The Rum's Not Gone. We've Got It Right Here: A Pre-Trip.

[Tink-ing]

Introduction: The One That Starts It

(Dearest, most patient and devoted DIS Moderator(s) - this is, in fact, really a pre-trip report. I know it's early. Very early. But I have lots and lots of planning info, tips, tricks and back story to share. I promise to keep this from meandering slowly yet wildly off topic, like that last season of ‘Angel’ (should I have readers, that is). I promise to update it regularly. I will create a separate thread for the actual TR when the time comes, if that is easier. Thanks in advance! ~ Nikki)

So, here we are. Welcome to my Pre-Trippie. Only 11-ish months in advance of the trip itself. I better start packing now.

I couldn't help it. I couldn't wait. Kind of like how I used to sneak down the hallway on Christmas morning around 4 a.m. and just sit in front of the tree and stare at my presents.

For like, two hours.

I also needed a singular place to record all of our planning information that I could access from any computer. Anywhere. At any time. (That's like a cell phone-esque commercial for the DISboards Pre-Trip board right there, that is.)

So, here we be.

I'm Tink-ing a.k.a. Nikki a.k.a. Nik a.k.a. Nee-cole a.k.a. Dina a.k.a. Princess a.k.a. Disney Fanatic #2,589,315.32.

In this PTR (pre-trip report) I promise to answer all the important questions:
1.) You’re going to Disney? AGAIN???
2.) Who? (Including all aliases listed above.)
3.) What?
4.) When?
5.) Where?
6.) Why?
7.) How?
8.) Will I change my resort and/or ADRs more than 10 times prior to arrival?
9.) Exactly how bad were Bret Michaels’ hair extensions on this season of ‘Rock of Love’?

(Let's just get #1 out of the way, right now. The answer, to all of the people who know and love me in 'real' life, is YES. AGAIN. Now drop it. I know the rest of you 'get' it. Or else why would you be here on the DIS? Are you lost?)

And the answer to that last question is BAD.

My plans are to write three, separate reports:
#1 this pre-trip to help organize myself, in one place...ok, two places. I also have a planning notebook. Sorry, in addition to being a Disney fanatic, I'm also a list-loving, spreadsheet-making, obsessive compulsive, over packing, office supply lover. But we'll get to that. I also hope to give you tips, tricks, do's, DON'Ts, help squelch that feeling you have when you have no trip plans of your own in the works by letting you live vicariously through MY stress and finally, hopefully, entertain you.

#2 a real, honest-to-goodness TR (trip report) that I WILL finish. (I'm working on positive affirmations this week.) It will detail all of the ups, downs, upside-downs, ins, outs, tears (happy AND sad), fights and other related minutiae of our Disney trip.

#3 a DR (dining report). I have never, in the past, been interested in reporting on this. This could also be because, in the past, I had no idea the DISboards existed. A moot point, that one. But I love food. Almost as much as I love Disney. Almost as much as I hate what food does to my waistline.

Almost as much as I hate that I love Disney food which loves to hate my waistline.

So I decided I want to share my own opinions and hopefully help others out there with their own dining decisions, dilemmas and indigestions.

I'll be updating on a fairly regular basis. At least once per week. I invite you all to subscribe. And comment! I promise to respond. I'd love all of the input I can get. Plus, seeing that this is being read would be good for my ego. (Shameless plug #1)

If you do respond, please try to keep it mainly topic-related. I don't want to drive the Mods crazy. I also don't want to end up locked up.

The thread, that is. And otherwise, I suppose.

Unless it's on the same side of the bars as Captain Jack Sparrow.

So there you have it.

Man the riggin' and prepare to overhaul!

Properly warned ye be.

 

[DL55]

Hi This is my very first post. I hope I don't mess it up.
Eleven months is not to early I'm sure you will get lots of advice too.
My DH and I are going in April. Following another couple's adventure will be fun

 

[Tink-ing]

Hi This is my very first post. I hope I don't mess it up.
Eleven months is not to early I'm sure you will get lots of advice too.
My DH and I are going in April. Following another couple's adventure will be fun

Looks like you did just fine! And I'm your very first post! I'm honored.

Welcome to the DIS. It's an addiction. Consider yourself warned.

Thanks for jumping on board!

 

[DL55]

Too late. I've been lurking for the past week. I couldn't refrain from adding my 2 cents.

 

[Hedy]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Ah HAH! So this is where the rum went!

 

[MA pigletfan]

Hello there!
Consider me in..we MA'ers have to stick together!
I am also considering starting my own Pre-Tripper for my Dec. trip..look for it in a thread near you

 

[Tink-ing]

Chapter 2: The Sequel to The One That Starts It

In Chapter 1, I outlined all the questions I'm going to answer for you in this Pre-Trippie some time before the next 11 months is up.

The thing is that there are a lot of sub-questions to those questions. What I first thought would be a simple way to break down this PTR is much more complex than I could ever imagine. Perhaps not quite as complex as the sum of squares/Standard Deviation equation I had to learn in last week's Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences class, but a bit overwhelming nonetheless.

I'm too pretty to do math.

So I have decided to start simple. With a WHO.

Ooo-oo, Ooo-oo. (Shoot, now I want to watch CSI.)

No, not THE WHO, a who. And not Cindy-lou-who, either.

Namely, me.

Hi. I'm Nikki.

And here are some things you should probably know that in some way-shape-or-form will be related to this pre-trip or the trip itself:

*I'm turning 28 on Sunday and I've lived all of those years in Southeastern MA. Which means two things:
1.) I am used to two seasons: "winter" and "hotandhumid"
2.) We have coffee milk here and my chow mein is probably different from yours

*I work in the Finance dept. of a large law firm in downtown Boston. I'm very lucky to have a great job with a great boss. Unfortunately, my job is also an hour and a half from home, so my ME time is precious. I'm currently pursuing my 2nd Bachelor's degree (first was in English-Communications) in Psychology. I haven't been to Disney since January of 2006 and I need this vaca in a big way.

*I live with my BF (boyfriend, not best friend) who is decidedly un-Disney. Not anti-Disney mind you, just un-Disney. Thank God he's hot because otherwise he'd be out the door. I'M KIDDING. (I swear.) He's my bestest friend ever. We've known each other for 10+ years and were together for 4 years, apart for 4 years and we'll be celebrating our 2 year re-Anniversary this January. Unless I suddenly see oinking farm animals start flying past my office window sometime in the next year, he won't be coming on this trip.

We have two 'children'. Of the furry variety. Isabel and Dory, the feline species of her aquatic Disney namesake. We don't have any human children. We don't know that we ever will. I'm slowly coming to terms with that. See, my whole life I thought the one thing on this earth I was meant to be/want to be was a mom. However, after I hit 25, I wasn't so sure anymore and was completely torn up inside about feeling that way. As of late, I've really started to be ok with it. I loveLoveLOVE kids...IIIIII just don't know that I want my own. My mother, of course, is crushed. She keeps hoping I wake up one morning accidentally pregnant. (I asked her how one becomes accidentally pregnant. She said that when the Grandmother-to-be wants it bad enough, it'll happen.)

I DO however have a gorgeous, new-ish, 6-month-old godson who is one of my reasons for living. And wanting a DVC membership. I want to make Disney for him what my grandparents made Disney for me. (More on that below.) In 11 months time he will be the proud owner of everything Disney I can put my hot little hands on. Not saying nuthin' 'bout nuthin' but I have a penchant for spoiling.

*I'm very close to my family and my friends. I'll be sharing this trip with my friend Missy a.k.a. Dube ("dooo-be") who has been to Disney only a mere 2 times in her life. I'll give you more 'dirt' on her later, but suffice it to say we should make for an interesting pair and a pretty funny cast to the TR. We've known each other for 15 years and have been through ups, downs, and more private jokes than I can remember. Sober or otherwise. And some of them REALLY involve not being so sober. (Including one that gives the song "A Whole New World" a whole new meaning.)

*In addition to being a TR-Reading-Addict, I'm also a new member to the DISappearing Peeps thread (Woohooty to UM and all those Peeps!). I'm hoping to be at or near my goal weight for this trip. Which means that for the first time in my life that I will be going to the World THIN(ish)! It's a huge motivation for me. I keep telling myself that if I don't lose that weight, then I can't go on the trip. (But I don't believe myself, I know I'm lying, I'll go anyway. Ahem.)

*I heart parentheses. Sometimes I parenthesize my parentheses. (It's (kind of) sad. (See?))

*It should go without saying that I love Disney. Just about all things Disney. But especially Disney World. I've been to Disneyland and California Adventure once as well. At the young age of 7 my grandparents brought me on my first trip. Thus an addiction was born. (All my trips are in my siggie.) My grandparents had planned on taking me, and when he was old enough, my little brother on a fairly regular basis - for every 'anniversary' Disney had (15th, 20th...etc.). In hindsight, what with the Year of a Million Dreams likely being expanded until 2036, it's a good thing we didn't end up following that schedule. Sadly, however, it wasn't meant to be. My grammy passed away after a long battle with cancer when my I was 12, six months after my second trip (my little brother's first) to the World. After that my grandfather simply couldn't go back without her. To this day, almost 14 years later, he still can't talk about those trips without choking up. It was quite some time after that I went again. I like to call it fate. Others would call it the Disney Marketing Machine working the so-called 'Magic'. Doesn't matter either way to me.

Disney is 'The Place' for me. Where amidst some sad memories, I can be content and happy. It's a place where some of the most vivid memories of my grammy live. It doesn't matter how old I am, the instant I'm on Disney property...okay, the instant I'm even in SIGHT of the fakerail (fake monorail) at Orlando International again, I'm SEVEN. Disney is my Forever Seven. And I like being seven. Seven is innocent. And fun. And not quite legal enough for Pleasure Island, but that's what 28 is for.

And with that, I'm going to leave you for now.

Feeling Seven.

 

[OhMari]

Since you gave me a shout out in your first post, I am honored to be here. I want to go to WDW about the same time you do. So for now, I'll just sit back and watch your planning.

 

[Tink-ing]

Too late. I've been lurking for the past week. I couldn't refrain from adding my 2 cents.

So, apparently you've already drunk the kool-aid. Welcome all the same! At least DIS addiction is much cheaper than being addicted to, say, scratch tickets...
...
Well, unless you're like me and are "forced" to decide that after reading so many TRs you simply must plan a trip of your own.

In that moment the DIS is not so "free".

Can't wait to read more.

Hi! Welcome! Thanks for reading.

Ah HAH! So this is where the rum went!

Well looky, looky, who found Hooky! It's Crystal, who will be beginning her own swashbuckling adventure in a mere 2 weeks time!

Yes, we have the rum. But YOU have the mini-plush-Jack. So I think we're even.

Thanks for reading. I'm hoping my PTR/TR/pictures are half as funny, beautiful and Orlando Bloom-filled as yours are.

Hello there!
Consider me in..we MA'ers have to stick together!
I am also considering starting my own Pre-Tripper for my Dec. trip..look for it in a thread near you

Hey you! Glad to see you here too! And you're right. We do have to stick together. Because winter is coming. And I can't be hating on the MA Highway Dept. for their lack of salt-spreading abilities on Rtes. 24 and 495 all by my lonesome.

And you should totally start a pre-trippie! I'll keep my eyes peeled for it!

Since you gave me a shout out in your first post, I am honored to be here. I want to go to WDW about the same time you do. So for now, I'll just sit back and watch your planning.

Well I hope you enjoy! And thanks for reading...even if it is kind of your job. I hope this is more 'fun' than 'work' for you.

Thanks to all the posters and hello to all the lurkers who (I'm hoping are reading) didn't want to post but maybe still subscribed.

I might be able to get one more chapter up today with some very sparse details of the when and where of our trip, but if not, I'll probably have something for you on Monday/Tuesday. Sorry, but with all of the birthday celebrating going on in my neck of the woods this weekend (mine, my DBs, his GFs, their pup, 2 aunts, a cousin, 3 friends and the BF), there's lots of to get eatin'!

 

[DL55]

I'm sure Grammy would want you to remember her at WDW .
(Interesting.. I had a Grammy (not Grandma) too AND I went to Disneyland for the first time when I was seven )
I'm going to enjoy following your trip, as we all are kids again at WDW.

 

[Beana9802]

I'm IN!

 

[MA pigletfan]

*I'm turning 28 on Sunday and I've lived all of those years in Southeastern MA. Which means two things:
1.) I am used to two seasons: "winter" and "hotandhumid"
2.) We have coffee milk here and my chow mein is probably different from yours

Ha! how very true..
also..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

[Beana9802]

PS- I miss coffee milk, SOO much. You just can't get that here. I went to PC in RI, Student Taught in North Attleboro, and have friends who live in Seekonk and Swansea.


I am heading up to Seekonk next weekend, and will be sure to get Coffee Milk Syrup...

Have you ever been to Greggs? You need to go and have Jordan's Cheese Fries. There's on in East Providence, one on North main in Providence, I think there's one in Warwick, and one other.... UH!

I know, OT, but Rock on Southeastern MA, Northern RI!

 

[Tink-ing]

I'm sure Grammy would want you to remember her at WDW .
(Interesting.. I had a Grammy (not Grandma) too AND I went to Disneyland for the first time when I was seven )

I have 3 sets of grandparents (result of my dad's parents divorcing/remarrying) and I had a Grammy, and still have a Memere and a Grandma/Nanna.

I love my Disney memories of my Grammy. Those pictures are the last ones I have of her before she passed. If I can get to it and clean my craft room, I'd like to scan a couple and post them as part of this report, as she's always so much a part of my Disney trips.

also..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thank you! It was a great birthday!

I'm IN!

PS- I miss coffee milk, SOO much. You just can't get that here.

Mmm...Autocrat coffee syrup...PM your address and I'll send you a bottle if you can't get it while you're visiting. I'll be your Autocrat supplier.

I went to PC in RI, Student Taught in North Attleboro, and have friends who live in Seekonk and Swansea.

I lived in Swansea from the time I was 11 until I was about 22. My parents still live there.

Have you ever been to Greggs?

We have Greggs cakes for every holiday dessert at my Nanna's house. Gregg's cakes are like the Disney World of baked goods.

Working on another update folks. Thanks for sticking around. I hope to have it up tomorrow or Thursday at the latest as I'm inundated with work (BLEH!) after treating myself with a 3-day weekend and I have class tonight.

 

[DL55]

OH Belated Happy Birthday!
I've been reading older posts and I didn't realize I could have said it on time.

 

[ILGoofy]

Well after lurking for a long time, I finally registered. I even subscribed to your thread. I'm turning 28 pretty soon and I also have a trip planned for September '08. Unfortunately, it's looking like it'll be a solo trip, because I can't convince anybody to tag along. Madness. Who doesn't want to go to Disney World?

 

[Tink-ing]

Chapter Three: The One After The Other Two That's Not Really A Chappie

A very "raw" update with just some basics in case you're wondering if we share any potential trip details and whether or not you want to read this for something other than entertainment value.

I promise to provide more detailed info on all of this in short(ish) order, as a lot of it has funny backstory, etc.:

Who: Me (Nikki ~ see above post(s)) and my friend Missy, and, if pigs fly, the BF, but I'm not counting on that right now.
What: Why, a trip to Disney, silly! And a pirate themed one, at that. We're considering naming our trip something along the lines of: Winsome Wenches Wander the World
When: Right now the tentative dates are: 9/18/08-9/25/08
Where: Animal Kingdom Lodge
Why: It's Disney. It's Halloween. It's been 3+ years since I've last visited my favorite 'haunt'. Just because. Doth Disney need a better reason?
How: Planes. Trains. Automobiles. Begging on the corners for spare change. AAA discounts. By bartering away bits of my own sanity.

Ok. Back to work now. No job = No Disney. And yet I couldn't resist the teensiest of updates for all of you coming out of lurkdom/getting your DIS fix/crazy enough (but in love with Disney enough) to read this PTR/TR 11 months in the making!

OH Belated Happy Birthday!
I've been reading older posts and I didn't realize I could have said it on time.

Aw, thanks. Still made me smile. I'm a birthday princess of sorts. Wish me happy birthday 10 weeks from now. I'll probably still love it.

Well after lurking for a long time, I finally registered. I even subscribed to your thread. I'm turning 28 pretty soon and I also have a trip planned for September '08. Unfortunately, it's looking like it'll be a solo trip, because I can't convince anybody to tag along. Madness. Who doesn't want to go to Disney World?

Yay! Welcome to the party. Have some rum! We've got plenty. And a general welcome to the DIS and out of lurkdom. It's so much fun here.

Most of my trips, and some of the best ones at that, were solo trips. I'm going to try to tell some mini-trippies about those adventures and include some pics. I loveLoveLOVE me some solo...ish...ness. Not sure if you've ever gone solo before, but if not, feel free to ask any questions you might have.



(Looking at that little smiley guy with the cup...that's a HUGE glass...of rum. Poor guy's not going to know what hit him come morning. Someone best get him that classic hangover remedy of Coca-Cola and MickeyD's!)

 

[Beana9802]

Mmm...Autocrat coffee syrup...PM your address and I'll send you a bottle if you can't get it while you're visiting. I'll be your Autocrat supplier.
I lived in Swansea from the time I was 11 until I was about 22. My parents still live there. We have Greggs cakes for every holiday dessert at my Nanna's house. Gregg's cakes are like the Disney World of baked goods.

Do you know the Ferreria's (Sara and Neal, Rosemary and Anthony)?
OOf, I also know people in Fall River, New Bedford, and Somerset..sheesh I forgot. Anyway, thanks for the offer, I'll let you know! Thank you thank you thank you!

I already put an order of Jordan's cheesefries and a slice of heathbar crunch cake in for when I get off the ferry and up to Seekonk on Friday night. SOO EXCITED!

On with the show!

 

[Beana9802]

Well after lurking for a long time, I finally registered. I even subscribed to your thread. I'm turning 28 pretty soon and I also have a trip planned for September '08. Unfortunately, it's looking like it'll be a solo trip, because I can't convince anybody to tag along. Madness. Who doesn't want to go to Disney World?

Awesome that you joined!
You'll find that
to our family
I'm turning 28 soon too!

I went solo in August of 07, boy was it awesome! It was only part of my vacation (I spent the rest of the time at my gram's 80th a few hours away, but went early to do the Dis)...boy was it great! If I could take off, I'd go with ya! hehe