Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR - TR Link (pg 73)

[glennbo123]

What do you do once the resort reservations have been made, the park touring schedule has been decided upon, and the ADRs have all been made? Okay, besides change ADRs I mean.

You are in the Planning Doldrums, bobbing with the waves, just slowly drifting. It may seem like you’re going nowhere, but at the very least, time is passing – and when you’re waiting for a Disney trip to arrive, that means a lot! This seems like a good time to mention -- only 54 more days until we check-in for our Vero Beach stay.

In thinking back on the things I’ve done lately in preparation for our upcoming trip, I guess it’s actually a longer list than I expected. Here’s what I’ve done:

• Scheduled my parents for Magical Express. Unfortunately, their luggage tags will come to me and I’ll have to forward them, but we’ll work it out. As we get closer to their travel date, I’ll tell them a) how to find the welcome desk to check-in (Terminal B, level 1), b) to pack swimsuits and arrival-day necessities in their carry-on luggage, and c) that Kidani is a separate stop from Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge. For now, I’ll just tell them that they’re transportation is all set.
  
• Ordered our Universal (1 day) tickets from Undercover Tourist. I didn’t get the Park-Hopper option (or whatever their version of that is called). They were pricey enough as it was, and I figure we’ll just visit Islands of Adventure so that we can see WWoHP. After that, we’ll return to Disney property so that we can go to the Sprit of Aloha show that night at the Polynesian. That will be enough to fill up a day.
  
• Ordered our Visa Rewards card. We’ll have two more billing cycles before the trip, but I can always add those reward dollars to the card just before we leave. The actual card takes longer to receive, so I got the process started now.
  
• Ordered crossbars for the roof rack of our van so that we can use our car-top carrier. Our new (to us) van has roof rails, but no crossbars. I ordered them and they’re now waiting for me to install them. Wish me luck!
  
• Downloaded the Undercover Tourist Disney iPhone app. It’s kind of fun to check the ride wait-times…do you think the times I’m seeing now will hold through June?

On the New York City front, I:

• Ordered a “Statue and Skyline” cruise for Judy and Lauren.
  
• PDF’d some train schedules and other reference items for them. As we get closer to the trip, I’ll put them in Judy’s Dropbox account so she has them on her phone.
  
• Made an itinerary for them, similar to my Disney “Master Plan” spreadsheet. Again, as we get closer, I’ll pdf it and get it onto Judy’s phone.

Some of the things I still need to do are:

• Order an FM extender or transmitter for my Sirius radio. Our new (to us) van doesn’t have an auxiliary input jack or a cassette player, so there’s no easy way to get my Sirius radio to play on it. The Sirius radio has an FM transmitter in the unit, but apparently it’s not strong enough to work well. I haven’t been able to find anyplace online that has a transmitter in-stock, so I may have to try an FM extender. We’ll see.
  
• Think about meals we’ll prepare. We’ll have a few in both Vero and Kidani. I definitely need Judy’s input here!
  
  
  
• Talk to Judy about what restaurants in NYC they want to go to. I know she’s gotten some recommendations from people and I’d like to work them into her itinerary for her.
  
• Call to register for a guided sea turtle watch program, but it’s too soon call right now. I have a reminder on my calendar though.
  
• Find out from Cynthia (eandesmom) what grocery stores in Vero she’s been recommended.
  
• Get a reminder from the DIS community as to which is the recommended queuing line for Pirates of the Caribbean – left or right?? Help people!

Link to next chapter

 

[englishrose47]

Sounds like quite a list of accomplishmentsI'd like to know which POTC line is recommended !!

 

[winkers]

I found a Judy!

You have been busy! I can't believe your trip is that close...less than 2 months!

I on the other hand am in the midst of post vacation depression....it sucks.

 

[onelilspark]

1 Judy!

For the Pirates line... I just watch who is going into the line and if there are a lot going Left, I go Right. I think there's an "always go left" thing around, but I've always done better watching people ahead of me. And listen to the CM, one time I went in and they said there's no one in one of the lines, so I went that way and we walked right on!

 

[onescgirl]

Hi Glenn! You don't have too much left to do for your trip!
Congrats on being close to your 50 day mark!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

we always have good luck going to the right...one time we walked right on had a boat to ourselfs when there was about a 15 minute wait on the otherside.

despite the CM telling people both sides open, they just kept following the people in front of them to the right

 

[Aristocath]

Hey Glenn, glad to see your pre-trip report. Had to laugh at your last entry about your parents and the Magic Express transport. We have started doling out info to our parents on a "need to know" basis so they don't get too worked up about things.

I hope Judy and Lauren have a great time in NYC. I go about three times a year and it is an amazing city.

 

[glennbo123]

Sounds like quite a list of accomplishmentsI'd like to know which POTC line is recommended !!

A little bit here and there, which didn't seem like enough to warrant an update as they happened, but listed all together here they look like I'm making progress!

I found a Judy!

Going with the grammatical rule that "a" = 1, the Rules Committee grants you today's Judy-sighting win.

Updated points:
Dan - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 3 survey game points
Pat - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 2 survey game points, 1 Bonus Point!
Molly - 3 Judy-sighting wins, 2 survey game points, 2 Bonus Points!
Magdalene - 1 Judy-sighting win, 2 survey game points
Rosie - 2 bonus question win
Cynthia - 1 bonus question win, 2 survey game points, 1 match game point, 2 Bonus Points!
Rob - 2 survey game points
Kelly - 2 survey game points
Mark - 3 survey game points, 3 match game points
Katharina - 2 survey game points
MissLiz - 1 Judy-sighting win, 3 survey game points
Marv - 3 survey game points, 1 match game point, 1 Bonus Point!
Tammie - 2 Bonus Points!
Nory - 2 match game points
GreatBiscuit - 1 Judy-sighting win
Winkers - 1 Judy-sighting win

 

[glennbo123]

You have been busy! I can't believe your trip is that close...less than 2 months!

It's getting close! We have a lot going on between now and then, so the time will probably fly by.

I on the other hand am in the midst of post vacation depression....it sucks.

That it does. Well, at least that means you had a good vacation. Okay, that doesn't help much, but I tried.

1 Judy!

We had to give today's point to Winkers, but you were very close.

Look at your "Location"!!! It says "Melbourne, FL"!!! Woo-double-hoo!!!
I looked at the house-plan picture on your blog....it looks great! Congratulations Kelly! (Oops, I think I've hit the maximum allowable exclamation points here.)

For the Pirates line... I just watch who is going into the line and if there are a lot going Left, I go Right. I think there's an "always go left" thing around, but I've always done better watching people ahead of me. And listen to the CM, one time I went in and they said there's no one in one of the lines, so I went that way and we walked right on!

Yeah, I think the last time we were there the cast members were reminding people that there were 2 lines. Good advice.

Hi Glenn! You don't have too much left to do for your trip!
Congrats on being close to your 50 day mark!

Pretty soon it'll be time to pack. But wait, let me clarify....I'm not one of those people who starts filling a suitcase a couple of months ahead of time. A couple of days ahead, yes.

we always have good luck going to the right...one time we walked right on had a boat to ourselfs when there was about a 15 minute wait on the otherside.

Oh nuts, Kelly said left, you said right.

despite the CM telling people both sides open, they just kept following the people in front of them to the right

Listen to the CMs, check, got it.

Hey Glenn, glad to see your pre-trip report.

Hi Cath! to the PTR! It's good to see you again.

Had to laugh at your last entry about your parents and the Magic Express transport. We have started doling out info to our parents on a "need to know" basis so they don't get too worked up about things.

Exactly. I mean, I don't want to portray them as senile or anything, but there's no point in giving them that kind of detailed information right now. It'll be much better to wait until it's "relevant" and more likely to be remembered.

I hope Judy and Lauren have a great time in NYC. I go about three times a year and it is an amazing city.

I'm sure they will. As I help to plan it, I'm getting more and more jealous.

 

[onelilspark]

We had to give today's point to Winkers, but you were very close.

Look at your "Location"!!! It says "Melbourne, FL"!!! Woo-double-hoo!!!
I looked at the house-plan picture on your blog....it looks great! Congratulations Kelly! (Oops, I think I've hit the maximum allowable exclamation points here.)

We made it down to Florida successfully! And I have my FL Driver's License, which means I've gotten my AP.

We're excited about the house! We're picking out all the colors and everything this weekend...means no Disney this weekend, but that's okay.

 

[Squidgyness]

Those plans all sound fantastic Glennbo! I have to say I do look forward to your food reviews, mainly as I have never eaten at most of the places you tend to visit, it's always nice to see inside these resteraunts!


On the vacation front, nothing to look forwards to here for the next year at least, mainly due to an eye-op, graduation and the struggle to join the job ladder. So, as I did last year I shall live vicariously through trip reports. Indeed, I had a particularly bad bout of withdrawal symptoms yesterday so read your 2011 TR again, it was just as good as I remember!

All I remember about the POTC queue is going right, but that day it was 50/50 in terms of numbers, as I recall it was the day before the 4th July, so quite busy! Alas, I cannot be of any help in that matter...

I also agree not to give complex info to relatives too early! Sometimes even the best of us can get confused, and travel details need to be completely accurate, lest a mix-up occur!

One thing you might consider planning is making a backup of all important numbers/items on your phone for example, though knowing your penchant for organisation (taking photo's of your photopass card? ), you hav ealready done this and I overlooked it .

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I hear you on the planning doldrums!!

Good thinking on NOT getting the Universal park hopper. I went last year with the family for a one day trip and we couldn't have park hopped if we wanted to. If you are going to see WWOHP, then you've got it covered! Just a note that the Forbidden Journey is herky-jerky. Don't go if you are motion sensitive (or if Judy is - I can't remember but I though Judy might be???). The castle is totally cool though so I would wait in line and then opt out right before they board you on the ride.

 

[englishrose47]

A little bit here and there, which didn't seem like enough to warrant an update as they happened, but listed all together here they look like I'm making progress!



Going with the grammatical rule that "a" = 1, the Rules Committee grants you today's Judy-sighting win.

Updated points:
Dan - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 3 survey game points
Pat - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 2 survey game points, 1 Bonus Point!
Molly - 3 Judy-sighting wins, 2 survey game points, 2 Bonus Points!
Magdalene - 1 Judy-sighting win, 2 survey game points
Rosie - 2 bonus question win
Cynthia - 1 bonus question win, 2 survey game points, 1 match game point, 2 Bonus Points!
Rob - 2 survey game points
Kelly - 2 survey game points
Mark - 3 survey game points, 3 match game points
Katharina - 2 survey game points
MissLiz - 1 Judy-sighting win, 3 survey game points
Marv - 3 survey game points, 1 match game point, 1 Bonus Point!
Tammie - 2 Bonus Points!
Nory - 2 match game points
GreatBiscuit - 1 Judy-sighting win
Winkers - 1 Judy-sighting win

I didn't comment on the Judy sighting as I was NOT first as usual

 

[vamassey1]

Lots of things checked off our to do trip.

Now, if you were of the female persuasion than you could fill this time shopping. Shopping for shoes, out fits, bathing suits, things to keep the kids occupied on the drive, sunscreen, ..... The list would be endless!

 

[brookelizabeth]

On our first Pirates ride of a trip we don't plan it, we walk toward the split and decide that exact moment! If we do a second ride, we go on the other side. It does seem the one side is shorter than the other...I think the right side??? I think.

We have been told by the CMs though that one line is shorter, if they mention it, we take their advice!

We made it down to Florida successfully! And I have my FL Driver's License, which means I've gotten my AP.

We're excited about the house! We're picking out all the colors and everything this weekend...means no Disney this weekend, but that's okay.

I'm headed over to your blog! Looking forward to it all.

 

[MEK]

1 Judy - can't believe I actually noticed.

Planning doldrums - that's good, right? It means you have everything under control (unlike my June trip).

I recommended this pizza place to Cynthia: Orchid Island Pizza Click on this link and you will find a not-so-hidden Mickey!

We got take out from there on evening and I remember everything being quite good. It's right on the corner within walking distance of the resort. We had an oceanfront balcony and it was one of my more memorable meals of the trip simply because I could not imagine a better view.

They will give you a list of grocery stores when you check in. It's very nice that they do that and probably saves everyone a lot of time. I remember we drove to a shopping center with a Walmart and a grocery store, but that's all I remember.

Interesting about the FM extender.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ugh, the planning lull. You could do what I do and change your plans around multiple times and drive the people you're traveling with nuts! It sounds like you're going to be leaving it alone though (which is probably a good thing! )

 

[BrerMama]

So I have to tell you that "Moist Exhausting" is one of the first trip reports I read when I started planning our trip and I loved it. So much so that when my 16 y.o. DD wanted to read a trip report, I recommended it to her. She loved it. At the time, I couldn't comment on it because it was finished and the thread was closed. Then I found this on the PTR (how had I missed it?) and when I recognized your name I got all excited. Thankful for the chance to not only say "Thank you for entertaining me" but also "thank you for helping me introduce my daughter to the fun of trip reports."

And then I got all excited because you're going to be at the World at the same time we are.... which was followed closely by the realization that we move to Universal during the week that you're there. It does look like we'll have a couple of overlapping plans -- MK on Monday and IOA on Friday. When I told that same DD that you were going to be there when we were, she totally got *gooey eyes* and said, "Do you think we'll run into them?" You truly are a trip report rock star.

 

[englishrose47]

Glenn you have a Fan Club!!! Marv will be jeolous !!!

 

[Poolrat]

Yeah Yeah Yeah 1 Judy - a couple of days late and probably many dollars short.

At least I beat Marv here!!!! I may have to send out a flare for him.

I am going to have to resort to typing out the smilie name if they keep playing musical chairs when look for them.

I hear you on the planning doldrums. Not only am I too busy to really look and plan, this trip will probably be a whatever works since I can be flexible to meet up with others already there.