***Live Thread*** Begins: October 8th; Trip Oct9-15th, MNSSHP10/11

[StitchSpawn]

Before I get into me or the plans, I want explain that in terms of doing a *Live Thread* or at least *Semi-Live*, there are a few things to know:

1. If I take a picture with my phone, I can upload it to photobucket.com and then easily upload it to this thread in *almost* real time. However, pictures with my phone won't be the best quality. If I take a picture with my camera, the quality will be better, but I can't directly upload it. My camera has EasyShare ability, but it can only upload to sites like FLICKR, and I have to have wifi to upload the pics, and I don't know how often I will have wifi.

2. 3G and wifi access can be a little tempramental on WDW property, especially inside buildings.

3. I will give ya’ll links to flickr pictures when they are uploaded and links to YouTube videos. Realize videos will be unedited when I first upload them.

4. My grammar & spelling may be off here or there, especially if I'm typing on my phone. I know most of you don't care, but I am usually the grammar police woman, but I'm going to have to take my grammar hat off for this. Besides, you all understand MK RD SSR M&G and such right, lol

So, what I will be posting first is live posts, and then I will go back and write more about the trip when I'm back home and upload any pictures or video I haven't done so already.
So, with that being said, here are the plans:

***PLANS***

WHEN: October 9-15th
WHERE: Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (Rented Points)
WHY: Niece’s Birthday. MNSSHP and F&W(just me interested in that one I guess)
HOW: Annual Passes, Rented Points; We like just paying for food. It’s easier for us. We get some discounts as AP. We have the discount for the Safari Club at Rainforest Café and T-Rex Café. TIW might be worth it, but I did the math and it was right at the break-even point, so we choose not to get it this year.

You can read about Safari Club here and see if it's worth it for your family:
http://www.rainforestcafe.com/safariclub.asp

You can also get your kids a meal for 99. by participating in the Wild Bunch Kid Zone:
http://www.rainforestcafe.com/rewardsCalendars.asp

Sunday, October 9th, Driving
Driving from Panhandle of Florida (Pensacola-Panama City Area) to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Dinner at either Cap’n Jacks or Fultons restaurant, or we might just pick up quick service at Downtown Disney. Our resort is next to Downtown Disney, and I am hoping our room is walking distance. I haven’t been to Downtown Disney since I was 14, because it’s not a must-do, but they have added a bunch since I have been there and I’m excited to be so close to it.

Here is pics of our hotel:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Saratoga-Springs/index.htm

Here is video of a two-bedroom Villa, I think DVC offers something for everybody:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVxEGIMZZiY

Monday, October 10th, Epcot/ Downtown Disney
It’s my DN’s birthday and we have a full day.
BBB @ DTD @ 9:30am
Royal Banquet Hall, 1:30pm @ Epcot
T-Rex Cafe’ for dinner @ DTD (I am going to lobby for the Coral Reef instead, but I may not get my wish.)

Tuesday, October 11th. Magic Kingdom/ MNSSHP
We are hitting MK, RD at 9am, taking a break from about 1pm-6pm and then heading back to MNSSHP. I know some people like to get there at 4pm and sleep in, but we want to see Rapunzel first M&G at 9:15am, so we might as well ride some rides during that time then too. We have a pretty loose schedule for the party. I’m not going to go into my full opinion of MNSSHP much. I’m going because my niece is going, but I will say I think the party is very over-rated. I want to met Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters! They are my second favorites next to Stitch, and I’ve seen Stitch loads of times but never them. I’m going to be the Pink Power Ranger for MNSSHP, only because I found this costume shirt:
http://www.80stees.com/products/Ladies-Pink-Ranger-costume-shirt.asp
It was the right price.
And my makeup and hair will be pretty nifty too, but I’m wearing jeans because I want to be comfortable for the party.

Wednesday, October 12th, Princess Tea Party, F&W, Epcot
My DSIL and DN are going to the Princess Tea Party from 10:30 to 12:30. I am going to the F&W at 11am and my DFIL and DMIL may or may not come with me. I have it planned to try 15 different countries at the moment but may try more. Since we are staying up late for MNSSHP the night before and then my DN & DSIL are getting up for the tea party early-ish, I planned a three hour break after the party for them to take a nap, if they want to. We are either going to Epcot or Hollywood Studios today, not sure. Depends.

Thursday, October 13th Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom, more than any park, you want to be there at RD. Besides no lines, the animals are most active in the morning, and the park is really only designed to be enjoyed during the day hours. Thank goodness DSIL agrees and between the both of us, no one will be getting up late or else…LOLOLOL DSIL doesn’t want to do Kilimanjaro Safari or Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and that is just fine with me. They are doing Kali first thing in morning (I hate water rides.) and we are moving clockwise from there, ending in Camp Minnie-Mickey. We also have ADR at Rainforest Café for lunch. Maybe park hop over to HS for Fantasmic! Hoping to squeeze in a HS ride then too.

Friday, October 14th, Hollywood Studios/ maybe MK
We have a very loose schedule at HS. There is just a lot we don’t want to do. Planning to get there at RD, to get to TSMM ASAP, without running…running is not a vacation to this family. After that we can do everything almost in any order as long we get RRC out of the way soon or get FPs. Since I’m thinking we might be done around 2pm, we will probably park hop over to MK. Our schedule would be pretty loose there too. I have an ADR for Sci-fi Dine-in Theatre that I hope we use. I think we will.

Saturday, October 15th The Day I Cry…It will be all over to fast!
Checking out at 11am, shopping at DTD before we go. Probably eating a sit down lunch. Driving home and wishing it wasn’t so.

I know some of know that I was planning to maybe go to Orlando around the end of January but at the moment, I don’t think it will happen.

 

[StitchSpawn]

Cast: We all live in the Florida Panhandle.
StitchSpawn:

Fav character: Stitch followed by the Tremaine Sisters.
Fav ride: I couldn’t choose to save my life!

DSIL: Sister of sorts, my niece’s mother. Born in Florida; I like to refer to her as, “feisty”.

DMIL: The best mother-in-law there ever was!

DFIL:The best father-in-law there ever was too!

DN (niece):

Loves Nightmare Before Christmas and Tangled. Really likes day of the dead skulls and monsters…

 

[StitchSpawn]

LGMH ::Lime Green Mickey Head:: to represent being a proud DISboard member; put it on your lanyard or bag to show everyone your a DISmember. It is optional to put your screename on it of course, but I think it is fun.

Supplies:
LGMH; found for free at Home Dpeot as a color swatch in painting section
no heat laminating sheets
ruler
scissors
hole puncher
thin sharpie, if you want to write your screen name on the LGMH
key ring (maybe?)

Directions:
Hunt down LGMH:

Option: Write name with thin sharpie; let it dry; warning, if you don't have amazing handwriting, it will take you a few tries...

Peel LGMH off backing, be careful not to tear it apart

Laminate LGMH, follow the directions on how to use your laminating sheets:

Cut around LGMH & Use a whole punch to put a whole in one of the ears:

Hang your LGMH on your lanyard or bag, using a key ring of some kind if necessary

 

[StitchSpawn]

***Check Back Here for YouTube & FLICKR link***

 

[StitchSpawn]

Weather Report: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USFL0372

I know it will rain, but I'm curious how hard core. Our rain is usually intense, but short lasting. I already have a poncho that I have brought along for two previous WDW trips but haven't had to use. Let's hope I keep having good luck. I'd like if I never had to use the poncho.

History of weather in Orlando for this week: http://www.wunderground.com/history...ty=Orlando&req_state=FL&req_statename=Florida

 

[StitchSpawn]

Just wanted to share a few things I found at Walgreens. Pretty cheap items about $1 a piece and I'm giving them to my niece for MNSSHP. It's a marshmellow pop and a coloring book.

 

[StitchSpawn]

All hail photbucket for easy uploading! Yes, this is a picture of my iphone homescreen ready for Disney.

First you'll notice I have the Lines App by Touring Plans. It took a LOT of DISers convining me it was worth the cost, but it definitely is.

I have two restaurant/dining apps because both give slightly varied info, so two apps are better than one in this instance.

The ***Live*** is a homescreen link to this thread. (It's just so much fun to do trip reports!)

WDW Maps is a free app and I use it more than the actual park map.

And photobucket's app. Sweet easiness...if you're wondering, here's my lock screen in the spirit.

Yes, it's almost 6am. I'm already to nervous/excited too sleep. I'll sleep during the drive.

 

[StitchSpawn]

early bird gets the worm, lets go!!!!

 

[StitchSpawn]

dreary day in ocala

 

[myasma]

I'm subbing in. Can't wait to here about your trip. Everything sounds so exciting and is making me antsy for my trip.

 

[saintstickets]

I'm in. Can't wait to read your TR. If you're from the FL panhandle (or Redneck Riviera as we call it here for all us rednecks from MS, AL & GA that visit ), then I pass right through your area when we go to WDW!

 

[StitchSpawn]

omgosh so busy, quick update by phone, saratoga springs pull out couches suck so we moved to a 2 bedroom today so everyone can have a real bed. it was swamped last night @ dtd, but not so bad today, going to epcot this afternoon

 

[StitchSpawn]

So, we were going to get up & go to MK this morning, but my niece had a fever of 102 last night, so we didnt want to push her. We are @ our hotel & planning to go to MK for a few hours, return to change for the party, & head to the party about 6pm.
We spent a limited amount of time @ Epcot yesterday, which is why there is no pics. My niece was already ill & we only rode spaceship earth, nemo & saw talk turtle with crush & thats it & there was no wait for any of those, but there usually isnt. We saw Test Track was 80min standby about 4 & fastpasses were gone. A lot of people were at the food & wine, but not riding rides. Only few areas felt crowded. There seemed to be a lot of entertainment for food & wine.

 

[MaggieMayI]

The little girl is precious and I hope she gets over the fever so she can enjoy her trip.
But for you my dear, may I suggest that next time you dont post a picture with such a "raw" image of yourself. I assume this is a family oriented board and I really believe you should have covered "the girls" a little more appropriately. Also love, a little baby powder will make the shiney skin disappear.