2 Days!!!!!
Why is it that the week before you leave for vacation is always the longest week ever? I don't even have to make it five days this week and it still feels like it's taking forever. My supervisor is on vacation this week, so I was hoping that this week would be kind of a vacation before my vacation.
Unfortunately my manager felt we needed a babysitter, and is actually visiting our office from Washington. Boo!
Not quite the vacation before my vacation I was hoping for.
I did all my ironing and packing last night, and I'm pretty positive that I have everything I need. After all these trips I have a pretty good standard packing list that I use. I was getting worried that I couldn't find my camera, but luckily it was on my desk at work. Whew! I was starting to get worried last night when I couldn't filnd it anywhere.
I checked Touring Plans today to see what kind of crowds they are calling for, and it looks really good. Most days are 2's and 3's with a 1 and a 4 thrown in for good measure.
I pulled up some touring plans while I was there, but honestly for the most part I'm just planning on winging it this time I think. I feel like being a bit of a pirate on this trip.
So the plan for the week looks like -
Day 1 - Friday
No Park.
At all.
I can't express how much this is killing me, but my friend only has 4 days left on her 10 day pass and we had 6 days at Disney to plan around. One day we are taking the morning off, and going to
MNSSHP at night, but that still left us with one day to either go parkless, or she'd have to buy a one day pass. Much as I really would love to go to a park a one day park ticket is awfully expensive I can't really see making her pay all that for just one day. The killer about all this is that I paid less for my annual pass than she paid for her 10 day non-expiring ticket. C'est la vie!
Our planes are arriving just a minute or so apart at about 9am. After we check in, I'm thinking we can hit up Beaches and Cream once it opens, and then head over to the expo to check in for the race. Nothing is set in stone for the rest of the day. We've talked about just chilling at Stormalong Bay, and if it's nice I'd like to do the hot air balloon ride at DTD. Our dinner ADR is at 7:50 at the California Grill . It should be perfect timing to watch Hallowishes.
Day 2 - Saturday
Magic Kingdom/Marathon
I made an 8am ADR at the Grand Floridian Café, so we could get a good nutrional breakfast to start off race day. After that we can hit up the Magic Kingdon, taking it easy just enjoying the morning. No rush for anything. We'll only be there for the morning. From there we'll be heading over to MGM.
Right now I have a lunch ADR set for the Sci Fi Dine In at about 2pm. I've wanted to try this for ages, but I've been having second thoughts about having it before the race. Most of the entrees seem to be a bit protein heavy, when we should probably be focused on carbs. This is really the ADR most likely to be dropped or changed.
After lunch we'll be heading back to the Beach Club for some rest, before the big race. It's knotting my stomach up a bit just thinking about it.
Nevertheless, at 10 pm I'll be starting off the race, and hopefully I'l be crossing the finish line about 3 hours later. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Day 3 - Sunday
Stormalong Bay/MNSSHP
Recovery and the need to possibly drown my sorrows (or to celebrate) with a frozen alcholic drink or two is the plan for the day. Had my loan been completed I was going to schedule a massage, but since it hasn't it will just be a relaxing by the pool day. I can't wait to spend some time at Stormalong Bay. Right now Sunday is the only day rain wasn't called for so I'm hopeful.
I'd like to be at the Magic Kingdom right near 4pm for the Halloween party. At the latest we'll be there at 5:30 for our ADR at the Crystal Palace. I can't wait to eat with Pooh! After that we'll be closing out the party near midnight, with our final ride for the night being on Pirates. My last few trips, when we've gone to the special parties, we have been one of the last people off of Pirates for the night. I think it's the perfect way to wrap up the night.
Day 4 - Monday
MGM/Epcot
I have an ADR set for 7:30 am at the Captains Grille. I wish that the Beach Club area had a food court for breakfast so we didn't have to go through the hassle of a TS meal for breakfast. I know they have a grab and go area at the Beach Club, but I really prefer to be able to sit down and take my meal without feeling rushed. I ended up making a breakfast ADR for each day (except Sunday) just to be on the safe side. I figure that with my Tables in Wonderland discount, it won't really end up costing us much more than a non-discounted food court meal would.
After that we'll be off to make rope drop and ride Toy Story mania and enjoy MGM that morning. At lunchtime we'll be heading over to Epcot where we have an ADR at 3:25. No dinner plans, as I hope to just wander around enjoying some snacking at Food & Wine and wrapping up the night watching Illuminations.
I'll recap the plans for the last few days tomorrow.
Trip aside, I'm still trying to wrap up a few personal things before I go. My loan is still pending, and we were hoping to have it all done, and paperwork signed before I left on vacation. The new bank I'm using didn't give me a hard time about the flood stuff, because according to FEMA, my unit does not fall within the flood zone.
All that hassle from Bank of America and I don't even live in a flood zone. Makes me dislike them all the more. My current loan application has gotten a bit tied up waiting for the title search results to come back. I don't know why it's taking so long, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll have it done before Friday. I'm also on the hunt for a Pandora starter bracelet size extra tiny for my 7 year old niece's birthday. It's her only request, so I'd like to try to get it for her. I kind of like the idea that I can keep getting her beads over time to comemerate special days and times for us.
The plans look good, and even though you're probably frustrated to not be able to do a park, it'll be good to have some down time too. 
I should have talked to you before the Feb. trip. 
I'm so giddily excited about getting to watch that parade again. 
