Bring on the MAGIC- May 2016 solo PTR, Final update 5/6

[Elevationist]

Happy 2016!!!! I can now finally say that this year I'm going to Disney !

HOORAY!!! (Hey, me too!)

A Minnie and Daisy ruler! And as it turns out said coworker bought it with the princess in mind.

How sweet of her!

Silly mom, the princess's coworkers have no place to run, and besides the princess is rather beloved where she works.
The End!

Of course she is. And great story!

 

[Saphire5742]

123 Days!!!!!

It's time for a little bitty update. It is? It is!
It's time for a little bitty update. It is, it is.
So gather everybody now, it's time to take a seat.
It's time for a little bitty update, it is...
(to the tune of the Unbirthday song)

After 3 non trip related updates (although the last two did at least have some Disney theming), it's time for an actual trip update.

First order of business- ADR update

So when I was doing my research way back when, one of the places I put down was 1900 Park Fare dinner. And then somewhat close to my ADR date I saw a post from about a month back that apparently there was a menu change and now it was very seafood heavy. So since I don't eat seafood I took it off my list.
I didn't think of it again until Andrea (@EvilQueensRock ) posted over on her PTR that one of the places they booked was 1900 Park Fare dinner. And at first I sighed that I was not going myself. But then a few days later I logged on to MDE just because sometimes I need a visual reminder that I'm actually going, and well my first MK day I have BOG booked for an early lunch but nothing set for dinner yet. I initially thought to do QS but after looking at my options and nothing really looking so appealing to me I decided to look into 1900 again. I looked up the menu and it doesn't look all too seafood heavy to me. Seems like there are still enough options for me. And so I booked a dinner for 6:30. Yes, it means that I will have to leave MK, but on the other hand it's close by and plus I'd have been there from rope drop anyway. I figure it'll take maybe about an hour and then I'll head back to MK.
I'm not done yet. One of my favorite DR writers, Kari (@kastoney ) is to blame for the next one. After reading all her raving about Yak&Yeti's cream cheese wontons, I knew I needed to try them myself. My AK day I have only Boma booked for dinner (at 6:20, I might end up making this earlier once times for Rivers of Light comes out), so I went ahead and booked Y&Y for lunch. Just for the wontons (and maybe something small to eat as well, don't want to be too full for Boma especially if I end up changing the reservation). I don't know that I actually need the ADR, but I like the guarantee.

Next up-
I've started reading about all the attractions per park and writing down what best appeals to me. I need to start thinking about that since I have FPs to book beginning of March. And I've researched touring plans to get a clearer picture of how to go about planning my days. I have 2 MK, 2 Epcot, 1 AK, 1 HS, 1 Universal (only because of HP). I don't have anything concrete to share at the moment. I do know that I want to FP Wishes and Illuminations once. It's also looking like HS will be a half day but I have both lunch and dinner ADRs there. So when I'm done with HS, I think I'll explore the boardwalk and perhaps go to Epcot for a bit until I have to be back at HS for my 7pm ADR.

And now I leave you with this little vid-

But of course this update would not be complete without-

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[missangelalexis]

I'm glad you added some more ADRs! And it's smart to start researching now what you want to use your FP+ on!

 

[kadrachb]

A Minnie and Daisy ruler!

Love it!!

Happy 2016!!!! I can now finally say that this year I'm going to Disney !

So exciting!

And so I booked a dinner for 6:30.

1900 Park Fare became one of my favorites last year!! So glad you booked an ADR. It's not THAT heavy on seafood (there was plenty of other options), and you HAVE TO try the strawberry soup! (if you like strawberries, of course).

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

First order of business- ADR update

ADR's are so much fun!!!

 

[Saphire5742]

1900 Park Fare became one of my favorites last year!! So glad you booked an ADR. It's not THAT heavy on seafood (there was plenty of other options), and you HAVE TO try the strawberry soup! (if you like strawberries, of course).

Now I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks for the reassurance.
And I love strawberries! YUM!!!
We only get them in the late fall/winter

 

[brb1006]

Be sure to keep an eye out for Mary Poppins during a character dining or somewhere in the Magic Kingdom. Also for some reason Mary Poppins dress and outfit she wears reminds me of Duchess from The Aristocats and Miss Bianca from The Rescuers. It might have something to do with the style dress Mary is wearing. Maybe you can bring that up if you see her.

 

[Saphire5742]

I hadn't really thought of any character meals for myself, but the thought of a buffet with good selections might be a nice change from QS meals. I'll see how my solo days go, and how my appetite is. My past few trips I have overeaten the wrong foods on the dining plan. Maybe I'll leave that up to pixie dust - if I find I'm hungry enough, and can get a last minute ADR, it will be Disney fate!

Sounds like a good plan. It's probably easier for a solo to get a last minute ADR.
Hoping I didn't overplan on the dining. I probably did a little. It's hard not to, especially since the experience is new and exciting to me. Plus I probably won't be back until the 50th anniversary a few years away.

I'm glad you added some more ADRs! And it's smart to start researching now what you want to use your FP+ on!

I've definitely reached my ADR limit now.
And nowadays it's so different from when I last went, that to leave things till the last minute would not be wise. It's quite overwhelming. That's why I decided to start from now.

ADR's are so much fun!!!

Yes they are! And I'm confident that I made some great choices (fingers crossed). I don't plan on making any more.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Mary Poppins during a character dining or somewhere in the Magic Kingdom.

I do enjoy Mary Poppins so am looking forward to meet her. I believe she meets in Epcot

 

[Elevationist]

I logged on to MDE just because sometimes I need a visual reminder that I'm actually going

OMG! I thought I was the only one who does this!

I decided to look into 1900 again. I looked up the menu and it doesn't look all too seafood heavy to me. Seems like there are still enough options for me. And so I booked a dinner for 6:30. Yes, it means that I will have to leave MK, but on the other hand it's close by and plus I'd have been there from rope drop anyway. I figure it'll take maybe about an hour and then I'll head back to MK.

I've done this before, and it's actually makes for a nice little break. A few years back I left and went and had a wonderful dinner at Ohana, then returned to MK just in time to catch the beginning of the SpectroMagic parade (since replaced by the Main Street Electrical Parade) as it made it's way by the train station!

I'm not done yet. One of my favorite DR writers, Kari (@kastoney ) is to blame for the next one.

That Kari, she gets me in all kinds of trouble with her reviews, too!

I don't know that I actually need the ADR, but I like the guarantee.

Yep, I'm the same way! I need that ADR so that I'm not taking any chances!

 

[EvilQueensRock]

Getting caught up! The Sufgies look fabulous. We have a large Polish community here that make Paczkis (I may have spelled that wrong) for Fat Tuesday. Look very similar to your sufgies.
Happy belated Birthday! You are too cute.
I finally booked our last ADR today. Now, if I can just leave it alone and not change it 50 times before we get there.

 

[Saphire5742]

That Kari, she gets me in all kinds of trouble with her reviews, too!

Tell me about it. Now she has me contemplating that Avocado Margarita, even though I'm hardly a big drinker (except for the occasional wine or cocktail)

As for the rest, as they say "Great Minds think alike"

Happy belated Birthday! You are too cute.

Awww, thanks!

 

[Saphire5742]

110 days until my WDW Dreamcation!!!!!

Less than 2 weeks until I'm at double digits!

I left off last time with how I was starting to research and look into how to go about planning my days, especially those FPs. Since then I've discovered a very useful section over at easywdw.com - Live wait times. I like to check in there during different times of the day and also comparing what I see to the recommended park/s. And just recently he's been posting a daily update with actual crowd levels and wait times. It's so helpful. Also I bought a subscription to touringplans.com. It's a very small price to pay considering what I'm already spending, and it can only help so why not.
Especially since I'm also planning on Universal for a day.

As for actual itineraries, nothing set yet. I'm still figuring it out. Here's what I'm thinking so far- be at the parks at rope drop, do as many attractions as I can in the first few hours, and then take my time to explore and take in all the magic, and leave at park close. Hopefully I won't get too exhausted.

There is something that I'm on the fence about though. And that is Minnie's Seasonal Dine. I have reservations with a Fantasmic package on my DHS day. My original plan was only to do 50s Prime Time but then I read about Minnie's Dinners over at H+V and since I love spring and flowers and the like I decided to make 50PT an early lunch and make room for H+V for dinner. Let's just say that since I've seen the pictures of both the Holiday dine and now the Silver Screen theme, I'm kinda underwhelmed. The theming looks bland, not at all what I pictured in my head. It seems that it was all done half heartedly, just a way to charge more for it to be a character "themed" meal, without really putting the effort. I do love the character costumes though, and I love that it's with 5 of the classics, so I'm a little bit torn. For right now I'm keeping it but I might end up canceling.

Something else I've been doing a lot lately is listening to Disney related podcasts such as WEDway and WDW Radio. Don't know why I didn't look into this before especially since I've been an avid podcast listener for about a little over a year and a half now. So far I'm really enjoying getting to know more. They have really magnified my appreciation and excitement.

And now for this update's video:

So long for now. Stay tuned next time for some Disney nostalgia.
Take care all

 

[Elevationist]

Less than 2 weeks until I'm at double digits!

I'm so looking forward to double-digit dancing with you soon!!!

The theming looks bland, not at all what I pictured in my head. It seems that it was all done half heartedly, just a way to charge more for it to be a character "themed" meal, without really putting the effort.

Honestly? It kinda is this. But I didn't mind. The food was okay, but the characters were DELIGHTFUL! They made it worth it for me.

Something else I've been doing a lot lately is listening to Disney related podcasts

I think I'm the last remaining person under 40 who's never listened to a single podcast in her life.

 

[Saphire5742]

The food was okay, but the characters were DELIGHTFUL!

Thanks for the reassurance. That settles it then. Minnie & Co, I'm coming to dinner!

I think I'm the last remaining person under 40 who's never listened to a single podcast in her life.

I listen mostly on my way to and from work. Was first introduced to them through a facebook post. Someone shared a Radiolab podcast and I found that I really enjoyed it. So I started to listen some more and the rest is history. Actually I should thank my family for insisting on buying me a smartphone for my birthday 2 years ago. Funny how now I don't know what I'd do without it, especially since I'd resisted for so long.
If you ever decide to dive into the world of podcasting and want some suggestions let me know.

 

[Sarahh1027]

Less than 2 weeks until I'm at double digits!

Yay for double digits!!!!! I'm officially in double digits also! AHHH I don't know how to contain the excitement!

I left off last time with how I was starting to research and look into how to go about planning my days, especially those FPs.

Fastpasses are stressful to me. Once they're booked and actually using them is a piece of cake. It's the actual anxiety of booking them. I just want to know what I get NOW. No more waiting!

I like to check in there during different times of the day and also comparing what I see to the recommended park/s.

I do the same thing with the My Disney Experience app!!! I'll be on break at work and for some reason just HAVE to know what the wait time is for, say...Splash Mountain for example. It makes me feel closer to Disney.

As for actual itineraries, nothing set yet. I'm still figuring it out. Here's what I'm thinking so far- be at the parks at rope drop, do as many attractions as I can in the first few hours, and then take my time to explore and take in all the magic, and leave at park close. Hopefully I won't get too exhausted.

I'm the same way- all day park touring for me!! We have 4 out of 5 park days with a rope drop to closing plan. The way I see it now is I'd rather spend all day and take my time than rush while I'm there to get everything done. My last trip I ran out of time to do multiple things in each park. This makes me sad looking back! If I had just got up an hour earlier each day...

Looking forward to hearing about your plans!

 

[Elevationist]

Is it double digit dance time yet? I didn't miss it, did I?!

 

[Saphire5742]

Is it double digit dance time yet? I didn't miss it, did I?!

Was 3 days ago, but I was away for the weekend so didn't update. Celebrating in tomorrow's update.

Thanks for remembering though

 

[Elevationist]

Was 3 days ago, but I was away for the weekend so didn't update. Celebrating in tomorrow's update.

Ohhh, okay. I'll reserve my dancing for tomorrow, then!

 

[Saphire5742]

95 Days!!!!!!!

Double Digits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Ok, so technically this happened a few days ago, but I was away for the weekend by my grandparents and haven't had a chance to update till now)

So put on your dancing shoes and away we go........

That was fun!

I don't really have anything to update as far as the actual trip goes, but I have been thinking while doing all this planning for the trip what a stark contrast it is to the other two times I went. I'd thought I'd share some Disney memories. Join me on this journey through memory lane.

So the last times I was with my family and there was absolutely no planning whatsoever except for what park we were going to be in that day. Lucky for us both times were in late January when we had our mid-Winter break from school so the parks were not at all crowded.

My memories are hazy for the most part. Even from the last trip when I was 16. Don't remember most of the rides we went on. I'll share from the little I do remember. For the most part what sticks with me is the sense of awe and magic. Which is why I am determined not to get too caught up in trying to do everything (not possible anyway) or how many attractions I get to go on. And not to let little inconveniences get in the way of truly appreciating and experiencing the magic that is Disney World. I'm usually easily frustrated and annoyed but I am going to try my darndest not to let that get the better of me.

First we shall start off with my least pleasant WDW attraction experience (and that is putting it mildly) just to get it out of the way. It was a ride at MK when I was 16, although for the longest time I was sure it was in Epcot for some reason. I am talking about 'Alien Encounter'. I'm sure you've all heard of it. For those who have never had the "pleasure" of experiencing it allow me to paint the picture as I remember it. Basically it was a science experiment gone terribly wrong. These scientists were building a time traveling apparatus but when they tried to transport a cute and harmless dog all hell broke loose. The dog turned into a monster, the theater went completely dark, and then we heard glass shattering. The monster proceeded to make its way to us and all the while we could hear its hissing and chomping in our ears and felt its spit. Even remembering it now is making me shudder. No thank you, Disney. I might have to avert my gaze when passing its replacement which I hear is horrible anyway.

Ok, so now that we got that out of the way....

As I mentioned before, my first WDW trip (that I can remember, technically the first was when I was about 1) was when I was 8 years old. It was with my mom, 2 sisters, a friend of my mom's and her son.

My earliest and fondest memory is "It's a Small World". I know many people find it annoying and can't stand the song, but for me it's inextricably linked to the magic that is Disney, so it will always be a beloved ride. I quite actually like the song too. Seeing all those dancing dolls from all over the world and their wonderful costumes along with that happy and catchy tune was just so magical and exciting to me.

I also remember that we visited Mickey's house. And we watched a stage show in which Minnie wore a gold glittery costume and sang the song "We're in the Money".

From Epcot I remember wandering World Showcase. I absolutely LOVED World Showcase. I thought it was so cool and fascinating. Actually my mom got me a wooden flute from one of the pavilions.
And there was this motion simulator ride that explored the human body. Kind of like Star Tours but for the human body.

My head gear of choice then was a Goofy cap. One of my sisters sported a Daisy cap.

At first I couldn't remember if MGM was open at the time, but some quick research has revealed that it actually opened in May 1989, and we were in January 1990, so I suppose we were there. I do remember doing 'Indiana Jones' and 'Backlot tours' and 'Star Tours' but don't remember if these were done when I was 8 or 16. Not that it really matters anyway.

This post seems long enough so I'll end it here. Stay tuned for more in my next update.