All our ghosts have been dying to meet you Pre-Trip: Update & costume tweaks 9/20

[abbybeth]

Sounds like a great 1st day.

99 days to go now! Double Digit Dance!

Hello all read up on your lovey pre trip report. I will also be down around the same time(3-8) and we have the same MNSSHP. I am actually running in the TOT ten miler. Can't wait to see what costume you have come up with. I have not decided but I am leaning towards vanellope van sweets from wreck it Ralph. Or maybe something else. Love all of your must dos, I still have yet to see illuminations(that's a must do this trip) can't wait to see how all your projects turn out.

Hi! thanks for stopping by. Our original plan was to go down for the TOT race, but ultimately that shift in dates meant that we wouldn't overlap with our friends from Scotland. Plus, DBF had sticker shock at the RunDisney prices. I think I need to get him to drink the Disney kool-aid first and then get him to do a race. He's the runner actually (I kinda hate running, but the Disney medals are so cool!) so it might not be a hugely difficult transition after the trip.

Maybe we'll bump into each other at MNSSHP! I think we'll be pretty distinctive

I think you'll love Illuminations. I can't choose between Illuminations and Wishes as to which is my favorite - they're so different from each other. Wishes is very emotional (at least for me) and Illuminations is so exciting and full of energy. It's an incredible show!

 

[Alysa]

99 days to go now! Double Digit Dance!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great plans for your first day! Taking it easy with F&W activities and capping it off with Illuminations. Sounds perfect to me.

I love Southwest! Since this is your first flight on Southwest, and you may already know this, check in for your flight online as soon as your 24 hour window opens. SW doesn't have assigned seating and you get to pick any seat you want as long as they're available. The faster you check in online, the earlier your boarding queue. We usually just shell out the money and sign up for the Early Bird which automatically checks in for you and pretty much guarantees an early boarding.

 

[abbybeth]

Great plans for your first day! Taking it easy with F&W activities and capping it off with Illuminations. Sounds perfect to me.

I love Southwest! Since this is your first flight on Southwest, and you may already know this, check in for your flight online as soon as your 24 hour window opens. SW doesn't have assigned seating and you get to pick any seat you want as long as they're available. The faster you check in online, the earlier your boarding queue. We usually just shell out the money and sign up for the Early Bird which automatically checks in for you and pretty much guarantees an early boarding.

We didn't pay for the Early Bird, but I did see that I still have the option to add it on. I think it would add like $24 each way total if I remember right, so it seems like it might be worthwhile. The non-assigned seating kinda freaks me out a little (not in a bad way, just in an I-prefer-everything-to-be-planned sort of way) So you think that that's money well spent? Our 24 hour check in will be on Friday morning and I'll be at work with computer access, so it shouldn't be much of an issue checking in ASAP.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

We didn't pay for the Early Bird, but I did see that I still have the option to add it on. I think it would add like $24 each way total if I remember right, so it seems like it might be worthwhile. The non-assigned seating kinda freaks me out a little (not in a bad way, just in an I-prefer-everything-to-be-planned sort of way) So you think that that's money well spent? Our 24 hour check in will be on Friday morning and I'll be at work with computer access, so it shouldn't be much of an issue checking in ASAP.

You should be ok without the early bird check in as long as you check in yourself right when the window opens especially for a travel size of two people. When i dont do early bird and checkin right at 24hrs, I still get a group B queue and there are still a lot of window and aisle seats available. For us with two young children, the Early Bird takes away a lot of stress for us in terms of trying to secure seats together.

 

[abbybeth]

You should be ok without the early bird check in as long as you check in yourself right when the window opens especially for a travel size of two people. When i dont do early bird and checkin right at 24hrs, I still get a group B queue and there are still a lot of window and aisle seats available. For us with two young children, the Early Bird takes away a lot of stress for us in terms of trying to secure seats together.

Thank you! That makes sense. I really appreciate the information - we'll see. I may pony up for the early bird just to take out the unknown, but I want to think on it some more. Since we're two adults, we don't HAVE to sit next to each other, but I'd much rather sit next to my DBF than some stranger! If we were a party of 3 or more (and definitely if there were kidlets involved) the early bird sounds like it's a definite advantage.

Things to ponder!

 

[Overexcited]

Sounds great! We are flying southwest as well. With 2 kids the no seat assignment makes me nervous! I did early bird for two tickets and not the other two. I figure one of us can snag two seats nearby besides who will want to sit in the back near a four year old!!

 

[abbybeth]

to be KING!

Day 2: September 28

Goooooood Morning! No sleeping! We will get up at a decent time this morning, grab some breakfast from Sassagoula Floatworks and snag a bus over to Animal Kingdom!

I like to hit the safari first - the weather is coolest in the mornings and the animals tend to be more active. I particularly love seeing the zebras!



Once we have the safari taken care of, we'll check out the situation at Everest and grab fastpasses for later. If the line looks short enough, we'll hop in for a ride then and there. For Ryan's first time, I want to go through the queue so he can see all of the neat things and how extensively awesome the themeing is. After that it's fair game on the single rider line!

We'll need to check the times guide for FOTLK and Flights of Wonder. FOTLK is a must do for me - I'm amazed by that show each and every time I have the opportunity to see it.



Flights of Wonder is one that I've never done before, but have always heard rave reviews of. Nemo I can take or leave. It's cute, but almost too cutesy for me. I love the way the puppets work and it's beautiful, but if it doesn't fit into our day I won't be heartbroken.

Lunch will definitely be at Flame Tree BBQ! YUM!

Another ride on Everest may be necessary and hopefully we'll see the beautiful DeVine! I've yet to see her! I also want to check out the tiger trek, gorillas and bats. Kali River Rapids is questionable - I hate walking around all wet if I'm not at a water park and we have dinner plans that night. That one will be a game time decision!

I will probably skip It's Tough to be a Bug. I don't care for bugs in real life, and while I know were most of the squicky parts of the show are for me ... I don't feel a need to do it. That said, if Ryan thinks that it sounds fun, I'll deal with it for his sake.

If we accomplish most of the list before lunch, I think I'd like to head out to the Conservation Station as that is another AK thing I haven't done yet. I'll also be keeping an eye out for character meet & greets. Because, if we haven't already established it, I'm really 5 years old and still LOVE the characters!

The jury is also still out on the Jungle Jammin' Parade.

I plan on leaving the park by 5 to head over to Animal Kindgom Lodge! Our dinner reservation at Sanaa is not until 7:30, but I want to have some time to explore AKL - they're supposed to have one of the best collections of African art in the country - grab a drink and check out the savannah before it gets dark. This is a resort that I haven't had the opportunity to visit, so I'm looking forward to this. Dinner should be fabulous (this restaurant was one of Ryan's picks) and afterwards, it will be imperative to swing by Mara and pick up some zebra domes to take back to POFQ with us. I have yet to try this particular tasty treat but it sounds like it was made for me. Espresso, white and regular chocolate, named after one of my favorite animals .... SOLD!

I think this will be our only AK day of the trip. For me, it is a one day park and it came early because it made the most sense to pair it with our Sanaa reservation.

MK has EMH this night. We'll have to head to a park or the TTC to eventually snag a ride back to POFQ, so we might just swing by MK for a bit after dinner to get our first glimpse of my dream home and walk down main street by starlight.

*sigh*

98 days to go my friends. 98 days to go!

 

[PrincessInOz]

That sounds like a very similar day to what I'm planning for AK. Although, if it is hot, we will go on Kali....assuming the queues aren't crazy or if we manage to snag fastpasses.



Under 3 digits now.

 

[abbybeth]

That sounds like a very similar day to what I'm planning for AK. Although, if it is hot, we will go on Kali....assuming the queues aren't crazy or if we manage to snag fastpasses.



Under 3 digits now.

I hate to sound completely vain, but there will be no recovery from the curly mess my hair will become after Kali and will semi-nice dinner plans ... well, I think vanity wins out.

That said, somehow AK always seems to be hotter than Hades ... so Kali may win in the end.

Congrats at entering double digits too - that's always such an exciting milestone to hit in the countdown process!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I hate to sound completely vain, but there will be no recovery from the curly mess my hair will become after Kali and will semi-nice dinner plans ... well, I think vanity wins out.

That said, somehow AK always seems to be hotter than Hades ... so Kali may win in the end.

Congrats at entering double digits too - that's always such an exciting milestone to hit in the countdown process!

With the humidity, I don't think it matters much with my hair. It's going to be an absolute mess. However, as I'm usually the one behind the camera, I think I'll be safe enough.

That, of course, assumes that I won't run into anyone I know at WDW.

 

[abbybeth]

Sounds great! We are flying southwest as well. With 2 kids the no seat assignment makes me nervous! I did early bird for two tickets and not the other two. I figure one of us can snag two seats nearby besides who will want to sit in the back near a four year old!!

Hello! Welcome aboard! I can't imagine flying with little ones with no guarantee that you wouldn't be separated. Granted, I think (HOPE) that most adults would be willing to trade to help you out. Fingers crossed that it'll all fall in place for you guys. When is your trip?

With the humidity, I don't think it matters much with my hair. It's going to be an absolute mess. However, as I'm usually the one behind the camera, I think I'll be safe enough.

That, of course, assumes that I won't run into anyone I know at WDW.

Since you have quite a few meet ups planned during your trip, that's probably not a safe assumption!

If I use a product for curly hair, it'll keep most of the frizzies under control, but I much prefer how my hair looks straightened, which is where the battle really occurs with humidity of any type. We'll see how much I try to fight it. I want cute vacation pictures darn it!

 

[abbybeth]

EEEEPPPP!!!! <----- Major excitment! I just booked one of Ryan's surprises. I scored great tickets for something special on Wednesday night (October 2) prior to our Raglan Road reservation at 8:30!

I'd been putting off booking because initially I was outside of the 6 month window, and then it fell on the back burner a bit and while looking at tickets today I knew it was time to leap.

Purposely leaving out exact details in case Ryan decides he wants to read the report before we leave. Granted, I told him about this from the start and when I mentioned the pre-trippie in passing last week he was all like "huh, how long have you been doing that? you're writing about our trip on the internet?"

Back to your regularly scheduled day! PM me if you are really itching to know what's up, but a clever leopard can probably put the pieces together!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Love your day 2 plans!

FotLK is a must for me too. We also love Flights of Wonder - very cool and fun demonstrations of natural behaviors of birds.

Hmmm, I think I have a decent guess on what your surprise is.

 

[Overexcited]

Hello! Welcome aboard! I can't imagine flying with little ones with no guarantee that you wouldn't be separated. Granted, I think (HOPE) that most adults would be willing to trade to help you out. Fingers crossed that it'll all fall in place for you guys. When is your trip?

Since you have quite a few meet ups planned during your trip, that's probably not a safe assumption!

If I use a product for curly hair, it'll keep most of the frizzies under control, but I much prefer how my hair looks straightened, which is where the battle really occurs with humidity of any type. We'll see how much I try to fight it. I want cute vacation pictures darn it!

I am flying in September. Trip is 17th-24th! It is also a surprise we are springing on the kids at the airport!
I think one adult can snag two extra seats in the back of the plane, I have a feeling most people go for the front.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Here's to keeping your surprise safe!

 

[abbybeth]

Love your day 2 plans!

FotLK is a must for me too. We also love Flights of Wonder - very cool and fun demonstrations of natural behaviors of birds.

Hmmm, I think I have a decent guess on what your surprise is.

I'm hoping that it's not too much of a stretch to spend the bulk of the day in AK. It doesn't make sense to leave and come back to AKL for dinner, but I don't want us to end up bored. I think it should be fine, but I don't think I've ever done a true full day in that park!

(and you're probably right on the surprise!)

I am flying in September. Trip is 17th-24th! It is also a surprise we are springing on the kids at the airport!
I think one adult can snag two extra seats in the back of the plane, I have a feeling most people go for the front.

It'll all work out!

Here's to keeping your surprise safe!

I had such a hard time not telling him at dinner last night.

Him: "so, anything exciting happen in your day?"

Me: "nope, not really. just another day at the office. nothin' new"

 

[klacey1]

Subscribing!! We're also going in September!

I love all of your homemade costumes-- you're incredibly talented!

Those BATB tanks are gorgeous! Who would have thought, Hot Topic?!

 

[Abby's Dad]

 

[Abby's Dad]

Hello! I am your host. Your ghost host.

So how are the other 998?

Do you have room for one more?

Yes, I'm along for the ride - and thanks to your excitement, and the excitement of your new-found friends, I'm getting excited! Our airfares are booked (same flights!), ADRs made (waiting on Cali Grill ), scooter reserved through Apple Scooters, and costumes ready.