The Frantic Final Week: A High School Grad's Last-Minute PTR

[LifeOnCloud8]

Hi guys! I just recently joined the boards (after lurking for a while) and I thought it was about time I did my first Pre-Trip Report!

I'm about to graduate from high school on Friday! To celebrate my graduation and scholarship to the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, my parents surprised me with a trip to back home! So without further ado...

The Cast of Characters:
Bill - One half of the parental dynamic duo. Not quite the Disney fan like his wife or daughter but a good sport nonetheless. Does a mean Donald Duck impersonation.
Sallie - The other half of the parental dynamic duo. A Disney fan only bested by her daughter. Enjoys strawberry ice-pops and long naps on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Creighton - That's me! High school graduate and Carolina Scholar Finalist at the University of South Carolina's Honor College... and the biggest Disney fan I know. Obsessed with “Mickey” ice-cream bars, balloons, audio loops and the "magic" that makes it all that much better.

Arrival Date: June 30, 2012
Departure Date: June 6, 2012

The Resort and Room:
Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (for the umpteenth time)
By now, Riverside is as much our home as our actual house, but for the first time, we’ll be staying in one of the newly finished “Royal Rooms!”

The Dining:
Using the Disney Dining Plan…
5/31: Lunch at the Crystal Palace – 1:10 p.m.
6/1: Dinner at the Crystal Palace – 8:15 p.m.
6/2: Lunch at Yak and Yeti – 2:00 p.m.
6/3: Dinner at Coral Reef – 4:45 p.m.
6/4: Lunch at Hollywood and Vine – 1:15 p.m.
6/5: Lunch at Crystal Palace – 1:15 p.m.
6/6: Best Friend Breakfast at Ohana’s – 7:35 a.m.

Now that the basics are all covered, I’ll be posting regular updates for our last week of planning and packing... keeping everyone in the loop about what's going on in that frantic "final seven!

Please feel free to comment or weigh in on anything - I'm new to the boards and I always love hearing from people!

 

[PFW]

Creighton,
Congratulations on your Graduation and Scholarship !!! I can just imagine how proud your parents must be and how awesome of them to celebrate your accomplishments at WDW.
Have an awesome trip

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Creighton,
Congratulations on your Graduation and Scholarship !!! I can just imagine how proud your parents must be and how awesome of them to celebrate your accomplishments at WDW.
Have an awesome trip

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and write such a wonderful reply! My parents are such good sports about my "obsession" and I'm really excited about getting to go as a family one last time before college!

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Table of Contents: The Final Week
1. "With A Happy Little Working Song"
2. "Where Everybody Knows Your Name... And They're Always Glad You Came"
3. Title TBD
4. Title TBD
5. Title TBD
6. Title TBD
7. Title TBD

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

1. "With a Happy Little Working Song"

So... I didn't get a lot of planning time, since I spent most of it doing some long put off but much needed spring cleaning. Between the school musical, prom, student council and AP testing, my rooms essentially imploded. It wasn't a pretty sight. The bit of time I did have leftover, however, went to planning.

I'm not sure what guidebooks are popular here on the DisBoards (though I'd love to hear what everyone else uses) but the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob and Len Testa is my personal Disney bible. So I spent the majority of yesterday night highlighting and adding my own notes to "the Unofficial," as it is referred to in my household.

I also tried to determine what Disigns I plan on printing out and how
much self-laminating paper I'll need. I have about 9 sheets already, which should be enough but I don't want to run out at the last minute.

Since all I have on Thursday is graduation practice in the morning, I intend to use the afternoon to do a lot more planning.

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

2. "Where Everybody Knows Your Name... And They're Always Glad You Came"

So, it's not a Disney lyric but still... I felt it was appropriate. Why? Because today I'm organizing and printing out all the personalized Disigns, room decorations and miscellaneous materials that I have.

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Please pardon our pixiedust... this post in under construction!!

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Please pardon our pixiedust... this post is under construction!

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Please pardon our pixiedust... this post is under construction!!

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Please pardon out pixiedust... This post is under construction!

 

[LifeOnCloud8]

Please pardon our pixiedust... this post is under construction!