This time I'LL be the GUIDE!- Aug 2016 PTR (UPTD 8/12- first time for everything!)

[YukiPhnx]

HELLO ALL AND WELCOME TO MY PTR!!!

I JUST put down a deposit for the All Star Music resort. Talk about a last minute trip!!! I’ve never booked a trip less than a year out!

So what brought on this trip and WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?? How dare I call myself a DISer and book a trip less than 180 days out???

Calm down! I can explain!

Let me start from the beginning. I was born in China and immigrated to Canada when…oh wait, that’s too far back.

Everyone I know knows that I’m the one you go to about Disney parks, OBVIOUSLY. I’m THAT person.

So around last September, my uncle approached me about helping him plan a trip for his family of 4. I happily agreed to it (re: I live for planning trips to Disney).

The more we talked about it, the more he wanted to bring me along. I had just returned to Canada after 2 years of studying in Beijing and wasn’t sure if I could even afford a trip in the coming year. He on the other hand wasn’t sure when his family could go.

We continued to talk about it every time we saw each other, about every two weeks. My DU and DA (Dear Uncle and Dear Aunt, is that a thing?) REALLY wanted to go. With much persuasion, they convinced me to join them. They’re even offering to pay for my part of the trip!

Long story short, they finally made up their minds the other day and I took advantage of the Awaken Summer Deal to book 2 rooms at ASMusic.

Now, for your favourite part of the PTR, the details!

When: Aug 19-Aug 25

Where: All Star Music

Who: Yours truly with my DU, DA, and 2 DCs (Dear Cousins, this is ok right?)

I just realized I haven’t introduced myself yet!

You can call me Yuki (that’s my name). I’m a self-declared Disney GEEK and am just pretty well-rounded in geekery. My first trip to WDW was at the tender age of 17 in 2006. Since then, I’ve been back to WDW twice, Disneyland once, Tokyo Disney once, and held an annual pass to Hong Kong Disneyland.



I will be joined by my Uncle, who is my mom’s oldest younger brother (say that ten times fast), his wife, and their two children Ricky (aged 12), and Angel (aged 11). FUN FACT: I had the pleasure of naming them!

[Image missing]

Don’t worry, you’ll see more of them in my TR and TRIP VLOG.

If you’ve made it this far, you get a macadamia nut cookie! It’s in the mail.



Please join me in the CRAZY that is trying to secure ADRs, learn about MyMagic+ and Fastpass+, choose FP+ for 4 Disney noobs, and figure out which groceries to buy... in FOUR MONTHS!!!

Can I do it? You’ll just have to follow along and see.
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[YukiPhnx]

CONTENTS

A LITTLE BACKSTORY
It's not the POP this time
Mickey Mail, Tickets, and Memory Maker!
PASSPORT PROBLEMS
ITINERARY-for now
DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE
REAL LIFE UPDATE
Top 20 things I can't wait for
Good NEWS Everyone!!!
FP+ Planning
Mini TR-Anime North
Carry-on Only!
First time for everything!

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[YukiPhnx]

A LITTLE BACKSTORY

Like I said, my very first trip to The World was when I was 17. What made this trip extra special was that it was the first trip my younger siblings, DS and DB, and I took without our parents.

You read that right. My super duper responsible parents thought it would be a great idea for teenaged Yuki to take her pre-teen siblings to Florida all by their lonesome with no adults in sight.

In their defense, I was a REALLY responsible teenager. Plus, my parents just weren’t that interested in taking us to Disney so they made me do it.


Still MGM-Studios at the time

It was a dream come true to FINALLY go to the place SO MANY of my friends bragged about going when they were younger!

Even though we only went on a handful of rides and had no idea what Fastpasses were, we still had THE TIME OF OUR LIVES.

Just like that, I caught the Disney bug. I couldn’t WAIT to return!



Fast forward a few years and I started dating my now husband, Andrew. Constantly looking for a reason to go back to WDW (I needed one, I was a broke student!), I decided that we would go after we graduated in 2010.

I was MUCH MORE prepared this time. I read anything and everything about Disney I could get my hands on. I bought the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (the Disney bible) and read it cover to cover.

I DIScovered the DISboards and read every menu on Allears and pretty much every article on MouseSavers. I scoured the internets and bookstores for as much information I could find. I lived and breathed Disney. (Links to my PTR and TR for this trip is in my signature )


I went full commando style and nearly burnt myself out on the THIRD DAY when Andrew said something that has changed the way I travel since.

“If we don’t get to do something this time, it just gives you a reason to come back.”

I chilled out A BIT after that (come on, there’s only so much that can be done) and was able to have an ABSOLUTE BLAST even if I didn’t do everything on my touring plans.



Something incredibly MAGICAL happened on this trip. We were chosen to be the Grand Marshalls in AK’s Jingle Jungle Parade!



At the end of this trip I learned one thing. I needed more days at Disney! I immediately started planning my next trip when I returned home.

By now, I had blossomed into a REALLY responsible young adult and everyone in my circle of family and friends were fully aware of my full blown Disney OBSESSION.

They started discussing the idea of me bringing my younger cousins and some relatives to Disney the next time I went. I happily obliged.

The more the merrier right?

My siblings caught wind of this plan and asked to tag along. Ok so for my next trip, it’ll be a group of… 8 people including Andrew?

NO PROBLEM.

Then something AMAZING happened. Andrew proposed!!!



And our wedding would happen right before…the trip I was planning? So that means….

We’re having a DISNEYMOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m also not sure how it happened but my two best friends got added to the trip and now we were having a 10-people Disneymoon! I could TOTALLY plan a wedding, a Disneymoon for 10, and prepare to move to Beijing for two years.



It was a 12-day trip. Hey, you only get a married once amirite?

Everyone had a FANTASTIC TIME and one of my relatives is even enrolled in the Disney college program right now!



Somewhere along the way, I even had the good fortune of going to Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney. I’m pretty proud to say I’ve been to 9 out of 11 Disney parks! I already have plans to visit Shanghai Disneyland in 2020!



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Now you’re caught up with my WDW history!

Next time in my PTR: Can I get Mickey waffles at ASMu?

Thanks for reading!

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[Lifelong_Dreamer]

So glad to see you back Yuki! I am very jealous that you have been to Tokyo Disney!

 

[YukiPhnx]

So glad to see you back Yuki! I am very jealous that you have been to Tokyo Disney!

Thanks Lessa! Tokyo Disney was INCREDIBLE. I'm so lucky I got the opportunity to experience it!

 

[glennbo123]

I'll have to come back to read, but signing on Yuki! So good to see you on here again! I scanned through the pictures and they look great!

 

[Rozz]

Joining in!

 

[englishrose47]

I,m here too and I see Glenn signed up for yours before mine

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Okay, following over from Rosie's 2016 PTR. If nothing else, another chance to pick on her............

I'll try to keep up...........now off to read up!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

I JUST put down a deposit for the All Star Music resort. Talk about a last minute trip!!! I’ve never booked a trip less than a year out!

And you call yourself a DISer.........sheesh!

So what brought on this trip and WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?? How dare I call myself a DISer and book a trip less than 180 days out???

Oops

We continued to talk about it every time we saw each other, about every two weeks. My DU and DA (Dear Uncle and Dear Aunt, is that a thing?)

Who: Yours truly with my DU, DA, and 2 DCs (Dear Cousins, this is ok right?)

Hey, we're all DISers too! You don't have to 'splain them.......we'll figure them out!

Now, for your favourite part of the PTR, the details!
When: Aug 19-Aug 25

You'll be there to celebrate my birthday for me! Wish I could be there to do it myself........

My first trip to WDW was at the tender age of 17 in 2006. Since then, I’ve been back to WDW twice, Disneyland once, Tokyo Disney once, and held an annual pass to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Okay, okay...........I to your Disney Geekdom!

If you’ve made it this far, you get a macadamia nut cookie! It’s in the mail.

One of my favorites! I'll be watching my box............

In their defense, I was a REALLY responsible teenager. Plus, my parents just weren’t that interested in taking us to Disney so they made me do it.

Still MGM-Studios at the time

And of course you were able to perfectly model the HAT!

“If we don’t get to do something this time, it just gives you a reason to come back.”

That's a great philosophy. The great thing about having DVC and using APs. Pat and I are so much less stressed when we don't have to kill ourselves trying to do it all every trip!

I chilled out A BIT after that (come on, there’s only so much that can be done) and was able to have an ABSOLUTE BLAST even if I didn’t do everything on my touring plans.

Great that you got to learn it at such a young age. Some of us aren't that lucky.

Then something AMAZING happened. Andrew proposed!!!

What a great place for a magical event to occur.

Everyone had a FANTASTIC TIME and one of my relatives is even enrolled in the Disney college program right now!

It's great to pass on great traditions!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I'll have to come back to read, but signing on Yuki! So good to see you on here again! I scanned through the pictures and they look great!

Thanks Glenn!!! I'm still working my way through your TR =)

Joining in!

Rozz!

I,m here too and I see Glenn signed up for yours before mine

So great to have you here Rosie! And

Okay, following over from Rosie's 2016 PTR. If nothing else, another chance to pick on her............

I'll try to keep up...........now off to read up!

Awesome to see you here! Haha, poor Rosie!

 

[YukiPhnx]

And you call yourself a DISer.........sheesh!

I know I know

Hey, we're all DISers too! You don't have to 'splain them.......we'll figure them out!

It's been a LOONG time. I don't remember seeing them being used before...

You'll be there to celebrate my birthday for me! Wish I could be there to do it myself........

Oooh, when's your birthday? One of my DC's have a birthday right after this trip so we'll be celebrating that!

Okay, okay...........I to your Disney Geekdom!

One of my favorites! I'll be watching my box............

I know right? My parents went once with my grandma when we were very little. It's been a dream of mine to go to Disney with my parents!

And of course you were able to perfectly model the HAT!

Thank you! I'm SO SAD the hat is gone!

That's a great philosophy. The great thing about having DVC and using APs. Pat and I are so much less stressed when we don't have to kill ourselves trying to do it all every trip!

We've discussed getting DVC before. I think I'll have to put it back on the table.... That sounds so wonderful!

Great that you got to learn it at such a young age. Some of us aren't that lucky.

It's all thanks to Andrew's wisdom! And his attempt to chill me out

What a great place for a magical event to occur.

It was most magical

It's great to pass on great traditions!

I'm so happy I inspired her to apply to the program! I only wish they had the program in Canada when I was still in school

 

[YukiPhnx]

It’s not the POP this time

Let me start off by saying, Pop Century is my HOME resort. It’s the “Happy Place” I go to in my head when I’m having a bad day. Looking at pictures of it NEVER fails to make me feel better.


I’m going to miss you, Goofy with a surfboard.

Of all the Values, Pop is usually the best deal. It costs the same as the All Stars but has its own dedicated buses, slightly cheaper tax rate (by like, 0.5%), and is connected to Art of Animation!

But unfortunately, it’s probably due to that last part that Disney has raised the prices for Pop. It is now more expensive than the All Stars. I was devastated when I noticed that. I’m trying to save my DU and DA the most money here, which means we can’t stay at Pop this time.



My first All Star choice was Movies. Since this is their first trip, I thought something OVERTLY Disney would be great!

Unfortunately, ASMo no longer had any Standard rooms available with the Summer Deal going on. ASSp never really appealed to me. ASMu still had rooms available, so I jumped on that!

Looking at ASMu’s layout, it’s pretty different from all the other Values. I really hope I get a room in the Jazz building because I DO NOT want to get stuck all the way in the back!

I know I’ll be tempted to visit Pop on this trip but I really shouldn’t give myself reasons to feel bad.

Well, here’s to trying something new!

​

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[Poolrat]

Jumping on here. Great to have you back.

You have had quite the adventures !!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Jumping on here. Great to have you back.

You have had quite the adventures !!

Great to know you're still here! So happy you're joining us!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

It's been a LOONG time. I don't remember seeing them being used before...

Not sure I've ever seen them before, and it did take a long second when I went HUH? ..........but it was pretty obvious in the end.

Oooh, when's your birthday? One of my DC's have a birthday right after this trip so we'll be celebrating that!

20th

It's all thanks to Andrew's wisdom! And his attempt to chill me out

Yes, I know about having to attempt to chill someone out also.............

Let me start off by saying, Pop Century is my HOME resort. It’s the “Happy Place” I go to in my head when I’m having a bad day. Looking at pictures of it NEVER fails to make me feel better.

Pop is a fun place to stay, but when you get right down to it.........anywhere at Disney is magical. Here's hoping you find lots of things about ASMu to love!

 

[englishrose47]

I have never stayed anywhere but Pop , but there could be that first time !!! Let me know how it is at All Stars

 

[YukiPhnx]

20th

Pop is a fun place to stay, but when you get right down to it.........anywhere at Disney is magical. Here's hoping you find lots of things about ASMu to love!

I have never stayed anywhere but Pop , but there could be that first time !!! Let me know how it is at All Stars

I looked at some pictures of ASMu on Instagram, and I have to say I'm getting kind of excited! I mean, it's still a Disney hotel! I especially like the Broadway section of the resort. It looks so cool!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Yuki! Welcome back! We stayed a night at ASMU and really liked it. We were in Jazz and it was a great locstion. I think you will like it.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Hey Yuki! Welcome back! We stayed a night at ASMU and really liked it. We were in Jazz and it was a great locstion. I think you will like it.

Tammie!!! So great to have you here!

Fingers crossed I get the Jazz section. Glad to hear you liked it!