Chasing the cupcake! NOW it's, if the MaGic BAnd fitS yOU musT coMMiT.

[DisneyRunner2009]

Looking back at some of my pictures for this thread, this about sums it up.







The cupcake photos were taken at Contempo Cafe in 2011. The Tonga Toast is from Captain Cook's at the Poly. It plays a role later in this pre trip report.

This will be a Mommy and DD birthday trip during September Free Dining!
I'm the Mommy.


Here is DD, with another cupcake.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

This trip started, when DD bumped herself from a flight to WDW to get two free airline tickets. Originally, we were looking at going to Disneyland, but the flight times were not that conducive. So, after doing Disney math and weighing other options, a trip to a family favorite won again, WDW.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The original thought was each of us would fly out of different airports and meet up at the resort. Upon further review, that was not an option with these tickets. Also, we were up against certain flights being blacked out. I suggested DD get her vacation approved before booking any flights. Once her vacation was approved, we made the move. It was decided, I would fly out of the airport near her (she has a real job). Keep in mind, now I have to fly or drive to meet up with her. The choice was the first flight out in the morning and the last flight back. Of course, things don't go as planned. The first flight out was not available. Now what do we do? Do we want to arrive later in the afternoon or arrive late the night before? The last flight out the night before is available. On a previous trip, DD arrived after 2 am. At least she is familiar with this senario. Do we stay in the Hyatt at the airport or at Disney? After doing some quick Disney math, we decide to take the late night flight and stay on Disney property. By arriving late, we've gained two CS meals each.

Up next, how did we choose the resort?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

With the free dining promotion, we decide to try All Star Movies. It would be a new experience and one more resort checked off the list. Usually Movies is not discounted very much, so I always book where I can get the most bang for my buck. With free dining, you don't need to worry about the room only percentage discount. So, we would like to stay in the Mighty Ducks section. However, only preferred rooms are available at this time. Ok, we'll pay that, because we want to try out another resort. Then the flight decision comes in to play. Running the numbers, with the extra night and the preferred location (we really want the standard Mighty Duck section), we decide to stay at Music. Sports would have been an option, but the food court will be closed during our stay. At this time, I still ponder staying at Sports. Maybe the resort will be quiet, the rooms were recently refurbished, how hard is it to walk over to Music for food? As long as I can refill my mug, I'm good right?

Oh ya, I have to meet up with my DD to fly out together. What will I do, fly or drive?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Here's a quick update.

I will be flying to meet up with DD. I got airfare for $49 each way, it's cheaper than driving.

We switched from ASMu to POP. With the ASSp food court closed and the new menu at POP, we decided to pay the difference and go with POP. Also, have the option of AoA for food.

I returned about ten days ago from a trip that started at ASSp. Less than 24 hours at Disney, my DD #2, DH and I switched resorts. Now we were staying at POFQ. Port Orleans resort is the family favorite.

While there, I was scoping out cupcakes for the up coming trip. I didn't see the PB&J one at Poly. I saw smores, very berry and two others at Grand Floridian. These choices don't seem as tempting as other flavors that have been reported.

I tried the salted caramel thing at Boardwalk Bakery. It was between that and the bacon pie thing for the September trip. So, I got one choice out of the way with the August trip. It wasn't that good. There was a fruity taste to the caramel. I hope the candied bacon dessert is better.

Now on to the new development, My Magic +.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Last Saturday, I'm reading the Dis before I go to work. Earlier in the week, I check MDE to try and manage magic bands. Nothing was there, but I inactivated our KTTW cards from the previous trip. I read on the Dis about FP+ options for lunch at BOG. Great! DD and I plan to stand in line for BOG. I log into MDE and find a number to plug into the BOG FP+ site. My number works and I call DD. We pick a time and choose a menu. I can pick my options, but not hers. Fine, at least we have a ressie for BOG. Then, I notice I can pick magic bands. Time is running out I need to get to work. Doesn't that always happen, you try and do something quick and it takes longer than expected. But it's magic bands!!!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along....

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Quickly, I discuss what color should we pick for our bands. We both pick pink. I submit the order and head to work, #DQ. I like twitter, so I will add hash tags when possible. Now it's Sunday evening. DD and I choose our FP+ experiences. This trip we've decided to focus on more character meet n greets, so at MK we pick Meet Mickey. DD has not seen new Fantasyland, so we will focus on that at rope drop. Disney threw in a FP+ for Ariel, which is great so we can go to Belle first. BTMRR and Splash our are other FP+ choices for MK.

Hollywood Studios is the other park we picked.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

This trip is constantly changing. Now my name is on the list for the #NotSoScary "Treat Up" at MK. It is a Disney meet up occurring during a MNSSHP night. I hope to be Live tweeting during the event and trip. Please follow me at the link below. My DD may chime in with some updates to this PTR.

 

[DD at the U]

Hello! I'm the daughter going on the trip! Pretty excited for our trip and glad that my mom and I are able to go with the flow! We've had so many changes to our plans in the last couple months!

So to summarize our trip:

Who: My mom and me!
What:WDW trip!
Where: Pop (switched from ASMu)
When: Sept. 13-18
Why: It's my birthday! (and I had free plane tickets to use )

Exciting trip details (so far)...
1. Free QS dinning
2. Switching to Pop since we haven't stayed there in a few years
3. Getting invited to join the magic band test
4. Making lunch reservations at 50's Prime Time for my bday (we've never been before)
5. Making FP+ lunch reservations at BOG (I've never been before)
6. Going to MNSSHP (and making cool costumes )
7. Getting on the list for the Disney Parks Blog Halloween "Treat Up"

The blog meet up is kind of the most amazing because it is happening on the day we arrive. Originally we were going to leave after I got off work on the 13th, so we were not going to make it, but I got an extra day off of work (THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU to my boss!) and we are going to attempt to fly stand by to get there earlier in the day! I can only pray that the half full flights stay half full!!! Kind of an overload of amazing-ness. Now we just need some Disney magic and pixie dust to pull everything off!