Is it WEIRD to Make a PTR For a 3-Day Long Trip? A Post-DCP Family Trip PTR! *COMPLETE! 1/6*

[Newsies]

HELLO! And welcome to...

And if you think the answer to this question is "YES", BOY HOWDY! You better hold on your your 10-gallon hats, because it gets WEIRDER!

The PTR is for a 3-day long trip, AND...

The trip is happening in 3 weeks.

AND...

I'm already in Disney World!

AND!

I've been there since August and have been MIA on the DIS ever since I moved down here!

And so now you're all probably like ???????? and wondering why on earth this crazy girl has been in Walt Disney World for the past five months and why she's going to suddenly make a pre-trip report/trip report right now. So allow me to re-introduce myself.

Hi, I'm Kaitlyn!

And the reason I haven't been posting on the DIS about being in Walt Disney World is because I've been down here on business. Namely, being on the Fall 2016 Disney College Program. I am an Attractions Hostess on "it's a small world" and Peter Pan's Flight and will be until January 5th. And I promise you that I am going to talk more about that in posts to come. For now, more arbitrary introductory things about me:

I'm 19 years old. I grew up in New Jersey, go to school/live in Manhattan, and love all things Broadway. I've been on three Walt Disney World vacations since 2010, but my love for Disney really took off in 2013. My favorite movie is Peter Pan, my favorite character is Tinker Bell, my favorite park is Magic Kingdom... and even though I may be just a little partial to Small World/Pan, I have to say- I really like Expedition Everest, Rock'n'Roller Coaster, and Space Mountain!

When my family dropped me off, we spent a day in Disney Springs, but didn't do anything else here. They made it perfectly clear that when they came back, they wanted to do some parks! At first my mom was like, "Yeah we're staying at the Embassy Suites by Disney Springs!" but one day she called me and was like, "... okay, I can't keep the secret anymore. We're staying at the Polynesian!"

So WHO IS this mythical family?

My mother, Susie, is the eighth wonder of the world. I love her so, so much and she does so much for myself and my sister. She loves Dumbo, Mickey Mouse, and Finding Nemo. Her favorite resort is the Grand Floridian and her favorite restaurant is Liberty Tree Tavern. I'm mostly excited for this trip for her- she has worked so hard in the past year and all she's wanted has been a hug from Mickey and a trip to the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. I'm really hoping I can make both of those things happen for her.

Then there's my dad, Tommy. My dad's a big old goofball. He's a firefighter, and always talks about how he's going to work with Chief Smokey Miller when he retires. He things everything at Walt Disney World is "so flippin' cool". His favorite ride is Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and his favorite restaurant is 'Ohana.

Finally, there's the meme queen herself, Grace. Grace is my sophomore aged sister who loves Disney as much as I do. She's a Yearbook nerd and loves Hamilton (Have I mentioned that my family is seeing Hamilton without me the night before they get down here? Rude). Her favorite ride is Peter Pan's Flight, her favorite character is Peter Pan, and her favorite restaurant is the Crystal Palace. She and I used to have a terrible relationship, but we're best friends now. She's the Chip to my Dale, the Anna to my Elsa, and the Eliza to my Angelica.

As usual, we are all SO EXCITED to be in Disney World together again!

More details and an in-depth explanation of this PTR/TR will be provided soon, but for now... the 5 Ws of a PTR!

Who: My family, yet again!
What: Our 4th Walt Disney World vacation!
When: January 4th-8th, 2017
Where: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Why: To celebrate my Disney College Program and BRING ME HOME!

Get ready, because we're going to pack a whole bunch of info in a short time period! I'm happy to be back on the DIS and to be able to return with a PTR, my favorite thing in the world!

Away we go!
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[Newsies]

Table of Contents:
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1. The One Where I Explain the Origins of This PTR And Talk About My Program
2. The One Where I Talk About Our FP+ and Dining Reservations
3. The One With the Single Digit Dance
4. The One Where This Was the Shortest PTR Ever!

 

[Newsies]

The One Where I Explain the Origins of This PTR and Talk About My Program
18 days out
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On my last Trip Report, I cut everything short after I told everyone I was going off to the DCP. School work was getting out of control, it was April and I was still about three days shy of completing my trip report for a trip that happened in August. It was just time to pull the plug on my poor TR. It wasn't my first Trip Report, I completed a PTR/TR for my July 2014 trip the year before, which made me even more sad to abandon the last one. I was really looking forward to developing my writing style and trying out new things for the many TRs I hope will come!

This time we're not doing as much and it's obviously a much shorter trip, so I'm going to give another PTR/TR a shot. I had so much fun making reports in the past and getting to know new people on the boards. This trip probably won't be much of a PTR/TR in itself, but it'll be mine and I'm excited to get posting! Anything to beef up that signature and up the post count, am I right?

So I didn't post anything here while I've been on my Program. For a variety of reasons. Basically, I wanted to keep my DIS experience mostly vacation related and decided the smartest thing to do would be to stay lowkey on this forum while I was working. Now that my program is coming to a close, I guess I can give you a brief summary of my favorite highlights over the past few months:

• Bought a Universal Studios season pass and had some great days there. Diagon Alley is incredible.
• Went to not one but TWO Mickey's Not-so-Scary Halloween Parties. Met Jack Skellington, Sally, the Seven Dwarfs, Cruella de Vil, Aladdin, Abu, Pooh, Tigger, Eyore, Piglet, Tarzan, Jane, and Terk. Saw the Boo to You Parade twice and Villains Spelltacular once. Also saw Hallowishes, but I don't think that really counts since I work Wishes and got to paid watch it at least once a week.
• Worked crowd control in front of the castle for the last ever Main Street Electrical Parade.
• LOVED the Food and Wine festival, ended up going to Epcot almost every single day off I had in September/October. The highlights included the roast duck from China, braised beef from France, and nudel gratin from Germany.
• Got to attend a Fantasyland attractions CM event where we watched Hocus Pocus in the Philharmagic theatre.
• Went home for a few days! I got to go on my first ever flight which was awesome and I can't wait to hopefully fly again soon. It was through American Airlines, and I really enjoyed the experience. I got to see my Manhattan for a day and my friend Austin treated me with tickets to Cats!
• Went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! Had some cookies, met Aurora, Philip, Snow White, The Prince, Mickey (in his cute lil holiday outfit), Mary Poppins and Bert, and saw the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
• Had some wonderful Table Service meals- the highlights being lunch at Chefs de France and breakfast at 1900 Park Fare.
• Went to two fantastic College Program events: the Winter Formal and my Service Celebration. The Winter Formal this year was themed around the 45th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom-- they had different meet and greets for each land, with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum in Fantasyland, Genie in Adventureland, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit in Frontierland, and Mickey and Minnie on Main Street, USA (TLand and LIBSQ were just photo ops). The ambassador of Walt Disney World even made his way over! The food was great and it was hosted inside Coronado Springs, which is where I want my reception to be after I get married at the GFlo. The Service Celebration was carnival themed. That means DUMBO was out! I had to meet him cause he's never out and in case you were wondering, his little trunk goes up and down and his ears flap. I actually had work later on that day, so it was just a "grab certificate, grab ears, grab photobox, meet mickey and minnie, eat some pizza, meet dumbo, DIP" kind of thing, sadly. It was still fun!
• Caught two... *ahem* surprise meet and greet rodeos that may or may not take place inside of Disney's Hollywood Studios in promotion of their night time show, Fantasmic! I didn't plan to see them when it happened, but I may or may not have wanted to stumble upon these completely random and unplanned pop up meet and greets for perhaps quite a long time maybe.

I've just genuinely had such a fulfilling and rewarding program experience. I love my job and I've done so much in the past five months. I've had all the snacks, bought all the merchandise, met all the characters (I have QUITE the autograph book now, let me tell you). While I'm sad to see it end, I'm really excited for the mini-vacation I get to spend with my family in a few weeks!

Here's some program photos for you all:

 

[Newsies]

The One Where I Talk About Our FP+ And Dining Reservations
17 days out
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Got my Christmas Day/NYE schedule last week. Working some CRAZY hours, but a coworker took a day away from me, so at least I get a two-day weekend! Just gotta keep myself well-rested and more importantly, well-caffeinated. Plus, as soon as that week is over, the week of my program check-out/family vacation begins! It's crazy how time flies. I'm going to miss it here a lot, but I'm so excited to be back in Jersey with my parents, sister, and dog! And pizza. And bagels.

As soon as my mom told me we were staying at the Polynesian, I knew that I had to log onto MDE immediately to scrape together whatever I could find for dining reservations/FP+ plans.

January 5th:

9:50 am- Kona Cafe
I tried to get my family into 'Ohana (especially for dinner!), but we didn't have the luck this time around. So we're gonna go to breakfast at Kona Cafe after I'm all checked out! I really think my family is going to like this one. I know I've been meaning to eat here for breakfast during my whole program. The Tonga Toast looks fabulous.

1:00-2:00 pm- Soarin'
I don't think the new Soarin' is as good as the old one, but since we couldn't get anything for Frozen, I know my family would prefer this over anything else.
2:15-3:15 pm- Spaceship Earth
My family hasn't been on Spaceship Earth yet! I think they'd like it. I love the smell of Rome burning.
3:25-4:25 pm- Journey into Imagination with Figment
Because Nemo and Character Spot were out! Honestly, I don't see us realistically using this one. We want to leave the park early to get a dinner spot at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. That's the big thing my mom wants to do this trip!

January 6th:

10:25 am- Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Genuinely, the best breakfast buffet I've ever had was the one I had here. What better way to send off on my life in Orlando than with my favorite buffet?

12:10-1:10 pm- Peter Pan's Flight
One last time?
2:00-3:00 pm- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Because the Mine Train was completely booked.
3:30-4:30 pm- Meet Mickey at Town Square Theatre
Gotta say bye bye to the boss

7:20 pm- Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
I was genuinely shocked when the reservation system told me that there was a table available. I really thought everything in the parks was going to be totally booked for the entire week. This is my mother's favorite restaurant in Disney World, so I'm happy I was able to book it!

 

[Newsies]

The One With The Single Digit Dance
9 days out

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


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I hope you all had a wonderful day with your families and had tons of presents to open!

I celebrated with a 10 hour shift yesterday and will continue the festivities with a 10 hour shift today.



I'm exhausted and so wish I could be with my family right now. Only 9 days until I get to see them again, which means... SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!

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I didn't have anything to open yesterday because I asked Santa to deliver to my NJ home (it would have just been a lot of things to take home that I don't have the room for!). I bought myself some candy and a DVD copy of "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which I watched yesterday morning. I'm a little sad, but I get to see my family so soon!!

Other than being a little crazy in the parks, I got to work with my favorite people, so the day wasn't too bad!

Our magic bands came in the mail a little while ago and as per the usual, they are just fabulous! Take a look:

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Tink is for Grace and Moana is for meeeeee!

I have two days off this week and I'll post an update if I decide to step foot in a park. I think I'm going to Universal on Wednesday, so that'll be something fun to post here.

 

[thebyrdwoman]

Following along! I did the CP back in Spring 2011 (can't believe it's been so long already!!) and miss it all the time. I'll be going on a trip with my family in February

 

[Trixie15]

Following along - your trip is in only 2 days!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Following along. Only read the first post so far but need to step out to take my son to church so I will catch up as soon as I get home. Like what I am reading so far. Until later, bye.

Ok, All caught up. I am so jealous that you got to do the College Program. I have a friend who did it last summer and absolutely loved it even though she is older. Which gives me hope that I can try to do it when my kids are older. My youngest is only 6 so have a while to wait. lol

Sorry you had to spend Christmas away from your family. It will only make you short trip all the much sweeter. Good luck to you and can't wait to read more.

 

[xlsm]

Hey there old DisFriend!! I'm going to go back and read the posts after your intro, but wanted to comment and follow real quick!

also, I swear I saw you in Epcot in Italy during my trip the week before Christmas, but by the time I had convinced myself it was you, you and your friends had left. It was a super hot day and La Bafana was speaking, and I was trying to figure out a non-creepy way to say hello! Obviously I failed! So if it WAS you in Epcot on December 19th (I think it was the 19th, could have been the 21st, but pretty sure we did Italy on the 19th - I haven't got to that part in my TR yet and I can't remember without pictures in front of me because I'm old!) here's a belated hello!

Ok, going back to see what's happening on your three day trip!

 

[Newsies]

Following along! I did the CP back in Spring 2011 (can't believe it's been so long already!!) and miss it all the time. I'll be going on a trip with my family in February

Welcome aboard!

I loved the time I spent on my CP too! Have fun with your family!

Following along - your trip is in only 2 days!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Following along. Only read the first post so far but need to step out to take my son to church so I will catch up as soon as I get home. Like what I am reading so far. Until later, bye.

Ok, All caught up. I am so jealous that you got to do the College Program. I have a friend who did it last summer and absolutely loved it even though she is older. Which gives me hope that I can try to do it when my kids are older. My youngest is only 6 so have a while to wait. lol

Sorry you had to spend Christmas away from your family. It will only make you short trip all the much sweeter. Good luck to you and can't wait to read more.

Welcome!!! Happy you enjoyed it!

The college program was super fun and I highly recommend it for you! Good luck in your future endeavors with the company!

Hey there old DisFriend!! I'm going to go back and read the posts after your intro, but wanted to comment and follow real quick!

also, I swear I saw you in Epcot in Italy during my trip the week before Christmas, but by the time I had convinced myself it was you, you and your friends had left. It was a super hot day and La Bafana was speaking, and I was trying to figure out a non-creepy way to say hello! Obviously I failed! So if it WAS you in Epcot on December 19th (I think it was the 19th, could have been the 21st, but pretty sure we did Italy on the 19th - I haven't got to that part in my TR yet and I can't remember without pictures in front of me because I'm old!) here's a belated hello!

Ok, going back to see what's happening on your three day trip!

HEY HOWDY HEY FRIEND!

Sadly it wasn't me I was working from, like, the 19th to the 26th straight. I really hope you enjoyed your trip, though!

Enjoy the TR when it gets posted and I hope you enjoyed what you read so far!

 

[Newsies]

The One Where This Was the Shortest PTR Ever!
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Here now at the Poly!

So the first thing I want to say to you guys is holy dole whips, do I have a surprise that I get to share with you all in a few days when I start this TR. I'm not ready to open up the jar of pixie dust yet but oh my goodness, my family got some amazing magic when we checked in here and I can't wait to share it with you all.

So.

PTR fail? Maybe?

The good news is that there's a TR in the works and another, grander PTR in the works as well! My family just can't stay away from Disney World, so we're coming back here in July.

That means I get to run a PTR and a TR in tandem for the first time ever!

Thanks for following along... for four chapters

See you all real soon!