2 Poohs & a Piglet: Taking on the World from a Fluffy Point of View: TR starts PG 7

[moonpie85]

We're Baaaaack! Trip Report Starts on Page 7!


Howdy!

My name is Deb and I've decided to do a trip report from a different take than the usual, the overweight. I see threads popping up constantly on the Dis of people wondering "Will I fit?" or "Am I going to have any fun with my family since I'm fat?". I understand those questions, because well, I've been there. Been there? Does that mean I'm skinny now? Ummm, nope, not EVEN close, I just mean I've been a first timer before and worried about fitting on rides or through turnstiles or in a chair. (psst..I secretly still do!) So I want to help my fellow Poohs because afterall we need fun in life too

You active Tiggers are more than welcomed to follow along too just please remember to be kind. You may not understand the the worries we have or why we don't just lose weight but please keep those thoughts to yourself. I really want people to feel free to voice their concerns without judgment

I plan to show our journey all the way- airplane, hotel, rides, restaurants and all. I plan on showing you lots of ride pictures, fitting tips, etc. Key word there is "plan." I have an incredibly active 14 month old so I have a feeling this will be a rather slow project so please bare with me

So let's get down to business!

About Us:

Me: Deb/26/Domestic Goddess

Hubby: Rudy/34/Legal Hero

Soon to be Daughter: Boo/14 months/Full Time Princess
She's not "Pooh" sized at all weighing in at a whopping 20 lbs. But never the less
she's very important to this thread because it's going to be interesting to see if
she will be fitting between us on rides or if we will have to split up. I'm predicting
that might happen often. Oh yeah you're probably wondering what
the "soon to be" is all about, well we're in the process of adopting her. Everything
should be final within next couple of weeks. In fact this trip is in celebration of her
officially becoming ours.

About The Trip:

Dates: October 25- November 1, 2011
We normally go during Christmas but wanted to go in October to hit up MNSSHP
and F&W Festival.

Flight: Jet Blue, out of Austin
Never flown Jet Blue before but we're nervous about keeping a rambunctious
toddler happy on a 3 hour flight so felt the TVs in every seat might help.

Hotel: Pop Century, Preferred
We've never tried a value before but we're excited to see what Pop has to offer.
We're also a little scared as we tend to be deluxers. But alas, after so many legal
bills from the adoption this is what we're going with this year. We chose to pay the
small fee for the preferred room so we will be closer to the buses and the hall
meaning less walking. We know we will be exhausted after the parks everyday and
every step will help.

Tickets: 7 Day Park Hoppers
Can't imagine a trip without hoppers. Very important to us. We're not water park
people (and the world breaths a collective sigh of relief) so we don't buy that add
on

Dining: Deluxe Dining Plan
Now let me stop and say the Basic Plan is what we normally get and is more than
enough food for us. So for those of you who are worried about that, don't be,
you'll stay full on basic. The only reason we purchased Deluxe this time is the
baby. She needs her AC and she needs her food every few hours. So Deluxe really
seems like the answer for us this time.

Transportation: Magical Express/Internal Buses....maybe
Ugh! I'm soooo back and forth on this! I keep hearing all these horror stories
about the buses at Pop. Are they really that horrible? We may end up renting a car
to have at the hotel as a "just in case" plan. Because I REALLY don't want to
spend my entire trip waiting on buses.

So, there you have it!

I will try to pop back on soon and let you follow along on the pre-trip planning.

Thanks for reading!

Up Next

The ADRs

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Deb, I am Tracy. Loved the title to the PTR so had to join in. I am "pooh sized" as well. We will be going for my 10th trip in December, I love how "pooh friendly" WDW is.

As for Pop and the bus situation, we have stayed there 7 times and haven't had issues with the busses except from DTD West Side. I think it is all a matter of timing. There are going to be long waits if you try to get on a bus at park closing, we have learned to stay back inside the park and let the masses leave.

 

[FosterA]

HI Deb!
very much looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

On my very first trip to Disney back in Feb I also flew jetblue out of Austin. I loved Jetblue!

Looking forward to hearing more

 

[moonpie85]

Hi Deb, I am Tracy. Loved the title to the PTR so had to join in. I am "pooh sized" as well. We will be going for my 10th trip in December, I love how "pooh friendly" WDW is.

As for Pop and the bus situation, we have stayed there 7 times and haven't had issues with the busses except from DTD West Side. I think it is all a matter of timing. There are going to be long waits if you try to get on a bus at park closing, we have learned to stay back inside the park and let the masses leave.

Hey Tracy!

I'm so happy to hear you've had good bus experiences at Pop. I'm really worried about that situation.

Thanks for following along!

 

[moonpie85]

HI Deb!
very much looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

On my very first trip to Disney back in Feb I also flew jetblue out of Austin. I loved Jetblue!

Looking forward to hearing more

Hey Aimee!

Always love to find a fellow Texan on the Dis! Happy to hear you had a nice Jet Blue experience. We live about 300 miles from Austin so we've never flown out of there before but I found some ticket prices I just could not say no to

Your trip report cracked me up all morning. I have a wicked sense of humor so I woke my husband up giggling at the thought of that woman and her stroller tumbling down that hill hahahahaha.

 

[CopasFamily]

Congratulations on the adoption of your I can't imagine how exciting, stressful that the process would be and hope you guys have an unbelievable time with Boo next month!

As a fellow pooh mom and frequent WDW visitor, I still get anxious about certain rides and wondering whether or not I'll embarass my kids by having to get off of a ride and subsequently forcing them to miss it too. Thankfully, it's never ever been an issue at WDW. Now other parks it hasn't worked out that way, (Busch Gardens/Uni) but we are by far extremely loyal to WDW and so the only parks may only get a visit out of us every couple of years.

 

[moonpie85]

Congratulations on the adoption of your I can't imagine how exciting, stressful that the process would be and hope you guys have an unbelievable time with Boo next month!

As a fellow pooh mom and frequent WDW visitor, I still get anxious about certain rides and wondering whether or not I'll embarass my kids by having to get off of a ride and subsequently forcing them to miss it too. Thankfully, it's never ever been an issue at WDW. Now other parks it hasn't worked out that way, (Busch Gardens/Uni) but we are by far extremely loyal to WDW and so the only parks may only get a visit out of us every couple of years.

Thank you! We are thrilled!

I've never gone on most of the Fantasyland rides because I never had a reason to before now, do you think I'll be okay on those? Those are the only ones I'm concerned about. Well and the darn Muppet 3D seats...don't know why they made them so much smaller. I haven't fit in those seats for a couple years now.

 

[CopasFamily]

I've never had an issue on any ride at the world. The only thing I've ever found being a tight squeeze is the theater seating.

 

[moonpie85]

I've never had an issue on any ride at the world. The only thing I've ever found being a tight squeeze is the theater seating.

Awesome!

 

[moonpie85]

I'm so excited I have some readers yay!!!

Okay so like I said earlier we're doing DxDDP so that means ALOT of table service ADRs. Now truthfully, I will be surprised if we make it to half of these, that's just way too much food even for Poohs like ourselves. But I decided to go ahead and make all the ADRs then cancel them as needed. Never know when we'll need to cool down and relax in some AC and there's no rule we have to eat everything offered.

So here is our list--

October 25:
Dinner- Everything Pop

October 26:
Breakfast- Tusker House
Lunch- Tusker House (I know, weird but it was the only available ADR )
Dinner- Liberty Tree Tavern

October 27:
Breakfast- Kona
Lunch- Tony's
Dinner- Tutto Italia

October 28:
Breakfast- Akershus
Lunch- San Angel Inn
Dinner- Raglan Road

October 29:
Breakfast- Crystal Palace
Lunch- Plaza
Dinner- Rose & Crown

October 30:
Breakfast- Boma
Lunch- Brown Derby Fantasmic Pkg
Dinner- 50s Prime Time Cafe (I hate how I had to make this ressie in Rudy's name since the lunch package prevents you from dinner ADRs...they need to fix that)

October 31:
Breakfast- Tusker House
Lunch- Yak & Yeti
Dinner- Kona

November 1:
Breakfast- 1900 Park Faire


We've always stuck to the same restaurants so we decided to try some different ones this time. This will be our first visit to 1900, Yak & Yeti, Tusker House, Boma, Rose and Crown, Plaza, Crystal Palace, Raglan Road, Akershus, San Angel Inn, Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Everything Pop! Wow, I actually didn't realize until right now that MOST of these are new for us. Weird.

Anyways does anybody have any ordering recommendations at any of these? We're already pros at Tonys and Kona as they are our *go to* every trip

UP NEXT

A COSTUME FOR BOOhttp://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42785347&postcount=25http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42785347&postcount=25http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42785347&postcount=25

 

[mama2mulan]

Congratulations on your adoption! Both of my girls are adopted so I know how amazing the experience can be! I had to come out of lurking to tell you a few things.
1. Flying with a 14 month old is really not that bad. Both of my girls were adopted from China. One at 10 months and one at 14 months. We had to fly nearly 30 hours to get home with them. You'll be amazed at how well your dd will do.
2. Pop Century is a great place to stay with kids. It is really family friendly. I am sure it is nothing like the GF but with a child you won't be in the room enough to care.
3. The bus service there was no problem at all. Last time we went to Disney was the same time you are going. It is the perfect time to go. We won't go at any other time! Hardly and crowds so there is no one on the bus. Relatively speaking of course.
4. The food court at Pop is fine. Nothing to write home about but it looks like you won't be eating there much so no big deal.
5. Loved Akershus for breakfast. The food was awesome. Plaza for lunch was good. Nothing stands out in our minds from there. Loved Rose and Crown. Go for the traditional English food like Bangers and Mash or Fish and Chips. Yummy!

So my big question for you is what should we order at Tonys for dinner? It will be our first time eating there when we go in 33 days but who's counting right? We'll be at Disney from October 30 - November 5!

And I'm a pooh sized girl too!

Me (Julie) dh dd1 (biggest tomboy ever) and dd2 biggest girlie girl ever

 

[moonpie85]

Congratulations on your adoption! Both of my girls are adopted so I know how amazing the experience can be! I had to come out of lurking to tell you a few things.
1. Flying with a 14 month old is really not that bad. Both of my girls were adopted from China. One at 10 months and one at 14 months. We had to fly nearly 30 hours to get home with them. You'll be amazed at how well your dd will do.
2. Pop Century is a great place to stay with kids. It is really family friendly. I am sure it is nothing like the GF but with a child you won't be in the room enough to care.
3. The bus service there was no problem at all. Last time we went to Disney was the same time you are going. It is the perfect time to go. We won't go at any other time! Hardly and crowds so there is no one on the bus. Relatively speaking of course.
4. The food court at Pop is fine. Nothing to write home about but it looks like you won't be eating there much so no big deal.
5. Loved Akershus for breakfast. The food was awesome. Plaza for lunch was good. Nothing stands out in our minds from there. Loved Rose and Crown. Go for the traditional English food like Bangers and Mash or Fish and Chips. Yummy!

So my big question for you is what should we order at Tonys for dinner? It will be our first time eating there when we go in 33 days but who's counting right? We'll be at Disney from October 30 - November 5!

And I'm a pooh sized girl too!

Me (Julie) dh dd1 (biggest tomboy ever) and dd2 biggest girlie girl ever

Hey! Thanks for dropping by

Sounds like we have quite a bit in common!

So glad to hear you have had positive POP experiences. I think we will probably enjoy our stay. As far as Tonys goes hubby likes the chicken parmesan and I like the lasagna. I love the tiramisu and the creme brulee is also very good

Are ya'll going to MSSHP? If so, which night?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

How fantastic! I'm sure you'll have a great time as a family of 3! We loved our brunch at 1900 Park Faire. You guys must like Tusker House *we did too.
POP was fun - it's a place to sleep and get ready, we checked out and ate at several of the Deluxes but were fine with our little room at POP, keep an eye out for rabbits.

 

[moonpie85]

How fantastic! I'm sure you'll have a great time as a family of 3! We loved our brunch at 1900 Park Faire. You guys must like Tusker House *we did too.
POP was fun - it's a place to sleep and get ready, we checked out and ate at several of the Deluxes but were fine with our little room at POP, keep an eye out for rabbits.

Hey thanks for reading!

So happy to hear everyone so far has enjoyed Pop!

That's the funny thing about Tusker House, we've never been yet somehow I have 3 ADRs this trip So hopefully we like it

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the idea for this PTR. Our trip in 2008 we were really worried about fitting into rides and I have to say that we fit into everything we tried. The only place that gives us trouble is the Haunted Mansion turnstiles but I wonder with them revamping the line if they are even still there.

Congrats on your adoption, how very exciting!

I love Pop Century and I think out of all the resorts I have stayed at that Pop Century has the most consistent bus service. If you can get to the bus before the parks open than you will be all set.

 

[moonpie85]

I love the idea for this PTR. Our trip in 2008 we were really worried about fitting into rides and I have to say that we fit into everything we tried. The only place that gives us trouble is the Haunted Mansion turnstiles but I wonder with them revamping the line if they are even still there.

Congrats on your adoption, how very exciting!

I love Pop Century and I think out of all the resorts I have stayed at that Pop Century has the most consistent bus service. If you can get to the bus before the parks open than you will be all set.

Thanks for dropping by!

I have WONDERFUL news...the Haunted Mansion turnstiles are gone woot woot!

Glad to hear about the buses! Know what's funny? We have never made a single rope drop! We're lazy bums in the morning. However, we're going to try and make several this trip. We figure the baby will do better in the morning and a long afternoon break. Plus we got those breakfast ADRs. So hopefully we can get our tushies outta bed!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thanks for dropping by!

I have WONDERFUL news...the Haunted Mansion turnstiles are gone woot woot!

Glad to hear about the buses! Know what's funny? We have never made a single rope drop! We're lazy bums in the morning. However, we're going to try and make several this trip. We figure the baby will do better in the morning and a long afternoon break. Plus we got those breakfast ADRs. So hopefully we can get our tushies outta bed!

Oh good, I love that those stupid turnstiles are gone. I'm extremely pooh sized and I have lost 100lbs over the last 2 years (still pooh sized) and those darn turnstiles would still give me heart palpitations!

I am very much a rope drop person, we don't stay out as late most times though. Rope drop will probably work well with your little one though.

 

[moonpie85]

Oh good, I love that those stupid turnstiles are gone. I'm extremely pooh sized and I have lost 100lbs over the last 2 years (still pooh sized) and those darn turnstiles would still give me heart palpitations!

I am very much a rope drop person, we don't stay out as late most times though. Rope drop will probably work well with your little one though.

Congrats on the weight loss and an even bigger congrats on your upcoming addition! We went through years of fertility treatments so I know how incredibly excited you have to be. Love every minute of it!

 

[Darkfirewolfe]

Subbing!

Your dates are really close to our dates, so I'm excited to see your plans too! I'm really excited about eating across The World at F&W and seeing MNSSHP for the 2nd time.

Just think - we are incredibly close to the dates!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Congrats on the weight loss and an even bigger congrats on your upcoming addition! We went through years of fertility treatments so I know how incredibly excited you have to be. Love every minute of it!

We tried for 3 years to get pregnant, and in July they told us we were going to have to go through IVF to get pregnant and VOILA! I got pregnant that exact week on our own. Funny how things work out.

Do we get to see pictures of your little one or do we have to wait until the adoption is finalized?