One Park Commando's attempt to go with the flow PTR

[Mickeyorbust]

We usually make the trip to Disney like most in the sweltering summer heat. But, thanks to my new position, meaning I’m banned from leaving work during our busy season (the summer), we’re going the week after thanksgiving (November 27, 2010 through December 4, 2010). DH (fsmith2845) and I are really looking forward to being in the World when it’s not skin blistering hot and seeing Disney decorated for Christmas. DD8 is of course excited about going to Disney anytime, she wants to work there. DD16 is another story. She’s been too cool for Disney since she was 12. BUT, this year she’s excited to see the WWOHP at IOA. She’s been a diehard HP fan since the first book. I really think she can recite all the books/movies word for word from beginning to end. Is there a name for HP fans I’m not aware of, like the Star Trek fans being called Trekkie’s?

This trip we’ll be staying at Saratoga Springs. Which I think DD16 is also excited about, her bed will be in a separate room. Last trip we stayed at POFQ. And anyone who has a teenager knows, they text constantly. So this will hopefully prevent the tap, tap, buzz, buzz when everyone else is trying to sleep and we won’t have to hear DH yelling at her to put the phone away. It’s amazing how loud the silent setting is on a phone with no other noise in the room. Another bonus, we’ll be in walking distance to DTD and my favorite CS, Earl of Sandwich.

There’s one thing about SSR that makes me a little nervous, busses. According to the resort map there aren’t many bus stops. I’m a park commando, can’t help myself, and being far away from a bus stop makes me want to scream. I’ve read here on the boards that SSR buses can take longer than the other resorts, which also make me nervous. However, this trip, since it’ll be cooler weather I have promised myself I won’t make the commando touring plan. This is tough I’m in danger of falling off the wagon any second and is why I’m writing this PTR, therapy!

In the past we’ve driven 14 hours each way, DH doing most of it and insisting on driving straight through. That makes for a very Grumpy DH. Ok, to be honest, if I let him rest when we arrived he’d probably be less grumpy. But this is vacation for crying out loud, who rests on vacation? We’ll be flying this time, WHEW! The flight is a little under 2 hours, so hopefully a much less grumpy and ready to go DH.

So, what we’ve planned so far (these are Disney trip planning basics, only):
Resort – Saratoga Springs (check)
DDP – (check)
Disney Park Tickets – 7-day park hoppers (check)
MVMCP tickets – (check)
US/IOA Park Tickets – (check)
Flight Ressie’s – (check)
Magic Express – (check)

Arrival Day 11/27: After check-in head to Epcot.
Dinner ressie’s at Tepan Edo (How in the world is that pronounced?)

Sunday 11/28: Hollywood Studios
Lunch at Sci-Fi (Been DD8’s favorite since she was 3)

Monday 11/29: US/IOA featuring WWHOP!
No DDP ressie this day, planning to eat at US/IOA…hopefully the Hog’s Head

Tuesday 11/30: Morning Epcot
Lunch Ressie at Rose & Crown
Evening MVMCP

Wednesday 12/1: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast Ressie at Tusker House

Thursday 12/2: Magic Kingdom
Dinner Ressie at Spirit of Aloha

Friday 12/3: Epcot
Breakfast Ressie at 1900 Park Fare

Saturday 12/4: DTD, maybe a park and Depart for home

 

[nebo]

Hi MoB, sounds like you have great trip planned.
I still LOVE being in commando mode, especially at MK.

We will be there around the same time as you, but we start with a room only,, we won't get the dining plan and the park tickets until Thursday, the 2nd. That friday, the 3rd, is when we also have a Teppanedo appointment, I mean reservation, that's the only days our park days cross since then you will be leaving the next day. Maybe we can run into you there.
If not, have a great trip, let me know how Harry is. nebo

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Thanks Nebo. Hope you and Smidgy have a good trip too. Will def keep an eye out for you.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Ok, so DH has been picking on my PT. According to him, since I've planned which parks and where TS's are each day it's commando mode. I say no, I haven't planned the Counter Services. That's my "go with the flow." We'll have CS and snacks where ever we are at the time. I haven't gone through the maps and prepared my plan of attack for fastpasses and rides. We'll ride them as we come across them (shudder).

The need to plan is overcoming me.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

DH ordered the UA/IOA tickets. Whew!

 

[Disney Commando]

I'll be there starting on the 5th, one big thing you have to remember is you have less time in the parks than the summertime, both in EMH most are only till 11 if lucky + it gets dark quicker On the other hand it's not as hot and you can get alot done without sweating to death

If at any point you fall off the wagon and get kicked by the horse it will probably be at MVMCP alot to do with so little time to get it all in. The force will be strong, Once a Commando always a Commando, Nothing wrong with that!

 

[fsmith2845]

It's getting really exciting now.. have all of our tickets now, reservations in hand, ADR's in place.. and yesterday we got our Magic Express Package!!!

Just over a month away now!!!

 

[smidgy]

ok, came over here to see how your trip was.

ready and waiting to hear!!!

I really am interested in how you enjoyed SSR. we have freinds from whom we rent points. did they start on the new feature pool?

I have a question about the hoppers. did you use them? how often?

we never get them, but sometimes I want to, but Nebo says it's too much $. I think it's a nice "back-up" but, uber planner that he is , he says he would feel like he would have to definintely PLAN to make sure that we would need them.

how was WWOHP? we have read all the books and seen all the movies.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

ok, came over here to see how your trip was.

ready and waiting to hear!!!

I really am interested in how you enjoyed SSR. we have freinds from whom we rent points. did they start on the new feature pool?

I have a question about the hoppers. did you use them? how often?

we never get them, but sometimes I want to, but Nebo says it's too much $. I think it's a nice "back-up" but, uber planner that he is , he says he would feel like he would have to definintely PLAN to make sure that we would need them.

how was WWOHP? we have read all the books and seen all the movies.

I'm horrible...returned a month ago and this is still on the PTR thread.

I loved SSR. Our room had a DTD view. It was quiet and beautiful. Did get to see a practice boat rescue one morning while sitting the DSR. At least I hope it was practice, they were all laughing and didn't seem to be in a hurry to flip the boat back over. BTW, does anyone know if House of Blues closed? It was completely dark every night we were there.

Yes, they had started on the new feature pool. We couldn't see it, they had it walled off pretty well. However, we did get to see the "wall" up close from the bus. After MVMCP and waiting for an hour for a bus, the sweet bus driver decided to deliver a family to the parking lot of, I believe it was, the Paddock, because they're bus stop was closed as a result of the construction. Hmp, that didn't work out like he'd hoped. He had to do a 100 point u-turn to get out of the parking lot with a bus full of exhausted adults and cranky kids.

This was our first time using park hoppers. I too thought they were a waste of money and unneccessary if everything was planned correctly. I think we used them four days, usually between MK and Epcot. If MK was too crowded we'd hop over to Epcot. And it was nice to not be restricted to the park where our ADR's were. I'm totally sold on them now.

DD16 and I are HP geeks. So this was a real treat for us. The detail in Hogsmeade is incredible. Butterbeer was awesome of course, a little too sweet at first but you get used to it quickly. I would recommend going there first, by lunch there was no standing room in Honeydukes or Zonko's. When you do go, take time to look in the store windows, they are entertaining. I'm not big on Pumpkin's but DD16 thought the pumpkin juice was good. Walking through the line inside the castle was amazing, they did a great job. The ride was ok, probably would have been better if I'd kept my eyes open. I know the spiders are fake, but they still give me the creeps. Flight of the Hippogriff was cute, a kiddie coaster but there's a lot of detail on Hagrid's Hut, Fang barks from inside occasionaly. WWHOP was the highlight of DD16's trip.

 

[smidgy]

you know, I tried to talk nebo into going to house of blues one day, cause it was cold out, and I heard they had $2 drafts and half price appetizers at happy hour. but we never made it.
boy, would he have been ticked it I talked him into it, and it was closed!


100 point turn!
one more question.. was the Forbidden Journey ride scary for people who are afraid of heights?