Break out the bubbly and warn the waiters...she's coming back!

[TarzansKat]

Oh, hon, I'm with you on the must do list.

It's absolutely necessary. I haven't ordered from garden grocer, but I read a trip report recently of someone who used it and loved it. I don't remember a resort fee...not sure though.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Yeah for the 30's!! I love the milestones! It helps the time pass a lot quicker!!

I've used garden grocer twice and they've been great both times! I'm going to use them again for January as well! There is another shopping service in area but I can't think of the name that I've heard great things about!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I was going to order from Garden Grocer for September, in fact I already did so I had to call and cancel the order. They were very pleasant and refunded my money very quickly to me. I have heard rumblings about charges to have things delivered to your room but I don't know what that is all about exactly.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Love you virtual must-dos!! I've been working on a lot of my to do lists recently!!!

I think you can totally lose 10lbs in 30 days although I don't think you'll gain 10lbs LOL!!!!! Even during Food and Wine I think that is an ambitious weight gain LOL!!!!

I'll give you 3 days to spend that much...and wow congrats on the free money!! I only have like 12 or so dollars so I'm going to wait to use mine LOL!!!

Can't wait to see your clothes you buy!!!! I'm sure you will be very stylish!!!!

OOOH...and thanks for reminding me about LGMH so need to do that...see your to do list helped me with my to do list

Happy to have helped! Sadly a 10lb weight gain in 10 days could be do-able. You haven't seen me eat/drink my way around the World yet!

I'm quite excited about my Disney dollars. Being able to put a big chunk of the downpayment on my car on the card definitely helped! And I've been saving these for almost a year now.

I don't know about stylish. Just aiming for no one being embarrassed to stand next to me! And for something a little different than the standard t-shirt and shorts.... those I've got plenty of. I've got a few hot dates at Cali, Brown Derby and of course Chefs so I need to find something cute to wear!!

Oh, hon, I'm with you on the must do list.

It's absolutely necessary. I haven't ordered from garden grocer, but I read a trip report recently of someone who used it and loved it. I don't remember a resort fee...not sure though.

I've pulled out the notepad and started a real to-do list. It makes it seem even more real!

I've heard great things about garden grocer. I can't wait to see what I can find on there.

Yeah for the 30's!! I love the milestones! It helps the time pass a lot quicker!!

I've used garden grocer twice and they've been great both times! I'm going to use them again for January as well! There is another shopping service in area but I can't think of the name that I've heard great things about!

Oh good. So glad to hear from someone who used and liked them! I am so excited for this trip I am giddy!!

I was going to order from Garden Grocer for September, in fact I already did so I had to call and cancel the order. They were very pleasant and refunded my money very quickly to me. I have heard rumblings about charges to have things delivered to your room but I don't know what that is all about exactly.

You mean I can place my order now?? Guess where I'm off to...

I figure even if there is a delivery fee at the resort it still makes it easier. I drink tons of water and definitely need at least a case for 10 days... no way am I paying Disney prices for H2O! Then if I can get some fruit or other better for you snacks I figure I should be in good shape!

Is it very wrong that I don't want to order soda b/c I want to be able to justify my refillable mug?! I am sick... seriously sick.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I found these great packages of apple slices on the garden grocer website that I was planning on ordering. I figure you keep them in the fridge and then when you leave for the day just throw them in your park bag and they would be fine until you eat them.

I plan on using them in January. I'm going to need a lot of water and it's just not practical to pay Disney prices. I also want to get protein bars and such.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thanks for the apple slices tip,LL! I will look for those. The site is very cool. And I love that it asks if you are staying at a Disney resort then you check which one and it fills in the address so you don't have to find it!

Mickeysmyboy or others who have used- do you have to be "home" for them to deliver or will they leave with bell services? I see that you are supposed to select a 2 hour delivery window from them.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love your virtual to-do list, C! It makes the trip seem very close, doesn't it?

 

[Lady Lallie]

C, I think I read on there somewhere that if you are staying at a Disney resort they will just leave it with bell services. That is what I was planning on doing.

 

[jenjolt]

Oh yes I have no doubt that you will look fantastic!!!

Ordering apple slices sounds like a lot of fun...I'm definitely bringing grapes with me because I"m a fiend when it comes to grapes and well as much as I would love to I have no desire to snack on pretzel rods the whole time!!!!

I'm so excited C!!! YAY!!!! Hope you find what you're looking for at GardenGrocer!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We have used Garden Grocer on our past 4 trips. They will drop off your items at bell services where they keep everything for you until you are ready to claim it! All of the refrigerated items are bagged together and kept in a giant fridge on property. We love it!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love your virtual to-do list, C! It makes the trip seem very close, doesn't it?

Yes, it does. Are you working on your to-do list, CP? More importantly is Charles ready?

C, I think I read on there somewhere that if you are staying at a Disney resort they will just leave it with bell services. That is what I was planning on doing.

Oh, that would be perfect. I'm really impressed with their site. I have to keep reminding myself that I only need a few snacks.

Oh yes I have no doubt that you will look fantastic!!!

Ordering apple slices sounds like a lot of fun...I'm definitely bringing grapes with me because I"m a fiend when it comes to grapes and well as much as I would love to I have no desire to snack on pretzel rods the whole time!!!!

I'm so excited C!!! YAY!!!! Hope you find what you're looking for at GardenGrocer!

I'm a grape lover too. I have to remember to bring zip lock baggies too. I have to slow myself down. I still want to do the bulk (pardon the pun!) of my eating at F&W and in the World but I'd like to supplement with some healthier things. Figure if I can do a healthy breakfast everyday (except Chef Mickey day) I will be ahead of the game!

We have used Garden Grocer on our past 4 trips. They will drop off your items at bell services where they keep everything for you until you are ready to claim it! All of the refrigerated items are bagged together and kept in a giant fridge on property. We love it!

Oh goody! That is GREAT to hear! Thank you!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I've spent much of this weekend DIS'ing and getting excited for this upcoming trip. And in honor of being in the thirties, I've listed (in somewhat random order) the things to which I'm most looking forward!

39. Disney Transportation. I know. I may be the only one. It gets lots of mixed (I’m being kind!) reviews. But I just love knowing that I don’t have to drive or worry about directions or parking for my whole trip!

38. Illuminations. That moment where they blow out the torches. Goosebumps. Every time.

37. Grey Goose slushie. ‘Nuff said.

36. Deja-vu moments where happy childhood or teenage moments come flooding back to me.

35. Meeting characters and feeling like a little girl.

34. That first glimpse of the castle that takes your breath away.

33. Falling asleep singing the Disney song of the day – maybe it’s Carousel of Progress, maybe it’s Hola Mis Amigos from Mexico, who knows, but I’ve spent the day in Disney and I’m falling asleep happy!

32. Seeing the pirate with his hairy leg hanging over the bridge in Pirates. That was always highlighted in the Birnbaum Guide which I memorized as a kid (DIS’er in training… who knew?) and always says Disney to me!

31. Sipping a Dole Whip and people watching.

30. Brown Derby. The Hollywood glamour. A nice glass of wine. The rolls. A Cobb Salad. The rolls. Grapefruit cake. Heaven on earth.

29. Beaches ‘n Cream – best cheeseburger on property (at least as far as I’ve found – looking forward to investigating a few new contenders this trip!)

28. Tequila tasting and the new tequila bar in the Mexico pavilion. Speaking of the Mexico pavilion I’m hoping to get one of their painted wood animals – animales fantasticos, I think they’re called- as a souvenir.

27. Champagne. Anywhere I can get it. But most especially while browsing along the World Showcase.

26. Kim Possible. I can save the world… I just know I can!

25. Earl of Sandwich – I dream of that bread sometimes. Seriously.

24. Star Tours. I know it’s outdated and so many don’t like it. But for me it takes me right back to playing Star Wars in the backyard with the neighborhood kids and loving seeing those movies. For the record, I was always a Han Solo kind of girl.

23. Animal Kingdom Lodge. I am looking forward to revisiting this hotel at least once and maybe twice during my trip. Talk about an impressive lobby. Ahhh. And this time I AM going to try the night vision goggles.

22. Art the Greeter at Beach Club. He just embodies Disney for me. A fine gentleman who you can tell really and truly loves his job. LOVES it. (Or if he doesn’t he’s a heck of an actor). I love coming back from the parks and seeing him greeting people! This time I’m getting my picture taken with him!

21. The new things. Whether they are truly brand new to WDW or just things I’ve never noticed I love that no matter how many times I visit or how many TRs I read I can still find new things.

20. Soarin. Front row. Shoes off. Smell of oranges.

19. Browsing in the shops on Main Street. Perhaps with a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich to cap it all off.

18. The Mickey Bar.

17. Character Meal. We’re having a breakfast at Chef Mickey’s. I don’t think I’ve done a character meal since I was a pre-teen. I am giddy with excitement. And I don’t even like breakfast food. But a chance for some quality time with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald?? Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!

16. Random conversations. On the bus, in the line, on the ride… I love chatting with people in WDW. Everyone (for the most part) is so happy and friendly. I especially love conversations with cast members.

15. The Deen Brothers – so excited to see them!

14. Embracing my Disney geekiness – so looking forward to seeing other “geeks” (I use the term lovingly) at the dinner at the Adventurer’s Club and possibly other meets over the course of the week.

13. My entrance to Epcot World Showcase. What’s that, you didn’t know it was mine? Well it is. At least it feels like a private entrance. Roll out of bed and head into Epcot. Easy peasy. End of Illuminations, break from the crowd and fall into bed. Priceless!

12. Beach Club. Being able to walk to DHS and Epcot is awesome. Beaches ‘n Cream is positively yummy. Stormalong Bay. The beach theme is perfect for me! LOVE it. I really want to own DVC here!!

11. Browsing around Downtown Disney (with a margarita in hand, preferably). I especially can’t wait to check out Tren-D!

10. New dining experiences (for some of these you might use “dining” loosely but it’s more about the company!) – new this trip will be Sci Fi, Sanaa, Yachtsman, Liberty Tree Tavern, Chef Mickey’s, Plaza Rose & Crown. Possible adds are Yak & Yeti, Wave and Kona.

9. Picturing being able to bring my kids to the happiest most magical place on earth. Someday.

8. The complete break from reality that is a WDW vacation. If I don’t want to know what is going on in the real world I don’t have to know. I can watch Stacy on the TV 24/7 instead of the news. The service is fantastic. People are happy. All is right in the World.

7. Charging on the KTTW card. Hardly feels like real $$. At least until check-out. . To go along with this – the deliver back to your resort package service has to be one of the best inventions EVER. Does anyone know if Downtown Disney does this or is it just the parks?

6. Seeing kids completely transfixed by the magic. Heck, seeing adults transfixed is pretty cool too.

5. Photos. So many cool things to photograph. All with the TR in mind, of course. WDW is just beautiful. The buildings, the landscaping, the characters etc. 10 days… goodness knows how many photos I’ll take!

4. Taking some time to relax. As much as I love the parks, some time to relax is essential. I don’t set an alarm clock on vacation (except when I have Chef Mickey b-fast ADRs!). I love the afternoon pool break. And I am very excited to try the Grand Floridian spa for pedis and the afternoon tea.

3. Food & Wine. One of the best times of year/reasons to visit I know of. A party atmosphere around World Showcase. And the opportunity to sample some food you might not otherwise have a chance to try.

2. Chefs de France. You know what I’m thinking. And no, it’s not the food.

1. The opportunity to meet some DIS’ers. I’ve said this a few times before and will resist the urge to get sappy here. But I could never, ever have dreamed the friendships that would follow from my first post on the DIS (speaking of which, I wonder what that was?). This trip didn’t start as anything other than an impulsive bounce-back booking and now it has turned into an opportunity to meet so many friends I have made here on the DIS. I can’t wait!

Here’s hoping the next 38 days fly on by…

 

[PNO4TE]

Christine - I your list!

#29 - B & C cheeseburger... did you know they now have it at Hurricane Hanna's too?

#9 - Bringing kids to WDW someday... My older DD sent me an email today that made me cry. It was a list of her own; thank-yous to me for many things. Near the top was "Thank you for Disney." She will turn 31 in October. We started taking her to WDW when she was 3 years old.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Awww, C! Your list is fabulous.

I got a little teary at a few points.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What an absolutely magnificent list, C!!!

Do you know I used to memorize Birnbaum as a kid, too??? I think that is why I always think happy thoughts when I smell it -- it reminds me of being a kid again!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great list! Love #16 and #20 in particular. It is sooo fun talking to people in Disney/hearing their reactions. And Soarin...I just love everything about that ride! 4 days until I get to ride it!

 

[jenjolt]

What a great list C!!! It really brought a smile to my face and made for a perfect ending to my day!!! I really can't wait to find out from you where the best cheeseburger on property is....of course I also can't wait to go to Les Chefs and funny its not about the food for me either LOL!!!!! I especially enjoyed #1!!

Have a great week C!!!!

 

[MEK]

I've spent much of this weekend DIS'ing and getting excited for this upcoming trip. And in honor of being in the thirties, I've listed (in somewhat random order) the things to which I'm most looking forward!

C - I love, love, love your list. So much thought and detail went into those 39 things. It doesn't hurt that alcohol made the list several times as well! Your trip is really shaping up nicely. My trip is officially five weeks away, which makes it exactly 35 days. You are trying so many great, new restaurants.

Thanks for being the second vote for the grapefruit cake today. CP swears by it and her picture makes it look devine. You see, I am having a little trouble deciding between keeping my Brown Derby lunch ADR and changing that ADR to a 1TS meal and adding Kona for breakfast. So many choices.....so little time... to eat!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wonderful post...you had me tearin' up with a few of them and dancing in my seat for a few others! Ahhhhh!

We have done GardenGrocer.com and WeGoShop.com. Both were excellent services. GardenGrocer you select items on their website. WeGoShop will shop for exactly the brand/item you want. Either one will deliver straight to your room, or to Bell Services (who will keep your cold stuff cold) if you are not in your room.

I have heard some rumblings about resorts now charging fees for deliveries, but I believe it was for those items that come to their shipping docks-like cases of water from Costco. GardenGrocer and WeGoShop are both local businesses and deliver to the front desk/your room-so I *don't think* there is a charge. But, I'm not fully certain...

 

[Flossbolna]

Christine, your list is wonderful! It would make a lovely countdown calender!

I am glad you managed to get the event you wanted even if it is on the wrong day. I wonder why Disney never seems to be prepared as well as one would expect for those special event bookings. I often heard less than happy stories...