How is a Disney Trip Like a Writing Desk: A PTR through Wonderland UPDATED: 9/18/10

[Tinkerbellarella]

NOT an update but...

DISNEY is...

52 sleeps,
31 working days (we have a week's vacation and a holiday in there),
7 Mondays,
3 nail appointments,
1 pair of Crocs,
and
a partridge in a pear tree

away!

This makes me want to write another update.
The THIRD of the week!
Hmmm, says I.

What sayeth you?

 

[pooh'smate]

I sayeth a big yes.

I have 123 days.
I have 16 Mondays I believe.
Today is the first day my ticker says 3 months.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Lady Ascot: "Do you know what I fear most?"
Alice Kingsley: "The decline of the aristocracy?"
Lady Ascot: "Ugly grandchildren."

As I mentioned yesteday (YESTERDAY! THREE UPDATES! ONE WEEK! It's Christmas in July on my PTR!...Or maybe more like Hannukah since you've been getting a present a day...)...

Wow.

Sidetrack #1 one sentence in.

And blatent overuse of elipses.

SORRY. Back to the program...

As I mentioned yesterday, I normally like to schedule TWO full MK days on my trips if humanly possible. Similarly, as Epicot is just barely my second favorite park (there are days it really pushes the envelope to be in the Number One spot), I like to have at least a day and a half scheduled there. It's pretty much a score on both fronts on this trip. We've got a full day, plus MNSSHP for the MK and a day and 3/4 at Epicot.

Tuesday, September 21st is our 3/4 day.

Since the night before will hopefully not be a terribly late one, the goal will be to be up relatively early and hit Everything POP for breakfast before the rush. I've had breakfast here before but I think the last time was in...2004? I'm not expecting anything phenomenal (i.e. Tonga Toast) just something to get us by. BF isn't a fan of cooked eggs, so I imagine it will be a Mickey waffle for him, or French Toast if it's on the menu.

And bacon. Definitely the bacon. The man cannot have enough bacon. Bacon on his bacon.

My goal is to arrive at the park at or just after Rope Drop. From there, along with the masses, we'll probably head over to Soarin'. I'm not obsessed with this attraction the way some people are (more on my personal Epicot obsession later), but I do believe it's earned its 'Not To Be Missed' status. Depending on the craziness over there, we'll likely get FPs, ride stand-by, or both. If the park doesn't "feel" too busy, we'll be doing Living with the Land while we're in the neighborhood. Because Tink loves her some LwtL.

A nine pound lemon. That's a lot of lemonade.

We'll likely head right across Innoventions Plaza towards the other two Future World magnets just after that. BF informed me the other day that he wants to try a lot of things. Including Mission:Space. Here's a little tidbit of info about BF and I. It's pretty important. When simulator rides are involved.

BF & TINK + Simulator Rides = Pale faces, a lot of mouth-breathing and a scramble for the bathrooms

Case in point, on our US/IOA/SW trip last April we got brave (if by brave you mean stupid) and decided we were all about the Simpson's ride. I kid you not when I say less than 10 seconds in I heard BF's sharp intake of breath followed by, "Oh NO. OH NONONO! (insertveryquietlywhisperedexpletiveHERE)."

(There were no small kids in our car. We're careful with our sailor/trucker language.)

I knew what he meant. And closed my eyes. We both did. To ride it out. I prayed the entire duration of that ride. I peeked once. Redoubled my prayer efforts. It was THAT. BAD.

When we got off the ride, BF looked at me. I looked back. We stumbled about 6 feet. Looked at each other again. Debated laying down on the asphalt. I searched the horizon for a Canadian bathroom even. I'm happy to report no restrooms were defiled that day. But, it did just about destroy our afternoon.

Now, I know MS isn't a simulator a la the Simpsons or Star Tours or the oft-missed Body Wars. In fact, I've successfully ridden it. Twice. Once before there was the "REAL" side vs. the "SISSY" side. And a second time. On the SISSY side. Because, frankly, Tinkerbellarella is a closet sissy. Sometimes. The second time was a tad iffy. I felt ok after, but not quite right.

Despite all of this info., though, BF remains adamant. I think it's the fact that actual astronauts have given this ride a thumb's up that's gotten his fire going. It must be an ego thing. Or a man thing. Or both. All wrapped up in the Y chromosome. But I'm no fool. I may ride but WILL be dosing the man (and maybe myself) Bonine or Dramamine just in case.

Let's just hope and pray and make non-animal sacrifices that neither BF or I end up shouting at any FW bathrooms.

Test Track is a definite and yes, I'm actually admitting this out loud, so is The Universe of Energy. For the following reasons:

1. I heart Ellen. I know if she met me she'd be my best friend. And she would so invite me on her show to dance with her.
2. The dinos. Seriously, they're cool. Even if in the last refurb the paint they used makes it look more like they have neon tattoos rather than "real" dino markings.
3. I love musing on how particularly HORRIBLE the audioanimatronic figure of Ellen is.
4. The dark part with the radio tower where it's airing the different radio programs...I have always and will always get about 45 seconds of shut-eye in that dark, cool, cavernous space.
5. It's a traveling theatre. That's just cool, dude.

In some particular order we'll fill in the gaps with The Living Seas (I love you Nemo but NONemoAndFriends...give me the original ride, the original movie spiel ('...BOOM! the deluge...") and the hydrolators any day) and my two other MUST DO's.

#1 - Captain EO (if it hasn't gone the way of the dodo...again).

This is like a gift. The last time I saw EO I was with my grandmother. I love Michael and it's Disney and all that but it's really more like a treat of refreshed memories for me.

#2 - My Future World Obsession

SPACESHIP EARTH

I could go on and on and on and on and on about all of the things that were so inherently "Disney" for me at Epicot that I miss terribly.
So I will, but just a little.
Horizons
World of Motion
Communicore
The ORIGINAL Journey Into Imagination ride before we started journeying into the imagination of some Imagineers who apparently sniffed a few too many Sharpies or ate too much paste as children. Oh, and the really cool things afterwards. You know, BEFORE you had to be a pro linebacker to secure one of the Kodak picture machines.
(For the record and while we're on the subject, I do NOT miss the live narrators on LwtL. There was an incident. Of being on a boat. Where I'm pretty sure the whole spiel was said in a lanuage. Other than English. All riders were left wondering what a calabaza was. (FYI-it's a pumpkin. In Spanish.)

But, what I miss the most? Jeremy Irons. I know, I know, even he was the product of a refurb but he was IT for me. The other changes? I can live with those.
Especially the afro. And the mini skirt. And the go go boots. AND THE LEMON TIGHTS.
Because you know all that is so true to the moment of how we're dressing in professional America today.
If you work in Vegas.
In a building.
With no windows.
And big bodyguards.

ANYWHO.

So we will absolutely be riding SE. Smelling the fall of Rome. Admiring the disco lab. Making ridiculous faces for our "journey".

Somewhere in the midst of the FW touring madness we may also stop in for a bite at Sunshine Seasons. And for a sip of the Beverly.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Ahem.

We'll be leaving the park by 3 p.m. the latest, so if we still have time we'll likely do a peek over in the World Showcase. I'm guessing, though, that we'll really only have time to get most/all of our FW endeavors in.

Why are we leaving so early?

To be prettied up for our 5:45 p.m. ADRs at California Grill.
The restaurant which, I'm positive, sparked the reality of this trip. In BF's anti-Disney-befuddled-brain.
I'm a clever girl.

We're both very much looking forward to this meal. We had a great table last time and are hoping for the same this time. Also, BF is hoping there will be duck on the menu. The man is a carnivore, what can I say? And me? While I say I'll try something new, I'll also be perfectly happy with my go-to choices there.

We don't have any plans for after dinner, so I may try to work in a monorail trip over to the Poly to soak up some atmosphere. And some Lapu Lapus. I'm really hoping to sell him on a stay there for our...ahem...next trip. (A girl can dream.) There's also the possibility we could head to DTD. Or just back to POP to swim. Or rest. Who knows?

UP NEXT: What are the chances the eagle poops...again?

 

[MRYPPNS]

Mission Space huh? Let's just say that the orange side is OFF MY LIST for good ever since my Oct 2009 trip.

I'm sure Captain EO will be there for a good long time.

 

[jenjolt]

I'm hoping Heidi is right and Captain EO will be there for awhile, like you I so WANT to see that attraction!!!

I have to agree with you Spaceship Earth is one of my all time faves at EPCOT, I love that ride!! I always take a huge breath in when I go by Rome and I to miss Jeremy Irons terribly!! It is still wonderful, but he did "it" for me too.

OOOH...I had probably the best meal ever at California Grille last year! I wish you and BF another great meal there!! The Flatbreads are AMAZING!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I seriously love your updates. Seriously.

I love everything on your list, even Ellen. I'm thinking of brining Marc on Universe of Energy...it's a nice place to recharge. It didn't feel like a 45 minute adventure either.

Who doesn't love Spaceship Earth? It's awesome. It's really hard for me not to ride a bazillion times on each trip.

 

[Pollito916]

3 updates in one week?!? It is x-mas or Hanukkah!! I'm going to have to live through you for this trip, because it sounds absolutely perfect to me so far. I have the same "requirements" for amount of time spent in MK & Epicot.

I will be slightly busy at the time you are in the world, so I will just have to pretend to be there. Maybe I can play some parks music on my ipod while I'm in the hospital.

 

[trixiequilts]

Wow, that was a most excellent update! Your plans look great. I, too, am a lover of Spaceship Earth. I went in not expecting much and came out a believer.

Need some gift ideas for BF?

Bacon Air Freshener (I've actually gifted this):

Bacon Wallet (more than slightly disturbing):

Bacon Mints:

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I'm channeling my inner LL today.

We've made some changes/additions, though none of the date variety.

I'll have an update with the new info. and will get back to all of your comments a bit later today.

Stay tuned!

 

[AshClan]

Changes? Well now I don't know if I should comment on what you've written so far! But I guess I will.....

You are right on with the two(ish) days for MK and Epicot. I like your goals for the MK and think it's a good thing that IASW will be closed. You do want the BF to want to go BACK, dontcha?!

On the Epicot front, I'm hoping you are just postponing the WS until day two, right? It can be a hot traipse of H*LL through there in mid-September (BTDT), but it's still a must do. I share the love for LwtL but I don't go quite as gaga over Spaceship Earth. As a symbol, I love it. As a ride, eh. Please don't hate me.

Cali Grill is awesome! I hope you have another magical dinner there!

Now.....about these changes and additions?????.....

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm channeling my inner LL today.

We've made some changes/additions, though none of the date variety.

I'll have an update with the new info. and will get back to all of your comments a bit later today.

Stay tuned!

Can't wait to hear about them!

 

[All7OfUs]

i just love the way your updates just flow from your thoughts. Very highly entertaining. I'm a LwtL freak too- but more partial to the bazillion-tomatoed tree. Doesn't get much cooler than that!

 

[If U Had Wings]

My goal is to arrive at the park at or just after Rope Drop. From there, along with the masses, we'll probably head over to Soarin'. I'm not obsessed with this attraction the way some people are (more on my personal Epicot obsession later), but I do believe it's earned its 'Not To Be Missed' status. Depending on the craziness over there, we'll likely get FPs, ride stand-by, or both. If the park doesn't "feel" too busy, we'll be doing Living with the Land while we're in the neighborhood. Because Tink loves her some LwtL.

I love Living with the Land too. One of these days I want to take the behind the scenes tour of it. Soarin's my favorite ride at Epcot. I just love the smell of oranges.

We'll likely head right across Innoventions Plaza towards the other two Future World magnets just after that. BF informed me the other day that he wants to try a lot of things. Including Mission:Space.

Stick with the sissy side then! I've ridden Mission Space twice and honestly it rates up there as one of my least favorite rides in any of the parks. (I'd probably rank it just under Alien Encounter). It doesn't even make me sick, it just bores me to no end. First time I rode it gave me a bit of a headache, but after that I was fine. I've never ridden the sissy side though.

Case in point, on our US/IOA/SW trip last April we got brave (if by brave you mean stupid) and decided we were all about the Simpson's ride. I kid you not when I say less than 10 seconds in I heard BF's sharp intake of breath followed by, "Oh NO. OH NONONO! (insertveryquietlywhisperedexpletiveHERE)."

If they haven't changed the mechanics in that ride since it was Back to the Future I don't blame you at all. I have pretty much an iron stomach when it comes to rides, and usually the only thing that makes me sick are those octopus rides at traveling carnivals. (I can't go up and down and around in circles at the same time).

I rode Back to the Future once and was a mess for the rest of the day at Universal. The ride was so jerky that my head kept slamming into the back of the car. I'd try to keep my head against the back, but the force of the ride would pull it away and it would just slam back again. I was feeling horrible afterwards. I think I'm going to have to pass on the Simpsons if it's still like that. Nothing is worth feeling that horrible over.

Test Track is a definite and yes, I'm actually admitting this out loud, so is The Universe of Energy. For the following reasons:

1. I heart Ellen. I know if she met me she'd be my best friend. And she would so invite me on her show to dance with her.
2. The dinos. Seriously, they're cool. Even if in the last refurb the paint they used makes it look more like they have neon tattoos rather than "real" dino markings.
3. I love musing on how particularly HORRIBLE the audioanimatronic figure of Ellen is.
4. The dark part with the radio tower where it's airing the different radio programs...I have always and will always get about 45 seconds of shut-eye in that dark, cool, cavernous space.
5. It's a traveling theatre. That's just cool, dude.

I hate missing the Universe of Energy too. I love it for Ellen and I love Jamie Lee Curtis too. That fact that it's a great place to cool off for awhile is an added bonus.

#1 - Captain EO (if it hasn't gone the way of the dodo...again).

This is like a gift. The last time I saw EO I was with my grandmother. I love Michael and it's Disney and all that but it's really more like a treat of refreshed memories for me.

I can't wait to see this again either. From what an Epcot cast member had posted on another thread I was visiting awhile back it should still be there. I think he had said it would be playing for awhile, and then the entire pavillion was going to be undergoing a renovation. I don't know if that's really true, but you should be fine for EO.

I could go on and on and on and on and on about all of the things that were so inherently "Disney" for me at Epicot that I miss terribly.
So I will, but just a little.
Horizons
World of Motion
Communicore
The ORIGINAL Journey Into Imagination ride before we started journeying into the imagination of some Imagineers who apparently sniffed a few too many Sharpies or ate too much paste as children. Oh, and the really cool things afterwards. You know, BEFORE you had to be a pro linebacker to secure one of the Kodak picture machines.

I used to really heart Horizons. The fact that it's been replaced with one of my most disliked rides is a source of great annoyance for me. Motion I miss, but I love Test Track (just for that outdoor spin around the track) so I don't complain too much. Horizons though, I miss! I use to love getting to pick my own adventure at the end. My brother and I would try to press each others buttons to get to see our choice.

I loved the play area of Imagination too. I could spend hours playing with those pin tables.

My favorite missed attraction though? Cranium Command at the Wonders of Life Pavillion. It's such a shame that they had to lose that when they shut that pavillion down.

But, what I miss the most? Jeremy Irons. I know, I know, even he was the product of a refurb but he was IT for me. The other changes? I can live with those.

I miss Walter Conkrite, and Jeremy Irons. Dame Dench just isn't the same.

Especially the afro. And the mini skirt. And the go go boots. AND THE LEMON TIGHTS.
Because you know all that is so true to the moment of how we're dressing in professional America today.
If you work in Vegas.
In a building.
With no windows.
And big bodyguards.

LOL! I always think of her as Uhura.

Hmmm I work in a building (well my floor at least) with no windows. Think I can get away with wearing lemon tights?

Somewhere in the midst of the FW touring madness we may also stop in for a bite at Sunshine Seasons. And for a sip of the Beverly.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Ahem.

What a sweet GF you are!

To be prettied up for our 5:45 p.m. ADRs at California Grill.
The restaurant which, I'm positive, sparked the reality of this trip. In BF's anti-Disney-befuddled-brain.
I'm a clever girl.

We're both very much looking forward to this meal. We had a great table last time and are hoping for the same this time. Also, BF is hoping there will be duck on the menu. The man is a carnivore, what can I say? And me? While I say I'll try something new, I'll also be perfectly happy with my go-to choices there.

I just love the Cali Grill! My last trip they sat us in the Wine Room. I was a bit disappointed at first, as I had really been hoping to be able to see the fireworks from our seat, but I wouldn't have changed those seats for anything. It was so much quieter and peaceful in the wine room. This time I plan on asking for a table there.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Mission Space huh? Let's just say that the orange side is OFF MY LIST for good ever since my Oct 2009 trip.

While I'm happy to have experienced it (and twice), I certainly don't feel a NEED to do so again. I guess I'd like BF to know how cool it really is (and it IS), I just don't want to revisit breakfast.

I have to agree with you Spaceship Earth is one of my all time faves at EPCOT, I love that ride!! I always take a huge breath in when I go by Rome and I to miss Jeremy Irons terribly!! It is still wonderful, but he did "it" for me too.

And don't get me wrong, I really enjoy both Cronkite and the Dame Dench, there was just something about Irons. His narration has 'Scar'red me.

LOLOLOLOLOL

::sigh::

Moving on...

I seriously love your updates. Seriously.

Seriously? You're starting to talk/type like me. Seriously. LOL! Really, I'm glad you're enjoying them.

Who doesn't love Spaceship Earth? It's awesome. It's really hard for me not to ride a bazillion times on each trip.

Seriously (see?!), sometimes I feel like the lamest Disney love ever. Two of my all-time favoritest things are SE and the PeopleMover (NOTTA).

Woohoo, those two certainly blow your hair back, no?

I will be slightly busy at the time you are in the world, so I will just have to pretend to be there. Maybe I can play some parks music on my ipod while I'm in the hospital.

What's your due date? I just accurately guessed TK's. Maybe I can guess yours too!

And hon? That's SO more than slightly busy!

Need some gift ideas for BF?

Bacon Air Freshener (I've actually gifted this):

Bacon Wallet (more than slightly disturbing):

Bacon Mints:

I may need to tell BF I found these all on my own.
Otherwise he may break up for me.
And demand YOUR contact info.



Those ROCK, my friend.

Though...the air freshener kind of freaks me right out...

On the Epicot front, I'm hoping you are just postponing the WS until day two, right?

I share the love for LwtL but I don't go quite as gaga over Spaceship Earth. As a symbol, I love it. As a ride, eh. Please don't hate me.

I could never!

And I'll even out the score. I'm unAmerican - I don't like pizza.

Now.....about these changes and additions?????.....

Can't wait to hear about them!

Sorry for the wait. Disney reservations was down this morning and I'm giving them a good bit of time to get themselves together and get rid of the backlog of calls before I call back.

Well.

That and because I should actually get some work-related work done at some point today.

I guess.

i just love the way your updates just flow from your thoughts. Very highly entertaining.

I'm a breath of fresh air.

Mostly.

One of these days I want to take the behind the scenes tour of it.

That's been on my 'Need To Try' list for, oh I don't know, EVER. Hoping maybe, FINALLY on the 1/2 Marathon trip to FINALLY squeeze it in.

If they haven't changed the mechanics in that ride since it was Back to the Future I don't blame you at all.

It was actually smooth. Just torturous for us 'non-simulator' types.

We searched YouTube when we got home and actually found a video of the whole attraction so that we can see what we missed while we were chewing it back, as it were.

I used to really heart Horizons.

I hear the full Horizons ride track once a day on the station I listen to on Live365. Takes me WAY back.

My favorite missed attraction though? Cranium Command at the Wonders of Life Pavillion. It's such a shame that they had to lose that when they shut that pavillion down.

SUCH a loss. Even when one of Buzzy's eyes stopped working and it looked like he was hungover. I wish they'd get a new sponsor for this pavilion, refurbish it and reopen it, with CC still plugging away.

LOL! I always think of her as Uhura.

Well now you'll think of her as TINK. At work. Or as a 'lady of the night'. LOL

Hmmm I work in a building (well my floor at least) with no windows. Think I can get away with wearing lemon tights?

Only with the go go boots, my friend. Only with the go go boots.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

"Someone has stolen three of my tarts!" ~ The Red Queen

Yesterday I was beat, tired, and all around Spongebob Crankypants'd out.
What I needed was a pick-me-up.
Talking Disney was just what the doctor ordered.

And, to be truthful, there was this niggling little thing that was causing me some trip angst.

So, when I got home I said to my BF, "BF I'd like to go over all the trip plans with you that way if there's anything that needs the changed or added or removed I can do it now and not be surprised with it later."
To which BF replied, "Bring it, Boo." (He calls me Boo. I don't know where it came from. Certainly not Monsters, Inc. I'm not that cute. With or without the pigtails.)

So, I opened my mouth to bring it.
BF cut me off and said, "I hate it. All of it. I won't do it."
Normally I can take that kind of humor, roll my eyes, and continue on with what I want to say. Not last night. I remind you - Spongebob Crankypants.
Instead, he got The Look.
And promptly took me out for soft serve. Good boy.

As I savored my twisty cone (and had the bottom fall out and drip about a half cup of ice cream all over my pants), we discussed THE PLANS.

Remember, just about everything you've read in this PTR was born of my brain, sick and twisted and Disneyfied as it is. BF had completely handed over the planning reigns to moi. He had very few requests:

Cali Grill
Junky Apples
Jellyrolls (I know we haven't gotten to tha part in the plans yet. It'll be in the next chappie.)

Do you see the theme with the first two? Mhm. Food. The food was beginning to give me angst. Specifically, the amount. We booked with the regular dining plan. Which would be enough. For me. And other normal people.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So I go through the plans and, as I thought he would, BF starts asking about meals NOT either scheduled with an ADR or planned with a CS credit. What will we do for this breakfast? How about that lunch? What are we going to do for that dinner? And those snacks?

I popped an Ativan.

And made a breakfast ADR at Boma.

And showed him the out-of-pocket budget (which he was fine with).

And went to bed.

I woke up this morning and, though technically the issues were no more, it was all still bothering me. Specifically the $$. See, we HAVE the $$, that's not the problem. It was HOW we went about spending it that was kind of giving me an itch. Because you see with BF no matter what kind of food budget you have set up, it's still kind of a wild card.

So I got out my calculator. Pencil. Eraser. Fuzzy Dizzy Math 201 Textbook. (I passed the two Intro courses with flying colors.)

I did Fuzzy Disney Math. Then I did Real Math. Then I did BF Meal Math. It all worked out to the same thing...

We were upgrading to the Deluxe Plan.

Now, this is often a subject of debate on the boards in terms of affordability, value, etc. so let me just squash the debates now. I KNOW this will work for us and, in a nutshell, here's why:

1. When BF and I go out to eat at Outback, for example, BF eats: bread, more than 1/2 the appetizer, a salad, a 24oz. prime rib (it's a feat to be seen, believe me), a side, and more than 1/2 the dessert. And sometimes picks off my plate too. We have Man v. Food on the Travel Channel DVR'd and BF said that he's adding Adam Richmond to our list of 'Celebrities We'd Most Like to Hang Out With' list.

And lest you think he's walking around about to collapse of a heart attack or tipping the scales at hundreds and hundreds of pounds, he just had his physical. Textbook BP. Perfect cholesterol. Normal EKG. And he weighs 210lbs at 5'11" with a weightlifter's build.

Jerk. I look at a plate of chili cheese fries and gain 10lbs and have my cholesterol skyrocket.

So, needless to say, this won't be too much food for him. He'll finish anything I have left over and have room enough for all of his own food/credits. Plus, we're appetizer people. BF looked at the menus and there were apps he wanted to try at 4 out of the 5 sitdown meals we had scheduled at the time. It got pricey fast.

2. We aren't going crazy with adding all sorts of ADRs. We added two. I'll tell you about them later. Just under half of the credits will be used for CS options. While it might seem[/] like a waste, it isn't. That's where the real math came in. Figuring everything we'd have to add in on top of the 12 CS credits we had with the regular plan, it added up fast.

3. People often tell me that it's simply more expensive. Or that they don't get their value's worth. And, for some people, I think it works out that way. I don't think that will be the case here. Actually, I'm pretty sure we'll break even. When I did the math, the total we'd be paying OOP for three extra TSs we'd added on, apps, refillable mugs, and a few extra CSs and snacks was roughly $320 (plus tips, which I didn't count because we have to pay them with either plan). And that was with a low guestimate on the extra snacks and not counting our having water and a few extra breakfast items shipped to the resort. Upgrading to the DxDP gave us ALL of the additional credits we needed and then some, got rid of the need to pay for apps and the refillable mugs and have the water/extras shipped, and cost us $360. And we found water bottles we'll be bringing along.

I'll be holding onto our receipts to do a real comparison when we come home. There's the chance we'll have "overpaid" with the plan but I think the margin is going to be very small. And if it's bigger than small? Well, you live and you learn. I'd never do the DxDP on my own so at least I get to try something new.

Really, the best of what this brings me is peace of mind, and you can't put a price on that. It's tough traveling with a big eater. I feel so much better knowing that if he gets hungry randomly (happens ALL the time) we have the credits for it. And some of the snack credits we'll be using for nommy souvenirs. And all we have to bring in cash for food is tip money.

Because, as I mentioned on the Babnana thread today, I'll be BF's Junky Apple Sugar Mama this trip. Using my Disney Visa Rewards Dollars I'll be buying him all the Junky Apples his heart desires. He doesn't know this yet. I'm thinking of making him a card and leaving it under his pillow from the Junky Apple Fairy.

SO. That's the big change.

The aftershocks of which include two new ADRs.

Numero Uno: Breakfast at Boma on Friday (I've been DYING to try this for a while. I was very surprised how amenable BF was to this.)
Numero Dos: Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse on Wednesday (I think there's a level of peace in BF's world now that our dining list includes one restaurant with the word 'steakhouse' in its name.

The trip is now paid in full. Again. The MNSSHP tix are in the mail. Disney has updated the MK schedule with the Main Street Electrical Parade in place of Spectro for our trip and...

OH!

One interesting item of note on the food front is that BF turned down the opportunity to do the Wishes Dessert Party. He said that we'd be having plenty of dessert on this trip - why pay extra for more? And that it was more important to hime to have a good spot for the parade and the fireworks.

I tell you, I will make this man a Disney convert yet.

Now, quite literally, the planning is done. All that's left is getting the trip confirmations and planning paperwork in the binder, getting the ME paperwork and the party tix in, and packing.

God bless me. The packing.

UP NEXT FOR REAL THIS TIME: What are the chances the eagle poops...again?

 

[jenjolt]

WOOT!! I'm a huge fan of the DxDP I have done it twice and I have loved it twice!! Although its a lot of food I really enjoyed dining at 2TS (I also enjoy appetizers) and I loved having the snack credits so I SAY YAY!!!!! Hey if it works for you it works for you!!!

I have a deep suspicsion you are going to convert BF on this trip...he's going to be in Junky Apple and Food heaven and we all know a way to a man's heart is through his stomach!!

Yatchsman Steakhouse....SO GOOD!! Loved it!! I have never been to Boma's so I will look forward to your review of it!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Seriously? You're starting to talk/type like me. Seriously. LOL! Really, I'm glad you're enjoying them.



Seriously (see?!), sometimes I feel like the lamest Disney love ever. Two of my all-time favoritest things are SE and the PeopleMover (NOTTA).

Woohoo, those two certainly blow your hair back, no?

Seriously!? Oh, I crack myself up.

I'm with you on the blow your hair back rides. I like those sedate Disney rides that leave me all calm on the inside.

I think upgrading to DxDP makes sense for you and the BF. I'm super jealous that you are going to Yachtsman that is high on my "IwanttotryitNOW" list.

 

[pooh'smate]

Loved the update.

I am going to take notes from you because I am trying to convert my dh too. He doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why I can love something so much if I haven't been since I was 6. He thinks that this trip will be a once in a lifetime thing.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I have a deep suspicsion you are going to convert BF on this trip...he's going to be in Junky Apple and Food heaven and we all know a way to a man's heart is through his stomach!!

I hope so. I truly doubt he'll be an "every year" kind of guy but I think I may be able to get him to go again in the future. In the meantime I'll go with my friends and do solo trips.

Yatchsman Steakhouse....SO GOOD!! Loved it!!

Yay! Good to know! I think I heard the same from...TK, maybe?

I think upgrading to DxDP makes sense for you and the BF. I'm super jealous that you are going to Yachtsman that is high on my "IwanttotryitNOW" list.

We shall see. When I told him last night that everything was all set and we discussed maybe another sit-down breakfast he said, "Will we have credits for that?" I told him yes. He said, "Awesome."

I am going to take notes from you because I am trying to convert my dh too. He doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why I can love something so much if I haven't been since I was 6. He thinks that this trip will be a once in a lifetime thing.

I've been appealing to the "guy" side of him, which for BF is 3/4 of the whole. LOL! We've watched a couple of special on the Travel Channel about "Extreme..." this or that where Disney is featured. A couple of engineering-type shows on Disney. And I ply him with food. That works best.

Keep an eye on what he really likes while you're down there and keep that in mind for talking about future trips.

And who knows? Maybe he'll just become a "Disney convert" all on his own.

 

[LegoMom3]

Your BF sounds a lot like my DH.....I'm amazed at what this man can eat (and not. gain. a. pound....). You cracked me up with the comment about Adam Richman!!!......we watch him too but usually we're groaning and going "Oh, duuuude!"

I'm having a big debate (in my head) over whether to do the DDP or the QSDP on our next trip.....Deluxe is out because my kids would just never eat that much food, nor would they want to be running from one ADR to the next all the time.

Fuzzy Disney Math = ........

.