Around WDW in 14 days - a pre-trip report

[MissStitch626]

Paid the balance today!!!



Apologies for the overuse of smilies but I am soooooooo excited. The balance wasn't actually due for another couple of months but I love seeing the zero on my invoice, it makes it seem so much closer than it actually is
Plus, it means all the money in my trip account (yes, I have an account solely for holiday money!) is official Disney money, all to be changed into dollars and spent at leisure in the parks

I also just noticed on the invoice that we booked this trip on 18 February 2010!!! Now you know what I mean when I say we've been planning this for a long time.

It still seems like such a long time away, but every so often I think of it in terms of how many pay days there are till we go, and then it seems a little bit scary - especially when I think of how much there is to do before then We still have to get MNSSHP tickets, most of our outfits for the trip, and all the usual little things like memory cards, batteries, toiletries etc - I am determined that this year I will NOT be running to the 24 hour Asda at 11pm the night before we leave picking up a million 'essentials'!

Still to come. . .

More costume previews. . .
More random pics from previous adventures. . .
The Holiday Clothing Shopping Expedition (aka The Day That DH Dreads The Most!). . .
To Hogwarts or Not. . .

 

[PixieMama]

Yay for having the balance paid off! That's such a good feeling!

 

[MARsMama]

Congrats on having your trip paid off!!! That must be an awesome feeling!! Can't wait to experience that feeling myself!!!

 

[lizzyshakuntala]

Your organizing skill is inspiring, to say the least And how amazing is that your trip is paid off already

Love your PTR.... Can't wait for more posts!! I'm definitely subbing!

 

[MissStitch626]

Your organizing skill is inspiring, to say the least And how amazing is that your trip is paid off already

Love your PTR.... Can't wait for more posts!! I'm definitely subbing!

Glad you're enjoying my PTR!

 

[jenneth79]

Congrats on paying the trip off already! So exciting!

Can't wait to hear more about your trip and costume plans!

 

[MissStitch626]

I apologise for my shocking neglect of the Disboards recently – I’ve been busy with Easter holidays, a writing-related crisis, family reunions and, best of all, Disney shopping!!!

After an almost wasted day on Friday (following the classic “what do you want to do today?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” exchange), I eventually persuaded DH that some shopping was in order. I can now officially check memory cards off my list – and can take something like 2,000 photos on my trip (bet you can’t wait for the trip report!)

I also bought another little addition to my MNSSHP costume. . .

Any guesses yet?

 

[MissStitch626]

Everytime I show someone this photo, they always ask me if I'm drunk

This is what happens after too much trick or treating!

 

[MissStitch626]

(Disclaimer – this post may cause drowsiness)

You might have noticed references here and there in the PTR so far to a certain long running debate regarding a certain boy wizard. . .

A little back story first. After slightly more disappointing experiences of Universal Studios and Seaworld on our last trip, when we booked this one we decided to make this a WDW only vacation. Surprisingly, given that I am a movie geek of epic proportions, I was able to accept this with almost no disappointment – after all, what could be better than two whole weeks dedicated to WDW?

But you know what they say about the best laid plans. . .

Before I go on I have a rather shocking confession to make (or maybe not, depending on your personal tastes!) Up until sometime around June 2009, I had never seen a Harry Potter movie. I had never read a Harry Potter book. I was one of those people who, when hearing someone speak of Harry Potter, would turn up their nose and shake their head in disgust. Then, one random Saturday afternoon, the first movie was on television. I had nothing better to do with my time so I thought to myself “why not?”

Well, anyone who has even a remote interest in Harry Potter will guess what happened next. And while my Hogwarts obsession was quietly forming, my DH (rather irresponsibly) showed me the promotional video for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

And thus the debate began. Of course my initial reaction was “I MUST GO THERE”. Eventually though, common sense exerted itself (boo) and I began to consider the practicalities. And then I thought “butter beer.” And then I thought about the cost. And then I thought “I really must have my own wand.” And on it went. Yes, as you may have now guessed, the world’s longest running debate has been with myself. While DH occasionally pitches in an opinion or question, his position is largely one of “if you’re happy I’m happy.” Which is very sweet but not at all helpful.

So, now that I’ve bored you to death with all that, what has been the outcome?

To be continued. . .

 

[MissStitch626]

Well, I’m nothing if not predictable. . .

“Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts”. . .AND SO HAVE I!!!! (or at least I will have!)

The debate is at an end. DH and I are going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. I have been on the merchandise website far more than I care to admit to and have a list as long as my arm of Potter-related items that I apparently cannot live without (though DH has rather sensibly vetoed the broomstick – apparently I won’t be able to get that through customs!)

We have loosely scheduled this day for roughly midway through the trip. I’m expecting it to still be crowded at this point so I’m preparing for huge crowds and long waits for the attractions but ultimately it will be worth it.

Eventually after weighing up all the pros and cons I decided that as we’re coming all the way from the UK, it makes no sense to be so close and not visit. I haven’t bought the tickets yet but will be doing this next month along with (hopefully) my MNSSHP tickets.

I think the biggest challenge will be to find the quickest and most cost effective means of getting from POR to Islands of Adventure for opening time (any suggestions gratefully accepted!) On our last trip we took the bus to DTD then a taxi from there which was reasonably priced but we usually had to wait quite a while for a taxi.

I feel a fact finding evening coming on. . .

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi, have been reading along but sorry have not commented for a while.

Yay at going to WWoHP! I love how you watched the first movie by chance and then was taken in by the magic!

Also love the costume pics - looking forward to seeing what it is

 

[PixieMama]

I want to go to WWoHP! I have no idea when I'll get there, though.

My BFF resisted reading the books for the longest time... though she has seen all the movies. She just recently started on the books (I think she's almost finished with Book 2) and she said she can't believe how much better the books are than the movies! And why it's taken her this long to read them!

Maybe once she's finished reading the books we should plan a trip to "Harry Potter World" (as my DDs call it!)

 

[MissStitch626]

I want to go to WWoHP! I have no idea when I'll get there, though.

My BFF resisted reading the books for the longest time... though she has seen all the movies. She just recently started on the books (I think she's almost finished with Book 2) and she said she can't believe how much better the books are than the movies! And why it's taken her this long to read them!

Maybe once she's finished reading the books we should plan a trip to "Harry Potter World" (as my DDs call it!)

I will admit to being guilty of calling it Harry Potter World too

I can't wait to see it - I'm planning to reading the books before I go as I want to absorb as much of the detail as possible

 

[MARsMama]

That is great that you've finally made a decision and that you're going to WWoHP (is that the right acronym?) I have not read any of the books nor seen any of the movies, but am very happy for you
Good to see another piece to your costume, I'm still in the dark though, haven't figured it out yet!

 

[MissStitch626]

Who would like to join me in a happy dance?



The reason?

I have just bought my tickets for MNSSHP (Pause for some mild hysteria. . .)

Tickets are for Friday 30 September as planned - I am so excited!!! I love this part of the planning, things start to feel so much more real and the trip so much closer when we start getting tickets for things. It's not just a distant idea any more

To celebrate, I thought I would share some of my favourite Halloween Disney pics

Love the themes and decorations in the Magic Kingdom at this time of year

Cute!

One of the mix and mingle dance parties

One of my favourite moments from the Boo To You Parade - who doesn't love Captain Barbossa?

Next up. . .another tiny, insignificant update. . .

 

[MissStitch626]

Patience has never been a virtue of mine. . .

Since I am in ticket-buying mode today, I have paid a visit to the dark side (the Universal website ) and, you've guessed it, bought our tickets for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!! (Think I'm going to need a lie down soon!)

Hogwarts here we come!

We had a look through all the different ticket options as we still had to decide whether to get a 1 park ticket for Islands of Adventure or buy a 2 park ticket and try to split the day between IoA and Universal Studios. In the past we've been able to do both parks in one day (though we usually did a full day at each then a split day) but I think that the addition of WWOHP to IoA is going to make this a full day park, so in the end we opted for the slightly less expensive 1 park option. We did pay extra to have the tickets delivered to us here in the UK instead of picking them up at the parks - this is purely a time saving exercise as I'm determined to be at the front of the crowds heading into the park that morning and don't want to be slowed down by having to visit Will Call.

I'm so glad we decided to go to IoA - as well as WWOHP (where I think most of the day will be spent), Spiderman and Jurassic Park River Adventure are also favourites of our's - though if I want to ride the Hulk coaster again I will once again be in the single rider queue - DH has his limits!

 

[PixieMama]

Yay for getting your tickets! You're right, getting those does make a trip to WDW seem "real".

Out of all the WDW parades we've seen, DH and I like the Boo to You parade best! The music is great, and it's cool to see all the characters dressed up in Halloween costumes!

 

[MissStitch626]

For any one who hasn't been to IoA before. . .

The Incredible Hulk Coaster - the type of ride I see and think "well it's there so I have to ride it", the type of ride DH sees and thinks "NO."

 

[MissStitch626]

Yay for getting your tickets! You're right, getting those does make a trip to WDW seem "real".

Out of all the WDW parades we've seen, DH and I like the Boo to You parade best! The music is great, and it's cool to see all the characters dressed up in Halloween costumes!

I LOVED the Boo To You parade, especially seeing the HM ghosts out and about the Magic Kingdom (plus the Goofy's Candy Co float at the end - topping up my trick or treat haul for the evening!)

Can't wait to see it again!

 

[MissStitch626]

In honour of my MNSSHP tickets, here is another preview pic relating to my Halloween costume (the clue is in the colours)