My DH wants another trip to WDW?!?! MNSSHP, F&W, and Diagon Alley Sept 14Update 09/12

[jmskinner]

Sometimes my DH really surprises me. A few months ago he mentioned he would like to do MNSSHP again. In that time, some life changing events came up and we have decided to visit Mickey this fall.

The Cast:


Me (Melissa) and DH (Jonas)

We are in the very front, Splash Mountain, my favorite. Log Flumes have always been my favorite rides.

So a little about me. I am a 44 year old WDW addict. Not a huge Disney movie fan, couldn't name all the Princesses, but I love the parks. My first trip was in 2004 when I was 34 and I fell in love. Since we now live so far from the parks, I don't Dis like I use to, but with the booking of this trip, I have the bug to do so again. Plus, I have to learn all about Magic Bands and the new FP+ system. I work part-time at Kohl's in the Young Men's department. I love photography, still learning that manual mode on the camera. Here is my favorite pic I have taken, using manual and a rented wide-angle lens.



Since I love taking pics so much, you won't see a lot of me.

And another pic of Jonas


I have a feeling we will be looking for this Princess again. When we make this trip, he will be on terminal leave. For those not in the military, that means he will be using up the last of his vacation time before he retires. My man made it, 21 years in the Air Force! Hopefully by the time we make this trip, another job will be lined up. Now DH acts like when it comes to WDW, he can take it or leave it, but like I said, he is the one who mentioned going to the party again. He loves Sci-Fi, History (especially the Civil War), and table top gaming. Oh, and then there is his other love, his Mustang. Yeah, he has a few hobbies.

The cast members not going on the trip:


DS, Jacob 15 (yes, he will be driving very soon. )

This was taken at Star Wars Celebration in 2012, he wasn't happy that I was taking his picture and had no idea the Stormtrooper was behind him. So, is he upset we are not taking him...NOOOOOO! If the boy didn't look like me, I would really wonder if there wasn't a switch at the hospital. He likes WDW, but considering we use to live an hour away and I went every chance I got, he got tired of it. He is a lot like his Dad, loves Star Wars, Legos, and video games. He has Aspergers, ADHD, and is a very picky eater. He loves the chicken nuggets at WDW, but not the ones they make for the kids. He asked that I bring him back "some of those delicious chicken nuggets" and some chocolate.

Here is our furbaby, Bubblegum


This was taken after we got home from our trip in the Summer of 2011, she was happy to see us and very happy to be out of the doggie prison...I mean the kennel. No kennel for her this time, her GranRon will be here to take care of her. When he visits, she totally forgets about her Momma.

Don't worry, we are not leaving Jacob and Bubblegum alone, we wouldn't do that to the dog. Jonas' Mom and her boyfriend will be staying with them while we are gone.

Hopefully a few have made it through my ramblings and will join me on my next adventure to see Mickey!

 

[jmskinner]

I usually book WDW trips myself instead of going through a travel agent. This time I thought I would use an agent and help someone make a little money. I am afraid that I am going to make her crazy, since I now feel I have no control.

DH has always wanted to stay at the Contemporary, but a military rate room wasn't available, but Grand Floridian was.

We have always wanted to stay at GF, and it would be great, but I can tell every time I mention it, DH wants the Contemporary.

Yesterday, I was just goofing off on the Disney website and tried 9/22-24 and those dates had rooms available in the tower, which is the only thing we want. But, the only way to find out about the military rate rooms is to call. I have emailed the travel agent and hopefully come Monday I will know something.

Of course, I mention to DH about a possible split stay, and he says he doesn't want to. He says he will have to do all the work. We did do this back in 2012 and we didn't plan it well at all. I think it would be a blast, two deluxes checked off on one trip!

So, what does everyone else think, ever done a split stay?

 

[freckles04]

Your Splash Mountain picture is so cute!

Many thanks to your DH for his service.

I have never done a split stay so I have no advice there.

I look forward to reading more.

 

[jmskinner]

Your Splash Mountain picture is so cute!

Many thanks to your DH for his service.

I have never done a split stay so I have no advice there.

I look forward to reading more.

Thanks for joining. We sort of stole the idea for the picture. We got off the ride and were looking at the ride pictures and two guys had done that same pose, we decided to ride again and do it. Pics like that are making me consider purchasing the Memory Maker. I think that is what they call it now, Geez, that was just 2012 and I feel like I know nothing.

 

[Zooshoveller]

Following!

 

[jmskinner]

Following!

 

[jmskinner]

The travel agent tried to get that Contemporary room, but no military rate rooms available. I'm sure DH is happy.

A little back story here, the reason for this trip is because we were discussing going to Scotland with Adventures by Disney in 2015 to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and have been saving our Disney Rewards Dollars. With DH retiring, we decided that probably was not something we should plan right now since we have no idea if he would be able to take off with a new job. So we decided to take another trip to WDW, since DH said he wanted to do MNSSHP and F&W again. Hey, if we can't go to Scotland, may as well go stay at a deluxe.

Here are our plans:

9/22 arrive by DME, hopefully by 3:00pm
Dinner at Narcoossee's at the GF (Yachtsman Steakhouse is our favorite, but we thought we would try something new)

9/23 Chef Mickey's

Back in 2008, we went to Chef Mickey's, but by that day, we were all exhausted and DS who was 7 at the time, was done. He started having a meltdown. DH decided to take him back to the room and he was asleep by they time they got on the bus from the Contemporary. Since then, DH has requested Chef Mickey's since he "didn't get to eat". When I booked the trip, I tried to get this ADR and no luck. Last week, I checked on the day of our arrival and there was an opening. Wait, we couldn't go that day, well, if we arrive a day earlier. I checked the next day and there was another opening. I guess they opened up a certain time slot, because both ADR's were at the same time. So I got it booked and cancelled the one I had for Crystal Palace.

9/23 continues MNSSHP

Don't have tickets for this yet, but I don't really see it selling out any time soon.

9/24 F&W

Even though we lived an hour from WDW for 3 years (think I forgot to mention that), we only tried F&W once. When we got there, I got all excited because there were no lines for the rides, so we didn't try the food. DH was like this . Back in 2012, DH was at a conference in Orlando and I flew down to meet him and we did F&W the right way. DH was like this .

I was super excited when I looked at the list for the Eat to the Beat Concerts and saw this guy, and on the night we would be there:





These are from 2010. DH was in Afghanistan and didn't get to see him, but he will this time.

9/25 Universal

Another of DH's requests. He hasn't been to the Harry Potter section and with Diagon Alley opening, I am super excited. I was able to see the HP section when I went with DS and the band when he was in middle school.

DH sure has a lot of requests...

 

[ArielLunchBox]

Congrats on your husband retiring! And I totally feel you about being more of a parks girl than about the movies. I think the films and everything are awesome, but the parks have my heart! Anyway, this sounds exciting! And I absolutely love F&W... that's a GREAT time to be there so I look forward to hearing more about it!

 

[jmskinner]

Congrats on your husband retiring! And I totally feel you about being more of a parks girl than about the movies. I think the films and everything are awesome, but the parks have my heart! Anyway, this sounds exciting! And I absolutely love F&W... that's a GREAT time to be there so I look forward to hearing more about it!

Thanks for joining! I've always been a theme park fan. In college I read about a family that took two weeks and hit every theme park they could during that time. I have wanted to do that ever since...or I would be happy with a trip to DL. DH won't go to California.

 

[jmskinner]

Second load of laundry in the washer and one load of dishes already done, I think a little Dis'ing is deserved.

I have three days off work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but a day off where I don't have to go anywhere is my type of day. Even if I do need to clean house.

I mentioned tickets and flights in this chapters title. For WDW we plan on buying the Military Salute Ticket, that is 4 day park hoppers, that we really don't need, but it is a good deal and we sure do appreciate WDW offering them. We lived in Tampa for three years and got spoiled since the base travel office there has tickets on hand all the time. Not here at the Pentagon, nope, you have to order them. So, do we order them in August or just wait until we arrive and buy them at SoG? From what I have read about FP+, we can't make selections until we have tickets in hand, so I can't imagine me waiting to get there to get those tickets and make our FP selections.

We also plan to go to MNSSHP, so that is another ticket we need.

For Universal we plan on using MEARS to get to the park, have a 1 day/2 park pass with their express pass. That is about $400 for one day. I don't see us going back there for several years, so I think it will be worth it. We have been there as a family, back before HP was built and as previously stated I have been there since.

Flights! Oh doesn't everyone just love to buy plane tickets. I am dying to buy them, but we have gotten hit with some expenses this month. My DSD(stepdaughter) needed her apartment paid for two months, and we have rented a cabin for July 4th and the final payment for that was due. Plus car registrations and inspections. Why oh Why!

Here is the view from the cabin we are renting in NC:



We rented it last year so we could get together with DH's family before he deployed for Afghanistan. It was so fabulous we decided to do it again this year before we even left.

Here are some more pics:


Yes, I had to give this tub a try


But here is the best part...the basement










I'm thinking that tomorrow I will do a little mini-TR of one of our previous trips. Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[jmskinner]

Since I don't have any new updates to post, thought I would do a little TR of my last visit to WDW.

Over a year ago, I was on the Disboards and saw on the Resort page that there were no rooms at CSR in August. I looked at a website I had found that lists all conventions being held at CSR. Everything looks like a normal business type convention except for "Mustangs at the Mickyard". Wait, do they mean the Ford Mustang? So I googled it and sure enough the Mustang Club of America was holding their Nationals, Labor Day Weekend at the Walt Disney World Raceway. And the best part, a room at CSR was $99 if you booked as part of the group. Oh, and you received one after 4pm park ticket. DH wasn't interested since there was a gaming convention in town he wanted to attend. So I asked my DBFF, she was interested, but no set plans were made, except I went ahead and booked a room, just in case. But I didn't book at CSR, seems POR was the overflow hotel, so I booked there. My favorite resort for $99, and a water view room!

Then DH thought he might go, but something else happened. DS was going to start his freshman year of high school, which didn't start until after Labor Day, but orientation was the Thursday before. These schools interfering with Disney plans. I even priced the autotrain, thinking DH could head down in the Mustang on the train, DS and I would catch a late flight and meet him there.

Then the Air Force decided to mess us up also, DH received orders to deploy to Afghanistan and he would leave the first week of August. He said we could still go. I told my DBFF that I couldn't leave DS behind with his Dad gone, thought it would stress him out. She was fine with that, didn't really work for her either. But should DS and I go?

Finally I got the hours for orientation, and decided to make the trip. I knew we wouldn't do much with DH gone.

So that Thursday before Labor Day weekend, we were at orientation at 2pm. Went to his percussion lesson at 5:30 and then off to the airport. We were to fly out at 9pm that night, but the plane was delayed elsewhere. We were originally suppose to arrive at MCO around 11pm. We got there closer to 1am. I went ahead and got our luggage so we wouldn't be woken up by CM's bringing it to us. Hopped on the ME and we were off.

Ever wonder what it is like to be the last guest to check in at a resort? I had never seen POR look so deserted. There was only one CM in the lobby, and he greeted us right when we walked in instead of having me go to the desk. Even told us we were the last.

I wish I had taken my camera out, because the pics would have been beautiful, but I was too tired at this point.

I'll continue this later.

 

[jmskinner]

Hope everyone is doing well. I feel like I have been losing my mind. Forgetting to call doctor offices to reshedule appointments, forgetting to sign documents for the school....

I have also been experiencing abdominal pain for the past week. Had an ultrasound done today and they found nothing, so now I need to see a GI doctor. Getting old is so much fun.

I should be happy we are staying at GF in September, but I keep thinking about the Contemporary. Every few days I check to see if anything is open, there is, just not willing to spend $500 a night. Now if the DH had another job already lined up, that would be different.

That is about all on the September trip for now, think I will post an update on our last trip. Thanks for following along!

 

[jmskinner]

When I left off, we arrived at POR a little after 1am. We had stayed at POR since the refurbishment one time, but the only room available at the military rate was the Royal Princess Suite, which was nice, but no princesses in this family. This time we were staying in a regular room and even though it was early, I mean EARLY, in the morning, I had to take pics








By the time stamp on these pics, it was now 2am. Jacob and I changed and fell asleep quickly.

We both slept in the next morning. But eventually made it out of the room at...10:30. Never have I stayed in the room until that late in the morning. We headed over to the food court for some lunch.








Jacob got his favorite, chicken nuggets. I think I got the caesar salad with steak, which I ended up eating several times on this trip.

We needed to get to CSR to catch the special bus to the Speedway, so we hoped on one of these to DTD



Stopped for a pic on the way to the bus depot





The shirt I am wearing is from Mustangs and Mustangs, which is an annual Mustang event at Fanstasy of Flight, which is just up the road from WDW. If you like planes, it is a cool place to visit. The picture of the shirt is of my husband's Stang in front of a P-51 Mustang.

It seems we were the only people heading to a resort this time of morning



We got to CSR and had a hard time finding where we needed to be, but eventually we were pointed down to the convention area. We then had to wait for another bus to the Speedway.

The wait wasn't bad since we were watching all the cars arrive



I grew up going to car shows, my Dad had a 62 Corvette when I was in high school. I get all excited for any really nice car.

Eventually the bus arrived and took us over to the TTC parking lot. It seems we needed to catch a van to the speedway. The tunnel under the track isn't big enough for the large coach buses. I heard there were waits of two hours to do this at one point. Guess they didn't realize how many people would show up. But we finally made it to Mustangs at the Mickyard.






We roamed around for a little over an hour. Boy was it hot! I don't think they thought about it being Summer, in Florida, and surrounded by concrete. Felt really sorry for the older folks, it really was too hot to stay with your car all day.

Jacob had only requested two things about this trip, he wanted WDW chicken nuggets and he wanted to go to DisneyQuest. When we moved away from FL, we spent our last weekend at WDW. DH was at a gaming convention and Jacob and I went to Disneyquest. He wanted to play Tron since the new movie came out, but it was broken. Two years later, he still wanted to play Tron. I thought DQ would be a good thing to do in the afternoon since it would be air conditioned, so we got in line for the van, then the bus to CSR, and then another bus back to DTD. This trip was all about bus rides.

We spent a few hours in Disneyquest, which I spent most of the time sitting on a bench, fighting the urge to nap. We then went back to POR, where I am sure Jacob got more chicken nuggets. Later that night we got to Facetime with Jonas. Thank you WDW for free Wifi!

Next up, more cars!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

[jmskinner]

Since moving away from FL I always feel like I will never make it back to WDW. Now I have the possibility for two more trips.

Seems the music department at DS's school was thinking of Toronto, but now are leaning towards WDW!

And I posted on FB about the Star Wars Magic Bands and my BFF mentioned how much she wanted to go back. (Her family just vetoed a trip to WDW and opted for a cruise. ) I responded we could go anytime. She is like me and hates paying for the plane ticket. I mentioned we could always stay at a value resort. Her response? "When would you want to go?" Oh, that just opened up a door! I think once the next military offer is announced, I'll just book a room and hope it works outs.

Hope everyone is having a good week and stay safe with all this crazy weather!

 

[jmskinner]

Now it is Saturday morning. Last full day of our trip. I let Jacob sleep in and I headed over to the food court for my coffee. My pics tell me it was a little after 8am.













Got my coffee and headed back to the room. Then got Jacob up and let him go swimming. I didn't want to because that would mean two hours trying to wash, dry, and straighten my hair. I know, straightening my hair in that humidity sounds crazy, but my hair is so thick, that when curly, I look like I have this huge puff when pulled back in a ponytail. Yes, I straighten my hair, just pull it back in a ponytail.

Jacob had a great time swimming
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Jacob was almost 15 on this trip, is that too old for the slide.....
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Another pic of the resort




Our room


The different blooms on plants fascinate me, so I have lots of pics of things like this


Of course we stopped at the food court for lunch, had to get Jacob more chicken nuggets



I think he had two orders.

 

[jmskinner]

Was worried I was going to have too many images.

We made it to CSR and checked out all the cars



I think Jacob thought he was shopping for his 16th birthday gift


You can see there were a few cars


Mickey and Minnie were taking a break


I had hoped to get a pic of this one, since my Dad had a 62 Vette at one time, but these men would not leave



I have to share pics of this PT Cruiser, that the paint job tells the whole story of Don Quixote as you walk around the car.





See how the dash is painted


When you look through the back of the car, to the front, that dash displays on the windshield


The artwork was amazing!

Jacob liked this


Knight Rider was there


We found The Bandit's car


But never found him.

We headed inside, where there were more cars and even some items from the movies

Tron








Anyone know what this is from?






Only one more chapter of this little trip and I will be done.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

[freckles04]

Beautiful pics of POR!

The car convention looks incredible. My DS would have an absolute fit! You'd think they would hold it in a cooler part of the year, though. Is this something they hold annually?

Love the Dumb & Dumber van. Is that the original or a replica??? It's one of my favorite silly comedies.

Hope your stomach is feeling better.

That cabin... WOW! Incredible! I wouldn't mind living there.

 

[jmskinner]

Beautiful pics of POR!

The car convention looks incredible. My DS would have an absolute fit! You'd think they would hold it in a cooler part of the year, though. Is this something they hold annually?

Love the Dumb & Dumber van. Is that the original or a replica??? It's one of my favorite silly comedies.

Hope your stomach is feeling better.

That cabin... WOW! Incredible! I wouldn't mind living there.

Thank you!

This was a first for the Dream Car Weekend and the Mustang Club of America. MCA seems to hold Nationals Labor Day weekend. Most participants weren't happy with how the show was run.

Dream Car Weekend has been trying to set something else up, but the hotel rates would be higher and then the resorts aren't wanting to hold it there.

Disney did just hold their Car Masters week at DTD, I hope to make that sometime. Samething though, they should hold it when it is cooler. Most of the car shows in FL stop during the summer, I'm sure because of the heat.

Did I mention that cabin is named "Livin' The Dream"? It is now our dream to retire on that mountain and build one. We will be there in a week.

 

[natebenma]

So glad to see you back here! I was actually thinking of you the other day and wondering if you were still DISing.

I just quickly read through your intro, need to come back to read, but your fall trip sounds fantastic.

I'll try to keep up, but I really stink at following pretrip reports since I am always behind on my report, the Beach & Yacht Club FAQ and my other subscriptions.

"See" you real soon!

Dee

 

[Zooshoveller]

Disney and a car show?! Oh be still my heart!