster. That and Pirates are the sole reasons for us going.

As far as the other trip goes--I'm staying at POFQ. I think for just my daughter and me it will be perfect.

:cool1:That is great!!!! You will have such a great time!!!!! Does she know yet?

I usually leave the kids I leave behind a little "surprise". Often something to keep them busy while I'm gone like a book or movie. Then I bring them back something from Disney.


Now you'll have to take the other 2 someday too.:rolleyes1

SHe does know--she got input on the dining reservations. I don't know what I'll do for the kids that stay behind, but it will be great. The plan is to take each of them by themselves. DH has been taking one at a time to Baltimore for the past few years. It's my turn to take each of them somewhere.

DH will probably take them to the movies or something while Sweetie and I are in Disney.

[lovesdumbo]

DS wants to do the make your own roller coaster.
The design your own coaster Sum of All Thrills at Epcot is really cool!!!!!

I tried it for the first time in Dec with DD(10). It was really fun! We did a few inversions.

My DD(7) also did it on her bday trip in Jan. She was tall enough to ride (48") but not tall enough to do upside down (54"). It was still lots of fun to ride without going upside down. She LOVED it!!! I think it might have been her favorite thing we did on the whole trip.




I've never been to Disney Quest so I can't compare.

[Jessica14]

Loving your report! From one Fuzzy Disney Mathematician to another, I like your style! And I think I'm going to try our your PIN trick. I have gotten them in the past but for the first trip, I didn't know you could use it if you booked a package and this time, I got one for the time we are not going. I'm thinking of trying under my husband's name and then maybe unbook and rebook if something comes up. Looking forward to continuing with you!
Jessica

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

yay on the 2 trips!

Those sound like great ADRs! Another solo trip would be nice but now you have some company and that is great! My DM keeps saying her and I should cruise together since my Dd and Dbro have no desire to cruise. Perhaps this fall if we get all the moving issues resolved!!

[wdwgirl03]

Yay for another trip!

I love all the pictures from POR. It does look beautiful. We have never stayed there. I enjoy visiting all the different resorts so someday we'll have to check it out.

Great lists too! We've never done DisneyQuest either.

[creativeamanda]

The design your own coaster Sum of All Thrills at Epcot is really cool!!!!!

I tried it for the first time in Dec with DD(10). It was really fun! We did a few inversions.

My DD(7) also did it on her bday trip in Jan. She was tall enough to ride (48") but not tall enough to do upside down (54"). It was still lots of fun to ride without going upside down. She LOVED it!!! I think it might have been her favorite thing we did on the whole trip.




I've never been to Disney Quest so I can't compare.

We'll have to look at that in Innovations, as well. DS is like 60 inches, so he could do the inversions, but I don't think he'd make a ride with them.

Loving your report! From one Fuzzy Disney Mathematician to another, I like your style! And I think I'm going to try our your PIN trick. I have gotten them in the past but for the first trip, I didn't know you could use it if you booked a package and this time, I got one for the time we are not going. I'm thinking of trying under my husband's name and then maybe unbook and rebook if something comes up. Looking forward to continuing with you!
Jessica

I played around and it worked! I could not believe it!

I think I could make a living off of my Fuzzy Disney Math.

yay on the 2 trips!

Those sound like great ADRs! Another solo trip would be nice but now you have some company and that is great! My DM keeps saying her and I should cruise together since my Dd and Dbro have no desire to cruise. Perhaps this fall if we get all the moving issues resolved!!

I am excited about taking Sweetie, because she is really a lot like me and will be up for anything--we are planning this together, and that makes it fun!

Yay for another trip!

I love all the pictures from POR. It does look beautiful. We have never stayed there. I enjoy visiting all the different resorts so someday we'll have to check it out.

Great lists too! We've never done DisneyQuest either.

I love POR. It's easy to check out POR if you are in DTD. Take the boat (near Rainforest Cafe and Goofy's candy shop) to POR and then you can take the bus from there to whatever park.

[creativeamanda]

So I have sad October news. . .we aren't going then. As much as I'd love to go for Halloween again, there's not enough time to do what I promised Sweetie we would do next trip. . .go to Universal to see Wizarding World of Harry Potter. So. . .we are going to go next June when dh goes to his cigar festival. Both of the girls and me. We'll probably try something new: CBR. But for now, that trip is cancelled.

I'm sad. But at the same time relieved. I think after this June trip, a good 6 months with no planning will be good for me.

And my husband, who's sick of talking about Disney.

[modernscarlett]

So I have sad October news. . .we aren't going then. As much as I'd love to go for Halloween again, there's not enough time to do what I promised Sweetie we would do next trip. . .go to Universal to see Wizarding World of Harry Potter. So. . .we are going to go next June when dh goes to his cigar festival. Both of the girls and me. We'll probably try something new: CBR. But for now, that trip is cancelled.

I'm sad. But at the same time relieved. I think after this June trip, a good 6 months with no planning will be good for me.

And my husband, who's sick of talking about Disney.

Tell me about this cigar festival! I think my DH needs to know about that.

[creativeamanda]

Tell me about this cigar festival! I think my DH needs to know about that.

It's put on by www.famoussmoke.com and it's usually the last weekend in June. This year's is sold out, but I think admission for the weekend is $200. Beers are free--there are a lot of microbreweries there. Food is free, as well. Last year he came home with about $400 in cigars that were free and he won a humidor in a raffle.

[creativeamanda]

What kind of parent am I? I mean, really? When I have the mail from the day on the bar in the kitchen and Stinky sees it, the first thing he says is,

"Are those travel documents?"

:rotfl:

My 9-year-old son can look at the mail and tell that we got travel documents. Seriously, dude.

So, yesterday was 35 days out or 34, and I got my travel docs! :banana:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0523.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0524.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0525.jpg

And not too long ago, I got my pasporter lanyard and my Tour Guide Mike June Vacation Club badges.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0522.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0521.jpg

Now it's just a waiting game.

And I'm not all that patient. . .

[eandesmom]

YAY for Mickey Mail!

[LegoMom3]

What kind of parent am I? I mean, really? When I have the mail from the day on the bar in the kitchen and Stinky sees it, the first thing he says is,

"Are those travel documents?"

:rotfl:

My 9-year-old son can look at the mail and tell that we got travel documents. Seriously, dude.



You're just raising up the next generation of Disney Nuts, is all. Nuthin' wrong with that....:rolleyes1

.

[creativeamanda]

YAY for Mickey Mail!


I know!


You're just raising up the next generation of Disney Nuts, is all. Nuthin' wrong with that....:rolleyes1

.

LOL, maybe the DISboards is not the place to look for intervention. . . .not on this, anyway.

[creativeamanda]

Light! Cameras! Action!

Step onto the streets where the nostalgia of Hollywood meets today's high-tech cartoons. Where you might see stunt shows one minute and 3-D toy soldiers the next. Where on the same street one takes a wild ride through Rock and Roll's streets and then steps back in time to a free falling service elevator in a beautiful turn of the century hotel. Where one minute you are flying to Endor and the next hearing Herbie the Love Bug.

And don't forget the flames on the water! Mickey himself puts those out in a magical display only the Mouse Who Started it All can!

Where am I? Disney's Hollywood Studios, where nostalgia meets fun!

Our top five?

5. Tower of Terror. The kids have never ridden it. My girls are determined, and me? I'm scared. But I'll do it again for them, so long as they sit on either side of me, so I don't go groping the person next to me! :rotfl:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0538.jpg

Here I am in December, groping the poor young man next to me.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0021.jpg

4. Jedi Training Academy--This of course, is a must for Star Wars Weekends. We've never done it, but we will! Photo courtesy www.disneyworld.com

http://wdw1.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Attraction/JediTrainingAcademy/AL_JTA_240.jpg?t=2009-12-11T15:51:14

3. Rock n Roller Coaster--0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds? Huh! I do that in my car all the time. :rotfl2: Okay, really, you can't do that with a 4-cylinder engine, but the kids have joked that this ride won't be worse then my driving!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0540.jpg

You can tell when I rode it in December, I loved it--I'm in the back!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0551.jpg

2. Star Tours--Have I mentioned my son is a Star Wars Geek? So, yet again, RX-24 gets to take us on a wrong turn on the way to Endor and directly into a combat zone! You'd think after all these trips, he'd figure the ride out--but then again, he's still under the impression that this is his first trip. Photo courtesy www.disneyworld.com

http://wdw1.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Attraction/StarTours/STARTOUR_1_998.jpg?t=2009-12-11T15:51:44

1. Toy Story Mania--Yes. We'll be with all of them. We'll be rushing (not running, though) to Toy Story Mania in the morning. We'll take the first ride, and then while I'm in line for fast passes for later in the day (which will take for-ever), dh will take the kids to the Great Movie Ride.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0508.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0514.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/20081025012.jpg

We only have one day planned at Hollywood Studios. I'm contemplating park hoppers just in case we don't get everything we want done. But that will wait in thoughts for right now.

[creativeamanda]

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
Guess What?!?!? We go to Disney World THIS MONTH!!!!!!!!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

[Charlefours]

I am sorry your October trip is not going to work out for you but you will go in June PLUS you are heading off to Disney so soon! It will be great! CBR is a resort we want to try too. Do you like TGM btw? I am not signed up right now because I have touring plans subscription. Not sure if it would be worth it in September.

So excited you go to Disney world this month!!!!! :woohoo:

[creativeamanda]

I am sorry your October trip is not going to work out for you but you will go in June PLUS you are heading off to Disney so soon! It will be great! CBR is a resort we want to try too. Do you like TGM btw? I am not signed up right now because I have touring plans subscription. Not sure if it would be worth it in September.

So excited you go to Disney world this month!!!!! :woohoo:

The best thing about TGM is the boards over there. They will look at your touring plans and give feedback. Also, the best parks are more reliable over there.

[LegoMom3]

....
We only have one day planned at Hollywood Studios. I'm contemplating park hoppers just in case we don't get everything we want done. But that will wait in thoughts for right now.



Say it with me: "American Express: don't leave home without it."

Now, say it again, with feeling... "Park Hoppers: DON'T leave home WITHOUT them!!!"

:rotfl2:

They're your insurance policy. Trust me on this one.:rolleyes1

.

[creativeamanda]

Say it with me: "American Express: don't leave home without it."

Now, say it again, with feeling... "Park Hoppers: DON'T leave home WITHOUT them!!!"

:rotfl2:

They're your insurance policy. Trust me on this one.:rolleyes1

.

I think what I'm going to do is wait and see if it rains that day. There are 2 Fantasmic showings that night. If it rains Fantasmic out, we'll add the park hopper option that evening as we leave. If it does not rain F!, we can spend that $267 on souveniers.

[creativeamanda]

I love the food porn threads. In December, I did my own. Although I said that I would never do it again, I find myself thinking about what I'll order and which camera I'll use for pictures. I'm thinking my best shot is to use dh's camera--a Canon P&S. But as for ADRS? This is what we now have (cause you know I can't leave them alone) We have 2 out of pocket meals to carry.

May 29--dinner--Liberty Tree Tavern

May 30--dinner--Cape May Cafe (1st for the kids and dh)

May 31--dinner--Captain's Grille (1st for dh)

June 1--dinner--Teppan Edo (a first for us)

June 2--dinner--Crystal Palace

June 3--lunch--T-Rex (first time)

June 4--dinner--Tutto Italia (1st for dh)

June 5--dinner--1900 Park Fare (1st time)

June 6--dinner--Kona Cafe (1st time)

June 7--breakfast--Ohana (1st for dh)

As far as cs locations:
1. Casey's (in honor of Legomom and TarzansKat)
2. Earl of Sandwich
3. Wolfgang Puck Express
4. Cosmic Ray's
5. Flame Tree BBQ
6. Sunshine Seasons
7. Riverside Mill
8. Toy Story Pizza Planet
9. Pinnochio's Village Haus

And for snack credit usage:
1. Starring Rolls
2. Dinobites
3. Main Street Bakery
4. Goofy's candy company
5. Boulangerie Patisserie
6. Boardwalk Bakery

Finally, we will have to visit Ghiradelli's

So, I don't know if I'll do a dining report or not. But sometimes I think I owe it to the boards after all they have shown me!

[AlohaAnnie]

Hi! We will be at Disney the same time you are!!! :)

We love POR!! We stayed there for our first trip in June 2006 and fell in love!! I agree it is a beautiful resort.

DH has the same camera the D60! I really like it! I also have a Canon powershot I recently bought because sometimes we split up and I want to take photos. :thumbsup2

I love the way you have reviewed each park with the family favs! It is just too cute.

Looking forward to more, I am going to read your dining report!

Tina :)

[LegoMom3]

I love the food porn threads. In December, I did my own. Although I said that I would never do it again, I find myself thinking about what I'll order and which camera I'll use for pictures. I'm thinking my best shot is to use dh's camera--a Canon P&S. But as for ADRS? This is what we now have (cause you know I can't leave them alone) We have 2 out of pocket meals to carry.....

Oh hon, you need help!!:eek:


:rotfl2::lmao::rotfl:

.

[creativeamanda]

Hi! We will be at Disney the same time you are!!! :)

We love POR!! We stayed there for our first trip in June 2006 and fell in love!! I agree it is a beautiful resort.

DH has the same camera the D60! I really like it! I also have a Canon powershot I recently bought because sometimes we split up and I want to take photos. :thumbsup2

I love the way you have reviewed each park with the family favs! It is just too cute.

Looking forward to more, I am going to read your dining report!

Tina :)

: welcome I am so glad to see you! The D60 is really a great entry level camera--I've enjoyed it a lot. Thanks so much for joining in--I should have the top 5 for Epcot up this week sometime.

Oh hon, you need help!!:eek:


:rotfl2::lmao::rotfl:

.
[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]

The fact as to whether or not I need help was really never up for debate, now was it? :rotfl:

[Charlefours]

Food porn--gotta love it. Great ADR choices--I will be looking forward to reading what you think of them.

I cannot believe how close your trip is getting--it will be here before you know it! :goodvibes

[dismagiclover]

So I made it over and have read through your report! The plans look great! You're going at a great time. It's summertime but without the summer crowds! (We're part of the Eastern Seaboard that will still be in school.) You have some great ADRs as well! You might just have to do that Dining Report.:teeth:

[moniqueelaine]

:cool1:I am on board a little late, but that is me..always late hahah

[creativeamanda]

Food porn--gotta love it. Great ADR choices--I will be looking forward to reading what you think of them.

I cannot believe how close your trip is getting--it will be here before you know it! :goodvibes

I am getting so excited for the trip. As far as the food porn goes, I probably will end up doing it. But thinking of the 3 month deadline now on the dining boards? ACK!

So I made it over and have read through your report! The plans look great! You're going at a great time. It's summertime but without the summer crowds! (We're part of the Eastern Seaboard that will still be in school.) You have some great ADRs as well! You might just have to do that Dining Report.:teeth:

:welcome I am hoping that the crowds will be lower than they were in December! Of course, you can't get more crowded I think than Christmas week.

:cool1:I am on board a little late, but that is me..always late hahah

:welcome Youu aren't late--just making a grand entrance! :laughing:

[H20DogsNDisney]

popcorn::

[TarzansKat]

I'm here, and ready to read more. :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

popcorn::

:woohoo: Hallie's here!

I'm here, and ready to read more. :goodvibes

:goodvibes So glad to see you, TK!

[H20DogsNDisney]

I got lost some where in the disboards. And then was so happy to see the PRT stared! :cool1: sorry i am late!

[creativeamanda]

I got lost some where in the disboards. And then was so happy to see the PRT stared! :cool1: sorry i am late!

Hey--life and all the other thousands of threads sometimes get in the way--you found your way over--it's all that matters! Glad to have you!

[H20DogsNDisney]

Hey--life and all the other thousands of threads sometimes get in the way--you found your way over--it's all that matters! Glad to have you!

Thanks :goodvibes

[LuvEeyore]

Lovin the pretrip report. i am in. Waiting for more and love the pictures. i cant wait to check out your posts and pictures you post with them. I am getting excited about my trip in july now.

I also like how you write. May have to work on a take 2 of my trip report.

I was down your way a couple of weeks ago in Charleston April 15-19. Went Saturday afternoon to Folly Beach. Took over two hours to get 3.5 miles.

[Bridora]

Hey! I made it over & I'm all caught up!

Loved your 1st post--with that empty Disney box staring at you! :)

My DD will be ten on May 12!

You take beautiful pictures!

We stayed at POR in 2008--it's so peaceful there...

Your dates are just a few off from ours....and we don't have long now! :thumbsup2 :cool1:

[creativeamanda]

Thanks :goodvibes

You're welcome, hon! :goodvibes

Lovin the pretrip report. i am in. Waiting for more and love the pictures. i cant wait to check out your posts and pictures you post with them. I am getting excited about my trip in july now.

I also like how you write. May have to work on a take 2 of my trip report.

I was down your way a couple of weeks ago in Charleston April 15-19. Went Saturday afternoon to Folly Beach. Took over two hours to get 3.5 miles.

:welcome I love Folly Beach, but I can totally get the traffic in the Charleston area. I love Charleston, don't get me wrong, but I can do without the traffic. I'd rather drive in Orlando anyday.

Thanks about the pictures. Tonight I should get another update in--I'm actually a week behind on my updates.

Hey! I made it over & I'm all caught up!

Loved your 1st post--with that empty Disney box staring at you! :)

My DD will be ten on May 12!

You take beautiful pictures!

We stayed at POR in 2008--it's so peaceful there...

Your dates are just a few off from ours....and we don't have long now! :thumbsup2 :cool1:

:welcome No, we don't have long--I've got a lot of updates that need to come in, lol, and it'll be late nights for me as a result. I love planning and I love being able to add stuff to the Disney Box.

I love my camera and I love taking my pictures. There are always a few that I love to take and a few that I plan on for each trip as a new thing.

[creativeamanda]

EPCOT Center--one of Walt Disney's dreams that really never came to full fruition as he envisioned it. I think he wanted a utopia for many different peoples to live. It is my 2nd favorite park, however, behind Magic Kingdom. It's one of those few places on earth where the real meets the surreal. Where you can go through Mexico, Norway, Germany, Japan, China, Italy, France, Morocco, the UK, America, and Canada in a space of a few hours? Where else can you take a flight to Mars, drive a GM test track, and fly over California within minutes of each other? As with many places, Epcot was difficult to pick a top 5 for--I love the entire park so much.

5. Kidcot masks. The kids love hhearing about other cultures. While they decorate their masks, DH and I will have the time to slip away one at a time and sample adult beverages in Epcot. While in Mexico, I want the Margarita Flight at the Tequila bar, in Germany, dh wants a beer, in France, we'll get a couple of Grey Goose slushies and maybe a champagne, in UK, some ale. We are, thankfully, spending 2 days in the World Showcase. :rotfl2:

Champagne in France:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/IMG_0395.jpg

The kids in I think Amerca decorating
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0695-1.jpg

Getting a snack in France; note the masks on the table--
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_07322.jpg

Boo showing off her mask waiting for the Voices of Liberty (which, by the way, are awesome and a great rest from a hot, hot day)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0677.jpg

4. Mission: SPACE--
DS and DH--Wimpy green men.
the girls and I--Orange babes!
We plan to fly to Mars just before lunch. It's one of those rides you don't want to do on a full stomach. I learned. I think that was the worst I've felt (hint, don't do Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space, Test Track, Mission Space, Soarin in that order right after a big breakfast. I was in bed with a spinninghead for a good amount of time.)

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0588.jpg

My kids inside the Mission Space Gift shop last June
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0586.jpg

3. Spaceship Earth. DH has never ridden this ride, and it will be our first when we get there in May. The kids love it. We love the focus on our responsibility to what God gave us. It seems like that responsibility of good stewardship is a continuous theme for Epcot and one of the reasons why Sweetie loves it so much.

Spaceship Earth from the World Showcase
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0664.jpg

On a cloudy/rainy day
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_07812.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0566.jpg

With the Christmas decor in December
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0363.jpg

2. Soarin--This ride used to be number 1, but unfortunately dh looked down once and it scared all 6'3" of him. :rotfl2: I can see clips of the ride on television and almost smell the oranges and the beach.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/IMG_0125.jpg

1. Test Track--Of course we love this one! It's great to get on the track and feel the wind in your hair (or head, for dh). We also love the queue of the ride. The robotics are awesome and seeing new cars (which I can't afford, lol) are the icing on the cake!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0529.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0535.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/Image1120.jpg

A few more of our favorites that didn't quite make the list:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/Image1069_2.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0667.jpg

Tutto Italia:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0499.jpg

The water fountains--perfect on a hot day
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0592.jpg

So there you have it--our top 5 at Epcot! Just 3 weeks and we will be there!

[H20DogsNDisney]

those are all great last trip I forgot about kidscot will have to put that on the list for the niece. She'll love it! some sips around the world are great too. :thumbsup2

[dismagiclover]

Love your top 5! Some of mine are the same.

[creativeamanda]

those are all great last trip I forgot about kidscot will have to put that on the list for the niece. She'll love it! some sips around the world are great too. :thumbsup2

Your neice will love it. What dh and I do is we split up. One of us takes the kids to the kidcot station. If it's somewhere where he wants a little sip, then he goes to the counter and calls me to ask me what I want on the menu or vice versa. Some of our favorite locations, we all shop a little (Mexico, Norway, Japan, China, UK, France, and Italy), but we only usually spend one afternoon in the World Showcase. This year, we'll be there for at least 2, so that means either we'll do half of the WS one day and the other half another or they will complete the masks on one day and we will shop another. It all depends on how we feel when we get there.

Love your top 5! Some of mine are the same.

Thanks!

[creativeamanda]

My car is a compact car. When you drive 40 minutes to work everyday, a compact is a necessity. I owned a Ford Explorer at one time and when gas prices rocketed in 2008 to the nth degree and it to $100 per week to drive my truck, I changed tacks.

Now, a compact car is great--high gas mileage. On a typical day, it registers as getting 34 mpg. On a long trip like to Disney, 38-40 mpg. I love that about it. I also have all of the newer technology--Sirius satellite radio, Microsoft SYNC technology with bluetooth capabilities. My car is totally hands free for a good deal of things.

The thing I don't always like is the size. It's fine until we go on a trip. Then it all gets kind of difficult. So, before we go, I always do a test run of our luggage to see if I need to ship something down. And, being the typical DISer, I take a picture to document that yes, I practice pack my car. :rotfl2:

Let's take a walk down memory lane. . .

October 2008 Practice Packing.

The Empty Trunk. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/empty.jpg

Packed

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/everythingin.jpg

Check out that gas mileage

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/40mpg.jpg

Packing 2009. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20PTR%20Pictures/20090610002.jpg

I totally planned that one wrong, as this is when my friend Gillian went with us and I didn't plan on her packing. We ended up buying Spacebags for a whole bunch of stuff.

And tonight:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/IMG_0743.jpg

There's still plenty of room for shoes and maybe another duffle bag or two.

Oh, and 19 days! (I am not even counting today). :woohoo:

[dismagiclover]

Practice Packing! I love it! Ever since I read about your Disney Box I've been thinking I really need one. Now I'm considering the idea of practice packing. You are in inspiration:goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

I would totally practice pack a car. Given that when we leave for Disney trips, I'm usually the one who packs the car (to head to the airport, but still), and it's usually raining, a dry run is probably a good idea. It used to be quite the feat when I owned a Saturn, so I can understand why you'd want to give it a dry run, believe me!

Love your top five for Epcot. I think champagne in France would have to be my favorite. ;)

[LuvEeyore]

Practice packing totally makes sense especially when I went to move mom's wheelchair from my Malibu to her GMC Jimmy-no problem me thinks:lmao::lmao::lmao:It fit but I hadn't counted on how difficult it was to get the chair up and into the car.

Wish I knew what kind of car we going to have as a rental in July and I would practice pack on.

[creativeamanda]

Practice Packing! I love it! Ever since I read about your Disney Box I've been thinking I really need one. Now I'm considering the idea of practice packing. You are in inspiration:goodvibes

LOL--so glad I can be such an inspiration for persons with OCD everywhere!

Really, though, I have to do that with a smaller than average car for most DIsney travelers. DH has a truck, but it has about 160,000 miles on it and it's 10 years old, so it is probably not the best mode of transportation to Florida. Still, we keep costs down with the Focus better than the truck.

It's nice, though, to have done something that was Disney-realated this weekend, and to know I have inspired others!:rotfl2:

[creativeamanda]

I would totally practice pack a car. Given that when we leave for Disney trips, I'm usually the one who packs the car (to head to the airport, but still), and it's usually raining, a dry run is probably a good idea. It used to be quite the feat when I owned a Saturn, so I can understand why you'd want to give it a dry run, believe me!

Love your top five for Epcot. I think champagne in France would have to be my favorite. ;)

I forgot that you had a Saturn before your baby(ie--the CR-V)! You saying this reminds me of why we bought a CR-V to begin with (when we had one). We did it because Sweetie's wagon that we took to the beach fit in it so we could pack appropriately for the beach! It seems like until the purchase of the Focus, all of our car-buying dealt with what we could pack into the car!

As far as the champagne goes, it is my personal favorite for Epcot, but I had to compile the family as a whole's favorites and when you have three kids, the rides will win out over the World Showcase adult libations everytime. :rolleyes1

Practice packing totally makes sense especially when I went to move mom's wheelchair from my Malibu to her GMC Jimmy-no problem me thinks:lmao::lmao::lmao:It fit but I hadn't counted on how difficult it was to get the chair up and into the car.

Wish I knew what kind of car we going to have as a rental in July and I would practice pack on.

I'm so glad there are so many like-minded DISers out there.

It would be helpful to know what kind of rental you'd get, but it's all up in the air, isn't it? When I've had a rental for repairs on either my husband's truck or the Explorer, the dealership always had an agreement with the local Enterprise. You never knew which car you'd get--apparently the only rule was that you'd have to get a Ford. I've had everything from a Ford Escort to an Escape (which I really, really liked). The best was when my cousin was general manager of the dealership and he handed me the keys to a new fully loaded Lincoln as a trade for a day.

[H20DogsNDisney]

I always love your photo's of you practice packing your car for your trips!
They are great.

[creativeamanda]

I always love your photo's of you practice packing your car for your trips!
They are great.

Thanks! :goodvibes

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I totally do practice packing but not for the car..usually it's the weight limit for the airplane! Looks like you're good to go!

[Charlefours]

Love your Epcot, top five! We love Soarin' and TT too. Never been on Spaceship Earth--looking forward to experience it for the first time. That champagne from France--looks good to me! :thumbsup2

I love your practice packing!!! Totally something I would do. :rotfl:

Happy Mom's Day!!

[H20DogsNDisney]

Yo only have 15 days Its going to be here very soon!

[Bridora]

Oh yeah, the practice pack! :thumbsup2
We do that too, in fact I really really need to do that this year because my DD got a new, bigger suitcase for Christmas. Let's hope it all still fits! :laughing:

I liked your Epcot top five!

I laughed my head off the 1st time we rode Spaceship Earth after the refurb. Seeing our future at the end was so great! :lmao:

I may have to get my nerve up to look down while on Soarin'. That has never occurred to me before, but I'm curious now as to what it looks like!

[creativeamanda]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I totally do practice packing but not for the car..usually it's the weight limit for the airplane! Looks like you're good to go!

LOL--I forget about flying. We never do! And thanks for the Mother's day wishes!

Love your Epcot, top five! We love Soarin' and TT too. Never been on Spaceship Earth--looking forward to experience it for the first time. That champagne from France--looks good to me! :thumbsup2

I love your practice packing!!! Totally something I would do. :rotfl:

Happy Mom's Day!!


That champagne was great--in 16 days I'll have some

And I'm glad I fit in so well here!

Yo only have 15 days Its going to be here very soon!

I know--I can hardly contain myself!

Oh yeah, the practice pack! :thumbsup2
We do that too, in fact I really really need to do that this year because my DD got a new, bigger suitcase for Christmas. Let's hope it all still fits! :laughing:

I liked your Epcot top five!

I laughed my head off the 1st time we rode Spaceship Earth after the refurb. Seeing our future at the end was so great! :lmao:

I may have to get my nerve up to look down while on Soarin'. That has never occurred to me before, but I'm curious now as to what it looks like!

It's funny how a new suitcase or the like can change the whole dynamics of packing! I will have to do another practice pack, because I've rearranged some stuff. :rotfl2:

I don't know that looking down on Soarin' is a good thing. . .especially if you are sitting at B-1. (Center-front.) You are warned. :rotfl:

[AlohaAnnie]

Love your Top 5 at Epcot, it is great to know what other families like about the parks.

Always!!! I mean Always! Practice Pack the car and the bags! If it doesn't fit you can start to decide what you do not need to take! Better than doing this right before you leave, right! :goodvibes

I practice pack our bags before we leave like a dozen times. Drives DH crazy. Then I make him practice pack our van about a week before we leave. He always has a mini husband breakdown but he does it just for me :lovestruc :rotfl:


Great posts! 14 days to go!!!!

[creativeamanda]

Love your Top 5 at Epcot, it is great to know what other families like about the parks.

Always!!! I mean Always! Practice Pack the car and the bags! If it doesn't fit you can start to decide what you do not need to take! Better than doing this right before you leave, right! :goodvibes

I practice pack our bags before we leave like a dozen times. Drives DH crazy. Then I make him practice pack our van about a week before we leave. He always has a mini husband breakdown but he does it just for me :lovestruc :rotfl:


Great posts! 14 days to go!!!!

I practice packed again last night, lol. No pictures this time, but I did it. I wish, though, dh would put a couple of things in his suitcase. It's making me nervous!

And guess what?!? Today we have 12 days to go!!!!

[creativeamanda]

That title is the question of the year? Who calls the Disney Travel Company 14 days out and adds something to their reservation?

Apparently me.

I thought about what Legomom said. You know. Not regretting having Park Hoppers. I kept thinking how right she was. I let it sink in a bit. And then at 7am (while driving to work, noless--it's okay, I have my credit card number memorized :rotfl2:)

I added the park hopper option. So now we have what is probably the mega of all tickets--9 day with the Park Hopper and Water Park Option. DH and Boo are already planning on sneaking off together to Animal Kingdom's AM emh and meeting us in Magic Kingdom later. Sweetie and I are planning on staying at Magic Kingdom until 3am. Stinky just wants to go to Disney Quest.

We all have plans for our tickets, but one thing is for sure. . .

We plan on having the Best. Trip. Ever.

[creativeamanda]

Magic Kingdom is my favorite park. I plan to visit it 4 different times on our trip in 12 days. I'm thankful for park hoppers which will give us that chance. (And a long trip where we can change our minds and still make it to our reservations for dinner.

Anyway, there are many reasons why I love Magic Kingdom, with the first being this. . .Cinderella's Castle:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/20081024109.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0318.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/DSC_0102.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/2009%20Disney%20World%20Trip/Image1178.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0150-1.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0311.jpg

:lovestruc:cloud9:

Anyway, the castle is our first love, but we have many more whent it comes to attractions. . .

5. Dumbo. DH and Boo have never ridden it, seeing as how this was Boo when we went in October 2008:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/20081024287.jpg

That day, Dumbo had been down all day, when we came around from Liberty Square after Spectromagic, Dumbo was running with a shorter than normal ride.

The best way to ride Dumbo? During Wishes. My friend, tbtdawg, took this picture of us. . .

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/DSC_0463.jpg

4. The Haunted Mansion. "Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. I am your host. Your--Ghost Host. . ." We can almost completely recite this. We love to ride this ride at night--it has a different feeling and I don't know why other than maybe the perception of coming in from the dark.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0166.jpg


3. Splash Mountain. That 50 foot plunge is great--this really ties for the family with Haunted Mansion, but I put it here because of the shear difficulty of getting a fastpass sometimes for this one.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0136.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0139.jpg


2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The kids love this ride, even my son who is afraid of roller coasters. I think it's a better starter for kids than the Barnstormer. It certainly has less scary drops! It's also one I love to ride at night. During Christmas, getting to the highest point and looking over at the castle all lit up for Christmas was truly magical!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%202008/20081024163.jpg

1. Pirates of the Caribbean. This probably used to be at number 5, but in honor of TarzansKat, we are going to have a memorial ride on Pirates this year, making it our number one in things to do while we are at Disney.

And who could miss out on Jack, anyway?

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0120.jpg

So, there you have it. Our MK top 5. And 12 more days until I'm in my Laughing Place.

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

nice update and yay on the park hoppers!!! We have always gotten park hoppers for as long as I can remember. We like to mix it up daily and since we eat most of our meals at Epcot, it's nice to have the park hopper to do something in the morning and head to Epcot and go to like MK EMH after Epcot closes :) We think it's worth the money and even when I was really young we got them so to us they are worth it :)

I love your pics :) That Dumbo one is awesome!!! I'm going to do an update real soon myself!

[dismagiclover]

12 day!!! It's almost time for your single digit dance. I better get warmed up:banana: I think you'll be glad you went with the park hoppers. Especially because your trip is so long so there will be times you may just want to hop over to one park for an hour or two. Love the picture of Dumbo with Wishes going off!

[PaMom001]

I love the photos.

[H20DogsNDisney]

That title is the question of the year? Who calls the Disney Travel Company 14 days out and adds something to their reservation?

Apparently me.

I thought about what Legomom said. You know. Not regretting having Park Hoppers. I kept thinking how right she was. I let it sink in a bit. And then at 7am (while driving to work, noless--it's okay, I have my credit card number memorized :rotfl2:)

I added the park hopper option. So now we have what is probably the mega of all tickets--9 day with the Park Hopper and Water Park Option. DH and Boo are already planning on sneaking off together to Animal Kingdom's AM emh and meeting us in Magic Kingdom later. Sweetie and I are planning on staying at Magic Kingdom until 3am. Stinky just wants to go to Disney Quest.

We all have plans for our tickets, but one thing is for sure. . .

We plan on having the Best. Trip. Ever.

That sounds great! I know you will have the very best trip!:thumbsup2:cool1:
also i love your top 5 mk picks

[AlohaAnnie]

We love the park hopper along with the water parks and more add on. We love being able to hop all over The Happy Place! Enjoyed your top 5 at MK.


10 days!!!!


:cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:banana::banana::banana:
:cheer2::cheer2:
:dance3:

[Charlefours]

:woohoo: for PH!! :woohoo: Another great top five list! :goodvibes:

party: 10 days party:

[creativeamanda]

nice update and yay on the park hoppers!!! We have always gotten park hoppers for as long as I can remember. We like to mix it up daily and since we eat most of our meals at Epcot, it's nice to have the park hopper to do something in the morning and head to Epcot and go to like MK EMH after Epcot closes :) We think it's worth the money and even when I was really young we got them so to us they are worth it :)

I love your pics :) That Dumbo one is awesome!!! I'm going to do an update real soon myself!

I like the idea of park hoppers especially for a 10-day trip. The kids are going to get really tired of having to stick in one place, so we're starting at the UG's and TGM's best parks and then hopping over to evening EMH after a long break.

12 day!!! It's almost time for your single digit dance. I better get warmed up:banana: I think you'll be glad you went with the park hoppers. Especially because your trip is so long so there will be times you may just want to hop over to one park for an hour or two. Love the picture of Dumbo with Wishes going off!

Single digit dance tomorrow! :banana:

My friend did a great job with the Wishes picture. That ride was so amazing--truly a once in a lifetime experience.

I love the photos.

Thanks, hon! :goodvibes

That sounds great! I know you will have the very best trip!:thumbsup2:cool1:
also i love your top 5 mk picks

Thanks, Hallie!

[creativeamanda]

We love the park hopper along with the water parks and more add on. We love being able to hop all over The Happy Place! Enjoyed your top 5 at MK.


10 days!!!!


:cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:banana::banana::banana:
:cheer2::cheer2:
:dance3:

I can't believe we are at 10 days--I do online checkin tomorrow, because we are staying offsite the first night.

:woohoo: for PH!! :woohoo: Another great top five list! :goodvibes:

party: 10 days party:

Thanks! I am so happy about getting the hoppers.

[Bridora]

Hooray for Park Hoppers! You will not regret it. It's nice to have the option of going to more than one park in a day...adds so many more possibilities!

I love your 1st Cinderella Castle picture and the one of Dumbo during Wishes! Those are really awesome! :thumbsup2

Your MK top 5 list is great!

Single digits, single digits, single digits! I'm going crazy, how about you?!?!? :upsidedow

[eandesmom]

they are mega tickets! We have the same exact ones!

:cool1:

It occurred to me I could go with less days and still see it all but really, the difference in days is so small (same ticket type but say 7 versus 9) it's kind of silly not to have 9 and maximum flexibility!

And hey, if it makes you feel better, if we DO end up doing DDP, I'll be adding it at 10 days out.

:rotfl:

[creativeamanda]

Hooray for Park Hoppers! You will not regret it. It's nice to have the option of going to more than one park in a day...adds so many more possibilities!

I love your 1st Cinderella Castle picture and the one of Dumbo during Wishes! Those are really awesome! :thumbsup2

Your MK top 5 list is great!

Single digits, single digits, single digits! I'm going crazy, how about you?!?!? :upsidedow

:goodvibes I can't believe we are in single digits as of today!

I love that picture of the castle and Tim did an awesome job with the Dumbo picture. I look at it and it reminds me of that night--simply awesome!

they are mega tickets! We have the same exact ones!

:cool1:

It occurred to me I could go with less days and still see it all but really, the difference in days is so small (same ticket type but say 7 versus 9) it's kind of silly not to have 9 and maximum flexibility!

And hey, if it makes you feel better, if we DO end up doing DDP, I'll be adding it at 10 days out.

:rotfl:

We have 9 days there, and probably will take a rest day, but the reality is we needed to have the maximum amount of flexibility for our trip. Last year when we were there 8 days, it would have been nice to change up half day in.

LOL, at adding DDP at 10 days out, but it is nice that you have the flexibility with Disney to add what you need when you need it or change your plans.

[creativeamanda]

Single digits. . .one of those things you really strive for. When I logged into Tour Guide Mike this morning, I read the worlds I was so looking forward to. . ."We have 9 days until your Walt Disney World vacation begins on Friday, May 28, 2010!"

I feel it's laughable that Mike presumes we are going to Disney. Is he planning on going with me? :rotfl2:

Either way, we have 9 days until we check in at an offsite resort in Orlando and 10 days until we check in at Port Orleans-Riverside. So, you know what I did bright and squirrely this morning?

Online Checkin, baby!

We're checked in online. Most of our bags have been packed. The itineraries are ready. I've serviced my car.

Now all we have to do is wait 9 more days.

[H20DogsNDisney]

:cool1::thumbsup2:goodvibes:banana::woohoo::dance3 ::yay::cheer2:
9 More days Yay!

[TarzansKat]

1. Pirates of the Caribbean. This probably used to be at number 5, but in honor of TarzansKat, we are going to have a memorial ride on Pirates this year, making it our number one in things to do while we are at Disney.

And who could miss out on Jack, anyway?

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Food%20Porn%202009/Disney%202009%20Trip%20Report/DSC_0120.jpg



First, I'm honored. And Mom would be too. You know, you writing it this way, it's so special to me, and it makes me wonder...just how many DISers that are going this year can we get to take a memorial ride? It's almost like a challenge! :goodvibes

And no one can miss out on Jack!

I know I've mentioned this before, but this is the last ride I went on with my mother, and it was the last day of our trip. My husband and I have discussed starting a new family tradition, making sure that POTC is always the "last ride." :littleangel:

[LegoMom3]

Lovin' the Single Digit Dance!!:banana:

I used on-line check in for the first time on my recent trip....worked GREAT! There wasn't a huge regular line but there was NO line for the on-line window at POFQ. Walked right up, handed them my ID, confirmed details, was handed my packet and map to my room, and voila!:wizard: Major pixie dust to start the trip.

.

[Tinkerbellarella]

All. Caught. Up. ::yes::

And subscribed.

[dismagiclover]

party: Single Digits!! party:

[TxMickeyLover]

Woohoo!!! Single digits!!! :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[firecracker725]

Our trips overlap, so I know the excitement of single digits! Have a great visit!

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

yay for online check-in!!!!!!

I'm very jealous :) I guess Aug will be here soon. I got my schedule request back so I guess I need to start booking things and find WDW CM friends to beg for a discount room haha.

[creativeamanda]

:cool1::thumbsup2:goodvibes:banana::woohoo::dance3 ::yay::cheer2:
9 More days Yay!


Thanks! We are excited!

First, I'm honored. And Mom would be too. You know, you writing it this way, it's so special to me, and it makes me wonder...just how many DISers that are going this year can we get to take a memorial ride? It's almost like a challenge! :goodvibes

And no one can miss out on Jack!

I know I've mentioned this before, but this is the last ride I went on with my mother, and it was the last day of our trip. My husband and I have discussed starting a new family tradition, making sure that POTC is always the "last ride." :littleangel:

My kids are in on it--they are determined to make POTC the first and the last ride in honor of your mom. But here is the kicker--our arrival date (actually next Saturday)--will be the 8th anniversary of my mom's passing. We're hoping to do a dual memorial.

And yes, no one can miss out of Jack.

Lovin' the Single Digit Dance!!:banana:

I used on-line check in for the first time on my recent trip....worked GREAT! There wasn't a huge regular line but there was NO line for the on-line window at POFQ. Walked right up, handed them my ID, confirmed details, was handed my packet and map to my room, and voila!:wizard: Major pixie dust to start the trip.

.

I used online checkin last year, but in December, my reservation was corrupt and I therefore did not have the pleasure of using online checkin. I honestly can say that online checkin is a real time saver.

All. Caught. Up. ::yes::

And subscribed.

:welcome

So glad you are here!

party: Single Digits!! party:

:banana::banana::banana:

Woohoo!!! Single digits!!! :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

:banana:YAY!!!!

Our trips overlap, so I know the excitement of single digits! Have a great visit!

:welcome Going over to check out your PTR.

[creativeamanda]

yay for online check-in!!!!!!

I'm very jealous :) I guess Aug will be here soon. I got my schedule request back so I guess I need to start booking things and find WDW CM friends to beg for a discount room haha.

You'll be there soon enough. The sad thing about the trip being here so soon is the fact that it will be over soon, as well.

I'm trying not to think about that.

[TarzansKat]

OMG, Amanda. Your post makes me want to cry, but happy tears. You've brought your children into the memorial ride, and it's for your mom as well! God bless you. Many, many, many :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: to you and your sweet family.

[Bridora]

Hooray for online check in & single digits! :dance3:

[creativeamanda]

OMG, Amanda. Your post makes me want to cry, but happy tears. You've brought your children into the memorial ride, and it's for your mom as well! God bless you. Many, many, many :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: to you and your sweet family.

My husband is into it as well, but my girls have been so sweet. They know how much my DISfriends mean to me--never met any of you (talked to Shay on the phone), but I'd do just about anything for ya'll I could.

Hooray for online check in & single digits! :dance3:

:banana::banana:

[creativeamanda]

Wow--We have alot to do! I figured it was time to get my checklist checked off. . .here we are so far:


Print Packing List (done)
Charge camera batteries (done)
Clear Memory cards (done)
Confirm dining reservations
Pennies for pressing (done)
Online checkin (done)
Confirm with house sitter (done)
Check Steve Soares' site for show schdules
Finish laundry
Check weather
Check Disney Schedule Changes
Manicure (done)
pedicure
Stop mail (done)
Call bank to confirm travel (done)
wash car
get cash from bank


YOu can see, I have a lot done, but still have some odds and ends.

Also, I got dh a new present for his birthday--a Droid. Since the current offer from Verizon is buy one, get one, I also got a Droid. And it, too is all ready for the trip:

Note the background:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0727.jpg

And this is a screenshot of the Unofficial Guide's mobile site--

(None of the info is not available for free on the site right now)

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/DSC_0726.jpg

I also have all of my ADRs in the Calendar. It merges with Google calendars, so it's real helpful. I also noticed that when I added the Facebook Application, it mergred all of my Facebook contacts into my phone. This apparently, is Google's answer to the iPhone. I have some issues with AT&T, namely being the fact that I don't understand why my basic service in the house for AT&T was $150/month when i didn't have service every other day if it was raining. We live down a country road and they refused to service our lines and charged us an arm and a leg for it.

Then we have other things going on for the trip. Like:

Our countdown calendar--a scrapbook page.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509012.jpg

And the Disney binder:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509009.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509011.jpg

Itinerary--Tour Guide Mike stuff blocked out:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509010copy.jpg

Ridemax

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509008.jpg

UG Cheat sheets and maps

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509006.jpg

Budget page

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509005.jpg

Menus:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509004.jpg

Disney documents:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/creativeamanda/Disney%20Trip%20Spring%202010%20PTR/20100509003.jpg

We're almost ready--and guess what?!? We go to DIsney World THIS WEEK!

[TxMickeyLover]

I love your countdown calendar!! Would you mind if I borrowed your idea???

P.S. My Droid has the exact same background! :thumbsup2

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

wow!!! so organized!! I was going to write and ask if you were going to update today and you beat me to it!!!! I can't wait for those final packing pictures :)

[creativeamanda]

I love your countdown calendar!! Would you mind if I borrowed your idea???

P.S. My Droid has the exact same background! :thumbsup2

You can borrow any idea I post--if I didn't want them borrowed, I wouldn't post, lol!

I love that background! I would love one of the fab five and there are some great ones from Verizon, but I'm not paying for stuff I can get for free.

I'm not cheap. . .I'm conservative. :rotfl2:

Really, it is a great background, though.

wow!!! so organized!! I was going to write and ask if you were going to update today and you beat me to it!!!! I can't wait for those final packing pictures :)

LOL, I had to get one out--it's Sunday! YOu aren't the only one ready for the final packing picks!

[dismagiclover]

Wow you really have it together! But mostly Wow! You're going to Disney World THIS WEEK:banana::banana::banana:

[H20DogsNDisney]

:thumbsup2 Great update!

[Tinkerbellarella]

Four nanners for four days!

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

[TarzansKat]

Wow.

You are super organized.

Wow.

And...


YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!

[creativeamanda]

Wow you really have it together! But mostly Wow! You're going to Disney World THIS WEEK:banana::banana::banana:

:banana::banana:I am so ready!

:thumbsup2 Great update!

Thanks, Hallie!

Four nanners for four days!

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

YAY! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

Wow.

You are super organized.

Wow.

And...


YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!

YES! I am so excited!

[Bridora]

Congrats on getting most of your list checked off!

That's one step closer...

And I second that Wow. on organization! :thumbsup2

I hope you guys have a safe and wonderful trip!

:woohoo:

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on getting most of your list checked off!

That's one step closer...

And I second that Wow. on organization! :thumbsup2

I hope you guys have a safe and wonderful trip!

:woohoo:

Thanks! You have a great trip, as well!

[Tinkerbellarella]

:banana::banana::banana:

[creativeamanda]

:banana::banana::banana:

YAY!

:banana::banana::banana:

[H20DogsNDisney]

Sweet only 3 days :cool1::cool1::thumbsup2:dance3::woohoo::cheer2:

[AlohaAnnie]

I missed a few updates! So here goes!

Online Check-in!!! :cool1:


Great Countdown Calendar, Love it!

Droid, (in my mechanical Droid voice), wish I had one. We have att and not an iphone. Just texting phones. We have plans to upgrade when the contract is up.

Awww....you are one organized lady! I thought I was organized but you take 1st prize chica! :worship:


and

3 days!!!!! :dance3::dance3:



:goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

Sweet only 3 days :cool1::cool1::thumbsup2:dance3::woohoo::cheer2:

Thanks!

I missed a few updates! So here goes!

Online Check-in!!! :cool1:


Great Countdown Calendar, Love it!

Droid, (in my mechanical Droid voice), wish I had one. We have att and not an iphone. Just texting phones. We have plans to upgrade when the contract is up.

Awww....you are one organized lady! I thought I was organized but you take 1st prize chica! :worship:


and

3 days!!!!! :dance3::dance3:



:goodvibes

Thanks! We are sooooo close, I can feel the Florida air right now!

[Charlefours]

Your trip is almost here!!!!! :yay: for making progress on your check list! I love it when I get to see pictures of Disney binders--I know I am a nerd. :lmao: Do you go into the parks with your binder?

[creativeamanda]

Your trip is almost here!!!!! :yay: for making progress on your check list! I love it when I get to see pictures of Disney binders--I know I am a nerd. :lmao: Do you go into the parks with your binder?

I don't take the binder into the parks--it's just too big. I look over things in the morning, memorize the first 3-4 things that Ridemax says to do, and take a copy of the itinerary laminated.

And I love looking at other people's binders, as well, lol!

[Tinkerbellarella]

Just this:

:banana:

and this:

:banana:

That is all! ;)

[H20DogsNDisney]

Have a great time! I can't wait to here about it when you come back!
I hope you take pictures of POR. I'd like to stay on that side sometime!

[Twingle]

Just found your PTR - very much enjoyed it! Looking forward to more!

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

we're in the process of packing and moving this weekend but I just wanted to say....


HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear all about it when you're back!!!!!!

[Charlefours]

:dancer:
:dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

Have a great trip in case I don't get a chance to pop back on before you leave. :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

Just this:

:banana:

and this:

:banana:

That is all! ;)

:banana:

Have a great time! I can't wait to here about it when you come back!
I hope you take pictures of POR. I'd like to stay on that side sometime!

I'll take plenty of POR!

Just found your PTR - very much enjoyed it! Looking forward to more!

Thanks and :welcome

we're in the process of packing and moving this weekend but I just wanted to say....


HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear all about it when you're back!!!!!!

Thanks, hon! Keep an eye on Facebook!

:dancer:
:dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:
:dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

Have a great trip in case I don't get a chance to pop back on before you leave. :goodvibes

Thanks so much!

[creativeamanda]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
We leave tomorrow! I already am too excited to sleep well!

[dismagiclover]

Have a fabulous trip! I can't wait to hear about all of the adventures:goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

YES! I'm excited right along with you! You're going to have such a great time. :goodvibes

[H20DogsNDisney]

Yay! :cool1::thumbsup2:dance3::woohoo::yay::cheer2::gro uphug:

[raider97]

Hi Amanda!

All caught up... finally. :) Wow! Leaving tomorrow! I am so excited for you guys! Can't wait to hear all about it. Have a safe trip!

[eandesmom]

Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LegoMom3]

There's really only one thing to say about leaving tomorrow:

































:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana:
:dance3::dance3::dance3:
:yay::woohoo::yay::woohoo::yay:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:


WOO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

.

[AlohaAnnie]

Have a great trip!!! Maybe we will see you there!

:goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

Have a fabulous trip! I can't wait to hear about all of the adventures:goodvibes

YES! I'm excited right along with you! You're going to have such a great time. :goodvibes

Yay! :cool1::thumbsup2:dance3::woohoo::yay::cheer2::gro uphug:

Hi Amanda!

All caught up... finally. :) Wow! Leaving tomorrow! I am so excited for you guys! Can't wait to hear all about it. Have a safe trip!

Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's really only one thing to say about leaving tomorrow:


WOO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!


Have a great trip!!! Maybe we will see you there!

:goodvibes

Thanks, everyone! I'm so ready to go! The car is packed, and I will probably need a glass of wine to sleep tonight!

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

YAY FOR WINE!!!! Safe travels to you and your fam :) We had storms today in Cincinnati so I'm hoping the weekend will be rain free for our big move!!! I'll be thinking of you as I'm unpacking endless boxes!!!

[LuvEeyore]

I hope you have gotten off safely. I also hope we hear how things are going while you are there!!

Have fun!:goodvibes:goodvibes:goodvibes:lmao::cool1::da nce3::dance3::dance3::grouphug:

[creativeamanda]

YAY FOR WINE!!!! Safe travels to you and your fam :) We had storms today in Cincinnati so I'm hoping the weekend will be rain free for our big move!!! I'll be thinking of you as I'm unpacking endless boxes!!!

I hope you have gotten off safely. I also hope we hear how things are going while you are there!!

Have fun!:goodvibes:goodvibes:goodvibes:lmao::cool1::da nce3::dance3::dance3::grouphug:

Thanks!

[creativeamanda]

I leave in a few hours! See you all real soon!

[H20DogsNDisney]

Enojoy your trip! We all will be waiting to here about it! :3dglasses:yay:popcorn::

[creativeamanda]

I'm home! It'll be a day or so before I can get the TR started.

[dismagiclover]

Welcome Home! I can't wait to hear about your trip!

[Charlefours]

Welcome home! I hope you had a great time! :goodvibes

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

welcome home! I saw the status on facebook :) Lots of laundry haha. You mean you didnt take the time to do it there?! hehe.

[Bridora]

Welcome home! I hope you had a fabulous time. I can't wait to hear all about it! :goodvibes

[LuvEeyore]

Can't wait to hear about your trip!! I've decided to start a Disney Box since it is too early to pack.

[Tinkerbellarella]

Welcome back!

:laundy:

[TarzansKat]

Welcome home, my dear!

[Twingle]

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful time, looking forward to hearing about it!

[raider97]

Welcome back! I can't wait to hear all about your trip home!!

[H20DogsNDisney]

Hey am i missing the linke for the TR? If so i am sorry.

[creativeamanda]

Hey guys, life has been crazy, but I started my Trip Report this morning. The link is in my signature line!