The Return of the Wizard and the Cheerful Dwarf (Jan 2010--NEW photos!)

[Wrexie]

WOO HOO for getting into Le Cellier, that is the only one of mine that I am worried about.

Crossing my fingers that you get it! I haven't been there before and wanted to try it this time.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Crossing my fingers that you get it! I haven't been there before and wanted to try it this time.

It's so good! Those cream cheese mashed potatoes are like little clouds of heaven.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Wow, it's never occurred to me to try to eat healthy at Disney.....

 

[Wrexie]

Wow, it's never occurred to me to try to eat healthy at Disney.....

Probably wouldn't have occurred to me until I've put all this work into getting the weight off and don't want to repeat the process if I can help it!

Last night I downloaded the free version of WDW Wait Times for my iphone. I won't be able to comment on how useful it is until I'm there, but it looks pretty straightforward and could be helpful. It uses the GPS feature so people can't just upload fake wait times for rides they're not even near. Apparently, if at least 12 people are using it to upload their own wait times, the results are pretty accurate.

Just for fun last night my husband was asking me about the wait times for various rides and I was looking them up. I think Soarin' had the longest wait!

You can pay for a version without ads, but the ads are tiny at the bottom so they're not really bothersome.

I also visited a website with a transportation wizard, which is helpful since we're using this for the first time instead of renting a car: http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx They have an iphone app too but I don't know if I'll get it.

We were also trying to remember what things we had missed last time, and some favorites. I love Tom Sawyer Island for a little bit of a break from MK, but can't find Aunt Polly's listed in the snack places. Is there anywhere to get a snack on the island or is the snack place closed?

I was also trying to remember which Fantasyland attraction replaced the old "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." Winnie the Pooh, maybe?

87 days to go!!

 

[Wrexie]

It's so good! Those cream cheese mashed potatoes are like little clouds of heaven.

Mmmmm potatoes...

I just updated my itinerary with a few other details, like estimated times to get around on the bus and so forth.

One thing we didn't have time for in MK last time was spend some time on Main Street, but I think some of the things I remember from when I was 11 (back in 1979) aren't there any more. I remember an old-fashioned arcade and place where you could watch clips of old movies. It was lots of fun. What is Main Street like now?

 

[Wrexie]

Ok, I thought of another question for the experts. When going back to Epcot for dinner, is it better to take a bus to Disney Boardwalk and use the International Gateway entrance?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Last night I downloaded the free version of WDW Wait Times for my iphone. I won't be able to comment on how useful it is until I'm there, but it looks pretty straightforward and could be helpful.

I have that ap too, and have discovered that it's only as good as the park guests that are entering the times. Some days they aren't putting much in...

We were also trying to remember what things we had missed last time, and some favorites. I love Tom Sawyer Island for a little bit of a break from MK, but can't find Aunt Polly's listed in the snack places. Is there anywhere to get a snack on the island or is the snack place closed?

I don't remember it being opened that last few times we were there.

I was also trying to remember which Fantasyland attraction replaced the old "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." Winnie the Pooh, maybe?

Yep, it's Pooh!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Signing on now I have to go back and read!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Ok, I thought of another question for the experts. When going back to Epcot for dinner, is it better to take a bus to Disney Boardwalk and use the International Gateway entrance?

oops forgot to comment on this one....
For the closest walk get off at the Beach Club, walk through the lobby and breathe in the wonderful smell, then out the other door, when you get to the lake turn left and you will be there in a couple of minutes!

We stayed at Beach Club last summer and it was so nice to be just next door to the IG!

 

[Wrexie]

oops forgot to comment on this one....
For the closest walk get off at the Beach Club, walk through the lobby and breathe in the wonderful smell, then out the other door, when you get to the lake turn left and you will be there in a couple of minutes!

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely have to try that.

 

[Wrexie]

I had my Weight Watchers weigh-in yesterday, and for the first time, hadn't lost any weight at all. I started to second-guess whether I really have it in me to lose more weight, and whether where I am now is "good enough." But then I thought about all those pants hanging in my closet I used to love and haven't been able to get into in about 3 years, and how if I can just lose a few more pounds, I can wear them again.

Then, this morning I realized I hadn't tracked my measurements, because since I hadn't lost weight I assumed I hadn't lost inches. Pulled out the tape measure and found I've lost an inch around my waist and a half inch around my hips since last week! Woohoo!

How is this relevant to Disney? Er, well I've got some clothes I would like to fit into and be able to wear on that trip. I know in January the weather can be iffy, but I've got some really cute skorts I can wear if the weather is warm enough that I would need to lose a few pounds to wear. In all the photos from my last trip, I'm wearing my absolute favorite pair of jeans, jeans now I can't get into without a struggle. So for my trip photos in January I plan to be wearing my skinny jeans!

A couple of weeks ago after I met the goal of losing 5% of my starting weight, I bought a cute halter dress that looked good on but I had no room to breathe. The salesperson told me, "we've got a pretty liberal return policy. Keep it in the closet with the tags on, and if you don't lose weight before your trip, you can always return it."

It's still in the closet with the tags on and I haven't dared to try it on again yet, but next week I plan to.

So that's probably enough rambling about my weight, but thinking about fitting into smaller clothes on this vacation is a great motivator for me!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Congrats on the loss of inches! Maybe you are firming up, and muscle weighs more than fat. I need lots more muscle!

 

[Wrexie]

Congrats on the loss of inches! Maybe you are firming up, and muscle weighs more than fat. I need lots more muscle!

Thanks! I hope I'm gaining muscle, though I suspect the number was higher than my measurements would indicate because, hmm, I suppose the most delicate way to say it is I needed a little extra fiber.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

LOL, you are cracking me up!

 

[Wrexie]

LOL, you are cracking me up!

Hehe, thanks for reading! I need to dredge up a few other readers from somewhere.

I've got some new sandals for the trip! I had hoped to order them in time to wear them a bit and break them in before it got too cold, but our "Indian Summer" ended before I got them. My usual sandals are a "no go" due to not having enough arch support. I'm at the "doing everything I can to avoid knee surgery" stage so need to be good about shoes.

I happened to be in Nordstrom one day and was passing some sandals. The display model was my size in some pretty sandals by Mephisto with what appeared to be a pretty heavy-duty cork footbed with arch support, so I slipped one on. Wow! That feels great and actually does reach my rather high arch! Then I looked at the price tag. Er, not in this lifetime.

These had the closest to the same type footbed of any I saw at zappos.com that were a price I thought I could afford. It's still more than I like to pay for shoes, but I'm really determined to continue to wear sandals in sandal weather!

Think Mizzi sandals

So far, wearing them around the house, they feel fabulous and supportive, without looking like orthopedic shoes. If they keep my feet happy walking around all day, the price is worth it.

 

[Elevationist]

Those sandals are super-cute! Very nice find!

 

[CW4DW]

Just found your report and have read it all the way through! Congrats on getting LeCellier - I didn't get any for my September trip, but we are planning on going back in December and I was able to get some for that trip.

I need to find a bag like the one you got - gotta check that out! And the shoes are super cute!

My mom just had both knees replaced so sorry to hear you are dealing with knee problems ~ but she is much better now that she has had them both done!

Keep the updates coming - good luck on the WW!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Super cute find on the sandals! I'm a fan of the Teva Mush flip flops, I'll probably toss a pair in, but I have a feeling it's not going to be flip flop weather. I will be watching the 10 day forecast for sure...

 

[willonlyflytodisney]

I'm in!

I'll be at the DIS the same time you will! We go the 2nd to the 10th, and I agree - HS is not at the top of our priority, but my parents are going with us this time and they need to go just to do it once.

 

[Wrexie]

Those sandals are super-cute! Very nice find!

Thanks! Now I just gotta hope for sandal weather!

Welcome to the new folks and thanks for reading! I wanted to respond to each post individually but it seems I fail at using the multi-quote function. I'll have to play with it later on when I'm not about to have to dash out the door to work!