I must be crazy! - An October-November 2016 Solo PTR - Update 10/9 2 Weeks to Go - That's a Wrap

[SnowWhiteOz]

Hey! Why I... I never... I mean, really....





Well.... Yeah... that's true.

It's only because I know you can handle it right?

But doesn't that automatically make you use a park day?

As long as you enter after 4pm it uses you're Party ticket. But to be super safe I'd just use the hard copy party ticket to enter

Good! Glad you got what you wanted.
I didn't have as much luck with my last minute picks.

What did you miss out on? The only things I couldn't get were attractions that were closed for refurb.

I should think of planning a trip with more than just a few weeks notice.

Then you could join my obsessive planning club.

Coming up fast!

It's legitimately scary to think I started planning this almost a year ago. Should we have a PTR birthday party?

Very curious to see which one you like best. Plus... really anything on HHN since I've never done that one.

They're so different I can see liking them for different reasons. I mean HHN is scary and all that that but MNSSHP has candy....

Of course.

I keep reading other people's PTRs/TRs and they're eating all these good things and I want to try them too...

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I'm 18 days away today and it still feels like a lifetime lol it'll feel like forever until like the weekend before we leave when I'm running around like crazy with all the last minute things that need to get done!

I'm trying to be better planned this trip but I know I'll be doing the same thing!

Yes, we will definitely have to compare notes! I'm interested to see the difference in crowd levels thoughout October. I know what was once the "slow season" is no more, but we just love going in the fall so I'd be interested to see when the best time in October will be!

I was listening to something the other day and basically they were saying Disney has no slow time anymore - but that Universal still follows the old pattern of being more quite when kids are in school.

Girl, if I was traveling solo I'd over-OVER-plan as well. I really admire your ability to do it, idk if I could bring myself to travel alone.

I pretty much only travel alone nowadays - I'm just too independent! Plus I'm a people pleaser so if I go with other people I end up doing all the things they want to do and end up secretly resenting them!

Maybe pick up a second MNSSHP ticket and wear both of them!

Don't tempt me! Unfortunately they're just a little too expensive to do that - and I think I've run out of days to fit it in even if I wanted to.

Haha it's always fun when @pkondz is in the mix!!

He is the life of the party...

P.S. We basically have the same FP+ schedule along with everything else that were doing the same

As I was saying to @pkondz - there's not a lot of choices when it comes to FP (outside of MK) so I can see how people end up with similar plans.

I can't wait to hear how the start of F&W goes!! I've perused the menus but I'm interested to hear actual feedback as well!!! Oh btw I did laugh when I saw that the representation from Australia was lamb covered in potatoe chips... Because that's what I think of when I think Australia! Not really... Maybe you can enlighten us in that aspect? Since I literally know nothing about Australia and their cuisine.

Well lamb is very Australian - but I've never seen it served with potato chips. It's more traditional to do a roast lamb with mint sauce and veggie - like this

In terms of cuisine - Australia is very varied - we're an extremely multicultural society so there are lots of options but no one thing that really define Australia.

I'd say BBQ but that's completely different to BBQ in the states. I'm talking prawns (shrimp), steak and burgers on a grill rather than Texas style BBQ.

 

[pkondz]

It's only because I know you can handle it right?

Right!

<cries on the inside>

I will make no effort. I shall sit.

As long as you enter after 4pm it uses you're Party ticket. But to be super safe I'd just use the hard copy party ticket to enter

Ah! That makes sense.

What did you miss out on? The only things I couldn't get were attractions that were closed for refurb.

Not so much the rides... as the times.

Then you could join my obsessive planning club.

I'm not sure I want to join a club that would have me as a member.

It's legitimately scary to think I started planning this almost a year ago. Should we have a PTR birthday party?

Yes.


As long as there's cake.

They're so different I can see liking them for different reasons. I mean HHN is scary and all that that but MNSSHP has candy....

mmmmmmm..... candy........

I keep reading other people's PTRs/TRs and they're eating all these good things and I want to do them to...

Want to do them? You mean eat them?

He is the life of the party...

This is correct.

I'm talking prawns (shrimp), steak and burgers on a grill rather than Texas style BBQ.

Yes! This is us too (well... minus the prawns. We're too far from an ocean here.)

 

[jandlinz]

I'm following along and reading your updates. I was very concerned if we would be able to start FP for the Christmas Party before 4, but see you did. That will be very helpful. Our FP window opens on Tuesday and I'm very nervous. I'll be scheduling for 9! I'm enjoying your updates.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Right!

<cries on the inside>

I will make no effort. I shall sit.

Ah! That makes sense.

Not so much the rides... as the times.

My only advice is keep trying to modify - I moved mine all - even if its just 10 minutes at a time - and I've been able to move them slowly up to the times I want.

I'm not sure I want to join a club that would have me as a member.

But it does have me as a member so it can all be bad right?

Yes.


As long as there's cake.

Of course there will be cake

Want to do them? You mean eat them?

Must remember to always check for grammatical errors before posting. You always find them....

Yes! This is us too (well... minus the prawns. We're too far from an ocean here.)

I'm about two and half hours from the ocean and that doesn't stop locals from cooking prawns...

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I'm following along and reading your updates. I was very concerned if we would be able to start FP for the Christmas Party before 4, but see you did. That will be very helpful. Our FP window opens on Tuesday and I'm very nervous. I'll be scheduling for 9! I'm enjoying your updates.

I did 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 for my party FPs on the advice of Liners (Touring Plans site) - anything later than that apparently gets cancelled.

Good luck with scheduling for nine - it's hard enough for one person and I have no one else to please!

 

[pkondz]

Awwww... you really care!

My only advice is keep trying to modify - I moved mine all - even if its just 10 minutes at a time - and I've been able to move them slowly up to the times I want.

Nah. I'm all organized and everything now.

But it does have me as a member so it can all be bad right?

Yes! You're like having a ray of sunshine after a rainy day.

Of course there will be cake

Love that gif.

Must remember to always check for grammatical errors before posting. You always find them....

I wasn't! I was genuinely puzzled about what you meant!

I'm about two and half hours from the ocean and that doesn't stop locals from cooking prawns...

I'm a little further. Probably about 3-4 hours by plane. Well, technically I'm closer. But ain't no shrimp in the Arctic Ocean.

But honestly, no one here BBQs prawns. And I don't know why not. Sounds delish.
Do you BBQ hot dogs/sausage? We do that more here.

 

[Saphire5742]

There’s probably only three updates left before I actually leave on my trip...

Closer and closer. I'm so excited for your epic birthday adventure! Looks like everything is coming together nicely

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Awwww... you really care!

But of course!

Nah. I'm all organized and everything now.

Yes! You're like having a ray of sunshine after a rainy day.

Awww...

Love that gif.

The side eye in it is perfect!

I wasn't! I was genuinely puzzled about what you meant!

Ok I forgive you then

I'm a little further. Probably about 3-4 hours by plane. Well, technically I'm closer. But ain't no shrimp in the Arctic Ocean.

But honestly, no one here BBQs prawns. And I don't know why not. Sounds delish.
Do you BBQ hot dogs/sausage? We do that more here.

We BBQ sausages but not hot dogs. Hot dogs are boiled here.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Closer and closer. I'm so excited for your epic birthday adventure! Looks like everything is coming together nicely

If you're excited imagine how I'm feeling . Yesterday was the first day in the countdown with a 2 in front (since the 200's of course) and four weeks from today I fly out!!!

 

[pkondz]

But of course!

:

The side eye in it is perfect!

We BBQ sausages but not hot dogs. Hot dogs are boiled here.

We do both. But BBQ is better.
Someone on these boards referred to NYC (I think) hot dog cart hot dogs as "dirty water dogs".

 

[Barbara76]

I just read this whole PTR and I am soooo excited for you!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I just read this whole PTR and I am soooo excited for you!

That is quite a commitment to read the whole thing! Glad you can join us for the last few weeks of planning!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

We do both. But BBQ is better.
Someone on these boards referred to NYC (I think) hot dog cart hot dogs as "dirty water dogs".

I don't understand BBQing a hot dog - that just seems wrong on so many levels...

And apparently epicurious agreed about the water based method - even if they couldn't help themselves but grill at the end

http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/the-best-method-for-cooking-hot-dogs-article

 

[Barbara76]

That is quite a commitment to read the whole thing! Glad you can join us for the last few weeks of planning!

Well, I am very committed...to procrastinating cleaning. Plus, I love your writing style and all your picture.

 

[pkondz]

I don't understand BBQing a hot dog - that just seems wrong on so many levels...

And yet, you'll do sausage. A larger version of a hot dog, no?

And apparently epicurious agreed about the water based method - even if they couldn't help themselves but grill at the end

OMG. Thanks soooo much for that link. Poach first to temperature and then grill. Of course. So simple.
And yes... sear marks (and BBQ sauce) on hot dogs are simply the best.

 

[vrajewski10513]

I was listening to something the other day and basically they were saying Disney has no slow time anymore - but that Universal still follows the old pattern of being more quite when kids are in school

I hope that's true for UO, we only have 3 days at Universal and two of them are cut short due to HHN. Plus, we're staying at CBBR so no Express Pass

As I was saying to @pkondz - there's not a lot of choices when it comes to FP (outside of MK) so I can see how people end up with similar plans

This is true. And even less for us considering Dinosaur is closed at AK. And even though there are a lot of other options I'm still really bummed BTMRR is down for refurb as well when we're there.

'd say BBQ but that's completely different to BBQ in the states. I'm talking prawns (shrimp), steak and burgers on a grill rather than Texas style BBQ

I'm not big on grilling things with actual BBQ sauce lol I to prefer steak, burgers, even veggies grilled up. One of my favorite things we do on the grill are clams!

We BBQ sausages but not hot dogs. Hot dogs are boiled here

Oh god, I don't think I could boil hot dogs lol the grill is the only way in my book! I may even fry one on the stove top if it's like raining or something and I'm really craving one lol I remember as a kid my mom boiling hot dogs, but that was to slice up and throw in some Mac and cheese or in pork and beans..

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Well, I am very committed...to procrastinating cleaning. Plus, I love your writing style and all your picture.

Who doesn't like procrastinating? And thanks for the compliment!

And yet, you'll do sausage. A larger version of a hot dog, no?

But see the difference is sausages are raw and definitely need to be cooked on a hot surface. Hot dogs are already cooked and are actually edible straight from the pack so it's just reheating. I don't know why that makes such a big difference but it does.

OMG. Thanks soooo much for that link. Poach first to temperature and then grill. Of course. So simple.
And yes... sear marks (and BBQ sauce) on hot dogs are simply the best.

BBQ sauce on a hot dog? Now you've lost me....

I hope that's true for UO, we only have 3 days at Universal and two of them are cut short due to HHN. Plus, we're staying at CBBR so no Express Pass

Last trip I had no express pass and it was the middle of summer and I still got to ride everything I wanted with little waits (30 minutes tops). I'd highly recommend the single rider lines if you don't mind not necessarily sitting together.

This is true. And even less for us considering Dinosaur is closed at AK. And even though there are a lot of other options I'm still really bummed BTMRR is down for refurb as well when we're there.

BTMRR is my biggest disappointment - it's my absolute favourite ride. But I'm consoling myself with the fact that I should still be able to ride it a DL.

I'm not big on grilling things with actual BBQ sauce lol I to prefer steak, burgers, even veggies grilled up. One of my favorite things we do on the grill are clams!

I've never seen clams on a grill. I don't cook seafood at home at all so I've never considered it was something you could BBQ!

Oh god, I don't think I could boil hot dogs lol the grill is the only way in my book! I may even fry one on the stove top if it's like raining or something and I'm really craving one lol I remember as a kid my mom boiling hot dogs, but that was to slice up and throw in some Mac and cheese or in pork and beans..

I think the only way I've had them is boiled! But we are a little weird here on the other side of the globe

 

[Dentam]

Take me with you!!!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Take me with you!!!

I do have a second bed in a lot of these rooms which is going to waste...