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

[kmrein]

Glad to hear you are both ok following the storm passing through!

Thanks for those Tonga Toast pics! Getting that for breakfast is one of dh's must-do activities every trip. I don't mind because I can always enjoy the press pot!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Glad the storm wasn't too bad for you guys! I think it's supposed to start dying down around 1 here, so we're just waiting it out for now! There are a few branches down on my street, but so far, nothing terrible, thank goodness! I just hope nothing terrible happens in the next few hours!

Oh, and thanks to you and that Tonga Toast picture, I added a Kona breakfast ADR! I'm not sure if we will actually go, I added it for the day we check in to WL, so we might be too busy that day, but at least I have one!

Thanks!!! I'm glad it wasn't too bad for you either!!!

Hahaha yay!!!!!!!!!!! It's a great breakfast place, I promise!

Glad to hear you are both ok following the storm passing through!

Thanks for those Tonga Toast pics! Getting that for breakfast is one of dh's must-do activities every trip. I don't mind because I can always enjoy the press pot!

Thanks!!!

Hahaha the Tonga Toast used to be one of my must-do's before my cinnamon allergy worsened. We're holding out hope that it changed again and I can enjoy cinnamon again (and the Tonga Toast!!).

Neither Wingnut or I drink coffee, but I have heard great things about the press pot!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

First, a storm update:

The sun is shining, and skies today are blue and beautiful. While this is certainly a nice touch, there's a ton of flooding problems around us. A lot of major roads are closed because of flooding or down trees, and I just heard that a portion of one of the major highways right by us that I use to get to work collapsed into a river because of flooding. Wingnut and I are both home today, there wasn't really a clear path for us to get to work, hopefully we'll figure out a plan tomorrow.

On to more Disney-related topics!

Day 4: Your Favorite Attraction in Fantasyland

Fantasyland is changing so much lately, I'm slightly ashamed to admit I did double-check a list of attractions there to see what's currently for the choosing.

Since I have Wingnut here today, you get to hear both of our favorites! Which, incidentally, are the same ride:

Wingnut: "I think that Philharmagic is the best done out of all the sit-down 3D shows"

I agree. I think Philharmagic is very well done, I love going through the various movies, the different scents (I know other rides have scents, but this one is just very fun and cute), and I've gotta say, I really appreciate Peter Pan making an appearance amongst the newer movies Donald visits. ("You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! You can flyyyyy!")

(And no, I didn't use copy and paste for that!)

What's your favorite Fantasyland ride?

 

[tankgirl427]

Minus the flooding I'm glad you guys are safe. My mom was all worried about me since our cable and internet went out, seems like I should have been worried about her! They live in Vermont and tons of roads got washed out! There is no way for me to drive to see them or for them to really get out of the city. But they have plenty of food, no flooding in their house. Hopefully things get back to normal soon!

 

[tankgirl427]

I love Mickey's Philharmonic, first time I saw it was during MK EMH by myself, been amazed ever since. I loved Peter Pans' flight too, but Sept was my first time on it.

Tomorrowland I love Buzz and TTA

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[petals]

I missed day 2 and 3 so going back to look for them now but my favourite fantasyland attraction is SMALL WORLD

 

[petals]

I found day 3 and my answer would be Monster Inc Laugh floor.. we tend to just pass through Tomorrowland although that is where I danced twice with the Irish dancing School

 

[MeMom]

First, a storm update:

The sun is shining, and skies today are blue and beautiful. While this is certainly a nice touch, there's a ton of flooding problems around us. A lot of major roads are closed because of flooding or down trees, and I just heard that a portion of one of the major highways right by us that I use to get to work collapsed into a river because of flooding. Wingnut and I are both home today, there wasn't really a clear path for us to get to work, hopefully we'll figure out a plan tomorrow.

It's probably better than a lot of people stayed in today, anyway. Blocked and slow streets needed the reduced traffic.

Beautiful blue skies -
I hope the flooding subsides quickly.

 

[Nermel9]

I love Philharmagic too, but I also really like Peter Pan's Flight! It's tough to choose between those 2!

 

[Megablocks]

I love PhilharMagic, but I must say it has really ruined 3D movies for me! I saw HP 7.5 in 3D with my boyfriend and I kept on expecting to feel or smell things! I also love Peter Pan's Flight. And the carousel. I'm not very good at this game.

 

[Jennifer48]

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!

My favorite Tomorrowland attraction is the Peoplemover. I love riding it multiple times in a row when I'm hot and need to relax my feet.

My favorite Fantasyland attraction, right now, is Mickey's Philharmagic also.

So glad you guys are ok after Irene. We had some major tree limbs down in our backyard but thankfully none hit the house. Lots of yard cleanup work to do the next few days but I can't complain considering.

Ohhhh and guess what?! I met P&F! We waited 45 minutes for them but it was worth it. I'll post my FP pic when I get the CD.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Is it lame that my favorite Fantasyland ride is the Mad Tea Party?

I like a lot of the other attractions, too (Peter Pan, Pooh--even It's a Small World), and I haven't seen Philharmagic (which will be fixed on my next trip!), but gosh darn it, I LOVE those spinning teacups!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Minus the flooding I'm glad you guys are safe. My mom was all worried about me since our cable and internet went out, seems like I should have been worried about her! They live in Vermont and tons of roads got washed out! There is no way for me to drive to see them or for them to really get out of the city. But they have plenty of food, no flooding in their house. Hopefully things get back to normal soon!

I saw videos from Vermont on the news - it definitely looks flooded up there! I hope your parents aren't stuck in their city for too long! That's good that they didn't have flooding and were prepared. I'll definitely be keeping my fingers crossed that things go back to normal soon for you guys.

I love Mickey's Philharmonic, first time I saw it was during MK EMH by myself, been amazed ever since. I loved Peter Pans' flight too, but Sept was my first time on it.

Tomorrowland I love Buzz and TTA

Thanks for your kind words.

Isn't that show SO great? I feel like it is truly the essence of Disney .

I love Peter Pan too, but I just don't understand the huge lines for it! But it is a very cute and unique ride.

I missed day 2 and 3 so going back to look for them now but my favourite fantasyland attraction is SMALL WORLD

I found day 3 and my answer would be Monster Inc Laugh floor.. we tend to just pass through Tomorrowland although that is where I danced twice with the Irish dancing School

Awww I love it's a small world!!! (Also, it drives Wingnut nuts, which makes me love it even more )

How cool you danced in Tomorrowland!!! That must be such an awesome memory! I love the Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, everything about it is so fun!

It's probably better than a lot of people stayed in today, anyway. Blocked and slow streets needed the reduced traffic.

Beautiful blue skies -
I hope the flooding subsides quickly.

Definitely, I agree. The roads are starting to get a little better, but there are a few that are still a huge mess. There are two highways near us that are partially collapsing from the flooding, so as few people trying to pass through those are certainly encouraged! I'm hoping everything returns to normal soon too!

 

[Oliquig]

Glad everything is okay, I just got power back a couple of hours ago. Life on the Little House on the Prairie was getting OLD fast.

My favorite Tommorowland ride is Space Mountain, I love the speed!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love Philharmagic too, but I also really like Peter Pan's Flight! It's tough to choose between those 2!

Those both are great! It really is tough to choose just one ride!

I love PhilharMagic, but I must say it has really ruined 3D movies for me! I saw HP 7.5 in 3D with my boyfriend and I kept on expecting to feel or smell things! I also love Peter Pan's Flight. And the carousel. I'm not very good at this game.

It's so true, I'm the same way now! "I don't think it's unreasonable that I should be smelling the ocean right now and be splashed with a light sea spray!!"

Hey, I never said it had to be your "choose only one" favorite ride! I still say it can be your favorite several!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!

My favorite Tomorrowland attraction is the Peoplemover. I love riding it multiple times in a row when I'm hot and need to relax my feet.

My favorite Fantasyland attraction, right now, is Mickey's Philharmagic also.

So glad you guys are ok after Irene. We had some major tree limbs down in our backyard but thankfully none hit the house. Lots of yard cleanup work to do the next few days but I can't complain considering.

Ohhhh and guess what?! I met P&F! We waited 45 minutes for them but it was worth it. I'll post my FP pic when I get the CD.

Welcome back!!!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!!

I'm glad to hear that you didn't have any major damage - cleaning up the yard doesn't sound like fun, but it's good that the trees hit the grass and not anything else!

Ahhhhh that's awesome!!! You SO have to post those pics!!! Was Perry there?

Is it lame that my favorite Fantasyland ride is the Mad Tea Party?

I like a lot of the other attractions, too (Peter Pan, Pooh--even It's a Small World), and I haven't seen Philharmagic (which will be fixed on my next trip!), but gosh darn it, I LOVE those spinning teacups!

That's not lame at all!! I'm not allowed to go on that ride with my mom anymore...I was too over-exuberant a spinner...

YOU NEED TO GO SEE PHILHARMAGIC! Seriously, it's so worth a detour from one spin on the teacups , I really think it's one of the most wonderful shows in WDW.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Glad everything is okay, I just got power back a couple of hours ago. Life on the Little House on the Prairie was getting OLD fast.

My favorite Tommorowland ride is Space Mountain, I love the speed!

Thank you!! Wow, I'm glad to hear you have power back!! Yeah, the Little House on the Prairie loses its charm much faster than you'd think!

Space Mountain is fun, but I can never get over the feeling that I'm going to smack my head on some random object - a bizarre issue, I know!

 

[Merida]

My favorite Fantasyland ride is It's a Small World - it was one of the first rides I ever rode and it was with my very very Pennsylvania Dutch grandfather who loves Small World. Plus I love all the colors. And the animatronics. I have no memory of ever being on Dumbo though. Can't figure out the huge rush to that ride. Do people even really watch that movie anymore?

Looking at our bed now (two iPhones, an iPad, a Nook, my laptop), I'm not sure we would've survived a Little House on the Prairie episode! I've gotten soft since moving off the east coast. Glad to hear you didn't have it too badly!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

My favorite Fantasyland ride is It's a Small World - it was one of the first rides I ever rode and it was with my very very Pennsylvania Dutch grandfather who loves Small World. Plus I love all the colors. And the animatronics. I have no memory of ever being on Dumbo though. Can't figure out the huge rush to that ride. Do people even really watch that movie anymore?

Looking at our bed now (two iPhones, an iPad, a Nook, my laptop), I'm not sure we would've survived a Little House on the Prairie episode! I've gotten soft since moving off the east coast. Glad to hear you didn't have it too badly!

I do love it's a small world, and all of the different rooms. It's such a cute ride.

It's funny, I was just telling someone how I really do not get Dumbo either. Like, why the rush? Why the hype? Especially since the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, another very similar (actually, even more fun with the controls and water), is right around the corner in Adventureland! And Astro Orbiter is the same sort of concept too. Idk. I think it's popular because it's a classic.

I would NEVER survive in the Little House on the Prairie!! It's a rare stretch of hours that goes without a keyboard underneath my fingertips .

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Actually this started a few weeks (yes, weeks ) ago, but I staved off on posting about it to save some sort of face.

Oh, who am I kidding? You've all just been waiting for this moment, I know.

The Great Changing of the ADR's has officially begun.

(And I'm not even done telling you about all of our days! )

Alright, so here's the skinny:

The thought of our "plan" (I say plan because there is no ADR) to go to Beaches & Cream for dinner on our first night was honestly already giving me twitchy feet to try to get to the check-in podium. We didn't have a reservation, what if there was a line, what if there was only counter seating, do those seats have backs...

(Please tell me there's someone else that feels like this out there...)

And so the casual mention of making an ADR for that night was mentioned to Wingnut, who hasn't been pondering ideal meal times and potential waits like a certain someon...alright, me. I asked him where he'd be interested in going.

Rose & Crown?

Okay, I got us a 7:45 ADR there - Illuminations at 9. Awesome.

But...meh. Did we really want to eat there? Was there somewhere we'd prefer?

I had the ADR itch, and Rose & Crown was not the solution.

(To be fair, Wingnut was pretty take-it-or-leave-it about Rose & Crown anyways. I'm not the only one steering this ship of ADR craziness.)

(Okay. I am. Stringbean at the helm!! )

How about La Hacienda?

Rose & Crown was cancelled, a 7pm ADR at La Hacienda was obtained. A bit early for Illuminations, but I've heard the viewing there is pretty much next to nil with the exception of only a few tables. Not a big deal to us though.

But now...the ADR itch is starting to return...

We did enjoy La Hacienda, but..wouldn't it be fun to try somewhere new?

This is where you come in, dearest Dis-er's. Any suggestions for Wingnut and my first dinner at WDW in January? We are going to be at Sci-Fi for lunch, so in that vicinity (DHS, Boardwalk, or Epcot) is good, or really, anywhere else is fine too. Somewhere fun and first-dayish (what does that even mean?).

It can be 1TS, or 2 is fine as well.

I'm excited to see the suggestions!!

 

[glennbo123]

"Stringbean at the helm!" Love that one.

What we've done the last couple of trips, and it appears to be becoming a tradition, is to go to DTD the first day (late afternoon/early evening), do a little souvenir buying, hit Earl of Sandwich and then take a boat to POR to catch the Yeehaa Bob show. His show definitely gets you in the Disney mood and is first-dayish! Wait, what day are you arriving? He's not there every day.