Newsies: From Scratch - May And September 2024! - FINISHED! 09/07

[Newsies]

This post immediately made me think of that trip to Universal we went on together right after move in. Can you believe it was EIGHT years ago? We're old Hagrid's is a much better replacement for that dueling coaster we did.

HAHAHAHA I remember this day so well! Remember when we asked that guy to take a photo of us with the sign that said "let the adventure begin" and he got everything BUT the sign in the photo? Omg. The memories

These plans look solid - I highly recommend Florean Fortescue's if you end up there and have the stomach space. The butterbeer ice cream is AMAZING!

I really hope I can get to Florean Fortescue! During our 2016 program I went there once with your roomie and had the granny smith apple ice cream which was really good, too!

Have you been on Jimmy Fallon before? Personally, I'll skip it every time we're at Universal. It can be a lot of waiting / pre-show and for me ties with Fast and the Furious for my least favorite ride in Universal. Gringott's is a 10/10 and I LOVE E.T. in a nostalgic kind of way.

I have heard absolutely 0 good things about Jimmy Fallon. Unfortunately... I willllll be there I hate to say this because I know I will regret it, but the waiting/pre-show is what I'm looking forward to the most. The queue/pre-show look exactly like the hallways at the real 30 Rock and I need to know if standing there will trigger the same butterflies and heart palpitations I get when I'm waiting to load into studio 8H for SNL.

 

[rdkeim]

Your plans all sound good! I'm excited for you - can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

 

[LoveToDisney]

I’m so excited…I feel like I’m going on your solo trip, as well!!! I’m so glad you take the time to include all of us in your fun trip planning. I’m rooting for you to get that adorable sipper at your Halloween party!
Love all your plans. Have a super trip!

 

[Newsies]

Your plans all sound good! I'm excited for you - can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

Thank you very much!!

I’m so excited…I feel like I’m going on your solo trip, as well!!! I’m so glad you take the time to include all of us in your fun trip planning. I’m rooting for you to get that adorable sipper at your Halloween party!
Love all your plans. Have a super trip!

Ah, thanks so much! I love taking you guys along with me I really appreciate that you (and others) read and comment!

 

[Newsies]

Days 3 + 4: Magic Kingdom Morning/DAK Plans & Priorities
​

Getting ready to clock in for my last full day of work! Tomorrow night, I'll have to log back in for a little bit to manage our online community during a press event, but I get to "close up shop" today at 5 and set my Slack to away, turn on my GMail "I am OOO" signature... one of the best parts of going on any vacation!

Want to quickly run down some of my Magic Kingdom priorities for the morning of the first party. Going to Rope Drop, leave early afternoon, and come back when the Park is re-opening for the party.

• "Rope Drop" the creme brulee croissant from Gaston's Tavern​
• ILL at 7DMT - 9:15 AM​
• Mickey's Philharmagic​
• Pirates of the Caribbean LL - Arrive 9:30-10:00 AM​
• Country Bear Music Jamboree (and spend time with the Country Bears in Frontierland!)​
• Haunted Mansion LL - 10:25-11:25 AM​
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure - Arrive 11:30 AM, stacking up another LL for the evening right before the Park "closes" for MNSSHP​
• A little bit of shopping at Critter Co-Op​
• Mobile Order Chipotle BBQ Pork & Street Corn Fries from Casey​
• A bit of shopping at the Emporium + Confectionary treat​
• Back to DAKL​

Obviously verrrry chill morning, only trying to cut away at a few things that I really want to do this year that I won't be able to do at the party.

Meanwhile, I have a bit of a more fleshed out plan for DAK the next day:

• Kilimanjaro Safari FP LL - Arrive when window opens at 8:15
• Coconut-flavored Iced Coffee at Kusafiri
• Check out the tigers at Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Expedition Everest LL - 9:05-1:05 AM
• Say my goodbyes to Dinoland USA
• DINOSAUR LL - 10:20-11:20 AM
• Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork - Eight Spoon Cafe
• Wildlife Express to pet the goats!
• Festival of the Lion King
• Cancelled Y&Y for this day but want to check out the walk up situation at Nomad Lounge
• Potential LL at Pandora (Navi River Journey)
• Meet some characters?
• Get some photos
• Back to DAKL at some point, but wondering if I have the opportunity to hop to DHS before dinner depending on when I wrap up at DAK
• Dinner at Boma - 6:30
• Starlight Safari at Kidani Village - 8:30
• Magic Kingdom will have EEH for Deluxe guests this night, and honestly, it's possible that I'll get out of Starlight Safari early enough to visit MK, but not sure I will -- want to rest up before rope dropping Universal Studios on Thursday!

I think this basically wraps up the day-to-day planning I've done for Sunday-Wednesday. Thursday is going to be more go-with-the-flow at Universal, and Friday morning is all about getting my life together before the MNSSHP, since I have such an early wake-up call to get on MEARS before my flight on Saturday morning.


We're basically here! Kind of crazy to think about it, but this is probably my last update of this PTR before I make a conclusion post tomorrow evening. This week just flew by. It normally doesn't, but I had so much to do at work this week, I was definitely a bit preoccupied there and I still have some things on my plate today (and tomorrow!)

I think I am officially 100% ready to leave. I have one last load of laundry in the washing machine, but my suitcase will be packed and ready to go by the end of the evening. All of my shopping is done (finished up yesterday with a Frogg Togg and a foldable water bottle). My fuelrods are all charged, I'm charging my wireless earbuds one last time now, and tomorrow I'll charge my MB+. Tomorrow morning I have my nail appointment and I'll run to the bank to get some cash so I can tip out mousekeeping, bell services, and the waiters at some of my dining reservations, though I'll probably put the tip on my card for some of those ADRs. I'm ready!

 

[HappyGal]

Woo-hoo, let’s light this candle!!!

 

[Newsies]

Woo-hoo, let’s light this candle!!!

This is one of my favorite TikTok audios right now!!! Let's LIGHT this candle!!!

 

[Newsies]

From Scratch
​

I have said this approximately a dozen times since I started this PTR, but I am going to say it one more time for good measure: I still don't understand how this PTR jumped from a long weekend at Pop Century to a full week at DAKL with 2 MNSSHPs and a day at Universal. Even though I documented the full journey, it will likely be one of the greatest mysteries of my life forever

Had a normal day. Woke up at 6, checked in for my flight, went to the bank, got my nails done, cleared up some storage on my phone... all the normal pre-trip stuff. Now I'm right where I always am when it's time to wrap up my PTRs. Watching Full House: The House Meets the Mouse in these quiet few hours before I head to Walt Disney World, wondering if I'll actually get any sleep before it's time to embark. Although this is one of those rare occasions where I'll actually be at Walt Disney World tomorrow, and I need to actually get some sleep so I don't go insane at Newark airport.

Long story short, I started this PTR a year ago and I opened it with an explanation of why I hadn't been active on the DIS & how I felt like I was "falling out of love" with Walt Disney World. But writing this PTR and becoming active on the DIS again has helped me understand that I actually didn't fall out of love with Disney. I still get butterflies in my tummy the night before I leave for the Parks, I still do a double-take when I see Mickey Mouse, and I still get emotional when I leave Magic Kingdom for the last time. I had to come back to the DISboards and think about things long enough to write another PTR/TR to understand that.

The reason it felt like I was "falling out of love" with Disney was because my love for other things in my life -- music, concerts, my job, my family, my friends, and even myself in many ways -- have all just been growing bigger since I graduated college. So it felt like my love for Disney was getting smaller, when really, I just have so many more things in life to measure it against now versus when I was younger.

At the beginning of my PTR, I was like, "Oh, it's sad that I don't love Disney as much as I used to." But now that I've actually forced myself to think about why I felt that way, I'm like, "Oh, it's a blessing that I have so many things in my life I love more than I love Disney."

And as an added bonus, my love for Disney is growing again because I've gotten back to writing about it and gotten to meet so many new DISboards friends through my PTR. You all have been so supportive of me! I looked forward to reading all of your comments and I've loved getting to know you all and hear about how you tour the Parks and what your favorite Disney things are and how your lives are going. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to follow along and comment over the past year. Writing PTRs and TRs was something I cherished before my DIS hiatus, and I'm glad I'm back in the writing groove and get to cherish them again. Thanks for following along as I worked a few things out from scratch.

THE END
​

 

[LoveToDisney]

HAVE AN AWESOME TRIP!!!
I’m so glad I’m stumbled across your TR and have made a new Disfriend while enjoying your great writing. It’s been a blast following along and I look forward to hearing all about your solo trip ‘cause I know it will be insanely fun!!

 

[Sajchinook2015]

Enjoy your trip,

 

[HappyGal]

I’m glad you’ve got your Disney groove back! I really look forward to your reports, you’re a gifted writer.

 

[rdkeim]

I'm glad you're back in the Disney saddle! Always enjoy reading about your pre-trip thoughts and plans and then see how it all turned out. Have a great trip!

 

[piglet1979]

Have a great trip. I can't wait to hear about it.

 

[Disney102015]

I was so far behind but just caught up - loved reading about your plans and hope you have the BEST trip!!!

 

[ckmiles]

I cannot wait to hear all about your trip!

Hope you had an amazing time!!

 

[Newsies]

HAVE AN AWESOME TRIP!!!
I’m so glad I’m stumbled across your TR and have made a new Disfriend while enjoying your great writing. It’s been a blast following along and I look forward to hearing all about your solo trip ‘cause I know it will be insanely fun!!

Thank you very, VERY MUCH! It has been so great getting to know you. You are the absolute best!

Enjoy your trip,

Thank you so much!

I’m glad you’ve got your Disney groove back! I really look forward to your reports, you’re a gifted writer.

Thank you Monica!

I'm glad you're back in the Disney saddle! Always enjoy reading about your pre-trip thoughts and plans and then see how it all turned out. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much!!

Have a great trip. I can't wait to hear about it.

Thank you so much, can't wait to tell you about it!

I was so far behind but just caught up - loved reading about your plans and hope you have the BEST trip!!!

Thank you thank you!!

I cannot wait to hear all about your trip!

Hope you had an amazing time!!

Thank you so much! Had the best time ever, can't wait to share it!

 

[Newsies]

Hey friends! Want to let you know that this TR is up, and you can read it here: "If I Was Any Better, I'd Be Twins!" - A Diabolical, Divalicious September '24 Solo Trip

 

[bubbles2021]

Hi Newsies! I know I’m taking a chance replyingto an old post lol but I love rereading your trip reports to get me excited for my trip( September 2025), but am also interested in hearing your opinion on your Bronco. My Ford Focus is on its way out and I’m heavily considering the 2025 Bronco Sports. Fingers crossed you’re still loving yours!! Thanks!!

 

[Newsies]

Hi Newsies! I know I’m taking a chance replyingto an old post lol but I love rereading your trip reports to get me excited for my trip( September 2025), but am also interested in hearing your opinion on your Bronco. My Ford Focus is on its way out and I’m heavily considering the 2025 Bronco Sports. Fingers crossed you’re still loving yours!! Thanks!!

Hey friend!!! Thank you so much for reading and commenting I re-read my favorite old trip reports aaalllll the time so this makes me so happy to see!!!!

YES, my love for my Bronco has only grown over the years. It has actually become my personality and I'm literally wearing a Bronco t-shirt I got from Target right now It is very good on gas, low-maintenance, and FUN to drive. The bigger models are fun too, but I love how compact the Sport is. I think I've become one of those crazy "Jeep" people for Broncos!!!

 

[bubbles2021]

Aww thanks for responding so quickly, you’re seriously the best and so funny! I already have a Broncos sweatshirt that I bought from Sam’s club months ago and immediately started shopping for a Bronco sport model keychain! Lol! I definitely anticipate becoming a full blown crazy Bronco person! Good to know I’ll be in good company.