Grand Villas, Victoria & Albert's, Star Wars, & More! Anniversary PTR! NOW the TR!!!

[AAshleySEG]

Congrats on getting Mine Train FPs!! So exciting. It's too bad that your new plans are a little more hectic, but at least you will be able to get in everything that you want to.

Thank you so much! I am hoping it will not be too hectic, we are pretty good at getting around down there

 

[AAshleySEG]

Just a happy side note, will be writing more about this on my next PTR for September...but I got our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets today! Yay!

Jeremy and I love to dress up for them, we tend to do characters that not many people dress up as. Overlooked characters I should say...haha

This past year we did the Blue and Red Umbrella from the PIXAR short "The Blue Umbrella" which was at the beginning of Monsters University. We had so much fun with those costumes and everyone stopped us and said how much they loved them. We did get a few strange looks as to why we were wearing rain boots when it was sunny outside...

 

[MidnightParade]

Aww, you guys are adorable! Love the umbrella idea! Can't wait to see what you plan this year now!

 

[AAshleySEG]

Aww, you guys are adorable! Love the umbrella idea! Can't wait to see what you plan this year now!

Thank you so much! I have to start thinking about it now, so I can come up with something good. One thing about last year's costumes, it was still pretty warm out, so I need to think about making something a little more weather friendly. It wasn't unbearable or anything, just maybe a touch on the cooler side this time

 

[Disney9.9.10]

What a great idea for costumes! Did you find it a pain to carry around the umbrellas?

Congrats on getting tickets! I love the hard ticket parties, they are so festive and fun!

 

[AAshleySEG]

What a great idea for costumes! Did you find it a pain to carry around the umbrellas?

Congrats on getting tickets! I love the hard ticket parties, they are so festive and fun!

Thank you so much! The umbrellas actually weren't annoying at all, I thought they may be too, whenever we got in tight spaces we just put them down, it was also nice having shade with us until the sun went down! But we really didn't even have to put them down too much considering that the party we went to was not that crowded!

I am right there with you, the Halloween Party is one of my absolute favorite things to do at WDW! It is such a fun time of year with all the fall decor, and the Food & Wine Festival too...I can't wait to go and start getting that trip planned out! I need to pace myself and try and stick to one PTR at a time...LOL

 

[AAshleySEG]

Anyone heard about or going to Harambe Nights this summer??

When I told Jeremy about it, he thought it would be such a fun experience! He was so excited about it that we made another trip plan. We now have a Late July weekend trip to look forward to along with the others. I am sure it will be another PTR as soon as I get back from the June trip.

So basically what are everyone's thoughts on Harambe Nights??

 

[AAshleySEG]

Jeremy's Fall Work Schedule was finally given to him so we now have our dates for the rest of our trips this year booked! With that done we were able to go ahead and get our Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets!

I have pretty much planned every single trip since we started going. For my 30th Birthday trip in October, Jeremy is finally planning everything out! All I have to do is sit back and enjoy it! I am trying to talk him into doing a PTR for it, we will see how that goes...LOL

 

[MidnightParade]

It sounds very fun and interesting. I like the idea of the street festival afterwards. I think AK is the perfect setting for something extra like this! Such a beautiful and immersive atmosphere.

With that said, not something I think I would willing to pay $119 for being such an infrequent visitor to the world(so many other regular things to see and do!) but you guys being regulars I can absolutely understand the draw and appeal to experiencing it! In the same position I would totally be up for it as well! Looking forward to seeing the reviews and pictures of it!

 

[AAshleySEG]

It sounds very fun and interesting. I like the idea of the street festival afterwards. I think AK is the perfect setting for something extra like this! Such a beautiful and immersive atmosphere.

With that said, not something I think I would willing to pay $119 for being such an infrequent visitor to the world(so many other regular things to see and do!) but you guys being regulars I can absolutely understand the draw and appeal to experiencing it! In the same position I would totally be up for it as well! Looking forward to seeing the reviews and pictures of it!

I am with you, I think the street festival sounds pretty awesome! I can understand not wanting to pay the $119 for it. Considering how much meals usually cost on their own, it didn't seem overpriced to me. A regular Disney hard ticket event is usually like $60-70, and this one includes food before and after the show, so that seemed reasonable to me.

Basically you are right though, we really enjoy things that are new to Disney World, I am pretty sure we wouldn't indulge if we didn't go often, because there ARE so MANY regular things to do there! I am definitely waiting on the pics and stuff from the first one! I definitely hope to have a review and pics for ya too!

 

[AAshleySEG]

Alright, with this post I am going to start adding things to my packing list as I think of them...I usually forget things once we get on the road, so hopefully this will help me out! I am also going to share my thought process of what I pack in case it may help anyone else. I am going to try and do it by what I will need per day, so with that let's get started!

Thursday June 12th: We will need IDs, Debit Cards, Cash, Insurance Cards, any type of card we may need. I am going to call this category Plastics, even though some are paper, also included in this would be the DVC Member Cards, Tables in Wonderland Card, etc.

Trip Report Journal and pens to keep up with all the notes of what is happening! Camera Bag with lenses, batteries, memory cards, and anything else that may be helpful with photos or video. Ooh the GoPro so I can possible record on ride footage! As well as its charger/accessories!

Magic Bands, we have a few so I am going to bring a few colors to semi-match our outfits if possible.

Cell Phones, iPads, Chargers, Laptop with charger, Nintendo 3DSs with chargers, Wifi Hotspot.

Drinks & Car Snacks, Pillows (I love Disney but their pillows are just to soft for me), Sleepwear, won't need extra clothing for the first day because I will be wearing something when we leave. Sunscreen, I sometimes even get sun inside the car, it really doesn't matter which side I sit on...it always finds me. Sunglasses, very important! Hidden Mickey Book, we have it but have never really used it, maybe this time we will?

Toiletries for our trip. Includes, hair products, tooth products, cleansing products, shaving products, makeup/cleanser, curling iron, hair dryer, flat iron, hairbrush, clips, hairbands, etc.

I know this probably sounds crazy, I just would rather be prepared than not, kind of like with my budget and everything else...LOL

Friday June 13th:
Clothing for the day at Animal Kingdom once we arrive, Evening Attire for Victoria & Albert's, as well as shoes for both. *Have to remember to have cash for the valet tips at night* Swimsuits in case we would like to go swimming after dinner, as well as Disney Towels. Sleepwear

Saturday June 14th: Star Wars Weekends!
Boba Fett Attire, Jeremy's Storm Trooper Attire, I think that is all specifically for this day, everything else I need is already on the list.

Sunday June 15th:
Whatever we wear today it needs to be appropriate for Afternoon Tea at the tea room.

Monday June 16th:
Daytime Attire for Magic Kingdom Park, Nighttime Attire for Victoria & Albert's, another swimsuit for each just in case we want to swim after dinner.

Tuesday June 17th:
Clothing appropriate for Ohana and comfortable enough for the long drive home!

I may and usually will think of something else I need to add to the list and when that happens I will just plop it in, maybe in a different color to tell what was added after the original!

 

[MarbleBob]

Yeah, packing lists! Having three kids, I understand the value in a good packing list.

I started adding a power strip or two to our packing lists. Between the 5 of us, all our iDevices, camera, camcorder, gopro, 3DS's, etc., we usually run out of outlets quickly I'm thinking about purchasing this Anker USB charging station for our next trip.... http://www.amazon.com/Family-Sized-Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00IBDOB5I/

 

[AAshleySEG]

Yeah, packing lists! Having three kids, I understand the value in a good packing list.

I started adding a power strip or two to our packing lists. Between the 5 of us, all our iDevices, camera, camcorder, gopro, 3DS's, etc., we usually run out of outlets quickly I'm thinking about purchasing this Anker USB charging station for our next trip.... http://www.amazon.com/Family-Sized-Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00IBDOB5I/

That is such a good idea! I have never even thought about that! Might have to look into getting one of those myself

 

[MidnightParade]

Okay I know you have everything planned out but just seeing you are there Friday the 13th, don't they have a Villains event for it? Or was that just a one time thing?

Gah! can't wait to see your Star Wars attire!

I like seeing other peoples lists! Helps me make sure I haven't missed anything on mine! lol. Always best to prepared for almost anything!

 

[Raven0207]

Anyone heard about or going to Harambe Nights this summer??

When I told Jeremy about it, he thought it would be such a fun experience! He was so excited about it that we made another trip plan. We now have a Late July weekend trip to look forward to along with the others. I am sure it will be another PTR as soon as I get back from the June trip.

So basically what are everyone's thoughts on Harambe Nights??

Yes since I have joined the site and started making plans for your birthday trip, I will make a PTR just for your Birthday... But No Peeking !!!!!!!

 

[AAshleySEG]

Okay I know you have everything planned out but just seeing you are there Friday the 13th, don't they have a Villains event for it? Or was that just a one time thing?

Gah! can't wait to see your Star Wars attire!

I like seeing other peoples lists! Helps me make sure I haven't missed anything on mine! lol. Always best to prepared for almost anything!

I am waiting to hear the news if they are doing anything special for the 13th, I thought it would have been announced or at least rumored by now, but I have not seen anything yet?? I can always switch plans around if need be

I am happy with my Star Wars outfit, so glad I got the Star Wars Band-Its last time we were there so I can put my Boba Fett one on my MagicBand that day!

I like seeing other packing lists too!! Sometimes I even get ideas from them that I had never even though of!

 

[MidnightParade]

I am waiting to hear the news if they are doing anything special for the 13th, I thought it would have been announced or at least rumored by now, but I have not seen anything yet?? I can always switch plans around if need be

I am happy with my Star Wars outfit, so glad I got the Star Wars Band-Its last time we were there so I can put my Boba Fett one on my MagicBand that day!

I like seeing other packing lists too!! Sometimes I even get ideas from them that I had never even though of!

I would definitely love to one day be able to do a friday the 13th at Disney if they have something special going on for it. Villains are the best! lol. Maybe since it falls in June they aren't doing anything this year since its a busy time of year??? Just randomly guessing there! Kinda hope they end up announcing it and you change your plans to go and then I can live vicariously through your TR!

 

[AAshleySEG]

I would definitely love to one day be able to do a friday the 13th at Disney if they have something special going on for it. Villains are the best! lol. Maybe since it falls in June they aren't doing anything this year since its a busy time of year??? Just randomly guessing there! Kinda hope they end up announcing it and you change your plans to go and then I can live vicariously through your TR!

I agree, I totally love the villains! I think Maleficent comes out in theaters on the 30th of May or something, we thought about trying to go see it at AMC at DTD if we have the time! I think that movie looks like it is going to be amazing!

 

[AAshleySEG]

We have been contemplating trying Memory Maker this trip...

I am pretty much the photographer/videographer in the family. If you saw my Alaska TR you pretty much know this already! So we always tend to have a lack of photos of me or both of us together. Which is kind of a bummer, especially when you are on an anniversary trip right?

So after thinking it over we are seriously considering giving the Memory Maker a try. Like I said, with it being our anniversary, Star Wars Weekends, etc, We could get photos of us like we have never been able to before, and I think that sounds like a great thing.

Any of you guys have any thoughts about why you would or would not add memory maker to your package? I though it sounded really expensive but then I remembered that the digital photos were unlimited, and on our cruise I think it cost $149 for only 10 photos or something like that? I seem to look at my digital photos all the time, whether they are on a TR or on Facebook or wherever. The paper photos from the cruise...sad but true ...are in the folder they came in..in a closet.

*Update: I changed our reservation on the 17th from 'Ohana at the Poly to 1900 Park Fare at the Grand. I put the reason why in the trip plan section, but in case you didn't see I wanted to let you guys know that changed!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm pretty sure that we are going to get Memory Maker for our trip too. Like you, I am always behind the camera, and with this being DDs first trip, I'd like to really take advantage of the MM photo options.

I didn't read your reasoning, but I think that your meal switch is a good plan. We also switched out our 'Ohana reservation (which makes me sad because it is one of my favourites) because the Poly is just a mess right now and I'd rather wait until it is all sorted out.