"Honey, I want to see the Gin Blossoms. BTW it's at Epcot." Oct/Dec PTR -Update 11/30

[SAT887]

We watched Treasure Planet for movie night this week, and I really enjoyed it. I'd actually never even heard of it before. My Disney knowledge is apparently more deficient than I realized.

I'm probably going to jinx myself, but Luke has been sleeping so much better the last few days. We've started doing a bedtime routine which we never bothered with before because he was so easygoing, and now he still wakes up once around 3am but instead of picking him up I just lie him back down and hold his hand until he falls asleep which takes about five minutes. Much better than what we were doing before!

The sleeping through the night thing is wonderful... Zoey has always been an awesome sleeper, but Olive only around the year mark started doing the entire night through, and now if she wakes up she plays for a bit (Which has its creepy moments when you hear it in a half sleep over the baby monitor... Especially when they hum/sing...) and goes back to bed. It really is awesome - the only time she wakes upset it seems is growth spurts (which seem painful for her) and teething. Good luck! And I doubt you will jinx yourself!

Also - is it odd I have no idea who Dr Who is....?

 

[holleypie]

Also - is it odd I have no idea who Dr Who is....?

It's a long-running British sci-fi show. It's huge over there but I think it's been getting more popular in the US since they relaunched the series in 2005. I started watching it with Brian a few years ago. It's about an alien who travels through space and time with various companions in a police box that's bigger on the inside.

 

[Nemo32]

How cool you'll be there the day Fantasyland opens! And cool costumes.

 

[holleypie]

How cool you'll be there the day Fantasyland opens! And cool costumes.

Thanks! I'm so excited about our costumes.

 

[holleypie]

It's September, which means we're going on vacation NEXT MONTH!

I've been enjoying looking at pins in other people's trip reports, so I thought I'd post some pictures of our collections. Brian bought me my first Disney pin (cherries in the shape of a Mickey head) on our 2009 trip. But it wasn't until our 2010 trip that the pin buying and trading really got out of control.

I don't remember how it started (maybe Brian does) but pretty soon, Brian and Tom were stopping at EVERY SINGLE STORE AND PIN KIOSK while Tabby and I stood nearby growing impatient and rolling our eyes and eventually wandering off.

Before Tom and Tabby flew home (they were just with us for the first week of a two-week trip), Tom asked us to look out for a Jafer pin for him. So for the rest of the trip Brian and I stalked every pin-trading CM until we found the pin (and then found it again, because the first one we found was an obvious knock-off) And...it was fun!

As you can see, I mostly collect food, Winnie the Pooh characters, and Mickey heads.

Brian's collection is more eclectic, and a bit larger than mine. He has a lot of villains, Mickey in costumes, resort pins, and special event pins.

On our next trip(s), I'm hoping to find a few specific pins:

On our first trip I was SO THRILLED with the No Dancing warning signs on all the ride vehicles. When I read one of the Frump Reports and saw that it was a pin, I had to have it. I excitedly told Brian about it, and he said, "Yeah, I've been trying to find that one for awhile." OKAY THEN.

I have the Donald Duck one and it's so cute, I want the rest of the cupcake pins. It would probably be easier to just buy the whole set since it's still for sale, but it would be more fun to hunt them down and trade for all of them.

I don't really want to buy this whole set, but I would like to find a Duffy pin or two. I remember seeing a lot of them on CM lanyards, so I don't think this will be too hard to accomplish.

I wanted to buy this on our last trip but I didn't because it didn't match any of my collections. BUT I STILL WANT IT, so hopefully I can find it.

I know Brian's trying to find the other two Caballeros, and he also wants to get these:

Darkwing Duck!

Swampy.

Halloween Mickey.

And Halloween Minnie.

(see next post for Brian's response because his memory is better than mine)

 

[Reddog1134]

On our 2009 trip, I started buying the pins. I decided I was going to buy "Mickey as someone else" and I would get 2 pins per trip. So I went home with Mickey as Jack Sparrow and Jack Skellington.

In 2010 we went to Disneyland and I bought Jedi Mickey but didn't see any other "Mickey as" pins so I bought Steamboat Willy and expanded my collection to include Mickey in any costume. Later that year we went back to WDW and I scrapped my "2 per trip" plan and also started getting pins of favorite characters and resorts we stayed in.

In 2011, I realized I needed professional help.

 

[Imagineer5]

Aria has started waking in the middle of the night randomly...I blame you

Anyway, awesome pin collection! Love the Duffy bear ones! SO CUTE! I have so few it'd be silly to show you. LOL. I am thinking we might to vinylmation trading this trip though!

 

[Reddog1134]

Aria has started waking in the middle of the night randomly...I blame you

Anyway, awesome pin collection! Love the Duffy bear ones! SO CUTE! I have so few it'd be silly to show you. LOL. I am thinking we might to vinylmation trading this trip though!

I think the Vinylmations are cool but I haven't been moved enough to start collecting them.

But have you seen these? http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...w-mini-mousekeears-at-disney-parks-this-fall/

 

[holleypie]

Aria has started waking in the middle of the night randomly...I blame you

Anyway, awesome pin collection! Love the Duffy bear ones! SO CUTE! I have so few it'd be silly to show you. LOL. I am thinking we might to vinylmation trading this trip though!

Mwahahaha.

Some of the vinylmations I've seen are super cute, but I refuse to be sucked into collecting anything else. At least until I'm a millionaire.

 

[holleypie]

One month to go. Now I can start counting down the weeks! Days, even!

A few things:

1. We got our Magical Express documents in the mail this week. This is our first time ever using Magical Express, so it was extra exciting. I would post a thoroughly un-exciting picture, but my camera is either dead or playing possum (yet another thing I need to take care of before our trip).

2. We're getting premium annual passes! There's a bonus DVC discount where we'll get $300 off so it's actually going to be CHEAPER for us to get the premium passes instead of the regular annual passes. We definitely won't have time for any water parks or Disney Quest in October, but maybe we'll be able to take advantage of it in December. Also, there's a 20% merchandise discount, which I'm quite sure we'll take advantage of.

3. Halloween costumes are coming along nicely. I found a brown jacket, red scarf, and red gloves at the thrift store for a total of $12, I bought a purple shirt from Target for $5, and I found an "A" charm for my necklace at Michael's for about a dollar. I have pants I can wear if I don't find anything better between now and then, plus the free boots from my sister. So, for less than $20, my costume is pretty much finished. Brian didn't feel like going on a scavenger hunt for his costume, so he bought this:

Now we just have to deal with Luke. Brian had the idea that if I can't pull together a roman soldier costume, he could be a little baby astronaut. HOW CUTE would that be?

Pretty freaking cute. But my Amy costume is Pandorica Opens Amy, and not Impossible Astronaut Amy. That one would have been a lot simpler to pull together:

Hmm. I'll have to think about it.

4. The October hours just changed again, so we're moving our schedule around a little. Animal Kingdom is now open until 8pm on our first two nights, which were both Epcot nights so I could see Gin Blossoms and Survivor. Brian likes AK after dark, so I'm willing to sacrifice my second Epcot night, even though Eye of the Tiger is one of my favorite songs EVER. So instead of doing DHS that morning and Epcot that night, we're going to do Epcot in the AM (and we have our lunch ADR for Le Cellier) then AK in the PM. The next day we'll do DHS instead of AK.

5. I've lost another five pounds. Woo hoo! I still have 11 pounds to go until my goal weight, but I'm back in the "healthy" weight range.

6 . Since I've started working on the weekends, I haven't had time to run as many miles during my "long" runs as I should be at this point. I'm not confident I'll be able to run the whole marathon next month let alone PR, so I downgraded to the half. I certainly won't get a PR at the half either, but I'm hoping to run it at least 20 minutes faster than the half I did in June. I'm frustrated that I still can't run as fast as I used to, and that I don't have as much time to run, but oh well. I'll get there, eventually.

I just remembered I should probably request some time off work...so I'm going to go do that now.

 

[SAT887]

One month to go. Now I can start counting down the weeks! Days, even!

A few things:

1. We got our Magical Express documents in the mail this week. This is our first time ever using Magical Express, so it was extra exciting. I would post a thoroughly un-exciting picture, but my camera is either dead or playing possum (yet another thing I need to take care of before our trip).

2. We're getting premium annual passes! There's a bonus DVC discount where we'll get $300 off so it's actually going to be CHEAPER for us to get the premium passes instead of the regular annual passes. We definitely won't have time for any water parks or Disney Quest in October, but maybe we'll be able to take advantage of it in December. Also, there's a 20% merchandise discount, which I'm quite sure we'll take advantage of.

3. Halloween costumes are coming along nicely. I found a brown jacket, red scarf, and red gloves at the thrift store for a total of $12, I bought a purple shirt from Target for $5, and I found an "A" charm for my necklace at Michael's for about a dollar. I have pants I can wear if I don't find anything better between now and then, plus the free boots from my sister. So, for less than $20, my costume is pretty much finished. Brian didn't feel like going on a scavenger hunt for his costume, so he bought this:

Now we just have to deal with Luke. Brian had the idea that if I can't pull together a roman soldier costume, he could be a little baby astronaut. HOW CUTE would that be?

Pretty freaking cute. But my Amy costume is Pandorica Opens Amy, and not Impossible Astronaut Amy. That one would have been a lot simpler to pull together:

Hmm. I'll have to think about it.

4. The October hours just changed again, so we're moving our schedule around a little. Animal Kingdom is now open until 8pm on our first two nights, which were both Epcot nights so I could see Gin Blossoms and Survivor. Brian likes AK after dark, so I'm willing to sacrifice my second Epcot night, even though Eye of the Tiger is one of my favorite songs EVER. So instead of doing DHS that morning and Epcot that night, we're going to do Epcot in the AM (and we have our lunch ADR for Le Cellier) then AK in the PM. The next day we'll do DHS instead of AK.

5. I've lost another five pounds. Woo hoo! I still have 11 pounds to go until my goal weight, but I'm back in the "healthy" weight range.

6 . Since I've started working on the weekends, I haven't had time to run as many miles during my "long" runs as I should be at this point. I'm not confident I'll be able to run the whole marathon next month let alone PR, so I downgraded to the half. I certainly won't get a PR at the half either, but I'm hoping to run it at least 20 minutes faster than the half I did in June. I'm frustrated that I still can't run as fast as I used to, and that I don't have as much time to run, but oh well. I'll get there, eventually.

I just remembered I should probably request some time off work...so I'm going to go do that now.

The premium annual passes are an awesome deal! We are upgrading our tickets now. Do you k know where the 20% discount is applicable? I am trying to figure it all out so we make the most of our Disney Visa, AP and DVC discounts.

Also way to go on the weight loss and being so close! Good luck on the marathon training and I hope you get to the level you need to. It's hard with work, a child, and life always sidetracking you!

 

[Reddog1134]

Do you k know where the 20% discount is applicable?

Premium Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 20% discount and all other Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 10% discount on select merchandise purchases at Walt Disney World Resort owned and operated merchandise locations.

Discount is not accepted at Walt Disney World Resort Operating Participant locations, including but not limited to, China, Japan, and Morocco Pavilions at World Showcase in Epcot; Arribas Brothers, Basin®, Basin White, Cirque du Soleil®, Curl by Sammy Duvall, Ghirardelli® Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop, House of Blues®, Hoypoloi, LEGO Imagination Center®, Niki Bryan Spas, ORLANDO HARLEYDAVIDSON ®, Planet Hollywood®, Rainforest Café®, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Rubio Balloon Arts, SD Watersports, Sosa Family Cigars, LittleMissMatched, Sunglass Icon®, Surrey Bike Rentals, TRex ® Café, Wyland Galleries, The Disney Store, Disney's Character Premiere, Disney's Character Warehouse, and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of Walt Disney World® Resort.

Discount is not valid on purchases of ticket media, gift certificates, Disney Gift Cards, videos, DVD's and CD's, Disney Dollars, sundries, periodicals, digital and video cameras, disposable cameras, film, consumer electronics (e.g., CD players, TV's, DVD players), tobacco, alcohol, in-Park balloon vendors, Add-a-Dollar (Wildlife Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECV), all Titleist®, Cobra® and Footjoy® golf equipment, National branded fragrances, treatments and cosmetics, personalization, imaging and Disney's PhotoPass products, select collectible originals (including one-of-a-kind art; Disneybranded original art; celebrity memorabilia; framed Disney Dollars, Disney Gift Cards or ticket media; Artist Sketch Program (original art); Artisan Watch Program (watches); handmade items (products physically touched by an artist/vendor), but not exclusive to stained glass, paper art and sculptures, mosaics, ceramics and Artist signed vinylmation), special orders, and select merchandise. May not be combined with any other discount, offer or promotion.

Discount is for personal use only and may not be used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise. Not valid on previous purchase. A valid Passholder ID and valid government issued photo ID must be presented at time of purchase to receive discount.

 

[holleypie]

Premium Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 20% discount and all other Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 10% discount on select merchandise purchases at Walt Disney World Resort owned and operated merchandise locations.

Discount is not accepted at Walt Disney World Resort Operating Participant locations, including but not limited to, China, Japan, and Morocco Pavilions at World Showcase in Epcot; Arribas Brothers, Basin®, Basin White, Cirque du Soleil®, Curl by Sammy Duvall, Ghirardelli® Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop, House of Blues®, Hoypoloi, LEGO Imagination Center®, Niki Bryan Spas, ORLANDO HARLEYDAVIDSON ®, Planet Hollywood®, Rainforest Café®, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Rubio Balloon Arts, SD Watersports, Sosa Family Cigars, LittleMissMatched, Sunglass Icon®, Surrey Bike Rentals, TRex ® Café, Wyland Galleries, The Disney Store, Disney's Character Premiere, Disney's Character Warehouse, and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of Walt Disney World® Resort.

Discount is not valid on purchases of ticket media, gift certificates, Disney Gift Cards, videos, DVD's and CD's, Disney Dollars, sundries, periodicals, digital and video cameras, disposable cameras, film, consumer electronics (e.g., CD players, TV's, DVD players), tobacco, alcohol, in-Park balloon vendors, Add-a-Dollar (Wildlife Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECV), all Titleist®, Cobra® and Footjoy® golf equipment, National branded fragrances, treatments and cosmetics, personalization, imaging and Disney's PhotoPass products, select collectible originals (including one-of-a-kind art; Disneybranded original art; celebrity memorabilia; framed Disney Dollars, Disney Gift Cards or ticket media; Artist Sketch Program (original art); Artisan Watch Program (watches); handmade items (products physically touched by an artist/vendor), but not exclusive to stained glass, paper art and sculptures, mosaics, ceramics and Artist signed vinylmation), special orders, and select merchandise. May not be combined with any other discount, offer or promotion.

Discount is for personal use only and may not be used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise. Not valid on previous purchase. A valid Passholder ID and valid government issued photo ID must be presented at time of purchase to receive discount.

So WHERE is the 20% discount applicable?

This reminds me of the 40% off coupons we get for Babies R Us with the page-long list of everything in the store we can't use it on.

 

[SAT887]

So WHERE is the 20% discount applicable?

This reminds me of the 40% off coupons we get for Babies R Us with the page-long list of everything in the store we can't use it on.

I am with you on those BRU coupons too... Not valid on diapers, formula, medela, anything nice, anything expensive, any you want or need... But I am valid on that the junky $2 toy that has already been pre chewed by some other child!

 

[Imagineer5]

Awesome about your PAPs!! Jealous! LOVE your costumes and the astronaut is SO CUTE! Maybe a little warm though?

October hours changed? Where have I been? UGH! I need to go check this out!

 

[holleypie]

Awesome about your PAPs!! Jealous! LOVE your costumes and the astronaut is SO CUTE! Maybe a little warm though?

Thanks! I did order the astronaut costume but it hasn't come yet so I'm not sure how thick the material is. If it's too warm for the party he should at least be able to wear it on Halloween.

 

[Reddog1134]

Today is the day we can do online check-in. Most people say it reduces your wait at check in but I've never had it take more than a few minutes.

I don't normally do it but for some reason I was excited about it this time. I figured I would put in a request for the Grandstand section. Of course, today is the day their computers are down for scheduled maintenance.

 

[holleypie]

We're leaving this week! I feel like the next four days are going to fly by. I still have to finish packing and try to get my house in order (I love coming home to a clean house!) I didn't have a lot of free time this weekend, between my race on Saturday and the SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY on Sunday.

I think I already mentioned that I downgraded from the full marathon to the half because I wasn't getting all my training miles in--and I'm so, so, so, so, so happy that I did. My most frequent thoughts during the race were, "this is so much easier without the jogging stroller" and "I am so happy I am not running 26.2 miles today." I felt really good through the whole race, except during the one walk break I had to take around mile 10 because I had an awful cramp in my stomach and I thought I was going to die. (it lasted three entire minutes). My time was 16 minutes faster than my half marathon in June, but I was pretty disappointed because I had really felt like I'd knocked at least 20 minutes off. I didn't wear a watch and none of the half marathon time clocks were working, so I had no idea what my time was until I got home and looked it up online. Honestly, considering how many training runs I missed, I actually did a pretty good job.

And the party! Brian's birthday is today and it's a nice round number so I thought it would be fun to have a surprise party for him. The new addition to our house isn't even finished yet but our dads managed to get it in decent enough shape for the party, and my mom used to work in catering so she knows how to throw a party and she helped a ton.

We did a zombie theme and we all dressed up, so it was incredibly disgusting and fun. After this party, I'm not really concerned about Luke being afraid of costumed characters. If he'll reach for my mom when she's covered in flesh wounds with a screwdriver sticking through her face and dripping with blood, then I don't think he's going to have an issue with Mickey Mouse.

Unfortunately all of the good pictures are on my mom's camera, but you can feast your eyes on the cake and cupcakes:

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats on the race! Very impressive.

Have a great trip! Looking forward to reading all about it.

 

[krb2g]

I just wanted to chime in about Hilton Head--that's our family's regular vacation spot (but we don't stay at the Disney part). Mellow mushroom is good--thick crusts and lots of toppings options (and good things like feta and artichoke hearts). They're a chain pizza place, but not all over the place (I think mostly southeast, although I think there's at least one in Colorado too). We've also enjoyed Skull Creek Boathouse (good seafood, not sure about the vegetarian options). If it's too cold for the beach, there's a lighthouse you can climb in Sea Pines (it's a few dollars a person now--used to be free!)--Sea Pines also costs to get in (I think it's $5/car/day), but some restaurants will validate/repay you that cost if you eat there. Or you can rent kayaks or a pontoon boat (lots of good boating) or bikes--there are fantastic trails all over the island, and many are entirely separate from the road (you still have to cross some intersections, but fewer worries about a careless driver swerving into you). We went one year in December and it was really too cold to spend much time in the ocean, but we still had a fantastic trip.

We also do the Baltimore (well Westminster) to HH drive in one day--we used to go partway one night and then spend the night in a motel and then do the rest the next day, but we found that by getting up early and going in one shot you spend less time sitting in traffic (and you save the cost of that hotel room...).