The Never-Ending-Anything-Goes PTR

[stephielela]

Welcome to another installment of the crazyness that is my Disney Obsession. I had plans to start this open ended PTR originally because I knew there would be at least one trip this year but I wasn't sure when. The only definite thing I had on the books was a cruise on the Dream in 2013, and not until October at that. I knew I would be attempting to attend an AEP (agent education program) offered to travel agents this year, as well as the Social Media Mom's conference that is held annually at WDW. What I didn't realize is another opportuinity would present itself, and soon.

Shortly before Christmas, Southwest Airlines ran this crazy 24 hour sale- 50% off fares on Jan 23,24 31 and February 1st. It took me a minute to do the math, but I soon realized if I was interested in booking it would either need to be a 6 day trip... or a 1 day trip. I got to talking with some of my fellow travel agents and realized one of them, Nikki (NikkiLovesWDW!) was arriving Feb 1st at WDW. Well, it also just so happens that my birthday is in January (the 13th to be exact) and what better birthday gift is there than a trip to WDW. Also there was a winter room only discount being offered. I ended up being crazy enough to book the flights, since I figured worst case scenario I could cancel the flights and use the credit for another trip. Then a few days later Southwest offered a few more dates at 50% off, so I was able to make my one day trip into a two day adventure!

Since this is such a quick trip, the TR portion will be posted here. And who knows, maybe by the time that trip is over, I will know when my next trip will be!

I am updating with chapter links for each mini TR to make things simpler...


WDW January/February
Arrival!
Dinner at Kona and Wishes from the Poly!
A glorious Epcot morning!
An Epic Meet, otherwise known as when Nikki and Stephanie drank themselves around the world!
Time to leave already??

DC Weekend (April)
Arrival and settling in...
Arlington
Wrap up pt 1
Wrap up pt 2

Universal Trip (June 27-30)
Getting there...
Winter Summerland
Winter Summerland continued
End of Day 1
Universal part 1
Universal part 2
Dinner and Islands
The Wizarding World!
Islands of Adventure
Universal wrap up
Breakfast and exploring
Art of Animation part 1
Art of Animation part 2
The end

 

[jedijill]

I'm in!

Jill in CO

 

[Dream426]

Joining

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

 

[stephielela]

I'm in!

Jill in CO

Joining

Welcome!!! I think this is the fastest I have ever gotten followers

 

[Leshaface]

Helllloooo!!

 

[jenseib]

 

[stephielela]

Helllloooo!!

Welcome! I see you came by for another round of my insanity!

 

[stephielela]

Some of this may already be public knowledge, as I posted about it in my previous TR, but for those of you that are new, here is the first step to any trip- picking dates!

So originally I was flying in 1/31 and turning around and flying back out 2/1, approximately 27 hours after landing. To be honest, I never really expected to keep that itinerary, I really just booked it because I was temporarily insane. After a few days Southwest took pity on me and released a second day of 50% of fares, and I was able to change my return date to 2/2. So now I have 48 hours on teh ground which may still seem crazy, but it really clicked for me. This way I can spend the whole day (2/1) at my favorite park!

To recap, official landing time is 3:25 pm on 1/31 and departure time is 3:25 pm on 2/2. Yes, that is exactly 48 hours.

 

[cogero]

okay I am in. Love Disney Obsessed travelers.

 

[stephielela]

okay I am in. Love Disney Obsessed travelers.

Welcome! Me too it makes me feel less crazy

 

[stephielela]

Alrighty, now where was I? Ah yes, arrival day! So my flight lands at MCO at 3:25 pm. Now despite the fact that I am going to be there for an extremely short time period, I have decided to check a bag. Why? Well there are a couple reasons.
1. I am flying my very favorite airline

With Southwest, bags fly free, so why not check one? This way I can put absolutely everything in it and just carry a purse on the plane. I have very few opportunities to travel light on planes, and every time I take a deep sigh of relief as I approach security, knowing it WON"T be a hassle for once!

2. Even though I am not bringing Jack (or telling him where I am going)

(I imagine this is the look I would get if I told him where I was going without him) I WILL be bringing him home a present (or two... or three...) to help ease that mommy guilt. I don't want to have to worry about space, especially since at least one souvenir will be Mr. PotatoHead accessories, which can get bulky.

Naturally since I am checking a bag, I will rely on my beloved Magical Express to deliver that bag to my resort. So I will skip off the plane, and head straight for the Magical Express, this time not loaded down with too much luggage (it is a LOOOONG walk after all) and hop onto the next available bus.

That Magical bus will then take me to my home away from home for two nights!

At this point, I haven't made any room requests. I don't think I really have much of a preference since i really won't be there long. I also do believe I will be utilizing online check in, since i haev no requests to worry about. This way if for some freaky reason there is a long line at regular check in, I can skip that and do the online check in line, which is sometimes, not always, shorter.

Since I will be arriving relatively late in the afternoon, I am sure my room will be ready. I imagine it will look something like this

Minus all the personal items anyways!

 

[stephielela]

Once I have checked out my room, and taken numerous pictures, I will leave for my first destination, Downtown Disney. Most likely I will not have eaten since breakfast, so my first stop will be...

I have never made it here at WDW. I have been to one in san Antonio, and it was delicious, so I am looking forward to getting lunch/dinner here. What is everyone's favorite sandwich? I don't remember which one I had before, but I do want to expand my horizons and try something different. In fact, that is the theme of my whole trip!

After I have refueled I will be ready to shop! My first stop will probably be

After all, I do have mommy guilt that needs easing! once i am done getting present(s) for Jack, I will just wander. I want to go into places I haven't been before, and surprisngly there are a lot of them!
I will definitely be stopping here

I will also be stopping in World of Disney for some child free browsing! Going into this store with Jack is bittersweet. He sees all kinds of things he wants, most of which I am not willing to buy. I will definitely enjoy some quiet shopping time.

Once I am done with DTD I have two plans to choose from
Plan A- proceed to the Polynesian and grab an adult beverage to enjoy while sitting on the beach to watch Wishes
Plan B- proceed to the Contemporary, more specifically California Grill to ahve a drink at the bar, maybe a light snack, and watch wishes.

Odds are the weather will be the deciding factor. If it's too chilly, or worse, raining I will head to CG. If it's mild and perfect I will head to Poly. Either way it will be spectacular, and afterwards I will head to MK to catch a bus "home"

 

[jenseib]

I have had the tuna and the Montague...both are very good.

 

[stephielela]

My biggest stumbling block to this trip is the ticket prices. I am lucky enough to have taken several short trips to WDW over the years, but unlucky enough that it never makes financial sense to purchase an AP. Which means i have to pay for tickets each and every time. I am super irritated that my one day ticket is costing more than a night at the resort. For that matter it costs more than a one way flight to Orlando! It is going to cost me $90.53 for a one day ticket.

Currently my reservation is a room only, I haven't added the park ticket to my reservation yet, simply because I like knowing if something comes up I can cancel at any time. Once I add the park ticket, it's converted to a package reservation and the full amount is due up front. Jack is having surgery next week, he is having his tonsils taken out, so once that's over and everything is back to normal I will go ahead and add the tickets and pay, but I wanted to keep my options open. Also I was hoping a coworker of mine who has some connections might be able to ehlp me out, but it doesn't appear that is going to pan out. Oh well, c'est la vie! At least I am only buying a one day ticket

 

[stephielela]

I have had the tuna and the Montague...both are very good.

Good to know Jen! I don't eat seafood, except for tuna salad. I'm sure that's wierd but whatever!

 

[stephielela]

After doing further research, I am REALLY leaning towards Plan A- heading to the Polynesian for a drink and fireworks. I was looking through online menus and discovered this:

Barefoot Pool Bar
Polynesian
Specialty Drinks $9.50 - Souvenir Cup Included
Frozen: Pina Colava, Orange Creamsicle, Mango Margarita
Rock: Captain's Mai Tai, Poolside Lemonade, Sunken Treasure

Sounds perfect to me! Plus I have never seen the fireworks from there, so in keeping with the theme of trying new things, I will be going this route unless it's made impossible by frigid temps, which I am seriously doubting (knocking on wood)

Then if I am still hungry I can stop by the food court at Pop and grab a snack!

 

[jenseib]

My sister is the same way, she only eats tuna.

I love how decided by the menu...not the food menu..the drink menu!

 

[stephielela]

My sister is the same way, she only eats tuna.

I love how decided by the menu...not the food menu..the drink menu!

I know! I actually had a really yummy drink at CG last year that I was interested in having again, but I really want to try all new things, and I have never been to Poly for Wishes... I'm sure that's the real reason I decided on plan A

 

[Leshaface]

Good to know Jen! I don't eat seafood, except for tuna salad. I'm sure that's wierd but whatever!

My mom does this too!

After doing further research, I am REALLY leaning towards Plan A- heading to the Polynesian for a drink and fireworks. I was looking through online menus and discovered this:

Barefoot Pool Bar
Polynesian
Specialty Drinks $9.50 - Souvenir Cup Included
Frozen: Pina Colava, Orange Creamsicle, Mango Margarita
Rock: Captain's Mai Tai, Poolside Lemonade, Sunken Treasure

Sounds perfect to me! Plus I have never seen the fireworks from there, so in keeping with the theme of trying new things, I will be going this route unless it's made impossible by frigid temps, which I am seriously doubting (knocking on wood)

Then if I am still hungry I can stop by the food court at Pop and grab a snack!

This plan sounds absolutely fabulous! The Polynesian, fireworks, and an adult beverage?!