An ever-changing February 2011 PTR!

[tellemarie]

Hello everyone! I've never done a PTR before (aside from constantly annoying family and friends with pretrip details) so I'm super excited

I guess I'll first introduce you to myself and from there stretch everything out...because I'm known to get a little wordy at times

I am Shantelle, 22 years old, constant mover (born in Virginia and lived everywhere else since!). I'm in school full time as well as working full time at State Farm as a licensed agent, so I don't have too much free time. However in that precious small amount of it I've been reading a LOT of these threads on the DIS boards! So glad I found this place

I first got into Disney...well before I can actually remember. I apparently watched my Cinderella VHS so many times it broke! My mom fixed it, I broke it again, we replaced it and the vicious cycle continued. I still have my most recent copy of it, though. A story my mom loves to tell is one of my first trips there I actually asked Belle how she got her job there. I was a strange child . Following that, I went on many trips there (somewhere in the 30-40 range is what I'm at now) and then I began working on MSE in MK in July 2007. BEST few months of my life but then I had to move and ugh...terrible time

Currently I'm planning a trip back (the reason for this PTR) and it's starting to look like a solo trip! I'm nervous as I've never been to the World alone, but I am very optimistic. A trait that really only lasts for a few moments before I return to the phase of "WHAT AM I THINKING ". This trip is going to be around 6 days (right now I'm thinking 11-16th, although we'll see if I don't add one more day when I make my res on the 24th/25th!) so I can take advantage of the free QSDP!

I have a LOT of planning to do, as I've normally gone with other people who loved to take part in the planning process, so after I finish this showing of National Treasure I'm going to hit up Borders to get a brand new Trip Notebook (since I have a coupon!).

Hopefully if anyone starts reading this thing I won't bore you all to tears and if you're a future (or current when you actually start reading this) reader, thanks for sticking around!

 

[Sunday]

I'm in! Looking forward to hearing about your trip Shantelle.

 

[tellemarie]

This update may include a little more than the when and why, but here we go!

The when I've pretty much settled on now: I am going to go for 2/11-2/17! I kind of settled on this because I really just want to go and BE there. I feel like a short trip after being away for so long (1.5 years ) I want to stay for a while. I think I may also be planning a yearly trip for about this length of time (plus possibly a weekend trip next October for MNSSHP!) but that will obviously be for another PTR

I'll be staying at the POP resort, so does anyone have any suggestions for which building to get? I want to be close to the food court and buses of course, but I also don't know if the "decades" are decorated differently inside (since I really only want to stay in the 50's if that's the case). I heard also you have a view of EPCOT from the 60's building...is this true? Also, do they have just king bed rooms? I'd rather not have two beds in a room alone, kind of freaks me out!

One reason why I'm SUPER excited to stay during this time is because of the FREE QSDP!!!! I'm thinking that this will work out really well for me since I'll be dining when I want, where I want, on my own, plus since doing some research I found you can use those snack credits for breakfast practically!

Another reason for the excitement is after reading a certain PTR, I'm going to make a solo ADR for the Brown Derby on my DHS day! I'm really excited since the Grapefruit cake looks kind of amazing, plus I would love to have a nice sit-down meal since most of mine won't be. Any suggestions for requests or meals? I'll just use cash on this as a mini-splurge. I was thinking I might do character dining (since I love them!) and would have LOVED to do CRT but I feel like it'd be a bit more magical if I had someone with me.

I've been pricing out flights and I'm REALLY hoping that a site will throw out a deal or two in the ensuing months. The rates right now look kind of like Maleficent without makeup so PLEASE AIRPLANE PEOPLE CUT ME A DEEAAAL!

I think I'll sign out for now since I seem to have gone into far more detail than necessary for this!

Thanks for sticking around whoever is reading

 

[tellemarie]

I'm in! Looking forward to hearing about your trip Shantelle.

Thank you and of course,

 

[tellemarie]

But it is something! I don't have too much going on with solid plans yet since I won't actually be making my reservations until sometimes on or shortly after the 24th, but I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS TRIP!

I am suuuper excited. I went out and, although I've been on a ridiculous amount of trips to the World, I got the Unofficial Guide to Disney World for 2011. It is quite similar to a brick it's so big! It seems a little overwhelming to be honest. Does anyone have any good guide book recs? I like that this has a section for solo travelers, but it's incredibly short. Obviously it's not necessary to be crazy long but still!

I'm starting to wonder if I should upgrade my room plans to a preferred room. I know everyone really recommends doing so, and I do want to be close to the buses and such, but it's an extra $101 for a room that I may not be in very much. I really only want something with a king bed and on the 4th floor. That's all I'm really requiring on this since I'll be solo

I am FOR SURE going to go to Brown Derby on my DHS day, but I'm starting to consider adding some more sit down options. Anyone have opinions on this? I don't want something with too many screaming kids (although I know it's a possibility at almost any restaurant on site).

I'm also trying to figure out how to round out the trip. I was originally wanting to go to City Walk one night at universal, but I'm not so sure since a taxi seems to be about $30/way. I could rent a car but would enterprise drop off the car AND pick it back up? I do get a discount since I work for State Farm but I really need some more activities since I'll be there for 7 days!

I guess I'll sign off before this becomes TOO rambly! I hope everyone is having a great night

 

[tellemarie]

Hello crickets! Probably a short update today.

I got something special in the mail today...

A PIN CODE!

However after being excited and actually looking over the time frame it looks like it won't really even benefit my trip since it's for fall I'm going to try and call Disney reservations to see if I could maaaaaaybe use it during my trip anyways. It would be some nice news after dealing with the IRS and some bad news from my mom.

Sooo anyone have any advice on this? Ever used a pin for something other than what it's offering? If you need the info my discount is a (whopping) 10% off Disney Resorts.

 

[TaylorsLoveDisney]

hi! plans sound great so far,.,.,

but traveling to the world alone? idk.. never thought anyone would do that. i do think you are brave & overall a unique idea.. but truth be told.. i couldnt do it.. cant you get anyone to go with you? i thinks its gotta be more fun to enjoy the magic with a friend.. well i hope u can get somone on borad with yah!! if not.. thats ok too i suppose..

look forward to reading more!!

 

[charming23]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip. My mom and I will be there Feb. 6-15. I do not think i could ever do a solo trip as my mom would never let me. She would pout until I invited her to go with me.

 

[tellemarie]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip. My mom and I will be there Feb. 6-15. I do not think i could ever do a solo trip as my mom would never let me. She would pout until I invited her to go with me.

I tried to get my mom to go with me but she won't go! "Been there done that" - I think I was adopted

 

[tellemarie]

hi! plans sound great so far,.,.,

but traveling to the world alone? idk.. never thought anyone would do that. i do think you are brave & overall a unique idea.. but truth be told.. i couldnt do it.. cant you get anyone to go with you? i thinks its gotta be more fun to enjoy the magic with a friend.. well i hope u can get somone on borad with yah!! if not.. thats ok too i suppose..

look forward to reading more!!

Unfortunately it seems like no one else can afford to go or take the time off work to go with me, so it'll just be me - especially since I really want to go! I know of a lot of people on this board that have gone alone (cause I've been reading up on it a LOT!) and I've been so many times with other people I think it'll be a nice experience to go alone too

 

[tellemarie]

After checking out the daily and EMH schedules on DW's website, I have a tentative daily schedule!

Friday:
Arrive at MCO
Check in & unpack (if room is ready)
Get some lunch/head to DTD
This day I'm hoping to go see the Green Hornet at the theatre in DTD - hopefully it'll still be IN theatres!

Saturday: More DTD
Possibly EPCOT for EMH
I may also do City Walk this night, but it depends on renting a car since taxis are $30 each way.
(If not Saturday, then I'll probably rent a car Wednesday, go to city walk, and then drop it at MCO)

Sunday: MAGIC KINGDOM BABY!
EMH until midnight, so I'll probably go back to the hotel for a rest in between

Monday: DHS
Lunch ADR @ Brown Derby for Cobb & Grapefruit
EMH until 10PM so another resting time

Tuesday: EPCOT
EMH 8A-9A and then park is open until 9P
Another rest in between these times (since I'll probably want more sleep!)

Wednesday: AK
EMH until 9PM so resting and AK again at night
(City Walk if not able to be picked up/dropped off in a rental car)

Thursday:
MK EMH 8A-9A so I'll be there for opening & probably check out before leaving, or I'll see if there is a late check-out option (is there? Anyone know?)
Leave from MCO

There we have it! I'll get more in depth later but last night was HORRIBLE and today has only been OK.

Hope everyone is feeling fine!

 

[tellemarie]

And you've got it!

Since we last met I have changed my trip dates (now Jan. 29-Feb. 3), booked my flights, paid for most of my trip, and am...well still going solo!

For my flight I managed to book the Halloween special that Southwest was having and got my flights for only $60/way!! I was so excited that I booked both flights that day and even got a little too excited: I accidentally booked my second trip for RDU - MCO...which would be a little inconvenient when I was trying to get home!

I only have $100 left to pay off my trip and there is only one big purchase I need to make before the trip, a new camera! I gave my old one to my mom since she didn't have one and now I'm without. I've found a Casio Exilim (my first camera was an Exilim and it was brilliant) that is significantly discounted on Amazon.com. I'm hoping I can wrangle someone into getting it for me for Christmas! I do need a cross body bag as well, but I'm pretty sure I can find that for cheap.

Now I used to live in Florida (kind of hard not to when you used to be a CM ) but I'm having a terrible time remembering how cold it is during that time. I remember almost freezing in December! What does everyone normally wear in late January/February? Did that sound creepy?

I also have my ADR done for the Hollywood Brown Derby on my DHS day, but I'm wondering if I should add anywhere else. I'm certainly going to be going to Earl of Sandwich but aside from that I have no solid dining plans.

Hope everyone is doing fantastic!

 

[tellemarie]

BECAUSE I AM SO EXCITED!!!

I have just made another ADR for my last day! I was trying to find something in EPCOT for that day, but alas nothing was available at all! I hope that doesn't mean the crowd is going to be super bad BUT on a lark I asked the woman I was speaking with if there was anything available in MK on my last day (Feb 3rd) for lunch time since my flight won't leave until 4:15pm. And there was something available at 11:45am, perfect timing. It was the one, the only...
CINDERELLA'S ROYAL TABLE!!! :

I was almost about to give up the res because I wasn't expecting a hold on my credit card, but my mom at the last minute said to book and SHE WOULD GIVE ME THE MONEY! So of course I put it on my card and she immediately put some money in my account so that I could do it!

I may do one more ADR since I've now not had to pay for this one, but who knows!

Hope all my quiet readers are enjoying the extra hour we're getting today!

 

[tellemarie]

Hello there...anyone who is reading

I just wanted to make a quick update with some exciting stuff!

Bought this shirt today:

from the Disney Store since I found a 20% off coupon when I visited the site this morning! I'm hoping it'll look really cute so I can wear it on the trip with a cardigan if need-be. I also decided I'll get my BFF a Disney gift card for Christmas since she's going just a few days before me.

I've also heard that we'll be getting a bonus for Christmas so I'm thinking about extending my trip if we get enough! I'll either extend or upgrade...still not sure which to go with! I would probably go with POFQ if I upgraded, but I'm not sure. Any opinions?

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hello there...anyone who is reading

I just wanted to make a quick update with some exciting stuff!

Bought this shirt today:

from the Disney Store since I found a 20% off coupon when I visited the site this morning! I'm hoping it'll look really cute so I can wear it on the trip with a cardigan if need-be. I also decided I'll get my BFF a Disney gift card for Christmas since she's going just a few days before me.

I've also heard that we'll be getting a bonus for Christmas so I'm thinking about extending my trip if we get enough! I'll either extend or upgrade...still not sure which to go with! I would probably go with POFQ if I upgraded, but I'm not sure. Any opinions?

I love that shirt, too cute! I would extend.....I'm all about extending. Looks like we would miss each other at the world by a few days. I'll be there from 2/5 to 2/12. I think a solo trip is awesome. Something I've always wanted to do.

 

[tellemarie]

I have some ADRs to record here!

Sunday (Jan. 30) 7:05PM - Tony's
-Not sure if I'm going to keep this one. I've heard some good things and then some really bad things about this place. I was thinking about subbing this out for LTT but not sure. Any opinions?

Monday (Jan. 31) 1:55PM - Hollywood Brown Derby
-I also know what I'll be ordering! Cobb salad & Grapefruit cake for dessert.

Thursday (Feb. 3) 11:45AM - Cinderella's Royal Table!
-I don't care about any of the horrible reviews I've read-I'm ridiculously excited for this and I'm certainly not going for the food!

I was hoping to get a res at EPCOT or AK, but I didn't really see anything worth reserving at AK and I'm sooo not sure about anything at EPCOT. If anyone has opinions let me know!

 

[tellemarie]

I love that shirt, too cute! I would extend.....I'm all about extending. Looks like we would miss each other at the world by a few days. I'll be there from 2/5 to 2/12. I think a solo trip is awesome. Something I've always wanted to do.

Aww, that's too bad! If I extend it will probably be from the 2/3 to 2/5 or 1/27-1/29, it really just depends on whether it would be better to leave on thursday.

I hope your trip is great though - your plans look awesome!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I have some ADRs to record here!

Sunday (Jan. 30) 7:05PM - Tony's
-Not sure if I'm going to keep this one. I've heard some good things and then some really bad things about this place. I was thinking about subbing this out for LTT but not sure. Any opinions?

Monday (Jan. 31) 1:55PM - Hollywood Brown Derby
-I also know what I'll be ordering! Cobb salad & Grapefruit cake for dessert.

Thursday (Feb. 3) 11:45AM - Cinderella's Royal Table!
-I don't care about any of the horrible reviews I've read-I'm ridiculously excited for this and I'm certainly not going for the food!

I was hoping to get a res at EPCOT or AK, but I didn't really see anything worth reserving at AK and I'm sooo not sure about anything at EPCOT. If anyone has opinions let me know!

I have eaten at Tony's on the last two trips that I've taken, and each time it's been really good. I've eaten there at lunch though, and their menu is a little different at lunch rather then dinner. I say stick with it.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Aww, that's too bad! If I extend it will probably be from the 2/3 to 2/5 or 1/27-1/29, it really just depends on whether it would be better to leave on thursday.

I hope your trip is great though - your plans look awesome!

Thanks! I'm kind of a freak about planning. It's always interesting for me here though, because while I have everything planned out, it's always fun to see if the plans actually work out.

 

[tellemarie]

Because here's some more!

So I've switched up a few of my days thanks to my obsessive checking of calendars pretty much everywhere.

Day 1: Arrive @ MCO
Check-in to hotel, unpack, relax
Head to DTD for some light, LIGHT, shopping and dinner & a movie (GREEN HORNET!)
Obviously going back to the hotel to pass out.

Day 2: DHS
This is actually something really new for me - I've never been to any other park than MK on my first day! However after checking out the calendars it looks like Fantasmic! is going on this day and I've never seen it soooo obvious choice! I have my Brown Derby ADR at 1:45 and Fantasmic is at 6:30.
I'm super excited to do the Backlot Tour and One Man's Dream too!!

Day 3: MK
I'll be at Tony's at 7PM RIGHT WHEN MSEP GOES BY! I'm super excited for this.
I'm also considering doing Keys to the Kingdom tour this day (if I don't extend my trip) but I'm not sure if it's really worth the $78.81 price tag AND 5 hours of my day. OPINIONS?
Obviously I'm going to try my hardest to get to Wishes, hopefully I'll have enough time to get up the street!

Day 4: EPCOT
I have NO ADRs for this day. I'd really love to do something at dinner since I HAVE to have my usual lunch at the Tangerine Cafe (love that Moroccan food ) but I haven't really been able to find anything I can settle on. I was considering Rose & Crown but I'm just very "eh" regarding a lot of what I'm seeing on the dining site!

Day 5: AK
I really only have one major thing to do for this day and it's the Safaris. I love animals but it's just not one of those parks that have stuck with me. It's aesthetically pleasing but I don't really do shows or thrill rides so I've never been into this. I do want to do the different treks though. I might go to the GF this day & CR. GF is my favorite resort!!

Day 6: MK
This is both a terrible and wonderful day.
CRT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However shortly after I have to leave . I'm a little nervous about the whole "leaving my luggage at the front desk and going to the park then coming back for DME" thing, but I will hopefully not make a fool of myself somehow!


That's pretty much it for now! There is some possibly exciting things coming up that I'm trying to stay level headed about (but I'm so not succeeding). It's two words, people. Two words that everyone loves to hear. Those words are:
Christmas. Bonus.
We are getting those little beauts at work. I am hoping and crossing my fingers and saying silent "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE" that mine will be what we're thinking it will be. And if it is, I will be EXTENDING
Basically I'm trying to tell myself it's not definite but it's SO hard. Plus if I extend I might go to the HARRY POTTER thing at IOA!!!!!!!

Ok, back to earth now. Hope everyone is doing mighty fine!