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

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That cake looks delicious! Was that dinner? It would have been mine!

DOUBLE DIGITS!

Day 10: Your Favorite Attraction in World Showcase
Considering I still haven't FULLY experienced the WS to my liking, I'm going to have to go with Rio del Tiempo also. I love your choice of description "LiteBrite-esque fireworks on the ceiling." Perfect!

Day 11: Your Favorite Hollywood Studios Area
I love being on the Streets of America just window peeping. The photos you get are so fun and do you know that even some of the doors open?! I also love sitting on a bench on Hollywood Blvd, listening to the music and people watching. Even more fun while you are sitting there and the Streetmosphere performers come out!

Hahaha no, it was post-dinner! (But half my dinner the other night was a cupcake!)

Yay!!! I'm very excited to see the numbers getting lower and lower!!

I HAD NO IDEA SOME OF THE DOORS OPENED!!!!! Which ones???? That's the coolest thing ever!! Are there things inside?? (I'm overly excited about this, I know, but seriously, this is awesome!)

That is a beautifully sprinkled cake. I love it.

What are your choices really in World Showcase? Not much. Can Remy count as an attraction at Les Chefs. I think he is super cute.

I have to go with Hollywood Boulevard. I just love the atmosphere and the signs. Don't even get me started on those fabulous signs. I just want to crawl up there and live in them, they look so perfect. Sigh.

Thank you!!! I was pretty proud of it!

Remy totally counts! I haven't seen him yet, but he does look adorable!

I thought you were going to choose Hollywood Blvd.! The atmosphere there really is pretty much perfect. I love the signs too!

Mmmm... now I want cake. We're probally around the 100 day mark too. Sounds like a good reason to make a cake. Yay Sprinkles!

Does the Margarita Bar count as an attraction?

In DHS I love the Muppet Area. I could just laugh at all the gags all day

Hahaha I think any reason is a good reason for cake! "Happy Tuesday! Have some cake!"

Absolutely! (we'll pretend that's one of the margaritas!)

I love the Muppet area too, I love those silly jokes all around. The "wet paint" always makes me laugh.

Yes! It's all adorable kid's stuff (primarily) and apparently it's in limited edition collections (there's all this Scotland stuff now that definitely wasn't there a couple weeks ago!). I was kind of bummed it's mainly geared towards kids, and then I remembered I have two new nephews and it's almost Christmas!

Yum, cake! I love the chocolate cake + vanilla icing combo (and we will be stopping for a bear paw brownie thing in Animal Kingdom. It's on the top of my to-do snack list).

I was so sad when we went last year and there was all this DONALD splashed across my Mexico animatronics. As long as Small World stays the same, I'll probably get over it and just ride Maelstrom instead.

My MGM favorites are the same - who can dislike the Muppets?! Being a puppeteer for anything related to Jim Henson is probably the coolest job ever. I always wanted to be famous and go on Sesame Street and meet them all! The Great Movie Ride is a sleeper favorite of mine, though.

WHY DO YOU SHOW ME THESE THINGS?????? Now I want to buy them for every kid I know! It does stink there's nothing really for adults, I would so wear small world stuff!

My favorite cake combo is actually chocolate cake/cream cheese frosting - it's really good! I haven't tried the paw brownie, but it looks pretty delicious!

I know, why did they have to add Donald everywhere??? I doubt he'll infiltrate small world...I hope....

I agree, you just can't dislike the Muppets! I'm so excited for the new movie coming out, the previews look really good so far!

Wowsa - I missed a whole update! Yikes!

I love your Mickey Sprinkle cake - that looks so yummy!!!! I want me some Mickey Sprinkles!

My favorite world showcase attraction:

I think its either the movie in France or the movie in Canada. I must confess - I am a sucker for those videos! Although I am also quite fond of the American Adventure. Wow - this question was harder than I thought.

HS favorite:

Rock n Roller coaster. I love the queue and that whole "Where's my black Les Paul? Better make it a super stretch".

I am hoping after December to make the new Star Wars my favorite!!!!

Hahaha that's okay, I had missed like 7 of yours!

Thank you!!! I love my Mickey sprinkles, but I'm starting to run low on them! It doesn't help that I try to add them to pretty much all of my baked goods...but seeing the little Mickeys makes me all happy. I'm going to be sure to stock up in January! I saw them in multi-colored too (I have a holiday blend of green, red, and white).

I really do need to stop and watch the movies on our next trip. I've skipped a bunch of them for the past few trips and am feeling like I need to stand awkwardly in the middle of a room showing Circlevision 360. I wish more of the theaters had seats though! (How ironic that I keep running through the theater in Norway that DOES have seats!)

I've actually never ridden Rock N' Rollercoaster, because...um...well...I'm a total chicken. I could never ride anything like that! It looks like fun for people that are much braver than I am! While I'm confessing that, I've also never been on Expedition Everest! (But I HAVE been on TOT, once with my dad...never again for us! )

I clicked over here from MEK's TR and was so engaged right away that I did something I rarely do on the Dis; I read the whole thing in almost a single shot! Happy to hear that your health has improved and what a thing to live through. Your writing is excellent. I laughed out loud several times and smiled at all the great pop culture references. I'm looking forward to reading more and jumping into the really fun conversation you've got going on here. It will be a great way to pass some time, as we've got our own trip planned for February.

Welcome!!!! Glad to have you here!

Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying reading it!!

I am definitely very happy to be feeling better and where I am today, thank you!!!

I have to say, the time has been going quickly before our trip (maybe because I have been so far behind with the 30 day challenge ), I hope it's going quickly for you guys too!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I blame Wingnut entirely.

And completely.

By now, you guys are probably all used to reading about our ever-changing plans.

(If you're just joining this party, well...our plans change a lot. )

(And yes, it usually all starts because of me and my inability to leave well enough alone)

(But this time, it wasn't ALL me)

(Okay. It was. )

(And yes, this line in Mary Ellen's new TR (talking about people's PTR's) made me laugh out loud:
"You share your planning decisions, change your resort 5 or 6 times, change your ADRs even more...")

Exact conversation had in our apartment:

Wingnut's sister: I'd love to stay at ____ someday. So where are you guys staying again?
Wingnut: The Boardwalk. For now.
Stringbean: Why do you say "for now".
Wingnut: Because I know you and how you change things.
Stringbean: No, I wouldn't want to change the Boardwalk, I know how excited you are about staying there.
Wingnut: I'd want to stay at ____.

Clearly, all his fault.

So, my friends, that seed was quickly planted and sown by my instant obsession with checking out reviews and pictures of it on the Dis. Conveniently, this all also happened around the time that the January/February room discount was being rumored, which would be even more of a savings for us than Free Dining had been.

Wingnut was all aboard for the switch. Stringbean started dialing Central Reservations.

Want to guess where we are staying now???

Hint: We haven't stayed here before! And we're very excited!

(Okay, us being excited isn't a hint. But we are excited!)

 

[Lady Lallie]

This is my first PTR of yours I have read and I have no idea where you have stayed before so I'm going with my gut....Polynesian!

 

[MeMom]

Cake - yum!

Where are you going to stay?
I haven't kept up with where you have stayed either, but I'm going to go with LL and guess the lovely Polynesian Resort.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm not supposed to be surprised, right? Hmmmm...how about Beach Club?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Well, first things first. Your cake looks soooo delish! My only issue with it (other than Wingnut seeing it in the fridge ) was there weren't enough sprinkles! Girl, if you're going to sprinkle, SPRINKLE! You know you wanted to dump all those lovely Mickey ones all over. Don't be stingy with them silly! Was it a dairy free icing you used? I'm exploring dairy free items (sigh!) and I'm curious what you used. Oh, and the by the way, I love your idea of a celebration cake at the 100 day mark! I am SO stealing that idea for when we return to Disney. Thanks!

Hmm, a resort conundrum. I want to say BC especially since you're rather obsessed with Epcot... Can I have two guesses? My first is BC and my second is the GF. Am I supposed to be shocked that you're changing resorts?? 'Cause I'm not! That's part of the fun, isn't it? At least for those of us infatuated with Disney!! I loooove tweaking all of that stuff, makes the time go faster AND adds a dose of excitement. Don't worry, I won't judge you (or Wingnut for that matter!) for your resort changes. Is it official yet or are you still in talks about it?? The suspense is killing me!

 

[tankgirl427]

Oh maybe you've moved to AKL and will be there when I'm there!

But I'm thinking Poly

 

[Jennifer48]

I HAD NO IDEA SOME OF THE DOORS OPENED!!!!! Which ones???? That's the coolest thing ever!! Are there things inside?? (I'm overly excited about this, I know, but seriously, this is awesome!)

I'm only saying this because I like you but, I'm not telling. I want you to go explore and see for yourself! I think it will be a great Stringbean & Wingnut experience!

Not another change! I really didn't think you'd change your resort, just parks, plans & ADRs! Hmm this is tricky. I'm going to just jump out and say Wilderness Lodge.

 

[mousescrapper]

the little cake and the appropriate lime green plate was so cute ...love sprinkles!

to answer the following Q's:

my fav ride/attraction at WS.... hmmm I don't think I have one ? does shopping count

my fav area at the Studios would be Hollywood Blvd. (I apparently have a thing for streets ...Main Street in MK) so I like the 'ol Hollywood feel here as you stroll down or dash through on the way to TSM...but I like how the stores are connected inside but from the outside it's just a fun place to begin and end your day

New resort huh? I really don't know where you chose but excited to hear

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

YOU CRACK ME UP!!! Totally his fault!
I'm going to go with a monorail resort. Any of them. I realize that is cheating, but I don't care!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I don't feel so bad about all the changes we made.

Since clearly you wouldn't be leaving crescent lake for anything short of the Wilderness Lodge, I am going to say the Yacht Club!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

If you're staying in the Epcot resort area, then you'll be at the Beach Club.

If you're really going out on a limb, I'd say either the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary. Either would make some of your dining reservations SUPER easy to get to.

I can't wait to see your decision!

 

[Megablocks]

Hmmmm...Beach Club? That's pretty much always my guess because it's my dream resort. Can't wait to hear the change!

 

[MEK]

WHAAAAAAAAAAT???????????

You changed you resort again. And why can't I find that fainting smilie when I need it??????

OK - my guess is definitely something on the monorail loop, but I can't help thinking its the Grand Flo. Please, I can't stand the suspense and I know you are going to love whichever resort you pick. The Poly does look fabulous!

 

[tinacaplan]

Intriguing...and don't worry...I've changed our plans for this trip what feels like a zillion times.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

A few of you did guess correctly as to what resort we are now staying at (and I REALLY think this is where we're actually going to be staying! ). We will NOT be staying around Crescent Lake...













....because we will be staying around Bay Lake instead...














at..










(this is fun)











(for me, at least...)










the POLYNESIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Wingnut and I are super-excited about this - neither of us have ever stayed on the monorail (MONORAIL!!) loop, so I think that's going to be pretty awesome. And, as Wingnut pointed out, we will be in great proximity to yummy breakfasts!



(We already had a breakfast planned at Kona, no further changes! (yet...)

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

This is my first PTR of yours I have read and I have no idea where you have stayed before so I'm going with my gut....Polynesian!

Good guess!!!!!

Cake - yum!

Where are you going to stay?
I haven't kept up with where you have stayed either, but I'm going to go with LL and guess the lovely Polynesian Resort.

Hahaha I'm always a fan of having cake around!

You are correct!!!

I'm not supposed to be surprised, right? Hmmmm...how about Beach Club?

Hahaha not at all! Nope, not the Beach Club (although we haven't stayed there yet!) this time...maybe on a future trip!

Well, first things first. Your cake looks soooo delish! My only issue with it (other than Wingnut seeing it in the fridge ) was there weren't enough sprinkles! Girl, if you're going to sprinkle, SPRINKLE! You know you wanted to dump all those lovely Mickey ones all over. Don't be stingy with them silly! Was it a dairy free icing you used? I'm exploring dairy free items (sigh!) and I'm curious what you used. Oh, and the by the way, I love your idea of a celebration cake at the 100 day mark! I am SO stealing that idea for when we return to Disney. Thanks!

Hmm, a resort conundrum. I want to say BC especially since you're rather obsessed with Epcot... Can I have two guesses? My first is BC and my second is the GF. Am I supposed to be shocked that you're changing resorts?? 'Cause I'm not! That's part of the fun, isn't it? At least for those of us infatuated with Disney!! I loooove tweaking all of that stuff, makes the time go faster AND adds a dose of excitement. Don't worry, I won't judge you (or Wingnut for that matter!) for your resort changes. Is it official yet or are you still in talks about it?? The suspense is killing me!

Thank you!!! Hahahahaha I promise I'll be better at my sprinkling efforts in the future!

No, the icing wasn't dairy-free (my lactose intolerance really only applies to ice cream, mozzarella, and cream cheese, I don't have to be super careful about it!). What are your thoughts on tofu? Tofutti makes an awesome cream cheese substitute (Better Than Cream Cheese) that I bet would make a great cream cheese frosting. I haven't seen too much dairy-free frosting on the shelves, but I'm sure there are some good recipes to be found.

Hahahaha I don't think anyone is surprised at this one! It is fun to change and tweak the reservations! Nope, not the BC (although that is a place I'd love to stay someday) or the GF! (Although we will be next-door to the GF!)

Oh maybe you've moved to AKL and will be there when I'm there!

But I'm thinking Poly

You're thinking right!!!

I wish AKL was closer to Epcot - then I would definitely consider staying there. But it just seems farther from the parks we like visiting more!

I'm only saying this because I like you but, I'm not telling. I want you to go explore and see for yourself! I think it will be a great Stringbean & Wingnut experience!

Not another change! I really didn't think you'd change your resort, just parks, plans & ADRs! Hmm this is tricky. I'm going to just jump out and say Wilderness Lodge.

Awwww, I don't even get a hint?? Not even one? Wingnut is going to think I'm nuts meandering from door to door pulling on them all. Hopefully I pick at least one correct door so he doesn't abandon me in DHS looking like I forgot my keys!

Hahahaha I really think this is the last (resort) change! Wilderness Lodge was one of our real considerations for awhile, but it got skipped this time. Maybe on a future trip, it does look gorgeous there!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

the little cake and the appropriate lime green plate was so cute ...love sprinkles!

to answer the following Q's:

my fav ride/attraction at WS.... hmmm I don't think I have one ? does shopping count

my fav area at the Studios would be Hollywood Blvd. (I apparently have a thing for streets ...Main Street in MK) so I like the 'ol Hollywood feel here as you stroll down or dash through on the way to TSM...but I like how the stores are connected inside but from the outside it's just a fun place to begin and end your day

New resort huh? I really don't know where you chose but excited to hear

Hahaha the lime green plate was just a coincidence, but very appropriate!

Shopping ABSOLUTELY counts! I love the main streets of the parks too, they totally set the stage for the theme!

YOU CRACK ME UP!!! Totally his fault!
I'm going to go with a monorail resort. Any of them. I realize that is cheating, but I don't care!

LOL there's NO way I'm to blame!!

Hahaha I think that's a fair (and correct!) guess!

I don't feel so bad about all the changes we made.

Since clearly you wouldn't be leaving crescent lake for anything short of the Wilderness Lodge, I am going to say the Yacht Club!

Hahahaha reading the Dis makes me feel better about my changes too!

Not the Yacht Club this time, and we are being totally crazy and leaving Crescent Lake!! I'm slightly nervous that we'll miss being in that area, but I think it's fun to try different places!

If you're staying in the Epcot resort area, then you'll be at the Beach Club.

If you're really going out on a limb, I'd say either the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary. Either would make some of your dining reservations SUPER easy to get to.

I can't wait to see your decision!

I'd say you were pretty close!! And you're right, a lot of our dining reservations are going to be easier to get to now from the Poly! I'm definitely excited about that!

Hmmmm...Beach Club? That's pretty much always my guess because it's my dream resort. Can't wait to hear the change!

Beach Club does seem really wonderful, but not this time!

WHAAAAAAAAAAT???????????

You changed you resort again. And why can't I find that fainting smilie when I need it??????

OK - my guess is definitely something on the monorail loop, but I can't help thinking its the Grand Flo. Please, I can't stand the suspense and I know you are going to love whichever resort you pick. The Poly does look fabulous!

Hahahahahahaha I didn't think you'd be so surprised!!!

Well you're right, we are staying on the monorail loop!! We're very excited, I'm sure we're going to love it!

Intriguing...and don't worry...I've changed our plans for this trip what feels like a zillion times.

Hahaha but isn't that most of the fun, changing things around?? (Okay, that could just be me...)

 

[tankgirl427]

How cool is that! You will be our neighbor! Cause we move after three nights over to BLT so we'll be monorail buddies!

Augh, I really should start packing for my trip next week, right?


Can't wait for January!

And the monorail makes it super easy to get to Epcot, if you can figure out the walk from Poly to the TTC.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Woo Hoo! I'm so competitive that I'm thrilled that I guessed Polynesian.

I am so so so SO excited for you to be staying at the Polynesian. It is going to be amazing, truly amazing. What a fabulous addition to your trip!