16 Days and a Misplaced West Coaster - a chapter worth waiting for

[*tinker*bell*]

Hey all!

I am mostly a lurker around these here boards, but I thought I would give writing a PTR a chance, I did start one for my last planned trip but it didn't work out so well, so I shall try again.

I shall start off by introducing everyone:

First of all there is me, Lorena, I am 21 (will be turning 22 closer to the end of the month) an above the top Disney addict, although arn't we all? My friends and family think I'm a bit nuts with my LOVE for all things Disney. Currently I don't do a whole lot I am planning on just enjoying life this summer. A little more on that later. This will be my third wdw trip.

Here is a photo of me from last year

My bf of three years, Jason, is coming with me. He is currently finishing his last semester of college in the computer sciences program and he works at a grocery store part time. This will be his first wdw trip. He knows a fair bit about Disney now as I have been almost constantly spewing information at him for about a year now

Photo of him ( I love this photo, we went down to Seattle for a couple of days to get away from the Olympic crowds last year and I LOOOOOVE pigs so of course I had to take his picture with the bronze pig statue )

That's enough about us, at least for now I shall post the back story and our trip dates next

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Okay, so a little back story

I talked my bf into booking a wdw trip last June, so we booked a trip for the middle of December 2010. There were a few bumps in the road but everything worked out... until it didn't. A little over two weeks before we were scheduled to leave I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, I had a couple surgeries and on the day I would have arrived in wdw I started Chemotherapy. I did six months of Chemo, and I recently found out I am in remission! I am still dealing with some other health issues as a result of the cancer and this is the reasoning behind me not doing much other than enjoying life at the moment, I was told to stop my schooling and stop working when I started my treatments and school wont pick up again until January, so for now I am happy enjoying the summer.

Back to the planning... me being the Disney nut I am I quickly started re-planning the trip we had to cancel (luckily we always get insurance so we got all our money back ) One day in early Feb I got a PIN in my email, so I talked to my doctor and my bf played around with some dates and rebooked the trip for the end of September staying at AKL. Anyways a while later my friend decided that she wanted to tag along which was cool with me, I looked into all the prices, and that's when Free Dining came out. After some calculations and discussions my bf and I decided that it would be better to stay at a lower level resort for a longer trip and have the free dining. My friend and her mom (and sister) have decided they probably wont come, but may change their minds closer to the time (they don't book vacations more than a month before ) Oh, and my cousin, who is an actress may come along as well it depends on her shooting schedule and she wont know until much closer to the date. If no one else tags along I will be just as happy as if they all do!

So ANYWAYS... now that I've made a short story long, here are the plans!

My bf and I live in the suburbs of Vancouver and flying internationally is very expensive, and flying across the country takes a long time so...

We leave here on September 19th, take the Quick Shuttle down to SeaTac and we are flying over night to Orlando.

From September 20 - October 4 we will be staying at the Pop Century Resort with the Quick Service Dinning plan, we have 10 day hopper passes, 2 days will be dedicated to the first two days of the F&WF and we are going to MNSSHP on the 20. As well the last two days we are going to Universal, one day for each park, gotta see WWOHP!

My bf keeps saying he is going to need a caffeine drip to get through this trip... he may be right, but it will be FUN!

well that's all for now!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Alrighty, so as I mentioned this trip is going to be a "we can sleep when we die" kinda trip! I'm way to excited to see and do as MUCH as humanly possible! I defiantly do the commando style touring, my first trip we only had five days in the world, we went over New Years, and saw way more than I thought we would but there will still be new experiences this trip, and for the next few I'm sure

So our plans

Sept 19 - We will leave from downtown Vancouver via Quickshuttle, it's a coach bus that goes down to Seattle (with free wifi woo~! ) in the early afternoon, I think it leaves at 1:30 and arrives at SeaTac around 6:10pm we will find dinner, check in and wait around for our flight to Atlanta at 10:25pm

Sept 20 - Arrive Atlanta at 6:08 and leave for Orlando at 6:55 am landing at 8:19, I havent decided if we will let our luggage be delivered to our room or if we should pick it up... anyways we will take ME to POP! check in (if our room is ready if not we will leave our carry-ons with bell services) and head to DTD for some lunch, then back to the room which should be ready, so we can change and get to MNSSHP

Sept 21 - Animal Kingdom then a mid afternoon break and head to EPCOT for Illuminations at 9 pm

Sept 22 - EPCOT (depending how the day goes maybe another break?) then Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic! at 8:30pm

Sept 23 - Hollywood Studios (Rope Drop for TSM) and DTD in the evening

Sept 24 - Magic Kingdom

Sept 25 - Animal Kingdom and MK for Evening EMH

Sept 26 - Hollywood Studios, Sleep in this day and stay for Evening EMH

Sept 27 - EPCOT

Sept 28 - DAY OFF~! I did schedule one we can sleep in, hit DTD for some shopping, I really want to take the boat over to POFQ to get some Beignets, and enjoy this resorts amazing atmosphere, and then go back to POP and just hang out at the Pool

Sept 29 - Magic Kingdom, go to the Poly and watch Wishes from the beach

Sept 30 - EPCOT F&WF, check out the boardwalk in the evening

Oct 1 - last wdw park day EPCOT for F&WF and maybe hop to another park in the evening, as well start packing

Oct 2 - Universal Studios

Oct 3 - Universal Studios IOA (finish packing)

Oct 4 - check out bright and early, our flight leaves Orlando at 10:45 am connect through Minneapolis and land in Seattle at 4:02, then take an evening Quick Shuttle home, probably the 8 pm one to leave enough time for delays, getting baggage, and grabbing some dinner

So that's how it stands for now, only 71 more days to wait! It can't get here fast enough! and of course I do realise that all plans may change, I just love to plan helps pass the time, what I actually do when I get there is a whole other story, that's what the TR is for right?!? that and Pic's

Next I'll post my dinning plans, hope some people come out and say hi!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Okay so I dont have a ton of time this morning, however I thought I would post my ADR's and then I can post the other QS places we plan on eating at either after all my appointments today or within the next couple of days.

My bf told me that I could plan 3 TS meals and we are paying OOP for them.

First off on the 23rd for dinner we are going to TRex for dinner as per my bf's request. He doesnt ask for much so I try to arrange the things he does ask for.

Secondly on the 25th we are going to 1900 Park Fare for dinner. I have been doing a bit of back and forth with this one... its a buffet which my bf will like, however I'm a little unsure of the food, but I REALLY want to see the step-sisters, gotta be two of my favourite characters so for now it stays I may change this later we shall see

Finally on the 26 we are having lunch at Mama Melrose. I went here last time and loved it so hopefully it will be good again, I have read some mixed reviews.

These have changed quiet a few times and may change some more... hopefully not though I'm pretty happy with them


Okay well I'm off really wish it was nicer weather out today though... it's supposed to rain here all week not very summery! wish I was in Florida now alas I have to wait... 69 days!!! (woohoo for being in the 60's )

 

[ZFamily5]

I'm in (and first!)! Congrats on being in remission (that's what it's called, right?), that's so exciting! Can't wait to hear all about your planning!

 

[ZFamily5]

Forgot to sub!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I'm in (and first!)! Congrats on being in remission (that's what it's called, right?), that's so exciting! Can't wait to hear all about your planning!

Woo~! I have a reader!!! awesome! lol! Yup it is called remission, 5 years and I'll be cured! that's a while off! I shall update again in a few days! Maybe I'll have more followers by then (a girl can hope )

 

[ZFamily5]

Woo~! I have a reader!!! awesome! lol! Yup it is called remission, 5 years and I'll be cured! that's a while off! I shall update again in a few days! Maybe I'll have more followers by then (a girl can hope )

I'm sure bunches of people will subscribe! And if they don't...well...you've still got me, if that's any consolation!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

I'm sure bunches of people will subscribe! And if they don't...well...you've still got me, if that's any consolation!

one is better than non right?!!!! I am happy to know I'm not writing for no one

 

[ZFamily5]

one is better than non right?!!!! I am happy to know I'm not writing for no one

Sometimes it feels that way, but there are lots of people that lurk and don't post anything. To all you lurkers: please post and say hi!

 

[vikkii19]

Great plans so far. Happy to hear you're in remission. Wow, 16 days would be great you'll have enough time to see and do a lot.

We're also flying from south of the border, I can't get over how expensive flights are from here.

We went on our Honeymoon the first week of October, and it was soo hot. You won't need to pack warm clothes.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Great plans so far. Happy to hear you're in remission. Wow, 16 days would be great you'll have enough time to see and do a lot.

We're also flying from south of the border, I can't get over how expensive flights are from here.

We went on our Honeymoon the first week of October, and it was soo hot. You won't need to pack warm clothes.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

another reader! haha

This trip will be my longest so far, I wanted my bf to really get to see as much as possible, and we both really want to see universal. I can't wait for the heat! It's pouring rain here... not very summer-y

I will probably do another update on... Sunday? I shouldn't even be on at the moment I should be getting ready, I have to go get blood drawn and my port flushed ect... another hospital day... they never end! lol and tomorrow is HP!!!! anyone else going this weekend? I'm excited but kinda sad that it will all be over... anyways gotta get going! Have an awesome day/end of the week!!!!!

67 DAYS!!!!!!!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Everyone have a good weekend? Mine was good, saw HP, it was AMAZING! I really wana see it again, but I still need to see Cars 2 and Winnie the Pooh, plus there are other movies coming out soon I know I wont get to see everything! It rained Saturday... like POURED!!!! Pretty typical July weather for us, I went to the planetarium then over to a friends, we played cards and watched a couple movies, listened to the AMAZING thunderstorm Then I caught up on my sleep today as I really didn't sleep last night we were having too much fun

...ANYWAYS... back to the planning I shall go over where I am planning on eating (CS) for the first few days ( I have only finished the first half of my flash cards for the trip... and I'm too lazy to get out the rest of the plans ) I realize there may be some places that are seasonal I just put them down and if they arn't open then we shall find somewhere else

20th - for Lunch I want to go to Wolfgang Puck Express I have heard amazing things about this place so I can't wait to try it!
Dinner - Pecos Bill, grab it before the party officially starts

21st - Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, BF LOVES all things BBQ so I'm sure he will be happy!
Dinner - La Cantina de San Angel grab food before Illuminations

22nd - Lunch - Sunshine Seasons, looking forward to the strawberry shortcake looks divine!
Dinner - Maybe eat at the food court at POP or grab something in HS

23rd - Lunch - Studio Catering Co

24th - Lunch - Pinocchio Village Haus
Dinner - Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station (Seasonal)

25th - Lunch - Restaurantosaurus BF also loves all things Dinosaur...

26th - Dinner - Either Pop, or ABC Commissary

I shall post the rest in the next couple of days... as well as snacks I can't wait to have... *churrrrrooooooo* then I shall get on to the must do's ect!

 

[ZFamily5]

Love love love Pecos Bill's!!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

wow! it's been a long time since I posted... I haven't forgot about this thing just been SUPER busy, had some tests, still waiting on some results and it was my bday yesterday... I can't believe I am 22! I wana be 21 again ahh well anyways I have another test tomorrow but hopefully I can get another post up then

ETA: 56 days!!!!!!!

 

[ZFamily5]

Happy belated birthday!! Can't wait to hear more, but I understand being busy!

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Hey! okay so where did I leave off...???

Riiight dining for the second half of our trip...

so starting with the 27th *flips through handy dandy flash cards* I finally finished my flash cards I may post a picture a bit later

anyways!

27th - Lunch Boulangerie Patisserie
Dinner - Lotus Blossom Cafe

28th - Lunch Earl of Sandwich
Dinner - this one is a bit up in the air, maybe POFQ food court or POP
any other resort we feel like visiting

29th - Lunch El Pirata y El Perico (I know its seasonal so if it's open?
otherwise something else in the area )

30th - mostly just graze F&WF booths

1st - See above

2nd - Lunch Mel's Drive in
Dinner Pastamore on Citywalk

3rd - LunchComic Strip Cafe (by bf will love this place no doubt!)
Dinner Fire Eaters Grill

4th - grab something to eat on the ME and use up any leftover snack credits we shall have to eat in the airport in Seattle before catching the Quick Shuttle home too methinks

So that's all for dinning next I shall put up our extensive and hopefully possible list of daily must-do's

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Hey! Hope everyone had an awesome weekend! It was a long weekend here, Monday was BC day, my friend and I went to her family's lake house it was tons of fun and it's finally been sunny and nice here!
thought I'd share a few photos there's been a lot of talk and not so many pics
These are from my long weekend

Fire (we had one every night roasted hot dogs and marshmallows)

Beach

watched a movie *Disney of course!*

painted my nails lol

and had pupusas yummm

one of my vinylmation collection

and some photos of my little flash cards

they are half the size of a normal cue card and are laminated, I may take an extra ring and just take off the cards for each day and attach them to my lanyard, all together there is 54 of them a bit much to always carry around!

Anyways that's all for now, I think I may drag up some old photos from my past two trips to post as well as posting more of my plans! Leave next month

 

[ZFamily5]

Great pictures! I'm glad you had fun at the lake! And you're under 50 days!

 

[vikkii19]

Great system with the flash cards. I'm always amazed by the planners here. Looks like you had a great weekend.

Your trip is fast approaching.