~ Sew Sweet 16 ~I’m packing your angry eyes just in case~Aug 2014~ BFF' bag 8/20!!!!

[DMGeurts]

Today will be a great day! I am very excited for this park.

As you all know - AK is our favorite!

I was able to snag a pre-park opening ADR at Tusker House - one of our favorite meals at our favorite time... This promises to start our day off in a fantastic way! As long as V gets enough sleep the night before.

Since you nearly fall out of the door at Tusker House to the entrance of Kiliminjaro Safari... We will get into line for that right as the park opens.

Our first FP is for EE between 9:00-10:00, so we will go straight there after KS.

If we have time, we will ride as many times as possible as single riders before our FPs need to be used. But I suspect we won't thave too much time to do this - any single rider rides will probably need to be after our FP ride. I also know that BFF has never ridden EE before (not sure about Olivia) - so she will probably want her first ride to be with someone she knows... Not sure she will do Single Rider or not? We'll see.

Our next FP is for Kali River Rapids between 10:35-11:35... Now I debated on doing this FP so early... but it was on BFF's must do list and I know FL in August - it's HOT this early, so I think it will be OK.

Then, I decided to FP Nemo the Musical... This is on BFF's must do list, and it's kind of located at the back side of the park where we are. Anyways, the times for this are 11:30-11:50.

I would like to head from here to do Discovery island, or maybe at this time we will take a break for few hours while it's really hot out. If not, we will spend our afternoon doing the other shows. Here is where it might be a good idea to grab a FP for later, unless just leave for a few hours to swim and take a break? Which we would grab a FP before leaving the parks for when we come back later.

We would also like to do ITTBAB...

And FOLK - if it's open yet? Not sure? I think it is?

We'll see and play it by ear... depending on how hot and tired everyone is.

I have not decided if we are having dinner in AK - or if we will have dinner at the resort, since AK closes so early. It's been several trips (since our 2008 trip) since we've eaten at FTBBQ... and it's semi-primal for me... So, I am kind of leaning towards eating in AK for dinner.

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

We would also like to do ITTBAB...

what does this mean?

I have not decided if we are having dinner in AK - or if we will have dinner at the resort, since AK closes so early. It's been several trips (since our 2008 trip) since we've eaten at FTBBQ... and it's semi-primal for me... So, I am kind of leaning towards eating in AK for dinner.

D~

FTBBQ is on my list of must haves this time too.. along with that scrumptious Jalapeno Pretzel!!!!


I have to re think all my plans.. Hope to have that up today with a Dis meet update..

 

[Iamthequeen]

I've been reading along just not posting much. Love, love, love your Donald outfit! I will look 'ridiculous' right along with you. Some people just don't know how to have fun. I guess they are just more 'sophisticated' than we are. I'd rather have fun. Glad to hear Josh is doing better. I hope it continues. Can't wait to see the rest of your outfits.

 

[NiniMorris]

Not only is FOTLK open but is in its new home. Should be right around Tusker House.


Nini

(Who really should stop trying to type on her phone!!)

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I can't wait to see all the outfits! The people who truly look ridiculous at Disney are the ones who aren't having fun! Or the ones wearing totally inappropriate footwear - not the place for heels!

Sounds like you were able to have a really productive day yesterday!

There is more I want to comment on, but I have to run. Have a great weekend!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We ate breakfast at Tusker House with the grandkids and had a wonderful meal, The characters were fun, too. But it took us 1-1/2 hours to get through there. Check in took about 20 minutes because we had to wait in line to take a picture with Donald. I'm not sure if they do that anymore, though.

If it turns out that you don't have enough time to go on the safari and still make it to EE during your fp window, I've heard that the lines for the safari are really short near the end of the day.

If you can reschedule your EE fp to 9:30am to 10:30am, you would have more time to ride the safari and still ride EE a few times while the standby line is short. I always like to bump two fp times together, going on the first ride near the end of the fp time period, then walking over to the next ride and getting on it at the beginning of that fp period. Then you have less dead time in between.

Oh dear, did you really want all this advice.

 

[Terkina]

Sounds like you have a good plan for your Animal Kingdom day.

 

[sewmess]

See, we'll be doing some of this kind of planning in just a week, when our FP window comes open.

Cale's of the same mind as Mo - he's not sure he's happy with the changes.

Can't wait to see your outfits. I always have grand ideas and then just end up grabbing what suits my mood that day, so I'm a little bit of an over packer - BUT we drive and don't have to economize on space.

Have a great day!!

 

[KatMark]

Mo -- It's Tough To Be a Bug

D, yes, Festival of the Lion King is open. We had Fastpasses for it in June (it opened our second day there), but we didn't get to use them.

Someone mentioned Donald at Tusker House; no he is no longer there at the front for pictures. He walks around the room with the rest of the characters. I'm hoping you have a better experience that we did in June; our service was awful and we won't be going back for some time. The food was still pretty good.

 

[ladylyons]

Sandra!!! Hi!!!! Looking forward to your TR from DL... I loved seeing all of your pictures on FB. And I cannot believe baby Jeffrey is already 6 months old - he is so adorable! Thanks for checking in, and I am glad to hear you are well.

Yes the time sure is flying by with him. Just trying to enjoy him being a baby. He sure is spoiled though because even the kids just want to hold him all the time. We had a great time in DL!! Glad you enjoyed the pictures!!

Love the outfit!! And no it's not ridiculous to dress up! It's Disney!! We're all allowed to be kids there.

 

[DMGeurts]

what does this mean?

FTBBQ is on my list of must haves this time too.. along with that scrumptious Jalapeno Pretzel!!!!

I have to re think all my plans.. Hope to have that up today with a Dis meet update..

ITTBAB: It's Tough To Be A Bug.

Hahahaha "A Dis meet update"... Or how about 3? Whoot, for those of you following along and didn't see it - Mo posted 3 Dismeet updates in her PTR yesterday!

I've been reading along just not posting much. Love, love, love your Donald outfit! I will look 'ridiculous' right along with you. Some people just don't know how to have fun. I guess they are just more 'sophisticated' than we are. I'd rather have fun. Glad to hear Josh is doing better. I hope it continues. Can't wait to see the rest of your outfits.

Hi Tess! Oh good, I am glad I am not alone... Actually - I know I am not alone... I go a bit above and beyond, but it's so much FUN!

I hope so too... He had to use his tenz machine last night...

Not only is FOTLK open but is in its new home. Should be right around Tusker House.


Nini

(Who really should stop trying to type on her phone!!)

Wahoo!!! I am going to have to find it! So, tell me... Is there anything back by camp Minnie Mickey anymore? Or is that all closed off for Avatar?

I can't wait to see all the outfits! The people who truly look ridiculous at Disney are the ones who aren't having fun! Or the ones wearing totally inappropriate footwear - not the place for heels!

Sounds like you were able to have a really productive day yesterday!

There is more I want to comment on, but I have to run. Have a great weekend!

THanks Jennifer... Yah - I totally agree! Heels are not for Disney!

I did have a very productive day... I hope you have a great weekend.

We ate breakfast at Tusker House with the grandkids and had a wonderful meal, The characters were fun, too. But it took us 1-1/2 hours to get through there. Check in took about 20 minutes because we had to wait in line to take a picture with Donald. I'm not sure if they do that anymore, though.

Glad I know about this now... Last year, it was still available - but I remember being so upset on our first TH day, that Donald wasn't there, he was inside. But he was outside on our second TH day... But I am happy to know this in advance now, so I am not upset again.

If it turns out that you don't have enough time to go on the safari and still make it to EE during your fp window, I've heard that the lines for the safari are really short near the end of the day.

Thanks Sue - this is good to know!

If you can reschedule your EE fp to 9:30am to 10:30am, you would have more time to ride the safari and still ride EE a few times while the standby line is short. I always like to bump two fp times together, going on the first ride near the end of the fp time period, then walking over to the next ride and getting on it at the beginning of that fp period. Then you have less dead time in between.

Oh dear, did you really want all this advice.

Bummer - I just looked - No EE FPs available for the remainder of that day, as of now... I will keep checking though. THanks for the idea - I certainly like your idea better than mine.

Sounds like you have a good plan for your Animal Kingdom day.

THanks Lillian - LOL I hope so.

See, we'll be doing some of this kind of planning in just a week, when our FP window comes open.

Cale's of the same mind as Mo - he's not sure he's happy with the changes.

Can't wait to see your outfits. I always have grand ideas and then just end up grabbing what suits my mood that day, so I'm a little bit of an over packer - BUT we drive and don't have to economize on space.

Have a great day!!

Yay for your FP window opening!

Yah - I am really uncertain about them. I think it will be nice to save our feet from all the running, but OTOH, I really hate having to plan out our days so far in advance.

LOL I wish we could drive - it would make life easier... but I do like the ease of being able to get there quickly too... I don't think I could take 2 days + in the car with everyone... and then 2 more days on the way home. I would be intolerable. LOL

Have a nice weekend Ruth!

Mo -- It's Tough To Be a Bug

D, yes, Festival of the Lion King is open. We had Fastpasses for it in June (it opened our second day there), but we didn't get to use them.

Someone mentioned Donald at Tusker House; no he is no longer there at the front for pictures. He walks around the room with the rest of the characters. I'm hoping you have a better experience that we did in June; our service was awful and we won't be going back for some time. The food was still pretty good.

Oh good to know Kathy - thanks!

And thanks for letting me know. That's a bummer about your last experience... I think we have eaten there 5 or 6 times now for breakfast - and it's one of our must dos... I think I need to go reread your TR - I think I missed that part.

Have a great weekend Kathy!

Yes the time sure is flying by with him. Just trying to enjoy him being a baby. He sure is spoiled though because even the kids just want to hold him all the time. We had a great time in DL!! Glad you enjoyed the pictures!!

Love the outfit!! And no it's not ridiculous to dress up! It's Disney!! We're all allowed to be kids there.

Hahaha... I would totally spoil him too... He is so precious!

Thanks!!! I am very excited to wear it... I am a bit nervous about packing though, it's gonna be interesting to see how it all fits. Considering what I packed last year - this year should be similar, so I hope I am OK.

**********************************************************

Yesterday was much like Monday for me... Really broken up stints in my sewing room.

I worked out and showered right away in the morning, because I knew if I didn't get it done - I'd have to rush to do it later.

Then I went up to my sewing room and finished the applique on Auction bag #10. I am VERY pleased with how it turned out... And I love the colors of it with the colors of the bag.

After that, I had to run Alli into town for work...

While in town, I did a bit of shopping at Target... Purchased a few more things for our trip... Travel sized toothpaste (since I used every last morsel of mine at the lake), some hair ponies for the girls, some clips for me, shower puffies... I think that's all...

Oh and a black skirt for V... 2 nights ago, she decided she wants a custom outfit for our trip. I told her there was NO WAY I would have the time to make one... so if she could find something that was pre made - we could add appliques to it... Little does she know, I am going to make her do the appliques on my embroidery machine. But the skirt I found won't work... So, I need to keep searching.

Then, I ran to the bank.

Then I went to the DMV to get my yearly tabs for my Edge.

Then home to work some more. Started assembling my custom order...

Then Alli called... Said she needed a ride home after all - Gus couldn't make it in time to pick her up from work.

Sigh.

OK.

So, off to town again.

To the bank again... So Alli could cash her first paycheck from Target.

Then home.

Then dinner.

Then relax... Had a drink. Or two.

Then bed.

Phew!

The plan for today... I don't feel like going to the reunion. I know - I am a bad family member... But my family is so huge - I am sure they won't notice that I am gone.

Honestly - I would rather catch up on some stuff in my sewing room... I am tired of feeling like I am behind.

So, I hope to finish my custom order. And I also hope to start/finish the coordinating wallet.

Then, V and I are going to work on my 'Ohana bag. I want it done by the end of the day today.

Tomorrow, I hope to cut out and quilt my last park bag for our trip. Then I can work on that, on the side of my custom orders, over the next 2 weeks. It should be a pretty easy bag to make, considering (again) there will be no appliques on it.

Oh and Josh's dad/Step-mom are coming for dinner tomorrow night too.. They purchased a pontoon near us - so Josh is putting a meatloaf on the smoker for them... I love meatloaf - especially his!

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend! Prayers and good thoughts to all!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Again - we have none.

This is our Blizzard Beach day.

Really looking forward to this! We had a blast here last year with Bernadette and family.

Again - we will leave BB around 2pm...

Should be back to FQ by 3pm...

Board bus to MK by 4pm...

Dinner ADR at Chef Mickey's... Our first meal ever at CM's. Kind of looking forward to it.

I've been looking for later ADR's there since I made mine - but so far, no luck. Hopefully this will mean an early evening for us and we can get some rest.

There is also another option of adding another day to our park passes and going into MK this night for a few hours. Sadly - it is not EMH, but they are open until 11, and it would allow us a little more time there. Something to consider, at least.

Hmmm... May need to make a few FP reservations, just in case.

Otherwise, the better idea, is to make our way back to FQ and relax in the pool. We should be back there by 7/7:30pm... Pleanty of time to relax. Yah - I think this is a better idea.

In to bed early for our last two FULL days...

D~

 

[Terkina]

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday. I hope you get a lot done in your sewing room.

In one week I'm going on vacation to Sweden and Finland for a month in a motor home.

 

[Denovagirl]

Busy, busy, busy!!!

How fun for Allie! First paycheck!

Your day 5 plans look great to me! Chef Mickey's!!! I hope you love it! We did, but we had breakfast there, I am sure dinner is just as good. I would so vote for the pool option too, lol...

 

[ladylyons]

Hahaha... I would totally spoil him too... He is so precious!

It is so hard not to spoil him. All he has to do is look at any one of us and well we just want to hold him and make him happy.

Sounds like it was an ok day. Plans sound like they are coming together pretty well.

 

[DMGeurts]

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday. I hope you get a lot done in your sewing room.

In one week I'm going on vacation to Sweden and Finland for a month in a motor home.

I did - thank you!

Oooh - that sounds fun! Thanks for letting me know... I always wonder what kind of wonderful adventures you are on when you disappear. Have a wonderful time! If you get a chance - I'd love to see some pictures when you return!

Busy, busy, busy!!!

How fun for Allie! First paycheck!

Your day 5 plans look great to me! Chef Mickey's!!! I hope you love it! We did, but we had breakfast there, I am sure dinner is just as good. I would so vote for the pool option too, lol...

Yah - it's been a little crazy around here!

Thanks! I am a little nervous about Chef Mickey's - I've heard mixed reviews about it... It seems that people either love it or hate it - there doesn't seem to be anyone in between. But - I am willing to try anything once.

Yah - I think we best go back to the pool and relax... With no days off - this is going to be as good as it gets for us.

It is so hard not to spoil him. All he has to do is look at any one of us and well we just want to hold him and make him happy.

Sounds like it was an ok day. Plans sound like they are coming together pretty well.

I bet... LOL I'd totally spoil him too.

Yup - everything seems to be coming together nicely.

**********************************************************

I wish I could say that I did something exciting yesterday... but I didn't.

I finished my custom order right away in the morning...

And then I really got to work...

I started on my final park bag for this trip. So, I cut it out - spent hours quilting it... Then I started the assembly... then I realized it's gonna be HUGE!!! Like, way too big for a park bag! Soooo... I think I've formulated a plan... I will use this, much too big, park bag as a carry-on bag and retire my Toy Story messenger (at least for this trip)... When I was quilting yesterday, I quilted too many pieces (not sure what I was thinking?) - so I will make a smaller version of this park bag as a park bag. I will still have to quilt a few more pieces, but overall - it shouldn't take me long. Then, I am trying to decide if I want to insert a gusset into this bag... The pattern doesn't call for one, but I feel like it's too "flat" and I need it to be more roomy inside... I think a gusset will do the trick. So, I am seriously considering that, as well. I am basing this bag off of a purchased pattern (which I rarely do), but by the time I am done, it's going to be a very modified version of the original. But I doubt any of you are surprised about that.

So, rather than this being my last park bag... It will be one of my last 2 park bags. And I am hoping to finish one of them today... Because I am dying to share my outfits with you all, and I cannot do that until this bag is done.

Oh - and I was in my sewing room all day yesterday, from 8am until 9pm... With only a short break to make/eat lunch and dinner. This is the craziness of last minute trip preparation that I love so much!

As for today...

Well, I will be in my sewing room... I am going to start at 8am, but I can only work until noon... Josh's dad is coming for dinner and I need to clean the house.

Oh... And I got a little something in the mail sometime over the course of the last few weeks... I need to take a moment to do a shameless plug for my Ahhhh-mazing Travel Agent... I just have to tell you all how awesome she is... Each trip I take, she bends over backwards, and some how makes everything perfect for us... So, thank you to my TA - you are the BEST!

And I thought I would share a picture of Miss Lottie (ahem ~ Pissy Pants...) She is getting so big, but we all love her. Whenever V brings her out, we all clamor to get our hands on her, she is so cute!

Alrighty everyone... Stay tuned for FP updates for Day - um - not sure... Will have to look. LOL

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday... Prayers and good thoughts to all of you!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Today is our Epcot day!

I am very excited about this day... Not so much because of Epcot - but because we have a few things going on...

First off - I get to wear one of my Minnie outfits! I am so excited about this outfit... See - I have a thing for red dots... I don't know why I've been denying it for so long, but it's time to embrace it, and embrace it in a big way!

Then, we have a pre-park opening ADR at Akershus... Now, we have NEVER done an early ADR at Epcot, so this should be interesting for us.

I hope to be done with this ADR right about park opening...

Then head straight to Test Track to ride ~ hopefully ~ before it gets too busy. But I have a feeling that's what everyone else does, so we might be outta luck. However, we will be coming from the back of the park - so we might have logistics on our side?

Now, I messed up our FP plans just a little bit, I wasn't thinking... Well, I was thinking - but I was confused when doing it.

When making FP+ reservations... I was trying to make it so we had to do as little back tracking as possible...

So, I thought we would do TT first in stand-by.

Then we have Soarin' FPs for 9:55-10:55 - across the park.

After that, we have FPs for the Character Spot at 11:20-12:20... Right next door.

For some reason, I was thinking that Mission Space was nearer to the center of the park than what it is... Um - yah... No... If you'll all bring up the Epcot park map you have stored in your brains, you'll remember that it's right next to TT...

So... Back across the park we go...

MS at 12:25-1:25

I hope to be at MS right at the 12:25 mark, so we can start our way around WS before it gets too busy. But I am afraid at 12:25, it will already be too late.

I can get a Maelstrom FP for the same time frame right now, if I wanted to, and give up our MS one - which would get us into WS a little earlier... But the girls really could care less if we ever ride Maelstrom again, and they enjoy MS...

Anyways... On with our day...

We will continue to tour around WS... Knowing our luck and it being Epcot n' all... Right around the Americas, we will hit a torrential downpour which should last a good hour or so.

Currently, we have a dinner ADR at Garden Grill... However - I am 99.99% sure we are going to give this one up. Right now, we are at 2 OOP TS meals, and this would knock one off... And with rumors of it turning/not turning - I just don't want to chance it. So, I think we will opt for a CS meal somewhere. Not sure where though - Sunshine Seasons looks like it has some good Primal-esque looking food... Otherwise, maybe somewhere in WS?

Afterwards... This is the exciting part... I get to meet up with my good friend Chiara!!!! You all know her as Cogero... She doesn't post often here on The Dis anymore - but we are still good friends on FB and talk constantly. So, for those of you wondering - she is doing well, and I finally get to meet her. The only remaining person on my original Dismeet bucket list is Nini... Someday we will make it work... Because I know she is dying to go to WDW this August.

After the Dismeet with Chiara and family (ACK!!! I am so excited)... We have no plans. I am sure we will find something to do... I am sure that BFF and Olivia will want to stick around for Illuminations...

This is going to be a LONG day for us! If we happen to get done with WS in a timely manner, I think I will try to talk everyone into taking a mid-day break before we meet Chiara. We'll see - we probably won't have time.

Phew!

D~

 

[Wood Nymph]

Your Epcot plans look good. I think you'll be fine with that fp schedule. I've heard that the standby line for Test Track first thing in the morning always looks longer than it really is. Either way, you have 55 minutes before your Soarin' window opens, so you'll be good even if the line is a little long. If a miracle happens and you get through Test Track quickly, you could check on MS and see if it has a short standby line. Then you could ride it before your Soarin' window expires and have plenty of time for the WS.

If someone in your group has a smartphone or other device with the MDE app, you could always check to see if you can switch the fp times of a ride while you are in the park. When we were in WDW this past Dec, Jan and March, we were able to move around our fp times for the rides that were not the headliners. For example, we walked over to Buzz Lightyear, saw that the standby line was 35 minutes. I went into my MDE account and found a fp that began in 5 minutes. I changed my fp to it and walked into the fp line five minutes after changing the fp time. It was really cool. I'm not sure how crowded it is in August, though. It was also cool to switch our fp times while riding the bus to the park. It doesn't work for the headliner rides but you'd be surprised how many rides it does work for. That being said, when we were there in March during heavy spring break crowds, we mostly kept our original fp times. It was easier that way.

Sunshine Seasons sounds like a great place for counter service because it has something for everyone - and it is not too expensive. There is a half a chicken with black beans and rice that is a real value.

 

[NiniMorris]

First...I don't 'think' there is anything back where the old FOTLK used to be...but I am not sure.

And second, if I were to be able to go to Disney in August this year it would not work with your dates...I would have to disguise it as an anniversary trip! And since the kids start back to school on the 13th, it would have to be over by then... although...if I had gotten APs last December I could have taken a day trip.... (hind sight and all that!)



Nini

 

[Terkina]

I can't wait to see your outfits and bags for the parks.

It sounds like you have more than enough to do before your trip.

I will take some pictures from my trip so you can see where I've been when I come back