A Stringbean, a Wingnut, and a plan! (A January '12 PTR) TRIP REPORT STARTED!! 1/16!!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

love the thrill ride weinie card

Hahaha I do too - so awesome!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Before I begin, everyone saw this bit of awesomeness that Laura made, right?

So things continue to be quiet on the Disney planning front! I'm hoping that my Mickey Mail comes soon, I'm always excited for communications from Disney Destinations!

Also, I've still left all of our plans alone (the idea of the Wishes Dessert Party crossed my mind yesterday, but I'm almost convinced that it's totally unnecessary for us, especially since we will be on the DDxP), which I'm pretty impressed with at this point .

Day 25: Your Favorite Activity Outside of the Parks, but Still in WDW

I'm going to go with Downtown Disney! I love the different shops there (and Goofy's Candy Company, of course!), and browsing around.



Dinner at Raglan Road is also a favorite, although we're skipping it this time around.



Actually, I'm not sure that we will even be going to Downtown Disney this time around! We have no ADR's there, and is the siren call of the create-your-own treat enough to lure us there???



Maybe. I'm not sure though...

Day 26: Your Favorite Souvenir

This is SUCH a tough one, because we've gotten so many different souvenirs over the years that are all meaningful and wonderful. There's the teapot, which I adore.



Planty (Wingnut bought him outside Soarin', he's a little dragonfruit plant that grew in a little greenhouse container thing until he got too big for it, and now he's in an actual container on our windowsill)

(Also, named by Wingnut, way before the P&F reference! )

Here he was in the container, right before we moved him:



And in the dirt (he's a bit bigger now)



I guess it could be a cop-out answer, but I really can't choose! I love them all! Every little bit of Disney that I can bring home is precious to me!

How about you guys?

 

[tankgirl427]

LOL! We have to be the same person because I just booked the Dessert Party for January. I might cancel it before January, but right now it works for us and we're not on a Dining Plan.

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Here's hoping your Mickey Mail comes SOON, and I'm pretty impressed that your plans haven't changed!

My favorite thing outside the parks is taking the boat from DTD to POR and back, especially at sunset. Shopping at DTD and dinner at Wolfgang Puck is a close second.

My favorite souvies are mostly little things like the Tink ears the kids bought me for my birthday a few years ago and my name tag that looks like a CM badge. It's (mostly) fun being mistaken for a CM! I recently learned that the name tags are no longer available. Sadness. For a large purchase, I love my Disney Dooney!

ETA: Your teapot is adorable! I need more Disney home stuff!

 

[Jennifer48]

Disney weenie card is hilarious! Great job Laura!

I hope your Mickey Mail comes soon!

Day 25: Your Favorite Activity Outside of the Parks, but Still in WDW- I have to go with Downtown Disney also. I just like to window shop and listen to the music that they play. Plus, people watching is always fun down there.

Day 26: Your Favorite Souvenir- Yeah right like I can answer that!

 

[tinacaplan]

HILLARIOUS...about the thrill ride card. Personally, I will NOT step foot on a thrill ride anywhere BUT Disneyworld. But at Disney, bring me right to the Rock n Roller Coaster. Weird, right?


My favorite place outside of the parks....my resort! Seriously, we always have a great time relaxing at our resort and going swimming. We are big fans of the Disney pools. Of course, Storm Along Bay can do that to anyone. I actually think I'm more excited about the Poly than the rest of the trip.

My favorite souvenir ... going purely by amount of use, definitely my Four Parks, One World CD. And I love that tea pot, too.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow, still silence on the ADR front? Amazing!

Love the weinie card! Show it with pride Sara.

Your little plant sure has grown. Dragon fruit? Does that imply it's edible or just some clever plant classification name?

Oooh, favorite activity outside of WDW? My kids would say the stupid pool, I'd bet a fortune on that answer. For me, I really loved exploring DTD. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle feel of the parks. I must say though that I think Goofy's Candy Co. is a perfect excuse to go. Totally.

Favorite souvenir? I love my 40th anniversary mug I bought last Jan. I equally love the Wishes soundtrack too. What if I say that I love drinking from my mug while listening to the soundtrack? That works for me.

 

[Nermel9]

LOL, love your thrill ride card!

The Wishes Dessert Party is fun, but you're right, I don't think you guys will need it if you are on the DDP.

My favorite non park activity would also be DTD! I love wandering around, looking in all the shops, especially the Christmas shop!

Favorite souvenir...it's hard to pick...but it would probably be my "Castle in the Woods" ornament I bought in 2009, our first time at WL. Unfortunately, I lost it, and they don't seem to make it anymore, which is so depressing I could cry. I'm still hoping it will turn up this year when I go through my ornaments!

 

[MEK]

My fav non park activity is the pool (with a cocktail, ofcourse).

My fav souvie is probably my collection of postcards. I try to get the postcard size of the prints I like. I try to get one or two per trip. They are inexpensive and make great memories. Of course, I love my Mickey towel and wine charms from my last trip, so its a toss up.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

LOL! We have to be the same person because I just booked the Dessert Party for January. I might cancel it before January, but right now it works for us and we're not on a Dining Plan.

That wasn't the answer I was hoping for!! I need to be talked out of these things, not encouraged!!!

Here's hoping your Mickey Mail comes SOON, and I'm pretty impressed that your plans haven't changed!

My favorite thing outside the parks is taking the boat from DTD to POR and back, especially at sunset. Shopping at DTD and dinner at Wolfgang Puck is a close second.

My favorite souvies are mostly little things like the Tink ears the kids bought me for my birthday a few years ago and my name tag that looks like a CM badge. It's (mostly) fun being mistaken for a CM! I recently learned that the name tags are no longer available. Sadness. For a large purchase, I love my Disney Dooney!

ETA: Your teapot is adorable! I need more Disney home stuff!

I hope so too!!!! I'm starting to do the "maybe it'll come today!" every time I check the mailbox.

I wish I had gotten those "CM" badges while they were still around! I forgot to mention my Disney Dooneys! (Technically one was a souvenir, one was a gift from Wingnut!) I loooooooooove those bags!

Thank you!! I didn't mean to start outfitting the home in Disney, but it just started happening...

Disney weenie card is hilarious! Great job Laura!

I hope your Mickey Mail comes soon!

Day 25: Your Favorite Activity Outside of the Parks, but Still in WDW- I have to go with Downtown Disney also. I just like to window shop and listen to the music that they play. Plus, people watching is always fun down there.

Day 26: Your Favorite Souvenir- Yeah right like I can answer that!

I hope so too!!!

I love DTD, I feel like it's a fun mishmash of random stores and stuff, which makes for a fun meandering experience!

HILLARIOUS...about the thrill ride card. Personally, I will NOT step foot on a thrill ride anywhere BUT Disneyworld. But at Disney, bring me right to the Rock n Roller Coaster. Weird, right?

My favorite place outside of the parks....my resort! Seriously, we always have a great time relaxing at our resort and going swimming. We are big fans of the Disney pools. Of course, Storm Along Bay can do that to anyone. I actually think I'm more excited about the Poly than the rest of the trip.

My favorite souvenir ... going purely by amount of use, definitely my Four Parks, One World CD. And I love that tea pot, too.

Hahahaha that's awesome...I would still never touch RnRC with a 1000 foot pole, Disney or not!

I do love resort wandering, and checking out the other resorts too! I'm really excited for the Poly too! It just seems so relaxing and tropical!

Hahaha if we were going by amount of use, that would have to be my answer too! (Disk 1 is currently in my car CD player now... )

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Wow, still silence on the ADR front? Amazing!

Love the weinie card! Show it with pride Sara.

Your little plant sure has grown. Dragon fruit? Does that imply it's edible or just some clever plant classification name?

Oooh, favorite activity outside of WDW? My kids would say the stupid pool, I'd bet a fortune on that answer. For me, I really loved exploring DTD. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle feel of the parks. I must say though that I think Goofy's Candy Co. is a perfect excuse to go. Totally.

Favorite souvenir? I love my 40th anniversary mug I bought last Jan. I equally love the Wishes soundtrack too. What if I say that I love drinking from my mug while listening to the soundtrack? That works for me.

Hahahaha I've been good, right???

Dragon fruits really can grow dragon fruits. (Wikipedia to the rescue!) But they need to be fertilized by bats or moths to actually be able to grow the fruit, which is DEFINITELY not happening in my living room, so he will be a fruit-less planty!

the "stupid pool". I agree, Goofy's is fantastic motivation to go there!

LOL, love your thrill ride card!

The Wishes Dessert Party is fun, but you're right, I don't think you guys will need it if you are on the DDP.

My favorite non park activity would also be DTD! I love wandering around, looking in all the shops, especially the Christmas shop!

Favorite souvenir...it's hard to pick...but it would probably be my "Castle in the Woods" ornament I bought in 2009, our first time at WL. Unfortunately, I lost it, and they don't seem to make it anymore, which is so depressing I could cry. I'm still hoping it will turn up this year when I go through my ornaments!

That's what I'm thinking, but it's still hard to resist these things!

I hope you find your ornament!!! That would be a good holiday treat!

My fav non park activity is the pool (with a cocktail, ofcourse).

My fav souvie is probably my collection of postcards. I try to get the postcard size of the prints I like. I try to get one or two per trip. They are inexpensive and make great memories. Of course, I love my Mickey towel and wine charms from my last trip, so its a toss up.

Hahahaha pool and a cocktail is a fabulous activity!

The postcards are a great souvenir idea!

 

[Merida]

Disney has been emailing me practically nonstop and it's just like stop making it hard on mee!! The last few days before a trip are THE WORST.

The Dessert Party always sounds like a great idea and then I remember I'm super picky about my desserts so it's really not a good idea. Also I'm not a big parade/fireworks person, so what if I want to go on a ride or something? But I think it would be a great new experience in that it makes you view the fireworks in a different way? Or if you really like dessert!

Favorite Outside Activity: Hmm, walking around the resorts? Or eating. One of the two, depending on when I last ate or what resort I'm currently at.

Favorite souvenirs: I never really got souvenirs growing up, so I don't really have one? I have all of my park tickets (and most of my room keys), and I like them! They're stuck in a box somewhere, but they're definitely around here somewhere.

 

[MeMom]

Resort hopping is one of my favorite things to do, with Downtown Disney coming in second as a non-park activity.

Souvenirs - I will have to think about. Pictures are probably the things I treasure most over anything I actually buy. I do love the CD's I bring home, too. I listen to them in the car often. After along school day, turning up SpectroMagic and transporting myself to Magic Kingdom is a pretty nice escape!

 

[Joyciemc]

Favorite non park activity: visiting pool bars at other resorts. It's a great way to get a feel for resorts you haven't stayed at before. AND delicious drinks!

Favorite souvenirs: the Mickey coasters our friends brought back for us from their Disneymoon. We use them all the time, and it's fun to have Mickey's face looking at you every day!

 

[JessicaKnits]

So I have been MIA for far far too long, but I am now all caught up. I promise!

As far as the dessert party goes....it was not for us. There was nothing really groundbreaking as far as desserts go. The pistachio creme brulee was yummy. But mostly I ate chocolate covered strawberries. I don't enjoy anywhere where I am being elbowed out of the way at the buffet, and that was exactly how it was the night we were there. It was as if you just told a bunch of starving hyenas this would be their last meal.

Seriously....plates knocked off their pedestals, desserts pushed to the floor...it was horrid. And people still line up at the rail a good thirty minutes before the show starts, so if you want a good view, it really doesn't save you any standing and wait time either...



Sorry, that was very Debby Downer of me...

On a happy note, you are almost there! Can't wait for you to get back so we can all read your trip report.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Disney has been emailing me practically nonstop and it's just like stop making it hard on mee!! The last few days before a trip are THE WORST.

The Dessert Party always sounds like a great idea and then I remember I'm super picky about my desserts so it's really not a good idea. Also I'm not a big parade/fireworks person, so what if I want to go on a ride or something? But I think it would be a great new experience in that it makes you view the fireworks in a different way? Or if you really like dessert!

Favorite Outside Activity: Hmm, walking around the resorts? Or eating. One of the two, depending on when I last ate or what resort I'm currently at.

Favorite souvenirs: I never really got souvenirs growing up, so I don't really have one? I have all of my park tickets (and most of my room keys), and I like them! They're stuck in a box somewhere, but they're definitely around here somewhere.

Hahaha I know, right? Even those emails from Disneystore.com drive me nuts now!

I think if we weren't doing the deluxe dining plan it might be a better idea for us, but as it is, I'm sure we're going to be constantly stuffed with desserts anyways!

I love keeping my park tickets and room keys! I'll admit, I keep them in my wallet LONG after we return home, just for another fun Disney reminder!

Resort hopping is one of my favorite things to do, with Downtown Disney coming in second as a non-park activity.

Souvenirs - I will have to think about. Pictures are probably the things I treasure most over anything I actually buy. I do love the CD's I bring home, too. I listen to them in the car often. After along school day, turning up SpectroMagic and transporting myself to Magic Kingdom is a pretty nice escape!

I'd love to explore more of the resorts, particularly the moderates. They seem like they have such awesome themes, I'd love to check them out some day.

I love love love listening to my Disney CD's driving to and from work. My favorites are the three "greatest hits" albums and the "4 parks 1 world" cd. They're just such a nice way to cheer up a day!

Favorite non park activity: visiting pool bars at other resorts. It's a great way to get a feel for resorts you haven't stayed at before. AND delicious drinks!

Favorite souvenirs: the Mickey coasters our friends brought back for us from their Disneymoon. We use them all the time, and it's fun to have Mickey's face looking at you every day!

Hahaha delicious drinks are always a wonderful way to become acquainted with a resort!

I once picked up Mickey coasters for my parents a few years ago, they had vintage-y movie scenes on them, they're really fun!

So I have been MIA for far far too long, but I am now all caught up. I promise!

As far as the dessert party goes....it was not for us. There was nothing really groundbreaking as far as desserts go. The pistachio creme brulee was yummy. But mostly I ate chocolate covered strawberries. I don't enjoy anywhere where I am being elbowed out of the way at the buffet, and that was exactly how it was the night we were there. It was as if you just told a bunch of starving hyenas this would be their last meal.

Seriously....plates knocked off their pedestals, desserts pushed to the floor...it was horrid. And people still line up at the rail a good thirty minutes before the show starts, so if you want a good view, it really doesn't save you any standing and wait time either...



Sorry, that was very Debby Downer of me...

On a happy note, you are almost there! Can't wait for you to get back so we can all read your trip report.

Thanks for sharing your opinion!! What you said is pretty much exactly why I was hesitating to book the dessert party. You aren't being a Debby Downer, I definitely appreciate hearing the good and the bad of these kinds of things! I also figured we'd be inundated with plenty of desserts anyways throughout the trip, do we REALLY need more?

I can't believe how soon the trip is coming up! We can't wait!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

First, a more recent picture of our little Planty, all tinseled for the holidays!



Still no Mickey Mail yet...I'm starting to get impatient! Hopefully it arrives soon so I'm not holding my breath in anticipation every time I go to the mailbox!

(That gets old fast, doesn't it?)

But I haven't just been spending my time obsessing over the mail...I made pins for Wingnut and I for the first time!

(Please keep in mind that I am pretty much the least arts-and-crafty person ever..)



Well, I was impressed with my handiwork!

(And no, Wingnut will not be forced to wear this, even though he already agreed to )

(I've mentioned before that he's a big Peanuts fan, haven't I? Well, if I haven't, he is, and that's why Snoopy is making his appearance!)

(I think I'm done with the extra parenthesed notes now.)

Other than that, things are STILL quiet here in the Disney planning area.

Too quiet.

No, I'm kidding. Nothing's changed.

I was checking out the booking site for the Wishes Dessert Party, and it seems to be pretty busy on pretty much the only night it might possibly be feasible for us (first night, after Sanaa). I'm thinking that we're probably going to skip it, at least on this trip. Maybe in the future with better planning (i.e. earlier booking) and less dining plans, we might consider it, but I think on this trip, we have enough going on!

(Besides, we have to save room for all of those Napoleons, now don't we???)

Other than that, I've started my holiday baking, and I have absolutely no idea how many cookies and treats that I'm going to need, so I'm pretty much just buying butter like there'll be no saturated fats in the world tomorrow.

(Shortbread = an obscene amount of butter = )

I'm relieved that my holiday shopping is pretty much done, with the exception of getting a few more things for Wingnut's stocking. So for the most part, it'll be me and my KitchenAid for the remaining weekends before Christmas.

(Wingnut does not mind these weekends of cooking and baking in the least.)

 

[MEK]

I bet your pin (which I can't see right now) is adorable! And I bet your baking is Amazing.

Hope the mickey mail comes real soon!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[mousescrapper]

sorry to tease you w/y Mickey mail the other day...i wasn't even waiting for it...

to answer the next two questions:

fav activity outside of the parks...I'd have to agree w/ DTD but we don't do that every trip, so hmmmm there must be something else

I really do like exploring the resort we stay in or other resorts our home resort has so much to offer, like watching Wishes, seeing the EWP and movies in the lawn...now that is fun!

favorite souvie...now this is a tough one. The best souvie purchase that was purchased has to be from our very first trip to WDW w/ the kids back in 2005, when Matt's Parents bought the then 3 kids these light up Mickey head wands, which now come w/ to EVERY trip w/ the kids and make an appearance at a nightime parade or fireworks show. Other Guests, always ask where did we get those

for me one of my favorite souvies are my WDW frame collection. I try to buy one each trip now and put in a significant or favorite picture of the trip. I also love my pink WDW sweatshirt

happy baking too