2 Trips 4 The Price of 1 PTR...WDW AND DL in 2014!! *3/6 TR Started!*

[JessicaKnits]

So, has anyone ever typed up an entire update and then had their computer completely crash on them? Yea, that just happened. So after a very un-ladylike tantrum, I suppose there is nothing else to do other than start anew.

So it seems to be a pretty unanimous decision that after we step off the Magical Express we are headed to check-in at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room.

So where will we actually end up?

:rum Roll Please::

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(Photo Courtesy of wdwinfo.com)

Pop Century!

This was my first ever Disney Resort, and it will feel like coming home! Now, I will say that I FULLY intend on changing this reservation if a good discount comes up for our stay. I figured it would be easier to change to a new resort if there was a good discount, then it would be to try and get a room at Pop on short notice.

Our first choice is still Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid Room (as long as it isn't excluded from the discount.)

Second choice would be Port Orleans, if the discount is worth it.

Of course, we would be completely happy at Pop. While I really don't feel immersed in Disney there, I just love this resort because it's my first. Had absolutely no complaints about my first stay, in fact the whole time I was at Coronado last year, I was wishing we were back at Pop.

I have always done online check-in and I plan to for this trip as well. I have also always been able to go to my room right away, so hopefully I continue to be spoiled on this trip.

I usually order some essentials from Garden Grocer. With having a car this trip, we may skip it, although I don't know if there is an actual grocery store on Disney property, so maybe Garden Grocer is still worth it. In the past I have ordered coffee essentials, drink mixers, red solo cups, and lots and lots of water. The delivery fee is a little steep, but there service has always been great.

We figured that this would also be a good time to pick up our rental for the trip. After several emails back and forth, trying to use all of my free rental days with National will just be a complete nightmare, so we will go with Alamo. This still allows us to use the Car Care Center, and their rate for 11 days is still cheaper than 8 days with National by about $82 at last check!

Once we get the rental sorted out, we will be headed to our first Disney Destination of the trip!

Downtown Disney!

In past trips this would have included a trip to Earl of Sandwich, but their veggie option just doesn't do anything for me, so we are going to try something new for me on this trip....

I have been able to try out the Wolfgang Puck Café and Dining Room on previous trips, but this will be a first. Their menu is very diverse, offering several pescetarian-friendly dishes for me. There is so much variety I'm not sure how I will choose!

I like being able to really just relax and enjoy my time on the first day, so we will likely spend the afternoon doing some shopping. We might also like stopping for a drink at Bongos or Paradiso 37 as I have heard the both offer pretty great cocktails.

Depending on time we will either head back to the resort for a quick rest, or hang around until our first ADR of the trip...where do you think we are headed?

(Note: I have started a PDR, which is linked in my signature. This will mainly be used to discuss my experiences planning my first trip as a pescetarian, to share some food pics from my previous trip, and to discuss anything else food-related for the trip. Feel free to follow along there for more in-depth info on our dining plans. If you don't wish to follow along, I will still run down all of our ADR plans here as well.)

 

[JessicaKnits]

One thing that I love and dislike about Disney at the same time, is how they are constantly innovating and updating their technology. When I started planning my first trip, ADRs were only 90 days out, and you couldn't book them online. Talk about the Dark Ages! Even though its only been a year and a half since my most recent trip, there have been so many drastic changes! I have decided to include posts in my PTR where I (and all of us really, for discussion's sake) write about my thoughts on all this new technology!

So I bring you Random Disney Musings By Jess: Episode One -- FastPass+

To be honest, I hadn't been paying a whole lot of attention to all the FP+ hoopla when it first started being leaked. For starters, there really wasn't a lot of information to go off of, and there was no timeline for when the rollout would occur. So rather get myself all worried about what "might" be, I tuned out. Now that details of the program itself have emerged (still no definitive timeline, although I can't imagine this won't be fully rolled out by the time we visit,) I have to say, that I'm not impressed or the least bit excited about this new "upgrade."

I'm ok with planning my ADRs at 180+. Food is necessary to ensure survival. Having a relaxing and enjoyable meal is important to me on a trip.

I am not happy that we now have to decide what rides we want to ride on and when we want to ride them, 60 days in advance.

Even more upsetting, is that if you use FastPass+, you don't get to use the normal FastPass system.

And you are limited to only 4 FastPass+ reservations each day. We frequently used upwards of 6 Fastpasses every day, except maybe for Animal Kingdom. So this will be a huge change for me.

I am still open to hearing additional guest feedback as the roll out progresses, but so far, I am not impressed and really not looking forward to this change.

Tell me, what do you think about the new FastPass+ system?

 

[blabbermouth]

I'm staying at Pop and going to Wolfgang Express my first night TOO! But I crochet and don't knit, so...

I'm still subbing

I'm not sure about the whole FP+ thing. I don't think it'll be rolled out by the time I get there in December, but it's hard to predict!

I do like the bracelets!

 

[JessicaKnits]

I'm staying at Pop and going to Wolfgang Express my first night TOO! But I crochet and don't knit, so...

I'm still subbing

I'm not sure about the whole FP+ thing. I don't think it'll be rolled out by the time I get there in December, but it's hard to predict!

I do like the bracelets!

I give you lots of credit for being able to crochet! No matter what I do, I just cannot keep my tension right.

I do love the idea of bracelets! That means I really could get away with just bringing my camera and a bottle of water into the parks. Traveling light is always a plus! I know they are doing some pretty serious testing on the bands in the next few months, so I'm hoping that maybe they make some adjustments by the time we go in February.

 

[DisneyDarling13]

In yesterday's post we pretty much covered the Who (Megan and I) and the What (a Disney vacation.)

Today let's explore the When and the Where.

When: February 1st thru the 11th. In Charlotte, I know I will be working between 60 and 70 hours each week. Then when I get back it will be right in time for the holidays and all the craziness that goes along with them. Its a daunting prospect, so I decided to extend our vacation by a few days. I'm sure I will need it!

Where: This is completely up in the air right now! My first trip I stayed at Pop, and I had absolutely no regrets about doing so. The second trip, I stayed at Coronado, and had many regrets about doing so. For this trip, I completely had my heart set on a Little Mermaid room. Unfortunately, they seem to have been excluded from the last few discounts Disney has offered. I don't pay full price for any vacation. Ever. There must always be some form of discount involved. I don't want stay in a Little Mermaid room THAT badly! So, I am strongly considering going back to Pop. My second resort of choice, if they do offer a good discount for February, is to stay at Port Orleans Riverside in a royal room! If we do end up staying at Riverside though, we are definitely getting a rental car. I hate the moderate busses! Uh! So many choices!

Why do you hate the Moderate buses? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness and Caribbean Beach and the bus service was excellent compared to the Value resorts! Just curious

 

[JessicaKnits]

Why do you hate the Moderate buses? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness and Caribbean Beach and the bus service was excellent compared to the Value resorts! Just curious

When we stayed at Pop, they had separate queues for each park (not sure how it is at the other resorts.) So when buses arrived, they dispatched them based off the longest queues. The longest we ever waited for a bus to anywhere was 10 minutes. At Coronado, everyone was all together, so you would see 2 buses for Magic Kingdom, 2 for Epcot, 1 for Downtown Disney, and everyone wanted to go to Hollywood Studios. There were many times when we allowed over an hour to get to a particular park for an ADR and barely made it in time for our reservation, let alone 15 minutes early. I am the type of person that likes to be early for everything so that was just endlessly frustrating. I would rather just have a car than deal with the frustration.

 

[JessicaKnits]

**We interrupt this regularly scheduled pre-trip report to bring you this real life update**

Two weeks (TWO WEEKS!!!) from today, I will be getting settled into my new home in Charlotte! I cannot believe how quickly this time has FLOWN by. I feel like I have so much to do yet! But really, besides the usual annoying things like getting my hair done, packing, re-packing and triple checking what I have already packed, everything is done. I got all my shopping done this weekend, which sadly included lots of flats! At my job here, I spend all of my time at my desk, and so I wear really unpractical 4 inch stilettos most days. In Charlotte, I will be spending most all of my day on my feet, so that means lots and lots of flats. It will be an interesting adjustment to being "short." I am trying to get a few updates posted today, because I'm not sure how crazy the next two weeks will be!

**We now resume your regularly scheduled programming**

After a fun-filled afternoon of shopping, its time to head off to the first official ADR of our trip. There were many restaurants on the "short list" for this honor. But, we finally settled on,

(Photo courtesy of disneyfoodblog.com)

This will be a new restaurant for me! I am really hoping that it is worth the two credits. I have read a lot of dining reviews, and this place seems to get pretty solid marks!

After dinner, I am hoping to try something that I have wanted to experience on my last two trips, and it just never ends up working out. The first trip, there was a torrential downpour and we were SOAKED and the second trip, plain old exhaustion won out!

So, if we're able to manage, we will head over to....

(Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com)

It always sounds like such a great time, and the perfect way to kick off a fun-filled trip!

Up next: Our First Park Day!!

 

[klacey1]

Pop is a great choice! It has a loyal following and I have always heard good things about the buses.
I love, love, love Wolfgang Puck Express! The pizzas and pastas are delicious! Not only is it a great deal on the DDP, but the times I've had to pay for it OOP, I always thought it was worth it. I love splitting a pizza and Caesar salad. There are so many great options!

Haha, I sit at my desk all day and still am too lazy to wear heels, so I admire you for that! Sorry you have to switch to flats!

I have always wanted to try Fulton's. Unfortunately, with Zach being such a carnivore, I doubt we'll ever get there.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Pop is a great choice! It has a loyal following and I have always heard good things about the buses.
I love, love, love Wolfgang Puck Express! The pizzas and pastas are delicious! Not only is it a great deal on the DDP, but the times I've had to pay for it OOP, I always thought it was worth it. I love splitting a pizza and Caesar salad. There are so many great options!

Haha, I sit at my desk all day and still am too lazy to wear heels, so I admire you for that! Sorry you have to switch to flats!

I have always wanted to try Fulton's. Unfortunately, with Zach being such a carnivore, I doubt we'll ever get there.

Thanks for the info on WPE! Its one of the restaurants I'm looking forward to trying the most!

The last time I wore flats on a routine basis was when I was working in New York, and it was only because I would have self-murdered myself walking too and from the subway on those sidewalk grates!

Fulton's does have a few steak/chicken options on the menu, but I can't imagine going there and being surrounded by all that amazing seafood and wanting a steak. Men.

 

[Dream426]

Hi. I am joining in on your trip report.

My name is Gina and I am from Long Island in NY. I am 45 minutes from NYC and I can understand why you like it so much. My next Disney trip is in September 2014. I also had to postpone my trip. We were originally going to go March 2013 but we had a little surprise and had DD2 May 1st so we postponed it until 2014. I can't think of any ride or attraction that I try to avoid in Disney.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Fulton's is my husband's favorite restaurant at Disney. Although, I still can't believe he got Chicken this time over his Crab legs he usually craves.

I'm in! My husband & I are going to be there Feb 6th to 10th. No pre-trip for me yet as I have my fall trips to get through before I can really think about that trip.

 

[spiritsim]

was thinking of WPC or AP can't decide, both sound good for our first night.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Hi. I am joining in on your trip report.

My name is Gina and I am from Long Island in NY. I am 45 minutes from NYC and I can understand why you like it so much. My next Disney trip is in September 2014. I also had to postpone my trip. We were originally going to go March 2013 but we had a little surprise and had DD2 May 1st so we postponed it until 2014. I can't think of any ride or attraction that I try to avoid in Disney.

Can't wait to read more.

Hi Gina! Welcome! Congratulations on your newest addition! I stopped by your PTR earlier today, so I will make sure to pop in later and say hello!

Fulton's is my husband's favorite restaurant at Disney. Although, I still can't believe he got Chicken this time over his Crab legs he usually craves.

I'm in! My husband & I are going to be there Feb 6th to 10th. No pre-trip for me yet as I have my fall trips to get through before I can really think about that trip.

Yay! Welcome to the party! We will overlap a few days so we will have to see if we will cross paths at any time! Good to hear your husband enjoys Fulton's. As a new pescetarian, it is probably the ADR I am most looking forward to! (At least today, anyway!)

was thinking of WPC or AP can't decide, both sound good for our first night.

AP as in Artist Point? I had an amazing meal there back in 2010. That smoky Portobello soup...oh. my. My entrée was only so so, but our dessert (a custom made cake I had pre-ordered, made up for it!)

 

[blabbermouth]

Sounds like a good first night! Fulton's always sounds amazing. I've never been to Jellyrolls either, but apparently it gets quite busy.

 

[spiritsim]

Hi Gina! Welcome! Congratulations on your newest addition! I stopped by your PTR earlier today, so I will make sure to pop in later and say hello!



Yay! Welcome to the party! We will overlap a few days so we will have to see if we will cross paths at any time! Good to hear your husband enjoys Fulton's. As a new pescetarian, it is probably the ADR I am most looking forward to! (At least today, anyway!)



AP as in Artist Point? I had an amazing meal there back in 2010. That smoky Portobello soup...oh. my. My entrée was only so so, but our dessert (a custom made cake I had pre-ordered, made up for it!)

Actually your TR is what made me put it on my list. I love portobello soup

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Sorry, I seem to have been gone for an eternity!

Anyway, I'm going to backtrack and catch up!

Wow that's a lot of different flight options. Good idea to see if you can rack up some travel vouchers! I don't blame you for not having decided yet. Flights are so tricky to get all the puzzle pieces in place.

I can not understand how there is no youtube video of the ME?! I don't really understand how there's anything not on youtube. Good idea about using the Disney car care center. I never knew about that, but I will keep it in mind for if we ever rent a car!

Wow all of those tastings on the drive up sound right up my alley! Great pictures from the fish boil. I've never heard of anything like it but it looks fantastic!

Yay Pop! As you know we love it there, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that LM rooms might be included in discounts for you!

We're planning to try WPE on our first day also. Hmm my guess for your ADR is Fulton's. But that's mainly because I just read that you're a pescetarian.

I 100% agree with you about the FP+ system. Even though planning ADRs out so far seems crazy, it's manageable. You can use the park calendars/crowd calendars to decide where you'll be for the day. Also, people's food tastes probably don't change that much in 6 months so as long as you pick somewhere with several options that you'll enjoy, chances are you'll be fine.

But deciding what rides I want to ride when before my trip is a little too much for me and the limit on the number of FP+ and not being able to use regular FP ugh. Honestly, I think I'd like it better if they just went to the FP system most other theme parks use and just charge for it.

How exciting that you're moving so soon! I hope everything goes smoothly!

Oh hey, I was right about Fulton's Awesome!

I'll be interested to hear how you find Jellyrolls! I wanted to fit in time to explore the Boardwalk on our trip but I just couldn't make it happen.

Now I'm all caught up so I can end my novel of a comment!

 

[JessicaKnits]

So, I know it has been ages since I last updated! Honestly, it feels like I have lived a whole other life since my last post. Just a quick update this week (courtesy of Delta's inflight Wifi service) before I hope to get a real update in this weekend. Read: I have NO plans this weekend except to catch up on the DIS. That's IT. Well and you know, the important stuff, like grocery shopping and laundry.

Anywho...

I have been in Charlotte for TWO MONTHS this week. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! It can keep going this way too, since by the time I am done here, I will only have a few very short months to go before it's Disney time!

The weather is nice all the time here, the people are wonderful, I love everyone I work with in my office, we have a Whole Foods, life is great!

I hope I haven't lost everyone. I plan to catch up on everyone's PTRs and TRs this weekend, I know I am seriously seriously behind!

I have had lots of exciting Disney stuff happen in the last few weeks and I can't wait to share with all of you, along with a tour of my "place" while I'm here, which is actually quite lovely!

Hang in there ya'll!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Glad to hear you've been enjoying Charlotte! Can't wait to hear more about your plans and your time in Charlotte!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Glad to hear you've been enjoying Charlotte! Can't wait to hear more about your plans and your time in Charlotte!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

 

[JessicaKnits]

So, I know it's been a very long time since I have updated, but I wanted to get a real life update out of the way before I go into all of my Disney updates!!

This weekend, fall is finally here in Carolina, so I spent the weekend playing tourist and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery! I started out driving to Asheville which is my hometown, and about 2 hours Northwest of where I am in Charlotte. I went with a few friends, which was great because we got to share some of the driving responsibility!

The drive out to Asheville was pretty uneventful, as the scenery didn't get REALLY good until later in the trip. We started the day off with lunch at one of my all time favorite restaurants, Tupelo Honey Cafe. They make SERIOUSLY the world's best biscuits. They are gigantic, buttery, light, fluffy...I could go on and on. They became even more incredible with a good slathering of their peach butter and blueberry jam. I even coerced the waiter into giving me 6 to go! (They are currently in my freezer, only to be brought out when biscuit cravings get particularly rough!)

After lunch, we hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was the first time I have driven on the Blue Ridge. All I have to say, is if you're within a few hours drive of the area, this is an absolute MUST!

Don't believe me? Check out these shots...

(I hope they work, since this is the first time I've uploaded to photobucket from my iphone)

About halfway through our drive on the Blue Ridge, we HAD to stop at Mt. Mitchell. If you havent' heard, it's claim to fame is that it's the highest point east of the Mississippi...

Since I'm sure I've reached my photo limit for this post, I will continue in the next...