BitterSweet PTR May5-11,2013 Updated 5/4

[stink]

LINKS TO PRE-TRIP REPORT & TRIP REPORT

I am staying at All Stars and plan to pool hop to the Beach Club while using last years refillable mug and to park at the Poly to go to the Magic Kingdom to sneak in my 4 year old as a 2year old, so I can take flash photos on dark rides while talking on my cell phone the entire time, accompanied by Brazilian Cheerleading tour group.
Don't me, just kidding.....problems of the First World...

The real plan is to stay at:

http://

Been trying to stay at BLT on DVC points since they opened. But travel times never matched any open villas. Was so when I called DVC at my booking window months ago and finally am getting to try BLT


But now it is a sad bittersweet time and I am excited but not excited for my trip as my Father, whom I am a caregiver for, passed away in March.

It will be a bittersweet trip as I have many great memories of my Dad at Disney and I know he would want me to be excited and happy for my upcoming trip Here are some of my favorite photos of my Dad & Mom at Disney....

http://


I plan to revisit some of our favorite Disney places....knowing my Dad will be watching over me from heaven....

Next Link - Introductions with lots of Pics


Links to Pre-Trip Updates & Trip Report

 

[jennynwdw]

Ha! I read your first paragraph and thought to myself, do people actually do this and actually announce it? I hope you have a great trip. It will be a very sentimental one, I'm sure!

 

[stink]

More about me...

Similar to most of us on the Dis...I love all things Disney....

My Disney obsession started when I was very young and I was given several Disney LPs (dating myself) and I watched Disney Specials on

My first Disney experience came in the mid 70s and early 80s with several trips to Disneyland, while visiting extended family in Southern Cali.

I begged my parents to take us to Disney in Florida as children but that was not meant to be. Our first family trip to the World occurred when I was a teen. I fell in love with the World.

Fast forward in time .....Now I am a proud DVC owner !

Since I am still waiting for my Prince.....my trips have been with friends, parents, extended family, and semi solo.

I am not a photographer so my photos are limited and of questionable quality.....here are some of my favorites from years past....


At Kona in 2007 with my favorite Drink in all the World

http://


With my Dad & Sis at T-Rex

We are helping my Dad with his beverage. He had a stroke that left him with right sided weakness.... after a "discussion" between him and my sis about why he should get the smaller beer vs the Monstro size beer in which my sister lost, he ordered the Monstro. Then I offered to pour into two smaller glasses, which he refused. Never did spill a drop...

With my nephew in 2010

http://


With my nephew on TTA in 2011. He is pouting cuz be is too short to ride Space Mtn, he calls TTA a Baby Ride....

http://


At treehouse villas with nephews in 2010

With BIL in 2008 at O'Hana...

http://



At Artist Point in 2011, with Mom, Dad, & Sis

http://

Next Link Travel Plans & Arrival Day

 

[kgsmith]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have a wonderful trip -- complete with lots of reminiscing of your trips with your parents and making new memories. I'm sure your father will be with you.

Enjoy BLT -- It's beautiful. Watch the sunrise over Bay Lake from the walkway between BLT and the Contemporary (if you don't have a lake view room!).

 

[stink]

I fly out of upstate NY at an Ungodly Hour of the morning on 5/5 and arrive at MCO around 10:30 AM. Was not my first choice in flights, however the alternates either were too much money or put me in too late in the day. Can't complain too much CUZ I AM GOING TO DISNEY

Should make BLT by Noon on the ME...

The Best Plan would be that my 1-bedroom Lake view Villa is ready when I arrive. If it is I plan to settle in Villa, refrigerate my Garden Grocer order, sanitize the whirl pool tub and bathroom fixtures and then take a long nap.

But First I need to see how many days I have left on my 10 day PH no exp ticket. I am sooo at myself, as I photocopied my ticket and had been keeping track of the used days on the copy, do you think I could find that piece of paper ....Nooooo.

I am also kinda mad at Disney as my understanding is you can't call anymore and find out how many days are left....cuz I guess dishonest peeps use it for fraud ???? So why make it harder for us honest peeps, Anyway I shouldn't have lost my paper with my tracker.....my bad....

Plan B....If the room is not ready then I will find a quiet place to crash or perhaps get some nosh.. I am thinking the Wave using my 10% Disney Visa discount, or ride the monorail to GF or Poly for either Garden view tea room (opens at 2) or something from Captain Cooks.

Depending how I feel after my afternoon early evening Siesta, I may head over to MK at about 8 PM or so for -EMH till 1AM.

I am semi solo on this trip...so I might rent a SeaRacer or take a dip in the pool...enjoying the flexibility in planning a solo day but not so much the thought of dining alone.


Next Link Plans Plans & More Plans

 

[stink]

kgsmith.... thanks for your Kind reply. I can't wait to see the Sunrise over BayLake. I do have a Lakeview Room, hoping for nice view....

jennynwdw....thanks your kind reply, the first paragraph in my first post is my Father's and my sense of humor....hope Dis Peeps find it amusing....

 

[stink]

Placed my Garden Grocer order ... Garden Grocer. Prices & selection is much greater than you find on property and the convenience can not be beat. Love them !

I had ADRs awhile back, but then decided to cancel all but one. First trip where I do not have ADRs, kinda makes me feel unsettled.

Also reviewed EasyWDW for recommended park days and planning.

What I came up with....(please chime in, if you see problems with plans)

Day 1 Monday RD at EPCOT for entire day...if I am not too tired will head over to DHS for evening EMH till midnight. I might skip Illuminations and head out of EPCOT around 8:30PM. Found a great Map by searching Disboards by ROBO on the best way to get to DHS from EPCOT using the international gateway, by walking or by boat.

Day 2 Tuesday - Sleep in and enjoy BLT, Gardenview Tea Room ADR

Day 3 Wed - MK day,

Day 4 Thurs - DHS in AM for TSM, ST than Hop over to EPCOT via International Gateway

Day 5- Sleep in and enjoy my last full day at BLT


Had to take my Mom to urgent care last night for back pain. She could hardly stand up. All tests were negative. So came home with script for a stronger pain pill. Still in pain this AM.


Next Link TWO WEEKS TO GO

 

[stink]

LINKS TO CHAPTERS

Pre Trip Report:

A BitterSweet Trip

Introductions...lots of pics

Travel & Arrival Day Plans

Plans Plans & More Plans

Two Weeks till Departure Day

Of Shoes & Ships & Sealing Wax OR Time to Start Packing (Ton of Photos) 4-22 Update p 10

Dole Whips With Pics 4-28 Update

Last Update

 

[stink]

Two Weeks will be checking into BLT

Have begun to prep for Disney by only Disney or park related movies for the next two weeks.

First Up: WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT

Also tonight I am watching FP return times and wait times to get an idea of what MK may be like on Sunday May 5th for evening & EMH touring.


Update 4/22 0100 AM ...From monitoring evening & FP return times periodically throughout this evening...(I am hoping EMH today at MK will mirror 5/5)

All attractions had FP available all evening, wait times looked excellent during EMH for all EMH attractions. I used Easy WDW & Undercover Tourist and their wait time variances were from 0 to 10 minutes apart from each other.

So I am on going to MK on my arrival day.

Next Link
Of Shoes & Ships & Sealing Wax or What to Pack p10 (Lots of Photos)

 

[stink]

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

- Lewis Carroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass

Pulled out the well worn..


Random Thought - I love the person who thought of putting spinner wheels on luggage !


Which Bag to Carry in the Parks ? Always a great thread read on the Dis Boards. Long Time Ago I rocked a Fanny Pack. Then I switched to:



But that was too big and caused me to sweat profusely in the Hot Florida Sun

So I Switched To



That Baggallini always had too much space especially since I was touring with my nephews who were in strollers. Strollers are great for storing all your stuff. So I only carried this little number




Won't have any strollers on this trip so What Do I Do ?

Plan to Rock this Baby...Vintage Well Worn Coach Bag




Accessories for the Park -


Some will ride in the Coach Bag - others will be clipped onto the Bag

The center accessory is my pin trading bag...found my pins, and pulled some off my board that I want to trade.



How Do You Display your pins ?



My Pin Board and these Disney Souvenirs are in my Spare OOM. Along with some vintage Disney Vinyl, and other 70s,80s Disney Collectables.


What souvenirs do you most cherish ?

Below is one of my favorites:


It has signatures of chipmunks around the brim sans hence the empty space next to Mickey

This trip I want to do more character meet & greets & autographs, So I used the Creativity Threads on the Dis and found these Gems. I did not have them bound and am unsure how I want to display them. Maybe another pin board, or put in a scrap book...hmmm....






These Shoes Were Made for Walkin'



Won't be dong any signature dining this trip...So do not need any dressy shoes. I haven't worn my Fisherman's Sandal in 6 mos, so need to wear 'em around the house to make sure their still comfy...

If you have trouble with blisters, sore feet in Disney, I highly recommend



It's primarily a runners product, you can find it in the running section at your local sporting good store. While at the sporting goods store I also picked up this



Waterproof case for room key and cash. Never used one before. Always left my stuff with my lounger poolside and never had a problem. This trip just thought I should have it along.

Debated with myself bags to carry on the plane. I always use my small Samsonite Roller to go in the overhead bin, but I was unsure of what to carry for my personal carry on. The one that should fit under the seat in front of you. I choose to use my...



Also I heard a rumor that contacts, lens solution, & eye drops are considered medicine and you do not need to count them toward your 3-1-1. I looked at TSA website and couldn't find anything specific.Not sure if that is true, would love to know b4 my trip.

Tonight's Disney Movie will be a Double Feature of the Classic 1951 Alice in Wonderland and the Not So Classic 2010 Tim Burton's Alice Through the Looking Glass...

TTFN...


Next Link Dole Whips with Pics

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hello there at the same time buddy! Read your TR now cool! Love your bags and cool Star Wars things. I keep my pins in our owners locker which gets delivered day of arrival. Can't wait to see them all again!

 

[wiigirl]

In for your PTR!

 

[stink]

Hello there at the same time buddy! Read your TR now cool! Love your bags and cool Star Wars things. I keep my pins in our owners locker which gets delivered day of arrival. Can't wait to see them all again!

Thanks for reading my PTR !

For the last few years I thought of getting an owners locker.....have you been satisfied with their service ? Have you found it an overall cost savings ?

 

[stink]

In for your PTR!

Thank you so much for replying

Encourages me to write me....Was getting a wee bit discouraged. Didn't think Dis'Boarders were reading !

 

[kgsmith]

Thank you so much for replying

Encourages me to write me....Was getting a wee bit discouraged. Didn't think Dis'Boarders were reading !

I've been reading!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thanks for reading my PTR !

For the last few years I thought of getting an owners locker.....have you been satisfied with their service ? Have you found it an overall cost savings ?

Hi! Really glad to meet you! Yes we find the owners locker great. You get a discount being DVC we come from the UK so luggage space can be an issue! I am not sure if it saves money but I should think so more the convenience of it! We come at least once a year keeping back packs, my beloved pins, ponchos, umbrellas, sneakers etc. even toiletries. We have been 110% satisfied! Always glad to see our purple box on arrival!

 

[stink]

One more week and I leave for Disney !

Can't wait to be in the Florida


Nothing Puts me in the Disney Mood Like Home-Made Dole Whips.....

The Software & the Hardware:




The secret ingredient



Half Way Thru the Process:







If only I was Willie Wonka I would send this to You Via Wonka Vision......




I wrote a Poem...Ode to Home-Made Dole Whip

OH Home-Made Dole Whip, How you Drip across my Lips as I Sip, as I Dream About My Magical Trip....

Until the Next Update See ya Real Soon !

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Have a lovely time! See you there amongst the crowds!

 

[stink]

I am for 3 AM EST to roll around and I will be heading to the airport.

This week I made like a and raided the Travel Isle at Walmart. I do not enjoy shopping but I do the Travel Aisle. I bought one of everything.

I also had Mickey Nail Manicure- which I'll post a picture in my Trip Report.

Well Folks I guess that's all there is, there ain't no more till the trip report when I return.....as I will be as unplugged as possible on this vacation

TTFN

 

[kgsmith]

Happy and safe travels!