A Tale As Old As Time - POR Sept '13

[spiritsim]

Still following along..... Don't worry about that sounds like a great staycation. wish I could do the target thing I hear about it a lot but its 50 miles to the nearest Target store. And the Disney store is right there so I have trouble going to target instead of Disney..... oh well I will try to get a red card next time I am in Toledo...maybe I can talk DH into it.

 

[Dream426]

I didn't know that about the Target RedCard. I just don't want another credit card. It's too bad because I shop there a lot.

 

[littlelovebug]

Still following along..... Don't worry about that sounds like a great staycation. wish I could do the target thing I hear about it a lot but its 50 miles to the nearest Target store. And the Disney store is right there so I have trouble going to target instead of Disney..... oh well I will try to get a red card next time I am in Toledo...maybe I can talk DH into it.

Glad to hear you're still there! I wish there was a Disney store closer to me!!

I didn't know that about the Target RedCard. I just don't want another credit card. It's too bad because I shop there a lot.

You could always do the debit card...it hooks right up to your existing checking account so there are no fees or interest charges. Do you get your prescriptions filled at Target? You can sign up for the Pharmacy Rewards even if you don't have a REDcard...even 5% adds up when you're talking about a trip that costs thousands of dollars!!

 

[spiritsim]

I told my DH about it and he said next time we are in Toledo I can sign up for a red card if it will save us on WDW

 

[Dancegrl624]

Joining in!

With PhotoPass+, you can still have as many regular PP cards as you'd like. When you get home, you load them all into your PP account. You will need the PhotoPass+ card to add any attraction photos though and you'll only get one of those. You will also get the photo package at any participating restaurants...you will get the photo package delivered to your table and you'll also be given a receipt with a PP number on it (looks like the code on the back of the cards). You can then add that photo to your online account.

As far as the princesses go....Tiana should still be meeting over in the gazebo by Liberty Square and Ariel is in her grotto next to her ride. Merida is in the Fairytale Garden (located off the walkway from the Hub to the tea cups) and Rapunzel is a tricky one. During MNSSHP, the princesses do typically meet with their princes (as a previous poster mentioned). There will be a few of them at the Town Square Theater and you can ask a CM who will be in there.

Now, we still need to wait and see when Princess Fairytale Hall will be opening. I think that they are aiming for Fall 2013, but that could be anytime from late Sept-early Dec.

 

[littlelovebug]

Joining in!

With PhotoPass+, you can still have as many regular PP cards as you'd like. When you get home, you load them all into your PP account. You will need the PhotoPass+ card to add any attraction photos though and you'll only get one of those. You will also get the photo package at any participating restaurants...you will get the photo package delivered to your table and you'll also be given a receipt with a PP number on it (looks like the code on the back of the cards). You can then add that photo to your online account.

As far as the princesses go....Tiana should still be meeting over in the gazebo by Liberty Square and Ariel is in her grotto next to her ride. Merida is in the Fairytale Garden (located off the walkway from the Hub to the tea cups) and Rapunzel is a tricky one. During MNSSHP, the princesses do typically meet with their princes (as a previous poster mentioned). There will be a few of them at the Town Square Theater and you can ask a CM who will be in there.

Now, we still need to wait and see when Princess Fairytale Hall will be opening. I think that they are aiming for Fall 2013, but that could be anytime from late Sept-early Dec.

Thanks! That is AWESOME info! I guess I need to really step up my game so we can meet Rapunzel!

 

[littlelovebug]

Sorry to keep you waiting, it's been a crazy week again. Friday after work Amy and I drove down to Louisville to visit my younger sister, Jodi. We went out for an amazing dinner at Chuy's. On the way there, we got into a discussion that made us laugh so hard that my sister had to pull over into a gas station to compose herself. Dinner was muy muy delicioso, and we were super excited to find out they're opening one in Cincinnati...on my birthday! We had the most amazing server, and the manager for the Cincinnati store came over to talk to us. We discovered that Chuy's is going into the old Chi-Nati's, where he used to work. Such a small world - my husband did the audio/video in that restaurant when he worked at his old job! It's a sign, I must go there for my birthday!

Here we are with our amazing push up pop desserts (I didn't know they still made those things)!!


Been there, done that, bought the tshirt...


We stayed up really late planning for a potential wedding *ahem* that might be happening because my sister's boyfriend might have put down a deposit on a ring and she might have tried it on...none of which I know (so you don't know either, right?). The next morning we got up super late (Jodi came in and threw open the lovely room darkening curtains around 10:30), talked some more about potential wedding plans, and then went and got donuts. After that we spent the morning using her screen printing setup to make some Disney shirts. OMG it was sooo much fun!!

Before we knew it, it was 5:00 and we were rushing to leave. Amy dropped me off around 7, I jumped in the shower, and Jilly and I hightailed it out of the house and made it to a local performing arts center just in time to get seated before the opening announcements were made. My close friend choreographed a production of Grease, and it was wonderful! This morning, Jilly and I watched the movie together for the first time. This was one of my all time favorite movies growing up, so it was really special to share it with her. After the movie we went out shopping and picked up some new duds for Disney. I'll have to do a whole wardrobe planning post with lots of pics when I have a little more time.

Ugh I can already tell this is going to be a long post, because I have so much to tell you. Please hang in there!

First of all, I paid off my trip tonight!! Only 45 more days! And the CM on the phone grew up in Cincinnati and went to high school not far from where I live. He told me about being in the marching band and going on their first bus trip to my high school. Apparently they got into trouble for being too rowdy on the bus...but he wasn't one of the ring leaders. Right... Anyway, it was another reminder of what a small world it is! While on the phone I also took one of the days off of our park ticket, since we can't go on our last day now that our return flight was moved to an earlier time. Grrrr Delta... I also spoke to a CM on the dining line and made a new ADR, which is where I need your help making a decision. Please read my original and alternative plans and let me know your thoughts!

Ok, here they are (finally), our day 3 details:
Our original plan was to sleep in a bit and then go to Epcot (probably with Amy and her family) around the time that WS opens. Our family has an early lunch ADR at San Angel Inn. We were planning on touring the WS for a bit, then heading back to POR to change for MNSSP. We plan to head to MK at 4PM and stay as late as possible for the festivities. We want to have dinner at Pecos Bill's and see Hallowishes at 9:30 PM. There are two parades, so we will probably hit up some attractions during the first one and try to keep the kids up late enough to enjoy the second parade with less crowds (at 10:30 PM). There are no specific touring plans for the night, but I'm sure we will meet some characters and try to get onto some rides. Amy, her mom and I will be wearing our screen printed Minnie tees (I promise to post pics as soon as we finish embellishing them), Minnie Mouse ear headbands, and tutus (that Amy is making). Jilly is going to go as Pocahontas (I found a costume on clearance at the Disney outlet) and Jax is going to be Meeko (I bought him grey shorts and a tee, and my MIL is going to help me make him a tail and ears). Jed is going to be...Jed, I'm sure.

Now here's our alternative plan...refund another park day and cancel our ADR at San Angel Inn, go to breakfast at Cape May (I was able to get the ADR when I called tonight), check out the Beach Club Resort (we've never been there) and then just hang out at POR until it's time to get ready for MNSSHP. We're spending most of the day at Epcot on Thursday, and the whole day on Saturday, so I think we can probably fit in everything that we would like to do. We would be kind of bummed to lose our San Angel ADR, but we HAVE been there before... It won't save us a ton of money to cancel the one park day, but it would force us to relax a little more and not feel like we have to spend maximum time in the park when we're going to be keeping the kids out late that night.

Okay - I need your thoughts. If you're out there lurking, please chime in. This is a really hard decision and I need some DIS support!

I'm going to bed now, I have to go in to work early tomorrow. I have to go support another store, and I have to be there in 6.5 hrs. Ugh, I'm so not a morning person! Time to play Candy Crush in attempt to make my brain stop obsessing over Disney...

 

[littlelovebug]

I told my DH about it and he said next time we are in Toledo I can sign up for a red card if it will save us on WDW

That's awesome. But if you really want to save money, you should move closer to a Target store, open the REDcard, AND get a part time job there. It would be so worth it...

 

[spiritsim]

Well I traveled to Target and got the red card.......not moving to Toledo but at least I can save the 5%

We are only doing MNSSHP on one day of our trip not going to the park before hand so hopefully the girls will make it. Not sure I will make it up that late. Getting old can't stay up all night like I used to..... I was told this was a great plan for MNSSHP if that helps any

 

[Marsheliz]

Enjoying your PTR!! Love how all of you start with a J...

I have a Lawson and Landen and we want to have one more, which of course will have to be an L name.

We are booked at POR right now but my DH wants to move to CBR- he said it just looks better for our kids.

 

[littlelovebug]

Well I traveled to Target and got the red card.......not moving to Toledo but at least I can save the 5%

We are only doing MNSSHP on one day of our trip not going to the park before hand so hopefully the girls will make it. Not sure I will make it up that late. Getting old can't stay up all night like I used to..... I was told this was a great plan for MNSSHP if that helps any

That's awesome! It really does add up when you do it that way - it just takes a little extra time when you call in and make your payment. The CM's are so nice about it though!

I'm really leaning toward our alternative plan for MNSSHP day. I'm just worried that we won't end up having enough time in EP. It's DH's favorite park, and Jilly and I love it too...

Enjoying your PTR!! Love how all of you start with a J...

I have a Lawson and Landen and we want to have one more, which of course will have to be an L name.

We are booked at POR right now but my DH wants to move to CBR- he said it just looks better for our kids.

We have LOTS of J's in our famly...my parents, his dad, his brother, and my sister are all J's!

My close friend has a Leland...if you're looking for an L name suggestion...

Have you stayed at either CBR or POR before? I have never stayed at CBR, but we did stay at POR for our last trip. Obviously everyone's family is different, but I'm going to tell you why we chose POR, and why we think it is perfect for us. First, if you haven't done so yet, check out:
http://www.portorleans.org/

This is a website run by DIS member AndreWilley, and it's full of the most amazing information! He is also a moderator on this board:
Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013

The reason that we originally chose POR was for the subtle theme. There is a story there, of course (even down to the history of the different building materials), but it's not visually "loud" or obnoxious like some of the other resorts. DD was only 4 on our last trip, and we figured it would be a nice break from the intensity of the parks to come back to a resort that was more calming. We were so pleasantly surprised! The entire property is completely gorgeous! It's not just appealing to adults though. Jilly loved watching the big paddle wheel outside the main building, walking along the waterways, riding the water ferry to DTD, and playing at the "swimming hole." If we hadn't left the property all week, she would've been happy staying at the pool the entire time. They also have a REALLY wonderful food court. Everything we tried there was delicious!

There are also lots of other things to that we didn't have time for on our last trip, including outdoor movies, bike riding, watercraft rentals, arcade games, hair braiding, and "Yee-haw Bob" (who performs in the lounge).

When are you visiting? I can't wait to hear what you decide, and how much you love either resort. I'm sure you can't go wrong no matter what!

 

[Marsheliz]

That's awesome! It really does add up when you do it that way - it just takes a little extra time when you call in and make your payment. The CM's are so nice about it though!

I'm really leaning toward our alternative plan for MNSSHP day. I'm just worried that we won't end up having enough time in EP. It's DH's favorite park, and Jilly and I love it too...



We have LOTS of J's in our famly...my parents, his dad, his brother, and my sister are all J's!

My close friend has a Leland...if you're looking for an L name suggestion...

Have you stayed at either CBR or POR before? I have never stayed at CBR, but we did stay at POR for our last trip. Obviously everyone's family is different, but I'm going to tell you why we chose POR, and why we think it is perfect for us. First, if you haven't done so yet, check out:
http://www.portorleans.org/

This is a website run by DIS member AndreWilley, and it's full of the most amazing information! He is also a moderator on this board:
Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013

The reason that we originally chose POR was for the subtle theme. There is a story there, of course (even down to the history of the different building materials), but it's not visually "loud" or obnoxious like some of the other resorts. DD was only 4 on our last trip, and we figured it would be a nice break from the intensity of the parks to come back to a resort that was more calming. We were so pleasantly surprised! The entire property is completely gorgeous! It's not just appealing to adults though. Jilly loved watching the big paddle wheel outside the main building, walking along the waterways, riding the water ferry to DTD, and playing at the "swimming hole." If we hadn't left the property all week, she would've been happy staying at the pool the entire time. They also have a REALLY wonderful food court. Everything we tried there was delicious!

There are also lots of other things to that we didn't have time for on our last trip, including outdoor movies, bike riding, watercraft rentals, arcade games, hair braiding, and "Yee-haw Bob" (who performs in the lounge).

When are you visiting? I can't wait to hear what you decide, and how much you love either resort. I'm sure you can't go wrong no matter what!

Oh yeah, I have Leland on our list.. For girls we love Lorelai, Lilly, Lila and Logan.. ( boy or girl) And for boys we love Layton, Leland, Logan and Levi.
I am sure hoping we will be able to name a princess next go around though!

Thank you for telling me about POR.. I really want to stay there but DH just loves the video we saw about CBR and feels like it more "our age".. Either way, it will be a blast... I wish we could stay in a Royal Room at POR and I would just tell him CBR is out... LOL.. I want to see Yee-haw Bob and I hear the food court is AMAZING!

 

[littlelovebug]

Oh yeah, I have Leland on our list.. For girls we love Lorelai, Lilly, Lila and Logan.. ( boy or girl) And for boys we love Layton, Leland, Logan and Levi.
I am sure hoping we will be able to name a princess next go around though!

Thank you for telling me about POR.. I really want to stay there but DH just loves the video we saw about CBR and feels like it more "our age".. Either way, it will be a blast... I wish we could stay in a Royal Room at POR and I would just tell him CBR is out... LOL.. I want to see Yee-haw Bob and I hear the food court is AMAZING!

Hmmm..."our age." I'm wondering if that should make me feel old. I figured I better go take a peek at your PTR and see what the age difference was...and I realized that I have read some of it already. It's a small world after all...

Anyway I subbed and now I'm all caught up!

Your story and pictures about your mom are so special. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm so glad you guys get to celebrate her life in this way.

It looks like our dates don't overlap anymore, but that's great that you guys got to switch back to a Disney resort!

Happy planning!

 

[littlelovebug]

Today as I was leaving my babysitter's house, she stuck her head out the door and said, "I almost forgot to tell you - guess what I got today!!" She got her ME package!

I got home and checked the mailbox...empty. Checked the kitchen counter, and there it was!!!! Not long after that I got a text from Amy saying she got hers too!! Wooooohoooo! Only 37 days to go! Six weeks from today I will be eating in the Beast's castle!!

 

[Marsheliz]

Hmmm..."our age." I'm wondering if that should make me feel old. I figured I better go take a peek at your PTR and see what the age difference was...and I realized that I have read some of it already. It's a small world after all...

Anyway I subbed and now I'm all caught up!

Your story and pictures about your mom are so special. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm so glad you guys get to celebrate her life in this way.

It looks like our dates don't overlap anymore, but that's great that you guys got to switch back to a Disney resort!

Happy planning!

Oh, I don't mean it like that.... He just thinks that CBR is just more appealing to our age group... (28 and 29)...

Thank you for subscribing to my PTR. Glad to have you join in My mom was very special to me and some days, I just cant believe she is really gone.

 

[littlelovebug]

Oh my goodness, DIS friends! I'm so sorry I haven't been good at updating. It's been a crazy few weeks for us! Who am I kidding...I don't remember when we weren't crazy busy!!!

So before I get back to my trip planning, here are a few life updates with pics:

This past weekend, we went to Indianapolis with my MIL and her mom. My husband's grandma had "swim with dolphins" on her bucket list, and she found out you could do it at the Indy zoo! So, we spent Saturday at the zoo, where Jilly and her grandma were able to watch "GG" in the dolphin tank. Jed, Jaxon and I explored the zoo while they were having that experience. The zoo is smaller than the Cincinnati Zoo, but still beautiful!

Jilly and "Nemo"

Jilly with her grandma and great grandma before the dolphin show












Jilly "racing a cheetah"





On Sunday, we visited the Children's Museum of Indianapolis...












I took off work on Monday to attend Jilly's ice cream social at school, where she to to meet her teacher. We found out that my cousin was in the first class that she taught at this school twelve years ago. It's a small world after all...

I took off work again yesterday since it was my birthday and Jilly's last day of summer. We dropped Jax off at the babysitter's house and did some shopping!! We stopped at David's Bridal to pick up her dyed shoes to go with her flower girl dress for my cousin's wedding in a couple weeks, and Jilly also tried on a dress for my sister's wedding next May (I told you it's always crazy around here). We then headed to the mall!! We spent the whole afternoon enjoying some girl time. I'll post pics of a few of the things we bought in the next post.

That brings us up to today...Jilly's first day of school!



It's my normal off day and the last day of my five day "weekend." I had a doctor's appointment this morning (viral cough or bronchitis...eww...), and then Jax and I had some lunch. He's napping now...so get ready for a bunch more pictures in the next update!!!

 

[littlelovebug]

Ok, so I saved the Disney-related news from the past few days for this post. On our way home from Indy on Sunday, I was (of course) reading some Disboards posts, and I read that POR guests staying after September 3 would be getting MagicBands!! I texted Amy and told her to see if she could order hers yet, but...nothing! When I got home I jumped on the computer and found that I couldn't get them either, but I COULD select my Fastpass + attractions. Of course I played around with that for hours, and now I'll have to redo the daily plans that I have actually taken the time to post. Amy and I vowed that we would check every day to see if we could order/customize our MagicBands.

Anyhoo, yesterday Amy messaged me and asked me to change one of my settings in MDE so my plans wouldn't show up on her page, and (just joking around) I asked if she had checked on her MagicBands. Before she could respond, I clicked the link and saw that MagicBands were tied to my resort reservation!

My next message to Amy said: OMG it's working!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, with eleven exclamation points...I counted.)

And her response was: WHAT!!! AHHHH

Followed by a lot of frantic searching and decision making. But in the end we picked our colors and before we knew it they were shipping. Happy early birthday to me!

Because of all this MagicBand and Fastpass + hoopla, I was even more excited to go shopping yesterday (on my birthday). I finally found some shoes that I liked, Sperry Blue Fins. They're really soft white leather, and the salesperson told me she has them and changes out the laces for different events. She was super nice and even re-laced mine (it's kind of a pain and requires a special tool that comes with the laces) with red laces (for Mickey...). While she was lacing them, we chatted about Disney. It turns out that she worked there in the Disney University program and is going back for a visit in February. I love how Disney brings people together. She was super sweet and helpful, so if you live near Cincinnati and want to buy Sperry's, go to Kenwood and ask for Stephanie!! Here are my happy happy happy birthday shoes:



I also found a dress at Ann Taylor that I think will be perfect for our anniversary dinner at BOG. It was on clearance, and they had a dress event going on, so clearance dresses were an additional 25% off! And it fit! Score!



We did a bunch of other shopping but those were my major "Disney" purchases. When I picked Jax up from the babysitter (who is also going to Disney at the same time as us, but staying at Coronado Springs), she told me that she isn't getting the MagicBands and can't access FP+. I was like, "Oops, I forgot it depends on your resort since it's still in the testing phase."

Moving on to another Disney update...this morning as I was pulling out of my driveway, the UPS truck was pulling in. DH had told me he was expecting some packages, so I just took the box from the driver without thinking about it. I was surprised at how small the box was but figured it was just some kind of connector or something he needed for a job. I went about my business, and when I came home I picked up the box out of my car to bring it inside. That's when I noticed...IT WAS ADDRESSED TO ME!!!

Right away I knew it was my MagicBands! It took less than two days for me to get them! I literally started jumping up and down I picked up my phone to text Amy and it buzzed in my hand as I received her text, which was a picture of her MagicBands with the caption "EEEKKK!!!"

Here they are, in all their glory:





Lime green for me, of course!!



Of course I posted pics on facebook and raved and raved and raved about how excited I am. I know everyone on my friends list is green with envy... Or they're sick of hearing me gush about Disney. Oh well, it's my party!

I hope you've enjoyed these updates. I have to go pick up Jilly soon (I can't wait to hear about the first day of second grade!!), but I hope to update again soon. I was able to upload pics to Photobucket of a bunch of our Disney clothes and "stuff" today, so maybe I will share those next.

Have a Magical Day!!
Jen

 

[yeheyprincex2]

Congrats on your tens years, you have a lovely family. We will also be celebrating out ten year wedding anniversary (september 13,2003) during our November trip staying @ PORS 11/13-11/20. we took our first trip to disneyworld summer of 2002 and I always tell my husband "you should have proposed to be @ disneyworld" cause he proposed soon after we came home from that trip

 

[littlelovebug]

Congrats on your tens years, you have a lovely family. We will also be celebrating out ten year wedding anniversary (september 13,2003) during our November trip staying @ PORS 11/13-11/20. we took our first trip to disneyworld summer of 2002 and I always tell my husband "you should have proposed to be @ disneyworld" cause he proposed soon after we came home from that trip

Thank you so much for the compliment! Congratulations on your ten years as well!! Yours is on Friday the 13th!! I consider that a lucky day though - my half brother was born on Friday the 13th, and my stepbrother and his wife are having their baby (she's being induced) on your anniversary!!

A Disney proposal would have been so lovely! If you want to get really jealous, you should read this thread:
Making Her Wishes Come True: Surprise Proposal Trip!

My husband also proposed after going on a romantic trip. How ironic. We went camping in the Smokies, then stayed at a B&B in Asheville (where we visited the Biltmore Estate), then stayed with friends in Charleston, and then stayed with his brother in South Carolina. Soooo many amazing opportunities for him to propose...and he already had the ring!!!!

 

[yeheyprincex2]

Yes friday the 13 is good luck for us too. we had our first date on friday the 13th. lol. I will have to glance at the threat i might turn green with envy. We talk about renewing our vows at Disney maybe one year we will.