Snacks, Sips & Spooks in October 2012... and a Mexican Fantasy cruise in June 2013!

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all having a good weekend

I went for a pedicure this morning - needed to get my feet ready for the sandals/flip-flop weather soon! Then I've done lots of studying, another mock exam done


This week I found out that Disney's Photopass is increasing its prices for the photo CD from $150 to $180, and it's expected that the pre-order option will increase from $99 too .... so I've pre-ordered two for this year! I know we use PP enough each trip to make this worth the money... if anyone else wants to pre-order before the price rise (meant to be March 21st) this is the link..

Disney Photo Pass Pre-Order


I've been working on a cross-stitch sampler for the last few months for a friend who had a baby in January.. thought I'd share it as it's got a Disney theme

It took about 3 months but so pleased to have made it! My friend lives in Africa now, she came back to England to have the baby, so I need to mail it to her.



So.... on to October trip update!

I've bought everything for my Barbie MNSSHP costume now.

This is my inspiration...

all my costume items..

and.. me wearing it.. I found it really hard to take a photo in the mirror, but should give you an idea!

and the hair extensions with pink bow..

I'm not sure about the shorts rather than leggings.. it'll be more practical in the park/Florida humidity though!

Also, the belt I've bought is a bit big, I need to get another hole put on it.. or I might change it to a piece of pink ribbon?

Is it obvious enough that I'm meant to be Barbie in Toy Story 3?! lol


Emma x

 

[earthfaries]

Hi there! I just came across your trip report and I'm very excited to start reading it!

I'm always looking for a great trip report to follow along with!

I love WDW in October ~ MNSSHP is my favorite!

 

[ronnmel]

You look great in the costume!

I've been debating pre-ordering the photopass CD as well. I better decide soon...

 

[Leshaface]

Geez, they knocked the prices way up on the Photo CD's haven't they!? Pretty ridiculous.

You TOTALLY look like Barbie! If I didn't know you and I saw you walking at WDW in this costume, I would know right away who you were. It looks amazing!

 

[oboedm]

I definitely think that people will know who you are supposed to be. The costume looks great! =)

Thanks for the information about PhotoPass! Do you know if the pre-order ever expires? I am not going until NEXT October! I can't find anything about an expiration, but don't know if I am willing to take a chance!

 

[earthfaries]

Your costume is great! Such a cute and fun idea . You're going to have fun!

 

[disneybarbie]

You look great in the costume!

I've been debating pre-ordering the photopass CD as well. I better decide soon...

Thanks Mel! It is a good deal on the PP pre-order cd if you do get one... I know we'll get loads taken in August, and I'm hoping to get some fun ones at MNSSHP in October!

Geez, they knocked the prices way up on the Photo CD's haven't they!? Pretty ridiculous.

You TOTALLY look like Barbie! If I didn't know you and I saw you walking at WDW in this costume, I would know right away who you were. It looks amazing!

Hi Lesha, it does make the PP cd quite a lot more expensive.. I will have to make the most of having two at $99 this year!
Thanks for the comments on my costume! I also found a necklace that says 'Barbie', so I'll be wearing that.. make it a little more obvious hehe

I definitely think that people will know who you are supposed to be. The costume looks great! =)

Thanks for the information about PhotoPass! Do you know if the pre-order ever expires? I am not going until NEXT October! I can't find anything about an expiration, but don't know if I am willing to take a chance!

Thank you! I'm going to try have a photo taken with Buzz & Woody if we see them at MNSSHP I can't see anything on the confirmation emails from Disney Photopass about them expiring.. so think you'd be ok for next year?!

Hi there! I just came across your trip report and I'm very excited to start reading it!

I'm always looking for a great trip report to follow along with!

I love WDW in October ~ MNSSHP is my favorite!

Your costume is great! Such a cute and fun idea . You're going to have fun!

Thank you so much for reading along! I'm so excited for our trips this year and next.. so much to daydream about! Btw I'm jealous how close you are to WDW.. I'm about 4,500 miles away hehe


Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all having a good week, weather has been unseasonally warm here - really feels like spring/summer!

The October park hours came out this week so I've been trying to make a rough plan of our park days and, most importantly, how to fit our dining reservations around them

And some good news.. I've been saving a little every month to pay for our cruise next year and today... I reached the total amount! we still have flights & spending money to save up, but it's nice to know the cruise is saved for!


Emma x

 

[oboedm]

Congrats on saving enough for our cruise! Good job!

 

[dreamerchic33]

Hey Emma!
What a wonder PTR! i love all your plans!
Your newsletters are adorable and you have such great surprises for your family! I also love you MNSSHP costume!!!
hope all is well!
xo

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Emma! I've been loving the gorgeous weather we have been having...just a shame the reports are saying it'll be ending soon.

Congrats on reaching your savings target!

 

[PopArtGal]

The stitching looks awesome!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I was just reading your update about the PP pre-order and thinking that I need to go order one for this October, but then I noticed the prices have already gone up! I guess that's what I get for not being on the boards enough lately.

I love how your costume turned out! I think you absolutely look like Barbie from TS3! I can't believe how you found so many things to look like the real deal. I'm very impressed!

 

[disneybarbie]

Congrats on saving enough for our cruise! Good job!

Thank you! It's felt like a great thing to achieve, I've contacted our TA this week to ask when she suggests we start paying off the balance it needs to be done by April 2013 so we can book Palo, Remy, Spa & all the exciting shore excursions!

Hey Emma!
What a wonder PTR! i love all your plans!
Your newsletters are adorable and you have such great surprises for your family! I also love you MNSSHP costume!!!
hope all is well!
xo

Thank you for your comments! I need to get started on this month's newsletter actually, April already - plus DSiL's fiance texted me yesterday to ask where the next newsletter was .. I think they are enjoying reading them each month which is great!

Hi Emma! I've been loving the gorgeous weather we have been having...just a shame the reports are saying it'll be ending soon.

Congrats on reaching your savings target!

Thanks Tanz! Weather has been lovely this last week, and yet there's meant to be snow/sleet on Wednesday?! crazy English weather lol hope you are well x

The stitching looks awesome!

Thanks Chrissy! I really enjoy doing cross-stitch, I've just ordered two smaller kits to start soon.. the alphabet picture took me months, but glad how it turned out - I've mailed it to my friend in Africa now for her baby

I was just reading your update about the PP pre-order and thinking that I need to go order one for this October, but then I noticed the prices have already gone up! I guess that's what I get for not being on the boards enough lately.

I love how your costume turned out! I think you absolutely look like Barbie from TS3! I can't believe how you found so many things to look like the real deal. I'm very impressed!

Hi Courtney, sorry about the PP pre-order! There's something on Touring Plans website about a new 'Photopass Plus' pre-order starting on Wednesday - it's $199 but includes a few more perks such as additional onride photos?



One week to go until October ADR day! I realised this weekend that it'll actually be Tuesday, not Monday, but never mind - it's still very soon!
I need to get DH to look through some menus online, but generally he's happy for me to pick out places to eat and plan our park days

As we're going to some of the restaurants I'd originally thought of in August, I'm now considering for October...

Jiko - not eaten here since 2002 (!) but I remember it was a great meal, DH and I have eaten at Sanaa and Boma together so it'd be nice to try the third AKL restaurant this trip.

Todd English's Blue Zoo - I've read really good reviews of this restaurant and think it will appeal to DH and I.. it'll be a good one to go to from the Boardwalk too as we can walk!

Boatwright's - we've never been to Port Orleans resort so I thought this would be a good way to check it out! The menu looks good too

Via Napoli - I've wanted to try this since it opened! I'm hoping to book a lunch here on the day that we go to MNSSHP in the evening, have our main meal at lunchtime then can just get a snack before/during the party.


And that's about it! We'll be spending several afternoons/evenings at the Food & Wine Festival so there's less ADRs to make than I usually would. Also, on the day we fly home my parents have suggested we stop at WDW on the way to the airport, so could have lunch somewhere in DTD that day



Does anyone have any thoughts on those four restaurants?




Emma x

 

[dreamerchic33]

Hey Emma!

We LOVED Todd English's place! it is on my list of top 5 meals!!!
I hope you enjoy it!!!!
xxxooo <333

 

[ronnmel]

It's nice to know your family is excited about the newsletter since you put so much effort into it.

I LOVE Via Napoli, so I think you made a great choice there.

 

[klacey1]

I want to try Via Napoli so badly! It looks delish! Port Orleans is a very pretty resort and well worth a visit!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hey Emma!

We LOVED Todd English's place! it is on my list of top 5 meals!!!
I hope you enjoy it!!!!
xxxooo <333

Hi! That's great to know you had a good meal there.. I've not seen much about it on the Dis boards but read a great write up on Disney Food Blog and on a podcast.. excited to try it!

It's nice to know your family is excited about the newsletter since you put so much effort into it.

I LOVE Via Napoli, so I think you made a great choice there.

Thanks Mel! I worked on the April newsletter last night and emailed it out to the family.. I'll post some pictures of it soon
Really hoping we get to go to Via Napoli in October.. I've just read about the new Tutto Gusto they're building inbetween VN and Tutto Italia.. that looks fun too!

I want to try Via Napoli so badly! It looks delish! Port Orleans is a very pretty resort and well worth a visit!

Hi! I've really wanted to look around the Port Orleans resort, it was something I'd planned to do during our honeymoon trip (maybe hop on a bus for PO at one of the parks as we were leaving) but never got around to.. the theming looks great, I went to New Orleans years ago with my family so it'll be fun to see!



Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all having a good Easter weekend - it's a four day weekend in England (we get Good Friday and Easter Monday as bank holidays ), I have a lot of studying to do for my next accounting exams but having a pretty relaxing weekend otherwise!


Last Saturday, the Disney Fantasy embarked on its maiden voyage .. and I actually watched it leave Florida on the Port Canaveral webcam! It was quite exciting seeing it sailing.. here are some screen shots I took...

The webcam is a great website.. it zooms in really close to the ships as they leave port, so if you knew someone onboard you might see them

and then it sailed out to sea.. off to Grand Cayman and Mexico

I've been reading quite a lot about the Fantasy this week on various blogs and it's making me sooo excited for our cruise next year! I think we'll easily find our way around the ship as it's so similiar to the Dream - but it sounds like there will be plenty of new things and subtle differences between the two sister ships


Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

...and now it's April, time for another newsletter for DH's family!

This month's is focused on Disney's Hollywood Studios...

Already had several replies with answers to the quiz


Emma x