The LUCKY Muffin Spoke to Me - Halloween at WDW & Summer 2011 at DLR - 01/09/11

[HeatherBelle614]

Hey Heather!!

I just got ALL caught up on all of your plans! They look SOOO great! I really, really wish we were going back too. You and Brad are going to have a blast.

And Woo-Hoo for DL too!!! That's so exciting! I can't wait to hear all about the details. Did I tell you that Michael and I are planning on going to DL in 3 years? We're going to the beach (Destin, FL) next summer, and then we want to see his sister in NY the next, and then hopefully we'll have money for a CA/DL trip the next year! Who knows--maybe yall can meet us there! ANYWAY...I'm excited to hear about your trip!!

You will LOVE Boma breakfast. It's so good! We loved everything we tried. We didn't like dinner, but we'd definitely do breakfast there again.

As far as QS restaurants, our favorites were Wolfgang Puck Express (Marketplace side), The Contempo Cafe (the pepperoni flatbread was really yummy, and it was nice to get out of MK for lunch), Sunshine Seasons, Pizzafari, and The Mara. I'm guessing you'll eat at the Mara on your AKL pool day. I'm still SOOO excited that you're staying at AKL!!! It's amazing.

The Haunted Hayride sounds like so much fun. Between that and your MNSSHP nights, you'll be all set for Halloween! I can't remember--have you been to MNSSHP yet? It's great.

I don't know if you've decided on the Chefs ADR or food booths, but I'd go with the booths. They have SOOO many amazing foods, and you can buy a giftcard thing to use at the booths. It'll be WAY more than you could eat, and it's a once-in-a-really-long-time thing. You can always eat at Chefs next time. But that's just my opinion.

I'm kicking myself right now...I didn't tell you that we're coming down to go to Beauty and the Beast on Friday!!! I got tickets for 70% off! They might still have the deal...I'll try to find out. We can't really meet up on Fri (unless possibly for dinner, but I have no clue what traffic is going to be like) or Sat (we have to be back in OKC for a meeting)...but if yall could go to the show, it would be awesome!!

Anyway, I've loved reading/catching up on your trip and I'm excited to hear more!!

Next summer will definitely be my last trip for a while, that's why we went ahead and booked it! I won't have any real time off again until after school, since I'll be (fingers crossed) clerking during the summer months.

Thanks for the suggestions!! Some of those are definitely on our list!

I haven't been to MNSSHP yet; this will be the first time for both of us. We're so insanely excited about that!

I wish we were going to the show on the same night; booo!!! I'm looking forward to it tonight, though! I hope you two really enjoy it, too!

The food was real good! We had a front row table to watch the boats go by, which added to the atmosphere! I had the Monte Christo Sandwich for lunch once and am craving it ever since!

Once you enter HIS park, look up to the window in the firehouse - there is Walt's lamp, which is ALWAYS on! I really loved to look up there! There is a tour - something like "walk in walt's footsteps" which was really nice - lots of little bits and pieces about MY hero, Walt!
As for bios - I really enjoyed Bob Thomas's bio and there is one called "Walt Disney, Hollywood's Dark Prince" which was kind of interesting. I have a few more, but can't recall the correct titles at the moment.

I hope we get extra pixie dust and get a table by the water! That sandwich looks fantastic, too! (I checked out pictures! )

Thanks for the recs! I'm definitely going to get something to read beforehand!

If you have any other DLR suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

If you need any help planning for the Land, let me know. LOVE it out there. The weather, while hot, is not NEARLY as stifling as Florida. The close-to-zero humidity is wonderful.

And actually, staying on Harbor Blvd. can save a BUNDLE of cash, and actually put you closer to the parks. We stayed at the Harbor Blvd. HoJo and did a night at Paradise Pier. PP was VERY nice - but we were closer to the esplanade at the HoJo! We also had a PHENOMENAL view of the Believe fireworks show and the Matterhorn.

Don't make the same mistake we did! Be sure and visit San Diego, OC, or LA!!! Disneyland is WONDERFUL - EASILY my very favorite domestic Disney park, but it's easily done in a couple of days with the right touring strategy. I'm a bit sad we didn't get a chance to see some of the other stuff outside of Disneyland.

Thanks for the tips!! I've been doing a lot of reading on the DLR boards, but if you have any recs for rides to head to first and such, I'd take 'em!

I've heard the weather is really nice there; I'm sure compared to the summer we face in Texas, Cali is going to be pretty chilly for us.

Wow that's awesome! ! We want to go someday but I think I want to do a cruise first...

OMG look at my ticker!! Sooo close!

I know! I want it to get here quickly for two reasons: my LSAT will be done by then, and we'll be at WDW!

OMG!!!! I'm SOOOOO jealous you're going to Disneyland! I want to go there soooooo bad! I'm obsessed with Disneyland, we were so close to going there for our Disneymoon, and in a way, I almost regret not going there (not that WDW wasn't great, of course!)! I did lots of research and pre-planning when I was planning to go there, I even bought the Birnbaum Disneyland travel guide! It is so different from WDW, it seems so much more laid back. I really want to see the park where it all started! I'm trying to find a good bio of Walt to read too!

I'm HOPING I can convince my DH to go there next year for a long weekend trip...maybe a Thursday through Monday or something, but I doubt he will go for that since I want to go to WDW again! We will see!

Pixie dust to you that you can talk him in to going!! It started as a suggestion from my mom for us, and next thing I know, we're booked and paid for half of our room!

There are definitely some really, really affordable hotels in that area; the pricing and everything is so different there!

If you find a book you'd rec, let me know!

You're going to have so much fun at DL!
Indiana Jones is such a cool ride... and New Orleans Square is just beautiful!

There's a lot of new stuff at CA that I haven't seen, but we really really enjoyed our time at DL Resort!

Is Indiana Jones like Dinosaur? I've read that it is, but I'm debating it for my mom. She does just fine on Dinosaur, but she can't ride any coasters or any ride that goes backwards anymore because of her blood pressure. I'd love your opinion!

Yay!!! Even though I knew the answer, I'm still super excited!! Now if only John could get off and we could come at the same time...hmmm....

If not DLR, we are definitely going to do something together next summer!!

Within a week of deciding we were going we already had decided what hotel we were staying at, what parks we were going to what days and we had our ADRs made. My DH is one of those "man with the plan" types, which works for me! Of course I decided I wanted to try one of the character dinners too late, so that's the one thing I really want to do this trip that I'll have to wait till next one to do.

Haha; too funny! I'm like your DH; I have a binder that I need to post pictures of on here!

Where all did you make ADRs?

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Just a quick update! It's going to be a busy day at work, and DH and I are going to see Beauty and the Beast tonight!! (I'm going to get caught up on everyone's PTRs tomorrow night!)

DH and I talked, and decided that we're going to keep the Chefs ADR. He said I was just too excited about seeing Remy that there is no way we could cancel it. But, if we get there and decide that we'd rather do the booths, I'll just go cancel it. I think we're going to eat lunch there though, and then go to a booth or two afterwards to check out a drink and a dessert.

I was hoping to ask for opinions about my PTR, too!

Do you think I should start a brand new PTR over on the DLR boards (which seem a bit slow compared to this board), or just do the DLR planning on this one too? (A mod told me I could definitely stay here if I decide to do that.) I'm thinking if I keep it on this same PTR, that I'll just do different colored links on my front page/first post for the DLR plans.

Thoughts/opinions? I don't want to bombard all of you, so please let me know what you think!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

We're hoping to go in May or June next year. It really depends on his job situation. He just graduated so hopefully he'll be employed soon and also have vacation time available. If not, we'll probably go in August or later in the year. It's so crazy how teeny DL is. I was showing DH maps of DL and DCA -- he was not impressed. LOL!!

I think you should just do your DL PTR here. Why not? Plus, it's easier for us to follow in one than having to track your other PTR down. Yep, I'm lazy.

 

[Joyciemc]

I say just include the DL trip plans here! I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I think we'd all be interested in them!

Indiana Jones is the same ride system as Dinosaur but the effects and everything else about the ride make it a VERY different experience. But the actual ride motions are not too different from Dinosaur, so if your mom rides that I think she would be ok on Indiana Jones. I don't think it goes backwards (though it's been a while!) and it definitely isn't a roller coaster type ride.

Have fun!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

We're hoping to go in May or June next year. It really depends on his job situation. He just graduated so hopefully he'll be employed soon and also have vacation time available. If not, we'll probably go in August or later in the year. It's so crazy how teeny DL is. I was showing DH maps of DL and DCA -- he was not impressed. LOL!!

I think you should just do your DL PTR here. Why not? Plus, it's easier for us to follow in one than having to track your other PTR down. Yep, I'm lazy.

I keep trying to explain to my parents how close together everything is; I even told my mom that the parks and resorts are closer than the lay-out of US (since she LOVES US and we just went there last year), but I still don't think it's clicked since they're so used to WDW. Maybe I should print out a map and use a visual example like you did!

Thanks for the opinion!! It'd be easier to keep it all here, I think!

I say just include the DL trip plans here! I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I think we'd all be interested in them!

Indiana Jones is the same ride system as Dinosaur but the effects and everything else about the ride make it a VERY different experience. But the actual ride motions are not too different from Dinosaur, so if your mom rides that I think she would be ok on Indiana Jones. I don't think it goes backwards (though it's been a while!) and it definitely isn't a roller coaster type ride.

Have fun!

Great! I think she'll be fine on it then. Dinosaur didn't bother her at all, so I'm sure she'll be excited that she'll be able to ride Indy, too.

Thanks!!

 

[stacikristine]

Have fun tonight!! And I say plan for both trips here--it's much easier for you and for us!

 

[dizneeat]

Here's another vote for doing both trips here! Much easier for THIS old lady to follow you around!

 

[arbolita]

I vote for keeping the new PTR combined with this one, and doing the different colored links.

 

[Simba22]

I also vote for doing both on this one!

Have fun at Beauty & The Beast! We got to see it on Broadway a couple years ago right before it ended it's run and I'm so glad we went - it was fantastic!

 

[Nermel9]

Definitely just add your Disneyland plans to this PTR, I want to read all about them, and the Disneyland boards are kind of slow (I stalk them sometimes!) !

Oh, btw, I just friend requested you on FB! My profile pic is my husband and I in front of Spaceship Earth, if you didn't recognize who I was or something!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Heather,

Congrats on DL!

I'm so jealous that you are going to see BatB! I love that!!!!!!

I say do your DL PTR here.........

 

[therussells08]

I feel like a horrible friend because I was so busy dominating our conversation complaining about my couch earlier that I didn't even tell you I hope you have fun at Beauty and the Beast! I'm sorry! I hope you have a great time and I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[therussells08]

Oh by the way, I think you should do your DL PTR here too!

 

[Disneylove1228]

Do your PTR here!!

Enjoy Beauty and the Beast tonight !! (SO jealous!)

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Congrats on DL! That is so exciting! I think you should definitely include your DL plans in this PTR. I know nothing about DL but would love to learn more!

 

[hlrababy]

Hey girl!!!

Yes, please do your DL PTR here!!!

Awww, I loved seeing BaTB!! It was so good!! Have fun tonight!

 

[redlight]

Enjoy Beauty and The Beast!

 

[onnawufei]

Haha; too funny! I'm like your DH; I have a binder that I need to post pictures of on here!

Where all did you make ADRs?

T-Rex, Tuskers, Restaurant Marakesh, The Sci Fi diner, Planet Hollywood and... I forget. I have a really horrible memory, plus we've changed them a time or two already.

I'm most excited about T-Rex because I'm a big kid that loves animatronic dinosaurs and I didn't really get to enjoy it all that much the last time we went. I must make up for it this time.

[ETA] I say do your DLR PTR here. You'll most likely have a lot of the same readers anyway, so might as well make it easy on everyone (most of all, you), right?

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Have fun tonight!! And I say plan for both trips here--it's much easier for you and for us!

We had a great time! I can't wait to hear what you think; AND, next time you're in this are, you HAVE to meet up with me!

Here's another vote for doing both trips here! Much easier for THIS old lady to follow you around!

Haha; thanks for the opinion!

I vote for keeping the new PTR combined with this one, and doing the different colored links.

Thanks!!

I also vote for doing both on this one!

Have fun at Beauty & The Beast! We got to see it on Broadway a couple years ago right before it ended it's run and I'm so glad we went - it was fantastic!

It was GORGEOUS!!

Definitely just add your Disneyland plans to this PTR, I want to read all about them, and the Disneyland boards are kind of slow (I stalk them sometimes!) !

Oh, btw, I just friend requested you on FB! My profile pic is my husband and I in front of Spaceship Earth, if you didn't recognize who I was or something!

I knew it was you, so no worries!

I know those boards are SLOW!! It'll go for HOURS without updates, and over here, it's not even 5 seconds!

Heather,

Congrats on DL!

I'm so jealous that you are going to see BatB! I love that!!!!!!

I say do your DL PTR here.........

We had a great time last night; thank you!!

I feel like a horrible friend because I was so busy dominating our conversation complaining about my couch earlier that I didn't even tell you I hope you have fun at Beauty and the Beast! I'm sorry! I hope you have a great time and I can't wait to hear all about it!

No, no, no! Don't feel bad! I know you needed to vent, and I'm just glad I could help out!

Do your PTR here!!

Enjoy Beauty and the Beast tonight !! (SO jealous!)

Thank you!

Congrats on DL! That is so exciting! I think you should definitely include your DL plans in this PTR. I know nothing about DL but would love to learn more!

Thanks for the opinion!!

Hey girl!!!

Yes, please do your DL PTR here!!!

Awww, I loved seeing BaTB!! It was so good!! Have fun tonight!

We had a great time! It was so very pretty!

Enjoy Beauty and The Beast!

We did; thank you!

T-Rex, Tuskers, Restaurant Marakesh, The Sci Fi diner, Planet Hollywood and... I forget. I have a really horrible memory, plus we've changed them a time or two already.

I'm most excited about T-Rex because I'm a big kid that loves animatronic dinosaurs and I didn't really get to enjoy it all that much the last time we went. I must make up for it this time.

[ETA] I say do your DLR PTR here. You'll most likely have a lot of the same readers anyway, so might as well make it easy on everyone (most of all, you), right?

I really want to try T-Rex, but we just never fit it in. We'll make it there someday!

I definitely think it'd be easier, so thank you for your opinion!!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Thank you to everyone for your opinions!! I'm going to include my DLR planning in this TR!

And, thank you to everyone that wished us a good time last night; we had a great night! DH and I don't get to go on dates very often, so it was very special for us. The musical was fantastic! And, we had these really, really cute older ladies behind us that were beyond adorable. They got all dressed up and came together; there were 4-5 of them all at least 60 years old. One of them was a narrator the whole time, which normally would bug me, but she was too cute to let it bother me!

You know the part where Belle tells Gaston off after he proposes? The lady starts yelling "You go GIRLFRIEND! You show him; he's just craving attention! You SHOW him!"

Then, Belle came out in her ball gown, and she starts repeating "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! It's just all so beautiful. It's BEAUTIFUL! Everything is just so beautiful!"

They definitely appreciated the night, which made me appreciate the experience even more, too!

We had a really, really mean usher in our section though. DH and I took a self-portrait during intermission of ourselves - not of us and the stage or anything, JUST ourselves, after we saw other people doing it in various sections. Our usher comes marching over to us, and DEMANDED that I delete that picture because of "copyright" issues. I was completely confused since all you could see in the picture was our faces, so I politely said OK because I didn't want to start something. He starts rudely telling me that he MUST watch me delete the picture, then stood there over my shoulder while I did it.

In the meantime, the little ladies behind us were saying things like "It's a picture of THEMSELVES! The show isn't even going on! It's just THEIR faces!" I was worried that the narrator lady would start beating the usher with her cane, so I just said it was OK and we moved on. You can sure bet I grinned as wide as I could at the usher when we left and told him that I hoped he had a lovely evening. You know it kills rude people to no end if you're nice to them after they're rude to you, so he just looked at me then pretended he didn't hear me.

Other than that, we had a great night!!

I'm going to do my first DLR update tomorrow!!!