Is Disney World the Only Place You Go? A Bro and Sis PTR Feb. 2011-TR Link added!

[IheartDDuck]

Our itinerary this day is first to head to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. This is because......we have reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table at 8:35am!

I have not eaten there since November 2006, so I am very excited. I really hope that they still have the cream cheese stuffed french toast!

We will be planning on hitting all of the majors this day. The mountains (Splash only if the weather permits), Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Philaharmagic, etc. We want to try to get as much done this day as possible.

Then we have a lunch reservation at.....

Tony's Town Square at 1:35pm.

I'm really hoping that we'll be okay with eating at CRT in the morning and Tony's in the afternoon. I think it should be fine. The nice thing is that since we're not on the dining plan, we don't have to worry about getting desserts and such with our meals.

I left our evening open on this day, so I have no idea what we are going to do. We may just spend the entire day in the Magic Kingdom. Obviously we will make sure we get everything done we want to, but maybe we'll stay longer and ride things twice!

On a side note, I want to post some old school pictures in this PTR of Jason and I on previous trips to the world, so stay tuned. I just need to get some old pictures scanned!

Stay tuned for more!

 

[IheartDDuck]

So I am a total dork but I just realized the other day that Jason and I will be in the World for the Superbowl!

We were fortunate enough to be there about four years ago for the Superbowl and it is kind of cool. Of course it helps that the winning team comes down to Disney only a few days later!

While it is a long shot, (because lets face it, some miracles are going to have to happen), I told Jason it would be totally awesome if the Packers went and won. My dad would be totally jealous! Then I could rub it in!

Our plan is simple. On Sunday the sixth, we will just go to the ESPN Club and pull up a seat at the bar. Changes our plans a little bit, but not too drastically. Good thing we are staying at the Boardwalk, because you know exactly how I will be feeling after watching the Superbowl in a bar!

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry, but there are no CS options that come to my mind at Islands of Adventure. We did it at the restaurant close to Jurassic Park, but we were NOT impressed at all. Overpriced and very standard food.

Great plans so far! You are way ahead of me, as I am still working on my itinerary. I hope to get some "work" done during my Christmas holiday!

What a relief that your DB got his time off aproved! I hear you! I have the same problem. Since I am stuck with my school holiday I know when I can take time off, he then tells me that he is going to ask right away. It usually takes about a month until he does it.
Can you imagine how much I "love" the situation when I need to book airfare when it is low and he comes home and tell me he's still not asked for his time off!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Joining in!

I love it that you're going with your brother. My brother and I are super close as well, but we're both married with kids, so a trip with just the two of us would be impossible. Maybe someday we can both take our families at the same time.

I'm going to check out your TR from your most recent trip!

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

However, this does lead to an issue that I had discussed with Jason. My boss is different. He approves my time off all the time. However, I still submit my time before booking anything. Jason doesn't do that. Maybe this will teach him a lesson, because we're taking the 40th anniversary trip for my parents in July, and that trip is non-negotiable! I told him today, he better get his butt in gear and get that time off request approved for July, ,because we still have not booked the flights, so he's got time....but I guarantee it he won't. He'll still wait.

I don't know what to do with that boy.

We will have to both stay on top of him to request the time for July now. Otherwise we will just take Joaquin without him

 

[IheartDDuck]

Sorry, but there are no CS options that come to my mind at Islands of Adventure. We did it at the restaurant close to Jurassic Park, but we were NOT impressed at all. Overpriced and very standard food.

Great plans so far! You are way ahead of me, as I am still working on my itinerary. I hope to get some "work" done during my Christmas holiday!

What a relief that your DB got his time off aproved! I hear you! I have the same problem. Since I am stuck with my school holiday I know when I can take time off, he then tells me that he is going to ask right away. It usually takes about a month until he does it.
Can you imagine how much I "love" the situation when I need to book airfare when it is low and he comes home and tell me he's still not asked for his time off!

Oh, you have plenty of time to work it out!

Yeah, each time I have eaten in Universal, it has not been good. I honestly still have not decided what we are going to do. Mythos is definitely an option, and I found a menu online, and the pricing wasn't too bad. The other option is the check out The Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World.

I'm so glad that someone can empathize with my brothers procrastinating! It's like we're kindred spirits!

Joining in!

I love it that you're going with your brother. My brother and I are super close as well, but we're both married with kids, so a trip with just the two of us would be impossible. Maybe someday we can both take our families at the same time.

I'm going to check out your TR from your most recent trip!

Thanks for hopping on board!

Taking the two families would be a lot of fun. It's so nice to have a sibling that you are really close to. Makes for some good times!

We will have to both stay on top of him to request the time for July now. Otherwise we will just take Joaquin without him

That was my thought. "Oops Jason, sorry you couldn't get the time off, but we'll take your son!"

 

[IheartDDuck]

I figured I would put some old school pictures of Jason and I together, and some of my mom and dad. I have seen others do this on PTR's and I thought it would be a lot of fun. It was great going through the pictures and scanning them in the system

Mom and Dad on their wedding day

They were so cute. I can't believe that it's going to be forty years for them next August!

Mom

So young

Cute

Mom and my uncle Vic (I just love her face, that's all!)

Just so everyone knows, my uncle Vic is 18 years younger than my mom. He was born a few weeks before they got married. Let's just say he was a surprise.

Jason as a baby - so cute

Jason and I had a good relationship early

My love of Donald begins. If you notice, I am holding a Donald Weeble in this picture. Remember Weeble's?

I've always been a Daddy's girl

And a mommy's girl

Continued in next post

 

[IheartDDuck]

First trip to Six Flags

Carousel (I can't remember where though)

First trip to Disney!

Who doesn't miss Imageworks!?

And the Kitchen Kabaret?!

Me and my older brother Chris

In Epcot Center

Brrr, Chicago cold!

I always thought I wanted to be a cop like Dad

Busch Gardens

Second Trip to Disney

The Disney Inn

I miss Imagination! And the Dreamfinder!

The kiddos

15 years! We're having a party, at Walt Disney World! (Anyone remember that parade?)

Man, gotta love Epcot Chip and Dale!

Christmas Carol Mickey!

Jason and I in our teen years

I'll see if I can find anymore fun pictures of Jason and I later! That was fun!

Update soon, I promise!

 

[IheartDDuck]

We are going back to Universal on this day, but to do the Universal side, not Islands of Adventure. However, if we can get back to Harry Potter, then we're going to go back there as well. It all depends on the crowd levels. Our plans on this day are:

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Revenge of the Mummy
Men in Black
The Simpsons Ride

That's the must do's. There's more obviously, but it all depends on our mood.

After that, it's going to be our Downtown Disney shopping night. Our plan for dinner is:

Wolfgang Puck Express!

Love that restaurant. Such good food.

I'm really hoping we can do Harry Potter again. I want to get our money's worth out of the money we're spending on Universal!

 

[LilAnn]

Oh my gosh, that was a fun update. All of those clothes brought back flashbacks of my childhood pics. Those shorts with the white stripe at the bottom, especially. Love it.

Happy holidays to you!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Oh my gosh, that was a fun update. All of those clothes brought back flashbacks of my childhood pics. Those shorts with the white stripe at the bottom, especially. Love it.

Happy holidays to you!

LOL. Didn't we all have those shorts?! Man, we couldn't dress to save our lives!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Man, this trip is only 3 weeks away! I am sooooo excited! Got to get this finished!

Day 7 Itinerary

Hollywood Studios is our destination on this day.

Obviously, because I'm me, we will be heading over to Toy Story Mania immediately. Remember, Jason and I are competitive. I have to make sure that the title of my trip report reflects that. So, I have to make sure I beat him. Because if I don't, I will never live it down. And I'm not kidding about that.

Other must do's are Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, the Great Movie Ride, and I have to get to American Idol this time around. I still have never seen the show.

Epcot is our evening destination. This is because our reservation is at the Bistro de Paris at 6:30pm. I am really excited about this reservation. I have never eaten there before, and we have budgeted money for it.

After dinner, we don't have any definite plans, so we'll probably have some libations, and tour around World Showcase.

Day 8 Itinerary - Departure Day
This is our departure day, but our flight does leave later in the day. This is where I am also grateful that I have a rental car, because it makes getting back to the airport a little bit easier.

Our destination is Hollywood Studios again. This is Jason's favorite park, which is why we agreed to do it in the morning two days in a row. We also have a lunch reservation at 11:35am at the Sci Fi Dine In. I have never eaten there for lunch, only dinner. I am open minded, because the last time I ate there for dinner, I didn't enjoy it too much. However, it was another on Jason's list of things to do, so I made the reservation.

There is nothing really on our itinerary on our final day, so we will just have to see where the day takes us. Who knows!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I love all the old school pics!! I'll totally have to add that to mine! I have no idea what years they are though because we would go every other year and some years it doesn't seem like we changed much haha!!

Great schedule!!

Ps..the orange blanket that is in a few of your pics..we have dozens of those in my house! My grandma used to make them all the time when I was little. I have a blue and white one that matched my room when I was little, both my parents have 2 or 3 each, and my brother has one too! Talk about Deja Vu!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I love all the old school pics!! I'll totally have to add that to mine! I have no idea what years they are though because we would go every other year and some years it doesn't seem like we changed much haha!!

Great schedule!!

Ps..the orange blanket that is in a few of your pics..we have dozens of those in my house! My grandma used to make them all the time when I was little. I have a blue and white one that matched my room when I was little, both my parents have 2 or 3 each, and my brother has one too! Talk about Deja Vu!!

Oh my god how funny is that? I think that we had multiple blankets like that too, including a blue and white one. Must be because we are straight out of the eighties. LOL.

I loved putting the old school pictures in. I had found them the other day and thought they would be a lot of fun.

 

[IheartDDuck]

It's coming, it's coming! Departure day is fast approaching.

I was working to get through some last minute details today. I ordered Jason's park ticket from my corporate website. Love the corporate website. I save about $40 on the 7 day ticket, so I can't complain about that.

I also purchased my Universal Ticket. Now, if everyone remembers, I turned in rewards points from my debit card for my Universal Tickets. Well, then I had a thought. I knew that I was returning to Universal in October when my BFF Farrell and I go down for F&W. My parents had also discussed with me going to Universal in January when we go down again for New Year's. We had also discussed staying at a Universal hotel for two nights then to get the perks.

So, long story short, I decided to give Jason the rewards passes and I bought a premier annual pass. Now, Jason's not getting away scott free here. I am still going to ask him to pay me for part of the rewards passes, because I turned in my rewards points for him. I may sound mean, but I'm really not. Because of Jason's money troubles, I am paying for about 1/3 of this trip, so I don't think it's unreasonable for me. He has to pay me back in time.

With the annual pass for Universal, we get free valet parking, discounts on rooms, discounts on food, etc. Pretty exciting! It's a first for me! And no, I'm not cheating on WDW.

I also changed my car rental. I went through Southwest vacations, and managed to get a car rental for the whole week for $165 with tax! I was shocked! Because I'm a Rapid Rewards partner, I get a discount through them. Score!

I also sent in the form for Tables in Wonderland. I want to be able to get my 20% discount on our dining this trip!

Whew! I was a busy girl, right? We're pretty well set now. The only thing I have to do before we leave is prepay for the photopass cd, and that's it. Then we're off!

I've also been putzing around on the Kipling website. Many on the DIS love Vera Bradley, I love Kipling. I can't seem to have enough of them. I've been searching to see what I wanted to buy. Can I resist?

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I've also been putzing around on the Kipling website. Many on the DIS love Vera Bradley, I love Kipling. I can't seem to have enough of them. I've been searching to see what I wanted to buy. Can I resist?

I love Kipling too as you know I have several bags. Must be because I am Belgian and Kipling is a Belgian Company

 

[IheartDDuck]

I love Kipling too as you know I have several bags. Must be because I am Belgian and Kipling is a Belgian Company

Mmmm, maybe you're right! I'm 1/2 Belgian, so maybe that's why I love it too! LOL.

 

[dizneeat]

It's coming, it's coming! Departure day is fast approaching.

I was working to get through some last minute details today. I ordered Jason's park ticket from my corporate website. Love the corporate website. I save about $40 on the 7 day ticket, so I can't complain about that.

I also purchased my Universal Ticket. Now, if everyone remembers, I turned in rewards points from my debit card for my Universal Tickets. Well, then I had a thought. I knew that I was returning to Universal in October when my BFF Farrell and I go down for F&W. My parents had also discussed with me going to Universal in January when we go down again for New Year's. We had also discussed staying at a Universal hotel for two nights then to get the perks.

So, long story short, I decided to give Jason the rewards passes and I bought a premier annual pass. Now, Jason's not getting away scott free here. I am still going to ask him to pay me for part of the rewards passes, because I turned in my rewards points for him. I may sound mean, but I'm really not. Because of Jason's money troubles, I am paying for about 1/3 of this trip, so I don't think it's unreasonable for me. He has to pay me back in time.

With the annual pass for Universal, we get free valet parking, discounts on rooms, discounts on food, etc. Pretty exciting! It's a first for me! And no, I'm not cheating on WDW.

I also changed my car rental. I went through Southwest vacations, and managed to get a car rental for the whole week for $165 with tax! I was shocked! Because I'm a Rapid Rewards partner, I get a discount through them. Score!

I also sent in the form for Tables in Wonderland. I want to be able to get my 20% discount on our dining this trip!

Whew! I was a busy girl, right? We're pretty well set now. The only thing I have to do before we leave is prepay for the photopass cd, and that's it. Then we're off!

I've also been putzing around on the Kipling website. Many on the DIS love Vera Bradley, I love Kipling. I can't seem to have enough of them. I've been searching to see what I wanted to buy. Can I resist?

That's really a good move to get the AP for UO! If you go back a few times and get the discounts on the room it is going to pay for itself in no time!

And that is an awesome rate on the rental car!! Does that rate include any insurances? Or don't you have to buy them. I don't quite now how that works, as here in Europe the initial rate is often quite low, but then with adding all the insurance, the price hikes!

Did you know that you can buy the TiW card at any guest relations window? It takes ages to get to Europe and I really love the fact that we can just walk up to guest relations and buy it!

Thanks for reminding me to buy the photopass CD!! We are close behind you, so I should better get my ducks in a row!

Hey, I am so with you on the Kipling bags! They are awesome! They are everywhere here in Europe and so I own a lot of them.
On the other hand I am one of those, who love Very Bradley, guess that is just because I love the patterns and you cannot get them here in Europe!
Now, did you buy a Kipling bag?

 

[IheartDDuck]

That's really a good move to get the AP for UO! If you go back a few times and get the discounts on the room it is going to pay for itself in no time!

And that is an awesome rate on the rental car!! Does that rate include any insurances? Or don't you have to buy them. I don't quite now how that works, as here in Europe the initial rate is often quite low, but then with adding all the insurance, the price hikes!

Did you know that you can buy the TiW card at any guest relations window? It takes ages to get to Europe and I really love the fact that we can just walk up to guest relations and buy it!

Thanks for reminding me to buy the photopass CD!! We are close behind you, so I should better get my ducks in a row!

Hey, I am so with you on the Kipling bags! They are awesome! They are everywhere here in Europe and so I own a lot of them.
On the other hand I am one of those, who love Very Bradley, guess that is just because I love the patterns and you cannot get them here in Europe!
Now, did you buy a Kipling bag?

It doesn't work that way for us with insurance on the rental car, but that's only because I have car insurance, so my insurance carries over to any rental cars. I do know what you mean about the hikes. I think the rate is guaranteed, but it's possible they will change their taxes, so we'll have to see how it turns out when we actually get there.

I had no idea that you can just buy TiW at the window! I was planning on picking it up there, but I didn't know that you could buy it there too. I'll have to remember that for the future.

You're so lucky that you have Kipling bags all over Europe. It's harder to actually find them here, which is why I order them online. We visited family in Belgium in September, and they remembered that I loved Kipling, so they bought my mom and I one that we were not able to buy in the US. It was so sweet of them to do. I haven't ordered one yet, I'm still debating which one (or ones!). I am not a huge Vera Bradley fan (I know sacrilege on the DIS!), but I think it's because I see them everywhere.

I'm really excited about the annual for Universal. It's the first time I'll have an annual for Disney and their Universal.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

YAY FOR ALL THE ANNUALS!!!

I thought about getting the TIW card but since we can get the DDP with the AP rooms (discount rooms too!), it's a better deal for us. We love love love TS meals so for us we go to one TS meal and it pays for the day. If we didn't have it, we wouldn't do desserts + TS meals so for us it's a great deal!
I did have TIW when I was a CM which was great for when we didn't stay on property or couldn't get the DDP with our CM discount rooms! I think I could end up buying it assuming I move back to FL and would go for meals when maybe not staying at WDW.

My bro would never put up with all the PP pics for me to buy the CD! We did take a few in March when we went last year with the hopes of doing something with them for mom's bday and father's day both in June but we never did..haha.

HAPPY PACKING!