A Rolex Vacation on a Timex Budget: Sept '11 PTR (TR is Live!)

[natebenma]

....but I must poll you all!

I decided last night to start packing certain clothes (shirts, dresses, and such) ahead of time so as not to risk ruining them before the trip. Am I insane, or is this normal Disney practice?

I fear I am insane....

"Totally sane!" says your imaginary internet friend

The only reason we don't pack months in advance for our summer Disney/Florida trip is we still need the shorts until it is time to go.

In fact, we may take out the suitcases this week and start packing for the April 2012 trip we just booked to Atlantis , because it brightens our mood to see opened suitcases out in the middle of the dining room!

First things I usually pack are the books I bring to read on the plane and in the mornings.

 

[natebenma]

Love your dining reservations!!!



Congrats on scoring the Ohana breakfast!

 

[Arizonaboy]

Wow you are almost as organized as my wife!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, congrats on 'Ohana! I'm still not having any luck getting a dinner ADR there for our second night, but I'm not giving up yet!

The rest of your ADR's look great!

 

[heathsf]

Wow what a great PTR! I came over to check it out after you commented on mine and you have me hooked! You're such an entertaining writer and you have such an exciting trip planned! Those are some seriously delicious ADRs you have planned. I'm glad you got to book that character breakfast for your DH. I'm looking forward to reading more about your plans.

 

[Stefy]

Love the pins on the bag, v cute

You are not alone in the packing beforehand. I know a few people who do the same, I myself don't. Am more of a pack the day before kinda girl.

Yay for getting Ohana, is such an awesome breakfast. What date is that again?

 

[jenneth79]

Yay! So glad you were able to get the 'Ohana ADR you wanted!

Love your dining reservations!!!



Congrats on scoring the Ohana breakfast!

Thanks! When I told Mike he was super excited, so I think I've "done well".

Yay, congrats on 'Ohana! I'm still not having any luck getting a dinner ADR there for our second night, but I'm not giving up yet!

The rest of your ADR's look great!

The thread seems to have been super active the past day or so, I will also cross my fingers for you!

Love the pins on the bag, v cute

You are not alone in the packing beforehand. I know a few people who do the same, I myself don't. Am more of a pack the day before kinda girl.

Yay for getting Ohana, is such an awesome breakfast. What date is that again?

The purse is done now, I need to take a picture of it tonight! I might have went a bit overboard, but I took the "why do it if you can overdo it" approach.

We're doing 'Ohana Thursday morning, the 22nd.

 

[jenneth79]

"Totally sane!" says your imaginary internet friend

The only reason we don't pack months in advance for our summer Disney/Florida trip is we still need the shorts until it is time to go.

In fact, we may take out the suitcases this week and start packing for the April 2012 trip we just booked to Atlantis , because it brightens our mood to see opened suitcases out in the middle of the dining room!

First things I usually pack are the books I bring to read on the plane and in the mornings.

Depends, is the imaginary internet friend Dee or FlatDee? Or is Flat Dee a virtual imaginary internet friend?

So exciting that you are going to Atlantis! Are you taking a cruise there or flying?

The book situation will be interesting for me this year, since I finally broke down and bought a Nook. I love it, don't get me wrong, but I have seen what happens to my books on a trip (dog ears, water stains, sand...) that I'm a bit scared to bring it along....

 

[jenneth79]

Wow you are almost as organized as my wife!

Then, let me say, your wife is quite awesome.

Wow what a great PTR! I came over to check it out after you commented on mine and you have me hooked! You're such an entertaining writer and you have such an exciting trip planned! Those are some seriously delicious ADRs you have planned. I'm glad you got to book that character breakfast for your DH. I'm looking forward to reading more about your plans.

Thanks and to the PTR of Doom! I'm looking forward to figuring out the rest of my plans! I've had to go and change things yet AGAIN this morning... so we shall see.

I'm super excited about all the meals.. we are jokingly calling this our own personal Food and Wine Festival.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on getting the O'hana ADR!!

 

[PrincessAmongPrinces]

Whew!! Finally caught up on your PTR - I read for a loooong time today
First, I love your writing style! You are hilarious, and there were several times I literally laughed out loud
Second, I loved all that you wrote about your Dad. The fortune cookie story made me teary. It seems like you had a great relationship with him, and I am so sorry for your loss. It will be wonderful for you to be able to share all your great memories with your DH
Third, you are a girl after my own heart with your planning and list making! And no, I do not think you're insane for already packing some things. The only reason I *haven't* started packing is because we are going to the beach for a week in Sept, and I will need the suitcases for that!
It sounds like you and your DH are going to have a wonderful, amazing, memory filled trip! Your ADR's sound delicious. The VIP seating for the fireworks sounds super awesome! Can't wait to read more

 

[natebenma]

Depends, is the imaginary internet friend Dee or FlatDee? Or is Flat Dee a virtual imaginary internet friend?

So exciting that you are going to Atlantis! Are you taking a cruise there or flying?

The book situation will be interesting for me this year, since I finally broke down and bought a Nook. I love it, don't get me wrong, but I have seen what happens to my books on a trip (dog ears, water stains, sand...) that I'm a bit scared to bring it along....

Do you know, I actually sent two Flat Dees to the meet, but the second one did not arrive in time. It was my face and Ariels body.

We are flying and staying (5 nights) at the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island. You get all of the water park privileges staying there and it was around $1,400 cheaper! We did stay on property at Atlantis for 5 nights in 2009 and we are really looking forward to returning.

My husband has tried to convince me to try a Kindle so I don't have to tote a bunch of heavy books around and I don't have to worry about running out of reading material, but I'm not convinced yet. Came close, though. On our flight to Mexico last February, the book I was reading was misprinted and pages 1-8 were missing!

I got an "I told you so" rather than sympathy from DH.

 

[jenneth79]

Whew!! Finally caught up on your PTR - I read for a loooong time today
First, I love your writing style! You are hilarious, and there were several times I literally laughed out loud
Second, I loved all that you wrote about your Dad. The fortune cookie story made me teary. It seems like you had a great relationship with him, and I am so sorry for your loss. It will be wonderful for you to be able to share all your great memories with your DH
Third, you are a girl after my own heart with your planning and list making! And no, I do not think you're insane for already packing some things. The only reason I *haven't* started packing is because we are going to the beach for a week in Sept, and I will need the suitcases for that!
It sounds like you and your DH are going to have a wonderful, amazing, memory filled trip! Your ADR's sound delicious. The VIP seating for the fireworks sounds super awesome! Can't wait to read more

Wow, and thanks for reading ALL that back-story-rambling!

I really need to get my butt in gear and update the TOC again soon, I fear it might be a bit behind at this point.

Thank you for such sweet comments about my writing! I come from a family of absolutely hysterically funny people, to whom I am only mildly amusing at best. So, I will probably print up your comments and show them that SOMEONE thinks I am funny next weekend when we all get together. My dad was the funniest of them all, though, so perhaps there is hope for me yet.

Yay for another list maker! Although how jealous am I that you get to go to the beach first! The most we’ll be doing is travelling to PA to see Three Mile Island from the backyard of my aunt’s house (no, this is no joke) and hang out with a giant Hershey Bar. (My two nieces want to go to Hershey Park and SOMEONE (not me) told them I would take them. Yeah. I’m bitter. All that chocolate walking around when you’re on a diet…the HORROR!

Considering how much of a slacker I am, we’re not even at the half way point with our day to day plans, so there’s much more to come!

 

[jenneth79]

Do you know, I actually sent two Flat Dees to the meet, but the second one did not arrive in time. It was my face and Ariels body.

We are flying and staying (5 nights) at the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island. You get all of the water park privileges staying there and it was around $1,400 cheaper! We did stay on property at Atlantis for 5 nights in 2009 and we are really looking forward to returning.

My husband has tried to convince me to try a Kindle so I don't have to tote a bunch of heavy books around and I don't have to worry about running out of reading material, but I'm not convinced yet. Came close, though. On our flight to Mexico last February, the book I was reading was misprinted and pages 1-8 were missing!

I got an "I told you so" rather than sympathy from DH.

Oh.my.goodness! That would have been, in the words of a person much younger than me... epic.... if the Submerged Flat Dee had made it to the meet. Though, you have to wonder if it might end up hanging out with the Noodle family at some point?

Atlantis has always been on our list of "like to dos" but we have found it very hard to take any kind of extended vacation over the past few years. This trip to Disney (9 days) will be the longest we've done since we got married! There is a definite problem with the way America (dis)allows vacation time. I think we lag behind only China and Inda for number of personal days. Maybe when I finally become one of the Real Housewives of Virginia I'll have a chance? Ha. Not.

I tried out both the Nook and the Kindle, and I went with the Nook because of the touchscreen functionality (and the fact that the "new" nook refreshes much less often, so you don't get that "flash" on every page) and the overall "feel". The biggest complaint with it is how easy it is to purchase a new book. And purchase I do.

The other nice thing is that Mike and I read a lot of the same series, so we were able to get him a nook as well and they are on the same account. That way, when I download a book, he automatically gets it as well! (You can register 5 devices on one account). No more "I get to read this first" fighting in our house!

And... if you had an ereader when your DH said I told you so, it would have made a GREAT device to bop him over the head with!

 

[Shannon84]

I LOVED your opening song...very creative!!!

Glad to hear that you got the Ohana ADR and it sounds like you have a great list of ADRs for your "final" picks!!

 

[jenneth79]

I LOVED your opening song...very creative!!!

Glad to hear that you got the Ohana ADR and it sounds like you have a great list of ADRs for your "final" picks!!

Thanks Shannon!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

ADRs look great - you are going to be stuffed!

I check out books from my library for my nook...it is an awesome feature that kindle doesn't have yet. Since I read quickly (a tend to not put a book down until I finish...), it has saved me tons of money!

 

[natebenma]

What do you know about the Stitch ride at MK? I know you and your DH are big fans of Stitch.

This was formerly Alien Encounter, or some such thing prior to being rethemed, but we never tried that one either.

Although my family has never personally been on this attraction, I generally advise people to avoid it. Maybe it isn't so bad for an adult couple, but my understanding is that it is a claustrophobic, dark, terrifying, (smelly) ride. Kids screaming and crying in fear.

Just wanted to give you a heads up.

If you do go on, though, let us know what you think.

 

[jenneth79]

ADRs look great - you are going to be stuffed!

I check out books from my library for my nook...it is an awesome feature that kindle doesn't have yet. Since I read quickly (a tend to not put a book down until I finish...), it has saved me tons of money!

I forgot to point that one out, thanks! I love the feature, though I have fallen prey to downloading a book, then forgetting about it until the checkout expires! At least you don't incur late fees with digital copies!

I also read super fast, though I'm afraid our library isn't well stocked. You'd like one of the "richest" counties in the US could figure out how to offer more digital books for people. The library where I grew up in Maryland (and where my family still loves) has WAY more books. My aunt is always calling me to tell me to check out this book or another and it's NEVER there at mine. Grr.

 

[jenneth79]

What do you know about the Stitch ride at MK? I know you and your DH are big fans of Stitch.

This was formerly Alien Encounter, or some such thing prior to being rethemed, but we never tried that one either.

Although my family has never personally been on this attraction, I generally advise people to avoid it. Maybe it isn't so bad for an adult couple, but my understanding is that it is a claustrophobic, dark, terrifying, (smelly) ride. Kids screaming and crying in fear.

Just wanted to give you a heads up.

If you do go on, though, let us know what you think.

Thanks! I was actually debating that, because I did go on the "ride" when it was Alien Encounter years ago. Here are my thoughts:

1. I'm claustrophobic, so I learned VERY fast that the best thing you can do when those shoulder restraints come down is to push yourself up in the seat as far as you can (sit up straight, basically!) so once it locks into place you can relax and bit and not feel like it has you in a vice. A CM actually told us this while we were in line for it. I want to say we went when it first opened, so they were probably getting the complaints rolling in by that time.

2. I though the show was ok, but nothing worth waiting in line again for. I get (and frankly, applaud) Disney's attempt to make more of a thrill ride for older kids and adults, but let's face it, they just don't do scary that well. I say this as a thrill ride junkie adult, though I am fully aware kids are scared silly by this ride, and not in a good way.

3. Since they made it "less" dark of a ride, I kind of worry it takes away from the imagination effect. If you hear something in the dark, you imagine it there. If you hear something in relatively ambient light, you KNOW it's not there, and that translates to my 16 year old brain as "lame".

4. All this being said (obviuosly I am at work, I have no idea why I just put those all into a numbered list!) we might give the ride a go if the crowds are nil when we're there. You know how sometimes it's fun to go to a bad movie? We'll probably treat it like that.

If we do end up going to see Stitch escape (because, as you stated, we both love that little evil alien dog thing...) I'll include it in my TR.