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

[Kari-B]

Loved your PTR so far, you sound like a fun girl!

 

[Nermel9]

LOL...I think we are all the same way with planning Disney vacations, or we wouldn't be on the DIS.... I'm constantly thinking about my trip. Constantly thinking of ways to change it, make it better, add things in...it's a sickness I think. But I love it! If I didn't have a Disney vacation to plan and obsess about, I don't know what I would do with my life!

Your schedule looks great! I can't wait to see how closely you guys follow it!

 

[jenneth79]

Loved your PTR so far, you sound like a fun girl!

Thanks Kari! I'm glad you're enjoying the PTR... and I appreciate the compliment! Though most call me "funny"....or insane. I get that a lot too.

 

[PixieMama]

Your schedule looks great. Sticking to it will be the challenge, LOL!

A visit to the GF Spa sounds wonderful. On our previous trips, we've always been GO! GO! GO! the whole week (well, just 5 days in the parks... 2 days are driving days since it takes 10+ hours of driving time) I'd love for our next family trip to be a few days longer, one where we can take our time visiting the parks. Or just taking a day to chill at the pool or resort hop.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Lol at breaking your rules! Am sure everyone of us is guilty for breaking some sort of rule at some point

That is a great schedule - hope you enjoy your meal at San Angel and am looking forward to hearing all about V&A!

Good luck with lasting the 'drinking around the world' and nursing the hangover the next day. Also can't wait to hear about the super exciting celebration

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Ah, drinking around the world It always sound like fun, but I never make it far!

I do the "abbreviated tour" now- a margarita in Mexico, a glass of Rose Regale in Italy, a beer in Germany, Grand Marnier slushie in France and another beer in the UK. (Did I mention that it also takes me 3 different days to do this now?! )

You have some great ADR's planned and I can't wait to read more...


PS: Have you checked out the Creative DISigns board??? They have some great planning binder ideas over there....

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi! You got me with your title...I don't want to know what type of Rolex we could have bought if we never went on our trips....but, the Rolex would never take the place of the experiences and memories from our trips to Disney!

Sorry about your dad. My dad passed last October. Like you, he introduced me to Disney and his love for Disney became my love for it.
Good for you for planing this trip to honor him. I hope I can do the same for my dad sometime soon.....

Love your plans so far...can't wait to read more!

 

[natebenma]

I like your plans, version 1.

Looking foward to hearing how closely (or not) you follow them.

One of my favorite things about staying at the YC/BC resort is the flexiblity and ease of doing so many different things: Last minute decision to watch Illuminations- check. Quick trip to Hollywood Studios- no problem. Half an hour to kill- go exploring on the Boardwalk.

 

[jenneth79]

Your schedule looks great. Sticking to it will be the challenge, LOL!

A visit to the GF Spa sounds wonderful. On our previous trips, we've always been GO! GO! GO! the whole week (well, just 5 days in the parks... 2 days are driving days since it takes 10+ hours of driving time) I'd love for our next family trip to be a few days longer, one where we can take our time visiting the parks. Or just taking a day to chill at the pool or resort hop.

It was a necessity for us to have that day in the middle of our trip where we do not step foot in one of the parks. That's actually why we planned a Saturday to Sunday vs. Saturday to Saturday trip. That extra day (even w/o the spa trip) does wonders to refresh you!

At least I hope

I will certainly have to make sure I remind myself to SLOW DOWN the first few days....

 

[jenneth79]

Good luck with lasting the 'drinking around the world' and nursing the hangover the next day. Also can't wait to hear about the super exciting celebration

Thanks, I'm going to do my best to actually pace the day, but we'll see... I am a bit of a lightweight, and with all the options....perhaps my DH can drink around the world in a day... and I'll shoot for a week!

I do the "abbreviated tour" now- a margarita in Mexico, a glass of Rose Regale in Italy, a beer in Germany, Grand Marnier slushie in France and another beer in the UK. (Did I mention that it also takes me 3 different days to do this now?! )

You already know how excited I am for the Grey Goose Slushies.... but now you have me intrigued w/ the margaritas. Have you tried the jalapeno one yet?

PS: Have you checked out the Creative DISigns board??? They have some great planning binder ideas over there....

I have not.... sounds like a great thing to check out! Off to look it up now... thanks!

 

[jenneth79]

I like your plans, version 1.

Looking foward to hearing how closely (or not) you follow them.

One of my favorite things about staying at the YC/BC resort is the flexiblity and ease of doing so many different things: Last minute decision to watch Illuminations- check. Quick trip to Hollywood Studios- no problem. Half an hour to kill- go exploring on the Boardwalk.

I hadn't even thought about the Boardwalk...is it worth taking some time to explore? I'll admit Downtown Disney didn't impress me that much the last time I was there.... though that was in 98!

 

[jenneth79]

Hi! You got me with your title...I don't want to know what type of Rolex we could have bought if we never went on our trips....but, the Rolex would never take the place of the experiences and memories from our trips to Disney!

Sorry about your dad. My dad passed last October. Like you, he introduced me to Disney and his love for Disney became my love for it.
Good for you for planing this trip to honor him. I hope I can do the same for my dad sometime soon.....

Love your plans so far...can't wait to read more!

Thank you for following along! I get so excited to know that people are not only reading this (I was worried there over the first day or so...) but enjoying it!

I am so sorry for your loss as well. It's so very hard, but I think of how lucky we all are that our parents brought such magic into our lives. My dad always had a smile for everyone, and loved to laugh. I think that's why he loved Disney so very much! I hope you get to plan that trip to honor your dad one day soon...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You already know how excited I am for the Grey Goose Slushies.... but now you have me intrigued w/ the margaritas. Have you tried the jalapeno one yet?

I have not (but we do have an ADR at La Hacienda one night, so never say never!!)

The margarita stand is in the Mexico pavillion and they sell:


Midnight Blue "Patron" Margarita - Premium "Patron Silver" tequila, Blue Curacao, and lime mix rimmed with cactus/lemon grass salt $12.50

Lime Margarita $8.99

Strawberry Margarita $8.99

Mango Margarita $8.99

Fiesta Margarita - combination of lime, strawberry, mango & kiwi $8.99


I get the Fiesta, but sometimes just a lime/strawberry mix instead of the other two.

I hadn't even thought about the Boardwalk...is it worth taking some time to explore? I'll admit Downtown Disney didn't impress me that much the last time I was there.... though that was in 98!

The Boardwalk is fun!!! In the evening there are entertainers and carnival like games (for a fee). There's also surrey bike rentals all day. Plus ESPN Club (no ADR's), Big River Grille Brewery (craft beers) with outdoor seating (also no ADRs here), Jelly Rolls and Atlantic Dance Hall (grown up bars ) an art museum, stores. Plus the commute is PERFECT from the BC (as in a 3 minute walk across the bridge). DEFINITELY check it out!

 

[jenneth79]

I do feel a bit like Britney...

"Oh baby baby, how was I supposed, to know.... that I wanted more ADRs..."

Yes, just ONE DAY (if even that...) after sharing my trip plan, I changed it!

Well, modified, augmented, if you will....

Since we're on the Deluxe DP, I did some math and realized we have some credits to burn! And, while I am still leaving some things up to spontaneity...er...maybe... I did add the following:

Day 1: Tokyo Dining (late lunch) I thought this might be a nice relaxing way to get a late lunch once we check in. (and, the thought of going a week without sushi makes me sad....)
Day, er...whatever day Thursday is....: Kona for lunch. Mainly to escape MK for a bit, but also because I really wanted to eat there, and I have heard so much about it!
Final Morning: Breakfast at the Crystal Palace! I thought this would be a fitting end to our trip... and, quite frankly, I was determined to eat here after seeing a picture of those fluffy french toast balls of fried happiness. (technical term.)

 

[Nermel9]

LOL, I took a break from Disney music on my ride home from work (I constantly listen to Disney music to and from work!) and what did I put on? Britney...I listened to that very song, too, I haven't heard that in forever!

You're going to love Crystal Palace! The puffed french toast is awesome! I haven't been to Tokyo Dining, but Brandon wants to try it someday, it looks pretty good!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

CP on your last day sounds like fun! (It's a first day tradition for us, gotta get that french toast!!).

We went to Kona for lunch once and it was pretty decent. Their breakfast, though is

 

[natebenma]

I hadn't even thought about the Boardwalk...is it worth taking some time to explore? I'll admit Downtown Disney didn't impress me that much the last time I was there.... though that was in 98!

The Boardwalk is fun!!! In the evening there are entertainers and carnival like games (for a fee). There's also surrey bike rentals all day. Plus ESPN Club (no ADR's), Big River Grille Brewery (craft beers) with outdoor seating (also no ADRs here), Jelly Rolls and Atlantic Dance Hall (grown up bars ) an art museum, stores. Plus the commute is PERFECT from the BC (as in a 3 minute walk across the bridge). DEFINITELY check it out!

The Boardwalk was ok for us- during out one visit there, the only performer there was a magician. BTW- I just remembered that we asked the magician if we could tip him and he said no, but we could mention him favorably if we filled out any comment cards or surveys. I forgot to add this info to my TR, and I will do that now!

But what I DO remember is the GREAT CANDY SCAM!!!

"We were absolutely stuffed , but we decided to check out Boardwalk Bakery anyway.

The baked goods did not appeal to us at the moment, but the boys saw CANDY! It was sold it by weight, the sign said $3.99. Each boy got a small bag of candy. “That will be $9.38”. What?!? Warning, Warning, Warning! The prices quoted are PER QUARTER POUND, not per pound.

After paying something like 50 cents per Skittle, we popped into the ESPN gift shop"

.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Lol at making the changes! Am sure there will be many more along the way

Am looking forward to seeing what you think of the Tokyo dining and yay on booking CP after seeing the French Toast Pic!

I went back to your schedule to check if we would be there on the same day but we are eating at CP one day after you guys

 

[jenneth79]

I’m so excited!!!!

Finally, I just got off the phone with the Disney event planning team… and I’m confident enough that this is actually going to happen to share the details with you. On our final night in Disney, my DH believes we will be having a nice relaxing dinner at Ohana’. In reality, however, our “Taxi” will be taking us to….



Tamu Tamu in Animal Kingdom, where we will have a lovely private dinner for just the two of us! That’s right, AFTER the park has closed for the evening.

In my next few posts, I will get into the details of what I am plotting, along with why I am doing this seemingly crazy thing. Think of it as a pre-trip report within a pre-trip report.

For now, I just felt that I had to share because I cannot contain my excitement.


Now you understand why I am calling this the Rolex vacation…. God help me keep it in my Timex budget!

Want to read more? Miss an update about the Event?:
The Event Revealed!
The Reason Why
Pictures of Nemo
Timing, Location, and Theme

 

[jenneth79]

I have not (but we do have an ADR at La Hacienda one night, so never say never!!)

If you do, please share reviews!

The Boardwalk is fun!!! In the evening there are entertainers and carnival like games (for a fee). There's also surrey bike rentals all day. Plus ESPN Club (no ADR's), Big River Grille Brewery (craft beers) with outdoor seating (also no ADRs here), Jelly Rolls and Atlantic Dance Hall (grown up bars ) an art museum, stores. Plus the commute is PERFECT from the BC (as in a 3 minute walk across the bridge). DEFINITELY check it out!

Ooh! Art museum... sounds great! The idea of an honest to goodness brewery will make my hubby happy as well. Thanks!

You're going to love Crystal Palace! The puffed french toast is awesome! I haven't been to Tokyo Dining, but Brandon wants to try it someday, it looks pretty good!

We both love sushi, and at first, I was hesitant to make a reservation because, well, quite frankly we have amazing sushi places in our area and didn't want to be disappointed. The idea of going without, however, was too much to bear!

I will be sure to include a review (and, yes, probably pictures) in my TR!

CP on your last day sounds like fun! (It's a first day tradition for us, gotta get that french toast!!).

We went to Kona for lunch once and it was pretty decent. Their breakfast, though is

This french toast seems to be legendary... how come I never heard of it all these years? You all just wanted to keep it to yourself, didn't you....

I do know Kona will probably be "average", but it was a monorail ride away from the MK, and they have real coffee. Which we will be suffering without on our trip. (I already have Sbux Via on my packing list...)

But what I DO remember is the GREAT CANDY SCAM!!!

The baked goods did not appeal to us at the moment, but the boys saw CANDY! It was sold it by weight, the sign said $3.99. Each boy got a small bag of candy. “That will be $9.38”. What?!? Warning, Warning, Warning! The prices quoted are PER QUARTER POUND, not per pound.

After paying something like 50 cents per Skittle, we popped into the ESPN gift shop"

.

CRUD! I've noticed that about theme parks, they get you on the candy! I remember years ago in Downtown Disney they had little boxes of jellybeans with Epcot or Tinkerbell, or someone on the cube. Those things were five dollars! For, like three beans!

They all know, kids will not give up on asking for candy. They have you trapped.

Thanks for the tip, since we'll be using our snack credits to pick up stuff just like that for gifts when we get home. I say gifts, if the candy actually makes it home before I eat it.

Lol at making the changes! Am sure there will be many more along the way

Am looking forward to seeing what you think of the Tokyo dining and yay on booking CP after seeing the French Toast Pic!

I went back to your schedule to check if we would be there on the same day but we are eating at CP one day after you guys

We really should all meet up when we're at AKL...I think that was the same night, right?