The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[Flossbolna]

Congratulations!!! One step closer to WDW!!!!

 

[DISNEYMOON10121991]

Awesome!! Test #2 done with a nice score!
I could not imagine going back to school. I liked school, but the idea of tests and studying at my age (pushing 50) might be too much for me.
I'd really have to have a passion for something that I could devote time into. Also change can be hard and a paycheck is a paycheck and I've been at job 24 years.

Here's cheering you on for the next three! You can do it!

 

[Steppesister]

M is for: More Merriment Making​

So with today's Exam behind me and a couple of hours of free time, I feel a compulsion to add another chapter to the ongoing planning saga of... Graduation Celebration. I know if I'm having a hard time keeping the plan straight, you are too. So let me refresh your memory and pretend you care.

Day 1- Travel Day

Not sure if we'll be taking a "normal" flight and arriving in the last afternoon or biting the bullet and taking a red eye.

"Normal" plan- Arrive late afternoon, check-in to AoA, head straight to DTD for an ADR at Raglan Rd., back to resort, swim

"Red Eye" plan- Arrive early morning, check-in to AoA, swim, head to bed for a nap, evening at DTD for an ADR at Raglan Rd., early to bed.

Day 2- 1st Real Park Day

Breakfast at Food Court, AM at EPCOT, FW until 11:00, WS; F&W lunch, 3:00 head to MK for MNSSHP

Day 3- 2nd Park Day

Slow morning after late party, AK in the morning (not sure if I should use the FPs here since we're arriving later than RD?) or wait and use them later....

Back to MK for MSEP and Wishes; Dinner at either CHH or Plaza depending on where we have lunch (Sanaa or Market Place).

Day 4- 3rd Park Day

DHS from sometime near, at, or after Rope Drop; FP+s for this park. Not sure where lunch will be- possibly HBD, 50s, or Starring Rolls

Which brings us to PM fun. We'll have been to all the parks up to this point, so it makes total sense to start over. Ish. Right? Wouldn't the logical thing to do be to go back to EPCOT and find something to do. You know like maybe find an Agent P Adventure thingy to do, or see if maybe, JUST maybe, Elsa will warm up to giving up one of her precious FP+s. If not, it's all good. There's a Ditch to fall into, a pancreatic crisis to have due to Food and Wine overload, and a pearl for which to pay 1,000 times more than it's worth. (Gonna do it anyway, cuz the ring I got last time needs a matching piece of something or rather.) When we're done with that, we may as well keep looking for those elusive $5-$7 trinkets that'll fit the criteria for my Shop-Around-the-World Quest. (Whole post on that this summer, or over Christmas if Nursing School hasn't killed me.)

Dinner will be the obvious choice(s) of international cuisines from Around the World. This is a duh, and a big reason I'm paying close to $8,000 for a vacation at WDW. I'm pretty excited. Not to pay a lot of cash, ya know, but to eat a lot of really tasty stuff that I could certainly cook at home for a fraction of the cost, but you know... don't have to. Kind of like sleeping in a bed somewhere else. I have one at home (shocking I know!) but I don't usually jump on mine here at home. Or make it. Again, shocking I know.

Not a huge fan of Illuminations, so not sure if we'll be hanging out for that, or just heading back to FW to hit up some shorter lines. There's a quota of skunk farts that has to be filled. I'll give the kids the choice; I'm totally fine with going either way on this one. I'm also fine with the option of just heading back for a swim. The next day is a MUST DO Rope Drop so maybe jumping on the beds earlier might be a good idea. Pretty certain my big guy - sorry I interrupt this TR for a randomosity that just hit me, my "big guy" will be an 18 year old when we go! Mind blown!- Ok, back to the regular drivel, Pretty certain my big guy may want a late night snack, so it wouldn't surprise me if a post-game raid on the Food Court happens. I've seen some lovely TRs lately of folks who've stayed at AoA and it looks like they have some nice options for the "I'm starving!- Attacks" that seem to hit fairly regularly.

That just about sums up Day 4. Nothing too terribly amazing, EXCEPT THAT WE'LL BE IN WDW! How freakishly amazing will that be?!?!

And now, because I just did FAR better on Exam #2 that I thought I would (because those questions were unbelievably hard!!!!!) I present to you the next set of Wishes.




And as a special little surprise from the Post-Exam Pixie Dust Sprinling Fairies when I got home, I found these had arrived in the mail for me.

Isn't Mickey Mail fun?! I had meant for them to be stocking stuffers, but you know how it goes when you're not the first one out to the mailbox. Oh well. It's all good, it got them talking about the trip which is always a good thing, right? Come Christmas morning I'll bet they'll be wishing they hadn't gotten that mail. Santa is having difficulty finding time to shop. Or forking out more money knowing our trip's not paid for yet.


And now, to keep this all relevant and somewhat interesting, how about a few pictures for our Letter of the...er...Month:








I chose that last one, because her name is Maria. She's been working at Beaches and Cream for over 20 years. She was the bomb-diggity server, and I'd go back there just for her over-the-top service again. I love to see CMs who love what they do and make guests feel great.

Looking forward to hearing from you all! Your long, lost Nursing Student Friend,

Steppe

 

[MarieLightning]

Those look like great Epcot plans! Agent P is pretty entertaining, it's fun to keep a look out for some of the details of the World pavillions you may otherwise miss And obviously, F&W treats is a must! I also have to say, I may be stealing your trinkets idea! I like the idea of spending a small amount of money to get something from each country, I'll definitely be on the look out myself

Uh oh, maybe I shouldn't direct my wife to this PTR after all... not an IllumiNations fan... she may call blasphemy. She cries every time. She even cries when I pay the soundtrack at home. Something about the world coming together as one is really touching to her

Those MagicBand covers are so cute! Too bad they can't be used for Stocking Stuffers, but I'm sure you'll figure out something else

Holy Kitchen Sink. Have you actually done it, or was she bringing it to another table??? (Also, have you seen they now have a Chocolate Lover Kitchen Sink? I'm not sure if it's for a limited time, but I sure hope not!) That is on our must do list, for sure, but we'll probably wait until we go back with our friend. She can eat ice cream like there's no tomorrow, so we can put all the chances on our side

 

[pkondz]

So let me refresh your memory and pretend you care.

Oh thank G... er... uh... I mean Yes! Of course we care!!

JK


Plans look full, fun and fantastic.... drat. It's M time...
Marvelous, magnificent and magical.

So.... your Wishes...
1. What's The Edison?
2. Towel animals.... heard a rumour that they've put a stop to towel animals
Anyone heard this or been recently that can refute that?

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[Flossbolna]

First of all, I love the letter M!!

You plan for the day sounds really good. You have started out hitting the parks hard, so the possibilities of a little shorter day makes absolute sense! I am already intrigued what the hard rope drop day is going to be the next day, I guess MK...

As always I love your Wishes and noticed that you included two Disney Springs (still not used to that name) locations. I have to say that I really love all that I hear about the Disney Springs establishments. Michael was recently in Orlando and had meals at the Boathouse and Morimotos and loved both of them. If it weren't such a pain to get there though...

 

[LuvEeyore]

All caught up again after being very far behind...so far behind I thought I was getting ahead.
Remember, when you take NCLEX you get a pass or a fail. No numbers.

Less than a year!!

Loved the pics of the Oregon coast. So beautiful.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Your plans are shaping up very nicely. Great pictures and back story, I also love a CM that really loves what they do, we met one on our last trip. Ugh, I know all about spoiled Christmas surprises, since I homeschool my boys, they are always with me and they love to collect the mail.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I am stopping by to say I have an update done!!!! Looks like lots of fun over here - I'll be back!

 

[Steppesister]

Of course you did well. Not surprised in the least.




Way to go!

Super stoked. When I pushed submit, I thought, Oh Dear, this cannot go well. I was incredibly surprised when it came back as a 43/50. WOOT!

Yay - always nice to get another exam done and gone!

YES INDEED! Ka-ching, one more binder on the shelf until the Final!

Congratulations!!! One step closer to WDW!!!!

I love the feeling every time an exam is checked off my calendar. I have another bit of "one step closer news" to share as well.

Awesome!! Test #2 done with a nice score!
I could not imagine going back to school. I liked school, but the idea of tests and studying at my age (pushing 50) might be too much for me.
I'd really have to have a passion for something that I could devote time into. Also change can be hard and a paycheck is a paycheck and I've been at job 24 years.

Here's cheering you on for the next three! You can do it!

WOOT! I too am almost 50, so it was definitely now or never. I figure I have 10 good years at least of ooomph left in me, so that's a trip to Disney a year and a good chunk of retirement stashed away. Well, and braces for a couple of kids, a new kitchen, and many short term trips doing community development.

And yes, I'd have to actually admit that earning that paycheck all summer long was nice. Tempting to stop at LPN and be ok.

I think if I put in as much time as I can like the first 2 I'll be ok. Definitely a big load off my shoulders having done ok, on the first 2. There are FAR too many NOT passing at this point. My heart does break a little for them.

 

[Steppesister]

Those look like great Epcot plans! Agent P is pretty entertaining, it's fun to keep a look out for some of the details of the World pavillions you may otherwise miss And obviously, F&W treats is a must! I also have to say, I may be stealing your trinkets idea! I like the idea of spending a small amount of money to get something from each country, I'll definitely be on the look out myself

I had really wanted to do this for quite some time. I know that the special effects they've added are super cool, and I'll be ready to document our adventures to share with you all. I mean, who doesn't love to save the world??!

Steal away! I don't need a bunch of high-priced junk that will just end up sitting around. This way I have a bunch of low(ish)-priced crap that sits around, but serves the purpose of reminding me of fun moments of trips gone by. Doesn't break the bank, but serves the same purpose. And it's a fun challenge. I do usually splurge on one big(ger) item; probably going with a pearl again this year. We'll see.....

Uh oh, maybe I shouldn't direct my wife to this PTR after all... not an IllumiNations fan... she may call blasphemy. She cries every time. She even cries when I pay the soundtrack at home. Something about the world coming together as one is really touching to her

Yeah, I dunno, was just kinda boring I guess. I do like the pre-show music though. I remember going WAY back on 2000 and them having a really awesome parade at EPCOT that we all LOVED. I wish they'd bring that back.

Those MagicBand covers are so cute! Too bad they can't be used for Stocking Stuffers, but I'm sure you'll figure out something else

Yep, probably more gift cards.

Holy Kitchen Sink. Have you actually done it, or was she bringing it to another table??? (Also, have you seen they now have a Chocolate Lover Kitchen Sink? I'm not sure if it's for a limited time, but I sure hope not!) That is on our must do list, for sure, but we'll probably wait until we go back with our friend. She can eat ice cream like there's no tomorrow, so we can put all the chances on our side

No, we got a No Way Jose, and we all split it. They are So HUGE!!!!! I am actually contemplating letting the kids eat ice cream for dinner one night, but more likely at Ghiradelli than B&C.

Oh thank G... er... uh... I mean Yes! Of course we care!!

JK


Plans look full, fun and fantastic.... drat. It's M time...
Marvelous, magnificent and magical.

So.... your Wishes...
1. What's The Edison?
2. Towel animals.... heard a rumour that they've put a stop to towel animals
Anyone heard this or been recently that can refute that?

Ok, Cowboy, let's walk through this:

You pack a mean thesaurus-minded vocabulary. Thank you for keeping in theme; your humble authoress is impressed.

The Edison is a new establishment going into Disney Springs sometime, hopefully, (oh dear God, PLEASE before my trip!) soon. It is an Industrial Gothic (Steampunk) themed place whose original is in LA. 1920s/1930s era music is featured along with (hopefully somewhat) family friendly burlesque, which actually sounds weird now that I type it out. But apparently there are some nightly entertainment options like contortionists, dancing, live music, magic shows, etc... They scream an incredibly over-the-top decor of antiques and replicas, rich woods, leather, metal and stuff... Check it out...

https://www.edisondowntown.com/

Towel Animals: You'd mentioned that before, but I'm still hoping against all odds we'll get at least one. It would be fun, and well, those are "wishes", not demands.

 

[Steppesister]

No pretending needed! The plans look great - I can feel the sunshine as I read through the plans.


Love this point in a trip - touched base in all parks, then going back to get another fix.


Yup - just put the rest of my room reservation on the CC, so no more hiding from the amount that needs to be paid. Time to start scaling that mountain at this household...

Ahh, sunshine, palm trees, beds to jump on and no dishes. Well, that and 3 1/2 theme parks.

This is why I love long trips. No rushing, slowing it down to take in the details and actually relax a bit.

I JUST hung up to pay off the AoA portion. Almost there for paying off this trip! The excitement is building! So I definitely know the feeling and share your joy!

First of all, I love the letter M!!

You plan for the day sounds really good. You have started out hitting the parks hard, so the possibilities of a little shorter day makes absolute sense! I am already intrigued what the hard rope drop day is going to be the next day, I guess MK...

As always I love your Wishes and noticed that you included two Disney Springs (still not used to that name) locations. I have to say that I really love all that I hear about the Disney Springs establishments. Michael was recently in Orlando and had meals at the Boathouse and Morimotos and loved both of them. If it weren't such a pain to get there though...

Well, of course you DO!!! Lots of awesome words start with M, like magical, Mickey, and mermaid.


Yes, and Magdalene too. You thought I'd forget.

Nope. Not MK, but that would actually make a lot of sense. My reason nearly as exciting actually, and a little more selfish. You'll see...

I am really liking the new direction of Disney Springs. New highly themed restaurants, and new entertainment options is a good move on their part. I am really hoping they don't nix Nova Era before my trip though! I adore their fusion music!

All caught up again after being very far behind...so far behind I thought I was getting ahead.
Remember, when you take NCLEX you get a pass or a fail. No numbers.

Less than a year!!

Loved the pics of the Oregon coast. So beautiful.

I have actually missed you!! Haven't seen you here in ages! Everything ok?
Yes, I know, no matter my grades, I'll still be an RN. I am just freaked out that so many don't make it. Last year's class lost fully 1/3 of their class, and MANY from ours are failing- having gotten horrible grades on BOTH of the first couple of exams.

Thanks! I love the coast, and Oregon has one of the prettiest and most accessible. I'm a lucky gal!

 

[Steppesister]

Your plans are shaping up very nicely. Great pictures and back story, I also love a CM that really loves what they do, we met one on our last trip. Ugh, I know all about spoiled Christmas surprises, since I homeschool my boys, they are always with me and they love to collect the mail.

They are coming along! I have ZERO time to do any fine tuning right now, but will work on things again over my Christmas break. Still lots to think about and plan!

Homeschooling is a joy for sure, and there aren't too many drawbacks at all, but privacy is definitely one. Hang in there, Mama, you're doing great!!

I am stopping by to say I have an update done!!!! Looks like lots of fun over here - I'll be back!

Hi Tammie!

Hopefully this weekend I'll have a little bit more time to hit up my threads and say hi!! Right now, it's so crazy! EVERY single day is packed full of lecture, studying, Clinical time, etc.... Very, VERY stressful. I keep telling myself, one day at a time, Girl! I'll get there... promise!

 

[pkondz]

The Edison is a new establishment going into Disney Springs sometime, hopefully, (oh dear God, PLEASE before my trip!) soon. It is an Industrial Gothic (Steampunk) themed place whose original is in LA. 1920s/1930s era music is featured along with (hopefully somewhat) family friendly burlesque, which actually sounds weird now that I type it out. But apparently there are some nightly entertainment options like contortionists, dancing, live music, magic shows, etc... They scream an incredibly over-the-top decor of antiques and replicas, rich woods, leather, metal and stuff... Check it out...

Ok, that place looks great.
Want.

Towel Animals: You'd mentioned that before, but I'm still hoping against all odds we'll get at least one. It would be fun, and well, those are "wishes", not demands.

I just saw a FB post where someone got one... sort of.
Their stuffed animal was wrapped in a towel and a hat was put on it.
Close enough, right?

 

[cinderkelly]

First, nice job on your exam! One less test to go!

I think your plans are shaping up nicely! I really like your Mickey "wish notes" they are so cute, and what a great way to remember all the things to do.

I'd like to try Beaches and Cream someday, it's on my "wish" list

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Oh boy, oh boy, OH BOY!!!!!

I did pretty well this morning and got an 86%. Wishing words could say how relieved I am!

Keeping with the "M" theme: Magnificent!

So let me refresh your memory and pretend you care.

I, for one, had all of this memorized. Please don't quiz me on that.

Dinner will be the obvious choice(s) of international cuisines from Around the World. This is a duh, and a big reason I'm paying close to $8,000 for a vacation at WDW. I'm pretty excited. Not to pay a lot of cash, ya know, but to eat a lot of really tasty stuff that I could certainly cook at home for a fraction of the cost, but you know... don't have to

I think this is Julie's favorite part of vacation: not having to make dinner! It's totally worth the cost to her.

There's a quota of skunk farts that has to be filled.

Zero. The quota is zero.

Nothing too terribly amazing, EXCEPT THAT WE'LL BE IN WDW! How freakishly amazing will that be?!?!

Certainly better than any day in the real world!

Isn't Mickey Mail fun?! I had meant for them to be stocking stuffers, but you know how it goes when you're not the first one out to the mailbox.

I hear ya. I just tell the others they'd better be good at looking surprised.

First of all, I love the letter M!!

Me too!

 

[Steppesister]

Well, I spent the entire day learning about hemorrhoids and how to care for a patient who almost bled to death from them. Contemplating a career change before it ever starts....

on the bright side, I'm done with the paper that has taken me 8 straight hours to write and will switch gears to reading your threads and relaxing. Love you all!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Leisa! I have finally gotten around to reading all about the Marvelous letter M!

I can't believe you have also admitted to a lack of complete infatuation with illuminations. I'm sure you will still have your fans here anyway. it seems perfectly reasonable to hit the rides with shorter lines.

Edison sounds pretty strange to me. I'm thinking Boathouse is on my bucket list, but heck, we haven't done Raglan Road yet.

Well you know in the medical world some days give you hemorrhoids and some days give you chicken pox - just keep swimming. some days give you flowers and cookies of gratefulness too. Those days remind you why you do what you do.