Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere a PTR

[If U Had Wings]

Time is flying along, and I'm quickly approaching being 2 months out for my trip. While I'm looking forward to my trip, I haven't really been finding myself over-excited about it. Maybe it's just been in planning for too long (I booked my room a year ago today), or maybe it's some real life issues weighing on me, but I've been feeling pretty blah about my trip.

In an attempt to get some excitement going for my trip again, I've deceided to copy Heidi and come up with my own three things list and work it into my itinerary. My list of three or so things that I'd like to see, do or experience each day of my trip. Since nothing on this trip is being considered a "must-do" other than getting some rest and relaxation, I am considering these things to be opportunities. I've mixed in a few vintage photos just to keep it interesting.

Day 1
My plan is to stay overnight the day before at my parents house. I don't have the greatest track record for getting up on time, and as I'm going to have to leave the house before 4:30 am to get to the airport about an hour and a half before my flight, this just seemed like the easiest way. I'm flying out of White Plains, which is a small airport with no long term parking, so I'm lucky I have some really great family to bring me to the airport at that hour.

My flight leaves at 6:30 am, so I'll be arriving in Orlando a little before 9:30 am. While I hate getting up that early in the morning to fly, I love getting to Orlando with enough time to enjoy the whole day. My friend is flying out of another state, but has timed her flight so that we will be arriving within 10 minutes of each other. Once the flights have arrived we'll meet up at the ME desk and head out to AS Sports.

I've always lucked out before and been able to check in as soon as I arrived, but I'm thinking I may not get that lucky this time with such an early arrival. I'd love to squeeze in a bit of a nap if possible. Otherwise the plan is to dump our stuff and head out the Magic Kingdom to celebrate Walt Disney's birthday properly. We have a 5pm ADR at The Plaza, but other than that our day is wide open.


Three Opportunities for Day 1
1) Explore the Shops on Main Street - It's one of those things I never get to really do when I visit with my family, or if anything I only get to see the kid's stuff. I want to get to spend some time really poking around in the stores at a non-rushed pace. I also want to sit and relax and people watch for awhile, and enjoy some of the sights and sounds going on around me. It will be my first time seeing the MK during the Christmas holidays and can't wait to see the decorations.

I'll need to get my pic taken on Main Street. It's a must do.

From 1979, my first trip to Disney. I was eight and my aunt came along with us for the trip.

I don't know what I get a bigger kick out of in this picture. My crazy short shorts and straw hat combo, the fact that there is no stage in front of the castle so you could walk straight through, or the fact that according to the sign behind us on the left there was a tobacco shop on Main Street. I think probably my incredibly dorky outfit.

From 1981. No castle in this shot, but I got a kick out of the old tickets you needed to wear pinned to you -

Obviously my mother had a thing for bad hats on us kids.

2007, at the MNSSHP -

And nearly 30 years after the first trip to Disney, another family trip to Disney. I'm now the aunt.

Luckily we won't be seeing the castle looking like this:

And a side view to see how the cake as

2) Ride the Jungle Cruise/Big Thunder Mt. at Night - I don't think I've ever ridden either of these at night. Must try.

3) Check out the Tomorrowland Phone Booth (and ride the new Space Mountain while I'm there) - Can't wait to ride the new version!! On my first trip to Disney I rode Space Mountain with my aunt. The way the cars used to be, two passengers straddled and sat on a single bench seat. I slid off the seat on the first hill and rode the rest of the ride on the floor of the car. This is my most distinct memory of that entire trip. (I don't know why I wasn't strapped in better, was saftey that bad back in the 70's?). I was so freaked out that I refused to get on the ride again for years. While my brother and father would be riding Space Mountain I would be riding If You Had Wings repeatedly with my mom. In about 1988 I let myself get talked into riding again, and fell in love with the ride. Of course now I was secure in my own seat, and it wasn't nearly as dark. I'm looking forward to seeing if they've gone back to a pitch black ride.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Three Opportunities for Day 1
1) Explore the Shops on Main Street

Love it! So many people never take the time to do this. Don't forget about the party line phone in the hat shop.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I do really like the three things list -- I am going to do that for the next big trip.

I always get a kick out of old pictures, and I do love the shorts and straw hat combos! We really did grow up in a crazy fashion era.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm totally doing the three things list in January. It's a really great idea!

Love all the photos, I love looking at them. It's amazing how much the parks change.

I think your plans look great. Your trip is going to be wonderful.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I had no idea I was such a trend setter!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Love it! So many people never take the time to do this. Don't forget about the party line phone in the hat shop.

I never knew about the party line phone until my last trip. I was waiting for them to stitch my ears and for some reason I just picked it up. It was such a great little surprise.

One of my favorite surprises on Main Street is the little courtyard where you can hear the singing and tap lessons. It just adds so much ambiance.

I do really like the three things list -- I am going to do that for the next big trip.

I always get a kick out of old pictures, and I do love the shorts and straw hat combos! We really did grow up in a crazy fashion era.

My mom still always has a straw hat when she goes to Disney, and tries to convince me I need one too. The shorts are such a bad fashion statement, although I think my brothers look with the high white socks may be worse.

I'm totally doing the three things list in January. It's a really great idea!

Love all the photos, I love looking at them. It's amazing how much the parks change.

I think your plans look great. Your trip is going to be wonderful.

I really thought we had more pictures than we actually had. I guess compared to how many we take now that they are digital it looks like practically none. Also it's a bit sad that my dad never seemed to be in many of them. Have to love photopass.

I had no idea I was such a trend setter!

It definitely needs to be named after you. "Heidi's Three Things".

 

[All7OfUs]

Your number 1 is definitely my number one too. Not so much for the shopping, but for the incredible window displays! I've actually "borrowed" some trip writers' shots of the window displays and used them for my computer wall paper; they are THAT gorgeous!

Definitely want to ride those rides at night too!!

You slipped OFF YOUR SEAT!? OMG! It's lucky you're going exploring in the Great Wide Somewhere AT ALL!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Your number 1 is definitely my number one too. Not so much for the shopping, but for the incredible window displays! I've actually "borrowed" some trip writers' shots of the window displays and used them for my computer wall paper; they are THAT gorgeous!

Me too. My desire is definitely more of a check out the details kind of shopping trip. I keep telling myself my "souvenier" this trip is my spa visit.

Definitely want to ride those rides at night too!!

I've heard such good things about the rides at night. I don't know why I've never made it on them at night before.

You slipped OFF YOUR SEAT!? OMG! It's lucky you're going exploring in the Great Wide Somewhere AT ALL!

Right off the seat and onto the floor! I'm guessing they didn't even have a strap around your waist. Seriously, it wasn't until my father and brother convinced me that the seats were different that I would even consider going on again.

 

[skier_pete]

Ahhhh..the pink castle / cake monstrosity. Clever in concept, hideous in execution! The first trip with DW was during that celebration - in fact, they started taking it down while we were there. (Interestingly, in 5 Adult trips, we've only seen the castle without the crane once!)

It's nice that you have plans of what you what to do that's new. I always say that every day of every trip, we should try and do at least one thing we've never done before. Generally, it's not a hard goal to reach so far.

Speaking of the goals, we did the JC at night last trip based on recommendations from the boards...while it was OK, I was not all that impressed. It is rather poorly lit, so you really don't see very much stuff - and we did not have a very good skipper. Like daytime rides, the skippers make or break the jungle cruise.

The BEST part is going through the Sher Lee Temple - because your eyes are already dark adjusted, it seems SO much brighter in there.

We haven't done Splash Mountain at night - but I have done BTMRR, though I don't remember much about that one either.

SkierPete

 

[All7OfUs]

Crissy! Did you abandon us here?? Are you ok?? Let us know how you are and how all your planning is going!

 

[princess&her4princes]

I was wondering, too, how are you girl!? Thinking of you!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Ahhhh..the pink castle / cake monstrosity. Clever in concept, hideous in execution! The first trip with DW was during that celebration - in fact, they started taking it down while we were there. (Interestingly, in 5 Adult trips, we've only seen the castle without the crane once!)

It was just horrible. You wonder what in the world they were thinking!

It's nice that you have plans of what you what to do that's new. I always say that every day of every trip, we should try and do at least one thing we've never done before. Generally, it's not a hard goal to reach so far.

I definitely want to try new things this trip as much as possible. That was my plan before I invited my friend along, so I see no reason to change it. I've tried just about all of the rides and attractions in the parks, but luckily WDW is big enough that I can find new things all over the place.

I see that you have a bonus trip planned. Congrats on the AP's!

Crissy! Did you abandon us here?? Are you ok?? Let us know how you are and how all your planning is going!

I was wondering, too, how are you girl!? Thinking of you!!

Thanks guys. I've been feeling a bit blue lately and really cut myself off from everything for awhile. Trying to snap myself out of it by focusing on my Disney trip.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm still here. Hanging on by the proverbial thread, but here. Real life has been smacking me around lately, but like Rocky Balboa I seem to keep coming back for more. I've come to realize that going the distance is about all I can hope for these days.

The only good thing is that my trip has been fully paid for, otherwise I'd be stressing out even more than I already am. I was supposed to have gone away this past weekend to upstate New York, but had to cancel my reservation when I realized that there was no possible way I could afford it. Real life really stinks sometimes. It all has been adding up to make me feel pretty out of sorts and a bit depressed lately. (An upcoming birthday later this week doesn't help any either).

But I'll be in Disney in less than 2 months so all is good, right?

I'm trying to stay focused on that, so lets get back to some plans. Disney = good. Focus on the good!

Onward to Day #2!

On day 2 I always head to the Animal Kingdom. I have no logical reason for why, but it has come to be my routine the past few visits. The Animal Kingdom is the one place I really and truly have no "musts". Maybe that's why I like touring it on my first full day? I like everything at AK fairly equally, so it makes touring fairly stress free. Sure I want to be sure that I ride Everest and catch the Lion King show, but for some reason I never feel a need to rush around like a park touring commando while at the Animal Kingdom.

I like to keep our first full day fairly light. We'll be having dinner at Boma at 6pm, and usually that's about the time that travel and Disney exhaustion starts setting in. I'm leaving night plans open. A bit of exploring at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and maybe a stop at DTD later on.

I was able to come up with a top 3 list though. Nothing crazy just a few things I want to try to fit in.


1) Explore the AK taking in the details - Oddly enough, while I never find myself rushing around at the Animal Kingdom, I'm never really stopping to explore either. This trip I really want to take in the details. AK is such a beautiful park, this time I really want to get to observe all the tiny details. I want to explore the tree of life, and soak up the themeing all over the park.

2) Get my photo taken with Donald Again - This was the highlight of my 2007 trip. Donald is my favorite Disney character, but I had never been able to track him down for a photo. Before my 2007 trip my then 6 year old niece told me exactly where to find him, and proceded to check in with me over my vacation to see if I had met him yet. I made my friend wait in line with me at Camp Minnie Mickey, and when it was finally my turn the photopass guy told me I was smiling more than any kid he had met that day. I want another photo. I'll be waiting in line again.


I'm not 100% sure about my number 3 item for Day 2, but for now that's where I'm leaving it.

3) Head to POFQ for Beignets - I won't be at Disney for another month, and already I'm missing my favorite resort. I will definitely squeeze in a visit to my favorite place to check out the Christmas decorations and have some beignets. If we head to DTD on day 2, I may try to get a visit in then.

From my first stay at POFQ in 1992, back when it was stil just Port Orleans. The year I graduated college. (Eeek has it been that long ago already. )

And my mom and I in 1997. I hate every picture of me from that trip, heck that year, but I wanted to include a few pictures from that trip. It makes me shudder a bit just looking at it. Just one reason why my 30's where so much better than my 20's.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I think your Animal Kingdom plans sound wonderful. It sounds so relaxing which is a must for this trip for you I think.

I love that picture of you with the fountain at POFQ! Very pretty.

 

[jenjolt]

I think you have some great plans and I love your top 3 things you must do!! You look so happy in that picture with Donald, I can't wait to see your picture from this year.

I have to agree I really enjoy all the Animal Kingdom has to offer and its easy to just take it easy there!!

OOOH..POFQ...I'm staying there in January so thanks for the pictures! I will definitely be trying those famous beignets!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am sorry you have been blue lately! I hope things start to look up for you soon!

Thank goodness your trip is paid in full, and you are only a couple of months away from Disney! That's bound to cheer a person up, right?

I love that you are making time to go eat beignets at POFQ!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I think your Animal Kingdom plans sound wonderful. It sounds so relaxing which is a must for this trip for you I think.

I love that picture of you with the fountain at POFQ! Very pretty.

AK is always my most relaxing day of the trip.

That first POFQ trip was so much fun. I fell in love with the place right away.

I think you have some great plans and I love your top 3 things you must do!! You look so happy in that picture with Donald, I can't wait to see your picture from this year.

I have to agree I really enjoy all the Animal Kingdom has to offer and its easy to just take it easy there!!

OOOH..POFQ...I'm staying there in January so thanks for the pictures! I will definitely be trying those famous beignets!!

That pic with Donald was the highlight of my trip. I was smiling for days.

You are going to love POFQ. I love it there. I'm looking forward to staying at the Boardwalk, but at the same time will be missing POFQ. I love all the gardens and fountains that are around the resort.

I am sorry you have been blue lately! I hope things start to look up for you soon!

Thank goodness your trip is paid in full, and you are only a couple of months away from Disney! That's bound to cheer a person up, right?

I love that you are making time to go eat beignets at POFQ!

Thanks. The shorter days really get to me. I've wondered for a long time if I suffer from SAD. As soon as the days get shorter I start getting blue.

The beignets are too yummy to miss. I need to squeeze them in somehow!

 

[All7OfUs]

AWWW... I thought you might be having some blue thoughts. I really am so happy you get to have this trip, and that you are focusing on slowing down and taking time to absorb and experience the details! I love all your pictures, and think you look great in all of them- very happy!! So glad you are posting again, too!! Now we can start our countdown with you - you're so close! Now if all our tickers would start working again, darn it.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Wings take it from me....at any given moment on your trip do whatever will make you happy right then and there. It's a good feeling!

 

[If U Had Wings]

AWWW... I thought you might be having some blue thoughts. I really am so happy you get to have this trip, and that you are focusing on slowing down and taking time to absorb and experience the details! I love all your pictures, and think you look great in all of them- very happy!! So glad you are posting again, too!! Now we can start our countdown with you - you're so close! Now if all our tickers would start working again, darn it.

Thanks. I'm trying to focus on the good things so I can shake off these blues. This year they seem to be really hanging in there though. I don't want to admit to how many times I've overslept in the past few weeks because I couldn't drag myself out of bed. I'm hoping once my birthday is over I'll start feeling better. I don't even really mind getting older for the most part, I just keep dwelling on missed opportunities and stuff like that. (The time just slipping away).

Wings take it from me....at any given moment on your trip do whatever will make you happy right then and there. It's a good feeling!

This is definitely going to be a stop and smell the roses kind of trip. I've been a bit stressed with the lack of input from my BFF, but I'm determined not to let it get to me any longer. No input = I plan as I like. About 2 weeks ago she told me that she hadn't gotten around to booking her Behind the Magic tour yet. Just knowing this was enough to set my twisted inner planner on edge. I was soooooo tempted to go ahead and take care of it for her, but snapped myself out it. I've taken care of everything else, and if she can't take care of one reservation it's out of my hands. (Makes me very glad I'm in charge of planning though).