The Darlings Caved Already! A Sept. '12 PTR -- Sept. 26 - TR link posted!

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone! Having a good weekend? I sure hope so.

Mine is boring, but I certainly can't complain. Although I can't help but feel a little (or a lot) jealous of my parents. You see right about now they're having a late lunch at the Biergarten!

My mom and dad as well as my dad's sister and her husband are off on a Florida trip and short Bahamas cruise. It's a timeshare package that my dad got. They landed around 3pm on Thursday in Orlando and went to Medieval Times that night and really enjoyed themselves. Yesterday they had their timeshare presentation and apparently it didn't take too long. They went to Universal yesterday and the plan was to go to Downtown Disney last night. They don't seem to have any internet access and they don't have a calling card so I have only heard from them yesterday morning for a few minutes. Tomorrow they're off to Daytona, then to Ft. Lauderdale and then West Palm Beach to leave on their overnight cruise to the Bahamas, 2 nights there and back to W.P.B., then home! It's actually I think two timeshare cheap trips combined.

But today. Yes, today. Today is the day I wish I were with them! They're spending the entire day at Epcot today. They had a 2pm lunch at the Biergarten and were spending the rest of the day taking in the Flower & Garden festival.

I begged my mother to take pictures -- a photographer she is not. They are very excited to be seeing Herman's Hermits tonight at the Flower Power concert series. (Sing it with me now! "IIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'm 'Enery the EIGTH I yam! 'Enery the eighth I yam I yam...")

So wishing I were with them I thought I'd play a little game.

If you could blink your eyes and nod your head and be anywhere you wish, which would you choose...:

- Which Disney resort? (WDW? DLP? California?)
- Which park? (If applicable) (Epcot, MK, etc.)
- Which section? (Tomorrowland, world showcase, Pixar Place, etc.)
- Which ride? (RnR? TSM? Teacups?)


I'll start.

- Walt Disney World
- Epcot
- World Showcase
- I'll say the whole German pavilion [Maybe the Biergarten!] instead of a ride, eating with my parents.

 

[MEK]

Oh My. that's tough so I am going this route -

WDW
AK
Asia
Expedition Everest.

I don't know if this is truly my favorite, but its definitely one of my favs.

It must be so hard to know your family is there and you are home, but you only have 4 months? to go. Maybe less. I forget. I have to look at your ticker.

 

[silverhaze269]

If you could blink your eyes and nod your head and be anywhere you wish, which would you choose...:

- Which Disney resort? (WDW? DLP? California?)
- Which park? (If applicable) (Epcot, MK, etc.)
- Which section? (Tomorrowland, world showcase, Pixar Place, etc.)
- Which ride? (RnR? TSM? Teacups?)

- Walt Disney World
- Magic Kingdom
- Adventureland/Frontierland (that's probably cheating, but I can't pick one )
- Haunted Mansion

 

[Nermel9]

So wishing I were with them I thought I'd play a little game.

If you could blink your eyes and nod your head and be anywhere you wish, which would you choose...:

- Which Disney resort? (WDW? DLP? California?)
- Which park? (If applicable) (Epcot, MK, etc.)
- Which section? (Tomorrowland, world showcase, Pixar Place, etc.)
- Which ride? (RnR? TSM? Teacups?)


I'll start.

- Walt Disney World
- Epcot
- World Showcase
- I'll say the whole German pavilion [Maybe the Biergarten!] instead of a ride, eating with my parents.

Hmmm...that's tough, but I'd probably like to be in

-Disney World
-Epcot
-Future World
-On Soarin!

It's hard though, because I'd also like to be walking around World Showcase with a margarita in my hand, waiting for Illuminations to start!

 

[amazingact21]

Lucky parents...I'm sure they're having a great time.


Since I am still suffering from the post-Disney blues, this was a hard choice for me.

-Walt Disney World
-Hollywood Studios
-Sunset Blvd
-Rock N Roller Coaster


Man, how I wish I were there right now....

 

[PixieMama]

Tough to choose, but I'd go with:

WDW (I've not been to the others, though)
DHS
Sunset Blvd
ToT and RnR

 

[OrangeJuice]

A few of us seem to have Hollywood studios on the brain:
- WDW
- Hollywood Studios
- Sunset Blv
- Hollywood Hills Amphitheater watching Fantasmic with a cold beverage and a bucket of Disney popcorn!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Awww I hope your family is having a good time!!!

Let's see, I'm going with:

WDW
MK
Liberty Square
Haunted Mansion

 

[teekathepony]

Oh My. that's tough so I am going this route -

WDW
AK
Asia
Expedition Everest.

I don't know if this is truly my favorite, but its definitely one of my favs.

It must be so hard to know your family is there and you are home, but you only have 4 months? to go. Maybe less. I forget. I have to look at your ticker.

EE sure would be another nice place to be right about now. All of Asia is so beautifully themed, I love just sitting around there looking at everything.
4 months to go for us, you're correct! It's kind of hard knowing my parents are there now, but in September the rolls reverse so I just have to try to be patient and wait my turn! (... and water their plants and pick up their mail so they'll do the same for me! )

- Walt Disney World
- Magic Kingdom
- Adventureland/Frontierland (that's probably cheating, but I can't pick one )
- Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion and RnR take turns for my favourite Disney ride ever. It depends on what kind of mood I'm in that day I guess!

Hmmm...that's tough, but I'd probably like to be in

-Disney World
-Epcot
-Future World
-On Soarin!

It's hard though, because I'd also like to be walking around World Showcase with a margarita in my hand, waiting for Illuminations to start!

Oh Soarin', I can't wait to get on that! Another good choice for sure. You guys and your awesome ride picks are making my daydreaming easier!

Lucky parents...I'm sure they're having a great time.

Since I am still suffering from the post-Disney blues, this was a hard choice for me.

-Walt Disney World
-Hollywood Studios
-Sunset Blvd
-Rock N Roller Coaster

Man, how I wish I were there right now....

Oh my other #1 favourite ride!
Don't you hate the post-Disney blues? Yuck. I know they go away with time, but then too much time and you get the missing-Disney blues! You just can't win.

Tough to choose, but I'd go with:

WDW (I've not been to the others, though)
DHS
Sunset Blvd
ToT and RnR

To RnR I say YES! Awesome! And to ToT I say NO! Never again! Lmao, man I hated that ride!

A few of us seem to have Hollywood studios on the brain:
- WDW
- Hollywood Studios
- Sunset Blv
- Hollywood Hills Amphitheater watching Fantasmic with a cold beverage and a bucket of Disney popcorn!

True, lots of DHS love around here! My least favourite park sometimes, but it does have some of my most favourite rides and attractions for sure.

Awww I hope your family is having a good time!!!

Let's see, I'm going with:

WDW
MK
Liberty Square
Haunted Mansion

I heard from them yesterday, they said they are really having a blast!
Oh HM, I really do love that ride. I think I'm going to go put my Disney music playlist on and daydream some more...

 

[IheartDDuck]

I kept on forgetting to subscribe to your PTR! Such a bad bad reader. I'll be as short and sweet as possible.

I never use TA's. I am my own Travel Agent. The next time you plan a trip, I will remind you strongly "DO NOT USE A TA!"

I am so jealous that you're staying at AoA in a Little Mermaid room! So awesome...

Obscure movies?
Saludos Amigos
Make Mine Music (best ever! I used to watch this constantly when I was little)
The Black Cauldron

Very cute stuff that you bought while shopping.

My blink my eyes place?

WDW
Magic Kingdom
Fantasyland
Mickey's Philharmagic

 

[ZehnJahren]

I've been far behind on my PTRs since I've been hard-core reading TRs, but I saw today that I think we're going to be there at the same time! I just finalized my September trip, so I'll be there at BC from 9/16 - 9/21, although I'm leaning more and more towards one night at AoA (the night of the 20th). I'd love to try out a Little Mermaid room too!!!

 

[teekathepony]

I kept on forgetting to subscribe to your PTR! Such a bad bad reader. I'll be as short and sweet as possible.

I never use TA's. I am my own Travel Agent. The next time you plan a trip, I will remind you strongly "DO NOT USE A TA!"

I am so jealous that you're staying at AoA in a Little Mermaid room! So awesome...

Obscure movies?
Saludos Amigos
Make Mine Music (best ever! I used to watch this constantly when I was little)
The Black Cauldron

Very cute stuff that you bought while shopping.

My blink my eyes place?

WDW
Magic Kingdom
Fantasyland
Mickey's Philharmagic

Will you please kick my behind if in a future PTR I say "... so I'm going to my TA today" ?
Awh, Philharmagic! Come to think of it, that might be up among my favourites too. I have so many!

I've been far behind on my PTRs since I've been hard-core reading TRs, but I saw today that I think we're going to be there at the same time! I just finalized my September trip, so I'll be there at BC from 9/16 - 9/21, although I'm leaning more and more towards one night at AoA (the night of the 20th). I'd love to try out a Little Mermaid room too!!!

Oh cool! Almost the exact same dates! I'm so excited to try the LM rooms! The whole resort looks so amazing.

 

[TriniandBre]

I am really enjoying your PTR. I am all caught up and you make me want to go to AoA. I have only stayed at one Value Resort and that was All Stars Music, which me and my girls enjoyed. If I get the chance to I am most definitely booking a AoA room. I hope you guys have a great time there.

 

[teekathepony]

I am really enjoying your PTR. I am all caught up and you make me want to go to AoA. I have only stayed at one Value Resort and that was All Stars Music, which me and my girls enjoyed. If I get the chance to I am most definitely booking a AoA room. I hope you guys have a great time there.

Welcome aboard!
I think AoA just looks phenomenal, I'm so excited to stay there. I've only ever stayed at Pop Century, so just doing something new in itself is exciting

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. I sure did, lots and lots of projects completed, new toys and new trip plans!

Is anyone here addicted to Pinterest? I know I am. I hear about a lot of people who pin everything and never do any of the projects/recipes/crafts they pin. I decided to change that about myself this weekend and made a craft I saw on there.

Taa daa!

It's two long chunks of birch tree we had cut down when we built our house. Johnny hollowed them out with his chain saw and I planted them! I'm not much of a gardener though so I hope I can keep them alive.

I also made two different recipes from Pinterest this weekend. Fun stuff!

I bought a new camera on Friday! Well, they had none in stock so I ordered it. A Canon Rebel T3i, a newer and slightly upgraded version of my old one. (I previously had two Rebel XTs, a 2005? model) I seriously considered the 60D, a step up, but it's honestly too big for my tiny hands. I like the feel and weight of the Rebel series much better. It came with the 18-55mm IS lens which will be nice, I have no IS lenses currently, and a small camera bag. I sold one of my two older ones, and was about to put the other up for sale when Johnny stopped me saying that he might just want a new/old toy for himself! So when we go to Disney, we'll both be snapping away.

So onto our newest trip plans! First, let me tell you how it came about.

Remember about 10 days ago I told you my parents were in Epcot? Well, they're traveling home today and will be home around midnight. I can't wait to visit them tomorrow and I'll get their pictures to share with you all. They didn't have much access to the internet and didn't call much, but when I did get some messages from them they were all very happy:


Kevin says:
We are in Daytona.Beautiful. Great time yesterday at Epcot.Free computer at hotel so we will check again.We are at Holuiday inn express on Atlantic Avenue Daytona overlooking the beach.

Wendy says:
how was Herman's Hermits?

Kevin says:
fabulous

Wendy says:
Did you guys ride the Harry Potter ride!?!?!?


Kevin says:
yes we all got sick,very sick o well we loved the park butter beer was awesome

(Got the following this past Thursday night)

CURRENTLY ON THE AWSOME CRUISE SHIP.FOOD IS AWSOME,BAHAMA MAMAS ARE GREAT.MUSIC ALL NIGHT MAY NOT SLEEP.TALK WHAN WE CAN .50 CENTS A MINUTE .LOVE MOM AND DAD

(Sorry for the caps! Sometimes when he forgets his reading glasses he has to type in caps so he can see it! )

That last message had me in hysterics. I'm not sure what was so funny, but you have to understand that my parents are sweet and not the partying type! It was great to see them having fun.

So what was the point of all that? Well, I shared those messages with Johnny and it got us talking about how we could both go for a butterbeer. We were sad we would miss it this year, but oh well! In 2015 we will definitely go and get some butterbeer.

Mmmmmm butterbeer...

On Sunday Johnny very casually said to me; "You know I think we should go to Universal instead of doing the Richard Petty Driving Experience."



But he LOVED Richard Petty last year!

He told me he would rather spend the money doing something that benefited both of us rather than just him, and spend the day with me instead of at the track. Say it with me now, "awwww!"

I tried to convince him that I honestly don't mind him doing Petty and have no bad feelings about him spending money on himself, but he told me he thought long and hard and would rather do Universal for a day. We sat down and figured out the costs.

Petty would be $449 + tax = $478.19. He has a $200 experienced driver coupon so he would pay $278.19.

We priced a park to park ticket for Universal, since the last time we went to both was in 2010.

1 day adult park to park = $120. x2 = $240. = tax = $259. $20 cheaper than Petty! Of course we need to pay extra for transportation to Universal, but the Petty experience is so early Johnny would have to get a cab to the track anyway.

But what about time?

We roughed out our schedule again (which I will share when I refine it a bit). We figured that we could have AK done Monday, DHS done Tuesday, and Epcot done by Wednesday. Thursday we have no meals planned until 9:30 for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, which would be a great Universal day. Then we still have our first afternoon and our last two days to do MK and anything else we might need to go back to! We figured that we still have time in there to explore the new resort and pool, and hit DTD if we so desired.

That settled it -- Richard Petty Experience is out, and the two Universal parks are in!

 

[amazingact21]

Whoo hoo!!

Adding Universal to your trip is awesome! Another reason to look forward to this fall!
And how sweet that Johnny gave up the driving experience for both of you to enjoy some WWoHP...


That garden looks great! What a neat idea. I was invited to Pintrest before I knew what it was, and I never joined...now I see all these cool crafts and always tell myself that I need to join and try it out.

 

[Nermel9]

I love your gardening project! I like Pinterest, but I always forget to go on there for things!

Aww, that's so sweet that Johnny gave up his driving thing for you guys to do Universal! I've been trying to save up the money to surprise Brandon with that on every trip, but I always end up spending it on something else (like resort upgrades! )

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your gardening project is so cute!! I love how it looks!

Yay for going to Universal!!! How sweet of Johnny to give up going to Richard Petty instead!

 

[silverhaze269]

I think it's awesome he gave up the driving experience so that the both of you could enjoy WWoHP...now, that's love (can I just say that I'm also a little jealous......)

Also, your gardening project is awesome! I wish I could do something like that, but I have absolutely no way of hollowing out a log like that...maybe one day though...

 

[MEK]

Cute planter. Love it!

Love the text messages! I felt like I was looking right at your phone.

I would definitely pick Universal over the Richard Petty Driving Experience so I think you got the better end of the deal!