A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes: Nov 2010 / Feb 2011 PTRs! UPDATE 10/30

[DWGal210]

So if you haven't heard yet, the price of a passport is going up about 35% next week. YIKES!!! Luckily my aunt gave me the heads-up and so on Friday, I went to the county courthouse and sent in my passport, paperwork, complete with scary picture. Why is it that when you have a picture that's going to stick around for a few years (passport, license, etc) it inevitably ends up scary?! If I get brave in 4-6 weeks, when it arrives, I may post my pic here to show you just how bad it is. Oh well - that just means I am that much closer to the Dream Cruise in February!

So inspired by Katie B (BippityBoo) and her question-of-the-day, here is a question for you, Pre-Trip report readers.....Annual Pass, or not to Annual Pass?? I am really still on the fence about this - I think I should, because the chance of my going back before 12 months is up is a good one. But what are the other perks? For those of you that have the AP, what else is good about it besides having your park days taken care of for a year?

TIA! Have a great rest of your weekend, everyone!

 

[DWGal210]

So I thought that on this summer day, I would share a few more Caroline pictures. These are from the 4th of July weekend - her outfit is one of the dresses I got her for her birthday.

With her Nemo fish. Getting her into Disney at an early age!!!

Watching for birdies out the window....so cute!!

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

 

[DWGal210]

Just a small update tonight....

A friendly fellow from the Utilities came over this evening and now I have HIGH SPEED, fiber-optic Internet!! WOO HOO!!!! Know what that means?! More DIS-ing!!

Have a good night, all!

Katie

 

[MeMom]

Cute!

Just a small update tonight....

A friendly fellow from the Utilities came over this evening and now I have HIGH SPEED, fiber-optic Internet!! WOO HOO!!!! Know what that means?! More DIS-ing!!

Have a good night, all!

Katie

That is good, but what ever happened with your air conditioning?

 

[DWGal210]

Cute!





That is good, but what ever happened with your air conditioning?

Well, that was my hot water heater....at the end of the day, it had to be replaced. At first they thought it was just 1 part....but oh no, the whole kitnkaboodle got ripped out and replaced. Which on the one hand is good, since the guy said it would probably have had to be replaced in a year or two anyway....but not so great since I was going to buy an iPad with that money. Oh well, what can you do?!

 

[DWGal210]

Good evening, all!

So I wanted to show you some of the crafting I have been up to lately, as well as some Mickey Mail I've received the last week or so!

First is the trip mini scrapbook / note keeper / reservation number organizer thingie that I create before each trip. It really helps to organize all my ADR ressie #s, check in information, flight information, etc. My first and last name are VERY common (think Jane Smith, no insults intended to the Jane Smiths out there!) and so I am almost paranoid about bringing every confirmation number I have with me. This is the book I made for our November Beach Club stay, with an example of one of the inside pages:

Not as cute as I've done before, but it'll suffice. I decided a Princess theme was in order for these books so that was my inspiration.

In addition to crafting at Casa Katie, we have also received 2 boxes of Mickey Mail! The first was sent courtesy of the Mickey Moms Club. I applied to join again this year, and was not selected; but they wrote a very nice turn down letter and said they were sending me some goodies!! So a few days ago, this is what I got in the mail:

Cute, huh?! There's a little travel cooler, a photo album, bookmark, TS3 bandana, some coozy-looking things.....gotta love Disney freebies! If this is the kind of rejection mail they send, reject me some more!!

The final Mickey Mail is from my lovely friend Wigdout and Shocker...they are having trivia contests on their TR (such a great idea!! ) and I was one of the lucky winners!! So what a great end to Monday to come home and find this at my door:

How cute are these?! Some Mickey and Tinkerbell Silly Bandz and some great magnets that are coming with me to work tomorrow. Thanks again friends!!! You are too sweet!!

Have a great night, everyone!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hey there! I'm just joining in for the ride! Two trips!!!

Why is it that when you have a picture that's going to stick around for a few years (passport, license, etc) it inevitably ends up scary?! !

I look like a boy with earrings in mine!

As for the AP, the benefits, aside from the obvious of being able to park hop and not having to think about how many tickets you have left, I think is the discounts....you can get the TiW card, plus there are OFTEN discounts for merchandise (I think its 20% right now) -and if you ever want to stay non-DVC there are always great AP discounts on rooms.

Your niece is adorable! And it sounds like you are doing a fine job with the Disney Training.

I like your little scrapbook - that "Life is a Ball" sticker is very cute!

And Disney can feel free to reject me anytime as well. NICE goodies!

 

[DWGal210]

Hey there! I'm just joining in for the ride! Two trips!!!



I look like a boy with earrings in mine!

As for the AP, the benefits, aside from the obvious of being able to park hop and not having to think about how many tickets you have left, I think is the discounts....you can get the TiW card, plus there are OFTEN discounts for merchandise (I think its 20% right now) -and if you ever want to stay non-DVC there are always great AP discounts on rooms.

Your niece is adorable! And it sounds like you are doing a fine job with the Disney Training.

I like your little scrapbook - that "Life is a Ball" sticker is very cute!

And Disney can feel free to reject me anytime as well. NICE goodies!

Hi Brooke! How are you guys doing in NYC? I've been following your Facebook posts, looks like things are going great!! If I'm ever out that way, I'll have to let you know!

Thanks for the nice compliments! I just realized that I am only about 3 months out from our Beach Club stay and I feel like I still have a lot to do. But what else is new, right?!

 

[DWGal210]

We interrupt this portion of the November trip to bring you information on.....

The Disney Dream Cruise 2011!!

This week, we made a milestone in the trip - we purchased our airline tickets!!! We've been watching them like crazy people, waiting for the tickets, waiting for the right price......and BAM! There they were!

We got a GREAT deal...$110 each way, for a total of $220 per person!! So we have that out of the way, the passport has been ordered, staterooms reserved....now we just wait for more information on excursions and all that jazz.

But until then, let's take ourselves forward in time and imagine that glorious day when we set sail on the Disney Dream....

We'll be welcomed by this lovely couple...

And after boarding, we'll make our way to our lodging for the voyage....

Perhaps take a spin on the AquaDuck...

Have a lovely meal at this lovely place...

And relax here on the perfect sandy beach, drink in hand!

EEKK!! I don't think I can wait another 7 months!!!

This weekend we are going to Chicago to see baby Caroline, so I'll come back armed with more pictures. Until we meet again, toodles!

 

[brookelizabeth]

If I'm ever out that way, I'll have to let you know!

Yes, definitely!

Ahhhh, the Dream! I dream of it! Earlier today I was just thinking about how nice it would be to be on that very boat for a short while next year....maybe just maybe....

Excellent price on the tickets!!!!

 

[DWGal210]

Let's first get some dancing bananas for 91 days out!!! Can't wait! I am getting more excited about the Beach Club each day.

In cruise news....my passport is here! It arrived safe and sound earlier this week, and honestly my photo is not as scary as I first thought, so that was a nice surprise.

I am also getting together some ideas for the goody baskets for the kids. Katie (BippityBoo) has a friend who designs sand buckets and since we're going to stay at Beach Club, I am having her make some for me. I'll fill you in as I get more fun things to fill the buckets.

Well, that's it for now! Signing off!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That is such a cute idea about the buckets! You'll share pics, right?

Yay for being under 100 days!!!

 

[DWGal210]

That is such a cute idea about the buckets! You'll share pics, right?

Yay for being under 100 days!!!

Oh yes, pictures to come for sure!!! That reminds me, I should e-mail that gal again tonight....

I was thinking I am going to mail them down instead of trying to fit 2 sand buckets in the kid's carry-on bags. Then, they'll also have a nice surprise and something to open when we get to our resort.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh yes, pictures to come for sure!!! That reminds me, I should e-mail that gal again tonight....

I was thinking I am going to mail them down instead of trying to fit 2 sand buckets in the kid's carry-on bags. Then, they'll also have a nice surprise and something to open when we get to our resort.

Great idea --- it will be like "Mickey" sent them for the kids.

 

[BippityBoo]

Hey Katie!! Did I ever give you her email? I didn't think I did. She will be back in town tomorrow for good (she has been in FL. with her fiance for work for a month). I will check with her and see if she can do it for you!

 

[DWGal210]

Hey Katie!! Did I ever give you her email? I didn't think I did. She will be back in town tomorrow for good (she has been in FL. with her fiance for work for a month). I will check with her and see if she can do it for you!

Marvelous! If you could send me her email, that would be great. Thanks again, Katie!!!

 

[MeMom]

I am also getting together some ideas for the goody baskets for the kids. Katie (BippityBoo) has a friend who designs sand buckets and since we're going to stay at Beach Club, I am having her make some for me. I'll fill you in as I get more fun things to fill the buckets.

Fun!
I am looking forward to seeing them.

 

[DWGal210]

So it occured to me that I never told you guys our ADRs! The Horror! I will now tell you about those....

In deciding where we wanted to eat this time around, we wanted to both eat at our favorites AND give a chance to those places we've not been before (or not been in a LONG time). So without further ado.....our ADRs.

Saturday, November 6th: Sci-Fi @ 6:30PM; this is arrival day. We should get into Orlando by 2:15 (as long as our direct flight takes off on time) and we figured that would give us PLENTY of time to get on ME, go to Beach Club, check in and make the walk over to HS. Sci-Fi isn't the fanciest place on property, but for $12.95 you can get a nice burger and fries, and the kids love their shakes. So we figured that would be a nice first-night meal; easy, no muss no fuss.

Sunday, November 7th: San Angel Inn @ 11:30AM; none of us have eaten here and although I have heard mixed reviews, I really like Mexican food so we'll give it a shot.

Sunday, November 7th: Chip N Dale's Dinner at Garden Grill: Again, this will be a new experience for all of us. We also thought it would be super easy to make our way back here for dinner, even if we leave Epcot after lunch, since we'll be just a quick walk over from Beach Club.

Monday, November 8th: Yachtsman Steakhouse @ 5:40PM: This is our very nice meal of the trip. We've been wanting to go, but with 4 kids and 3 adults, that would add up to big $$ very quickly. Since 2 of the 4 of us will be getting kid's meal's, that should dull the pain of the check. I am looking VERY forward to my steak and wine. Calgon, take me away!

CONTINUED.....

 

[DWGal210]

Tuesday, November 9th: Whispering Canyon Cafe @ 11:45AM; I've not eaten here since I came in high school, and honestly I can't remember but I am sure it was fabulous. We think the kids will have a great time, too.

Wednesday, November 10th: Kona Cafe @ 9:30AM; We LOVE the Tonga Toast!! That and the good coffee....heaven on a plate.

Wednesday, November 10th: Raglan Road @ 6:00PM; We can't go to Disney and NOT eat at 2 places: Raglan Road and OHana. My uncle loves the atmosphere at RR and even though he is not joining us on this trip, we felt like we couldn't break tradition.

Thursday, November 11th: OHana @ 5:30PM; Can't say enough wonderful things about OHana. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! The kids also eat a ton here, so we feel like we get a lot of bang for our buck. And Lapu Lapu, here I come!

Friday, November 12th: Fulton's Crab House @ 11:30AM; We last ate here over a Christmas trip about 5 years ago and it was INCREDIBLE. Since we are breaking the bank at Yachtsman , we are eating lunch here.

Saturday, November 13th: Cape May Cafe @ 9:00AM; Last day of the trip. We wanted a day at the resort to relax and since we don't have to go anywhere to eat here, we wanted to try it.

Well, there you have it! Our ADRs! 87 days, baby!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I just ate breakfast, yet my stomach is growling.



They look great! I have wanted to try RR since our first trip, but it hasn't made "the cut" yet....perhaps on our spring trip....! We've also wanted to do the GG for the characters mainly, for Henry, but haven't yet.

San Angel Inn will be the new Mexican place by November, won't it? I would LOVE to try it, we love Mexican food too - I look forward to your review!!!