The Adventures of Miss Potts - PTR Fall 2013 UPDATE 9/25!!

[Miss Potts]

Hi Everyone!

Can't believe I haven't posted in so long! I initially thought that this PTR would be something to keep me busy all summer while patiently waiting for my Disney trip to get here! Turns out I was a bit busier than I was expecting!

I'm calling this an August Update because this post includes all the exciting Disney things from August... my mail lady was busy!

First I received this:


Finally my AP magnet! No way am I putting this on my car, I don't want to lose it! (I've been know to drive through a car wash and forget about my magnets!)

Then a few days later I received my wonderful yellow luggage tags!


The arrival of your magical express information was always the last call meaning your trip was near!! HOWEVER, now it seems Disney trips will have a new calling card... MAGIC BANDS!

With the help of the dis, I was keen on getting online and customizing my bands before I got an official invite. On MDE, it said I had to customize by 8/26...

On August 28th, look what was delivered!!


A few days after that, I got the official invite in the mail... hmmm... test phase... I chose to read this invite while I wore my magic band. JUST to add to the irony.



With that being said.. my trip is quickly approaching!

ONLY 17 days!!




We actually just got back from a week vacation to Sandbridge Beach, VA. It was great to get some relaxing beach time... as we all know, Disney vacations are pretty much the opposite!

Here are some photos from our time:



I don't normally stack vacations so close together. It's just how it worked out this year. DH's whole family was going to the beach and that was planned AFTER our Disney trip was in the books... not wanting to give either up... I just declared September my vacation month! If I just had more vacation days... I would have actually taken the whole month off!

 

[Miss Potts]

Animal Kingdom holds a special place in my heart... wayyy back in 1998 I had the chance to go to the park before it opened to the public. I realize now that it was most likely during Cast Member Preview days... but back then, I thought Michael Eisner opened it just for me! I was beyond captivated by the attention to detail throughout the park AND the Safari.. it was unlike anything I had even seen!

You know the Birnbaum's Walt Disney World For Kids guides? Well you guessed it, I was one of the kid correspondents!! The guides used to be "for kids by kids".... it was a trip and experience of a lifetime for me!

Now onto the....

Animal Kingdom Must Do's



We are planning to do a rope drop at AK... this is our normal touring style for this park and we are usually done with everything by early afternoon!

New Things To See
Conservation Station - DH has never been

Can't Miss Favorites!
Kilimanjaro Safari
Festival of the Lion King
It's Tough to be a Bug
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur
Yak & Yeti - counter service, DH loves it for some reason

Old Favorites We Haven't Seen In Awhile
Finding Nemo

Characters
Dug and Russell - just because they are so darn cute!


Next up, Polynesian History!

 

[Miss Potts]

I have another update I thought would be fun!

This upcoming trip will be my 5th stay at the Polynesian!!
It will be DH's 1st stay and I am so happy to share this awesome resort with him!

The only resort I have stayed at more times than the Poly is the Wilderness Lodge. By default, WL is a bit more affordable and that is the main reason it has been frequented more times. My heart is definitely at the Polynesian.. specifically in the Hawaii building!


Here is a look back at my Polynesian History...

October 1996
I can remember being in our living room and picking this resort as a family. My parents were always great like that - asking our opinion! We stayed for 10 nights over Halloween by I'm not sure what building we were in. We went to the MNSSHP and my sister and I dressed as a farmer Mickey and Minnie!


It was a big deal for my parents to stay at the Polynesian, because when they brought me for my first visit as a baby - they rode the ferry boat from the TTC to the MK and looked at the Polynesian. They always say how they looked and admired the resort and thought they'd never be able to stay at someplace so nice!! Little did they know!!

Here I am in the lobby:


My sister and I lounging in hammocks:


And best of all, this was the 25th Anniversary so the castle looked like this:



February or March 2005
I was on my College Program and because of the awesome Cast Member discount, decided to book my family in the Club Level. It was a great trip and the experience of CL was fantastic. We've never looked back.

Here is a display from the Concierge Lounge during dinner service:


My mom and I with a family friend showing off our bathrobes (classy!):



January 2007
My parents said they would take us on a family vacation of our choice during our senior years in college, this trip was my choice! It was actually a split stay between the Contemporary CL and the Polynesian CL. It was an awesome trip! We were on the DDP, back in the good old days when you got an appetizer and gratuity was included! But it was food overload between CL and the DDP. This trip was the first time I ever ate at the California Grill!

Here I am posing on Sunset Pointe:
(little did I know that I'd get engaged in that same spots a few years later!)


A family picture with Mickey when we are decked our in our Penn State gear:


And my favorite Mary interaction! (My dad pretty much stalked Mary so that I would be first in line - MP is my absolute favorite character!):



January 2009
Early January is actually one of my favorite times to travel (although now Marathon weekend increases crowd levels). The parks are pretty quiet AND the Christmas decorations are still up! This trip was my sister's choice for her senior trip... we are SO predictable! This time we didn't switch resorts and just stayed put at the Polynesian CL the whole time!

We all fell in love with Toy Story Mania.. but we almost didn't ride because the line was realllly long. However, we again were probably all wearing Penn State clothes and a CM yelled "WE ARE..." and all four of us responded "PENN STATE!" We smiled and waved and kept walking... the CM (a PSU grad) came running after us and said because we responded so well she was putting us to the front of the line! It was a magical moment for sure!

My parents and I at the Poly bus stop:


First time EVER trying a Turkey Leg (ewww):



Thanks for taking a look back with me! If I've learned anything by digging through my old photos... I need to take more resort photos! I barely have any!

Also... did anyone else notice my hair hasn't changed since 1996?!?! Hahaha!

Up next, Around the "World" Must Do's!

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh my gosh Amy! I loved, loved, loved your walk down memory lane. You haven't changed and you look like your mom!

What great memories you have as a child to look back on all that Disney amazingness!!

To have been a CM and done the DCP. You have a great Disney legacy.

This was awesome stuff.

Oh, and cool magic bands.

 

[Marsheliz]

Great update!! Thank you for posting all those older pictures.. LOVED seeing them!! You really don't have long at all! Jealous of that and jealous of the magic bands.. CBR isn't doing them so guess I will be left out this go around. They look too cool.

 

[tinkgurl]

Yay for ME tags!! And I can't wait to hear about your experience with the new MagicBands!

Oh my gosh, the Castle as the cake!! I also went that year and it was absolutely hideous!

 

[Miss Potts]

Oh my gosh Amy! I loved, loved, loved your walk down memory lane. You haven't changed and you look like your mom!

What great memories you have as a child to look back on all that Disney amazingness!!

To have been a CM and done the DCP. You have a great Disney legacy.

This was awesome stuff.

Oh, and cool magic bands.

It was really fun finding and sharing those old photos! When I think of some of my major moments in life, it's pretty cool that a lot have had Disney in them.

Glad you enjoyed!

Great update!! Thank you for posting all those older pictures.. LOVED seeing them!! You really don't have long at all! Jealous of that and jealous of the magic bands.. CBR isn't doing them so guess I will be left out this go around. They look too cool.

I'm happy you enjoyed the old photos! I know the days are just ticking away - can't believe it!

Too bad that CBR isn't testing them... just think, maybe your next vacation all the bugs will be worked out and you'll never know the difference!

Yay for ME tags!! And I can't wait to hear about your experience with the new MagicBands!

Oh my gosh, the Castle as the cake!! I also went that year and it was absolutely hideous!

Yeah, ME tags really make it real... AND NOW so do the Magic Bands!

To be completely honest, I didn't hate the cake Castle. I know I know... ridiculous! BUT even then, I knew it wasn't going to be the last time I ever saw it so I didn't care. If it was my ONLY trip to Disney, I would have been soooo mad!

 

[Miss Potts]

The parks are fun, of course, but hanging out at the resort and around the "World" is just as fun!!! I love... and I mean, LOVE... resort hopping. I love to look at the different lobbies and mosey around the gift shops.

Around the "World" Must Do's

New Things To See/Eat
Mini Golf
The Spa at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort - for DH
Cirque du Soleil - we haven't booked it, but are debating it still
Holiday Sandwich at EOS
Wolfgang Puck Express

Can't Miss Favorites!
Shopping at Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich
Ohana
Watching Hallowishes from the Polynesian
Monorail Tour



Old Favorites We Haven't Done/Seen In Awhile
Renting Bikes at the Wilderness Lodge
Walking around the Boardwalk

ONLY 9 DAYS until we leave!!!!!!!
Next up, the Revised Trip Details!

 

[emmysmommy]

Amy, I'm a huge EoS lover! I love that half of your "Cant Miss" favorites are shopping or eating! That resembles my list!

No spa treatment for you??

 

[Miss Potts]

Amy, I'm a huge EoS lover! I love that half of your "Cant Miss" favorites are shopping or eating! That resembles my list!

No spa treatment for you??

Don't worry, I'm getting a spa treatment too! I have been to the Spa at the GF before... DH has not! Hehehehe!

 

[Miss Potts]

I shared my trip details back in the beginning of this PTR. That was before I added 2 nights to the trip!

Here is the outline of our new plan:

Thursday, Sept 26
Arrival Day!
Check into the Polynesian around 3pm (after flight and ME ride)
Unpack and relax at the resort
PM: MK (FP+ made)

Friday, Sept 27
AM: AK (FP+ made)
Lunch at Yak & Yeti
PM: no set plans, would like to watch Hallowishes from Polynesian this night!

Saturday, Sept 28
AM: POOL DAY
PM: maybe MK (FP+ made, just incase) or DTD

Sunday, Sept 29
AM: MK (FP+ made)
Lunch at BOG
PM: Dinner at Ohana OR we’ll do a Monorail Crawl OR we’ll go to DTD

Monday, Sept 30
AM: MGM(FP+ made)
Head to Epcot for a F&W Lunch
PM: Miami Dolphins play MNF… DH has to watch this!

Tuesday, Oct 1
2 Year Anniversary!
AM: 80 minute Spa Treatments!
Spend day at the Pool
PM: Epcot (FP+ made)
Dinner at Teppan Edo
Watch Illuminations
This is also WDW's 42nd birthday... think they'll do anything fun under the limited time magic promotion?!?! I hope so!!!


Wednesday, Oct 2
AM: MGM (FP+ made) and/or Epcot
Lunch at Via Napoli
PM: F&W booths for dinner

Thursday, Oct 3
Departure Day
AM: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Lunch at Captain Cooks or at the airport


I want to be less planned this trip. So I’ve created an outline for each day (as you can see above). Since you have been following along, you know all our Must Do’s… so we’ll be doing them first and then going from there!

My hope is that this vacation is a mix of classic Disney vacations (rides, attractions, food) plus relaxation (lazy pool days, spa, food). Did I say food?!

Stay tuned for a few more updates before I leave…. 8 days! Yay!

 

[abbybeth]

If you're on the fence about Cirque - I would say DO IT!!! My parents and I went in 2007 and absolutely loved it. I listen to the soundtrack all the time. I have tickets booked as a surprise for Ryan on this trip as well. If it were practical, I would buy tickets every time a WDW trip is planned - it's that good!

I don't know if I realized that our trips overlap, but I'm not sure our park days overlap. We get in 9/28 and will be there through 10/6!

 

[kayemgi]

Late, but following along! Read through your whole PTR, let's see if I can remember everything I wanted to say!

LOLed at your DH gobbling like a turkey. And I don't use lol unless I really did!

We are in the Philly area! I would love to hear what some of your favorite restaurants are. I've been in this area for twelve years now, since college, but I'm still always discovering new places! Phillies stink this year, so you're at least not missing much. We were at the heartbreaker last night. It was rough!

I am with you on the Splash poncho this year! My DH thinks I'm ridiculous, but we'll see who's laughing when I'm nice and dry and he's not!

We have collapsible water bottles that we use for hiking and day trips. I love them! The only annoying thing is they can be difficult to clean, but a bottle brush finally took care of that problem (I usually clean water bottles by squirting in a little soap, half-filling with hot water and shaking it like crazy.)

How did you like Kingdom Keepers? Tolerable for an adult reader to get through if they are a Disney fan? I read YA all the time as an adult -- some is amazing and some can really be terrible.

Your "Trip Details Continued" chapter link is linking to TigrLuvsPooh's Live report instead of your post! Just FYI. I loved her live report, it was great.

Ok that's enough of me talking now. I'm loving your plans, and your trip is so close. I hope you'll do a TR when you return!

 

[Miss Potts]

If you're on the fence about Cirque - I would say DO IT!!! My parents and I went in 2007 and absolutely loved it. I listen to the soundtrack all the time. I have tickets booked as a surprise for Ryan on this trip as well. If it were practical, I would buy tickets every time a WDW trip is planned - it's that good!

I don't know if I realized that our trips overlap, but I'm not sure our park days overlap. We get in 9/28 and will be there through 10/6!

Thanks for the advice about Cirque!

I'll say Hi if I see you! We might switch up parks as the trip goes by... I wish I was going to MNSSHP to see your costume! It looks so awesome!!

Safe travels in a few days and ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

Late, but following along! Read through your whole PTR, let's see if I can remember everything I wanted to say!

LOLed at your DH gobbling like a turkey. And I don't use lol unless I really did!

We are in the Philly area! I would love to hear what some of your favorite restaurants are. I've been in this area for twelve years now, since college, but I'm still always discovering new places! Phillies stink this year, so you're at least not missing much. We were at the heartbreaker last night. It was rough!

I am with you on the Splash poncho this year! My DH thinks I'm ridiculous, but we'll see who's laughing when I'm nice and dry and he's not!

We have collapsible water bottles that we use for hiking and day trips. I love them! The only annoying thing is they can be difficult to clean, but a bottle brush finally took care of that problem (I usually clean water bottles by squirting in a little soap, half-filling with hot water and shaking it like crazy.)

How did you like Kingdom Keepers? Tolerable for an adult reader to get through if they are a Disney fan? I read YA all the time as an adult -- some is amazing and some can really be terrible.

Your "Trip Details Continued" chapter link is linking to TigrLuvsPooh's Live report instead of your post! Just FYI. I loved her live report, it was great.

Ok that's enough of me talking now. I'm loving your plans, and your trip is so close. I hope you'll do a TR when you return!

Welcome to the PTR.. just in time for the trip and the trip report to follow!!!

Our FAVORITE restaurant is "From the Boot" it's a small italian place outside of the city and delicious! We do love some of the popular places in the city too (Vetri, Barclay Prime) but I can't get enough of the cheesesteak springrolls from the Swann Lounge at the Four Seasons.

Kingdom Keepers was a quick pleasant read... it was definitely for young adults but I'm planning on buying the next in the series.

THANKS for catching my link... whooopsie!

 

[Miss Potts]

Hi Everyone!

Just popping in to say that we are off to WDW tomorrow!! I planned to do a few more updates since my last and lucky for me the time flew by!!

I am wearing my "Queen of Procrastination Packing" crown right now.
BUT actually, I'm waiting for some clothes in the dryer, so that is a pretty legit excuse! Hehehehe!

DH and I can't wait to get to Florida! In the last few days, I switched some reservations around and even scored at FP+ for lunch at Be Our Guest! We were going to brave the long lines but now I can get to the "grey" stuff cupcake much quicker!!

Isn't this a nice thing to see?!?!

 

[Marsheliz]

Have a wonderful trip!! While you are on the way to WDW- I am interviewing for another paralegal position... Totally envious!!!! (

I have about 24 days to go!!

Safe travels!

 

[Miss Potts]

Hi Everyone!

Long time no post.. hope you haven't forgotten about me!
I've finally set aside time to start my TR...

Hope you hop over there to follow along!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=50824200&posted=1#post50824200

Thanks!!!