Just one last time... pleaseeeee? Update 9/3 Final countdown!

[disneyhockeymad]

So I've got the Disney music on, I've had the afternoon to myself and I have finally cracked - I've begun the PTR.

WELCOME! Please be warned however, that although this ride promises to be the wildest ride in the wilderness (come on, I couldn't resist!) I may ramble. I have been known for my rambling. I promise to at least try and be entertaining, and to include some very exciting pictures because, let's face it, pictures make everything the more exciting!

Beginning the PTR officially means two things. Number one - that I am far too excited for my own good and have bored my family to death with my Disney ravings, and number two - that we are very VERY close to heading back to the World!

So I guess I had better introduce myself just so you don't think some randomer is talking to you.

I'm Laura, 22, a journalist and an all-out disney nerd. Oh and I'm also English.

The trip - 14 days, September 6 to 20th 2012, staying at the Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa.

It has been a grand total of 1517 days since I was last at WDW. That's 4 years, 1 month and 25 days. Whichever way you say it it has been a looooong time. A long, tortuous time. I can't complain entirely though in December 2010, a week before Christmas, my family and I made a trip to Disneyland Paris. It snowed. The entire time!

After months (potentially years) of begging I finally managed to persuade my parents that our "last ever family holiday (read vacation)" we made together in 2008 to WDW to mark mine and my brother's "growing up" was really not that final at all and we should probably take another one seeing as how I graduated university last summer and was about to enter the real life adult world of jobs.

So they agreed. Finally. Cue booking WDW last August and cue a year and a month long wait which has now amazingly dropped to only 158 days. Eeeep.

 

[disneyhockeymad]

Ok so introductions time!

First off we have me, I'm Laura

I'm 21 and have just started my first 'adult' job as a journalist writing for papers here in the UK.

I'm a bit of a disney nerd and tend to drive my friends a little wild, but I'd also like to think(/pretend) they wouldn't have me any other way!

My favourite character is Tigger, although I also love Stitch very much, and the rest of the 100 Acre Wood crew, and Pluto...

My favourite park is Epcot, I don't know what it is about it but it's the one I remember the most from my first ever visit to WDW and I absolute adore the music and the smells there. Weird I know!

My favourite show is without a doubt Fantasmic, it gives me shivers every time. I am a little obsessed with it!

Next up, my brother, Mark

(He may kill me for using that photo. He's grown up a lot since then!)

He's 20, in his second year at university studying economics (snore) and is annoyingly clever!

He tries to pretend he's too 'grown up' for disney and when he's around his friend he tries to act all manly... but when he's with the family he reverts back to the little kid inside him, I love it!

His favourite characters are definitely Buzz Lightyear and Donald.

His favourite park is Hollywood Studios, he loves Toy Story Mania and Rock'n'Roller Coaster.

His favourite show is Illuminations, he always seems to sing along to the music if I ever put it on!

Ok so next, my mum.

She's just as obsessed with disney as I am and absolutely loves planning the trips with me. We've both got excitingly colour-coded journals for our upcoming trip and even though I don't live at home any more we still manage to spend hours texting/phoning each other with updates, thoughts and views!

She is absolutely in love with the head honcho, the mouse himself, especially when he is in his sorcerer outfit!

Her favourite park is Magic Kingdom, she just loves the castle!

Her favourite show, definitely Fantasmic like me, it has sorcerer Mickey in it... what more do we need to say?! Haha

Finally, my dad.

I'm definitely daddy's little princess, we're very similar and he shares mum and I's love for disney, although he's not quite as vocal about it!

His favourite character is Goofy or Jiminy Cricket, and we like to pretend he's also very much like Grumpy, although he doesn't take too kindly to that!

His favourite park is probably Hollywood Studios, he's a dare devil like me so loves the big rides here and loves Star Tours too! (He's very much looking forward to seeing the new version!)

His favourite show is Illuminations or Wishes, he loves the fireworks!

Ok so that's it. Mi familia.

We've only been to the world 3 times before, although we've been to Disneyland Paris more times than we can count, and we are definitely VERY excited about this trip!

You're very welcome to come and join us on our trip!​

 

[earthfaries]

I'm here! I can't wait to read all about your plans, and then all about your trip! Sounds like it's going to be a fun one. I love all your pictures!​

 

[sue_88]

Hi Laura!
Your trip sounds fun. It's so nice that your family all shares the love of Disney.
I adore Disney World, but, I would really like to go to Paris Disney someday. Maybe you could post a few photos from your trips to Disneyland Paris if you have the time.
Being a journalists sounds like a great job! I hope that it is as fun as it sounds.

 

[AGPrincess]

SUBBBBBING!!! Soooo excited for you girl!

First off, DLP in the snow: I feel your pain. Were there little kids in ski suits like when we were there?? lol!

Graduating is definitely a good reason to get back to Disney, as is getting your first real job! Are you liking the journalist position? That's great you're writing -- working at Disney is fun, but I'm dying to move into a more creative/writing job.

You are so right: Epcot has the best music and smells. Also I have not seen Fantasmic in so long, but you're inspiring me to get over to DHS and see it again. Must do that soon!

So glad you started this, can't wait to hear more of your plans!!

 

[disneyhockeymad]

I'm here! I can't wait to read all about your plans, and then all about your trip! Sounds like it's going to be a fun one. I love all your pictures!​

Hi!!! I'm so excited about this trip! Hopefully I'll keep you entertained! And thanks I'll have lots more pictures

Hi Laura!
Your trip sounds fun. It's so nice that your family all shares the love of Disney.
I adore Disney World, but, I would really like to go to Paris Disney someday. Maybe you could post a few photos from your trips to Disneyland Paris if you have the time.
Being a journalists sounds like a great job! I hope that it is as fun as it sounds.

Hi!! I'll definitely post some of my Disneyland Paris photos!! I'll try and include a mini report from when I went at Christmas if I find the time, it's so beautiful but nothing can beat WDW! Being a journalist is fun, I get so to speak to many interesting people during the day! I even spoke to someone about Disney today! Woohoo!

SUBBBBBING!!! Soooo excited for you girl!

First off, DLP in the snow: I feel your pain. Were there little kids in ski suits like when we were there?? lol!

Graduating is definitely a good reason to get back to Disney, as is getting your first real job! Are you liking the journalist position? That's great you're writing -- working at Disney is fun, but I'm dying to move into a more creative/writing job.

You are so right: Epcot has the best music and smells. Also I have not seen Fantasmic in so long, but you're inspiring me to get over to DHS and see it again. Must do that soon!

So glad you started this, can't wait to hear more of your plans!!

Yes! Kids in ski suits, what is that about?! Although there was this one adorable kid in an all-in-one Stitch suit. I wanted to take him home! (In a non creepy way!)

I agree, very good reasons! Plus it's my dad's 50th so really, it's a big celebration! (See how we fitted in with Disney's campaign there!) Writing is fun, although I am VERY jealous of your working at Disney! I would absolutely love to combine the two! I have my eye on Disney's press department!

Go and see it! It's amazing! I can't wait to see it again, I may YouTube it now haha.

More plans coming now!!

 

[disneyhockeymad]

3. Hotel plans!!

We're not staying on property when we go, we've never stayed on property at WDW, only when we go in Paris. I used to be really annoyed by it because the hotels look amazing but we stayed at this place last time we visited and it was absolutely amazing!

This is our hotel:

It's the Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa. And it's amazing!

It's basically a condo and a hotel, handily put together as a "condel", so we get our own sitting room:

Our own kitchen area:

Two bedrooms, my parents:

and my brother's and I's:

Plus an awesome bathroom complete with whirlpool indoor hot tub!

Plus, if my room request comes in... and believe me it will come in! (We've requested the same room and our holiday rep is under strict instructions to ask at every available opportunity... plus I can be pretty persuasive if I need to be!) We'll get a view like this!

Ok that is the world's worst photo, but essentially we could see MK, Epcot, DHS, Universal and Sea World. And that meant we could see all of their night entertainment, which was INCREDIBLE! We would come back from seeing one set of fireworks to watch another. I cannot wait to get that back again!

The hotel also has a pretty cool pool and is pretty central to everything. Not to mention that it is attached to shopping outlets... hello holiday money!

So that's our hotel plans. I'll update soon with our ADR's, we made them the other week. VERY exciting
​

 

[disneyhockeymad]

Ok so I may have neglected this PTR for a bit but work suddenly got seriously hectic and when I came home after working my 11 (yup 11) hour days I just crawled into bed!! But I'm back, and I have very exciting news

4. ADR's

We're not a family who particularly likes to plan in fixed meal times, although mum and I are military when it comes to park planning and what days we want to be where we're pretty relaxed when it comes to eating.

We like to eat as and when we're hungry, and I know we'd be forever clock watching if we had ADR's booked for every day and worried about being hungry to enjoy the meal.

That being said, I did persuade mum to go for some ADR's because let's face it, there are some places you cannot miss when you go to WDW

Our first ADR is breakfast at Crystal Palace on 9/8, the Saturday after we arrive on the Thursday.

Words cannot describe how excited I am about this breakfast, not only will it be the best start to the holiday it is with my favourite characters!

We did dinner at CP when we went in 2008 on a spur of the moment the day before we left and we absolutely loved it. It was such a perfect end to our trip and I've actually never seen my brother get so excited about seeing characters at a dining location!

Here's just how excited I got about meeting Tigger!

Ok next we have Saana for lunch on 9/12. I am also very very excited about trying this.

We're trying to explore the hotels a lot more this year and after reading Emma's numerous TR's where she went to Saana with her family we couldn't not go! As a family we are HUGE Indian food fans, we have curry a lot and love naan bread, so we're really looking forward to trying the twist they add to it all!

I mean, who doesn't want to try this?

And be here?

Third we've booked Teppan Edo for dinner on 9/14. Another new one which we're all very excited about too (you may find a reoccurring theme here!)

We've never been to a Japanese place before so this took a little more persuasion, but I showed my family a youtube clip of what goes on, and they were hooked!

The whole concept makes me want to try it even more, and I'm hoping with the time we've booked it for we'll make it out to see Illuminations and finish the evening off amazingly!

Last we have breakfast at Cape May on 9/18. Yet another chance to explore another hotel and try something different. We love character breakfasts and love the vibe we get from them! Plus we figured we can have a lazy day that day, for reasons that will become apparent soon enough (eee!)

Plus, who doesn't want to meet Minnie when she looks like this?!

​

 

[disneyhockeymad]

5. Exciting announcement!

Ok, so exciting announcement time...

So it just so happens that we're going to WDW over the time it's going all halloween-y, so what better way to celebrate this than to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!

I never thought my parents would go for it because it's slightly expensive but they absolutely jumped at the chance, so long story short...

WE GOT MNSSHP TICKETS!!

We're headed to the party on 9/18 (hence our lazy day where we're planning to play crazy-golf after our CM breakfast.) I am beyond excited! I have heard and seen nothing but good stuff from this party and cannot wait to try it out!!

Yaaaaay!

​

 

[Eight]

First, I had to comment to say that I really appreciate that you know exactly how many days it's been since you were last at WDW since I'm the same way.

Second, woah, the view from that hotel! So you can really see all the fireworks? That would be awesome!

Third, hurray for MNSSHP! I've always wanted to go at Halloween time, but have not yet had the chance. Do you think you'll dress up at all?

 

[Alysa]

What a great trip report! Looking forward to hearing more! Any costume plans for the Halloween party? I've actually never heard of Saana, it looks lovely, where is it? Your family pics are all adorable!

 

[disneyhockeymad]

Ok I'm so sorry! The Dis never actually told me people replied to this so I presumed it was a dead thread, now I know it's not I'll update a lot more!! I have lots to tell!

First, I had to comment to say that I really appreciate that you know exactly how many days it's been since you were last at WDW since I'm the same way.

Second, woah, the view from that hotel! So you can really see all the fireworks? That would be awesome!

Third, hurray for MNSSHP! I've always wanted to go at Halloween time, but have not yet had the chance. Do you think you'll dress up at all?

Hahaha I have to keep track of it just to remind myself that I went! Plus it's to annoy anyone who will listen that it's been far too long!!

The view is incredible! I will actually cry if we don't get that room or a similar one this time, it was fantastic being able to come back and see the fireworks on an evening. I know I have a picture of it somewherem I'll dig it out to show you

I've always wanted to go for Halloween too, I'm so psyched we're going! We never even thought of it when we booked so it was an amazing surprise and little bonus to us! I'm not sure if we'll dress up, my family isn't really the type (unfortunately) to do that

What a great trip report! Looking forward to hearing more! Any costume plans for the Halloween party? I've actually never heard of Saana, it looks lovely, where is it? Your family pics are all adorable!

Thankyou I can't believe I thought no one was reading!! I don't think we'll dress up for the party which is a little sad, but I may try and persuade my family to do something, even if it's not a whole costume!

Sauna is actually the new restaurant they've put in Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I saw pictures of it I other people's trip reports and it looked too good of an opportunity to pass up! I hope it lives up to its reputation!

And thankyou, I'll be sure to tell them

 

[disneyhockeymad]

6. Count down time!

I apologise completely for neglecting this slightly, work got so hectic!

I got to do the double digit dance about three weeks ago which made me very happy! And I am currently at 75 days!! So in honour of double digits I decided to make a count down calendar!

It took me forever to make (each mickey head is individually cut out and coloured in!) but boy was it worth it, to wake up and see it each morning makes me so so excited! Plus it's colourful, and you can't go wrong with that!

What do you think?

That's where I'm at currently. I'm so excited!!

I've started shopping for things to take with me too. With the British summer currently consisting of nothing but rain (it is very depressing, and contrary to popular myth, very unexpected) I need something to make me remember I will be experiencing heat at some point!!

I've bought a gorgeous bikini, three dresses and many pairs of shorts. I've lost a lot of weight over the past year so all my summer clothes no longer fit me, so I'm in the process of re-buying an entire new wardrobe!!

Here are some pictures, apparently most of what I have bought has gone off the sites online, but here are my bikini and my shorts!

​

 

[ChelseyBun20]

I hope you do write some more today I already know lots about your trip but I want to know more! I'm so excited for you, you've waited a hell of a long time for this trip!

P.S Love your countdown Calendar, I want one - but am not very artistic haha!

 

[frankieeyre]

8 DAYS TO GO!!!!
Please update this again Im too excited for you!!!

 

[disneyhockeymad]

7. Nearly there!

Yes, you heard it. 8 DAYS! I.e. one week and one day. Can we just pause a minute while we dance!

Ok, I'm good. I may or may not have got a little carried away by the excitement. After four very long and very painful years I am finally just a eight days away from stepping foot in my happy place and having an awesome two weeks!

I've been prepping pretty amazingly for the last few weeks, I've made a a big old notebook full of absolutely everything I could ever need - park maps, opening hours, busy park days, our ADRs, MNSSHP information, everything. It's a fully comprehensive guide to WDW! I'm so proud of it!

Mum told me the other day that I should make a career out of planning trips for people, believe me, if I could, I would, unfortunately it's not an option. Boo, hiss and all that!

A lot of exciting things have also been arriving/have taken money from my bank account.

By far this is the MOST exciting!

Eeee! I've already shot-gunned the Pluto one. Those characters represent my family hands down, I love it! My mum is Mickey, my dad Goofy and my brother Donald. All our favourite characters. Love love love it!

Here's some booklets that went with it too! Some how this made it very official. We're going, the tickets are here. It's coming true!

I also stocked up on some last minute things, the summer here in Britain has been a complete washout so I've not really needed summer clothes at all, but having something to buy for always makes them worth while. So, while wandering around the shops getting myself in the holiday mood I purchased these babies!

I also got this, because let's face it, everyone needs a cool hat!

My final purchase for the trip was something I've been saving up for. I've been watching a lot of Youtube footage of people documenting their trips (check out Phil, Emma and Ben's channel and also Steph and Jeff's channel too!) and I've caught the bug. I want to make one so badly - so I bought this! Result!

I also started packing yesterday, I'm due to go home on Friday (aka two days time) so that my family and I can have a massive packing session and sort everything out before we go. It's the only free time I have before we fly because I'm working right up until the day before and I live about 200 miles away from my family.

I'm pretty proud of my packing, it's looking quite small considering how much I am notorious for bringing with me! I'm yet to add the little things so I'm sure that will bulk it out, but still, I'm proud!!

(Ignore my well loved Jemima Puddle Duck - if you don't know who that is I demand you google it immediately! - in the background. I maybe 22 but she still lives on my bed!!)

I'm sure I have lots more to tell you but I can't seem to think of anything right now! I'll try and keep on top of this PTR before I go and I'll definitely be writing a TR when I come back!

8 days and counting...!​

 

[disneyhockeymad]

I hope you do write some more today I already know lots about your trip but I want to know more! I'm so excited for you, you've waited a hell of a long time for this trip!

P.S Love your countdown Calendar, I want one - but am not very artistic haha!

8 DAYS TO GO!!!!
Please update this again Im too excited for you!!!

Just for you two all updated I'll try and do some more when I head home. Eeee I'm so excited!

Ps Chelsey the count down calendar really isn't that hard to make, it's just a bit fiddly to cut out, but the mickey heads are all printed off the computer!!

 

[frankieeyre]

YES!!!
So excited you have updated this!
I am actually SO SO excited for you now!! Wish me and Chelsey were coming with you!!
Love all the leaflet things you've got!! Has the Orlando tips and tricks one got any really good tips in?!
Love the blue and white stripy shorts!! Where are they from?
I'm so happy you are going to be filming your trip! Cannot wait to see the videos!!
JEMIMA PUDDLE DUCK!! I have a little ornament on my window ledge! I love her so much!!!
So now you've updated and got me and Chelsey hooked, we are waiting in anticipation for more

 

[ChelseyBun20]

Woooohooo, an update! I hope you know, Frankie & I are now going to be checking back every day for updates . I love those blue & white stripey shorts too, they are gorgeous, where are they from? We all like the same pair of shorts - we have good taste lol!

I always make a big document holder with all our bits & pieces in too, great minds think alike we are serious planners!
Jemima Puddle Duck is so cute haha! I have a teddy bear that I've had since I was born, called Custard, and he still sleeps on my bed!

I wish Frankie & I were coming too lets organise a trip!

 

[disneyhockeymad]

YES!!!
So excited you have updated this!
I am actually SO SO excited for you now!! Wish me and Chelsey were coming with you!!
Love all the leaflet things you've got!! Has the Orlando tips and tricks one got any really good tips in?!
Love the blue and white stripy shorts!! Where are they from?
I'm so happy you are going to be filming your trip! Cannot wait to see the videos!!
JEMIMA PUDDLE DUCK!! I have a little ornament on my window ledge! I love her so much!!!
So now you've updated and got me and Chelsey hooked, we are waiting in anticipation for more

Aww but you know as soon as your turn comes around next year I'll be so so jealous of you!

I really don't know about the booklet yet, I haven't been home to see it (my mum sent me those pictures in her excitement!) but when I go tomorrow I'll have a look through and let you know

The shorts are from Next of all places, I just walked in and they were right infront of my face. I'm glad you guys loved them as much as I did

I am so excited about the filming too, I love making videos (yeah I'm a geek I admit it) so I'm hoping they're going to turn out really cool!

Pahaha, I love that you love Jemima as much as I do! She was my first ever toy and I wouldn't go anywhere without her at all! She is far too loved now though and is kinda falling apart

I'm updating now!!

Woooohooo, an update! I hope you know, Frankie & I are now going to be checking back every day for updates . I love those blue & white stripey shorts too, they are gorgeous, where are they from? We all like the same pair of shorts - we have good taste lol!

I always make a big document holder with all our bits & pieces in too, great minds think alike we are serious planners!
Jemima Puddle Duck is so cute haha! I have a teddy bear that I've had since I was born, called Custard, and he still sleeps on my bed!

I wish Frankie & I were coming too lets organise a trip!

Haha I'm updating now as we speak, I hope it'll be worth reading haha!

We do all have good taste They are gorgeous though, they're from Next, I was dead surprised!

Being a planner is best! I love planning my trips, my dad's colleague has asked if I can recommend some restaurants for him when he goes in April... he won't know what's hit him!! Haha.

Aww Custard is such a cute name! I bet he's adorable!

Yes! 2014 here we come!