Tried to make me go to (Disney)Rehab & I said No No No! PTR 10/16/09 On our way!

[TiggerAllie]

I can't believe it! Our trip is 9 days away!!

I feel like there should be so much to do, but there really isn't... we have room, airfare, car, tickets (APs/MNSSHP), tours, F&W events, ADRs... all of that is done!

I have nothing else to add to my fancy spreadsheet, I guess! (I have a 1 page sheet that has all the important confirmation numbers (flight, car, ADR, tix, etc.) and times, as well as what park we think we are going to that day... plus other good tidbits collected on the DIS... I have it boxed out so I can fold it up in my purse and see all the important information at once.)

A few more things to pick up at the store this weekend, and then, let the packing begin!

 

[jenbear123]

I am so incredibly jealous and so incredibly excited for you at the same time!!! NINE DAYS WOOOOOOOT I'm really looking forward to your TR when you come back! You are going to do one right? And complete it this time right!?

I think I'm going to start work on my own fancy spreadsheet. Seeing how it's pushing 11:30PM EST and I have to be up and out to work for 11am tomorrow... the spreadsheet might just need to wait until tomorrow night Sigh. Always so much to do but so little time to be dedicated to Disney each day. Would love to hear all about what you'll be packing too

 

[TiggerAllie]

Yes! I will do my TR when I get back!!

Actually, I still have the notes from the WL/Poly trip, so I could technically finish it....

I started trying to keep a journal (at least on longer trips) to remember all the fun things we did while we were there! Unfortunately, the Disney book I had from before is actually supposed to have pull-out pages, so the pages kind of come out when you turn them, and I need to find a new one for this trip.

I need a vacation so bad!!!!!!!!!! (Haven't been on one since May, and haven't been to Disney since March!) Can't wait to start packing this wknd!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Oh yeah, one thing I do have to get situated this weekend:

Character planning! We are seeking out Marie (supposedly in France) and Thumper & Miss Bunny (Camp Minnie-Mickey). If we can find the Brer characters too... it'll be great!

(Did I mention I have a Bambi DisVisa?

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I can't believe it! Our trip is 9 days away!!

I feel like there should be so much to do, but there really isn't... we have room, airfare, car, tickets (APs/MNSSHP), tours, F&W events, ADRs... all of that is done!

I have nothing else to add to my fancy spreadsheet, I guess! (I have a 1 page sheet that has all the important confirmation numbers (flight, car, ADR, tix, etc.) and times, as well as what park we think we are going to that day... plus other good tidbits collected on the DIS... I have it boxed out so I can fold it up in my purse and see all the important information at once.)

A few more things to pick up at the store this weekend, and then, let the packing begin!

Our trip dates are exactly the same, and I feel the same way as you. All of the big stuff has been done! I'll spend the next 8 days cleaning the house (hate to come home to a dirty house--yuck!), and doing laundry. I'm also checking the weather every single day. The weather reports have not stayed the same two days in a row!

I'm getting my Mickey pedi tonight!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Our trip dates are exactly the same, and I feel the same way as you. All of the big stuff has been done! I'll spend the next 8 days cleaning the house (hate to come home to a dirty house--yuck!), and doing laundry. I'm also checking the weather every single day. The weather reports have not stayed the same two days in a row!

OMG the weather reports are killing me! Now this morning there is all this raininess around Tues-to-Wed, of course our MNSSHP night! But, the weather report does change daily. I've just got to start watching only the 10day forecast and not the 15 day one. No more checking until Saturday!
I've also been following the tropical forecast... they are talking about TD Henri moving across FL on Tues and possibly reforming in the Gulf!? Boo! I hope everything stays as quiet as it's been at least for 2 more weeks!

I will also be cleaning this weekend. We had some water damage to our ceiling, and they are finally coming to finish the repairs (sand dry wall and paint) tomorrow, which means everything will be a dusty mess by the time they are done.

NOTE TO SELF: call member services with room requests so I can do online check-in already!

For VWL I'm going to request near elevator, upper floor, lake view. Last time, we had the very end room on the top floor and it was a HIKE to get back and forth.

I haven't decided what to do about our WL requests. We have Woods View booked, and I don't know if I should try to request the north wing (to possibly see MK fireworks, though I doubt we'll ever be in the room during fireworks time) of just leave it to the room fairy for a possible upgrade. (Last time we had woods view booked, we ended up with inner courtyard, yay!) I'm thinking maybe just "upper floor" will do.

 

[TiggerAllie]

1 week from today I'll be heading out for WDW! It can't get here soon enough!

Room requests (VWL): Check!
Our costumes arrived in the mail yesterday--we'll have to spend this weekend figuring out exactly how to make them work (what to wear under them, etc) and not fry in the supposed heat and humidity that the weather ppl keep predicting.

Ok, since we are down to a week away (!!) here's what our itinerary is looking like...

1 wk from today! (Fri) Fly down to MCO from DTW, pick up the rental car, and heading over to VWL! Unfortunately, our flight arrival time was backed-up by ~45min, so I don't think we'll be able to activate our AP renewals Fri night. (We are scheduled to get in at 10:15PM, and as far as I can tell all the GR/ticket stuff closes at 11PM.) Maybe snag some food at DTD: Raglan Rd or Paradisio 37, depending how we feel and how late it is.

Sat Arrive at EPCOT at 7:45AM for Nature-Inspired Design Segway tour meeting at 8:15AM. (We have to get there early to activate our AP renewals before meeting for the tour!) After tour, F&W snacking interspersed with 3 F&W seminars: Tchoup-Choup (Emeril's Orlando restaurant), Bunratty Meads, and Moet Champange. I'm sure it will be crowded, but with 4 "hard ticket" events filling most of the day, we shouldn't see the crowds too much. That should take us up until 6:30ish, when we'll have to drive back to VWL to cool off and change (unfortunately there may not be time for the pool) and head over to our Jiko ADR. We'll check out the new Kidani Village area and hopefully be able to use the night-vision goggles to see the animals while we are there. I might push back the Jiko ADR just a bit.... because there are times available.... though we will be getting up so early that morning, after traveling (and working all day) the day before, and I do want to be able to enjoy dinner and not fall asleep face-first into my plate!

Sun Today is up in the air... we may go over the Outlets at the end of Int'l Dr (a must on every trip) because DP has coupon for % off at the Coach outlet that ends on Sun. Or, we may go to AK. Or, we may sleep in and hang at the pool. MK is on MNSSHP so we could also stop by there for a bit. Then we have our CA Grill ADRs to coincide with Hallowishes (my FAVORITE WDW fireworks show!)

Mon Today, we move across the courtyard from VWL to WL. If we don't go to the outlets on Sun, maybe today. It could also be a good day for DHS rope drop and TSM, since it is the day post-evening EMH! Also it may be the day to go to DTD to see the Princess Diana exhibit. It all depends on what we do on Sunday. We will be at AKL again for dinner at Sanaa that night. I'm so excited to try a new restaurant! Depending on how we feel, we might head back to MK for evening EMH!

(to be continued...)

 

[TiggerAllie]

(double post)

 

[TiggerAllie]

(I broke up the posts for ease of reading)

Tues AM: maybe DHS, or outlets, or MK, or AK... Or we just go over to EPCOT early for our Le Cellier lunch reservation! (We'll look for "Bubba"!) Then, head back to WL to get ready for MNSSHP at MK! Gotta get the Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent costumes ready! We'll probably head over to MK by boat instead of driving. We're planning on either eating at Columbia Harbor House before it closes or getting some Chicken fingers at Cosmic Rays. I'll be doing the No Rain Dance!

Wed Our other for-sure EPCOT F&W day! We'll be hitting 3 more seminars: La Creama Winery (O Canada!), Martin & Remy ports, and a presentation from the GF pastry chef. Mmmm.... plus we'll have to work on our "round the world snacking" tour. Looking back, I think we need to add some of that in on Monday if possible. Gotta make some time to check out the new Cava del Tequila at Mexico. Head back to WL to pool/clean up and then off to Narcoossee's for dinner, coordinated with Wishes tonight. I may try to sneak in a SpectroMagic viewing right before our ADR... that would give us 20 minutes to get back through the MK gates and either wait for the GF boat or take the resort monorail around.

Thurs MK maybe for rope drop depending on how late the previous night goes, then head over to EPCOT for more eating! We should be finishing out the F&W booths today. I'm hoping to see some of the Eat to the Beat concert with Vanessa Carlton, since it's someone actually semi-recent. If we think we want to see Illuminations, I might push back our Kouzzina reservation another 15 mins or so to make it work. Another new restaurant--yay! Then we'll probably go hang out at Jellyrolls, as that is really fun and I haven't thought of another time we could work it in yet this trip!


Fri Get to MK early for a pre-opening ADR at Crystal Palace. This will be our last day! (Hey, I forgot to go get Tonga Toast from CCs at the Poly! Maybe Sunday morning...) We'll have to pack up and check out, but at least we don't need to leave WDW to catch our flight until 1-1:30ish.

Thanks for listening! This has really helped me think about some "not to forget" things to do... It's so hard to squeeze it all in! At least we'll be going back over New Years to enjoy more Disney spirit, so I think I need to focus on the things that won't be there then... i.e. F&W and MNSSHP.

 

[Elevationist]

Your itinerary sounds awesome! I'm soooo jealous of your F&W fun! Ron and I have decided that next time we go, it will be in October for F&W and MNSSHP. If I'm being optimistic, I'll say next year. But I know with us just moving in together and all, I'm guessing money will be too tight for a WDW trip in 2010. But 2011, FOR SURE.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Your itinerary sounds awesome! I'm soooo jealous of your F&W fun! Ron and I have decided that next time we go, it will be in October for F&W and MNSSHP. If I'm being optimistic, I'll say next year. But I know with us just moving in together and all, I'm guessing money will be too tight for a WDW trip in 2010. But 2011, FOR SURE.

Yes, you definitely must go for F&W and MNSSHP! But it will good if you can go really get a handle on the parks first, because MNSSHP and F&W will take up so much time that you won't be able to do all the parks and everything else too!

I'll be looking for your next PTR after this TR!

 

[Elevationist]

Yes, you definitely must go for F&W and MNSSHP! But it will good if you can go really get a handle on the parks first, because MNSSHP and F&W will take up so much time that you won't be able to do all the parks and everything else too!

I'll be looking for your next PTR after this TR!

Oh man, I'm going to be SO LONELY after the trip and I won't have a PTR anymore. LOL. I think that's going to be my main motivator in making sure I finish the TR!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Since I've never done a pre-trip report before, I don't know what protocol is... do you just start a new thread over in the TR section and link your PTR to it?

Also, do I start a new PTR for the Dec trip, or just keep adding on to this one?

I'm thinking I will go back and try to finish up parts of our WL/Poly MVMCP TR (from'06!?!) for fun. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16101236#post16101236 I did update the picture links that were all broken.

 

[Elevationist]

Since I've never done a pre-trip report before, I don't know what protocol is... do you just start a new thread over in the TR section and link your PTR to it?

Also, do I start a new PTR for the Dec trip, or just keep adding on to this one?

I'm thinking I will go back and try to finish up parts of our WL/Poly MVMCP TR (from'06!?!) for fun. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16101236#post16101236 I did update the picture links that were all broken.

I have no idea. I think I'm probably just going to start a new thread for the TR, and link to it so everybody who follows my PTR can go sub to the TR thread. I don't know if that's the "proper" way or not, but I figure it will work.

 

[TiggerAllie]

So, I completely had intentions to update/complete my previously neglected TR, but (not surprisingly) it was moved to "completed TRs" and closed. Oh well. I promise to be better this time! Actually, I'm sure I will, as I will use TR-writing to help pass the time until our next trip planned in over NYE.

Oh, and DP just submitted an abstract to a meeting in Orlando in Feb, so if that gets accepted we may be headed back to WDW for a bit then too!

It's probably good. I don't know when we'll get back to WDW once July comes. DP starts a new job in Boston, and we'll be moving there. I need to find a job there (yeah, that's what I'm supposed to be working on, not playing TA with our DISvacations!), but I'm not seeing any great prospects yet. So, what kind of vacation time (and $) we'll have once the move happens is all up in the air.

I say, live it up now while we can! At least with DVC, we don't have to worry about paying for hotel rooms, and hopefully airfare is equally as cheap from Boston to MCO as Detroit has been.

1 week from today... we'll be finishing up our meal at CA grill! I can't believe we leave on Friday!

 

[jenbear123]

Tues AM: maybe DHS, or outlets, or MK, or AK... Or we just go over to EPCOT early for our Le Cellier lunch reservation! (We'll look for "Bubba"!) Then, head back to WL to get ready for MNSSHP at MK!

Just found out Bubba's schedule for the week you'll be there. She WILL be working that day, on a day shift so you most likely will see her! Who knows, she might even be your server!!! And please be kind if the service is a little slow. Apparently they are 11 people short or something like that in comparison to the staff at the other restaurants. It's not like the server's will completely ignore you or anything. Just... don't be in a hurry Lastly, if you get a server whose name is Patrick, he is phenomenal. Very good with the ladies as well

 

[Elevationist]

Just found out Bubba's schedule for the week you'll be there. She WILL be working that day, on a day shift so you most likely will see her! Who knows, she might even be your server!!! And please be kind if the service is a little slow. Apparently they are 11 people short or something like that in comparison to the staff at the other restaurants. It's not like the server's will completely ignore you or anything. Just... don't be in a hurry Lastly, if you get a server whose name is Patrick, he is phenomenal. Very good with the ladies as well

Tell Bubba to pull some strings for me at LC, I still can't get a stinkin' ADR!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Just found out Bubba's schedule for the week you'll be there. She WILL be working that day, on a day shift so you most likely will see her! Who knows, she might even be your server!!! And please be kind if the service is a little slow. Apparently they are 11 people short or something like that in comparison to the staff at the other restaurants. It's not like the server's will completely ignore you or anything. Just... don't be in a hurry Lastly, if you get a server whose name is Patrick, he is phenomenal. Very good with the ladies as well

Hooray! We'll be sure to look for her! I don't know that we could ask to be in "Bubba from Ontario's" section. Hmmm... maybe we'll make a point to check in a bit early for our ADR just in case. I actually prefer a leisurely meal, so no worries. I can see how that can be concerning during lunch time though, as many guests are probably trying to get in and get back out to the park. As long as we are done by 3-3:30pm to get back in time for MNSSHP.

 

[jenbear123]

Tell Bubba to pull some strings for me at LC, I still can't get a stinkin' ADR!

Tell me about it! I'm her sister for pete's sakes and I can't even change my time!

Hooray! We'll be sure to look for her! I don't know that we could ask to be in "Bubba from Ontario's" section. Hmmm... maybe we'll make a point to check in a bit early for our ADR just in case. I actually prefer a leisurely meal, so no worries. I can see how that can be concerning during lunch time though, as many guests are probably trying to get in and get back out to the park. As long as we are done by 3-3:30pm to get back in time for MNSSHP.

Well... if you do happen to mention that her nickname is Bubba, they just might know who you're talking about I did spread the word the last time I was there... But if you want to get a little more specific tell them that her name starts with an "A" and she's from Ontario. I'm sure you'll be in and out in good time. Hope you enjoy every second of your meal

 

[TiggerAllie]

Well... if you do happen to mention that her nickname is Bubba, they just might know who you're talking about I did spread the word the last time I was there... But if you want to get a little more specific tell them that her name starts with an "A" and she's from Ontario. I'm sure you'll be in and out in good time. Hope you enjoy every second of your meal

Thanks! I'll mention it if they don't look horribly overwhelmed at the check-in area.

I just realized you have **4** trips to WDW listed for 2009! That is soooooooo cool!

I've never had more than 3 in 1 year.