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

[SnowWhiteOz]

I've never done that. I book the flight and never look again as they never seem to budge.

I usually don't either but it was annoying me how expensive such a short flight could be so I was really reluctant to pay!

Most airlines hire an extremely annoying person whose sole job is to pick crappy flight times.

I would like to meet this person and have some words with them....

With requisite photos, yes?

Of course. Maybe even some videos too....(I'm trying to teach myself basic video editing - it may or may not happen)

Nice.
Haven't stayed there (we were at the Mandarin Oriental) but we did visit. Beautiful place.

I considered the Mandarin - but to get a room with a strip view it was going to cost me another $300 or so - and that's extra Disney money in my pocket!

Oh! I should see about that too.
I know I've got some US cash, but not sure how much.

The finance men on the morning shows over here keep saying the Aussie dollar is going to drop to below 50c this year so I thought I better lock it in when its at 75c. If it doesn't drop oh well - I'm going to spend it either way.

I already know which one I'd pick.

I think you're going to be disappointed.

 

[Elevationist]

3pm works for me - my only plans that day are shopping and Disney Springs exploring.

Woo hoo - Dismeet locked in!!!!

 

[Malia78]

Would love to compare notes when we both get back - can't believe someone else is doing so many of the slightly different Disney things I'll be doing (and not too far apart!)

So I had a somewhat impromptu trip to WDW for the DIS podcast anniversary weekend and found time to check a couple culinary things off "our overlapping lists". I enjoyed both the GF Tea and the Dine with an Animal Specialist meals very much--it's probably true that the non-eating portion of Sanaa lunch can vary depending on the animal specialist in attendance, but if you get someone like Eddy, then you'll definitely have a great time. I could live on Naan bread and the dishes they served were tasty and didn't push my limited tolerance for hot-spicy and curry flavors.

 

[pkondz]

I usually don't either but it was annoying me how expensive such a short flight could be so I was really reluctant to pay!

Ah! Well, that would make a difference.
I can't look into flight costs since I used points and a discount already.
Anything they'd post would be well above what I paid.

But I'm going to keep it in mind for the next time.

I would like to meet this person and have some words with them....

Do those words include tar and feathers?

Of course. Maybe even some videos too....(I'm trying to teach myself basic video editing - it may or may not happen)

ooooohhhhh videos.... with you modeling different costumes????


So. There.

I considered the Mandarin - but to get a room with a strip view it was going to cost me another $300 or so - and that's extra Disney money in my pocket!

We didn't have a strip view, but we did have a pool view... which we liked so much, we designed our pool after it.

The finance men on the morning shows over here keep saying the Aussie dollar is going to drop to below 50c this year so I thought I better lock it in when its at 75c. If it doesn't drop oh well - I'm going to spend it either way.

Really! (totally shocked!) 50c!! Holy crap!
TBH, I haven't followed much what they said our CDN is going to do against the US.
Which is weird, because I usually do.

I think you're going to be disappointed.

Poop. But I'll always have the videos!

 

[Saphire5742]

I must have the Chew collective’s Peanut Butter mousse

This would be my #1 choice!

And that’s it for F&W – Plus I’m full from just typing this!

And I'm getting hungry reading this.

And just look at their lobby!!!

SO GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

So I had a somewhat impromptu trip to WDW for the DIS podcast anniversary weekend and found time to check a couple culinary things off "our overlapping lists". I enjoyed both the GF Tea and the Dine with an Animal Specialist meals very much--it's probably true that the non-eating portion of Sanaa lunch can vary depending on the animal specialist in attendance, but if you get someone like Eddy, then you'll definitely have a great time. I could live on Naan bread and the dishes they served were tasty and didn't push my limited tolerance for hot-spicy and curry flavors.

Glad to hear you had some great experiences - I'm really looking forward to trying both soon!

This would be my #1 choice!

I don't know if I could pick a #1 but this would be high up there!

And I'm getting hungry reading this.

I feel the same way reading your dining report!

SO GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It reminds me so much of Willy Wonka!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Ah! Well, that would make a difference.
I can't look into flight costs since I used points and a discount already.
Anything they'd post would be well above what I paid.


But I'm going to keep it in mind for the next time.

Is that one of the benefits of working in the industry? Discount flights?

Do those words include tar and feathers?

Depends what mood I'm in at the time...

ooooohhhhh videos.... with you modeling different costumes????


So. There.

No but there may be some glimpses of a hand or a wrist while I try to open cabinets/doors in the hotel rooms...

We didn't have a strip view, but we did have a pool view... which we liked so much, we designed our pool after it.

Well it must have been impressive then!

Really! (totally shocked!) 50c!! Holy crap!
TBH, I haven't followed much what they said our CDN is going to do against the US.
Which is weird, because I usually do.

I hope they're wrong. 50c is not fun - the lowest it's been when I've been over is 60c and that made it super expensive!



Poop. But I'll always have the videos![/QUOTE]

 

[pkondz]

Is that one of the benefits of working in the industry? Discount flights?

Oh heck no. I wish!
Only if you work for an airline. And we don't.
Actually, I think we're not allowed to accept any discounts from an airline because then we could be accused of favouring it.

No but there may be some glimpses of a hand or a wrist while I try to open cabinets/doors in the hotel rooms...

Poop.

Well it must have been impressive then!

Just the opposite. We called it "zen-like" very calming and relaxing.

I hope they're wrong. 50c is not fun - the lowest it's been when I've been over is 60c and that made it super expensive!

And then there's the opposite.
When the CDN dollar was above the USD for a bit a few years ago.
Oh, man. Were we obnoxious! "You know our dollar's worth more than yours right now?"

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Oh heck no. I wish!
Only if you work for an airline. And we don't.
Actually, I think we're not allowed to accept any discounts from an airline because then we could be accused of favouring it.

Ah I see. I used to work in the international division of my government department and we got offered some really nice things from foreign visitors but weren't allowed to accept them - you know because of the whole bribery/attempting to spy thing that could be happening!

Just the opposite. We called it "zen-like" very calming and relaxing.

Hmm..zen-like makes me think you don't have a cabana boy...

And then there's the opposite.
When the CDN dollar was above the USD for a bit a few years ago.
Oh, man. Were we obnoxious! "You know our dollar's worth more than yours right now?"

Parity is definitely a nice thing!

 

[pkondz]

Ah I see. I used to work in the international division of my government department and we got offered some really nice things from foreign visitors but weren't allowed to accept them - you know because of the whole bribery/attempting to spy thing that could be happening!

But. But. But. I just want nice things!

Hmm..zen-like makes me think you don't have a cabana boy...

I am the cabana boy.




Sorry to disappoint.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

9 Weeks to Go

I know this week’s update was meant to be about clothing and costumes but unfortunately that will have to wait. I was hoping that some things I’ve ordered would have arrived this past week but my mailbox was still empty after work on Friday so that will be next week’s update instead.

Luckily I’ve still got other trip stuff to talk about.

We’re back on the high seas as today was the magical 75 days before my Disney Cruise meaning that I could complete my online check in and start booking all the add ons ($$$).

At 12:01am 75 days from your cruise (for first timers – 90 days for repeat guests) the DCL website is meant to magically open so you can do all your planning. Unfortunately it is like all other Disney websites an appears to use technology from the 90s because the server overloaded and I spent an hour constantly refreshing until it would work.

Thankfully for me 12:01 is 2:01 in the afternoon but other people I know on the cruise were experiencing the same thing at midnight.

But crappy technology aside, I was eventually able to start booking things.

I had no shore excursions planned for this – three days just doesn’t seem like enough to do things when there is a whole ship to explore – so I was left with booking dining, spa and on board experiences.

Let’s start with the Spa because that turned out to be a non-event. Apparently you’re meant to be able to pre-book a day pass to the Rainforest Spa online but nothing showed up for me – not even to say it was sold out – so that plan went out the window. I’m still going to try and get one on-board but don’t have my hopes up now.

Next is on-board experiences – which in Disney’s case is character meet and greets. They have two meet & greets that you can pre-book time for – Frozen and Princesses. I booked a time for both of these on day 3, or my Nassau day, as I’m not planning on spending long in port that day.

And finally that brings us to the most important thing – food. Well, adult dining. You can book speciality restaurants on board Disney cruise ships, and of course, these are a surcharge. The Disney Dream has two adult restaurants – Remy and Palo.

Palo serves northern Italian inspired cuisine and generally on three day cruises is only available for dinner. On 4 night or longer cruises (where there is a sea day) they also offer brunch (which is highly rated). Well imagine my surprise when I went to try and get a time for dinner when I saw that brunch was being offered on the Nassau day. I scooped that baby up and a booking for dinner on Pirate night (that’s apparently the worse MDR menu and the best one to skip). Both meals are $30 surcharges.

(brunch)

Remy is the equivalent of Victoria & Albert’s or Michelin star dining on-board. And it has a price tag to match – with an $85 surcharge. I decided to go ahead and book it and I’m going to use my on-board credit from my Travel Agent towards it so it’s really only costing me $35.

(Look at the cheese cart!!!!!)

So that means I’ll be eating in the Main Dining Room on night 1, Palo on night 2 and Remy on night 3 – a perfect escalation I think!

And that’s all I’ve booked so far – and it’s probably enough for a three night cruise.​

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[TeeterTots]

Loving your cruise plans! I'm so looking forward to our first Disney cruise someday. The ship looks magnificent! You're going to have an amazing trip!

 

[pkondz]

I was hoping that some things I’ve ordered would have arrived this past week but my mailbox was still empty after work on Friday so that will be next week’s update instead.

Rats. Well... standing by.

Luckily I’ve still got other trip stuff to talk about.

Yay!

Unfortunately it is like all other Disney websites an appears to use technology from the 90s because the server overloaded and I spent an hour constantly refreshing until it would work.

They don't want to change the technology that Walt put in.
Nostalgia, ya know.

Apparently you’re meant to be able to pre-book a day pass to the Rainforest Spa online but nothing showed up for me – not even to say it was sold out – so that plan went out the window. I’m still going to try and get one on-board but don’t have my hopes up now.

Well, that sucks.

Well imagine my surprise when I went to try and get a time for dinner when I saw that brunch was being offered on the Nassau day. I scooped that baby up and a booking for dinner on Pirate night (that’s apparently the worse MDR menu and the best one to skip). Both meals are $30 surcharges.

Nice!!

And it has a price tag to match – with an $85 surcharge.

ouch.

I decided to go ahead and book it and I’m going to use my on-board credit from my Travel Agent towards it so it’s really only costing me $35.

Takes the sting off.

(Look at the cheese cart!!!!!)

I'm looking!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Looking like snazzy cruise plans. That time is going to fly by with all those yummy meals planned! I'm hoping you find a Kajillionaire Prince Charming on board that will keep you in the lifestyle that you want to become accustomed to! (That's my wish for everyone, of course!)

From your lips....

But seriously it's only 48 days away now (the trip, not the cruise) and I'm just so ready to be finished work already!

Loving your cruise plans! I'm so looking forward to our first Disney cruise someday. The ship looks magnificent! You're going to have an amazing trip!

Thanks - I'm starting to get pretty excited for it all!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

They don't want to change the technology that Walt put in.
Nostalgia, ya know.

Well, that sucks.

Turns out it's no longer done as a booking but rather it is a gift you can add to the stateroom instead! So all sorted - I have my two day passes to this beauty ready to go!

ouch.

It's a minor ouch - if you knew how much I've spent on meals in the past you'd probably literally die.

Takes the sting off.

It certainly doesn't hurt.

I'm looking!

It's glorious no? You can have as much as you like too....

 

[pkondz]

Turns out it's no longer done as a booking but rather it is a gift you can add to the stateroom instead! So all sorted - I have my two day passes to this beauty ready to go!

Oh, good!!

Man those look comfy... assuming they're heated, which I assume they are.

It's a minor ouch - if you knew how much I've spent on meals in the past you'd probably literally die.

glorious no? You can have as much as you like too....

So.... you like cheese? Hard to tell.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

8 Weeks to Go

43 days to trip
56 days until WDW

I promised clothing discussion this week and I intend to deliver.

Let’s use the big guns straight-away and talk costumes for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

I had my Snow White costume in the cupboard ready to go but the change in guidelines this year meant that it’s pretty much ruled out as it is floor length.​

So I did what any normal person would do and bought not one, not two but three different costumes to give myself some options. But I got all of them on sale and probably spent the equivalent of one full price costume so it wasn’t too expensive.​

I’d love your thoughts on which one I should go with so without further ado let’s look at the options.

The first is the most Disney of all of the options – and that’s Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.



The only problem with this one is I’m sure there will be hundreds of other Rey’s running around given the popularity of the film and the fact it’s the first Halloween since the film making it the first chance for people to dress up as her.​

The second option is Disneyish – in that I picked one of my favourite pavilions at Epcot and bought a costume so I could honour it. That’s right, it’s the German pavilion and a Biergarten server outfit. (I've chopped off my head in this one as my hair was a complete mess!)



The final option isn’t really Disney – although I would argue it has a place in the Great Movie Ride attraction (I don’t think it’s currently represented but it definitely should be). It’s from one of my favourite films of all time – Grease – and the best character in that film – Betty Rizzo.



So there are the three options – I’d love to hear your thoughts on which one I should be packing.

And now that the costumes are out of the way it’s time to look at some of the outfits I have planned for WDW/Disneyland – I love Disney-bounding so I’ve tried to pick a selection of outfits that represent some classic characters.







​

I’ve also ordered some buttons from parkbound buttons (@caseythebear on Instagram) to go with them which I absolutely love!



Of course I’ll have some normal outfits to wear on the cruises and when not in the parks – but I’ll save those for the TR so there are some surprises.

Next week – its FP+ time!​

 

[TeeterTots]

I like all three costumes, but I think I like Rey the best......and sadly I've never seen a single Star Wars movie and don't know who Rey is!
As for your disneybound outfits, omg we could be best friends!!! They are awesome!! Love them all!

 

[pkondz]

I promised clothing discussion this week and I intend to deliver.

A promise is a promise.

Let’s use the big guns straight-away and talk costumes for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Yesssss....

I had my Snow White costume in the cupboard ready to go but the change in guidelines this year meant that it’s pretty much ruled out as it is floor length.

Stupid rulz.

So I did what any normal person would do and bought not one, not two but three different costumes to give myself some options.

Makes perfect sense.
One can never have enough costumes.

But I got all of them on sale and probably spent the equivalent of one full price costume so it wasn’t too expensive.

So..... you should have bought nine?

Wow!
First off.... Soooo pretty.
Second off... love it!
Third off.... soooo pretty!

The only problem with this one is I’m sure there will be hundreds of other Rey’s running around given the popularity of the film and the fact it’s the first Halloween since the film making it the first chance for people to dress up as her.

Hmmm.... hmmmm.... you make a valid point. I know of at least one other couple where the woman is dressing as Rey... and I saw that one by accident (clicked on a thread that looked interesting and there was the comment.)
So if two DISers have picked Rey... and who knows how many others out there have done the same?

That’s right, it’s the German pavilion and a Biergarten server outfit.

My German heritage approves.

(I've chopped off my head in this one as my hair was a complete mess!)

Do we therefore infer, since you also chopped off your legs, that your legs are hairy too?

The final option isn’t really Disney – although I would argue it has a place in the Great Movie Ride attraction (I don’t think it’s currently represented but it definitely should be).

Again... good point.

Love this one too!
Dang. You're making this hard.



OMG. Just realized what I wrote. And I'm leaving it in there.
But you're making picking a costume... difficult.

So there are the three options – I’d love to hear your thoughts on which one I should be packing.

I'll share an anecdote.
When we took the DDs to MNSSHP, DD12 dressed as Scarlett from Gone With the Wind. She had so many people come up to her and tell her how much they love that movie or loved her costume.

If you want to blend in, go with Rey. If you want to be left more alone, go with Biergarten. If you want attention (not that you wouldn't not necessarily get it wearing any of the three) wear Rizzo.
While I think I like the Rey one the best (although I'd pick the Biergarten one if it was more like this

My pick is for Rizzo.

And now that the costumes are out of the way it’s time to look at some of the outfits I have planned for WDW/Disneyland

Cute outfits!

I’ve also ordered some buttons from parkbound buttons (@caseythebear on Instagram) to go with them which I absolutely love!

I really like the Dole Whip one. Heck, I'd wear that if I'd known about it earlier.

Next week – its FP+ time!

dun dun dunnnnnnn!!!!!