Building Castles in the Sky - an Oct 2012 PTR *Update 9/20- Day 3 Plans!*

[smile4stamps]

(which also happens to be my birthday!)

This will be our first full day at WDW and one of two park days. Originally, I had us going to DHS on Monday… mainly because Epcot has evening EMH on Wednesday and I figured we'd take advantage of those. However, Touring Plans and EasyWDW both recommend visiting Epcot on Monday and DHS on Wednesday.

So Monday at Epcot it is!

The plan is to get there well before rope drop… and then join the masses for the mad dash to Soarin'! We'll ride, and then we'll grab FPs, assuming the return time is something we can work with. After Soarin', we'll head over to Test Track (hopefully it won't be under refurb) and Spaceship Earth… then whatever else in Future World we can fit in before it's time for lunch at Le Cellier! We've never been here before so I'm really hoping we can get this ADR. If for some reason we can't, Les Chefs de France is our backup. I think. Or maybe Rose & Crown.

After lunch, we'll head back to FW to see the attractions we didn't get to in the morning… and probably use those Soarin' FPs.

Once we finish with FW, we'll go back to the World Showcase, this time starting in Mexico. We'll spend the rest of the day/evening in the WS. Our plan is to eat our way around the F&W vendors in lieu of dinner. If we need to use a QS meal, we will.

I'm sure we'll find someplace to watch IllumiNations… and then it will be time to head back to POR.

OR…

if we can't get Le Cellier for dinner, maybe we should save our TS for dinner instead of lunch elsewhere. We could visit the FW attractions we can manage after opening, then head over to start our tour around the countries when the WS opens at 11. We'd sample F&W vendors for lunch, and then head back to FW to visit the attractions we missed in the morning. Then it would be back to the WS for dinner… if we went this route, I'm thinking we'd do dinner at Rose & Crown. That way we can ask for patio seating in hopes to watch IllumiNations from our table. Ooooo, or maybe a romantic dinner for two at San Angel Inn… sounds like I have some decisions to make!

I guess it all depends on whether we can get the lunch ADR for Le Cellier.

Personally I would probably do it the second option IF unable to get Le Cellier for lunch... I've read World Showcase is less busy during the day. However, I've also heard Monday is the least busy day for F&W so it shouldn't be too bad snacking around the world for dinner either!

That is also our Epcot day! Maybe I'll see you around the "World!!"

 

[MHTeacher]

I love Josh over on easywdw! Everything he says about the EvMH makes so much sense, so this year I am following him completely! That means no parks in the day that have EvMH for me this trip. I'm hoping his theory holds true!

Hopefully you'll be able to get your ADR at Le Cellier!

 

[Nermel9]

Great Day 2 plans! I hope you get your Le Cellier ADR, you actually shouldn't have a problem with it when you make your ADR's, I got 3 lunch ADR's for my trip last October!

Sampling from the booths at F&W is so much fun!

Ugh, I never follow touring plans or any of that! I know I should, but I cannot give up my evening magic hours!!! How can I NOT be in Epcot when it's open til midnight? Or MK when it's open til 1? Ughhhh!!!

 

[PixieMama]

[

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I love eating around the World for F&W!!! Yummy!!!

 

[Joyciemc]

I just love Epcot. Either way the day turns out, it sounds awesome!

 

[teekathepony]

I had no problem at all getting my Le Cellier lunch, it was even a few days later than my 180 mark too.
Epcot is my absolute favourite. Whichever way your day works out, sounds good to me!

 

[PixieMama]

I love eating around the World for F&W!!! Yummy!!!

I'm really looking forward to doing this!

I just love Epcot. Either way the day turns out, it sounds awesome!

I had no problem at all getting my Le Cellier lunch, it was even a few days later than my 180 mark too.
Epcot is my absolute favourite. Whichever way your day works out, sounds good to me!

I've now read that lunch bookings have opened up... so I don't think there will be any problem getting the ADR. But now, I'm still wondering if we should even try for it... maybe saving our TS for dinner is a better idea.

 

[PixieMama]

[

 

[smellyia]

Part of my pre-trip planning is to lose weight before October.

Shane and I are currently on our 10th week of a 12-week weight loss program. It's through a clinic called Blue Sky MD, and it's a ketogenic diet… carbs and calories are eliminated/reduced in order to make the body burn its stored fat. No sugar, no starches, no alcohol… and the first week we were limited to only 500 calories a day! We were eating nothing but protein… I think I've eaten more cheese these last 10 weeks than I have in the last 10 months, LOL!

After that first week, we were bumped up to 600 - 800 calories per day… and we could add fruit and non-starchy vegetables back into our diet. Still no sugar, starches, or alcohol. I haven't had a Coca-Cola in almost three months! And this is coming from someone who's a self-described "Coke addict".

As of week 10, we're up to 900 calories a day, and we can have "good" starches… whole grains, "lite" bread, sweet potatoes, etc.

It's been tough, especially for me because I love love love carbs. But it's been worth it… so far, I've lost 25 lbs! Even better, I've lost 6" off my waist and 5" off my hips!

And Shane has lost 31 lbs!

I couldn't find a photo of us together that was taken around the time we began the program… so here are our "before" pics we took of ourselves the night before:

(Please excuse Shane's sour expression… he did it on purpose, as he said it would give his "after" pics a better effect, LOL!)


And here's the most recent photo of us (taken just last Saturday):

(We clean up nicely! )


I'm hoping to lose 30 lbs while on the program… so only 5 more pounds to go in the next 2 weeks. After that, I'd like to lose another 20 lbs (at least!) before October. That would give me 6 months to lose 20 lbs, which is less than 3.5 lbs per month. I think that's definitely a doable goal! Hopefully talking about my weight loss endeavor here on my PTR will help keep me on track. I'm a little scared of gaining all the weight I've lost back, once I stop the Blue Sky program and get back to eating "normal" foods.

Before I started this program, my biggest problem was snacking. Typically, I didn't eat breakfast... in fact, it was usually 1:00 or 2:00 in the afternoon before I'd get around to eating anything. We'd then have dinner just a few hours later (around 5:00) and since I wouldn't be very hungry, I'd eat a small dinner. But then, come 10:00 or later, I was starving! And finding myself in front of the freezer or pantry, looking for ice cream or cookies. So getting in the habit of eating regular meals and small, healthy snacks in between has been something I've been working on. And also getting exercise... I was pretty much a couch potato prior to January! Now, I walk at least 4 mornings per week, as well as doing The Biggest Loser Challenge for the Wii 4 days a week. I'm hoping to find the time soon to bump my exercise up to 5 days a week!

I have my next weigh-in tomorrow morning... I'll keep everyone posted!

I decided to check out your PTR since you so kindly took mine on so I'm on board - a bit late to the party

You guys have done FANTASTIC in your weight loss. DH and I both buckled down after our last trip and I'm down 10 and he is down almost 20 - what is it about men and their metabolism? Makes me want to feed him biscuits and gravy....Haven't got as far as your itinerary but saw you mentioned AK vs DHS...have you thought about half daying it at each?

 

[PixieMama]

Well, yesterday marked the official end to our 12-week weight loss program. I was hoping to lose a total of 30 lbs while on the program… my final weigh-in? I've lost 28.6 lbs. Missed my goal by just ONE POUND FOUR OUNCES.

I said I'd "give it all I've got" this last week on the program in order to meet that 30-lb goal… um, yeah. That so did not happen. I slacked off on my exercise and didn't watch what I was eating as well as I should have.

I'm giving myself a "free pass" today to enjoy the holiday. But it'll be back on track tomorrow morning. As I mentioned, I now want to lose at least 20 lbs before our trip (which is only 3.5 lbs per month). However, I think I need to break that down into smaller goals... otherwise, I'll think "Oh, I have plenty of time to lose weight!". Then it'll be September before I know it and I'll have only lost 5 lbs! So, smaller goals would be a better idea, I think. I just haven't decided what those goals should be.


*Edited to Add* Here's a pic of me from today... my official "after" photo:

Notice the Hidden Mickeys on my dress? I bought it last year at World of Disney... I'm thinking about wearing it to the luau on our trip!


In other news… it'll be time to make my ADRs in 8 days! Although, I am nowhere near making a decision on where to have our TS meal on Monday (Epcot) or what times all the ADRs should be. Decisions, decisions...

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter and great weekend!

 

[PixieMama]

I decided to check out your PTR since you so kindly took mine on so I'm on board - a bit late to the party

You guys have done FANTASTIC in your weight loss. DH and I both buckled down after our last trip and I'm down 10 and he is down almost 20 - what is it about men and their metabolism? Makes me want to feed him biscuits and gravy....Haven't got as far as your itinerary but saw you mentioned AK vs DHS...have you thought about half daying it at each?

, Amelia! Glad you're on board!

Thanks! And LOL, the thought has crossed my mind to sneak some sugar into Shane's food!

We're not doing Park Hoppers on this trip... and only 2 day tickets. Epcot is a definite, as we want to experience F&W. We're considering going to MNSSHP, so that would get us into MK. Which left the choice between AK or DHS for our other park ticket. We've decided on DHS. But 1/2 day at each park would be a good idea... I just don't think I can talk Shane into spending the extra $ for PHs!

 

[smile4stamps]

Congrats on the weight loss!

 

[PixieMama]

Congrats on the weight loss!

Thank you, Paula!

 

[cinderella crazy]

You look great! Can't wait to hear you final ADR plans!

 

[Kat in GA]

Your Disney travel agent is now reading along

Thoughts on meals:
I was not too impressed with LeCellier when Michael and I went in February - in fact, my steak at Kona was MUCH better. But the atmosphere is lovely and I would go back.

With the food and wine going on, I'd spend the day snacking and not use any meal credits at Epcot that day at all

I second your BFF's suggestion of Raglan Road - the food and atmosphere is fantastic.

I would pick HS over AK

We can make those reservations on the 17th - it's coming soon!!

 

[teekathepony]

Congratulations on the weight loss! I'm sorry you didn't quite make your goal, but you're so close and obviously worked hard for that. You look amazing and should be very proud!

 

[PixieMama]

You look great!

Congratulations on the weight loss! I'm sorry you didn't quite make your goal, but you're so close and obviously worked hard for that. You look amazing and should be very proud!

Thanks, ladies!

Your Disney travel agent is now reading along

We can make those reservations on the 17th - it's coming soon!!

I wondered if you'd make your way over here, LOL!

The clock is ticking... hopefully I will have made my ADR decisions by then.

 

[MHTeacher]

Congrats on your 28+ lbs. weight loss! You look great!

Looking forward to hearing about your ADRs.

 

[Nermel9]

Congrats on your weight loss, you look great! Ugh, I gotta get motivated here, I wanted to lose 20 pounds by my May trip and that's just not happening, so now I'm focusing on my Fall trip, I want to lose like, 50 for that trip!