October 2008 can't come fast enough!!!!

[figment fan21]

02/04/2008

To save my DBF Adam some sanity I decided to start my own journal about our upcoming WDW trip coming up in October. First I’ll tell you a little but about us, then I’ll tell you about our last trip, and finally the upcoming plans of our 2008 trip.

Adam and I have been together almost 3 years; we live together and have a dog, named Duke. Funny story about us is that our whole lives we lived only 2 streets away from each other and never knew the other existed. Weird huh? We had both come out of some pretty terrible relationships but I am happy to say I have never been happier. I honestly think he is the one for me. But enough of that mushy stuff let me tell you about our past WDW experiences.


First there is me! Katie! I’m 21yrs old and I’ve been a Disney nut since I was 3. According to my mother I made her take me to see the little mermaid three times while it was in the theater. (She’s a saint) After that whole experience my mom and her sister decided to take me on my first WDW trip. I was a very animated child and apparently thought I was part of the parades because those were some pretty embarrassing home movies. Neither my mother nor aunt will go on it’s a small world ever again… thanks to yours truly at 3 yrs old. Oh and I’m a HUGE figment fan. Ever since I’ve been on trips here and there, but it’s always been my favorite place in the world, I would pick WDW over anything.

On to the DBF Adam (21 soon to be 22). Where do I start with him? His first WDW experience was a family vacation with his mom, dad, older sis, and younger twin brothers. Sounds pretty good right… WRONG! His mom doesn’t fly and drove (from Massachusetts) down making stops EVERYWHERE along the way. It was also the beginning of August. They stopped at Hershey Park and other little tourist spots on the way down and finally ended in WDW. From what I heard from DBF by the time they got there everyone was pretty sick of each other, his older sis was sick, whether from the heat or the car I have no idea, and they hated the crowds and barely did anything before leaving WDW 3 days later. Needless to say he never went back after that. Well then I came along!!!

So last year I surprised Adam with a trip to WDW!! (Not knowing his past history with the world) Unfortunately I didn’t get the reaction I was hoping for. Don’t get me wrong he was appreciative but was worried he would relive his last vacation there. Well this just got me pumped!! I know WDW inside and out, not to mention I am a compulsive planner… I was going to make this the best trip ever for him. Everyday we would get closer and closer and I would be making ADR and seeing what interesting things were going on in the park, oh yea totally obsessed. So Sept. 12th 2007 came along and we had a ball! We stayed at ASSp and it wasn’t the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at but a good first timer hotel for Adam. We went on all the rides, did things like the Ohana character breakfast and I even had a surprise of my own when I got a phone call from my mother saying she was in front of the MK castle and to come and find her… yea my mom and aunt totally crashed our vacation. We had the best time ever, and the big baby I am I cried the whole plane ride home because I didn’t want it to end. While I was having my mini-melt down on the plane Adam told me not to worry because he promised he would take me back again.

So here we are! About 1 week ago I was on the DIS looking into renting DVC points. My aunt (the one who met us in WDW with my mom) is a member but uses her points too much to rent to me, but I LOVE all of the DVC resorts. Well I found the nicest women who rented us points to stay at the new AKV!!! I was so psyched!! She was so nice and answered all of my questions and gave me some great tips. So we are going October 12th-17th. Adam is so excited because he wanted to stay at a DVC resort after visiting the BWV and OKW. His first choice was the AKV so I am so excited that I could get it for him! I’ve been looking up room pictures and pool pictures, things to do while we stay there, everything! Adam is so excited this time because he knows we will have a great time, he isn’t worried about dying of the heat or big crowds. I am just so happy that he is happy about going again!

We are now waiting for our DVC confirmation packet to arrive from my DVC members house, she will be forwarding it to me as soon as she receives it.

Thanks for reading and if you have any tips/advice or just want to say hey leave a post!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

Wow how magical that you could help your DBF see the real Magic in Disney and get him to go back! Your Mom and Aunt sound like fun people to crash your vacation!

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[figment fan21]

2/10/2008

Now that we are completely booked and waiting for our reservation packet to come in the mail the next course of action is to actually start planning everything out. In my experience, especially when dining at WDW, it is best to have a plan and reservations!

Last year I leaned a very valuable lesson…MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!!! Our last WDW vacation was last September. I didn’t think it would be necessary to make our reservations the 180 days in advanced because I honestly didn’t think it would be that crowded in September… boy was I wrong. I called to make my reservations about a month in advanced and either we couldn’t get it or we were offered not so great reservation times. I brought this to Adams attention and let him know that he should start thinking about where he would like to eat this year because I can start making reservation in April. So we sat down a few days ago and started looking and here is what we came up with….

Adams choices:

Tusker House
Sci-fi drive in theater
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Whispering Canyon
Narcoossee (this took me by surprise… don’t know where that came from)

My choices:

Whispering Canyon
Le Cellier
Boma
Ohana
Jiko

I should mention that we have the dinning plan. We are trying to decide whether we should only use a snack and quick serve on the first day and save a table service point and do a signature dining restaurant one night or just stick with a table service once a day. I’m trying to look at the pros and cons of both…

Cons:

I don’t know how I feel about having to get all dressed up to go to a signature-dining restaurant.
I think I’d feel like we could have tried another place that maybe isn’t as fancy but equally as fun and we’d regret it later.
I wanted to do at least ONE character breakfast again this year.
I’m happy with anything on any menu even if its just macaroni and cheese.
I’d hate to cut a day in the parks short because we’d have to go back to AKV shower and change and rush to the signature-dining restaurant.

Pros:

I think it would be a nice night out for the two of us.
It would be fun trying new and interesting food.
We deserve a treat once in a while.
We don’t really have an opportunity to get dressed up that often.

So you see my dilemma… any opinions on places to eat, or your opinion on the choices we’ve made so far are much appreciated. Let me know what you think whether or not to do signature dining too! Thanks again for reading, will update again soon!

Katie

 

[Disneydd2]

My DW and I loved Narcoose's. It's got a beautiful view and how often can you order a whole Maine lobster?

I've never tried Jiko or Boma but would like to, their menus seem so exotic.

Sci-fi is a lot of fun!

Le Cellier popped up on both your lists. You should do it. My father said it was the best steak he had ever had.

Ohana sounds good, too.

I think ya'll are going to have some wonderful dining experiences!

 

[figment fan21]

thanks disneydd2!! I'm glad you said that about le cellier adam is a steak fan so if its as good as i've been hearing he'll be one happy DISer.

 

[BrittBritt]

Great start. My DH and I are going in Oct. (the 18th), so I had to join in on your PTR to help the time go faster between now and then.
I hear what you're saying about not wanting to get so dressed up and worrying about running back to AKL to get ready for your dinner plans, but I think you should do Narcoossee's anyway. Now, mind you, I've never been, what I think it will make such a great memory. (Esp. since he wants to do it....My DH usually could care less about where we eat!)
Definitely plan to eat at Le Cellier. That is one of my favorites.
I'm looking forward to hearing more!

 

[figment fan21]

YAY! this is my frist pre-trip journal thingy and i honestly didn't think that people would actually read it and comment on it. This is great!!!

Welcome brittbritt! 8 months seems like sooooo far away! I hope my PTR helps us both out because honestly i think DBF has had enough of me talking about a vacation that is 8 months away too bad you're arriving when we are leaving... bummer...

Thanks for giving me some advice on where we should be dining... we should have it all figured out soon and will give a full report when we do.

I'll be updating again soon!

 

[boardom]

Katie, I really like your journal! I may be inspired to start one myself.

Can't offer much advice though, since I'm in the same boat (planning for October) and am way less Dis-savvy than you are! We have a number of the same restaurants on our maybe list though, Narcoossees, Le Cellier, Tusker, Whispering Canyon. I take it Ohana's a fave of yours? Can you tell me about it? And how dressed up is dressed up for the signature rests.??

 

[figment fan21]

I take it Ohana's a fave of yours? Can you tell me about it? And how dressed up is dressed up for the signature rests.??

i'm glad you like my pre-trip journal so far! Do you know where you are staying yet or the exact dates?

To answer your questions Ohana is DEFINATLY a favorite of mine! Last year DBF and I had our first breakfast there. It is awesome, the food is great and the characters a really fun there. They all have on hawaiian shirts and lai's. they also have this juice that is to die for! i think its guava and pineapple... i've tried to find something like it in the grocery stores but i can't find anything that tastes as good. Ohana is really fun especially for families.

About the whole dressing up thing i'm not really sure i've never been to a signature dinning resturaunte (never felt cool or important enough ) But from what i've read its shirt and ties for men and i believe either dress pants or skirts/dresses for women. All i know is i can't go in there with my jean shorts and a tank top

Hope that helps, and if you have anymore questions let me know!

 

[figment fan21]

2/24/2008

I finally got my DVC confirmation letter for AKV!!!! WOOHOO!!! I was so psyched! I have a “dedicated studio” which from reading the DIS tells me I have a 50/50 shot at either pool view or savannah view. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the savannah view but I’ve heard the pool view is nice too! Anything is better than parking lot view. I showed DBF and I actually saw him get excited. Which made me VERY happy.
As of right now we are still casually looking into where we would like to make our ADR’s. I like to coordinate them with which park we will be at or where there will be extra magic hours but unfortunately they don’t have the park schedules yet!! Does anyone know when Disney will put the calendars for fall 2008 out? Right now its only un to August. I’m still waiting to book flights too. I’ve been searching the internet and found some ok deals but the two airlines I like, southwest and jet blue, aren’t even booking out that far yet. (Not only does this make me sad that I don’t have flights but I am starting to realize how long I have to wait for this trip ) Right now it looks like disney planning is going to be on hold for a little while.

On the life side of things DBF has been approved for his electrical licensing test…YAY!! He is very nervous and has been studying 24/7. I know he’ll pass with flying colors. I just need him to believe that. He is taking the test on March 1st. I hope he does well because his birthday is March 5th and we are going to one of the casinos in CT to celebrate his birthday and I want to be able to celebrate passing the test as well as his 22nd birthday. Speaking of birthdays I am not sure what I am getting DBF. I was thinking about a nice message at one of the resort spas but he’s not really into that kind of thing. (Very rugged working man) I was also thinking of maybe paying for one of the tours at dinsey. He wanted to do the “keys to the kingdom tour” originally but discussing it later he wasn’t sure it was what he really wanted to do. I thought of doing the segway tour through epcot but he seems to be interested in the whole “how movies are made” thing and I was trying to find out if they do any kind of “behind the scenes” tours at the HS. If anyone has any info on that PLEASE let me know. Who knows maybe I’ll just get him a gift certificate to home depot for some new tools…lol.

Well that’s pretty much it for now. I’ll be writing soon!

 

[figment fan21]

3/1/2008
quick update... DBF got his electrical license today!!!!
I am so excited for him! Now we have his birthday on the 5th and then heading to connecticut for the casino on friday!

On another note I was going to buy a new digital camera for the WDW trip in october but I couldn't wait and bought one! Here is one of Duke!

 

[BrittBritt]

YAY for DBF passing the test!!!
Precious puppy!

 

[figment fan21]

YAY for DBF passing the test!!!
Precious puppy!

thanks britt!!! We are VERY proud of him for passing! I was reading your PTR this morning and your dog is adorable too!!! I love english bulldogs! i was thinking about getting another puppy for duke to play with and i would love to get one of those. I just dont think DBF is going to let that happen.


I'm getting alittle camera happy so there may be alot more pictures to follow!

Here is another one of duke to hold me over... yes thats a sock in his mouth... no matter what toys we buy him he only wants to play with socks... i dont know

 

[figment fan21]

So I'm alittle board and have figured out how to upload pictures with this new program that came with my digital camera so I'm going to share some of our last years WDW trip with you.

So here is where we stayed last year....

DBF was happy about it because he is a basketball fan (go celtics) I however am a huge football fan and was alittle bummed but thats ok. ASSp was good for us to stay at, we almost were going to stay off site but this plus the free dinning worked out to be less expensive. I probably wouldn't stay there again though. Its not really for two adults... if we had kids with us absolutly but its just us. I am more excited about staying at AKV. I've heard it is VERY romantic.

Here are some pictures of us at Ohana....

This was the first time adam had seen mickey is over 8 years!!!!

Mickey and I however are good buds!

Let me explain that before taking this picture pluto came up behind adam and gave him a noogie... yea he wasn't expecting it couldn't stop laughing!

No words needed here....

Remember that crazy aunt I told you about who flew herself and my mother down there for the weekend???

here she is!!

After a morning in the parks we went back to OKW to meet up with my mom and aunt, here are some pictures from there

swimming!!!

Boating!!!!

Ahhh the castle and fireworks

The back of our heads watching Wishes

Even though the humidity was like 100% and i have curly strands of hair EVERYWHERE still is one of my favorite pictures of us together... by the way does anyone know how to keep ones hair from looking like that down there??? I couldn't wear my hair down once!!!

DTD

You dont wanna mess with us! we're bikers!! Actually we aren't and you can tell that because adam is on the bike wearing a collared shirt and kakhi cargo shorts

Well i'm glad I got that out of my system... Brought back alot of memories and its making me feel like October is VERY far away Only 223 days to go! But we will survive. After reading another PTR i've decided that I may have to go hyst some of those paint sample mickey heads and make some countdown garland and also that I NEED to invest in some crocs!!! (thanks britt! ) Let me know what you think about the pics!

 

[figment fan21]

So quick update before i go to work....

1.) thanks to two very awesome DISers (brittbritt and charleston princess) I am going to be taking the plunge and getting crocs. Last sept. when we were in WDW they were everywhere!!! At the time thought I didn't think they were for me... I actually still didn't think they were for me until i saw minnie janes!!! I had no idea they had styles like that now! Also I may be optainning a code for free shipping How can i say no now??? As soon as i get on the website and pick everything out i'll be updating again

2.) as previously noted in my journal we had some "ideas" on where we were going to be making out ADR's... well after reading other PTR and just kind of lurking the DIS i am totally confused!! there are so many places I would like to eat at but not enough TS credits!!! So pretty much that whole list is going to change.

Well thats it for now, I guess I should be heading to work now

 

[figment fan21]

bumping...
just got internet back from switching services THANK GOD!
Not too much planning going on... waiting for the OCT 2008 calendar and for southwest to be flying.

 

[figment fan21]

MAJOR NEWS FLASH!!!!

ok haven't been updating in a while and here is why... WE CHANGED THE RESSIE!!! i repeat....CHANGED THE RESSIE!!!

So here is the deal, when Adam and I were renting the points originally We were going to be moving into a smaller apartment in our apartment complex and renewing the lease for another year. Well it kind of fell through with the complex and Adam and I have discussed it and since he got his license and got an insane raise and in December i got a teeny tiny raise (hey its not much but it is still a raise) We have decided to take the plunge and buy at the end of the lease. So we pulled out the old lease to try and decide when we should start looking to my absolute horror we would need to be out of the apartment 3 DAYS AFTER OUR DISNEY VACATION!!!! So I sort of freaked...a wee bit!

Call me crazy but i don't think i would be able to enjoy my vacation knowing i'd be going home to a stressful situation. So we made the email to by DVC friend who was renting points to us and we moved it... the new dates.... drum roll please.... Nov. 2-7th.... taa daa!!!! I feel a whole lot better about the situation... it gives us two weeks to move and get settled in.

So now all i have to do is go through the process of waiting AGAIN for the disney park hours calendar AND wait almost another whole month to make ADRs!!! So...thats the story guys! I'm happy we moved the ressie and that everything has been working out but i'm still sad we wont be able to start the good planning for another month... i was starting to get excited!

Anyone reading been in November?? Oh yea thats the other thing... been in aug, sept, and oct but NEVER nov. So any info/advice/anything to make me feel better about waiting this long is a happy thing!!

I'll be keeping up with this more now i promise!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

great pretrip report Katie. I followed the link in your sig from the Nov. thread. Love the biker photos...LOL

 

[figment fan21]

thanks bama mom! If DBF knew those pictures were on here he'd kill me! thankfully he doesn't come on here!

 

[figment fan21]

So ever since our ressie has moved from Oct to Nov i've been kind of down.. I was only a few days away from making ADR's and not i'm back to waiting almost another month. I was looking for alittle sympathy from DBF and wasn't even close to getting any. So I called my mom and tried to get some sympathy out of her... she was lending me an ear to vent to, so i thought, until i caught her doing that thing she does when she actually puts the phone down and on speaker phone and lets me ramble on and on and on and on, all the while going "uh huh" and the ocassional "oh thats too bad". How did i catch her you ask?? well In the middle of a rant i said "...and to top it all of you annoy me" and do you know what her response was?? "Oh thats too bad hun, I'm sorry about your trip!" she had no idea i insulted her. I called her out on the fact that she wasn't listening to me AT ALL and she apologized and that was the end of the conversation.

A few days later after work i got a phone call from my mom. She said she was down the street from my apartment and had some stuff she needed to drop off and that she was coming by. Well this is what I got... I'm guessing as a "sorry about you delayed trip/sorry i wasn't really listening to you" gift.

Love theses!!!

something for Duke!

I was in desperate need of one of these!!

And these are just awesome!!

Apparently the local Disney Store is closing and lucky for me Mom was there!!
My whole (even though it is small) kitchen is mickey! I also got a mickey mouse shaped serving dish as well but it is actually in use at the moment so no picture of it yet but it is so pretty!!

Ok so now to the topic of how i'm keeping myself busy waiting for this trip. I have started taping things on travel channel about Disney to get me into the mood. So far I have taped the two hour Modern Marvels special on Disney and watched it. Other than the fact that it is kind of old (they were in the beginning stages of building EE) it was cool to watch.. definatly reccomend it. I am also going to be taping a whole bunch of stuff that will be on travel channel on 4/23.
I also have put in for a vacation the last week of july/first week in august. My company is VERY good to us and we get 4 weeks paid time off. This does include sick time but (knock on wood) i have never been too sick to go to work. So We are looking into maybe going camping or doing a bunch of day trips during that week... so there is something to look forward to!
I also have done what many other DISers have done in the past and went on alittle heist....

Yes those are what you think they are.... those are the little paint samples that you can get at Home Depot. I can't explain to you the absolute horrified look on DBF face when he saw i was taking a bunch of mickey mouse paint samples paint samples. He just thought i was being a good DGF going to home depot with him HA!

This is not yet finished but it will eventually be kind of like count down garland. I will write numbers on each mickey and as the trip gets closer a micky head comes down! What do you think???