UPDATE 8/7: My FIRST PTR! FWF Fantisies...

[Teetah]

Hey my DIS peeps!!!!


Update on 1/6/14!!!! THIS CLOSE TO SELECTING POR!!!!!!!
Update 1/24: Booked!!!
Update 1/27: And so it begins...
Update 3/28/14: Idiocy
Update 5/6/14: Plugging Along
Update 6/10/14: It's gonna be a long one! #TWSS
Update 8/7/14: Closer....


I am going to try my hand at this trip reporting thing...it looks so fun and I am a major TR lurker. Not a big comment-er, but I will probably become MUCH better at that in the near future. We are planning a trip for end of September/beginning of October 2014 OR January 2015. We haven't decided yet! This trip is mainly going to be a big celebration of our home renovation that we have been working on for the past 7 months...we probably have 1-2 more months before we move in! We have done most of the work ourselves and are way excited to finish it up! I will have to share some photos sometime!

ON TO INTROS:

ME:

I am Tara, aka Teetah (pronunciation: teetaw). My nephew gave me that nickname when he first started trying to say "Aunt Tara". Later we found out from a Philippine friend of mind that "Teetah" is very close to the word "Aunt" in her families native language, (insert joke about my nephew's real father), which we all found rather bizarre. So, it stuck and now most of my friends and my husband's family call me that.

Here is my photo! Two things: 1. It is shockingly the only Disney photo I could find...I know there are more, but they are on an external hard drive, which I will dig through later. 2. I am not blonde at the moment.



My passions include: Disney, fashion, photography, motorsports and interior design!

The HUBS (Tim)

He isn't QUITE the Disney freak I am, but he is huge into detail and engineering, so Disney (especially Epcot) suits him just fine.

He is big into motorsports, classic cars and making stuff out of metal. In fact, one of the reasons we are going through this house renovation is because there are some huge buildings on this property that will allow him to pursue his passions. (He would not be happy if he knew I posted a moped). (That's better...except he isn't a fan of convertibles). Oh well, what are ya gonna do?



I have no idea how often I will update or post, but we have LOTS of decisions to make! I am a known over-documenter, so be warned I might be on here treating this thing like an online journal of my Disney feelings. You know, to help me sort through the madness.

 

[DisneyCoasters]

Following along! I just started my first PTR too, after lots of lurking in other trip reports. I'm planning a trip with my partner for our honeymoon! We can plan together.

 

[Teetah]

Following along! I just started my first PTR too, after lots of lurking in other trip reports. I'm planning a trip with my partner for our honeymoon! We can plan together.

Welcome!! And congrats on your wedding and Disneymoon!!!!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[lsenquiz]

following along. We are going in September 2014. It will be our 7th September trip. We love that month and think it is really one of the best time to go to the World.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Subscribing! Nice to meet you Tara!

 

[Teetah]

Welcome all!!!

 

[Teetah]

Happy Monday!

We are currently VERY close to choosing POR as our resort and firming up our dates! We are thinking of having a few days before the Food and Wine Festival (can they put out the dates already????), a few days at the Food and Wine Festival, then hitting Harry Potter at US (I'm a mega HP fan) and then going to the beach for a few days on the gulf side. First world problems, I know.

It is really between POR and doing it big time with a deluxe resort. In the past, we haven't spent much time at the resort, so it is hard to justify the deluxe. Perhaps this time, we need to take time to tour the other resorts and that might help us with determining if we want deluxe in the future???? Thoughts anyone?

Side bar: I live in Indiana and we are SNOWED and COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! -30 wind chills today, which is basically unheard of here! Pretty sure there are 15 inches of snow on the ground where I live. NOT loving it and have been discussing moving to Orlando with the DSIL!!!!

Something else I can share right now is our house project. This project will be funding a HUGE portion of our trip because...you guessed it - almost everything we have purchased went on my Disney Rewards Visa! It is really only right that I pay homage in this PTR to the whole thing:

BEFORE:

Kitchen


Master


What will be the "Green Room", which will be a hang out room.




Side Entrance/Laundry


Fireplace in the Living Room - weird design above it...



CURRENT:

Some of these are even a little outdated now, so I shall post new soon!

Main part of kitchen


Fireplace re-design


Master Bath (affectionately calling this my "Tiffany" bathroom)



Who doesn't love a good statement front door?


That is enough for now! Gives you an idea of the work this place has been. We have done most of it ourselves and we are 7 months in - we are hoping another month or so and we can at least live there!

Thanks for reading!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hi

joining in Beautiful make over on your home.

We also live in Indiana and are snowed in. Nothing to do but play on the internet, clean, or cook. Haha!

We love POR, it was our first Disney resort we ever stayed at. We also really enjoy Food & Wine.

Have you seen this from easywdw.com about POR? I thought your might enjoy it.


http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...oom-versus-alligator-bayou-review/#more-12665

Have a good day! Stay safe and warm in this weather.

Tina
.

 

[Teetah]

Hello and welcome! Thanks for the website - I read through and LOL'd a few times! The more info, the better!

Stay warm!!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Whoa the kitchen is looking great! Congratulations! Beautiful home!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Hello and welcome! Thanks for the website - I read through and LOL'd a few times! The more info, the better!

Stay warm!!!

Thanks!

It is an entertaining article.

 

[PebblesMom]

Hi!!! Following along! I can't wait to see your plans!

 

[DisneyCoasters]

Wow, your remodel looks absolutely amazing so far! I LOVE the statement door, the tiffany color for the bathroom, and the choice you made for the cabinets. Everything is going to be so gorgeous when you're done!

Funny you should mention the Disney Visa&I've actually been thinking I should look into that card. I just use a boring old Chase rewards card that builds points&I'll have to look into the Disney card and figure out if it would be worth the switch. Pretty much all I am thinking about during these cold winter days is getting back to the world, so it seems tempting...

As for resorts, I totally hear your point about not being at the hotel enough to warrant the price increase to a deluxe. We've decided to give it a shot in May since it's our honeymoon and we want to feel super fancy, but otherwise I've never even been able to justify paying for anything but a value resort! If I was the kind of person who wanted to kick back and relax it would be a different story, but when I'm at Disney I want to be at the parks as much as possible! If you do decide to consider a deluxe and you're there for F&W, have you considered one of the Epcot resorts? Being able to walk to the back entrance of Epcot (and to HS too) is what sold us on the Boardwalk!

 

[Teetah]

Funny you should mention the Disney Visa&I've actually been thinking I should look into that card. I just use a boring old Chase rewards card that builds points&I'll have to look into the Disney card and figure out if it would be worth the switch. Pretty much all I am thinking about during these cold winter days is getting back to the world, so it seems tempting...

As for resorts, I totally hear your point about not being at the hotel enough to warrant the price increase to a deluxe. We've decided to give it a shot in May since it's our honeymoon and we want to feel super fancy, but otherwise I've never even been able to justify paying for anything but a value resort! If I was the kind of person who wanted to kick back and relax it would be a different story, but when I'm at Disney I want to be at the parks as much as possible! If you do decide to consider a deluxe and you're there for F&W, have you considered one of the Epcot resorts? Being able to walk to the back entrance of Epcot (and to HS too) is what sold us on the Boardwalk!

On the Disney card - I really don't know what the difference is on the valuation of points/rewards earned between the cards, but I will say that we have put everything for this house renovation except our electrician costs on the card. We also put all our groceries, gas, basically everything that will take VISA on it. The current rewards value is basically paying for our entire hotel at POR. By the time September rolls around, we will have plenty for spending/food money! Also, you get discounts on things at the Disney stores and have access to the Chase lounges at Disney. You also get first dibs on many of the upcoming Disney vacation deals. They have started a way for you to use the rewards on flights now. You have probably already been here, but this is the website if you need it: https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/disney-credit-card.aspx

If you are going to continue planning trips, I recommend it. BUT I will advocate making sure you can pay it off every month or the rewards are just ate up by the additional interest you pay! This is what we do - I have never paid a dime in interest or late fees, so these dollars are truly FREE!

You definitely SHOULD be staying at BI for your honeymoon!!!! That is a very special event and should be celebrated accordingly!!!! Maybe we will do that someday for an anniversary trip or something of the sort!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Funny you should mention the Disney Visa&I've actually been thinking I should look into that card. I just use a boring old Chase rewards card that builds points&I'll have to look into the Disney card and figure out if it would be worth the switch. Pretty much all I am thinking about during these cold winter days is getting back to the world, so it seems tempting...

I'm a cardholder and we love it! Those dollars add up over time. They sent me a special offer to give to friends/family where they can get one where if you spend 500 in the first 3 months, you get a $200 Disney gift card and they give me 50 points.

 

[Teetah]

So we are officially booked!!!! 5 Days at the end of September in a Royal Standard View Room at POR!!!! I am BEYOND HAPPY right now!!!!!!!!!!

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A REAL update coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[deedee2177]

woohoo!!! YAY!!! Hope the house is coming along!

 

[Teetah]

woohoo!!! YAY!!! Hope the house is coming along!

It is! Slowly but surely! Pics coming soon!!

 

[Teetah]

As promised, a REAL update!

I finally committed and booked POR for a Royal Standard room at the end of September. It is a Wednesday - Monday, which will hopefully have the first few days of Food & Wine at the end of our trip. I have wanted to go to that festival EVERY YEAR FOR SO LONG. Now to just wait for that ever-loving PIN code!

I have already been playing with My Disney Experience (and have already personalized our Magic Bands), and I LOVE IT so far! I am way excited that we did wait and will likely have MBs and FPs and ADRs and all that good junk in one place electronically.

I have started my wish list for this trip:

• Illuminations Cruise
• Tour of some sort
• Breakfast at Boma
• Harry Potter World
• F&W Festival

I know this probably doesn't seem like much, but I don't like to overdo my vacations with TOO much planning. We are only there 5 days. I know, I know, Disney is done best with planning, and don't worry, there will be plenty of that. BUT to have to be at specific places at specific times the WHOLE trip...not a fan. I like to plan some of what I really WANT and be sort of spontaneous the rest of the time. Since we are doing F&W, I am not too worried about many ADRs. We like experiences (cruise and tour) more so than where we eat. I might add BOG to dinner one day, but we will see.

We also have two other trips to worry about this year. We are HUGE 311 fans (it's a band in case you don't know) and will be in New Orleans for a handful of days in March for a massive concert they are putting on (affectionately known as 311 Day...on, you know, 3/11). We area also hopefully going to Vegas in April for a friend's 30th birthday. Saying all this so you understand part of why I don't like to over-plan. We LOVE to travel and do quite a bit of it! We have learned over the years that enjoying what is around us is very important - more so to us than focusing on what is next on the to-do list. Over planning leaves no time for just seeing what happens to you! This is much easier for us having no children, I'm sure, but we really believe in it and we have had some of the BEST experiences when we are just hanging out somewhere.

On to the next subject!

I had time to commit and book this trip and think hard about it BECAUSE OF THIS WEATHER! Indiana is nuts right now. I have lived here my whole life and have never experienced such weather. We have seriously considered packing up and getting out of dodge. 65 mph winds last night and its 1 degree right now. -30 with wind chill over the next 2 days. Where am I? KILL ME. At any rate, there are two good things out of this weather: 1. I had time to book Disney 2. Snow CAN be pretty cool (see example below):



And another update for you - the house project! We are ALMOST to livable!!!! We have the guest room done, except baseboards:



And the kitchen is SOOOO close to done:





AHHHHH!!!!!! VERY happy girl! We are working on bathroom tile in the Tiffany bathroom today! Pics of that to come!

As you can see, life is busy and crazy. But, we wouldn't have it any other way, now would we? To end this update, a picture of my sweet puppy shopping at Lowes.



Happy Winter Everyone!!!!