Schmooney Does Disney a PTR 10/28-11/12/2010 Updated 10/20 SINGLE DIGIT DANCE

[Rosiekins]

Hello and welcome to my Pretrip report! I am sure you have a few questions and I am sure the first one is What/Who is a Schmooney. Well I promise if you are real patient I will get to it post haste! But first a message from our...Oh I mean first the trip details.

When Oct29th -Nov 12. 14 nights of fun fun fun

Where POP Century, Disney World, and Universal (Harry Potter)

Why My *gulp* 30th Birthday, We will also be celebrating DH's Birthday which falls 2 weeks before mine. We plan on celebrating our birthdays for the whole trip. I live for a reason to extend special days, especially my birthday.

Who....Now I know this is what you have all been waiting for so here you are...

Me, Rosiekins 29 soon to be 30 year old. I love sewing, crafting and of course Disney. I am so looking forward to this trip and have been driving my poor DH insane with planing details, which is why I am starting this thread so I can drive you all insane with them instead. Though I am hoping to find you all understand and won't go too insane. Here I an on Halloween, I promise this costume added about 50 pounds, though I am Pooh sized and working on it.

My DH, we will call him Pookie, 33 year old contractor who was surprised to find out he loved Disney World. He gave me a trip in 2008 for our 3rd wedding anniversary and it was truly a gift of sacrifice. He did not want to go, but on the first night had to eat crow and admit he loved it!

Schmooney....Our special friend who travels with us. We found him while visiting family in NC and I could not leave him behind. He is so much more photogenic then us so he gets his picture taken instead. What is he exactly? Well he is a bear, skunk, bobcat, fawn, beaver, rabbit, raccoon. He is quite friendly and loves to meet new people. We find that people either take a step towards us or 3 steps back when they see him.Most people have their hands out to hold him before we even finish explaining him and he loves having his picture with them. Here is a picture of him doing what he loves best Driving. And one of him with prop from Harry Potter the Exhibition at the Museum of Science.

 

[Rosiekins]

So about 2 months after we got back in 2008 I began Planning this trip, but really if you get down to it I have been planning it much longer since I first heard about Harry Potter Land in universal. I am happy for our 2008 trip because DH figured out his Disney love and now I get to stay 2 weeks.

When I first started seriously planning I was all set to stay at POFQ. But I just kept waffling it was a lot more and we really loved POP. We loved our room, (good location) we loved that there were 3 pools so we could avoid crowds if needed, we loved the buses (never more then a 10 min wait, fast and not too crowded) We were happy there and really it was cheaper....But POFQ was so pretty, had a fridge (my school bread went bad for lack of refrigeration last time *sigh*) and a hot tub....Back and Forth Back and Forth, until I decided to book POP and upgrade if a discount came out. And suddenly I was happy, I liked POP and I decided to just keep it no matter unless it became cheaper to upgrade.

That Decided I moved on to Dining, We had the DDP before and Loved it! DH would not go back unless we got it again. So I knew it was a must, and I started crossing my fingers for Free Dining because you see DxDDP starting looking awfully good, so I started talking it up and DH kept talking it down. But I did not loose heart oh no just kept at it, pointing out the flexibility of the plan and the joys of having everything prepaid. I had just planned to upgrade from Free Dining if it was offered but not upgrade if it wasn't.

Then I got DH to sit down and read about all the restaurants with me. We made a list and compared where we would like to eat. We ended up with a list the involved 31 credits. Now with the DDP would only have 14, we would pay some OOP already (a few breakfasts and sigs we just Had to do) and would struggle to use all the CS credits. That was really the ticket unused credits? Oh NO! Well you know when I look at it this way I think you are right about the plan dear... and I knew I had won. I would get my DxDDP free dining or not (not I am hoping for a room credit)! Decision made and the funny thing is I have yet to look back. Normally I waffle with decisions but this time I know this is the right one for us.

So our trip is looking like this

OCT 29th - NOV 12th
POP Century Preferred Room
14 nights of DxDDP = 42 Credits and 56 snack Credits (what really pushed over the edge DH is already dreaming of how to use them at F&WF)
2 Days Universal (Harry Potter!!!!)
10 Day Park Hopper Passes
Keys to the Kingdom Tour
MVMCP
MNSSHP
Food and Wine Festival


Up Next a look at our Hopeful ADRs

 

[MomToAp1699]

Subbing to your PreTrip Report. We will be returning to Disney in October as well.. The 30th thru November 8th for 10 days at Pop Century.. We are looking foward to MNSSHP too! Can't wait to read about your trip..

 

[Rosiekins]

I have driven poor DH over the edge talking about these ADRS, so now it is on to driving you all over the edge (though I am guessing it is a much much longer drive lol) Here is where we are hoping to eat. I would love any feed back as to which places are better for lunch and which for dinner or any other place you think we must try



(I am sure I am massacring the spelling of these sorry)
Le Cellier
Cinderella Royal Table (hopefully for my birthday dinner)
1900 Park Fare (B)
Crystal Palace (B)
Teppan Edo
Narcossee
Yachtsman
Artist Point
50's Prime Time
Sci Fi
Hollywood Brown Derby
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Ohana
Sanaa
Jiko
Yak and Yeti
Restaurant Marrakesh
Coral Reef
Rose and Crown (hopefully Illuminations view)
Biergarten
Akushers (B)
Le Chefs
Tutu Italia
Kona (B)
San Angel Inn

I am certain I am forgetting something but you get the idea. We will be leaving the parks on 2 days to go to Universal so I figured those were good nights to eat at resorts. Our biggest trouble is that most of the places we plan on eating are in Epcot. We don't mind park hoping (we hit 3 parks in one day last trip) but it makes Lunch a little harder. I would love any tips. Thanks.

 

[Rosiekins]

0CT

29th
Biergarten 5:30 pm

30th (My 30th Birthday!!!)
Crystal Palace 8am
Tea @ GF 2pm
Cinderella Castle 8:30pm (last seating?)

31st
Brown Derby Fantasmic

NOV

1st
Whispering Canyon Cafe 8:30pm

2nd
Yachtsman 8:30pm

3rd
Le Celier 8:30pm

4th
San Angel Inn 11:30am
50's Prime Time 6:30pm

5th
Kona 8am
Yak and Yetti 2 pm
Jiko 8:30pm

6th
Sci Fi 11:30am
Ohana 6pm

7th
Akurshurs 9:45am
Marakesh 2pm
Rose and Crown 8:30pm

8th
1900 PF 10am
Narcossee 5:30 pm

9th
Teppan Edo 11:30am
Coral Reef 8:30pm

10th
Chef Mickey 8am
Tutu Italia 1:30pm
Le Chefs De France 8pm

11th
Saana 1:30pm
Artist Point 9:15

Not sure of the exact times because our lovely travel agent made them. So far we have EVER one of our reservations baring the last 2 which can be made tomorrow! Some of the times are different but with it just being DH and I we could care less when we eat as long as we eat lol. I have to say my travel agent is Totally Rockstar!!!

 

[Rosiekins]

So our new Plan and Schedule are looking like this

Arivial Day
Epcot

10/30
Happy Birthday to Me!!! Magic Kingdom Day, Breakfast with Pooh and the Gang, High Tea and Dinner in the Castle. I was thinking about doing BBB but I don't think I will. Any other adults do this, how did it go?

10/31
AM extra magic at Animal Kingdom and Brown Derby with Fantasmic Package. We decided to skip MNSSHP because of all the other extra we were already doing. It was a bit disappointing but I think it was the right choice!

11/01
Universal for Harry Potter!!! So Excited over this one.

11/02
Another Universal Day

11/03
Keys to the Kingdom, Country Bears (DH was so bummed it was closed last time, I keep trying to explain but he is really in to it lol) Nibble around the world, Le Celier dinner with PM Epcot Extra Magic hours

11/04
AM extras at Magic Kingdom, Epcot for lunch then DHS

11/05
Not sure about the morning, Animal Kingdom EMH PM

11/06
AM DHS EMH, PM MK EMH

11/07
Sleep in Epcot day

11/08
Sleep in DTD, MVMCP

11/09
AM EMH Epcot

11/10
AM unsure other then Chef Mickey and PM EMH Epcot

11/11
Last Full Day
MK, and Epcot

11/12
Departure

I am sure it will change, and I am sure it will change while there.
We get park hoppers and plan on giving them a real work out. Last time we even did 3 parks in one day. We plan on a little resort time each day to swim and cool down also.



​

 

[Rosiekins]

So if you can't tell I am so excited to celebrate my Birthday in the World! The whole trip is actually a Birthday celebration for DH and I, as our Birthdays are 15 days apart (his first). We plan on getting buttons and wearing them for the whole trip. We have been told by countless people this okay but I am wondering who out there has done this? Did any one give you a tough time. On our last trip we got teased by Alice over wearing our Anniversary and DH's first visit buttons on multiple days, I am pretty sure she was just kidding though.

So for My Birthday we are doing Crystal Palace, Tea, and The Castle for dinner. I plan on getting (well telling DH how to get) the slipper desert. I think we will spend the whole day in MK? Does anyone have any suggestions for fun Birthday things to do? I was thinking of BBB but I think I would feel too silly, I would love to know if any other grown ups had done it alone.

For DH's special day (not his actual Bday just a day we picked) we are doing Keys to the Kingdom, Country Bears and Epcot F&WF. We have dinner at Le Celier. Can anyone think of any fun surprises I can do for him?

 

[Rosiekins]

So are trip is nearing and looks like I will get it all paid off! So that is exciting! We have added an extra day to the front of our trip so we could get free dining! A better deal might come along but for now we are pretty happy with this one. I decided not to drop the 12th but pay for just a hotel stay that night because I had already planned around us being there all day the 11th. So now our first park day will be a full one in Epcot. I added a reservation to Kona for the first night (28th) and added a lunch at 9 dragons the next day. I might actually change that to lunch and Via Napolia if I can get the ADR.

I have also started WW because I am terrified I won't be able to ride The Harry Potter ride. I also want to be more comfortable with all the walking and feel more confident in all the pictures. I am hoping I can be successful at this. Right now it is not hard but I have a lot of points, I am afraid as I lose weight (hopefully) and get less points it will be harder to keep up. Anyone on WW? Any advice? I am just doing online so no meetings but I think that is okay.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Subbing! I'll come back ASAP to catch up!!

 

[Rosiekins]

Subbing! I'll come back ASAP to catch up!!

YAY!!! Welcome!

So I have heard about window and door decorating and am very intruiged. My DH is just shaking his head at me but I am going to do it anyway I have been looking but have yet to find any pictures of other peoples windows which I would love to see. I am also trying to find about any rules that I have to follow etc...

I am planning on using up all the Mickey heads I have been collecting. Both in the window and on the door. I am thinking of making large Magnets that tell what park we are in that day that I can stick to the door. For the window I think I am going to do a couple themes. So far Happy Birthday, Boo To You (even though we are not going to MNSSHP), Christmas (MVMCP) and See Ya Real Soon. I really need a theme to slide between Boo To You and MVMCP, I am thinking of just sticking back up the Birthday one since that is what the whole trip is really about. Any Thoughts? I figure it will only take me about 20 min to change the window up and I will really enjoy doing it so I won't mind. If I do mind then I will just leave it whatever theme I got bored on.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

We decorated at POP last year for Christmas! It was a TON of fun!!

 

[Rosiekins]

So today was a monumental day as I officially paid for our trip!!!!
So I can say with feeling I am going to Disney World!!!! Not too much has been going on planning wise but I have been hard at work making my Autograph book. What possessed me to make my own I can't tell you but I have to say it is more work then I thought. However I am enjoying it and will be happy once it is done.

 

[TyRy]

Jumping in for the fun!

I was one of those who celebrated my birthday last year with friends at WDW. It was my 40th and since I thought that was extra special, I celebrated it the whole time we were there. I wore my button everyday (as did my friends with their "I'm Celebrating" buttons ) and we even had t-shirts that we wore a couple of days that mentioned it. It was a great way to celebrate and we had a lot of fun.

Congrats on paying off the trip . I love the time of year you are going...you'll probably see Halloween and Christmas decorations by the end of your trip.

 

[Rosiekins]

Jumping in for the fun!

I was one of those who celebrated my birthday last year with friends at WDW. It was my 40th and since I thought that was extra special, I celebrated it the whole time we were there. I wore my button everyday (as did my friends with their "I'm Celebrating" buttons ) and we even had t-shirts that we wore a couple of days that mentioned it. It was a great way to celebrate and we had a lot of fun.

Congrats on paying off the trip . I love the time of year you are going...you'll probably see Halloween and Christmas decorations by the end of your trip.

Welcome!!! I plan on wearing that button everyday too so I am glad to hear of another adult who sis the same! We had intended to do both the Halloween and Christmas parties because it seemed so fun but we decided to skip the Halloween as we had already done it. I regret it a little but when I think of all the fun things we are going to do I can't be too sad! I am so excited for the Christmas party, I just can't wait to see the castle lit up!!!

 

[Rosiekins]

So we have made a few changes just as I knew we would!

Arivial Day will hopefully go like this now.
Land at 5:50pm ME to POP, Check in, pick up fridge, Quickly check out room then head to our 9pm Narcossee reservation! So we gave up Kona but this works so much better for our later Schedule.

Which brings us to Nov 8th. I decided I was not willing to give up so much time @ MVMCP as a 5:30 dinner rez would take and I didn't want to rush @ Narcossee either so I added the Arrival day one and then added a 3pm Rez at Raglan Road. That lets us hit MK by about 5pm making sure we get to see the tree lighting and such. So a little change but a good one I think!

Our Keys to the Kingdom Tour is booked and My DH's Haircut @ Harmony Barber Shop is also booked. Did you know you had to call ahead now? I just need to but our Universal tickets and everything is set.

I still need to
Pack
Finish Mouse Keeping Envelopes
Make Window Decorations
Finish my Autograph Book
Finish DH's Bartenders of the world Autograph book
Buy Shoes
Buy a couple of things clothing wise
Find the perfect Birthday outfit!

 

[Rosiekins]

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE
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Not that I am excited or anything

 

[Rosiekins]

So my to do list has dwindled a little.

I bought 2 new skirts and a Dress so all I need are some leggings because the dress is a bit short! Opps. I am hoping that is not so hot that I can't wear the leggings. I decided to wear a dress I have and love for my Birthday as I didn't find anything I liked as much.

I got the shoes, a lovely pair of Merrells that I am happily breaking in. I have to say a little toe pinching and a bit of pressure on the top for the first week but no blisters! I always get blisters so this a huge point in Merrells favor. They are all stretched out now so I am really glad I didn't get the half size bigger because they wouldn't have fit after a week. I am very Happy with them and will be buying from Merrell again.

My DH needs some T shirts but other then that he is all set.

I set up an order with Garden Grocer for all of our Shampoo , Lotion, Sunscreen, Tooth paste etc... This way I don't have to deal with trying to travel with it. Though I was surprised that with Delivery and Tips it was a little over $80. DH is convinced that the convenience with worth the price.

I have started my packing and have to do my husbands. If I care what he wears I had better have a hand in his packing.

I am almost done with the Autograph books and I finished the Mousekeeping Envelopes. I filled them with 3 dollars each. Do you think that is enough?

 

[lexmas]

I am jealous that you're going for so long!

I think $3 is fine for mousekeeping. I think the rule of thumb is $1 for each person in the room and then $1 extra. But I'm no expert.

We'll be at AK on Halloween, definitely. I bet we'll see you at the bus stop!

 

[Rosiekins]

ONE MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!