Planning Session TR

princess110607

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
244
Hi! We're back from our planning session!! Wish we were still there :(

Overall it was an amazing time. When I get in the writing mode and have more time I'll start our TR.

Until then...here's some highlights:
-Expired Driver's License
-All Star Music vs. Chuckie Cheese
-Engagement Shoot (Randy's Awesome!)
-Menu Tasting
-Missing Luggage
-AK Pool
-Stupid Buses!!
 

:jumping1:
I can't wait to read your report! It already sounds like it's going to be a good one!
 
We woke up super early to get ready to leave for the airport (4 am).
We left the house at 5 am and arrived at the airport in about 10 mins.
My DF lives very close to the airport. The lines weren't too long to
check-in but the one line was a lot shorter then the other...of course
we are sent to the longer line. We get to the counter and the lady
sees my tickets and says..."oh your in the wrong line...just wait a
min and i'll be with you". I guess "right with you" means after she
gets done flirting with the guy in front of us for 5 minutes. 5 minutes
later she hands us are boarding passes and takes our luggage. Off we go
to the security checkpoint.

The lady checks my id and boarding pass and let's me through. I turn
around and I see her marking my DF's pass and pointing him to go back
to the check-in area! I find out that his license is expired (yes he
knew this!!) and he has to get a special ticket (one that has SSSS on
it) before going forward so that he can be further searched. The lady
at the check-in area was suppose to catch this...but she didn't.
Luckily they let us go to the front of the check-in line and quickly
fixed the ticket. We then go back through security and he gets the
whole search down :) So by this time we had like 10 mins before the
plan boarded. We grabbed a quick snack and drink...then onto the
plane.

The plane ride was surprisingly quick and painless. I hadn't taken my
Dramamine but I guess since I was so sleepy I didn't need it. We were
afraid that we'd be stuck talking to the guy next to us the whole
time. But he surprised us and was quite quiet. Before we boarded the
plane this guy wouldn't shut up! He was a little wierd though. He was
married and being awful flirtatious with the stewardess....telling her
"do you know how beautiful you are?"...interesting....

So we arrived in Orlando around 9 am and hopped on the Magical
Express. The bus ride of course made me nauseas...just like it did
last year and of course we had to stop at 3 resorts before getting to
ours. This would be one of the many "stupid" bus experiences. I
hate buses!

As we were driving we were wondering what All Star Music (ASM) was
going to be like. Neither of us had ever stayed there. We pulled up to
the resort and just smiled at each other....knowing this wasn't going
to be like staying at the Carribbean Beach Resort :sad2:

Our first day we had nothing planned but to lay by the pool and go to
Ohanas for dinner. We took one glance at the ASM pools and decided
that we were going to go to the AK resort to enjoy their pool. (I know
some of you are prbly thinking...snobs right?) So we pack our bag and
head to the AK Park then to AK Resort.

The AK resort ws AMAZING!! I'm super excited to go back and stay
there. We are already planning out future Disney trips and the next
family one we take we plan to stay there. The pool environment was
just what we were looking for. And the pool itself coldn't be more
cooler...the way it looks like a lagoon...so cool. It was like we were
on some secluded island.

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Animal Kingdom Pool

We stayed at the pool all day. I made sure we had suntan lotion on b/c
we had our pics with Randy the next day and didn't want to look like
lobsters. Oh here's a funny thing. My DF went and got me a orange
creamsicle drink. He comes back and hands it to me...I go to take a
sip. I then start wondering why I'm not getting any drink...and
realize...it's not a straw in my cup...it's a stick!! :rotfl: They
don't have straws b/c of the animals. It was a pretty hysterical
moment. Silly me!

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We got back to the ASM around 5:30 pm. As we pulled up in the bus we
had another snobbish moment but sucked it up and said we're here for
our planning session...deal with it. We got to the room...and as I was
opening the door I had a wierd feeling that the luggage wouldn't be
there. Mine was...but DF's wasn't :sad2: We had dinner reservations in
2 hours at O'hana so he gets on the phone and talks to someone in CS.
They said the luggage is on site...and they will send it within the
hour. An hour goes by...still no luggage. He calls back...they say 20
mins. Then in about 20 mins a manager calls. She says that the luggage
is not on site that it hasn't arrived from the airport! So now DF is
furious :mad: We both lay there on the bed...I don't say anything b/c
I know if I talk it won't help matters. He falls asleep....and finally
knock knock....there's luggage at our door! Supposedly it was put in
the wrong room. The manager was very apologetic and gave us $50 to use
towards dinner. So maybe the missing luggage was worth it?? :confused3

We had the manager push our reservations back 30 mins to give us time
to get to the Poly. We were seated within 15 mins. So we sit down and
then that lady who does all the songs/games with the kids starts
singing and dancing right in front of us! They seated us right next to
the kids area where they do the songs and games! We just rolled our
eyes and said that's our luck. We were hoping to enjoy a nice quiet
meal...but that didn't happen. I love kids...have one myself...but
that's just not the mood we were hoping for. In any case...dinner was
good. We weren't pleased with the way they rushed us in and out of
there. It was a very fast paced environment. During dinner we decided
this place is nice, but it is not the atmosphere we want for our
rehearsal dinner.

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Sipping on a Mojito waiting to be seated.

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DF laughing as the lady and kids are singing in our ears!

After dinner we watched Wishes from the Poly beach. I had never
watched it before so that was neat. After wishes we walked to the
transportation center and got on the bus to the AK (we asked the guys
and they said it was the quickest way back to our hotel). The cool
thing was our bus driver asked us where we were going and took us
straight to the hotel after he dropped the rest off at AK.

Coming up...Day Two: Planning Session...Engagement Shoot...Menu
Tasting...Downtown Disney...And more Stupid Buses.
 
Wow... great story thus far. Had some bumps in the road but a lot of trips do. DH and I are not highly impressed with the all star resorts-- however... i love the fact that Disney has them because it gives a lot of families the opportunity to go that normally wouldnt (and stay on sight).

About the pool hopping-- you wont get slammed for that here-- but dont link your TR in your signature-- haha pool hopping is one of the absolute biggest things that will get you "flamed" on the DISboards. I personally could care less-- and i know the people on this board will feel the same!:hug:

I hate that you didnt like O'hana's. We did our little "reception" there and it was great! We were in the corner-- the girl brought the kids to sing to us but it wasnt too much-- they were mainly on the other side of the room the entire time. It was very intimate and right beside the window where we got to watch Wishes. I hate that it didnt turn out as magical for you.

Hey! Good thing the luggage made it (and just in time for photos with Randy!). Im glad to hear that that went well!! Cant wait to see them! I bet you are so anxious!!

I love your photos! You are such a pretty girl!! Your going to make a beautiful bride. Keep us posted and keep the photos coming!
 
Loving the trip report so far and cant wait for more!

Maggie- why is pool hopping so bad?? Never done it before but just wondered.

We always stay in the all stars as disney resorts are very expensive for us from the UK compared to hotels in I-Drive. We just use it for a place to sleep as we are out all day and most nights
 
About the pool hopping-- you wont get slammed for that here-- but dont link your TR in your signature-- haha pool hopping is one of the absolute biggest things that will get you "flamed" on the DISboards. I personally could care less-- and i know the people on this board will feel the same!:hug:

Wow...I didn't know that is was that illegal! You know my dad kept asking me...are you sure your aloud to do that? :rotfl: I hope I don't get banned from disboards!!!

I hate that you didnt like O'hana's. We did our little "reception" there and it was great! We were in the corner-- the girl brought the kids to sing to us but it wasnt too much-- they were mainly on the other side of the room the entire time. It was very intimate and right beside the window where we got to watch Wishes. I hate that it didnt turn out as magical for you.

You know I will say that if we weren't seated right next to the singing lady and the kids it prbly would have been a MUCH better dinner. It was just so loud and so rushed. My DF really likes slow moving dinners....sometime too slow :)

Hey! Good thing the luggage made it (and just in time for photos with Randy!). Im glad to hear that that went well!! Cant wait to see them! I bet you are so anxious!!

I'm SUPER anxious!!!! I'm afraid I won't like any of them b/c it was very bright so we squinted a lot (eventhough Randy tried his best to keep us out of direct sun) and my hair doesn't like the FL weather if you know what I mean!

I love your photos! You are such a pretty girl!! Your going to make a beautiful bride. Keep us posted and keep the photos coming!

Awww....thanks Maggie!
 
We always stay in the all stars as disney resorts are very expensive for us from the UK compared to hotels in I-Drive. We just use it for a place to sleep as we are out all day and most nights

You know I completely agree! That's why I booked it in the first place...we were only going there for two nights, we wouldn't be actually in the resort much, and the purpose wasn't for vacation...but for "business". I guess we were just use to a different environment while on vacation in disney....and I admit we were being a bit snobbish :)
 
No way-- you definitely wont get "kicked out of DIS" for talking about pool hopping-- however a lot of people on here dont agree with it. Like I said-- i could care less. Go up to the top where the "search" function is and type in pool hopping-- you will find TONS of threads about it--most have probobly been closed. Thats only one of many things ppl dont like "re-using" resort mugs from trip to trip-- putting things in mugs other than drinks, making a meal out of the condiments bar to keep from paying... etc.

Sorry i just wanted to warn you. HOpefully another DISer can better explain why pool hopping isnt highly looked upon. No worries though-- I still love ya;) !

Cant wait for more TR!!
 
LOL...right before I read this post I was talking to my DF and he told me he did a search for pool hopping! Yeah...people get pretty upset. I won't mention it anymore!
 
I like your TR so far--sorry you had some mishaps, but that's good that the manager was nice enough to give you some money for the meal. How was the mojito? It looks yummy. I understand about the pool hopping--I've personally never done it, when we've stayed at the AS resorts, my younger sister adores the piano 'Ariel' pool at the AS Music, and has pictures taken with the Ariel statue every time we go. Although sometimes I think I'd like to--I would love to try the pools at the Yacht and Beach Club, they look fantastic, lol. I can't wait to read more, and of course, see Randy's photos--I'm sure you looked beautiful! :)
 
LOL...right before I read this post I was talking to my DF and he told me he did a search for pool hopping! Yeah...people get pretty upset. I won't mention it anymore!

haha dont worry about it-- im telling you i dont mind whatsoever! I just dont want someone else to get nasty with you in the future on another board!:goodvibes
 
Day Two

We woke up around 6:30 on Friday so that we had time to eat before getting to the planning session at 9 am. I really really wanted to sleep in...especially since we got up so early the day before. We got ready and headed down to the eating area at ASM. We were excited about breakfast b/c we remembered how good the omelette's and mickey waffles were last time we were in Disney. And yup...still very yummy!

We got in line for the MK bus. I guess they were short on buses so a Cruise Line bus picked us up. I don't think he knew where he was going. At one point he pulled off to the side and had some sort of conversation with another bus. And then next thing we know he pulls up at the Transportation Center. Yes we were suppose to be dropped off at MK....but well this was good too. We took the walk from the transportation center over through the Poly to the Wedding Pavilion. Here's a pic we took along the way.....

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We arrived about 30 mins early to the planning session. Better to be early then late! Shortly after we arrived Carol came out and in we went to plan! Carol was great...super nice! DF and I didn't have too many questions so it was pretty painless for both Carol and ourselves. I had forgot the power point slides that I had put together for Carol and Rose. They would have helped a little more...but we got through it without them. Things we decided on:

-Happily Ever After cake (Although my DF put up a small "fight" for the
Mad Hatter cake)
-White linens, white plates, silver napkins
-Clear square vases with white roses and silver greenery (they will be
used for in the WP and at the reception)
-Silver Mickey Confetti (DF found these and was SO PROUD of himself)
-Silver Pew Bows
-Chappauh (this is a maybe...)
-Mickey Minnie
-Cindy's Coach
-DJ
-Roman Table
-Kids Table

I'm trying to think what else we decided on....but it's not coming to me right now. Moving on... I also gave them a list of things I was planning to make...diy stuff. Such as: programs, place cards, menu cards, unity candle, ring pillow, my bouquet, MOH bouquet, bouts 7 corsages, and chloe's wand. Again, I'm sure I'm missing something. My DIY list kind of scares me....but I love crafty stuff so I'm determined to do it!

After all that fun talk we did cake tasting. Maybe it wasn't after...but someone in btwn. I'm not a big cake fan...so I just took a few samples and then had DF do the real tasting. He enjoyed himself allot during this. We have three layers so we chose: marble with butter cream, chocolate with Bavarian, and marble with chocolate. I have a couple dessert fans coming so I'm sure they will love it!

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DF lovin' the cake!

Our planning session ended about 11:30. We didn't have our photo shoot with Randy until 1 pm so we took a look around the WP. As DF put it....it was breathtaking in person! Here are some pics...

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After we took some pics we walked over the the GF to change and get ready for our pics. While I was in the bathroom a mom brought her daughter in with a huge bump on her head....bleeding and everything. Me being a mom I went and got her some ice....poor little girl. Anyways...we got ready and walked around the GF. Out of the corner of our eyes we caught the video sign in the GF lobby. It said "Petr/Stevens wedding". I looked at DF and said...did that say? no it could have said.... He was thinking the same thing. DF kept starring at the sign...he thought that was very cool. He then got me to take a picture of the sign when it flashed up again (Were so dorky sometimes..lol).

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Right before 1 pm, DF's mom calls...she has a nack of calling right before we have something to do....go figure. He finally gets her off the phone...as I'm saying..."there he is...there's Randy". I recognized him from a picture I saw on this board.

Randy was super nice. We took pics all over the GF....by the pier...on rocks...on the beach...by the fountain. It was a really neat experience. I'm a bit scared at how they are going to turn out b/c it was super sunny that day and HOT! My hair is not happy in that kind of weather :scared1:

We finished up with Randy and headed over to the GF convention center
for our menu tasting. Carol walked us backstage. It was so cool going
backstage to the kitchen! I really appreciated this more after my DF explained to me how rare it is for "Guests" to go "Backstage" at Disney. We walk in the kitchen and are greeted by the chef's and a electronic sign that said "Welcome and Congratulations Courtney and Darrell". So nice :) They had two director chairs set up with place settings. We chose the Cinderella's Duo Plate Dinner. They prepared the food right in front of us. The chef's were so nice and very much into our reactions and thoughts. For example...I'm not a fan of asparagus...so they noted not to give me asparagus on my plate! dessert was the best! Again I'm not a big dessert fan. The dessert was very yummy though! My DF is still talking about how good it was. Although we did realize that after the deserts with the meal and the wedding cake having desserts at Illuminations is not gonna work, so Carol is checking on a few options for us. If you have the opportunity to do the menu-tasting, we highly recommend it :thumbsup2

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After the menu tasting we decided we weren't quite ready to go back to the ASM resort yet so we enjoyed a few drinks at the GF. Here's some pics of the pool we took. A lady came up to us while at the pool side bar and said "Hey your the engaged couple taking pics on the beach...you looked beautiful!". So see we are famous! LOL.....

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DF carrying his stylish Tinkerbell bag!! :rotfl:

Not willingly we headed back to the ASM to change and get ready for our ADR's at Raglan Road. We changed and headed off to DTD to enjoy some shopping before we ate. It was super crowded! DF hates crowds so I knew this was going to be a quick experience. We did have a good time in the Christmas store. We decided we are going to decorate our tree with Disney Ornaments every year. DF couldn't stand the crowd in the disney store so he let me do my thing and went outside to "breath". When I finally got out of the disney store we decided we couldn't take anymore shopping and headed to the bus to go the ESPN zone (we decided we weren't in the mood for the food at Raglan). We waited and waited for the Boardwalk bus. Three ASM buses came and went...still no Boardwalk bus. Was this a sign? Probably. So we jumped on the ASM bus and headed back to enjoy some chicken fingers and
french fries.

Oh I forgot to tell you my stupid bus story. Well I think I've mentioned before about stupid buses....but I didn't really explain it. I'm not sure if I've figured the reason out yet...but every time I got on a bus from or to the ASM I got nauseas! No good. So my appetite the whole time was messed up b/c I kept getting sick on the bus. DF knew I wasn't feeling good when I'd say "stupid bus". Ugh...I hate those buses :sick:

Up next...Day Three: AK Pool (again) and flight home :(
 
Man its almost over-- but just think the next time your there youll be getting married!! Lots of fun!! Cant wait to hear more-- sounds like your planning session went well!
 
nice tr- i loved my plannign session i am gald you had a good time also.

and you are not a dork i took a picture of our names on the sign also hehe
 
I've kind of put off writing Day Three's entry b/c it's not very exciting at all. But I figure I better have a closure to this TR...so here it goes.

We sleep in on Saturday. All we had to do that day was relax by the pool and get on the plane. I'm so happy that I decided with a later departure time. It gave us the whole day to do whatever we wanted.

We woke up...got packed...and brought our stuff down to the bell men to keep our luggage until we returned to get on the Magical Express. While doing so a lady asked DF to fill out a survey about his stay. Of course he said yes. DF loves to give his thoughts and opinions. So after like 10 mins :rolleyes1 I go over to him and tell him to stop writing a book! He finishes up and off we go to the AK pool.

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DF being a kid!

We stayed at the AK until about 2pm and jumped back on the bus (stupid buses!) and over to ASM. When I got off the bus I felt sick yet again. I'm thinking to myself...this is no good when I'm about to get on the airplane.

We then jumped on the Magical Express. (Actually it was another Cruise Line bus. Very Comfy). We waved goodbye to ASM and off to the airport we went.

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Our plane was delayed a bit...but we laid on the floor in line waiting for it to arrive. That's one thing I don't like about Southwest is that you don't have assigned seats. But we were lucky both times and got a seat next to each other...and a window:)

So overall our planning session trip was GREAT:goodvibes We had a few bumps....but we got through them and enjoyed most of time. I think if you have the opportunity to schedule a planning session...you definitely should!
 












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