-Insert Clever Name Here- Pre Trip Report

[alexandurp]

NOW WITH 200% MORE PHOTOS!


Hullo DISers!

I have a couple of hours to kill before my midterm, and seeing how I'm getting comfortable on this site, I figured 'Hey, let's try a trip report for this'.
So welcome! I guess I should start with the some backstory here about this trip.

Over the month of July I started watching the show "The Big C". If you haven't seen it, go, it's on netflix, and it's brilliant. Not only is it clever, but it's sad, and happy, and charming, and relate-able, and ugh. Just perfect. One of it's messages is sort of a live each moment like it's your last.
When Universal announced this year that Silent Hill was going to be coming to Halloween Horror Nights, I knew I just had to be there.
I started budgeting, and begging for hours at work. I went from working 15 hours a week to nearly 30. My mom was completely oblivious to my motives to finally work more, and was excited I was taking going to university seriously.

Ha.

In two weeks I had made enough to put my deposit down on the vacation. I went off to Sears Travel, found my soul mate- my travel agent Jessica, and together we plotted out ways to spend my money.
It wasn't until the deposit was down that I called up my mom and told her.

That was a fun night.

It was originally a 6 night/7 day package. Jessica told me Pop Century was the way to go, due to the buses not being shared. I took advantage of the free QSDP. With flights from Syracuse and back, the QSDP, 7 Day tickets with park hopper, resort and MNSSHP ticket it came to $1400.
Then came the Universal tickets.
I chose the Wednesday, simply because Horror Nights are dirt cheap on Wednesdays with the Stay and Scream. 1 Day Park to Park admission+Stay and Scream+Shuttle to and from Disney was $183. Being me, I didn't just settle for that and added the Behind the Screams tour for another $55.

Trip Total: $1638

A bit more than I expected, but hey. I hate to use this term just because I'm not a fan of my generation at all, but YOLO. (You Only Live Once)

Within the first week of booking the trip, I started looking online for advice on how to enhance it. I've been to Disney World 3 times before, but nothing like what I'm planning on now. One thing that stuck out that I'd never tried was actually dining in table service restaurants before. The only other time I've been on a dining plan was a QSDP. I looked at Whispering Canyon, Coral Reef, but what really caught my attention was Boma. I called Jessica up and asked how much it would be to upgrade my QSDP to regular.
$108
I think it's worth it. I mean, I was already eating for free. $108 could easily cover two character breakfasts.

Final Cost: $1746

Or the cost of my student meal plan here.

That was it. I was set to go to Disney solo. My first time out of the country alone. Being free to do what I wanted, when I wanted. It sounded so brilliant.

Enter two weeks ago.

Makeshift Table of Contents

How I Made My Mom Cry
The Cast!
Zero Hour

 

[alexandurp]

I was feeling homesick. OSAP (What's paying for my university basically) had given me tons of money extra that I didn't need. My dad is paying child support as long as I'm in school, $340 every other week. I was literally swimming in money.

I kept thinking about my mom, and all the amazing things she's done for me. How much it took to get me here. So, I emailed Jessica and asked out of curiosity how much it would be to add my mom to the trip.
Without all the add ons (Universal, MNSSHP, Tour, etc) it came to $830.

I called her boss and asked about her getting time off for the week. It was clear. I told Jessica to book her in, then called her up.

Me: Hey mommmmmm. Only a month till we leave for Florida
Mom: I know. I expect something nice when you get back for not killing you for going.
Me: Oh, really? We'll have a fun time I'm sure. It'll be worth keeping me alive.
Mom: Wait. What?
Me: If you don't mind driving us to Syracuse that is.
Mom: I don't have the money to go, we've been over this.
Me: Oh, well then it's a good thing it's already covered.
Mom: -pretty sure trying not to cry-
Me: Happy Birthday and Christmas and Birthday again and Christmas again and one more birthday probably.
Mom: But what about work?
Me: Pssh. You think I'm an amateur at this.

So she cried, I felt like a boss, and life was good. I told her she had to pay for extras, and for the park and fly. Altogether I think she's paid about $400, as she isn't doing the Tour with me at Universal.

So there it is.
My mom and I's cutesy Mother Son trip. Completely organized by me. She's all for the following me while I do everything I want. Naturally, I'm catering to her of course.

Next, Intros I guess would be a good idea.

 

[alexandurp]

Loljk, it's in my avatar. I force you to see it with every post. Muahaha.
-Non existent evil emoticon here-

I'll start with me.

My name's Alex. I'm the boy. With the eyeliner. IT WAS A MUSICAL DON'T JUDGE. I'm a self proclaimed Disney freak. I live for theme parks, and Disney is just the best of the best. The atmosphere, the cast members, the rides, just everything makes me so happy.
This is my 4th trip to the World. I've only ever stayed on site once before back in 2009, at POR with my mom and sister. We knew nothing back then, but this time I'm prepared. Thanks to you DISers of course. (Like really. We didn't take the monorail to Epcot once, because we didn't know about it. It was bad.)
I had my first taste of a solo trip last time when we stayed off site and my dad drove me in every morning and picked me up at night. He didn't want to live at the parks, whereas that's all I wanted to do. I enjoyed it, but really, everything is more fun when you can share it with somebody.
I'm currently in my first year at university studying theatre. I love it, and I hope to use my degree to eventually get a job at Disney World. Being Canadian, this could be a problem, but I won't worry about that until then.

And there's my mom;

Her name is Kathy, and she likes long walks on the beach and her favourite son. Previous to this trip was our 2009 trip, and before that was her honeymoon back in the 80's! Oh, she's going to be so overwhelmed with this trip. She's really all I can ask for in a mother. She'll always put us kids first, no matter what. She legit didn't date anybody until I was leaving for university, just so she didn't bring strangers into our lives.
I'm totally psyched to be sharing this trip with her.

 

[t_daniels]

That's so cool, getting your mom to go.

And, for the record, my husband was a drama kid in high school...is in a post punk band now....he rocks the eyeliner every so often. (when not at his day job, an accountant/draftsman!)

Joining in the PTR.

 

[alexandurp]

Let me just say first- I started this trip with the intention of it to be a "oh, whatever lets go....here" trip.

Then I learned about ADRs.
I feel they need to be in blood red font, just because they're so deadly to me.
We have a love hate relationship. I don't know if it's normal or not, but my ADRs change literally every day. Increasingly so as we near the actual trip.
It's just the thrill of finding new ADRs every day. I love it.

Starting my reservations with only a month or so till I arrive, I wasn't expecting anything great to be available. ESPECIALLY with free dining in play.
I had read somewhere the systems release cancelled reservations at 6am daily. Ha. Looking once a day. Those were the good times.

Slowly I learned they come up almost immediately after the cancellation. Thus I began looking every hour or 2.

As of today, I have 8:15 breakfast at Crystal Palace, and even a lunch AND dinner at Le Cellier. (Got rid of the dinner though, as it didn't fit in.)

I think, at this point, I finally have what I want. My mom on the other hand, still has the schedule I printed out for her last week. I think only one ADR is the same.
Again, is this normal?

ANYWAY. The moral of the story here is- Don't give up on ADRs.
Unless you want Cinderella's Royal Table. In which case, give up.

 

[alexandurp]

That's so cool, getting your mom to go.

And, for the record, my husband was a drama kid in high school...is in a post punk band now....he rocks the eyeliner every so often. (when not at his day job, an accountant/draftsman!)

Joining in the PTR.

Welcome! (I know there's a giant explody welcome emoticon on here somewhere...I'll find it eventually.)

Whoa. By day, accountant. By night, rockstar.
That's pretty awesome. Drama kids are really where it's at in high school. Up here in Canada anyway. We don't have that big football craze some Americans do.

 

[t_daniels]

Untrue!

I got CRT last year like, the month of, or right before our trip.

Sometimes you get lucky ,

 

[t_daniels]

Welcome! (I know there's a giant explody welcome emoticon on here somewhere...I'll find it eventually.)

Whoa. By day, accountant. By night, rockstar.
That's pretty awesome. Drama kids are really where it's at in high school. Up here in Canada anyway. We don't have that big football craze some Americans do.

I was a band kid myself!

Facebook.com/thesecretpost

He's the bassist. Bowie shirt. Purple nails. Muahaha.

 

[alexandurp]

Untrue!

I got CRT last year like, the month of, or right before our trip.

Sometimes you get lucky ,

I was a band kid myself!

Facebook.com/thesecretpost

He's the bassist. Bowie shirt. Purple nails. Muahaha.

Whoa. I would've had a heart attack if I refreshed and CRT was there. I almost did for Le Cellier- Twice. xD

Yay band kids! I never liked playing in class, due to our poor structure of a music program, but Alto Sax at home was fun.

They aren't bad! Not my type of music, but not awful to listen to. =P
I approve of the Bowie shirt though.

 

[t_daniels]

Whoa. I would've had a heart attack if I refreshed and CRT was there. I almost did for Le Cellier- Twice. xD

Yay band kids! I never liked playing in class, due to our poor structure of a music program, but Alto Sax at home was fun.

They aren't bad! Not my type of music, but not awful to listen to. =P
I approve of the Bowie shirt though.

I just called on that one. Since you had to provide a cc #. Plus, sometimes the cm on the phone will show options not available online.

It's not my favorite either. But its grown on me! A lot, actually. Ha.

Woodwind? Bass clarinet here!

 

[alexandurp]

I just called on that one. Since you had to provide a cc #. Plus, sometimes the cm on the phone will show options not available online.

It's not my favorite either. But its grown on me! A lot, actually. Ha.

Woodwind? Bass clarinet here!

Oh? That's good to know.
For next time maybe. I think I'm done touching ADRs for a while. They drive me crazy. In a good way.

Haha, that's good. To each their own and what not. I think it would be neat if they covered a Disney song like that though.

Yay! Reed suckers anonymous! Clarinet is so pretty sounding. Especially the lower notes. <3

Also, I looked at your Project Pixie Dust and almost cried. I'll see what I can do about getting some characters to make videos while I'm there for you.

 

[t_daniels]

Oh? That's good to know.
For next time maybe. I think I'm done touching ADRs for a while. They drive me crazy. In a good way.

Haha, that's good. To each their own and what not. I think it would be neat if they covered a Disney song like that though.

Yay! Reed suckers anonymous! Clarinet is so pretty sounding. Especially the lower notes. <3

Also, I looked at your Project Pixie Dust and almost cried. I'll see what I can do about getting some characters to make videos while I'm there for you.

Awww! Thank you. When are you going? (Don't answer, actually. I'll go back to your post and read! Haha.)

If you want, you're welcome to record a message yourself, as well .

 

[alexandurp]

Awww! Thank you. When are you going? (Don't answer, actually. I'll go back to your post and read! Haha.)

If you want, you're welcome to record a message yourself, as well .

It's no big deal, I'm gonna be seeing alot of characters at character dining anyway.
and LOL, I left the dates out of my posts!

October 21st-27th.

Sure! I'll do it at MNSSHP. I'm going as a...rather different Disney character.

 

[t_daniels]

It's no big deal, I'm gonna be seeing alot of characters at character dining anyway.
and LOL, I left the dates out of my posts!

October 21st-27th.

Sure! I'll do it at MNSSHP. I'm going as a...rather different Disney character.

Hahaha!

Cool . Feel free to do one in character, and one out, if you like. I'm encouraging character videos, and just general encouraging videos. Have spaces for both on the site!

And I'm intrigued.... Can't wait to see!

 

[t_daniels]

Boma is wonderful, BTW.

Which of your meals are character?

 

[alexandurp]

Hahaha!

Cool . Feel free to do one in character, and one out, if you like. I'm encouraging character videos, and just general encouraging videos. Have spaces for both on the site!

And I'm intrigued.... Can't wait to see!

Boma is wonderful, BTW.

Which of your meals are character?

Okay.
I'll get my mom to do one too. =P
What about just cast members, like check in people, or mousekeeping?

I'm so excited for Boma! It's one of the surviving from my original ADRs.
Uh, 1900 Park Fare with Mary Poppins, Alice, Hatter.
Crystal Palace with Winnie, Piglet, Eyeore and Tigger. Pergaps they could have signs to hold...
And Tusker House breakfast with the Fab 5

Tusker could change though...

 

[t_daniels]

Okay.
I'll get my mom to do one too. =P
What about just cast members, like check in people, or mousekeeping?

I'm so excited for Boma! It's one of the surviving from my original ADRs.
Uh, 1900 Park Fare with Mary Poppins, Alice, Hatter.
Crystal Palace with Winnie, Piglet, Eyeore and Tigger. Pergaps they could have signs to hold...
And Tusker House breakfast with the Fab 5

Tusker could change though...

Yup.

Im going to invite anyone who wants to, to do one. Figure most of the trip may center around it. Ha!

I'd Wikipedia hydrocephalus, if you want to make one- just to make sure you know a bit about the condition.

Fur characters....I haven't figured out yet.:/

Don't stress though! It's your trip. Enjoy it!

DH and I almost did that 1900 meal. We opted for the meal with the Tremaines, instead!

 

[alexandurp]

Hello my one reader!

Tomorrow (technically...it IS after midnight now) I will be at Disney World. It's so awesome to finally say that, after all this planning, reservation cancelling and rebooking, the tears, the laughs, the---okay I'm over dramatizing this. A LITTLE.

I just finished packing most of my things. Pins, sandals, shorts, CDs full of music my mom is going to hate for the drive to Syracuse. Yes, I even packed some Shakespeare so I can read on reading week.

Yes, I did all this while blasting Disney music in my room. I'm sure my dormmates LOVE me right now.

Yes Fortune cookie, I believe you are correct.

I teaser for something I have planned for Tina's PPD. ;D

And finally, my important schedules printed off. You know, the schedule I labored over the past month, fixing it to hit certain EMH and good crowds according to the crowd calendars. Yeah, that one that won't be followed at all.
It's really just a comfort thing for me.

So. I know this post lacks a lot, but hey, it's still in pre-trip report status. You probably won't see me much until I return. But I will be checking in via my phone.

Who am I kidding. I'll be on here while I'm there. My posts my not be readable through my excitement, but I love sharing the magic.

 

[t_daniels]

So excited for you!!!!!! You're almost there!!


.....



I don't even know what to say about the pixie dust!!! I hope you guys have an amazing trip. Youre so sweet!!

Can't wait to hear all about it...

Yay for Disney music..

 

[librarygeek]

I just came across your PTR! It's really sweet and touching what you did for your mom, I'm sure she is really thankful to have such a wonderful son! Have a great time down there and hopefully I'll be able to find a trip report when you get back!