We are finally going back, and no, we are NOT driving! A May/June 2013 PTR

I'm here from FB as well and you are off to an awesome start! I plan on starting my bin now and will get what I need as I see fit. Your hair bows are really pretty. Can't wait to keep reading. Also, I see you have a binder. What exactly are you keeping in it? I"m really thinking about making one just to keep myself organized but I can't begin to know what to put in it.
 
My binder is divided into the following sections - I also listed what I put in each section!

1. General Info - this section includes our airline info, a calendar, our overall itinerary, a list of best/worst parks (mostly from EasyWDW) and park hours.

2. Hotel - everything about our resort, including a resort map, the resort contact info, a running map, and the entertainment schedule.

3.Dining - everything dining - the Disney Dining Plan brochure, our ADR worksheet - a list of our ADR's, times, ADR numbers, etc., restaurant menus, and a list of what snacks we really want to try. I also printed all of my ADR confirmations out and put them in this section.

4. Magic Kingdom - this includes the following: a park map, our touring plans, fireworks viewing areas, parade routes, entertainment schedule, and QS dining options

5. Epcot - this includes the following: a park map, our touring plans, entertainment schedule, and QS dining options.

6. Hollywood Studios - this includes the following: a park map, our touring plans, parade route, entertainment schedule, QS dining options, and SWW info.

7. Animal Kingdom - this includes the following: a park map, our touring plans, parade route, entertainment schedule, and QS dining options.

8. Misc. - this section is a big one. It includes a packing list, an airport map, DTD map, a list of characters we want to meet, and where they are around the World, along with some fun interaction ideas, pressed penny locations, Photopass info, and one section called "other". I have a list of fun free things you can do at Disney in this area.

Whew! I packed a lot into that binder - let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year everyone!
pixiedust:
 
Some of you noticed in my ticker that I have been losing weight. I started last May, and have lost 31 pounds so far, going from a size 20 to a size 14. My goal is to lose enough to get back into my size 8's! Not sure how many pounds that will translate to, but I do like to go more by my size than anything else! I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago, and lost 75 pounds - but I did not keep going to meetings, and really did not learn how to keep it off. I also never worked out during that time - big mistake! A couple of years ago, I decided to start running, with a goal to run a 5K. I did not lose any weight, but I did complete my 5K in October of 2010. I actually had started training before we went to Disney, and believe it or not, got up early to go running while we were there! HARD WORK. DEDICATION. Sorry, channeling my inner Dolvett... Obviously, I had the working out part down, but not my eating! :confused3 So in May, I decided to get it ALL together. I started Power 90, and started using My Fitness Pal to track my calories and exercise. I started running again, but developed plantar fasciitis, so I had to stop. Now that I am down 30 pounds, I want to try running again. I have not been so good lately at tracking my food, and honestly I think I am just getting bored with it. When DH's work announced they were going to start having WW meetings, I thought I might join up again, but did not. They just announced that spouses get 50% off - it is free for employees - so how can I not? :) DH is going to ask about it tomorrow when he goes back to work! I really have liked MFP, mostly because it is free, but I think I really need the accountability of someone seeing me weigh in - it really keeps me on track during the week. Anyway, that is my story, really hope I can be successful this time around, and I feel that I will be! Especially since all of those cute Disney t's I bought are a size medium! :crazy2: I thought that would be enough motivation!
 
Congratulations!! That is something to be very proud of. :banana:

Do you have a foot roller? It will really help with your foot. I use one and some stretching exercises under the care of my chiropractor as I have it as well.
 

Some of you noticed in my ticker that I have been losing weight. I started last May, and have lost 31 pounds so far, going from a size 20 to a size 14. My goal is to lose enough to get back into my size 8's! Not sure how many pounds that will translate to, but I do like to go more by my size than anything else! I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago, and lost 75 pounds - but I did not keep going to meetings, and really did not learn how to keep it off. I also never worked out during that time - big mistake! A couple of years ago, I decided to start running, with a goal to run a 5K. I did not lose any weight, but I did complete my 5K in October of 2010. I actually had started training before we went to Disney, and believe it or not, got up early to go running while we were there! HARD WORK. DEDICATION. Sorry, channeling my inner Dolvett... Obviously, I had the working out part down, but not my eating! :confused3 So in May, I decided to get it ALL together. I started Power 90, and started using My Fitness Pal to track my calories and exercise. I started running again, but developed plantar fasciitis, so I had to stop. Now that I am down 30 pounds, I want to try running again. I have not been so good lately at tracking my food, and honestly I think I am just getting bored with it. When DH's work announced they were going to start having WW meetings, I thought I might join up again, but did not. They just announced that spouses get 50% off - it is free for employees - so how can I not? :) DH is going to ask about it tomorrow when he goes back to work! I really have liked MFP, mostly because it is free, but I think I really need the accountability of someone seeing me weigh in - it really keeps me on track during the week. Anyway, that is my story, really hope I can be successful this time around, and I feel that I will be! Especially since all of those cute Disney t's I bought are a size medium! :crazy2: I thought that would be enough motivation!

There is a WW thread here on the DIS, very encouraging people posting. I do WW online, not the meetings.

Congrats on the 75 and the 30! That's really incredible and inspirational!

I want to be in a size 8 by SWW. That is my goal. I just recently got back in 10's.

I'm sure you will be successful this time around! You will look great in those mediums.
 
Good for you for trying to get yourself fit and healthy! My DH started running about 2 years ago and has lost a good bit of weight by running 4+ times a week and watching what he eats. He used the fitness pal app and does really good counting calories. Much better than myself! I hate counting calories and won't run unless a dog is chasing me! :rotfl:
 
Just found your PTR from the "what are you looking forward to in 2013?"thread! Love your plans-- I am visual, like you, and I love all of the pics! Love the scarf on the 31 bag! I have that polka dot wristlet, too. . .i just had to buy something in December to get it on the $5 special! :rotfl2:

Love all of your creativeness! That's awesome!! I have planned outfits for ours, but it's more just matching t-shirts. Can't wait to read more of your PTR!

you asked about grocery delivery. We have used Garden Grocer twice, and have had great experiences with them both times!

Congratulations on the weight loss! That's awesome!! I am on a mission to accomplish that before our trip as well!!
 
Just found your PTR from the "what are you looking forward to in 2013?"thread! Love your plans-- I am visual, like you, and I love all of the pics! Love the scarf on the 31 bag! I have that polka dot wristlet, too. . .i just had to buy something in December to get it on the $5 special! :rotfl2:

Love all of your creativeness! That's awesome!! I have planned outfits for ours, but it's more just matching t-shirts. Can't wait to read more of your PTR!

you asked about grocery delivery. We have used Garden Grocer twice, and have had great experiences with them both times!

Congratulations on the weight loss! That's awesome!! I am on a mission to accomplish that before our trip as well!!

:welcome:

Glad to have you along! I was super excited about the December special too - I have a friend who sells 31, so she added my scarf onto another order to make it $31 so I could get the wristlet for $5! Woo! Got the purse back in October when they had the 1/2 price item deal - again, my friend let me use an un-used 1/2 off from someone else's order (who does that?) Ha - when I earn them, I use them! :)
 
Just a quick little update, nothing much new - I keep buying stuff even though my bin is full - here is my latest purchase:

IMG_8083_zps01688fb4.jpg


The girls are so excited to have daddy burn them to MP4 so I can put them on the iPod! We are thinking of bringing our docking station so we can rock out (as much as one can rock out to Disney tunes) in our room! DD5 is listening to them in her room as I type - so glad my girls love Disney as much as I do! :)

My next dilemma is to park hop or not to park hop - DH has someone at work (a very experienced Disney traveler) who is trying to convince him that we need them - any thoughts? Anyone? I like the flexibility they would give us, but the uber-planner in me says "NO! Stick to the itinerary I have been working on for a year!" :rotfl2:

DH is also worried that our first day is in MK, but we don't go back until our 8th or 10th day. He just knows that the girls are going to want to spend more time there - hence the park hopper dilemma. I assured him I based what days we go to what park on the TP and EasyWDW calendars, but he is still not convinced.:confused3
 
Just a quick little update, nothing much new - I keep buying stuff even though my bin is full - here is my latest purchase:

IMG_8083_zps01688fb4.jpg


The girls are so excited to have daddy burn them to MP4 so I can put them on the iPod! We are thinking of bringing our docking station so we can rock out (as much as one can rock out to Disney tunes) in our room! DD5 is listening to them in her room as I type - so glad my girls love Disney as much as I do! :)

My next dilemma is to park hop or not to park hop - DH has someone at work (a very experienced Disney traveler) who is trying to convince him that we need them - any thoughts? Anyone? I like the flexibility they would give us, but the uber-planner in me says "NO! Stick to the itinerary I have been working on for a year!" :rotfl2:

DH is also worried that our first day is in MK, but we don't go back until our 8th or 10th day. He just knows that the girls are going to want to spend more time there - hence the park hopper dilemma. I assured him I based what days we go to what park on the TP and EasyWDW calendars, but he is still not convinced.:confused3

We have the Brave CD. How do you like them?

As for hopping, I know I told you that we prefer not to hop on FB, but I also wanted to throw this out to you here.

IF you are going to choose the park of choice from EasyWDW or TP, they are going to tell you which park the majority of people will go to who will not be hopping. Typically the "non-hoppers" choose the park that's opened the longest feeling they are getting the most for their money. If you have the option to hop, you can always leave that park if the park seems to crowded. You are not "stuck" in just one park. You can take advantage of EMH and either begin or end in a different park. Just keep in mind that travel between parks can take up to an hour and a half, though typically it's about 20 minutes.
 
We have the Brave CD. How do you like them?

We already had Cindy, Ariel, Belle and Snow, but our Snow one was scratched, so we got a new one! My DD5 LOVES those CD's! She listens to them every night as she goes to sleep - hence why I am considering bringing the iPod dock! She has listened to all of the new ones now, and keeps coming out to tell me the songs and stories - too cute! Money well spent, IMO! Of course, they are only $5, and we got the Tiana, Rapunzel, Snow as a 3 pack for $10!

As for hopping, I know I told you that we prefer not to hop on FB, but I also wanted to throw this out to you here.

IF you are going to choose the park of choice from EasyWDW or TP, they are going to tell you which park the majority of people will go to who will not be hopping. Typically the "non-hoppers" choose the park that's opened the longest feeling they are getting the most for their money. If you have the option to hop, you can always leave that park if the park seems to crowded. You are not "stuck" in just one park. You can take advantage of EMH and either begin or end in a different park. Just keep in mind that travel between parks can take up to an hour and a half, though typically it's about 20 minutes.

And I think this is exactly why we will probably choose the hoppers. We are avoiding the EMH parks like the plague, but would not mind doing the evening one at MK - I have always wanted to stay up late there! And now that our girls are a little older, I think they could hack it! They stayed up on New Years for the first time - that was a good practice!:rotfl2:
 
We did evening EMH at MK and really liked it. My son didn't make it very long though, but enough that we got to ride the new mermaid attraction and eat a sticky bun at Gaston's.
 
:welcome:

Glad to have you along! I was super excited about the December special too - I have a friend who sells 31, so she added my scarf onto another order to make it $31 so I could get the wristlet for $5! Woo! Got the purse back in October when they had the 1/2 price item deal - again, my friend let me use an un-used 1/2 off from someone else's order (who does that?) Ha - when I earn them, I use them! :)

I am in the same boat! One of my co-workers and good friends also sells it. I call her my "dealer" :rotfl2:. She is nice enough to let me add to others, and get their half price items if they don't use them (though I'm like you, I use those if I have them!!).

We have never had those story CDs...I may have to look at them! I think they make some more "hero" oriented ones, too. Maybe Hercules?

If it were me, I might get the park hoppers. We aren't for this upcoming trip, but only because it's just two days. I am a over-planner, but with DS, we've found that he likes "picking" the nighttime park sometimes (or I can just run in somewhere, if we want to do something really quick).

Lovethattink--how were the cinnamon rolls at Gaston's? So excited to see all of that!!
 
Lovethattink--how were the cinnamon rolls at Gaston's? So excited to see all of that!!

I've been to Gaston's 4 times. Had the cinnamon rolls twice. The first time they were incredible. The 2nd time it was as hard as a rock. We actually tapped it against the table and it knocked. I am not one to return food, but I did. And the cm who helped me went in the back and brought out a whole new batch of rolls. He apologized and said it was time to bring out the new. The new ones, fresh out of the oven were fabulous!
 
I've been to Gaston's 4 times. Had the cinnamon rolls twice. The first time they were incredible. The 2nd time it was as hard as a rock. We actually tapped it against the table and it knocked. I am not one to return food, but I did. And the cm who helped me went in the back and brought out a whole new batch of rolls. He apologized and said it was time to bring out the new. The new ones, fresh out of the oven were fabulous!

So are they the same ones you can get at Main Street Bakery? It is supposed to be open again by the time we get there, but you never know, and I have always wanted to try one of those!
 
Good for you for trying to get yourself fit and healthy! My DH started running about 2 years ago and has lost a good bit of weight by running 4+ times a week and watching what he eats. He used the fitness pal app and does really good counting calories. Much better than myself! I hate counting calories and won't run unless a dog is chasing me! :rotfl:

Not sure how I missed this post - thanks! You made me LOL about the dog - I used to think that way, but I have a lot of friends who run, so I think that helped!
 
Now that Christmas and New Year's have passed, it is time to get back to "normal" around here! The iPod has officially been switched over from Christmas music to Disney music, and plans are going full steam ahead! Yesterday, DD5 was feeling a little anxious about our trip, and told me she would rather not go. :eek: When I asked her why, she said she was worried that she might be scared of the characters still. I said "But you are 5 1/2 now!" and she said, "Oh yeah, you are right! I am not scared!" Oh boy. She is also a little scared about some of the rides since she did not really ride anything last time. She is almost 44 inches tall, so she should be tall enough for most of the rides by the time we go :scratchin so we watched some ride videos on YouTube - she is super stoked now! :cheer2: The ride she is most looking forward to is EE! Never thought that would happen - but after watching that one, she said "That was super cool - how awesome is that?!!"

I caved the other day when Disney Store had free shipping on any order... I did want to get DD5 her Snow White shoes, and they had the headband on clearance, and t-shirts for $10...got it all for $40 shipped, not bad! Of course, I will post pics when it comes in! :)

Today, I bid on (and won!) a set of 51 trading pins for $29 shipped! This will be a new thing for us. The girls got lanyards for Christmas, so I figured, why not? :thumbsup2 I think since I got so many, I might have to get DH and I some lanyards too! I was already planning on getting one for myself to hold my wristlet, still looking for just the right one though. I guess that is all I have for now!
 
Now that you know who is going, here is a little about when/where. On our last trip, we stayed at All Star Movies, and while it was fun staying on property, we knew we wanted to stay somewhere a little less loud, and nicer! My first choice would probably be Beach Club, but we did want to stay for 11 days, so we went with the next best choice, POR! I did a lot of research on the different moderate resorts, and settled on POR for a couple of reasons:
1. Royal Guest Rooms - my girls love Tiana, and when they saw the pics of these rooms and squealed, I knew this was where we would stay.
2. The theming - not so "in your face" Disney. The rooms look elegant, but still fun for the girls, and who doesn't love a queen sized bed? :)

I have been following the POR thread since I joined, and have learned so much about the resort - it is just making me fall in love with it more, and I hope I am not disappointed!

Our dates are May 28th to June 7th. We decided on these dates because we want to be there for Star Wars Weekends, and we have heard from several Disney friends that this week after Memorial Day is one of the best weeks to go if you must go during the summer. Since the girls get out of school before Memorial Day now, this just seemed like the best time for us. Someday, I want to go in October for the Halloween stuff, and in December for the Christmas stuff. Someday...


We arrive the same day!!pixiedust: In fact, we could be neighbors. Staying at the same resort Garden view room. May 28th - June 4th!!:cool1:
 














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