Girls Only Trip, we can't stop!! October 2013 PTR

[bellaally]

Hey peeps
No really welcome to my little PTR

Your probable here because of one of these three reasons
A) your planning or thinking about your own solo trip
B) your going around the same time of year
C) you clicked on it by accident

For whatever the reason might be I'm glad you came!

A little introduction

My name is Alexandra,people call me ally. I am 25 yrs. old and was born on Christmas. I am happily married (3yrs) to my wonderful husband, and we have two boys (Nicholas 2, Jordan 1). Until recently (December 2012) I had never been to Disney . Honestly the first time was so magical it was like we were in a whole new world. Everyone was just so nice and happy and in return you were nice and happy . Then we went 2 more times and loved those trips equally.

Now this trip came about around January . I have changed the way I eat and started to run daily. I lost 67lbs and though it might sound corny I feel so good right now. My new found love for running is matched by my love for Disney.

So I thought maybe I should do a race at Disney. I looked at all the races and found one that would be a great starter race for me. I am running in and hopefully completing the Tower of terror ten miler on October 5, 2013.

Jesse my husband has been a huge supporter in my weight loss and running journey, but unfortunately he can't take time off of work to go with me. But he will definitely be there in spirit.

I have never been by myself anywhere before, so this is a whole new experience for me. I hope that its as fun and exciting as other solo adventures that I had the pleasure in reading. I am extremely outgoing and friendly so hopefully I can make some friends along the way and while this is a solo trip not feel lonely.

I have never been to WDW in the fall and I'm very excited for MNSSHP as well as food and wine.

One last thing I am sort of this narcotic OCD planner so even though it only me going to Disney I will be spreadsheeting and organizing and various other forms of planning.

YOLO right

 

[bellaally]

 

[bellaally]

My dates for this fall trip after careful considerations are October 3- 8th. It was a hard decision!

As a new runner there are so many rules & so much information going into your first race that it can be over whelming.

First you never want to be on your feet a lot the days leading up to the race. My last training run will actually be the Sunday before I fly down. So idiot want to scheme to many days before the race to arrive. Knowing me I will be at the parks all day and would probably be tired the day of.

I did want to get there early to go to packet pick up on Friday because I am running the 5K on the morning of the 5th as well. You also have to watch what you eat leading into a race because you don't want unfamiliar food that can make you sick or slow you down while running.

I choose to add more days after the race to relax and enjoy the food at F&W and just to have a couple days to unwind. I will be going to MNSSHP on my night of arrival and am planning to have an early night on the 4th before the races.

If you are running in the tot please introduce yourself would love to meet fellow runners!

 

[bellaally]

This has been a long ongoing battle. Why is picking the resorts so effing hard to do. Seriously it was easier picking my childrens names.

No but seriously, My first instinct was to rent points. I have done it pretty often and its actually the cheapest option. This trip however it was a no go since. I am going during a busy time for DVC. Since I get to experience all those great things such as food and wine festival which is extremely popular and the race.

So after seeing nothing was available. I wanted to stay at a resort that I hadn't stayed at before. I wanted POR but when I call the rooms with the special rates were sold out!

So I booked pop and decided let me save some money except since discounts have not come out yet for october i was paying rack rate. It was something like $652 for five days.

So I have been playing a waiting game for a while. Until recently when I was reading a blog post by my favorite gals. The Disney Gals which like me are running in the tot ten miler and the Princess Half Marathon. They were offering a group rate. It was open to all there readers and it was a fantastic deal.

So I will be staying at All Star Sports for the low rate of $407 which is something ridiculous like 72.50 a night . Which I think will be better than the fall discounts which have not been released.


I am actually really excited about All Star Sports, even though not everyone is crazy about the All Star resorts. I have never been and this crosses off one more on my resorts bucketlist. Also I'm at disney and on site so who cares where they stick me. Bottom line I picked it because it was the most affordable option for a solo traveler and i'm not picky.

One down side is the cafe will be closed but there will be a bus shuttle to another All stars.

 

[bellaally]

October 3, 2013 (Thursday)
Depart Philadelphia around 7:10am
Arrive MCO around 9:35am
Taking Disney Magic Express for the first time
Check in to All Star Sports around 11am
Head to Epcot for a little Food & Wine
Head back to resort to change into costume
MNSSHP at 6pm

October 4, 2013 (Friday)
Go to Expo
Some Dis Meets and Runner Meets
Lunch at BOG (hopefully)
Then tour MK or Park hop
Early to bed
Eat carb loaded Dinner


October 5, 2013(Saturday)
Haunted 5k
Eat Huge lunch, stay hydrated, snack throughout day
Relax at pool at resort
Nap
Tower of Terror Ten Miler
After Party til close at 4am!!!

October 6, 2013 (Sunday)
Sleep in (but not to in)
Animal Kingdom (wilderness explorers)
Yak & Yeti @ 4;40pm
Then back to Epcot or Resort

October 7, 2013 (Monday)
Food and wine Festival
Dinner at Biergarten

October 8, 2013 (Tuesday)
Lunch at Brown Derby 11:30pm
DME leaves 2:00
Plane departs at 4:45pm
Arrive in Philadelphia @ 7pm

 

[bellaally]

So so updates really crazy stuff here folks.....



My cousin has officially joined this trip which makes it a girls trip, which is always so much more fun.

I love her she is my best friend...... Ashley we are much more than cousins as We have been very close since she was little. She is like my little sister. We are five years apart but close enough to have similar interest. Another important factor is this is her first time!
She has never been to Disney.

This is very exciting for me since I am definitely sure she will fall in love with Disney just as much as me.

I do have to switch so things around to accommodate her but its gonna be a magical trip!

We added a character dinning experience chef mickeys .... I have never been and since I will be dining with the Disney Gals it that much more exciting. It's a Dismeet and I am so ready.....

 

[happybelle]

Joining in. That is great you will have company.

 

[bellaally]

Joining in. That is great you will have company.

I am so glad I am not all by myself lol!

Yea i will not be alone but I am stressing out over it though. I wasn't excited to go solo but I scheduled a lot of dis meets and such and now I really have to redo most of my plans.

I guess the biggest thing is the parks that I picked. I have an AP and been plenty of times to each park. We are actually sitting down on Sunday and looking into where we would want to eat and actually do. She express interest in the haunted 5k which is great because we can do that together but we also have the running after party and MNSSHP so we need to decide how many days she would like to have.

It's gonna be exciting thou and I know we are gonna have a blast. I just need to iron out the plans so that I won't feel anxious of the unknown.

 

[happybelle]

It does sound fun. Get your plans down, and there will be no need to worry...you are at Disney.

 

[bellaally]

So let me introduce the newest edition to our cast.
...because lets face it one is the loneliest number ever!

Ashley


She is your typical 21 year old, crazy fun loving, and of course my type of girl!



We are total clowns and never really take anything seriously.


She just finished school; as well as started a new career in banking. (so we can be serious and smart too) She also is a mommy, she has a 2 year old so we have plenty of things in common including our kids are around 6 months apart.


She has also never been to Disney or florida for that matter. Easy to say she is truly excited. She loves Disney and is a huge movie fan.

I am kinda nervous because I really want her to have fun and enjoy herself. Plus it would be nice getting someone else addicted to disney...

 

[Dis_Yoda]

My husband & I are running in the Haunted 5k on the 5th as our first race. We aren't getting in until the afternoon on the 4th though.

Have a great girls trip!

 

[bellaally]

My husband & I are running in the Haunted 5k on the 5th as our first race. We aren't getting in until the afternoon on the 4th though.

Have a great girls trip!

Hey maybe we will see you there. I am doing the 5k with Ashley. We are seeing that many people do a simple outfit on this run. Hope we can get something together so it can look cool in our photos!

 

[bellaally]

Excellent update!


I was hanging out with my fave girls today!

Ashley included and we were going over plans.

She also registered through runDisney for the 5K as well as she paid for her ticket to the Villains Bash.

We also decided on celebrating our running achievements by attending a very special dinner.

On Sunday October 6th we will be going to a very happily ever after dinner featuring Cinderella and the gang.

I have never attended any character meals with princess(just tusker house twice and Hollywood and vine)
I have boys so its not something I think I will do just because I believe it is geared towards girl but hey I'm a girl.

So we thought this would be fun.

I have a list of things that need to get done seriously a long list:
Adding Ashley to my room only reservations
Adding Ashley to Disney Magical Express
Paying off our room reservations
Buying our MNSSHP tickets
Buying Ashley's park tickets
Buying more trading pins
Make Ashley a surprise first time visit package(to include autograph book, pins for trading, and Minnie ears)
Signing up for that rainforest company membership(Ashley really wants to visit rainforest cafe)
Decided on our simple 5k outfits
Deciding on our not so simple MNSSHP costumes


Also probably a whole bunch of crap I am forgetting.

On more exciting and relatable news. My lovely husband bought me a very nice expensive thoughtful gift. He bought me a carry on roller bag. It's a 17in Vera Bradley pattern mocha rouge. It was very thoughtful I will be using for my October and November trips to WDW.

I am sure excited and with just 72 days left!

 

[bellaally]

So we ironed out most of our itinerary

Here is a look at our Arrival Day

October 3, 2013(Thursday)

Our flight via AirTran is forever changing as of today it scheduled to depart at 8:30am
We need to arrive at least an hour and a half just in case something crazy happens.

So Ashley's fiancée will be dropping her off at 6:00am on the day of.

My husband has been volunteered to take us to Philadelphia International Airport.

We hopefully remember all important documents like boarding passes, IDs, Disney Magical Express documents.

We will probably eat some breakfast in the Airport

Getting though DME scares me I have never used them as we have always rented a car but because I'm a baby and my husband usually drives around in Florida, I don't want to rent one. Also I have heard a lot of horror stories of long lines and long wait times.

I am hoping that after everything is done we make it to the resort around 1pm

This I have decide will be the day of our Halloween party.

It's the only date they give discounts to AP holders so I was thinking it might be a low attendance day.

I hope our room is ready so we can nap or wash up.

I was thinking of going to DTD for an early dinner but maybe we will eat something in the park. Since we only have a three day park hopper for Ashley. I thought it would be smart to save a day and just enter early if possible around 4pm and just eat in the park.

Now for the actual party we were brainstorming what our costume should be we want it simple and easy to prepare. We also don't want to actually buy costumes but piece together things that were inspired by the character like Disney bounding. We also want to stay in a movie so far we have Alice in wonderland(me) and mad hatter(ash) Tim burton version. Wreck it Ralph vanellope (me) and fix it felix(ash).

I have attended the MVMCP so I have idea of MNSSHP but its still new to me. My goal is to get on as many rides as we can before 6:30, then line up for characters, watch both parades, and the villains show.

I have to research MNSSHP more.

The head back to crash....

 

[happybelle]

I like your character ideas for MNSSHP. Your plans look fun.

 

[bellaally]

I like your character ideas for MNSSHP. Your plans look fun.

Thanks hope we can pull it off, I not so crafty. We are officially going as tim burton Alice in wonderland characters. I told Ashley if I get really festive I might try to be the queen of hearts since her costume seems especially fun! Ashley already found her mad "hat" so she is quite happy with her pick.

 

[bellaally]

So Ashley and I have been brainstorming lately and we have decided on characters from Tim Burton's Alice in wonderland. She is definitely set on the mad hatter. I on the other hand don't really like Alice's dress or hair in the remake. I am leaning towards the queen of hearts or the white queen.

But there is still plenty time to decide......

After reading some reviews on 2012 Mnsshp, I have come up with a game plan sort of lol.

First is getting there as early as possible. Second is something I read on easywdw (thanks josh) about either ordering the plastic tickets and having them sent to your house or printing them at your resort or guess relations. These plastic cards will be able to help us get FPs until 7pm also I can also use my AP to get FPs.(this is depending if mymagic+, is live and regular fast passes are removed....hopefully not)

My game plan is to enter early and do as many regular character meets and rides that will be closed during the party.
Some characters to meet before hand:
Mickey
Little mermaid
Woody and Jessie
Aladdin and Jasmine

I would like to get all of adventure land and frontierland finished before the party starts maybe even some fantasyland! It's three hours and we are young and quick.

Our character meet and greets in priority are
Princesses and princes especially Flynn rider
Aurora and Phillip
Jack sparrow
Duffy
Lotso
Genie and Abu


We definitely will watch the villains show but don't need to get any signatures, as we will be meeting characters at the races and after party.

We also will be meeting the royal family at 1900 fare happily ever after dinner as well so we can pretty much enjoy the rides and the shows.


My favorite place to watch a parade is frontierland outside of the entrance of splash mountain where the bridge is and over to the left. The parade turns where you are seated and you get plenty of great pictures.

I will be bring my prize possession my canon but probably not the tripod still have not decided. I have to look for a nice bag that I can carry everything in and will be fine not too big or small.

We will probably get something to eat before we sit to watch the parade. Probably Pecos Bill because I love there pickings bar.

I still don't know where we are going to watch hallo wishes from I haven't really found a great spot to view fireworks probably towards the front of the castle on the right in front of tomorrowland where they have metal chairs and tables.

Then some trick or treating and some rides and more meets.

Hopefully it isn't too hot or cold. I can't wait 11 more days an I can check in!

 

[bellaally]

So a bit of an update.

I am interviewing for a really good job. I am excited but at the same time nervous. At the interview I didn't really tell them about the trip. Just because they were stressing there need for nurses and the fact that all of them go on vacation.

The nursing supervisor loved me she drop the professional thing and was I love you, you will be great here its a yes from me.

She also was going on about flexible settings and hours are flexible.

So I'm gonna start and work and try and take this vacation if I have to switch flights to come back earlier that's fine.

I can't really ask for the days off because I'm goinf in November as well and that teip is the most important one.

Waiting to hear from the job which can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 week

 

[bellaally]

I got the job which I'm kinda excited and nervous. Since I have not worked in a little over a year, after giving birth to Jordan. I was however taking classes.

I really still want to go and I also wanted the job so I didn't tell them know if anything I can cancel the trip. I am still going on my November trip.

Hopefully I can take unpaid leave since I already have two days off all I need is three more. I have considered cutting the trip down which is very feasible as well.

I'm waiting until Monday when I go through all the benefits and new hire material to ask questions. If I can go without jeopardizing my job, I am all for this trip.

I am thankful I'm a nurse we have very reasonable schedules. I just have to work my butt off and pick up shifts and the supervisor won't mind. She was so nice and I feel like our interview really got me the job.

Anyways I received my pins that I purchased from my trusty connection and no scrapper super cheap too. I am going to have our pin party soon and I got her some other Disney essentials.

Can't wait till Monday for some answers!

 

[happybelle]

Thanks hope we can pull it off, I not so crafty. We are officially going as tim burton Alice in wonderland characters. I told Ashley if I get really festive I might try to be the queen of hearts since her costume seems especially fun! Ashley already found her mad "hat" so she is quite happy with her pick.

It sounds like fun ideas. Congratulations on your new job. There are lots of nurses on the DISboards it seems. I am sure if you are up front about your needs they will be willing to give you the time off you want.