Christmas is done..Time for the Countdown to Disney World! 7/28-Packing Day (pics!)

[mimiloveswdw]

WELCOME!!! ​

Hello hello! I finished my TR a couple weeks ago and I needed to start writing about Disney again!

We're heading to Disney World on July 29 of this year and staying until August 6. We are SO excited!

The countdown is fifty-one days from tomorrow! We start checking off our countdown calendar on the day after tomorrow YAY!

On to the details!

When: July 29-August 6, 2011
Where: Wilderness Lodge! We've visited, but never stayed there!
Who: My family and me (Introductions to follow)
With: Eight day Base Tickets with Water Parks (no Park Hopper), Free Dining

Let's get to the WHO!!

From left to right: my sister Jess, my dad, my mom, and me, Erin

We all LOVE Disney World a lot, which is great! We basically have two events of our year: Disney...and Christmas. We go all out for Christmas
This is where the title comes from, because as soon as Christmas is over, it's time to look forward to Disney!

I'll do a more detailed introduction soon, I promise!

I hope that you'll follow along on my planning journey with me! Glad you're here!


Table of Contents
Introductions!

ADRs!!!

First Day Plans

Second Day Plans!

Third Day Plans

The Countdown, the Crafts, and the Camera!

Fourth Day Plans!

Fifth and Sixth Day Plans + Update

Last Days, Icky weather, *Brief* Harry Potter Thoughts, and General Insanity

SIX DAYS SIX DAYS SIX DAYS!!!

THREE DAYS! And other stuff?

Packing Day!!! With pictures!!!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

I thought I should let anyone reading know exactly who you are reading about, so how about some more in-depth introductions?

Also, I can't bear to study for finals much more tonight.

First, your narrator, me! Erin!

Simply put, I love Disney World. Everything about it is magical and lovely and wonderful. I also love to read! Harry Potter is part of my life. It is amazing. That's it. I love it. The books...the movies...just wow. But DISNEY is even more AHHH than Harry Potter. Sorry. Rambling, I know.

Contrary to my love of reading is my TV obsession. I can talk about the Bachelor/Bachelorette and The Office as long as I can talk about Disney World. I love American Idol, Vampire Diaries, Glee, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well.

Going with the TV theme, I also love movies. Especially Disney movies, of course! I was raised on Disney Sing-Along Songs. There was no way I wasn't going to grow up to NOT love Disney! It was my destiny. My all-time favorite movie is not an easy choice. I would probably say it is a tie between Pocahontas, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King. Runners-up include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, any of the Harry Potter movies, and any of the Toy Story movies.

I LOVE thrill rides! Rock 'n Roller Coaster is the end-all and be-all of every thrill ride in the entire world. Don't argue with me. I'll win.

Wow. I talk a lot. There's still three more people to talk about too. Moving on!

This is my younger sister, Jess

Jess is one of my best friends. We really just generally get along and have a LOT of fun. She's HILARIOUS and puts up with my awkward-ness with grace and (mostly) laughter. We're very different people at the same time as being very similar. She doesn't like "real" roller coasters, but she enjoys Splash/Space/Big Thunder Mountains. She used to like Everest until we got stuck at the top of the Hill of Death. Now she's pretty much scarred for life. Wah.

She likes movies too, but she can't really sit through entire movies at a time, like I can. She likes the same TV shows as me...if you add in Real Housewives of Whatever, Bethenney Frankel doing Whatever She Does, and the Duggars with Their Children. You know those shows Not my thing.

On to my lovely parents!

My mom is as Disney-obsessed as I am! We have many, many, MANY Disney talks throughout the year She's an awesome mom too. She helps me with pretty much everything and always listens and stuff. She likes the same rides as Jess does, so my dad ends up being my thrill-ride buddy My mom loves the Disney-Pixar movies a lot, but likes the classics too! She likes the same TV shows as me, pretty much exactly. We laugh a lot!

My dad is very fun! He loves Disney and he's the one who likes the water parks the most. For some weird reason, we always think that we shouldn;t go to the water parks but my dad pushes for them and we end up loving our water park day every trip He LOVES Star Wars sooo much haha and we are SO SO SO excited for the new Star Tours! We discovered the wonders of the Single Riders Line for RNRC last year and plan to use it to our full advantage this trip!!


That's about it...Bye for now!

Next Up: What are the ADRs?

 

[mimiloveswdw]

This trip's ADRs came out a bit different. We knew we had our favorites that we wanted to go back to, and we definitely wanted to try new restuarants. We decided to go to Hoop dee Doo Revue, and that uses two table service credits, so we would not have an ADR the first night. That was all right with us! So here's the lineup!

First Day--No reservations. For lunch we'll do Roaring Forks, then head over to MK. We'll probably get dinner at a counter service in the park, and our favorite CS in MK are Pinocchio's and CHH.

Second Day--Via Napoli for lunch! This was the restaurant I really wanted to try! After reading one review, I showed it to my sister and we both agreed we needed to go there It looks great, and the reviews keep getting better!

Third Day--Mama Melrose for lunch. We prefer big lunches to big dinners, but we don't really like character meals, so we were down to MM or Sci-Fi Dine-In. Since I would be eating at Sci-Fi with my dad later on, we decided on MM. We were a bit hesitant, since we weren't crazy about it the last time we went. However, seeing that the menu had changed since the last time we went, and that they had vegetarian options (for my sister) we decided to give it another chance

Fourth Day--Hoop Dee Doo Revue! It'll be a later dinner (7 o'clock showing) but that means we can have a full day at AK (the park we'll be in that day). We're excited for this experience, since my dad went when he was little and enjoyed it, but the rest of us have never been. It looks like fun!

Fifth Day--Since this is the day I'm going on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour ( ) and lunch at CHH is included, dinner was the solution. We're going to Crystal Palace that evening. We don't really like character meals, but it's convenient, there's lots of vegetarian food, and it's fun anyway! We don't DESPISE character meals, but we just always feel like we're taking up some little kid's chance at meeting Pooh or something

Sixth Day--This is our half waterpark/half EPCOT day, so dinner was a good option. We decided to hang around EPCOT for awhile, then walking to the BC for Cape May Cafe. CMC is the Must-Do for my sister and my dad. They LOVE seafood. She's even thinking of training herself to get used to seafood (since she hasn't been eating any meat for months) for the sole purpose of CMC I'm the complete opposite. I refuse to eat seafood (because of my obsession with fish) but I'm fine with eating any other meat. I still like CMC though; they have other stuff besides seafood.

Seventh Day--I'm going back to DHS with my dad and we're eating at Sci-Fi Dine-in. We like the atmosphere and cheesy movie commercials. The food is good too! But we're really coming back for the Oreo Milkshake! That thing is HEAVENLY. We both loved it last trip and can't wait to get it again!

Eighth Day--Our last full night in Disney Last year, we discovered the 'Ohana/Poly beach for Wishes combination and lovedit so much we're doing it again! We just love the relaxation of eating a great meal and just strolling down to a beach and sprawling out together and being able to talk about our trip without being smushed by a million other people on hot pavement that you need to stake out for over an hour. It's just a great way to end the trip!

That's it! Next I'll post the day-by-day plans!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

So we aren't that family that has minute-by-minute plans or anything. However, we do have must-do's and strategies!

First Day Our flight arrives in Orlando around 10 a.m. so we'll have almost a full day there We'll probably get to the WL around 11. So we'll check in and get lunch. It would be AWESOME if our room is ready, but we aren't counting on it. We can either swim (we pack swimsuits in carry-ons) or just go to MK. We're thinking about taking the boat there, since it'll be a new experience and a plus of staying at WL.

When we get there, we will stop at the Chapeau to get ear hats, as is tradition. Then we'll continue on to wherever we want to! We always hope to get some Fastpasses for our favorite rides, but our faves are generally the popuar ones So if we don't get FPs, that's fine too!

We don't have a first ride tradition; we usually just wander around and go on whatever we feel like. Last year we went on POTC first, since 1) it had a short wait and 2) it's 20 minutes of uniterrupted air-conditioning! AC is definitely a plus!

We really don't have a plan for the first day, especially since we don't have an ADR. We've always had an ADR, but this year we won't. This will allow us a lot of flexibility as to what we want to do. If we're VERY tired (doubt it ) we could even go back to WL for some swimming and an early night. If we're not tired, who knows? I'd love to see the Magic, Memories & You show, but I don't think I'll subject my sleep-deprived self to that the very first night. Seeing the Electrical Water Pageant from the WL may be do-able though!

All in all, here are the must-do's for Day One:
1) Eat lunch at Roaring Forks
2) Tomorrowland Transit Authority
3) Mickey's PhilharMagic
4) Haunted Mansion--unpredictable wait times though, so we'll see!
5) See the castle again
6) DON'T stay up too late! There's an early morning the next day...and the next day..and the next day..and well...you know

 

[mimiloveswdw]

I don't have anything else to do..so why not update this?

For our second day, we're heading to EPCOT. We want to make sure we get there in time for rope drop. Our strategy is usually to go straight to Test Track, since we're not HUGE Soarin' fans, and we love TT. Most likely we'll get Fastpasses right after, and perhaps ride again!

We would, however, like to get on Soarin', so maybe we'll head there afterwards. We really don't have any set plans for this day except for our lunch at Via Napoli around 11:30. I am very excited for Via Napoli; it just looks SOO good!

I would love to do a Kim Possible mission, but it's one thing saying I'll do it in my nice, cool, house and another thing to actually do it in the humidity and heat once I'm there. Who knows? Maybe I'll brave it and be able to talk my sister into joining me!

Speaking of my sister, she is the reason I always end up on Living with the Land at least twice every trip. She just adores it

Another thing I want to do this day is the Seas with Nemo and Friends. I just love fish. LOVE. THEM. I spend hours in that place. Those manatees are great too. Dolphins are amazing. So I guess I'm a marine animal person, rather than a fish person. I wish I could swim all day like them. That would be nice. Yeah.

Anyway, we'll probably end up in MouseGears at some point in the day. I got my beautiful bracelet here last year (which sadly broke about two weeks ago ) and I figure that, if any store will have new jewelery merchandise, it would be MouseGears. Well, most likely the Emporium and the World of Disney as well, but for whatever reason, we never go in those stores We don't really find time for Downtown Disney, and we gravitate towards the side of Main Street with the Cinema/Confectionary/Bakery. It's just become a habit for us.

Moving on, I'm trying to say that I want a new bracelet

I would love to bring back our family's old tradition of an afternoon pool/nap break at the resort. But we've since morphed into almost all-day park people. We're fine either way, but I wouldn't mind spending more time at the resort or in the pool

Honestly, I don't have any other plans for this day.

Second Day Must-Do's
1. Test Track!!
2. Via Napoli- YUMYUM!!
3. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
4. MouseGears
5. Try not to get overtired the first full day--maybe take a pool/nap break!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

This is the day I have been waiting for.

You see, I have an obsession with Rock 'n Roller Coaster. And so does my dad. And today is our DHS day

We went on it thirteen times last trip. In two days. So that was pretty awesome. Single Rider Line=our friend. So I'm PRETTY EXCITED.

ALSO STAR TOURS. I am sooo excited for the new ride! My dad even more so! IT looks amazing so I'm sure it'll be even better in person! Hopefully, there aren't huge lines for it so we on't have to waste precious RNRC fastpass opportuinities. But sacrifices may have to be made

OH we must also get popcorn. This is a MUST because, I know many won't know this, but DHS has THE BEST popcorn stand. It is at the corner of the street with RNRC and TOT and the street leading up the Sorcerer Hat. (I always get the street names mixed up and I don't want to look like a Disney Dummy when I inevitably mix them up)

We have convinced ourselves that this particular popcorn stand has THE BEST popcorn in Disney, and therefore, the best popcorn in the WHOLE WORLD.



Also, Mom and Jess enjoy TSM a lot, so they'll do that. They'll also get us on it at least once, so that's fun!!

Our lunch is at Mama Melrose, which I'm pretty excited about. The last time we were there, we had this creepy waiter guy. I know it's probably my fuzzy, eleven-year-old memory, but I remember him looking like Count Olaf He wouln't wait for us to finish our orders or anything, and would like slink away before we stopped talking. It was really weird But the menu looks good, and I feel as though Disney wouldn't keep a creepy waiter around when there are many non-creepy waiters elsewhere. Maybe he was practicing to be a TOT bellhop

We'd also like to return to the American Idol Experience. I thought it was fun when we went last year. Also, Jess and I will most likely go to Voyage of the Little Mermaid because it's adorable!! Also, GMR--A must for any DHS day!

I'm HOPING I can convince my family to take an afternoon break this day because I RREEEAAALLLYYY want to see Fantasmic! We haven't seen it in YEARS and I LOVE it...I mean, who doesn't love Fantasmic!??

I'm not sure if I'll go on TOT again. It depends if I feel like it or not. I'm just neutral on it, honestly. I've done it three times, and I liked it better last year, but sometimes...I'm just not in the mood for the terror

I'd like to see the Beauty and the Beast show again! And I think I'll be forced to, since one of my best friends played Mrs. Potts in our school's musical this year, and she'll probably send me on a mission to take pictures. That's just fine though, because I love the show!

Anyway, on to the Must-Do's (Gah, I miss Stacy)
1. RNRC!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!
2. STAR TOURS!!!
3. Voyage of the Little Mermaid!
4. Popcorn from the BEST PLACE in the WHOLE WORLD.
5. OH! Animation Academy!
6. American Idol Experience!
7. I'M REALLY HOPING FOR FANTASMIC!!

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Hi Erin! I have soooo much more to read of your plans, but I just decided to post now. I did see that you were doing Keys to the Kingdom though! Lucky!! I'd absolutely love to do that when I'm 16, so I have to wait 2 more years.

Don't you just LOVE the Disney Sing-Alongs? I was watching the Disneyland one last week actually...yes I know I just said I'm 14. But I can't help it, haha it's so cute!!

Well I'm off to read more of your plans and your old trip report!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Hi Erin! I have soooo much more to read of your plans, but I just decided to post now. I did see that you were doing Keys to the Kingdom though! Lucky!! I'd absolutely love to do that when I'm 16, so I have to wait 2 more years.

Don't you just LOVE the Disney Sing-Alongs? I was watching the Disneyland one last week actually...yes I know I just said I'm 14. But I can't help it, haha it's so cute!!

Well I'm off to read more of your plans and your old trip report!

I am soo excited for the KTTKT!! Yeah I had never really thought about doing it except for "Oh, that seems cool," but this trip I could actually do it, so I'm going with my mom since my sister isn't old enough yet

OHHHH the Disney Sing-Alongs I was raised on those. My favorite was Beach Party!! My parents actually had to bring it on our first trip to Disney (fifteen months ) because I watched that thing multiple times a day. I did love the Disneyland Fun one too, though! A couple of years ago I found out that a library the next town over had all the Disney Sing-Alongs on tape and I was so happy They are just great memories...I watch a clip and I am instantly me at ages 0-4 hahaha!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

So today is July 5. Which means...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TWENTY-FOUR DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



ALSO only two weeks until online check-in!! Which doesn't really do much, but it means only TEN MORE DAYS so it's a monumental occasion in the world of Disney planning

I haven't shared our countdown calendar, so I will do so now. We used the paint samples from Home Depot and wrote numbers for them. We did fifty days, and we put a sticker on each day. We'll put the last sticker on the morning we leave

Here's the twenty-four day mickey head!

And here's the best mickey head of all Sorry for the dark picture..

We've also been making crafty little keychains for CMs. We do this every year now..we used to make them for ourselves, but now they're even better and we give them away!

Here were our first attempts back in 2006

And here are some from this year!

After we make them and they dry, use self-laminating pouches (no laminator needed), then punch a hole through one of the top corners (we leave them on the beige background that they come on).

OH before we laminate them...we put our poem on the back

We made this up last year and it kinda sums up why we give them away. And we know it's cheesy...but it hides the writing on the back of the beige that gives it away that we stole lots of paint samples from Home Depot

Ok, here's the poem

Thank you, thank you for all that you do
You make people's dreams come true!
This keychain is just a simple, small way
Of saying that you've brightened our day!
Keep up the good work in all that you do
We know that Walt would be proud of you!

Yup! One time we got fastpasses for our keychains

I got a new camera for our trip! I got the Kodak Playsport Zx3. It's much better video quality than picture quality, so I'll have to make sure someone is taking pictures or I'll borrow my sister's camera and she can take video...I'll figure it out

It's waterproof, which is a big part of why I like it. That way, I can take it to the pool, and to the waterparks, and record Splash Mountain, and...everything! It records very nicely in HD too!

I like it so far. It has image stabilization, so when I'm walking it's not too bumpy of quality. On Youtube there are quite a few videos of Disney World made with it, so I knew that it would serve its purpose nicely

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Haha aww, that's so funny about the Sing-Alongs.
Enjoy the KTTK tour!!

& I love your countdown. My mom and I made a similar one the other night and yesterday we were deciding what to do like with taking them off. My idea was just to pull them off (they're taped on) and put 'em in a pile and such but my mom was like "But it looks really nice!" so I said "Well....the point of a countdown is to get rid of each day...not keep it up. "

SO, I decided to pull them off and then but a DVC sticker on the empty space (Last summer my mom & I were talking to this one cast member at the station at CBR and he was so nice! After we finished talking, he gave me the whole roll of stickers! So I definitely have some to spare!)

The next 24 (well not 23....) days will FLY BY. And then the time you guys are there will go super duper slow because, you know, that's the way it's supposed to be.

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Just have to say...THREE WEEKS THREE WEEKS THREE WEEKS!!!!!!!

Ok

Day Four is our AK day as a whole family. Jess and Mom are going back for another day while I go with my dad to DHS again. I'm not reaaallllyyyy into AK. I mean, it's Disney so therefore I love it, but it's not like MK or DHS for me. It's still great, though!

So, let me preface this day's plans with a flashback from last year's trip! Jess's favorite ride was EE. She loooved it so much! In fact, during our AK day last year, we went on three times in thirty minutes! Then after an hour or so, we used Fastpasses to go back. We got on the ride and everything is just fine and dandy!

Then we notice that the train is slowing down on the BIG hill. Yes, THAT bbbiiiigggg hill! The train is going much slower than normal. And then...it stops.

It STOPPED. Jess loses it, starts crying, the whole deal. It's something that she's always afraid of happening, so it actually happening pushed her over the edge. The ride started up again after about a minute, and the rest was fine, but it was really scary. The ground is VERY far away from you when you're up there Anyway after that, Jess has been very reluctant to say that she'll go on it. At this point, she says she's not going to

So my dad and I know that we're going on it, and we're excited to try the single riders' line! However, we may go on it less than we usually would in favor of spending more time as a family with mom and Jess.

WE NEED TO SEE THE FINDING NEMO MUSICAL AHH! I love that show. It's one of my favorite movies, and I think the musical is just genius. I loooove the songs and listen to them veeeeery often! So seeing the musical is a must! We also really like FotLK, so we'll fit that in as well

Of course, one cannot go to AK and NOT to Kilimanjaro Safari It's such a unique experience and very fun!

Also, It's Tough to Be a Bug!! No I am not kidding

Here's the thing. People FREAK OUT during that show. And us, being the supportive strangers that we are to said freaking out people, sit in the back and watch the same people, well, freak out! I know, it's terrible, but it's just...wow We also like to sing "WE'RE POLLINATOOOOORRRRRRSSS!" at the top of our lungs. So yes, ITTBaB is a must.

We can leave AK anytime in the afternoon that we want. Our plan for the evening is to go to Hoop Dee Doo Revue!! We have Category 2 of the 7:15 show booked, and I've found out that if you get there early you can request where you get seated, so we'll be there early We're really excited for this. It looks campy, so therefore we love it in the same way we love, say, Country Bear Jamboree! And the food looks GOOD. We have to remember to call to request a vegetarian meal for Jess, though...

After the show. it'll probably be around 8:30 (I think? I'm not sure of the time...) so maybe we'll be able to swim at WL! If we don't, that's fine too because the next day we start off at Typhoon Lagoon

Day Four Must-Dos
1. Expedition Everest! (Especially single riders' line!)
2. Finding Nemo-The Musical! (Hopefully front row, as is tradition!)
3. FotLK!! Wooo!
4. ITTBaB ahahahaha!
5. Safari safari safari!
6. Hoop Dee Doo Revueeee!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Obviously, I don't know what to write for a PTR From whenever I last posted until now, not much has changed. We cancelled our Crystal Palace ADR for a Whispering Canyon Cafe lunch ADR on our first day. We're landing at around 10 in the morning, so we made the ADR for 11:45. If we get there earlier, we'll just go to WCC then. We're not worried about it since resort restaurants aren't very busy at lunch.

Also, I got a bag for the trip at target. It's a really compact, cross-body bag with two pockets on the outside, which is the best part. I put all my pins on the cross-body strap so I don't even have to carry a lanyard I'm really happy with it, since it can carry everything, but it won't ever be heavy or cumbersome to carry around.

Two weeks from now and I'll be in EPCOT We finished all of the keychains; we have about 40 We need to do the tip/Mousekeeping envelopes still, and after that we're done with crafty things hehe!

ANYWAY, I don't feel like doing detailed plans anymore for days. I've just gotten lazy, and I'd rather read trip reports/watch youtube videos of Disney anyway

Day Five

Day Five brings us first to Typhoon Lagoon. It has morning EMH this day, which is why we're going. Biggest tip for the water parks: Only do them on a day with morning EMH, and get there right as they start! If you don't, it's filled with locals, since they're the best waterparks around and they want to cool down too. But if you can do this, DO IT. In an hour we get Crush 'n Gusher done like 15 times! After that, you're free to enjoy the less popular rides since you've done CnG. We love the wave pool and the lazy river here. I did some of the other water slides with my mom last year, but they weren't great IMO I also didn't really like Humunga Kowabunga. Around 1 or 2 we usually leave and go back to the resort.

We don't have to be anywhere until 5:30, but we need to be in EPCOT sooner than that. We're walking over to the Beach Club that evening for Cape May Cafe, which is the favorite of both my dad and my sister. We all enjoy it, but especially my dad and Jess.

After dinner, we're walking back to EPCOT and can enjoy the rest of the night. It's very unlikely that we'll watch Illuminations, since we HATE the crowds after it. Other than that, anything goes! Last year, we had GORGEOUS weather this night, and really enjoyed it. But nothing is worse than the WS in really hot temperatures, so we'll see!

Day Six

Day Six is our other split-up day, but this one we do every trip now. My dad and I always want another day at DHS, and Jess and my mom like to have another day at AK. So that's where we're heading this day

Last year we did RNRC eight times, and this was the day when we discovered the wonders of the single riders' line. We would never be the same We're not trying to break our previous record, but our goal is as many rides as possible!!

Also, going back to ST and AA are must-dos. We don't really have to do TSM..once is enough for us. Not that we don't like it, we just would rather use FPs for RNRC, TOT, or ST if we need it. We have a lunch ADR at Sci-Fi, which has become a tradition. I can't WAIT for the Cookies and Cream Milkshake SO GOOD!

We'll probably go back to WL for dinner, like last year with AKL, so that we can catch up with mom and Jess. We may go swimming tonight or just hang out. Not real sure, but that's ok!

Ok, so those are Days Five and Six! THIRTEEN DAYSSS!!!

 

[StephaniexMarie]

You're so close!! Ahh I'm excited FOR you!
You'll be there in no time, and I like hearing the detailed plans. Gets me thinking like I'm there!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

You're so close!! Ahh I'm excited FOR you!
You'll be there in no time, and I like hearing the detailed plans. Gets me thinking like I'm there!

Oh yay! AHHHH single digits today I am losing my mind from excitement But also, I'm getting that stress that it won't be amazing as I think it will be and it'll be over too quick blah blah blah...it happens every year though, and it all turns out fine, so I need to calm myself down

My mom and dad went to a garage sale and they got my sister and me two Disney Sing-Alongs Disneyland Fun and Under the Sea WOOHOO!

Are we going to meet up in MK?? Because...I think we should haha!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Um ok. So in nine days I'll be on an airplane.







Out of MY MIND excited. Going crazy. AHHHHHH!!!

On a completely unrelated note, my fish died I loved that fish. It was some feeder fish that was used for a (harmless!) middle school science experiment and my sister bought it for me for 25 cents and somehow it lasted over two years and grew into the biggest goldfish I've ever had. I was quite proud of that fish. It's name was Sparky (I've learned to just give fish gender-neutral names, like my previous fish Swine Flu and Malaria. Unfortunately, I can't think of any Disney characters with such names. Hmm.)
Anyway, Sparky lived a long and lovely life!

Also, my dog is limping and she's only three years old. So we're taking her to the vet today. We're not looking forward to it. She's like one hundred pounds and prone to anxiety. So yeah. Not real good, ESPECIALLY since you know, we're gone in nine days.

ON TOP OF THAT, last night, every light I turned on, it's lightbulb burnt out FOUR of them


OK, so I promise the following is about Disney

I don't really want to talk about the last day. All in all, we're going to MK. This is important, because for the first time ever, we'll only have one official, full MK day and this will be it. So hopefully it won't be TOO crowded and we can get everything we want to get done! A good thing about this day is that there's night EMH, so we'll probably stay for that.

We have an 8:15 ADR at 'Ohana, like last year. After a fantastic dinner, we can go to the beach and watch Wishes Gah. This show...my goodness. Makes me cry every single time I watch it, or listen to the soundtrack. It's just Disney, and wonderful.

Anyway, we don't need to be on ME the next morning until 3, so we have some space for sleeping in. Last year, we had to be on ME at like 12 so we had almost no time for that. We actually had to pack most of the stuff the night before. And no pool time or anything the very last day There was no transition to the real world! It was like I was DROPPED from I LOVE THIS PLACE into OMG I CAN'T LIVE HERE!!!

Like I said, I don't especially want to talk about the last two days



Unfortunately, the phone that I used to take TR notes last year completely broke on me yesterday so I have to use my regular phone. Which is a touch screen. And even though I have been using it from early October, I still make about 12 mistakes per text. Sooo, my TR will take a bit to decipher, I predict But I still really want to do it!


Here is a picture of the forecast for some of my days at Disney! Doesn't it look GORGEOUS?!?!

The first day says it's only some of the day (about three hours) but then the rest...hmm..

Granted it's still nine days out and it could change, but eh. At least I got a waterproof camera


And also, OMG HARRY POTTER WAS AMAZING I CAN'T IT BELIEVE IT'S OVER I MAY CRY AND ALSO I WANT TO READ THE BOOKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND I'VE STARTED DOING THAT AND THEY CHANGED STUFF FROM THE BOOK BUT IT WAS SO FANTASTIC I DON'T EVEN CARE MUCH.

All right, that's all I have to say for now! NINE DAYS NINE DAYS!!!

 

[ZFamily5]

A little late, but I'm joining in! I have the same video camera you have! It works great! On Sunday we went to our friend's pool at it filmed underwater so clearly! All of your plans look great! I'd be scared if I got stuck at the top of EE too, but I'd probably still ride again. You're getting so close!!

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Oh yay! AHHHH single digits today I am losing my mind from excitement But also, I'm getting that stress that it won't be amazing as I think it will be and it'll be over too quick blah blah blah...it happens every year though, and it all turns out fine, so I need to calm myself down

My mom and dad went to a garage sale and they got my sister and me two Disney Sing-Alongs Disneyland Fun and Under the Sea WOOHOO!

Are we going to meet up in MK?? Because...I think we should haha!

Single digits! I'm super jealous, the next 14 days are going to be the longest of my life. I totally know what you mean! Last year before my trip I was all weird after reading people complaining about stuff on boards, but when I got there it was great.

Ahh lucky! I've been meaning to watch Disneyland Fun for a couple days now. After I finish studying (New York has stupid Regents and I failed my Geometry one so I have to retake on August 17th ) I'm totally gonna watch it. We're so cool.

And we totally should!! I'll send you a message in a few minutes!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

A little late, but I'm joining in! I have the same video camera you have! It works great! On Sunday we went to our friend's pool at it filmed underwater so clearly! All of your plans look great! I'd be scared if I got stuck at the top of EE too, but I'd probably still ride again. You're getting so close!!

YAY KODAK PLAYSPORT! Haha I really like it so far! The only negative I've read about is it has a short battery life so I ordered an extra battery last night. Good to hear it works for you too! After I saw someone on Youtube filmed perfect videos of both Wishes and Fantasmic! I knew it was the camera for me

Ugh yeah EE was pretty terrifying but I love it and I can't WAIT to try the single riders' line this year Thanks for joining in, I've been reading some of your TR!

Single digits! I'm super jealous, the next 14 days are going to be the longest of my life. I totally know what you mean! Last year before my trip I was all weird after reading people complaining about stuff on boards, but when I got there it was great.

Ahh lucky! I've been meaning to watch Disneyland Fun for a couple days now. After I finish studying (New York has stupid Regents and I failed my Geometry one so I have to retake on August 17th ) I'm totally gonna watch it. We're so cool.

And we totally should!! I'll send you a message in a few minutes!

Yeah last night I was seriously STRESSING about EVERYTHING I could possibly stress about Disney I don't even know why. 10 days ago I couldn't sleep I was so excited, this past week I've been waking up an hour or two after I usually do, and right at this moment I'm in hyper summer-work mode because I'm super-excited again! Ahhh the ups and downs of a Disney World obsession

Geometry...is terrible. Honestly. It was so weird last year because I got all A's on my midterms and then I got a 78 in Geometry My report card really looked strange haha! So I understand your pain! Good luck on your test!!

We are too cool, I agree. In fact, I think they need to redo the Disneyland Fun Sing-Along and make it starring US. And then we can show everyone who we truly are

Answered your PM by the way

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Yeah last night I was seriously STRESSING about EVERYTHING I could possibly stress about Disney I don't even know why. 10 days ago I couldn't sleep I was so excited, this past week I've been waking up an hour or two after I usually do, and right at this moment I'm in hyper summer-work mode because I'm super-excited again! Ahhh the ups and downs of a Disney World obsession

Geometry...is terrible. Honestly. It was so weird last year because I got all A's on my midterms and then I got a 78 in Geometry My report card really looked strange haha! So I understand your pain! Good luck on your test!!

We are too cool, I agree. In fact, I think they need to redo the Disneyland Fun Sing-Along and make it starring US. And then we can show everyone who we truly are

Answered your PM by the way

Awww! Haha every night my moms been hearing me complain.."Mommy....can we leave soon?" "14 days is SOOOO LONG!" "Oh my God our trip is never coming" I think she's beyond sick of me by this point.

Geometry really does suck! I'm the type that's into Social Studies & English rather than Math & Science so it was a drag for me. I ended up getting a 75 on my report card for Geometry, which surprised me because I didn't do too hot on the final. But thank you! You are SOOOO lucky you live in NJ and don't have to bother with silly NYS Regents. I keep telling my mom we should pack up and move to Celebration, FL so I could go to Celebration High School and be regents free. Doesn't that sound nice?

Oh definitely! Ahaha that'd be the best.

I'm about to answer your new one! This is so exciting!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Awww! Haha every night my moms been hearing me complain.."Mommy....can we leave soon?" "14 days is SOOOO LONG!" "Oh my God our trip is never coming" I think she's beyond sick of me by this point.

Geometry really does suck! I'm the type that's into Social Studies & English rather than Math & Science so it was a drag for me. I ended up getting a 75 on my report card for Geometry, which surprised me because I didn't do too hot on the final. But thank you! You are SOOOO lucky you live in NJ and don't have to bother with silly NYS Regents. I keep telling my mom we should pack up and move to Celebration, FL so I could go to Celebration High School and be regents free. Doesn't that sound nice?

Oh definitely! Ahaha that'd be the best.

I'm about to answer your new one! This is so exciting!

Aw, don't worry, you'll be ready to go really soon! That's unfortunate for me, though, because then I'll be leaving See I'm a science person, and I'm fine with the math in science, but when it's math for math's sake...forget it. I don't understand what I'm doing at all

Yeah, I'm actually starting to appreciating NJ more and more...huh. BUT I would trade it all to leave in Celebration Or in one of those multi-million dollar houses in WDW