Brit & Shan's Graduation Celebration PTR! *Leaving in 1 Hour!!*

[elyse43230]

Shannon's Graduation Celebration
Pre-Trip Report!
​

After reading so many amazing reports, I thought I might throw caution to the wind and start my own pre-trip report!

I am VERY new to these boards, but I have been reading them for about a month. On November 2, 2008, I received the following news...


Let me re-enact it for you...

Me:Wow, Mom, we're really having a great time at this comedy show, aren't we?

Mom:We sure are honey. But there's something I need to talk to you about.

Me: :::GULP::: Um... what's that mom?

Mom:Well, your father and I have been thinking... that we really want to get you something for your graduation.

Me:You mean my graduation from Miami University of Ohio on December 19, 2008???

Mom:Yes, That's the one.

Me: Aww... shucks, Mom. You know you don't have to get me anything.

Mom:It's just that we're so proud of you. And we haven't always had a lot of money to help you, so we thought about it. I mean, we can't get you a car or anything, but we did think of something you might like.

Me:Oh?

Mom:We thought we could get you a trip to Disney World.

Me: WHAT?

Mom:I mean, it's your favorite place on Earth...

Me: (Me, a mix of and but mostly ).

So, with that, my Disney journey began!

Graduation Celebration PTR Contents​

1. Anticipation... The Best and Worst Part!
2. Brittany + Shannon = BFFFL (aka. Meet the Cast!)
3. When are we going? Where are we staying?
4. Deluxe it up: The ADR List!
5. The Prettiest Envelopes... Mailings from Disney
6. I did it! I Done Graduated!
7. Packing is fun!
8. Itineraries are not for losers!
9. Packing is NOT fun!
10. Leaving in 1 Hour!!!






Next installment... anticipation... I can't take it! **PIX TO COME**

 

[kgle]

Wow what an awesome and exciting gift! Hope you have tons of fun!

 

[elyse43230]

Anticipation... the best and the worst part!​

I found the DIS (do you say DIS as in DIS-missed? or DIZ as is DIZ-ney?) right when I began researching for my trip. I am a big planner, and I believe planning is half the fun of a vacation! Compared to many of the DIS-ers out there, I don't feel like I have been to Disney much. We only went three times before I graduated high school.

Since my mom decided to give me the most fantabulous gift a girl could ever hope for, my thoughts flew to my recent trips to Disney. In the past 2 years, I have gone to Disney 3 times. My most recent trip was a one day stint in Epcot in July of 2008...

Here's me in France.

I witnessed one of my sweetest Disney sites during this trip. I don't know the little "Alice," but it was sweet beyond sweet to see her meet her big Alice for an autograph outside the UK pavillion.

Alice, meet Alice.

My trip before that was in March of 2008. This was my 5 day, 6 night trip at POFQ with my roomie Amanda. This was her first Disney trip (and my fifth at the time). We had an AMAZING five days in the world. We ate on the DDP.

Here is Amanda and me after dinner with Cinderella.

What a trip! Anyways, the trip I had before that was one day in the Magic Kingdom with my mom. This was in March of 2007.

Here I am the day after the MK, marking day 8 of our trip to Florida.

Needless to say, I've had some amazing Disney memories. I went on 3 more trips before these, but I alas have no digi pix of those.

Ahh the memories! But wait! I have the most bestest, wonderfulest (yes, my degree was in English education ) trip yet to come!

Next Installment... Shannon + Brittany = BFFFL (Best Friends Forever For Life!) And she's never been to Disney! Until now....

 

[elyse43230]

Meet the Cast!​

So... at this point in the countdown, I am a little over 2 months away from our trip to Disney World!

Before I make a post about where we'll be going and what we'll be eating, I wanted to share some pix from the star of this Disney trip, my best friend Brittany!

Her birthday is tomorrow , so I thought it would be appropriate to post some of pix of us!



So going back down memory lane, Brittany and I became friends when she moved onto my street when I was in the fifth grade. One day she decided to come over (I think her parents probably were like, "Go say hi to that nice girl up the street!" And she was like, "Aw man, okay..." )

Fast forward like 10 years, and we're still friends!



Brittany is on right, I'm on the left (in the black if you're left v. right challenged!)

About Us...

Me (Shannon) (24) - A Disney lover and the writer of this report. I've been to Disney many times before this trip. My favorite Disney things are princesses, more princesses, and anything to do with Walt himself. He was an amazing man. My favorite park is MK, and I get teary eyed at many Disney moments. But I'm also a huge goodball and love asking Jasmin if Aladdin has morning breath! I just graduated from Miami University with a degree in adolescent English education and English literature. So obviously I love reading, writing, and high schoolers! I also love watching movies and Britney Spears. Yeah, you read that right.

Brittany (25) - I don't have a D(Fill in the blank) abbreviation for her because she's just my bestie! So I will refer to her as Brit, even though I don't call her that. She has never been to Disney World. She loves Disney movies, especially of the Pixar variety. She graduated from Ohio University (Miami's rival no-less!) and currently lives in NE Ohio, which is far from me (central OH).

Now that we all know eachother, on with the show!

So after I receive news that my parents are giving me a trip to Disney World, I think... who should I bring?

I few days after I get the big news, I call up Brittany and ask if she would like to go to Disney with me in February. And she says...

YES!

Considering Brittany and I saw Aladdin and Mulan in the theaters together, you can tell we're Disney freaks! How exciting is it to go to Disney with someone who LOVES Disney and has never been to Disney World? She's going to flip and faint!



Next installment... When are we going? Where are we staying?

 

[stitcharoo]

breanna:
your PTR is really good so far!!
i'm definately going to be keeping up with this one!!

i've been reading a lot of these lately because we're going in 21 days!! =]
we just started writing ours too!!


anyway, love yours so far.

 

[elyse43230]

When Are We Going? Where Are We Staying?​

Hello all!

So now that Brittany's birthday is over, and so is the crazy Turkey Day/Black Friday/Cyber Monday frenzies , I wanted to update y'all with more important information about our Graduation Celebration!

When are we going???

Where are we staying???

So without further delay, here's the goods!


When are we going?


Brittany and I are leaving February 21, 2009!
We will be flying AirTran on a non-stop flight to Orlando from Columbus, Ohio. Our plane leaves at 8:00AM!! We're hoping to be at our resort before 1:00PM.


Where are we staying???

Brittany and I will be staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter! As noted in a previous post, I stayed the POFQ my last trip in March 2008. I absolutely love love love this resort! It is quiet, quaint, and I love that we got Mardi Gras beads when we went into the gift shop! A CM came up to us and said, "Welcome to the Port Orleans!" and gave us beads (green and purple, the theme colors of the resort!). It's also particularly special that we're going during Mardi Gras itself! TOO FUN!

Here's a picture of the resort at night in 2008...

Here's the surprise towel monster (we called him Yeti) I got in our room last year! Isn't he cute? I left him to live in Disney forever (that's what I'd want!)

Brittany and I will depart (perish the thought!) on Saturday February 28, 2009. Our flight is around noon, so the Magical Express will pick us up several hours before that. Again, we will fly AirTrain, this time with a connection in Atlanta, GA.


Next installment... Deluxe it up: The ADR list!

 

[elyse43230]

Deluxe it Up: The ADR List!​

​

I would just like to start out by saying that my graduation from college is in exactly 19 days!!! Can you believe it? I know I can't! I am going to go pick up my cap and gown tomorrow. Yikes! But also

In today's installment of my pre-trip report, I will fill y'all in on my ADRs and other meal plans for my 7 day trip. Brittany and I are doing it deluxe so to speak, and will therefore have 21 meals apiece and 14(!) snacks! Considering that our first night of the 7 is a simple night at our resort, we technically have 14 snacks to spread over 6 trips to the parks. I'm excited about the snacks this time around, because I finally realized all the cool things you can get with the snack credits! I mean, Goofy Candy Co., anybody? So... with further delay, here we go...

My ADRs on the DxDP!​

Saturday February 21, 2009
-Possible QS Lunch at DTD or POFQ (depending on hunger level)
-Wolfgang Puck Cafe (Dinner)

Sunday February 22, 2009
-Crystal Palace Buffet (Breakfast)
-Possible lunch OOP if hungry(Lunch)
-Cinderella's Royal Table (Dinner)


Monday February 23, 2009
-QS at POFQ (Breakfast)
-Hollywood Brown Derby (Lunch)
-Mama Melose's Ristorante Italiano (Dinner)


Tuesday February 24, 2009
-Storybook Dining @ Akershus Royal Banquet Hall(Breakfast)
-QS @ Epcot (Lunch)
-Coral Reef Restaurant(Dinner)


Wednesday February 25, 2009
-QS at Captain Cook's at the Poly (Breakfast)
-Le Cellier (Lunch)
-Chefs de France (Dinner)


Thursday February 26, 2009
-QS at POFQ (Breakfast)
-QS @ AK(Lunch)
-Tusker House Restaurant (Dinner)


Friday February 27, 2009
-QS at POFQ (Breakfast)
-QS @ MK or HS, depending (Lunch)
-Cap'n Jack's @ DTD

Sounds yummy to me!

And I will FOR SURE being using all of the snacks! Let no credit go unturned!

Wasn't that exciting?



Next installment... pretty envelopes from Disney!

 

[elyse43230]

The prettiest envelopes...mailings from Disney​

Ahhh! As of today, I have exactly 6 days until I graduate from college. Umm... yeah that's right. I graduate one week from YESTERDAY. This is beyond crazy to imagine! But of course it's not too bad to imagine, because without a graduation would mean no Disney trip to celebrate, right?

So I don't have a whole lot of updates (we're still working on our wish-list of things to do in Disney) I did want to take a moment to comment on some of the fun mailings we've received. Most people aren't too impressed with getting stuff in the mail, but everytime I get a Disney-ish envelope, I freak!

I received an oversized envelope about a month after I placed the reservation. It contained four luggage tags (with the new celebration motif of Mickey Mouse clouds going up into the sky). Once we had paid off our trip, we received a second envelope that contained all the same stuff, but included all the vouchers. It also included 2 more luggage tags! The paper inserts for the luggage tags were oddly enough inside this packet, not with the luggage tags.

I'm not complaining, but isn't 6 luggage tags for 2 people a little much? I bet this is all part of the ploy to get me to check more bags for more $$$$!

This is different from how they did this for my March 2008 trip. First, I only received two luggage tags before. It seems you get more now (which is neat!). Also, I remember getting a packet with all of the reservation and voucher information in more of a print-out form, not a pretty booklet. Also, the luggage tags were beautifully displayed in a cardboard card. Last year, they were inside of individual plastic bags.

This week, I received another information envelope from Disney. This envelope was exciting, because it contained something I never received in my trip last year. First, I got a print out that stated they were excited I was coming back to Disney. It also said that this broshure was customized to the information I gave them with the reservation. Since only me and my friend are going, they listed rides that were fun for adults. They also gave information about POFQ, including a picture of the resort. I was surprised to see that they mention that I am returning to POFQ (because I went there last year too) and I will enjoy it again.

I also received a fold out map of the world and all four parks. I also received an information card about deluxe dining as well as a "Check-List" card. This was cute, because it mentions some things to remember to bring. it also mentions checking-in to my resort online 10 days before I arrive. I remember reading something on the boards about early check-in starting in January, but this was the first I'd heard from Disney about it. I don't think this will be ready by the time our trips comes.

I am writing all of this information, because I did not receive anything this customized from Disney last year. It is obvious that they are taking strides to make things specially tailored to customers. Since the party for my trip are two adults, all of the pictures on the broshures even were adults enjoying dining or taking a picture with Mickey. I can assume that this literature would be different for a family with 3 kids of different ages for example.

Sometimes I feel as though companies reward new customers more than the ones they've had for years. But with Disney, they seem to be including details about how I am a returning guest, and mentioning that in the literature. I think this a fabulous touch, and Disney really knows how to work it!

I would also like to mention how hilarious it is that on one of cards talked about making dining reservations. It gave me three lines to write ADRs! I found this to be HILARIOUS. I mean, we're on the DxDP! Have you SEEN our ADR list? Three lines? Don't insult me!

I know this post is kind of weird and not that exciting, but I just wanted to mention the changes I've noticed with mailings from Disney from March 2008 to now. The changes are actually quite drastic, and I think improved in ways I never even expected.

And for kicks, how about a pick of the DME book? Why not?

Next installment...I Did it! I done graduated!

 

[elyse43230]

Shannon Graduates!!!

My upcoming trip to Disney is now officially 48 days away! Can you believe it? Yeah, this deserves the banana dancing! When we get to less than 7 days away, I might have a whole row of those thingies! Peanut butter jelly time! Oh nevermind...

ANYWAYS, so the whole point of my going to Disney is that I graduated from college right? Well I did it people! On Friday, December 19th, I graduated from Miami University of Ohio! And here's the proof.

Ready?

Drum roll please...........................

BAM! Trust me, I can't believe it! My undergraduate college career has come to an end. I feel a little sad to leave behind my friends and the college lifestyle that I'm told you never get back. Apparently it's all downhill from here!

But the good news is that I get to go to Disney and celebrate (get it?) my graduation! And this is the year of celebration, no?

Until next time!

Next installment... Packing is fun!

 

[elyse43230]

Packing is fun!​

OMG!

Is my trip... 9 days away?? I thought it was like a million years until Disney? But no need to freak. I'm a PLANNER!

I thought I would start out this post by giving you a preview of some attire you might see in my actual trip report!

I plan on wearing this baby every day! How cute is that? Big thanks to Mom for surprising me with it!

I created a packing list based on my needs, what the DIS and allears suggest, and what the weather will be like. (I'm thinking not too hot with cool nights?) Over the last couple weeks, I've been stock piling travel size toiletries, supplies, etc., and throwing them in a drawer. As of today, it looks like this.

Note the lotions and potions aplenty! You'll notice a plastic bag all the way to the left. That contains rolls of shiny pennies and tons of quarter for PENNY SMASHING! Woot!

I also wanted to bring it to your attention that I am a rocker of the fanny pack! This time around, I thought I'd be cool and bedazzle it up with a little puffy paint!

I probably won't pack all of this crap until Friday before we leave.

Oh, and here's a picture of some of my Disney shrine in my room.

Most of that stuff is from the World. The stuffed Mickey in the back is circa '89 and bought for me by my daddy. I remember I was tired and cranky at night. My dad left for a while and came back and surprised me with it! I've kept it ever since!

Next installment... Itineraries are not for losers!!!

 

[elyse43230]

Itineraries are not for losers!!


As of this moment, we are 8 days away from our trip! Before we leave, I wanted to share some of our plans for the trip.

In case you were wondering, I am definitely one of those people that make a multiple page itinerary that includes all of the ressie numbers, flight information, park hours, etc. The one I made for this trip is significantly smaller than the one I created for my previous trip. This itinerary is only 3 pages long! The last page is so crammed with information, I impressed myself! And with every good trip itinerary, I had to make a fancy cover!

The thing is, is that Brit has never been to DW, so I feel a need to have a diverse trip that thoroughly introduces her to the World. For me, I've been so many times, there are things I could skip. For example, I don't REALLY need to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table. However, I think it's something Brit would love!

I received a map from Disney with one of our mailings that had an abbreviated map of all 4 parks, and a map of the World. I used that map to Sharpie in where to sit for parades/fireworks (thanks to these boards!). Then, I went through and marked the attractions/rides that we MUST go on. Then I marked the "if time" rides. Finally, I marked rides we can skip.

You'll notice I've marked things as "lame" if I think they're just not worth even Brit checking out. There are very few of these. I also marked things that were for kids (you'll see I wrote "kids" on the attractions), and I know we should skip.

My last step was to make itineraries using Ridemax. Don't worry, I won't post them on here and break the "no subscription service info" rule.

HOWEVER, here are the rides we plan to go on (that are in our Ridemax itineraries) in no particular order.

Day 1 (Sat. 2/21): Arrive Saturday
-Other than a ressie at WGP Cafe, our only agenda is to check-in, hang-out, go to DTD and RELAX.

Day 2 (Sun. 2/22): Magic Kingdom
-Arrive at Rope Drop for 9:00ish ressie at Crystal Palace
-Attractions:
BTMR
Slash Mountain
PoR
Jungle Cruise
Tiki Room
Buzz
Monsters Inc
Space Mountain
HM
Snow White
Tea Cups
*Saving PP, IASM, Pooh, and PhilarMagic for EMH evening and breaks
-Also we're seeing Wishes and the 3pm parade, alas there is no Spectromagic on our MK day

Day 3 (Mon. 2/23): Hollywood Studios
-Arrive at rope drop (of course!)
-Will do
TSM (for the first time for both of us!)
One Man's Dream
ToT
Disney Animation
RnR
Voyage of LM
Beauty and the Beast
Indiana Jones
*Saving Great Movie Ride, Muppets and Star Tours for EMH evening
-We will also check out the block party parade, alas no Fantasmic on our trip either!!

Day 4 (Tues. 2/24): Epcot (mainly FW)
-Rope Trop for EMH morning to ride Soarin' straight away!
-Test Track
-Spaceship Earth
-Dabble in Innoventions (i'm not crazy about this)
-Mission:Space (w/ SPINNING!)
-Journey in Imagination
-Honey I Shrunk the Audience
-LwtL
-Nemo

Day 5 (Wed. 2/25): Epcot (mainly WS)
-Not arriving rope drop today
-Will prolly ride Soarin' again
-Tour WS at a slow pace (finally see the American Pavillion, we always skipped it! )
-Illuminations today

Day 6 (Thurs. 2/26): Animal Kingdom
-Rope drop again
-EE!!!!!
-Dinosaur!!!
-Finding Nemo the Musical (first time for both)
-Tough to be a Bug
-Safaris
-Both Pangani and Maharajah Treks
-Fights of Wonder (first time for both)
-Festival of Lion King (first time for both)
-Mickey Jammin' Parade
-Since this park closes at 5, we will probably go to DTD or mini-golf or catch up on SLEEP

Day 7 (Fri. 2/27): Free Day
-We'll decide what to do this day when we come to it
-Basically catch up on anything we didn't get to (but we won't park hop, we'll pick one for the day)
-We have a late night ressie at DTD

Day 8 (Sat. 2/28): Go home
-I cry all the way back to Columbus, Ohio!



Next installment... Packing is NOT fun!

 

[WGJackie]

Just a few more days now, huh??? Congrats on graduating. I just turned 25 and I still have two years to go, so this trip is well deserved! Have a great time!!

 

[elyse43230]

Packing is NOT fun!


OMG, so it's officially 3 days until we leave. I thought I was all organized. I have a packing list. I've been collecting stuff for months. But now faced with the task of putting it together, I am freaking out!

I just feel like I'm going to forget something or not pack the right things. And the weather seems really chilly but not during the day. So I feel like I need to bring two sets of clothing for everyday (shorts and tees AND long sleeves and jeans).

Okay... calm... breathe... vacations are fun!

I just need to know, for you mommies and daddies that have 2+ kids, how the heck to do pack for everyone? How do you not have a panic attack standing over that empty suit case?

But on the bright side, I'm going to Disney in 3 days!


Next installment... Leaving in 1 Hour!

 

[elyse43230]

Just a few more days now, huh??? Congrats on graduating. I just turned 25 and I still have two years to go, so this trip is well deserved! Have a great time!!

Aww thanks so much! It did take me 5 1/2 years, but I did transfer schools and got two different degrees. So I don't feel so bad for my "Super Senior" lap and then my "Super Duper Senior" sprint!

You definitely deserve your trip!

 

[jewels1916]

Hi Shannon! Congrats on graduating!! What an awesome feeling of accomplishment! And what a better way to celebrate than with a trip to WDW! I got to do that in September after my July graduation!!

Sorry I am late to the PTR party, but I hope you have an amazing time with your bestie!! I am looking forward to my trip with my bestie...it's too far away!
Take lots of pics of POFQ, I want to see it all! That's where we will be staying when we finally get to go in December!

 

[elyse43230]

Leaving in 1 Hour!!!​

I just wanted to post one last time before this officially becomes a TRIP REPORT and not a PRE-trip report! I am so excited I can't take it!

I plan to suck it up and pay the $10 bucks to get on the DIS at LEAST once while I'm there. I love live updates, and I hope to return the favor so many have done for me.

I also am going to make a MAY-JA dining review. I love the food porn boards. So look forward to that when I get back.

I'm so excited!



Next installment... Hoping to make one or two live posts from the World!

 

[elyse43230]

Ack! Double post!

 

[elyse43230]

Oops double post.

 

[Puget Peach]

I'll be at MCO at 9:56 PM tonight