Celebrating Our 2nd Anniversary at WDW!!- PTR Update 11/1/2010 with TR Link!!

[mandas08]

Okay, first off - Smores made with Reese's??? GENIUS! I have never thought/heard of that. I have to try that SOON!

And second, you really do have to try Tower of Terror. It is my #1 favorite thrill ride at Disney! I'll pretty much get on anything (except water rides, I do NOT do those, at all) so I can't say much to console your fears. But I would hate for you to miss it. And when we went in May it didn't last long either. I actually wish we had ridden it again but it just never happened.

I know I sound like a broken record with the sweets recommendations, BUT...you must go in either Starring Rolls Bakery or the Writer's Stop in DHS. I tried the Butterfinger Cupcake in May and it was so good! HUGE and very rich, but good if you like butterfingers. My DH didn't want any and I only could get thru about 1/3 of it. That almost never happens with me and sweets. Also, I am definitely going to try the Carrot Cake Cookie at the Writer's Stop in December. Haven't had it before but all the pictures and posts I see about it sound/look amazing.

Totally agree with your dinner plans for your DHS day - Wolfgang Puck's or Earl of Sandwich. Haven't tried WPE but Earl is so good.

Next Friday for you!

Yes Smores with Reeses are AMAZING! Hands down best smore ever!

I have decided to try TOT. At least that’s what I am saying now...hopefully I don’t chicken out. It’s just hard to convince myself that falling is fun lol.

I seen the Butterfinger cupcake in a review and it looks giant! I imagine it would be really sweet. I am definitely going to try it though. Brian isn’t a huge fan of sweets but I’m sure I won’t have to push him to hard to eat half of it.

I just came across your PTR and I have to join in. I've been laughing since the beginning, you totally remind me of myself. I'm such a clearance junkie, like I can't buy something if it isn't on sale...if I do, its a rare occurance. My sons father totally makes fun of me for it but hey, coupon clipping and clearance shopping saves us tons of money so what gives?? lol

As for traveling, I love to travel too! But I must have a schedule, or I feel lost I think it has something to do with school, which has always kept me busy or on some kind of schedule. My sons father on the other hand is very much like your DH and would like to just be on a boat in some lake with no schedule, just playing on the water and relaxing.


I love that layered cake you made, its awesome! For a CS in MK, I would recommend Liberty Tree Tavern or Columbia Harbor House-both are REALLY good. Oh and if you can't get into your room right away, you can check your bags with the bell hop until the room is ready...head on over to MK and pick your luggage up when you get back. For wishes, I have sat just about anywhere and everywhere...but by far the best show I have ever seen was sitting directly in front of the castle on the street. Yes, it was gross sitting on the street but it topped all views I have ever had.

I love the bags on the walls, that legit made me laugh out loud.

For AK, I would definitely recommend Flame Tree but I heard it was closed right now (i hope its not true) I saw that you had a lot of fastpasses for that day and I wasn't sure if you knew, but you can only have one fastpass at a time. Like if you go get a FP for the Safari and your time to come back is at 10am, you can't get another FP until that time.

The best place to get CS in Epcot is The Land, they have a decent amount of food to chose from, and you can grab a FP for Soarin' while your there. I would also make a point to go on Living with the Land-its really cool and totally worth it! not to mention there is usually NO line, and if there is, it moves pretty fast.


Your plans seem pretty awesome, I think the two of you will have a blast!

I love clearance items and sales! Brian often refers to me as the coupon queen. I am going to post all the snacks/breakfast items I bought all of them except one with coupons and even got some of them free after using the coupons. I am currently between jobs (until I get back from vaca and start Real Estate career.) So I have plenty of time to look online to find the best deal before shopping.

I agree buying something at full price is a rare occurrence for me as well. I love finding a deal, paying full price isn’t nearly as much fun.

Traveling is my addiction. I also love planning its half the fun! We are 4 days away from Disney and I am already trying to get our next vaca planned. I like to think that all of my clearance shopping and frugal living allows for a vacation every 6 months. The budget doesn’t always agree. We are trying to save for our dream home right now, so it’s been hard to balance the two.

Thanks for the complimenting the cake, it was lots of fun to make. I’ve had many people say that the best view is in front of the castle. We may just have to rough it and sit on the ground. It will be worth it to get the best view!

Haha. The bags on the wall. We are classy here. We sold our house a few months ago and are spending the in between time at this apartment until we find our next home and don’t want to unpack everything incase we find it sooner than later, so there are lots of interesting decorations up on our walls. But the bags are by far the best.

Thanks for all of your QS location ideas I added them into our planner. I will have to check to see if you have any TRs I can check out

 

[mandas08]

Your wedding pictures are great - looks like a fairy tale

Space Mtn is a good one to hit at rope drop, you will encounter the shortest line all day going at rope drop.

You could always FP Splash Mtn, then ride stand by on Big Thunder RR Mtn beside it. Doing those 2 first along with your FP you will have the 3 mtns conquered. Then after you are finished touring & have your lunch, you could use your FP for Splash Mtn. That way if you get wet, you'll then be leaving the park for your afternoon break anyway.

I'm guessing you aren't doing Splash not wanting to be wet? Because it really is a Disney classic so don't let the flume at the end scare you off. And after you ride it's easy to catch the train there to ride back to the entrance to save a few walking steps on your way out.

We LOVE the Hoop De Doo - be sure to tell them its your anniversary

Oh, and make sure you're on time, leave plenty of time to travel there. If using Disney transporation, we prefer taking the boat over from MK vs. a bus over to Ft. Wilderness because from the outpost you have to take an internal bus inside the camp ground to get to pioneer hall. It was confusing for us after the late show we once attended, especially after the bottomless beers or wine they served

Where exactly is this Boat at MK that we are supposed to take? This may be a dumb question but since I have never been before I'm clueless. Thanks

 

[onescgirl]

Congrats on losing the 5 lbs, that's awesome!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Where exactly is this Boat at MK that we are supposed to take? This may be a dumb question but since I have never been before I'm clueless. Thanks

The resorts have a boat dock infront of the MK. There are 2 separate ones but they are marked: Grand Floridian & Polynesian; and then a separate one for the Wilderness Lodge & Ft. Wilderness Campground. These are smaller boats, not to be confused with the big steam boat looking ferry that comes from the parking lot.

You won't have any trouble finding them. Think of the security bag check at the MK & these boat docks are pretty much infront of that area. To one side is where you'd go to get on the monorail, to the other side is where the ferry comes from the car parking lot & beyond that is all the buses.

You're going to take the boat marked for WL & FWC. The boat will go first to WL. Stay on board. Then the following stop will be Ft. Wilderness. You will get off the boat & wonder where the heck am I

Never fear, you're very close to Pioneer Hall. Just follow everyone else who has gotten off the boat. You'll walk up the dock & there will be a playground area I'm thinking off to your right & beyond that is Pioneer Hall. You'll notice a wrap around porch with rocking chairs on it. Pioneer Hall & I'm pretty sure their Trails End restaurant is all there. And there is a bar where you can buy a beer or pop to drink outside on the porch after you check in at Pioneer Hall.

If you DON'T take the boat over from the MK & decide to go to Ft. Wilderness by Disney bus or drive, once you enter the campground, you will be at what is called the "outpost". This is literally the "last" area of the campsite before exiting. So you will need to follow the road all the way through the campground before basically reaching the other side if driving by car. If using Disney transporation, then you have to catch an "internal" bus of Ft. Wilderness to travel all the way back to Pioneer Hall. I do NOT recommed going this way, it's easier IMO to go via boat.

Your trip should be coming up soon? Hope you have a great time!

 

[mandas08]

Alright I am 3 days from Disney so it is time that I get this report moving again My goals for today are ironing and packing my clothes and getting Brian a small anniversary gift to give him at Disney. Tomorrow I will be watching my 2 nieces and nephews from 12-5 so I really need to get alot accomplished today because the only true packing day I will have left will be Thursday.

I can’t believe how quick the summer went! I remember it being June and wishing September would get here already. I still have 2 more days to post along with our must dos.

If anyone has a packing list I could glance at that would be awesome, in case I am forgetting something. Alright on to plans….


DAY 6

Sept. 22

Epcot F.W 9am-7pm
MK 9am-8pm
Epcot World Showcase 11am-9pm


Plans for today:

Sleep in

Maybe go to Future World or MK to finish up a few rides we may have missed

Spend the afternoon and evening at World Showcase

Illuminations in World Showcase at 9:00pm

Dinner: ADR at San Angel Inn @ Epcot

Go to Illuminations in World Showcase at 9:00pm

 

[onescgirl]

I can't wait to see how you like San Angel Inn. That was one of the restaurants that I wanted to go to, but wasn't able to fit it in.

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

The Mexico pavillian has a great vibe to it, the lighting and boat ride right next to the restaraunt are awesome. Is there a Don Pablo's where you live? If there is, the food is very similar...but the surroundings and aura about it are by far the best part of the dining experience there. There is a little bar when you first walk in on the right hand side....order their shot sampler. It's amazing!!! And I'm not even a fan of shots normally lol

 

[princess&her4princes]

I really enjoy San Angel Inn, the atmosphere is the best, love it!! I hope you like it and the boat ride is always fun, too!!

Good luck with your packing...as far as a list...mine would be different from yours but remember a poncho for sure, sunscreen, gum (they don't sell it in DW!), camera batteries, change of shoes, hat, any meds you may need (just in case you get sick...have stuff with you!), and you should be okay! Hope this helps some?

 

[trinaweena]

I'm so excited for you! You'll def have to report back on San Angel Inn, I've been contemplating that for our next trip

 

[Disneychix]

Oh how great you only have 2 more days!!!

Good luck packing, does your DH help with that? My DH usually watches tv and I hold up his clothes and he either says if they are in or out. Then, at the last minute he'll throw in all this other junk!

What are you thinking of getting him?? Can we know??

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

you go to Disney World in TWO DAYS! I'm totally jealous, but so excited for your TR!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

Good luck packing, does your DH help with that? My DH usually watches tv and I hold up his clothes and he either says if they are in or out. Then, at the last minute he'll throw in all this other junk!

Wow, that sounds familiar! I pack everything all nice and neat and last minute it gets all messed up with junk! I feel your pain

 

[mandas08]

Hi Amanda,
I've found your PTR from brookelizabeth's. I'm so excited for you!!! Your first trip EVER! I can already tell, you and DH will be completely hooked! I cannot wait for the TR that I'm sure will be coming soon after.
I love that you are a coupon clipper, I try my best but could be a lot better! There is a thread on the budget boards for cupon sharing, you should try to get into that one!

Welcome!! I'm so excited only 2 more days! I didn’t start clipping coupons until a year ago and have fell in love with the idea of how much money I can save. DH and I are pretty big on saving and budgeting. We have our budget planned out until 2012. Of course its just an estimate but it helps up keep on track. I plan to be a stay at home mom someday so the saving we do now will really help out later

Congrats on losing the 5 lbs, that's awesome!

Thanks so much Group classes really keep me motivated...and there KIND OF fun too.

The resorts have a boat dock infront of the MK. There are 2 separate ones but they are marked: Grand Floridian & Polynesian; and then a separate one for the Wilderness Lodge & Ft. Wilderness Campground. These are smaller boats, not to be confused with the big steam boat looking ferry that comes from the parking lot.

You won't have any trouble finding them. Think of the security bag check at the MK & these boat docks are pretty much infront of that area. To one side is where you'd go to get on the monorail, to the other side is where the ferry comes from the car parking lot & beyond that is all the buses.

You're going to take the boat marked for WL & FWC. The boat will go first to WL. Stay on board. Then the following stop will be Ft. Wilderness. You will get off the boat & wonder where the heck am I

Never fear, you're very close to Pioneer Hall. Just follow everyone else who has gotten off the boat. You'll walk up the dock & there will be a playground area I'm thinking off to your right & beyond that is Pioneer Hall. You'll notice a wrap around porch with rocking chairs on it. Pioneer Hall & I'm pretty sure their Trails End restaurant is all there. And there is a bar where you can buy a beer or pop to drink outside on the porch after you check in at Pioneer Hall.

If you DON'T take the boat over from the MK & decide to go to Ft. Wilderness by Disney bus or drive, once you enter the campground, you will be at what is called the "outpost". This is literally the "last" area of the campsite before exiting. So you will need to follow the road all the way through the campground before basically reaching the other side if driving by car. If using Disney transporation, then you have to catch an "internal" bus of Ft. Wilderness to travel all the way back to Pioneer Hall. I do NOT recommed going this way, it's easier IMO to go via boat.

Your trip should be coming up soon? Hope you have a great time!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it We are definitely going to take the boat over!

I can't wait to see how you like San Angel Inn. That was one of the restaurants that I wanted to go to, but wasn't able to fit it in.

It was Brian’s pick. The reviews aren’t always the greatest but it does look beautiful! I will let you know what we think

The Mexico pavillian has a great vibe to it, the lighting and boat ride right next to the restaraunt are awesome. Is there a Don Pablo's where you live? If there is, the food is very similar...but the surroundings and aura about it are by far the best part of the dining experience there. There is a little bar when you first walk in on the right hand side....order their shot sampler. It's amazing!!! And I'm not even a fan of shots normally lol

Ya I let Brian pick this one, after I seen the inside of the restaurant I was sold. Even if the food isn’t the greatest we will still get a great experience out of it!

Lol. I know we could never handle a shot sampler. I'm much more of a glass or two of whine and I'm done... and it has to be white whine.

I really enjoy San Angel Inn, the atmosphere is the best, love it!! I hope you like it and the boat ride is always fun, too!!

Good luck with your packing...as far as a list...mine would be different from yours but remember a poncho for sure, sunscreen, gum (they don't sell it in DW!), camera batteries, change of shoes, hat, any meds you may need (just in case you get sick...have stuff with you!), and you should be okay! Hope this helps some?

Yes it does look amazing! I didn’t know they don’t sell gum. I guess not selling it will keep the park cleaner, so I can understand that. Do you take 2 pairs of tennis shoes?

I'm so excited for you! You'll def have to report back on San Angel Inn, I've been contemplating that for our next trip

Will do!

Oh how great you only have 2 more days!!!

Good luck packing, does your DH help with that? My DH usually watches tv and I hold up his clothes and he either says if they are in or out. Then, at the last minute he'll throw in all this other junk!

What are you thinking of getting him?? Can we know??

Brian always packs his and I pack mine. We put 1/2 of our stuff in each suitcase in case one gets lost. We started doing this when we got into cruising and heard stories of luggage not making it on the boat We did alot of our packing Sunday. He was done in about 10 minutes and I spent an hour just deciding what to wear with what. I am a very visual person and wont know if I like it until I seen it on. (I also made a list to look at when we get there so I don’t have to start over and try it all on again. This way I can just look at the list and grab the clothes needed...I know I'm crazy ) Brian insisted his clothes didn’t need ironed so he was officially done Sunday but I wanted to iron mine so I got mine done yesterday

I actually got him Season 6 of The Office. We LOVE this show but wait to watch each season until it comes out onto DVD. I also got him new earbuds. Both of these will come in handy on the plane ride. Right now he thinks were watching Lion King (my fav) or Aladdin (his fav) on the plane so he will be pleasantly surprised. I also got him a photo album picture frame thing...I know that doesn’t make the most sense. But its a picture frame that you can set up and flip through it holds about 40 pictures. I bought this after visiting him at work and seeing a picture of us from 4 years ago on his desk lol. I ordered a bunch of my favorite pics to put in it and will leave a few slots for Disney ones of course We said we weren’t doing gifts because of the trip but I wanted to buy him something.

you go to Disney World in TWO DAYS! I'm totally jealous, but so excited for your TR!

Wow, that sounds familiar! I pack everything all nice and neat and last minute it gets all messed up with junk! I feel your pain

Lol we roll our clothes so it would definitely get messy if he just threw stuff in.

 

[mandas08]

DAY 7

Sept. 23 - Do whatever we want day!! No plans except Fantasmic!

Breakfast- We sould like to eat at Kona Cafe. I keep hearing about this Tonga Toast and really want to try it!!

Lunch- QS

Dinner-QS


Fantasmic in DHS- Starts at 8pm and 9:30pm


Up next: All of our Snacks that we bought and my recent shopping finds

 

[Spartangirl]

LOVE Fantastmic and LOVE Kona Cafe...sounds like a great day to me!

You've got to be so excited...2 days!

 

[princess&her4princes]

2 days!!!!!!!!! Are you SO excited, or what?!!

 

[mandas08]

2 days!!!!!!!!! Are you SO excited, or what?!!

VERY!! Were making our shirts now!! I will post pics when were done

LOVE Fantastmic and LOVE Kona Cafe...sounds like a great day to me!

You've got to be so excited...2 days!

YAY!! I must try Tonga Toast...Ive seen to many pics to pass it buy and Fantasmic looks amazing!

 

[mandas08]

Alright I am here for another update!! First I want to start by saying 2 DAYS!!!!

Here is a pic of our Flight/Breakfasts/ Snacks!

I used a coupon for everything shown except for the Kashi Bars.( Most of which ended up being doubled ) I ended up getting the Chex Mixes free because they were on sale for 1.00 each and I had a .50 off coupon that doubled. Sadly everything else did cost me money ..
Most everything is junk, but hey were on vacation!!!!

Disney Game -3.00!!!

I bought this at a garage sale Saturday for 3 dollars!! (Yes I shop clearance, use coupons AND garage sale lol) I was super excited to find it because I had been wanted to buy it anyways. We have a Disney trivia game but not the Scene It version. We are going to play it tomorrow.


And now here is what I bought two days ago at Target.

I may have gone a little overboard, but they were cheap!!
(Starting at top)
Brown Rainbow-2.25
White- 3.75
Dark Brown Blue Strap- 3.25
Light Brown with Stones-3.75
Dark Brown with Green Strap 3.25

SEE they were cheap. Now I have a head start on next summer!
I have over 50 pairs of flip flops ..its an addiction...haha

And finally here are the shirts Brian and I just made. I was going to surprise him and make both but I thought it would be a fun project for us to get together to get excited about the trip. They aren’t anything fancy but they are fun. We really enjoyed making them and spending time together. It was cute to watch Bri practice his ideas before putting them on his shirts. I just went for it and started drawing...which is opposite of our normal personalities lol

Mine is the light blue one and Brian’s is the dark blue. I love his, it makes me smile. I think my favorite part is the X through work but I also love his stick figures on the arms. And of course our names in the heart makes me smile too...he is too sweet. I must admit that I was a little confused when I seen him draw a heart a first.

Mine is a little more random. Just references a few things I love and am looking forward too.

We plan to wear these as jammies. So they won’t get any park time. But I promise to get a pic of us wearing them.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Awww, your shirts are SO CUTE! Love yours with the random thoughts and Bri's is so sweet, too! what a great idea!!!

Nice score with the sandles! Now I feel like I need to go back to my store! I didn't check out the shoe clearance!

Yummy snacks, you'll be so happy to have them in your room and for the parks.

I'm with you, I almost NEVER buy anything full price, the only way I can shop is to use a coupon, get it on clearance, etc. I have 1/2 my Christmas shoppind done by August, because I buy things after last Christmas and put it away for this year.

I can't believe you leave tomorrow! I forget, what time if your flight?

 

[onescgirl]

Those shirts are sooooo sweet! I love how you two made them together, that makes them so much more special! Brian is very creative, I love his stick figures.

You got a great deal on all of those shoes! I have the white pair that I bought at the beginning of summer.
We were just in Target yesterday & I didn't even look at the shoes!

I am a bargain hunter too. People that don't know me always think I spend a fortune the way Lexi & Levi always dress, and even my clothes. But, I buy everything on clearance after season & put it up.

We've never played Scene It, you'll have to post how you liked it.