PTR-2015 Year of a million trips….oh maybe only five. UPD 9/22 lnk to video

[SarahDisney]

That walk from Hollywood Studios to Epcot looks beautiful! Seeing the pictures kinda makes me want to do it some time ... but I guess I'll get the same view running it in January!

That meal from Tangerine Cafe looks yummy!

Your Dale looks great! I'm still torn on whether or not I want to try Animation Academy ... on the one hand, it's probably fun to draw the characters, but on the other hand ... I can't really draw. I character would not look anything like a character.

Fantasmic! sounds like the perfect end to the night! I know leaving Olivia was hard for you, but at least you still had a breakfast to look forward to before you left!

 

[stacy~**]

Great update! I'm sure the next morning was a bit hard for you.

Thanks, Lynn and Yes that last day was by far the saddest day I've ever had at the happiest place on earth!
I just noticed you DID end up doing a TR (your signature)...I didn't think you were going to. I will stop over and check it out.

Sounds like a good end to your day, despite the bus waiting.

Star tours makes me too nauseous anymore, so I never ride it.

I've really liked Saratoga and always tried to "ignore" the comments about the terrible bus service but after having such great bus karma at POFQ all trip (and at AKV in February) there really might be some truth to it. This wasn't the first time I've waited and waited at Saratoga.

I'm glad it's not just me with Star Tours! I think I can handle it once a trip but it won't be a repeating type ride. Philharmagic is one of my absolute favorite Disney attractions and the scene where Donald is on the carpet flying through Agraba makes me incredibly nauseous but the nice thing is is that I know when that scene is coming so I just close my eyes through it and am fine.

Sorry I've missed a couple of updates. Glad that Olivia finally got her assignment. I'm sorry it wasn't what she was hoping, but she's a DCP and that is great!

Thank you Kathy! I'm glad you are still reading along...even though I miss your reports! Yes being at the Grand has been an adjustment from what she was originally envisioning for her program but she is adjusting to things and doing sooo much better.

I always wonder why people run while at Disney. After seeing your pictures, I can sort of understand it (but I'm still not doing it ).

Haha! I will probably be skipping it in July (the heat)....

Olivia's apartment looks really nice; I bet like all of our kids, none of them would have been out there.

It's definitely a great space and much more roomy than I had thought it would be! Her roommates aren't the cleanest bunch so the pictures she sends me now are a bit shocking at times! Yikes!

That's so frustrating about the buses (and why I avoid them when I can). Glad you got your favorite CS meal. I get a bit nauseous on Star Tours myself. And you went back for Fantasmic.

I'm usually pretty laid back about the buses so you know it's bad if I am getting upset over it (the fact that I was starving might have also had something to do with it!).
I had never heard anyone mention Star Tours making them nauseous so I am really glad it's not just me. And YES going back for Fantasmic was the right choice!

 

[stacy~**]

That walk from Hollywood Studios to Epcot looks beautiful! Seeing the pictures kinda makes me want to do it some time ... but I guess I'll get the same view running it in January!

Is that part of the race course? (I've not even looked at that). But it is a nice walk and you should definitely do it sometime.

That meal from Tangerine Cafe looks yummy!

It has become one of my must do meals. I love it!

Your Dale looks great! I'm still torn on whether or not I want to try Animation Academy ... on the one hand, it's probably fun to draw the characters, but on the other hand ... I can't really draw. I character would not look anything like a character.

Thanks....and you really should give it a try!! I am not an artist at all. That is why it is so great. They really walk you through each step (although some CM's are quick in there instruction so you have to stay on top of it!). We've all walked out with different looking characters and some better than others but you can still always tell who they are!

Fantasmic! sounds like the perfect end to the night! I know leaving Olivia was hard for you, but at least you still had a breakfast to look forward to before you left!

I was really happy I ended up going to Fantasmic! It was the perfect end to the night. And yes the last day was sooo hard but there was a bit of fun left to be had too!

 

[SarahDisney]

Is that part of the race course? (I've not even looked at that). But it is a nice walk and you should definitely do it sometime.

From what I've seen (aka last year at Princess and the marathon weekend maps I've seen), the 10K goes around Boardwalk/Yacht Club/Beach Club. The marathon may also, I don't remember, but the rest of the races don't (5K is just backstage & Epcot and Half is backstage/highways, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot).

I definitely want to do the walk sometime, just to see it (at the race I'll probably be paying partial attention to not running into people and won't fully have time to appreciate the view). Maybe I'll find time to do it in January.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Yes, the buses at Saratoga seem to leave you waiting endlessly sometimes. I remember one hoping another bus to get to where we needed to go.

 

[BellaBaby]

Yeah! Found you again! (I have read your TRs before). Anyway, how exciting that Olivia is in the DCP! I hope she is enjoying it!

I rode ST for the first time in years this last trip and it made me very nauseous. I closed my eyes through most of it…and I was the Rebel Spy!
My DH was nauseous too but he did go on again. Philharmagic does not make me sick thank goodness! Nor do coasters etc. I think it's that small room and i just can't do simulators!

 

[stacy~**]

From what I've seen (aka last year at Princess and the marathon weekend maps I've seen), the 10K goes around Boardwalk/Yacht Club/Beach Club. The marathon may also, I don't remember, but the rest of the races don't (5K is just backstage & Epcot and Half is backstage/highways, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot).

I definitely want to do the walk sometime, just to see it (at the race I'll probably be paying partial attention to not running into people and won't fully have time to appreciate the view). Maybe I'll find time to do it in January.

When they post the maps I will need to be sure and look at them. That is one thing that I feel like really threw me off at my half....not having really looked at the map ahead of time. I think I kept mentally wanting to be at the turnaround point because the way I run at home is usually half way out and then back so my turnaround is my halfway point but that race wasn't set up that way. I kind of knew that ahead of time but I still think I might have run a better race had I known a bit more of what my path was.

Yes, (for now, anyways) we are at Boardwalk in January so maybe that will be your reason to come over and walk that loop!

Yes, the buses at Saratoga seem to leave you waiting endlessly sometimes. I remember one hoping another bus to get to where we needed to go.

Saratoga definitely gets a bad rap but it does seem to be deserved. Like I said I am pretty laid back so if it starts to get to me I can only imagine how upset "road rage" type of people get! haha!

Yeah! Found you again! (I have read your TRs before). Anyway, how exciting that Olivia is in the DCP! I hope she is enjoying it!

I rode ST for the first time in years this last trip and it made me very nauseous. I closed my eyes through most of it…and I was the Rebel Spy!
My DH was nauseous too but he did go on again. Philharmagic does not make me sick thank goodness! Nor do coasters etc. I think it's that small room and i just can't do simulators!

Awe! I'm glad you found me again! I've been kind of hiding out in this PTR that is really more of a TR. I have decided that I am not much of a PTR writer and after our trip in July I will probably start a TR and then just do a few PTR updates there (kind of opposite of this report).

Yes! She was slow to getting settled (not surprising given her personality) but is adjusting and starting to take advantage of being there! Excited to see her in less than 4 weeks!!

Nice job on the Rebel Spy! Simulators are the worst for sure and it's really just that one scene in Philharmagic...and I even have the music timed up so I know when it's safe to open them.

 

[stacy~**]

I'm still here just busy trying to tackle my trip to do list AND enjoying summer when it's not raining (Is everyone else having a crazy rainy summer?). I have two more updates from this May trip to post and then I will share some of the detail for our trip in 18 DAYS!! I'm getting very, very excited!


Tuesday, May 19-Day 6

This was the day I was dreading. I had basically fallen asleep the night before in tears and when my alarm went off at 6:45am I wasn’t even out of bed before the tears started again. It would be a constant struggle to keep it together that day (and for the following few days).

Olivia had stayed at her apartment but was early showing up back at the room at 7:30 to help me finish packing, doing airline check-in, etc. Once all that was done we were on our way to the Grand Floridian by 8:30. Yesterday, after we had found out Olivia’s placement at the Grand I thought breakfast there would be very fun and fortunately I was able to make a last minute breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare.

Breakfast was fun and delicious. I am seriously obsessed with these little pastries and strawberry soup for breakfast...Yes!!r

Tigger was by far the best character of the morning.

The Mad Hatter was a bit too wacky for us that early in the morning. Olivia and I both look pretty uncomfortable with him and I only show you these awkward pictures because you can completely see how we feel about him.

Haha! Both Pooh Bear and Alice had skipped us during the regular rotation. Thankfully Pooh Bear DID end up stopping over. Alice did not and we could have told our server but decided to just let it be. (or maybe I should say “let it go….”)

And here is a breakfast plate you would only see on vacation.....

After breakfast we explored the Grand. I made Olivia do a mini photo shot with the fanciest trash cans ever (since ya know, she was going to be in custodial).

Olivia had to head back to her apartment at 1 for her housing meeting but we had a few hours and decided to spend it at the Magic Kingdom. Of course! So we hoped on the monorail and were on our way.

 

[SarahDisney]

When we did 1900 Park Fare I also found that the Mad Hatter was a little too much for morning.

I love that you did a trash can photoshoot (and that Olivia agreed to it)!

Of course you went to MK ... when you're that close, where else would you go??? I can't wait to read all about it!

 

[BellaBaby]

We just did 1900 Park Fare brkfst for the first time recently and enjoyed the food very much. We were bummed that the Mad Hatter was not there…but maybe it was for the best?

Olivia is so cute posing by the trash containers!! Can't wait to hear about your MK morning!!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

We did 1900 park fare breakfast and loved it!! Mad hatter was wacky for us too, but very in-character for sure!!

 

[LizardQueen8]

When I did 1900 Park Fare, one of my friends ordered tea and Mad Hatter Mayhem ensued. It may have been 8:45am, but we LOVED him!

 

[stacy~**]

When we did 1900 Park Fare I also found that the Mad Hatter was a little too much for morning.

Feeling better that it wasn't just us!
I love that you did a trash can photoshoot (and that Olivia agreed to it)!

She was kinda reluctant but I'd just bought her breakfast so I won!

Of course you went to MK ... when you're that close, where else would you go??? I can't wait to read all about it!

Yes! I need to finish this last update but first I am hoping to post our itinerary for this month! I have been tweaking it a ton the last week and it is nearly perfection.

I saw you ticker was 180 days today! Did you make your ADRs?

We just did 1900 Park Fare brkfst for the first time recently and enjoyed the food very much. We were bummed that the Mad Hatter was not there…but maybe it was for the best?

Yes we enjoyed it and it was soooo tempting to add it to our ADRs for the trip coming up but I am trying to avoid buffets this trip so at least for now it's not making the cut. There's always next time. I'm sure the Mad Hatter can be great fun....I think our moods were just a bit off from normal vacation mode. Olivia was just feeling overwhelmed with all the changes and I was basically using ALL my strength not to be in constant tears so silly Mad Hatter shenanigans weren't as welcomed as they might have otherwise been.
Olivia is so cute posing by the trash containers!! Can't wait to hear about your MK morning!!

Thanks! Hoping to crank out a few updates very soon. Thanks for sticking with me.

We did 1900 park fare breakfast and loved it!! Mad hatter was wacky for us too, but very in-character for sure!!

Yes....I guess you can't knock a character for being who they are! I'm sure it was just us being kind sad that morning knowing I was leaving. It was a good breakfast with the fabulous additions of strawberry soup and that delicious juice! Can't go wrong with that!

When I did 1900 Park Fare, one of my friends ordered tea and Mad Hatter Mayhem ensued. It may have been 8:45am, but we LOVED him!

Haha! I bet! I'm sure he can be great fun....we were just having an awkward morning. And it is great to have the opportunity to meet him there since he is rarely seen in the parks!

 

[stacy~**]

Since this is TECHNICALLY a Pre-Trip report AND our trip is 13 days away I figured I should post our plans! This little beauty was on my MDE yesterday!

I apologize in advance for my picture-less post. I usually try and incorporated pictures of some type but if I try and take the time to hunt down pictures this might never get this posted. I thought I would do a bit of a color coding thing to make it more easy to read.

Park: Blue (I guess I sometimes used purple too....opps!)

Dining: Green

Any new for us experience (including dining at a place that we have been to but not at that particular meal time) will also be underlined!


Thursday

Check-in DVC Poly Studios (completely online check-in this morning)

EPCOT late afternoon

Friday

Kona for breakfast

Magic Kingdom late morning

Hollywood Studios evening (maybe)


Saturday

Morning/lunchtime at the pool (possible run for me)/resort time

Hoop Dee Doo (4pm show) *super excited*

Magic Kingdom (post HDD)-EMH until 2am

Sunday

Check-out Poly (moving to Kidani-Savannah view studio) I still need to complete online check-in here. I think we want the Sunset Savannah, right? Anyone with experience?

Grand Floridian Café lunch

Hollywood Studios

Monday

Animal Kingdom morning

Downtown Disney evening

Raglin Road dinner

Tuesday

Olivia’s Café breakfast

Mini-golf at Winter/Summerland

Possible quick trip to Animal Kingdom

Sanaa lunch

Resort rest/hang out

Typhoon Lagoon DVC party (I was BEYOND EXCITED when this event was mentioned. The irony was that I had just been mentioning to a friend that I was considering adding a water park day. Free admission to TL for DVC members….Yesssss please! The party runs from 9:30PM to 12:30AM (early admission starts at 7:00PM)

Wednesday

Originally going to be a pool morning but since we will be at TL the night prior might go somewhere else?? Hoping to get in another run (possibly over at the Boardwalk)

Magic Kingdom afternoon

Be Our Guest Dinner

Thursday

The Wave breakfast

Epcot

Planning to do the “Behind the Seeds” tour but waiting until we know Olivia’s work schedule so she can hopefully join us

Via Napoli dinner (we actually have ate here once before but I am considering a new experience because the circumstances during that meal were less than ideal and outside forces made a bad impression on us.)

Friday

Check out of Kidani (move to Jambo house)

DHS all day

Beaches and Cream late lunch/early dinner

Saturday

Downtown Disney

Boat House lunch

Magic Kingdom-EMH until 2am

Sunday

Check out

Estimated DME pickup to be around 3

Epcot Fp’s made but we will decide what to do for sure that morning.

I’m getting very excited and am looking so forward to all the new things we will be experiencing! We do often change things on the fly so I’m sure this will shake out different in the end but very excited to see where this adventure takes us!!!

If you read all this way I will leave you with one of my new skirts (It's Baymax and sorry for the dirty garage mirror picture....haha). I'm making a few for Lucy this trip too....so far I have completed 3 and have at least 2 (maybe 3) more to go. I'm hoping to complete another sewing project too but it could be a stretch for my limited skills so we will see if it turns out.

 

[disneyguy4life]

That sounds like a great trip! You are one lucky family. I can't wait to hear the TR and all the fun thing you did. The skirt looks great too. You do have some pretty great skills. I am pretty good at sewing on a button but that is it. LOL.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Since this is TECHNICALLY a Pre-Trip report AND our trip is 13 days away I figured I should post our plans! This little beauty was on my MDE yesterday!

I apologize in advance for my picture-less post. I usually try and incorporated pictures of some type but if I try and take the time to hunt down pictures this might never get this posted. I thought I would do a bit of a color coding thing to make it more easy to read.

Park: Blue (I guess I sometimes used purple too....opps!)

Dining: Green

Any new for us experience (including dining at a place that we have been to but not at that particular meal time) will also be underlined!


Thursday

Check-in DVC Poly Studios (completely online check-in this morning)

I am excited to hear your experience and what longhouses you get!

EPCOT late afternoon

Friday

Kona for breakfast
Tonga toast! Or pancakes! Or really anything

Magic Kingdom late morning

Hollywood Studios evening (maybe)


Saturday

Morning/lunchtime at the pool (possible run for me)/resort time

Hoop Dee Doo (4pm show) *super excited*

Magic Kingdom (post HDD)-EMH until 2am

Sunday

Check-out Poly (moving to Kidani-Savannah view studio) I still need to complete online check-in here. I think we want the Sunset Savannah, right? Anyone with experience?

Grand Floridian Café lunch
We stopped in for breakfast in a whim our last trip- so yummy! I assume lunch would be equally yummy!

Hollywood Studios

Monday

Animal Kingdom morning

Downtown Disney evening

Raglin Road dinner

Tuesday

Olivia’s Café breakfast pineapple French toast (or maybe it was pancakes?) Was yummy!

Mini-golf at Winter/Summerland
FUN!!!

Possible quick trip to Animal Kingdom

Sanaa lunch

Resort rest/hang out

Typhoon Lagoon DVC party (I was BEYOND EXCITED when this event was mentioned. The irony was that I had just been mentioning to a friend that I was considering adding a water park day. Free admission to TL for DVC members….Yesssss please! The party runs from 9:30PM to 12:30AM (early admission starts at 7:00PM)
So jealous!!

Wednesday

Originally going to be a pool morning but since we will be at TL the night prior might go somewhere else?? Hoping to get in another run (possibly over at the Boardwalk)

Magic Kingdom afternoon

Be Our Guest Dinner
So so good!!!

Thursday

The Wave breakfast
My friend says it's an amazing breakfast! We eat regularly there lunch/dinner on our trips-at least 2x the last trip LoL

Epcot

Planning to do the “Behind the Seeds” tour but waiting until we know Olivia’s work schedule so she can hopefully join us

Via Napoli dinner (we actually have ate here once before but I am considering a new experience because the circumstances during that meal were less than ideal and outside forces made a bad impression on us.)

Friday

Check out of Kidani (move to Jambo house)

DHS all day

Beaches and Cream late lunch/early dinner

Saturday

Downtown Disney

Boat House lunch
Pretty good food!

Magic Kingdom-EMH until 2am

Sunday

Check out

Estimated DME pickup to be around 3

Epcot Fp’s made but we will decide what to do for sure that morning.

I’m getting very excited and am looking so forward to all the new things we will be experiencing! We do often change things on the fly so I’m sure this will shake out different in the end but very excited to see where this adventure takes us!!!

If you read all this way I will leave you with one of my new skirts (It's Baymax and sorry for the dirty garage mirror picture....haha). I'm making a few for Lucy this trip too....so far I have completed 3 and have at least 2 (maybe 3) more to go. I'm hoping to complete another sewing project too but it could be a stretch for my limited skills so we will see if it turns out.

Your skirt is adorable!!
Your trip is fast approaching and makes me miss disney!!!
But you guys will have such a great trip!! Exciting!!!

( I added comments to a few things in the quote above. Easier so I could remember all I wanted to say LoL)

 

[SarahDisney]

AHHHHH LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!!

Your plans look awesome and I love how much new stuff you're doing!
You'll have to tell me all about mini-golf! We're planning to do Fantasia Gardens, but maybe if you end up really enjoying Winter Summerland we'll consider switching.

And that Typhoon Lagoon thing should be awesome! I feel like there's so much to do in the parks that it's easy to forget about the water parks ... and this way you get to experience a water park without even having to pay for it!

I love the Baymax skirt ... it's super cute!!! You really find the best Disney fabrics and do great things with them!!!

 

[stacy~**]

That sounds like a great trip! You are one lucky family. I can't wait to hear the TR and all the fun thing you did. The skirt looks great too. You do have some pretty great skills. I am pretty good at sewing on a button but that is it. LOL.

Thank you! We are all getting pretty excited and I think I have a great mix of new dining and experiences.

I always joke to my husband that I don't sew repairs (like buttons) because they are no fun at all. I could probably be a much better sewer if I had the patience to teach myself more but I get by!!

Your skirt is adorable!!
Your trip is fast approaching and makes me miss disney!!!
But you guys will have such a great trip!! Exciting!!!

( I added comments to a few things in the quote above. Easier so I could remember all I wanted to say LoL)

I know it's close when I start getting sad that it is almost over. Weird, I know but I always mourn the end of the trip before it starts.

Sooooo excited about the Poly! Did you see my question about Kidani? Is it Sunset Savannah view I want to request? You stayed there, right?

Glad to hear you like both the Grand Floridian Café and the Wave! I am always on the hunt for quiet, relaxing and more affordable (at least by Disney standards) places to eat. I am optimistic about these two places.

I can't believe how lucky we got being there during the TL party. I'm not sure how much will actually be open (I don't think it is equipped with after dark lighting)....but we are allowed to enter as early at 7PM so hopefully we will have time to check a few things out.

Thanks for the compliment on the skirt! I hope I find time to get all the ones finished that I am planning on.

AHHHHH LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!!

I know....I can't believe how quickly its gotten here!!!

Your plans look awesome and I love how much new stuff you're doing!
You'll have to tell me all about mini-golf! We're planning to do Fantasia Gardens, but maybe if you end up really enjoying Winter Summerland we'll consider switching.

Thanks! I am really, really excited and feel on paper this is the best trip I have ever planned. No pressure or anything.
Like you I think mini-golf always gets pushed to the wayside but I really hope we get to it. Aaron and I golfed at Fantasia a couple years ago. It was fun but looking forward to trying the other. One thing I didn't know about Fantasia is that only one course is themed, the other was very boring and plan looking (meant for more serious golfers??) but basically that just meant everyone was crammed on the fun side. I guess I should see if Winter/Summerland is that way too. Haha!

And that Typhoon Lagoon thing should be awesome! I feel like there's so much to do in the parks that it's easy to forget about the water parks ... and this way you get to experience a water park without even having to pay for it!

I keep calling it pre-trip pixie dust. I had literally been talking with a friend that day about maybe adding the tickets and had texted Olivia to see if she had access to any discounted tickets. I'm sure the park will be at a more limited capacity but it will be great to get to check it out (for free!).


I love the Baymax skirt ... it's super cute!!! You really find the best Disney fabrics and do great things with them!!!

Thanks! Really I just keep cranking out the same two skirt patterns (this fuller one is a newer type....my go to is a more A line). They are ridiculously easy but sooo fun to wear. I finished an Inside Out one for Lucy that I am very excited for her to wear. It's adorable.

ALSO....I know I posted this on Instagram (and if you don't follow me and want to...find me at stacyleigh9. I promise live trip pictures. ) but I wanted to share this awesome box Olivia sent earlier this week. The tsum tsums are ones I knew she was grabbing for me since I was in search of them but the other items (Jedi Mickey, Mickey rice krispy, Inside Out buttons) were all a total surprise. Plus I love the note she wrote on the box.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I "think" so. Not positive. We didn't stay Savannah view that trip- we viewed the bus stop, but it was not too noisy. And it was down the hall from the lobby, which was nice with littles.

 

[khertz]

I just realized you had a PTR going! I just spent the last hour or so catching up. How exciting for Olivia to be doing the DCP!!! I can't imagine how hard it was for you to head home and leave her there, but she is in for an amazing experience, I'm sure.

I also noticed you are going to be there in October, but I don't know if I missed your dates or not? We are planning on 17th-25th!