PTR Oct 2010 - An Aussie returns: Back home and TR started (11/02)

[PrincessInOz]

Today was one of those days at work. Where the time just seems to drag..... because there is NOT much work to stretch out. Heck - there was NO work to stretch out.

So, I counted down the days to my NOT not trip. I'm down to 32 days before getting on a plane .
As this trip is DH's work trip, I have made the conscious decision:

• NOT to overplan;
• NOT to stress; and
• NOT to make any travel arrangements (other than my own after DH has arranged his).

But there is only just so much a (not) Obsessive Compulsive Planner like me can take.....and today, I decided that I was NOT taking over.....I was just going to give DH a helping hand in trivial practicalities.

So, I peeked on the convention website.

And what an eye-opener it turned out to be. There are links there, NOT just for booking hotel accommodation and registering for the convention, which DH has done, but also:

• Booking ME
• Tickets
• Convention specially arranged tours
• On line registration
• Convention SCHEDULE!!!!

I kinda knew we getting to the boundaries of needing to book Magical Express. We need to book this and provide Disney with at least 30 days notice. I also kinda figured that there was NOT a hope in hell that DH would be organised enough to get on line to do this. So, I helped him fill out the on-line form and put his work email as the contact point.

I also had a look at the Convention arranged Behind the Scene tour and this is something that I know that I do NOT want to do....only because of time or lack thereof for this trip.

I also checked out the Convention Schedule.....and I do NOT think that DH will be joining Firefly, LuvChefMic and myself for dinner on the Sunday night. Potentially, he has about 1.5 - 2 hours to get from CSR to Crystal Palace at MK and back to CSR again. Doable...but DH may NOT think so. I say keep the existing reservation as is and see what happens.

...and there probably is NOT enough time for him to go to MNSSHP on this Sunday night. But he still needs to figure this out for himself.

Convention finishes at 5.30 pm on the Monday; so I think we need to get him an after 2 pm Park Hopper ticket for this night. He could spend time at Epcot; and then hop across to MK to enjoy EMH.

Tuesday night is the convention dinner; so he will definitely NOT be going to Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner with us; but the schedule seems to indicate that he could be finished by about 7.30 pm. There is after dinner entertainment organised....but he could choose to go to MNSSHP after the dinner. I'll have to wait for him to decide if this is what he would like to do....or NOT.

And the best part? There seems to be some early bird discount on Disney tickets on the Convention website. Either this or the website has NOT been updated with the new Disney post August pricing

 

[franandaj]

Thanks!

Alison - How did you go with weight loss?

Does that answer your question? And tomorrow I go for Oktoberfest (buffet) at Disnyland, not to mention all the Beer and Wine you can drink...and then Thurs-Sun staying over with breakfast a Goofy's Kitchen (Character Buffet) on Sunday....you do the math!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Well, if it works out that he can't make it to dinner with us, then that's okay

I get to meet you four weeks from Sunday!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Does that answer your question? And tomorrow I go for Oktoberfest (buffet) at Disnyland, not to mention all the Beer and Wine you can drink...and then Thurs-Sun staying over with breakfast a Goofy's Kitchen (Character Buffet) on Sunday....you do the math!

Have a great time at Oktoberfest! And the stay at DLR!

Well, if it works out that he can't make it to dinner with us, then that's okay

I get to meet you four weeks from Sunday!

Yay for our DisMeet! I can't wait.


30 days to go for me!!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just found out from DisneyFirefly's PTR that due to a technical problem, she is NOT likely to be on-line as regularly as she has been . I'm sad as she (and franandaj ) has been my most regular poster on this thread and I hope that the technical problem gets sorted out (and quickly!).

So, I'm hoping that some of you visitors and lurkers out there might be persuaded to occassionally drop me a post from time to time for encouragement so that I may NOT lose focus on writing this TR.

(Ple...ea....se??)

 

[DisneyFirefly]

 

[PrincessInOz]

Last night (Melbourne time), I called the WDW convention number that I got off DH's link. I'm still NOT overly planning this trip; but there were a few minor details that I needed to tie down and finish.....

Oh...who am I kidding???

I was driven NUTS by the fact that DH still hadn't organised anything for his tickets (and by extension....my ticket); and we had NOT heard anything about ME. So, the OCD in me busted out last night and made a little phone call.

1. Park Tickets

For DH: I purchased a 2 day after 2 pm Park Hopper ticket for him. This is a convention only ticket and the cost of this is $140. I also purchase a MNSSHP ticket for Tuesday 26th October (standard retail price) and he's now all set for park entry.

For me: I purchased a 4 day park hopper ticket. Convention special price is $250 and I found out from the CM that it includes a one visit WPF&M in this price. . This ticket will be linked to my KTTW on arrival.
I had previously purchased MNSSHP tickets for the 24th and the 26th; so now I'm all set for park entry as well!

2. Magical Express

I checked with the CM and our request for ME, including flight details, have definitely been entered into the system. As we are overseas, we will NOT be sent any ME documentation.....I had forgotten this little detail. We booked through an American TA for our May trip and she sent out the tags! Oh Well....I know for certain that we are booked in!


3. Disney Dining Plan

For DH: He's got some food included in the convention and would only need 2 dinners; so he does NOT need a DDP.

For Me: The CM told me that the convention system does NOT allow DDP to be added. Oh well, at least I will NOT be left hoping that this might possible...


So, aside from packing, I believe that all the logistics for this NOT NOT trip are now in place and completed!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Yay for having things sorted out!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Today, DH and I had a discussion about whether we want to go see Harry Potter or NOT. We are both mad keen Potty about Potter; so if we can wake up early enough we absolutely will try and make it HPW.

I'm hoping that someone will be able to tell me.....

1. What is the best way to get from WDW to HPW? Should we take a taxi or hire a car for the day?

2. How long do we need at HPW? We think we may have about 3 - 4 hours, depending on what time we wake up.

3. What are the MUST do's; aside from the rides?

TIA.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I have no clue, but I'm curious about that, too! We're thinking about spending a day at IOA next year just to go to WWOHP. Oddly enough, I just re-read Deathly Hallows last night (yes, all in one night, it was boring here last night, not even a single alarm).

 

[PrincessInOz]

Re-reading HP and the Deathly Hallows....just in time for Part 1 later in the year!
The trailers look amazing.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

They really do I can't wait The part I'm looking forward to the most, though, is going to be in the second part

 

[franandaj]

I am so through with seeing the movies in the theaters. I find them too disappointing. I can't believe that Dobie was left out of all the movies but one. They will probably leave him out of the Deathly Hallows and his death is such a crtical turning point!

I understand they have to make changes to make the movies fit in a reasonable time frame, but I don't like the things that they cut!

However, on our trip (for which I am actually working on a PTR, soon to launch maybe by October 1st), we plan on staying at Universal two nights for front of the line passes to HP!

I'd say go for it and have a Butterbeer for me!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I've actually heard that the reason that HPatDH is two movies is BECAUSE they didn't cut anything out. There was nothing they COULD cut, because as you said, everything is integral to the plot. My favorite part is when Neville kills Nagini. I so can't wait for that

 

[PrincessInOz]

I am so through with seeing the movies in the theaters. I find them too disappointing. I can't believe that Dobie was left out of all the movies but one. They will probably leave him out of the Deathly Hallows and his death is such a crtical turning point!

I understand they have to make changes to make the movies fit in a reasonable time frame, but I don't like the things that they cut!

However, on our trip (for which I am actually working on a PTR, soon to launch maybe by October 1st), we plan on staying at Universal two nights for front of the line passes to HP!

I'd say go for it and have a Butterbeer for me!

I find the movies disappointing when you compare it to the books. Even Hollywood can NOT measure up to imagination. But I have to say that the last 2 movies in the franchise have NOT been too bad. And I have high expectations that because the last book is in 2 parts that there is NOT much that they can cut out.

I would like to be able to do FotLP to HP but we'll have to save this for another trip. I'm certainly looking forward to just seeing the place, taking in the ambience and have one or three Butterbeers!

I've actually heard that the reason that HPatDH is two movies is BECAUSE they didn't cut anything out. There was nothing they COULD cut, because as you said, everything is integral to the plot. My favorite part is when Neville kills Nagini. I so can't wait for that

I agree; although I think that there will still be things that will be cut. So one of the interesting side-watches for HP7 Part 1 and 2 will be to see what does NOT make it to the big screen.

My favourite part is when Harry finds out which side Snape is actually on. I'm curious to see how that turns out on screen and what the young ones will look like. I'll have to wait for part 2 as well.

 

[franandaj]

My favourite part is when Harry finds out which side Snape is actually on. I'm curious to see how that turns out on screen and what the young ones will look like. I'll have to wait for part 2 as well.

I think that whole reveal was my favorite part too, the part when you find out that Lily's sister knows about the dementors from "that evil boy". The whole time you think, it's James and then you find out about her relationship with Snape and that he's "undercover". I also cried at the scene at the train in the end when they were all sending their kids off to Hogwarts.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think that whole reveal was my favorite part too, the part when you find out that Lily's sister knows about the dementors from "that evil boy". The whole time you think, it's James and then you find out about her relationship with Snape and that he's "undercover". I also cried at the scene at the train in the end when they were all sending their kids off to Hogwarts.

Me too.

I was sorry to see the end of the series. I still feel like that there is something missing in life.....at least the last book will fill the void until middle of next year.

On another note, I took my son to see the Legend of the Guardians:Owls of Ga'hool today. We saw the first half and it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the second half of the movie had been loaded upsidedown in the projector; so not only was the movie vertically challenging, but the sound was also backwards!! Someone else in the audience went to complain after 5 minutes. Unfortunately, they could NOT fix the screening; but offered us the option to go the the 3D movie that was about 5 minutes behinds where we were. My DS does NOT like 3D; so we asked for and got a refund instead.

It was pretty funny - but I do NOT know how the film ended. I'll need to read the book to find out

 

[franandaj]

Me too.

I was sorry to see the end of the series. I still feel like that there is something missing in life.....at least the last book will fill the void until middle of next year.

On another note, I took my son to see the Legend of the Guardians:Owls of Ga'hool today. We saw the first half and it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the second half of the movie had been loaded upsidedown in the projector; so not only was the movie vertically challenging, but the sound was also backwards!! Someone else in the audience went to complain after 5 minutes. Unfortunately, they could NOT fix the screening; but offered us the option to go the the 3D movie that was about 5 minutes behinds where we were. My DS does NOT like 3D; so we asked for and got a refund instead.

It was pretty funny - but I do NOT know how the film ended. I'll need to read the book to find out

I'm sorry that you had a unfulfilled movie, but I can't believe that a theater had a problem like that in today's day and age! I'm sorry that you didn't get the end of it. It didn't look like that great of a movie to us, but who knows we don't even know the plot.
ill enjoy whatever time you can offer while I am bored with Fran in the hospital.

Actually I'm going to have spend a lot of time there and have a hell of a lot of mail to go through since we've been having so much fun for the last week!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm sorry that you had a unfulfilled movie, but I can't believe that a theater had a problem like that in today's day and age! I'm sorry that you didn't get the end of it. It didn't look like that great of a movie to us, but who knows we don't even know the plot.
ill enjoy whatever time you can offer while I am bored with Fran in the hospital.

Actually I'm going to have spend a lot of time there and have a hell of a lot of mail to go through since we've been having so much fun for the last week!

Hope things go successfully for Fran.