New Nurse Hits the World MNSSHP, F&WF, Swolphin: an October PTR

[Beka]

Hey there my fellow Disney addicts! Come join me as I plan an adults-only trip to WDW in October!

I know what you're thinking. "October?! But it's JULY! Why on Earth are you starting to plan so LATE?!!!"

Well, lessee...

I graduated nursing school in May. In order for me to actually be able to pass nursing school, I stopped working. I had also had a baby 4 weeks prior to starting school. So no work = no money = no way in heck am I getting to plan a trip. Luckily, my MIL took mercy on me last summer & took us to WDW. You can find the link to that TR in my siggy below.

So now that I've graduated, passed boards, and obtained a job my husband has given me the green light to start planning this trip!

"That's nice Beka, but you don't like a TR with out pictures, and what makes you think I do?" I'll be happy to fill in with some photos here:

me, the new nurse:

DH (Kyle) & DS last year:

Bear with me guys, I'm gonna need some help! I'm starting a new job, with crazy hours, and will be trying to plan this trip in the meantime!

 

[Beka]

I forgot to add some details about the trip thus far:

We have no idea when we are going! I know it'll be in October, and before the 15th of October.

We will be staying at either the Swan or Dolphin. DH's old college roommate works there & will be taking care of the reservations. So what view or whatever isn't something that I'm going to worry about.

I chose the Swolphin because we'll be doing the Food & Wine Festival. And because the beds look awesome. I'm in the room to sleep; I wanna make sure that happens.

I just mentioned that I want to do the F&WF. I also want to do MNSSHP. DH has requested that we do "Harry Potter Land" at Universal. I'm interested too, but the thought of giving up a Disney day makes me physically ill.

There are plenty of attractions that DH & I didn't get to see/do when we were there last August, so I'll be making a list of those & posting here, as well as plans (or not) for costumes/shirts for MNSSHP.

And just because I like pictures, here are the family members that will be definitely staying at home:
Matches:

He's cute, he's grumpy. He loves popcorn & Q-tips.

Booger:

Graceful & happy-go-lucky, unless there's a firework or thunder storm.

Both of the dogs tolerate the baby (toddler?); but Matches is increasingly less tolerant.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Hey Beka! I was stalking PTRs and stumbled across yours. Can I just say, Conner is the cutest kid...ever!! Adorable. Congrats on finishing up school and the new job -- exciting. Can't wait to hear more about your trip. Oh, and you definitely need to dress up for MNSSHP. It's so fun!

 

[Beka]

Hey Beka! I was stalking PTRs and stumbled across yours. Can I just say, Conner is the cutest kid...ever!! Adorable. Congrats on finishing up school and the new job -- exciting. Can't wait to hear more about your trip. Oh, and you definitely need to dress up for MNSSHP. It's so fun!

I figured if nothing else, I'd make t-shirts of our favorite characters.

I'll have to post a more recent pic of Conner, cuz he's changed a LOT in the last year!

He's funny, every time I look at the Dis, he points to the screen & says "Sisnee!" I have him trained!

 

[inkedupmomma]

damnitttt. not first but second! be back later to comment more <3

 

[Beka]

I figured I might as well put something together while I drank my coffee this morning. This calendar will help us plan what days we'll be there.

I've also started reading up on "Harry Potter Land" so I know what to expect.

 

[Beka]

damnitttt. not first but second! be back later to comment more <3

Yay!

 

[inkedupmomma]

great calendar! so happy you get to go back~! I bet it will be a blast as an adult only trip!

 

[Beka]

great calendar! so happy you get to go back~! I bet it will be a blast as an adult only trip!

I fixed the formatting of the calendar so that each park has its own line. I referenced something similar a LOT last year.

 

[Beka]

GAH! I asked DH tonight if he wanted to do some sit-down restaurants, & he said yes. So now I get to figure that out.

After chatting with Miss Jenn on FB, I've decided we'll likely NOT do a park the day we do MNSSHP, then eat somewhere close to (Kona?) or inside the MK around 4pm, then grab a snack once we're inside if we're hungry.

I also figured we'd do F&WF booths for dinner a few times, and possibly a lunch on a designated EPCOT day. I can guarantee that DH will want to do Tangerine Cafe again (& so will I!) We're both pretty adventurous eaters, so I hope they have some funky stuff to try! (I'd love to try octopus, but I'm afraid the 'ol pouch won't have it.) Oh, BTW, for those not in the know, I had gastric bypass about 4 years ago, & my "pouch" is my stomach, & it can be QUITE testy at times!

Guess I'll be visiting the restaurant thread to see what looks interesting tonight between scrapping pages of last year's trip!

Have a great weekend!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Glad I could be of assistance! Kona dinner is something I have been wanting to try for a while now! It is on my to do list for our next trip! Ohana might be a fun way to start the night before MNSSHP though! I like to start the night with fun all around!

I'm SO jealous you get to try the nums at the FAWF! The desserts always look scrumptious! Can't wait to help you plan more! It will make the time for my trip fly by! Also, can't wait to see the scrapping p ages! You, Sophia dn I should get together and have a scarp party sometime! We could meet in the middle for a weekend! Wishful thinking, I know

 

[Beka]

Dates have been established! Wooot!

October 5-12. We'll be flying from MB to Orlando. It may take a while, since it's not direct, but it's not driving, which is more important to Kyle than to me. I can think of a million reasons to drive, and he can think of just as many to fly. The perk to flying? More park time. Yes. I'm sold.

We poured over the menus on AllEars last night for a few hours. Here are the restaurants that Kyle is interested in:
Shula's Steak House (he views the 48oz steak as a "challenge" )
California Grill (for super special date night)
Kona Cafe (this will likely be the pre-MNSSHP meal)
San Angel Inn
Yachtsman Steakhouse (not likely that we'll visit here, since I didn't see much on the menu that my pouch will tolerate.)

I'm interested in:
Earl of Sandwich (seriously, stuffing on bread? I'm in carb heaven!)
Raglan Road (just sounds like fun)
Rose & Crown

Now to see how I can work those into our dates. And to figure out which night to do MNSSHP & which day to do "Harry Potter Land".

 

[Beka]

Glad I could be of assistance! Kona dinner is something I have been wanting to try for a while now! It is on my to do list for our next trip! Ohana might be a fun way to start the night before MNSSHP though! I like to start the night with fun all around!

I'm SO jealous you get to try the nums at the FAWF! The desserts always look scrumptious! Can't wait to help you plan more! It will make the time for my trip fly by! Also, can't wait to see the scrapping p ages! You, Sophia dn I should get together and have a scarp party sometime! We could meet in the middle for a weekend! Wishful thinking, I know

Kyle looked at Ohana & wasn't interested at all. He's over the all-you-can-eat-meat places.

I ran out of glue last night WTH?! I *know* I have glue sticks around the house, but for the life of me, I can't find them. I have about or 5 pages done, but no journaling or embellishments on them yet. And OMG, Conner's hair cut alone could fill the album! I wish I could expand the pages in it. Maybe I'll have to figure out how to do it. I ordered $40 worth of photos, and they're CHEAP, so you can imagine how many it is. They were delivered in a BOX. Yeah. Narrowing down won't be easy.

 

[Beka]

I figured I'd share some of my scrapbooking from last year's trip. These pages are NOT done! I could finish this book pretty soon, but I need to first figure out if I can add pages to it.

Cover:

1st Page:

I'm not crazy about this one. I might re-do it.

1st Day:

1st day contd & 2nd day:

Conner's 1st haircut, with an envelope holding some of his hair:

Thought I'd also share a pic of the pin Dad got me for graduation. He bought it when we were at WDW last year & kept it a secret until the RN pinning ceremony. He's so cute!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Love the scrapbook! I like how the dog is squeezing into the pictures, too.

I completely agree w/ Jenn about not doing a park the day of MNSSHP. We did that and it worked perfectly. Plus, it was nice to have an off morning to relax.

 

[aprilisis]

I just subscribed! California Grill is my favorite restaurant. Raglan Road is a lot of fun. We usually go there later in the evening for the live music. Did you decide on a night for MNSSHP yet??

 

[Beka]

So Kyle's friend couldn't get us in the Swolphin on the 5th, so now the trip dates have changed to the 7th-14th.

I was looking at the AK map today, and realized that I, no.. WE missed an entire section of the park! (Asia) I know I looked at it, but didn't see it. Or comprehend. It was SO hot last year. We walked past the entrance multiple times, but I don't think it ever registered. NO wonder I couldn't find those dang tigers! We also didn't ever venture into Camp MinnieMickey, but I knew they were there.

So on the "Things I wanna See & Do" List for AK:
-Festival of the Lion King
-Maharaja Jungle Trek
-Dinosaur

Done before but I'd like to do again:
-Safari
-ITTBAB
-Pangani Trail
-take enough pictures of the tree to fill up a card


That's all for now! I'm in orientation at my job. It may be boring, but it's the easiest money a person could make, so no complaints here!

 

[Beka]

Let me haz a sad for just a minit.



I was reading my recent MouseSavers Newsletter & got to the "Refurbishment/Closure/Update Schedule at Walt Disney World" section. Yes, I'm SAD because Small World will be closed. Yes, I LOVE this ride. In fact, I have a 9 FOOT embroidery planned for this ride. To hang in my house. I'm insane for multiple reasons. I'm also sad because One Man's Dream will be closed until November. BOO! I didn't get to see it last trip, & it looks super interesting! DH loves museums, so this would be right up his alley. (He actually reads the little plaques beside the display. I just look at the stuff & think "huh. nice." & move on.) I'm also sad that the Backlot Tour will be closed. Gah!

However! The dates are set in stone (Oct 7-14) AND I was able to work my work schedule around the trip. Since my 90 days will fall in the middle of the trip, they technically don't have to let me off. But I work for a great company & have wonderful bosses who are willing to work around the trip so that we're legit. I will likely get off work & walk on the plane, but I can handle that!

And just because I believe in plenty of pictures, here are some scrapbook pages that I've been working on:

I finished these finally:

Here are some of the MK:

 

[Beka]

I just subscribed! California Grill is my favorite restaurant. Raglan Road is a lot of fun. We usually go there later in the evening for the live music. Did you decide on a night for MNSSHP yet??

Oh my gosh! I totally missed your post! I'm sorry!

I've not looked at the calendar again to pick a night for MNSSHP. What night are you going?

I'm excited for Cali Grill, I think it'll be romantic

There are some other people going when we are, so we might all have to go to Raglan Road. Seems like a good place to go in a group.

 

[Beka]

So here's what we're looking at:

Trip from October 7-14

Thursday, October 7:
Fly in.
I still need to book the flight. Found it for $149 round-trip per person. Looks like it leaves around 8:30, & arrives around 1pm to MCO. I'll have to allow time for Mears (?) & all that. Any idea how long this takes? An hour? We'll probably drop off our stuff & head to DTD for some lunch/dinner/whatever. I see EOS in my future!

Friday, October 8
EPCOT day.
Can't wait to hit the F&WF. Figured this is as good a day as any! We don't want to dedicate a Saturday or Sunday to EPCOT since it'll likely be super busy.

Saturday, October 9
DHS
Fantasmic is showing this night. Pending my ability to get the Fantasmic dinner package, we'll do DHS this day. I know it'll be busier this day, but I'm not *too* worried since it's off-season.

Sunday, October 10
MK
This is an EMH evening, so who knows what we'll do in the morning, probably make it a late one (if I can stand it), do EPCOT for lunch, & MK for EMH.

Monday, October 11
WWoHP
The one day I'm drug off campus. Ugh. It'll be ok. I keep telling myself that. DH wanted to do Horror Nights too, but I nixed that. We did something similar in CA. I told him in a year or two we'd go stay on US property & do the Horror nights. It'd be one thing if we were staying on property, but I don't want to try to get transportation at 2am.

Tuesday, October 12
AK & MNSSHP
DH had NO desire to go to AK on this trip. I told him I want to go to see Lion King, so I think we'll go do that & then head to MNSSHP, with dinner at Kona in between.

Wednesday, October 13
EPCOT
More EPCOT! Maybe DHS or MK too, just to finish up anything else we wanted to see. I love that MK & EPCOT are connected by the monorail, so we can go between the two fairly easily.

Thursday, October 14
Fly out.
Looks like the flight leaves around 4pm & arrives in MB at 8:30.
We'll probably check out at the last possible minute, and head to DTD to grab lunch (EOS?!? !!!) and get one last fix at World of Disney before flying home.