*12/13 Some News* 39 and Going Back at Christmas! A Dec. PTR

[wigdoutdismom]

We've been working our way through the Harry Potter books since Christmas, a chapter a night. He loves them, and after we read each book we watch the movie. It's been a lot of fun, and it's really helped his vocabulary!

That's such a great idea, I love those books!

We'll spend Monday at ASMu and transfer to the Poly Tuesday morning. They promise me that they can get us all checked in and off to the MK by rope drop. Then the bell services will transfer our luggage. We'll do the same thing on Saturday to transfer back to ASMu.

It will be painless moving to the Poly and painful moving back to ASMU....

Coming up next: Food!

Great topic!

 

[erika412]

Subbing- hope that's ok. We'll be there a month after you and your beautiful kids, amazing Mom and the new superintendent drew me in.

 

[shannn]

Subbing- hope that's ok. We'll be there a month after you and your beautiful kids, amazing Mom and the new superintendent drew me in.

Of course that's okay. The more the merrier! I'm at my ILs on their dial-up right now so I won't be posting much. (It's the kind of computer where you click on something and then go get a cup of coffee while it loads...) But I promise a food/ADR update when I get home.

 

[shannn]

So, we're back from my inlaws' farm. It was Sam's family reunion this weekend, and we had a fun time. The farm definitely isn't my favorite brand of fun, but it's okay to rough it every once in a while, I guess. We cooked out; they rode dirt bikes; we rented pontoon boats and floated/swam in the lake; and we had a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here's a couple of pictures (call this a bonus mini-trip report!)

 

[shannn]

Okay, so I promised y'all a food post.

Once I got my dates straight, I started thinking about food. I used the crowd calendars on touringplans and TGM and tentatively chose which parks we would go to on which days. There's a MNSSHP on my birthday I knew I wanted to go to that. Last time we went the kids were 2 and 5 and we decided not to go to the Halloween party. We didn't go to any parks at night really. At least not really late - we never even saw Wishes or Illuminations. We did go to Fantasmic but it was the early show (back when they had early shows). So, I was excited that the kids were older and we could stay at the parks a little later. We also only did 4 TS meals: Ohana, Hollywood & Vine, LTT, and CRT. Of those my family wanted Ohana & CRT again. After a lot of thinking and second thinking (and honestly I'm still third thinking....) this is what I decided to ask for: (I'll make some comments in green to show y'all what I'm third thinking about)

Monday 10/12 arrive @ 3:00 to MCO/ Downtown Disney/
RAINFOREST CAFE 6:30
I'm excited about this. We've never been to DTD before. But, I'm worried. Is 6:30 too early? I kept reading about ME...will we get to ASMu and then to DTD by 6:30?

Tuesday 10/13 transfer to Poly RD at MK
KONA 2:00
MNSSHP
So, this is the day I've changed the most. I originally had an early lunch at Kona and then a 5:00 dinner at Chef Mickey. But lots of people told me I shouldn't eat that late right before MNSSHP. Then I changed it to a late lunch at Kona because that way we could just eat one meal and snack at the Halloween party. Now I'm worried because I don't know if we'll have any time to rest before the party and maybe I should just change it to earlier. Maybe I should make an ADR at the Plaza and pay for it OOP...aaack!!

Wednesday 10/14 RD at DHS
50sPT 12:00
rest
DHS
OHANA 8:00
My decision here was whether to eat at DHS at not. We did NOT like H&V and I didn't have the credits for Brown Derby. I thought about SF, but the reviews are sooo bad. So, this is based on eating lunch, going back to DHS that night, and then having a late dinner at Ohana.

Thursday 10/15 RD at Epcot
AKERSHUS 11:30
rest
LE CELLIER 6:00
Literally 5 minutes before I emailed these requests, I added in Akershus. I always had us going to Le Cellier for lunch and Ohana for dinner, or back to Kona. But I decided a steak house was better for dinner, and then (I don't know) Akershus seemed lighter and I knew Lily would like the princesses? Sam's vote was for Biergarten, but that just seems like such heavy food!

Friday 10/16
BBB 8:00
CRT 12:00
rest
NARCOOSSEE 7:00
I'm happy with this day. I thought about doing BBB later, but hopefully we can be out of there before RD and that will be fun! I love the idea of BBB before we eat at the castle. And I'm stoked to try Narcoosee that night.

Saturday 10/17 transfer back to ASMU
CHEF MICKEY'S 10:00
?
CALIFORNIA GRILL 7:00
So, when I changed the Chef Mickey's away from Tuesday, I didn't know where to put it. I thought maybe we'd actually go for breakfast. I put it late because we'll be packing up and moving out of the Poly. Now I'm worried that it's too late?? I don't know where we'll go after that - to whichever park we want to visit again or maybe to AK although we really didn't love it last time. Maybe Epcot again? I love the thought of finishing out our vacation at Cali Grill.

Sunday 10/18 leave at 11:35 from MCO

Did y'all really want to hear all that?? My 90 day mark is Wednesday so I guess I'll know what I actually got, and I can play around with them online if I change my mind?

Next: Bags

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think you might be pushing it to get to an ADR at 6:30 if you aren't arriving until 3:00. We usually give ourselves about 4 1/2 hours... I like some time to chill in the room before heading out to dinner.

I can't wait for bags.....

 

[manntra]

I have been on a few October threads talking about MNSSHP ( I have never been!) We are probably going to skip a park that morning and hang by the pool for a bit and then head off to DTD for a late lunch at TRex before we head over to MK for the party.
I am with Wigd regarding the first night at DTD and cutting it a bit close. You may also want to look at TRex instead of Rainforest---they have very similar food and it is a really fun atmosphere!
Tracy

 

[erika412]

I agree, it might be cutting it pretty close.

 

[shannn]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I think I will make that reservation request a little later.

~~~~

I will warn you. This post is heavy with Vera Bradley discussion and pictures!!

So, searching for the perfect bag! Last time we went to Disney I discovered the Dis only a few weeks before we left. Everyone was raving about this Baggalini thing and I am nothing if not a sheep. I ordered one. Well, I never received it. (That's a whole 'nother story -- let it suffice to say that I don't recommend bags.com, bless their thievin' hearts. (You did know that it's okay to curse someone in the south as long as you bless their hearts, didn't you?))

So, I ended up searching the night before we left (cause I kept hoping that package would show up) and buying a messenger bag at Target. It was too stiff, the strap cut into my shoulder, and it got awfully heavy. So, it is definitely not a contender this time (not to mention that we don't need nearly as much stuff this time!)

Now, I've been into VB forever and my little brother is my enabler. He's single so if I want something I just tell him and he'll get it for me. The first VBs he got me were back in 2002 and they were the Provincial Red pattern. I had a purse (that I wore out!) and 2 duffle bags. I could only find one, but here's the picture:

Then they got really popular a few years later. In 2007, all my girls (I teach 5th grade) started carrying them and I realized how cute the patterns had gotten. I found the Chelsea Green pattern and loved it!! I first bought a messenger bag which I still use for my school bag and then a purse. I hated that purse because it didn't zip and stuff would fall out, so I got another purse. Here's those:

Then I ended up looking for a new wallet and I got these. It's the zip-around wallet which I love because it holds my checkbook and I can zip my keys into it if I want to run in someplace with it. The patterns are the Chelsea green and the petal pink. There's also a peacock pen bag that I love to stick in my purse with pens & markers in it:

At Christmas, I asked my brother for the backpack in Kensington and the hipster in mod floral blue. My hipster is being repaired right now 'cause I tore the pocket but here's the backpack

At the end of that school year, one of my kids gave me the pink bag for the summer. That jewelry bag in vibrant black I bought my mom but she didn't like it so I stole it.

And then in 2008, Puccini came out and I fell in love again. My mom bought me the purse for my birthday and then my brother bought me the duffel for Christmas. That little plasticy thing was a free with purchase and I don't know the name:

At the end of this school year, kids gave me these: a tech case in riveria blue for my iphone (I have one in Puccini too) and a makeup bag in mod floral pink. Hmmm, I got a lunch bag too. I wonder where that is:

So, this month they came out with Blue Rhapsody and I love it too. I had read a lot about the new mailbags and the taxi wallets so I ordered those:

The jury's still out about these. The taxi wallet won't hold my checkbook, but it might be good when I have a small purse. I really don't use my checkbook that much anymore anyway. I carried the mailbag yesterday, and I really love it as a purse, but I'm not sure about it as a Disney bag. I'm going to keep carrying it and check back with an updated report. So, there's a post about bags and my Vera obssession!!

Coming up next: Did I get those ADRS? Will I change them even if I got them?

 

[shannn]

(Please excuse that tracked in litter on the floor...Cats!! I promise I'll swiffer it right now.)

 

[erika412]

Cute bags! I'm still not sure what I'm going to do on our trip. We have a backpack diaper bag. But I konw at times we will be split up and I might not have the baby. I kind of would like my own bag, but on the other hand, I just always use my pockets for stuff anyway.

We have a store here that sells Vera. Any suggestions for a first time buyer?

 

[Happydog]

Hey there!!! I finally got over here to finish reading and actual subscribe!! Oh! The Vera Bradley discussion... you have QUITE a collection!!! However, the Mail Bag, I loved it in the park.. I bought two -- Green Cupcake and Bali Gold. I used them the whole time, swapping bags... I liked it because I could carry a small waterbottle If need be, cram small shopping items, my camera, DS7's camera, this and thats (handiwipes, tissues, etc.) They were great. I thought it was a perfect park bag -- though we have a small stuff sack slung around the stroller handles with water and snacks....

Enjoying the PTR and the ADRs look good! DTD has very good QS meals, you could do dinner or lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express.....

 

[wigdoutdismom]

You have a great Vera collection! I have read on several threads that the mailbag is the way to go for park touring. I carry the Hipster. I usually take four different patterns down to Disney. We've been back a month now and I'm still carrying the same Raspberry Fizz hipster that I carried that last day at Disney. I usually carry the Villager as an everyday bag...
I'm going to ebay to search for the Chelsea Green.... love it!

 

[shannn]

Cute bags! I'm still not sure what I'm going to do on our trip. We have a backpack diaper bag. But I konw at times we will be split up and I might not have the baby. I kind of would like my own bag, but on the other hand, I just always use my pockets for stuff anyway.

We have a store here that sells Vera. Any suggestions for a first time buyer?

I would definitely recommend starting with a hipster. They're cute and versatile, and I love the hands-free style:

Although, man! Looking at the website the backsack are on sale for $33 and that's a steal. I love this one:

Hey there!!! I finally got over here to finish reading and actual subscribe!! Oh! The Vera Bradley discussion... you have QUITE a collection!!! However, the Mail Bag, I loved it in the park.. I bought two -- Green Cupcake and Bali Gold. I used them the whole time, swapping bags... I liked it because I could carry a small waterbottle If need be, cram small shopping items, my camera, DS7's camera, this and thats (handiwipes, tissues, etc.) They were great. I thought it was a perfect park bag -- though we have a small stuff sack slung around the stroller handles with water and snacks....

Enjoying the PTR and the ADRs look good! DTD has very good QS meals, you could do dinner or lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express.....

I'm glad you loved the Mail Bag. I'm still getting used to it. I used it today. Did you find that you couldn't use the outside pocket for much or the magnet wouldn't work? I was thinking I could put my phone in there, but it made the flap hang down too low. So, it looks like it will only be for KTTW cards. Right now, I just have some money in there.

On the Taxi wallet note. I used it tonight to go to the movies and I really loved it. I just stuck some money, 2 cards, and my phone in it and that's all I needed. Also, it has a ring that I could attach my keys to. I felt just like college again where we had a ID pouch attached to our key rings. I think it will be perfect for places where I really don't want a purse.

You have a great Vera collection! I have read on several threads that the mailbag is the way to go for park touring. I carry the Hipster. I usually take four different patterns down to Disney. We've been back a month now and I'm still carrying the same Raspberry Fizz hipster that I carried that last day at Disney. I usually carry the Villager as an everyday bag...
I'm going to ebay to search for the Chelsea Green.... love it!

If you want a purse with a toggle close, I'd be glad to send you that one in Chelsea Green. I got it on ebay, but I only carried it a couple of times before I decided I wanted one with a zipper. I do still love that pattern. It's my favorite color, and I love the dark pattern - they don't do that so much.

 

[shannn]

Yesterday was my 90 DAYS!

Nobody but Dis’ers would understand why 90 is such an important number – to most people it probably seems a long way away still. But y’all know! 90 days! ADR day!! So, was I up at the crack of dawn on my computer? nope. Impatiently waiting on hold on the dining line? nope. What? Oh yea…concierge baby!! The planning office is one of my favorite reasons to go concierge. I got my first email from them yesterday, made some comments, and got my 2nd from them this morning. So, here's what I got:

Monday 10/12
Fulton's Crab House 8:00 (Asked for: RAINFOREST CAFE 7:30)

I was a little disappointed in this and I'm not sure I'll keep it. Neither TRex or Rainforest were available. Now I'm wondering if we should go to Earl of Sandwich instead and forget the sit down meal. We'll be eating them all week. What do y'all think?

Tuesday 10/13
Kona 12:35 (Asked for:KONA 2:00)

They made the choice for me for an earlier time. I'm happy with this. I think it will give us time to have a good rest if we need it. And if we're hungry that night we'll eat CS OOP

Wednesday 10/14
12:10 50s Prime Time (Asked for: 50sPT 12:00)
8:10 Ohana (Asked for: OHANA 8:00)

Thursday 10/15
12:15 Akershus (Asked for: AKERSHUS 11:30)
7:50 Le Cellier (Asked for: LE CELLIER 6:00)
They actually made 4 reservations for this day to give us choices. We had Akershus at either 10:40 (breakfast) or 12:15 (lunch) and Le Cellier at either 4:55 or 7:50. I decided that 4:55 would be tough witha rest period.

Friday 10/16
BBB 8:05 (Asked for BBB 8:00)
CRT 12:00 (Asked for CRT 12:00)
NARCOOSSEE 7:00 (Asked for Narcoosee 7:00)

Saturday 10/17
CHEF MICKEY'S 10:00 (Asked for CM 10:00)
CALIFORNIA GRILL 7:00 (Asked for CG 7:20)


Overall I think they did pretty well!!

Next: A Binder Thingy!

 

[erika412]

Thanks for the info on the Hipster. I was thinking that too actually, but wasn't sure.

I think you did great with your ADRs.

 

[Native NYer]

Came over to read your ptr and see your Vera collection

 

[Happydog]

OOH!!!! Did you say a BINDER-THINGY??!!!!

Re the mailbag, well I could put my keys or my phone in it and it didn't weigh it down too much I don't think it had trouble clasping, but I was actually putting my phone on the inside, where the litle pockets are... I put my credit card, room card, etc. in the part that has the slots for such things, forgoing my regular wallet. I didn't bring it. I put sunglass case, handi-wipes, tissues (these are travel sized) my camera, hair clip, lip gloss, travel sunscreen, in the main bag part... that front flap pocket, I kept the day's receipts there.... you do have to open the flap to grab anything, so the front flap pocket is useful for whatever you want to grab quickly, but today I was running around and I did put my phone there, however I didn't notice any problem... But maybe that is because the other stuff was in the bag? I even cramed little purchases in it, and a small water bottle at one point!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think they did pretty good on your ressies too. I'm thinking if Fulton's isn't something you want, then go somewhere else. You have lots to choose from... Find something yummy!

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm here! Your PTR title lured me in. Gotta do a BUNCH around the house today. I'll be back later!