ABC's of Trip Planning (Oct 10-20), Vol. 2- Z is for: Zippidee Doo Dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pkondz]

We now interrupt this Pre-Trip Report with actual Disney Trip Planning

You may ask yourself just how much more can she possibly plan.

Is she just that stupid that she can't figure this crap out in 2 years? Overly obsessive? Overly excited? Does she just like to talk more than Edith Bunker?

I have a lot of territory to cover in 13 Letters and a month and 4 days.

they will be short and sweet and rapid fire.

Oh, dear Lord.

Keep up if you dare,

Doubtful. Impossible while I'm traveling.

as going to cost me 3 times what I thought it was going to,

Of course it is.
Wait... Did you get an estimate?

And you believed it?!?!?

When you're already burning the candle at both ends, an extra half hour of sleep goes a long way

But I like the thought of a food delivery service wearing armor.

In some neighbourhoods, this is probably a requirement.

After a ton of perseverating

I had never heard that word before.
This is a rarity.

Or Mickey-shaped waffles. Suck it up. You get to ride Tower of Terror in an hour.

Good point!
TOT cures a lot, ya know.

It will be interesting to see how much it adds or detracts from the Disney experience as we know it. I know it's a small thing, but I do think it will affect the groove of the trip at least a little.

I don't think it will detract. It may add.
If you recall, I brought muffins for Kay when we went. Didn't think twice about it. All I knew is that when it was time to go, she was ready. No stopping for 30 minutes in the food court. Straight to the bus.

I'll see your 2 words and raise you 1:

Those are gross.

 

[glennbo123]

I'll see your 2 words and raise you 1:

Those are gross.

Okay, maybe I need 6 words: Brown sugar and cinnamon pop tarts.

Those are the only ones to eat, ever. I can go between frosted and unfrosted, but never stray from bs&c.

 

[Steppesister]

Oddly, I do believe we have had this convo before. For reals. Jordan's thread?? My last PTR?

And I concede, you are right; they are delicious. Not sure if I'd do them for breakfast, but would for a late night snack with well-made decaf.

 

[irene_dsc]

Okay, maybe I need 6 words: Brown sugar and cinnamon pop tarts.

You had to say that. I haven't had any in ages, and now I want one.

 

[franandaj]

So how did we spend our last day together? RELAXING!!!!

Sounds good to me!

We slept in, because that's what every other vacation, aside from a DISNEY vacation, is all about. Sleeping in, and then seeing and doing as much as possible.

Well some days, but I am a firm believer in rope drop if you want to get stuff done. However on a day where relaxing is the goal, sleeping in is a good thing. However I think sleeping in for you is different for me! Like today, after last nights late night gig I didn't even wake up until 10 or 10:30AM. Thank goodness the only things on the docket were to get a Manicure and meet someone at the old house to take a couple bo

The gal did a mighty fine job with a long massage, hot wax, exfoliant, etc...

That's what I get when I do my Pedis!

The Claremont Spa Hotel in Oakland

Swanky!

Susan told us she gets about 15 visitor passes a year with her membership and was happy she could treat us to a day there.

Nice of her to share with you!

But I am the type of person who gets really bored pretty easily. Seriously, I have the attention span of a 3 year old, and pretty much just need to keep moving- I have a hard time relaxing... at least in one place for very long.

Yeah, the idea of sitting by a pool is nice, but I can only take so much of it before I have to get out and do something else. Beverages help to extend it because I view that as "doing something".

Where's my underwear?!

I could not figure out how to get her's open and resigned myself to roaming around the resort and having a drink in the bar a bit less covered than I'd like to have been.

No one will know unless you some how let them know.

He thinks he can, so trots off to look her up. Sadly, he returned saying that their computer system was down, but I was ok to sit for a little bit. Which I did. Feeling like an idiot and a little bit naked.

Bummer the system was down, but I'm sure you were OK without the olives or nuts.

Someone had already gotten in and I full-on threw the door open on her thinking it was empty. People, I can't make this stuff up!!!!

It was just beautiful. It reminded me that I, even though it is a huge PITA, I should probably have my Canon ready for use even for flights and travel. Because you just never know.

There are some things that should just be enjoyed and don't need documentation for a TR.

I found it highly amusing that they were even staying at the SAME resort that we would be at in just a little over a month.

It's a Small World Afterall!

From here on out, since I have my chapters named and planned out with posting dates, they will be short and sweet and rapid fire.

I will try to keep up!

After a ton of perseverating and general stewing over this decision, I made the call to go with Garden Grocer for this trip.

Good call.

I've done GG before, but not for REAL food. Last trip we got pop and water and snacky stuff, but this is a whole new thing to actually depend on it for meals.

I don't like GG (after they shorted me a head of lettuce that was supposed to be a salad meal for us for dinner), but I do like the idea of grocery delivery and have been doing it for the last six years.

It will be interesting to see how much it adds or detracts from the Disney experience as we know it. I know it's a small thing, but I do think it will affect the groove of the trip at least a little.

I don't think that not waiting in lines at the food court when you could do just as nutritious for half the price and 1/3 the time will make your trip any less magical. In my opinion Disney breakfasts are fun once or twice during a trip, but can be tedious if you rely on them every day. It's so much better to just grab a yogurt cup and take it to the bus stop to eat while you wait or have your bagel on approach to the park. No need to sit in a noisy food court and scarf things down before running to the busses.

Okay, maybe I need 6 words: Brown sugar and cinnamon pop tarts.

They are wonderful, but a diabetics nightmare. I used to love them, now I can only eat half of one before I feel my blood sugar going through the roof.

 

[Steppesister]

I have not seen/heard of this. My DD has really bad Asthma. Have ended up in the ER many a times because of it. she has had to do several tapers. They try very hard not to put her on steroids at her age though because of the bone deterioration and other side effects that are more potent on younger females. Come to think of it, it has been I think 2 years since she's had to have one. I thought the taper was more to prevent withdrawal than to actually continue to help with the issues. I couldn't imagine just being ripped off of them like that. I get hot flashes and mood swings bad enough with the taper.

I know! It's not something I'd heard of either until my NurseBestie's daughter's doc started doing that for her. Not sure if it'll catch on and that it's solid evidence-based best practice or not...?

It wouldn't be the kids I would be worried about, but myself. lol

Hey, as long as you don't pee in the pool.

Pedicure and ritzy spa day - jelly! Except of course for all the shenanigans. So instead of a spa day I decided to treat myself to a new Kindle so I can read at night with a glowing screen instead of the lamp on disturbing DH. I mean, really, it's so considerate of me, right?
For the majority of breakfasts on my last trip I just munched on a granola bar on my way to the bus stop. Definitely a time saver! (Now my memory is saying it must be time for a Chili Cheese dog from Casey's.... Mmmmm....)

Oh yes, so considerate! LOL! Mine won't let me in the room with ANY sort of light. Period.

Yes!!!! My mouth is watering now. Thank you, very much.

7:00 a.m. is how we define "sleeping in" in our house!

Now that school's started, it's the same around here. Sad day.

But can they have the pupu platter?


Yes. I wrote that just so I could say "pupu platter". Because I'm still 8 years old.

I must be about the same age. I laughed WAY too hard at that.

And you guys will have a third-floor room, I bet. The poor guy.

Nope, those are reserved for ponzi who gets those so we can laugh at him doing multiple mug refill runs. The rest of us request ground floor rooms.

Not too shabby at all! We always do breakfast in the room for economical reasons. In fact, we usually have:

Those!

Given a choice, I'd rather do a savory breakfast.

Very true. But they're fast. Also, they're--no, I guess that's the only benefit.

They are probably effective at hastening diabetes and heart disease, if that's your life goal.

 

[Steppesister]

Oh, dear Lord.

Already too wordy?

Doubtful. Impossible while I'm traveling.

That's ok. I didn't expect you too. Go. Rest, recharge, have fun. We'll be here when you feel like coming back.

Of course it is.
Wait... Did you get an estimate?

And you believed it?!?!?

Yes, I did. Here's the deal:

I originally thought we'd be laying the tile ourselves and just buy it from a big box store. Then Mike said, "NO WAY!" We've done a lot of DIY projects, but tile was not one. And we already have a lot going on with our rental and other projects. So, I called the local flooring place where they both sell and install, and were told they won't install anything they don't sell. So, whereas the tile was about the same price, the installation adds a LOT more to the price. But...

It will be amazing! They will be doing it so we end up with tile baseboards and they're going to blend it into the edge where the carpets bumps up to it, etc... Pretty excited, but there goes a month and a half of salary. Yes, I believe them, because it's PIF already.

In some neighbourhoods, this is probably a requirement.

Well, it is a value resort.

I had never heard that word before.
This is a rarity.

It's an extremely functional word. Love that one.

Good point!
TOT cures a lot, ya know.

Yes, constipation, over-eating, and all chiropractic needs.

I don't think it will detract. It may add.
If you recall, I brought muffins for Kay when we went. Didn't think twice about it. All I knew is that when it was time to go, she was ready. No stopping for 30 minutes in the food court. Straight to the bus.

I think you're right. If it ups our chances of RD and getting a jump on the early AM start, then it can only add.

 

[Steppesister]

Well some days, but I am a firm believer in rope drop if you want to get stuff done. However on a day where relaxing is the goal, sleeping in is a good thing. However I think sleeping in for you is different for me! Like today, after last nights late night gig I didn't even wake up until 10 or 10:30AM. Thank goodness the only things on the docket were to get a Manicure and meet someone at the old house to take a couple bo

OH, so am I! Absolutely. I've built in 2 full days of planned sleeping in, and I"m sure we'll get a lot of mileage out of them.

Naw, I took the kids to the bus stop today at 6:45, then came home and went back to bed until 10:00. Sleeping in is an art I have mastered. But when I have stuff to do, I go all out. I can get loads of stuff done when I finally decide to get productive.

That's what I get when I do my Pedis!

Aren't they divine?!

Yeah, the idea of sitting by a pool is nice, but I can only take so much of it before I have to get out and do something else. Beverages help to extend it because I view that as "doing something".

Me too. Even with a drink and book, that gets old after about and hour.

No one will know unless you some how let them know.

Well, then it was a good thing my shoes stayed tied.

Bummer the system was down, but I'm sure you were OK without the olives or nuts.

Yeah, I was only going to get some so I didn't look like a cheapskate. I was totally fine with just my plastic glass of wine and my book.

There are some things that should just be enjoyed and don't need documentation for a TR.

No, no. Not for the TR, just for my collection of photos.

It's a Small World Afterall!

Great. Thanks, Alison. You just had to do that at 9:00 PM, didn't you?

I don't like GG (after they shorted me a head of lettuce that was supposed to be a salad meal for us for dinner), but I do like the idea of grocery delivery and have been doing it for the last six years.

OH, well, that's not good! Hopefully, they don't screw up my order. Then again, I'm not depending on this order, and we can always head down for Platters.

I don't think that not waiting in lines at the food court when you could do just as nutritious for half the price and 1/3 the time will make your trip any less magical. In my opinion Disney breakfasts are fun once or twice during a trip, but can be tedious if you rely on them every day. It's so much better to just grab a yogurt cup and take it to the bus stop to eat while you wait or have your bagel on approach to the park. No need to sit in a noisy food court and scarf things down before running to the busses.

That's quite a convincing argument. On my last trip, I grabbed a yogurt and granola and took it all out to sit by the pool when it was very quiet, and ate in peace and quiet out there. I do imagine that I'll be up before the kids and probably do the same on this trip. But it's going to be less expensive this way.

They are wonderful, but a diabetics nightmare. I used to love them, now I can only eat half of one before I feel my blood sugar going through the rood.

Yep, not ok. Eye problems, vasculature problems, you name it.... Best to just have a bit of self control.

 

[glennbo123]

Oddly, I do believe we have had this convo before. For reals. Jordan's thread?? My last PTR?

And I concede, you are right; they are delicious. Not sure if I'd do them for breakfast, but would for a late night snack with well-made decaf.

Yes, we have. Probably even a few times! They need to make a brown-sugar-cinnamon pop-tart smilie just for me.

You had to say that. I haven't had any in ages, and now I want one.

Give in! I haven't had one in two days, which is pretty long for me considering it's a work-week. (I usually just leave home without breakfast and then eat a pop-tart later at work.)

They are wonderful, but a diabetics nightmare. I used to love them, now I can only eat half of one before I feel my blood sugar going through the roof.

That is no fun at all. I'm okay sugar-wise, but have to watch the sodium content of stuff now.

 

[Steppesister]

They need to make a brown-sugar-cinnamon pop-tart smilie just for me.

Now that would be interesting to see. I wonder how many times it'd get used and in what circumstances.

but have to watch the sodium content of stuff now.

Ruh, roh! Little high blood pressure going there, Cowboy?

 

[Steppesister]

O is for Ooooooh la la!!​

The sense of smell is a powerful one, capable of instantly transporting one to a completely different place and time. There is one particular scent, a bit musty and old, that takes me back to my childhood where I spent afternoons exploring my grandparents' basement and riding out tornado warnings in Cleveland, OH. It evokes strong, but wonderful memories of time spent with them and nostalgic bliss whenever I encounter it.

Capitalizing on the strong effects that scents can muster, every trip I choose a "Scent of the Trip". I want every trip to be fully immersive, even after I'm back and getting ready to tuck in. I am not the first to do this, but have ever since I came upon the idea. Being that Disney is a highly themed place, it makes sense to me to stick close to what the Imagineers and sound logic dictates- a scent closely associated with the resort(s) I stay at. Last trip I stayed at POR and chose mint for my Scent of the Trip- you know... warm summer evenings with a Mint Julep in hand? Then we moved to the Poly and I went with Coconut. I love the smell (and taste) of coconut (yes, yes, I know there are several of you who detest it), but Oceana screams of coconut to me. It also screams of rum, but that would have been just a little inappropriate to douse myself with rum. (But, just a little.)

So how is this incorporated? I've been a busy girl today shopping online for various bath products. You know me; I love my bath time!! I love to soak my park-pounded body, deep down in sudsy warmth, and enjoy the fizzy delight of a nice bath bomb. Shower gel in the morning will linger while I enjoy my breakfast by the pool while the kids get ready.

You might already be asking yourselves what the Scents of this Trip will be... Well, Art of Animation is all color-y and assorted- the artists' color palette's are wide open on this one, but no ONE scent stood out for this one; I admit this one was tough. But after thinking on it since, like forever ago, I finally settled on Assorted FRUITS! I have custom ordered some assorted fruit scented bath bombs, and some Fruity Bath Gel for this portion. Etsy to the rescue! Still looking for Tutti Frutti lotion to snag as well. Any and all suggestions or recommendations on good places to buy or sources for lotions, bath gels, soaps, etc... would be great!! I'd rather internet shop.

When we move to AKL, a new scent will make its debut! WOOT! I had to really, REALLY think hard on this one, and actually had to do quite a bit of research. Some of the plants/flowers/scents/herbs that I thought might be native to Africa (any part) weren't. I thought maybe Sandalwood, Jasmine, Lavender... I just couldn't find something that would work for AKL! I thought, let's go way outside the box and consider curry, or ginger, but stopped myself after about 5 minutes of that nonsense. I don't want to smell like a main dish! So after a ton of deliberation and research, I landed at Freesia. I love freesia and had some in my wedding bouquet. AND.... they are native to Africa, specifically S. Africa and Zimbabwe. Ummm... yep, that's AKL! Found some reasonably priced freesia-scented bath products and lotion, so will load up on that each morning and evening.

With the aids of these Scents of the Trip stuffs, I'll have one more tool in my toolbox to remember what a great time I had during Steppe's Magical Graduation Celebration!

*************************************************
And now yet another plug for The Contest. It's not a hard one- promise! Guess once, then watch it all unfold over the course of the upcoming TR. You won't be sorry you played; there are participation gifts for all of the good sports here. Go back to page 2, and just copy and paste into a reply and add your guesses where they are needed. Good luck!

 

[Chrystmasangel]

Any and all suggestions or recommendations on good places to buy or sources for lotions, bath gels, soaps, etc... would be great!! I'd rather internet shop.

Have you checked bath and body Works online? They had a nice mango Mandarin flavor at the beginning of summer as well as a Peach. Think it was called "get happy". I love getting their shower gels, wall plug ins, and hand sanitizers.

 

[Steppesister]

Have you checked bath and body Works online? They had a nice mango Mandarin flavor at the beginning of summer as well as a Peach. Think it was called "get happy". I love getting their shower gels, wall plug ins, and hand sanitizers.

I did look at them but no freesia or fruity stuff. But we have one nearby that I think I'll pop into this weekend. They can be a bit spendy and a bit overpowering, but worth a try.

 

[Steppesister]

http://www.****************.com/new...passed-big-milestone-here-s-what-means?page=1

OMG, OMG, OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, oh please, oh pleeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!

 

[pkondz]

Already too wordy?

Too writey?

That's ok. I didn't expect you too.

<phew!>

(And.... sometimes the fingers just type... "too" "to" and "you're" "your")

It will be amazing! They will be doing it so we end up with tile baseboards and they're going to blend it into the edge where the carpets bumps up to it, etc... Pretty excited, but there goes a month and a half of salary. Yes, I believe them, because it's PIF already.

Sounds good to me (well... maybe not the added expense.)
I've done tile. And I've had it done.
The difference is plain to see.

What's PIF?

Well, it is a value resort.

Yes, constipation, over-eating, and all chiropractic needs.

There ya go. Disney thinks of everything!

 

[pkondz]

The sense of smell is a powerful one, capable of instantly transporting one to a completely different place and time.

True.
coconut stench = death.

and riding out tornado warnings in Cleveland, OH.

Hmmm.... Many tornadoes in Cleveland? I'm surprised.

Last trip I stayed at POR and chose mint for my Scent of the Trip- you know... warm summer evenings with a Mint Julep in hand?

Sure. I buy that.

Then we moved to the Poly and I went with Coconut.

WHAT?!?!?!?

I love the smell (and taste) of coconut

(yes, yes, I know there are several of you who detest it)

"detest"

You need a much stronger word.

It also screams of rum, but that would have been just a little inappropriate to douse myself with rum. (But, just a little.)

You may have gotten more attention than you bargained for.

I finally settled on Assorted FRUITS!

I love that!

When we move to AKL, a new scent will make its debut! WOOT! I had to really, REALLY think hard on this one, and actually had to do quite a bit of research.

'Eau de barn'

I don't want to smell like a main dish!

But you are a dish!

I love freesia and had some in my wedding bouquet. AND.... they are native to Africa, specifically S. Africa and Zimbabwe.

Did not know that.
And oddly enough, while many men are hopeless when it comes to flowers, (and colours) freesia is one we usually know.

"Crap! I need a dozen roses, fast!" (forgotten birthday, anniversary, didn't take out the garbage, whatever.)
"Would you like freesia with that?"
"What's that?"
<points>
"Would it help?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do it!!!"

With the aids of these Scents of the Trip stuffs, I'll have one more tool in my toolbox to remember what a great time I had during Steppe's Magical Graduation Celebration!

Makes scents to me.
(Actually, I really like this idea.)

OMG, OMG, OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, oh please, oh pleeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!

Sorry Liesa, the boards *** out web links.

 

[Steppesister]

Well crap! It basically says that Rivers of Light may be out by my trip!!!!!!!!

 

[pkondz]

Oh! Fingers crossed...

 

[franandaj]

What's PIF?

Paid In Full.

I don't have the time and ability to multi quote and stuff, but I'll give you my thoughts. I didn't know you were a bath girl! I can't remember if you have regular hotel rooms booked, ie Little Mermaid section at AoA, and Jambo floors 1-4 at AKL, but you're small enought that you can fit in one of those kind of tubs. I'm so fat my belly sticks out of the water in a standard tub. That's why I love my DVC 1BR+, they all have the big tubs.

If by chance they offer you an upgrade to another area of AoA upon check in (like Andy got on his "Someone's gonna Pee..." TR), make sure you verify they have a tub/shower bathroom. I think those family suites might have two bathrooms.

I agree with @pkondz, you need a much stronger word than detest when describing the two of us and coconut! Freesia I cam work with.

Can you spell out the name of the website where you found the information on Rivers of Light with hyphens or spaces. I Googled and can't find any recent information on it after April or the July announcement that they are pushing it back. I checked all the DIS banned websites that I know, but I can't think of one that is 16 letters long.

 

[cinderkelly]

Doubtful. Impossible while I'm traveling.

OH sure, rub it in that you get to leave before the rest of us

Then we moved to the Poly and I went with Coconut. I love the smell (and taste) of coconut (yes, yes, I know there are several of you who detest it),

I know it's Pkondz's fav for sure

It also screams of rum, but that would have been just a little inappropriate to douse myself with rum. (But, just a little.)

Why not? You're on vacation!

With the aids of these Scents of the Trip stuffs, I'll have one more tool in my toolbox to remember what a great time I had during Steppe's Magical Graduation Celebrati

What a cool idea to remember your trip

Any and all suggestions or recommendations on good places to buy or sources for lotions, bath gels, soaps, etc... would be great!! I'd rather internet shop.

Sorry I've got nothin'. I'm an Aveda girl through and through, so that Bath and Body works type stuff is way too strong for me.