And Then There Were 2 + 1 Wicked Queen

[eandesmom]

I don't think I really considered it a whole lot until I just went for it. I think the fact I had to borrow had me a tad uneasy. However, it is just one night so I am not that much "in the hole" for 2013 points. In fact, this will still leave me with enough for Steve and I on our anniversary trip (assuming we stay 7 nights) If we stay longer we would have to borrow a bit from 2014. If we don't, I will have to bank a small amount into 2014.

I've been in a borrowing hole since day 1 so sad. I am literally down to 33 points left in 2014. The December trip wiped me out. If we add on there will be a momentary influx but with everything planned as it stands now, it won't be long till I am back in the hole again. Oh well, they are getting used and enjoyed and really that's what matters!

I do feel bad though, because Zoe and Alex were crushed that I am staying there by myself. I honestly believe that the 1bdrm at OKW will be the best option for us. But the two of them really wanted to stay at AKL. Steve (who doesn't really go to the parks much anyway) feels that AKL would be too far from the parks. I still feel guilty though...

Well the good news is you know you will be back. There will be other trips and opportunities to stay there. For a race trip I agree that OKW is better to be honest. AKV is far. It's lovely and great for AK but...otherwise it is a lot of bus time all around

If it were me... I would be fine with a red eye. I can sleep on the plane. Almost all my crazy family cant though. So Steve would end up being up all night and then sleeping all day. So no matter what I do, I lose a day. Honestly though, I think I would do better with a red eye. I mean... I can sleep on the plane. So the times we have taken one... we get to the airport late at night... get on the plane and then I get a full nights sleep. This way, I am too anxious to fall asleep..still packing..etc. I usually am in bed by midnight and then up by 3am. (this time I get an extra hour ) I get a few more hours on the plane... but it is interrupted by the 4 hours or so that I am definitely awake in getting out the door, going to the airport, waiting to board and then for the plane to be on its way enough. (I can't fall asleep until it has reached altitude)

I don't know that any of us sleep all that well but we just power through it the next day. I can't sleep if I have to be up at 3,4,5 am for a flight so that is often quite worse for me. I do drug Evan and Jeff though...it doesn't work on eric or myself but it helps them a bit (Melatonin)

Well, I will have to pay close attention to how it works for you. I have a feeling January is going to be quite the challenge for us since we will have various kinds of tickets.

Yeah, the whole thing makes me nervous. I think we will also have a bunch of different tickets. My biggest fear is linking everyone and a 14 or 15 year old going into the account and changing FP times somehow.

I know...eating at 9 will still feel early to me. I thought about doing a big dinner, but I think it will be a better idea to just pick up a burger or something. I just hope I can find something open at that time.

I think you'll be ok until 10. However if really concerned you could grab a quick bite at the resort first.

 

[drlaurafsu]

ATL is easy...look at a map before you go.

T Gate is Terminal (but not baggage claim)

Then they run A-F. Typically you come out of the train area between 15-20 depending on how many gates there are on that Concourse. Typically around 30ish

E is a 3 spoke rather than 2.

If you aren't on Delta you will likely be at C & D...possibly E. E & F are the International Terminals (but E is used for both domestic and international).

Delta could be any except I think D...unless you are on a commuter plane, which I seriously doubt.

I live here...and fly through this airport frequently. Not as much as my DH...but enough to know that airport well.

 

[annmarieda]

That's an eventful travel day! But it's fun to thrust yourself right into the magic when you get there. And your body will think 10pm parade time is really only 7pm.

It would be more fun to jump into the magic were I not alone doing it...but yes, I will have fun nonetheless. And I know I will be tired from getting up so early but I should definitely have enough energy for that parade.

As far as Atlanta-Hartsfield. It's not at all hard to get around. There are basically 5 terminals that are parallel to each other, and there's an underground train (we can call it a "monorail" for a Disney trip) that will take you from one terminal to the other, if you have to change terminals. If you don't have to change, it's not a long walk from one end to the other, IF you have to go that far. You'll be just fine!

I am sure I will be fine... I just have never flown into Atlanta before....

I've been in a borrowing hole since day 1 so sad. I am literally down to 33 points left in 2014. The December trip wiped me out. If we add on there will be a momentary influx but with everything planned as it stands now, it won't be long till I am back in the hole again. Oh well, they are getting used and enjoyed and really that's what matters!

Remind me what is your UY? I have to laugh that you already know that the add on will only get you out of the hole for a bit of time. I can totally see that happening to me. I mean... we have juuuuust enough points now. Really another 50 to 100 would be better. But I know that if we were to do another 50... they would be allocated and gone in my head and thus we would again have juuuuust enough points. Seems to me that it would be a vicious circle of adding on and then needing more. Especially if you are needing two bedrooms. I suspect the idea that you need more points when kids are young is what people think... but I think really once your kids move out and have spouses and if they then have kids... THAT is when you really need more points.

Well the good news is you know you will be back. There will be other trips and opportunities to stay there. For a race trip I agree that OKW is better to be honest. AKV is far. It's lovely and great for AK but...otherwise it is a lot of bus time all around

You are so correct! There will be other trips. And really, staying closer to things in january is probably a better idea. For my solo stay though, it will be perfect. (I don't want to give too much away, but AK has early EMH )

I don't know that any of us sleep all that well but we just power through it the next day. I can't sleep if I have to be up at 3,4,5 am for a flight so that is often quite worse for me. I do drug Evan and Jeff though...it doesn't work on eric or myself but it helps them a bit (Melatonin)

I had not thought about using melatonin on them! I may have to try that at some point.

Yeah, the whole thing makes me nervous. I think we will also have a bunch of different tickets. My biggest fear is linking everyone and a 14 or 15 year old going into the account and changing FP times somehow.

That could happen? This whole system freaks me out. I had to be on the phone with IT recently because my accounts were all messed up. They had me with an account for the DVC, one as Ann and one as Annmarie. I think that my AP was linked to the Annmarie account. Then Zoe had made 7 accounts herself with my email addy. It all had to be cleaned up because my reservations were not showing correctly. In the end Ann had to "friend" Annmarie in order to get things to where I could see things on one screen. What a fiasco!

I think you'll be ok until 10. However if really concerned you could grab a quick bite at the resort first.

I might just swing by the food court at CBR before I head to MK. That way if something looks good, I will at least have grabbed something and will not starve. That is one thing I like about dinning cs... you can chose something on the fly based on what you feel like eating then.

ATL is easy...look at a map before you go.

T Gate is Terminal (but not baggage claim)

Then they run A-F. Typically you come out of the train area between 15-20 depending on how many gates there are on that Concourse. Typically around 30ish

E is a 3 spoke rather than 2.

If you aren't on Delta you will likely be at C & D...possibly E. E & F are the International Terminals (but E is used for both domestic and international).

Delta could be any except I think D...unless you are on a commuter plane, which I seriously doubt.

I live here...and fly through this airport frequently. Not as much as my DH...but enough to know that airport well.

I will be coming in on SW. I will have to take your word for it that it is easy. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me....however I am confused and I think they look complicated. I am sure I will be fine... and since I wont have anyone else to keep in tow... I can roam and only have to worry about losing me.

 

[veggiemama]

Hi Ann!

Been a long time. 2011 to be exact. I had started but not finished my PTR and TR about my Christmas 2011 trip.

It took a bit but I am planning a new trip also. Though not to Disney exactly, we decided to try a cruise instead but since I was starting an new PTR thought I would check out some friends from before and I guess it should come as no surprise - you are planning another trip (or 2 if I'm reading your sig correctly!)

I'm following along - as much to see what you are planning (and to glean some ideas for the next WDW trip) and to catch up with you and yours.
and oh my! Has Zoe grown up so much since the last photos I saw.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Welcome! Ann has about 3 trips in the works including the one in a month from yesterday!

 

[annmarieda]

Hi Ann!

Been a long time. 2011 to be exact. I had started but not finished my PTR and TR about my Christmas 2011 trip.

It took a bit but I am planning a new trip also. Though not to Disney exactly, we decided to try a cruise instead but since I was starting an new PTR thought I would check out some friends from before and I guess it should come as no surprise - you are planning another trip (or 2 if I'm reading your sig correctly!)

I'm following along - as much to see what you are planning (and to glean some ideas for the next WDW trip) and to catch up with you and yours.
and oh my! Has Zoe grown up so much since the last photos I saw.

Laura! It is so good to see you here. I will have to check out your PTR. I will be honest though, life has been crazy for me and my dis time has suffered.

Welcome! Ann has about 3 trips in the works including the one in a month from yesterday!

I had to think... 3? How could it be three. Then I remembered next fall is already in the planning works for dh and I. That is the third one. I swear, lately I don't know where my head is at. I can't remember anything. I am glad I have you to keep me on track a bit.

 

[annmarieda]

On the trip front, AP rates were finally released for the night of 9/28. I was able to call in and get my rate reduced by a whopping $53. I know there were some who were disappointed in the rates that were realeased, but I was beginning to think that I would be just stuck paying rack rate.... so this was very cool to me. It was also neat when I called because the cm said to me "now, Annmarie, I am going to say something and you will know I know exactly where you are from" A bit taken aback, I said, "oh really?" He said "yes, I know exactly where enum scratch is." That is often what neighboring towns call where I live. Or "the claw" either way... he knew where I was from. Turns out he use to live not far from my town.

This week has been brutal with work. Up at 3am or so to start work by 4am or so. Today I didn't get home until 4:30pm! LONG days. I really will need a vacay soon.

This week I need to do some preop prep with Zoe and then next friday she has her surgery.

All of this means I have NO time left between now and the trip. This is a good thing.. but it also scares me a tad. How am I going to be ready to go in 3 and a half weeks????

Such troubles I have...

 

[eandesmom]

On the trip front, AP rates were finally released for the night of 9/28. I was able to call in and get my rate reduced by a whopping $53. I know there were some who were disappointed in the rates that were realeased, but I was beginning to think that I would be just stuck paying rack rate.... so this was very cool to me. It was also neat when I called because the cm said to me "now, Annmarie, I am going to say something and you will know I know exactly where you are from" A bit taken aback, I said, "oh really?" He said "yes, I know exactly where enum scratch is." That is often what neighboring towns call where I live. Or "the claw" either way... he knew where I was from. Turns out he use to live not far from my town.

This week has been brutal with work. Up at 3am or so to start work by 4am or so. Today I didn't get home until 4:30pm! LONG days. I really will need a vacay soon.

This week I need to do some preop prep with Zoe and then next friday she has her surgery.

All of this means I have NO time left between now and the trip. This is a good thing.. but it also scares me a tad. How am I going to be ready to go in 3 and a half weeks????

Such troubles I have...

$53 bucks is wonderful! that's a meal, or two, or a couple of t shirts! Work sounds horrific, UGH! I hope you can get some rest in between all that. I can't believe her surgery is already next week.

 

[annmarieda]

$53 bucks is wonderful!

$53 can pay for any number of splurges... so I am happy.

Work sounds horrific, UGH! I hope you can get some rest in between all that.

Work has been crazy the last couple months. I live for my "week 4's" where it is slow and I get to take it easy in preparation for the next big push on week one of the ad cycles. Last month and this we had this added project that kept me way to busy. I missed Zoe's first day of school cause I had to be to work so early. My manager wanted me to work on another store today, but I just didn't have it in me...even if I truly could. Steve had to be in the office earlier today and so I had to be here to get Zoe on the bus. Good thing I was cause the bus never came. (I am not sure why every year there is such a period of adjustment when it comes to the route and pick up schedule)

I can't believe her surgery is already next week.

I know! Just one more week. I really hope it does the trick or we are going to be looking at a really big surgery. Day ones where they send her home with tubes... I can deal with. The extended 2 week stays in hospital are exhausting for everyone.

 

[annmarieda]

So we best get to some planning if we are gonna get it all done before the trip.

On Sunday 9/29, I will wake and get ready for my morning. I decided I wanted to have breakfast somewhere new. In fact, I have never been to eat here in Florida. We have one not too far from me and I have ate at the Disneyland location... but for breakfast I will be dinning at

I wanted to have a meal...but also wanted to go to AK that morning. So my ADR is for 8:30am. AK opens at 9am. So while I probably won't be there right at RD, I will be there early enough.

I bet Ashley and Ginger will be driving still. Trying to get themselves to WDW asap!

While I continue to wait for them, I will head to AK after breakfast. Honestly, I am not sure what I will do there. I may just meander and look at animals on the trails. Or if I can, I will ride

It makes me a tad sad. Ok.. it makes me really sad. When the last person was no longer joining us, I cancelled our plans to do the Wild Africa Trek. Somehow, Kilimanjaro Safari just doesn't seem like it will be the same. But... I will enjoy it none the less.

Sometime around noon, Ashley and Ginger expect to arrive. I will meet them at CBR and we can all "check in" Hopefully, this will not mean moving rooms...but rather just getting them checked in and our KTTWC with dp on it.

Then we are going to grab a pizza to share and head to our room. There we are going to decorate our window.

Last year, my girls (plus dd's sil) and I did a very poor job of decorating. I had thought that we could use lights in the window, but with the corner room the outlet was too far away. This year... I am brining and extension cord!

We still need to talk about how we want to decorate. I am thinking “disney cute” is the way to go. Or perhaps maybe haunted mansion.... but definitely not scary.

Once the room is ready it will be time to get ourselves ready. The notion that we were all princesses (and ocd ones at that) led to all of us being assigned a princess to be for MNSSHP. So we have an Ariel, a Snow White and a Merida.

Next came the idea that we would “theme” ourselves rather than have an out and out costume. After many ideas were gleaned from sets on polyvore.com we all seemed to have some direction. I will be Ariel. Ashley will be Snow White. Ginger will be Merida.


I have most everything I need for my outfit. I did break the rules a bit though and purchased a wig. I just didn’t look quite “Ariel” enough without it. In fact, I looked a bit odd. Like an older woman trying to look too young. Now I just look like... well, to put it as my future dil said... like hipster Ariel. The green pants are super tight... skinny jeans. I really think one size up would have made me more comfortable, but they were on sale and this was the only size they had. I just need the right make up (maybe fake eyelashes?) and a shell clip to pin back one side on the wig.


Once ready, we will head to MK. I know it is possible to be able to get into the park at 4pm for the party. I just hope they will let us in a smidge earlier since we have an ADR for dinner here at 4pm.

It really wont be an issue for me since I have an AP. However, for Ginger and Ashely to use a park day ticket to be there for minutes seems a waste.

After dinner we will hustle over and get in line to see these guys.


Short of maybe Captain Jack, no other characters are really on my list. I am game for whatever though. My number one thing I want to do at the party is see

Oh, and I guess

Would be nice considering I missed it last year.

I think we will also try to do some trick or treating and ride some of our favorite rides.

Once the party is over, we will head back to the room to crash. We don’t have any big plans for the morning and the parks (other than AK) don’t open until 9am.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Okay so I'm in charge of this update. Finally have two days off in a row, so i figured I'd better do it during this miracle time off!

So the plan for Monday the 30th.

We shall wake up and either grab something in room or make a run through Old Port Royale on the way to catch a bus to.....

and we might have to make a dash for

or

After riding a few favorites, we will head over to see what this food and wine thing is all about! We plan on sharing quite a bit to optimize the things we can try without breaking too much into the piggy banks on the first full day!

After snack, riding, watching shows, and browsing the shops, we will go hop on the monorail to go to our dinner ADR at

Where we will be eating at a new restaurant for me and Ging. ( I can't ever remember even stepping foot inside the Contemporary... that's a lot of trips to have not done it.) I know Ann has been here at least once or twice with her family.

After we are too stuffed to move, we will have waddle back to the monorail to head on over to ride more rides and to watch Wishes in MK since they actually stay open till 11pm that night!

PS.... I'm going to try to take a picture of my MNSSHP outfit to post...tomorrow... well see how well that works!

 

[annmarieda]

Well this week the instructions and wavers were release. I am kinda excited cause RD has definitely made some changes. However I also have to laugh...

So last year there were approximately 10,000 runners at the ToT ten miler. I ran in C with a POT of (I think) 12:27 per mile

At the 2013 PHM, there were approximately 23, 000 runners. I ran in C with a POT of (again, I think) 10:42 per mile.

This year the ToT has approximately 11, 000 runners. I am will be running in C with a POT of 9:07 per mile


I guess my lucky letter is "C".

However, the differences are huge!!!

Last year, ToT had about 2500 runners in each corral and just 4 corrals. That meant that I had about 5000 people start before me, 2500 with me and 2500 behind me.

2013 PHM had 8 corrals with about 3000 in each. That meant I had about 6000 runners ahead of me, 3000 with me and 14000 behind me.

For this years ToT, there are 10 corrals and each gradually has more runners in them. So A through C have about 500 runners each. D through F have about 1000 in them. G and H have about 1500. I and J have about 2000 people. So for this, I will have just 1000 people starting before me, 500 with me and about 10000 behind me.

I think it should prove to reduce congestion. Plus given that this is the last time RD will allow people to change corral placement at the expo, there is a ton more wiggle room in those first corrals to have extra people. Even the last corrals have far fewer people to them.

However, here is where I am nervous.... and I realize I don't have to meet the expected finish time... but RD expects that I can finish the 10 miles in under 1:40 Maybe it is doable. With no stops what so ever. I ran 8.23 today in 1:12. Last saturday I did 9.5 in about 1:28. I am not sure why they were so generous with me in the corral placement. Maybe because for the phm the rep was sure I could not run at the pace calculators predicted pace. I came in under what they put me down for the expected time. I really do think that I wont come in under 1:40. Between heat and humidity and any stops... I think it will be somewhere between 1:45 and 2:00. I am happy as long as I come in under last years finish time. (about 2:44)

If anyone wants to follow me (keep in mind you will get text/email alerts as I pass check points and will happen as late as 12am est. when I finish) my bib number is 1186

 

[Woth2982]

Hi! Joining in! Ann I will be at WDW the same dates as you! Solo the first night and going to MNSSHP the second night with some friends! If you want a MK buddy let me know! I'm staying at all Star Movies the first night (wanted to try something new), then heading to SSR the next night (where my friend and her friend are staying).

Love the costume idea! That purple shirt is awesome! Where did you get it? Pretty sure we are not dressing up

 

[annmarieda]

Hi! Joining in! Ann I will be at WDW the same dates as you! Solo the first night and going to MNSSHP the second night with some friends! If you want a MK buddy let me know! I'm staying at all Star Movies the first night (wanted to try something new), then heading to SSR the next night (where my friend and her friend are staying).

Love the costume idea! That purple shirt is awesome! Where did you get it? Pretty sure we are not dressing up

Hey! So what night are you solo? And what night are you doing MNSSHP? I arrive 9/28 and will be solo that evening... but I arrive pretty late. I am also solo the night of 10/6 and all day on 10/7.

The shirt... I got at fred meyer....

 

[Woth2982]

I am solo the 28th! I land at 530 pm and going to MNSSHP on the 29th! I leave on the 30th have to go back to work. Quick weekend trip for me. Have a breakfast at Whispering Canyon at 8:10 am on the 29th. Not sure what time my friend is arriving that day. I should probably call her lol.

 

[annmarieda]

I am solo the 28th! I land at 530 pm and going to MNSSHP on the 29th! I leave on the 30th have to go back to work. Quick weekend trip for me. Have a breakfast at Whispering Canyon at 8:10 am on the 29th. Not sure what time my friend is arriving that day. I should probably call her lol.

How funny how similar our first couple days are. I land at 7:10pm though. Do you plan to go to the parks that night? MK is open til midnight.... My breakfast is at RFC on the 29th. I plan to hit AK a bit in the morning.

 

[annmarieda]

So with just a week left and a week left to plan it is rather important we get moving on this. Ashley and I are going to try and tag team to get this done before we leave. Just think... 7 days from now I will be sleeping in my bed at CBR!


The park we will be starting at is

It opens at 9am. That will give us a bit of time to sleep, but not much. I will get up to go for a run while the Ashley and Ginger are getting ready. Then once I am back a quick sprucing up (yes, that would mean shower...wouldn't want to have to make them deal with my stinky self) we will catch the bus to arrive for RD.

We will be doing the dash to

We will try to fit what we can in that morning, but we will have to leave the park by about 11am.

We will be traveling by boat (unless the boat goes way to slow, then we may have to jump off) to

We have lunch reservations at

We should get to meander about a bit in WS. Once we feel like it we will head to

Our evening will be spent there. At some point we will enjoy our dinner at

It won't be a late night for us that night since the park closes at 9pm.

 

[Woth2982]

How funny how similar our first couple days are. I land at 7:10pm though. Do you plan to go to the parks that night? MK is open til midnight.... My breakfast is at RFC on the 29th. I plan to hit AK a bit in the morning.

Yep! I plan to check into the hotel, get something to eat, then head out to the MK! I will PM you my number! If you end up heading over there text me! I am there for such a short time I wanna get all the park time in I can!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

My turn to tag team Bear with me... gotta go back through the facebook messages!

Wednesday I think we are are going to sleep in a bit. I believe we are going to have 1 random CS left over at the end of the week, so the plan is to try to find something substantial to split in the Old Port Royale food court. Hmm maybe the Bounty Platter and a side of Chocolate Chip Pancakes to split!

Then the plan is to head on off for some more MK quality time!
Lunch we are planning to do CS and on the roll issssssssssssssss

Well spend the afternoon riding EVERYTHING in MK!

And then we will ride on over to Epcot for the evening!

One of our only late nights. Tonight and two nights previous on monday are the only nights parks are open past ten! Thank goodness we are doing MSSHP and the Villians party to stay out a little later! lol

Tag Ann! It's your turn.

 

[annmarieda]

Yep! I plan to check into the hotel, get something to eat, then head out to the MK! I will PM you my number! If you end up heading over there text me! I am there for such a short time I wanna get all the park time in I can!

I am undecided if I will grab something to eat at the hotel or wait to get something at MK.

I sent you back a pm.