Around WDW in 14 days - a pre-trip report

[MARsMama]

Found your PTR from PixiMama's, so thought I'd check it out. Looks great! Can't wait to hear more! Congrats on using the links, I'm really new at that...thanks to PixiMama

LOVE your binder, it's making me think I really should upgrade from my measly scribbler!

I see our trips overlap, and we're at the same resort.

 

[MissStitch626]

Found your PTR from PixiMama's, so thought I'd check it out. Looks great! Can't wait to hear more! Congrats on using the links, I'm really new at that...thanks to PixiMama

LOVE your binder, it's making me think I really should upgrade from my measly scribbler!

I see our trips overlap, and we're at the same resort.

Welcome! I've just been catching up on your pre-trip report.

I hope you end up loving POR as much as I do, it's such a beautiful resort, and a great place to come home to after a hectic day in the parks

 

[MissStitch626]

So, I think it's time for a little background on why we chose POR for this little adventure.

For our honeymoon in 2008 we stayed offsite at a horrible hotel in the LBV area that shall remain nameless. . .ok, so it wasn't that bad, but let's just say it wasn't the ideal setting for a honeymoon, though at least we could walk to DTD from our hotel.

After that experience we decided that it was absolutely worth the extra money to stay on site for our 2009 trip. We went through all the usual dramas and deliberations - should we go deluxe? Which area should we stay in? Do we really need a fancy swimming pool? Eventually we narrowed the list to the three moderates, and after much debate, discussion and general arguing, we finally settled on Port Orleans Riverside. Why? Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. . .

Sorry for the teeny size. . .photobucket is driving me crazy today!

Put simply, even in pictures I thought it was the most beautiful resort I had ever seen, and just scrolling through the various photographs on the DIS had me almost in tears. There was no more question - it had to be POR.

And the reality? Even better. To say I was speechless is putting it lightly. I loved everything about it - the Sassagoula River, the Riverside Mill, the peaceful journey home from DTD on the boat as the sun set behind the trees. Surely it couldn't get any better than this? Sure, the deluxe resorts have their own joys to offer, but they say you never forget your first love, and POR will always be first in my eyes. Where else would we go for this trip?

We stayed in Arcadia House, one of the mansion houses, just a short distance from the main house. I'm hoping to be able to request the same room again but won't be disappointed with another area.

Coming soon. . .

The Junior Planning Book

 

[MARsMama]

A small photo is better than what I can do as far as posting photos! lol It is a beautiful photo. I'm so glad to hear such positive things about the resort. I don't know anything about requesting specific rooms, but I'm sure you'll love wherever you are there

 

[TanzUnited99]

I love the planning binder - gives me the push I need to get cracking with mine

I also enjoyed reading the story about why you chose POR

 

[PixieMama]

Thought I would share a few pics of my planning binder - the book that holds it all together!

Your binder puts my little notebook to shame, LOL!

 

[PixieMama]

We were *thisclose* to staying at POR on our most recent trip (Oct 2010)

Forgive the long story...

Last year, a trip to WDW was not on our agenda. We had been in 2007 and although I'd be happy to go back every year, it just wasn't in the budget.

Meanwhile, DH's youngest brother and his family had been thinking about going to WDW... my bro-in-law, sis-in-law, and their 2 kids had NEVER been to WDW. But one thing holding them back was the price. So when my DH got an email with a PIN code for FREE dining during the week of Fall Break, the plan was set in motion for our 2 families to vacation together and stay at a value resort. When we called to book the trip, the value resorts were all booked so we bumped up to POR. Unfortunately, bro-in-law wasn't too happy about the extra $$$. So the next morning, my DH called WDW back... lo and behold, ASMovies was available and we switched resorts.

I was pretty bummed as I was looking forward to POR! The place looks so pretty!

Of course, towards the end of our trip last year, DH says to me "I think we're done staying at a value resort." We hopefully will have another trip to WDW in 2013 (I want to go once the Fantasyland expansion is done)... I think I'll have enough time to talk DH into AKL or WL! Deluxe, baby!

 

[MissStitch626]

I have finally remembered to take some photos of the junior planning book (loving Photobucket for Blackberry - how did I ever survive without these things before?! )

Standard credit card/business card wallet decorated with stickers from Hobbycraft store.

This is what I plan on carrying with me in the parks. It has a page with our passport numbers and insurance numbers in case of emergecies, the address of the resort for the in-flight information and our ESTA numbers (we've so far never needed these but I like to have them just in case!). I have a page with the park opening hours, a day by day itinerary as well as an at-a-glance two week planner. This might seem like too much but I have learned from previous trips that DH will ask the same question at least seven times every day. . ."What did you say we are doing tomorrow?" I've decided to take preventative measures this year and have this information readily to hand!

I am still putting together some of the pages so still have quite a bit of work to do on it. You might be able to see my 'don't miss' lists at the bottom - these are things that we always say we are going to do/try but always forget - I wanted to have a reminder so that I don't come home again saying "I can't believe I forgot to..."

 

[MissStitch626]

After much deliberation in the run up to MNSSHP 2009, we eventually decided not to do costumes. Neither of us had been to the party before and though there were loads of threads about it on the boards I just wasn't sure whether other adults would really be dressed up or if we'd end up looking silly. So we kept our sensible heads on and just went with our Mickey ears.

Now, this was difficult for me. What you have to understand about me is that my approach to fancy dress is "any excuse". I'm usually THAT person at work who counts down the days to Halloween and tries in vain to encourage (ie force) everyone else to dress up and ends up the only sad person in the office dressed as a pirate

So for this year's adventure, I plan on having a costume. . .of sorts. I am of course dressing up as a Disney character, but a fully fledged costume has the potential to be uncomfortable in blistering heat, so I've opted for my own tribute to a favourite of mine. Who, I hear you ask? Well, I could tell you, but that would be no fun. Instead I will post random pics of the bits and pieces I have gathered so far for my costume and see if you can guess

Here's the first pic. . .

I should mention that I will be making my first attempt this year and making the entire costume myself, so it will be interesting to see if it turns out anything like the picture I have in my head

 

[MissStitch626]

On a slightly unrelated note. . .

In preparation for the release of The Deathly Hallows Pt 1 on Blu Ray this week and The Deathly Hallows Pt 2 in cinemas soon I have spent the last couple of weeks watching the entire series of Harry Potter movies on DVD.

Three guesses what my current position on the Great WWOHP Debate is ?

More on the debate later, but for now I can say that I am very much leaning towards Hogwarts I must try Butter Beer!!!

Also excited for the (hopefully) imminent arrival of Tron Legacy on Blu Ray this weekend (pre-ordered on Amazon about a million years ago!) Sadly the original Tron is also on it's way for DH benefit. What can I say? He's in it for the visual efforts and slighly mad plot, I'm in it for Garrett Hedlund. Happy compromise methinks!

 

[MissStitch626]

We were *thisclose* to staying at POR on our most recent trip (Oct 2010)

Forgive the long story...

Last year, a trip to WDW was not on our agenda. We had been in 2007 and although I'd be happy to go back every year, it just wasn't in the budget.

Meanwhile, DH's youngest brother and his family had been thinking about going to WDW... my bro-in-law, sis-in-law, and their 2 kids had NEVER been to WDW. But one thing holding them back was the price. So when my DH got an email with a PIN code for FREE dining during the week of Fall Break, the plan was set in motion for our 2 families to vacation together and stay at a value resort. When we called to book the trip, the value resorts were all booked so we bumped up to POR. Unfortunately, bro-in-law wasn't too happy about the extra $$$. So the next morning, my DH called WDW back... lo and behold, ASMovies was available and we switched resorts.

I was pretty bummed as I was looking forward to POR! The place looks so pretty!

Of course, towards the end of our trip last year, DH says to me "I think we're done staying at a value resort." We hopefully will have another trip to WDW in 2013 (I want to go once the Fantasyland expansion is done)... I think I'll have enough time to talk DH into AKL or WL! Deluxe, baby!

That's such a shame! Hope you still had a great time at ASMovies (I confess to having a secret wish to stay in the Mighty Ducks section!).

We visited both AKL and WL on our last trip, both look absolutely amazing. I particularly loved WL as the theming was beautiful and the pool was stunning, hope you can convince your DH that deluxe is the way to go!

Even though I haven't been on this visit yet I'm also hoping for a 2013 trip for the completion of the expansion. Visiting Beast's castle will genuinely be my dream come true

 

[MARsMama]

Love your little planner as much as your binder! You are super organized
Can't wait to see more pics of your costume, I have no idea....yet! lol
I've not decided if we'll wear costumes or not, but then again I am the opposite of you, not wanting much to do with Halloween at all! lol Do you know what date you are planning to attend MNSSHP?

 

[MissStitch626]

Love your little planner as much as your binder! You are super organized
Can't wait to see more pics of your costume, I have no idea....yet! lol
I've not decided if we'll wear costumes or not, but then again I am the opposite of you, not wanting much to do with Halloween at all! lol Do you know what date you are planning to attend MNSSHP?

We're hoping to get tickets for the party on 30th September, really looking forward to it this year! Last year we didn't make it to the end because it was so cold and we were both really tired, missed the villains mix and mingle which I was so excited about

This time round we've planned a bit better so will be having a bit of lie in that morning then just chilling around the resort and hanging out at the pool for a few hours.

 

[MARsMama]

We're hoping to get tickets for the party on 30th September, really looking forward to it this year! Last year we didn't make it to the end because it was so cold and we were both really tired, missed the villains mix and mingle which I was so excited about

This time round we've planned a bit better so will be having a bit of lie in that morning then just chilling around the resort and hanging out at the pool for a few hours.

That's what we're planning on doing the morning of the party, just stick around the motel and enjoy the pools there. Maybe go a little early to MK. We're hoping to get tickets for Oct. 6. I've been looking at the DISign board and might try to get something for us to all have matching MNSSHP t-shirts, or atleast Dh and I and let the kids decide if they want to dress up or not.

 

[MissStitch626]

Cheating a little here, since it's not actually a WDW picture, but this is one of my all time favourite photos

Now, in case you're wondering, it's not that I have been overcome by the notion that I am in some way looking my best in this photo The reason I love this pic so much is that I am a huuuuuuuge movie fan, and while I don't tend to play favourites, if I did Jurassic Park would be definitely up there! (I will never forget the first time I saw this movie - I still have nightmares about dinosaurs to this day )

As much as I love WDW, there is nothing quite like walking through those famous JP gates, hearing that John Williams score soaring all around you and seeing the T-Rex head popping out from behind some trees. This picture is actually from our second trip to IoA, and I had to queue for ages to get this picture after the one from the previous year was accidentally deleted from the memory card

Slightly unrelated, but if any of you are eagle eyed or just really into attention to detail, you may notice I am wearing a Patriots t-shirt in this pic. You may also notice that I am not in fact from New England. DH is a massive NFL and College football fan, and in our house it's apparently some kind of law that you have to support a team. He's a Dolphins fan, and I went for the Patriots. I will not, however, reveal my reason why, as it makes me sound crazy

 

[MissStitch626]

Another little clue about my MNSSHP costume. . .

I've been watching one of the movies involving this character today so I'm even more excited about putting this costume together! Also have to get working on perfecting that voice. . .

 

[MARsMama]

I've never seen Jurassic Park, but that is a neat photo!
Can't wait to see your costume or atleast more hints, I still have no idea what it is

 

[PixieMama]

Your reason for picking the Patriots wouldn't happen to be about 6'4" and have the initials "T.B.", would it?

 

[jenneth79]

Slightly unrelated, but if any of you are eagle eyed or just really into attention to detail, you may notice I am wearing a Patriots t-shirt in this pic. You may also notice that I am not in fact from New England. DH is a massive NFL and College football fan, and in our house it's apparently some kind of law that you have to support a team. He's a Dolphins fan, and I went for the Patriots. I will not, however, reveal my reason why, as it makes me sound crazy [/B][/COLOR]

The "Tom Brady" reason?

 

[MissStitch626]

I promise, Tom Brady had nothing to do with it

However, after some further research and investigation (ie google images) I have decided he's as good a reason as any!

More to come on the pre-trip report as I'm expecting there to be developments in the next few days. . .