Back to POP April 2015 - 7 Days of Wonderment!

[kaetra]

FastPass+ DONE!!!

It's 12:51AM! I just finished setting up all our FastPasses and I got everything we wanted at fairly decent times. Seven Dwarves Mine Train here we come!
WOOOWOOOO!@

 

[kaetra]

The Daily Battle - Trying not to OVER-Hype Myself and Overplan
It's hard not to think about the Disney trip every day. I'm thinking about what I should buy to take with us, what am I going to order at the restaurants, etc. Looking forward to the trip is one thing, but building it up into something that couldn't possibly meet my expectations is not what I want to do.

I keep trying to remind myself that it's a ONE week trip, it will be over way too fast to warrant all this thought and planning! And that we don't NEED any "extras" or bonuses - we'll be at the most Magical Place on Earth after all! So no, I don't need to order any birthday gift baskets to be delivered to our room filled with overpriced junk food or plush toys that will just get dumped in the enormous plush pile when we get home. Maybe I should dig out the Disney plushes and other stuff we have already instead. And take a good hard look at the amount of dust settled on the lanyards & pins we have now that are rarely, if ever, enjoyed outside the parks.

Would it be crazy to start wearing my Disney pin lanyard to the office? Probably.

I would like to find a new baseball cap for myself though, something that's light and well vented, with dark fabric under the brim. But not one of those icky satin runner's caps - those fit weird - feel like pantyhose on my head. The perfect cap is probably waiting at Disney World for me, not the mall.

Can't April 18th hurry up and get here already?

 

[JustCor]

I'm in a very quick pre-plan for 4/23 (my birthday!) - 4/24 and got a decent deal on AKL and April can not come soon enough! I saw you mention CBR earlier and I don't think you'd be gaining anything over Pop. I stayed for a night in February after adding a last minute extra day to a planned trip, and my initial destination (POR) was booked, so I grabbed a night at CBR. I was not impressed. The section I was in, Aruba I believe, looked worn and in need of a serious refresh. The gaudy pink buildings looked dingy on the outside and the pool was ok. There was a damp, humid, musky scent in my room. The bed I was in was horrendously hard and uncomfortable. I hate to write the place off after a one night stay, but nothing about CBR stood out as anything more than mediocre at best. POR was a significant improvement over CBR and further cemented my decision to skip CBR in the future.

 

[kaetra]

Let the packing planning begin!
Just about 1 month away now! Getting really excited! Time to start putting together my packing list. An April trip means warmer weather than we're used to at the World, so my clothing list needs to change quite a bit. I don't think we'll need to take jackets to the park this trip, but I'll probably keep some in the car just in case.

I've been picking up a few necessities and extras as I do my regular shopping - small pool toys, goggles, sunscreen, etc. I went to the Disney store and picked up a couple cute t-shirts for DD on sale and got to use the Disney Gift Card that started this whole thing!

I've also been going to the gym 3x a week and calling it "Disney World Training"
Getting my lethargic butt into gear and shedding some muscle atrophy from the long winter and a desk job. Hopefully I'll still fit into my shorts from last year! I'm too scared to try them on yet!

 

[kaetra]

Disney Map Review Day!
Today I am taking a slow and super zoomed in virtual tour through the parks using the Disney World website's park maps to refresh my memory and see if there's anything new I want to add to my non-headliner must-do list. It's SUPER fun and a great exercise.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/maps/

 

[kaetra]

More Mickey Mail Today!
Our 2015 Walt Disney Travel Company package information booklet arrived today with luggage tags, coupons and Magical Extra savings card. It's starting to feel REAL! Just 4 weeks away now!

We're not using Magical Express this time (yay!) so no ME tags. I was kinda bummed that the luggage tags are still the same old orange ones we've been getting for years. (Boo!) The coupons haven't changed either - DisneyQuest, Planet Hollywood $15 & Souvenier, Mini Golf, 100 laughable Arcade Credits (which equal exactly 1 dollar). The rest of the discounts don't have coupons anymore, they're tied to a paper card, but it's all the exact same stuff that we've been getting for years. Nothing new to see here folks! The books are new, but the coupon contents have not changed. We've never used any of them before, except the Arcade credits. This trip will be no different. We won't be going to DTD anyway, too much construction and it's just a mall really. Since this might be our last trip for a while we will be laser focused on the parks and our resort!

No MagicBands yet, but I'm sure they will be arriving very soon though.

 

[kaetra]

Definitely Not getting Memory Maker

So, I'm just wondering what I would really need Memory Maker for anyway since we're not doing many character greets. It seems like a waste. Also, how many photos do I need of myself/my family looking park-ragged and humidity frizzed? Or how many photos of us standing next to a giant fur suit would really be useful or displayable? What would I even do with all those character photos anyway? I wouldn't frame them. They'd just sit on my computer not getting looked at. I'd put maybe a handful in my digital frame on my desk at work. Meh, not worth the cost. Our camera will be just fine thank you very much, even if it's my point and shoot getting most of the shots. At least the pictures we take will be of our experience, and not just a bunch of us posing with a character. Memory Maker isn't going to capture most of the important things we like to remember anyway. Like goofing around in the Haunted Mansion queue, or splashing around in the spray park, or making silly faces at the screens on the way out of Space Mountain... or moments like this:

 

[IndianaRRT]

Subbing! I totally identify with a lot of your decisions. And I have to admit, I'm a little jealous of your shirts because although my DH is a Disney lover, he is NOT a matching shirt lover. (Something about his mother making his family dress in matching outfits for years. I have to admit they have some pretty comical 70's era pics...) I'm making a couple shirts for our trip, but yours are super adorable. Can't wait to hear more of your plans!

 

[ursalita]

Catching up on your plans. I totally relate to a lot of the stuff you've written about here. I also went back and forth over the Memory Maker (I actually wrote Money Maker and I had to go back and re-type it ) and I ultimately decided to get it. I purchased it before the price went up so that made it a little bit easier. I totally agree with all of your points against it. The sole reason I got it was because my DH does not take photographs. I have 2 pics of me from last trip and that's only because I gave my camera to a PP photographer. If my family was made up of two adults who were capable of handling a camera I would have gone without it. It looks like you've gotten some fantastic pics in the past.

I totally agree about the mail package with the luggage tags and coupons. The luggage tags are fine but the coupons are worthless for us. Like you the only things we've used are the arcade vouchers which are more trouble than they're worth. It ends up costing you money because they want to play more. I'm avoiding it this year.

 

[kaetra]

Looking forward to a Relaxing Vacation - for once!

I've been looking through this thread of Magic Kingdom photos. Such awesome pictures!
http://www.disboards.com/threads/magic-kingdom-photos-2.2826904/page-69

These photos remind me that I am really looking forward to exploring the nooks and crannies on this trip! Maybe, just maybe, taking a break from being a commando is going to be a good thing. The proof is in the pudding, but for now I'm super excited to get back to Mickey and dive in!

 

[kaetra]

I have to admit, I'm a little jealous of your shirts because although my DH is a Disney lover, he is NOT a matching shirt lover. (Something about his mother making his family dress in matching outfits for years. I have to admit they have some pretty comical 70's era pics...)

Oh my DH isn't a matching shirt lover either! The look on his face when those things arrived was priceless! But I think he'll wear it just to make me & DD happy. We'll have to remember to be extra nice to him that day.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP! Just a few days away for you now! Happy Birthday!!!

Catching up on your plans. I totally relate to a lot of the stuff you've written about here. I also went back and forth over the Memory Maker (I actually wrote Money Maker and I had to go back and re-type it ) and I ultimately decided to get it. I purchased it before the price went up so that made it a little bit easier. I totally agree with all of your points against it. The sole reason I got it was because my DH does not take photographs. I have 2 pics of me from last trip and that's only because I gave my camera to a PP photographer. If my family was made up of two adults who were capable of handling a camera I would have gone without it. It looks like you've gotten some fantastic pics in the past.

Money Maker! That's hilarious

 

[sharona]

Hi! I enjoyed reading your plans. I think you made the right choice to stay at Pop. My cousins had nothing good to say about CBR - although a lot of their issues were bus related. We had a car our last visit and it was sooo much better than the buses. Shhhh though, wouldn't want the secret to get out! I'm guessing from your trip dates that you are also from New England? We'll be in Orlando roughly the same time as you but going to Universal mostly with 1 crazy day planned at MK. Like you, I'm also looking at it as sort of a test of FP+ and of us. Tentatively planning our first Christmas visit but a lot will depend on how we do this time without our usual commando pace. Our plan is to "embrace the new pace" but I'm worried that recent trips to Universal with express pass have spoiled us forever. My DD is also 12 - such an awesome age but scary too! Have a great trip!

 

[kaetra]

Hi! I enjoyed reading your plans. I think you made the right choice to stay at Pop. My cousins had nothing good to say about CBR - although a lot of their issues were bus related. We had a car our last visit and it was sooo much better than the buses. Shhhh though, wouldn't want the secret to get out! I'm guessing from your trip dates that you are also from New England? We'll be in Orlando roughly the same time as you but going to Universal mostly with 1 crazy day planned at MK. Like you, I'm also looking at it as sort of a test of FP+ and of us. Tentatively planning our first Christmas visit but a lot will depend on how we do this time without our usual commando pace. Our plan is to "embrace the new pace" but I'm worried that recent trips to Universal with express pass have spoiled us forever. My DD is also 12 - such an awesome age but scary too! Have a great trip!

Hi there! Yes, CBR sounds like it might actually be the worst resort on property! I'm really glad I checked it out first instead of blindly switching to it. A rental car is the way to do it for sure! (Especially with the handy parking lot trams.) There's nothing worse than to get stuck standing on a jam packed bus at the end of the night after being on your feet all day! Our first trip the buses didn't seem that bad, but each trip after, it got less and less appealing.

We are in the Chicago area. I can't wait to do Universal, next time for sure! I've been reading lots of Uni Trip Reports here it looks amazing! Christmas is a beautiful time in WDW though. We went to MVMCP in 2013, it was truly magical with walk-on everything and worth every penny of the hard ticket cost.

Have fun on your trip! Less than a month to go now! YAY!!!

 

[kaetra]

MagicBands have Shipped! Or are have they?

Two days ago I received Disney email saying my MagicBands have shipped and I was like "yay!". BUT, I've been checking the USPS tracking number provided and today it still says "The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on March 24, 2015 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if/when available." Boo!

I'm sure I'll get them eventually of course.

 

[kaetra]

Magic Bands Arrived Today!!!

Exactly three weeks before our trip our Magic Bands have arrived!! A plain brown box was quickly zipped open by DD and she was super excited. She put her band on immediately of course, and is still wearing it.

Just 3 more Saturdays to go!

 

[kaetra]

Homemade Magic Shots?

The one thing I've always wanted from Disney's photo service is the Magic Shots. Hubby is very good with PaintShop Pro. I'm going to show him what some of the Magic Shots are and see if he can't replicate them. I imagine it would be pretty easy with a good photo editor.

If he says he can do it I'm going to start looking for Magic Shots that I really like and make note to pose for them with our own camera. It would be something fun to try out when we get back from our trip. I can always ask a Disney photographer to do them too, and get a backup with our camera. Maybe we'll windup getting some worth buying individually from Disney.
If anyone reading has a favorite Magic Shot you would like to post or link to for me I would be very thankful.

 

[sharona]

Some of my favorite shots from our first family trip are the magic shots of DD and my nephew holding Simba in front of the Tree of Life.

 

[KathyM2]

Subbing in here! Looking forward to hearing about your trip!!

 

[kaetra]

Some of my favorite shots from our first family trip are the magic shots of DD and my nephew holding Simba in front of the Tree of Life.

I love that one too! Someone said they've retired it. Looks like the only way we'll get that one is to do it ourselves!

 

[WDW-WOW]

Following along! If you ever get brave enough to try offsite, check out Wyndham Bonnet Creek. It's in the "bubble" so you don't feel offsite at all. Super cheap and super gorgeous. Took me 2 trips to get brave enough to do it (I kept pulling the plug at the last minute and switching back to onsite!), and we've since been back twice! It's that good!

Check it out this trip and see what you think. You can park at the main building and take a quick stroll around the lake to look at all the different pools, mini golf, etc. It's right next to Caribbean Beach Resort.

We got a "magical" deal on Deluxe resorts for August this year, so I'm curious to see how I feel about WBC after staying at the YC and Poly. We're huge fans of a rental car too, but won't have one this trip because I don't want to spend the extra $ since we're staying deluxe.