Once Upon a Christmastime! A Nov. 2010 PTR! *Update 12/12, Disney Blues, pg 61! :( *

[Nermel9]

That's so cute! I like that it's simple, but still cute! I managed to find an old journal-style notebook in my room that I've never used, and I'm going to turn it into a trip notebook, since my folder's falling apart

Thanks! It's ok, like I said, I'm still not sure about it, but it's cute to look at!

I've been in such Disney trip planning mode in the last few days...I even broke my rule of not buying toiletries until one month before the trip and bought some stuff! I just can't wait to go!!!!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Believe me, I know. I'm so ecstatic about tomorrow being the 30 day mark that I'm all

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Congrats on getting the trip paid off! That is such a good feeling!

Cute binder! I would probably make a whole section for F&W. Ooohh, maybe special events and put MVMCP and F&W info together??? Although I'm kind of OCD about categorizing stuff. I need to get moving with my trip binder! I've got the cover done and a couple of spreadsheets put in but I still have a lot I'd like to do to it.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Awesome binder! I love it. Your inspires me to find some time to work on mine. I have the same white binder...only mine is still plain. Need to get moving on that!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Awesome Binder! it's so cute! The only suggestion I have is making a small/condensed version of your ADR confirmation #s to carry in the park with you just in case. Never know when they may misplace one and require proof

 

[shelbys mommy]

I LOVE the binder!!!!! It looks great!!!!!

 

[Simba22]

really nice job on your binder! I like all of your section dividers!

I gave up on using a binder a couple years ago and stick with my Passporter. It keeps everything together in pockets, it's got a guidebook in the front so if I ever need to look something up it's all right there, and it's the size of a regular book so I can just carry it through the airport and keep it easily accessible in the backpack for the rest of the trip. It's my WDW Lifeline! It's not customizable like a binder, obviously, but the convenience is worth it to me!

 

[laashley]

Cute binder! You could put your cindy folder in the binder to hold your rental info and plane tickets (just a suggestion). And the idea about putting your Adr's on something to bring with is a good idea. If you have a smart phone you could type them in, or just bring an index card.

You are doing way better than me. I just have two notebooks that are quickly filling up with info and none of it is any kind of order!

 

[Nermel9]

Believe me, I know. I'm so ecstatic about tomorrow being the 30 day mark that I'm all

Yay, 30 days! That means when you are leaving, I'll be at 21 days...ugh...still so far to go!

Congrats on getting the trip paid off! That is such a good feeling!

Cute binder! I would probably make a whole section for F&W. Ooohh, maybe special events and put MVMCP and F&W info together??? Although I'm kind of OCD about categorizing stuff. I need to get moving with my trip binder! I've got the cover done and a couple of spreadsheets put in but I still have a lot I'd like to do to it.

Thanks! I'm considering doing a special event section, and putting F&W and MVMCP info together! I'm OCD about organizing info too, believe me, that's why I'm stressing over this binder! You would think it would be the best way to do things, but I don't know, it seems like it's going to be a lot of trouble!

You don't have a Mac do you? I have no idea how to make spreadsheets on mine and I really want to make one for my itinerary!!!

Awesome binder! I love it. Your inspires me to find some time to work on mine. I have the same white binder...only mine is still plain. Need to get moving on that!

Thanks! They had lots of colors to pick from if you got the 1 1/2 inch binders, but I got the 1 inch, I wanted it as small as possible, and all they had was white! I should have printed my picture on colored paper or something, white is so boring!

Awesome Binder! it's so cute! The only suggestion I have is making a small/condensed version of your ADR confirmation #s to carry in the park with you just in case. Never know when they may misplace one and require proof

Thanks! Don't worry, I always carry a copy of my ADR's with me in the parks, I'm paranoid about there being a problem with our reservations! And this time I definitely need a list because half of my ADR's are in my maiden name and the other half are in my married name! So I need to keep track when we check in! Next time, I'm doing them all in my DH's name!

 

[Nermel9]

I LOVE the binder!!!!! It looks great!!!!!

Thanks!! It's cute to look at but I'm not sure about it yet. I have problems, what can I say? I obsess over ridiculous things!

really nice job on your binder! I like all of your section dividers!

I gave up on using a binder a couple years ago and stick with my Passporter. It keeps everything together in pockets, it's got a guidebook in the front so if I ever need to look something up it's all right there, and it's the size of a regular book so I can just carry it through the airport and keep it easily accessible in the backpack for the rest of the trip. It's my WDW Lifeline! It's not customizable like a binder, obviously, but the convenience is worth it to me!

Thanks!

I have a Passporter, but I never considered using it to keep all of my stuff in, it doesn't seem like the pockets are big enough. I'll probably give my binder a try this year and if I end up not liking it, I'll switch back to the folder method!

Cute binder! You could put your cindy folder in the binder to hold your rental info and plane tickets (just a suggestion). And the idea about putting your Adr's on something to bring with is a good idea. If you have a smart phone you could type them in, or just bring an index card.

You are doing way better than me. I just have two notebooks that are quickly filling up with info and none of it is any kind of order!

Thanks!! That's a good idea, using my Cinderella folder in my binder...I might have to try that, as long as it's not too big! I have page protectors, which basically act as folders, but it's just not the same!

Everything in my Cinderella folder is out of order...I stress about it not being in order, which makes me try to get it organized between 2 pockets, and then I freak out and just leave it, and it gets more disorganized...I like how the binder will keep everything in place, but it just doesn't seem like it will be easy to dig through everything at the airport! But if I use the Cinderella folder, it might be much better!

 

[KatMark]

Just a quick pop in. I agree with you...Disney popcorn is the best. I had five boxes in our four days there.

I also tried for the first time the Grand Marnier slushie--wonderful.

And hooray for being paid off.

 

[Nermel9]

Just a quick pop in. I agree with you...Disney popcorn is the best. I had five boxes in our four days there.

I also tried for the first time the Grand Marnier slushie--wonderful.

And hooray for being paid off.

Hi!!! Hope you had a great time at Disney! I never eat a lot of popcorn when I'm there for some reason, I spend a lot of time searching for it though! Seriously, whenever I'm craving it, it's either nowhere to be found or it's late and all the popcorn venders are closed for the night! This upcoming trip I'm going to eat 1 box per day!

Isn't the slushie great? Yum!

Have a great time on the rest of your vacation!

 

[laashley]

Thanks!! That's a good idea, using my Cinderella folder in my binder...I might have to try that, as long as it's not too big! I have page protectors, which basically act as folders, but it's just not the same!

Everything in my Cinderella folder is out of order...I stress about it not being in order, which makes me try to get it organized between 2 pockets, and then I freak out and just leave it, and it gets more disorganized...I like how the binder will keep everything in place, but it just doesn't seem like it will be easy to dig through everything at the airport! But if I use the Cinderella folder, it might be much better!

I know what you mean. If you used the page protectors all the stuff would get all mixed up in there. I don't know how to organize it all myself. It all just seems like clutter! Last trip I did make a daily list for each park and put it on 5 by 7 index cards. That way in the morning I knew what the basic plan was, then just tried to remember that days plan.

 

[Nermel9]

I know what you mean. If you used the page protectors all the stuff would get all mixed up in there. I don't know how to organize it all myself. It all just seems like clutter! Last trip I did make a daily list for each park and put it on 5 by 7 index cards. That way in the morning I knew what the basic plan was, then just tried to remember that days plan.

I'm just going to put the binder together (I haven't worked on it since I posted the pictures, I've been to aggravated about it...I swear, I let little things like trip binders get me so worked up! ) and if it seems like it's too much, I'll just swap everything into the filing thing I used last year. I'm going to do a little quick update in a minute and I'll post a pic of it, it's definitely a good way to keep track of everything!

 

[Nermel9]

Hi everyone, happy Thursday! I feel like I've done a lot of updating this week! I'm in Disney mode now, usually I don't get this way til about a month before, but I can't help myself. 50 more days now! I even broke my rule where I don't allow myself to buy toiletries til we only have a month left and bought some the other day!

Anyway, I decided to show you guys the folder that I used last year so you can see how much easier I think it is than a trip binder!

See my MVMCP wristband sticking out? All of my papers are in there still from last year's trip!

So if I end up not liking my binder once it's finished, that's what I'll be using!

Also I was in Stop and Shop today, and I walked by the Halloween section, and saw these and had to get them-

Aren't they adorable? I love stickers, I still have my sticker book from when I was a kid, full of stickers, so I occasionally buy some to keep in there! I love the villains, and Nightmare before Christmas is one of my favorite movies! I don't know what I'm going to do with them, maybe I'll use them for my Mousekeeping envelopes. They were just too cute to pass up!

Now, regarding my trip...as you guys know, I'm staying at POR this year, and I requested a room on the top floor in the mansions section, I think Magnolia Terrace or Oak Manor. However, the more I look at the Alligator Bayou rooms, the more I'm thinking I might want to stay there.

Just to compare, here are pics of the 2 types of rooms:

Mansion room

AB room

I really love the mansions area, so I want to stay over there, but I think Brandon will like the AB area better. And I think those rooms are a little cuter, they seem more comfy, they remind me a bit of Wilderness Lodge. But I was set on staying in the mansions area (providing I get my requests, that is!), but I don't know if Brandon will like the room. Although, he really doesn't care that much about what rooms look like! And the AB rooms do look a little dark...I don't know! Maybe I should have them remove my requests and just let them put me wherever!

I'm also thinking about canceling Ohana before MVMCP and going to Kona again instead...I just think Ohana might take too long, and I want to eat quickly and get over to the party! I've read a lot of reviews that say Ohana takes a long time. *Sigh* I don't know! At least I know I love Kona, and I do know that Brandon really wants to get sushi at the sushi bar. Decisions, decisions!

 

[Simba22]

Hmm...tough call on the room. I would say stay as you are because if you change your mind, you'll regret it for one reason or another. And the mansion room is gorgeous, BTW.....my BF isn't crazy about staying at Riverside, but I might have to convince him to try it in 2012. I already promised him we could go back to FQ in 2011 since that's his favorite resort.

ETA:
I asked my BF his opinion...(without telling him which resort it was first!) and he liked the Mansion room better, too

The stickers are cute! I LOVED stickers as a kid! The mirror in our bathroom hallway is a full size one I took from my room at my mom's house and the whole top of it is covered in stickers! You could always decorate your binder/organizer with them!

Ohana always takes a while to check in, but actually getting our food has never been a problem. I don't know if it's just a breakfast thing though because they have the characters there and maybe people are just dawdling?

 

[shelbys mommy]

I personally like the mansion room better.

 

[laashley]

Like both of the rooms. I requested Oak Manor though. Alligator Bayou is closer to the main area and main buses. If I remember correctly (can you tell it is late and I am tired?) we have stayed in the mansions before. I do believe they have undergone a renovation since then. The grounds of the mansions look so beautiful, but no matter what section you stay in, you can always take a walk around.

Never been to Ohana, but am very much looking forward to it this trip. We did plan it on a night that we had nothing to do after dinner. I have heard that most of the time spent there is waiting to be seated. I would atleast hang onto it for now. If you cancel it and change your mind, slim change of getting it back.

 

[Nermel9]

Hmm...tough call on the room. I would say stay as you are because if you change your mind, you'll regret it for one reason or another. And the mansion room is gorgeous, BTW.....my BF isn't crazy about staying at Riverside, but I might have to convince him to try it in 2012. I already promised him we could go back to FQ in 2011 since that's his favorite resort.

ETA:
I asked my BF his opinion...(without telling him which resort it was first!) and he liked the Mansion room better, too

The stickers are cute! I LOVED stickers as a kid! The mirror in our bathroom hallway is a full size one I took from my room at my mom's house and the whole top of it is covered in stickers! You could always decorate your binder/organizer with them!

Ohana always takes a while to check in, but actually getting our food has never been a problem. I don't know if it's just a breakfast thing though because they have the characters there and maybe people are just dawdling?

I will most likely just stick with what I have for requests! I don't want to start changing things now, I really like the mansion rooms! And while the AB rooms remind me of WL, I'd kind of like to be in a place that doesn't remind me of it too much, because then I'll be upset that I'm not staying there!

I hope I will be ok with Ohana, I checked the availability for Kona that night and the earliest ADR is 5:35, which is too late. The day before they had a 5:15 ADR which I was going to to take, but it's gone, so I guess I'm going to Ohana! Hopefully it won't take too long to check in, our ADR is at 5:00 exactly (I think) and I'm planning on getting there early so hopefully we will be the first ones in!

I personally like the mansion room better.

I do too! The AB rooms are cute and cozy, but the mansion rooms look really beautiful!

Like both of the rooms. I requested Oak Manor though. Alligator Bayou is closer to the main area and main buses. If I remember correctly (can you tell it is late and I am tired?) we have stayed in the mansions before. I do believe they have undergone a renovation since then. The grounds of the mansions look so beautiful, but no matter what section you stay in, you can always take a walk around.

Never been to Ohana, but am very much looking forward to it this trip. We did plan it on a night that we had nothing to do after dinner. I have heard that most of the time spent there is waiting to be seated. I would atleast hang onto it for now. If you cancel it and change your mind, slim change of getting it back.

The mansions do look beautiful, I hope I get my requests! I'd be ok if they put us in AB but I think I'd really like to be in the mansions, now that I think about it!

I'm hoping we don't have to wait a long time to be seated since our ADR is at 5! I think that's when dinner starts so hopefully it won't be a problem! We will just have to rush through our dinner if they take a long time and run out of there when we are finished! I'll just have Brandon get sushi another day,maybe on an MK day we can take a walk over there or something! I know he won't be happy if he doesn't have sushi at the Poly!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Honestly, I like both of the rooms. We're planning on staying at POR next year (unless we get a great discount and can afford WL), actually

And that file is beautiful!