Oh Come All Ye Faithful... DIS TR Addicts... UPDATE 4/19

[2xcited2sleep]

Well DIS with me, Christine, I am busy watching the clock until it is time for my weekly dose of Dr. Hunt -- I mean Grey's Anatomy.

OMG- somehow I almost forgot it was a Dr. Hunt night! Thanks for the reminder. And in the meantime... an update!

 

[Charleston Princess]

OMG- somehow I almost forgot it was a Dr. Hunt night! Thanks for the reminder. And in the meantime... an update!

Hurray! I love updates!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

My first full day at WDW. I'll be waking up at Pop Century. I'm still feeling luke warm about this. I don't know. I may try to change the hotel this weekend. We'll see. But we're talking about day two.

Animal Kingdom day. Since I skipped this park in October (spoiler alert since I don’t think I got to that in my actual TR!! ) I’m anxious to head over there and particularly ride the safari.

Here again I'm hoping for a good mix of some solo time and some meets. These are the meets that have caught my eye and then I'm sure I'll play things by ear when I'm actually there.

10:30 – Magic in Pixels photography meet at the Tree of Life

A photographic walk around the Tree of Life where we try to find as many animals as possible... some are VERY well hidden! All skill levels and equipment levels are more than welcome.​

I'm really planning on focusing (get it? ha-ha) on photography on this trip. I've been really inspired by so many of the photos I've seen on your TRs. I used to love photography back when I was in high school so I'm hoping to get back into it.

12:30 lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby. As if there was any doubt?? I can taste the wine, Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake now. Heaven.

WDW Today’s 500th podcast episode 2-3:30pm (Backstage Prop Shop)

The WDWTODAY Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode and we want to celebrate this milestone with our listeners and friends in a very special way. We want you to join us for cake, refreshments, fun, games, and prizes​

I'm excited about this one. Are there any other podcast listeners out there? Since I started this new job in May and went from a 10 to 45 min commute I've been doing a lot of podcast listening to pass the time and these guys really crack me up! Plus the opportunity to be backstage sounds pretty cool.

Podfest 4pm

A gathering of Disney podcasters and listeners.​

Not sure what to do with the evening. Maybe Epcot. There is another meet (below). But I'm thinking that may be too many meets for one day and I may want solo time. Maybe Downtown Disney? Maybe resort touring?? What do you think??

PassPorter’s 10th Anniversary “Around the World” Celebration Kickoff

Exactly ten years ago tonight, Jennifer and Dave Marx were in the midst of their very first hard-core research trip for this new idea they had for a book, a little thing they called PassPorter. Of course, “little” doesn’t describe the task they took on, tackling the biggest vacation destination in the United States. Together with the help of a core team and tens of thousands of readers, PassPorter grew and expanded, year by year. Along the way, PassPorter has won awards and hit the bestseller list time and time again. None of this would have happened without the love and support of YOU, the Disney fan community. We may have started out small, but together we have built PassPorter into something mighty! Join Jennifer and Dave this evening as they celebrate their first steps and kickoff their year-long “Decade of Dreams” celebration in style! We’ll start off the celebration with a bang as we watch IllumiNations together in Italy, in recognition of one of the first international destinations that PassPorter guides covered. Then we’ll walk over together to The American Adventure to watch the show and celebrate PassPorter’s own little “American Dream” success story. We’ll cap off the evening together with a yummy snack at a nearby eatery, compliments of PassPorter. And everyone still with us in our party wearing a MouseFest lanyard or PassPorter pouch/pin/badge will receive free one-month’s “Dream Pass” to the PassPorter’s Club as a special thank-you gift for sharing our dream with us.​

I can't help but feel I am not particularly well organized for this trip. It doesn't quite seem real that I'm going. IN THREE WEEKS!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The Tree of Life meet sounds really cool -- I can't wait to see your photos from that!

Mmmm, lunch at Brown Derby again -- yummy!

So, would you change to AKL if you changed your room? Have you ever stayed at Pop before?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The Tree of Life meet sounds really cool -- I can't wait to see your photos from that!

Mmmm, lunch at Brown Derby again -- yummy!

So, would you change to AKL if you changed your room? Have you ever stayed at Pop before?

No I haven't stayed at Pop before. I think my deluxe obsession is in overdrive. I'm sure it will be fine. Have you stayed there?

I have to tell you I am having pangs for the Beach Club. That has skyrocketed to the top of my list for the proximity to Epcot. So convenient! You are SO going to love it!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

No I haven't stayed at Pop before. I think my deluxe obsession is in overdrive. I'm sure it will be fine. Have you stayed there?

I have to tell you I am having pangs for the Beach Club. That has skyrocketed to the top of my list for the proximity to Epcot. So convenient! You are SO going to love it!!!

Stay at Pop -- it is only for a couple of nights and you should definitely experience all the brightness and fun that Pop embodies. You'll love all the nods to the different decades. We loved our stay there.

I am still on a Beach Club high -- I really can't help but be paranoid that it won't pan out -- like something will prevent us from staying there.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Stay at Pop -- it is only for a couple of nights and you should definitely experience all the brightness and fun that Pop embodies. You'll love all the nods to the different decades. We loved our stay there.

I am still on a Beach Club high -- I really can't help but be paranoid that it won't pan out -- like something will prevent us from staying there.

Oh no! Nothing is jinxing this for you!

 

[Lady Lallie]

So I passed the skipping Animal Kingdom disease to you!

I think you will enjoy Pop for a few nights, it's not deluxe but I think it's fun.

 

[Donald is #1]

10:30 – Magic in Pixels photography meet at the Tree of Life

A photographic walk around the Tree of Life where we try to find as many animals as possible... some are VERY well hidden! All skill levels and equipment levels are more than welcome.​

I'm really planning on focusing (get it? ha-ha) on photography on this trip. I've been really inspired by so many of the photos I've seen on your TRs. I used to love photography back when I was in high school so I'm hoping to get back into it.

I've been debating between doing this meet and the AllEarsNet one.

 

[ILuvCrush]

skipping AK I'm so sad.....

I say stay at Pop. It's nice and fun. The food court is great and the shadow boxes in the lobby are a must see. Besides, whether you love it or you don't... after staying in a value...the rest of your stay at AKL will seem like heaven!!

i'm glad you didn't fall into the Atlantic or anything I'm just so used to you being on here almost every time I am!! AND I don't think you've visited my new PTR yet either



Paula

 

[Charleston Princess]

I just love your photos from the Beach Club -- we are almost at our six month mark!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi! I just found the link to your PTR on Brookelizabeth'S TR. Sounds like a great plan, even if you feel like it is still lacking detail

I don't know whether you are a morning person, but I think the AK rope drop ceremony is really lovely. If you haven't seen it yet, I can absolutely recommend being early at AK.

The WDW Today Podcast event sounds great! I love this podcast (even though I am way behind at the moment...) and agree: they are so funny

 

[nts4wdw]

My first full day at WDW. I'll be waking up at Pop Century. I'm still feeling luke warm about this. I don't know. I may try to change the hotel this weekend. We'll see. But we're talking about day two.

Animal Kingdom day. Since I skipped this park in October (spoiler alert since I don’t think I got to that in my actual TR!! ) I’m anxious to head over there and particularly ride the safari.

Here again I'm hoping for a good mix of some solo time and some meets. These are the meets that have caught my eye and then I'm sure I'll play things by ear when I'm actually there.

10:30 – Magic in Pixels photography meet at the Tree of Life

A photographic walk around the Tree of Life where we try to find as many animals as possible... some are VERY well hidden! All skill levels and equipment levels are more than welcome.​

I'm really planning on focusing (get it? ha-ha) on photography on this trip. I've been really inspired by so many of the photos I've seen on your TRs. I used to love photography back when I was in high school so I'm hoping to get back into it.

12:30 lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby. As if there was any doubt?? I can taste the wine, Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake now. Heaven.

WDW Today’s 500th podcast episode 2-3:30pm (Backstage Prop Shop)

The WDWTODAY Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode and we want to celebrate this milestone with our listeners and friends in a very special way. We want you to join us for cake, refreshments, fun, games, and prizes​

I'm excited about this one. Are there any other podcast listeners out there? Since I started this new job in May and went from a 10 to 45 min commute I've been doing a lot of podcast listening to pass the time and these guys really crack me up! Plus the opportunity to be backstage sounds pretty cool.

Podfest 4pm

A gathering of Disney podcasters and listeners.​

Not sure what to do with the evening. Maybe Epcot. There is another meet (below). But I'm thinking that may be too many meets for one day and I may want solo time. Maybe Downtown Disney? Maybe resort touring?? What do you think??

PassPorter’s 10th Anniversary “Around the World” Celebration Kickoff

Exactly ten years ago tonight, Jennifer and Dave Marx were in the midst of their very first hard-core research trip for this new idea they had for a book, a little thing they called PassPorter. Of course, “little” doesn’t describe the task they took on, tackling the biggest vacation destination in the United States. Together with the help of a core team and tens of thousands of readers, PassPorter grew and expanded, year by year. Along the way, PassPorter has won awards and hit the bestseller list time and time again. None of this would have happened without the love and support of YOU, the Disney fan community. We may have started out small, but together we have built PassPorter into something mighty! Join Jennifer and Dave this evening as they celebrate their first steps and kickoff their year-long “Decade of Dreams” celebration in style! We’ll start off the celebration with a bang as we watch IllumiNations together in Italy, in recognition of one of the first international destinations that PassPorter guides covered. Then we’ll walk over together to The American Adventure to watch the show and celebrate PassPorter’s own little “American Dream” success story. We’ll cap off the evening together with a yummy snack at a nearby eatery, compliments of PassPorter. And everyone still with us in our party wearing a MouseFest lanyard or PassPorter pouch/pin/badge will receive free one-month’s “Dream Pass” to the PassPorter’s Club as a special thank-you gift for sharing our dream with us.​

I can't help but feel I am not particularly well organized for this trip. It doesn't quite seem real that I'm going. IN THREE WEEKS!!!

Your plans look great! I'm jealous. We had planned some other things so we will be missing those meets. Now I'll get to experience them through you! We are in the teens!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So I have a confession to make. I am having SERIOUS second thoughts about this trip. I'm not sure what is wrong with me.

There's Suze Ormon (sp?) on tv telling us we need to prepare financially for the apocalypse.

There's the fact that I was just there in October. (I KNOW - wash my mouth out w/ soap I cannot believe I just used that as a potential justification not to go back! )

There's the fact that I'm nervous about another solo trip and all the meets. I'd figured out in October that a blend of solo and group time was the perfect mix for me. But I'm shy. And not sure how I'll fare in the big meets.

And then there's the fact that I have a sort-of (emphasis on sort-of) new beau who really doesn't understand the Disney obsession.

UGH. I never would have thought that a Disney trip would cause me angst!! I know... not what you signed on to read about! Sorry!! So while I'm still mulling things over I'll post what my day 3 itinerary might look like...

 

[Lady Lallie]

So I have a confession to make. I am having SERIOUS second thoughts about this trip. I'm not sure what is wrong with me.

There's Suze Ormon (sp?) on tv telling us we need to prepare financially for the apocalypse.

There's the fact that I was just there in October. (I KNOW - wash my mouth out w/ soap I cannot believe I just used that as a potential justification not to go back! )

There's the fact that I'm nervous about another solo trip and all the meets. I'd figured out in October that a blend of solo and group time was the perfect mix for me. But I'm shy. And not sure how I'll fare in the big meets.

And then there's the fact that I have a sort-of (emphasis on sort-of) new beau who really doesn't understand the Disney obsession.

UGH. I never would have thought that a Disney trip would cause me angst!! I know... not what you signed on to read about! Sorry!! So while I'm still mulling things over I'll post what my day 3 itinerary might look like...

Awwwww

I am going to skip right over the emphasis on the sort-of new beau who doesn't understand the Disney obsession.....there are ways that can change.

Anyhoo...you are just experiencing that pretrip depression/guilt. That's all. You will have so much fun on your trip! You will do fine at the meets as well, I am sure you will find others like you that are more on the shy side that you can be shy with together.

Everything will be fine and if you really don't want to go.....I'll take one for the team and pretend to be you. That's what friends are for!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Two words, Christine: Annual Pass

You HAVE to get your money's worth and I am sure that Suze Orman would agree!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So today is the day of the Mega Mouse Meet (MMM). It is being held this year in the Yacht/Beach Club Conference Center. I've never been but from what I gather it is a big conference room with booths/tables from all of the various Disney Internet celebrities. I like that it is so close to the parks that if it didn't turn out to be up my alley that I could be back in Epcot in minutes without too much hassle. But I do think it would be really cool to meet these podcasters that I've been listening to for so long!

Assuming the MMM is as fun as it sounds and I hang out there for a while, I'm thinking Beaches 'n Cream for lunch. Thank goodness I'm among DIS friends who won't find it odd that I STILL think about that cheeseburger.

Then at 3pm I think this meet sounds REALLY cool:

Join MousePlanet's David Koenig, author of the best-selling "Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World," on a one-hour walking tour around the World Showcase that NEARLY was. David will regale with tales and point out what was almost built where, including pavilions on Equatorial Africa, Scandinavia, Costa Rica, Russia, and Israel. Come ready to hike, as we will be walking the entire perimeter of the lagoon.​

Simultaneous to the above meet is a Drink Around the World Meet, which, as you can imagine, is right up my alley!! Maybe I can catch up with them,

Then there's a photography meet that looks great.

Join Tim and The Magic in Pixels Community as we take a photographic walk around World Showcase, from Canada to Mexico. Bring your cameras and lots of batteries and memory cards - you don't want to miss this one! There will be lots of tips, photos, and laughs to be had.​

That evening the DIS is having their Toy Story Mania event. If you haven't heard about it, they've rented out Pixar Place after the park closes. I can't find a description right now but they've said we'll have full run of the TSM ride, there will be roving appetizers and a cash bar. It sounds SO COOL. And I was lucky enough to get a spot! That seems like worth the price of the whole trip right there to me. Warning: DIS obsessive trying to justify her trip here.

I'm also anxious to see the Osborne lights. My buddy Paula made me aware of a special "extra" for passholders:

It's hard to imagine how seeing millions of twinkling holiday lights "dancing" to a grand holiday symphony could get any better. However, Passholders can receive a pair of complimentary 3-D glasses and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in an even more thrilling and immersive way! Passholders can pick up* their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance. This Spectacle of Dancing Lights is happening at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ from November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009. The complimentary 3-D glasses are available until December 21, 2008 - so don't miss this spectacular event!​

So that's the potential day 3. For the DIS/TSM event you need to be in the park before it closes (~8pm) but the event itself doesn't start until 9:30 pm. I'm thinking about either Mama Melrose, 50's Primetime or a repeat visit to Hollywood Brown Derby in the interim? Do the restaurants take ADR's for 8pm if the park closes at 8pm??

So as I write this up I get giddy again about the trip!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Awwwww

I am going to skip right over the emphasis on the sort-of new beau who doesn't understand the Disney obsession.....there are ways that can change.

Anyhoo...you are just experiencing that pretrip depression/guilt. That's all. You will have so much fun on your trip! You will do fine at the meets as well, I am sure you will find others like you that are more on the shy side that you can be shy with together.

Everything will be fine and if you really don't want to go.....I'll take one for the team and pretend to be you. That's what friends are for!

Two words, Christine: Annual Pass

You HAVE to get your money's worth and I am sure that Suze Orman would agree!

Have I mentioned how much I love and appreciate my DIS friends???

I am open to suggestions for the SOB (sort of beau) but trust me, he is VERY resistant. And since he is only in sort of status, not sure how much effort I care to expend to change it.

LL- wish you could take one for the team and come too!

You too, CP!!!

And yes, I imagine that Suze would be all for maximizing the $ already spent.

Ahh.. the justifications a DIS'er can make.

Love you gals!!

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm also anxious to see the Osborne lights. My buddy Paula made me aware of a special "extra" for passholders:

It's hard to imagine how seeing millions of twinkling holiday lights "dancing" to a grand holiday symphony could get any better. However, Passholders can receive a pair of complimentary 3-D glasses and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in an even more thrilling and immersive way! Passholders can pick up* their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance. This Spectacle of Dancing Lights is happening at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ from November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009. The complimentary 3-D glasses are available until December 21, 2008 - so don't miss this spectacular event!​

Cool! I didn't know about the 3-D glasses.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I just love your photos from the Beach Club -- we are almost at our six month mark!

Six months will fly by! And you will so LOVE the Beach Club!!!

Hi! I just found the link to your PTR on Brookelizabeth'S TR. Sounds like a great plan, even if you feel like it is still lacking detail

I don't know whether you are a morning person, but I think the AK rope drop ceremony is really lovely. If you haven't seen it yet, I can absolutely recommend being early at AK.

The WDW Today Podcast event sounds great! I love this podcast (even though I am way behind at the moment...) and agree: they are so funny

So glad you've joined the party. I'm not really a morning person but I've heard enough about the various rope drop ceremonies that I feel that I need to check them out!

Your plans look great! I'm jealous. We had planned some other things so we will be missing those meets. Now I'll get to experience them through you! We are in the teens!!!

Can't even fathom we're in the teens! One way or another hope to find time to meet you and Chuck. Think your unofficialy Poly beach meet sounds great. Will have to check out your Mousefest plans and see if we overlap anywhere.