*Girls Trip Round 2 November 2016* Pre-Trip

[Whit64130]

180 days to go!! Well more like 174
Why is it sooooo much more exciting once ADR day has come and gone. I mean 180 days is still a long time away but it just feels more real I guess. Maybe it's because I have my plan written in stone, well at least for dining.

So first thing is first. We have a room only reservation on the 14th before our Free Dining Package starts. I knew I could make the night of the 14th reservation on 5/18, but it did not dawn on me I could make all day on the 22nd until I was booking. I had babysat for a friend that day so I was up at 6am our time anyways so might as well book it while I am up.
I had set my alarm for 4:30 am CST on the 19th.
I didn't quite sleep well the night before because I was afraid I would over sleep. Yeah yeah yeah...I know if I didn't get exactly what I wanted there would be plenty of time between now and November to book. Plans would change and people would drop reservations. But I am that person. The person who needs a plan. Granted I am I can handle all the spontaneity in the world when we are actually on the vacation I don't have to have every last minute planned just my food though. Ha. I honestly think the excitement was more from Disney planning in general.
I had actually never had made ADR's for a whole trip just a few places here and there for out last trip so I had an idea on what to expect. I had my laptop out and my ipad just in case. Well of course it happened. Right as I refreshed my screen it was giving me an error screen. Not stitch or the paws page. It was some kind of internal error with the system. My ipad or phone was not working either. So finally at 5:15 I could actually pull up the site. Luckily I was able to get everything we wanted at the times we wanted. Without further delay here are our plans.....
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11/14:Check in All Star Music
6:20PM- Boma (I have a co-worker who talked me into this since I really want to check out AKL for a future stay)
11/15:Check out and Check back in All Star Music for Free Dining Pkg
Magic Kingdom
8:00AM-Be Our Guest pre-park Breakfast (fingers crossed hours won't change.)
3:30PM-Crystal Palace Dinner (Before the Christmas Party)
11/16: EPCOT
5:25PM-Whispering Canyon Dinner
11/17: Magic Kingdom/Hop to Animal Kingdom
4:10PM- Tusker House (hoping Rivers of Light will be available by this point and can change to a package)
11/18: Hollywood Studios
4:50PM- Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Package
11/19:Animal Kingdom/Hop to Magic Kingdom after Dinner
5:15PM-1900 Park Fare Dinner
11/20:Hollywood Studios/Hop to EPCOT
5:05PM-Chef Mickey's
11/21:Magic Kingdom
8:05AM-(Pre-park if hours do not change) Crystal Palace
6:30PM- Be Our Guest Dinner for 1 since Chelsy still has no desire to eat there. So might as well right!

We finally got Miranda graduated and was able to finally spill the beans. Chelsy was super sweet and planned the surprise out. She made a scavenger hunt with Disney clues leading her to a package with her monogrammed shirts for the trip. She was super excited! I was out of town that weekend and couldn't make it to the festivities but got to send her a video message after she opened her surprise! We filled her in on the plans in progress asked her if she wanted to do anything specific. Turns out she had been when she was 6 and did not remember a thing. We told her about the reservations we had planned and she was happy with them. She wants the full Disney experience character meals and all!

Sorry this is all words and no pictures. Apparently I need to update my plug in before I can import from photobucket.
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[ariane37]

Nice to see all your ADR's written out! I know I said this before either here or over on my PTR but I'm glad you're doing BOMA so you get to look around AKL - it's SO gorgeous And you're doing Minnie's Dine in HS? I think I missed that before! I keep going back and forth on that. Nobody else cares of course but part of me really wants to see the characters dressed in their holiday outfits. Waaaaay back in 2007 we had the boys' pictures taken with Mickey, Goofy, and Donald over in AK and they were wearing Christmas sweaters, scarves, etc. and the pics are adorable, not sure if they still dress up like that but I should find that out! Maybe I'll have to rethink the reservations I'm making this Friday and add Minnie's Dine in..... You haven't done it before , have you?

 

[Whit64130]

Nice to see all your ADR's written out! I know I said this before either here or over on my PTR but I'm glad you're doing BOMA so you get to look around AKL - it's SO gorgeous And you're doing Minnie's Dine in HS? I think I missed that before! I keep going back and forth on that. Nobody else cares of course but part of me really wants to see the characters dressed in their holiday outfits. Waaaaay back in 2007 we had the boys' pictures taken with Mickey, Goofy, and Donald over in AK and they were wearing Christmas sweaters, scarves, etc. and the pics are adorable, not sure if they still dress up like that but I should find that out! Maybe I'll have to rethink the reservations I'm making this Friday and add Minnie's Dine in..... You haven't done it before , have you?

I am like you I can't remember whose report it was but after hearing from you such good things I was talking with the girl at work who did the college program that I had to go to AKL. I think I am more excited for it than going to dinner at BOG. Since I have a few lone reservations I am not even feeling as intimidated because the excitement has set in!
I haven't actually done Minnie's dine, although we did Hollywood and Vine last year before Minnie took over. I can't remember if you said y'all had done it or not. I wouldn't have minded doing MM for our Fantasmic package but once we found out It was a character meal with a holiday touch we couldn't pass it by. Out of the three buffets we did last year it was my favorite. We used to go over Christmas break almost every year and something about the characters being in holiday attire just makes the season a little brighter.

 

[MissMaryQC]

I mean 180 days is still a long time away but it just feels more real I guess.

I totally agree. Then after the ADRs there is a lull until FP+ reservation day.

But I am that person. The person who needs a plan.

Me too. I need a plan, at least the basics of one; which park which day, food, etc.

I honestly think the excitement was more from Disney planning in general.

It was some kind of internal error with the system.

Luckily I was able to get everything we wanted at the times we wanted.

6:20PM- Boma

YUM! We went for breakfast in 2015 and it was SO good. I hope you enjoy the dinner.

5:25PM-Whispering Canyon Dinner

YUM! again! THe platter, the all you care to enjoy one, has so many delicious things to choose form.

4:10PM- Tusker House (hoping Rivers of Light will be available by this point and can change to a package)

I hope you get the package too!

8:05AM-(Pre-park if hours do not change) Crystal Palace
6:30PM- Be Our Guest Dinner for 1 since Chelsy still has no desire to eat there. So might as well right!

Double yum! CP b-fast is the best. Everyone raves about the puffed french toast and the lasagna (both are awesome) but they have these savory scones that are amazing.

And BoG was one of the best dinners we had. You will totally love it!

Turns out she had been when she was 6 and did not remember a thing.

That's awesome! She's gonna have such a blast! I'm glad you were able to tell her, and in such a cute way.

 

[hokieinpa]

I'm here and following along! A girls trip sounds like so much fun and I love all of your plans!

 

[ariane37]

I am like you I can't remember whose report it was but after hearing from you such good things I was talking with the girl at work who did the college program that I had to go to AKL. I think I am more excited for it than going to dinner at BOG. Since I have a few lone reservations I am not even feeling as intimidated because the excitement has set in!
I haven't actually done Minnie's dine, although we did Hollywood and Vine last year before Minnie took over. I can't remember if you said y'all had done it or not. I wouldn't have minded doing MM for our Fantasmic package but once we found out It was a character meal with a holiday touch we couldn't pass it by. Out of the three buffets we did last year it was my favorite. We used to go over Christmas break almost every year and something about the characters being in holiday attire just makes the season a little brighter.

We didn't do Minnie's Dine last year and I'm glad to hear it was your favorite, because I booked it for Thanksgiving this year
I really have to find out if the characters in AK will be in their holiday outfits when we're there. I actually posted a picture today in my PTR of the boys meeting Santa Goofy there back in 2007

 

[Whit64130]

YUM! We went for breakfast in 2015 and it was SO good. I hope you enjoy the dinner.

I want to try breakfast there too! I have heard such good things about it. Maybe next trip!

YUM! again! THe platter, the all you care to enjoy one, has so many delicious things to choose form.

This was my favorite meal last trip! Have you tried their milkshakes?!?!

Double yum! CP b-fast is the best. Everyone raves about the puffed french toast and the lasagna (both are awesome) but they have these savory scones that are amazing.

And BoG was one of the best dinners we had. You will totally love it!

This is the day I am most excited about food wise of the trip! I hope both are just as amazing as I've heard they were.

I'm here and following along! A girls trip sounds like so much fun and I love all of your plans!

Glad you are here!

We didn't do Minnie's Dine last year and I'm glad to hear it was your favorite, because I booked it for Thanksgiving this year
I really have to find out if the characters in AK will be in their holiday outfits when we're there. I actually posted a picture today in my PTR of the boys meeting Santa Goofy there back in 2007

Are you familiar with Kenny the Pirate? (I think that is the name) He has some great info on all of the characters and where you can find them in what costumes. I have made us a list out this year especially for the Christmas Party. And speaking of the Christmas party (I don't think I have asked you this yet), being the November veteran you are.. Have y'all ever been to it? This is our first year and I am sure it will be a lot like the Halloween Party we did for the first time last year. Although we loved the Halloween Party I feel like we didn't take full advantage of it like we should've. I intend on having a better game plan for the Christmas Party.

 

[Whit64130]

Finally got the pictures to cooperate. Here are the missing pictures to the last post of Miranda's graduation and trip reveal!





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[MissMaryQC]

This was my favorite meal last trip! Have you tried their milkshakes?!?!

The milkshakes were too good; I had too many during dinner and couldn't take but a few bites of dessert!

The photos are great! They both look so happy!

 

[ariane37]

Are you familiar with Kenny the Pirate? (I think that is the name) He has some great info on all of the characters and where you can find them in what costumes. I have made us a list out this year especially for the Christmas Party. And speaking of the Christmas party (I don't think I have asked you this yet), being the November veteran you are.. Have y'all ever been to it? This is our first year and I am sure it will be a lot like the Halloween Party we did for the first time last year. Although we loved the Halloween Party I feel like we didn't take full advantage of it like we should've. I intend on having a better game plan for the Christmas Party.

I do know about KtP I started looking at his website a few years ago and actually used it to finally find Characterpalooza at HS back in 2014! I still look at his website now and then and also follow him on Instagram, and I'll check out his crowd calendar too (although I follow Josh's more religiously) but I haven't subscribed to his paid site for the character stuff yet. Maybe I'll do that for the characters in their holiday attire

As for the Xmas party yes, we've been twice in 2007 and 2012. We enjoyed it and I'm sure you will, too! I admit we much prefer the Halloween party, and that's mainly because of the Boo to You parade which is totally fantastic. And also 3 of the 4 times we did MNSSHP, they villains were still meeting after their stage show which was also totally cool. I think having a game plan is a big benefit, especially if you want to meet any of the special characters and do shows and/or the parade. I've always gone with some type of plan except for our last MVMCP. We werent' planning to do that; it was a last minute thing b/c Chris was into pirates and kept asking to meet Jack Sparrow. Since the party is the only time you can meet him we decided that afternoon to grab tix for that night and "winged" it (I don't think that's I word but it sounds better than wang it )

 

[Whit64130]

I do know about KtP I started looking at his website a few years ago and actually used it to finally find Characterpalooza at HS back in 2014! I still look at his website now and then and also follow him on Instagram, and I'll check out his crowd calendar too (although I follow Josh's more religiously) but I haven't subscribed to his paid site for the character stuff yet. Maybe I'll do that for the characters in their holiday attire

I haven't subscribed myself but I have found some good info on his site. I also follow Josh's crowd calendar. Don't follow them on Instagram though. Maybe I will have to add them.
I think with it being our first time we didn't know what to expect and it was insanely crowded the night we went. Halloween is by far my favorite holiday and I will be giving it another try next year. Hopefully this year with a better plan we can enjoy the party more. We plan on meeting the characters you can't meet everyday and also the ones in holiday attire. It will be our first park day so hopefully we will get several rides done that am and won't feel the need to ride as much that night.
And winged it sounds better than wung it (what I would've guessed hahaha)

 

[disneyaddicted]

Just read through your whole PTR, yay for free dining and yay you got all your planned ADR's and times. We're going this December, I don't qualify for free dining unless I do a split stay, no worries though, I won't starve. We loved tusker house, the food and the character interaction. Your plans look great. I'll keep checking in for updates. Oh and I love all your Vera bags.

 

[Whit64130]

Just read through your whole PTR, yay for free dining and yay you got all your planned ADR's and times. We're going this December, I don't qualify for free dining unless I do a split stay, no worries though, I won't starve. We loved tusker house, the food and the character interaction. Your plans look great. I'll keep checking in for updates. Oh and I love all your Vera bags.

Thanks for following! I am glad to hear to hear y'all loved Tusker House! I am a little worried about it since it is new to us but I like like trying new places.

 

[Whit64130]

Life Update
The months of May and June are usually pretty busy times around our house. This year my husband is in nursing school. He is doing a Medic to RN program so he was in between finishing up one semester and starting the next this year. I remember how hard school was doing it in the normal time frame but he will finish in 3 semesters total where I had 5 to complete. It is hard for me to help him study between our work schedules. He works 24 hour shift at the fire department plus clinicals and school. Add my 3 12 hour night shifts and we mostly see each other in passing. I just keep telling myself December will be here soon enough and life will be back to normal but better since he will not be doing 24 hour shifts anymore.
Anyways moving on to June. June is our annual trip to Nashville for 5 days. My mom, aunt and I have been going since 2009 to the CMA music fest. It is our one trip a year it is just me and mom partially because my dad nor my husband is interested in going. Not sure if there are any country music fans reading along but if you haven't ever been it is worth it to do at least once. We are only 2 hours away from Nashville so we go often but our June trips are so much fun. It is super touristy and crowded during the week but since we go so often we don't usually mind this. Two years ago my best friend joined me for the first time and we ended up talking with the girls next to us. Turns out they were sisters from Nebraska and it was there first time being in Nashville. We ended up hanging out with them all weekend and exchanged numbers. We talked throughout the year and even got seats close together in 2015. One of the girls is a huge LSU football fan so we talked her into coming to Alabama for the LSU/BAMA game in November. Her sister had just had a baby in September so she didn't get to make this trip. This year my best friend didn't go the week with us because she has a 3 month old at home that needed his mommy, but she did get to come up on Friday to see our Nebraska friends. We had a blast as always. Here are a few pictures from the trip...(again sorry for the lack of knowledge on how to shrink them)











With all that has been going on lately we have been starting the planning for our upcoming trip for Jan/Feb. It is
exciting but almost overwhelming since I will be the main planner for the 10 day/8-9 person trip. Debating on whether to get a TA to help out. I don't want to given total control up but I started looking at the dates and comparing it to when FP+ reservations will need to be made and it will be the last day of our November trip. So anyone know of a good agency to help out but also doesn't take total control over? I am the obsessive planner who likes to be able to tweak times myself but the thoughts of making FP+ reservations for that many people while on vacation makes me nervous.

Thanks for following along!​

 

[ariane37]

Ah, ok, so you were talking about WINTER-winter in your message lol! So scratch what I said about park hours; I'll get back to you on January
That has to be rough, the schedules you and your DH are keeping but it seems you do know it'll be worth it in a few more months. Hopefully when he's done with school you guys can get on a similar schedule!

I have to admit I'm not a country music fan at all ( and so have no idea who the guy on stage is ), but from those pictures and the others on FB it does look like you guys had a blast. My mom and sister LOVE country music though! And it's cool you do it every year especially with your mom, those types of traditons are important and so very special. I'd be more into a metal fest even though I'm old

 

[Whit64130]

Ah, ok, so you were talking about WINTER-winter in your message lol! So scratch what I said about park hours; I'll get back to you on January
That has to be rough, the schedules you and your DH are keeping but it seems you do know it'll be worth it in a few more months. Hopefully when he's done with school you guys can get on a similar schedule!

I have to admit I'm not a country music fan at all ( and so have no idea who the guy on stage is ), but from those pictures and the others on FB it does look like you guys had a blast. My mom and sister LOVE country music though! And it's cool you do it every year especially with your mom, those types of traditons are important and so very special. I'd be more into a metal fest even though I'm old

Yes winter winter
and I like a lot of different types of music but something about country and being in the heart of Nashville makes it so much better!

 

[Whit64130]

Life/Disney Update
I hate how there is a long lull period between ADR's and FP+. I really have nothing to report on for our November trip.
But...My husbands family had been talking about a Jan/Feb 2017 trip for the past year. We had picked out dates and the ADR day was coming up next week. Well I got the dreaded call saying we are going to have to push back the trip to Fall 2017 due to multiple circumstances on their end. My little Disney bubble was busted.

I was really looking forward to going in January with the family. But since it has been postponed until the fall I will live. I think what gets me is my 10 year old niece hasn't been since she was 5 and every trip I go on she begs me to take her. Which in theory she would be a trooper and make it just fine on a girl's trip with us. She loves all the "thrill rides" and pretty much everything. Plus she likes to eat. I just don't think I am grown up enough to drive out of state and be that far away from her parents yet. I hate to tell her no but I also don't want the responsibility. I have thought of the idea to take her when she turns 16 or maybe as a graduation present in 8 years for just us two.
Ok so back to being sad I wouldn't be taking 2 trips in less than 2 months... Well once we had officially decided not to go my wheels got to turning. I was thinking that I can't go almost a whole year between trips with an AP in my pocket. So I did the next logical thing. Called Chelsy. She was up for it especially when I started pricing things out.
So today I booked us at ALL-Star Movies Resort.

Our dates are Jan 29-Feb 4
Since this was value season we got a good price. And the lady I spoke with said once we have our AP's it could end up being cheaper. We aren't doing the dining plan this time and have decided to just wing it when it comes to food. I am looking forward to this so we can have more freedom! Now just to wait for the Feb hours to come out so we can plan our park days...you know to give us soemthing Disney to do.
Anyways back to the PTR already in progress...​

 

[Squishley]

Two trips in two the span of two months!!! Sounds like fun! Great choices for your ADRs. I went to BOG for dinner once, and i really enjoyed it! You will have a great time, the food is excellent! Especially the grey stuff
I also hate the lull between ADRs and FPs. But hang in there... your fastpass window will approach soon. AND you have an entirely new trip to plan!!

 

[ariane37]

Woo-hoo for 2 trips planned!! And so close together, too! Last year we did November and then January but a little earlier than you and it was cool knowing when we left in Nov. that we'd be back so soon - made leaving less depressing lol. And that's great that you're getting an AP I feel special when I have one

I understand how you feel about taking your niece now, I wouldn't have done that when I was your age. It can be challenging bringing a child who isn't your own even if he/she is a family member. You have to discipline, say no, and you may not be used to doing that. And of course be responsible for someone's safety which is like babysitting-constantly! Love your idea of bringing her when she's 16 or graduates, you'll feel more confident then (take it from an older person) and you won't have to worry so much about her.

 

[MissMaryQC]

I'm glad you were able to work in another trip!!

There is nothing worse than a planning lull; I'm in one too.

I'm glad you're so honest about your niece. Kids are a handful, especially at Disney. I've gone with my younger sisters, and even with my folks there it wasn't always easy. She'll be glad to go with you when she's a bit older, more independent.