Pooh Bear’s A List. A June ’15 TR incl. Disney Engagement story. 9/19- If a beer falls in a lodge?!

[Bubbenstein]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!! First post!!!!!!!! Sorry, had to get that out of my system, it was building for a very long time.

Greetings, people. Greetings. Greetings and salutations. What a beautiful day for a ball game. Let's play two!

We have finally started this trip report for our most recent vacation to the House that Walt Built, which really was just a long weekend over Father’s Day. So let’s get the obligatory introductions out of the way. Shall we?

Jump in, Jump out. Turn yourself about. Jump in, jump out. Introduce yourself!

I bet you never in a million years thought there would be a Gullah Gullah Island reference in a trip report for those that even know the beauty and awesomeness of that show. Binyah, Binyah, anyone?


Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess from a small town in Pennsylvania named Barbie who loved all things Disney. Loved might not be too strong a word. Let’s call it obsession (by Calvin Klein, TM). She went on several trips to Disney World growing up.

Here are her stats:

Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom

Favorite Ride at MK: Pirates of the Caribbean (favorite overall)

Favorite Snack: Dole Whip

Favorite Dining Experience: Be Our Guest

Favorite Ride at AK: Dinosaur

Favorite Ride at Epcot: Soarin’

Favorite Ride at DHS: Tower of Terror

Favorite Character: Belle

Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast

Favorite song to sing to Aria: Part of your World

Favorite Dining at Epcot: Akershus

Favorite Dining at AK: Tusker House

Favorite Dining at DHS: Mama Melrose

Favorite Souvenir: Masks at Italy Pavilion

Least Favorite Park: DHS (Stop taking away things, stop changing its name, bring back the Hat, where is the character palooza again? Just stop already and bring back Magic of Animation!). Rant over.

Least Favorite Ride at Epcot: The one where Ellen talks for 45 minutes.

Least Favorite Ride at MK: Does Swiss Family Treehouse count? It’s not really a ride.

Least Favorite Ride at AK: The one where the birds poop all over

Least Favorite Ride at DHS: There are only like 5 rides left.



In 2008, the beautiful princess and the handsome prince, err, the handsome Beast (Barbie nixed my idea of calling myself the Grinch Beast since I hated Disney so much), met and fell in love. Cue the ‘80s la la la music and studio audience canned “aww”. The Beast lived in New York City and despised all things Disney. He had only been there once before, in 1997, but lost his favorite hat atop a scary mountain in Space. Here are the Beast’s stats who will hereinafter be referred to as Shaya, on account of his name sounding and being spelled the same as that.

Pronunciation lesson: Pronounce name as Shy-a.

Spelling lesson: Spell name as Shaya, not the “incorrect” way Shia Lebeouf spells it.

Favorite Park: Epcot, Animal Kingdom very close 2nd.

Favorite Ride at MK: Splash Mountain (favorite overall) – my dad used to read me the stories of Br’er Rabbit all of the time growing up. When I bought the stories to read to Aria, I was very pleased that they have been abridged appropriately.

Favorite Snack: Does the Grand Marnier Slushie count? If not, we’ll go with either the Cream Cheese Pretzel at Lunching Pad (thank you, DIS trip reports for this one!), the Bubble Tea at the China Pavilion, or any cupcake at Cheshire Café.

Favorite Dining Experience: Tusker House

Favorite Ride at AK: Dinosaur

Favorite Ride at Epcot: Three Caballeros (Yes, that’s right!)

Favorite Ride at DHS: Toy Story Midway Mania or Star Tours if I ever get to go on the new version

Favorite Character: Mexican Donald, Stitch a close second

Favorite Movie: Lion King

Favorite song to sing to Aria: Circle of Life or Wonderwall (I know I’m weird sometimes)

Favorite Dining at Epcot: Akershus

Favorite Dining at AK: Tusker House (Bobotie is the best thing ever, am I right?)

Favorite Dining at DHS: Hollywood & Vine

Favorite Souvenir: You will need to read the trip report to find out. It gets purchased on this trip!

Least Favorite Park: DHS (see above)

Least Favorite Ride at Epcot: There are a bunch I haven’t gone on yet so they shouldn’t count. I love all of the rides that I have been on, including Journey into Imagination, Spaceship Earth, and Living with the Land.

Least Favorite Ride at MK: I know this will get a bad reaction from the Dis but Carousel of Progress. The ride needs to show some progress already. Apparently the last scene has already been updated three times. I read about it…in a book! No, on Wikipedia, but thought I would throw in a Dodgeball reference. Apologies.

Least Favorite Ride at AK: I love everything about AK!

Least Favorite Ride at DHS: Rock N Rollercoaster. I know many people love it, but for a coaster, it’s kinda meh. If I want to ride on real coasters, I go to Six Flags, Hershey Park, or insert favorite thrill ride seeker park.

In 2009, Shaya decided it was time to propose to Barbie (yes, the beautiful princess/Beast theming is over. R.I.P. poor attempt at providing color and imagery to the story). But wherever to propose? Where should someone who despises all things Disney propose to a beautiful girl who loves all things Disney?


Why, this place of course!

So if anyone was interested in the proposal story, here it goes. When I decided that Disney World would be the place to propose, I immediately knew that it would have to be centered around Wishes since Barbie loves fireworks and prefers Wishes to Illuminations. I know a lot of people like proposals in a public setting, but I personally wanted a more intimate setting and I had a sense that Barbie would want it to just be us as well.

So I started doing research about how to make Wishes, a nighttime spectacular that thousands attend every day, a secluded and personal experience for both of us. I like doing research, and even then, especially Disney research. So enter the Private Dining Experience at the Grand Floridian. This is not Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table. I knew that Barbie’s food sensibilities were probably pickier than most so I needed a lot more control over the menu than that could provide and since the meals would be prepared by the Grandy’s own chef, I knew the food would be delish. There are many locations throughout the Grandy that can be chosen, but I settled on the terrace.

That night, the first night we were there, instead of going to the parks, we hung around the Poly, which was our home for that week (R.I.P. amazing waterfall in the lobby),

got drinks by the pool, and got ready for dinner. Barbie didn’t know we were having dinner at the Grandiferous, let alone a private meal there, but I told her to wear a fancy dress. I’m guessing she sensed at this point that something big was about to go down.

When we got to the Grand Floridian, we took a bunch of pictures in our semi-formal wear and our waiter for the evening met us in the lobby to escort us to our table where we would dine. I carefully selected every menu item for Barbie, which needless to say, took several emails back and forth with the planning concierge. Sorry, no pictures of the food, but we have our private menus somewhere and we’ll have to find them at some point. I got the salmon, French onion soup, and a bottle of Moet… to share obviously.

I got Barbie cheese quesadillas and spaghetti and meatballs, two of her favorite dishes. Dessert you say? My plan was for us to have dessert on the second phase of the night, but I neglected to get anything for dessert for our actual dinner, which I knew would make her suspicious. So the waiter worked with the kitchen in secret and they whipped up some chocolate truffles. Success!

Barbie told me later that she was positive I would propose at dinner. Nope, not a chance! Have we met?

On to phase two. But where were we going at 8:00 at night in suit and dress? To the marina! All aboard the Grand One Yacht!

Time for some dessert on our Wishes Cruise. Did I mention that Barbie’s favorite movie of all time, Disney or otherwise, is Beauty and the Beast? Probably. Well it is. So I had to add a touch of the movie to this night so make room for the cake.

Before boarding the yacht, I spoke to the captain and gave him an Elvis CD, which I carried on me from the drive to the airport, the flight to Orlando, the limo ride to the Poly, getting ready at the Poly, taxi to the Grand Floridian, entire dinner, and finally to the boat, all without letting Barbie see it. She has always been a huge Elvis fan, again, probably obsessed is the proper term. So I had the captain play “Can’t Help Falling in Love” about 5-10 minutes before Wishes started, got down on one knee, and proposed.

Obligatory ring photo.

And that became our first song at our wedding 17 months later. Again cue the sappy ‘80s la la la music and studio audience canned, “aww!”.

After Wishes, because I really didn’t know what was customary to tip the captain or if that was even something that you usually tip for, I tried to figure out what to do at that point. I usually tip around 25% at restaurants so that’s what I did. Probably went overboard. Ha! At that point, he played the Elvis CD on a loop for the next hour and a half, even though I only reserved the boat for an hour total. So we just drove around the lagoon and the captain took many pictures of us and gave us a Front of the Line card, which can only be used once. It was basically like another fastpass, which we used on Toy Story Midway Mania, which had only recently opened at that point and the wait times were ridiculous.

When we got back to the Poly, some more Disney magic awaited as I made some Disney Florist arrangements, bouquet of red roses and various other goodies like sparkling wine and chocolate.

This is me with my favorite character! The below picture is Mickey at the Character Spot making me reenact my proposal in front of a huge line. I guess we did the public proposal after all!

The picture above was taken as part of our private photo session at the Poly. I wish they still did these...

So on March 7, 2010, the beautiful princess and the Beast (theming has returned! Just for this sentence, though) became engaged at the Happiest Place on Earth and the sour puss who despised all things Disney now loved it just as much as his beautiful princess.

The End.

 

[Bubbenstein]

Table of Contents.

I am leaving the kitten mittens for your enjoyment. And don't worry, there is definitely more It's Always Sunny on the way.

Introduction - Part I
Introduction Part II - Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome Moose!
Day 1, Part I: Are you ready? Yes, I'm ready! Really ready? We're ready to goooooooo!
Pre-Trip Report, Part I - October Royal Room/F&W/MNSSHP
Day 1, Part II - When a Moose Meets a Bear, You Know It's Going to Get Crazy!
Pre-Trip Report, Part II - February Dining Rezzies are Upon Us!!
Pre-Trip Report, Part III - Winter is Coming, Go to Disney!
Day 1, Part III - I'm Bouncing Like Tigger! I'm Bouncing Like Tigger!
Day 1, Part IV - Is there Room for a Third Stepsister?
Day 1, Part V/Day 2, Part I - You are no longer allowed to take video at Disney World!

 

[Bubbenstein]

Where were we?

It was around the time of our engagement, when we started a family. First with Persian kitties appropriately named Minnie and Daisy.

This is Daisy. She's a little skittish around strangers but loves us and spends every evening literally yelling at us for attention.

This is Minnie, our first born if you will. She's much more easygoing and relaxed. Daisy loves Minnie, but Minnie basically tolerates Daisy.

And finally, on January 23, 2013, we welcomed this amazing and special girl into the world. Our beautiful Aria.

Definitions: Opera term: Self-contained piece for one voice, with or without orchestral accompaniment, and sung with emotion to represent the character's feelings as opposed to advancing the story. Italian: Air. This was told to us by our server at Via Napoli on our May, 2014 trip. Hebrew: Lion.

We may refer to her in this trip report as Moose. Why is her nickname Moose? I don’t know. When she was born, we called her Monkey because Barbie thought she looked like Turk from Tarzan. It then evolved or devolved into Moose. In May, 2014, when we went to Disney, we were accused by a Canada Pavilion CM of not knowing the difference between a Moose and an Elk when we chose the wrong stuffed animal to get the Moose. We bought the Elk anyway. Maybe Aria should be called Elk then? Or Moose Elk? We’ll stick with Moose.

She was born exactly two months early but you definitely wouldn’t know it by looking at her now. She spent 39 days in the NICU and caught up to the full term height and weight chart within four months, even though the doctors said she would be on the pre-term chart for two years. Barbie and I have tried to become involved with the efforts of March of Dimes, a wonderful organization that fights to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. The three of us, as well as family and friends, participate in March for Babies each year. If you haven’t heard about the organization or the event, please look it up for more details. Plug over.

Aria (Moose) stats:

Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom, really loves all parks.

Favorite Ride at MK: It’s a Small World (favorite overall).

Favorite Snack: Lemonade or Goldfish crackers (I know, not Disney, but she’s 2, give her a break. Fine, goldfish crackers bought at Disney World. Happy?)

Favorite Dining Experience: Crystal Palace

Favorite Ride at AK: Kilimanjaro Safari

Favorite Ride at Epcot: Three Caballeros or Journey Into Imagination

Favorite Ride at DHS: Not sure if she has ever gone on a ride at DHS

Favorite Character: Winnie the Pooh, followed closely by Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore

Favorite Movie: Any Winnie the Pooh movie (See the trend? Read the Trip Report title again if not) followed by Frozen.

Favorite song Aria likes to sing: Big Blue World, It’s a Small World, All Frozen songs, All Winnie the Pooh songs, she likes to sing, let’s put it at that.

Favorite Dining at Epcot: Akershus

Favorite Dining at AK: Tusker House

Favorite Dining at DHS: Hollywood & Vine

Favorite Souvenir: EVERYTHING!

Least Favorite Park: She loves them all!

Least Favorite Ride at Epcot: The ones she’s too little to go on.

Least Favorite Ride at MK: She has gotten used to all of the ones we have gone on. Next trip, we try Haunted Mansion for the first time. Stay tuned.

Least Favorite Ride at AK: None

Least Favorite Ride at DHS: None


In May, 2014, we decided to take the Moose to Disney for the first time. Here are some pictures of that trip. We went with Moose’s grandparents and had a blast. Moose loved the characters and some of the rides, like Journey, Small World, and absolutely loved Disney Junior Live.

Tiana was the only character that Aria let hold her. Will anyone get to hold her on this trip? Have to read the trip report to find out.

This ended up being one of our favorite pictures from the trip. Aria was exhausted from our early flight into Orlando and fell asleep on the bus to Magic Kingdom. She was asleep for the first 45 minutes of her first Disney World experience.

Oddly enough, the picture above is one of my all time favorite Moose pictures. I call it the, "she's just hot" picture. It signifies what I love about Aria and children in general. When they're happy, you can see that they're happy. When they're sad, they certainly show you that they're sad. And when it's too hot outside and they don't feel like smiling...well, this is the picture that you get. She's just hot. Kids, at least when they're younger, do not know or understand the concept of faking it and smiling for the camera. They're emotions are raw and express exactly what they're feeling in that moment. That's why when she does smile or laugh, it means that much more because that is exactly what they want to be doing in that moment.

For New Year’s, we decided to ditch a Moose for a long weekend and had a great time just the two of us. The crowds were absolutely crazy but expected. We went to Epcot for New Year's Eve and somehow got reservations for Rose and Crown and dinner at Akershus. Despite already having 14 drinks, I somehow still managed to become a "Viking" by gulping a shot of Aquavit without flinching for five seconds. It's basically like taking a shot of Ice 101 after already drinking for eight hours. Not easy. On New Year's Day, we spent 16 hours at MK and just about did everything. And then, as you can see from the below picture, we went to AK on the 2nd and had a blast with all of the Christmas theming. We even found Kilimanjaro Safaris to be funnier than the Jingle Cruise. I still contend that the tree at Animal Kingdom was the best of the three we saw. Despite all of this fun, we decided, however, that this will be the last trip that we would do it “solo”, or at least our version of solo. Barbie and I have been apart for maybe three days total in the four years that we've been married and maybe in the 7.5 years that we have known each other.

We both look like we’re trying desperately not to crack up laughing. Not sure why because Mickey has laryngitis unless he’s at Town Square. Oh well.

And this finally brings us to the current trip. In May, I started reading trip reports on the DIS and loved reading about everyone’s adventures in Disney and learning lots of new foods to try and places to explore. Barbie had been reading them for years, but I started to become fascinated and yes, obsessed, with reading every last trip report. I had finally drank the kool aid and become a Disney fanatic, especially after seeing how much Aria loved Disney and how each trip to Disney is unlike any previous trip. That’s why we go to Disney so much. So we had already booked 9 nights at POR for October F&W/MNSSHP but I didn’t want to wait until October to go back, especially after reading so many trip reports and getting that vicarious enjoyment that we all feel reading these TRs.

So then the brain started pumping ideas of how to get back sooner. And I landed on Father’s Day weekend. Surprisingly, despite only being one month away, flights were really cheap out of DCA, which is our home airport. Whoops! Forgot to mention that we now live in the DC Metro Area. And with the Summer deals that Disney has going on, we booked Caribbean Beach, which later became a studio at the Boardwalk Villas, which finally became Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View.

See next post for the Actual Trip Report. I promise there will be less words, more pictures going forward. Thanks for reading!

 

[DisneyAndrew]

I think this is a first for me, but I'm the first one here! Yay!

I am a DIS fanatic - although often under the cover of lurkdom, and I am definitely looking forward to this TR.

 

[Bubbenstein]

I think this is a first for me, but I'm the first one here! Yay!

I am a DIS fanatic - although often under the cover of lurkdom, and I am definitely looking forward to this TR.

We hope you enjoy our TR and I'm glad that we aren't talking to ourselves. Good to know. I was about to put the following video up.

 

[beckyx3]

I'm in! You had me at Gullah Gullah Island.

 

[NittanyKK]

I'm definitely in... but then again I have somewhat of a personal investment as Aunt Shush of the little cutie in this particular TR!

 

[Bubbenstein]

Day 1, Part 1: Are you ready? Yes, I'm ready! Really ready? We're ready to goooooooo!

And we're back!

We started our short June 19-June 22 trip to Disney the way most Disney vacations begin: With that blaring alarm clock sounding off at 2:45 AM. Got to love that! It took Barbie a few attempts to actually get me up.

She finally blurted out as she has often done whenever we have to wake up super early for a fun trip. It’s Disney World, wake up! And I was awake. Just like that.

Woke up, did all of the traditional morning things. Ate my hardboiled egg just like every other morning. Didn’t my body know it was on vacation?!

We woke up a Moose around 3:45 and instead of her being mad at us for waking her up ridiculously early, she said, “I have to go on plane to see Mickey today.”

We got her ready, packed up the car, and started our drive to DCA. With my magic band on one wrist and my watch on the other, I didn’t have room for the Fitbit. So I remarked to Barbie that the magic bands should have a pedometer on them. They really should! The Fitbit had to stay home. So for this trip report, I will be guesstimating how many steps I took. And by that, I mean I will be entirely and completely making it up. Since I recently upgraded to the iphone 6 and it has a built-in pedometer, I won’t be having that issue in October.

Anyway, getting to the airport, checking our bags, going through security was all uneventful, unlike going through security on the way home (stay tuned for that doozy of a tale!). We usually pay for Jet Blue’s Even More Speed to help ease the pain of going through security and at 5 AM on a Friday, I can tell you that it didn’t make much of a difference, if at all.

Barbie and I were both worried that with the lack of sleep, Aria would be fussy on the plane. Also, she likes to run around…constantly and obviously on plane, she wouldn’t be able to. But inbound to Orlando, she was wonderful. Very happy, playing with my earbuds and figuring out the seat belt buckle and playing on the ipad, which she already knows how to use better than I do. We were most concerned about the landing but we told her she would be "bouncing like Tigger" and that stuck! She giggled and repeated "I bounce like Tigger!" for the duration of the landing. Happy toddler = happy parents!

Here of course is the obligatory photo of the wing of the plane and seeing how amazing the world looks from this altitude.

Because Aria was so good I guess, one of the flight attendants gave her a pair of "junior flight wings". When we touched down, since we were in the back of the plane, we had to wait a while to actually exit the plane. Aria was getting antsy and thought that I, having the aisle seat, was the hold up, the reason why we couldn't leave, so she kept saying, "excuse me, daddy" to get me to move. No such luck.

After touching down, we made our way to the first ride of the trip, the Orlando airport monorail. I know many of you call it the Fake-o-rail, but I just can’t do it, it is what it is. Aria absolutely hated it though and made us worried she would hate all other rides and forms of transportation.

Prior to this trip, Aria was extremely cautious and apprehensive of going on buses, trains, elevators, boats, basically any form of conveyance. As you will see, Disney broke her out of her shell and she actually enjoyed herself on all of these modes of transportation. Disney World, making us better since 1971. I thank you.

So we made our way to Disney Magical Express and the castmembers there were saying how cute Aria was and neither I nor Barbie was paying any attention when they told us which lane to get in to pick up the bus heading to Wilderness Lodge. So of course we went in the wrong aisle. I then asked the castmember which lane to be in and she was like, “we already did check in but we’ll try to squeeze you in.” Umm ok, thanks?

We then proceeded to get on the bus and wait 30 minutes before actually leaving, after having let on about 20-30 additional people. Thanks for squeezing us in.

Through all of the commotion of “rushing” onto the bus, I left the diaper bag backpack, which had Barbie’s wallet and the camera, with the driver who put it in the lower compartment. So no pictures of the Disney sign and no cash to tip the driver when we got off. Fail!

And just our luck, Wilderness Lodge was the last stop after the Contemporary, Poly, and Grand Floridian. So by the time we arrived home, it was already close to 11:00.

The wait was totally worth it. WL is an amazing resort. The lobby is phenomenal and the smell when you enter the lobby is indescribable. One of the DISers said that there is a similar smell sold at bath and body works, which we have since purchased since we want that smell with us forever and ever, but even that doesn’t do it justice. It’s like a mix of pine trees (or is it redwoods?) and heaven. Apparently the cleanup crew douses the place in this smell of dreams a couple of times per week. Job well done, guys!

It was at this point that I went picture crazy while Barbie changed Aria. She wanted me to preserve battery for, you know, the actual parks, but I couldn’t contain myself. We were in Disney World!!!!

But there was one thing that needed to be done before getting on the boat to MK. I know that it was only 11:30 but we were on vacation and had to check out the Trout Pass Pool Bar. Having already looked at a menu online, I knew exactly what I wanted. The Island Moon-Shine! Barbie got the Moscato Colada and Aria just had a snack of apple juice and goldfish. Not as exciting. Both drinks were excellent and I’m assuming Aria liked her apple juice as I didn’t hear any complaints.

We finally made our way to the boat after having taken a slight detour to see the beach. Actually, I just assumed I knew how to get to the boat and led us the wrong way. Tomato Potato or however the saying goes.

We finally arrived at MK but there was something that we needed to do prior to entering the park. Activate our annual pass and purchase the Tables in Wonderland! It took forever at guest services to get this done. While waiting, a cast member was gushing over Aria and asked us if this was her first time here. Since it was our first park of the trip, we basically told her it was the first time since our last time, which she didn't quite understand, and scored a First Visit button for Aria. Now she has two!

Anyway after over 20 minutes, we finally walked into the park and Aria, who although was starting to get sleepy at this point, exclaimed, “Cin a lella’s castle!” After reading so many trip reports, I finally became confident to ask for specific magic shots. On previous trips, I would just hope that the photopass cast member would suggest one.

We couldn’t get Aria to hold out her hand for Tinkerbell. She didn’t seem to like the photopass guy either.

It was after 12 and we had a 1:30 ADR so we decided to Meet Ariel in her grotto and go on her ride, identical to the first meet and ride from May 2014.

But Aria wasn’t having any of it. She didn’t like talking with Ariel about dinglehoppers and didn’t like the ride, despite liking it last year. Sorry, no pictures on the ride. We did get stopped right before Ursula, which Aria did not like. At home, she loves Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder, but I guess because of the early start to the day and no nap on the plane, she just wasn’t in the mood. We were hoping that this wasn’t a harbinger of things to come, that she would hate all rides and dislike all of the characters. Has our "Disney bubble" (as Barbie likes to refer to it) just burst?!

Because the ride and character meet did not take very long, we still had 25 minutes before our ADR. Could we maybe make it to another character before ADR. Would Aria have a better interaction? Stay tuned!

 

[jeeptruck]

Clearly following along since you seem to be the only one taking an interest in my TR!

 

[NittanyKK]

Wilderness Lodge looks so awesome!! Jealous

 

[Bubbenstein]

Wilderness Lodge looks so awesome!! Jealous

We ended up loving Wilderness Lodge! Not the most outdoorsy person (shocking, I know) but I loved the fancy, log cabin feel to it.

I'm going to put this right here, just because.

 

[Bubbenstein]

Clearly following along since you seem to be the only one taking an interest in my TR!

I guess us dis "newbies" need to stick together!

 

[Bubbenstein]

I'm in! You had me at Gullah Gullah Island.

That's great, thanks for joining us and I'm glad someone got the reference and understands the awesomeness of Gullah Gullah Island. And for those that don't know, here's a clip!

You're welcome!

 

[pookersmom]

I get the awesomeness of Gullah Gullah Island too. I was a nanny back in the 1990s.

Anyway. Following along!

 

[jesserbelle]

So sweet. That's all I can say.

 

[Bubbenstein]

I get the awesomeness of Gullah Gullah Island too. I was a nanny back in the 1990s.

Anyway. Following along!

So sweet. That's all I can say.

Welcome! Thanks for joining in on our Disney shenanigans.

 

[Bubbenstein]

So we’re still working on our next update, but we thought it would be fun to include plans for our future trips in this report. It’s a pre-trip report within a trip report!

Inception anyone?

We are going back to the World from October 16th – 25th, staying at the Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room. Barbie has always enjoyed learning about the Civil War era and the ante bellum south so this resort will be perfect for us.

Here is a list of our ADRs for the trip:

10/16 – Epcot F&W/MNSSHP

10/17 – Crystal Palace breakfast (of course!)

10/18 – Tusker House breakfast, T-Rex Dinner

10/19 – Akershus breakfast, La Hacienda Dinner for Illuminations

10/20 – Ohana breakfast/MNSSHP

10/21 – Chef Mickey’s breakfast, Be Our Guest lunch, Wishes Dessert Party

10/22 – Via Napoli Lunch, Ohana Dinner

10/23 – H&V breakfast, Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package

10/24 – 1900 Park Fare breakfast, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ

10/25 – Cape May breakfast, Sci-Fi Lunch

But we weren’t done yet getting necessary packages for the trip. Food & Wine packages just came out and we had to get the new Discovery Sampler.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of this, here is some basic information:

This package includes:

• 
  
  
  • Eight entitlements for food or beverage of your choice at 30 Food and Wine Festival Booths
  • Priority seating at the 6:45 Eat to the Beat Concert on the day the package is purchased
  • Limited release 20th Anniversary pin that comes in 3 different colors

Since I plan to eat basically every food at the festival and drink every drink at the festival (just kidding! But not really), the sampler seemed up my alley. Also, since Barbie and I are now avid pin collectors, getting the limited release (not limited edition so there’s probably a ton of them) pins were a must. Finally, we were going to see Air Supply on the 19th anyway because I’m a sucker for sappy, cheesy love songs from the 80’s (Wait, where did my man points just go?!?!).

I called at exactly 7:00 when the phone lines opened and still waited for nearly 50 minutes! Not cool, Disney. Luckily, Aria didn’t wake up until after 8 and we scored two sampler packages without any issues so it worked out perfectly.

Next up in terms of pre-trip report items:
ADRs for February trip – 8/4.
FP+ reservations – 8/17

Our next update will be to discuss the ADRs prior to booking because there are a few items that we are still working out and will need some advice from the DIS.

We will return you to your regularly scheduled trip report as soon as possible.

 

[Kristina685]

Your trip report is fantastic! I can't wait to read the rest...and the sense of humor, well done sir, well done. ​

 

[Bubbenstein]

Your trip report is fantastic! I can't wait to read the rest...and the sense of humor, well done sir, well done. ​

Thanks! There's probably a "thank you" smilie somewhere around here, but I like this one better.

We're glad you're enjoying our attempt at a trip report and hope to have an update ready sometime this weekend if Aria lets us.

 

[LindseyJo22]

Just found this report and am following along! Seems like you've got all sorts of trips in the works, and I can't wait to hear more