On our weigh and bringing Tagalongs ~ Sept '14 PTR ~ UPDATED 9/8 x2

RooRach0906 · May 24, 2014

Hello and Welcome Everyone to my Pre-Trip Report!!!!! :wave2:

I am excited to share the details of our trip; hope you will join us in our journey!!! :goodvibes

Please if you are reading along say Hi!

RooRach0906 · May 24, 2014

RooRach0906 · May 24, 2014

Let's head right into the introductions.

Me (Rachel) ~ I am a Stay at home mommy, who loves God, Family, Friends, and Disney; I'm the main planner of our trips. Other things I enjoy are baking, rollercoasters, crafting, playing video games, singing, dancing, and meeting new people. I am not great with words so please excuse me if I get wordy trying to say things. Here is where part of the title comes in; I am in the processes of trying to lose weight. I have a goal to be down 20 lbs by Sept and then 40-45 total by May.

Favorite Disney movie ~ A three way tie between Great Mouse Detective, Beauty and the Beast, and Meet the Robinsons. Then I have lots of runner ups.

Favorite Disney Character ~ Roo but a close second is Stitch and at least I can meet him!

DH (James) ~ He is Daddy and Hubbie who works hard as a Install Technician for a Home Security Company. He enjoys our trips to Disney and has actually told me to plan random trips. Other things he enjoys are playing video games, rollercoasters, relaxing with friends, and watching TV.

Favorite Disney Movie ~ Pirates of the Caribbean (all of them)

Favorite Disney Character ~ To be determined

Here is a pic of us on our last trip! We were The Plaza's Family of the Hour.

DD (Cinderella) ~ A 4 year old princess who loves princesses and my little ponies also enjoys video games, cars, legos, and tea parties. She is a girly girl most of the time but will surprise us and have Tomboy moments; she is mischievous, sweet, loving, fun- crazy and surprises us with the things she says.

Favorite Movie ~ Frozen

Favorite Character ~ Cinderella

Next up ~ 3, 6, 3, or 5; how many will be in our group?

RooRach0906 · May 26, 2014

Originally this trip was going to be just the 3 of us, as most of our trips are; but also because it was to be a family reunion trip on my side of the family and we would have been hanging out with them some of the time. We had two days set as family days and the rest was to be enjoyed however everyone wanted.

Then my MIL was saying how she wanted to take our niece (7) to Disney World. She has been one day to Magic Kingdom but that is it. James and I had talked about it and decided we would invite them to come with us so that they would not have to pay for the room; we are DVC members and were going to rent a room big enough for all of us. Well we gave them all the figures that it was going to cost them. At first they acted like they were going to come so it would have been 6 of us, then no, then yes, then no, then maybe; finally we told them we had to have a definite answer by January 1 and it was we can't afford it.

It was back to the three with us which we were good with because of the family reunion part of the trip. Well that got cancelled and at first it was going to be my immediate family going and that cancelled!

Well my one sister was really bummed she was really looking forward to going to Disney as she can only afford to go with someone being a single mom that lives at home with Mom and Dad. Again James and I talked about it and decided to invite them again with the agreement that they had to pay for ticket, flights, food, and souvenirs; we would not charge her for the room. It would make us a group a 5 and that was fine by us. We have already traveled with them once before to Disney and it worked great.

Well what did she decide???? How many would be in our group???

She decided to COME!!!!! The Tagalongs are coming with us again!!! Making us a group of 5!!!

DSis (Becky) ~ Single Mom, who is crazy, fun, loving, hilarious, and does not care what anyone thinks of her. She enjoys rollercoasters, playing video games, reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. She is also a Girl Scout Leader.

Favorite Disney Movie ~ Aladdin and Newsies

Favorite Disney Character ~ Abu and Elliot

DNiece (Sally) ~ A silly, funny, crazy, smart 10 year old; she will be 11 by the trip. She enjoys video games, learning, reading, girl scouts, playing with friends and family.

Favorite Disney Movie ~ Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite Disney Character ~ Penny from Bolt

Here is a pic of them from Thanksgiving:

Up Next ~ When are we going?

RooRach0906 · Jun 2, 2014

Today is our 99 Day Mark, so we are doing the DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!! :cheer2:

RooRach0906 · Jun 3, 2014

We have had a few changes in our dates; which makes me stress because I like to narrow down all the details.

First we were going 9/18- 9/25 for the family reunion.

Then we decided to change it to 9/16 - 9/23. We were all set until park hours came out and Food & Wine Festival had been extended a weekend earlier.

It is not that we hate the F&WF, it is just we don't like the crowds that come along with it opening weekend.

We all talked and decided we did not want to be their opening weekend and since Sally starts school the near the beginning of August Becky did not mind taking Penny out of school near the beginning of September.

Soooo we are going 9/9- 9/16!!!!!

Up Next ~ Where will we be staying?

RooRach0906 · Jun 3, 2014

Well since this PTR is also about my weight loss journey; I guess I should talk about my goals and plans to achieve my weight loss goal as well as my progress.

My Goals

To lose 20 pounds by September which would put me at 145ish and 20 more pounds by next May which would have me at 125ish which is where I want to be! I also have mini goals and they are 10 pounds by June and after September to lose 10 more pounds by January.

My Plan

Eat more veggies, fruit, and protein. Track my calories using Myfitnesspal app. I am also doing DrOz protein prescription only I can normally only get in 4 times a day.
Work out 6 days a week on the elliptical and add in some other exercises in once I find some. (if anyone knows of some good toning exercises please tell me about them.)

Rewards

I plan on rewarding myself at my goals and mini goals. Mini goals will be smaller items maybe just a piece of clothes I would not normally buy. Goals will probably be bigger items like maybe either a Disney Dooney or Vera Bradley purse.

RooRach0906 · Jun 7, 2014

Originally when James family was coming with us we were going to stay at our Home Resort SSR in a 2 bedroom.

When it changed to having 5 in our party we only had 3 choices for DVC 1 bedrooms AKV, BLT, or OKW. OKW was out because we stayed there last time together and we all wanted to try something new.

AKV ~ Animals, Cool Pool, Farther from other parks

BLT ~ Walking Distance to MK, Monorail to Epcot, Have to go to the Contemporary for Amenities

So Which did we choose???

OR

We choose...

We were all set up in a 1 bedroom lakeview room at BLT. Until that is I started thinking, dangerous I know, and talked to DH and decided I really wanted the living room area to be hangout area. Plus then Cinderella could be put asleep early and not in our room. So.......

We decided to switch to a 2 bedroom. :goodvibes

This will be a complete surprise to Becky and Sally!!!

Up Next ~ How will we be getting to Disney?

RooRach0906 · Jun 20, 2014

I hit my goal of 10 pounds before June!!!!!!! :goodvibes

My reward was a lands end swim shirt which I am sure I will be needing to swim at Disney and definitely on the cruise.

I am currently at 148 lbs; part of my stall is because I was not doing a good job working out the last couple of weeks. I am starting again today and hopefully will keep it up.

I have been keeping track of my calories; trying not to over eat, it happens sometimes tho.

RooRach0906 · Jun 26, 2014

First, Today is our 75 day mark!!!!!

We went back and forth on this a lot on whether we would fly or drive?

or

Most of the back in forth was because when it is just the 3 of us, a lot of times it is the same amount or just a little more to fly than to drive. You guys already know how we had lots of changing back in forth with who was coming with us.

When it became the 5 of us we decided to drive. We would be packed a little tight because we would take our truck, so there is not really a trunk and we don't have a cover for the bed.

Well then flights came out and since they were really good prices; Becky really wanted to fly anyway; and James said buying a cover for the bed would take care of the difference of flight. We decide to FLY!!!! Horray!!!! :goodvibes

Thankfully our parents, Becky and mine, said they would drive us to the airport and drop us off and pick us up when we arrive back.

We have a early flight down so should be in the parks for lunch and a late flight home so we will get time in the parks before we leave.

Up Next ~ Mickey Mail

freckles04 · Jun 27, 2014

Following!

So nice of you to bring your sister and niece.

2 bedroom at BLT... sounds dreamy!

Can't wait to see what else is planned.

RooRach0906 · Jun 27, 2014

freckles04 said:
Following!

So nice of you to bring your sister and niece.

2 bedroom at BLT... sounds dreamy!

Can't wait to see what else is planned.

Thank you for following along!

Aww thanks, my sister is very funny so she makes our trips more entertaining. :laughing:

in a good way of course.

I'm really excited about doing a two bedroom, it will be the first time with such a large room.

Again thank you. :goodvibes

RooRach0906 · Jul 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!

I hope to be back later with a update.

Here is a quick life update Cinderella had her first sleep over last night at Nana's, which is my parents and where my sister and sally live. I assuming it went well since I haven't had a call to say otherwise.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe day!!!!

RooRach0906 · Jul 10, 2014

I hit my September goal already! I have lost 20 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it by monitoring my calorie intake and by doing 30-35 minutes on the elliptical!

I am trying to figure out what I might do as a reward and I think it maybe clothes or an iTunes gift card. What do you guys think?

RooRach0906 · Jul 10, 2014

A couple days ago we received some Mickey Mail.

It told us in a couple days we could make our Fastpass + reservations.

Also we received a package which was Cinderella's new stroller which we aren't sure we are keeping yet?!?!?!?!

Opinions on the stroller?

Up Next ~ Fastpass + Reservations

RooRach0906 · Jul 14, 2014

On July 11 at midnight I was ready to make my fastpass + reservations. I had the laptop all ready to go but for some weird reason it would not let me make reservations on the my disney experience site. I then tried the app and it worked! Thank goodness it did as I was having a mini freak out.

1st thing 1st need to check for Anna and Elsa fastpasses for our arrival day and standby only, no!

Check for the 12th again Standby only, NO, NO!

Only one date left to check for and that is our last day the 16th... click click click... looking at my choices... Oh thank goodness THEY ARE AVAILABLE!!!! :yay:

Next edit the time earliest I can get get 11:50 -12:50 I was hoping for a little earlier but I will take it!

I really wanted Anna and Elsa for our arrival day and I will keep checking and hope something will open up and if so I will cancel my 16th reservation.

After Anna and Elsa I went back to day one of our trip and looked for the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. I could get it in all kinds of times slots so I went with 2:05-3:05 that way we would definitely be in the park and hopefully already have gotten lunch. There was actually a lot of availability for the attraction at that time.

After getting the two most important fastpasses out of the way I then took the time to do all my other days one at a time and fix times as I went. There was plenty availability for all the other attractions.

Quick little input: Fastpasses this year I think were/will be the most stressful between Anna and Elsa, scheduling for 5 people sometimes doing seperate attractions there is also the fact that Cinderella is just shy of 40 inches and we do not know if she will have a growth spurt between now and then so we booked like she would figuring it will be easier to change them if she doesn't.

Here are our Fastpasses as of now~

9/9 MK

11:30-12:30 Splash Mountain
2:05- 3:05 Seven Dwarfs
4:40- 5:40 Meet Cinderella (This one will get changed if Anna and Elsa open up this day)

9/10 HS

11:50- 12:50 Toy Story Midway Mania
1:10- 1:25 Disney Jr (Cinderella, James and I)
1:15- 1:35 Indiana Jones (Sally and Becky)
2:20- 3:20 Star Tours

9/11 Epcot

10:30-11:30 Soarin'
12:15-1:15 Spaceship Earth
1:50- 2:50 Character Spot (Cinderella and I)
1:50- 2:50 Mission:Space (James, Becky, and Sally)

9/12 MK

10:20-11:20 Buzz Lightyear (James, Cinderella, and I)
10:20-11:20 Space Mountain (Sally and Becky)
12-1 Barnstormer

9/13 AK

9-10 Kilimanjaro Safaris (James, Cinderella, and I)
9-10 Primeval Whirl (Becky and Sally)
11:30-12:30 It's Tough to be a Bug (James, Sally, and Cinderella)
11:40-12:40 Everest (Becky and I)
12:40-1:40 Kali River Rapids

9/14

Break Day hopefully MNNSHP for Cinderella, James and I

9/15 Epcot

9:35-10:35 Test Track
10:40-11:40 Turtle Talk
1:40-2:40 Maelstorm

9/16 MK

9:30-10:30 Haunted Manison
11:50-12:50 Anna and Elsa

The only day I am questioning my times on is Animal Kingdom as we have a 10:15 ADR and I am wondering if I need to push pack our fastpasses?

Couple quick tips for those who haven't done FP+ reservations yet.

1) Have both devices ready to go, it is much easier on the laptop as I can change or edit or do them on here now but just in case like me there is a glitch you can try the app.

2) Do most important Fastpasses FIRST Anna and Elsa, Seven Dwarfs etc and go ahead and edit those times ASAP!

3) Have your Dining ADR or any other reservations near you to make times selecting faster and easier.

4) If you want something like Anna and Elsa or are picky about your times for Seven Dwarfs be on at midnight!

All in all I got all the fastpasses I wanted and most on the day and at the time I wanted! :thumbsup2

Also if you are following along please say Hi! I would love to hear from you!

Up Next ~ Our ADRs

RooRach0906 · Jul 16, 2014

Today is our 55 day mark

Also Today.......

LB1122 · Jul 16, 2014

Well first off...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! :cheer2:

And next - looks like a fun trip. DVC is something we thought long and hard about for awhile,but then hubby became a TA so not really needed now.

Glad you got Anna & Elsa for your trip (very hard - we waited 3 hours at Epcot over the holidays for this)

Hope you get to do MNSSHP - we are so excited about going back for this in October.

You mentioned and ADR, but did not say where you guys will be eating?? What fun ADRs do you have planned?

Have a great day

RooRach0906 · Jul 17, 2014

LB1122 said:
Well first off...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

And next - looks like a fun trip. DVC is something we thought long and hard about for awhile,but then hubby became a TA so not really needed now.

Glad you got Anna & Elsa for your trip (very hard - we waited 3 hours at Epcot over the holidays for this)

Hope you get to do MNSSHP - we are so excited about going back for this in October.

You mentioned and ADR, but did not say where you guys will be eating?? What fun ADRs do you have planned?

Have a great day

First of all Thank you, Thank you for joining in!!!!

Thank you for the birthday wishes, it was a wonderful day!!!

We talked about DVC since our honeymoon, took a tour in 09, and talked about it a lot and decided it was a good time for us to buy in 2011. I have always thought that being a TA would be fun. Does he like what he does?

Oh wow! I really don't think I could wait 3 hours. I do feel lucky I got a fastpass+ at all.

I really hope we can do MNSSHP, everyone says it is so much fun!

I am getting ready to post my ADRs in an update!

Again thank you so much for joining! :goodvibes

RooRach0906 · Jul 17, 2014

Our very first reservation is the one I am looking forward to the most!!!!!

Which is.......

9/9 @5:25 pm

We are also dining at....

9/10 @5:30 pm

9/12 @5:25 pm

9/13 @10:15 am

9/15 @4:50 pm

We are also hoping to go to....

As I mentioned in my last update I am worried about my fastpasses on our AK day I am not sure if I need to move it or not?!?!?!? What do you think?

On our weigh and bringing Tagalongs ~ Sept '14 PTR ~ UPDATED 9/8 x2

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

DIS Veteran

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

Life's full of tough choices...Disney is not one o

"Oh Goody, Horray!"

"Oh Goody, Horray!"