Insert Catchy Title Here - An August PTR

[Beka]

I’ve ordered a new planning DVD, waiting on my customized maps to come in, & am (not so) patiently waiting for the park hours to post!

It’s hard to decide what to do which day when I don’t know the hours. *sigh*

But I got my Passporter!

Oh, dear, sweet, Passporter, how I love thee. Thy reading is far superior to Med-Surg, or pharmacology. You fill my thoughts with Pixie Dust and Mouse Ears, instead of hypoxia and dressing changes.

Cutest. Paperclip. Ever.

And I got this cute sticky note pad as well.

“Hmm, where can I find dog treats in the World Showcase?”

So I’ve slowly started to read that. I also got The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom. Figured it’d make good “break time” reading between now & then, plus Ic an wow the fam with Disney trivia.

Ya know, I love living in the South. And one of the wonderful things about living here is a little publication called “Southern Living”. It’s my favorite magazine. It reminds me of why I love living here, has excellent recipes, but best of all? They FREQUENTLY mention Disney! In fact, the editor (I think) is wearing mouse ears in his blurb, and they did an article on potted plants around WDW (maybe just EPCOT? I haven’t gotten that far yet) and how you can do them at your house. Lemmie find the article…

Here it is! http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/disney-hanging-baskets-00400000041292/

Ok, I have a question for you all. We’re on a MAJOR budget for this trip. I want some recommendations on where to eat, and how to maximize our $$. Now, I have mentioned that I have had gastric bypass, so that does mean that I can’t eat a whole lot (though I can eat far more now that I’ve had a baby.) I’m thinking, I’ll order an appetizer, and DH will order an entrée, and we’ll share, so we’ll get a taste of 2 things, and save a little cash. Are the appetizers a decent size? I think that we’ll be having breakfast at the condo. However, I like to start my day with a cup (or cups) of coffee, and that tides me over till 9 or so. So if we do eat in the World, how late is breakfast served? Where can you find good breakfast in each of the parks? I know the MK has that bakery on Main Street, and there’s a bakery at Boardwalk. I would like to try Tonga Toast, but that doesn’t have to happen this trip. I think if we go back to the room during the day, we’ll have lunch there, & will probably bring our own snacks to the parks. Any other suggestions on eating on a budget? Have any of you eaten at Tutto? If so, how was it? Can I possibly ask any more questions?

Oh, I have to brag on my husband. Apparently, I’m super stressed with nursing school, being a mom, & the regular pressures I put on myself. Yesterday, I was getting shortness of breath, chest tightness, etc… Well, it has been going on for a few days, but I couldn’t ignore it yesterday. Went to the doc, and it’s just stress/anxiety. (Phew, it could have been so much worse.) So Kyle stayed home from work last night, got me a yummy chocolate cake, bottle of wine (uh, NO these are NOT things that a gastric bypass patient should eat, so just pretend I said he got those for the dogs, or himself), and some dinner from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Unfortunately, about 4 sips into my horchata, 2 bites into my quesadilla (steak fajita, yum), and 3 chips n salsa later, I was REALLY sick. Poor guy. I passed out at 9:30. But hey, he took care of me. I love that man.

 

[Beka]

Ahhh I've missed so many updates!!!

Your mini trip sounds so exciting. OMGosh I would die to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, I love her show! Other than New Orleans I've never really been anywhere in the south so just about every option sounds exciting to me. But deep fried butter?! Really?!

Take LOTS of food pictures if Savannah (or anywhere, actually ) is where you end up!!!

Now I'm thinking we're going to Asheville, again. I can't make my mind up. I've never been to New Orleans, but I would love to go there to just eat! Crawfish etoufee (sp?), anyone? Yum! (Can you tell that I really like food?!)

uhm..so idk why I didn't notice this on your siggy before, but HI! I am subbing, and super excited for your trip!! Any park days planned out yet? and your baby is sooo cute..but I told you that in my PTR!

No park days planned yet! I need to know hours to maximize my time, and plan accordingly. DH wants a day off (WHAT is wrong with him!?!), and he wants to go to Sea World (see previous question regarding DH), so right now I don't even know how many days to purchase tickets for. I don't care about going to see Sea World, but Dad & my MIL also like it. I'm so confused!

 

[autumnpalm]

As far as breakfast in the parks I like:

Starring Rolls at DHS (really yummy pastries)
You've already mentioned the bakery at MK but the monorail ride over to the Poly really is quick if you want to try Tonga Toast this trip!
At Epcot, Sunshine Seasons has a decent breakfast menu but I prefer to wait until the World Showcase opens and then get the delicious pastries and baked goods in Norway and France.
I haven't really found anything particularly good at AK. Usually we eat at our resort on that day.

I definitely think you'll be fine ordering mostly appetizers... especially if you can share some of your husband's meal. Sometimes my mom and I order 3 appetizers and split them and we're both pretty big eaters!

OMG you have me wanting a Passporter now! I love the photo with your dog, that is so cute! Must. stay. away. from. Passporter. site.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

As far as breakfast in the parks I like:

Starring Rolls at DHS (really yummy pastries)
You've already mentioned the bakery at MK but the monorail ride over to the Poly really is quick if you want to try Tonga Toast this trip!
At Epcot, Sunshine Seasons has a decent breakfast menu but I prefer to wait until the World Showcase opens and then get the delicious pastries and baked goods in Norway and France.
I haven't really found anything particularly good at AK. Usually we eat at our resort on that day.

I definitely think you'll be fine ordering mostly appetizers... especially if you can share some of your husband's meal. Sometimes my mom and I order 3 appetizers and split them and we're both pretty big eaters!

OMG you have me wanting a Passporter now! I love the photo with your dog, that is so cute! Must. stay. away. from. Passporter. site.

I agree with alll these breakfast ideas. We have nto found anything quick at AK either. I'm not sure why?

I agree on the appetizers too. I think you'll be able to do well with your plan.


*******


DH and I usually go and get snacks and breakfast foods and keep them in our room. Last Sept we got cereal and milk, breakfast bars, etc. We actually ended up having them as late night snacks though. I also put snacks in my backpack and that way we don't over eat at any ADR's that we have. I hate being really full and miserable.

Love the Passporter! I got mine a couple of days ago too! And the picture of your dog is so dang cute!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I just had to share this pic of Conner:

Looks like he's trying out for Top Model (they do some wacky photo shoots on that show) or La Nouba

I laughed out loud at the Top Model comment. Did you see the one where they hung the girls upside down in fishing nets (dressed as mermaids?) That's what this pic made me think of. Your pic is much cuter than any of the ones on the show, though!

How 'bout you just come down early for your trip (Aug 14) & be our tour guide?

'K, mt PTR is lacking in pics. I'll share what I do in my 'spare' time, when I'm not mothering, wife-ing, being a student, or on the Dis:
Made this for a baby shower, based on the colors of the baby's nursery:

I call this "Christmas Sky"

No name for this one yet. It has over 14 layers of paint in it:

I made this one for a friend who has an icy-blue color scheme for her tree, but it could also be for a baby boy:

So yeah, I love Christmas like I love Disney. Bet you can't guess what store I plan on spending $$ in!

I love your ornaments! I'm so excited about the Christmas Store, too!

As for breakfast, I agree with the DHS suggestions. It gets busy there quick though, so be prepared to wait. DH and I got lucky and found a table outside; it's very pretty out there, so I suggest trying to get a seat while the other person grabs the food!

If you can hold out for World Showcase to open, the pastries in France are wonderful! Norway also has school bread that is great and could be eaten for breakfast.

The places that serve QS breakfasts in the parks aren't too expensive, either. DH and I ate at one of those random places in AK for breakfast last year. We both got eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and a biscuit for under $15.00! It kept us full for a long time, too!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I do believe you may need to slap dh and his fam upside their heads to knock some disney sense into them.. just sayin. sea world.. nah.. you only do that when you have 2 weeks.. EVERYONE knows that

so what adr's do you need help with?

 

[Beka]

I was set up! I've been had!

Ya know that message I saw on Facebook last week? It was a SCAM!

I KNOW!

DH *totally* set me up!

Well, he couldn't stand it any longer, & broke down & told me yesterday where we're going!

Click here to see the entire property where we're staying.
THIS is the cabin we're staying in.

I haven't read the website yet, but DH was telling me that there's 5 or 6 miles of hiking trails on property, you can't see the other cabins from where you are (it's a 96-acre farm, must be the life!), you can fish & canoe in the pond, there's a river/stream that runs through the property, they bring you fresh eggs, local honey, & fresh baked bread every morning (I think I just died). Biltmore is close, so we may do that. I'm so stoked! Savannah would be fun, but I'd want to go, go, go the whole time, so this is a much better option! YAY!

 

[Beka]

As far as breakfast in the parks I like:

Starring Rolls at DHS (really yummy pastries)

I haven't really found anything particularly good at AK. Usually we eat at our resort on that day.

I definitely think you'll be fine ordering mostly appetizers... especially if you can share some of your husband's meal. Sometimes my mom and I order 3 appetizers and split them and we're both pretty big eaters!

OMG you have me wanting a Passporter now! I love the photo with your dog, that is so cute! Must. stay. away. from. Passporter. site.

I've heard that Starring Rolls is good! I'll keep them in mind. I think we'll eat Boma's buffet on AK day.

I wish I could stay awake when reading the Passporter. Not that it's boring, but I'm usually laying in bed, and well, if I'm in bed, then I'm asleep.

I also put snacks in my backpack and that way we don't over eat at any ADR's that we have. I hate being really full and miserable.

Love the Passporter! I got mine a couple of days ago too! And the picture of your dog is so dang cute!

If I'm full & miserable, then everyone else is miserable. One of the joys of weight loss surgery, is if I get full, I get really

Matches was being a trooper posing for me! Boogs wouldn't do it!

I laughed out loud at the Top Model comment. Did you see the one where they hung the girls upside down in fishing nets (dressed as mermaids?) That's what this pic made me think of. Your pic is much cuter than any of the ones on the show, though!

Thank you! I was thinking about that episode & the one where they had them dress a super heroes! Did you know they just started a new season? I had no idea, but my DVR just taped it for me! (I can't stand all the "filler" on that show, I usually fast-forward to the pictures & the judging.)

If you can hold out for World Showcase to open, the pastries in France are wonderful! Norway also has school bread that is great and could be eaten for breakfast.

The places that serve QS breakfasts in the parks aren't too expensive, either. DH and I ate at one of those random places in AK for breakfast last year. We both got eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and a biscuit for under $15.00! It kept us full for a long time, too!

Mmmm... French pastries! I still remember a pastry I bought in Paris, and that was 12 years ago, & I didn't take a picture of it! It was square, and flaky, and had a dip in the middle, with 2 apricot halves, and a clear apricot glaze. It looked like 2 raw eggs in a pastry, so I had to try it!

I do believe you may need to slap dh and his fam upside their heads to knock some disney sense into them.. just sayin. sea world.. nah.. you only do that when you have 2 weeks.. EVERYONE knows that

so what adr's do you need help with?

I KNOW! Dense hillbillies. (I can say that, they're from Appalachia, so yea, they ARE from the hills, and therefore hillbillies.) If my MIL's paying, they can go, but I'm not spending MY money on SW. I'd rather spend the extra day in EPCOT. But my dilemma is that Dad also likes SW, so I'm sure he'd want to go, and if he went, then Mom would go. My last memory of the place was walking up to the walrus display, looking down into a big pit at this poor animal. It was all pink (looked sun burnt to me) and miserable. WHY would you put a WALRUS OUTSIDE in FLORIDA?! Gr! Poor thing doesn't have a say in it! Stupid SW.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Aw, that pictures of your dog "reading" the PassPorter is so cute!!

We normally have cereal or Cliff bars for breakfast while we're at WDW. I might have gotten one yogurt parfait while we were there (mmm, so good). It definitely saved us money by skipping breakfast at the parks. DH and I also bring snacks w/ us, and we tend to share most meals in the parks. We just don't eat a lot during the day while we're at the parks.

Ooh, Asheville sounds like a lot of fun! That cabin looks so romantic. The fresh bread and honey delivery sounds even better!! Mmmm...

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I was set up! I've been had!

Ya know that message I saw on Facebook last week? It was a SCAM!

I KNOW!

DH *totally* set me up!

Well, he couldn't stand it any longer, & broke down & told me yesterday where we're going!

Click here to see the entire property where we're staying.
THIS is the cabin we're staying in.

I haven't read the website yet, but DH was telling me that there's 5 or 6 miles of hiking trails on property, you can't see the other cabins from where you are (it's a 96-acre farm, must be the life!), you can fish & canoe in the pond, there's a river/stream that runs through the property, they bring you fresh eggs, local honey, & fresh baked bread every morning (I think I just died). Biltmore is close, so we may do that. I'm so stoked! Savannah would be fun, but I'd want to go, go, go the whole time, so this is a much better option! YAY!

I can't believe that he set you up! I have not looked at the link yet of where you are going. I will do that tonight since I am on my lunch hour now.

 

[TeaForTulips]

That cabin looks so great! We did something like that recently and it was so fabulous! There was nothing better than soaking in the hot tub at night in the middle of the forest looking at the stars! I hope you guys have a great time! I love that he set you up!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Why does everyone's husbands on here know how to do all this romantic stuff?? i think John was born without that gene! I better start making him DIS! Congrats on the awesome get away!!

 

[Beka]

Aw, that pictures of your dog "reading" the PassPorter is so cute!!

We normally have cereal or Cliff bars for breakfast while we're at WDW. I might have gotten one yogurt parfait while we were there (mmm, so good). It definitely saved us money by skipping breakfast at the parks. DH and I also bring snacks w/ us, and we tend to share most meals in the parks. We just don't eat a lot during the day while we're at the parks.

Ooh, Asheville sounds like a lot of fun! That cabin looks so romantic. The fresh bread and honey delivery sounds even better!! Mmmm...

I can understand not eating much, you're too busy having fun!

I haven't been to Asheville since I was 15/16, so it'll be fun to go back! I can't wait to go chill out for a few days!

I can't believe that he set you up! I have not looked at the link yet of where you are going. I will do that tonight since I am on my lunch hour now.

I'm half as excited about the bread & local honey as I am about the massage!

That cabin looks so great! We did something like that recently and it was so fabulous! There was nothing better than soaking in the hot tub at night in the middle of the forest looking at the stars! I hope you guys have a great time! I love that he set you up!

Ooh, good idea! I might just fall asleep in it though!

Why does everyone's husbands on here know how to do all this romantic stuff?? i think John was born without that gene! I better start making him DIS! Congrats on the awesome get away!!

Thanks! I'll be sure to post lots of pics! Less than a week now! Woo! BTW, yesterday DH & I were at a local tourist trap & saw a guy who could have been your DH's twin!

 

[Beka]

I got my customized maps today! Yay!

These were a beast to scan!

Here is the envelope it comes in, the back cover:

(I think I somehow flipped this & it's backward.)

Inside of the envelope:

A letter on one side of the map of the property:

Overall map of the property:

(K, this thing took FOREVER for me to piece together. I can't believe I spent that much time on it. What can I say, I love to play with Photoshop.)

The maps come 2 maps to 1 sheet, meaning, on one side will be the MK & another park on the other side. There is also a set of stickers that come with it, but for some reason, my scanner flat refuses to scan them. The paper they're printed on is heavy, though not as heavy as card stock, somewhere between that and regular printer paper. I love the little "hidden" Mickeys all over them as well! Such attention to detail! They're fun to look at! I told Kyle I wanna frame them, we'll see if I ever get around to it.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I got my customized maps today! Yay!

These were a beast to scan!

Here is the envelope it comes in, the back cover:

(I think I somehow flipped this & it's backward.)

Inside of the envelope:

A letter on one side of the map of the property:

Overall map of the property:

(K, this thing took FOREVER for me to piece together. I can't believe I spent that much time on it. What can I say, I love to play with Photoshop.)

The maps come 2 maps to 1 sheet, meaning, on one side will be the MK & another park on the other side. There is also a set of stickers that come with it, but for some reason, my scanner flat refuses to scan them. The paper they're printed on is heavy, though not as heavy as card stock, somewhere between that and regular printer paper. I love the little "hidden" Mickeys all over them as well! Such attention to detail! They're fun to look at! I told Kyle I wanna frame them, we'll see if I ever get around to it.

I am planning on framing ours! we have two sets so I can frame the front and the backs!

and DH's twin..sounds like a hotty..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I love the customized maps, don't you? I've gotten them over the last couple of years but never done anything with them. So my good friend Jenn just gave me an idea.......I'm gonna frame them.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I love the customized maps, don't you? I've gotten them over the last couple of years but never done anything with them. So my good friend Jenn just gave me an idea.......I'm gonna frame them.

I can't believe that you don;t already have them framed!! how much you wanna bet they are gonna be a super odd ball size and have to be custom framed?? At that point, I will not.. I will however make john buy would and make me frames!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I didn't know they started a new season! Is it on the same station?? I haven't seen any ads, at all!

LOVE, LOVE the maps! I need to get some ordered!! Silly question but I haven't looked in to it much, are they free...?

 

[inkedupmomma]

I didn't know they started a new season! Is it on the same station?? I haven't seen any ads, at all!

LOVE, LOVE the maps! I need to get some ordered!! Silly question but I haven't looked in to it much, are they free...?

Free indeed!! and come in classic or cartoon lay out!! Go to the disney website and log in!!

 

[Beka]

Free indeed!! and come in classic or cartoon lay out!! Go to the disney website and log in!!

I didn't know you could choose!!! Ugh!

I didn't know they started a new season! Is it on the same station?? I haven't seen any ads, at all!

LOVE, LOVE the maps! I need to get some ordered!! Silly question but I haven't looked in to it much, are they free...?

Yup, free! And ANTM is on the same channel, and apparently the same time as last season, since my DVR caught it (we never cancel recordings even if the show winds up canceled.)