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

[jenny105]

You are very lucky to be going twice in one year. Especially all the way from England! I live in New Jersey and can only go once this year! LOL

 

[disneybarbie]

My gosh I completely forgot you'll be going again in another 7 weeks after! That's so exciting! You must have a great Miles credit card or something to pay for all these flights.

Hi Lesha, I know I couldn't believe how close our trips were when the August one got booked (originally it was going to be July, but had to be changed for DH's nieces school vacation time)! DH's parents are taking us in August so we've not paid for our flights (that's why we're planning the surprise events and meal for them, to say a very big thank you! hehe) - but yup we save up lots of Virgin Atlantic flying club miles for our flights to Orlando.. I do surveys online that add points to our account and also we have a supermarket loyalty card linked to the account too - the miles add up quite quickly, my next target is to save up points for our flights for the cruise next year.

That is amazing to be able to go to WDW twice in such amount of time, especially coming from England!

Hi Mel! I feel really really lucky to be going twice this year - the two trips will be quite different, big group and staying offsite in August then at the Boardwalk & just DH and I in October (plus Food & Wine Festival, mmm!)

Got a bit behind and just caught up. Plans are sounding great. Can't wait to hear about the Wild Africa Trek!

Love the cross-stitch you did! And so jealous that it only took you three months! I have a cross-stitch (a fairly large one with lots of teddy bears cuddled up in bed) that I have seriously been working on (well, on-and-off) for over a decade! I hoped to hang it in a nursery for our kid someday, but I've only got 5 months left and over half the project! And it's not even Disney-themed like yours! Oh, well.

Thanks for mentioning the new wine bar thing in Italy. I had not heard of that before, but looked it up now and it sounds like a great addition to Epcot!

Hi! Hehe I hope you get the cross-stitch done one day for your baby
I'm really hoping we get the Wild Africa Trek booked for October.. I've read such great reviews of it and think it'll be something really special for our vacation

You are very lucky to be going twice in one year. Especially all the way from England! I live in New Jersey and can only go once this year! LOL

Hi - yes I'm feeling very fortunate to be going to Orlando twice this year.. on very different styles of vacation but still, pretty close together
We have our budget planning period at work from late August to September so I think I'll be ready for another vacation by October ... we planned our October trip first, then when DH's family suggested going to Florida too, I did think about moving our trip to later in the year.. but I'm likely to have another accounting exam in November/December so it wasn't an option. Never mind, October was one of my favourite times of year to visit



A little trip planning news...


We've paid a third of our cruise this week! our travel agent sorted it out with DCL really quickly for me - nice to make a start at bringing down the remaining balance.

And... only a little thing about October, but it'll be important to DH - the NFL schedule was released yesterday, so I had a look when his team (New Orleans Saints) would be playing during our October trip... and they have a game on the Sunday we arrive at 8.20pm.. which should hopefully give us plenty of time to get to WDW (flight arrival time is 3.30pm), get checked in, spend a little time in World Showcase, then go to ESPN so he can watch the game! .. We'll be struggling with jet lag but it could be a fun way to try and stay up later than we usualy do!

I had been a little worried their game would be on the Monday night, which would clash with our ADR at Jiko



Emma x

 

[Leshaface]

And... only a little thing about October, but it'll be important to DH - the NFL schedule was released yesterday, so I had a look when his team (New Orleans Saints) would be playing during our October trip... and they have a game on the Sunday we arrive at 8.20pm.. which should hopefully give us plenty of time to get to WDW (flight arrival time is 3.30pm), get checked in, spend a little time in World Showcase, then go to ESPN so he can watch the game! .. We'll be struggling with jet lag but it could be a fun way to try and stay up later than we usualy do!

I had been a little worried their game would be on the Monday night, which would clash with our ADR at Jiko



Emma x

Oh my gosh Emma. No joke, this is what we discussed when making plans. "If we arrive on a Sunday, we've got to make sure i'll have time to get to ESPN for the game (Green Bay Packers." In my head I was thinking this same thing as you.."what ADR might I have that day that would possibly clash with his game?!"

Men and their football...

 

[disneybarbie]

Oh my gosh Emma. No joke, this is what we discussed when making plans. "If we arrive on a Sunday, we've got to make sure i'll have time to get to ESPN for the game (Green Bay Packers." In my head I was thinking this same thing as you.."what ADR might I have that day that would possibly clash with his game?!"

Men and their football...

I'm so glad it's not just me then! for DH's English soccer team, I actually have all of their games written in my diary so I know which weekends we can/can't make plans .. now I have NFL to think about for trips to the USA too! I did really enjoy going to ESPN on our trip in 2010 and watching the football though, it was such a fun atmosphere and it seemed like all the fans of the different teams get along with each other (some Greenbay fans gave us their seats at the bar, so I like your team!)

x

 

[jenny105]

Oh jeez, your hubby sounds like my DBf LOL. He loves the Packers and was looking up the schedule. They play at 3:15 the day we get in so he can watch a bit in the room before we go to MNSSHP. Then on the following Sunday (our last day) they play at noon so I'm thinking we'll be having lunch at ESPN!

 

[disneybarbie]

Oh jeez, your hubby sounds like my DBf LOL. He loves the Packers and was looking up the schedule. They play at 3:15 the day we get in so he can watch a bit in the room before we go to MNSSHP. Then on the following Sunday (our last day) they play at noon so I'm thinking we'll be having lunch at ESPN!

hehe - it's good to know I'm not the only one who has the football schedule to consider when planning trips! (I still have the English soccer games to consider.. although the schedule isn't decided until July so he'll just have to miss the games while we're away!)




Hope everyone has had a good week, I've been at college again for revision - 4 weeks until exams now, cannot wait to get them out the way!



This is a bit random, but a few weeks ago I was at my parents' house and came across a photo that brought back a lot of good memories..

1993.... the first time I ever met Mickey Mouse in Walt Disney World! (sorry for the awful 90's clothes hehe).


Emma x

 

[Aussiesalad]

That picture is soooo adorable!!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi Emma! I'm so glad to hear you got all of the ADRs that you were hoping for! I found that our October ADR list was very similar - much shorter than it usually is due to F&W. After our February trip with a thousand ADRs, I think it's going to be kind of nice!

Love the flashback picture! I love looking at pictures from when I was a kid in Disney.

 

[disneybarbie]

That picture is soooo adorable!!

Thank you!

Hi Emma! I'm so glad to hear you got all of the ADRs that you were hoping for! I found that our October ADR list was very similar - much shorter than it usually is due to F&W. After our February trip with a thousand ADRs, I think it's going to be kind of nice!

Love the flashback picture! I love looking at pictures from when I was a kid in Disney.

Hi Courtney! I keep double checking my ADR list and schedule, making sure I've not missed an evening or something hehe - there are still more restaurants we'd like to try (Bistro de Paris, Narcoosee's, Plaza, La Hacienda de San Angel...) but those will have to wait until future trips!

I'll have to find the album we have from our 1993 trip - I was 8 but can remember so much of it; there's a great picture of us on the Skyway over Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom.. extinct attraction now!





Hi everyone! Sorry not had much to report on the last few weeks, now that ADRs are done I seem to have a long time to wait until our vacations this year

However... I did phone Disney yesterday and booked..... tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!

We are going October 11th - that day we have lunch at Via Napoli so will spend the morning in Epcot, then a quiet afternoon at the Boardwalk before heading to Magic Kingdom for the party!

I have been to MVMCP twice now and loved it, but heard from others that MNSSHP is the better of the two? I'm really looking forward to the Boo To You Parade, Hallowishes and Trick or Treating (I never did that as a kid so it'll be a first! ).

I checked again about the Wild Africa Trek, but the cast member could only see dates up to the third week of September, so I'll have to keep trying for that


Emma x

 

[monica23535]

Yay for MNSSHP tickets!

We've done both parties and enjoyed them both, but have to admit that I think the Halloween one was more fun. The fireworks and parade are both awesome

Your August trip seems so close now that we're already in May. Are you enjoying this rainy English weather as much as I am? lol

 

[disneybarbie]

Yay for MNSSHP tickets!

We've done both parties and enjoyed them both, but have to admit that I think the Halloween one was more fun. The fireworks and parade are both awesome

Your August trip seems so close now that we're already in May. Are you enjoying this rainy English weather as much as I am? lol

Hi! Thanks for the info on the two parties.. I'm looking forward to MNSSHP more & more now!

Yes the August trip is getting closer now.. we're at 90 days today! I'm really hoping the weather here improves now.. never known so much rain in April/May, it's not really felt like spring yet


Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone!

Sorry for not many updates lately, exams are fast approaching so I have had to spend a lot of time revising.. only two more weekends to go though and I'll be finished on May 24th, cannot wait


I sent DH's family the May edition of the newsletter last weekend (can't believe I'm on May already, only 2 editions left to write!)

I made the quiz questions a bit harder this month, but everyone seems to be doing ok still!


Emma x

 

[monica23535]

Hi! Thanks for the info on the two parties.. I'm looking forward to MNSSHP more & more now!

Yes the August trip is getting closer now.. we're at 90 days today! I'm really hoping the weather here improves now.. never known so much rain in April/May, it's not really felt like spring yet


Emma x

No problem, Hope you enjoy it as much as we did

90 days?? Wow that is going fast!

I'm beginning to wonder if were gonna skip spring and summer altogether and head straight into fall

 

[cindianne320]

You are getting so close!!!

Now wait a couple of days and then give me the answers!

 

[Leshaface]

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you only have two more editions left! Time is definitely flying and in a good way!

 

[dreamerchic33]

adorable newsletter!!!!
Good luck on your exams!!!!

 

[Dugette]

We've done both the MVMCP and the MNSSHP and I thought both were great, each in their own ways. The parade and fireworks are great and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And since you've never trick-or-treated before, hit those treat trails...probably one of the only places adults can trick-or-treat...fun!

 

[disneybarbie]

No problem, Hope you enjoy it as much as we did

90 days?? Wow that is going fast!

I'm beginning to wonder if were gonna skip spring and summer altogether and head straight into fall

Lol the weather has been soo bad for spring so far, although - fingers crossed - the forecast looks great this week, sunshine and mid-20s.. hope it's true!

You are getting so close!!!

Now wait a couple of days and then give me the answers!

Hehe here are the answers for the May newsletter!

1. What is the name of Captain Jack Sparrow's ship?

The Black Pearl

2. How many countries are there around World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot?

11

3. What famous American store did Sam Walton open in 1962?

Walmart (I've been putting some general knowledge USA questions in too, and Walmart/Target/Publix are so much bigger and exciting than our supermarkets here hehe!)


4. How many monorail trains are there at Walt Disney World?

12

5. In Florida, what is 6.5% in Orange County and 7% in Osceola County?

Sales Tax - this is 20% everywhere in England, we don't have different rates per city/county.. I think it's quite interesting that WDW is so big it spans two counties.. so merchandise at the All Star resorts are slightly more expensive than elsewhere!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you only have two more editions left! Time is definitely flying and in a good way!

Hi Lesha! The first half of this year has gone by so quickly, but it's nice that the time isn't dragging until our next vacations! The family are frequently asking me 'how many days?' when we see them

adorable newsletter!!!!
Good luck on your exams!!!!

Thank you so much! Exams are Tuesday to Thursday this week, 10 hours in 3 days - I've booked a spa appointment Thursday afternoon as a treat! I feel like I've put a lot of revision into these papers, so would really like to pass -I'd be so much closer to becoming qualified if I can get through them

We've done both the MVMCP and the MNSSHP and I thought both were great, each in their own ways. The parade and fireworks are great and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And since you've never trick-or-treated before, hit those treat trails...probably one of the only places adults can trick-or-treat...fun!

Thank you - really looking forward to it, the Disney radio station I listen to played 'Boo To You' pararde music today.. so excited to see it! DH has a really sweet tooth so I know he will love the idea of trick or treating during the party hehe


Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone,

So again apologies that I've not updated much - but exams are imminent and by Thursday 12.30pm I'll be free for studying.. cannot wait!


Few updates about our trips...

August

- I don't think I mentioned it yet - but unfortunately a few weeks ago, DN fell off a climbing frame (jungle jim) and broke a bone in her leg! she's had a cast on it (pink.. of course! ) and now has a smaller cast on and can put weight on it.. and by the time we go to Florida I'm sure she'll be fine, although I've researched renting strollers while we're there, just in case she gets tired.. there's a lot of walking each day!

- I've ordered some beers & a bottle of wine for the Wishes Fireworks cruise, nice to phone the Contemporary Resort's private dining department, spoke to a great Cast Member there!

- still not been able to book the Wishes dessert party for August 11th yet, I've phoned a couple of times and try the website nearly every day, but no dates in August are available yet.

- I feel like we have a lot to do the first morning we are there, been trying to work it out... apart from an 8am Tusker House breakfast ADR, DH and I need to pick up our Annual Passes when we get to Animal Kingdom... we might need to rent a stroller, and I'd like to upgrade our pre-ordered Photopass cd to the new Photopass Plus offer... but I don't think the camera center will be open before opening when we get there?!


October

- DH might dress up for the MNSSHP! He agreed that Ken wouldn't be much of a costume - just needs to gel his hair, wear a bright polo shirt and a neck tie!

- still not able to book the Wild Africa Trek, so excited to do this tour - just want to get it booked! The CMs at WDW-TOUR have suggested trying again in July.



Emma x

 

[cindianne320]

I didn't know that about the All Star resorts- interesting!

I hope DN feels better soon! OUCH!

Good luck on your exams!