OUTPLAN-OUTPLAY-OUTLAST: a Sleepingbooty TR! New Princess trip update 4/2

[Sleepingbooty]

OUTPLAN! OUTPLAY! OUTLAST!

Sleepingbooty's September 2010 Trip Report

Contents:
Episode 1: The Cast(aways)
Episode 2: The Plan of Attack
Episode 3: Challenge #1 - Getting there is half the fun
Episode 4: Magic Kingdom & Ohana, part 1
We Now Interrupt this Broadcast...
Episode 5: "There's Six of Us"
The Storm of the Century, and Planning News
Episode 6: The Big Surprise
Episode 7: Harry Potter Continues
Episode 7: Harry Potter Continues, pt 2
Episode 8: Oh the Places you'll Go!
Leaving in 24 Hours!
Back From Disney!
Episode 9: A Show About Nothing
Episode 10: Epcot, Finally!

Princess Trip, Part 1
Princess Trip, Part 2
Princess Trip, Part 3​

Alright, alright. I know, I'm a little tardy in beginning this trip report. I always meant to do one, but things were so busy around here when we got back from our trip at the end of September that I just never got to it. Then it seemed too late. But Glennbo seemed to think I might still have a few people interested in reading it, even now, so what the heck. Now that the holidays are over, things have slowed down a bit in my life, and writing this will help me stave off the winter doldrums. Hopefully. Well, that, and the fact that I'm counting down to another WDW trip at the end of February I plan on including the pre-trip details for that one here too, rather than do a separate PTR.

I'm going to try to get this whole report done by the time I leave for the next trip. Will that happen? Who knows. But that's my goal. At the same time, I thought I would attempt to create a digital scrapbook for this trip. If all works out, I'll include my finished pages here.

I have a horrible memory, and I didn't take great notes, so this may be a pic-heavy, light-narrative report. Or maybe I'll just make stuff up. You'd never know the difference, woudja!

So, lets get this thing started!

Up next: Cast of Characters

 

[Zarabear]

I love the logo! Totally signing in to read along. We were there in Sept for our very first trip. I never got around to our trip report either.. Ooops!

We are, (okay...well, "I" am...) planning our next trip. I definitely caught the bug and I am so in love with DisneyWorld. XD

~Zara

 

[Princess116]

joining in!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

The Cast(aways)

Thrown together on this island in the middle of Florida that we call Walt Disney World, are 6 absolute strangers; who must learn to band together to meet the basic needs of Food, Shelter, and Entertainment. Okay, not absolute strangers. Not really even strangers at all, if truth be told. In fact, you might even say the absolute opposite of strangers. But I'm trying to establish a theme here, people, so work with me.

So, who are these six (not) absolute strangers?

1. Me. Rebecca. The self nominated, unanimously ratified leader of this rag-tag band of castaways. I'm a thirty-something wife and mother of two. A former (and sometimes still) teacher, currently working as a travel agent specializing in what else? Indiana, the Hoosier State! The Crossroads of America! Gotcha, didn't I! (no, of course I didn't) Disney, of course is my real specialty, although Indiana is quite lovely and certainly worth a visit. I'm guessing.

2. My hubby. Scott. Great dad, all-around good guy, extremely supportive husband (he lets me do the Disney thing, doesn't he?), talented singer and guitar player, and general goofball.

3. DD age 9. Jenna. Straight A student, super sensitive and caring, (usually) very tolerant sister, HUGE Harry Potter fan, world's fastest reader and total good-girl rule follower (where she gets this, I have no idea).

4. DD age 6. Lucy. Adorable, affectionate, party animal. Amazing artist, beautiful singer, and total perfectionist. LOVES being the baby of the family, but she also adores babies and younger kids. So although I know she'd love to have a little bro or sis to take care of - she would not go quietly into that middle child role.

5. Nana. My mom. Super devoted grandmother, mom, sister, aunt, etc. Very silly, dorky (often embarassing) sense of humor. Total drama queen with absolutely NO pain tolerance. Slowest eater you've ever met.

6. Papa. My dad. A cross of Frank Zappa and Oscar the Grouch, yet some how surprisingly fun to vacation with. Strangely, he LOVES Disney and he's really the only one in the family that actually initiates "Disney Planning Discussions" with me.

If you want to know more about us and how this trip came to be, you can refer back to the beginning of my Pre-trip report here:
Now Approaching... Sleepingbooty's September Pre-trip Report

Up Next: The Plan of Attack

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I love the logo! Totally signing in to read along. We were there in Sept for our very first trip. I never got around to our trip report either.. Ooops!

We are, (okay...well, "I" am...) planning our next trip. I definitely caught the bug and I am so in love with DisneyWorld. XD

~Zara

Welcome Zara! September is such a great time to go, isn't it?!

joining in!

Hi Princess116, thanks for joining in!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

The Plan of Attack

In order to OUTPLAY and OUTLAST this week as castaways on the fantasy island that is WDW (sidenote: did anyone else watch Fantasy Island way back when? I loved that show as a kid! Being at WDW really does remind me a bit of that show. I just love that feeling of having been transported to an entirely separate, magical world!) we would first need to OUTPLAN! I am a firm believer that the PLAN is crucial to vacation success. And I do so love planning I enjoy it so much, I found myself a job doing it!

The PLAN began back in, hmmm January maybe? Although, of course I'd been mentally planning since our last trip in May of 2009. That one had been a real doozie. We had strayed from our typical pattern of vacationing at WDW in September when our kiddos are on fall break. Big Mistake. HUGE. Of course, May is typically a beautiful time of year in central Florida. We however, happened to have chosen the wettest week ever in the history of the world to be in Orlando. It was a total washout. Ponchos were a daily fashion accessory. I think my toes are still a bit pruney almost two years later. But, we had fun anyway. However, despite the fact that this would be a trip with an unprecedented amount of new experiences, we were NOT going to mess with success and try to travel at a different time. September it would be.

Naturally, I booked quite early, and then crossed my fingers and waited, and waited, and waited, for a fall special to come out. Boy, didn't that free dining deal come out late this year? We usually get that closer to the beginning of April, but this year I think it was mid-May before they released it.

Now, there are those who disagree, but I LOVE the free dining discount. We typically stay at the Moderate resorts, so it works out to save us more money off our total than a 35% room only code would (which we had at one point). I also fall in the camp that feels the dining plan is a good deal in general, so we typically buy it even if it isn't free. We've become accustomed to eating one table service meal each day while we are at Disney, and we spend more doing that out of pocket than the cost of the plan. And I DO so love not even bothering to look at the right hand side of the menu. THAT in and of itself is a vacation to me!

So here is the gist of our Plan of Attack:

• Fly into MCO on Friday, September 17th in the evening
• Stay at Caribbean Beach Resort 9/17 - 9/25
• 8 day base tickets for the parks
• 1 full day at Islands of Adventure (a surprise for the girls)
• 1 day at Typhoon Lagoon
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on Tuesday, 9/21
• ADRs at:
• Ohana
• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Le Cellier
• Chef Mickey's
• 1900 Park Fare
• 50's Prime Time
• Hoop De Doo Review

Up next: Episode 3: Getting There is Half the Fun

 

[glennbo123]

Woohoo! I'm in!

Thanks for writing this.

Great title! I know you Outplanned.

ETA: Yes, of course I watched "Fantasy Island". (Just a couple of years ago).

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey Glenn! I'm glad you're here - its all your fault I'm doing this, LOL

 

[glennbo123]

Hey Glenn! I'm glad you're here - its all your fault I'm doing this, LOL

Yay, I'm finally good for something!

 

[Zarabear]

Sept was really great, but the humidity really did a number on us. It gets hot here in Cali, but not NEARLY as humid. We are hoping to go back just after Thanksgiving for two weeks in nov/dec this year. I'm getting SO close to booking it and hoping against hope for a pin or free dining to come along. XD

Your family is beautiful! We went with my mom for our first trip, unfortunately my dad passed away in March last year. When we go back, it'll be just my little immediate family of 3. (Hubby, me, and kidlet ds8)

He actually turned 8 while we were there in the world, which was the biggest factor in planning the trip in Sept like we did. But I'm super excited to see the Christmas lights and decor and everything when we go back! (And check out the party, since we did MNSSHP last year. XD)

Can't wait to read more!

 

[iluvwdw5]

Count me in!!!! I think the same as you ... free dining can't be beat in my eyes & I LOVE PLANNING!!!! This is gonna be good Can't wait to read more!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay, I'm finally good for something!

That, and movie quotes!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Sept was really great, but the humidity really did a number on us. It gets hot here in Cali, but not NEARLY as humid. We are hoping to go back just after Thanksgiving for two weeks in nov/dec this year. I'm getting SO close to booking it and hoping against hope for a pin or free dining to come along. XD

Way humid! We are from the midwest, so totally used to it. Actually, I found it not to be very humid at all this september (at least the week we were there). Used to live in CA, so I know what you mean. I miss the weather there.

We are thinking of going after Thanksgiving this year as well!

Your family is beautiful! We went with my mom for our first trip, unfortunately my dad passed away in March last year. When we go back, it'll be just my little immediate family of 3. (Hubby, me, and kidlet ds8)

So sorry to hear that. I hope you enjoy the time with just your little unit.

He actually turned 8 while we were there in the world, which was the biggest factor in planning the trip in Sept like we did. But I'm super excited to see the Christmas lights and decor and everything when we go back! (And check out the party, since we did MNSSHP last year. XD)

Me too!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Count me in!!!! I think the same as you ... free dining can't be beat in my eyes & I LOVE PLANNING!!!! This is gonna be good Can't wait to read more!

Another reader, yay! Welcome to my TR! Free dining rocks!

 

[jenbear123]

Hey Rebecca! I'm here and subscribed! Will have to catch up tomorrow. You gotta let me in on how you make those fabulous picture links in your siggie!

 

[All7OfUs]

Wooooooohoooooooooooooooo, I think I made the top of page 2, where ALL the hip action REALLY is. I can't believe you've got 3 chapters up already; you move faster than me when I find a spider in the jacuzzi!!

 

[englishrose47]

Followed you over from Glenn's TR !! Going back to read!!

 

[englishrose47]

Okay I am caught up!! I do believe we must have been there the same week in May 2009 !! That was the year of the BIG Dis Meet !!! Like 50 of us met at Epcot !!!We were also there in Sept 2009!!! Man I think we better keep tabs on each other for the future !! Just don't tell Marv!!Luv Ya Marv

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey Rebecca! I'm here and subscribed! Will have to catch up tomorrow. You gotta let me in on how you make those fabulous picture links in your siggie!

Hey Jen! Cynthia's the expert on graphics - I need to find out how she makes hers flash back and forth between more than one picture. All I do is make a little piece of artwork and save it as a jpeg, load it up to Photobucket and then plug it in my signature. You get it to serve as a link the same way you do when you type words and use them as a link: select the img link and then click that little earth button. Is that what you were asking? Maybe I'm being dense...

Wooooooohoooooooooooooooo, I think I made the top of page 2, where ALL the hip action REALLY is. I can't believe you've got 3 chapters up already; you move faster than me when I find a spider in the jacuzzi!!

Yay! You made it! I figured I needed something to do to pass the time - I can't just sit here drumming my fingers waiting for your next update all day, LOL!

Followed you over from Glenn's TR !! Going back to read!!

Hi Rosie! Welcome welcome! I'm glad you headed over my way

 

[jenbear123]

Hey Jen! Cynthia's the expert on graphics - I need to find out how she makes hers flash back and forth between more than one picture. All I do is make a little piece of artwork and save it as a jpeg, load it up to Photobucket and then plug it in my signature. You get it to serve as a link the same way you do when you type words and use them as a link: select the img link and then click that little earth button. Is that what you were asking? Maybe I'm being dense...

You're not being dense. My question was more of how you make them i.e. photoshop, etc. For example, you're most recent one is of the Survivor logo but you were able to change the wording and everything. How did you do that?!?

And your Dad is like Frank Zappa?!?!?!? And well, being similar to Oscar the Grouch isn't straying too far from what Zappa was like anyway. I need to meet this man! Do/did you listen to any of his music? I'm a big fan if you haven't already guessed

Oh, and great start to the TR! I'm so happy you decided to write one. It's never too late! I've actually been considering writing one's from my trips two years ago. That might be pushing it though....