There’s No Turning Back Now! 7/23 - Link to my new PTR!

[Tink-erin-belle]

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

How many of us have a phone on the Android platform? How many of us have an iPhone? I’m on Team Android and I’m absolutely in LOVE with my HTC Evo! I ordered it from Sprint the moment it came out last year. My sister and her boyfriend are Team iPhone and believe me, this Android vs. iPhone debate has pitted sister against sister! Actually, “Dewey” doesn’t even have an iPhone yet, but she is waiting for her contract with Sprint to expire so she can get one like her DBF. She currently has a Blackberry. She also the one who got me and our sister “Huey” on the Blackberry bandwagon! Dewey is always on the cutting edge of technology but Huey and I ditched our “Crackberry”s for phones on the Android platform around the same time last year. I think Huey got a Samsung? I can’t remember, but I do know she likes it. It was hard for both of us to give up our Crackberrys and it will be hard for Dewey too when she gets her iPhone. They don’t call it Crackberry for nothin’!

I was so in love with my Blackberry that I brought it a new housing so that I could change it from the standard black color to pink! Pink is one of my favorite colors and it turned out so pretty! I was going to take a picture for you all to see, but then I realized that no one gives a crap about my old pink phone! True affectionately renamed my Blackberry “Pinkberry”. Wow, I must really be crazy to still have my old phone from almost a year ago. See how as a society, we are so addicted to technology??? OK, I’m trying to lump everyone in with me when I know that I am the one with a problem.

Hello, my name is Erin and I am addicted to smartphones

I do have a reason (err…excuse) to keep my precious Pinkberry around. I read somewhere that it is a good idea to keep your old phone when you upgrade just in case something happens to your new phone – especially on vacation. If your phone gets lost/stolen/damaged beyond repair, the cell phone company can activate your own phone until it can replace your new phone. I’m not a smartphone hoarder or anything because once I upgrade from my Evo (which I will inevitably do since I am a techno junkie) I’ll be able to recycle my Pinkberry and keep the Evo as a backup. As usual, I digress…

I’ve stumbled upon a few Disney apps as well as some apps not specific to Disney that I think will help me and the kids before and during the trip. Some of these apps were already loaded on the phone when I got it and some I downloaded myself from either the Android Marketplace or the Amazon App Store – so I’m about to list some of them so that we can all compare. Maybe you all can tell me what apps, if any, you used or will be using on your next trip. Team iPhone, I hope you guys participate too because iPhones and Androids have a lot of similar apps. So here goes:

One of the things I’m currently using is Disney Vacation Countdown:



158 days!!! This is actually a widget and not an app, so if you do download this, don’t freak out like I did when I couldn’t find it on my list of apps. Twice It took me a little while to go to my list of widgets and finally add it to my second home screen LOL One thing, if you do add this yourself, the countdown is off by one day so you have to tell it you’re are arriving a day later than you really are in order to get the accurate countdown.

An app I downloaded a while ago was Disney Wallpaper. There are a lot of wallpapers available and, of course, I chose one with Tinkerbell:



Cute, right? That is my “Vacation” home screen that I will switch to once we arrive in Orlando!

Next, I’ll just list apps in Alphabetical order (because that’s how I roll!)

Facebook




I’m on Facebook less and less these days because – let’s face it – I don’t want my coworkers and relatives to know about all of my shenanigans! I’m thinking about starting up a new FB account so that I can use it mostly for couponing ( a tip from Extreme Couponing. Anyone else addicted to that show?) Then it crossed my mind that I could use FB to document our upcoming trip as we go along. I like to use “check in” sites (but I’m getting ahead of myself – read more about that next) and it might be fun to check in to places in WDW. If I did that, though, and uploaded pictures and invited you guys to be my FB friends, what would be your incentive to read my TR? LOL!

Foursquare




I use this check in app all of the time. It updates where I am on FB and on my Twitter account too. Don’t worry. I actually know all of my FB friends and Twitter followers in real life and my security settings on both are on lock down, so I’m not worried about stalkers knowing where I am So there are quite a few places to check in on Foursquare in WDW. If you are interested, check it out here

Gowalla




This is another check in app but I have never used it. I was thinking of using it because in addition to checking in, it has little “trips” for people to go on and earn pins. Check it out here I thought it might be a fun thing for the kids to do while waiting in line in WDW.

SCVNGR




Yet another check in app where you can go on “treks”, complete activities and earn badges. It also updates on FB and Twitter. I’m not sure if SCVNGR is better, worse or exactly the same as Gowalla since I’ve never used this app either.

Sprint Hotspot

I already have that app locked and loaded on my Vacation home screen because when activated, this app turns the Evo into a mobile and secure Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 8 devices. I haven’t used it yet because I have the internet on my phone (obviously, since I am on the DISboards all day at work) and I have Wi-Fi at work and at home for my laptop. In Disney, though, there is NO WAY I’m paying $9.95 a night for HSI access! I’m going to add the hotspot to my phone for one month for $29.95. Yes, I can live for a few days without my laptop. Yes, I can do most things I need to do on my phone that I would normally do on a computer. I just don’t want to if I don’t have a choice

TeleNav GPS




Eh…I’m not happy with this app. It came with my phone and it has been force closing a lot recently. I hope the kinks get worked out soon but realistically, I might need to add GPS to my rental car. My ex-husband used to say I “could get lost in a circle” which was one of the few things he said that I found hilarious…because it is true!

The Weather Channel



This app is very accurate with hourly and daily forecasts. It is also going to be fun to see that it’s 80 degrees in Orlando and 50 degrees at home!

Tweetcaster



This is the best Twitter app IMO. I have a grand total of seven Twitter followers including one fictional character:



Coop from Nurse Jackie! (If anyone watches this, PLEASE don’t tell me what has happened because I haven’t watched it at all this season yet! I have to catch up!) Anyway, the six real people who follow me are family and friends who I can share my most intimate thoughts with, unlike on FB My great uncle is a FB friend of mine and I can’t imagine him reading, “Is it bad that I’m trying to get this task done today so that [name deleted] doesn’t have a chance to touch it and [expletive deleted] it up like the others?” That was a real Tweet that I sent within the last few weeks and I don’t think that my great uncle would appreciate that I was cursing if I had posted that on FB! I also don’t think that my coworkers would be able to keep from starting office gossip about me talking smack about one of our other coworkers LOL! So instead of sending a mass text to vent about my coworker being a slacker, I just Tweeted it! Anyway, I was thinking about doing Twitter updates during our vacation. Although, that once again brings up the question of how to get you guys interested in a TR if you already know what happened.

WDW Lines




I think I saved the best app for last. I hope so! Granted, this app is free but only useful if you subscribe to touringplans.com. BTW all of the apps I get are free and I have only ever paid for one app – Doodle Jump – because Dewey said I HAD TO HAVE it! It was $0.99 and it is a good time waster game, but it was basically the same thing as Abduction, which I got for free. It’s cool though, because I got all of my other apps for free AND it’s cool because Amazon App Store has a “paid app for free every day” promotion and I love that! I was able to get the full versions of Shazam, Talking Tom and a whole bunch of games for free! Yet again, I digress…I was talking about WDW Lines. I’m hoping it really does help with wait times, ride closures etc. like it is supposed to do.

So, what do you guys think? Should I Tweet about our vacation? I think that’s something the kids might have fun doing. Maybe a kid’s perspective on WDW? Hmm. What about Foursquare, Gowalla and SCVNGR? Anybody ever use any of those? What about the other apps I’ve mentioned? Have you had success with these apps? Are there any others that you all have used on vacation in WDW or anywhere else? And, just for the fun of it: Who is Team Android? Who is Team iPhone? Who is Team Crackberry? Who is Team A-Cell-Phone-is-a-Cell-Phone-and-You-Are-Totally-Insane-for-Dedicating-a-Whole-Post-to-Apps ?

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Hi Erin!!! I'm not a big techno geek (Heck, I'm still using the Motorola Razor!! ) so I really can't help you with apps and such. I do have some free apps on my ipod touch, but I don't fool around with it that much. I do have the WDW lines one and the Weatherchannel. I promise to update my ptr soon. I haven't been home much.....

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I have the Motorola Droid and am madly in love with my phone. I resisted having a smartphone for a long time and am so happy I caved. Love, love Android like you do Erin!

I actually have a few of the same apps/widgets you do! Disney Vacation Countdown and WDW Lines are my favorite Disney ones.

I don't Tweet but would totally follow your trip on FB.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm on team Crackberry Erin, so I don't know a ton about apps, but my son and husband have iphones, and I made them both get WDW line apps!

Not sure about tweeting your trip, I'm not a tweeter, so I don't know how much time it will take out of your fun? We're staying offsite in a house with wifi, so I'll do what I did last time and in the evening post a pic or update on FB and check my mail. I wouldn't be able to go without my internet the whole week, but just checking in will probably be enough for me!

 

[-Hope-]

I am so not sitting at the cool lunch table when it comes to phones. I don't tweet either but I'm a FB junkie and I'm sure I'd update while at WDW but probably not while I was in the parks, I wouldn't want anything to distract me from the magic! LOL

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hi Erin!!! I'm not a big techno geek (Heck, I'm still using the Motorola Razor!! ) so I really can't help you with apps and such. I do have some free apps on my ipod touch, but I don't fool around with it that much. I do have the WDW lines one and the Weatherchannel. I promise to update my ptr soon. I haven't been home much.....

OK, so I won’t put you on team iPhone, but I will put you on Team Apple with my sister since you have that sweet iPod Touch! She doesn’t have an iPhone yet, as I metioned before, but she has an iPod Touch and a Macbook. She’s been trying to convince me to get an Apple laptop when I finally do get a new one (my coworkers say Apple is the way to go for computers too). The only Apple product I have is an IPod Shuffle! As far as your Razor, those phones were a must have when they came out and I was so mad when I couldn’t get one because I didn’t want to change my contract! Razors were big time!

I have the Motorola Droid and am madly in love with my phone. I resisted having a smartphone for a long time and am so happy I caved. Love, love Android like you do Erin!

I actually have a few of the same apps/widgets you do! Disney Vacation Countdown and WDW Lines are my favorite Disney ones.

I don't Tweet but would totally follow your trip on FB.

TEAM ANDROID!!!

I have so many apps, I worry that I’m going to run out of space I read about the countdown widget on someone else’s PTR and I had to have it! I keep obsessively looking at it! 153 days now!

One vote for FB! Yes!

I'm on team Crackberry Erin, so I don't know a ton about apps, but my son and husband have iphones, and I made them both get WDW line apps!

Not sure about tweeting your trip, I'm not a tweeter, so I don't know how much time it will take out of your fun? We're staying offsite in a house with wifi, so I'll do what I did last time and in the evening post a pic or update on FB and check my mail. I wouldn't be able to go without my internet the whole week, but just checking in will probably be enough for me!

I miss my Crackberry! Good idea to get the iPhone carriers in your house to install WDW Lines! I would’ve done the same thing!

I wasn’t a “tweep” either until my now infamous sister insisted that our other sister and I get on Twitter It took me a while to get into it because of the format. Personally, I think it is sort of a watered down version of FB since there really isn’t a profile page and pictures can only be updated one at a time. I like FB better, but I like the people I am “friends” with on there less

I am so not sitting at the cool lunch table when it comes to phones. I don't tweet either but I'm a FB junkie and I'm sure I'd update while at WDW but probably not while I was in the parks, I wouldn't want anything to distract me from the magic! LOL

So I guess you’re on Team A-Cell-Phone-is-a-Cell-Phone-and-You-Are-Totally-Insane-for-Dedicating-a-Whole-Post-to-Apps! Kidding! Kidding! Since you’re a FB junkie, I’ll count that as a second vote for FB!

OK, guys, thanks for helping me to decide! I’m not going to post actual updates on FB, but I am going to use one or both of the check-in apps to track what we’re doing in the parks and they will update FB with our progress I’m still undecided about Gowalla vs. SCVNGR but I like that Gowalla actually has a deal with Disney to make up adventures to do and badges for people to earn. What I don’t like about SCVNGR is that I can’t see their Treks for Disney World because I’m too far away! I have seen Treks that are local to me, so I might try out one of those soon. Coy and True asked me to take them to DC soon (I’m really starting to take stock in this idea that they haven’t been getting along recently because they are starting to think so much alike now! ) so I think I’ll let them use my phone as we go on a Trek in DC. If it works out well, I’ll do the same thing in Disney and let them use my phone as we wait in line so that they can check in at rides or restaurants. I think it’ll be a fun way to help us to pass the time.

I’ll probably upload pictures to FB from my phone here and there while in the parks, but I won’t do any full-fledged posts while we’re enjoying ourselves. I try to stay as disconnected as I can while in the parks and I save the phone calls and checking email until I get back to the resort. Which brings me to a tangent! You know me. It wouldn’t be an Erin Update if there wasn’t a tangent! In 2009 when the kids and I were on the monorail one afternoon, I got an “urgent” call from work. I was so POed as I was talking to this person because what she was asking me about was certainly not mission critical and she could’ve gotten this information from at least two other people besides me! I was on vacation with my children and this non-urgent piece of information couldn’t have come from anyone other than me? That wasn’t the straw that broke the camel’s back, but it was one of many straws that started to put pressure on me to find a new job. That department relied on me heavily but when the opportunities came up for a promotion in that department, I never got it. That was why I was ecstatic to finally get promoted OUT of that department and into a department that appreciated me and all of the hard work I did! I’ve been with this company for five years. I’ve been in this new job for less than a year and I have already had more opportunities in this department than I’ve ever had at this company before I love this company as a whole, but I’m so glad I was able to get out of my old dead-end job there and switch to a new job! Sooooooo worth the pay cut! *she says as she reaches into a pocket filled with nothing but lint* Just kidding!

I’ve already created a new FB profile for couponing. I’m looking forward to “like”ing a whole bunch of products to see what kind of offers roll in. I’ll probably tell a select few of my current FB friends about my new profile. Maybe I’m too nice, but I can’t bring myself to “un-friend” coworkers I “friend-ed” out of obligation or “un-friend” high school acquaintances that I only “friend-ed” because of our upcoming 20 year reunion So, if you guys want to be among my first FB friends on my new profile, let me know and I’ll PM you my name1 You know, privacy and all of that neurotic stuff LOL! I’m going upload pictures from Disney Trips Past so that I can share with you all too! Hopefully you’ll follow along as the kids and I act like tourists in DC within the next few weeks!

 

[micandminforever]

I look forward to the pictures of your DC trip. It sounds fun.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Oh Erin, you are such a riot!!! I love reading your posts. I'm into couponing too, but I am nowhere near an extreme couponer. That would take way too much effort!! But I do take advantage of offers like I just got an 8x10 collage photo at Walgreens. I have to go pick it up today. It was FREE. I would love to be a FB friend of yours, so please, pm me!!!! [/B]

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hey Erin! I hope your Mother's Day was nice!

PM me about FB. I keep my friend's list very small and don't have many people on there that I don't interact with in daily life (only a couple old hs friends) b/c I just don't like having tons of people who I don't even talk to on my list.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Per the discusion earlier in the thread about the refillable mugs I thought I would share this little gem with you.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/04/01/walt-disney-world-refillable-mugs-now-good-for-life/
It basically says that the mugs are no longer just for the length of your stay but are for the life of the mug. Perfect for someone planning to go to Disney again next year.

Sorry, didn't relize it was a April fools joke.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hey, guys! I'm sorry I haven't replied to you all yet or stayed up to date with your PTRs! It has been insanely busy at work again and when I get home, I don't even want to LOOK at a computer or at my phone So I just wanted to let you all know that I'm alive! I'm going to personalize my FB page soon and PM anyone who is interested when I'm done. I'll catch up with you guys soon!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Erin, PM me with your Facebook info when you can. I'd love to connect with you there too.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Missing you my friend!!!!! Hope everything is ok with you and the kids!!!

 

[micandminforever]

Just a quick HI.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hi, Everybody! I’m about to post an update in a minute

I look forward to the pictures of your DC trip. It sounds fun.

OK, great, I’ll PM you shortly!

Oh Erin, you are such a riot!!! I love reading your posts. I'm into couponing too, but I am nowhere near an extreme couponer. That would take way too much effort!! But I do take advantage of offers like I just got an 8x10 collage photo at Walgreens. I have to go pick it up today. It was FREE. I would love to be a FB friend of yours, so please, pm me!!!! [/B]

I’ll PM you too! The more I watch that Extreme Couponing show, the more I think it is totally unrealistic! I was able to save about 50% on my last shopping trip, though.

Hey Erin! I hope your Mother's Day was nice!

PM me about FB. I keep my friend's list very small and don't have many people on there that I don't interact with in daily life (only a couple old hs friends) b/c I just don't like having tons of people who I don't even talk to on my list.

I’ll PM you too! I’m the same way with my friends list. My mother’s Day was really great. I’ll have to post about that once I get back into the habit of posting! LOL! I hope your Mother’s Day was great also

Per the discusion earlier in the thread about the refillable mugs I thought I would share this little gem with you.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/04/01/walt-disney-world-refillable-mugs-now-good-for-life/
It basically says that the mugs are no longer just for the length of your stay but are for the life of the mug. Perfect for someone planning to go to Disney again next year.

Sorry, didn't relize it was a April fools joke.

That was hilarious! I wish they were good for life!

Erin, PM me with your Facebook info when you can. I'd love to connect with you there too.

I’ll PM you shortly!

Missing you my friend!!!!! Hope everything is ok with you and the kids!!!

I have been a bad DISer! Everything is great and I should have a post up in a few minutes

Just a quick HI.

Thanks for checking up on me! I hadn’t even realized it had been a month since my last update!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

My apologies! I’ve been neglecting my DISbuddies! Oh, how I long for the days that I was able to read and write on the DISboards while screwing around at work! I asked for more responsibility at work and I got it, so I’m not complaining because I’m working for a raise! On top of that, my team at work moved from our main office and into a satellite office. It’s a completely opposite direction from the other office and my commute has doubled! It’s worth it, though because my team and I have been learning a lot from our other coworkers by being in this office. It’s just taking some getting used to because I was getting home at 5:30 before and now I’m getting home at 6 if I’m lucky. The kids and I have gotten back into a regular weekday routine, though. Finally! LOL! Also, I have had my kids 3 weekends in a row (including this one), so I have a lot of real life stuff to share with you (if you guys are still reading after my prolonged absence! ) but first, I have to tell you that there is another reason I’ve been MIA from the DIS. You guys won’t believe this!
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I’m engaged! What a rock, right?!? JUST KIDDING!!! I couldn’t resist! If I had a fiancé that could afford a real ring like THAT, I’d stop planning this trip and I would have him buy us a house in Golden Oak so that we could LIVE in Disney! LOL! I actually got this ring for about a buck when I went to the party store with True to shop for Coy’s birthday party supplies. She saw one just like that, but with a “ruby” stone and HAD TO HAVE IT so I got that one for her and the “diamond” one for Coy so that he could use it to propose to one of Cinderella’s step-sisters. I got the idea of Coy to propose from Hope’s PTR from her family’s trip last year. Then I looked on the DIS to get more ideas about how to interact with the characters and found this thread. I’ve read about half of the entire thread (again, I’m getting nostalgic for the days when I could put on a “computer face” and pretend I was actually working at work while I was really reading threads on the DISboards! LOL!) It never really occurred to me to say things and do things with the furry and face characters to encourage them to perform. The kids and I would always just stand there like bumps on a log to pose for pictures! We’d feel lucky if we got a bounce out of Tigger or a high five from Goofy! What a waste of their talent because, according to that thread, the characters are just itching to show off their acting skills! Actually, we got a little taste of it from the Streetmosphere characters in HS in 2009:



But I figured that was just all part of their “acting!” (I’m picturing the Master Thespian character Jon Lovitz played on Saturday Night Live when he theatrically exclaimed, “Acting!” LOL) We also saw a great deal of interaction in 2008 when we met Anastasia and Drizella. I can’t remember what they said to the kids but it was hilarious! Their mother – Cinderella’s step-mother – was very cold, controlling and nasty to her bratty daughters and the audience. They were great! The three of them had me cracking up the whole time! The step-mother told True to make a serious face for the picture:




I hope I can get Coy to propose to one of the step-sisters. I’m pretty sure it’s going to take a fair amount of bribery I’d also like to get them to serenade us with “Sing Sweet Nightingale” but we’ll see… Maybe Coy will be able to bribe them into it with this ring:





Speaking of big rings and royal weddings, have you all seen this picture?






The comparison of William and Kate to the cartoon is sweet, but the comparison of Fergie’s daughters to Cinderella’s step-sisters is just mean! I think Beatrice’s hat was an unfortunate choice but hey, it’s getting a lot of attention! I’ve already warned my friends and family that if I ever get married again, it will be a formal affair and all of the women must wear hats!

So anyway, are there any things that you’ve done to interact with the characters? You know I’m making a list!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm here! I'm here! It's been a while since you have updated, but I'm kind of slacking as well lately. It's summer after all and we're busy!

Hmmmm, I can't think of many things I have done with the characters. Savannah stuck her tongue out at the stepsisters and that created a really huge scene, they did not like that! They my SIL (who is mentally challenged and didn't get why Savannah stuck her tongue out at them) came up and shook their hands and they oohed and ah-ed over her and the Stepmother told me THAT is how you teach a girl to behave!

Thumper danced with Savannah, but there wasn't anything we did to cause it, just disney magic!

LOVE your ring btw!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Glad you're back in action Erin! I hope Coy decides to go along with the proposal. That would be so, so funny!

 

[tinkerbells mum]

glad you're back, looking forward to hearing the rest of your plans.

we had a couple of good charachter interactions, when DD met Mary Poppins in Epcot she asked if she could say supercalif............ (you know what i mean!!!) backwards and she did and taught DD how to say it, it was so cute. when we met the ugly step sisters we commented on how nice thier smiles in the photos were which got them talking about how their mum had told them to always use all of their teeth when they smile!!!!!!! i love the idea of you getting Coy to propose the sisters will love it xx