November 2015 PTR: Tis the pre-season! COMPLETE

[Volunteer]

3 weeks from this Saturday Evening we will start our drive to Disney. It's honestly not that bad of a drive from my part of NC...only 8-9 hours (some have it much worse). However, DH and I decided to get a few hours down the road on Saturday Evening so we don't have as far on Sunday and will have more time at Disney!

That's not a bad drive at all! We're about an 11-12 hour drive to Orlando from Nashville. If it was only 8 hours I would probably be down there way more often!

I've separated our Disney Clothes from our regular clothes but have not started officially packing yet. However, I think I may start packing the non-clothes items this weekend

Yeah, I was considering packing non clothes items as I thought of them just to make sure I didn't forget.

 

[Volunteer]

Happy Halloween everyone!!

I hope everyone has fun plans for today! I'm a little under the weather, so my plan for today is stay in and recover for my trip ... which leaves THURSDAY!!

Most of my park essentials are packed, such as confirmation numbers, gift cards, magic bands, etc. My Amazon Prime Pantry food order has also been shipped (I ordered cokes, bottled water, and breakfast bars to be sent ahead of time to save some money) and is on it's way to hotel #1. Now all I have to do is pack clothes and wait ...

I had a random day off this past week during the week, and I needed to go downtown. So I decided to do something I have not done in a while ... play tourist in my hometown!

I started at a "new" breakfast spot in downtown Nashville called Another Broken Egg Cafe. This restaurant is new to Nashville, but I've been plenty of times to locations in the panhandle of Florida when we would take beach trips.

Mardi Gra omelet was great!

After filling up, I needed to go to Bridgestone area and pick up some clothes I receive for being a Nashville Predator season ticket holder.

I was really excited about this because I had been meaning to buy a gold pullover to wear to games, and now I got one for free!

My next stop was to take a tour of the Hatch Show Print shop. I have a lot of prints on my walls at home from concerts I have been to, so to finally see how it all works was a pleasure. For examples, check out my last trip report here (Shameless plug ) or just look in the background of the picture below.

To end the afternoon, I decided to pay my respects to the Man in Black.

I have done the Sun Records Tour in Memphis (the original label that signed Johnny Cash, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins) but I had not made it here yet.

This museum tour was a lot of fun and I learned some crazy facts about Johnny Cash that I never knew. For example, Johnny Cash worked in the Air Force during the Korean War as a German morse code interceptor. He intercepted a message about Stalin's death, therefore was the first American to know about it. He even knew before President Eisenhower!

Anyways, just thought this was a fun day to share with you all. I'm looking forward to sharing more fun days ahead!

Thanks for reading!

-John

 

[Dentam]

I've been to Nashville a couple of times (back when I lived in NC and did a lot of road trips) and have gone to the Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Resort at Christmas time. Wow, do they decorate that thing for the holidays or what - tons of lights. My mom really enjoyed seeing it. We never ventured into downtown though. I do remember the traffic being horrendous with a lot of construction going on.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[MataHari22]

My only plans today are not Halloween related. This is one of the very few years I don't have any parties to go to and I won't be getting dressed up. I have to go get my hair done, it needs cut, dyed and highlighted so I'll be good to go for my WDW trip.

What a fun thing to do, be a tourist in your own city. People definitely do not do that enough. Breakfast looked yummy and it looks like you had a good time.

Thursday will be here quickly!

 

[Volunteer]

I've been to Nashville a couple of times (back when I lived in NC and did a lot of road trips) and have gone to the Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Resort at Christmas time. Wow, do they decorate that thing for the holidays or what - tons of lights. My mom really enjoyed seeing it. We never ventured into downtown though. I do remember the traffic being horrendous with a lot of construction going on.

You are not kidding! Opryland Hotel is always a decked out for Christmas - great place to take family or a date Unfortunately, the traffic issue is still there if not worse haha. I actually have not seen a show at the Opry yet, which is unbelievable. That needs to be checked off! Thanks for following along!

What a fun thing to do, be a tourist in your own city. People definitely do not do that enough. Breakfast looked yummy and it looks like you had a good time.

It was a nice day! I need to do it more often.

Thursday will be here quickly!

I know, so exciting! Your trip is right around the corner as well!

 

[jessicar82]

Just joining in now...Can't wait to read your trip report seeing as your trip is literally around the corner now!

 

[Volunteer]

Just joining in now...Can't wait to read your trip report seeing as your trip is literally around the corner now!

Jessica,and thank you! Less than 48 hours now ...

 

[Volunteer]

Hello everyone!!

Checking in here Tuesday night ... I'm officially less than 48 hours away from my trip!

I can't wait to board my flight Thursday morning at 6.... er, wait. never mind.

It wouldn't be a pre trip report without a drastic last second change of plans would it???!?!?!

Turns out, I have been in the process of scheduling a very important job interview. I found out this week that I'd be meeting with 9 people (!!!!!) and they needed to schedule this when all nine were available.

Some of you probably see where this is going. The only availability was basically on all my trip dates; if I wanted to wait until after the trip the availability wouldn't be there until the 16th, which is way longer then I want to (and frankly, need to) wait.

After thinking, I decided it would be best to change my departure flight on Thursday so I could interview and then fly later that night. I probably would not have done this if I didn't think it was an exceptional opportunity, and I'm pretty sure I'll receive an offer if I show up and not act crazy.

So anyways, back to the more important things. Let's recap: I was originally flying out Thursday night, then changed my flight to fly with friends and get to Orlando earlier .... and NOW, I'm back to my original flight. I'm flying Southwest, meaning booking a flight this close would be more expensive then I would normally want to pay (unfortunately there were not many better alternatives). So let's just say I'm flying my first business select flight!! Looking on the bright side, I'll get to see how the other side flies Southwest with priority boarding (coming for you, Exit Row), priority security (I'm already a Pre Check member so this doesn't affect me), free drink on board , and lots more points then I would normally earn. Oh, and a high probability of a new job .

So, what does one do when faced with this necessary change? They add another day on to their trip! My flight home to Nashville was booked on points so I canceled it (points are refundable), and booked a flight the next day on American (prices were more reasonable ). I also added a night at one of the DIS's favorite value resort and spa , so stay tuned to see where my last evening will be!

As far as park plans go, I obviously canceled my FP+ for Thursday. I'm not sure how the rest of the trip will fall, but we will see!

Overall, I'm just grateful that I was flexible enough to deal with my "first world problem"! I couldn't be any more fortunate.

Have you ever had a crazy first world problem require you to change up a trip?

Thanks for reading!

 

[cajunfan]

Good luck on the interview!

I have been here 23 years and lived around the corner from the Gran Ole Opry for 21 of those years, and I have been to the Opry exactly one time...for my son's high school graduation that was held there!

Traffic in Nashville is pretty bad. Especially during the holidays. Working part time at the mall, I usually try to have someone "chauffeur" me so that I don't have to deal with parking. Glad I know some back road options!

Have a MAGICAL trip!

Lynn

 

[Volunteer]

Good luck on the interview!

Thank you Lynn!

I have been here 23 years and lived around the corner from the Gran Ole Opry for 21 of those years, and I have been to the Opry exactly one time...for my son's high school graduation that was held there!

That's so funny. I grew up in West Tennessee and I never made it to Graceland until last year Of course, I was able to appreciate it more in my early thirty's, as opposed to going much younger.

Traffic in Nashville is pretty bad. Especially during the holidays. Working part time at the mall, I usually try to have someone "chauffeur" me so that I don't have to deal with parking. Glad I know some back road options!

I don't blame you. Traffic in Nashville is bad (and getting worse), and your mall is always loaded up! I try not to go there unless I'm going to see an IMAX movie. And during Christmas season .... nope. No malls for me! I just realized I have tickets on December 18th to see Star Wars in IMAX there. Guess I'll account for holiday traffic as well!

 

[MataHari22]

Good luck on your interview!

I have not had to ever change up my trip, but I don't do well with last minute changes and surprises, so I'm glad I've not had to. Lol

 

[cajunfan]

You do know the back way to the mall right? If not send me a FB message and will explain it to you. No need to get in that mess of traffic at the mall entrance or the hotel entrance off of Briley.

Also, meant to mention nice Preds swag! I need to get out to a game this year (haven't seen them play in person in over two years (used to bring my son, but since he is not in town now, I don't go out there....I never grew up with hockey (NOLA born and raised...they just recently got hockey there), but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it...especially live!

I have been to a broken egg café...stopped on the way down to LSU to drop the kiddo off...was pretty good. They had a spinach salad at the time that was just YUMMY! I have to maybe try the one here...although that would require me going downtown which I try to avoid.

 

[Volunteer]

Good luck on your interview!

Thank you! Prepping tonight!

You do know the back way to the mall right? If not send me a FB message and will explain it to you. No need to get in that mess of traffic at the mall entrance or the hotel entrance off of Briley.

I actually do not know this, I mostly take Briley to exit 10 or 11 and come in that way. Will have to message you!

Also, meant to mention nice Preds swag! I need to get out to a game this year (haven't seen them play in person in over two years (used to bring my son, but since he is not in town now, I don't go out there....I never grew up with hockey (NOLA born and raised...they just recently got hockey there), but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it...especially live!

Yeah, I was not a big fan either until I was able to go to some games. You get a different appreciation of the speed of the game watching live! Plus, Bridgestone knows how to make it a good time and entertain.

I have been to a broken egg café...stopped on the way down to LSU to drop the kiddo off...was pretty good. They had a spinach salad at the time that was just YUMMY! I have to maybe try the one here...although that would require me going downtown which I try to avoid.

Yeah, I likely won't go back for that same reason. I have a lot of close by breakfast and lunch spots that I enjoy - PLUS I don't have to go downtown. But if I am downtown and want breakfast/brunch, it will be an option!

 

[Volunteer]

Hi everyone!!

It's less than 24 hours to go, so I checked into my flight. This is what I saw ...

This is something I never thought I'd see, nor will I probably ever see again

Exit row, here I come!

 

[jessicar82]

Hi everyone!!

It's less than 24 hours to go, so I checked into my flight. This is what I saw ...

This is something I never thought I'd see, nor will I probably ever see again

Exit row, here I come!

That's amazing! Did you pay for priority check in?

 

[Volunteer]

That's amazing! Did you pay for priority check in?

In a round about way, yes. I bought a business select ticket because it wasn't that much more expensive then a normal one (this usually isn't the case, but it was being so last minute). I guess I was the first to check in

 

[Volunteer]

Happy Departure day everyone!

I just got home from my interview (it went great), now I am finishing laundry as well as getting some last minute packing done. My friends made it to MCO fine (they were not a fan of the new Magical Express video - I tend to agree), and I'll be on my way later this evening! I want to nap, but there is too much to do ha. Maybe on the flight

I'm sure I'll be posting pictures online during the trip, so if you want to follow me I am "imjohnanderson" on Instagram!

THANK YOU ALL again for joining me for my pre trip report ... trip report to follow here in a couple of weeks!

 

[MataHari22]

Safe travels! Have a magical trip!

 

[Volunteer]

Hey everyone!!

I'm down here in Orlando and having a great trip so far!

I wanted to let you know I will randomly be streaming live videos from Periscope if you use that app. My user name is IAmJohnAnderson.

ALSO - you can watch replays of my videos for 24 hours after they are filmed. You can check them out here.

https://www.periscope.tv/IAmJohnAnderson/

Thanks again for following and I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

[Volunteer]

Hi everyone!

I've been home since Tuesday, and we all had an amazing trip. I can't wait to share it with you!

You can find the beginning of my new trip report here: Volunteer John and the Contemporary Journey.

Thanks again for following along for my pre trip report; I hope you enjoy the trip report!