Happy Mickey-versary for 15 yrs! An Oct. 2011 PTR NEW: 11/13 Pretend Disney? & TRlink

[irish dancer]

Have a GREAT weekend trip!! Sounds like fun!!

We had the full corned beef dinner last night too but you'd never know it, the kids ate every last scrap!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Have a great weekend away, Julie!!!

Love the pictures of your St. Patty's celebration! We didn't get to do ours this year because of soccer. We are going to have a belated celebration this weekend, but I fear it will not include any green beer. LOL!

 

[mousescrapper]

Have a GREAT weekend trip!! Sounds like fun!!

We had the full corned beef dinner last night too but you'd never know it, the kids ate every last scrap!

Have a great weekend away, Julie!!!

Love the pictures of your St. Patty's celebration! We didn't get to do ours this year because of soccer. We are going to have a belated celebration this weekend, but I fear it will not include any green beer. LOL!

thanks for the weekend well wishes we did have a nice time THANKS had great food, games, laughs and a couple chilly walks down to the beach (Lake Michigan), Matt came home w/ a cold he's better now...but guess who is feeling sick again....


grr me...are you kidding me...after feeling blah for 3+ weeks...again.... Oh well, hoping it's more head cold and allergies then in my chest and asthma...

In planning news...NOT much

Amy my wonderful Disney guide sent me the link that the October OOH were up on the TA site...so I have printed my week...but that is it w/ that...I didn't even bring Disney stuff w/ me to look over or talk about in the car w/ Matt over the weekend...he asked where the real Julie was?

we did discuss our ADR's....and I think we are pretty set...now just need to confer w/ the OH and pick our dates...

next week is Spring Break for school...not that it will be very Spring-y....going to be in low 40's oh well...besides getting caught up w/ scrapping...hope to get some Disney stuff done and get a real planning Post up too....


till then,

J~

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hey Julie,
I hope you had a great time up in MI. The weather really isn't cooperating is it? Yesterday it was 70 degrees and today it's 39!! It's going to dip down to 27 degrees. Really. Enough already!

Thanks for posting about October hours being out! Now we can plan plan plan!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hey Julie,
I hope you had a great time up in MI. The weather really isn't cooperating is it? Yesterday it was 70 degrees and today it's 39!! It's going to dip down to 27 degrees. Really. Enough already!

I know it's making me crazy...

Thanks for posting about October hours being out! Now we can plan plan plan!

not sure if they are up on Disney's official website...but up on the travel agent site...I don't have the link handy...check the Official Oct thread...I think someone may have posted it there or PM me your email and I can forward you a PDF file of it.

J~

Also got an email today from touring plans...the hours have tweaked several of their crowd and best/worst park predictions...man I have lots to go over

 

[DisMomAmy]

not sure if they are up on Disney's official website...but up on the travel agent site...I don't have the link handy...check the Official Oct thread...I think someone may have posted it there or PM me your email and I can forward you a PDF file of it.

J~

Also got an email today from touring plans...the hours have tweaked several of their crowd and best/worst park predictions...man I have lots to go over

Sounds like fun!! I'm jealous... I have another month to go.

And I can't believe you didn't bring any Disney stuff with you to discuss with Matt!

We have a road trip at the end of next month & it's going to kill me that I won't be able to talk about it with Tim during the ride... or I'll just have to talk in code!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Too funny that Matt asked where the real Julie was!

Our spring break is still a week away -- looking forward to just getting caught up on projects around the house!

 

[Marshay]

Hey, Julie! I'm caught up again (and even started my next TR for May, see link siggie if interested).

Anyway, that picture of Rachel from a few years ago looks just like Naomi-Ruth!!

Congrats on getting the airfare booked! Yeah, it's official!

Checking out your blog, now.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Have a great weekend Julie!

 

[mousescrapper]

Sounds like fun!! I'm jealous... I have another month to go.

yes now I need to do something w/ them

And I can't believe you didn't bring any Disney stuff with you to discuss with Matt!

crazy huh

We have a road trip at the end of next month & it's going to kill me that I won't be able to talk about it with Tim during the ride... or I'll just have to talk in code!

ahh...that only wokrs for so long though it's funny how much Disney lingo my kids already know

Our spring break is still a week away -- looking forward to just getting caught up on projects around the house!

hope you have a good one and get's lots done too bad our's is starting out w/ illness yet again

Hey, Julie! I'm caught up again (and even started my next TR for May, see link siggie if interested).

I'll be over for sure!!!

Anyway, that picture of Rachel from a few years ago looks just like Naomi-Ruth!!

yes the girls do look alot alike

Congrats on getting the airfare booked! Yeah, it's official!

Checking out your blog, now.

thanks and thanks....I need to stop getting sick so I can get projects down so I actually have something to BLOG about

Have a great weekend Julie!

we did Missy...it was last weekend...great food, conversation, tons of laughing...it always feels so good to laugh w/ tears...kwim and we had some cool (as in weather) walks down to the beach

 

[Native NYer]

Matt's comment made me laugh!
There is always a planning lull at some point. I'm at that point right now. ADRs made, flights booked, rental car reserved, and not much else to do but wait.

Your St. Patty's Day celebration looks like fun! My friends and I attempted to go have a couple of drinks after work on St. Patty's Day, but every bar in NYC was packed. We ended up having sushi with bagpipes being played right outside the restaurant! Only in NYC.

 

[exwdwcm]

hope you are feeling better.

all caught up now! i am messing with my plans, i just can't decide when/where/what. lol.....all that waiting for hours and now I can't decide on my plans. hope you have good luck planning!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

ok I'm all caugh up and subbing in. What a magical romantic getaway you are planning. So great
I vote for the carriage ride, we did one on our honeymoon it was so peaceful and totally worth it.
Can't wait to read the rest of your plans

 

[mousescrapper]

Your St. Patty's Day celebration looks like fun! My friends and I attempted to go have a couple of drinks after work on St. Patty's Day, but every bar in NYC was packed. We ended up having sushi with bagpipes being played right outside the restaurant! Only in NYC.

now that would be something to see glad you a good night!

hope you are feeling better.

trying desperately...just can't shake it for good

all caught up now! i am messing with my plans, i just can't decide when/where/what. lol.....all that waiting for hours and now I can't decide on my plans. hope you have good luck planning!

I am trying to do it now...but everything is diff than I thought it would be and of course I'll come up w/ a good plan and something will change like hours or EMH's

ok I'm all caugh up and subbing in. What a magical romantic getaway you are planning. So great
I vote for the carriage ride, we did one on our honeymoon it was so peaceful and totally worth it.
Can't wait to read the rest of your plans

thanks for joining in Jess I really hope we do...and in my new plans this carriage ride thing may be more doable now

 

[mousescrapper]

Let’s make some MAGIC!!!!

All right through the sickness that seems never-ending and other busies..I have finally made some time to actually sit down and look at the Operating Hours that came out a week ago and see how to adjust my initial touring plan.

First things first…ugh never get too attached to any touring plan…cause Disney just loves to change things around…ie hours, shows, EMH”s….

2nd I have my flight times now to work w/ some that helps a bit too… ETA to parks after arrival at MCO should be no later than 1 pm. Most likely earlier! And departure is 8:15 pm so we have till basically 4:00-5:00 pm at a park based on where we are.

3rd I have yet to finalize an extras budget for tours and the like…but that’s probably a good thing…because I have a lot of open gaps and iffys too.

4th ADR’s, OK this should probably be a whole sep posting…but we are actually only booking 2 and they are firmly decided upon (unless you guys have some other brillant plan). We are doing the reg DDP and have 4 nights…we talked about how much dining we wanted to do and decided less is more for us w/ knowing a good chunk of our dinning will be at Food & Wine Festival. We’ve decided to splurge and choose 2 signature places so hence that leaves us w/ just 2 places…and you know what, I like that ..because it will allow for a lot of flexibility once we are there if we change things up on the fly and not be tied to dinning plans each day.

So what are they…

Matt wants to eat at the Hollywood Brown Derby​

We haven’t eaten here since our 1998 trip w/ friends and we really liked it then, so I hoping for the same repeat.

Matt and I are on the right…I have the white Gap cap on…the other couple are no longer one (actually broke up days before we went…but still went)…she is my longest friend and is happily married and has two adorable children…they are all big Disney freaks too

Sorry the pictures look a little funky I took a pix of them…and yes we bought B& W film for these pictures from here…oh the tech back then…just couldn’t convert it digitally. And that’s my chopped salad the CM has…look I was taking food porn before I even knew it was hip

The next choice was mine for our “official” anniversary dinner at Narcoossee’s​

We have never eaten here, I like the sound of the restaurant, cozy and a bit romantic…hoping most people wouldn’t dine here w/ kids. We like the menu choices and it fit’s the biggest requirement ease of getting to at the GF since we are staying at BLT.

As well I want to order a special mini cake for our anniversary like this one:

I like this size and the little dots…though I like mine colored and the chocolate castle on top like this one:

And I think the GF bakery is one of the best …

What do you think of those??? Be honest now…

Let’s take a look shall we at what I got in the works

Here are my worksheets:

Printed OOH from TA site

I have highlighted a few things that I am pretty sure our givens/musts

Best/Worst & Crowd level info from touring plans

Not sure how much stock I am taking in this w/ crowd levels under 4 basically each day right now, but it still gives me a base

WDW Itinerary basic worksheet

I have already erased several times on this LOL

Custom daily itinerary pages

These are blank for now…this doesn’t list our park touring plan w/ goals and must do’s but a general overview for each day. I‘ll start writing in these as I continue to tweak the plans.

I have already re worked some things from the original first tour plan posting…

The Magical PLAN (for now):​

Day 1) Sun 10-16

arrival ETA btwn 12-1 pm to BLT

Lunch CS at Contempo Cafe

Park Choice: MK figure for about 3-4 hours. (closes early for MNSSHP)

Dinner TS at Narcoossee’s target time 6:45/7 pm

Back to BLT to watch Hallowishes at Top of the World Lounge (or on GF beach if can’t make it) at 9:30 pm


Day 2) Mon 10-17

Park Choice: EP for morning & afternoon

Lunch F& W F locations

Evening TBD possible choices include MK EMH ?? or DTD shopping and/or
carriage ride at POR or carriage ride at FWC

Day 3) Tues 10-18

Park Choices: DHS & MK try and make RD for DHS stay for few hours, MK is for MNSSHP

Lunch TS at HBD target time 11:30-12 pm at opening

Evening arrival before 7 pm in costume (of course…but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for this reveal) for MNSSHP, watch Hallowishes at 9:30 and
Parade at 10:30 pm stay till 12 am


Day 4) Wed 10-19

Would like this be a small rest in morning…but unsure how to work it

This is my 2nd big gap…for the morning what to do??? Backstage tour or go to a park or hang at resort or ???

Here is the tour info:

Main two we are debating is Keys to the Kingdom at MK it lasts 4 ½ hrs and costs $78.81 -15 % DVC discount per person…we’d have to choose the 8:30 time frame…to be done to make it to AK on time for parade though… we loose any rest morning. I like this one a bit better for price and it seems to fit our style and likes. (includes a lunch too)

Wild Africa Trek lasts 3 hrs and is up to $189 per person this includes a meal too (no discount). This food looks really intriguing but may be a bit out of Matt’s comfort zone as is the whole experience…but we thing this would be an amazing experience if we have a great guide and group…I have read mostly all positives remarks but some bad ones too…the price is very high and that is the biggest negative for choosing this. But it fits right in w/ the plan for the day of going to AK into the afternoon.

we can probably only choose 1??

Afternoon would include for sure Park Choice AK to see the parade at 3:45 pm this is a MUST do for Matt.

Evening thinking of hopping to EP for 2nd trip around F& W F…Illuminations watch sitting or walking is yet TBD


Day 5) Thurs 10-20

Departure day

Park choice is MK again (seems to be the reasonable choice here as we are so close…but do we add a second one in too…plus this has a morning EMH here ) should we do the MK tour this day?

Need to head back to airport approx time 5:15 pm

Well there you go…I am liking the first days…it’s Wed and Thurs I just don’t know what to do w/ them and votes for our open night on Mon?

Coming up soon…more touring plan stuff and ADR day is coming up quick…I always like to pick back up places too and days…so I’ll need help w/ that…suggestions?

Thanks for reading
J~

 

[MRYPPNS]

The Magical PLAN (for now):

Day 1) Sun 10-16

arrival ETA btwn 12-1 pm to BLT

Lunch CS at Contempo Cafe

Park Choice: MK figure for about 3-4 hours. (closes early for MNSSHP)

Dinner TS at Narcoossee’s target time 6:45/7 pm

Back to BLT to watch Hallowishes at Top of the World Lounge (or on GF beach if can’t make it) at 9:30 pm

I like MK on arrival but I worry about your anniversary dinner being on travel day....you might be tired and not quite into vacation mode yet

Day 2) Mon 10-17

Park Choice: EP for morning & afternoon

Lunch F& W F locations

Evening TBD possible choices include MK EMH ?? or DTD shopping and/or
carriage ride at POR or carriage ride at FWC

I wouldn't go all the way to POR for a carriage ride...too much time traveling to get there and back. If you skipped at carriage ride all together would you feel better about spending money on a tour? I like this evening better for your dinner at the GF

Day 3) Tues 10-18

Park Choices: DHS & MK try and make RD for DHS stay for few hours, MK is for MNSSHP

Lunch TS at HBD target time 11:30-12 pm at opening

Evening arrival before 7 pm in costume (of course…but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for this reveal) for MNSSHP, watch Hallowishes at 9:30 and
Parade at 10:30 pm stay till 12 am

Good plans here. I was surprised to read that you would do a 2 credit ddp at lunch, let alone at the Brown Derby. How 'bout paying out of pocket for at least one of your meals here and then you have credits for another TS (breakfast maybe or that first night instead of Nac.@GF)

Day 4) Wed 10-19

Would like this be a small rest in morning…but unsure how to work it

This is my 2nd big gap…for the morning what to do??? Backstage tour or go to a park or hang at resort or ???

No tour today. Free to choose morning.

Afternoon would include for sure Park Choice AK to see the parade at 3:45 pm this is a MUST do for Matt.

Evening thinking of hopping to EP for 2nd trip around F& W F…Illuminations watch sitting or walking is yet TBD


Day 5) Thurs 10-20

Departure day

Park choice is MK again (seems to be the reasonable choice here as we are so close…but do we add a second one in too…plus this has a morning EMH here ) should we do the MK tour this day?

I say do the MK tour this day because you have to get up early and get moving anyhow.

Need to head back to airport approx time 5:15 pm

 

[DisMomAmy]

Too funny... Heidi's planning ideas must be rubbing off on me because I was thinking several of the same things... I just didn't know how to make it fit better -but she did a good job with that.

1 - Don't do dinner on arrival night.
2 - I'd be iffy on the carriage ride too.
3 - 2 TS credits seem like a lot to me for lunch too... As DVC members, can't you pick & choose which dining plan to use on which day? (ie. QSDP one day, regular another day, deluxe another day, etc.) I have no idea if that would help you at all, but something to look into.
4 - I choose the Keys to the Kingdom tour! I didn't think doing it the morning after MNSSHP was a good idea but didn't have any suggestions of when to do it - but I love Heidi's idea! Maybe go to a late breakfast and just relax a bit the morning after MNSSHP - leave it flexible - maybe make a breakfast ADR just in case...

Lots of great stuff in your plans!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

YAY....so much planning! I love all of your worksheets. Do you make those on your own or did you find them somewhere? I'd like to steal a couple..especially the crowd level one.

I think the restaurant choices sound great. I do have to agree that your big anniversary dinner after a day of traveling may not be the best idea. I love the idea of watching the fireworks afterward, though. Very romantic!

I'd go with the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Not only for price reasons, but because I think it would be really interesting.

Can't wait to see more! I hope the family is beginning to feel better...this winter has been a tough one for the sickies!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

The Magical PLAN (for now):

Day 1) Sun 10-16

arrival ETA btwn 12-1 pm to BLT

Lunch CS at Contempo Cafe

Park Choice: MK figure for about 3-4 hours. (closes early for MNSSHP)

Dinner TS at Narcoossee’s target time 6:45/7 pm

Back to BLT to watch Hallowishes at Top of the World Lounge (or on GF beach if can’t make it) at 9:30 pm

I like MK on arrival but I worry about your anniversary dinner being on travel day....you might be tired and not quite into vacation mode yet

Day 2) Mon 10-17

Park Choice: EP for morning & afternoon

Lunch F& W F locations

Evening TBD possible choices include MK EMH ?? or DTD shopping and/or
carriage ride at POR or carriage ride at FWC

I wouldn't go all the way to POR for a carriage ride...too much time traveling to get there and back. If you skipped at carriage ride all together would you feel better about spending money on a tour? I like this evening better for your dinner at the GF

Day 3) Tues 10-18

Park Choices: DHS & MK try and make RD for DHS stay for few hours, MK is for MNSSHP

Lunch TS at HBD target time 11:30-12 pm at opening

Evening arrival before 7 pm in costume (of course…but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for this reveal) for MNSSHP, watch Hallowishes at 9:30 and
Parade at 10:30 pm stay till 12 am

Good plans here. I was surprised to read that you would do a 2 credit ddp at lunch, let alone at the Brown Derby. How 'bout paying out of pocket for at least one of your meals here and then you have credits for another TS (breakfast maybe or that first night instead of Nac.@GF)

Day 4) Wed 10-19

Would like this be a small rest in morning…but unsure how to work it

This is my 2nd big gap…for the morning what to do??? Backstage tour or go to a park or hang at resort or ???

No tour today. Free to choose morning.

Afternoon would include for sure Park Choice AK to see the parade at 3:45 pm this is a MUST do for Matt.

Evening thinking of hopping to EP for 2nd trip around F& W F…Illuminations watch sitting or walking is yet TBD


Day 5) Thurs 10-20

Departure day

Park choice is MK again (seems to be the reasonable choice here as we are so close…but do we add a second one in too…plus this has a morning EMH here ) should we do the MK tour this day?

I say do the MK tour this day because you have to get up early and get moving anyhow.

Need to head back to airport approx time 5:15 pm

This! I agree with Heidi, especially on moving the anniversary dinner to the second day. You'll want to really enjoy it, and you know arrival day is always so hectic.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I vote Keys to the Kingdom Tour, being that you are going just the two of you I think you would get to really enjoy it since you would'nt be worried about any kids. I have no clue about when, but would second Heidi's suggestions since she is good putting things together like that.

I still vote carriage ride but not sure when you all could fit it in with the travel time.

I'm not opposed to your dinner the first night only if you don't have much planned for first day. We have already decided next time we go to Disney we will not do any parks on arrival day and just do a fun dinner that night and swimming in the pool. But you will be more pressed for time on this trip I think, since you want to do a lot. But I understand why dinner the 2nd night would be better.

I do agree with the Brown Derby lunch, I don't know that I would want to use two TS credits for a lunch. If it's really a must do I vote for what Heidi said in paying oop and using those credits somewhere else.

I love all your plans though