The LIVE from Riverside PTR!

[happybratpack]

Hi All !!

I wasn't going to do a PTR this time, but thought what the heck! I wanted to start it so I could add some updates while I am there this next week for anyone going soon. I have the Blackberry ready to go for up-to-the-second line, weather, crowd updates so be sure to check back.

OK, I'll do the best I can at least.


So who is going?

The plan started like this...

Me, Maryann, 35 (ick but better than 40) planning a birthday trip for Larry (see below)

The SO aka Life Partner aka One I Live in Sin With, Larry, he'll be turning FORTY ONE on this trip :::insert evil I'm-Still-In-My-Thirties laugh here:::

My sister Janice, age withheld upon request, decided she wanted to go too. Her last WDW trip several years ago was a disaster and this would be her first REAL trip. She's taking days off from teaching 6th graders to come which is a smart move IMO. For the fun of it here are pics of Jan and I at the Magic Kingdom in 1976. That's a hat on her head in the second picture. I hope.

Lo and Behold, Jan's son Ben decided he wanted to come along too...he's 19 and hasn't been since he was 10 so this is really like a first trip since he doesn't remember much. He's in college but is a big kid.

Plans are made....then my fave cousin Denise decided to drive from Jacksonville and join us too. I'm withholding her age not at request but for fear of my life. She can drink me under the table on any given day, it's impressive and sometimes a bit scary.

*Pics of Ben and Denise coming soon...I'm nothing if not behind.

As an added bonus we're meeting up with fellow Diser wvdisluv2 (aka Shannon) & her DH Sam for merriment and nonsense along the way...there shall be pictures but I'm making her squat because I'm super short and she's like super model tall. My ego can't take it.

Where we're staying...

Port Orleans Riverside is the resort for this trip after much contemplation and debate. This is my #2 fave resort after the AKL but for some reason we haven't stayed here in FIVE years. I deserted it for the lure of the savannah at AKL or the beckoning call of dirt cheap rates at Pop. I'm a horrible, unloyal guest. I'm looking at it like a whole new adventure seeing as how five years is an eternity to my memory.

Coming up next....FOOD and The Plan. Oh, and some pictures so this isn't an incredibly dull and boring report except for those wanting to hear about the weather.

 

[happybratpack]

OK, I know FOOD and the plan was coming up next, but I figured I'd throw in the weather forecast too. I've been watching weather.com, accuweather, you name it the last 2 weeks and it's been all over the place. I've decided to go with the local weather forecast straight from Orlando as my packing guide.

So here it is...

Hmmm, I know I'll sound like a weirdo but I'm hoping for a slight cold front. We were at WDW in January 06 when a big front came through and we essentially froze our rears off (although sadly mine isn't actually SMALLER). Despite the cold we somehow had a completely incredible time, it's just such a change from the heat. We packed for the forecast which was sunny and warm so we dumped the dough on warm winter wear and those ever cute Mickey gloves and hats that I can't find now.

I vow to pack the 2 for a buck stretchy gloves from Target this trip so I'm not spending $6 a pair on the ones there. We shall see if I actually remember. Or I'll remember then leave them in the room. OR I'll remember and lose one, leaving me looking like Michael Jackson.

Next...Food and the Plan. Really. Unless I think of something more exciting first.

 

[B9erSteve]

Just Subscribing. Since we'll be there shortly after you leave I want to hear all about your vacation!

 

[dwayfordisney]

subscribing! This is my first post and our first time to POR in just a few days!

 

[happybratpack]

Just Subscribing. Since we'll be there shortly after you leave I want to hear all about your vacation!

subscribing! This is my first post and our first time to POR in just a few days!

Thanks for stopping by! I'll post as much as possible while I'm there!

dwayfordisney...I hope you LOVE POR, it's such a great resort. Keep an eye out for us!

 

[happybratpack]

You know, as much as I love going to the World there's a down side...

That's leaving the Brats! It's never easy and I always feel horribly sad and guilty. Luckily I have a completely awesome friend coming in town to stay with them so I'm really relieved about that part. Now I hope they're good for her...is that so much to ask???

No sooner did I think that to myself when I realize the bath scrunchie I packed for the resort is gone....

I guess he's not happy about the suitcases.

The Brats...

Next...Food and the PLAN. Yea, I know I said that before. Twice.

 

[wvdisluv2]

You know, as much as I love going to the World there's a down side...

That's leaving the Brats! It's never easy and I always feel horribly sad and guilty. Luckily I have a completely awesome friend coming in town to stay with them so I'm really relieved about that part. Now I hope they're good for her...is that so much to ask???

No sooner did I think that to myself when I realize the bath scrunchie I packed for the resort is gone....

I LOVE Millie looking on innocently in the background (*note to self...pack scrunchie* )

I guess he's not happy about the suitcases.

The Brats...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a351/adoptiontrail/IMG_0739.jpg[/IMG

Next...Food and the PLAN. Yea, I know I said that before. Twice. :hourglass[/QUOTE]

[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Navy"][B]Here and Subscribing!:cool1: I'm too lazy to do my own tr so I'm going to live vicariously through yours;) 48 hrs and we're there!!! (where's the dancing banana?!?!?)[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

 

[happybratpack]

***Before I post further about the plan there's something I have to make as clear as mud. There are some unknown factors going on for Larry's birthday that are a surprise...seeing as how I can't bet he won't read this before we leave I can't post them here. SOOOO I'll post in the regular trip report when we get back.***

OK, back to business.

Jan, Ben & Denise will be with us until Sunday. So that leaves 3.5 days to cram in all 4 parks, dining and Downtown Disney. Stop laughing.

On Thursday we're taking DME from the airport, we've had great luck with it in the past plus it's free so there ya go. Now that I put that in print it will be a disaster. That's how we roll.

So....check in, get their passes, off to the MK we go. This is a tradition, if we go to another park first it curses us. Seriously bad juju and I just can't risk it. The last time we stomped all over the tradition we had to leave two days early to get out before a hurricane. Anyway, I'm rambling. We're going to wander Main Street and grab a snack before heading out to MGM, DHS, whatever. I don't do change well, I'm still bitter about Dixie Landings.

We have dinner at 50's Prime Time planned that night...we usually always have good luck here so I'm hoping for the best even though the reviews lately have been less than great. I'd love to see Ben in trouble.

After that we're headed to Downtown Disney to hit a few stores then back to POR.

I'm tired already.

I guess I shouldn't be going into all these details or nobody will want to read the actual report.

So Friday is Larry's actual birthday so he's opting for the Birthday Fun Card where hopefully he'll buy me something exciting. Just kidding. Kinda maybe. Since it's his birthday he got to choose some of the stuff going on for the day...that being Crystal Palace for breakfast and Le Cellier for lunch. (This is where we're meeting up with Shannon and Sam...woohooo!) We're going to the MK for bfast then to ride Peter Pan (again his choice) then to Epcot for the remainder of the day.

Gee, now that I read this maybe we should just call Friday the All Larry Day.

Saturday we're doing the MK all day....starting off with a 7:30 Kona Cafe breakfast. Yea, 7:30. All the way at the Poly from POR. Sigh. That night we're planning on catching Bob Jackson back at the resort. What's another 19 hour day?

Sunday is AK....I haven't made any other plans because I'm a huge slacker. Everyone leaves us this afternoon....it'll be sad.

Monday on?

I've got nothing. Nada. Zippo. We've made no plans, I could break out in hives just thinking about it. Some ideas in no particular order...

-We're going to do a Resort Photo Shoot with our $25 deal from pre-purchasing the Photopass CD.

-I've always wanted to do the train tour but I need to check the schedule and look deep within myself to decide if I can be up in time after the commando first four days.

-We want to spend a lot of time just wandering taking pictures, it's one of our fave things to do around the parks.

-Umm, I want to eat. Probably a lot and several times a day. At the top of my list is the Cream Cheese Pretzel at The Lunching Pad. How have I not heard about this? I should have to relinquish my ears.

Some other places on the dining list...
*Brown Derby for lunch one day
*I want to try out the Tusker House breakfast after all the good reviews.
*Columbia House for lunch
*Boma for dinner

Now I'm starving and can't focus, I'll have to finish later.

 

[happybratpack]

Here and Subscribing! I'm too lazy to do my own tr so I'm going to live vicariously through yours 48 hrs and we're there!!! (where's the dancing banana?!?!?)

Just post your report here too, then maybe we'll attract 10 readers total.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I'm here
I see you are leaving in 2 days so I guess I should say can't wait to read yout TR vs more on thr PTR!!!

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

Love live reports!

POR is great! The surrey bikes are an entertaining challenge!
The cream cheese pretzels are completely addictive, we got one by Dumbo, go early though, the line is RIDICULOUSLY SLOW! The apple pretzel in DHS was incredible also!
Our photo shoot at the POLY was priceless, my favorite pictures ever!
Take a cab for your 7:30am ressie, much quicker!

Have fun!

 

[happybratpack]

I'm here
I see you are leaving in 2 days so I guess I should say can't wait to read yout TR vs more on thr PTR!!!

I'm cramming the PTR before it's a live trip report then a regular trip report...exhausting.

Love live reports!

POR is great! The surrey bikes are an entertaining challenge!
The cream cheese pretzels are completely addictive, we got one by Dumbo, go early though, the line is RIDICULOUSLY SLOW! The apple pretzel in DHS was incredible also!
Our photo shoot at the POLY was priceless, my favorite pictures ever!
Take a cab for your 7:30am ressie, much quicker!

Have fun!

I looove POR! (and Bob Jackson!)
OK...so they're by Dumbo too. How do I not know this??? Is it odd I'm planning a visit around stuffed pretzels??

Apple pretzels too? I'll be at DHS tomorrow afternoon, I'm adding them to the list.

We're having a hard time choosing where to do the photo shoot at, we did it at the Grand Floridian last time and really liked how they turned out. Here's a couple...

Hmmm...we look the same in all of our pics. Anyway, I'm trying to decide between the Poly and WL. While I love AKL I'm not too excited about the pics I've seen from there...we'll probably end up doing the Poly.

Sorry, I'm rambling.

 

[happybratpack]

Just a quick test post before tomorrow to make sure this works on my phone.

 

[MissMichelle]

YAY! I can't wait to read your LIVE updates!!!

 

[bluechic03]

You are one of two subbers on my thread so I figured I would return the favor How exciting you are leaving TOMORROW!!!!!!! All your talk of stuffed pretzels is making me drool..... I hope you have a lotta fun at POR, we had AKL booked, then switched to POR to save money, then I decided what the heck this is my last trip without kids and gosh darn it I am staying at AKL! So we switched back..guess I should be on that "addicted to resort switching" thread . I've never stayed at either one so I will live vicariously through you at POR

 

[bluechic03]

Oh I also forgot that that is a HILARIOUS pic of your dog with the bath scrub!

 

[happybratpack]

YAY! I can't wait to read your LIVE updates!!!

Thanks for coming by! I love reading everyone's live reports so thought I'd attempt to return the favor.

You are one of two subbers on my thread so I figured I would return the favor How exciting you are leaving TOMORROW!!!!!!! All your talk of stuffed pretzels is making me drool..... I hope you have a lotta fun at POR, we had AKL booked, then switched to POR to save money, then I decided what the heck this is my last trip without kids and gosh darn it I am staying at AKL! So we switched back..guess I should be on that "addicted to resort switching" thread . I've never stayed at either one so I will live vicariously through you at POR

I am horrible at resort switching...you're going to LOVE AKL! It's my favorite but this is a budget trip. :::boo hiss::: That said, POR rocks too so it's not like we're slummin'!

Oh I also forgot that that is a HILARIOUS pic of your dog with the bath scrub!

Ah yes...the Angel...
That makes one wii remote, one buried/half eaten Directv remote and a bath scrunchie for the last two weeks. It's my fault for leaving stuff around, I'm not used to a puppy!! He's the permanent foster since I can't find anyone who passes my "walks on water" test to qualify to adopt him.

Thanks to everyone reading and making me feel loved. I have deep hidden fears of unread, boring trip reports.

 

[wvdisluv2]

We're heading off to the "'Burg"! You guys have a safe trip and we'll see you on Friday

 

[dwayfordisney]

I can't wait for the live report! Oh and thanks for letting me know about the stuffed pretzels they are on my list!!

How did you get the resort pics for 25? I prepurchased the cd and they told me they were 75......we are doing ours on Monday morn at GF

 

[happybratpack]

I can't wait for the live report! Oh and thanks for letting me know about the stuffed pretzels they are on my list!!

How did you get the resort pics for 25? I prepurchased the cd and they told me they were 75......we are doing ours on Monday morn at GF

Did you check the bottom of all the Photopass emails you got? There's a $25 offer on the bottom of some of them...hopefully on one of yours!