MY ADVENTURES N WALT DISNEY WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & OTHER ASSORTED SILLINESS TRIP REPRT; APRL '16

[knewton64]

(I took a Disney IQ test a few yrs ago and scored out....GUESS WHO??) -YUP - Goofy.)



Well,
the dust has finally settled from my last vacation adventure and it's time once again to dust off my suitcases and head off to another adventure!


Hi all you out there kind enuf to read my trip report -
My name of course is Kris and well.....

I am a self confessed Disney fan of all things DISney

and
Yes, Jennifer (from
www.mousefantravel.com)
& I are partnering up once again for such a celebration marked by well, a celebration of life and all what it brings.


So just what is it that I am gonna see??
and what mischief can I manage??



STAY TUNED -
as in 3,360 more hours.....

-THE ADVENTURE BEGINS -


and
Happy Thanksgiving everyone -



T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL


P.S.S. and to those of you who are not logged in but wanna see my past adventures, they are listed below -


"MY VERY 1ST TRIP 2 WDW / DISNEY WONDER" 01-07-09 to 01-15-09 (w/pics & video)
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2062857
MY ADVENTURES by Disney "Spirit of America" Sept 2009 trip report ...
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2201584 - Cached
My "ADVENTURES N IRELAND" - TRIP REPORT; JUNE 2011 (w/pics & video) -http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2203028&referrerid=0
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2625762&referrerid=0
MY "ADVENTURES N HAWAII" -October 2011 trip report (w/pics & video)- http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2625762&referrerid=0
My "IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE N KEY WEST, COZUMEL & G CAYMAN DCL TRIP REPORT; JAN'12 (w/pics & video)http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686953&referrerid=0
MY "ADVENTURES N NEW YORK CITY" TRIP REPORT; SEPT '12 (w/pics & video)http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2765761&referrerid=0
MY "ADVENTURES N SAN FRAN, ROSE BOWL, ROSE BOWL PARADE & COASTAL CALIFORNIA" TRIP REPORT (w/pics & video)- DEC '13
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2875727&referrerid=0
MY "ADVENTURES N ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & WALES" TRIP REPORT - August '14 (w/pics & video)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3112285&referrerid=208040
MY "ADVENTURES N DISNEYLAND, CATALINA ISLAND & OTHER ASSORTED SO CAL STUFF" TRIP REPORT; SEPT 2015 (w/pics & video)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3112286&referrerid=208040
MY ADVENTURES N WALT DISNEY WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & OTHER ASSORTED SILLINESS TRIP REPRT; APRL '16
knewton64, Nov 25, 2015 Edit Report

 

[knewton64]

1. 

(Now this is a Hotel I would love to 'work' for!)



ANYWHO -
Been a crazy buzy last 7 days but F-I-N-A-l-L-y, my Disney plans are now beginning to take shape-



I have been soooooo spoiled by my most recent trip to a Disney park that I completely forgot about 'bus time'
to and from the parks for this adventure -

and
a huge thank you to all fellow DISsers who kindly reminded me of this as I have gotten my plans are finalized and they are:



DAY ONE -
1) go and visit Epcot park w/3:10pm ADR's at 'Rose & Crown' followed by

2) Meet Jasmine & Alladin at Morroco ; 5:35pm
(have never met them before and looking forward to this)


then use

my 3 Fast passes for:

1) Soarin'

2) Test Track
3) Illuminations

Afterwards, pick up some desserts (and some wine perhaps)
from various World Showcase and take in
Illuminations.

-(I have never seen this before so if some kind soul would like to post on my TR and or PM me on where they would suggest I sit to view this I would greatly appreciate it) -

Afterwards = ?


DAY TWO -

------------

Q: QS meal at your hotel breakfast area ("Pop and shop) at 6am.
(Yes, I am choosing to be housed at Pop Century since I do not plan to be in my hotel room very long each day)

Then head out for Backstage Magic tour;

FAST PASS #1______


AFterwards,

Park hop on over to Downtown Disney for

1) 7pm dinner ADR's at Ragland road.


also while there, go to

1) Goofy's for my hand dipped in chocolate rice Krispy treat w/plain m&m sprinkles and Oreo sprinkles = YUM!!

and of course ya gotta wash that down with a chocolate milkshake for Ghiradelis = Double YUM!!
......while pin trading and doing some much needed souvenir shopping.


DAY THREE -
------------
6am breakfast at 'Pop and Shop"
then bop out the door for my
VIP experience at Universal Studios

(love being a "Human Yo-Yo" for the day as yup! I plan on riding as many of their rides as possible......can you say "BONINE?"

not to mention flirtin' with all the park characters as well.


ANYWHO -
get back around 10pm,
and I am thinking seriously of ordering "Pizza Delivery" from hotel room phne & relax in room or by the hotel pool by my bod slinks back into being its usual self.



DAY FOUR -
Get quick bite to eat at "Pop and Shop" @ 6am, then
head out and see
1) "Undiscovered Future World @ Epcot" tour -
it finishes up around
Around 1pm -

then, park Hop on over to Hollywood Studios for
Fast Pass#1_____________________

Fast Pass #2_______________________-

Fast Pass#3___________________



a character meet & greet? = ____________________ PM, THEN

Around 5pm, ,make way on over to Brown Derby for

1) 5:30pm dinner "Fantasmic Dinner show" ADR at Brown Derby

followed by ??? time showing of Fantasmic.

Afterwards = ?

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY -
1) Go to "Pop & Shop" for quick breakfast @ 6am, then
go on to MK and fast pass -


1) POTC.

2) HM

3) Drarfs Mine Train


SCHEDULE SAY 2 CHARACTER MEET AND GREETS DURING THIS TIME, THEN

then leave at 3pm ish for

Downtown Disney and

experience, "L Experience; the ultimate Way to Expereince La Nuba"
(Really looking forward to this)



Departure DAY -
----------------------------
TAKE A CAB TO ANIMAL KINGDOM @ _7 TO 7:15AM FOR
1) "Backstage Tales" at AK (4 hours long)
(never seen this and really looking forward to this tour)


Afterwards, head out for
2) 1:05PM confirmed ADR lUNCH AT tUSKER hOUSE


LEAVE ak BY 2:30PM (recoNFIRM this) BY 2:30pm arrive back at Pop Century by 3:30pm leave by 4pm for 7:30pm flight back to Reality Land @ DFW.


(IF YOU HAVE JUST A WEE BIT MORE TIME AT ANIMAL KINGDOM; (SAY, YOU LEAVE THERE BY 3PM ISH, THEN IMO, FAST PASS "EXPEDITION EVEREST" ** )

I have never ridden this attraction and hopefully I can fit this in -




Anywho -
that b 4 now -


So since this TR is now officially up and running, be on the lookout for me to begin dropping some weight in preparation for this adventure as yup, u r talking to a foodie as I will be takin' plenty of video and pics where applicable.



Will be blogging now once a week to post how much weight I have lost -



T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Until next week , here is a wee bity ditty to keep ya n the Christmas mood -

T-minus 3,096 hours and the adventure begins -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Climb on aboard -

(What I get to see on 'my day three'....among other things)


as
last minute changes & such have been taking place with my upcoming adventure.

(pic shot while visiting Disneyland; Sept 2015)



Received my La Nuba ticket and information just the other day
but the biggest change is going to occur on my day three as I am finding that I will be literally getting up around 4am to start my day that will officially be spent out at Universal Studios starting around 8am in the morning as I figure I will not be getting back to my Hotel room until around midnight.


Welcome to how I roll when I am on vacation.


So,
to officially kick off any vacation adventure, I always burn some music to cd and this one is no exception.


Below listed is what I call some 'mood music' to put anyone in the mood for some Disney fun -


MY DAY ONE MUSIC -
1) "Frankenweenie Disney Logo" by Danny Elfman
2) "Walts Dedication of Disneyland"
3) "A British Bank" (from the Mary Poppins Soundtrack)

I mean, hey - why not since I will be having an ADR at 'Rose & Crown'

ANYWHO -

4) "Soarin Over California" (from WDW Resort/ Official Album)
5) "Golden Dream" by the Liberty Voices
6) "Mickey Mouse Club March" - (from Disney's Greatest Hits, Vol 2)
7) "The Mouseketeers March" - (from Musical highlight From the Mickey mouse Club TV Show)



DAY TWO MUSIC
8) "Touch the Sky" by Julie Fowls
and ya can't ferget this (IMO) pub drinking song,

9) "The Unicorn" by the Irish Rovers



MY DAY THREE MUSIC
10) "Universal Studios Fanfare"
11) "Harry's Wonderous World" (from the Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone Soundtrack)
12) "Double Trouble" - (from the Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban Soundtrack)

Never seen Universal Studios Florida & really wanna c the Harry Potter atrractions


13) "Spider Man" - (from the cd titled 'Super Hero Invasion")
14) "Back to the Future" by Alan Silvestri


and of course, ya can't ferget,

15) 'I Wanna Be Loved by You" by Betty Boop

I can DEF tell this day will b a "Bonine" day!!


MY DAY FOUR MUSIC
16) "The Twilight Zone of Tower of Terror" - (from the WDW Resort Official Album)
I have been 'hearing' that you need to look up once you begin to drop......

Don't know if there is any truth to that but I will and see if I see the Ghosts......


ANYWHO -
17) "Fantasmic Exit Music" from 'Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives' cd
18) "Disneyland's 10th Anniversary Special" (Pirates of the Caribbean Excerpt)
19) 'The Exit Spiel" (from the same cd as #18)


MY DAY FIVE MUSIC
20) "La Nuba" from the cd of the same name
21) "Distorted" from the cd, 'La Nuba"



MY DEPARTURE DAY MUSIC
22) "Circle of Life" - from the Lion King
23) "So Long" by the Singing Busts

and a totally different version of......
24) "When you Wish upon a Star" by Cliff Edwards
(it is sung by him to the tune of a ballroom waltz)

and lastly,
25) "Mickey Mouse Club, Alma Mater" from the cd Disney's Greatest Hits, Vol 3




On a different note,


My weight loss totals to date -

Total weight lost: Three pounds
total weight I wanna lose = 20.




and so, my quest continues -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Got a little something here ta keep ya n the Christmas mood until next time -

T-MINUS 2,700 more hours & the adventure begins!





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL



......and Merry Christmas

 

[knewton64]

With Christmas now almost upon us, it was important to let Ms. Ladybug
know

(pic taken when she was one, she's now 4 yrs old) - she's a Bluetick Beagle; aka a "Coon Dog."
.....we were watching the movie, "Star Wars" that day.....



that Santa Beagle & I have conferred and both agreed that she has been a Good Girl all year long and well, Christmas came a little early for her as she 'opened' up all her gifts -

From a zillion chew toys, assorted foods (dry & wet) to even a mani/pedi, bubble bath and a full blown massage (Beagles like to have their backs stretched), L.B. really enjoyed today.


Considering also she was weighed yesterday and comes in at -

24.9 pounds!!
which is good because she really needs to be under 25 pounds.
(really would like to see her lose 2 more pounds)



Me?


My weight loss totals to date -

Total weight lost: Five pounds
total weight I wanna lose = 20.




and with that, I have a birthday coming up real quick (December 30th), as I expect things to begin to pick up on this vacation and my other one ---- say around the first of next month.


Oh.....where am I going also in 2016??



Clue#1 -
Pstttt!!!! It's in December -




Stay tuned -




- 2,544 more hours and this adventure begins -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

and -
Merry Christmas

 

[knewton64]

WOWZERS!!!
This just happened a few days ago....ONE EXIT DOWN from us:

and with even being one exit down from us, we still felt the beginnings of the devastation with debris all over our yard, wind howling, trees shaking .....you name it, not a fun evening for Ladybug & I.

and to hear on tv a Human being breaking through the Police lines to get to his 27 year old Wife who is upside down in a car and yelling at her to wake up.....while holding her - knowing she's dead........OMG!!

That shakes you to the core.



So, after a few days of quiet reflection, I thought it would be time to celebrate my birthday ON my birthdate (December 30th) -


and with that,
let the Celebrations begin!

Yes, today was my birthday and I felt what a more wonderful way to kick off this upcoming DISney adventure by going out to IHOP and having some much needed pancakes and such.


and from there, nothing more kinder than stopping on by the Rowlett Animal shelter to drop off some much needed donations for the Tornado victims' 4-legged family members lost in the devastation (over 60 were found as of last count).


headed on back home for some much needed hugs from L.B.
and as we both chilled out over watching a fun Disney movie.


Up next, I gotta see that new Star Wars movie.


and with that, no change in my weight loss (hey, it's my birthday)






**T-MINUS 2,400 MORE HOURS AND THE ADVENTURE BEGINS**







T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

THINGS ARE LOOKIN' UP AS....



.....after a few days of feeling like.....blah....


....I have been putting into motion what I am doing next year for fun and well, for starters -

I gotta buy a new car (August 2017)
......my current one has 141K miles on her!!


So why not make it fun and celebrate my birthday at the same time?? So here is a clue as to where it will be and YES, it will be with Disney Cruise Line.

I promise by the end of this trip report to begin a new one (for my December 2016 adventure) as well as letcha n on where I am going in December 2017......


YUP - ya heard right, I already booked a cruise w/DCL for December 2017.


Now, how was I able to do that????
Magic -


Detail forthcoming I promise -




in others developments, I GAINED one freakin' pound!!
Hmmmmm......ok Christmas is over, so fair to say - YES - you will see me be more focused n on dropping that weight for as we all know, heading into the land of Mickey and friends is fun, but ya gotta be aware of your weight BEFORE you go so you can really enjoy the Disney parks.


And enjoy I shall.
(over the next few day, I will begin to book my 'Fast Passes' for this adventure)


Will letcha know how that faired out next on my next posting.




2,234 more hours & this adventure begins -




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[LanaBear-ox]

Following you on your countdown! Excited to hear more as plans come together!

 

[knewton64]

Following you on your countdown! Excited to hear more as plans come together!

Awwwww!! Ya made my day.
I always have a rather unique habit of turning vacations into adventures so its gonna b fun to see what is in store for this one.






**T-minus 2,064 more hours & the adventure begins**




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Been having fun criss crossing back and forth between my now 3 upcoming vacations as Collette Vacations just emailed me about the airfare they just added to my late November/early December 2016 adventure -


Now in relation to this one,
I am beginning to see that give me about another 30 more days & I will be "in official vacation mode" in relation to this adventure.


It's always fun
to go behind the scenes and see more on how the Disney Park systems works -



and of course, ya can't ferget the food!!



never been to WDW in April -
I am planning to see the new Star Wars movie and "Inside Out" before these next
2,064 hours are up.......



But whose countin'?





(P.S.S........it's always fun listening to Disney music on yer Ipod via earplugs while u r posting on yer trip report)




Ok.....enuf silliness 4 now.......





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

MAKIN' PROGRESS -

(pic from a t-shirt while visiting the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City; Sept '12)




T-minus 1,824 more hours.....




UP NEXT:
The booking of my Fast Passes and other assorted Goofiness.....





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Be Patient -

(pic shot during my DCL cruise; Jan '09)





Just found out that this adventure will be taking place during the Epcot's 'Flower and Garden Show' and the Star War Marathon so WOWZERS!!


I DEF gotta go see that Star Wars movie.
(gonna see it last week in February).



See - this is 'what I get' when I haven't visited a DISney park in the spring!
- (and yes, I DEF plan of doing LOTS of food tasting while in Epcot) -



In other 'news,' I can feel the weight beginning to come off of me (and Ladybug)
as I can really feel a difference in me - will post weight totals shortly.



and of course, YES - I can FINALLY book my Fast passes February 11th -




So be prepared for lots to talk about next week -






T-minus 1,632 more hours to go and this adventure begins -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

I'M BRINING BACK THE 'TR MOOD MUSIC' (yes, even tho it's from my recent adventure n2 DISneyland) CUZ.........

(with a wee bit of some mood music to help set the tone)
pppssstttt!!! Just double right click w/yer computer mouse over the above video & it will play 4 u
and as an extra bonus......

how about some music from Downtown Disney(land) and David Wayne??

The reason why I am doing this is
.....I'm seeing that you can listen to it while reading this TR.
(its only good for that page that u r on)
and besides -


It's catchy!!



T-minus 1,608 more hours and this adventure begins -
(next update 02-11-16)


T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

About to have my very first experience booking Fast Passes the window for booking them is about to open up in a few more minutes -




Will letcha know how it turns about very shortly.




T-minus 1,440 more hours.....




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

**OK......SO WHAT WAS ALL THAT FUSS ABOUT & WEIGHT LOSS TOTALS **

(Take a wild guess where I shot this picture a few yrs ago)......


WOWZERS!!

What a wild but quite fun and amazing 90 minutes I just had getting everything all booked - from Fast Passes to Charatcer grettings - and only made one 'technical' goof......


IE - about an hour into the process, I had my Fast Passes booked for Holywood Studios booked as 1,2 & 3 but I wanted 3 to be 1, 2 remain at 2 and 1 to be three but alas & rats!!

I could tell that others "were in the system" and grabbing all remaining time slots!!


So, I decided to 'stay put' and not move them around for fear of losing my Fast Passes and the times...... AH well - no worries I say -



Still gonna b a rockin' good time.



And speaking of havin a rockin' good time......
about my weight loss totals -


I am a wee bit embarrassed to admit that my weight was beginning to get outta hand recently due to some unecceasry and downright uncalled for stress (can't go into too much detail) but now that it has subsided, I am very proud to say the follwing:


My weight loss Objective: Lose 20 pounds.


My weight when I began this journey........
(ok.....hold onto your hat.....)

My weight: 235 lbs


My current weight - 216
My weight loss total to date = 19 pounds!!




Ok......here is where is gets tricky -


I have a strong desire to get down to 190-195


Don't know how long it will take me -

WISH ME LUCK -



ok....so what about Ladybug???



She is coming in at......


wait for it.......
wait for it.............

WAIT FOR IT.............


***** 24.4 poinds!!*****


I nearly fell outta my skin when she stepped off the scale but quikly recoveed to let her know that she's a good girl and to keep up the good work.



ANYWHO -



and with that, we are both off to enjoy a rather quiet week before I jump in again and merge all my Fast Pass / Character Greetings into what you see listed listed in posting #2.....


I can tell this is beginning to be molded into quite an adventure......



- T-minus 1,416 more hours and this adventure begins -




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Hmmmmmm......I just may be onto something -
(NO, I didn't say "ON SOMETHING

Just stepped on the scale today and I am at 213 lbs!!



TOTAL WEIGHT LOST =
(okokok.....NOT QUITE!!! IT'S ACTUALLY 22 LBS......BUT STILL -)


okokok.....I can take that -

Q: How Am I doing this??

Lots of Cardio and Core followed by using Ladybug as live barbell if ya will. She is a good sport about it and loves the attention.

Oh, and yes - watching what I eat. My biggest downfall??? Sweets of any kind, 'Portion control and serving size' but to me once ya have that down, viola!! Losing weight just is a snap for me as it feels nice and I can tell a difference in Ladybug as well.


SO be on the lookout for my next goal to hit the 208 range before I hit the Disney parks.
Getting there for someone who is 6 foot tall.





CYA Thursday
(Pssstttt!!!! Just got word that I have a mini vacation of sorts coming up in 14 days). Looking forward to some much needed R&R before I round that corner and head off on this adventure).

I vacation like I mean it and look forward to being a Human yo-yo while out at Universal Studios as I plan on being up around 4am that day and going to bed around midnight....


Pics and video I promise -


T-minus 1,368 more hours and this adventure begins




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

From the "WHAT THE WHAT??!!" Department......


So, here L.B. & I were out jogging the other day around Duck Creek Park (3am Tuesday) when I had to do a hard stop.....and well - gawk
at what I saw across the pond.


It was a house......
a house that had up.......
or shall I say -

STILL had up......

wait for it...............
wait for it.......................

THEIR OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!

oK......now that def caught my attention.
Not to be outdone, as we were pausing to begin again jogging, we saw not one but TWO falling stars & as we were gawking, an Owl flew right by us!

Now that's freaky when an Owl flies right by ya in the darkness of the moon light.


Hmmmm.....I bet that Owl's name was Hedwig.....




In other news......




Just stepped on the scale today and I am at 209 lbs!!



TOTAL WEIGHT LOST =
(okokok.....NOT QUITE!!! IT'S ACTUALLY 26 LBS......BUT STILL -)


okokok.....I can take that -
I can feel the difference physically and mentally about the new me and it feels great!


L.B.??
She is still at 24.4 lbs (YYEEAA!!).


My next weight loss goal is to hit 205 lbs........
And lastly, I am currently working on finishing up my plans for my Universal Studios day, what time do I actually start my days and HEY! When & where do I eat??


(I know, I am such a 'Commando planner' who is trying to chill out but ya know, the planning part of any adventure is soooooo much fun.




UP NEXT:
receiving that thing called my 'Magic Band,' getting out that suitcase and getting it ready and seeing just how far can I get on my weight loss journey.



-T-minus 1,272 more hours and this adventure begins -




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Loved watching the Wonderful World of Disney Sunday this past week; esp seeing Dick Van Dyke still showing he's got the moves -

Just seeing him just puts me in that DISney mood


which reminds me, I gotta begin to drag out my suitcase and begin to put a few things in there for this adventure -


Like an extension cord, etc....




ANYWHO -
on a different note........


Just stepped on the scale today and I am at 207 lbs!!


TOTAL WEIGHT LOST =
(okokok.....NOT QUITE!!! IT'S ACTUALLY 28 LBS......BUT STILL -)
okokok.....I can take that -

I can feel the difference physically and mentally about the new me and it feels great!
L.B.??
She is still at 24.4 lbs (YYEEAA!!).
My next weight loss goal is to hit 205 lbs........




Am about 2 step out 4 a while and be on a long over due vacation of sorts next week



- And I will have this 1 on my mind all next week as I putter arounf the house and such-
(and yes, I will be doing a few fun things aorund the DFW area so no worries)




T-minus 1,152 more hours and this adventure begins -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[macraven]

congrats on the 22 lbs you lost.
you'll be in fine shape to tackle universal in
april.

but Chris, the pictures you have shown here doesn't make it look like you need to lose anymore weight!