I'm excited to get married but I'm stoked for our honeymoon - Sept 2016 Disneymoon PTR (UPTD: 8/25)

[Raeven]

I just found your PTR! We're going to be there the same time as you actually. The 19th is also our AK day! Hope you have a great time on the trek I've heard so many good things about it! We're going back in December for my boyfriend's birthday and booked it then. We also love the Poly too, and are staying there during part of our stay then. I may have also had to convince my boyfriend with spreadsheets that APs and such would be cheaper in the long run even though their expensive up front

If you're still looking for Universal recommendations Mythos is always a good choice.

Good luck with your wedding! Though I'm not engaged yet my boyfriend knows when we are we'll probably have a Disney wedding/Disneymoon

I also love Boo to You and Hallowishes too! Halloween is my favorite time of the year. Did you think of adding the Villains Party now that it can be booked in September?

 

[kpearl]

Hi! Just read through your PTR and popped in to say hello!

We are also renting points from Dave's for an AKL (Savanna view!) stay. I would love to work up to the Poly, though!

Looks like you had a great bachelorette weekend - good for you! It's crunch time now! But you'll for sure pull it off. I think I sat down and cried at the exact 30 day mark to my wedding. I was just so overwhelmed. Then I wiped my eyes, dusted myself off, and got to work! It all worked out in the end. We also did not have that many people decline. That % decline that our caterer said would happen did not happen AT ALL. Luckily, I knew better and was prepared.

I also wanted to tell you that we did the Wild Africa Trek two years ago in Sept and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I would totally do it again. I LOVED our guides. We got to see so many cool things and eating in the Boma at the end was heavenly. We felt super special when they took us out on our private Safari vehicle and got to get really close to the giraffes. So cool.

Good luck with all your (dual!) planning!

Hello! Welcome!

I stayed at AKL during my last trip in 2014! Although we weren't Savanna view (our view was a parking lot..) the hotel was amazing. We shared a 2 bedroom studio with family who has DVC. There was 6 adults & 1 child and we all fit comfortably. I take it you will be in a 1 bedroom? From what I saw, those are just as spacious! Plus having the view of the grounds is amazing. I spent a few afternoons just gazing and watching the giraffes from the AKL balcony down in the lobby. They were being so goofy, I loved it! Be sure to go outside at night if you have a chance and ask for the night vision binoculars! Even if you don't see any animals (we didn't) look up at the sky. You won't believe how many stars you can see!

For our Disneymoon we rented from Dave's too! They were so incredibly easy to work with.

It was an amazing weekend for sure. It was perfect and so me in every way possible. Now that we're quickly approaching the 1 month mark I'm starting to make endless lists of all the "to do's" and "packing" and sorting out what people are ordering for the rehearsal dinner. It's never ending! I haven't had a break down really just yet.. but seeing as I am a super sensitive person, it will happen at some point I'm sure!

Oh that is wonderful to hear! We had so many choices and it was so hard to narrow it down, but that sounded the coolest to us for this time around. I've never had anything from Boma, we did Sanaa when we stayed at AKL, so this will be another 1st for us. Did you wear shorts or pants for your tour? I'm leaning towards shorts since I know it will be so hot, but if that is going to be uncomfortable maybe I should suck it up and wear pants?

I just found your PTR! We're going to be there the same time as you actually. The 19th is also our AK day! Hope you have a great time on the trek I've heard so many good things about it! We're going back in December for my boyfriend's birthday and booked it then. We also love the Poly too, and are staying there during part of our stay then. I may have also had to convince my boyfriend with spreadsheets that APs and such would be cheaper in the long run even though their expensive up front

If you're still looking for Universal recommendations Mythos is always a good choice.

Good luck with your wedding! Though I'm not engaged yet my boyfriend knows when we are we'll probably have a Disney wedding/Disneymoon

I also love Boo to You and Hallowishes too! Halloween is my favorite time of the year. Did you think of adding the Villains Party now that it can be booked in September?

How wonderful! I am so looking forward to this trip - it's been a long time coming! I've heard nothing but good things about going in September. Are you doing any of the MNSSHP dates? My DF & I bought shirts from Disney - we're going as a ghost host/hostess from HM. I even got the matching maid ears

Since we're going back in May it made more sense to get the AP's and try to save a bit of money. If you guys are going back this year you might as well upgrade during your September trip! Especially if both trips ticket costs come out higher than $750 + tax per AP. Plus you get $ off with all the different discounts they offer.

Thank you for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out. US is going to be a whole new experience, I can't wait!

Me too! I loooove Halloween. Always have. I decided to not add the Villains Party this time around. I really wanted to try the Afternoon Tea at GF so it was one of those one thing or another.. Are you planning on doing it?

 

[Raeven]

Hello! Welcome!

I stayed at AKL during my last trip in 2014! Although we weren't Savanna view (our view was a parking lot..) the hotel was amazing. We shared a 2 bedroom studio with family who has DVC. There was 6 adults & 1 child and we all fit comfortably. I take it you will be in a 1 bedroom? From what I saw, those are just as spacious! Plus having the view of the grounds is amazing. I spent a few afternoons just gazing and watching the giraffes from the AKL balcony down in the lobby. They were being so goofy, I loved it! Be sure to go outside at night if you have a chance and ask for the night vision binoculars! Even if you don't see any animals (we didn't) look up at the sky. You won't believe how many stars you can see!

For our Disneymoon we rented from Dave's too! They were so incredibly easy to work with.

It was an amazing weekend for sure. It was perfect and so me in every way possible. Now that we're quickly approaching the 1 month mark I'm starting to make endless lists of all the "to do's" and "packing" and sorting out what people are ordering for the rehearsal dinner. It's never ending! I haven't had a break down really just yet.. but seeing as I am a super sensitive person, it will happen at some point I'm sure!

Oh that is wonderful to hear! We had so many choices and it was so hard to narrow it down, but that sounded the coolest to us for this time around. I've never had anything from Boma, we did Sanaa when we stayed at AKL, so this will be another 1st for us. Did you wear shorts or pants for your tour? I'm leaning towards shorts since I know it will be so hot, but if that is going to be uncomfortable maybe I should suck it up and wear pants?




How wonderful! I am so looking forward to this trip - it's been a long time coming! I've heard nothing but good things about going in September. Are you doing any of the MNSSHP dates? My DF & I bought shirts from Disney - we're going as a ghost host/hostess from HM. I even got the matching maid ears

Since we're going back in May it made more sense to get the AP's and try to save a bit of money. If you guys are going back this year you might as well upgrade during your September trip! Especially if both trips ticket costs come out higher than $750 + tax per AP. Plus you get $ off with all the different discounts they offer.

Thank you for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out. US is going to be a whole new experience, I can't wait!

Me too! I loooove Halloween. Always have. I decided to not add the Villains Party this time around. I really wanted to try the Afternoon Tea at GF so it was one of those one thing or another.. Are you planning on doing it?

Yes we're doing MNSSHP on the 20th! I thought of doing a ghost host/hostess outfits (it's such a cute idea you guys will look great!) but my boyfriend didn't like the ghost host shirt. So I got him a Haunted Mansion shirt and I bought a Haunted Mansion dress on etsy.

Oops I realize I didn't say this part but we bought the APs already. We're going twice this year and possibly twice next year so we're definitely getting our money's worth. We're going to get a Tables in Wonderland card too.

And yes we're doing Club Villain on the 16th!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hello! Welcome!

I stayed at AKL during my last trip in 2014! Although we weren't Savanna view (our view was a parking lot..) the hotel was amazing. We shared a 2 bedroom studio with family who has DVC. There was 6 adults & 1 child and we all fit comfortably. I take it you will be in a 1 bedroom? From what I saw, those are just as spacious! Plus having the view of the grounds is amazing. I spent a few afternoons just gazing and watching the giraffes from the AKL balcony down in the lobby. They were being so goofy, I loved it! Be sure to go outside at night if you have a chance and ask for the night vision binoculars! Even if you don't see any animals (we didn't) look up at the sky. You won't believe how many stars you can see!

For our Disneymoon we rented from Dave's too! They were so incredibly easy to work with.

It was an amazing weekend for sure. It was perfect and so me in every way possible. Now that we're quickly approaching the 1 month mark I'm starting to make endless lists of all the "to do's" and "packing" and sorting out what people are ordering for the rehearsal dinner. It's never ending! I haven't had a break down really just yet.. but seeing as I am a super sensitive person, it will happen at some point I'm sure!

Oh that is wonderful to hear! We had so many choices and it was so hard to narrow it down, but that sounded the coolest to us for this time around. I've never had anything from Boma, we did Sanaa when we stayed at AKL, so this will be another 1st for us. Did you wear shorts or pants for your tour? I'm leaning towards shorts since I know it will be so hot, but if that is going to be uncomfortable maybe I should suck it up and wear pants?

We stayed at AKL Savanna View 1-bedroom in Sept 2014 but we did it through Disney. YIKES! WAAAY expensive! I was really nervous about renting points but Dave's team has been really great so far. I know it's a little more than just finding someone but I like that if something happens and our reservation isn't there, Dave's will make it good.

We did the binoculars but I didn't look at the sky! I love stars, I'm going to have to do that again just so I can look up!

Haha - my bad - I meant the boma structure that you eat at in the middle of the savannah inside Kilimanjaro Safaris. (Though Boma the restaurant is also very good. My favorite restaurant!!) You get a "snack" (more like a small meal) and then you see some more animals across the savannah (and ride vehicles) and then it's over. Again, it was so awesome. I wore shorts. It was no problem.

Here are some pics:

Here you can see us connected with an ear piece so we can hear the guides well. You can only bring with you things that can be clipped to your vest. You'll notice that beneath my right arm is a string that is leading up to the strap on my camera. You have to have a strap on your camera or on your phone if you want to take pictures during the Trek.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Oh, and there are lockers (free) at the beginning so you can put anything in there that you can't take with you on the Trek.

 

[kpearl]

Here are some pics:

Here you can see us connected with an ear piece so we can hear the guides well. You can only bring with you things that can be clipped to your vest. You'll notice that beneath my right arm is a string that is leading up to the strap on my camera. You have to have a strap on your camera or on your phone if you want to take pictures during the Trek.

Thanks for the photos! I am honestly, SO, excited for this tour. I've never done a tour at WDW so this is a first. I purchased a camera cord that has a carabiner clip on it that can easily hook to my vest. That should do.. I hope!

Oh, and there are lockers (free) at the beginning so you can put anything in there that you can't take with you on the Trek.

Oh that is good to know! I wasn't sure what the ordeal was upon arrival but that makes me feel better that we won't have to lug our additional belongings around.

Did you do the first tour of the day? If so, how did you get to the park? I was questioning if Uber might be the best bet since we need to be there prior to 8 AM.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Thanks for the photos! I am honestly, SO, excited for this tour. I've never done a tour at WDW so this is a first. I purchased a camera cord that has a carabiner clip on it that can easily hook to my vest. That should do.. I hope!

That should work great!

Oh that is good to know! I wasn't sure what the ordeal was upon arrival but that makes me feel better that we won't have to lug our additional belongings around.

Did you do the first tour of the day? If so, how did you get to the park? I was questioning if Uber might be the best bet since we need to be there prior to 8 AM.

We did the first tour of the day. We took a bus from AKL to AK. We had a car and we've heard that sometimes the parking lot isn't open to park that early. We got on a bus around 7:15am and made it in plenty of time. Though we didn't have far to go. You should be able to pick up a bus at the Poly around 7am and have enough time. I've read in several locations that they start the buses at 7am for breakfasts at 8am in the parks.

What time did they tell you to be there? I'm not sure that Uber would be able to get in if the parking lot isn't open, but I'm not sure how that works.

When we got there, we waited off to the left (before the turnstiles) until someone from Wild Africa Trek came out. They are very easy to identify. They have vests on and a clipboard that has Wild Africa Trek on it. When they've located everyone for the tour, they walk you through the entrance all the way to Kilimanjaro Safaris. There's a little hut like thing to the left of the ride entrance where they go over the rules, you sign a waiver, put your stuff into a locker, and you get some cool things. You meet your awesome tour guides who then take you to be fitted with a vest and make sure everything is attached including giving you a sunglasses strap. Then you are on your way!

 

[kpearl]

Ladies & Gents, we're almost there!!


Okay, okay enough of the emoticons. Or at least I'll try my best to tone it down, but it's so hard... I'm SO excited!

I only have 5 more work days left until I'm officially on vacation. I decided awhile back when submitting for all my PTO (or vacation time, whichever of the two you call it) I might as well take the whole week before the wedding off. Pfft, it's Labor Day weekend here so I automatically get Monday off and I knew if I went to work any days leading up to our wedding weekend I just wouldn't be there. My head would be elsewhere. Up in the clouds. Like it always is. Every day I'm stuck here.


So yes, it's safe to say that will be me come September 2nd. And then come end of September I'll be back to pick up all those papers and carry on..

Anywho - a lot of exciting happenings have come up since my last post.

1. We got our ME luggage tags
2. We got our MB's (I got purple & Rob got green)
3. All of our clothes are in piles just waiting to be ironed and packed away
4. We've purchased all our toiletries and odds and ends for the trip
5. I did online check in
6. I've messed around with our FP's more than I probably needed to
7. I ordered from Garden Grocer to save some dough and eat out of our room for a couple of mornings (but believe me, I will be getting my Mickey Waffles at least once! It's a must!). On a side note, I must say the customer service for GG is incredible. I placed an order online and no lie, in within 5 minutes I got a phone call confirming everything and asking if there was anything else they could help with.
8. We purchased AP's!!!
9. I ordered our US tickets from UT. Saved a whopping $19 woo! Rob is so excited to experience all the HP attractions. He has been wanting to visit US since they opened all of the wizarding world and we always pushed it off as a "next time" adventure. Well I made dang sure he'd get there and I'm so happy we were able to make this happen.


That will be Rob while we race through US to get right to all the HP goodness.

Now onto the wedding stuff - the best part!
1. I had my final dress fitting and my mom cried. I haven't really cried yet so I'm guessing the water works will spill the day of.
2. We're practically all paid off with all of our vendors. It's amazing watching our bank account grow over the past 2 years of saving and then in a few short weeks it just diminished, poof, gone.
3. We got our wedding bands!!! and they're beautiful. Better than I even imagined since they tweaked the band I picked up to have matching characteristics to my engagement ring, so essentially my band is one of a kind which means even more to me. Rob picked out my ring from a jeweler in Boston that has been doing engagement/wedding bands for our family for years. I really had no input at all. I actually told him I wanted a halo (because everyone had halo, not that there is anything bad to say about them, it was just an impulse decision when we talked rings) but he ended up picking a 3 stone antique style. I am absolutely in love with my ring so to have a matching set made me even happier. We also got special wording in each others that only we know and would understand the meaning.
4. We've been crafting! I purchased an inexpensive chalkboard easel at Ikea for $15 and we sanded, stained it, and I even arranged a flower box to hang from it. We have a chalk calligrapher writing a nice welcome message that will be displayed outside the church. I've also painted and distressed mason jars, painted our table numbers and signage, stamped wedding favor tags, ordered programs/direction cards/and all that other papery goodness from Etsy and had it printed, & the list goes on. Phew. But it is pretty much complete at this point aside from arranging everything and packing it up to go to the hotel.



5. My work had a bridal shower brunch for me and it was such a nice surprise. I felt so lucky to have such thoughtful and caring co-workers who pitched in to make it so memorable. Then I came back from my lunch break to every one in the department waiting around a cake and almost walked right back out of the room. My co-workers contributed to a group gift that will surely help Rob & I once we get settled in our own place. But one thing at a time for now!
6. I meet with my florist & my bakery this weekend to deliver items they'll need to prepare for the wedding. I'll get to see a mock design of my bouquet and centerpieces which I literally can't wait. It will be interesting to see my vision come from paper to life. Then at the bakery we're dropping off items for our favors. We're having royal icing cookies made in the shape of a mason jar with our initials iced on them. They'll use my tags and bakers twine to package them up in cellophane and be good to go. I hope it isn't a cheesy favor. It's so hard finding something everyone may enjoy..

Hmm.. I think that may be all my current life updates between the wedding and our Disneymoon. I probably left things out.. without a list at hand I've been such a space shot lately I don't know how party/wedding planners do this for a living?!

Other than that I'm just counting down the days until visiting the world and being able to kick back and enjoy some quality time with my husband. (Oh my.. that is so weird to say! It will take some time to become part of the norm. He's been my boyfriend for 10 years!) We always have such a blast together and I swear, these trips.. they're some of the best memories between us.


WDW Trip 2011 - Rob just graduated college


Obligatory castle photo.

This PTR may turn into a TR by the time I get around posting again! To everyone to followed along & commented, I appreciate it ​

 

[Raeven]

Congrats

Looking forward to your TR!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I think you're going to have to sleep through to the end of the year with all the stuff going on in Aug/Sept!

 

[belleincanada]

Happy Disney day Katie!!

We leave in 9 days and I've only JUST come down from all the wedding madness. Now I get to actually focus on planning our Disneymoon

Maybe we'll bump into each other there. Have the GREATEST time.

EDIT: Wait. I think I got that wrong. I don't think you're even married yet?