FINALLY going to Florida - TOMORROW - Go to last page for more info

[PennyLane1084]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to say Merry Christmas.

Also, I got Epic Mickey for the Wii from my DBF. I've only played for about hour so just through the very first level but enjoying it thoroughly so far!! The thing was, that he got me the collectors edition and my Mickey figure's leg was broken when I took him out of the box. It must have broke during shipping. But some hot glue should fix him right up. I also got neat Nightmare Before Christmas Mug "from" Mia (since she's only 10 and doesn't make her own money. However she picked it out and wrapped it herself. ) Which will go very well with the awesome Krups single cup coffee maker from my parents and grandma.

AND, I got Mia the Birmbaums' WDW for Kids by Kids guide book. She really liked it. AND Our Disney Planning DVD came in Tuesday. So my grandma, Mia and I watched it together. Mia was so excited and kept pointing out all the rides she wanted to go on. Was EXCEPTIONALLY excited about the Kim Possible Spy missions and she wants to do that for sure. So I know what we'll be doing in WS.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Unfortunately I got in really late on Christmas EVe and missed the Disney Christmas Parade the next morning. However, my parents watched it and totally caught the Disney Bug. My dad was going on and on about how he wants to go next year (with no encouragement from myself of course.) SO then after the parade, my parents switched over to the Star Wars marathon on Spike TV. That's when I mention that we should go to Disney next year for Star Wars Weekends and my parents loved the idea. All I had to say was "Storm Trooper Parade and Minnie dressed like Princess Leia" and my mom was hooked.

So look forward to a PTR for that trip eventually.

 

[PennyLane1084]

During last week us girls took a break from the very tiring task of Christmas Shopping and had some good ol' Chicago Style Deep dish pizza. Talk soon came to our Disney trip. I asked Mia if she wanted to get a generic Autograph book when we get to the park OR I could make her a personalized autograph book that she can make like a scrapbook. I was surprised that she wanted a handmade one. Since I had some time off this weekend I started the autograph book.

Here's the plan. I'm going to make 2 facing pages for each character. On one side, the character will sign the book, this page will also include clip art of the character. Then on the other side, Mia can paste in the picture of herself with the character.

Being a Graphic Designer, I'm super excited to make this for her. Planning on designing the pages, and either sending them to and online printing company like vista print and having them bind it OR print all the pages out my self and taking it to Kinkos and have them bind it. I'm planning on having it spiral bound so that it will be easier to lay flat.

I will upload pics of pages once I have them Designed.

 

[smileycrissy]

During last week us girls took a break from the very tiring task of Christmas Shopping and had some good ol' Chicago Style Deep dish pizza. Talk soon came to our Disney trip. I asked Mia if she wanted to get a generic Autograph book when we get to the park OR I could make her a personalized autograph book that she can make like a scrapbook. I was surprised that she wanted a handmade one. Since I had some time off this weekend I started the autograph book.

Here's the plan. I'm going to make 2 facing pages for each character. On one side, the character will sign the book, this page will also include clip art of the character. Then on the other side, Mia can paste in the picture of herself with the character.

Being a Graphic Designer, I'm super excited to make this for her. Planning on designing the pages, and either sending them to and online printing company like vista print and having them bind it OR print all the pages out my self and taking it to Kinkos and have them bind it. I'm planning on having it spiral bound so that it will be easier to lay flat.

I will upload pics of pages once I have them Designed.

That sounds awesome! She'll treasure it forever. My aunt made me a Sweet 16 album that I still cherish to this day.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Following along.

Your trip plans look good.

Enjoyed your pictures from Disney past, that castle cake was awful! What were they thinking?

 

[PennyLane1084]

I know right!! It's probably one of those things that sounds like a good idea at time and then when you see the end result, you're like "What the hell was I thinking!?!"

My family thought it was so cool when we saw it, yea and I thought that vinyl fanny pack was cool too.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Following along.

Your trip plans look good.

Enjoyed your pictures from Disney past, that castle cake was awful! What were they thinking?

And BTW
Glad to have you!!!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Now that we have a chauffeur for our trip, things need to be tweaked slightly. My crazy DBF insists on driving all the way through from Chicago to Orlando. That's 18 hours. I want to stop in Chattanooga, TN for the night which is exactly mid way through and would only be 10 hours of driving both days. But nooo, Steve wants to drive all the way. Although he loves driving and claims to not mind it. Whatever.

Really the only things that will get changed is the departure day.

We will now hit the road at around 9 or 10am on May 2. (NOT stop in Chattanooga ) And arrive in Orlando at around 8 or 10am on the 3rd.

Since we're renting a condo now, we won't have to wait for our room to be ready.

After unloading the car, unpacking, resting up from our looooooong drive, showering and making our selves look human again and not like a caravan of vagabonds, Then maybe we can head to MK for the evening.

Also, now that we have a car are not stranded on Disney Property (Although, if I was going to be stranded anyways Disney would be my first choice) Since I was not going to rent a car before, We are going to spend one day at Islands of Adventure and go to....

wait for it...


wait for it.......


THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Harry Potter will be so much fun!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Day 1 - Sunday, April 3
Arrival day - Should make it to Orlando in the early morning after driving for 18 hours.
Nap in the room for a bit
Head to Walmart for perishable food stuffs
Head to MK.
Ride a few things in Fantasyland perhaps
Pecos Bill or Casey's for Dinner
9pm Electrical Parade
10pm Wishes

Day 2 - Monday, April 4
8am ADR - 1900 Park Fare @ Grand Floridian.
Continue MK touring.
Snack - DOLE WHIP
3pm Parade
Back to condo for nap/pool time
Dinner at Condo, maybe order pizza or make Frozen Pizza

Day 3 - Tuesday, April 5
ADR - O'hana @ Poly
Epcot
Afternoon Break/nap time/pool/lunch or snack
Back to EPCOT
Dinner - CS @ Mexico Pavillion
9pm - IlluminNATIONS

Day 4 - Wednesday, April 6
Breakfast - Condo
Animal Kingdom
ADR 6pm - Chef Mickey's @ Contemporary
DTD after Dinner

Day 5 - Wednesday, April 7
Breakfast - Condo
DHS
ADR 3pm - 50's Prime Time Cafe
Nap Time/pool/Dinner or snack
Back to DHS
Fantasmic 8:30

Day 6 - Thursday, April 8
Breakfast - Condo
Island of Adventure
Lunch at Three Broomsticks - BUTTERBEER!!!
Naptime/pool/Dinner at condo
Pack and get ready for the drive home

 

[PennyLane1084]

Harry Potter will be so much fun!

Oh yea! I've heard that even people who are not really interested in Harry Potter love this part of the park. I've heard the themeing rivals Disney. The attention to detail is suppose to be amazing.

Also I am for sure going to wear my Wizard Robes. (Yes, I have Wizard Robes, but not the really nice ones, just the cheap kind you get with the $20 halloween costume. I also have a hand craved wand that is just like Herimone Granger's. Yes, I am a geek and VERY proud of it) I thought about bringing my wand but i'm afraid it might get lost or broken on a ride. So it will stay safely tucked away in it's box at home.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oh yea! I've heard that even people who are not really interested in Harry Potter love this part of the park. I've heard the themeing rivals Disney. The attention to detail is suppose to be amazing.

Also I am for sure going to wear my Wizard Robes. (Yes, I have Wizard Robes, but not the really nice ones, just the cheap kind you get with the $20 halloween costume. I also have a hand craved wand that is just like Herimone Granger's. Yes, I am a geek and VERY proud of it) I thought about bringing my wand but i'm afraid it might get lost or broken on a ride. So it will stay safely tucked away in it's box at home.

Sounds like fun! I would never hear the end of it from my brothers if I did something like that, they give me a hard enough time wearing my Minnie Mouse ears.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hi, Kristin!

I came over to read your PTR and then I saw the link about how the trip started, so I read that first. All I can say is: Whew! You are a patient woman! You are clearly determined to take this trip and I think that is great! It sounds like my grandma was the same way yours is – full of energy and spirit! Your cousin Mia is lucky to have a “sister” like you. And you’re right, it will be nice for her to have her own vacation away from the little ones. It is also really cool that Mia will be reporting too! Great idea! Oh, and DBF sounds like a keeper You’re a cute couple.

Things in Common:

I also use the word “awesomer” in conversation!

I am a HUGE Harry Potter geek (books and movies)! I haven’t seen Deathly Hallows part one yet because my daughter is scared of all but the first two movies You are so lucky to go to WWoHP! I hope you get chosen at Ollivander’s (even though it sounds like you already have a pretty neat wand) !

I the Unofficial Guides! I have to get the one for 2011 – even though I suspect it is strangely similar to 2010… and 2009… and 2008…

Fanny Packs: I loved my fanny pack as a kid. It was the “must have” accessory at the parks! Your Little Mermaid one was sweet! My 14 year old self would have been jealous!

Our dates: So cool they overlap!

Our ADRs: The fact that we picked some of the same restaurants is even awesomer! (See? I really do use that word! )

I’m sorry! I think I hijacked your PTR for a minute there! It’s just that you sound pretty cool and I’m enjoying reading along. I can’t wait to read more!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Hi Tink



I don't mind at all that you high jacked my PTR. The fact that you read through everything gives you license to do so.

Sweet, another Harry Potter geek!!

Deathly Hallows is soooo good. It's the closest to the book than any of the other films.

I can understand why you're daughter might get scarred. I wasn't actually a huge HP fan until the Prisnor of Azkaban came out. My grandma took Mia to see it in the theaters and she got so scarred she left half way through. It was the scene when Sirius and Lupin transform after they come out of the shrieking shack that did her in. When I heard this I was like "oh come ON it's a kids movie" so that got me thinking "hmm...it must be good if it scarred my grandma." (You have to understand, my grandma loves Disney movies for a reason.)

So I watched it with Steve and he said I should read the book because I'd like it. So shame on me but I started with book 3 and it was like my very first taste of a Drug!!! I was hooked for life.

And Awesomer is a real word in my book.

Maybe we can get together and have some Dole Whip or something.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Sounds like fun! I would never hear the end of it from my brothers if I did something like that, they give me a hard enough time wearing my Minnie Mouse ears.

Oh trust me, I get lots of grief from my brother too. For the midnight release of the last book, I dressed up like Herimone Granger (that's why I originally bought the wand) and went to the Borders my DBF works at. My brother could not handle it. He kept telling me I couldn't leave the house like that, someone he's knows might see me. He just doesn't appreciate my geekiness.

And just this morning my mom was joking that her grandchildren will one day come to her house wearing wizard robes and little pointed hats. And her and my dad will have to show how to be "cool." And instead of being excited about my future childrens' first word, Steve and I would get excited about our child's first high score.

The things is, she's absolutely right.

My child's first word would probably be something like "noob" or "yoshi"

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oh trust me, I get lots of grief from my brother too. For the midnight release of the last book, I dressed up like Herimone Granger (that's why I originally bought the wand) and went to the Borders my DBF works at. My brother could not handle it. He kept telling me I couldn't leave the house like that, someone he's knows might see me. He just doesn't appreciate my geekiness.

And just this morning my mom was joking that her grandchildren will one day come to her house wearing wizard robes and little pointed hats. And her and my dad will have to show how to be "cool." And instead of being excited about my future childrens' first word, Steve and I would get excited about our child's first high score.

The things is, she's absolutely right.

My child's first word would probably be something like "noob" or "yoshi"

My brothers and I are pretty geeky too. They have made up their own system that labels what level of geek/nerd you are. I don't know it off by heart but according to their system I am a "level 3" nerd and they are only "level 2" nerds.

 

[PennyLane1084]

My brothers and I are pretty geeky too. They have made up their own system that labels what level of geek/nerd you are. I don't know it off by heart but according to their system I am a "level 3" nerd and they are only "level 2" nerds.

HAha awesome! I'd love to know what level I am.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Totally stole this survey from Tink's PTR . If anyone would like to fill it out too feel free. I'd love to hear all your answers.

1. What is your name?::

Kristin


2. When was the first time you went to Disney World?::

May 1989

3. When was the last time you went to Disney World?::

June 1999 (Too long ago)


4. When is the next time you will be in Disney World?::

April 2011



GETTING THERE


5. How do you usually get to to Disney World?::

My family usually does the long trek from Chicago in our family van

6. What do you do to pass the time while getting there?::

We had a VCR and TV in our old van, so my brother and I would watch movies but we also played an alphabet game where you had to name a celebrity with the first name starting with the last letter of the last name the the last person came up with.


7. Do you have any particularly memorable or interesting experiences you can recall happening on your journey to Disney World?

One year the Air Condition went out in our van right as we were pulling into Atlanta in the middle of May. We had to drive the rest of the way to Orlando sweating our butts off.

LODGING

8. What is your favorite place you have stayed at and why? It does not have to be on property::

I think Coronado Springs. I love the Southwestern/Mexican theme. And the Pepper Market is so good.


9. What is your least favorite place you have stayed at and why? (It doesn't necessarily have to be a bad place, it's just that maybe out of all your list of favorites, this would be your least favorite)::

I guess it would have to be Fort Wilderness only because we have to take 500 buses to get to our final destination.

MAGIC KINGDOM

10. What is your favorite attraction in the MK?

Man, I can't decide between Haunted Mansion or PoC. So I guess it's a tie.


11. What is your least favorite attraction in the MK?

THE TIKI TIKI TIKI TIKI TIKI ROOM


12. Tell me a random memory you have involving the MK.

I only rode Alien Encounter once, but it scarred my mom and I so bad, She yelled at my dad after wards and called him a few choice names. It was his idea to ride it in the first place.

13. What is your favorite place to eat in the MK?

Liberty Tree Tavern



EPCOT

14. What is your favorite attraction in Epcot?

Spaceship Earth


15. What is your least favorite attraction in Epcot?

Hmm...I can't think of an attraction I don't like.

16. Tell me a random memory you have involving Epcot.

The last year my family went I was 14 and my favorite shirt was a babydoll tee with the Union Jack on it. I can fondly remember getting all flustered when the cute CM selling Fish & Chip said he liked my shirt. The English accent didn't help either.

17. What is your favorite place to eat in Epcot?

Fish and Chips place, I think they we're in the pub in England.


18. What is your favorite country in the World Showcase?

England


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

19. What is your favorite attraction in HS?

Muppet Vision 3-D

20. What is your least favorite attraction in HS?

The Great Movie Ride (I get chills just thinking about the Alien part. I know that thing doesn't move but it still freaks me out)


21. Tell me a random memory you have involving HS.

Once while walking through the queue for Star Tours, we saw Chewbacca. It was so cool.


22. What is your favorite place to eat in HS?

50's Prime Time Cafe. Great Food, Fun Atmosphere

22a. What is your least favorite place to eat in HS?

ABC Commissary, ate here once while on a tour with a drawing class I took at the resort and i just remember the burgers very dry and flavorless.

23. Do you watch the Citizens of Hollywood?

????? ARe those the streetmosphere people? I don't they had those when it was still called MGM.



ANIMAL KINGDOM

24. What is your favorite attraction in the AK?
I don't really remember a whole lot about AK from my last trip


25. What is your least favorite attraction in the AK?

I didn't really like AK the last time I was there but I'm hoping to change that. I really want to like the place.


26. Tell me a random memory you have involving the AK.

I just remember it being very hot and humid while walking through the park, and being mad because the truck on the Safari was going really fast and all the animals were very far away, you couldn't really see them.

27. What is your favorite place to eat in the AK?

I've never eaten here


OTHER DISNEY PLACES

28. Which water parks have you been to and which one was your favorite?

I've only been to Typhoon Lagoon and I didn't like it very much


29. What was your favorite part about that water park?

I'm not a huge fan of water parks


30. Have you been to Disney Quest?

Nope


31. What was your favorite thing about Disney Quest?




32. Have you been to the Wide World of Sports?

No


33. What was your favorite thing about the Wide World of Sports?

N/A


EXTINCT DISNEY

34. What are some of your favorite attractions that are no longer around?

The Lion King show at MK with the Animitronic animals. It was in the theater where Philharmaic is now I think.


35. Have you ever been to Discovery Island when it was still running?

No but I vaguely remember something about it


36. Have you ever been to River Country when it was still running?

No but the bus to FW would stop there and my brother always wanted to go but it was took cold at the time of year we were there.

37. What was your favorite part about the now shut down Pleasure Island?

I only went there once when I was 14 so I could only look in the stores. I'm excited about the new place they're building in it's place though.


38. What is your favorite extinct show/parade?

The Aladdin Parade at MGM around '94 or '95 was really cool


RANDOMS

39. What is one thing you MUST do every time you go to Disney?

Steal a bar of soap from the resort to take home. lol. I mean I WOULD NEVER!


40. What is one thing you MUST eat every time you go to Disney?

Mickey head ice cream bar!!


41. What is something you haven't done yet that you look forward to doing?

More of Animal Kingdom


42. What is something you have done and have no interest in doing again?

The Tiki Room.


43. Who is your favorite Disney female?

Boo from Monster's Inc

44. Who is your favorite Disney male?

Wall-E


45. Who is your favorite Disney villain?

Malificent


46. Your earliest Disney Park Memory:
Riding Dumbo with my Dad


47. What other Disney Parks have you been to outside of Disney World?
Nope. I would love to go to DisneySea in Japan


48. Have you ever had to explain your love for Disney to someone who just didn't "get" it?

Not really....It's more like people have to explain why they don't like Disney because I don't get it.


49. Blasphemous I know, but where is your favorite place to travel outside of Disney?

Las Vegas, it sort reminds me of Disney but with lots and lots of booze.


50. Which Disney character reminds you of you?

Belle. She's a bookworm like myself, she's very loyal to her friends and family, she doesn't confirm to gender stereotypes, she keeps and promise and will give up anything to help someone out, even if that means being lock up in a enchanted castle with a scary Beast-man and talking furniture.

 

[PennyLane1084]

I still haven't heard everything from the owner of the condo I inquired about last now and started to get impatient. (Who me?) So I started looking again at condos on VRBO and found a really nice one at Windsor Hills INCLUDING 4 Disney tickets for $500 for the entire week. How can you go wrong. The owner just emailed me back and it's available for our dates. Needless to say, I decided to take the condo!

 

[smileycrissy]

Way to go on the Condo deal!

That survey is so cute, I'll have to log back on tomorrow morning to fill it out. You are right, it should be fun to see everyone's answers.