Potato Heads here we come! A May 2012 BC WDW/USO PTR! Updated 5/13

[johnsonginad]

There is a nice VB store right across from Coach

Oh dear...I'm in trouble then.

 

[megan511]

Joining in! You have a funny writing style and we will be at Disney during the same time.

 

[smellyia]

Just a quickie and probably not all that satisfying, but I’ve got a couple things simmerin’ in the oven and can’t quite do a complete post at the mo’....so here is a teeny weeny update on our trip:

It’s ridiculous how many times a trip can change, and to be absolutely honest, I have never met with such indecision and flip-flopping in ALL MY LIFE!

But, eh...it’s a Woman’s Prerogative.

So yes, in case that overly dramatic first sentence didn’t spell it out for you, let me....

NEW PLANS

I’m almost ashamed at myself.

Sunday 5/27: Drive to Orlando (or close). At minimum we will make it at least 3-4 hours out and if we make it to Orlando - awesome. We’ll just grab a hotel as we go...
Monday 5/28: Checkin to BC early. Pool, late nap, Downtown Disney

Alrighty-roo....I’m gonna get WILD here. Like dress me up in a kilt and tattoo a leprechaun on my bum because you might just think I’ve fallen into my cups, and that could very well be the case; Our tickets will be park hoppers, but because of my itinerary plans, we weren’t making good use of the park time imho, so I’m doing it....I’m going Morning EMH.

**Stunned Silence**

Tuesday 5/29: AK till early afternoon then nap and evening at the pool
Wednesday 5/30: DHS morning EMH till we can’t stand the crowd then break for nap/pool. Evening at MK for some character sightings, light rides and MSEP
Thursday 5/31: MK morning EMH till we can’t stand the crowd then break for pool/nap. Evening at Epcot WS touring and MAYBE illuminations (doubtful)
Friday 6/1: Epcot morning EMH tille we can’t stand the crowd then break for....

HOLD UP...you might ask where my WWOHP got off to??? Well, let me lasso that little sucker in...

Friday 6/1: After Epcot our break will really be getting in the car after checkout and driving over to Royal Pacific Resort. Checkin, rest, USO evening touring
Saturday 6/2: WWOHP early entry, IoA leftovers in AM then pool break. US in evening.
Sunday 6/3: Checkout first thing and head to the Beach!

A couple notes on my hormonal and illogical changes...

So I’ve read all the pros, cons, debates, wars, diatribes, dissertations, drunken drabble, etc...on EMH. I get it. It’s a super Disney jedi mind trick and I have fallen prey, but let me wax rhapsodic for you here:

We will go from the calm and serene 0800 - GETTHEHECKOUTOFMYWAYORI’LLMOWYOUOVERWITHMYCHICCOHOUR then depart for a relaxing afternoon at our resort after getting that extra satisfying hour of touring in that morning. We will then proceed to a less crowded recommended park that evening for a more leisurely touring experience.

Win-win.

I’ve satisfied my craving for Disney acceptance by conforming to their mind control without sacrificing the rebel in me.

You all may NOT say “I told you so.” later.

As for USO...I saved over $250 bones by going over to the darkside and canceling Friday at Beach Club and Saturday at Amelia Island. That’s pretty much our USO park-park tickets AND I get early WWOHP entry AND we get Front of the Line AND I think the elephant fountain at the Royal Pacific looks cool...so there.

Aside from this, I have done some of our packing/shopping, but I plan to wait a bit to post those as to provide some MEAT because those posts look a tad bit skinny to me...almost vegan. (No offense meant, but I can’t help it. I live in the South. Meat is almost religion here.)

 

[smellyia]

Joining in! You have a funny writing style and we will be at Disney during the same time.

Thanks! I'm super excited

You should be able to turn your room only discount into a package AND keep your room discount. I've done this before. After all, Disney would rather give you your room discount and have you buy your tickets from them, than only get your room money and somebody else getting your ticket money.

I did try and call and all they could offer me was a package with a HUGE price increase...said they couldn't recreate the discount at this time, but could do my tickets separately....oh well.

 

[mindystar]

J

Wednesday 5/30: DHS morning EMH till we can’t stand the crowd then break for nap/pool. Evening at MK for some character sightings, light rides and MSEP
That's our first MK day And at night we'll be at the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party---and get to meet MHTeacher there as well


Friday 6/1: Epcot morning EMH tille we can’t stand the crowd then break for....
That's our 2nd EPCOT day, but we'll be touring WS, so won't be there til late morning.

Friday 6/1: After Epcot our break will really be getting in the car after checkout and driving over to Royal Pacific Resort. Checkin, rest, USO evening touring
I remember liking the RPR, especially eating outside, and the walk over to IOA Sadly I don't even remember the room, I'll have to go find some pictures to refresh my memory

Now when you've actually fell into all the Jedi mind tricks they have to offer, we'll find out that you have the DDP Your plans sound logical, and if they don't work out exactly right it gives you a chance to keep coming back until you figure it out for yourself and your family. Maybe it just never works out
Can't wait to read your Carnivore Posts

 

[johnsonginad]

Your plans sound awesome. We might need to rethink that tatoo choice, though. LOL You crack me up, girl!

 

[MHTeacher]

I did try and call and all they could offer me was a package with a HUGE price increase...said they couldn't recreate the discount at this time, but could do my tickets separately....oh well.

That was so wrong! I'd call back and talk to someone else!

Wednesday 5/30Evening at MK for some character sightings, light rides and MSEP

We'll be at MK all day on Wednesday. Going to the Wishes Dessert Party that night and probably meet Mindystar!

 

[amandaw]

I think your plans sound great! The morning EMH's may not be too bad. And with leaving to get some pool/rest time, y'all should be good to go!

 

[megan511]

We will be at MK Thursday morning too for the EMH.

 

[smellyia]

Why, yes I am...yes, I am.

In more ways than one...

My fat pregnant belly is going to protrude for God and country beyond my bikini top and board shorts and I will have ticked off yet another thing on my bucket list. No, not the whole having another kid thing...but this; rock the preggers fat in a bikini like Kate Hudson bucket list item number thirty-two.

Eyeballs beware...I cannot be held liable for any scarred psyche's as a result of trying to figure out if that's a back roll or a sandwich I'm saving for later.

Ew, I just grossed myself out....seriously DH would never let me go out too wild, but I haven't looked this good in a two-piece since before DD and if it's only because my stomach is stretching out my other fat...SO BE IT.

Granted, these new developments allow me to live out a dream of hiding my extra back roll behind a pregnant belly, I also have to rethink my personal ride plans...already the new little bean is collecting guilt cards. I'm totally saving this for the teen years (kids have no appreciation of the horrors of birth, but missing key Disney rides should hold some weight).

As I can tell, I'm out at USO Spiderman, Forbidden Journey, MIB, Mummy. I'm sure there is more. I'm not out as much at WDW, but my heart absolutely shatters at Star Tours (SOBS! I planned on abandoning my family for several rides on this - call it my late Mother's Day present, now I'm getting that Vera Bradley bag dangit). I'm guessing Kilimanjaro Safaris (SOBS SOBS SOBS!) is out too. A little disappointing, but I can totally score a return trip out of this in a couple years. I'm a magician at turning life's teeny tiny disappointments into emotional blackmail currency. Throw in a bit of the old standby "they cut me open to birth your progeny" and I am golden for ten days in Orlando Fall or Xmas 2014 at the resort of MY choosing. *insert Maniacal Laugh*

More's A Party Or More's a Larger Herd For Pregnant DW to Keep Track Of, Direct, Advise and Watch 24/7

Remember I mentioned that I've got this sister, Gigi, in Miami like my first post and that she assisted in giving me this idea to go to WDW in the first place? Well, FUN! She is meeting up with us along with her boyfriend. They will arrive at the Royal Pacific early Friday morning for some touring of their own and midday pool time which is when we'll meet up with them to terrorize the area. They are planning at least one night, two full days there and may tack on Saturday night as well because with her AAA Resident rate she got a terrific deal. Color me jealous.

Either way, I'm super stoked. We face time weekly and text/chat more, but I only get to spend about 3 weeks or so total with her a year since she moved to Florida. Also, DH gets riding buddies for USO and I think it will make that whole part of our trip more enjoyable.

Where to Sleep

Sunday 5/27: With DH being free from work as of Saturday the 26th, I am fairly confident we will be arriving IN Orlando on Sunday evening rather than spending the night in Valdosta and getting to BC Monday morning. So thinking this, I was all ready to be adventurous and book a night at Art of Animation because DD can't look at a fish without calling it Nemo.

Any raised hands on why this didn't work out for me?

Apparently AoA resort doesn't open until 5/31 - how rude. So I'm still thinking on where we'll stay that evening. I checked on adding Sunday night to our reservation, but it would be 500 bones which is a heck to the no as far as I'm concerned considering I only paid $270/nt for the rest of the stay.

My backup is the Dolphin. When I checked before I could get a nurse's rate for $150/nt. I also have a backup's backup which will be somewhere off site - just not sure where that is yet....

So this is what I'm after:

Suggestions for ONSITE accommodations for 1 night NOT at an Epcot resort and not over 300/nt.
Your favorite budget off-site or even DTD hotels for 1 night.

Help a gal out.

I'm Too Fat to Pack

Funny, that excuse hasn't gotten me out of actually doing it. DH has no sympathy. He is so going out at midnight for ice cream because of this.

Alright, I've decided not to go through all the dirty deets of my packing regimen...just the public access version.

I've pretty much done all the shopping required except for one small bottle of dish detergent to wash water bottles and cereal bowls in our sink. I don't know why this one thing seems to elude my memory every friggin' time I'm at the store.

What's interesting about the shopping portion of my trip is my discovery of the DOLLAR TREE. I mean really? This place is the shiz; I've sniffed the poo and looooove it. I have no idea how the dollar store establishment has managed to escape my notice and much more importantly, my patronage.

I got the following items: MANY road trip toys/blackmail items for DD, ponchos, antibacterial wipes, ear plugs, reusable plastic utensils, bowls and plates, twirly fun straws, I mean the list just keeps going all for under $40 bucks. I can't use the potty in Target for that much.

At other places I also got a collapsable laundry basket as well as Banana Boat sunscreen SPF50 on clearance for $2.38/bottle. I bought every last one. It will be a decade when we need more and by then I'll be so leathery it won't even matter. Obviously, I have bought a few other items, but I'll save you the pain.

I've narrowed down my packing to the following:

Medium roller suitcase: Mine and DD's clothes & family toiletries
Large Dakine Duffel (really about the size of a med roller): DH's paraphernalia
Small roller cooler: snack food and dry goods
Beach bag: hold all of our pool items including towels as well as extra diapers and wipes
stroller

Some may ask why we would use a roller luggage and duffel instead our one Large Roller piece....because it is LARGE and HEAVY. I would have a hard time maneuvering it and DH is insistent I lift nothing - I'm so not going to argue being one to maximize opportunities whenever possible. More importantly, our place at Amelia Island is more of a B&B and the bedrooms aren't huge so I wanted smaller luggage to stack. I'm actually thinking of just bringing in a portion of our things, just what we need for that particular stay, in one luggage piece and leaving our other clothes in the car to save space.

All in all, I think for 2 weeks I have a very reasonable amount stated above.

Shoes:
Unsure why I feel a need to mention these, but I suspect it is the huge amount of boards on here dedicated to the subject that I find this useful.
DD: Keens (have you seen Toddler Keens? these things should be outlawed they're so cute) and her flexible stride rites. They both have sturdy flexible soles and are airy.
DH: Solomon walking shoes and his Teva Mush Flippies
DW: Teva water shoes (the old school 90's walking ones. judge not. they are one of the few things I have left of my Pearl Jam days), Clarks sandals (I share these with my Mama and we LOVE them. She only likes to where them in the winter and I in the summer. They look like Keens) and my Teva Mush Flippies.

I debated on bringing DD and I a nice set of sandals apiece and although they take minimal room, we have no plans for overly fancy meals so I think it would be wasteful.

Clothing:
I'm going with 4 days of casual clothing, 1 "nicer" casual outfit apiece, 2 sleepy fits apiece and 3 swimsuits apiece. I'll have to do laundry twice for the whole 2 weeks I imagine and will do it once at WDW and once at USO - no laundry at the beach.

Mama's Bags:
Last trip I went on DH took out my purses. He normally has no opinion on our packing, but when he saw my variation of purses, well, I don't think that popped blood vessel is permanent. So I am being reasonable this time. I will bring my Dakine backpack, Nerd Mickey tote and my Imperial Toille Vera Bradley angled purse....and if my VB Folkloric hobo purse accidentally makes it into our luggage unexpectedly...well, c'est la vie!

DD's Specialty Items:
I could mention the swimmies, diapers, float, etc....but this section is really for one thing...her leash.

Oh, excuse me. I meant her "child safety harness".

I can't be the only one who watched last week's Disneyland Modern Family...hilarious! And I am so going to be that parent who cares less if you're staring and DH will hide a few people back I'm sure. But me, I'm shameless. And when DD takes off for the great escape, I invite you to run after her.

I can assure you, DD is faster and craftier than you.

Hypothetical Conclusion to This PTR
So I can't really think of what else I would chat about to y'all between now and TWO WEEKS. In reflection, I will honestly say this PTR helped me plan our trip and I am hoping this will be something a little more than wonderful for DD. She may not remember it but every time she says Dumbo and points to the ride on TV, I get a slight tear in my eye and think about how DH and I will ALWAYS remember it. Naysayers be damned.

Sorry no pics in this post...I'm pregnant, tired and hungry; which will be my excuse for all slacking in the foreseeable future.

I'll post a link when I start the TR and hopefully some fun anecdotes will ensue.

See you on the Otherside.

 

[mindystar]

Happy Mother's Day!
Congratulations on the new little one. . .
And congrats on finishing your PTR

All sounds good--you're ready to rock and roll

 

[PixieMama]

First of all, congrats on the new baby! :good vibes Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day.

That's a bit of a bummer AoA won't work out for your one night. We'll just need to have a talk with the Disney powers-that-be and get them to open the resort a few days early, hmmm?

My SIL once used a "child safety harness" on her DD during a trip to our local zoo (my niece is a spitfire, and I think she was 3 at the time? Maybe just 2.) SIL overheard this lady behind her say in a super-judgy tone "I would never put one of those things on my kid!" My SIL turned around and replied, "Trust me lady, it's much better for YOU that she's in this." So shamelessly do what you have to do!

These last 2 weeks are sure to go by fast... your trip will be here before you know it! Hope you have a great time and looking forward to hearing all about it!

 

[megan511]

Congrats on your new little one

Have a great trip!

 

[amandaw]

Sorry I've been missing....things are crazy busy! But, I'm trying to get caught up.

Congrats on the pregnancy!

 

[johnsonginad]

OMG!!!! Two weeks???!!!??? WOW! That got here FAST! I'm so excited for you guys! You're going to have a great time, and creat some wonderful memories!

Congratulations on the new edition too! That's so exciting! I say ROCK that Momma bod, and go ON with ur bad self. LOL...(sorry...it's been a really long and exhausting day, and I'm getting a bit slap happy.)

 

[lbuzz52]

Congrats!!!!

I'm really not sure about the Safari's- they let babies on there. I can't remember what the signage says, but i do know its much less bumpy in the front.

I think your new EMH plan looks great!

I laughed so hard through modern family. i thought the princess heels was so funny! I've used the leash before. I don't know why people judge it- its purpose is no different then a grocery cart or a stroller.

 

[smellyia]

Happy Mother's Day!
Congratulations on the new little one. . .
And congrats on finishing your PTR

All sounds good--you're ready to rock and roll

Thanks so much!

First of all, congrats on the new baby! :good vibes Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day.

That's a bit of a bummer AoA won't work out for your one night. We'll just need to have a talk with the Disney powers-that-be and get them to open the resort a few days early, hmmm?

My SIL once used a "child safety harness" on her DD during a trip to our local zoo (my niece is a spitfire, and I think she was 3 at the time? Maybe just 2.) SIL overheard this lady behind her say in a super-judgy tone "I would never put one of those things on my kid!" My SIL turned around and replied, "Trust me lady, it's much better for YOU that she's in this." So shamelessly do what you have to do!

These last 2 weeks are sure to go by fast... your trip will be here before you know it! Hope you have a great time and looking forward to hearing all about it!

Thanks so much! We're down to a week and a half and now I'm starting to panic pack...but I've got that leash tucked in with pride!

Congrats on your new little one

Have a great trip!

Thanks so much!

Sorry I've been missing....things are crazy busy! But, I'm trying to get caught up.

Congrats on the pregnancy!

Thanks so much!

OMG!!!! Two weeks???!!!??? WOW! That got here FAST! I'm so excited for you guys! You're going to have a great time, and creat some wonderful memories!

Congratulations on the new edition too! That's so exciting! I say ROCK that Momma bod, and go ON with ur bad self. LOL...(sorry...it's been a really long and exhausting day, and I'm getting a bit slap happy.)

I plan on it! I have little to no shame. Thanks so much!

Congrats!!!!

I'm really not sure about the Safari's- they let babies on there. I can't remember what the signage says, but i do know its much less bumpy in the front.

I think your new EMH plan looks great!

I laughed so hard through modern family. i thought the princess heels was so funny! I've used the leash before. I don't know why people judge it- its purpose is no different then a grocery cart or a stroller.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind about Safari.

Modern Family was the best ep I've seen this year and Grandad with the heels - GENIUS. I'm not sure if I found that funnier vs Cam's commentary on "Little Miss Anaheim"