Sunshine Makes Me Happy [04/30/11 - 05/08/11]: We're BLOOMING with Excitement!!!

[DizneyDreams]

Love the daily photos, another good one today
The days and going by fast, you'll soon be on your way. I actually enjoy the time leading up and all the planning and anticipation. That time goes by fast enough, but once you're there is goes even faster and before you know it you're back home.....so I like to make the best of the day leading up

Thank you so much!
The days leading up to the trip are definitely nice! I 100% agree. I know that the last couple of days of the trip I start to wish we were right back to the 1 month mark.

 

[DizneyDreams]

It's Time for the Daily Disney Countdown and Picture!!!

I cannot wait to see what the new Queue area looks like for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh!!!!​

There are 19 days until the trip!

BONUS UPDATE!!
Well we've officially hit the teens, the next set of numbers will be in the single digits! Happy 19 days until the trip woohoo! I constantly do the whole "I ____ days I will be..." so I'm going to start doing that for this PTR. My question for you all is: What do you look forward to the most about WDW???

In 19 days we will be checking in at the airport!!!

 

[PixieMama]

Happy Dance!

I want to see the new queue for Winnie the Pooh, too! (Whoa, that was a lot of rhyming!) I think we're actually going to skip most of Fantasyland on our trip, but Pooh and PhilharMagic are on my "wish" list.

What do I look forward to the most at WDW? Everything!

 

[MARsMama]

Love the photo!! Nineteen days

I think I am most looking forward to that magical feeling that comes over you as soon as your get there. It's like all the troubles from 'real life' just disappear and we can really use that after the last couple of years we just had.
I'm also looking forward to all the new things we're gonna experience, especially POR. Can't wait to see that place, and I hope it's all I've heard it is!!

 

[DizneyDreams]

Happy Dance!

I want to see the new queue for Winnie the Pooh, too! (Whoa, that was a lot of rhyming!) I think we're actually going to skip most of Fantasyland on our trip, but Pooh and PhilharMagic are on my "wish" list.

What do I look forward to the most at WDW? Everything!

Haha! I'm interested to see what Fantasyland looks like, if you could see any of the construction etc. We don't usually spend time in Fantasyland, but we want to ride Snow White's Scary Adventures before it is closed and turned into a different ride.

Philharmagic is a good 3-D show in comparison to the other ones such as It's Tough to Be a Bug...

Love the photo!! Nineteen days

I think I am most looking forward to that magical feeling that comes over you as soon as your get there. It's like all the troubles from 'real life' just disappear and we can really use that after the last couple of years we just had.
I'm also looking forward to all the new things we're gonna experience, especially POR. Can't wait to see that place, and I hope it's all I've heard it is!!

I really enjoyed POR when we stayed there, but that was a few years ago. I am totally there with you with the whole forgetting the real life troubles for a little while. Thats why I love WDW!!

 

[DizneyDreams]

It's Time for the Daily Disney Countdown and Picture!!!

My goal this year is to take a lot of pictures of signs like this one. They make me feel at home and remind me of the parks!​

There are 18 days until the trip!

 

[DizneyDreams]

Welcome Back!!!

I'm so happy to have you reading my PTR. It really means a lot to me, and I'm very happy to have others to share the Disney excitement with. So today's update (well yesterday's) will be on the Dining plans that we have for the trip. So without further ado, here they are!!

Saturday, April 30 2011 - The Arrival Day
Lunch: Gasparilla Grill and Games
Dinner: Garden View Tea Lounge @ 4:50pm

Sunday, May 1 2011 (Hollywood Studios)
Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe @ 7:30am
Lunch: Backlot Express
Dinner: Cape May Cafe Buffet @ 5:50pm

Monday, May 2 2011 (Epcot)
Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe @ 7:30am
Lunch: Les Chefs De France @ 1:30pm
Dinner: Garden View Tea Lounge @ 4:50pm

Tuesday, May 3 2011 (Magic Kingdom)
Breakfast: Kona Cafe @ 7:50am
Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern @ 1:20pm
Dinner: Downtown Disney

Wednesday, May 4 2011 (Hollywood Studios)
Breakfast: Cape May Cafe Buffet @ 7:55am
Lunch: Sci-Fi Dine In/Backlot Express/Earl of Sandwich
Dinner: Garden View Tea Lounge @ 4:50pm

Thursday, May 5 2011 (Animal Kingdom)
Breakfast: Gasparilla Grill and Games
Lunch: Flame Tree Barbecue
Dinner: Cape May Cafe Buffet @ 5:35pm

Friday, May 6 2011 (Magic Kingdom)
Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe @ 7:30am
Lunch: Grand Floridian Cafe @ 1:50pm
Dinner: Garden View Tea Lounge @ 4:50pm

Saturday, May 7 2011 (Epcot)
Breakfast: Captain Cook’s Snack Company
Lunch: Biergarten @ 12:05pm
Dinner: Garden View Tea @ 4:50pm

Sunday, May 8 2011
Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe @ 7:30am

 

[DizneyDreams]

The Hotel Story: Say What?

Since I missed yesterday's update, today's PTR will have two updates! So the second update for today will be on why we chose to stay at the Grand Floridian. Why not the Polynesian...I mean we've stayed there for the majority of our trips, so why did we change resorts? Well if you are wondering what the answer to this question is, wonder no more, because here it is .

Yes, we like the Polynesian. Yes, it breaks my heart to not stay there this year. I am so familiar with the resort, it has become a part of me. I'm also excited to stay at the Grand Floridian though. Our last few stays at the Polynesian have been wonderful, but the room has left a little to be desired. For example, when you pay as much as the Polynesian is, or in fact if you pay to stay at any WDW resort, you'd expect your room to be clean. Well sadly, the last couple of trips we have found dirt and such from other guests who had stayed in our room previously, that was not cleaned up. Now I understand that the housekeeping is in a rush, but having somebody's unknown goo on the counter is a little...repelling. We're hoping that the Grand Floridian will be better. I mean we did see them taking dusters to the outside of the resort and dusting it off.

Trust me, we do not go looking around the room for something to pick on, and we know that the room could never be perfect. But it's the attempt that matters. We are also looking for a new place to try as well. We love the Polynesian like I have said, but maybe its time to try a new resort. You never know, we may like it.

So that's the reason why we are staying at the Grand Floridian. Now here's the funny part.

So I've mentioned how we love the Polynesian, but we want to try the Grand Floridian. My parents and I are constantly teasing each other about how much we want to stay at the Polynesian rather than the Grand Floridian. But the nice part of it all, is that we got a discount on our room price at the Polynesian...er...I mean the Grand Floridian (habit...sorry). It was a 30% discount, so that maybe us really happy. I love how Disney always has some kind of discount, that makes the trip a bit more special - knowing that you saved money.

 

[DizneyDreams]

It's Time for the Daily Disney Countdown and Picture!!!

I am 99% sure I took this picture from behind the hat at the Great Movie Ride.​

There are 17 days until the trip!

 

[PixieMama]

17 days, wow!


Wish I had just 17 days left until my vacation. I soooo need one right now.

 

[DizneyDreams]

What Our Must Do’s Are – The 2011 Edition!

I surprisingly like the “Top 7 Must Do’s at Walt Disney World” and find that the new show, is a little less…exciting as the “Top 7 Must Do’s at Walt Disney World”. Don’t get me wrong, Stacey is funny, it’s just the animation for the “Top 7 Must Do’s at Walt Disney World” was cute, but you know what, sometimes change is a good thing. I just like seeing all of the WDW rides and atmosphere on the show when we first arrive it makes me smile.

So in honor of the lost “Top 7 Must Do’s at Walt Disney World”, I will list my Top 7 rides, shows etc. With them being a little bit different than what Stacey’s were. So without further ado, let’s do…the Must Do’s!

1. Walk Down Main Street U.S.A. with Ease.
Instead of rushing to rides, take time to take in the atmosphere on Main Street USA. This is something that we are going to try to do this year instead of rushing off to get a fastpass. It’s the pay attention to the details trip!

2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain.
I know its kinda cheating to put two rides under one, but hey it’s the double mountain whammy (see I left out Space Mountain because I’m not a fan of that ride, 11 years later and it still scares me). We always like to go on Splash Mountain than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad because BTMRR tends to dry us off a bit after the soaking on Splash Mountain. Woohoo!!

3. Expedition Everest.
Love this ride, so much. When we first saw it being built I told myself that I would never ride it, it looked way too scary. Needless to say the in 2006 when we went to WDW at Christmas time, my brother and I rode the single riders line for EE seven times in a row. Although, I did find that in 2010, this ride bugged my stomach just a wee bit.

4. Ride the Monorail.
That famous speech “Please Stand Clear of the Doors”. What a lovely little speech that is. I have to say every time we ride the monorail it makes me feel at home. Even if we are not going to a park that day, and even just seeing the monorail makes it all reality to me. Especially when we are first arriving and we are driving into the MK resort area entrance and I look behind and in the distance I see the monorail coming back from Epcot. Lovely.

5. Ride Toy Story Mania.
This is the best ride ever, or maybe I just think that because I do better on this ride in comparison to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. I also love how it’s a ride along with the 3D game. When the vehicle spins or moves in a fast speed, I scream. Always.

6. Explore the Shops.
You never know what you might find. We were on a search last trip to buy certain Blu-Ray DVD’s and no shop ever had the same DVDs. I know that a lot of the shops have no specific merchandise to the ride, or the park, but still, I like seeing what merchandise they have. Even if I don’t buy anything.

7. Enjoy the Dining Experiences.
You’re on vacation, eat what you would like. I’m sure you will walk it off anyways, especially at Epcot. We use Disney as an excuse to splurge on meals we wouldn’t necessarily have at home. That’s what makes the trip so special, and its always fun to have a dining experience to look forward to.

So my question for you all is, what is the one thing that you MUST do on each trip? Is there anything, or does your plan change with each trip?

 

[DizneyDreams]

It's Time for the Daily Disney Countdown and Picture!!!

We were going to eat at the Crystal Palace this trip, but we cancelled it and are eating at the Liberty Tree Tavern instead!​

There are 16 days until the trip!

 

[DizneyDreams]

What We Are Looking Most Forward To…

Welcome back to my PTR! I am so excited to have you all on board as we move one day closer to the trip. I cannot believe how fast this trip is coming, but I am super excited!!! I was just checking the weather, and it still is a bit too soon for the weather to be available for our trip, but it looks like it will be in the high 80’s, which is nice!!

So the title for this update will be “What We Are Looking Most Forward To…” This will be a difficult question to answer since we are really looking forward to everything. However, if I had to choose a few main things that we are looking forward to the most, they would be as follows:

1. Checking into the Hotel.
I cannot wait to see what the hotel is like. It will be different walking into a hotel that we have not stayed at before; I forget what it is like. Every time that we would stay at the Polynesian, I would remember what the hotel was like and what it felt like to walk through those main doors. This time it will be different. However, it will be nevertheless still exciting!!!

2. Eating our First Disney Meal.
There is something about the food at WDW that makes everything so magical, or it adds to the amount of magic experienced. Our first Disney meal will probably at the food court in the Grand Floridian. But I do know for sure that we will be going to the Garden View Tea Lounge for afternoon tea. I think I’ll have the Princess Breakfast Tea, and I think my parents will have the Garden View Blend.

3. Walking into the Park for the First Time.
There is something about walking into the first Disney Park that makes everything so real. This trip we will be going to Hollywood Studios first, and it has been a while since we have been to this park for the first time. I cannot wait to ride the tram, or to see the Hollywood Tower Hotel from the tram as we are approaching the park entrance. Even just thinking about this now puts a great big smile on my face.

There are so many other things I can mention that we are looking forward too, but that would be a very long list to post on here. Between seeing the ride queue lines such as Splash Mountain to looking at the merchandise to taking pictures, I am just plain old excited for this trip! As the days go by, I seem to become more and more excited just thinking that we are one day closer to the trip. Spending the trip with family is magical, and I cannot wait one more day for it .

Woohoo! My goal for this trip is to take pictures of the signs, whether it is at hotels or in the parks, or even dining locations. You never know when these things will disappear and it is always nice to have a little memory to remind you of where you’ve been and what has been there as well.

 

[DizneyDreams]

17 days, wow!


Wish I had just 17 days left until my vacation. I soooo need one right now.

Trust me, time will fly!!!

 

[MARsMama]

I just LOVE your photos. I like the fact that they are random shots of things around WDW. I am going to try to get some shots like this on our trip. It's great to have all the photos of the kids posing here and there, but I think all the 'scenic' pictures from around are just awesome!

We've only been to WDW once so far, so we don't have a 'must do' list of things we always do. However, once we tell the kids we are going to get them to tell us the few things that they just "have" to do again. For me, one thing is have a churro! I love those things!

I am also looking forward to seeing our hotel for the first time, we are staying at a different one from last time and it's fun to check it out on that very first day.

 

[DizneyDreams]

I just LOVE your photos. I like the fact that they are random shots of things around WDW. I am going to try to get some shots like this on our trip. It's great to have all the photos of the kids posing here and there, but I think all the 'scenic' pictures from around are just awesome!

We've only been to WDW once so far, so we don't have a 'must do' list of things we always do. However, once we tell the kids we are going to get them to tell us the few things that they just "have" to do again. For me, one thing is have a churro! I love those things!

I am also looking forward to seeing our hotel for the first time, we are staying at a different one from last time and it's fun to check it out on that very first day.

We don't really like to take pictures of ourselves . I become obsessed with taking pictures of random things in WDW and it's become a habit! Soon enough you'll have a list of must do's or things that you really enjoyed last time and want to do again this time.

Churro's are delicious, now that is a fact .

 

[DizneyDreams]

It's Time for the Daily Disney Countdown and Picture!!!

This picture was taken in France from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival in 2010. ​

There are 15 days until the trip!

 

[DizneyDreams]

Memories of the 2010 Trip!!!

It’s never a dull moment when we are at Walt Disney World, nor is it ever a dull moment when we are travelling to WDW. Oh yes, there are airport stories involved in this update, just you wait and see!!!

All right, so this update begins in the wee hours of Sunday, May 2 2010. Our flight left at 10:30am. Instead of driving to the airport in our own car and going through the whole parking fiasco, we decided to use an airport taxi service (it is quite convenient). So the driver for the airport taxi service (“Red Car”) picked us up at 7:30am. Now they told us to get to the airport 3 hours in advance, but the Red Car picked us up 2 hours before our flight left (by the time we got the airport that is). I didn’t really think about this until we got to the airport.

We checked in for our flight online, but we still had to wait in an extremely long line up in order to check our luggage. Now, you would think that people would have their passports ready for the check in process. I mean you are standing in a long line up, would you not want to spend the most minimal amount of time in the line up for check in? Everyone else did when they checked in for the airplane, and that is what allowed the line up to be fast moving. That is until we got to the people in front of us. They decided to start searching through their luggage for their passports. So now the line up that would take a maximum of 15-20 minutes to get through ended up taking 45 minutes. I’m sorry, I have patience but as soon as I saw the line up for security I wanted to move through baggage check as quickly as possible. After all, Disney was waiting!!!

But putting that aside. That was the least of our problems. The security line up ended up taking like an hour to get through and we were left to run to our plane. Yes, run…not walk. We were those people who I couldn’t help but to chuckle when I saw on TV shows. But when it happens to you, it suddenly is no longer funny. Hahaha. Until we actually got on the plane – then it was laughable. Our flight left late, but we were still able to get to WDW in a good amount of time. Needless to say, we are getting to the airport 3 hours in advance this time. Our plane leaves at 10:30 am and the Red Car is picking us up at 6:15 or 6:30am.

We ate twice last trip at Cape May Café, and we are going there twice this time. We love that buffet. At first we thought that it was going to be seafood only, but it wasn’t. Surprisingly we found more food there that we liked to eat than at other buffets!

Another memory is of Splash Mountain! I love that ride, and I always find it funny how the water misses my face/hair and falls onto my lap. I see a lot of people coming off of the ride with their hair wet or their glasses wet, but not me. Sitting in the front seat of Splash Mountain might have had something to do with this, but I have a funny little story to tell. It was our second day at the Magic Kingdom and of course we headed straight towards Splash Mountain. I sat in the front row and after we went down Slippin’ Falls I saw a wave of water coming right towards me. Of course there was nothing that I could do, so the water splashed onto my lap and before we went down the big drop, I was soaked. We got off the ride, than we rode it again!

There are so many funny ride stories, and my favorite ones involve someone on Splash Mountain saying “I didn’t know I was going to get WET!”. Hilarious sums up that story.

 

[MARsMama]

I now have an added thing to my 'must-do' list....take more random photos Looking through my pictures I see I did take some, but got lost in taking pictures of the kids. I'm not big on being in the photos, but I did get in some family shots, and a few others when dh was able to get the camera from me!
I love how you're doing your PTR, the 'must-do' list, the list of what you're looking forward to, and now the memory list. It's great. I think I just might steal those ideas for my own PTR, once I get the planning pretty much done that is!

 

[DizneyDreams]

I now have an added thing to my 'must-do' list....take more random photos Looking through my pictures I see I did take some, but got lost in taking pictures of the kids. I'm not big on being in the photos, but I did get in some family shots, and a few others when dh was able to get the camera from me!
I love how you're doing your PTR, the 'must-do' list, the list of what you're looking forward to, and now the memory list. It's great. I think I just might steal those ideas for my own PTR, once I get the planning pretty much done that is!

Random photos may be good but family photos are just as good as well! I tend to look for things that I will use as my desktop background etc. I'm going to be using my iPod touch as well for photos (they seem to be of better quality).

Please feel free to use those ideas! I find that they are good to pass the time, thinking of past WDW memories, or things you are looking forward to the most Woohoo!!