My FIRST EVER August 2012 PTR :) (Updated 08/13)

[cbeeindisney]

I like the updates! I love that black bathing suit, so cute! Yay for being in the forties for your countdown!

 

[Eight]

So exciting that your trip is next month!

I've never been to water parks, but they look fun! Are they generally crowded?

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Hey, I wish my bikini size was a small bottom and an xl top! I'm the opposite! Large bottoms and a small top, now that doesn't sound very flattering, does it!!!

Hahahaha! quite a conundrum for both of us!

I like the updates! I love that black bathing suit, so cute! Yay for being in the forties for your countdown!

thank you!! and I'm so excited, it's coming up so quickly, It's crazy!!

So exciting that your trip is next month!

I've never been to water parks, but they look fun! Are they generally crowded?

I know!! Except I'm already dreading leaving my two kitties here at home alone

they are SO much fun!! and if you go early enough in the morning it's not too crazy but it gets pretty packed in the afternoons.

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Packing Updates and a new ADR?

Hello everyone!
Soooo... I've finally started my packing (a little early, i know, but I'm just too excited!) I've started heading to the nearest drugstore to pick up items that I can store until the trip!

So far I've got:

toiletries!!
well... not all of the toiletries I'll be needing but most!
as you can see I've bought,

1. --> Deodorant
   --> toothpaste
   --> toothbrush
   --> comb
   --> hair clips
   --> bath and body works body butter and sanitizer
   --> a FULL bottle of Dove intensive repair shampoo (you can't tell from the pictures as they're pretty old but I have quite long, THICK, hair.. a full bottle of shampoo is necessary)
   --> a much smaller bottle of tressemme damage repair conditioner (can you tell my hair has been colour treated and needs all the help it can get?)
   --> EOS lip balm (a must!)
   --> and what you can't see (packed away in a pocket) is my atomizer filled with my current favourite perfume Daisy by Marc Jacobs
   --> and dental floss!

so as you can see I'm already well on my way to getting started! If any of you have suggestions on must-pack items PLEASE let me know, I'm always up for suggestions!

I've also received my Disney Movie Rewards gift cards!

DMR had recently offered $10 disney gift cards for 1000 points each and since I had 2000 points I ordered two! 20 free dollars to spend on merch! YAY!

NOW... onto the exciting news, well exciting for me that is.

A NEW ADR!

My mother is a HUGE breakfast person and was clearly not impressed that we chose our ADR's and none of which included a breakfast so she has offered to take us out to breakfast (not on the dining plan)! We now have an ADR at........

......


..........



................



.........................


.....................................

Kona Cafe!!!


Sunday the 26th at 9am! woohoo! we're planning on taking a taxi over to the poly that morning that way we have lots of time to take a good look at the resort!

I'm VERY excited because I've only heard good things about Kona (DBF LOVES kona) and I've never even been to the polynesian before so I'm excited to take a look around! Not to mention I get to try tonga toast, YUM!

​

 

[mxkris]

I just got my DMR gift card in the mail too! I only got one even though I had enough points for 2 but I couldn't figure out how to increase the quantity to 2 so I figured I would order 1, then order another a few days later. However, I went to order the next day and they were out!! Ugh! I hope they have more before my trip!!

Kona looks sooo good! I would love to eat there if I had another ADR to squeeze in!! I'm excited to explore the Poly when we go to Ohana!!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

I just got my DMR gift card in the mail too! I only got one even though I had enough points for 2 but I couldn't figure out how to increase the quantity to 2 so I figured I would order 1, then order another a few days later. However, I went to order the next day and they were out!! Ugh! I hope they have more before my trip!!

Kona looks sooo good! I would love to eat there if I had another ADR to squeeze in!! I'm excited to explore the Poly when we go to Ohana!!

Awww that's too bad, maybe they'll have another one before you go! I just ordered one right after the other, I wasn't even sure if that was allowed haha I just did it .

Yeah well we really are squeezing this one in.. I'm not even sure we have the time for all of these ADR's but you always need some downtime right? and when else can you indulge in all of this delicious Disney food?!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

40 days!!!!!!​

 

[mxkris]

 

[Halloween Baby]

I'm joining in!! Love your PTR so far! We'll be in Epcot on the same day!! We too are going to IOA to see WWOHP (Our whole family is obsessed!!). How are you getting there?? We're thinking about taking a cab because we don't want to chance the shuttle taking too long and getting there late...

I've been eBay shopping lately for pins too! We've never collected before, but I bought two lots of 25 to get us started. I figured we can trade the ones we don't like for ones we love!! My DS also collect Vinylmations so I'm sure we'll collect some of those on this trip too!

Maybe we can trade pins at Epcot!!

Feel free to stop by my trip report!! Look forward to counting down the days with you!!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

I'm joining in!! Love your PTR so far! We'll be in Epcot on the same day!! We too are going to IOA to see WWOHP (Our whole family is obsessed!!). How are you getting there?? We're thinking about taking a cab because we don't want to chance the shuttle taking too long and getting there late...

I've been eBay shopping lately for pins too! We've never collected before, but I bought two lots of 25 to get us started. I figured we can trade the ones we don't like for ones we love!! My DS also collect Vinylmations so I'm sure we'll collect some of those on this trip too!

Maybe we can trade pins at Epcot!!

Feel free to stop by my trip report!! Look forward to counting down the days with you!!

Hiya! thanks for joining!

that's fantastic!! If we happen to see each other we should definitely trade!!

We'll be taking a taxi to IOA because it seems to be the quickest and cheapest way - It's around $60 for the full trip there and back. I'm worried about what time we should leave at to get to IOA with enough time before the park opens. WWOHP is priority for us and we will be spending the good majority of our day there but we would like to have shorter lines so that we can still see the rest of IOA!

I'm SO excited to start pin trading!! I've been thinking about buying another lot from ebay just so that I have enough to trade.. i just love the ones i already have! who did you buy your lots from? I would love to start collecting vinlymations too but I feel like the pins are enough to keep me busy for now haha!

I'm looking forward to counting down the days with you too! we're almost there!!

ps. heading over to your PTR now!

 

[jocapol]

Just saw your trip report. We'll be at POR same time - royal guest room for my little princess. Glad to know I'm not the only one who has planned my day to day trip. I started my packing list last week and have been buying and storing things since then. Customized WDW maps came yesterday, can't wait for travel documents!!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Just saw your trip report. We'll be at POR same time - royal guest room for my little princess. Glad to know I'm not the only one who has planned my day to day trip. I started my packing list last week and have been buying and storing things since then. Customized WDW maps came yesterday, can't wait for travel documents!!

Well hello, thanks for joining me!
awww i would loooove one of those adorable royal guest rooms, but alas, we can't afford them!

I feel like I've gone waaay overboard on the planning and I'm sure the plans will change a bit once we get there but i just can't miss a thing!

stupid me FORGOT to do the customized maps!! I'm thinking I might make a list of all of the rides we end up hitting and make a map when we return so that I can scrapbook it... maybe?

I'm dying to start packing!!! I have nothing exciting going on for the next few weeks so all I can think about is this trip... that can not be good

 

[Halloween Baby]

Hiya! thanks for joining!

that's fantastic!! If we happen to see each other we should definitely trade!!

We'll be taking a taxi to IOA because it seems to be the quickest and cheapest way - It's around $60 for the full trip there and back. I'm worried about what time we should leave at to get to IOA with enough time before the park opens. WWOHP is priority for us and we will be spending the good majority of our day there but we would like to have shorter lines so that we can still see the rest of IOA!

I'm SO excited to start pin trading!! I've been thinking about buying another lot from ebay just so that I have enough to trade.. i just love the ones i already have! who did you buy your lots from? I would love to start collecting vinlymations too but I feel like the pins are enough to keep me busy for now haha!

I'm looking forward to counting down the days with you too! we're almost there!!

ps. heading over to your PTR now!

Yeah, we're going to do a taxi too! My biggest concern is getting there in time to check into RPR (I decided the money was worth seeing WWOHP both days an hour early - it's my splurge for us! ), then get to the parks on time. We'll probably end up getting there an hour earlier than we need to from my over planning!

We bought our pins from "kenneththecloser" and "real.cool.stuff". Both were great! Real Cool gives 26 pins which is really nice! I got us two lots so Ashton can go to town! I read that most of the resorts have boards in the gift shops to trade pins. You can pick any out and trade yours for the ones on the boards... We're very new to this so I'm sure it will be a learn as we go process!!

Only 24 more days here!!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Yeah, we're going to do a taxi too! My biggest concern is getting there in time to check into RPR (I decided the money was worth seeing WWOHP both days an hour early - it's my splurge for us! ), then get to the parks on time. We'll probably end up getting there an hour earlier than we need to from my over planning!

We bought our pins from "kenneththecloser" and "real.cool.stuff". Both were great! Real Cool gives 26 pins which is really nice! I got us two lots so Ashton can go to town! I read that most of the resorts have boards in the gift shops to trade pins. You can pick any out and trade yours for the ones on the boards... We're very new to this so I'm sure it will be a learn as we go process!!

Only 24 more days here!!

oh how exciting for you guys!! If we could have afforded that I'm sure I would have tried to talk my family into doing that ! Its better to be an hour early than an hour late!! I'm hoping we get our butts in gear early enough to be there BEFORE the park opens rather than right as it is opening!

I might have to try ordering from them if you say the pins were alright! I could use an extra lot because I want to get my mom in on the trading with me! I think it's something she'd have a blast doing . Thanks for letting me know about the boards - also CM's with a certain coloured lanyard only trade with kids right? haha I'd be embarrassed to make that mistake! Orange was it?

We're at 25 days here now!!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

25 DAYS TO GO AND AN UPDATE TO KEEP ME BUSY

Hello friends!!!

I'm sorry I sort of went MIA these last few weeks! It has been insanely busy, my brothers birthday, moms birthday.. and MINE! So my life has been kind of go, go, go.

ON THE BRIGHT HAPPY DISNEY SIDE OF THINGS.. LOOK WHAT CAME IN TODAY.....

THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS... MICKEY MAIL!!

Everything seems to be right (except for the fact that my TA referred to my brother as a girl on the package ) and we could not be more excited. We also got a travel voucher with plenty of fun coupons and goodies - such as our coupon for the preferred fireworks viewing!

I've also been working on my LGMH's! Over in the august boards a lovely DIS-er has made us each our own LGMH's for the trip! here is a shot of mine! (although I haven't cut it out yet )

what do you guys think? cute huh?

in other news, we are going ahead with the photopass+! I love the idea of getting ride photos and dinner photos along with all of the others! I'm SO SO excited about this!

I'm 25 days out and my DBF leaves for L.A with his "best friend/brother" for a week NEXT week so I'm sure without him around to force me to have a life I'll get completely lost in disney planning... uh oh .

We've actually been discussing cancelling our Whispering Canyon ADR.. we're worried it will be too much like Montana's cookhouse and take too much time away from the parks! on the other hand the food looks wonderful and I love the silly antics that go on!! what do you guys think?? I'm stuck at a fork in the road for this one.

ANYWAYS!! I'm off to watch my disney vacation club DVD while attempting to talk my family into joining (muahaha). Hopefully I won't get too caught up in life and I'll update you guys again VERY soon!! ​

 

[mxkris]

Oh very cute LGMH!! I like the Team August part! Very cute!! I need to post my new one in my PTR that BearcarsFan made me!

for Mickey Mail!!! I'm jealous!! 50 here still so it's still gotta go to our TA, then to us, but it'll be here before we know it i'm sure! You're so close! You'll be on our way so soon! I can't wait to see all your pics! Esp the HP ones!!

 

[jocapol]

Love the LGMH, where did you get them? My DD and I would love them(not so much my DH).

I got the Photopass+ in the mail about 3 weeks ago -just a liitle paper to hand in when we get there but I've already packed it. Not really happy with CD pics, mostly animals not much Mickey, Minnie or Princesses. It only took 2 weeks from time of order.

TA called and said she is waiting for our Mickey mail,she hopes next week. Where is it???

Just realized we will be at PO same dates as you. Same problem with flights changing times - we arrive at MCO at 12:35 now! Maybe we'll meet at Magical Express if we don't get rental car. DH hates buses and will gladly spend all my shopping money to rent a car.

Not sure what day at Animal Kingdom yet, but after reading your story, maybe not same day as you (just to avoid the rain)
Just teasing!

Last trip we did the Passport in WS. I think I had more fun getting the stamps than my DD.

I love your pin collection. I wouldn't want to trade them. LOL

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Oh very cute LGMH!! I like the Team August part! Very cute!! I need to post my new one in my PTR that BearcarsFan made me!

for Mickey Mail!!! I'm jealous!! 50 here still so it's still gotta go to our TA, then to us, but it'll be here before we know it i'm sure! You're so close! You'll be on our way so soon! I can't wait to see all your pics! Esp the HP ones!!

Thank you! I'm still trying to figure out which bag to take before I attach them anywhere!

I was ecstatic to get the Mickey Mail since my mom and I had already planned for that day to be a "working on things that need to be done for Disney" day!

I'm thinking I might do a trip report! what do you think?

Love the LGMH, where did you get them? My DD and I would love them(not so much my DH).

I got the Photopass+ in the mail about 3 weeks ago -just a liitle paper to hand in when we get there but I've already packed it. Not really happy with CD pics, mostly animals not much Mickey, Minnie or Princesses. It only took 2 weeks from time of order.

TA called and said she is waiting for our Mickey mail,she hopes next week. Where is it???

Just realized we will be at PO same dates as you. Same problem with flights changing times - we arrive at MCO at 12:35 now! Maybe we'll meet at Magical Express if we don't get rental car. DH hates buses and will gladly spend all my shopping money to rent a car.

Not sure what day at Animal Kingdom yet, but after reading your story, maybe not same day as you (just to avoid the rain)
Just teasing!

Last trip we did the Passport in WS. I think I had more fun getting the stamps than my DD.

I love your pin collection. I wouldn't want to trade them. LOL

Hahaha I'm very excited about the photopass+ ...but I'll still be packing a few cameras of my own, including my SLR

I hope your Mickey Mail comes in soon!!

You land at the same time as me, where are you flying from? we just might see each other there!

very funny! I know, I bring bad weather to the Animal Kingdom apparently! so stay faaar away when i'm there! LOL

and thank you!! I'm having a difficult time deciding which ones to trade too! but I think its too late to order another lot from Ebay because it might not come in on time

 

[Whereisalyssa]

IN NEED OF ADVICE!

Hey everyone, I need a quick piece of advice/your opinions!
I'm still looking to buy a backpack to wear around the parks and carry all of my stuff in... here are the options (tell me which one you prefer):

TOY STORY KIDS BACKPACK (19.99)

SLEEPY KITTY BACKPACK (19.99)

orrrrr....

FAUX LEATHER BACKPACK (41.99)


Thanks everyone!!! ​

 

[Eight]

You can now say you're leaving this month!

I hadn't heard of Photopass+ but now that I've read about it, it makes so much sense that you can get your ride photos too! It's about time they did something like that. I haven't bought a Photopass CD the past two trips, but I would tempted to do something like that now if it includes ride photos.

As for the backpacks, I really like the Toy Story one, but that's mainly because I'm not a huge fan of backpacks that have flaps over the openings, at least not at Disney. Plus, while I can't tell how large the other two are, if the Toy Story one is for kids, it's probably smaller, and I tend to think smaller backpacks are better at WDW, provided they can still fit everything you need. I actually really want to get the Brave kids backpack from the Disney Store, because it's on sale, but I bought a new backpack before my June trip. I'm always obsessed with finding the perfect bag for Disney haha.