I'm too excited to sleep! A trip for 2 in 9/08

[IndayMichelle]

I am so excited to do this! I'm glad that there is place to share all of my planning excitement with folks who feel the same way about sharing theirs with me.

US

Me: I am 24 years old and grew up in Seattle. After today, my new favorite Disney movie is Wall-E! It was amazing! But Bambi will still be my first love. My favorite rides are definately Soarin and Peter Pan's Flight. My first WDW trip wasn't until my teens so I feel a little deprived. Disney is so geared towards children and I honestly feel a little jealous of those who got their Disney start at an earlier age. Like my other half....

DBF: He is 27 and wonderful! How many men can say Sleeping Beauty is their favorite Disney movie? He works for the Walt Disney Internet Group here in Seattle, so there are so many perks for a Disney freak like me! He got to travel a lot growing up and is lucky enough to have made many trips to WDW.

WHERE
We will be staying at CBR from 9/6-9/14. I have made all of my ADRs for the trip. Because we have several other perks that DBF gets for being a CM, we do not get to take part in Free Dining. I did have to work hard for my ADRs though, just because of the timing.
They are:
Akershus
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
1900 Park Fare
Jiko
50's Prime Time
Garden Grill
Rose & Crown
California Grill
Crystal Palace

WHY
MY DBFF IS GETTING MARRIED!
And I am the DMOH!
I have never been to WDW with her, but we have made a couple of trips together to DLR. Last time we were there, her DF proposed to her right in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle! So we are going to be apart of their magical day. Here is her PJ : Monana's Planning Journal

It will also be our anniversary while we're there!

WHAT'S DONE
So we have our airline tickets, have booked out resort, and made our ADRs! I have an idea of which parks for which days but it's pretty flexible. I still need to go to Home Depot to collect Mickey heads! What else should I get started on?

 

[IndayMichelle]

I got mail today!

I've been checking our mail everyday to see if we've gotten any confirmation and it came today!

It's just the frosting on my ADR cupcake! I've been calling everyday to see if I could get an ADR for 4 at CRT. I got one! So here are all of my ADRs-

9/6 Lunch at Garden Grill as soon as we get there
9/7 Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
9/8 Lunch for 4 with my DBF, my DBFF, and her DF at Cinderella's Royal Table
9/9 Dinner at Jiko
9/10 Dinner at 50's Prime Time (not to mention a fab wedding brunch)
9/11 Dinner at Rose & Crown
9/12 Dinner at Cali Grill for our anniversary
9/13 Dinner at Crystal Palace

So right now, I'm deciding what items I need to accumulate between then and now. I want LGMHs of course to decorate our room window. I decided that I would be getting crocs, the mary jane style though, I just can't bring myself to get the clogs. I'm also hunting for filtered reusable water bottles.

FYI to all of you who purchase cases of water at a time:
"A 2007 New York Times article reported that Americans consume more than 30 billion single-serving bottles of water annually. (Wow.) The nonprofit Consumer Recycling Institute estimates at least half, and probably closer to 75%, of these bottles turn into waste. That means they wind up in landfills, get incinerated or turn into litter. (Double wow.)

Those figures do not take into account the materials (petroleum being chief among them), production costs and transportation costs associated with plastic bottles. It all provides more incentive to find a reusable water bottle to carry with you."

Please carry a reusable bottle! While recycling is good, it still takes a lot of energy to do. Well, more in a few days I guess...

 

[monana]

wow, all these disboard terms. heheh just kidding..

i am so excited! vacation time is much needed.

 

[monana]

wait wait wait.. did you say that your going to buy crocs?? what made you wanna buy em?? if jay hears that he'll want to get em for us..

 

[the4princesses]

HI WE WILL BE AT POP SEPT. 3-10TH WITH FREE DINING!!
CAN'T WAIT !!
HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY YOUR TRIP !!
A WEDDING SOUNDS FUN!!

 

[angela3676]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

Wow! You are beautiful! Joining in.

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Coming over from your post on my MAW ptr. I hope we see each other in the park. You and your DBF remind me of my niece and her husband who live in the Seattle area. You're so cute! Great plans. We too have struggled with ADRs because of the timing issue of the MAW trip but hopefully we will have a great time and will get to do all the fun things we want to do.

 

[IndayMichelle]

WHOO HOO!

Thank you for joining me! Leave it to my best friend to get the ball rolling.

And as for the crocs, I thought why not? monana knows that I've always had a thing about them. I'm a shoe-loving-girl and I've never thought crocs to be as pretty as they are practical, so I have never even considered buying any.

Until now! They have so many different styles and are still supposed to be just as comfortable. So yes, I will have a pair of black mary jane ballet flat crocs to break in before we leave.

Since my last update, I've received more mail from WDW! Even though the stuff they send is completely useless to someone who lurks the boards every day, it's still fun to get! Another constant reminder that I am due a full week of joy!

My biggest thing right now is MNSSHP. DBF and I are planning on going on 9/12, which is also our anniversary. It would be just the two of us. Two adults in costume, gallivanting around the MK, trick or treating. Is this going to be worth the $100? I tried checking if there was a CM discount we could use, but to no avail. I really want to go. I heard great things about photo ops, HalloWishes, and the parade. But will it be worth it since we're not going with kids? Argh!

Lastly, I've been put on restriction. My DBF has declared that he cannot get through another month and a half of Disney related conversation. I try not to bring it up ALL of the time! "I'm too excited to sleep!" I try and wait until I get on here, but I need share my excitement with him too! He says that he's over-disneyed at work already, and I've already argued that there's no such thing. So all gushing between now and two weeks before we leave needs to be on here and not at home! Wish me luck!

 

[keenercam]

You are wayyy too cute for words! I followed you here from Monana's PJ. You are both so lucky to have each other! It is exciting to hear about her planning from your perspective, too, and about your planning for the trip. I hope you enjoy the next couple months leading up to your awesome trip!

BTW, MNSSHP is DEFINITELY worth the price of the ticket. We went last year and loved it and my friend and I are doing a girls' weekend the same weekend you are there and we are going to MNSSHP on 9/12.

And I have the croc pink mary janes and they are so comfy!

 

[Princess.Rachel]

MNSSHP is one thing you cant miss. We are actually saving up so we can go twice this year.. Anyway, subscribing. Cant wait to hear more!

 

[noahdove]

sounds like a great trip so far

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

I have to get in on this, you are just too adorable!

 

[IndayMichelle]

I have to get in on this, you are just too adorable!

Thanks! My mother always said that I was an excitable person. But how can you not be when planning a WDW vacay?

I believe I am satisfied with my ADRs. Finally! Now, I said SATISFIED not ECSTATIC. I cannot get Donald's Safari Breakfast! I've been calling several times a day! But I can live without. I have three other character meals.

So here's the final schedule:
Saturday: early lunch at Garden Grill, dinner at Les Chefs de France
Sunday: lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In, dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe
Monday: lunch with DBFF and her DF at Cinderella's Royal Table
Tuesday: early dinner at Jiko's
Wednesday: DBFF's wedding! So brunch reception and Fantasmic! dessert party
Thursday: dinner at Rose and Crown
Friday: Anniversary dinner at California Grill
Saturday: dinner with DBF's Floridian friends at Crystal Palace

I'm pretty darn proud of myself! DBF is a vegetartian and not a big fan of buffets. So we only have one buffet, and his mom recommended it so I'm sure he'll be happy with it. And there's options for him at each place, so I don't have to worry! Whoo hoo! No cooking for a week! I'm going eat soooo much meat there! I don't cook meat at home, I only eat it when we go out. So excited...I love lamb and it's on a lot of menus I have ADRs for!

Speaking of DBF, if you'll notice our picture in the first post, he has beautiful long hair. I love his hair. He's in a band and looks great with the long hair and with the guitar. I actually met him at one of their shows. Well the hair is no more. He cut it off. BUT HE STILL LOOKS GREAT!

I actually kept the hair. Not enough to donate though. And to make sure we are picture perfect for DBFF's wedding, I have made hair appointments for us a week before we leave.

I have shopping for the little things. Mostly toiletries. I even have a small Mickey box of tissue and a Princess pack of wet wipes. I have a designated "Disney" drawer that I am putting stuff in so it'll be ready to pack.

But the greatest new of all, my dad gave me a digital camera! I have one, but I dropped it at DLR two years ago when I saw the popcorn cart and ran for it. I tripped next to the partners statue and fell. The camera flew and is now really slow. DBF had a camera but we blew the charger when we plugged it in in Argentina. But the one my dad gave me is better. I'm going to play with it at my birthday dinner this weekend.

DBF is taking me to my first Renaissance Faire this weekend! Sooo excited! Anyone ever been to one? I want to watch the jousting...

So I have a month and a half to go, what else do I need to do? I have a packing list, but it's too early to start. Boo I can't wait!

 

[monana]

But the greatest new of all, my dad gave me a digital camera! I have one, but I dropped it at DLR two years ago when I saw the popcorn cart and ran for it. I tripped next to the partners statue and fell. The camera flew and is now really slow. DBF had a camera but we blew the charger when we plugged it in in Argentina. But the one my dad gave me is better. I'm going to play with it at my birthday dinner this weekend.

yay a new camera!! that's awesome. fyi i was there when it all happened, and she did get her popcorn at the end of it. i am glad you got a new one though, just in time for vacations, and your birthday of course.

You have a disney drawer... i started a disney luggage, one of wedding stuff, another of little things i just need for vacation. i can't wait... less then 7 weeks.. kinda scary but exciting.

 

[IndayMichelle]

This is so much more than a trip report. This is a blog!

I did my very best to not do any planning and stay off the boards this last weekend. It was my birthday and DBF was amazing! He took me to a music festival (that he doesn't enjoy), had two dinners with my family and friends, took me to my first renaissance faire, and let me listen to the Beatles all afternoon. Best birthday weekend ever!

But I was not able to stay away from the boards! Addicting thing...

I did finish my trip shopping! All I have left is DBF's Teva sandals and the coffee and bananas we're bringing for our breakfasts down there. Of course I won't get that until the day we leave. This afternoon a friend asked if I could take them to the airport this week. I agreed. Only because now I can ask them to pick US up on from the airport when we get back from WDW. Genius!

But I got my Crocs today! Not just one pair, I walked away with two!

I called EVERYWHERE today asking for the black malindi crocs in a size 7 and the only place that had them was a mall in suburbs near my parents house. So I drove down there, had lunch with my dad and brother, then went to the mall. They didn't fit...I didn't know they ran so big. I called around and nobody had a 6 in black either. So I got the silver ones instead. I wasn't willing to wait and order them online. I needed them right away! The brown ones were just so darn adorable I had to get both. But they were $20 more than the other pair....I chatted it up with the sales girl who had great customer service skills and was overqualified and underpaid. I gave her a few job leads I knew about and she knocked 10% off my total! Whoo hoo!


They are super comfy! They feel so squishy when I walk. DBF and I decided to take walks every night to break in the new shoes and train for our trip. A little more than a month away!

 

[monana]

you know jay keeps saying that he wants to get crocs too.. oh man look what you started. but i must say those will look cute in the pictures with your dressier theme park outfits.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I AM A CROC CONVERT!

There are thing's I said I'd never do:
- watch High School Musical
- move to West Seattle
- wear Crocs

Well I will be moving to West Seattle in January. And I am the proud owner of FIVE PAIRS OF CROCS!!!

I know..change is fast. I am sooooo ready for this trip! I took three classes for summer quarter. I had a final paper. I am done and have submitted it. I took a final today, felt very good about it. And my last one is tomorrow morning. After that...no more school! Whoohoo!

Let the vacation begin.

So I am really ready. Not just a little ready, not just a lot ready, but REALLY ready for this trip! Here's what's done:

- I have received my DME luggage tags, they are in the "Disney drawer" to be referred to as the Dd from here on out.

- DBF has purchased his theme park footwear. Teva sandals. He could not be won over to the Croc side.

- I have retrieved my luggage set from my parent's house. The plan is to pack it all in a carry-on and put the carry-on inside the larger luggage. I will stick the box of poptarts, instant oatmeal, and bag of coffee around the edge if the small suitcase inside the big one. That way, on the way back, I can fill the carry-on with all of the goodies acquired at the World.

- I have acquired three additional pairs of Crocs. I couldn't help myself. There's a boating store 5 blocks from my apartment, and they were clearing them out at $10 a pop.

- I now have a subscription to touringplans.com, which I find to be the most frustrating part of all. I have all of my ADRs made. They do not fit into the touring plans. Argh.

- I have two new 2G memory cards for the new camera, as well as a bendy-legged-tripod-like-thing for my camera, so we can take lots of pix of ourselves. I saw it on Lurkyloo's TR and was sucked in by her strategic product placement. Inday=sucker

- Transportation arrangements to the airport have been made.

-Iten is done.

-Packing lists are done and look perfecto.


All that's left is: finding a cat sitter, actually packing, and buying bananas for our FL breakfasts, and possibly finding a job or volunteer position to fill in the time the next few weeks.

See? I told you I was REALLY ready...

 

[Glendamax]

HEY! I saw your post on MainSTMandy's Pre-Trip Report, and decided to be your new stalker! Like Amanda, I'll be at WDW the same week! So hopefully, we'll run into each other. On Sunday morn 9/7 at rope drop, a few of us are meeting up to ride EE and Dino at Animal Kingdom, so maybe you can join us!

I'm glad you've become a Croc-Convert! I have about 8 pairs! My latest pairs are the Cleo's - a khaki/brown pair and a Black/purple pair. I wish I could figure out how to copy and paste the pics . . . I love these because they are as comfy as the classics, but CUTE! They actually look good with a skirt! So glad that I was able to walk in them ALL day back in June!

Congrats on the new camera! Does it have a video function? If so, make sure you record a few clips! Take more than one memory card with you in case something happends to one of them. OH! And dont forget to buy some glow in the dark jewerly from the dollar store to wear in the parks at night!

Well, I'm glad I found your report! We don't have long now!