Is This Real Life?!? - My First Trip in over 16 Years...PTR - FINAL UPDATE 10/15!!

[ZFamily5]

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your grandpa. You'll have to plan another trip in the fall in his honor. I was going to talk more about MNSSHP a little later...but I don't want to leave you hanging...my short answer is "no" but you'll have to stay tuned as to the explanation and reasoning behind that, I know a lot of people will think I'm crazy!

I never thought about a trip in his honor! What a great idea!! Sorry, didn't mean to jump ahead! Can't wait to hear more (especially about dining!!)!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 3 - ADR's and Dining Schedule


So now that Ken and I had the skeletal framework of our trip planned out, it was time for me to dig a little deeper and make all of the meaty, fun decisions to fill out the rest of our special trip.

The day I booked our trip online I went back to the WDW home page and the cute countdown showed up for the first time...191 Days Until My Vacation! Woo hoo! I was so excited and the next day I spent researching what the next steps to take would be...what's that you say, dinner reservations 180 days in advance?!? WHAT?!?! Who books a lunch SIX MONTHS IN ADVANCE???

I had no idea that people spent weeks meticulously planning out when, where and even what they would be eating before they made those very advanced dinner reservations.

Lucky for me, I had 11 days to get my act together before the morning of ADR's. Also fortunately I had been looking at all of the yummy dining options before I booked my trip because I was originally planning on going with my family anyway...and who doesn't browse Disney menus and food porn pictures even without a trip being planned!

So once I knew which parks Ken and I would be in on which days and which restuarants we wanted to eat at, I sat down at 7:00am on day 180 before my trip.

(*At this point it is important to note...Ken and I are NOT park-hopping (not worth the extra money to have the flexibility for us) and we were NOT on the dining plan...yet...*)

Here is what I got!

Sun. 10/16 - 7:15pm...Dinner at Paradiso 37 in DTD
Mon. 10/17 - 12:50pm...Lunch at Crystal Palace (MK)
Tue. 10/18 - 12:10pm...Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (HS)
Wed. 10/19 - 11:00am...Lunch at Yak & Yeti (AK) and 5:15pm...Dinner at Boma (AKL)
Thu. 10/20 - 6:00pm...Dinner at Teppan Edo (EP)
Fri. 10/21 - 10:10am...Breakfast at Chef Mickey's (CR)
Sat. 10/22 - 11:30am...Lunch at Via Napoli (EP)

I got everything I wanted within 30 minutes of my "ideal" time!

Also, keep in mind that this is my first trip in over 16 years...I had to really prioritize what restaurants I wanted on my first visit back...I know I'll have Le Cellier, O'hana, Le Chefs de France, California Grill, Akershus and Tusker House to look forward to on my next trip. I can't do it all at once guys!

I purposely only scheduled one meal per day (with the exception of our Animal Kingdom day) so that Ken and I had a little more flexibility as to when we wanted to eat our other meals. I know that if I was constantly pulling him away from park activities to sit and eat for 1+ hour twice a day he would feel that that's all we're doing.

I decided about a month or two after I made my ADR's that I wanted us to be on the dining plan. I called a very nice CM and she added the regular DDP onto our MYW tickets/reservations. I also got lucky that all, except for Paradiso 37, were included as table service meals on the dining plan and there happened to be six ADR's to cover the six table service meal entitlements we would each be getting...score again!

So there's my ADR schedule...but this wouldn't be a very fun post without some pictures, so below are some of the things I'm most excited to see at a couple of these restaurants. Up next, some "other" foods and snacks I'm excited to try around the parks!

Yak & Yeti Fried Cream Cheese Wontons

Quattro Formaggi Pizza at Via Napoli

Zebra Domes at the Boma Buffet

Paradiso 37 Central American Crazy Corn

A Mickey Greeting at Chef Mickey's!

(yes I know it, I love cheese ok?! )

Check back later for some more yummy foods and snacks that I'll hopefully be trying soon!

Click here to continue!
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[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 4 - The Foods I Can't Wait to Try!

One of the things I'm most excited for heading into this vacation would be all of the glorious treats, snacks and desserts that exist at WDW.

After making all the reservations for dining, I now get to spend free time browsing and drooling over all the foods I can't make reservations for...but I've definitely reserved a spot in my mind for! This post is a glorious homage to all of these delectable items I can't wait to try!

Someone on the iPhone ap "Lines" posed a question, if you could only pick ONE snack at each park, what would it be? Here is my answer to this question...and all of these items count as a DDP snack credit!


Magic Kingdom

Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Bar...can't go wrong with a classic!


Hollywood Studios

Giant Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (found at Hollywood Scoops)


Animal Kingdom

Zebra Cupcake (Kusafiri Bakery)


Epcot

Vanilla Caramel Fudge (Karamell Kuche in Germany)



YUM YUM YUM!!!


I've also got my eye on some frosty treats to sip, spoon and slurp...

Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom


and...

Grand Marnier Orange Slush outside of France in Epcot


I'm getting hungry...

Also, I'm lucky enough to be visiting WDW during the 16th Anniversary Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

Here are some of the menu items I'm dying to try from various booths around the world!


Hawaii

New This Year! - Kalua Pork Slider with Pineapple Relish


Belgium

Waffles with Berry Compote


Ireland

Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache


New Zealand

Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney


Well I hope this post has made you all drool a little! I can't wait to post my own photos of all the food I get to try while there!

Now go eat something de-licious!!!

Next up, my title explained! Click here to continue!

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[Merida]

Everything looks so delicious, but I think I'd have to go for the pizza from Via Napoli and the waffles. And a slushie to finish!

It seems like everyone makes reservations at 180 (+10) and then spends the next six months changing them, so no worries about doing them 'late'!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Everything looks so delicious, but I think I'd have to go for the pizza from Via Napoli and the waffles. And a slushie to finish!

It seems like everyone makes reservations at 180 (+10) and then spends the next six months changing them, so no worries about doing them 'late'!

Pizza and waffles and a slushie! Yum Yum...that's my kind of meal! Ha ha I better start dieting now so I have room to "build back up" when I'm there...

 

[mindy5648]

tagging along! Staying at CSR for the first time in January! I can't wait. We are also going to Disney without kids. not our first time and wont be our last. It is just nice to find a planning journal that doesnt involve kids

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

tagging along! Staying at CSR for the first time in January! I can't wait. We are also going to Disney without kids. not our first time and wont be our last. It is just nice to find a planning journal that doesnt involve kids

awesome thank you for joining in! I'm glad that you're along for the ride...when I do my trip report afterwards I will for sure be posting lots of resort pictures I know it's hard to find trip reports sometimes that are relevant to my own lifestyle and plans...I'll be happy to tag along for any reports you do!

 

[Merida]

Pizza and waffles and a slushie! Yum Yum...that's my kind of meal! Ha ha I better start dieting now so I have room to "build back up" when I'm there...

This is actually very close to what I had as my meals on Saturday (minus slushie, plus chocolate chip cookies). At least I'm consistent (in believing that breakfast is this best and pizza works for any meal, ever)!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 5 - Is This Real Life?

Coming up with a title for your trip report can be a very daunting task indeed! I sat for hours, ok...not really hours but it felt like it!, trying to figure out a way to express my feelings and desires for this PTR and have a catchy title. After a while I finally just chose the next thing that popped into my head..."Is This Real Life?"

If anyone hasn't seen the original David After Dentist video that this title refers too, here is the link . If, or once, you've seen it, then it will help explain my sentiments.

No, not for the drugged influence of it! Basically, as the rest of my PTR title states, this is my first trip in over 16 years. At this point I can hardly believe that in 53 days I will be relaxing and laughing with my husband at the happiest place on earth! It feels unreal to me that it's finally happening!!!

Everyday I remind myself that this isn't another fantasy planning session, that all the hours spent online researching, browsing, educating myself will actually come into play! I see myself as David for this...confused, yet enjoying, these feelings and questioning if it's really happening at all.

I'm guessing that it all will hit me a little harder when I receive my luggage tags and ME information...and especially when my parents take us to the airport and we get on that plane. I've been waiting for this for SO long that it really feels like a dream.

So that, my friends, is how I came up with the slightly-relevant title for my PTR. And just because (this wouldn't be very interesting without a picture!)...another "unreal" moment for my husband and I (pre-marriage in 2008)...hiking in the north of Vietnam on a 2+ week vacation that took us biking, hiking and kayaking through the northern mountains, to China and the sea.

Next up, a new goal is attained!

Click here to continue!

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[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 6 - A New Goal Attained!


50 DAYS TO GO!!!

Today marks fifty days until my trip! For me, this number sticks out because below that, the countdown numbers seem "real". It's easy to comprehend that 50 means a month and a half and to know what 45, 40, 35 feel like and etc. Above fifty, things kinda seem abstract...like "what does 70 days feel like vs. 100?"

The next big milestone I'm proud to reach will be 30...one month left at that point! Just thought I would start my morning off with a little happy dance.

Oh, and as a side note, I called WDW yesterday to report a change in my flight numbers to correspond with my ME pickup.

Up next, another milestone that everybody can relate too!

(random picture just because...)

Click here to continue!

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[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 7 - Paid in Full!



Today we are PAID IN FULL my friends!

Yes that's right...after months of saving, making payments week by week and careful budgeting our October trip is all paid off!




It was such a great feeling to go to the Disney website and select "pay remaining balance" and then the updated balance becomes "$0.00"! I love knowing that all of our hotel stay, park tickets, transportation and dining are covered now.

...well ok, I know that we have three or four meals NOT covered on the dining plan and maybe a breakfast here or there; however, I'm still saving and will have a nice envelope of cash to bring into the parks. Nothing will have to be put on a credit card while we're there unless it's a major incidental. I also have plans for Mousekeeping envelopes and restuarant tip envelopes with lots of $1 bills.



A couple other things I'm excited for...

1. This means our trip is 45 days away! Whoopie!
2. Since today is August 31st, tomorrow is September 1st and that means tomorrow I can officially say, "I'm going to Disney World NEXT month!"
3. My Touring Plans Unofficial Guide 2012 is on it's way in the mail.
4. Our travel documents from the Walt Disney Travel Co. should be here next week!

That pretty much sums things up!

And now...another random space-filling picture of Ken and I doing one of our favorite things....drinking cocktails and eating sushi! Yum!

Up next, let's get cute and festive!

Click here to continue!


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[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 8 - Let's Get Festive


I'm always looking for things to increase my excitement and help the time pass quickly as our trip approaches. One thing I decided I wanted to get were cute Disney t-shirts for Ken and I to wear! Now my original thought was to wear the Disney character shirts on our first day in the parks (our arrival day we are spending the evening at Downtown Disney) and wear University of Oregon gear (go Ducks!) for our travel day to represent where we were coming from. HOWEVER, Ken kinda' bashed the Duck apparel idea so I'm still working on that aspect but I did manage to convince him to pick out a Disney shirt!

We hit up our local Disney Store and found the adult shirts right smack dab in the center. I knew I was looking for a classic Mickey shirt...nothing that was too identified with a certain year, park or era. I found exactly what I was looking for...and a real steal at $10! (excuse the poor quality images, they are from my phone's camera...)

(My mom pointed out the demon child running through the bottom background...)


I asked Ken if he would be willing to choose one of the options there and suggested some subdued "manly" designs but of course...always the enthusiast he chose something that was a real representation of his excitement.

Now, in Ken's defence he IS starting to look forward to the trip. I think he acts really dramatic and sarcastic because he doesn't want to seem like he's into it, but he's really not a giant sourpuss! We discussed this trip greatly before moving forward with reservations and we would never spend so much money on something that was only for one person. Ken says at this point, that he's mostly looking forward to over a week off work (and paid vacation too, oh yeah!!!), spending un-interrupted time together, eating great food, enjoying pleasant weather and smiling. Well ok, that's certainly good enough for me!

Next up, some exciting things arrive in the mail! Click here to continue!

(oh and P.S. - Attention all you lurkers out there! I know you're reading this...and it would be nice to have people to communicate back and forth with, so leave me a comment!)


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[ZFamily5]

Love the shirts! Especially the Grumpy shirt!

Can't wait for more!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Love the shirts! Especially the Grumpy shirt!

Can't wait for more!

Thanks for stopping by again ZFamily5! I'm so excited to pull our shirts out and wear them for our trip! It's the little things that build the excitement, huh?

 

[Merida]

Congrats on paying everything off! That's so exciting! I'm debating paying our trip off now because yay! no more owing! but then we'd have to wait forever to be on our way.

I'm the exact opposite of you - all of our incidentals will be on a (disney) credit card because I'm horrid with cash. I always lose it or have too much/not enough.

Cute shirt!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Congrats on paying everything off! That's so exciting! I'm debating paying our trip off now because yay! no more owing! but then we'd have to wait forever to be on our way.

I'm the exact opposite of you - all of our incidentals will be on a (disney) credit card because I'm horrid with cash. I always lose it or have too much/not enough.

Cute shirt!

Thank you! It feels great to not owe anymore money, but yes now I'm really just waiting and waiting and waiting! It's definitely a good idea having a credit card for all those incidentals, or that one last souvenier you HAVE to have! How many days do you have to wait for your trip?!?

 

[Oliquig]

Love the T-shirts, and only a month to go, you must be so excited!

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Love the T-shirts, and only a month to go, you must be so excited!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm definitely getting more and more excited with each day and I can't wait to wear our t-shirts!!! Your trip isn't too far off by the looks of it...it's going to start feeling more and more real with each day and wow, won't it be a great feeling on New Year's when you can shout, "I'm going to Disney World THIS YEAR!!!"

 

[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 9 - A Special Delivery

With 35 days to go until my trip it's starting to feel really close! It seems like just yesterday I was excited about 50 days...


Well this past week I received some very special items in the mail that have really had an impact as to how close our arrival is.


1) My The Unofficial Guideto Walt Disney World 2012 and The Unofficial Color Campanion to Walt Disney World came together off Amazon!


and #2 just came TODAY!...


2) My final itinerary and travel documents from the Walt Disney Travel Company!



#1. The Unofficial Guide books are full of AMAZING tips, tricks, success stories, pitfalls and opnions to help you have a smooth vacation all while minimizing wait times in lines and maximizing your fun and enjoyment! It's great and I hope everyone has a copy at home!

#2. My travel confirmation packet from Disney Travel Co. had the final details of my trip and it's inclusions. It also had the vouchers that were included with my Magic Your Way tickets like a free souvenier at Planet Hollywood, 100 arcade points and a free round of mini-golf. It also had those special holographic keepsake luggage tags.

I'm SO happy!!!! Coming up soon, I break the 30-day mark and that means I must have a countdown chain going....

Click here to continue!

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[SarahDreamsInDisney]

Chapter 10 - Our Countdown Really "Begins"

Today we are at 30 DAYS until the trip!!!

This is a big milestone that I was really looking forward too because that means one month....starting tomorrow I can say, "In less than one month _____" etc......

Of course I had to have a physical countdown going, right?!? Well I do! My idea was to swipe a bunch (32 exactly) Mickey head paint chips from my neighborhood Home Depot and soak the colored head portion off and glue them onto construction paper strips to make a chain, with each head representing a different number.

Can I just say how awkward it fet to go to Home Depot and grab one of every color paint chip people!?! In case anyone is wondering, there seem to be 30 colors of Disney paint available! What a coincidence! And why, might you ask, did I get 32 chips...well two LIME GREEN ones are going back-to-back to make a cute DIS luggage tag for my carry-on!

So anyway, I get home and eagerly start assembling my countdown chain and realized the strips of paper had to be wide enough to handle the Mickey heads, but by that point they were too wide to intertwine together. It was more of a blob than a chain.

Well I improvised and decided to make more of a garland or banner to go over my fireplace and everyday I will cut one chunk off in the morning. It's too long to fit now, so one end is all rolled up and I will unroll it in 10-day chunks. Still works the same, right! And it's a pretty, ever present reminder of how close I'm getting. Hope you like it!

Up next, Ken and I survey our favorites and what we're looking forward to most!
Click here to continue!



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