Here's to a DRAMA-FREE vacation! A Sept. 2013 PTR, FINAL UPDATE, 9/1!!

[jenny105]

Wow. It's people like you who make me feel normal about my Disney addiction lol. I am not nearly as organized!

I used the crowd calendars last year but I don't follow them exactly. I straight up ignore them when they say not to go to a park during EMH. I love EMH!

 

[cdhale]

Love your spreadsheets. Totally Type-A

Cheryl

 

[klacey1]

So far behind! But I'm catching up now

I think that's how it is in the app for all restaurants with a CC guarantee. It happened to us in January when we were trying to make reservations for Tusker House while in the FOTLK show

I would NOT have been able to sit still for the next 20 minutes! I'm glad it worked out and you got the reservation!

I'm glad to hear the soreness from the braces has been getting better. I get canker sores ALL the time. I hope yours clear up soon but for me, drinking milk helps sooth them and there's this product they sell at my local CVS that's basically a seal that goes over the canker sore that works amazingly!

The Mouse Memo app looks pretty good for storing confirmation numbers! I've been looking for a better one myself because MDE is so terrible. I have the Lines app from Touring Plans which is ok for wait times.

Ah the menu changing is so frustrating! It could be nice for you to change it and then not have Raglan Road and Rose and Crown close together. Although, I'm sure it'll work out well either way. I've heard great things about all 3 of the other restaurants but I've never eaten at any of them so I can't speak from experience!

I love your planning post! As far as in the parks, I would probably do a folder instead of a binder just because a binder seems bulkier to me. I have a pink plastic envelope with one of those manila envelope string type closures that I keep all my paystubs and such in. Maybe you could put one of those in the folder to keep track of receipts if you decide to go that route?

Thanks for the canker sores tip! I think I know exactly what seals you're talking about.

I was okay eating at two similar places before, but if they don't have my favorite meal, what's the point?!

I am leaning toward a folder. Would be much lighter/easier in my carry on. I know exactly what you're talking about in terms of the envelope-- that would be good for receipts! Thanks for the suggestion!

Wow, now that is organization! I'm so impressed, puts my little spreadsheet to shame.

If you printed them out really small you could make them into a booklet for your park bag?

I LOVE that idea!! I wonder if I could print them small but still make them readable...Hmmm, I may need to make a trip to Staples!

Wow, your as organized, if not more, than I am. I've got all my info down to about 4 index sized cards double sided. 1 side for each park rides, and best times to do them. 1 side for crowd calendars and park hours including best and worst parks. 1 side for a list of all ADR's. And 1 side my basic itinerary and confirmation numbers. I may also have one to check off snacks and meals used.

I have people say I'm crazy to be so planned, but it really does work for us. Love your organization.

I would love to get down to 4 index cards! I would be panicky all the time if I didn't organize myself & our plans! Thanks!

Wow. It's people like you who make me feel normal about my Disney addiction lol. I am not nearly as organized!

I used the crowd calendars last year but I don't follow them exactly. I straight up ignore them when they say not to go to a park during EMH. I love EMH!

Haha, I know I'm a freak! It's the way I do everything in life, not just Disney! I also love EMH.

Love your spreadsheets. Totally Type-A

Cheryl

Haha, yup, that's me!

 

[klacey1]

I know a lot of couples struggle with getting pictures of them together that aren’t the outstretched arm shots! Disney is pretty much the only place where Zach and I get pictures taken of the two of us. We got the PP CD last trip and tried to really take advantage of getting pictures in unique locations around the world. As much as we love the quintessential castle photos, I really love our Epcot and AK pictures the most! We will have the CD again this trip and I hope to take even more pictures.

That being said, with all the picture taking that goes on, I like to look my best! I’m not a sloppy dresser at home AND wear a full face of makeup, so to do any differently in Disney anyway would be weird! Like I said in my previous trip, I did a little shopping at Sephora last week and picked up some things especially for our trip:

Make Up For Ever Primer, green:

I have very pale skin that turns red very easily. This primer is ridiculously expensive, but does a great job at reducing redness and keeping my makeup in place for the whole day.

Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara

This is my absolute favorite mascara in the word for summer time! Nothing-- not sweat nor multiple rides on Splash Mountain budges this from my eyelashes! I have short, stubby eyelashes and this mascara makes them look nice and long and full. (Sidenote: Zach has long, thick, dark lashes. NOT FAIR!)

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hr Full Coverage

I love this face makeup for several reasons. It stays on all day and has an SPF of 15 (sooo important!).Moreover, it is cruelty free and only uses all-natural products. Woo hoo!

Marchesa rollerball

I fell in love with this perfume and needed a small bottle for Disney, so I thought this would be perfect. I am almost completely out of my bottle of Laila, so I think I’ll be making a stop in a certain store in Norway to replenish my supply come September!

Those are my latest purchases! I love going on vacation with a lot of new things, so I’m trying to hold off on using anything until we go away.

Random note: As I’ve said before, I am an editor at a magazine. Part of my job is hosting live webcasts for our readers. These events can be a bit stressful and require lots of advance planning and prep work on my end. Looking ahead, I come back to the office on Tuesday, September 10. I have live events the 11th AND the 12th. I'll come straight back into a ton of work. Augh! Talk about post-vacation blues! I’m already not looking forward to coming home (not that I ever do!).

 

[cdhale]

I feel your pain. I'm an attorney; we come back the 8th and I have an administrative hearing on the morning of the 9th, and a trial that afternoon.

 

[blabbermouth]

Ooh, nice makeup post! I'm a makeup wearer too.

My favourite expensive mascara is Lancome Hypnose Star. I love it so much as I also have stumpy eyelashes and a husband with long ones No fair! I find using more expensive mascara makes my natural lashes longer though, so I think it's worth the money. I never wear waterproof though because I can't rub my eyes very much to remove my makeup or they get annoyed at me.

I'm definitely going to sniff Laila when I'm in Norway, haha, I've heard so much about it. I don't wear perfume very often at all though, so likely won't pick any up.

We're not preordering the photopass, but we'll probably get a few taken anyway, in case we decide to buy and also because they'll use our camera. It is pretty sad how few photos we get of the two of us on trips where there's no PP, so I will try and make an effort this time. It helps that we're going with friends, so I will get/force them to take pics of us

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Love the make up post!

I love the PP for the exact reasons you mentioned. I also hate asking people walking by to take the picture for us so the PP is wonderful for us.

I need to pick up some of that Make Up Forever Primer! I am forever struggling with keeping make up on my face throughout a whole day!

 

[DrMomof3]

Wow! You make me look like an amateur with your spreadsheets and make-up!!!

Amanda

 

[princess_momma]

Aren't spreadsheets incredible? I love them. I had an addiction much like your own. And then...I got a MacBook. Now I no longer have Xcel and I miss that the most. I have similar software, but it's not the same! You are so organized!! I think it'll be a good idea to print off everything. I like to have smaller ones of at least ADRs that I can pull out if needed.

Love your makeup! I'm planning on getting some too when I get closer! Tell me about primer...I've never used it! Is it like something that just makes your makeup stay put better? I have no idea.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I love making lists!!
You're an awesome organizer!!!

I rarely wear makeup. Pretty much only special occasions. I've told myself I need to try to wear makeup more often. Thanks for adding tips to the makeup you purchased! Good to know for future reference

Boo to com I'm by back into tons of work maybe it'll help the post disney blues?!?

 

[marymac123]

Hi, just came over from the WL thread. We overlap a few days, we check out on the 5th. You are gonna love your stay at WL.

I am not sure if I am allowed to post crowd levels but I would stick with BOG on the 2nd MK is suppose to be the least crowded of a super busy day according to touring plans.

 

[klacey1]

I feel your pain. I'm an attorney; we come back the 8th and I have an administrative hearing on the morning of the 9th, and a trial that afternoon.

Oh, that's awful! Hopefully we'll both be so busy that we won't have time to think about how terrible it is to be home from Disney!

Ooh, nice makeup post! I'm a makeup wearer too.

My favourite expensive mascara is Lancome Hypnose Star. I love it so much as I also have stumpy eyelashes and a husband with long ones No fair! I find using more expensive mascara makes my natural lashes longer though, so I think it's worth the money. I never wear waterproof though because I can't rub my eyes very much to remove my makeup or they get annoyed at me.

I'm definitely going to sniff Laila when I'm in Norway, haha, I've heard so much about it. I don't wear perfume very often at all though, so likely won't pick any up.

We're not preordering the photopass, but we'll probably get a few taken anyway, in case we decide to buy and also because they'll use our camera. It is pretty sad how few photos we get of the two of us on trips where there's no PP, so I will try and make an effort this time. It helps that we're going with friends, so I will get/force them to take pics of us

I agree on the mascara-- I've tried many drugstore brands and they just don't do it for my short lashes.
Laila smells sooo nice. It's lightly and not overpowering. I don't tend to like overly perfume-y perfumes, if that makes any sense lol.

Love the make up post!

I love the PP for the exact reasons you mentioned. I also hate asking people walking by to take the picture for us so the PP is wonderful for us.

I need to pick up some of that Make Up Forever Primer! I am forever struggling with keeping make up on my face throughout a whole day!

Usually when we ask people to take our picture, they're nice about it, but I don't really like to do that! PP is good since they'll take pictures with their camera AND ours.
That primer is the best I've tried! (And of course the most expensive! )

Wow! You make me look like an amateur with your spreadsheets and make-up!!!

Amanda

Haha, I love my spreadsheets!

Aren't spreadsheets incredible? I love them. I had an addiction much like your own. And then...I got a MacBook. Now I no longer have Xcel and I miss that the most. I have similar software, but it's not the same! You are so organized!! I think it'll be a good idea to print off everything. I like to have smaller ones of at least ADRs that I can pull out if needed.

Love your makeup! I'm planning on getting some too when I get closer! Tell me about primer...I've never used it! Is it like something that just makes your makeup stay put better? I have no idea.

I used an iMac at my last job and HATED the office tools (fake Word especially!) Instead of Excel though, I actually use Google Drive! It's web based (part of Gmail) so I can access it at home or (ahem) work. It's great!
Yeah, so primer you just put on after face lotion and before foundation/face make-up/eyeshadow. Most are clear, this one happens to be a sheer green to cancel out redness. It helps makeup go on smoother and stay on.

I love making lists!!
You're an awesome organizer!!!

I rarely wear makeup. Pretty much only special occasions. I've told myself I need to try to wear makeup more often. Thanks for adding tips to the makeup you purchased! Good to know for future reference

Boo to com I'm by back into tons of work maybe it'll help the post disney blues?!?

Thanks-- I obviously love my lists too!

Hi, just came over from the WL thread. We overlap a few days, we check out on the 5th. You are gonna love your stay at WL.

I am not sure if I am allowed to post crowd levels but I would stick with BOG on the 2nd MK is suppose to be the least crowded of a super busy day according to touring plans.

Welcome!! I cannot wait to stay at the WL!! I'm jealous of how many times you've stayed there! We already canceled BOG on the 2nd. I did look at the TouringPlans calendar (first week of September is free right now) and EasyWDW and I'm honestly not concerned. We're going to Epcot, which I feel like handles crowds better than any other park. Plus, we won't get there until an hour or so before dinner and don't really plan on riding much, if anything. I've heard the crowds are also really not bad.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Ok, I do love a spreadsheet every now and then but you take it to a whole new level! I actually don't make any for my own trips, but I do small ones for my clients (park hours with ADR's). I tried to do more in depth ones but it made me want to throw my laptop across the room. I am still a traditional pen and paper girl I guess! For my trips I have a Disney notebook where I keep all the park plans, ADR's and outfits of the day written down. I then put the ADR's and park hours on the first 2 pages of my mini Vera Bradley notebook that I carry in the parks (my trip journal).

I am all about looking my best in the parks...those photos last forever! I just usually wear my typicall makeup and I get through the day just fine. I do love the Florida humidity (to an extent) because my hair just eats it up! I never dry my hair at home...just let it air dry...but at Disney the humidity makes my hair extra curly!

 

[librarygeek]

You are so organized, it's incredible! I want to do a post for my blog on that sort of thing, but I'm not even sure how to do all that you do. I'll have to look into it more because I think that is amazing!

I don't know if you decided on a restaurant yet, but I liked Via Napoli. I think it's always fun to try something you haven't done before.

And I know how you feel about coming back to a lot of work. I leave for Disney this Wednesday and we return Sunday night (our flight gets in at 10pm, and then it's at least an hour drive home after we've got our luggage and all). I have to lead a week of camp starting the next day and be there Monday at 7am! Not only that, but that Monday is going to be insane. Camp goes until 4, I tutor at 5, and then I have play rehearsal at 7. I'm going to be non-stop from 7am until about 9:30pm (after getting probably a small amount of sleep) and I am not looking forward to it :/

 

[klacey1]

Ok, I do love a spreadsheet every now and then but you take it to a whole new level! I actually don't make any for my own trips, but I do small ones for my clients (park hours with ADR's). I tried to do more in depth ones but it made me want to throw my laptop across the room. I am still a traditional pen and paper girl I guess! For my trips I have a Disney notebook where I keep all the park plans, ADR's and outfits of the day written down. I then put the ADR's and park hours on the first 2 pages of my mini Vera Bradley notebook that I carry in the parks (my trip journal).

I am all about looking my best in the parks...those photos last forever! I just usually wear my typicall makeup and I get through the day just fine. I do love the Florida humidity (to an extent) because my hair just eats it up! I never dry my hair at home...just let it air dry...but at Disney the humidity makes my hair extra curly!

I make a lot of spreadsheets for work and play-- they're just a daily part of my life and I honestly just love organizing myself that way. A freak, I know!
Your hair always looks fabulous in your Disney pictures! My hair just gets limp and wavy if I don't straighten it, so that's just the easiest thing to do so I look put together.

You are so organized, it's incredible! I want to do a post for my blog on that sort of thing, but I'm not even sure how to do all that you do. I'll have to look into it more because I think that is amazing!

I don't know if you decided on a restaurant yet, but I liked Via Napoli. I think it's always fun to try something you haven't done before.

And I know how you feel about coming back to a lot of work. I leave for Disney this Wednesday and we return Sunday night (our flight gets in at 10pm, and then it's at least an hour drive home after we've got our luggage and all). I have to lead a week of camp starting the next day and be there Monday at 7am! Not only that, but that Monday is going to be insane. Camp goes until 4, I tutor at 5, and then I have play rehearsal at 7. I'm going to be non-stop from 7am until about 9:30pm (after getting probably a small amount of sleep) and I am not looking forward to it :/

We still have not decided on a restaurant! We gave ourselves the self-imposed deadline of Friday to decide. Thanks for the recc for Via Napoli.
Oh no! That does sound crazy. Why can't the world understand we need time after Disney to relax and mourn the end of our trips?!

 

[klacey1]

I missed a big milestone yesterday-- FIVE WEEKS UNTIL OUR TRIP! This has been a very crazy summer so I haven’t been obsessing about our trip as much as I usually do. It is totally sneaking up on us. I can’t believe that on Thursday, I’ll be able to say we’re going on our trip NEXT MONTH!

In honor of five weeks until our trip (well now, 4 weeks and 6 days ), I thought I’d do a post on the 5 Things I’m Most Looking Forward to at the Wilderness Lodge!

Taking the boat to MK
When we took the boat from/back to the MK for our dinners at Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Cafe, I loved the ride. It was so peaceful, and you can’t beat the scenery!

We’ll probably take the bus when we’re trying to make rope drop or we’re in a hurry, but I’m really looking forward to take the boat in the afternoons and evenings.

Having a relaxing night in
I am so excited for our “nothing” night after the full day at Universal. While we really enjoyed hanging out at POR in 2011, I think the Wilderness Lodge will be even more fun to relax at. We can grab a leisurely dinner at Roaring Fork-- or easily travel to another MK resort. We can hang out in those fabulous lobby rocking chairs. We can make sure we see the geyer go out. Hang out by the pool. Grab a drink at the pool bar. We will have so many options!


Buying resort-specific souvenirs
My past two trips, I really wanted to purchase a hotel t-shirt or something. However, the selection at POR was SO limited. I’m not sure it’s because of that specific hotel OR because it’s a mod. Regardless, we killed some time at the WL gift shop and I saw so many great t-shirts and other things. I’d love to pick up some things to remind us of our trip when we get home!

(Photo courtesy of Ebay)

Truly staying deluxe
I realize I just stayed at the Dolphin, but I think we can all agree that it’s not realllly a Disney Deluxe hotel. I’m excited for interior corridors, a slightly bigger room and a more fleshed out theme. I also really like that all of the WL is in one building. No far walks or multiple bus stops! It’s truly just a beautiful hotel.



Grabbing a drink in the Territory Lounge

(Photo courtesy of DisneyWorld.com)
Zach is not really a bar person, but I think Territory Lounge looks so peaceful! The parks close relatively early most of our trip, so stopping here for a nightcap will be the perfect way to end a night!

So for those of you that have also stayed at the WL, am I missing anything?! What do you recommend?

 

[jenny105]

You're going to love Wilderness Lodge! As soon as you get there, before you leave for any parks, make sure you find the character totem pole & rub Humprhy the bear's nose for good luck. I read this before I stayed there in 2009 and followed the advice and was 1) picked to open DHS the day we went and 2) picked to go onstage at Hoop Dee Doo. Extra pixie dust never hurts!

I'm bumming. They changed our AEP resort from Yacht Club to Grand Floridian. Most people would be thrilled I'm sure but not me. I have zero desire to stay there. I'm hoping I will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I make a lot of spreadsheets for work and play-- they're just a daily part of my life and I honestly just love organizing myself that way. A freak, I know!
Your hair always looks fabulous in your Disney pictures! My hair just gets limp and wavy if I don't straighten it, so that's just the easiest thing to do so I look put together.

My husband had to teach me how to use Excel and I am still learning!

Aw, thanks! Having curly hair can sometimes be a pain, but most days it's very easy. Just wash it, throw in some product and let it air dry.

 

[abbybeth]

I followed you over from my pre-trippie!

You, my dear, have hit a level or organization and spreadsheet domination that I couldn't pull off in my wildest dreams. Much admiration! I also wear a full face of makeup in Disney ... I care more about what I look like there and in vacation pictures than I do on a normal day in the office.

Looking forward to following along now and glad to read your positive thoughts on Port Orleans Riverside (even though I see you've upgraded) We're currently booked at POFQ, but may need to switch to get free dining and I am honestly pretty bummed about it.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We like your top 5 WL list. We can't wait to be there soon too. The only thing we might add is walking through the woods (or taking a boat) over to Fort Wilderness. We love doing that as a quiet start to the mornings. It is just amazing that you can feel like you are in the middle of nowhere and be that close to MK!