After 15 years, it's almost here - We're going back to WDW!! (May PTR)

[fairyfan]

This is my first PTR and not because I have never felt compelled to write, but because this will be my first trip to Disney in a very long time. I'm not sure I had a computer the last time I went to Disney, actually not sure Al Gore had invented the internet yet ,lol .
In a few weeks, I will celebrate my 50th birthday. It's amazing how the years pass with record speed and then, all of a sudden, you look back thinking of all the things you said you would do - and never did. For me, returning to Disney was one of those things.
I have been to WDW twice. Once when I was 19 with a group of friends and the second time with my DH for a belated honeymoon just a few years after we were married. We stayed at POFQ - it was pretty new then and was a value resort.
I don't know why it has been so long between visits, I just know it's very easy to say, "next year". Work, family and life in general make it easy to make excuses for passing on vacations. This year will be different.

Let me introduce us:

Fairyfan (me) - I have loved fairies (tinkerbell is my fave) since I was a child - thus the lack of creativity in my name. I work as a systems analyst (and work alot ) and I'll also blame my lack of creativity on my analytical nature. I am a planner and my first purchase post ressie was a Passporter. I have since organized it and put tabs on the pages. I have convinced myself, I cannot live without it. My favorite part of Disney - the castle - and because I am a girl!

My DH (lets call him Steely) - he is a wonderful guy who puts up with my long work hours and tolerates my planning and time on these boards. His perfect vacation - driving to Latrobe, PA and watching Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. He is a huge fan who is still reeling from their sixth Super Bowl win. His favs at Disney include Epcot and the food (can't blame him).

We both love and dearly remember the fireworks at the MK and Illuminations.

I apologize in advance, but currently have no recent (and by recent, I mean last 10 years) pictures of us. I lost all of the pictures on a computer that passed away a couple of years ago and haven't taken any since. I will remedy that soon if not while on the trip. In the meantime, here is one of our "babies". Her name is Lily and she is a rescue and a blessing. She is a papillion of sorts. Her butterfly ears do not stand up. I am told that makes her a Phalene (night moth) instead of butterfly. She is the sweetest!

We are traveling May 16-23 and staying at the Contemporary. I still really can't believe it. I never thought I would be staying at CR, but with the much advertised 4/3 deal, I could'nt pass up the upgrade! I look at the CR website daily and browse the pictures. I have to reel myself in and remember that there is much planning to be done.


Next up - How to pick restaurants for ADR's with a picky eater - ME!!

 

[fairyfan]

Two weeks after my reservation it was time to make ADR's. I searched and read every menu before making my decisions.
I have to say, these boards are a great resource to find the great, good, bad and ugly about WDW food. Between the boards, the DIS chat and the menus posted all over the internet, you can be assured that in Disney, there is something for everyone.
I pretty much made these decisions on my own. My DH, bless his heart, just says, "pick something I would like". Not difficult - if the meal does'nt involve liver or brussel sprouts, he's in. I'm a different story. I don't like fish, eggs - boiled, fried, poached and the list goes on....

After alot of reading, here are our ADR's:

Dinner

GF Cafe
Boma
Biergarten we have been here before and loved it
Fulton's
Raglan Road
Plaza - wanted a night with a sandwich and banana split to share!
Le Cellier - of course


Breakfast

Boma - heard this is the best breakfast buffet on the chat!
Kona - Tonga toast, can't wait to meet you
GF cafe
The Wave

Lunch will be CS of choice
Some of the CS items I want to try- Grey Goose slushy, school bread, pretzel, Grand Marnier slushy, Dole Whip float, Mickey Bar.

I'm very happy to say that I got everyone of them and for the times I wanted +- 15 minutes I called the morning of my 90th day

I'm thinking that may be because we are going in May and possibly things are slower then.

I'm really excited about each choice and I know my DH will love them. I only wish I had more days. I would love to go to HDDR for dinner, Jiko and CP but I waited to long for those

Next up - If you live near a regional airport, do you need a second mortgage to fly to Disney?

 

[fairyfan]

So, I'm gambling with the airlines. DH and I really want to fly to Disney. It's an 8-9 hr drive to Orlando and we would much rather fly and be there then spend the better part of two days driving.
Problem - I live 10 minutes from a regional airport, and 2+ hours from a major airport. I don't know what it is with the airlines, but they think a second mortgage is in order to fly from regional airports.

We have no nonstop flights to Orlando, but come on - who thinks 450.00 a ticket isn't just ridiculous. I mean, you check the availabile seats and it appears they have sold all of about 3-5 tickets on the commuter flight and about 10 tickets on the 757 connection to Orlando. Those seats are probably booked on FF miles. If you want to sell tickets, be reasonable about it.

So, every morning I get up and power up the pc in hopes of a deal. We all know how this works, every once in awhile, they will lower the prices on seats and after a certain number of seats are sold at that price, they raise the price on the same seats that were much cheaper only moments before. I start to get nervous when I think how time is ticking away, but am hopefully optimistic that I will win this battle.
Today,they dropped the 6:00 am flights down to 169.00 rt - now we're talking. They must have heard my rant. Sure.

Will I book it or continue to gamble? I'm on the fence right now. I have a backup plan and that's the major airport a little over 2 hours away and booking a ticket on SW. Seems they understand reason. I'm guessing that's why they seem to be so fiscally stable.

Gotta go crunch the numbers...




Next up - to chat or not to chat and will I buy the tickets!

 

[fairyfan]

At first the whole plane ticket lottery seemed like fun, - gambling on whether you will get the cheap tickets or not. Unfortunately, it gets too frustrating too quickly. I finally gave up on flying on a major airline and using the ME to Disney and booked two tickets on Allegiant. They have just a couple of flights a week, but the price is right. No Magical Express - you fly into Sanford Airport about 50 miles from WDW. The price is really good though and I have read alot of good things about Allegiant. Also leaves enough money to rent a car for the week as well.
It's a non stop flight (big plus) and the car will be nice. I want to check out several of the resorts and maybe hit the outlet malls one day, so the car will make that easy.
Because they only fly on Mondays and Fridays, I had to change my reservation. No more Contemporary for us - it was sold out. I was still able to get the 4/3 deal but had to change to AKL savannah view. Not a bad change.
The funny part of it all is when I told my DH, he was very excited. He had wanted to stay at AKL all along, but didn't want to tell me. He wanted me to pick the resort of my choice. Sometimes things work out the way the are supposed to, I guess.

As a reward for ending my transportation stress, I treated myself to this bag for the parks with a Macy's gift card I had from Christmas.

It's a small crossbody bag, but holds alot more than I thought. I like the zippered compartments to hold my little canon powershot camera and KTTW card, etc.

I have a black quilted messenger bag that I got from a Gap outlet store before Christmas for $9.00 I'll take too. It's much bigger in case I need to carry more stuff. Really nice for the price.

Things are coming together. My siggie shows 2 mos and 5 days until we head to Disney - it's really 2 months and 4 days. I need to change it since I have changed my reservation. It seems like alot of time, but I'm sure it will go by quickly.
Several more things to get and park planning to do.

I'm no Disney expert at all. To cure my lack of knowledge, I headed to the DIS chat. I have to say, I've learned alot and had some great laughs as well. The "DISchatters" are the nicest group of people. Some have been to WDW many times and some are just like me. All are welcoming and I am so glad I decided to get my nerve up to join in! If you ever have a question, these are the folks to ask!

 

[fairyfan]

Here is our oldest baby. She hates getting her picture taken, which helps cause the blurry image. You would think she was a prissy little girl as tiny as she is, but she is a tough one. Her favorite thing other than the red ball is rolling in the dirt!

 

[bettyann29]

Hi there! Came across your PTR and liking what I see..

Tinkerbell is my favorite too!! I love everything about her..

I know what you mean about time flying away from you before you know it.. but what a wonderful way to celebrate catching up with time..

I like your food choices.. Im a huge picky eater although DH is more adventurous on his food choices.. I bet he would love to hang out with you guys just so he can go eat with you and your DH..

oh and I love your furbabies.. they are adorable!

Cant wait to read more about your trip..

 

[Blesseddaddy]

Hey FairyFan, Just wanted you to know, I am on board and will be reading all about your pretrip report from now until you head out to WDW. I would say I was envious of you getting to stay at the Contemporay, but since I have never even been to WDW...I don't know what I am missing....LOL OK, I'll go ahead and admit it, I am a bit......the monorail running right through it, walking distance to the park, reading that it is DELUXE, knowing you can "drool" through the windows of the TS right there in your own resort...OH wait, that last one doesn't count, I saw where you were on a good DP and already made ressies!! Unlike some of "US"!! LOL Also a good thing that there aren't any PICKY eaters in my crew......well there probably is, but they will survive!!

DisChat really is fun and for somebody like myself that has never been to the World, there really isn't a better place to learn about it!! Plus all the laughs that are FREE, being cheap, I LOVE FREE stuff!!!

I should have known your pretrippie would also include a section on BAGS...I was so glad when wigd. got past that part on her pretrip report!! I guess the man in me just doesn't get it?? LOL

Well, we are heading out for our trip, but know once we return, I will be keeping up with yours!! I'm signed up and on board and looking forward to your future post!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Subbing and I need to get caught up..........

 

[fairyfan]

So the milestone birthday is only days away and I had to make the visit to the DMV. Not my favorite place and I have never figured out why the folks that work there are so angry all of the time.
For whatever reason, I get sooo nervous when I go there. I wonder if I will pass the eye exam or draw a complete blank when I take the road sign test.
This year was no different. I walk in and take my number and start reviewing the road signs while I wait. They call my number and I politely take my seat at station number 1. They ask for my drivers license and I get my wallet out and low and behold, it's not there. I break into a sweat , searching through my purse - no license . Completely mortified, I tell the woman, "I can't find it". If looks could kill - you know the rest. I show her my picture ID from work and she tells me that's not an acceptable form of ID (guessing I should tell my employer no need to be attached to that badge anymore) and she asks for my social security card. Now I have read all about identity theft and have heeded the warnings not to carry that in my purse. I offer her the number and of course that's a no. Now she wants to see my paycheck stub. Darn good thing I just got paid. She looks at it and looks at me and asks "wheres your social security number on it?" Of course, it's not on my stub. Things are going from bad to worse.
Finally, after getting my vehicle registration, my checkbook and and doing some convincing, I walked out with my Driver's license. WHEW! Now I need a Grey Goose Slushie - too bad I have to wait till May to get one!

And that was my Friday!

Lesson for all - Make sure you know where your license is before you go to renew it - -age does not automatically bring wisdom!!

 

[fairyfan]

Hi there! Came across your PTR and liking what I see..

Tinkerbell is my favorite too!! I love everything about her..

I know what you mean about time flying away from you before you know it.. but what a wonderful way to celebrate catching up with time..

Thanks BettyAnn. It's nice to meet another FF. I'll be reading your PTR's as well!

DisChat really is fun and for somebody like myself that has never been to the World, there really isn't a better place to learn about it!! Plus all the laughs that are FREE, being cheap, I LOVE FREE stuff!!!

I should have known your pretrippie would also include a section on BAGS...I was so glad when wigd. got past that part on her pretrip report!! I guess the man in me just doesn't get it?? LOL

Well, we are heading out for our trip, but know once we return, I will be keeping up with yours!! I'm signed up and on board and looking forward to your future post!!

Have a wonderful time BD, I can remember that the QS meals were really good! Go to the Biergarten with Shocker and Wigd if you can. The girls will love the show! It's a nice little show without the big show price if you. (One place I have actually been!)

BD, the perfect bag is just part of the planning process. It's defintely a girl thing. Just wait till yours get older!!!

Subbing and I need to get caught up..........

Thanks for reading Wigd! You inspired me to do this, so thanks! Have a wonderful DIS spring break!

 

[Blesseddaddy]

Well FF, first Happy Birthday!! Ah the joys of the DMV!! I have a story or two about them as well, they are always so much FUN to spend time with!! It was was also sort of funny when I read about your license not being where it was suppose to be. Just today, I went to unload one the last loads of laundry to find Tracy's laying there in the dryer. I called her, thinking I hope she doesn't get pulled over on her way to the office or back. When I told her I had found it, she first asked where, then went on to explain that she hadn't seen it since Wed. so she had already gotten a replacement since we were headed to WDW. I guess the funniest thing about it all.........IS, we men just put a few things in our pockets, it's much easier to keep up with it that way.......while you women, buy them fancy BAGS ( or "purses" to keep myself out of trouble...LOL ) and y'all still can't ever find what you are looking for when you need it!!!!! Just Saying!!! LOL Goodness how many times has by bride had me looking EVERYWHERE for an item that has fallen to the bottom of her "suitcase", I mean purse!! LOL

I know we have had fun discussing my choice of Dining and though there is really some AWESOME advice to be learned here at the DIS, I really do feel good about our choice for this first trip down. One of the best parts for me, will be NOT having to be anywhere at a certain time for any reason!! WHOO HOO, I am ON VACATION and look, I"m going to DISNEY WORLD!! YIPPEE!!!

I'll catch up with you when we return.......here's hoping next week DRAGGGGS, time wise anyway!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I just hate the DMV too, when I turned 40 I needed to go and didn't, ended up not getting that license renewed for a few years When I finally went , I took some friends for support (to help me cheat on the written test) and then had to take a driving test too

 

[bettyann29]

Sounds like you had a fun trip to the DMV I will be sure to keep your suggestion in mind about knowing where my license is before I head that way..

You definitely deserve a Grey Goose Slush..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi,

I just found your PTR and got caught up.

First, Happy Birthday. I am just a short three years behind you and I know what you mean...time just slips past.

We will be there the same time that you are, from what I read. The last time we visited in May it was quite hot, but not too bad, which is nice.

I did this when I read about your DH's perfect vacation. My DH was born in PA, went to school in Latrobe. So does your DH correct people and tell them that it is pronouced Lay-trobe when when they say La-trobe? OMG, I laugh when he does this but he is very proud of his Steelers, their training camp and the fact that he can go back any time he wants because his family is there.

I am with your DH...love AKL and would prefer it over the Contempo. We stayed at the Contempo once and I just didn't feel like I was at Disney. Maybe I would have if we had a MK view. We stayed at AKL last September and had a Savannah view. It was so nice. Only bad thing was by the 7th day the walk was killing us back to our rooms. I think that you will really enjoy it. Don't forget to go to the Mara (or Boma) and have some zebra domes. I say some because they are like potato chips....can't have just one.

OMG on the driver's license. I am so bad about putting my license where it belongs and 9 out 10 times, I can't find it when I need it.

Can't wait to hear more!!!! We arrive on 5/23 and check out on 5/26. Staying at Pop this time. Could not pass up the bargain.....$64 a night!

 

[bouncycat]

Hey Fairyfan!! I was just looking thru TR's, and found yours! You're gonna be there the same time as me, I'm going for just a couple of days, May 18th to the 20th. Just wanted to say hi looking forward to reading more on your trip!!

 

[fairyfan]

I guess the funniest thing about it all.........IS, we men just put a few things in our pockets, it's much easier to keep up with it that way.......while you women, buy them fancy BAGS ( or "purses" to keep myself out of trouble...LOL ) and y'all still can't ever find what you are looking for when you need it!!!!! Just Saying!!! LOL Goodness how many times has by bride had me looking EVERYWHERE for an item that has fallen to the bottom of her "suitcase", I mean purse!! LOL
!

Point well taken BD - mine is a suitcase as well. I can't believe you are at Disney right now! Hope you are having a wonderful time.

I just hate the DMV too, when I turned 40 I needed to go and didn't, ended up not getting that license renewed for a few years When I finally went , I took some friends for support (to help me cheat on the written test) and then had to take a driving test too

The signs are enough for me. I failed the driving test the first time I took it when I was 16. Had to drive the parents gigantic station wagon and couldn't parallel park the thing. Pretty sure I still couldn't

Sounds like you had a fun trip to the DMV I will be sure to keep your suggestion in mind about knowing where my license is before I head that way..

You definitely deserve a Grey Goose Slush..

So glad that license thing is over for 8 more years.

I settled for a glass of white zin.

Hi,

I just found your PTR and got caught up.

First, Happy Birthday. I am just a short three years behind you and I know what you mean...time just slips past.

We will be there the same time that you are, from what I read. The last time we visited in May it was quite hot, but not too bad, which is nice.

I did this when I read about your DH's perfect vacation. My DH was born in PA, went to school in Latrobe. So does your DH correct people and tell them that it is pronouced Lay-trobe when when they say La-trobe? OMG, I laugh when he does this but he is very proud of his Steelers, their training camp and the fact that he can go back any time he wants because his family is there.

Can't wait to hear more!!!! We arrive on 5/23 and check out on 5/26. Staying at Pop this time. Could not pass up the bargain.....$64 a night!

Small world, isn't it? Guessing you no what my Sundays in the fall are like too, huh?

Hey Fairyfan!! I was just looking thru TR's, and found yours! You're gonna be there the same time as me, I'm going for just a couple of days, May 18th to the 20th. Just wanted to say hi looking forward to reading more on your trip!!

Thanks Bouncycat! Seems there are several on the boards going in May .
I really am excited about AKL and being back in Disney.

 

[fairyfan]

So my big 50 birthday has come and gone and let me just say this - it was nothing like I had expected. I really thought I would be so sad, but instead it was a wonderful couple of days.

It started out at work - I arrived on Friday to a cubicle full of balloons and streamers. When I say balloons, I mean tons! Then lunch with the boss and the rest of the team which was great! That truly would have been enough for me.

When I got home DH was waiting for me with a surprise! It rings, it plays music, takes pictures, gets your email and is made by Apple!
Yep, it's an iphone!!!!!!Can I say it is really nice. I had a Blackberry and we had a love/hate relationship. This is so much nicer. Love it!

Ok, the birthday could have stopped there.

On Saturday, we had a little party at our house. One of my coworkers is a trained pastry chef turned IT guy. Well, he rarely bakes cakes anymore, but I was about to receive the surprise of my life.

This was the most amazing six layer coconut cake with the best buttercream you could ever have. Those are individual meringue flowers all over it. It was almost too beautiful to eat, but don't worry, we did! - we are still working on it. Can you say cake for dinner! Yummm!

I managed to take the picture before it was cut.

Turning 50 isn't so bad afterall. I am a very lucky gal! Best part of the weekend - I got to share it all with DH and friends and family.

It's back to the real world - time to pay the Disney trip off

 

[Blesseddaddy]

Hey FF, first Happy Birthday again. That cake not only looked "beautiful" it looks delicious. I love coconut too, so you are lucky I'm not around to steal a slice of it!!! Hope you get to enjoy it for a few more days anyway!! Glad you had a weekend full of surprises and a GREAT Birthday!!

Yes, we are back from our whirlwind tour of Disney and had a wonderful time. It was indeed a magical trip, especially with my two girls in tow! I know that we will return someday, of course that will be down the road........first because it will take me a while to "recover"...LOL However, as we were leaving Tracy said, we are coming back and when "she" says it, it happens!! I think now that we have done the first time visit and tried a sampling of it all, our next trip might not be as hectic as this one was. We tried to start out with the small stuff, so the girls wouldn't be disappointed with any of it. However, starting at MK, we wound up missing the Toon Town section that day. Anyway, by the time we got back to MK, we had already taken a whirl on Everest, Rocking Roller Coaster, TOT, BTMRR, Space Mt., Etc. and as my youngest was getting off Goofy's Barn Stormer, she proclaimed, this is boring!! Which, after all the other stuff, I am sure she was correct and it was pretty "tame"! LOL But it gives me hope that when we return, we won't have to do all the smaller stuff and that will likely free up sometime to "relax" by a pool somewhere!! Ah, the things we do for our children!! Anyway, we were up early (one of the best tips get there at opening), on the go all day, getting to bed late, whew.....vacation??? I am actually thinking of changing my name from "Blesseddaddy" to Commando Chris!!! It was also really nice getting to meet some of the Dis Chatters while we were there too. If you get the chance with several saying they are going at the same time as you, you should try to meet up at least for a parade or Wishes. It was fun for us anyway!!!

Well, now that we are back, I will be following your pre-trippie and I'll see you in chat as well.

 

[Momof2tinks]

Happy Birthday FF!!!
What an awesome looking cake!
I am glad to hear you had a great time with so many surprises!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had an excellent day.

OMG, that cake looked AMAZING!!!!!! I love cake...and it likes me too. Tends to stay a while.