Military, Money, Motivation a December 2011 PTR

[kirrrby]

First off, may I welcome you to my very first PTR!!! To those who are reading thank you!

My name is Heather, aka Kirrrby. I'm 21 and this is marking my 30th trip to Walt Disney World!!!! I have never been to any of the other Disney's but one day I would love to go to them one day.

Here is the Cast of Characters:

Me; a total possibly over planner, Disney loving, country girl. Im the type of person who tears up during Disney commercials, and when I listen to Disney music.

My Dbf Joey; This will be his first Disney trip since he was too young to ride anything. He isn't sold on Disney yet, but I will convert him. *devious grin*

And then accompanying us will be my Mother and Father. They will not be featured in any pics, as they aren't very photogenic. Maybe i'll be able to snap a few pictures during our trip. They are the reason why I'm a Disney-nut. My first trip was with them in 1992 with my Grandfather and step-grandmother, we've been going every year since; except 2004.

When:

December 16th - 23rd

Where:

All Star Sports Resort
sidenote: this is our "home" resort. No we are not DVC owners, but one day I hope to be. We have stayed at this resort for the past 4 years of trips besides the one back in April where we stayed at Shades of Green.

Why:

Joey's Birthday, Mom's birthday, annual Disney trip!

Joey's birthday is December 12th, my Mother's is December 31st.

Next Up: Our Plans! ​

 

[kirrrby]

Chapter Links!
Planning? I'm not planning. I swear!
Foodies!
Randomness of Planning!​

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[kirrrby]

Now, it’s time for the planning!
This is the first trip that I got to plan. Yep, all by myself.

Now, a little back-story. This trip almost didn’t happen. Even though we’re leaving in 28 days it’s still hard to believe we’re going to go this year. Back in December of last year I married who I thought to be my soulmate. I. Was. WRONG. We lasted maybe 3 months at the most before it all started going to H-E-Double hockey sticks. So we’re in separation now for a year. My soon to be ex husband is in the Marine Corps, which makes me a “dependent”. I won’t go into much detail about that, but since we’re still in separation I still have my benefits. Which made planning Disney cheaper.

My Dbf is a guy who I’ve known for a while. He and I have been dating since May. He is in the Navy, so he gets the Disney discounts also. He also gets somewhat annoyed when I talk about Disney incessantly. Like I said.. I WILL convert him. He is part of the reason why I was so afraid that Disney wouldn't happen this year. He put in his leave, and they just laughed. So after putting it in again and again, until they approved it. FINALLY. It was so nerve wracking. He even got the part where we will be going back to SC after our Disney trip to see his family for the rest of December!

Also, my mother lost her job back in January. Her boss fired her because she was “not in the planned future of the company”. Fortunately, she got another job with very lovely staff back in September. She loves it there, and in fact yesterday I got framed prints of the Castle and the Fort Wilderness boat dock at Sunrise for her office. We’re thankful she got a job, because it’s what made Disney possible for my Parents this year!

We are planning December 16th-23rd, because it’s during the time that we usually go and the blackout date for the Military discount is December 24th.
We booked two rooms at All Star Sports, non preferred. Put in our room requests for ground floor and fridge for Diabetic medications.

We booked two rooms because one room for 4 adults is just way too cramped. Plus the amount of luggage I pack would take up most of the room. Just kidding!

We will NOT be on the Dining Plan, since we share meals. The portions at Disney are just huge. Plus I’m losing weight before Disney. Which will be later mentioned in the “Motivation” part of my PTR title.

We choose to drive. Simply because my Dad’s vertigo really messes with him when he flies. It’s 636 miles from our town to All Star Sports. Not including our traditional stops we make along I-95. Ironically the part of our drive that really makes me realize that I’m going to be in Disney world soon is our stop at Palm Coast. Exit 289 off I-95, there is a Publix supermarket. They always have fresh Chicago hard rolls, very good pineapple, and the nicest people (which makes sense, it’s mostly a retirement community). I’ve made it a point that we have to stop there every trip to Disney. I also have to say, and I’m probably not the only one… I HATE DRIVING ON I-4!! I hate it mainly because it’s just always crowded. Ugh.

 

[amazingact21]

Hi Heather! I just read the start of your PTR; the title of it caught my eye. I went to Disney in December last year, because my (at the time) DBF got leave from the military. The time of your trip is one of my favorite times to visit. The holidays make WDW extra special.

Driving on I-4 is terrible! I agree with you, completely. I hate, hate, hate it.

All Star Sports is a nice resort, I felt like I was at home when I stayed there before. Plus, it's never very crowded, which some of the other resorts tend to be.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[kirrrby]

Hi Heather! I just read the start of your PTR; the title of it caught my eye. I went to Disney in December last year, because my (at the time) DBF got leave from the military. The time of your trip is one of my favorite times to visit. The holidays make WDW extra special.

Driving on I-4 is terrible! I agree with you, completely. I hate, hate, hate it.

All Star Sports is a nice resort, I felt like I was at home when I stayed there before. Plus, it's never very crowded, which some of the other resorts tend to be.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

Thanks for reading! I actually think I read your TR from 2010 (after you finished it). Because I remember the first few chapters, but i'm going to re-read it.

 

[kirrrby]

Now, I left off with our driving plans. But what about our Disney plans? Well.. They’re very in depth, in my opinion.

I’ve already stated when we’re going and why we’re going. Now, you probably want to know where we’re eating right? I mean a true Diser is a foodie while at Disney. We’re sort of foodies when we go, but our tastes are just sticking to the same ol’ same ol’ during this one. Here are a list of our ADR’s, in no particular order. I’ll be saving the day-by-day ADR’s for the TR.


Cracker Barrel. This is probably the ONLY place I’ll eat breakfast out of the house at. That and Bob Evans.

Brown Derby. This is my fathers favorite restaurant. If they were to EVER take off the White Chocolate Banana Toffee Tower dessert off the menu, we would probably stop going. Also if they took off the Tuna Tartare with Lotus Root Chips, I’d be highly disappointed.

Liberty Tree. I always try to catch the day that has the Navy Bean soup. It’s amazing. But they only make it on select days. I had it back in 2008 and haven’t caught them serving it yet.

Rose & Crown. My father decided we would try this again. After finding Raglan Road, they just don’t compare much. Raglan Road is much better. But since they apparently brought back the cheese plate, we’re giving it another try.

Raglan Road. I have to say that the Guinness dip with the bread is amazing. I also like the braised ribs. The entertainment here is amazing, but it gets VERY loud in there when the shows start.

Narcoosee’s. The last time we came here was back in 2007, for my mom’s birthday. This is her birthday choice again. So we will be celebrating her birthday here early, since we won’t be here during her actual birthday.

Yakitori House. This is one of the two planned counter services we have. We’re hoping it will be open when we go. They’re renovating something there, not sure what but hopefully they update those bathrooms. They’re probably some of the nastiest in WDW.

Sunshine Seasons. We always do this on Epcot days. We grab a FP for Soarin, ride Soarin in Stand-by and then eat breakfast at Sunshine Seasons. It’s a good breakfast option because they always have a lot to choose from. Then we use our FP’s for Soarin.

Kona Café. This is MY favorite restaurant. We try to make it for Dinner, because that’s when they start serving Sushi. I have to say the Noodles and the Tuna Poke is amazing. By the way, Tuna is probably the ONLY sushi I will eat.

Captains Grille. They have the best steaks here, in a affordable price range. We found this place after getting weaseled out of a Cape May Café ADR, back in 2007. We had made an ADR for Cape May and arrived there 15 minutes late due to the boats running behind. They gave away our ADR. We weren’t too upset about it, but probably won’t go back.

House of Blues. This place has amazing ribs according to my father. Plus I’ll take up any place that serves sweet potato fries.

Trails End. We came here last year, the food was good and the servers were nice. They have traditional food, which makes it easier to please Dbf.

Lets just say that most of the time, our ADR’s round out where we’ll be going each day. My father hates to plan that closely, but it ends up working out with our travel habits all the time.

 

[kirrrby]

Calling all lurkers! Let me know you're reading!

I promise an update soon and I hope to make it as thrilling at a PTR can be.

 

[kdka421]

Hey Heather! Glad you started a PTR! I look forward to reading this, and the TR you've promised me you're going to write

I completely relate to what you were saying about you not thinking this trip was going to happen because of your Dbf's leave time and stuff. My husband's job has always been the same way with vacation time, you almost have to beg them for time off; and even once they approve it, there is always a nagging feeling that they might cancel it on you (they've done it before, not to us thankfully). I'm so glad everything was able to work out for you.

Your restaurant list sounds yummy - there's quite a few there that I haven't made it to yet, will have to add them to a future to-do list

 

[kirrrby]

Hey Heather! Glad you started a PTR! I look forward to reading this, and the TR you've promised me you're going to write

I completely relate to what you were saying about you not thinking this trip was going to happen because of your Dbf's leave time and stuff. My husband's job has always been the same way with vacation time, you almost have to beg them for time off; and even once they approve it, there is always a nagging feeling that they might cancel it on you (they've done it before, not to us thankfully). I'm so glad everything was able to work out for you.

Your restaurant list sounds yummy - there's quite a few there that I haven't made it to yet, will have to add them to a future to-do list

I'm really hoping that Dbf's command sticks to their word that it's set in stone. He's not in a high demand batallion.

Also, the restaurants we chose are all to familiar to us. My mom and I tried to eat at different places in April but we just were not feeling it.

Also, i'm hoping to do a TR. But it seems really hard to get readers so hopefully as I keep writing i'll get more readers.

 

[kdka421]

Also, i'm hoping to do a TR. But it seems really hard to get readers so hopefully as I keep writing i'll get more readers.

Readers are nice...but the way I looked at it, I'd write it even if it was just my mom and I reading it, I enjoyed writing it just for the sake of writing it and having a chance to think back on everything we did! Having readers was an extra bonus That's how I felt anyway, probably not everyone would feel the same.

 

[kirrrby]

Well, this update has been in the process over the past few days, but I’ve also been making decorations! We’re heading down before Christmas, but I figured I’d decorate our room for Christmas anyways. I still haven’t decided on the mini tree yet. But I have some super cute (at least I think so) Mickey Head decorations I made on the computer. I also made a cute sign for our window. I just have to figure out how to hang them without upsetting the resort. I’m thinking command hooks. Have any one of you used them before?


This is the sign for our window:

These are the green mickey heads. They'll be put together as a garland to frame our window with red mickey heads!:

These are my favorite. I love Zebra print. It's my mission while i'm at Disney to find Zebra Print Mickey Ears.

OH! I also order this stuff for Disney. YukiPhnx mentioned it in her TR – Tiger Balm (red) – I figured why not? Plus it supposedly smells amazing. I got a great deal on it from Ebay. They were selling four 18mg bottles for 15 bucks and free shipping! Seeing as the small ones are like 8 bucks a piece here at GNC, I decided to wing it and buy from Ebay. They should be here on Tuesday! I’m really getting it so my dad will shut up. We’re so afraid that he’ll be in a bad mood while we’re at Disney because of his Rotator Cuff injury. They gave him a cortisone shot at the Dr office yesterday. It helps a bit, but he still puts everyone in a bad mood when he’s in one.

Now, Dbf has no idea I’ve put his Birthday on any of our reservations, so that’s going to be a surprise for him. Since he doesn’t read the boards he won’t know about it.

Friday I called to book boarding for our animals. I have one dog and a cat, and my parents have two dogs and two cats. I don’t have pictures of my parents animals, but I have one of my Ginger (dog) and Ellie May (cat).

My cat could care less if I leave, but Ginger on the other hand..she’s got severe separation anxiety. When we got her she was seized from a drug house raid, and they were planning to put her down because she might have been disassociated with humans. But she’s a very cuddly puppy. She has had this one toy since she was 6 weeks old that she will never part with. No matter how many times I patch the darn thing up. But since she’ll be with her sister (Lucy, my moms black lab) in the same run, so we’re hoping she’ll do fine.

We’re still teetering on the idea of doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour or the Segway Around the World tour. I have a friend in Gainesville, FL who did the Segway tour and they said it was fun, and I’ve read a few TR’s on here with people who’ve done the Keys to the Kingdom. We figured instead of doing MVMCP we’d do a tour (Dbf, Mom and I) My dad isn’t a tour type of person.

I also realized I didn’t talk about the type of tickets we are getting. I went by the base before Veterans Day and bought our Military 4 day promotional park hoppers. They’re listed at 138, but that base was selling them for 135.50. Not much difference, but it saved us a couple more dollars than regular park prices. We’re going to have 8 days total of park days, 2 promo tickets per person. That’s 271 dollars for an 8 day versus the 311$ I think that is the regular tickets. So we’re happy we’re saving a few dollars per ticket.

 

[Pluto_fan]

I'm here from the SOG thread. Sounds great so far, and I'm looking forward to reading along!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Just so you know, I'm subscribed and will be back to catch up!

 

[Angel16]

Joined you from the SOG thread. Looking forward to reading all the way up to date soon.

 

[kirrrby]

This is going to be a short PTR update. Tomorrow I head out to Dbf’s families place. I’m going down for Thanksgiving. He is so ready to get home. Even if we’re going right back after our trip to Disney. But the last time he saw his family was October.

Now, his mom told me not to bring anything, but I’m one of those people who cannot walk into someone’s house and stay without bringing something. It’s the southern hospitality I suppose. So I bought a strawberry shortcake and made low calorie, low fat, reduced sugar Preacher cookies. My grandmother gave me this recipe but I altered it to make it more Diabetic friendly. Dbf’s dad is a Type 2 diabetic and I’m a type 1. So it’s hard to find low sugar things.

I called Disney on Monday and requested king beds in our rooms. Hopefully we’ll get them. It’s just really hard to fit two adults on a double sized bed. Especially when Dbf is 6’4”.

Recently I comprised a Youtube playlist that has video clips from Disney; Surprise videos, the “10 top things to do at Disney” with Stacey! It just makes me happy.

OH! And Disney changed their December hours. It seems like Magic Kingdom is opening at 8 am every day we’re there. Animal Kingdom opens up at 7 am twice while we’re there too. That’ll be fun. We’re not really the sleep in type, we’re up bright and early and off to the parks about 45 minutes before Rope Drop. Except last December, where I got sick one day and slept in.

I have also decided to skip Black Friday this year. I worked it last year and witnessed some things that made me worry about mankind. Plus there isn’t anything major I really need to have right now. So saving the money to spend at Disney!

Anyways, that’s all I have for right now.
I hope everyone has a good Turkey Day!

 

[kirrrby]

I'm here from the SOG thread. Sounds great so far, and I'm looking forward to reading along!

Just so you know, I'm subscribed and will be back to catch up!

Joined you from the SOG thread. Looking forward to reading all the way up to date soon.

Thank ya'll for reading!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Loving your PTR. We will be at the World around the same time as you (15th to 20th) at ASMu.

 

[kirrrby]

Hey readers! It’s been a while. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving week/weekend. Mine was a typical turkey day (even if I don’t eat turkey). It was very eventful. I went to Dbf’s house and introduced his mom’s dog to my dog. They bickered the whole time.

Anyways, we’re getting so close to our leave date. I’m so very excited. I made the checklist and everything for our few days before Disney. I’m getting anxious, so anxious that I’m packing the small things. Of course I can’t pack clothing yet, even if they weather right now looks good (just rain for this week). I’ll take rain over cold any day. I just want 70 degrees during the day and no less than 40’s at night. That would be AMAZING! That would mean that I could ride Kali River Rapids and not be freezing.

I must say I have a new favorite store. Target. Love it. I picked up a bunch of clearance stuff like soap for Dbf and laundry detergent. I even got some Shout stain wipes for free. We will need those at Disney. I also found a GREAT deal on Biotrue Contact lens solution. I had a 1$ off coupon and a 2$ target coupon. So at 7.99 – 3.00 = 4.99 for the first box (1 10 oz. bottle, 1 4oz bottle, 1 case, 1 travel bag) it has over 45 dollars in savings. So I open the box to see the “savings” it had a 4$ manufacturer coupon in it (along with others). So in conjunction with the target coupon that’s a savings of 6 bucks PER box. So I picked up about 4 boxes for 16 bucks (after taxes) so I’m stocked up on contact lens solution for a while. I also love that Target is a big Disney sponsor. I got a few Disney shirts for about 4 dollars each.

We also heard some (hopefully) good news. We were hoping the Liberty Belle Riverboat would be open when we go. Originally they had it on the refurb list for a while and even into February. But from reports on the Dis is that it’s open! Woohoo!

The next few chapters will roughly outline our day to day plan I don't want to give away much. I gotta have something to put in my TR!

 

[kdka421]

Hey hon! I just wanted to stop in and wish you a TON of fun on your trip! I probably won't be on the disboards again before you leave - DH and I are getting ready to move back to NY at the end of the month, and all next week we'll be in NY, moving all our stuff into our new place. Very exciting, it's been keeping us terribly busy though!

Hope you, your DBF and your parents have a fantastic time! Can't wait to hear all about it.