I want to be where the people are… (and not in cold Canberra!) An August 2015 PTR - Updated 8/9

[SnowWhiteOz]

Transportation and Transfers

Okay - so I figured that seeing as I have done so much planning on what to do in the parks I should probably figure out in more detail how I'm going to get to them.

One of the benefits of staying at Pop over other values is that it has its own dedicated bus which will hopefully help in cutting down transfer times.

13 August

• Pop to DTD - Bus directly to Downtown Disney® Area, Estimated Time: 12 minutes
• DTD to Pop - Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 13 minutes

14 August

• Pop to AK - Bus directly to Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Estimated Time: 20 minutes. To be at AK by 8:30 need to be on a bus by 8:00
• AK to Epcot -Bus directly to Epcot®, Estimated Time: 16 minutes. To be at Epcot by 18:30 need to be on a bus by 18:00
• Epcot to Pop -Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 12 minutes. Park closes at 23:00. If on bus by 23:15 should be at resort by 23:30.

17 August

• Pop to Epcot - Bus directly to Epcot®, Estimated Time: 15 minutes. To be at Epcot by 8:30, need to be on a bus by 8:00.
• Epcot to MK - Monorail to Transportation & Ticket Center, Transfer to Monorail to Magic Kingdom® Park, Estimated Time: 44 minutes or Monorail to Transportation & Ticket Center Transfer to Boat to Magic Kingdom® Park, Estimated Time: 37 minutes. To be at MK by 21:00, need to be on monorail by 20:15
• MK to Pop - Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 20 minutes. Park closes at 24:00. If on bus by 00:15, should be at resort by 00:35.

18 August

• Pop to MK - Bus directly to Magic Kingdom® Park, Estimated Time: 22 minutes. To be at MK by 07:40, need to be on bus by 07:10.
• MK to Pop - Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 20 minutes. Park closes at 24:00. If on bus by 00:15, should be at resort by 00:35.

19 August

• Pop to DHS - Bus directly to Disney Hollywood Studios, Estimated Time: 15 minutes. To be at DHS by 08:40, need to be on bus by 08:10.
• DHS to Pop - Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 12minutes. Park closes at 22:00. If on bus by 22:15 should be at resort by 22:30.

20 August

• Pop to MK - Bus directly to Magic Kingdom® Park, Estimated Time: 22 minutes. To be at MK by 07:30, need to be on bus by 07:00.
• MK to Pop - Bus directly to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Estimated Time: 20 minutes. To be at Pop by 16:00, need to be on bus by 15:15.

If anyone has any advice on which is the quicker way to get between Epcot and MK (bus, monorail or boat) it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

An insight into an obsessive planners mind

So I'm a first born, a Capricorn and a little bid OCD so when it comes to planning I'm a more is more kind of gal.

I thought I'd share just a little bit of the excel madness that has been happening since I decided on this trip - and yes I realise my touring plans are optimistic but if you shoot for the moon and fail at least you'll end up with the stars!

So as an example here are my touring plans (which are in a constant state of flux because I can't stop the planning urge)















So as you can see I've planned out every minute of the day. I'm not going to be disappointed if it doesn't work out as I've planned but I can honestly say I've had a lot of enjoyment in planning it all.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Weight Loss, Meal Planning and the many options of WDW

12 weeks out from my WDW trip I set myself a goal of losing 7.4kg/16lbs (specific I know). It's the middle of winter down here in Australia and in no way was I ready for the potential of having to wear a bathing suit in public.

Through healthy eating and lots of walks with my dogs I'm pleased to say that I am only 400grams/1lb from my goal (with 10 days before I leave). I've had a food journal for at least five years and even though I had been recording everything I ate - I was overeating or making poor choices hence the initial weight gain.

So know that I've lost the weight my goal is to maintain it while at WDW - or to come back no more than 2kgs/4lbs heavier.

To do this I've done lots of research on healthy options at WDW and have allowed myself a few cheat days to cover calorie laden meals (Biergarten and CRT).









I'm hoping that by the end of my trip I'll be able to show that you can have a great time at WDW, have some treats and fancy meals and not put on weight (fingers crossed!)

 

[MataHari22]

I plan out my days with a timeline, too, but I will say, that your times look way too tight. I also think you are not leaving enough time to get from place to place. Like, specifically as an example, your morning at Epcot looks way too tight. The Ellen ride alone will take up like 45 minutes. As long as you know that going in. I will probably have a couple of days like that myself. I would rather have the options there, because I don't like trying to find something to do, playing the "what do you want to do....idk, what do you want to do" game. :-/

Looks like yummy and healthy food choices.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I plan out my days with a timeline, too, but I will say, that your times look way too tight. I also think you are not leaving enough time to get from place to place. Like, specifically as an example, your morning at Epcot looks way too tight. The Ellen ride alone will take up like 45 minutes. As long as you know that going in. I will probably have a couple of days like that myself. I would rather have the options there, because I don't like trying to find something to do, playing the "what do you want to do....idk, what do you want to do" game. :-/

Looks like yummy and healthy food choices.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that the times are tight - the touring plans actually came from touringplans.com - and I'm using them as a base template but if the lines are ridiculous for some things or I don't feel like it at the time I'm definitely going to be skipping things!

The Ellen one is probably one that is coming out of the plan - I've been listening to quite a few WDW podcasts and it is often slated by the hosts - and anything that takes 45 minutes to get through which hasn't been updated in 20 odd years might be worth skipping!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Two Weeks to Go

It is now officially less than 2 weeks until I will be at WDW and I couldn't be any more excited

I've got 4 days left of work before I commence the long trip over to the US and then have a few days catching up with my little brother before Disney.

I'm still checking for last minute cancellations at a few ADRs - would love to get a pre-RD Tusker House for my AK day, or an Akershaus or Via Napoli for when I'm in Epcot. I have booked in a dinner at 1900 Park Fare on my arrival day - I think it will be a nice introduction to all things WDW and a great way to start the trip even if it does leave with me with less time to explore DTD.

I have done a little more shopping for the trip - I thought I was done but then managed to score an absolute bargain.

I got these two t-shirts




for the total bargain price of $4.40 ($6AUD). This has changed my outfit planning a little but I couldn't resist.

I also put the finishing touches on my DIY Disney shoes


I think that is it for now - other than counting down!

 

[CinderALLIE]

Wow, you are such a planner. Planning your meals even to keep eye on weight.
My plan is point me to the churros LOL.

I like the mermaid princess top

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Dining Plans & ADR's – Update Three

A few more changes - again! Only 10 days out now so lots of people seem to be cancelling ADRs giving me the option of getting a few I had missed out on. I'm still tossing up whether to take the 8:30 ADR for Akershaus on my Epcot day - if I could get 8:00 I'd take it but I think 8:30 negates any benefit of a pre-RD ADR.

August 13 - DTD
Dinner - Earl of Sandwich/Ghirardelli
I had an ADR for 1900 Park Fare for dinner but decided I'd rather have more time at DTD to look at all the stores than having to rush from the airport to the hotel to a late dinner.

August 14 – AK
· Breakfast - 08:10 ADR Tusker House - NEW
· Lunch - Flame Tree BBQ
· Dinner – Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party

August 15 –US
· Lunch –Bumblebee Man’s Tacos
· Dinner – Leaky Cauldron

August 16 – US IOA
· Lunch – Fire Eater’s Grill
· Dinner – Three Broomsticks

August 17 – Epcot
· Lunch – 12:45 ADR at Biergarten
· Dinner – 9:30 ADR at Cinderella’s Royal Table! So excited to be able to get in here and meet all the princesses!

August 18 - MK
· Breakfast - 8:00 ADR at Be Our Guest
Lunch – 12:25 ADR at Be Our Guest (I'll probably cancel this I'm just keeping it as a backup in case the park opens early in which case I'll cancel breakfast. If this one is cancelled I'll go to Pinocchio Village Haus this day.
· Dinner – Colombia Harbour House

August 19 – DHS
· Lunch – 1:00 ADR Beaches and Cream - NEW
· Dinner – 7:05 ADR 50s Prime Time Diner

August 20 - MK
Lunch – 12:35 ADR Be Our Guest (I still want to do a lunch at BoG so it will either be today or earlier in the week)

There's still time for this to all change and I'm sure it will!

 

[MataHari22]

I love Tusker House for breakfast. Enjoy!

Never been to Beaches and Cream, I know it's popular though.

Don't blame you for being unsure of Akerhaus at that time, maybe you will get lucky and an earlier one will open up.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I love Tusker House for breakfast. Enjoy!

Never been to Beaches and Cream, I know it's popular though.

Don't blame you for being unsure of Akerhaus at that time, maybe you will get lucky and an earlier one will open up.

I'm excited for Tusker House as it is the only place I'm going that has Mickey Waffles!

The main reason I want to go to B&C is the No Way Jose Sundae - I can't go past chocolate and peanut butter

The Akershaus time is the first one I've seen for breakfast since I started looking so I'm hoping its the first in many that will open up over the next week. It's either that or see if I can maybe get into Ohana

 

[MataHari22]

Oh, I love chocolate and peanut butter, too! Mmmm mmmmm mmmmmmm! The treats I often buy for myself are Reese's cups, and peanut butter Oreos. :drool:

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

One week to go

I’m officially one week out from my trip to WDW and 2.5 days from when I actually leave Australia . Today is my last day at work and it will be great not to think about work at all for the next three weeks .

I’ve almost finished packing – a carry-on bag for my clothes and a suitcase full of Australian goodies for my brother and his girlfriend. I think I’ve got an entire supermarket full of food in the bag – who knew chocolate bars and biscuits could be so heavy!

I’ve been using this app called MyDressing to help with the planning of outfits and trying to reduce how much I actually take over. I’ve travelled with only carry-on for the last few years (including a two week trip to the states and five weeks in France) so I’ve almost got it down pat but I’m still trying to cut back each time. I’ve managed to end up with the following outfits which I’m pretty happy with – there were less to begin with but then I bought all the Disney tees so now there are a few more pieces than I’d like but oh well .

















So there's not much left to do but to sit and clock watch until it's time to leave. Bring on Florida!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

At the airport!

Departure day is finally here. So far I've taken a 3 and bit hour bus from Canberra to Sydney airport to catch my flight. I've got 3 hours to fill in before a 3 hour flight to Auckland. Then there's an hour transit there before the 12.25 hour flight to Los Angeles. I can't believe it's finally here - I feel like I've been planning and counting down for ages even though I only booked the trip in April.

All my stuff fits in my handbag and carry on but I have a suitcase filled with 17kg of food and australian things for my brother who has been away from Australia for almost 2 years.

So all there is to do now is to enjoy my few days in LA and Vegas (not hard to do ) and then arrive in WDW on Thursday!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

In transit
Quick update - my flight from Sydney to Auckland was delayed which meant a mad dash through the airport to my LA. However once I got to that gate they informed us the plane was delayed 2 hours because it was struck by lightning. Now just waiting for them to see if we fly out or not. I'm all for safety but it is annoying - the only positive is that it isn't cutting into disney time - just LA time!

 

[MataHari22]

Really cute outfits you packed.

Well, at least you didn't miss your flight, that probably would have been worse. Geeze struck by lightening? Definitely check out the plane. I cannot imagine being on the plane if that happened. Yikes. I hate flying. Lol.