10 year anniversary - Ta Ta for now! Signing Off!

[bulah1]

YAY! I've seen a couple of people now who will be there on the same dates as me, or at least overlap a couple!! That's so cool!

I just got my Magic Express tags in the mail on Thursday!!!! I was so excited! There should still be another package coming right? With the actual travel docs and other Disney goodness? I was thinking that's what people said, but wasn't 100% sure.

 

[bulah1]

Forgot to post my reply, but ALL of my vacation materials have arrived now!! WOOHOO. It's all stowed away for safe-keeping.

Now I've got to make my Mears arrangements (or at least find out prices) for travel to and from Disney to Universal for Halloween night.

Also this week I'll be signing us up on the dining plan. I did come to the conclusion we'll get a little more out of it that way. I pretty much figured out EVERYTHING we'll be eating down to the drinks/desserts! So I knew what it would cost us to buy it at the park vs. buying it on the plan. We were pretty far under the price of what it would have cost us, plus we can get more like desserts and such which we normally don't do. So fun times for us! I did figure a few extra cents in there though for the margaritas in Mexico that won't be covered by the plan... LOL

I'll be swapping around some dining reservations to make the most of the plan. Plus I'll be getting money BACK from the luau I already paid for, but will in turn use two dining points... oh well. I'd rather have the extra cash to play with. Man, so much to remember for next trip... gotta plan better in the first place.

Went in search of costumes this Saturday... I'm really stumped... don't know what to be... nor if I'll be able to wear it the first night or not.
My ideas thus far for myself are: Lilo (and carrying a stitch doll) - or - the Corpse Bride (by Tim Burton). I'm kind of stumped. I like both ideas, obviously, so it's a tough call for me. Then there is the dilemma of - whatever I get might have to fit in my carryon bag for the plane!! Is that possible? Or do you think the bags will be at our room before 4 when we want to be at MK for the party? I'm thinking they will be but you can never be sure. We should be checking in to the hotel WAY early, like around 11 or so. I think the bags would be there by then... but I can't be too sure.

Anyways, that's it for now. I'll update when I've got the new reservations made. I'm thinking a character breakfast with Stitch at Ohana... my new found favorite creature... I love him so.

 

[bulah1]

Firstly, I want to discuss how hard it is for me this year to decide what the heck I want to be without spending over $100. Yes, I have to be cheap this year BECAUSE of the vacation, but I still want to enjoy and dress up. My previous ideas ended up being way out of the ballpark price-wise... so no longer an option. My new options are a swanky witch I found online, or a swanky pirate I found online (which I've also seen a few other DIS'ers dressed as well... go figure). I kind of wanted to avoid the whole pirate thing seeing as there will be bajillions of them... but I found one I really LOVED on ebay, and someone literally outbid me at the last minute... by... $1. I wanted to reach through the screen and murder them... it was a costume normally retailing for over $125 that came with even more accessories the person was selling off as welll that weren't original to the costume (for the winning bid of $76). It just figures... So I found another one that I'll just go buy and get all the stinking accessories myself. Stupid ebayers... I am still holding a grudge. I'll let you guys know when I get it all together.


Well, I just made the adjustment to our vacation package to include the Dining Plan. A helpful adjustment, as I budgeted everything out to the cent as to what we'd eat by "skimping" and we came out FAR ahead and can enjoy ourselves by adding the plan. So that's nice, and we still came out close to - if not under - the price of us actually skimping, so that is pretty cool. But along with the good news, came some not so good news. Apparently I was not quick enough by adding the plan to save my luau plans. I had planned to remove my original luau tickets (paid in advance) in order to get money back on my dining plan price and just add it on to the dining plan for 2 TS points. However... on any of the dates I was staying, the luaus had filled to capacity in both the category 2 and 3 seating - which is what we'd have to be in to go. So I chose to remove it altogether and just get the money back so we can have another 2 TS points back and use them elsewhere. So we chose to do LTT before one of our MNSSHP dates. So I think the trade was pretty good. Obviously anything will be good to us, we haven't been on a vacation in 10 years, and neither of us have gone to LTT ever... it should be fun. So the ammended Halloween vacation plans are as follows (who knows, there's still almost a month left for THESE to change TOO! LOL):

October 28 (Sunday)
Our flight now LEAVES Chicago at 6:30 in the FREAKING MORNING... however sucky that may be, I look at it as we will just get there THAT MUCH SOONER! whoo hoo!
Not sure how we'll feel from our early morning, but upon arrival we'll either check in and sleep - or check in and head out to Downtown to see the sights. There will, no matter what, be a nap somewhere in there before we go to the party at MK.
We have dinner ressies at Tony's still for 5:15 (one of the only things I think that hasn't changed since the beginning plans! LOL) Now that there is a dining plan - I WILL be enjoying my dessert as well (tirimisu) which I hadn't planned into my original budget... that makes me happy! Fiancee is not a dessert person... maybe I'll have his as well... LOL - just kidding. But this is our "anniversary" celebration dinner. So I will be sure to make sure EVERYONE there helping us knows as much!!
MNSSHP directly after. Not sure how we're gonna handle getting ready. If our bags had arrived to the resort in time we'll be dressed before we arrive at the park. If they didn't - not so sure. Don't know if we want to do costumes in carry-ons... you know? Especially with fake pirate weaponry. After dinner though we might just hop a ride on the monorail for a round trip just to see the sites. Not sure yet. Something I've been thinking would be fun.

October 29 (Monday)
Epcot all day! I'm not really sure of the game plan as to fast passes and such, but we obviously want to do all the rides like Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track, etc. So hopefully I can find some advice somewhere. NEED to see Figment, he's my one favorite thing from childhood at Epcot, so can't miss him. Steve Soars' site says Figgi is out between noon and 5, so I'll be sure to make it over there.
We have lunch ressies at noon for San Angel Inn at the Mexico pavillion. Looking forward to sharing the romantic atmosphere. This ressie was almost lost to the dining plan - when I had decided to keep the luau instead. But not being able to keep it fixed that problem! LOL. Now we will keep the romantic mood and all. Guess it's a nice trade, hopefully.
No other plans for the rest of the afternoon, but to enjoy the surroundings - take LOTS of pics!! I'm a photo fiend, so I can't wait!!
Dinner at 6:30 at Marakkesh (sp?) in Morocco. After, we'll just enjoy the lands a little more - and grab a spot for Illuminations. This is our romantic and slow paced day.

October 30 (Tuesday)
Animal Kingdom day! After adding our extra night to the package, we are able to allow a full day of enjoyment at AK!! According to reports online, I've been advised that the first thing I should do is head back to Everest to get a fast pass. We're not early risers, so we may not be there at park open. So we'll do that and then head over to check other stuff out. I will be hitting up Flights of Wonder at some point, a bird fanatic here!! Especially birds of prey. Also hope we come across DiVine. I just think that will make for some cool photos.
Not too terribly worried about catching this parade, so we have to split early anyways to get back to our dinner ressies over at MK for Liberty Tree.
4:15, so kinda early. But with our MNSSHP passes we shouldn't have any problem. Another costume dilemma, not sure how we'll be getting into these. Maybe have to leave AK earlier than I would like to prepare, but oh well. I'm looking forward to seeing the characters up close in costumes. Also hoping to see Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother somewhere around the park. I've heard a few reports of them this year, so I am crossing my fingers. I love the baddies! Another long night for us at the party, but so worth it!!

October 31 (Wednesday - HALLOWEEN!!!)
Can you believe Halloween is almost here??? I won't go into too many details, but since I originally researched I found out all my planning was wrong about Universal's Halloween event (Halloween Horror Nights). Apparently it was in the Studios portion and not the Islands portion that I had previously been told. So now, I've just swapped the order of how we'll run things. We'll hit Islands first and ride what we want. Not too interested in the shows and stuff, just rides - so hopefully it won't be too time consuming. I'd like to do lunch at Enchanted Oak, I think we'll like the atmosphere there. Then head over to Studios when we're done at Islands. We have passes for all day so we don't need to wait to get in to the Halloween event. Dinner someplace at the Studios when we're hungry.

November 1 (Thursday)
Our bonus add-on day that we added recently!! YAY. This day is dedicated solely to MGM. Well, not completely... I am making poor fiancee come with me to the Ohana breakfast with STITCH... how can anyone not love that cutie??? At least I'm lucky in that he thinks I'm cute for it. I'm actually looking forward to the food too, it sounds pretty yummy to me. I'm a waffle lover. And fruit... YUM. Ressies for a later time since the ride from our resort is rather long - almost an hour!!! Yikes! So ressies at 10 am.
Then off to MGM!! We'll hit just about anything and everything we can at least once! Fiancee will NEED to do Star Tours, it's like what he lives for! Also, Indy Jones - we both love it! So we gotta see it live. If we can manage to get over there in time and if we're up to it, we may hit Fantasmic. Not something either of us are dying to see, but if we are done in time to get in line we may do it. Park closes at 7:30... so kind of looking forward to an early night in - probably at the pool - for our final night of goodness.

We're so close to leaving!!! The anticipation is killing me!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Oh I'm loving your report! How awesome to suprise him with a well deserved trip to Disney. Make sure to get him a B-day button either at your resort or at your first park.

Oh and thats exciting that you added a day to your trip. Thats always a good feeling!! Can't wait to read more. It's getting so close to your trip!

 

[bulah1]

We finally got our costumes this past weekend. Two more pirates to add to the whordes of existing pirates... Oh well.

I actually found a costume based off of Cinderella's dress to convert into a pirate outfit, since all the costumes I was finding either didn't fit right or just didn't suit me. It's called "Sinderella". It's a tattered / mildly goth looking dress. http://www.costumesinc.com/p8599/product.html
And on top of that I have a pvc black corset that I used when I was catwoman a few years back - that will just go over the waist area. A little touch of "me"... Got a bandanna with a couple danglies for my head gear. A black choker for neckwear. I also got lacy gauntlets that also lace up like corsets for my arms (gloves w/out the fingers). Got me a sword... because what kind of pirate would I be w/out a sword... just trying to figure out some way to keep it on my person rather than carrying it around all night at the parties. Of course tattered fishnets for leggings. I have some old victorian boots I once wore in a play - they should work fine... just wondering how comfortable they'll be to walk in. This will all be figured out before we arrive however.

Fiancee has one of the various forms of Jack Sparrow costumes out there, not as chincy looking as some. I can't believe what people charge and can get away with for some of the quality of these costumes out there!!! Both women's and men's!!

It relieves me that I'm done with that part now though. I may have some additional touches like special makeup things that I'd like to add, but are not necessary if I don't get it done I won't be crushed. I will be much better prepared for Halloween next year... costume will be done in August! LOL

I can't believe it's the week after next... we'll be in DISNEY!! It's been so long, and we need this break!!

Off I go to the gym to attempt to fit into a bathing suit to enjoy our pool while we vacation!!!

 

[bulah1]

Oh I'm loving your report! How awesome to suprise him with a well deserved trip to Disney. Make sure to get him a B-day button either at your resort or at your first park.

Oh and thats exciting that you added a day to your trip. Thats always a good feeling!! Can't wait to read more. It's getting so close to your trip!

Yeah! I had planned to go find one of those buttons. If they don't give us one at check-in I was told to find one at City Hall in MK. So I'll definitely be doing that! Do you know if they have anything for anniversaries? I wanted us both to wear something for that. Saw a couple cute Disney pins on ebay, but wasn't sure I'd get them in time. Probably I can get them in the parks. But when making reservations I was sure to tell everyone I called that it's his birthday and our anniversary celebration, so hopefully they'll remember! LOL

GETTING SO CLOSE!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I'm absolutely bouncing off the walls now and you can't keep me off the internet looking at everything Disney!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Oh they have annv buttons and first visit buttons too! the annv ones are wicked cute with mickey and minnie.

 

[Hedy]

Love the plans!

 

[bulah1]

Leaving this weekend for our wonderful vacation!! I can hardly stand the anticipation!

I now have an assignment down there. A friend of mine writes fan fiction for Harry Potter online and has come up with the idea to base a story in Magic Kingdom where Professor Snape accidently is transported there by a spell and is mistaken for Jafar! LOL. So I'll be doing recon for her and taking lots of pics. Should be fun. I've already learned enough on these boards to give her a good head start. I'll post a link when she has it complete so you can all have a laugh as well, should be funny.

Also getting mildly worried, though not dreading by any means, the weather report seems rather grim. I know it's about a week out and a lot can change in that time, but lots of rain predicted. Makes me a little worried. But no fears, I plan to pick up a special Mickey poncho for both of us (not worried about finding cheap ones, rather have a special memento of the rain we experience! LOL). I hope if there is rain it is minimal. I always knew there would be a chance of rain... but the whole trip looks like it'll be rained out... Oh well. I'd rather be in rainy Disney than at work.

 

[bulah1]

I just called Mears shuttle services to get the necessary info for our Universal Studios excursion on Halloween.

I have heard good things on the DIS about them with cheap shuttle service to and from Universal from DW for only $16 / person! I have to say I was worried a bit because we'll be staying late for HHN at Universal which goes until midnight - so I was thinking the shuttle might not run that late so we might only be able to take the shuttle one way rather than both (still cheaper than taking a cab).

But the good news is rampant! Apparently they have several pickup times, but you have to call to reserve a spot (I'm assuming because they don't want to have to drive out if they don't have to). But they will pick up from 7:05 a.m from Disney and every hour thereafter (at 5 minutes after the hour) until 10:05 am. Then the next shuttle wouldn't be until 3 I think they said. But that works out perfectly. We'd wanted to sleep in a little more than the other days but still get a good start to the day. We'll probably hit the 9:05 bus.

Then the return trip should be no big deal because they base their times on how long CityWalk is open (which will still be until 2 am on Halloween night) - so no worries there!! And at $16 / person - you'll hear no complaints here! I'm so excited one less thing to worry about!!

I'll just give a call in upon check-in at the hotel on Sunday (yes THIS Sunday, I can't believe I'm only a few days away!!) to make all the arrangements. We should be all set. Mears ROCKS!

 

[bulah1]

Well... not sure what to think... seems reasonable, but looks like we'll see rain somewhere during our trip at least for a while.

Here's the report from http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ - I've been reading here on the DIS that this is pretty much one of the most reliable reports you'll find for the area.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 83. East northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 85. Northeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.


But who would I be if I didn't get a second opinion?

Here's what Weather.com has coming up for us...

 

[bulah1]

OK - here it is. Today is the last day I'll be online before I leave. As soon as I get back I plan to post gobbs of pictures for everyone. Wish me some pixie dust!!!

 

[DisneyDadFaNaTic]

I've just found your post and I love the writing and the detail!

Good luck on your trip and be prepared to tell us all about it!! We can't wait!

 

[KatGarcia]

I'm late to the party but we'll be there too, in just 4 short days!!! Have a great time!

 

[Hedy]

OK - here it is. Today is the last day I'll be online before I leave. As soon as I get back I plan to post gobbs of pictures for everyone. Wish me some pixie dust!!!

Bye!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

hope your having a great time!!!

 

[bulah1]

And I'm setting up a link here to our first Trip Report! Check it Out!

Deluges and Dreams Trip Report