Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[Sarilas]

I totally feel you on the ADR ressiees.. It's one of the most stressful times for me because dining is such an important part to me and its not like we get to go to disney world every month- so choosing the places to eat is soo hard. There are just too many to choose from!

Especially when I've never BEEN to any of those restaurants before!

It's ok to get defensive.. I always am! It makes me mad how people judge it whether they've been there before or not.. if you don't do the full planning or know the experience.. then shut up!

Too funny... My husband now thinks it's hysterical that I've done SO much research and friends of ours who go have done literally nothing but show up- he can't wait to reap the fruits of my labor!

Well since this is an older posting.. idk if you decided this or not.. assuming you have because its the middle of December... but having gone there before.. my DH and I's fav. place is Coral Reef.. so if I was having a hard time.. then I would choose a favorite place.. or one of the nicest placest or one of the placest you are most looking forward to.. so it still leaves some excitement for the final day. It's always a little sad when leaving.. and this will leave something exciting. Last time I went- we left for the airport around 3pm.. soo we decided to relax by the pool and explore the hotel.. I kind of wished now that we left something exciting on that day- even if it was just breakfast somewhere.. we had nothing planned.. and the final day was soo depressing.. it was like we waited for it to end! hehe

We changed dates so many times I can't even remember when my ADR's are half the time!

That reminds me to get back to work on my update!

 

[GeminiAngel]

Yea! get to work Woman!!!
Look who's talking. I'm so due for an update on mine!

 

[Sarilas]

Yea! get to work Woman!!!
Look who's talking. I'm so due for an update on mine!

It's almost done! I've got to finish tweaking a couple of pictures and double check things and then I'm good to go! It'll be today for sure!

 

[JenAusty]

Mini update!

It truly is chaotic around here right now, and I'm allowing myself to live in the chaos through the end of the month. By that time I am DETERMINED that the universe get its act straight and chill OUT!

I emailed my TA today to talk about DME and deluxe dining - Jose's getting his bonus check next week (God willing) and I want to pay off what we owe the TA (room and regular dining), and add on DME because if Southwest keeps offering such awesome ding fares through the next couple of months we very well may be able to fly down rather than drive that looooong 13 hours! (I got ding fares recently up through November for about $75 one way... times 5 people round trip and that comes out much better than the $1800 we were looking at a couple of months ago!) I also wanted to find out about how soon before we take off for the actual vacation can we wait to upgrade to Deluxe dining, because that will be adding another $1000 onto our vacation bill and I want to wait till Jose's next bonus in December to pay that. She says it'll be no problem, and we can change the dining plan as late as 1 to 2 weeks before we leave! (She did tell me that at one week out she's had some clients run into glitches, but nothing dramatic.) She says we can add on DME now and just contact them later with our flight info (again... GOD WILLING). I'm SO EXCITED!

We're trying to pay for this entire trip in cash, no credit cards, so juggling around the funds as t hey come through has been interesting, to say the least! Oh, and I'm going to buy our park tickets (and my AP) either through AAA or a discount site in December as well. (Every penny counts when I'm planning on going souvenir CRAZY for the six of us!)

116 Days, people! You know what that means, right?

100 day party in just over two weeks!!!!

We also- always pay for our trip with cash and then we try to use mostly cash for spending and stuff while were there- if we don't its no big deal.. but we always pay for the vacation with cash- in the long run its better off.

 

[JenAusty]

I like the Adidas bag the best! I like the first bag- but not the color!

 

[JenAusty]

I'm offically all caught up!! yay!! It took more forever.. but I'm here! hehe

 

[Sarilas]

We also- always pay for our trip with cash and then we try to use mostly cash for spending and stuff while were there- if we don't its no big deal.. but we always pay for the vacation with cash- in the long run its better off.

It feels like a huge relief that I don't have a credit card statement coming at the end of my trip. Talk about harshing my mellow!

I like the Adidas bag the best! I like the first bag- but not the color!

I liked that one too, but it IS significantly larger than the first one (the Baggallini), and after much discussion I ended up buying... Well you'll find out in the next couple of posts!

I'm offically all caught up!! yay!! It took more forever.. but I'm here! hehe

Congratulations! Your prize for catching up so quickly is... A new post!

 

[Sarilas]

So, after much delay I FINALLY have an actual update for everyone! I know, cue the shocked looks now!

We've been having power fluctuations all day so if my power goes out while I'm typing this I might loose my noggin. You've been warned.

First of all there are new ADR's to speak of! When I last left you there were some serious gaps in our dining plan. Well no longer! NOW we have a complete schedule and everyone is happy- and it only took 6 months and a bazillion changes to get that way!

Here's a breakdown of our schedule with our dining plans for the day- I uploaded this to my phone along with individual daily plans and ADR #s! It works GREAT. No index cards, no pieces of paper to lose... just my phone to keep track of!

January 30 - I'm not sure what time we'll arrive in Orlando (hopefully plane tickets will be purchased this weekend!) so lunch is a questionmark of where we'll be. Dinner will either be Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express, depending on what catches our fancy when we get there!

January 31 - AK day! We'll have lunch at either Yak & Yeti QS or Pizzafari (DH is not a fan of BBQ), and probably head back to POR for a break- this is questionable as it IS day 1 and it IS a short day for us- the park closes at 5 and we have reservations at Boatwrights back at POR at 5:30... who knows, we may try to hack it out the whole day!

February 1 - MK day! We'll get there early for ropedrop (the early night before should help) and have lunch at Crystal Palace. Then we will DEFINITELY head back to POR for naps and general chilling out, as we'll be heading back to MK for dinner at Tony's and a night of EMH!

February 2 - Epcot day! We'll do our darndest to make it to ropedrop at Future World, but if not it's no biggie- we're planning on multiple days here. Everyone wants to grab lunch at various QS places throughout World Showcase, so that's just what we'll do. Then we'll probably head back to POR for naps and restage, and back to World Showcase for dinner at Le Cellier (tonight is a late dinner so everyone can get really GOOD naps this day to catch up on lack of sleep).

February 3 - DHS day! Today we'll try for ropedrop again (we'll see!) and grab lunch at a yet to be determined QS location inside the park. (Your input here would be greatly appreciated- I haven't heard fabu things about DHS eateries!) We'll determine needs for naps (lord knows the little ones may just crash in their strollers if the big kids are having a good time) and head over to SPOODLES for dinner! I'm really excited to try this one! There's a boat to Boardwalk from DHS, is that right?! I'm dying to check out the Boardwalk!

February 4 - Today our second MK day! We'll shoot for ropedrop again and today... TODAY we have lunch with Cinderella in the castle! Talk about a bunch of excited little girls! (And one big one!) Then we'll grab naps at POR and head back to MK till our late dinner at Chef Mickey's! (Where I plan on my husband falling in love with the Contemporary so we can stay there next time!)

February 5 - This could be the beginning of our park hopping days. We have no need for it the first few days but IF we end up falling in love with AK and/or DHS we may squeeze park hopping in here on the second half of our trip! But as it is planned for now, we'll quite possibly take the chance to sleep in before heading over to Epcot. We'll grab a QS lunch from wherever the heck we wish, probably go back to POR for more sleep and then head back for dinner at Tokyo Dining! Everyone's looking forward to this one for sure (the thought of sushi has the men in my family drooling out the corner of their mouths).

February 6 - Scheduled at MK, we'll see if everyone's rejuvenated enough to make it to ropedrop or not! We'll grab lunch at a QS location, take our usual break at POR and head back to grab the monorail for dinner at 1900 Park Fare! YES! Finally I will see Anastasia meet Anastasia!

February 7 - Our last full day at WDW. Sigh. We'll do our darndest to make Future World as it opens, grab lunch at World Showcase again (the kids would eat at all 11 countries for lunch if they could) and then head back to POR for our break. Then we'll return to World Showcase for dinner at San Angel Inn, which we're all looking forward to! Both for the ambiance AND the menu- we love authentic Mexican food (we like Tex Mex too but LOVE the real stuff) and are looking forward to the new menu here!

February 8 - Check out day. Sigh again. This day is kind of up in the air until I get our plane tickets- IF I can get us tickets on a late flight we may get another park ticket for this morning and afternoon! If I understand correctly we can pack up, leave our luggage at bell services and go into the parks before returning to the resort to catch the bus, is that right?! 'Cause that'd be AWESOME! But we'll grab a QS lunch from the hotel or a park or wherever we happen to be that day for sure.

And here's my calendar of what we're doing each day, at a glance- this helps a ton when I'm trying to remember where we are and when!

Coming soon... Park bags and park shoes and trinkets, oh my!

 

[TarzansKat]

Wow.



You are so organized! I am impressed.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Wowser!! You know, I am so totally excited that you are staying at Riverside. I just need to say that....again.

I love all your organizational materials and I am so happy that you have breaks planned, you are going to need them. Notice I say you and not the kiddos.

Yes, you can leave your luggage with bell services and head to park before you leave for the airport. Did I miss the decision to fly? I thought it was still up in the air.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Not bad for your first trip. Not bad at all.

 

[Sarilas]

Wow.



You are so organized! I am impressed.

I call it obsessed! I freak out if I don't at LEAST have a basic gameplan- we can deviate from the plan all we want to but without one I feel NEKKID!

Wowser!! You know, I am so totally excited that you are staying at Riverside. I just need to say that....again.

I love all your organizational materials and I am so happy that you have breaks planned, you are going to need them. Notice I say you and not the kiddos.

Yes, you can leave your luggage with bell services and head to park before you leave for the airport. Did I miss the decision to fly? I thought it was still up in the air.

I'm excited about POR too! I cannot WAIT to see it. And thank you re: bell services- I thought I'd read that before but couldn't be sure.

The decision to fly was more of my husband demanding we fly. He does NOT want to drive 13 hours!

Not bad for your first trip. Not bad at all.

I've got hidden talents, huh?

 

[Sarilas]

Each holiday season 1,500 Christmas trees, ranging in height from 45 to 70 feet, are placed in prominent positions in the theme parks. The tallest is a 70-foot tree in Disney's Contemporary Resort.

You didn't think I'd forget my silly trivia, did you?

But I promised a shopping update and a shopping update you shall HAVE!

First of all I have to show you the chairs my dad bought for the little girls for Christmas. They're SO cute (and HEAVY)- little chairs that convert to stepstools and I guarantee the little monkeys will play with nothing else on Christmas Day!

I also picked up more bribery -er, I mean Tink gifts for the girls from our old favorite, Target:

Stickers

Cindy bracelets

And Princess jellies

I think I can stop buying Tink gifts now... I mean I have more than enough but I can't stop!

Here's what our little baggies of Tink gifts will look like (in the rough):

I still need to add some curly ribbon AND one each of the THIRTY SIX handwritten gift tags from Tink herself! (I forgot to take a pic but I'll do that tomorrow.)

Oh, and here's what the formerly overflowing Disney box looks like with all the gifts that qualify as Christmas presents missing from its contents. Does that mean I can keep filling it up?!

Okay, down to serious business; I bought park shoes this weekend! DH and I ended up at Sears to return a couple of things and they had amazing sales going on. These shoes were half price (normally $45) and are SO comfortable! Very cushioned in the heel, loose fitting yet snuggly- I think they'll be perfect!

And now, the bag. You know I've been wavering on a decision about a park bag but after looking in stores this weekend and finding NOTHING, I had to make my move.

The decision came down to this: We're going to have two strollers, and DH can help lug an actual diaper bag for the girls that can stay with a stroller at all times. (Something I wouldn't have a heart attack over if it were to be... God forbid... STOLEN.) On the other hand I still needed something I didn't have to hold or tug up on my shoulders all the time to carry my own personal belongings with me. It needed to be hands free, small enough to go on the rides with me and yet CUTE.

Now as much as I liked some of the bags I'd posted earlier, they were big. Like 19 inches long big. No way was that going to be comfortable much less something I could take on a ride. This led me back to the ever popular Baggallini.

Now I wasn't LOVING my options with the Baggallini.

I mean I could do basic black, but their basic black bag looks like every diaper bag I ever had (and that's four, count them FOUR kids people). Uninspired.

Until that is I rediscovered THIS:

The Baggallini in GIRAFFE PRINT! YES! Now we're talkin'. I do love a good animal print, and while this bag also comes in Zebra, it was a bit stripey for my taste. The Giraffe however was PERFECT.

Here's a view of the inside (on another color of the bag):

Cell phone? Check. Mesh pockets? Check. Enough zippered compartments to lose my belongings in? CHECK. Water resistant material for Kali and Splash Mtn? CHECK.

So I bought it. And I got a wicked good deal, too. Sale priced PLUS 10% off and free shipping? Come to mama!

 

[trixiequilts]

Girl, you have good taste! Here's my bag...

I'm a little worried about the skinny strap, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow as I'm running around. Can you believe I've had it since the summer and haven't tried it out yet??? I gotta get moving!

I do think your bin looks a little empty now. Fill 'er up!

 

[TarzansKat]

I call it obsessed! I freak out if I don't at LEAST have a basic gameplan- we can deviate from the plan all we want to but without one I feel NEKKID!

I'm the same way. I like to have a game plan, but I'm totally prepared to throw it out the window when it doesn't work.

And holy update, Batman! That is a good bit of shopping you did! I'm happy you found comfy shoes and decided on a bag. One of my favorite things about my VB bag was that it had so many compartments, and was easy to keep things organized. Looks like your bag is similar in that respect.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Your bag looks great! I love all your Tink gifts too, so very cute.

 

[Sarilas]

Girl, you have good taste! Here's my bag...

I'm a little worried about the skinny strap, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow as I'm running around. Can you believe I've had it since the summer and haven't tried it out yet??? I gotta get moving!

I do think your bin looks a little empty now. Fill 'er up!

No way! We're twinsies! I think I'm due for a dollar store run this weekend... Mama needs more glow sticks!

I'm the same way. I like to have a game plan, but I'm totally prepared to throw it out the window when it doesn't work.

And holy update, Batman! That is a good bit of shopping you did! I'm happy you found comfy shoes and decided on a bag. One of my favorite things about my VB bag was that it had so many compartments, and was easy to keep things organized. Looks like your bag is similar in that respect.

Yeah, I was seriously delinquent in updating, right?! The VB bags are cute but I needed a sling bag I didn't have to mess with, and God knows when my mind is set on something it HAS TO BE!

Your bag looks great! I love all your Tink gifts too, so very cute.

Awe, thanks, LL!

 

[MRYPPNS]

You are so doing the graphics for my next vacation's planning materials!

Here are my picks for QS lunch at DHS. Pizza Planet or the Sunset Market. DH and I actually like the pizza at disney QS. And the nice thing about the Sunset Market there are like 3 different stands to choose from so there is something for everyone.

 

[Charleston Princess]

My trip binder wants pages like yours!

 

[Sarilas]

You are so doing the graphics for my next vacation's planning materials!

Here are my picks for QS lunch at DHS. Pizza Planet or the Sunset Market. DH and I actually like the pizza at disney QS. And the nice thing about the Sunset Market there are like 3 different stands to choose from so there is something for everyone.

Pizza is always a safe bet with our family- I'll have to check out the menu for the Sunset Market too!

My trip binder wants pages like yours!

LOL