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

[jenneth79]

DAY TWO: SUNDAY

Hopefully Mike and I get a great night’s rest, for we are getting up bright and early this morning to spend some time at….




Even more exciting is the fact that our reservations are at 9AM. The park doesn’t OPEN until 9AM….. which means we get to GET IN EARLY!



I’m planning on bringing our good cameras to get some amazing shots of the castle before the park is filled to the brim with people. Cross your fingers for us! Also hope that I won’t be in trouble for elbowing people out of the way to get that perfect shot. Wondering how early we need to get on the bus from YC in order to be there with plenty of time.

I will admit that I am quite excited about having breakfast in Cinderella’s Castle, not so much for the food as the atmosphere. For the longest time growing up I always wondered what it would be like to go up in the castle, and while I will never experience the suite there, I can at least see out the windows from the restaurant. (Which had not been opened yet when I was younger.)



Question is, do we both take the picture with Cinderella? I say yes, but the DH says no....


After this, we should be able to spend a great day checking out some of our favorite rides! This is day One of Two in the Magic Kingdom, so I think we’ll focus on one side of the park (say, Tomorrowland) this day and work on the other (Adventureland) later in the week. Not sure yet.

I DO know what I will be happy to wait in line if it means I get to ride:

SPACE MOUNTAIN.

Or, as I stated while still a young child:



Perhaps my favorite ride in Disney, certainly my favorite within Magic Kingdom. Just the music that plays as you walk though, that kind of space sounding trippy almost Pink Floyd music? Yeah, I can actually hear it in my head right now as I type this. “Ping….echoechoechoecho…..cascading notes…..echoechoechoecho…”

I know, I can be quite the dork at times.

As for lunch, probably just grab a snack or two in the park, unless anyone has a great suggestion for a Quick Service dining location in MK? I will certainly have a few dining credits from our deluxe plan to utilize, perhaps even snacks?

Oh, and I’m going to be stalking the Photopass guys since I have already purchased the advanced CD.

Once we’ve had our fill of the first day at MK, we’ll head back to the hotel and perhaps get in some pool time, or just a nap!

Where to eat dinner tonight? How about a nice trip to Canada?



Le Cellier will be our first “Signature” dining experience of the trip, and I am very interested in trying the Cheddar Soup. It’s also going to be the first lesson in using the DDP. For example, is soup considered an appetizer or a main course? Too many choices….

I am a menu junkie, so I’m already debating between the Venison Medalions and the King Salmon… I thought I would skip the steak since we’ll be eating at a few places with good steaks on this trip and I don’t want to pig out on the cow. Wait….


(mmmm….cheese….)

After dinner – if we can move, that is – we plan on heading back to MK to enjoy a few more strolls through during the extended extra magic hours.

Then back to the hotel, perhaps a nightcap, and CRASH.


More to follow....

-j.

 

[jenneth79]

Hi Jen, we're still here don't you worry

I hope Bailey gets better soon, sending lots of good thoughts and your way

Thank you!!! Both Bailey and Zoe are doing much better. Yep, as soon as one of them got mostly healed, the other developed an infection. Poor little angels, but all seems to be MUCH better now.

I'm so thankful everyone stuck around, I was worried there would be quite the "Jen? Jen who?" about ... I will have to post a bit of the craziness when I have a moment, but for now, I soooo want (and perhaps need!) to focus on the vacation - I blinked and it's just 71 days away!

 

[jenneth79]

Bumping back up!!

Come on Jen, don't leave us hanging on the plans!!!!!!!!!!!

*runs about with trampoline to catch your fall*

I hope I didn't leave you all hanging too long!

 

[PixieMama]

Yay, you're back!

Very cool to have your breakfast ADR early enough to get in the park before the masses! I'll have to keep that in mind for future trips.

As for QS places inside MK, I've eaten at Cosmic Ray's and Columbia Harbour House... both are really good!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, so happy that you are back!

Your day 2 plans sound great! I want to do CRT someday, just to be in the castle too! I know the food is not supposed to be that great, but I would love to go in there!

LOL, I love your description of the SM music! Now whenever I go on that ride, I'm gonna get a Pink Floyd song stuck in my head!

OMG you are going to LOVE that cheddar cheese soup!!

 

[Stefy]

Day 2 sounds great and you must get a photo with Cinderella is you get a commemorative photo included in the package, do it even if it's just you

 

[jenneth79]

Yay, you're back!

Very cool to have your breakfast ADR early enough to get in the park before the masses! I'll have to keep that in mind for future trips.

As for QS places inside MK, I've eaten at Cosmic Ray's and Columbia Harbour House... both are really good!

I'm glad you mentioned Columbia Harbour House, I was just reading one of those "Hidden Secrets of Disney" books on my Nook, and it mentioned that CH has all sorts of wrecked and lost ships on the walls, etc. I wanted to check it out but was afraid is was TS.... now that I know it's CS, I'm absolutely going to go!

 

[PixieMama]

I'm glad you mentioned Columbia Harbour House, I was just reading one of those "Hidden Secrets of Disney" books on my Nook, and it mentioned that CH has all sorts of wrecked and lost ships on the walls, etc. I wanted to check it out but was afraid is was TS.... now that I know it's CS, I'm absolutely going to go!

Another "hidden secret" of CHH is they have seating upstairs... apparently not many people know about it!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Glad to see you back on the boards!

Yay on booking an ADR for CRT! Lol at DH not being up for the photo opportunity! At least you managed to get him into the castle for a meal - Zaheer didn't go for this meal when I put it to him

Enjoy Space Mountain and the Cheddar Cheese Soup at Le Cellier!

I have to agree with Pixie Mama in that CHH sounds like a great QS location - can't wait to eat here!

 

[jenneth79]

Hi Jen,

I need to introduce myself and I think it's time I fess up, I've been lurking your trip report and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hi!

I'm glad you decided to de-lurk and post on my thread!!

What I'm trying to say is I'm going to Disney in September also, the first park I always go to is Epcot (Gasp, it's not MK!) Figment was my all time favorite for most of my childhood, that is until they massacred it. AND my connection to Disney stems from the love of my father, and all the sacrifices he made to bring us to Disney every year. I seriously cried when I read your first post about your father. What a tribute.

Well, I'm getting married this September and dragging my husband to Disney for our honeymoon. Maybe someday I'll find time to make my own PTR but for now I'm enjoying reading all of your plans.

How exciting to honeymoon in Disney! Do you have fun Bride and Groom shirts? Make sure you wear the buttons, and get lots of extra pixie dust.

Thank you so much for your kind words about my father. I had a minor breakdown a few weeks back. Years ago, he had quadruple bypass surgery at a local hospital center. In lieu of flowers, we asked people to make donations to the center. I wrote a quick email to the director of that group just to let them know to expect the donations..... this is what came out of it:

Washington Hospital Center Newsletter

Needless to say, as wonderful and as moving as it was, I was an emotional wreck for awhile. (Yes, everyone, another reason why I didn't post for a bit.... they sent this during Father's Day weekend....)

So it's good to meet someone else who appreciates the sacrafices our parents made for us to be able to enjoy Disney!

Er sorry... now *I* am rambling!

I hope Bailey is feeling better and things have calmed down a bit for ya.

When you feel up to it, keep on posting! You have lurking fans!

Thanks! I'm back for good now, two months and change to go!



Jen

 

[jenneth79]

Yay, so happy that you are back!

Your day 2 plans sound great! I want to do CRT someday, just to be in the castle too! I know the food is not supposed to be that great, but I would love to go in there!

LOL, I love your description of the SM music! Now whenever I go on that ride, I'm gonna get a Pink Floyd song stuck in my head!

OMG you are going to LOVE that cheddar cheese soup!!

That's what I'm here for, dear, to put wacky and random songs into everyone's head.... mwahahahahaha.

Ahem. Oh, wait, I wasn't supposed to announce my evil plan to take over the world, that's scheduled for Thursday. Whoops!

I'll be sure to take LOTS of pictures when we're at CRT. We made a decision to get a new camera (selling lenses and other cameras we owned) in order to get a really nice Nikon for Mike. The camera I inherited from my dad, a D70, is great, but there are some features missing. I'm not willing to ever give up that camera though, so we decided on a D300, which will use all the lenses I already have from Dad. So between that and my Polariod experiments (I'll have to detail that later ) we'll have tons of shots!

Day 2 sounds great and you must get a photo with Cinderella is you get a commemorative photo included in the package, do it even if it's just you

Thanks, that's a good point, since it IS included in the (insanely high) cost. That may be one of those things that makes the DDP worth it. I wonder if we could do something fun or if it will be just a "ok, don't scare the princess" kind of thing.

Another "hidden secret" of CHH is they have seating upstairs... apparently not many people know about it!

Oooh! Now I am absolutely going there, decent food, cool things to look at, AND hidden seating?

Glad to see you back on the boards!

Yay on booking an ADR for CRT! Lol at DH not being up for the photo opportunity! At least you managed to get him into the castle for a meal - Zaheer didn't go for this meal when I put it to him

Enjoy Space Mountain and the Cheddar Cheese Soup at Le Cellier!

I have to agree with Pixie Mama in that CHH sounds like a great QS location - can't wait to eat here!

Thanks! I'm so glad to be back. I think you and Zaheer had a more diplomatic discussion surrounding CRT... I just kind of sprung this one on Mike. It was an ask forgiveness rather than permission kind of thing.

If you get to CHH before me, I expect a PM update!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

What a wonderful article! I think donations are so much better than flowers...we did the same with my dad.
I'm sorry about your breakdown...I have been having them off and on myself...

On a happy note, your trip is getting closer and closer!!

 

[Stefy]

Thanks, that's a good point, since it IS included in the (insanely high) cost. That may be one of those things that makes the DDP worth it. I wonder if we could do something fun or if it will be just a "ok, don't scare the princess" kind of thing.

Tell me about it, is crazy money what they charge, but really is worth it, esp to eat in the castle Yeah think of some funny photos if you both don't feel all that comfortable posing

 

[jenneth79]

What a wonderful article! I think donations are so much better than flowers...we did the same with my dad.
I'm sorry about your breakdown...I have been having them off and on myself...

On a happy note, your trip is getting closer and closer!!

It is a day by day thing, as I know you know well... I start to think I'm ok, then not, then I am again... I know the smiles are starting to slowly outnumber the tears, but the slightest thing will make me cry.

But yes, the trip *is* getting so much closer, and I know even with the tears there will be LOTS of smiles. I really can't wait to show my husband all the things that were special to us... so he can enjoy them as well! Even though he's been to Disney before he was very young and doesn't remember much of it... so this will be quite an eye opening experience for him!

Tell me about it, is crazy money what they charge, but really is worth it, esp to eat in the castle Yeah think of some funny photos if you both don't feel all that comfortable posing

I am plotting already... perhaps Mike can be quite Charming and I'll be an Ugly Stepsister!!!!

 

[jenneth79]

There has been a change in plans for our flight, which has taken me from rather stressed to super excited!

Originally, the flight I booked for our trip had us leaving Orlando around 5pm. Making considerations for ME transportation, that had us departing around 2…not that bad for a travel day, at least.

Then the emails started. First the flight was moved up to 4:50, then 4:30, and the latest was 3:45! I was starting to worry we wouldn’t be able to even enjoy our breakfast without stressing!

Today, I went online to see if I could change my flight to a later one. “Yes, you can!” , the Orbitz site exclaimed, “if you pay us 370 dollars!”



My total flight cost for two round trip, non-stop flights was only 425, all fees included. (Yes, I know this is an insanely good deal… I lucked out back in February when I bought them just before price hikes.) Now I would have to spend almost the same amount as our original cost just to get a flight a few hours later?!?!

My initial reaction, as it so often is with these things, was to rail at my laptop (as if it cared) about how unfair it was and that they, quite frankly, sucked.

Have you seen Labyrinth? (One of my favorite movies growing up, BTW) Sarah? Her favorite line? “It’s not fair!” Yeah, that was me this morning.

After my self-pity session, I picked up the phone and called Orbitz. I explained what was happening as well as how I was worried that the flight would keep moving up! The lady I spoke with was actually very helpful and I learned something new that I will share with you as well. Apparently, if the airline decides to change their schedule (as in, the documented scheduled departure time, not the actual “oh the plane is late” stuff..) they usually will accommodate passengers who no longer find that time acceptable at no cost to the passengers!

Sure enough, she put me on hold, called United, and made all the changes for me! Now we are flying out closer to 7 at night…. Which means we have almost a full extra day in the parks!

I am seriously doing a Magic Dance over here right now!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Yeah for the later flight!! That makes such a difference...I hate leaving any earlier than I have to!!

Thanks for the tip re: the flight time changes.... good to know!!!!

 

[PixieMama]

That's great news about your flight! And I don't fly much, so I didn't know about that tip... good to know!

 

[jenneth79]

I was so happy I wouldn't have to pay for the change!

Now, I get to be a bit more creative with our final day plans... mwahahah.

 

[Shannon84]

So glad to have you back!! and glad to hear that you were able to change your flight time, that is awesome

 

[jenneth79]

Dear Reader, I have a bit of a dilemma.

Whilst not paying attention, I managed to gain almost 30 pounds since last November!

Now, I know it is unrealistic to expect I could get back down to 130 pounds by September 17th.... but I have to do my best to at LEAST get back in shape.

So I'll be starting a few things.... one, since I have exactly 9 weeks starting next Monday before our trip, my DH and I are both going to do the C25K program.... just to make sure we're up for all the walking at the parks! Also, I'll be back on my Wii Fit starting Monday, go try and work on those muscles (really, my rear end has its own zip code now....) I mean, this is affecting my ability to wear clothes. Wait, that sounded wrong, I"m not walking around naked or anything... but all those cute shorts from last year that I would want to wear? Yeah.... no go. I don't have money to go out and buy all new ones for the trip

But I know I need to change my eating habits as well....though I am not a dieter, perhaps I will cut back on my portions.

Could you help me come up with a great motivational program? What can I do to keep myself going? Is there anything out there that helps you cut back portions, but does not say you can only eat cabbage? If I have to eat cabbage for 9 weeks my DH will probably move out.

As always, your opinions are greatly appreciated.