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

[HeatherBelle614]

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you again for the kind thoughts and pixie dust for Wendy!

She got to come home the same night, and was really, really angry/dopey. Yesterday though, you'd have no idea that she had surgery the day before; we can't get her to sit still AT ALL. What do you mean she has a two inch wound with stitches on her tummy? Nonsense!

In other life news, my car broke down yesterday. This will be the 4th time I've had it towed in a year, and it barely has 80,000 miles on it! I think we are going to start car shopping soon. I am tired of dealing with it!

I've got some pictures of things we've bought (for WDW) to update with and plan on doing that tonight, so please check back!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you again for the kind thoughts and pixie dust for Wendy!

She got to come home the same night, and was really, really angry/dopey. Yesterday though, you'd have no idea that she had surgery the day before; we can't get her to sit still AT ALL. What do you mean she has a two inch wound with stitches on her tummy? Nonsense!

In other life news, my car broke down yesterday. This will be the 4th time I've had it towed in a year, and it barely has 80,000 miles on it! I think we are going to start car shopping soon. I am tired of dealing with it!

I've got some pictures of things we've bought (for WDW) to update with and plan on doing that tonight, so please check back!

Wendy sounds like she's doing well after surgery! She is adorable. I am sure she is so relieved to be back home and is super excited (it sounds like she is!)

Sorry to hear about your car! Although a new car sounds mighty nice...

Can't wait to see your new purchases! I love shopping for vacation.
SO. MUCH. FUN.

 

[Simba22]

We actually just replaced our car a couple weeks ago.... It was a 2001 but it had 192,000 miles on it! I bought it BRAND NEW but I did A LOT of driving! So it finally bit the dust and we traded it in. It was a good car though! No complaints!

Glad to hear that Wendy made it through her surgery OK and is recovering well! Luckily, mine was already spayed when I adopted her so I didn't have to deal with all of that! She is a nut case...I would have had the same problem as you, trying to get her to just sit still!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you again for the kind thoughts and pixie dust for Wendy!

She got to come home the same night, and was really, really angry/dopey. Yesterday though, you'd have no idea that she had surgery the day before; we can't get her to sit still AT ALL. What do you mean she has a two inch wound with stitches on her tummy? Nonsense!

In other life news, my car broke down yesterday. This will be the 4th time I've had it towed in a year, and it barely has 80,000 miles on it! I think we are going to start car shopping soon. I am tired of dealing with it!

I've got some pictures of things we've bought (for WDW) to update with and plan on doing that tonight, so please check back!

Wow that really stinks about your car. If you don't start car shopping soon, you should invest in Triple A or something if you haven't already. I did that when I had an unreliable car, and it saved me a lot of money in the long run. Glad to hear your puppy's doing well. It's amazing how quickly puppies bounce back from surgery compared to humans! Maybe because they get to lay around and sleep all day

 

[Hallowishes]

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you again for the kind thoughts and pixie dust for Wendy!

She got to come home the same night, and was really, really angry/dopey. Yesterday though, you'd have no idea that she had surgery the day before; we can't get her to sit still AT ALL. What do you mean she has a two inch wound with stitches on her tummy? Nonsense!

In other life news, my car broke down yesterday. This will be the 4th time I've had it towed in a year, and it barely has 80,000 miles on it! I think we are going to start car shopping soon. I am tired of dealing with it!

I've got some pictures of things we've bought (for WDW) to update with and plan on doing that tonight, so please check back!

awesome! so glad to hear that wendy is all well! my journey acted like nothing happened to her at all after she was spayed! dogs are hysterical like that! sorry to hear about your car! and good luck in your search for a new one! cant wait for your next post!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I know I still owe pictures of what I have purchased for the trip, but I need help first!

I am in desperate need of opinions! I've been doing a lot of reading about the WWoHP, and to be honest, that was the main reason this trip was booked. DH and I are HUGE HP fans and have been looking forward to that part of US opening as soon as they announced it.

But, like I said, I've been doing some reading about the main ride, and I'm not sure if it would be worth the expenses for us to go to the park. I have asthma with my major flare-up cause being things like dry-ice/C02. I also am cautious about motion-sickness because it can sometimes make me feel anxious, which can bother my asthma. (I can run, dance, do whatever and be fine, but those two things definitely are triggers.) Everything I've been reading about the ride says that there is quite a bit of C02 (there's even a warning on the sign outside) and I've seen some people (who got in through soft-openings and a special HP package) complaining about motion sickness for a bit once they leave the ride.

So, I'm a bit nervous and I'm really disappointed. (I can ride Soarin' but Mission Space and the Star Wars rides both make me sick, as does the Simpsons at US.) I'm questioning even going over there now. I typed up these three options for DH, and would like opinions from all of you, too! Of course, I know in the long-run, I have to decide if I feel like I can ride that ride or not, but I'd like to hear what everyone thinks.

Current:
EXPENSES NOT YET PAID FOR: around $300.00 for HP, plus $467.00 for 3-day WDW tickets = $770.00
Pros: HP (DH can ride the ride and check it out for me even though he says he wouldn't want to ride without me, explore the shops and the area even if I can't ride)
Cons: ....HP, no-time to explore SSR/DTD, one day at Epcot and one MNSSHP
-Saturday: Land, check-in, Magic Kingdom until 2am
-Sunday: Breakfast at Boma at 10:50am, Magic Kingdom at 4pm for party
-Monday: Day off/Carriage Ride at 9pm
-Tuesday: HP
-Wednesday: Check-out of AKV/Check-in to SSR, Epcot F&W Festival until midnight (possibly try to go back to SSR in the afternoon to explore)
-Thursday: DHS/Fantasmic
-Friday: Animal Kingdom

OR

New Option One:
EXPENSES NOT YET PAID FOR: MNSSHP Tickets for 2nd party for $125.00, plus $467.00 for 3-day WDW tickets = $590.00
Pros: Cheapest option, two MNSSHP
Cons: No time to explore the new resort, only one day at Epcot, and no HP
-Saturday: Land, check-in, Magic Kingdom until 2am
-Sunday: Breakfast at Boma at 10:50am, Magic Kingdom at 4pm for party
-Monday: Day off/Carriage Ride at 9pm
-Tuesday: Morning off, MNSSHP at 7pm
-Wenesday: Check-out of AKV/Check-in to SSR, Epcot F&W Festival until midnight (possibly try to fit in some time to go back to SSR in the afternoon to explore)
-Thursday: DHS/Fantasmic
-Friday: Animal Kingdom

OR

New Option Two:
EXPENSES NOT YET PAID FOR: MNHSSP Tickets for 2nd party for $125.00, plus $480.00 for 4-day WDW tickets = $605.00
Pros: two Days at Epcot, two MNHSSP, time to explore SSR/DTD
Cons: No HP, and $15.00 more than New Option One
-Saturday: Land, check-in, Magic Kingdom until 2am
-Sunday: Breakfast at Boma at 10:50am, Magic Kingdom at 4pm for party
-Monday: Day off/Carriage Ride at 9pm
-Tuesday: Epcot for F&W Festival (EMH morning, opens at 8am) until around 3pm, back to AKV to pack/clean-up, dinner somewhere, then MNSSHP at 7pm
-Wednesday: Check-out of AKV/Check-in to SSR, Epcot (to finish any rides and other F&W Festival booths we missed the day before), then back to SSR mid-afternoon to check out the resort (since that's the first day there) and the pool, either back to Epcot for more F&W Festival (open until midnight) or over to Downtown Disney for the night
-Thursday: DHS/Fantasmic
-Friday: Animal Kingdom

Thoughts? Feelings? Opinions! Let it all out, please!

 

[therussells08]

Hey! I am so sorry I haven't been around to chat much the last few days. I've been having some issues at home but things are getting better now so I'm back online! Anyway, I can totally see where you're coming from about the HP thing. I feel like the Forbidden Journey ride is pretty much the most appealing thing about the park and the possibility of not being able to ride it would definitely make me rethink going. However, here's what I was thinking:

Do you think that even if you can't ride the Forbidden Journey it might still be worth it to go to HP? They have the other two rides, and the more I read about it the more amazing it sounds. All of the attention to detail and new technology sounds amazing. Do you think it would be worth spending a day there just to ride the other rides and go to all of the shops and see Hogwarts and everything? And you could even go through the line at Forbidden Journey and just not ride the ride, since the line itself is such an experience.

I have been to MNSSHP before and it was SOOO much fun but I'm not sure if I would want to do it twice in one trip. We got to see the parade twice and that was great because it was the coolest parade I've ever seen at Disney. And the fireworks were amazing, don't get me wrong. I'm just not sure if you would maybe get bored with MNSSHP if you do it twice.

But like I said, if what you were looking forward to the most at HP was that ride, then I can see why you don't want to waste on of your days there. If that's the case, I think I like New Option 2 best. You get to go to Epcot twice and it's only $15 more than New Option 1! Totally worth it, in my opinion!

I hope this helped!!

 

[Nermel9]

If you really wanted to see WWoHP, you should consider going, since there are other things to do there! However, I can understand not wanting to get sick or have an asthma issue, so if it's really a concern, I also like option 2, because of the 2 days at Epcot, but that's my favorite park so of course I would pick that option!

I'm also wondering if you need to do 2 MNSSHP's, though. I've never been, but I have done MVMCP and while I LOVED it, and I'm doing it again this year, I don't think there is really any reason to do it twice in one trip. The only reason I can see doing it twice is if you want to get your picture taken with every character they have out, because the characters have such long lines, but if that's not a priority, I don't think I would do the party twice. Maybe you could take the money you would be spending on the party and do something else with it, like the Wishes dessert party, if they extend it! (Which I'm really hoping they do because I think I want to do that! )

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Hallowishes]

i like ur new "option 2" personally, im waiting till the "hype" over HP dies down to head over to universal. i think it is going to be rediculously crowded over there for quite a while. plus, do you really want to get sick from a ride on VACATION? it could potentially ruin the rest of your day and therefor waste money by going to universal at all. just my opinion! cant wait to hear whay you decide

 

[onelilspark]

Oh no! I got a little bit behind and totally missed that your pup had surgery! Glad to hear she came out okay!!!

I pick option 2. It's expensive to try and go to both WDW and Universal in the same trip. We were going to do both, but we've decided to do a separate trip next year for Universal. And considering it's only an extra $15, I'd get the extra day at the parks, less rushing.

Oh, and I would just do one MNSSHP. It's fun, but I'd prefer an extra day in the park. You can add a park hopper option for less than MNSSHP.

 

[Belle2007]

Hey Heather!! I just caught up on your PTR! There was a lot to read! Let me try to remember everything I wanted to comment on...

hmmm.... I thought that you changed the name of your PTR when I received the email... and you did change it!

I'd love to donate to your cancer cause (sorry I don't remember the name of it!) I'll pm you... Loved your pictures with your Mom. Beautiful!!!

YAY!!! for your Savannah room. How exciting!!
YAY!!! for your haunted carriage ride! This one seems really exciting. I cannot wait to see your pictures of the ride. I'd love to do this one, I'm not crazy about real scary things and I just know that this one would not be blood and gory stuff (which my DH likes)

YAY!!! for your ADRS!!! We ate diner at Boma's and it was really good. Can't wait to hear how you like the breakfast.

Your trip is sounding great!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I like new option #2! I like them all cause we can meet up at AK on Friday if you want - as long as your Friday is 10/29! I also think that HP isn't going anywhere... let them work out the kinks and go enjoy it when you visit the world next time!

 

[klacey1]

I also think new option 2 is a good plan. We're going to see HP in August and are very excited, but if you know you'll be in Orlando at some point again in the next few years, I'd wait until the hype/crowds die down.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hey! I am so sorry I haven't been around to chat much the last few days. I've been having some issues at home but things are getting better now so I'm back online! Anyway, I can totally see where you're coming from about the HP thing. I feel like the Forbidden Journey ride is pretty much the most appealing thing about the park and the possibility of not being able to ride it would definitely make me rethink going. However, here's what I was thinking:

Do you think that even if you can't ride the Forbidden Journey it might still be worth it to go to HP? They have the other two rides, and the more I read about it the more amazing it sounds. All of the attention to detail and new technology sounds amazing. Do you think it would be worth spending a day there just to ride the other rides and go to all of the shops and see Hogwarts and everything? And you could even go through the line at Forbidden Journey and just not ride the ride, since the line itself is such an experience.

I have been to MNSSHP before and it was SOOO much fun but I'm not sure if I would want to do it twice in one trip. We got to see the parade twice and that was great because it was the coolest parade I've ever seen at Disney. And the fireworks were amazing, don't get me wrong. I'm just not sure if you would maybe get bored with MNSSHP if you do it twice.

But like I said, if what you were looking forward to the most at HP was that ride, then I can see why you don't want to waste on of your days there. If that's the case, I think I like New Option 2 best. You get to go to Epcot twice and it's only $15 more than New Option 1! Totally worth it, in my opinion!

I hope this helped!!

I was going to message you to check on you today! I hope things are OK; I've been watching for you today! Our office assistant and receptionist are out, so I'm up-front covering reception for a lot of the day and just play around online. Hopefully you are able to chat for a bit and fill me in!

We're still debating. I'm so torn down the middle! I've definitely kicked out New Option 1, though. We've actually ridden the two other rides there, so I'm not sure if the new theming for just that is worth the cost. Think, think, think (like Pooh Bear!)

If you really wanted to see WWoHP, you should consider going, since there are other things to do there! However, I can understand not wanting to get sick or have an asthma issue, so if it's really a concern, I also like option 2, because of the 2 days at Epcot, but that's my favorite park so of course I would pick that option!

I'm also wondering if you need to do 2 MNSSHP's, though. I've never been, but I have done MVMCP and while I LOVED it, and I'm doing it again this year, I don't think there is really any reason to do it twice in one trip. The only reason I can see doing it twice is if you want to get your picture taken with every character they have out, because the characters have such long lines, but if that's not a priority, I don't think I would do the party twice. Maybe you could take the money you would be spending on the party and do something else with it, like the Wishes dessert party, if they extend it! (Which I'm really hoping they do because I think I want to do that! )

Let us know what you decide!

I've seen some people talk about doing two MNSSHP in one trip, especially if you never plan on going back during that time period, so that's why I threw that out there. Once DH gets a full time teaching job, we won't be able to travel in the fall, so this might be our once in a lifetime Halloween trip. And, dunno if I should admit this, but I do plan on hitting up as many characters as possible. I'd like to make it to all of them. I am big in to seeing the characters that I've never gotten to see!

I do agree about MVMCP; I've been once and probably won't go again. I've heard MNSSHP is just so much better. Erg!!!

i like ur new "option 2" personally, im waiting till the "hype" over HP dies down to head over to universal. i think it is going to be rediculously crowded over there for quite a while. plus, do you really want to get sick from a ride on VACATION? it could potentially ruin the rest of your day and therefor waste money by going to universal at all. just my opinion! cant wait to hear whay you decide

Yeah, I agree about the sick thing. It could set-back the rest of our trip. That's my biggest hesitation!

Oh no! I got a little bit behind and totally missed that your pup had surgery! Glad to hear she came out okay!!!

I pick option 2. It's expensive to try and go to both WDW and Universal in the same trip. We were going to do both, but we've decided to do a separate trip next year for Universal. And considering it's only an extra $15, I'd get the extra day at the parks, less rushing.

Oh, and I would just do one MNSSHP. It's fun, but I'd prefer an extra day in the park. You can add a park hopper option for less than MNSSHP.

I've thought about the park hopper option, too. Egad. Too many choices for my OCD planner self!!

You are my F&W Festival expert; so do you think if we had that extra time at Epcot for that, it'd be worth it?

Hey Heather!! I just caught up on your PTR! There was a lot to read! Let me try to remember everything I wanted to comment on...

hmmm.... I thought that you changed the name of your PTR when I received the email... and you did change it!

I'd love to donate to your cancer cause (sorry I don't remember the name of it!) I'll pm you... Loved your pictures with your Mom. Beautiful!!!

YAY!!! for your Savannah room. How exciting!!
YAY!!! for your haunted carriage ride! This one seems really exciting. I cannot wait to see your pictures of the ride. I'd love to do this one, I'm not crazy about real scary things and I just know that this one would not be blood and gory stuff (which my DH likes)

YAY!!! for your ADRS!!! We ate diner at Boma's and it was really good. Can't wait to hear how you like the breakfast.

Your trip is sounding great!!!

I sent you a PM too; I'm looking forward to hearing back!

I'm not a scary fan, either. I can't watch horror movies; I blame my over-active imagination! I've been told I'll be just fine on this, though. Haha.

I'm glad to hear that you liked Boma! I've read some fantastic things about it!!

I like new option #2! I like them all cause we can meet up at AK on Friday if you want - as long as your Friday is 10/29! I also think that HP isn't going anywhere... let them work out the kinks and go enjoy it when you visit the world next time!

Most definitely for AK! (Yes, we will be there on 10/29; we've never done night EMH there and that definitely got me excited!) Are you making a lunch or dinner ADR or anything? We were just planning on CS there, so maybe we can meet up for a meal if you don't have any major plans!

I also think new option 2 is a good plan. We're going to see HP in August and are very excited, but if you know you'll be in Orlando at some point again in the next few years, I'd wait until the hype/crowds die down.

I am hoping to go back as a law school graduation trip, so this will be our last time until then. But, I'm actually wanting to do just US trip, so that could very well work out to let the hype die down!

I'll be curious to see what you say about August!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Most definitely for AK! (Yes, we will be there on 10/29; we've never done night EMH there and that definitely got me excited!) Are you making a lunch or dinner ADR or anything? We were just planning on CS there, so maybe we can meet up for a meal if you don't have any major plans!

Madi & I are winging 99% of this trip! Our only concrete plans are dinner on arrival night (10/27) at 1900 Park Fare and dinner on Halloween at Akershus. So let's plan to meet up for lunch? Maybe try that picnic in the park? Or I hear Flame Tree BBQ is amazing! We're easy

 

[onelilspark]

I definitely think a Park Hopper comes in handy for F&W. It allows you to hop over for meals and spread out the food you'll be consuming! The booths open at 11 when the World Showcase opens, so I think this year we'll be doing lunch a little more!

And not to throw a wrench in your plans, but we're still waiting on the F&W schedule. Who knows? Maybe something in there will catch your eye!

So yes, I'd definitely do 1 MNSSHP and then a park hopper!

 

[Gelfling_Jen]

I personally think you should go with the current option! I know how much you wanted to go to WWoHP and I think going in the fall and around Halloween will really add to the experience! I bet you'll be satisfied with just walking through Diagon Alley, seeing Hogwarts, going to Hogsmead and ordering a butter beer, and at least walking through the line for the main ride. You're also paying for other non HP rides and experiences so it wouldn't be a total waste if you didn't make it to the main HP ride. You would think though that considering how many young kids are going to be going to this they wouldn't make the ride that bad for motion sickness. You got to hear my experience with Mission Space and I bet it would be hard to find anyone who didn't have motion sickness after that ride! I had some motion sickness from the Simpson's ride too and it also hurt my back. Maybe you could ask a few people exiting the ride if they experienced motion sickness? Would it also help if you brought a scarf or something to lightly cover your mouth and nose so that you don't breath in too much dry ice?

I wanted to double check...did you already purchase 1-day WDW tickets? Just asking cause it says you still need 3-day WDW tickets but you have 4 days of WDW parks listed in your schedule (not including MNSSHP).

I know you really want to take advantage of the extra magic hours and the way you have everything planned right now takes full advantage of that! I'm wondering though if sacrificing some of the extra magic hours and switching what days you go to what parks a little bit may help ease some stress and in the end make for a more enjoyable experience. Although you won't get as many hours in the parks you will get more time to explore your resorts so it's a win win situation! Is there any way you can reschedule the carriage ride to Wednesday, the day you check-in at SSR? That way you can have your day off to explore that resort, as you'll already have time on Sunday before the party to explore AKV. Wednesday can then be your day at Epcot, and although you won't get the extra magic hours you can still relax and have fun there, not feeling the urge to go back and explore SSR because you won't be there yet! I also just realised this would give you time to go to DTD in the late evening!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Okay - I feel bad for reading but not actually posting.

SO - here goes.

I would actually head over to the USO board and ask your question. There will be people who have ridden it, and may have the same issues who can answer more specific questions for you.

Wife has INSANE asthma, and I wouldn't dare try and answer a question about something that triggers it.

But in all honesty - I'd be REALLY bummed about not being able to ride FJHP - but I would still go to Universal, even if just for a day. Those rides call my name EVERY bit as much as the Disney rides do. Spiderman, the Hulk, Revenge of the Mummy, and even some of the classic stuff like Jaws - LOVE all those rides!!!!!!

 

[PopArtGal]

hummmm I think I'd go with Option 2. Epcot is def. a 2 day park.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Could you possibly do HP the last day of your trip? That way if you decide to ride everything and it does make you sick, you'll be leaving the next day anyway. Also, does it help with your motion sickness if you take Dramamine beforehand? That helps with all of my motion sickness except extreme spinning (Teacups ).