PTR Oct 2010 - An Aussie returns: Back home and TR started (11/02)

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by DisneyFirefly

You forgot my I'm gonna keep playing with airfares and such to see if I can find something cheap, but as of right now, it's still up in the air. I'll let you know as soon as I decide

No worries.

[PrincessInOz]

When setting your travel plans for WDW, the standard methods for deciding when to visit it park come down to 3 things:

1. Park opening hours, taking into account EMH - morning and night. There is a school of thought in DisBoard world that follows avoidance for any park with EMH on a particular day; and another school of thought that insists on attendance for any park with EMH that day.

2. Advance Dining Reservations (ADR). The foodies out there will book in their Table Service reservations first when their 180 (or is it now the glitchy 190) day window opens up. This 6 months preparation ensures that they get to order their breakfast, lunches and dinners so that their palates can work themselves into a frenzy before they go on their trip. Once you have your ADRs locked in, you can then work out which park you are going to and on which day.

3. Major events that may be occurring around your World trip. In my (not) case, this means MNSSHP and F&W. People travelling around any major events would check out the schedule for any special interest items, concerts, seminars etc., book in for those and then plan their park visits around the bookings.

Me? I have a simpler way of planning for this trip. I am going to plan what SNACKS I will be eating and then make sure that irrespective of which park I happen to be at, that I get one.

Snacking in Epcot

I appreciate that I may well (not) be feasting on a different set of F&W snacks; and if this is the case, then this becomes my (not) back-up snack plan.

I love France, in particular the boulangerie and the kiosk that sells these crepes.


I also love slushies. This Raspberry one from Fountain View Ice Cream, or the Orange Green Tea one from China or the Orange Grand Marnier one from France will be high on my hit list.


Snacking at MK

I missed out on the Ice Cream chocolate chip cookie sandwich at the Main Street Bakery. I plan on (not) getting a ice cream sandwich this time round. I've got to get some of these, which are my all time favourite snacks!

Irrespective of whether I go (or not), turtles are already on DH's shopping list.

This come a very, very close second.

I just love the tangy sweetness of a Dole Whip float and it is the one thing that always reinforces the fact that I am at a DISNEY park when I have one.

Snacking at DHS

I swiped this picture off the web. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to find out what the fuss was about. The Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls is now a must have for me. The only issue is that it is way too big and too rich for me to eat by myself....it took 3 of us to do justice to this one snack in May.


Snacking at AK

This is going to have to be one park that I need to find a favourite snack at. Anyone reading this or lurking out there have any suggestions?

[PrincessInOz]

Have you noticed that about 6 - 8 weeks before anyone heads to the World that there is suddenly a push on fitness and weight loss chatter in their PTRs?

I figure that everyone realises that they are likely to be walking about 8 - 10 MILES a day and that if they don't start training, their feet are just going to turn into a pile of blisters.

8 weeks before a trip is about the optimum time to get off those couches and slowly build up the fitness regime. Of course it helps if the weather outside is warm and balmy for sweatcercising but you could really just DIY at home.

• Armchairs are wonderful to help with those dreaded dips;
• Stairs are amazing cheap stairmasters;
• the Floor is a great surface for sit-ups and curls; and
• Door jambs are a good substitute for a Personal Trainer for that end-of-session stretching.

It's all about firming and toning those body muscles!

Most people also try to start eat healthy before their holiday. I think it does help in maintaining your weight. It is worth banking in a small weight loss pre-trip against the weight gain post trip that occurs at the World...afterall, when you read the TRs and look at the food porn (including mine and have you checked out the post before this one??), there is every reason to assume that you're going to put weight on during a visit to the World; rather than lose it.

[DisneyFirefly]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

Have you noticed that about 6 - 8 weeks before anyone heads to the World that there is suddenly a push on fitness and weight loss chatter in their PTRs?

I figure that everyone realises that they are likely to be walking about 8 - 10 MILES a day and that if they don't start training, their feet are just going to turn into a pile of blisters.

8 weeks before a trip is about the optimum time to get off those couches and slowly build up the fitness regime. Of course it helps if the weather outside is warm and balmy for sweatcercising but you could really just DIY at home.

• Armchairs are wonderful to help with those dreaded dips;
• Stairs are amazing cheap stairmasters;
• the Floor is a great surface for sit-ups and curls; and
• Door jambs are a good substitute for a personal training for end of session stretching.

It's all about firming and toning those body muscles!

Most people also try to start eat healthy before their holiday. I think it does help in maintaining your weight. It is worth banking in a small weight loss pre-trip against the weight gain post trip that occurs at the World...afterall, when you read the TRs and look at the food porn (including mine and have you checked out the post before this one??), there is every reason to assume that you're going to put weight on during a visit to the World; rather than lose it.

I'm thinking about starting to ride my bike to and from work, actually. I'm not sure yet. It's 4.1 miles from my house to my work, so round trip would be 8 miles. Tiring, but probably worth it. I think. I'm a little heavier than I was the last time I rode a plane, and I'd rather not be embarrassed by a flight attendant telling me to buy a second seat or get off the plane.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by DisneyFirefly

I'm thinking about starting to ride my bike to and from work, actually. I'm not sure yet. It's 4.1 miles from my house to my work, so round trip would be 8 miles. Tiring, but probably worth it. I think. I'm a little heavier than I was the last time I rode a plane, and I'd rather not be embarrassed by a flight attendant telling me to buy a second seat or get off the plane.

You're on! I need some motivation to get back in the saddle (so to speak) and build up my cycling. I was doing about 2 - 3 miles around the velodrome near my house before the May trip.

October is about 4 months away. Let's target for an average of miles riding at least 3 or 4 times a week....we'll be way ahead of schedule!

Now...let me see....what can I drop from my busy DisBoard schedule in order to fit this in?

[DisneyFirefly]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

You're on! I need some motivation to get back in the saddle (so to speak) and build up my cycling. I was doing about 2 - 3 miles around the velodrome near my house before the May trip.

October is about 4 months away. Let's target for an average of miles riding at least 3 or 4 times a week....we'll be way ahead of schedule!

Now...let me see....what can I drop from my busy DisBoard schedule in order to fit this in?

The last time I rode my bike further than the grocery store near my house was when I missed my bus home from my old work, which was about 7 miles. It was a long, long ride and I sort of wound up buying a new bike seat after that because I couldn't stand using that one again. So, yeah, you're on I'm thinking about starting that tomorrow, but I don't know how long it'll take me to get from my house to my work. For me, I can just use it as commuting, so I don't have to drop anything

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by DisneyFirefly

The last time I rode my bike further than the grocery store near my house was when I missed my bus home from my old work, which was about 7 miles. It was a long, long ride and I sort of wound up buying a new bike seat after that because I couldn't stand using that one again. So, yeah, you're on I'm thinking about starting that tomorrow, but I don't know how long it'll take me to get from my house to my work. For me, I can just use it as commuting, so I don't have to drop anything

Bike seat? What do you mean bike seat? Don't you ride your bike like this?

[DisneyFirefly]

God no I'd die or something if I tried to ride like that

[PrincessInOz]

This guy was really good! And so generous to let me spend 5 minutes practising my photography. He did all sorts of amazing things on the bicycle; I can barely stay sitting on mine!

[DisneyFirefly]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

This guy was really good! And so generous to let me spend 5 minutes practising my photography. He did all sorts of amazing things on the bicycle; I can barely stay sitting on mine!

That's awesome and very nice of him I'm fine on my bike as long as it's set up properly for me, otherwise I feel like I'm going to fall over or something.

[Luvchefmic]

You have both inspired me for the meet in October...I actually took the steps to dust the dog hair off the treadmill today hey baby steps baby steps

[DisneyFirefly]

Originally Posted by Luvchefmic

You have both inspired me for the meet in October...I actually took the steps to dust the dog hair off the treadmill today hey baby steps baby steps

Hey, baby steps are better than no steps I took the bus today, but I stopped at Subway for dinner instead of ordering Chinese like I was thinking about. It's a little healthier, but it'd be better for me without the mayo and they have free wifi, so I'm posting with my iPod

[shushh]

PrincessInOz, you crack me up! I love reading your PTRs and TR. I would give anything to be at WDW even if just for 3 days! Eagerly awaiting more news.

BTW, I don't know how you keep up with all the different DISboards threads. I am struggling here just to post my photos for the scavenger hunt. And I only just found out yesterday that Ms Shuttergirl now has an earlier trip planned as well. Been trying to write a PTR but haven't had time!!!!

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by Luvchefmic

You have both inspired me for the meet in October...I actually took the steps to dust the dog hair off the treadmill today hey baby steps baby steps

That's good exercise...And have any of your 8 dogs gotten back on the treadmill so that you can dust again?

Originally Posted by DisneyFirefly

Hey, baby steps are better than no steps I took the bus today, but I stopped at Subway for dinner instead of ordering Chinese like I was thinking about. It's a little healthier, but it'd be better for me without the mayo and they have free wifi, so I'm posting with my iPod

I've actually cut down on the quantity of food that I'm eating....baby steps....baby steps!

Originally Posted by shushh

PrincessInOz, you crack me up! I love reading your PTRs and TR. I would give anything to be at WDW even if just for 3 days! Eagerly awaiting more news.

BTW, I don't know how you keep up with all the different DISboards threads. I am struggling here just to post my photos for the scavenger hunt. And I only just found out yesterday that Ms Shuttergirl now has an earlier trip planned as well. Been trying to write a PTR but haven't had time!!!!

Hi Shushh! Welcome to my PTR. Scavenger hunt photos are for the weekend. Everything else is when I can fit it in.

Yes - I'm about to officially join the Sept/Oct planners....soon.

And I dare you to start your PTR before the Melbourne DisMeet !

[PrincessInOz]

Disney have worked out that most of us Disers like to think about eating our meals at least 180 days in advance. In true Disney service and style, they have most graciously allowed us the pleasure of being able to wake up at an ungodly hour so that we can go on line or ring up to book the Table Service restaurant of our choice at the 180 day advance mark. Such is the demand for this pleasure that it would seem that many of us have now taken to camping in front of our PCs or phones so that we can be the first transaction or call taken by the CMs in the rush to ensure that we get the restaurant and time of our choice.

Assuming that most Disers make the 180 day mark, this would mean that by the time we get to the restaurant, we would have spent at least the equivalent of

• 4,320 hours; or
• 259,200 minutes; or
• 15,522,000 seconds

salivating over a meal that we might not feel like eating by the time we get to the parks.

I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure that my tastebuds would be sick of tasting the meal for this amount of time.

These bud-tingling timeframes of course do not include any of the time that we may have spent in advance determining which menu and restaurant we would like to eat at and so the actual time it takes us to chew the fat of our meal may actually be longer!

Me - I have found a new way to deal with the stress of ADRs. I have found FRIENDS on the DisBoard. Even though this is a 'might not be going' PTR, DisneyFirefly and LuvChefMic and I have dining DATES at the World. It only took us about 30 posts to determine the dates and restaurant for our mini DisMeet.

LuvChefMic originally suggested that I could pick the restaurant and before I could push the decision making posts into the 40's, in the end, she made the choice and DisneyFirefly made the booking - for not 1; but 2 ADRs on 2 separate nights.
(Note: For those of you who are interested in the summary version of the 30 posts, please go to DisneyFirefly's PTR. For those of you interested in the full version of the 30 posts, us Poster Gals of the Lasting Kind already have way too much competition on that thread to openly advertise...but feel free to PM anyone of us and we'll tell you where to go!)

So it turns out that I now have a share in 2 ADRs - both out of the fine art of 30 posts on another thread.

This is sure turning out as a 'might not be a might not be going' PTR.