July 2012 Resort and ADR Lists Thread...Countdown to Disney!

Thanks for the Happy Birthdau Marshay. It'sfun celebrating all week.

We decided to go back to the Resort to rest so we will be able to keep up during MK's Magic Hours tonight. Walked over to the bus stop and waited a couple of minutes for the bus. Returned to the Resort at 2:15 PM, walked in to see our room cleaned and Birthday card on the table. DD and I fell asleep around 3:15 PM and now it is 5:30 PM. We'll probably go back around 9:30 PM.


DD and I went back at 9:15 PM for Magic Hours. We hit Tomorrow land first and rode Space Mountain, Blue Line, and Buzz. Walked to Haunted Mansion, Thunder, Splash, Pirates and then Jungle. Left the park at 12:30 AM. No waits for any of the rides. After the Fireworks and Parades, everyone left. I truly mean everyone left. Got on the POFQ bus immediately and got back to the Resort in 15 minutes. Great day for DD and I.


July 16th – My 54th Birthday


Hollywood Studio

Happy Birthday to you!!!!! :cake:

May this be the most magical, happiest birthday ever!!! Can't think of a better way to celebrate than with your beautiful daughter at the happiest place on earth! Enjoy! :)
 
Well, we have 3 days until we leave! :cool1:

I was hoping to get everything done (cleaning, laundry, packing) by tomorrow, and I am way ahead of the game! Yesterday, I cleaned the whole upstairs (except for what the boys are responsible for in their own rooms, which they are doing today), DH and I both did some cleaning downstairs, and I packed up all the toiletries that we will not need between now and Thursday (mainly travel size items, "just in case" OTC meds, enough vitamins for the trip, etc.). I finally felt like I can relax a little. I find all those little items to be the most stressful to pack, because I always feel like I will forget one little thing that is a big deal. Clothes are much easier!

Today, I will do some of the laundry. DS5 has a playdate with his best friend this afternoon, then he has soccer in the early evening. Tomorrow I will do the rest of the laundry and pack the kids' clothing, and mine. We are also babysitting a friend's 16-month-old daughter tomorrow morning. Wednesday DH will probably pack his clothing, I will go for my mani/pedi, and we will do our usual tradition and order pizza for dinner (we always do this...I miss Brooklyn pizza when I am away!). We are waking up at 4am on Thursday, getting dressed and ready, packing last minute toiletries, putting all the luggage in the car and then waking the kids and getting them ready. We will all have a small snack to hold us over, then we will leave between 5 and 5:30am, go to the bagel store and pick up some bagels for later in the morning (I miss Brooklyn bagels when I'm away too), get some coffee at Dunkin' Donuts for me and DH and hit the road! We usually drive 3 hours or so and then stop (Baltimore area) to eat our bagels, gas up the car and use the rest room. Once we pass the DC area, the drive gets much easier. All the major traffic seems to be between NYC and DC.

We have a 10 hr, 41 min drive on Thursday, according to Mapquest (to Florence, SC). Usually we leave at 6am and drive Lumberton, NC for the first night, which is a 9 hr, 45 min drive so this is not that much longer, plus we are leaving earlier in the morning. So we should still arrive around dinner time. DH is looking forward to eating at Shoney's at some point in the trip, he loves that place! On our first WDW trip, he bought a Shoney bear in Georgia and we bring it on each trip...the Shoney Bear rides with us! :rotfl2:

That's about it...I feel a little less neurotic today...OK maybe I'm still as neurotic, but at least less stressed now! 3 more days...BRING IT!!!!!! :goodvibes

Oh, and I would like to make up the question of the day today, tomorrow and Wednesday since anjalee is on vacation already. See my next post!
 
Question of the day:

Do you prefer to stay on Disney property or off property? Why?

We prefer to stay on property...pretty obvious I guess since we're DVC members. But the reasons...we like the EMH mornings(and will probably like the EMH evenings when the boys are older), love not having to drive to the parks and being able to rely on Disney transportation, and we love being in the center of all the magic as much as possible! :)
 

Sorry, fell a little behind this weekend. I was busy doing laundry and packing!

Unpack when you get there or live out of the suitcase?

Unpack. I wouldn't have anywhere to put the dirty clothes if I didn't take the clean ones out of the suitcases! Bought one of those hanging sweater shelf things for this trip. It doesn't look like POFQ has much in the way of drawers/shelves...so I thought this would help. We don't have much that hangs this time of the year, so we need shelves.

Are you celebrating something special this year at Disney?

I am taking my cousin to celebrate her high school graduation!

Do you prefer to stay on Disney property or off property? Why?

On property. I want to be immersed 24/7 in the magic! You can stay at a Holiday Inn anywhere, but there is only one Polynesian/Contemporary/POFQ etc.
 
July 16th – My 54th Birthday - Hollywood Studio


Midori and I caught the Hollywood Studio Bus at 8:35 AM and got to the park at 8:50 AM. Gates opened and we went to Tower of Terror, got 2 fast passes for later, rode the ride 2 times and then walked over to RR Coaster and got another fast pass for later. Rode RR Coaster twice and then went to Sci – Fi for lunch. We requested Sarah from England (Server from last year, but her tables were all full) We were seated immediately and Laura our server brought Sarah over since the Cap Hop told Laura we requested her. We all visited for a few minutes and then ordered Artichoke and Spinach Dip, Ruben Sandwich and Angus Burger. The same order as last year and enjoyed it as usual. After lunch, Sarah and Laura sung Happy Birthday and wished us a great day. Midori decided that we would call it a day and go back to the Resort until 9:30 PM for Magic Hours. I am doing laundry right now and Midori is on her Ipad playing games and talking to her friends in Texas.
 
July 16th – My 54th Birthday - Hollywood Studio


Midori and I caught the Hollywood Studio Bus at 8:35 AM and got to the park at 8:50 AM. Gates opened and we went to Tower of Terror, got 2 fast passes for later, rode the ride 2 times and then walked over to RR Coaster and got another fast pass for later. Rode RR Coaster twice and then went to Sci – Fi for lunch. We requested Sarah from England (Server from last year, but her tables were all full) We were seated immediately and Laura our server brought Sarah over since the Cap Hop told Laura we requested her. We all visited for a few minutes and then ordered Artichoke and Spinach Dip, Ruben Sandwich and Angus Burger. The same order as last year and enjoyed it as usual. After lunch, Sarah and Laura sung Happy Birthday and wished us a great day. Midori decided that we would call it a day and go back to the Resort until 9:30 PM for Magic Hours. I am doing laundry right now and Midori is on her Ipad playing games and talking to her friends in Texas.

Sounds like a fun time at DHS! I love the burger at Sci-Fi. Looking forward to going there for lunch on our trip as well! :thumbsup2
 
Sounds like a fun time at DHS! I love the burger at Sci-Fi. Looking forward to going there for lunch on our trip as well! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the Happy Birthday. Sounds like you'll be busy the next few days getting ready to go. Safe travels to you and your family.

To answer your question, we like to stay on property, because of taking afternoon breaks and love the Diney transportation. :thumbsup2
 
Thanks for the Happy Birthday. Sounds like you'll be busy the next few days getting ready to go. Safe travels to you and your family.

To answer your question, we like to stay on property, because of taking afternoon breaks and love the Diney transportation. :thumbsup2

Happy Birthday to you! Extending your birthday wishes as we just got back from a magical stay at POR. Exhausted, and lots of unpacking to do... And, so sorry not to have met up with Nanny and V, but not for lack of trying, as we played pool tag the whole time. Funny, we were in staying in the same building as they, but we were on two very different schedules.

Hope you and everyone else have a magical stay. Karen
 
Thanks for the Happy Birthday. Sounds like you'll be busy the next few days getting ready to go. Safe travels to you and your family.

To answer your question, we like to stay on property, because of taking afternoon breaks and love the Diney transportation. :thumbsup2

Ah yes, those wonderful afternoon breaks...we love them too!
 
Question of the day:

Do you prefer to stay on Disney property or off property? Why?

We have done both. Have stayed at Ft. Wilderness cabins, have stayed at Wilderness Lodge Villa's. Offsite a numerous different 2 bedroom such as the Orange Lake Resort, Vacation Village Parkway etc...

This time we are staying at Bonnet Creek Resort which is as close as one can get to Disney and not be "on property". I look forward to trying this. As for preferences I like the additional space the offsite properties afford one square footage etc. However I also like being on property and immersed in Disney. So if I can exchange into Boardwalk Villas that is what I would like to try if not I will plan to stay at Bonnet Creek from now on. Due to space and the resort appears to be amazing.

I am so glad I own a timeshare (got it at an auction for $150.00! LUCKY!!! otherwise I would probably not be a timeshare owner) and can trade. If not I would probably not stay on site due to the cost.
Just my opinion..
 
9:30 PM – H.S. Extra Magic Hours
Midori and I caught the bus around 9:30 PM, returned to Hollywood Studio just about 10:00 PM. Rode Tower of Terrors twice and RR Coaster twice. Walked over to Toy Story Mania and had to wait in line about 45minutes. The Tour groups were infiltrating Hollywood Studios so the lines were a little long at times. Fun night and last but least, I had to buy a Turkey Leg on the way out. Left for the bus at 12:45AM. While riding on the bus the smell of the Turkey Leg made everyone on the bus comment about how they should have gotten a Turkey Leg, Boy!!! that smells good, Are you sure you want the Turkey Leg? The whole bus smelled like Turkey. I felt bad so Midori and I stopped munching on the leg. Everyone noticed and they were laughing and said go ahead and eat the Turkey Leg, we'll just watch. The bus ride back ended up being a lot of fun. As we departed the bus the Driver asked if we would leg the Turkey Leg with him. :lmao::rotfl2:


July 17th Epcot
 
9:30 PM – H.S. Extra Magic Hours
Midori and I caught the bus around 9:30 PM, returned to Hollywood Studio just about 10:00 PM. Rode Tower of Terrors twice and RR Coaster twice. Walked over to Toy Story Mania and had to wait in line about 45minutes. The Tour groups were infiltrating Hollywood Studios so the lines were a little long at times. Fun night and last but least, I had to buy a Turkey Leg on the way out. Left for the bus at 12:45AM. While riding on the bus the smell of the Turkey Leg made everyone on the bus comment about how they should have gotten a Turkey Leg, Boy!!! that smells good, Are you sure you want the Turkey Leg? The whole bus smelled like Turkey. I felt bad so Midori and I stopped munching on the leg. Everyone noticed and they were laughing and said go ahead and eat the Turkey Leg, we'll just watch. The bus ride back ended up being a lot of fun. As we departed the bus the Driver asked if we would leg the Turkey Leg with him. :lmao::rotfl2:


July 17th Epcot

Sounds like a fun night at DHS! I love how everyone noticed the turkey leg immediately, including the driver! It's always nice being able to have fun when you meet some new people on vacation, I feel like it makes it more interesting. Good times! Have a wonderful day today at Epcot! :)
 
Question of the day:

What's the first attraction you go to as soon as you get to each park?

Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan (or Dumbo, only if the kids want to but usually they don't); when it's all 10 of us, DH takes my nieces on Space Mountain, I go to Big Thunder to get them FPs for later, and the rest of the family meets up with all of us at Peter Pan.

Epcot: Soarin'

DHS: Toy Story Mania

Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari (only went to AK once though, not going on this trip)
 
Question of the day:

What's the first attraction you go to as soon as you get to each park?

MK - Sapce Mountain
Animal Kingdom - Everest
Epcot - Soarin
Hollywood Studio - Tower of Terrors

Trip Report Up - Date


July 17th Epcot


DD and I caught the Epcot Bus at 8:45 AM and got to Epcot at 9:05 AM. It was not crowded at all this morning. The mad rush to get fast passes had been over with by the time we arrived to get our fast passes for Soarin. We got to ride Soarin with in 20 minutes after getting our fast passes. We got on Living with the Land and Nemo ride with no wait. Moved over to Mission Space and rode it with in minutes. Rode Ellen's ride and then went to Japan and at Sashimi and Tempura Odon. Got on the Ferry Boat and made it back to the front of the park before it started raining. Left the Park at 2:00 PM to come back to the resort. We are taking the Ferry Boat to DTD to go eat at Rain Forrest and go to the Movies to see Ice Age. Then come back to Epcot to take advantage of the EMH. See Ya Soon!!!.
 
Sorry to not have gotten on yesterday. We had a nice first day on vacation but we were all exhausted. Yesterday we went to Chef Mickey's for dinner and then went to MK. We were only there for two hours but got to do pirates, haunted mansion, space ranger spin, the carousel, Laugh Floor and scoped out the additions in Fantasyland.

Today we went to Boma for breakfast before heading to Typhoon Lagoon. Now that the kids are getting bigger, they had a lot of fun. We headed back to AKL for lunch and to relax around the hotel for a little while. Now we are about to head to Epcot for dinner and EMH later.

RHMH Happy Belated Birthday! Hope it was great. Will try to check back tonight.
 
Sorry to not have gotten on yesterday. We had a nice first day on vacation but we were all exhausted. Yesterday we went to Chef Mickey's for dinner and then went to MK. We were only there for two hours but got to do pirates, haunted mansion, space ranger spin, the carousel, Laugh Floor and scoped out the additions in Fantasyland.

Today we went to Boma for breakfast before heading to Typhoon Lagoon. Now that the kids are getting bigger, they had a lot of fun. We headed back to AKL for lunch and to relax around the hotel for a little while. Now we are about to head to Epcot for dinner and EMH later.

RHMH Happy Belated Birthday! Hope it was great. Will try to check back tonight.

Anjalee- Midori and I will be at Epcot tonight for EMH. Hope to see ya!!
 
MK - Sapce Mountain
Animal Kingdom - Everest
Epcot - Soarin
Hollywood Studio - Tower of Terrors

Trip Report Up - Date


July 17th Epcot


DD and I caught the Epcot Bus at 8:45 AM and got to Epcot at 9:05 AM. It was not crowded at all this morning. The mad rush to get fast passes had been over with by the time we arrived to get our fast passes for Soarin. We got to ride Soarin with in 20 minutes after getting our fast passes. We got on Living with the Land and Nemo ride with no wait. Moved over to Mission Space and rode it with in minutes. Rode Ellen's ride and then went to Japan and at Sashimi and Tempura Odon. Got on the Ferry Boat and made it back to the front of the park before it started raining. Left the Park at 2:00 PM to come back to the resort. We are taking the Ferry Boat to DTD to go eat at Rain Forrest and go to the Movies to see Ice Age. Then come back to Epcot to take advantage of the EMH. See Ya Soon!!!.

Sounds like a great morning, not having to fight the crowds to get to Soarin'! I'm an early rope drop person, but I don't look forward to those crowds...IO just find it worth it to get there early and be able to ride Soarin'. Sounds like you found the happy medium! Enjoy your dinner at Rain Forest and your evening at Epcot! :)

Sorry to not have gotten on yesterday. We had a nice first day on vacation but we were all exhausted. Yesterday we went to Chef Mickey's for dinner and then went to MK. We were only there for two hours but got to do pirates, haunted mansion, space ranger spin, the carousel, Laugh Floor and scoped out the additions in Fantasyland.

Today we went to Boma for breakfast before heading to Typhoon Lagoon. Now that the kids are getting bigger, they had a lot of fun. We headed back to AKL for lunch and to relax around the hotel for a little while. Now we are about to head to Epcot for dinner and EMH later.

RHMH Happy Belated Birthday! Hope it was great. Will try to check back tonight.

Glad you arrived safely and had a wonderful start to your vacation! You got to do a lot at MK that first evening. We're in the packing stage right now, and leaving Thursday. Have a wonderful night at Epcot!!! :)
 
Anjalee- Midori and I will be at Epcot tonight for EMH. Hope to see ya!!

We had a nice night at Epcot. Kids were a little disappointed not riding soarin but fast passes were gone when we got there and at one point stand by was 170 minutes. What?! Anyway we still did a lot plus had a nice dinner at Coral Reef. Kids were beat so we headed back at 9:30. Tomorrow AK. Hope you and Midori had a nice night at Epcot.
 












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