"These trips, they popped out of the snow. . . LIKE DAISIES!!!" *2nd trip update

Xclusive2WDW

Disney is a lifestyle!
Joined
Sep 20, 2012
"Did you see those Huns?? They popped out of the snow! Like daisies!"
-Mushu


Well this is my very first PTR and I decided to make it one PTR where I will put all of the PTR's for this year. Why? Well you'll have to stick around for that story! ;)


First, let me say thank you to any and all of you who may join in. The PTR's, TR's and DR's on the DIS play a very important role in bringing these Disney dreams of mine to life Let's get on with the story and plans then, shall we?


All of last year, I had been unemployed and it was truly getting on my nerves. While I won't give my exact age, I am not that old (no seriously, I'm not even officially MID-20's, at least not for a few more months :lmao:) BUT I have been working since age 13. Needless to say this whole jobless situation was a little new to me. So as the months rolled by, my figure started to roll along with it (double stuff Oreo's became my friend AND enemy), as I traded in suits for sweats and sweats for sweets. (Yeah depression was starting to sink in BIG time :sad2:) So one day I decided I would try to stay out of this funk (and IN my jeans) by listening to my inner Tink :tink: and thinking of my happy place :wizard: I started to plan a trip to Disney World. So there I was no job, not going back to school until the Winter, nothing to do but plan a Disney trip! Oh yeah this was a recipe for success. Now, considering that by the time I was 9, I knew the layout of Disney World better than my neighborhood, it's not like I needed a whole lot of planning time. BUT I am a planner, I mean that's what i do. Add that to being slightly, ummm, shall we say excited *cough* fanatical *cough* about all things Disney World and well, couch meet potato! I was glued to my WDW planning CD (I just watch it to get in the spirit, they don't have one tip that I don't already know OR can't find on the DIS of course ;)), Netflix and YouTube for all TV specials on Disney Parks and resorts AND of course when I found *drumroll please* THE DISboards:banana: I had three notebooks that contained everything from hotel pricing of all hotels I was interested in, all dates, all historical discounts for which I may qualify. . . basically, I ought to apply to Disney's IT department, because I could get that website rolling with all the info I have. IJS

So first, I planned a trip for hunny and I in November, 4 days at WDW, 2 days at Uni and 2 days for travel. . . oh how those plans changed :rolleyes1

Then, I decided on one with hunny and I plus the munchkins (there's two of em, perhaps you will meet them later, hmmm :rolleyes1 )

And then, my mom. My mom enjoys Disney, I mean, we used to go every year (hence my love *cough* obsession *cough*) for WDW, but that was more because of my dad. It was my grandma on my dad's side that absolutely LOVED Disney World :cloud9: and would take the family every year, sometimes more than once. Well Miss Mommy threw a monkey wrench in my plans when she informed me that she wanted to get away for Christmas:santa: I mentioned the Christmas trip they took me on when I was 2 and how much she enjoyed it (NOT) with all the heat and crowds, oh, and the two year old they brought to see Mickey who refused to allow Mickey to get within 5 feet of her :rolleyes1 (hey, what can I say, as long as he was at a distance I loved him, but up close? c'mon. How many two year old's do YOU know with a fondness of over-sized rodents in their face? I didn't think so.) Now, even though I have heard this story a zillion times over my twenty-something years, and every time it was chocked full of "ugh the heat, oh the people, my goodness the MONEY :scared1:" Miss Mommy, alllllllll of a sudden has "fond" memories of the trip. "Oh I enjoyed it, the crowds were fine with me, time well spent." Say what?! "You mean, you enjoyed Disney in December, you would even want to go back?" Huh? Since when? What changed? Oh, nevermind :headache: Since I knew we would not be going the next Christmas (2012) I did the natural thing and began planning a "Surprise X-mas 2013 Disney trip" for Miss Mommy. (Part of the surprise was how the heck it would happen :lmao:)

So there I was 3 Disney trips, planned, priced and prepped for. I was ready :cool1: Waaaaiiiit a minute, oh yeah, a job, still needed that. . . :sad2: darn, so close but yet. . . well now THIS my friends is where the plot get's thicker (and better:thumbsup2)

I had been planning, but still job searching and getting ready for my classes to start. If I got one more "This position has been removed/filled/sent to the moon" letter i was going to scream!!! I had two positions for which I had a pretty great chance of getting, but the companies had to hold off on hiring (you know end of the year stuff) so I wait. . . and plan. . . and wait. . . and obsess. . . and get financial aid. . . and :idea: HEY, nah. . . and wait and FINALLY, well nothing really. Nothing BUT a few magical phone calls pixiedust:
A lot of things started coming together financially for me. PLUS Hunny is an artist, and he got a few HUGE opportunities. AND THEN Miss Mommy, that FABULOUS woman who birthed me, informed me of a conference for a organization which we are both alumni of, and that she could use my help and the conference is. . . oh yeah, in DISNEY WORLD!!!:wizard:
Thanks to God:worship:, I went from dreaming of 1 possible, per chance, somewhere-over-the-rainbow trip, to 4, count em FOUR trips :dance3:to WDW!!!

Will I make them all? Will I add a few?! Will Disney revoke my PAP for over use?!! We will wait and see, because the possibilities are mind blowing at the moment :yay:


So saddle up your cow, grab your lucky cricket, AND STRUT!!! (Please tell me my family is not the only one that uses Mulan references in everyday life) :cool1:
 
Welcome to my May 2013 PTR!!! :cool1:
(WARNING!!! The lack of pictures may result in the slight over use of smilies. I apologize in advance. Continue. . .)
I am very excited to share this trip with my DIS family and I hope to meet some new friends. I have read many of your PTR's and TR's and have gained a TON of knowledge from many of you. I hope that I may be able to help someone as you all have helped me. I must admit, I tend to be a lurker on most PTR's, TR's and DR's. I am working on that. The thing is, sometimes I am going back and reading through people's old TR's and then the new ones so I feel a little weird commenting so late. So now, with that admission of guilt :blush: let me say. . . feel FREE and encouraged to stop by and say hi! :laughing: (I know, the nerve).

On to why we are here (hello, hello, someone is out there with me right?) This trip is the latest of many planned trips for 2013/2014. As I explained in the previous post, to get out my unemployed funk, I started to not only dream, but actually plan trips to Disney. I had 3 trips planned out when I received a invite to go to a conference with my mom. She had me look up the location and low and behold it is in May. BUT WAIT :eek: I already planned a surprise trip for my mom for December. How am I going to surprise her when we have already gone? I had to think fast. I decided to do the only thing i could, force myself to allow her to drag me to Disney TWICE :rotfl:argh, what a horrible mommy she is :lmao:But seriously, with some quick thinking and number crunching I put together a two part plan that not only ends up saving me money, but freeing up so more time to relax.

After I hung up with my mom, I emailed her back 30 minutes later with a complete budget, itinerary and a few ADR's. She alleged I was obsessed, I countered that I was incited, by HER, therefore making her a co-conspirator ::yes:: open and shut case.


The defendant: Me and the accomplice: Miss Mommy (her nickname for this trip)

The Time: May 8-12

The Location: Swan @ WDW

The crime: We are still deciding on tickets for her. I know we will be doing one day at Universal as she loves Universal:sad2:. Don't get me wrong, I like Universal, but I :love: Disney!!! I will be upgrading whatever tickets I get to a Premium Annual Pass :cool1: in preparation for my trips later in the year. We will not be renting a car and as we are with a conference @ the Swan, there will be no DDP (not really a biggie as we have never used the DDP).

I have made ADR's for Olivia's, as i have heard rave reviews of the food. My mom loves good Key Lime Pie which I heard they do pretty well here as well; Mama Melrose with the Fantasmic! pkg; Boma and Sanaa.
I am looking to book the Wishes Dessert party as well as my mom loves all desserts, in fact, she is a bit of a dessert snob. I am also hoping and praying for a Dinner spot at BOG. I found out about this trip too late to try and reserve at the 180 day mark, so I am hoping for some pixie dust as I stalk the reservation lines and threads.

I have put together a rough draft of an itinerary, however I know it will change. 1. I still need more details from the conference which won't be available until March probably (no, they have no concept of Disney time and the need to make ADR's and proper touring plans). I know my mom likes to relax and I as a commando like to maximize my time, so far I seem to have found a somewhat happy medium, but I have not run it by my mom yet for approval.

The Surprise!!!: I originally planned a surprise trip in December for my mom, which I figured I would surprise her with on Mother's Day. I was not going to tell her the location of the trip, just tell her the dates and a few minor details to ensure she would come. Since we will now be in the surprise destination on mother's day, I have planned a few "extra" activities throughout this trip (Fantasmic!, Dessert Party) and then I will present her with a all expense paid trip to a "Tropical Destination in December" on mother's day while we are at lunch. pixiedust: I had thought of staying at the Poly in December, that way I could tell her at the airport "Were going to Hawaii w/ a layover in FL" and not be a liar :lmao:Then I saw the royal rooms at POR and thought she would like it there (she loves water). Now that we are going in May first, I thought perhaps I would try to find out what resort she would want to stay at (Poly was a favorite growing up as were often across the "street" at SOG). I don't want to be obvious however amd ruin the Dec surprise. Any ideas :confused3

That's about all for now. I will post as more details are finalized and bail is set :rotfl2:I know I am going to put together a binder to record things about this trip and then come home and put together a scrapbook for my mom and I. I have found a lot of good ideas around the web and especially on the DIS. Since I have a tough BIO class this semester I am trying to go with a nice simple/ easy book to put together. As that comes together I promise I will post pics.
Thanks for coming along for the ride, let me know your thoughts :goodvibes

 
Hello fellow Commando! :cool2:

I surely don't envy the unemployment part, that is a terrible situation :worried: that I hope you'll get out off soon! :thumbsup2

But I sure envy your planning of 4 trips in a single year! :worship:

I've been planning our trip (to which we will finally take off in a week! :cool1:) for most of last year and it has been 5 years since my last disney trip!

I can't wait to know more about the other 3 trips and right now I can't think of any brilliant ideas for your surprise to your Miss Mommy but maybe I can come up with something while there! ;)
 


Hello fellow Commando! :cool2:

I surely don't envy the unemployment part, that is a terrible situation :worried: that I hope you'll get out off soon! :thumbsup2

But I sure envy your planning of 4 trips in a single year! :worship:

I've been planning our trip (to which we will finally take off in a week! :cool1:) for most of last year and it has been 5 years since my last disney trip!

I can't wait to know more about the other 3 trips and right now I can't think of any brilliant ideas for your surprise to your Miss Mommy but maybe I can come up with something while there! ;)

Hello there Redoschi :wave2: and :welcome:Of course it would be a commando member to post on here first and my brother commando to boot (I call you that because our member numbers are right behind each other as we joined at the same). Thanks for the well wishes. I have to thank God, because He is the reason I am able to have these opportunities even without a job. I am hopeful that one will come when I need it :goodvibes In the meantime, I'll go to Disney World :rotfl2:

Yeah I have been MIA from WDW for 5 years as well, so I understand. I even had a trip in 2010 that I had to cancel :sad2:. You and your In-laws and DF are going to have such a blast!

I just have to figure out a way to find out which resort she is completely in love with, without giving the Dec trip away. I think between the inherent ability to be sneaky as her kid and the help of my fellow DISer's, I can pull it off:lmao:

I will be subbing for your TR, the plans in your PTR look way too awesome for me to miss the fun! Enjoy your trip!!!:goodvibes
 
I remember when this was just a dream you had, now it's becoming a reality, I always felt If you are one with Disney, Disney will be one with you:goodvibes, I do believe the Pixie Dust has been sent your waypixiedust:

See that, When you wish upon a star, and your heart is in your dreams, your dreams come true:goodvibes (That's the super short version of the song:lmao:) But if you see the Dapper Dan's see if they will sing it to you, it will be your lifelong Disney spark:thumbsup2
 
Hello there Redoschi :wave2: and :welcome:Of course it would be a commando member to post on here first and my brother commando to boot (I call you that because our member numbers are right behind each other as we joined at the same). Thanks for the well wishes. I have to thank God, because He is the reason I am able to have these opportunities even without a job. I am hopeful that one will come when I need it :goodvibes In the meantime, I'll go to Disney World :rotfl2:

Yeah I have been MIA from WDW for 5 years as well, so I understand. I even had a trip in 2010 that I had to cancel :sad2:. You and your In-laws and DF are going to have such a blast!

I just have to figure out a way to find out which resort she is completely in love with, without giving the Dec trip away. I think between the inherent ability to be sneaky as her kid and the help of my fellow DISer's, I can pull it off:lmao:

I will be subbing for your TR, the plans in your PTR look way too awesome for me to miss the fun! Enjoy your trip!!!:goodvibes

Thank you for the well wishes! :goodvibes

As for this PTR, I got front row seats! popcorn::
 


I just noticed you are staying at The Swan & Dolphin home to my ALL TIME FAVORITE restaurant on Disney Property:thumbsup2
 
LOVE IT!!!!!- I'm going to be with you the whole way...(and then met up with you in Dec)
 
I remember when this was just a dream you had, now it's becoming a reality, I always felt If you are one with Disney, Disney will be one with you:goodvibes, I do believe the Pixie Dust has been sent your waypixiedust:

See that, When you wish upon a star, and your heart is in your dreams, your dreams come true:goodvibes (That's the super short version of the song:lmao:) But if you see the Dapper Dan's see if they will sing it to you, it will be your lifelong Disney spark:thumbsup2

:welcome: Commander!!! I believe tons of pixie dust has been bestowed upon me as well and I am truly grateful:goodvibes I like the super short version of "Wish upon a star" (although I am excited to see the full version while eating yummy desserts) Because of you commander, I am going to seek out the Dapper Dans, either in May or Nov. I hope May as I think my mom would get a kick out of them.

Thank you for the well wishes! :goodvibes

As for this PTR, I got front row seats! popcorn::
Of course, a Disney trip is a worthwhile trip:thumbsup2 I will be continuing shortly. I just started classes yesterday so after tonight's class I am back on :surfweb:

I just noticed you are staying at The Swan & Dolphin home to my ALL TIME FAVORITE restaurant on Disney Property:thumbsup2

Ok, see your ahead of the game. While I am still unsure if I will make it to Shula's, I was definitely going to take a pic of your beloved steak house. The more I think on it tho, the more I really need to go ahead and incorporate it into our schedule. Have you had their Key Lime pie? I have to get my mom a good slice of that while were there.

LOVE IT!!!!!- I'm going to be with you the whole way...(and then met up with you in Dec)

:welcome:Yay MaMudduck's here!!! I am so looking forward to our Dismeet in Dec. Thanks for coming along!
 
:welcome: Commander!!! I believe tons of pixie dust has been bestowed upon me as well and I am truly grateful:goodvibes I like the super short version of "Wish upon a star" (although I am excited to see the full version while eating yummy desserts) Because of you commander, I am going to seek out the Dapper Dans, either in May or Nov. I hope May as I think my mom would get a kick out of them.

The best place to find them would be on the back of the Horse Drawn Trolly early in the morning, plus you would get two for one, The Dapper Dans singing and a ride in class to the castle:thumbsup2



Ok, see your ahead of the game. While I am still unsure if I will make it to Shula's, I was definitely going to take a pic of your beloved steak house. The more I think on it tho, the more I really need to go ahead and incorporate it into our schedule. Have you had their Key Lime pie? I have to get my mom a good slice of that while were there.

Never had the Key Lime pie, but after eating a loaf of fresh baked bread, a wedge salad, 32oz prime rib (no bone) and 2 steak house portion sides, Dessert was the furthest thing from my mind, I wonder if anyone actually orders dessert:confused3 all I know is that I gained over 3 lbs at that dinner, I rolled out of there but the rest of the night we didn't even stop for snacks, that made for great touring, thinking about it I don't think I had breakfast the next day either:rotfl2:
 
Loving your PTR :goodvibes

:welcome: I am so happy your enjoying it. I will have a new installment soon so I hope you stick around (I hope it continues to be interesting :lmao:) I just made some ADR's so I am excited about that:thumbsup2

Never had the Key Lime pie, but after eating a loaf of fresh baked bread, a wedge salad, 32oz prime rib (no bone) and 2 steak house portion sides, Dessert was the furthest thing from my mind, I wonder if anyone actually orders dessert:confused3 all I know is that I gained over 3 lbs at that dinner, I rolled out of there but the rest of the night we didn't even stop for snacks, that made for great touring, thinking about it I don't think I had breakfast the next day either:rotfl2:

:eek: Well I would guess you would (and should) be too full after all that. The thing is I KNOW it was worth every gut busting bite:rotfl2: I will have to go look for some reviews of their pie. I read that they have it. Actually after reading about that wedge salad :scratchin. . . Yeah I have to go now (and stalk all DR's mentioning Shula's).
 
Ok, so I have been going meticulously over my plans. . . well, at least I have tried between my busy school schedule. I am enjoying my classes, but this degree is really cutting into my DIS time :lmao:

So far this is what the plan is looking like, but due to mom's lack of desire to be a commando, this is VERY tentative.

Day 1: Arrival
Lunch @ Wolfgang Puck Express
D Dinner @ Olivias Café booked



Day 2: AK/MK
Breakfast @ Boma booked and/or Lunch @ Flame Tree BBQ
7p.m. Dinner @ Be Our Guest
8:45p.m. Wishes Dessert Party



Day 3: HS/Epcot- PM EMH
Snacks @ Epcot F&G food booths
Dinner @ Fantasmic! pkg Mama Melrose booked


Day 4: Universal
Breakfast from Boardwalk Bakery
Lunch @ Mythos or Finnegans
Dinner on CityWalk


Day 5: Departure
Church

Breakfast @ Kona booked or Brunch @ House of Blues booked or Lunch @ Sanaa booked or Lunch from Earl-of- Sandwich

Now, this may not seem too busy, but we do have actual work to do :lmao:Not much, but still some. I also know we will be going shopping (guess that wasn't too shocking "two women want to go shopping, wow :scared1: never would have guessed that would ya?"). The conference schedule is out and it's not to difficult to work around which is cool. I also, still have to get a few more reservations as I started late I am behind with getting one for the oh-so-popular BOG. I am sure it will all work out though. ***Update: The full schedule is out now and we will have a late start on Day 3 so I changed our Fantasmic pkg to a late lunch since we will be going to the booths that are at the Flower and Garden festival.***


Welp, that's all for now, I will start on PTR details for the Nov trip tomorrow (posting the details that is, I have them written down several times already in my planners, lol). I am excited to see you all's suggestions on that trip as it is action PACKED:thumbsup2
 
This update is brought to you thanks to the Disney Food Blog :worship:

So, the Disney Food Blog has posted that there will be these new "Marketplaces" in WS during this years F&G festival. There will be some awesome food offerings including a Dole Whip with a *drumroll please* SPICED RUM FLOATER:woohoo:!!! I am extremely excited about this. I typically don't drink in front of mom although I am of legal drinking age and have been for a few years:lmao:but I am getting one of those bad boys!

This May trip just turned into a mini food and wine trip super exciting. So yes this update is short and sweet VERY sweet. Sweet with thoughts of Shrimp and Grits and Watermelon Salad and Heirloom Tomato Salad and Fruit Slushies and oohhh I'm just soooo excited. :yay:



 
A couple tips for Olivia's & Boma's

- Olivia's we enjoyed the food, but the bus ride is LONG, you actually pass Olivia's and make all the stops in Key West before the bus stops at Olivia's, once you pass it, it's about 15 minutes and like 4 or 5 stops before you actually get there, so give yourself a little extra time:thumbsup2

- Boma's, get there about 45 mins early and explore the grounds and check out the animals, also there are more animals past the pool:thumbsup2
 
A couple tips for Olivia's & Boma's

- Olivia's we enjoyed the food, but the bus ride is LONG, you actually pass Olivia's and make all the stops in Key West before the bus stops at Olivia's, once you pass it, it's about 15 minutes and like 4 or 5 stops before you actually get there, so give yourself a little extra time:thumbsup2

- Boma's, get there about 45 mins early and explore the grounds and check out the animals, also there are more animals past the pool:thumbsup2

Thank you, yes I really want her to get some Animal viewing time. I had no idea about Olivia's so that's a great tip. They pass it and then return? :confused3
 
Thank you, yes I really want her to get some Animal viewing time. I had no idea about Olivia's so that's a great tip. They pass it and then return? :confused3

The last time I was at Olivia's was Dec 2010, I don't know if they changed the route since then, but it kinda makes sense, since OKW is huge and the pool is near Olivia's they probably hit all the stops since some guests might want to go to dinner or hit the pool:confused3
 
Hey everybody, sorry no updates. I have had the flu this past week. Mix that with school and I have just not had the brain power to plan like I would want to. My brain is functioning enough to rock a 4.0 though :woohoo: I have taken a few moments tonight to tinker with the touring plans for the May trip. I will see how they turn out and post some stuff soon as I can. Hope everyone is well! Stay healthy and safe out there guys! :goodvibes
 
Mini update here:
The conference released dates that certain park tours are going to take place and the 2 Universal days are both kind of odd, IMHO. The prices are pretty cheap though so that's a plus. Another good thing is that the Disney park hopper tickets are a minimum of 2 days so I will definitely get my mom to do 3 days of parks (2 WDW, 1 Universal):cool1: The thing is, I have to change around some of my days plans but I won't find out which ones to change until I make a call to find out the specifics. Sooo as of now here are the days that get to stay. . .

Day 1: Dinner can stay the same
Day 3: Day stay's the same
Day 5: Day stays the same

While I don't know how the other days are going to change, it helps me better plan a few Disney ressies as well as the shopping day. Sorry that this update is so boring. I will update with the new plans sometime this week:goodvibes
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!






Top