Lucky '13 (OCT/MNSSHP/F&W/TOT10M/OMG/LOL/BBQ PTR) Updated 09/25

[holleypie]

They do have the signature events out if you're interested in any of those.

I've been kind of interested in the special events and demos and such, but I don't know if it will be feasible to do any of them with a toddler in tow. I feel bad that I'm already ditching him to run ten miles and party at DHS until 4am.

 

[SAT887]

I really need to head to WDW for food & wine! Looks like good eats to me. Can I ask why you don't like tofu? I tend to eat quite a bit of veggie meals and don't like how processed it is....

 

[holleypie]

I really need to head to WDW for food & wine! Looks like good eats to me. Can I ask why you don't like tofu? I tend to eat quite a bit of veggie meals and don't like how processed it is....

You do! It's a lot of fun.

I don't like the taste or texture of tofu, and I usually feel icky after eating it. Plus, the studies are so divided about whether soy is good or bad for you, so I just avoid it along with limiting all the soy-based processed junk that tastes delicious.

 

[holleypie]

We've reached the point in the countdown where the days FLY BY and I can't believe we're only six weeks out.

This week Brian and I have been debating the feasibility of doing SeaWorld. The possibility has been on the table for about as long as we've been planning this trip. I think it was originally my sister's idea, but Brian wanted to go too, and so far I've avoided making a decision.

Reasons I want to say NO to SeaWorld:
-We could spend that day at Disney for no additional cost.
-I wanted to avoid doing new things until Luke is old enough to care/remember.
-I actually have a pretty ridiculous fish phobia.

Reasons I want to say YES:
-Brian wants to go.
-The hotel we're staying at for the first few days is close to SeaWorld and offers front-of-the-line perks.
-Brian found a deal where we'd save $30 per ticket.
-I think Luke would enjoy it even if he wouldn't remember it.

So at this point I'm leaning toward "yes." Now the only problem is fitting it in.

The discounted tickets have to be used on a weekday, so if we want the front-of-the-line perk, we would need to go on Monday, which is the day we check out and move to the Beach Club. We were originally scheduled for Epcot on that day.

Our current breakdown of planned park days looks like this:

MK- 1 day, plus MNSSHP and another optional evening
EP- 2 days, plus optional 3rd evening
HS- 1 day
AK- 2 days

Brian proposed that we could change one of our AK days to EP, so we wouldn't lose an Epcot day. But that would leave us with only one day at Animal Kingdom...and it will be the day after the 10 Miler. The afterparty at Hollywood Studios lasts until 4am. We would want to get to Animal Kingdom early and NOT go back to the room for a leisurely mid-day break since AK closes at 5. So, I don't know how I feel about the pressure of doing everything we want to do at Animal Kingdom under those conditions. I guess it might not be so bad. We don't have a lot of "must-dos" at AK--it's usually more of a laid back relaxing park day. But I already know I will be tired and possibly sore, so I don't know if I would get stressed out knowing that it's our only day.

Maybe it's not a big deal to lose an Epcot day? Or maybe we could split the first Animal Kingdom day and do Epcot in the evening? Decisions are hard!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Decisions, decisions. Just when you think you have everything planned....bam.....along comes SeaWorld.

Personally, I would try and fit it in...but if it is a choice between less time at Epcot or AK, I'd pick AK. Not that I don't love AK or anything; but Epcot is what makes WDW special. You will find wild animal parks dotted across the world; but there is nowhere like Epcot that I've found (although there might be something similar in Shenzhen, China but I haven't visited it yet to compare). I'm rambling.....Splitting the day between AK and Ep seems like the best option.

 

[jonesy445]

Yeah, it was so much easier than taking a tram and a boat and a monorail...



I think we have Lindt but I don't think we have real Cadbury in the US. I think it's actually made by Hershey here, heh.



Actually you can get real Cadbury's Chocolate from the UK pavilion in EPCOT a bit pricey but well worth a try!

Scotland
(Holly)
-Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties-Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes
-Scottish Banoffee Tart with Bananas, Scottish Whisky Toffee, Walkers Shortbread Crumbles and Sweet Cream

Since I keep complaining about the lack of vegetarian options, you might think I'd be ecstatic about this vegetarian haggis. But no, I think it's ridiculously stupid. What were they THINKING? Most people who would have wanted to try haggis will be disappointed with a vegetarian version, and why would vegetarians want to eat a dish that mimics sheep's organs? I just don't get it. But actually, I will get it. If only because I think it'd be fun to order "tatties."

I didn't see the brown elephant cocktail (made with Amarula and Coca Cola) that was previously announced, but I'd already decided it would be safer and cheaper to try that particular combination at home. Overall, I am still really devastated about the lava cake, but I am excited to try some new things. Maybe our theme for dinner one night should be "Dishes We Cannot Get at F&W Festival This Year" and I'll make myself a brown elephant, some lava cake for dessert, and I'll whip up some sheep's pluck for Brian.
[/COLOR]

I wouldn't worry too much about the Veggie haggis... it's pretty much as traditional as the original these days and usually offered as an alternative in most restraunts and pubs! also in the Banoffee tart with bananas are the bananas extra to the ones in the banoffee (banoffee being the a culmination of the words Banana and Toffee) *** thats odd...but cool i guess.... you will love it Banoffee pie is my all time favourite dessert...is it scottish? i didn't know that...you learn something new every day!

anyway just wanted to say i am loving the ptr!!!! totes looking forward to more and WANT to see the costumes!!! Awesome#!

 

[holleypie]

Today I read an article about a new J.D. Salinger biography being released on September 3 and I thought, "Oh, that's cool. I should re-read all of my Salinger books in August before the biography comes out." Then I realized today is AUGUST 27TH. I have no idea where the time goes.

So, that means today we're one month away from our trip. Our plans are as solid as they're going to be, so I thought I'd post our daily itinerary now.

Friday September 27: I'm off work and Brian's coming home early so we can leave in the early evening. I'm hoping that my mom will keep Luke in the morning so I can take care of any last minute stuff...and take a nap! We're driving all night long, baby.

Saturday September 28: Arrive in Orlando, who knows when. The drive itself is about 13 hours, so if we leave the night before at 6pm and figure two hours for gas/bathroom/snack breaks, then that puts us there around 8am. We're probably going to be tired and cranky. We don't have any plans other than getting settled into the hotel. Check-in isn't officially until 4pm but I realllllly hope our room is ready early because I'm sure we will need a nap.

Sunday September 29: Start the trip off properly with a visit to the Magic Kingdom. They close at seven so we might head over to Downtown Disney in the evening.

Monday September 30: We take advantage of our hotel's convenient location and visit Seaworld. Then we're checking out and moving to...The Beach Club!

Tuesday October 1: In the morning we'll head to Animal Kingdom and have lunch at Yak and Yeti. For the evening, Brian has "Earl/Bodies" written on the spreadsheet which makes me think of the Dixie Chicks song "Goodbye Earl" where they kill the abusive husband and throw his body in the trunk. But I think he means dinner at Downtown Disney.

Wednesday October 2: This morning we're splitting up. Those of us who can swim are going to the water park. Those of us who are deathly afraid of water and/or cannot swim will be relaxing and gallivanting around the Beach Club/Boardwalk area. I might walk over to Epcot or DHS with Luke. Then we'll all probably hit up the Food and Wine Festival in the evening.

Thursday October 3: Epcot bright and early, and then over to Magic Kingdom in the afternoon/evening for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. We hit a snafu with our Wreck-It Ralph costumes--it's fairly impossible to find a cheap pair of brown overalls for a grown man. So, we bought Luke a costume from the Disney Store and Brian and I picked up some accessories from the thrift store and now we're going to be...

Wreck-It Ralph would have been much more creative, but oh well. This was cheaper and easier.

Friday October 4: Breakfast at Cape May, then over to Wide World of Sports for packet pickup. Then we'll visit the famous Stormalong Bay and hang out on the Boardwalk.

Saturday October 5: Luke's race! Then we're off to Hollywood Studios. Lunch at Mama Melrose. Hopefully a nap, at some point, then I'll be heading back to Hollywood Studios for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler which starts at the ungodly hour of...10pm. The afterparty runs until 4am. Brian's been waffling but at this point I think he has decided NOT to go, so I'll be partying solo.

Sunday October 6: Animal Kingdom. Then...who knows.

Monday October 7: Time to leave. I'd like to finish the trip at Magic Kingdom before we head out, but I don't know if that would be Sunday night or Monday morning because I'm not sure when Brian wants to leave. Okay, so I guess the itinerary isn't as solid as I thought it was.

 

[holleypie]

Decisions, decisions. Just when you think you have everything planned....bam.....along comes SeaWorld.

Personally, I would try and fit it in...but if it is a choice between less time at Epcot or AK, I'd pick AK. Not that I don't love AK or anything; but Epcot is what makes WDW special. You will find wild animal parks dotted across the world; but there is nowhere like Epcot that I've found (although there might be something similar in Shenzhen, China but I haven't visited it yet to compare). I'm rambling.....Splitting the day between AK and Ep seems like the best option.

It feels like we don't have anywhere near enough Epcot time scheduled! But I think, considering we're staying at the Beach Club, I'll be able to sneak over there more often than planned...

I wouldn't worry too much about the Veggie haggis... it's pretty much as traditional as the original these days and usually offered as an alternative in most restraunts and pubs! also in the Banoffee tart with bananas are the bananas extra to the ones in the banoffee (banoffee being the a culmination of the words Banana and Toffee) *** thats odd...but cool i guess.... you will love it Banoffee pie is my all time favourite dessert...is it scottish? i didn't know that...you learn something new every day!

anyway just wanted to say i am loving the ptr!!!! totes looking forward to more and WANT to see the costumes!!! Awesome#!

It's good to know veggie haggis is actually a real thing. I actually had no idea what banoffee was...but I love bananas, so hopefully I'll like it!

 

[glaserjm]

Great itinerary! I think you're really going to end up loving F&W and I think the ToT 10 miler sounds awesome (I'm hoping to run it next year)

I hate when you have a costume idea that you really love and then for one reason or another it can't come together! So frustrating!

I can't believe you're only one month out...that means we're only two months out...it's going to fly by!

 

[the real robp]

Sounds like an awesome itinerary! We'll be there at around the same time as you (Oct. 3-8)... not many days left between now and then!

 

[MataHari22]

Maybe it's not a big deal to lose an Epcot day? Or maybe we could split the first Animal Kingdom day and do Epcot in the evening? Decisions are hard!

I was going to suggest Animal Kingdom and then Epcot in the evening. I am not a Sea World person though. Your itinerary looks good. Hope you have a great time. I will be there the same time 2nd - 9th of October.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Maybe we'll bump into each other at Epcot on the Wed morning.

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

Ebay for those overalls!!! Were doing Ralph/Vanellope/Felix also. Lol.

Jealous of your fall trip, but we will be there in December, so I cant get too upset.

I love your trip planning!! Keep it coming.

 

[Reddog1134]

Ebay for those overalls!!!

I tried but every auction I bid on went up over $40.

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

I tried but every auction I bid on went up over $40.

Oh boo hiss!! I really lucked out. Got a pair for $26!!! Score of the century.

 

[holleypie]

Great itinerary! I think you're really going to end up loving F&W and I think the ToT 10 miler sounds awesome (I'm hoping to run it next year)

I hate when you have a costume idea that you really love and then for one reason or another it can't come together! So frustrating!

I can't believe you're only one month out...that means we're only two months out...it's going to fly by!

Yeah, I've hit the point where instead of thinking, "oooh, only ___ days to go!" it's more like, "oh no, only ___ days to go!" I haven't started my "to do before vacation" list but I will very soon.

Sounds like an awesome itinerary! We'll be there at around the same time as you (Oct. 3-8)... not many days left between now and then!

It will be here before we know it. Aaaah.

I was going to suggest Animal Kingdom and then Epcot in the evening. I am not a Sea World person though. Your itinerary looks good. Hope you have a great time. I will be there the same time 2nd - 9th of October.

I'm not a Sea World person either. I was there once as a teenager but I have practically no memory of it. I'm afraid of fish. I think we'll have fun, though.

Maybe we'll bump into each other at Epcot on the Wed morning.

I'll look for you! It'll be like real life Where's Waldo!

Ebay for those overalls!!! Were doing Ralph/Vanellope/Felix also. Lol.

Jealous of your fall trip, but we will be there in December, so I cant get too upset.

I love your trip planning!! Keep it coming.

I'm jealous of your December trip, so we're even.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We should also keep an eye out for each other at the BCV. We're checking in on the 29th.

 

[amyren]

Just caught up on your TR! Looks like a fun trip! You're going to LOVE BC. We stayed at YC last summer and it was amazing! We booked a pretty last minute trip for early OCT and it looks like we will be at MNSSHP the same night. Look out for baby Carl Fredricksen and his big sister Kevin. I'm trying to talk DH into dressing up but he's being noncommittal Looking forward to more updates!!!

 

[norybell]

I don't usually do PTRs, but I thought I'd pop in...and Simba & I might be at BCV the same time as you! We're tentatively there 9/29-10/3, to meet up with my sister for a very last-minute trip. I've booked the room but not bought plane tickets, because I haven't quite decided whether or not to bite the bullet, since it would mean flying with Simba by myself (DH would have to stay home), and doing one night on our own before my sis gets there. I've flown with him alone before, but he was less mobile then, and now he wants to crawl everywhere.

Think back to when Luke was 11 months...would you have flown alone with him? I would love your advice on this!

October is totally my favorite time of year to go. Last year was the first in a few I couldn't make it, but I had a good excuse (having a baby and all)!

OK, now back to actually read your PTR!

 

[holleypie]

We should also keep an eye out for each other at the BCV. We're checking in on the 29th.

I had to check the itinerary I just posted to see when WE'LL be there. The 30th! Heh. I'll be the crazy lady with the huge baby stroller. I'm sure there won't be too many of those around....

Just caught up on your TR! Looks like a fun trip! You're going to LOVE BC. We stayed at YC last summer and it was amazing! We booked a pretty last minute trip for early OCT and it looks like we will be at MNSSHP the same night. Look out for baby Carl Fredricksen and his big sister Kevin. I'm trying to talk DH into dressing up but he's being noncommittal Looking forward to more updates!!!

If you see a merry band of pirates coming your way, you might want to walk in the other direction--I cannot promise that I won't abduct a baby Carl Fredricksen. That sounds ADORABLE. I hope you can talk DH into dressing up. It's so much fun. PS: I checked out your blog and read all about your European/Disney cruise. Your family takes awesome trips. I'm jealous!

I don't usually do PTRs, but I thought I'd pop in...and Simba & I might be at BCV the same time as you! We're tentatively there 9/29-10/3, to meet up with my sister for a very last-minute trip. I've booked the room but not bought plane tickets, because I haven't quite decided whether or not to bite the bullet, since it would mean flying with Simba by myself (DH would have to stay home), and doing one night on our own before my sis gets there. I've flown with him alone before, but he was less mobile then, and now he wants to crawl everywhere.

Think back to when Luke was 11 months...would you have flown alone with him? I would love your advice on this!

October is totally my favorite time of year to go. Last year was the first in a few I couldn't make it, but I had a good excuse (having a baby and all)!

OK, now back to actually read your PTR!

Thanks for stopping by.

Luke was about 10.5 months the first (and so far only) time we flew. I didn't mind letting him crawl around on the floor so the airport portion of the trip was just fine (and our flight was delayed about an hour!) He was a little fussy and squirmy on the plane but he did okay and fell asleep for about half an hour. I don't know how far away you are, but our flights are only about two hours. I could have handled all that on my own. The only problem I might have had would have been with our luggage. We only checked one bag to save money, so most of our bags were carry-ons, plus we checked the stroller at the gate. If I had to fly alone with Luke, I would have only brought one small bag on the plane with us and let Magical Express deal with everything else. Oh, and he was exhausted by the end of our trip so he slept the entire flight home. If you've flown alone with him before, I'm sure it wouldn't be much harder now. You should do it!

This will be our fourth October in a row. We're not planning ANY trips for 2014 and I'm already sad about it, heh.