The One Before the Trip

[plutofan0902]

Yesterday was party ticket day. With each thing that we pay for, our trip seems more real and the excitement just keeps building. I honestly don't know how I am going to make it through the next five months, one week and 4 days

Since my nephew is going for his first time and he is a collector at heart, I thought it might be fun to pin trade with him. Our first couple of trips to Disneyland and then to the World, I went a little pin crazy but I never got into the whole trading thing. If I bought them, they were special and why would I trade them. Since then I've moved and the lanyards and pins got stuck in a box in the basement and I haven't bought a single pin my last 3 trips. So I dug them out and we found my sisters to see what we could give B to trade when he got to the park and now I'm not so sure if I can give any of them up. Fortunately for me he said that he would rather collect vinylmation! What to do, what to do. After looking at them for a while I did find some on both lanyards that are doubles and some that I would be ok
with trading.

B, little stinker that he is, stayed at our house with our dogs when my sister graduated and when I came home all of my vinylmation had been moved around. It was really quite funny. Gotta love those 8 year old, collector boys!

 

[plutofan0902]

So I said in my intros that we are traveling on this trip with our family. My aunt and uncle, my cousin and her husband, and another cousin's daughter are going for sure. C's parents may join us but it just depends on the roofing business (he sells metal roofs). This is a first for us. We've never done Disney with anyone else. Needless to say, we are a bit worried about how it's all going to pan out. We kind of have our things that we like to do and see. As we've been talking, we've been thinking about MNSSHP. We've only attended that once and we really didn't know what we were doing. We want to see as much as possible. Now the rest of the family is only staying for part of the time and we have 3 nights with just us and it just so happens that there is a party one of those nights. I think we're gonna do it. I'm going to see if I can change some of our ADR's.

We also are working on selecting some of our customs for tee-shirts. Getting so excited. 156 days to go!!!!

Back when LTT had character meals

 

[Luvchefmic]

I really miss the character meal at LTT A friend of mine from NY had worked there over 10 years and she switched to merchandise not long after that ended She felt like it was just another restaurant when the characters left I think it's been at least 3 years since I've been in there myself to eat

Boy I was straining my eyes to check out all your pins hoping we could play " Let's make a Deal" Need clearer pictures or I need younger eyes I want to see them !

Are you planning all your ADRs with everyone or doing any on your own ? 5 months is going to FLY !

 

[DMGeurts]

I think you should bring the pins just in case... My girls have really learned to love it - we meet so many CMs, and it really adds another dimension to our trips. Taking the time out of your park days, or gettting to know a CM while waiting in a character line - well, it's a lot of fun.

I know how you feel... The girls and I are much the same way. We have the things we enjoy doing and a way of touring that we are comfortable with. Adding BFF and her dd to the mix will really change things - since this is her first trip in 10 years, she has a see-it-all-do-it-all mentality, and that makes me a bit nervous. That, and she wants to be with us the entire time... It should make this trip quite complex.

Sounds like things are coming together great for you though.

D~

 

[plutofan0902]

I really miss the character meal at LTT A friend of mine from NY had worked there over 10 years and she switched to merchandise not long after that ended She felt like it was just another restaurant when the characters left I think it's been at least 3 years since I've been in there myself to eat

Boy I was straining my eyes to check out all your pins hoping we could play " Let's make a Deal" Need clearer pictures or I need younger eyes I want to see them !

Are you planning all your ADRs with everyone or doing any on your own ? 5 months is going to FLY !

We miss that character meal too! But we did find that we really like having lunch there. The options were great and the food was delicious! I will take individual pics of the lanyards for you and will send them to you.

While we are all together in the World, most of our TS meals are together and we are doing the dessert party together but mom and I are not early risers and move at our own pace in the am so we'll probably just meet everyone.

I think you should bring the pins just in case... My girls have really learned to love it - we meet so many CMs, and it really adds another dimension to our trips. Taking the time out of your park days, or gettting to know a CM while waiting in a character line - well, it's a lot of fun.

I know how you feel... The girls and I are much the same way. We have the things we enjoy doing and a way of touring that we are comfortable with. Adding BFF and her dd to the mix will really change things - since this is her first trip in 10 years, she has a see-it-all-do-it-all mentality, and that makes me a bit nervous. That, and she wants to be with us the entire time... It should make this trip quite complex.

D~

I think I will bring the pins for him just in case. He's coming over on Friday so I'm hoping he'll see them and the lanyard I'm getting him and get excited. He does love his collections.

Mom and I have been excited about the family trip and nervous all at the same time. We are planners, not strict planners but we know where we will be on what day. The family, they just go with the flow and make their plans as they come. Haha. We will just have to see how it will all work out. I'm sure it will.

 

[Luvchefmic]

That would be so nice of you..when you get a chance Also let me know if there is anything YOU are looking for and I'll see what I can do

Go with the flow vs planners That's a tough one Can anyone really " go with the flow " anymore at WDW ?
Seems like more & more planning HAS to be done for vacationers I see much good and bad in that whole FP+ thing

 

[plutofan0902]

Thursdays are my Friday since I work on Sundays. I usually come home pretty tired and ready for Thursday night TV. Yesterday was no different. My sister got a bunny so my dad was over and we had dinner and then I decided to check the mail. And look what I found...

I was beyond excited. First, I called mom at work and told her I got it and asked if she was ok with changing resorts. Yes!
Next I called WDW. After going allllll the way through the automated menu and finally being connected to a cast member, I was told that their computer systems were undergoing "enhancements" and to call back. WHAAAATTTTT???:eek
So I put on my big girl pants and waited. I called back and the cast member, Faith, was incredibly helpful. After quite a while on the phone trying to figure out how to make it work, we figured out that it would actually cost me more because my trip would be split in two reservations and we wouldn't get the good deal on the tickets.
To say I was bummed is an understatement.
I spent some time figuring it out and if we end up staying at a value and paying the extra fee for table service we would save over $900 but mom really really wants to stay at POFQ so I'm gonna hold out for a bit and see if miraculously something that encompasses all of our dates opens up for POFQ. Crossing my fingers and hoping for something.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Is THAT what that mailing looks like???? never EVER since the pins were offered have I ever had one offered

I wouldn't give up, while POFQ may not be in the running there must be a moderate that's available that could work to make this happen I wish you all luck
&

 

[plutofan0902]

It's been a while since I last posted and so much has happened. I just got back from a week in Golden, Missouri with some of the students from the ministry I work for and our partner ministry Eagle Sports Club. We took 80 kids, ages 9-18 to Kids Across America, a sports camp. Our 17 hour bus ride was somewhat uneventful but there's always that one kid who pukes as the bus is pulling out of McDonalds.

I arrived home to this...

My long awaited camera bag from DMGuerts. To get my spot on the coveted customs lists, I got to work early and by some small miracle (Ok that might be a bit extreme) I got a spot. I love it! Pluto is my fave and it's so adorable. I cannot wait to use it.

In no time at all we will be making our fast pass reservations and then my birthday will be here which means we will only have 44 days left for our trip.
Right now we are working on gathering all of our customish shirts. Mom has made some fun bleach shirts. We got some tie dye shirts and disney junkie shirt and have some appliques coming as well as a couple of fun Halloween shirts. This is getting real now!

 

[plutofan0902]

A few days ago Disney released a new fall discount. Once again, I got super excited especially when I noticed that it included POFQ but alas no rooms available at that rate. The rest of our group all switched over to the CBR. We would have only saved a little and would have had to switch to a standard room. Neither one of us have ever been excited about that resort so we decided to stay put. Then this morning for some reason I woke up and thought I'm just gonna check the Disney site and see if anything opened up. To my surprise, a Garden view room at POR opened up and I would save quite a bit. Working hard not to get my hopes up, I jumped on the phone and called - it all worked out! So we are now staying at POR. We did our paid in full dance a few weeks ago and got out our trusty countdown frame. It's beginning to feel quite real.

Now we are trying to decide if we can fit in one of the food and wine breakfasts that are being offered. We have quite a few fun things planned so it's not going to crush us if we can't.

I work for my church and oversee the middle school program and tonight we had paint wars...We had a blast. Take a peek!

I love my job!

 

[Luvchefmic]

THERE you are ! You have been missed Your Mom popped into my thread and then " poof " off she went again. So good to see you and thanks for sharing about your job, looks like a great time. So fellow Pluto lover/Virgo LOVE the bag better hide it when we meet up

MISS you all !

 

[plutofan0902]

THERE you are ! You have been missed Your Mom popped into my thread and then " poof " off she went again. So good to see you and thanks for sharing about your job, looks like a great time. So fellow Pluto lover/Virgo LOVE the bag better hide it when we meet up

MISS you all !

We were just talking about you and wondering how you were!! I've been crazy busy and needed to be inspired to write a little bit. My job is so fun. Who doesn't like to act like a kid whenever they can and have it be ok.

My bag will have a high tech security device to prevent borrowing
JK. It is just too fun and I can't wait to use it again.

 

[Luvchefmic]

We were just talking about you and wondering how you were!! I've been crazy busy and needed to be inspired to write a little bit. My job is so fun. Who doesn't like to act like a kid whenever they can and have it be ok.

My bag will have a high tech security device to prevent borrowing
JK. It is just too fun and I can't wait to use it again.

I KNOW people

For goodness sakes people stop thinking about me and pick up a phone !!

 

[plutofan0902]

So I've read posts before about switching resorts multiple times prior to that 45 day mark and I swore I would never be one of "those people". Well, I just did. Since my brother and sister-in-law switched to the POP to save some cash, mom and I discussed it at length and decided to switch as well. Not only would it save me almost all of my spending money but we would also be at the resort with them and get to see the thrill of it all through B's eyes. The plug has been pulled and we are now officially staying at the POP. Mom was such a good sport about it.

A while back we added another MNSSHP night and we just made plans with Luvchefmic to meet up for a Dismeet. We can't wait!

We pulled out all of our Disney stuff and boy we have a lot. I think we each have some sort of custom shirt for every day and now we are talking about getting bags for trick or treating at the halloween party and I'd like to get (probably will end up making) some shoes.
The trip is pretty much all we talk about. In the midst of it all I'm going to take my sister back for her spring break to celebrate her graduation. So much fun!!!

Pics of the customs coming soon!

 

[Luvchefmic]

So I've read posts before about switching resorts multiple times prior to that 45 day mark and I swore I would never be one of "those people". Well, I just did. Since my brother and sister-in-law switched to the POP to save some cash, mom and I discussed it at length and decided to switch as well. Not only would it save me almost all of my spending money but we would also be at the resort with them and get to see the thrill of it all through B's eyes. The plug has been pulled and we are now officially staying at the POP. Mom was such a good sport about it.

A while back we added another MNSSHP night and we just made plans with Luvchefmic to meet up for a Dismeet. We can't wait!

We pulled out all of our Disney stuff and boy we have a lot. I think we each have some sort of custom shirt for every day and now we are talking about getting bags for trick or treating at the halloween party and I'd like to get (probably will end up making) some shoes.
The trip is pretty much all we talk about. In the midst of it all I'm going to take my sister back for her spring break to celebrate her graduation. So much fun!!!

Pics of the customs coming soon!

It was really terrific to talk to your Mom today ! Seems like so long ago since we saw each other. A simple text yesterday and we are off and running with the plans. I am very excited too

So please excuse the wrinkles Just found this in a yard sale $ 1.00 !! Just wanted to share what my plan is. This shirt, light weight denim capris ( could change this is my fave pair right now ) and some kind of Pluto bag if any at all but I doubt it. The camera, running shoes and done

 

[plutofan0902]

It was really terrific to talk to your Mom today ! Seems like so long ago since we saw each other. A simple text yesterday and we are off and running with the plans. I am very excited too

So please excuse the wrinkles Just found this in a yard sale $ 1.00 !! Just wanted to share what my plan is. This shirt, light weight denim capris ( could change this is my fave pair right now ) and some kind of Pluto bag if any at all but I doubt it. The camera, running shoes and done

Oh my gosh Ruthie, for some reason I'm just seeing this today. I love this shirt!!! It is so cute! I have a minnie pirate shirt for that night, at least that's the plan for now. I have to go to a meeting but then I'm going to post at least my shirts, maybe mom's too - we'll see.

 

[plutofan0902]

I've never really taken anything more than one maybe two special shirts. This year I have a special shirt for every single day and then some. My sister did mock me quite a lot while I was taking these pictures.

For Animal Kingdom, the black is mine, the other is moms.

For Hollywood Studios

For Magic Kingdom

Probably for Epcot and some more Magic Kingdom

The pirate minnie is for the 2nd Halloween party

The purple is for the first Halloween party

I'm pretty excited! I would really like to get a pair of custom shoes or at the very least make some but we'll see how ambitious I am.

 

[MissMaryQC]

Following along! Looks like you guys will have a ton of fun; can't wait to see!!

 

[plutofan0902]

In true obsessive fashion, we knew that our fast pass window would open up at 12:01am. So we took naps to be able to stay up. I, of course, slept for almost 3 hours and then couldn't sleep once we were done making the reservations. Last time I looked at the clock it said 2:45am. Anyways...I had the computer ready to go and at 12:01, I began to make my selections. It's a lot more difficult than it seems because you have to work around ADR's and factor in travel time and I personally didn't want to be running back and forth across the parks. It took about 45 minutes to do all 10 days and today only had to make a few modifications. We got everything that we wanted at least once which is nice but I'm not sure how I'm going to like being so scheduled. We like to plan and know which park we are going to be in which days but we also just kind of go with the flow and hit attractions as we go along. We will see how it goes with some early dinner reservations (we usually make those as late as we can but some of the others we travel with like to eat early) and all the extras we have planned.

The next thing we are counting down to is the day we can make our "Be Our Guest" lunch reservations. Then it won't be long till the Magic Bands arrive and it gets really real.

 

[DMGeurts]

I can't believe I fell so far behind here - my sincerest apologies!

You have been a busy girl though... LOL

Love your shirts! They turned out great! Did you make all of them?

I agree - I haven't decided if I like the new FPs or not? I guess we are going to find out... I don't like having to be so scheduled either - but I do like that it will save on criss-crossing the parks so much.

Good luck with your BOG adrs.

D~