A Princess' First Trip - My October 2013 PTR - Updated 04-15-13(Schedule and ADR's)

[Eoywin]

I have two jobs. I work tech support from home and that is where I make the most money. But I am also a paid blogger. I write for Wired's GeekMom blog.

I've been writing for GeekMom for almost two years now and it's the best job I've ever had. I get to write about geeky things that interest me and of course, I'm a big Disney geek.

I've written a few posts about Disney. I wrote about Sofia the First right before the movie aired and I wrote about Toy Story for Pixar Week.

Today I wrote my first post about the parks - a short post on MyMagic+. I am hoping to write up a post with Disney vacation planning tips soon, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[PrincessInOz]

 

[LadyBeBop]

While I was working yesterday, he and DD were out running errands. They went to the local consignment store and found a Disney stuffed animal.

Originally DH thought it was the King from Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but after a little looking, it's Prince John from Robin Hood. Both are Disney classics that I was surprised that they made stuffed animals for. I looked at the tag and the toy is from the Disney Store, but it didn't have a date.

Of course, my DH bought the toy (for him, not DD ) - it's in great shape and was only $5. And we went out and bought Bedknobs and Broomsticks on DVD.

Oh, I love Disney's Robin Hood. Got it for my daughters when they were your daughter's age. It became one of their favorites as well. (Of course, that was 20 years ago...)

Before we go to Disney World, there are several Disney movies DD needs to see. The Little Mermaid is a big one, but it's one of the movies that we don't have on DVD and it's currently in the vault.

The Little Mermaid is probably my favorite Disney movie. And it's supposed to come out of the vault this fall. I'm thinking Disney classics come out of the vault around the first of October. So it should come out, right before your trip. Should be a good early birthday present for your daughter and my granddaughter.

 

[Eoywin]

While we have a while before we can book our ADR's as well as MNSSHP, DH and I have been talking about our plan.

I had today off from work - DH got me a massage for Christmas and I got to go do it today. We had some time and sat down and made a first plan.

Friday, October 11 - Arrival Day
Leave home by 4 or 5 am
Drive will take 10 hours - including stops
Arrive at AoA and check in
Go to Chef Mickey's for dinner (I'll probably make an ADR for 5:30 or 6 if I can)

Saturday, October 12
Animal Kingdom Day
We will probably try to do rope drop and stay in the park until 1 or 2
ADR - Boma or O'hana

Sunday, October 13
Magic Kingdom Day
Hoping to make an early appointment for BBB
Will take a break in the middle of the day back at the resort, and will go back and stay until DD gets tired
ADR - Be Our Guest

Monday, October 14
Hollywood Studios Day
May try for rope drop
Will take a break in the middle of the day
ADR - 50's Prime Time Diner

Tuesday, October 15
Adult Do What They Want Day
This is assuming there is a MNSSHP on this day
DH will get to do what he wants in the morning - golf, Richard Petty, something like that
DD and I may go to MK for a few hours or go to DTD or just hang out at the resort
In the evening, I'll go to MNSSHP while DH stays with DD
ADR - no idea at this point

Wednesday, October 16 - Departure Day
We probably won't do much beyond pack up and go home
If we haven't had a chance before, we will go to DTD so I can get our
2013 Christmas ornament

Now this is really subject to change depending on MNSSHP. I don't want our MK to be on a MNSSHP day. And ideally, I'd rather MNSSHP be in the middle of our trip rather than at the end.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Looks like decent plans. We're looking at heading back to the resort early afternoon as well. I think DH and I have decided that we're not going to be as commando on this trip as previous trips. Are you planning on hitting the parks at night as well or will DD be too tired?

 

[Eoywin]

We are planning on going back to the parks after resting for a few hours but we are mainly going to play it by ear and see how DD does.

We know we aren't going to see everything this trip but that's fine because we'll be back.

 

[PrincessInOz]

You're lucky to be in the same country!!!

 

[Eoywin]

We are lucky We also only live about 9 hours away so we can drive. Not having to fly saves us quite a bit of money too which makes future trips feasible.

 

[DMGeurts]

I think your plans look great.

The only thing I would be hesitant about is your arrival day ADR, just in case something happens enroute to delay you.

And I agree- it would be better if your MNSSHP was more towards the middle of your trip, but it's not the worst that it's at the end.

D~

 

[Eoywin]

I'm not too concerned with the arrival day ADR - we are used to making long trips and staying on time. DD is a great car rider and we shouldn't have to stop too often.

If anything else, it will give me an excuse to prod DH to get on the road sooner

 

[Eoywin]

So I haven't updated much here - not much going on Disney-wise. We are waiting (im)patiently for our tax refund so we can pay off our trip. Even though we submitted it as soon as we could, we got an email that the processing of our refund is going to be delayed because of one of our forms. Hopefully it won't take too long.

We have been working on the plans for some other trips in the meanwhile.

The weekend after my birthday in March, DH and I are attending the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte. It's basically a horror convention. The main reason we are going is because one of our favorite actors, Bruce Campbell, is going to be a guest. It looks like it's going to be a great con though and we are both very excited. Especially since the parents of DD's best friend from preschool are going to watch her overnight.

In May, I'm hoping to go down to GA for a friend's book release party and I'm hoping to go to the GA Ren Faire. I haven't been to a Ren Faire in many years and I always meant to get to the one down in GA.

June there is another convention in Charlotte, ConCarolinas. This one is a sci-fi / fantasy con and it's always fun to go to. I'm hoping to go down at least for Saturday and I might try and get a hotel room to stay the whole weekend.

Over Labor Day weekend, we will be attending Dragon*Con in Atlanta. Dragon*Con is one of the biggest sci-fi / fantasy cons in the country and it's always a great time. I've attended it since 2007, and even went when I was 8 months pregnant with DD.

So we have a lot to keep us busy as we wait for Disney to come around. We have also started to think about our big vacation for next year.

WrestleMania 30 is going to be in New Orleans next year and DH & I are really hoping we can go. We'd probably take DD up to stay with her grandparents in MI while DH and I go to New Orleans. But that trip is in the very early planning stages.

I'm also hoping to spend a weekend at Disney World next year, so I can run in one of their 5Ks. But that's up in the air right now because my 5K training has come to a halt for now because of health issues. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and can start running again!

 

[DMGeurts]

Just stopping by to wish you a...

D~

 

[Eoywin]

I've been really bad about updating my PTR. I vow to be better about it.

I had a birthday a few weeks ago and my main present was tickets to Mad Monster Party which is a horror convention that took place in Charlotte, NC.

We had DD with us on Friday but Saturday, she had a sleepover with her best friend from preschool. DH and I had an awesome time - we got to meet Bruce Campbell, Danny Glover, Lea Thompson, the original actor who played Godzilla and more. I also had a costume from American McGee's Alice that was fun to wear.

They also had some fun props for photo ops. They had a whole Jaws exhibit including a movie used Jaws head. And they had a DeLorean from Back to the Future.

Here's some pictures!

We had a busy Easter (thanks for the Easter wishes, DMGeurts!). We got up very early so DD could get her Easter basket then we got ready for 8:30 church.

As soon as church was done we drove down to GA, where our closest relatives live. My aunt and uncle as well as my cousins and their families live in a suburb of Atlanta. It was a long time but we hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving and DD had a great time with her cousins (2nd cousins but still).

DD got a Hello Kitty basket from the Easter Bunny!

On the trip planning front, I've emailed our travel agent with all the ADR's we want made. Our 180's is on the 14th, so just waiting until then. Once I have what our ADR's, I'll post our finalized schedule.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Looks like you've had a great time over Easter with Horror Con.

Here's to you getting all your ADRs.

 

[Eoywin]

Thanks PrincessinOz I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get all the ADR's we want - especially BOG though. Sunday is our ADR date and I hope that my TA will email me the list on Sunday after she's made them.

 

[Eoywin]

I love costumes and I'll take any chance to wear a costume myself. DD loves costumes too, so I know she'll want to wear a different costume each day of our trip.

Right after Halloween last year, I scoured the clearance racks and got DD several costumes for really cheap. One was a Minnie Mouse dress, another a Cinderella dress.

Our local K-Mart is going out of business and we were there this weekend looking at the deals. They had several Periwinkle and Tinkerbelle costumes on clearance for the closing. I let DD pick one and she picked Periwinkle.

I've been thinking about MNSSHP and what costume I'll wear. I'll be going solo to the party because DH doesn't think DD will be able to stay up late enough to get our money's worth out of the party tickets. I'm actually really looking forward to going solo.

For the costume, I'll probably pick one I already have. DH thinks I should wear my American McGee Alice costume (which can be seen in the previous post), but I don't think it would be appropriate to wear a blood splattered Alice costume even if it's obviously fake.

So here are a couple of options:

First, my Kaylee costume from the sci-fi show, Firefly:

Pros: Very comfortable

Cons: Might get a little warm, probably wouldn't be able to use the parasol, might not look like a costume

Second, my Petit Charat (Puchiko) costume from the Japanese anime, Di Gi Charat

Pros: Pretty comfortable, super cute, would be an unique costume

Cons: The costume has a tail, not sure how that will work going on rides.

What do you all think? Which costume should I wear to MNSSHP?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I like the Puchiko....but are you going to be hot?

 

[Eoywin]

I like the Puchiko....but are you going to be hot?

Not really - the top of the Puchiko costume is very thin so it's not hot at all. And even the fur legs aren't too bad. I'm leaning towards that costume because it's really fun to wear. I just worry about the tail.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Is it possible to remove the tail or make it shorter?

 

[Eoywin]

I could not wear the tail - it's just attached via safety pin. Though I think I will probably still wear it. It's pretty easy to grab and move it out the way as need be.