The "How Will I Survive Winter Without It" Trip That Might Be

[PoppyGirl]

Hey signing on...

I hope you get your Disney Trip...

But it's always fun to plan...

DH has starting getting me into Doctor Who recently and I saw that episode with Van Gogh... it made me cry, it was lovely and sad all at once...

I really love the new BBC "Sherlock" series but they haven't made too many of them...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you...

Welcome to my PTR PracPerfPatricia. I love your dis-name!

That episode of the Doctor is my favorite of all time. I also enjoy the Sherlock series on BBC. We have the next on coming on netflix soon.


So....hello everyone. I'm not gone. Well, not really! I've just been super busy with my travel agent training and Disney college! It's going to be so much fun! I finished Disney college and am now starting training for different cruise lines so I can book those as well. I have my first training session this week with some other agents.

Now I have ANOTHER reason to go to Disney in January....it's for my JOB! My J.O.B. How cool is that? I wonder if I can write off Disney vacations on my taxes? DH does love a write off....

I'm speaking on Africa for the 3rd time tonight. Our friends in Mozambique skyped us yesterday. I was just overjoyed to hear their voices. (I actually feel like crying right now just thinking about it!). I only have 30 minutes tonight so I have to narrow down an amazing journey of 17 days into 30 minutes. I'll try and post some of my Africa photos sometime soon. I finally finished editing them. We had (between the team members) over 4000 photos from the trip. I've narrowed it down to about 1700. I think I'll have to do better than that though!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Thank you Disney Visa card!

January 29 - February 5 at POR, Royal room, with dining and (so far) one day base tickets. Savings of $551 off the regular price. I'm still deciding whether or not to upgrade the tickets to hoppers and add the other 6 days. (I had purchased tickets before the price went up, so I don't actually need tickets....)

I'm still hoping for a free dining PIN code but otherwise I think this is it.

I've been a busy girl the last couple of weeks. Planning, planning, planning....

Here's my basic plan:
Arrive Tuesday, Jan 29 around noon and after check in, head to MK.
Dinner at Crystal Palace

Wed--Magic Kingdom
Dinner at Be Our Guest
Wishes
Electric Water Pageant
I'd like to add Wishes Dessert Party but the reservations aren't open yet

Thurs--Epcot Future World and Downtown Disney
Arrive early for Test Track, Soarin' etc
Be sure to see World Showcase Players (LOVE them!)
Dinner at Raglan Road in DTD

Fri--Animal Kingdom
Lunch at Yak & Yeti
Dinner at Boma (early)
IF we get hopper passes....may hear over to Evening EMH at Epcot

Sat--Epcot--World Showcase
Lunch at Les Chefs de France (Remy experience)
Check out Ziti Sisters (haven't seen them yet) and the new Jewel dragon Acrobats in China
Illuminations

Sun--Hollywood Studios
Parade and Beauty and the Beast show!
Dinner at Jiko (cannot WAIT for that!!)
IF we have hopper passes....back to MK for MSEP at 7 and Wishes at 8

Mon--Epcot
Breakfast at Boma (cannot wait for that--have had dinner there many times but never breakfast)
Lunch at Rose & Crown
IF we have hoppers--may do pm EMH at DHS and see Fantasmic!

Those are just the high lights. Notice my high lights always include where I get to eat.....

 

[PoppyGirl]

My kids and I joke around all the time that I must have a "swiss cheese brain" because things just slip right out those little holes. (I'll get to why this is important in a minute.)

So last night DH & I nearly changed our anniversary trip from 4 days at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas to 4 days at WL Concierge level (it was about $500 less and included dining and airfare). We talked it over and decided we'd both like that....and then we discovered our plane tickets were non-refundable. We booked an excellent deal there earlier this summer--everything but meals included. Whew--food is expensive there! DH says we can take along some peanut butter....oh so romantic.

View from the Reef.

Our room with balcony!

So...we decided to stick with Atlantis and we made our dining reservations last night for our trip. I'm getting excited! We've never been anywhere alone together since our honeymoon (which was in Virginia). I guess I ought to do a countdown for this!

I'm doing the dolphin encounter. DH said he would take the photos but really didn't feel the need to kiss a fish.

I've wanted to go there ever since our Disney cruise in 2009. Our friends did the Atlantis excursion and loved the aquariums. We booked the Reef because of the ocean view and outside balcony in the rooms there. Also, (clearing throat) there's a Starbucks in that hotel! So DH can get my Starbucks in the mornings and we can sit on the balcony and enjoy the view. We both really need to relax.

Later, (here's where the Swiss cheese brain comes in) I was still really in the mood for vacation planning so I was looking over our February trip plans and noticed that I had printed out our Southwest tickets from LAST year instead of this year! We are arriving a couple hours earlier in the day and leaving late afternoon on our departure day! Yay! That gives us more park time! I kept thinking that I had booked a later departure but every time I looked at the tickets, nope....leaving early in the morning...why did I do that? I hated that last time, said I would never do it again...oh....brain fart....I printed the wrong tickets! So now I have another park day I wasn't expecting. WOOT! I immediately booked breakfast at Kona for our last day. I'm going to need one of those dining plan cards to mark off all our meals. I'll never be able to keep track!

Then I stayed up super late making a spreadsheet for our February trip. DH kept saying "Well, if we go to Disney for our anniversary, you won't need to go in February. Bwahahahahaha....seriously. NEED to go in February. It gets me through this dreary winter. You know how the groundhog sees his shadow and we get 6 more weeks of winter? Yeah, it's like that. Either I go to Disney and get my happy, sunny fix or I get six more months of therapy undoing the winter depression. I choose Disney. I don't know if it's cheaper necessarily, but it's definitely more fun.

 

[Alysa]

Such a beautiful hotel. You'll love it! My sister stayed there. The photos you posted are gorgeous. Happy anniversary!

 

[PoppyGirl]

A new airfare sale came out today with Southwest. I had already purchased airline tickets in August when they had their last sale. BUT.....I was able to cancel, re-book the same exact flights and save $80! Yay for me! I have some credit now on SWA, but that's ok because I'm planning a possible trip to CA to see DSS #2 in April or May. Thought we might go visit him in his natural habitat. He has an annual pass to DL (!!) and we could see some of my dear friends. DS actually wants to go with me. He'd do almost anything to hang out with his big brothers. Perhaps this is the secret to surviving his adolescence.

But I digress.

I don't mind paying for Disney. I don't mind paying for food at Disney. I detest paying for my luggage! That just makes me crazy. Once we even added an extra day at WDW because it was cheaper to stay there than to fly home on a Monday! I'd rather give my money to Disney anyway.

 

[Alysa]

Good news on the Southwest - $80 saved is $80 for souvenirs at Disney!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Good news on the Southwest - $80 saved is $80 for souvenirs at Disney!

Or a nice meal at at TS restaurant too!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Just added my new ticker. How do you like it??

 

[PoppyGirl]

FREE dining...for MY dates! I called this morning and upgraded my tickets to 8 day passes and added the PIN code for free dining....my price went up by a little but over all it's a great deal

8 day passes
POR Royal Room
Dining (Did I mention it was free???)
for me and DD
Total Cost: $2182.

I think that's awesome!! And that leaves all my Disney Visa rewards $$ just for fun!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Today is double digit dance day! 99 days until we will be at Disney (surviving winter) again! I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our family took a hike today. The weather was gorgeous and we took some fun photos.

Me with my sweet doggy Dara

DD and I

DH and DS (who was pretending he didn't want his photo taken)

Goofing around

LOVE this one of DD (taken by my hubby)

And this one of DS (also taken by hubby)

 

[PoppyGirl]

I seem to never have my camera with me at the right time (I know, I know...what kind of photographer am I anyway?) but today we were on our way back from the hike and stopped by the farm to pick something up and I jumped out to get some photos of our cows.

I love the red and white Holsteins. I think they are so pretty. Of course, I really just love cows.

 

[PoppyGirl]

And here's our back yard in fall....the colors are awesome. And yes, it's really one of the only good things about living north of Disney once summer is over!

 

[skater]

Those are beautiful pictures! How are your plans coming along?

 

[PoppyGirl]

skater....funny you should ask! I've actually added a couple of things. I added the Dessert Party on our second day. Seriously considered upgrading my free dining to the deluxe dining plan but after a little number crunching I decided that I could probably spend less than the $700 it would cost me to upgrade and eat at all the places I'm hoping to!! (Vacation IS all about eating, right?)

I've been thinking about a rental car....found out that with DH's AARP discount I could save nearly 50% on that. Still thinking about it.

Also thinking about adding the Photopass + to my package.

Here's a brief rundown of my plans:

Arrival Day:
Fly out of BWI at 8:00am, arrive MCO at 10:30am.
Check in at POR (Royal room--can't wait to see it!)
Head over to MK for lunch (probably at Columbia Harbor House) and hang at MK doing whatever we decide (I haven't worked out ride squences yet) and then enjoy dinner at Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends!
May head back to the hotel early for a little swim/hot tub before bed.

Day 2
MK day
Arrive early for opening ceremony (I love that!)
Dinner at Be Our Guest followed by the Dessert Party (might see if I can change that to another night because I don't' want to rush BoG)
Wishes

Day 3
Epcot Day--future world
lunch at Sunshine seasons (DD's fav) and be sure to ride the new Test Track
In the afternoon, head over to DTD and have Dinner at Raglan Road (really looking forward to trying it for the first time)

Day 4
Animal Kingdom day
I missed FOLK last time so I want to be sure we see it this time
lunch at Yak & Yeti (one of our favorites!)
and early dinner at Boma after the parade. We'll spend some time walking around the resort and maybe do the night vision goggles to see the animals. (Honestly, I've been toying with the idea of changing our reservation to AKL....I love that place!)

Day 5
Sleep in!
Then head to Epcot World Showcase
Late lunch at Les Chefs de France (DD is excited about everything French this year)

I have a second ADR at Be Our Guest for this night....still holding it until I decide if I want this one or the first one. So we MIGHT go back over to MK for a while.

Day 6
Hollywood Studios Day
Be sure to have a pastry at Writer's stop!
Catch the parade at 3
Dinner at Jiko (first time there! I'm really living up the African experiences this time!)

Day 7
Epcot day
Breakfast at Boma (can't wait to try breakfast there!) If we don't have a rental car, I'll just get a taxi that morning.
Re-visit any of our favorites and explore WS a little more
Late lunch at Rose & Crown
Head back over to MK for MSEP using our hopper pass.

Day 8
Departure day
Breakfast at Kona Cafe (love me some Tonga Toast and REAL coffee)
Will let DD decide what park to visit or what to do with our day since our flight doesn't leave until nearly 5pm.

I'm looking forward to the new Fantasyland, the new Test Track and finding some other things we haven't done yet!

 

[skater]

If you like bread pudding, you have to get it at Raglan Road. Great plans - I wish I was at CHH right now - I can hear what DH calls sea shanties playing in my head . We have lots of good memories in the upstairs of that place.

 

[PoppyGirl]

If you like bread pudding, you have to get it at Raglan Road. Great plans - I wish I was at CHH right now - I can hear what DH calls sea shanties playing in my head . We have lots of good memories in the upstairs of that place.

I am TOTALLY having that bread pudding!!!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Well, BFF has finally decided that she's probably going to take her family to WDW in a separate trip....and then this morning she went and posted this photo on facebook:

And I started re-thinking EVERYTHING!! (Are you kidding me? No, no I'm not.)

1. I have 3 (count them THREE) dining reservations at AKL. Why? Most likely because I'm somehow trying to re-live my amazing trip to Mozambique this summer....and becuase I love all things African....and because I haven't tried Boma for breakfast or Jiko for dinner yet. So.....

2. I love the pool at AKL.

3. I love the hot tubs at AKL.

4. I love the animals at AKL.

5. I love the decorations and atmosphere at AKL.

6. I have a room only PIN code for 35% off at AKL.

7. DD and I really don't eat enough to make the dining plan our priority (even it if is free). We like to eat, but we like to eat what we want and sometimes that's just an appetizer and dessert!

8. I already have passes because I bought them last year so I was only buying a full price room/ticket package to get the free dining with my PIN code.

9. In the end I think we come out ahead financially by getting a room discount and paying for dining OOP. With 4 of us going it made more sense to get free dining and split the cost of the room, but with only DD and I going, now it makes more sense to take the room discount.

10. DD was never really into the Royal rooms at POR.

11. And, as BFF pointed out to me earlier today, "I think your heart has always been at AKL. You need to stay where your heart is." She's so wise. I think I'll keep her.

And maybe, just maybe, with a little luck and a LOT of she might get to come along all by her own self on this little jaunt (since her family will all get to go earlier in January) and she can soak up a few days of Disney magic at AKL WITH me anyway! (how's that for a nice hint BFF?) (She is reading this, you know!)

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Subbing

Your DD is so precious We are going a week before you. I'm super jealous if you go to AKL. DH and I could never justify putting down money on that. Wait, let me edit that... I could, but DH would have a fit. I had to persuade him for this trip just like you! They should just know!

 

[Chocolab23]

I'm in!
We're going that same week,(and going to be at Epcot the same day). I love your dining plans, you even got a BOG one(mom would love it if we could get one). Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[skater]

Well, BFF has finally decided that she's probably going to take her family to WDW in a separate trip....and then this morning she went and posted this photo on facebook:

And I started re-thinking EVERYTHING!! (Are you kidding me? No, no I'm not.)

1. I have 3 (count them THREE) dining reservations at AKL. Why? Most likely because I'm somehow trying to re-live my amazing trip to Mozambique this summer....and becuase I love all things African....and because I haven't tried Boma for breakfast or Jiko for dinner yet. So.....

2. I love the pool at AKL.

3. I love the hot tubs at AKL.

4. I love the animals at AKL.

5. I love the decorations and atmosphere at AKL.

6. I have a room only PIN code for 35% off at AKL.

7. DD and I really don't eat enough to make the dining plan our priority (even it if is free). We like to eat, but we like to eat what we want and sometimes that's just an appetizer and dessert!

8. I already have passes because I bought them last year so I was only buying a full price room/ticket package to get the free dining with my PIN code.

9. In the end I think we come out ahead financially by getting a room discount and paying for dining OOP. With 4 of us going it made more sense to get free dining and split the cost of the room, but with only DD and I going, now it makes more sense to take the room discount.

10. DD was never really into the Royal rooms at POR.

11. And, as BFF pointed out to me earlier today, "I think your heart has always been at AKL. You need to stay where your heart is." She's so wise. I think I'll keep her.

And maybe, just maybe, with a little luck and a LOT of she might get to come along all by her own self on this little jaunt (since her family will all get to go earlier in January) and she can soak up a few days of Disney magic at AKL WITH me anyway! (how's that for a nice hint BFF?) (She is reading this, you know!)

Your BFF/Disney Therapist loves you . One of these days we're leaving all of our family behind and going by ourselves again. And I can pretend I'm going to drink around the world - and manage one drink (okay, maybe it was two that one day, but who's counting). I'm so glad you're going to AKL. I could hear it in everything you said and see it with those 3 adrs at AKL .