We both got real jobs: now we can go to Disney! Sept 2013 PTR! TR link posted 9/29!

[lvcourtneyy]

Watching the livestream sounds fun!

I hope you do end up doing the second MNSSHP And it would fit perfectly with your ADR plans! Chef Mickey's always looks so fun, I'm sure you will have a blast!

It was fun!

I think we will end up doing it! I'm so excited!

Following along!! You are so close to leaving! We are planning a trip the week after Easter...a long way off, but excited we get to go!

So, since we are not going until April I missed out on the FD this trip, but oh well! Question for you...with the FD this year do you get the DDP at the Value Resorts instead of Quick Service Dining Plan? When we went last November we got FD, but we had to pay extra to upgrade to DDP since we were staying at a value resort.

Hope you are planning on doing a TR so we can see all the fun you had!!

Yay! Welcome! I know we are unbelievably close!

That sounds like a fun time to go! Yeah we paid to upgrade to the DDP since we were staying at a value. I did the math and I think technically it would've cost us about $200 more to stay at a moderate and get the regular DDP but DBF was stuck on Pop!

I definitely am going to do a TR!

 

[lsenquiz]

Commenting on Magic Bands & Shopping update:

We are doing the same thing as you for costumes for MNSSHP. We did not want to skip the costume theme all together but did not want to go all out either. We have done that in the past an were just misreable due to heat. So Kenny and I are just wearing themed tee. Gabriel is going all out and I think he will be hot so I am bringing him extra cloths to change into.

I swear you find the most amazing Disney shirts from places I would never dream of looking for them at! I already got one from Hot Topic and am not looking at Wet Seal Both stores I never thought I would shop in.

 

[lsenquiz]

Commenting on your first MNSSHP day

I think Liberty Tree Tavern plans are perfect. I am with you, I will not waste one minute of the party on a meal

Getting in line for Jack and Sally first in a good idea. I suspect there will be quite a crowd and I am actually hoping it will pull people from the Dwarfs line where we will be

Do the Princesses still meet during the parade? I was not sure because I could not remember if they are in the parade?

I have no idea what you are talking about with Mickey/Minnie's second costume but am very curious to get more info. We usually save them to see last because the line is usually non existant then.

We are shooting for the 10:05 villian show so I hope it does not interfere with our plans to watch the second parade. We can always run over to Adventureland to watch the parade there where there are usually no crowds and it will give us some extra time.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Commenting on Magic Bands & Shopping update:

We are doing the same thing as you for costumes for MNSSHP. We did not want to skip the costume theme all together but did not want to go all out either. We have done that in the past an were just misreable due to heat. So Kenny and I are just wearing themed tee. Gabriel is going all out and I think he will be hot so I am bringing him extra cloths to change into.

I swear you find the most amazing Disney shirts from places I would never dream of looking for them at! I already got one from Hot Topic and am not looking at Wet Seal Both stores I never thought I would shop in.

Between not being used to the heat, and the financial aspect, it was better for us to skip costumes this time. I think it's a good idea to bring him a change of clothes!

There's an account on Instagram that posts pictures of Disney clothes and what stores carry them. Our mall doesn't have a Wet Seal anymore so I can't remember the last time I bought something there! But once I saw they had villains shirts, I had to have them!

Commenting on your first MNSSHP day

I think Liberty Tree Tavern plans are perfect. I am with you, I will not waste one minute of the party on a meal

Getting in line for Jack and Sally first in a good idea. I suspect there will be quite a crowd and I am actually hoping it will pull people from the Dwarfs line where we will be

Do the Princesses still meet during the parade? I was not sure because I could not remember if they are in the parade?

I have no idea what you are talking about with Mickey/Minnie's second costume but am very curious to get more info. We usually save them to see last because the line is usually non existant then.

We are shooting for the 10:05 villian show so I hope it does not interfere with our plans to watch the second parade. We can always run over to Adventureland to watch the parade there where there are usually no crowds and it will give us some extra time.

Yeah I didn't pay that much money for us to eat.

I'm sure it's going to be a crazy line! I think it probably will pull people away from the dwarves!

I'm not sure if they do. I haven't been able to really find out for sure who meets during the parade and who doesn't.

Apparently Mickey/Minnie have witch/magician costumes and pirate/princess costumes! I'm going to try to take Katt's suggestion to ask someone in a blue shirt about trying to get to see both costumes!

Good tip on the Villains show/parade!

 

[lsenquiz]

I think it's a good idea to bring him a change of clothes!

Gabriel's costume came today. He had it on in the house in the air conditioning for exactly 15 minutes and had to take it off because he was too hot. So I am off to find plan B

There's an account on Instagram that posts pictures of Disney clothes and what stores carry them. Our mall doesn't have a Wet Seal anymore so I can't remember the last time I bought something there! But once I saw they had villains shirts, I had to have them!

I have not started using Instagram yet but may have to bite the bullet. I will ask my DD to show me how.

 

[lsenquiz]

Commenting on Day 9 plans (I am determined to get caught up on this PTR before you leave!)

We had an early ADR with Pooh and friends on our last trip and really enjoyed it. We were able to eat, see all the characters and be done before the park actually opened. I can not remember, are you planning to go to Enchanted Tales with Belle on your earlier MK day? We did this on our early ADR day because we were able to get right up near there before the park opened and were in the first set they took in.

Great parade pictures

Ok I had no idea they were closing the Celebrate the Dream parade. This is what happens when you avoid the Theme park board on the DIS. It got to the point where there was just too uglyness on there for me to enjoy it anymore.

I can't wait to hear your review on BoG. I gave up on trying to get an ADR there for this trip so we are going to do lunch.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Gabriel's costume came today. He had it on in the house in the air conditioning for exactly 15 minutes and had to take it off because he was too hot. So I am off to find plan B


I have not started using Instagram yet but may have to bite the bullet. I will ask my DD to show me how.

Yikes! Definitely a good idea to find a new plan!

I enjoy using Instagram. I don't use most social media sites (facebook/twitter) and the like. Instagram I use because it's really all just posting pictures and cuts out a lot of the drama of some of the other sites.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Commenting on Day 9 plans (I am determined to get caught up on this PTR before you leave!)

We had an early ADR with Pooh and friends on our last trip and really enjoyed it. We were able to eat, see all the characters and be done before the park actually opened. I can not remember, are you planning to go to Enchanted Tales with Belle on your earlier MK day? We did this on our early ADR day because we were able to get right up near there before the park opened and were in the first set they took in.

Great parade pictures

Ok I had no idea they were closing the Celebrate the Dream parade. This is what happens when you avoid the Theme park board on the DIS. It got to the point where there was just too uglyness on there for me to enjoy it anymore.

I can't wait to hear your review on BoG. I gave up on trying to get an ADR there for this trip so we are going to do lunch.

I need to finish writing this before we go!

I remember reading about that in your TR! I'm hoping to do the same but I'm not THAT worried about not doing it. I scheduled a FP+ for ETWB for another day of our trip! If that doesn't work, heading there first thing one morning is definitely our plan. In January, we went straight there one morning and it wasn't running yet. The poor CM had an angry crowd around him as he told everyone.

They are! I think it's closing in December? And the new one is starting in March/Spring or something like that! I'm sad about it because we love that parade. The new one sounds amazing though so I'm excited.

Ah there is so much ugliness on some boards! It makes me so upset because I just don't see the need.

Did you try to schedule the FP+ for lunch at BOG? It is separate from the rest of the FP+ test.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I can't even believe I'm saying this right now but we are 5 DAYS AWAY FROM LEAVING!!

I am so excited. It's a good thing I have work to distract me because otherwise I would literally do nothing else but think about our trip.

So I thought it was interesting that Disney sent me this email to fill out a survey about MyMagic+.


IMG_2128 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

But never sent me an official invitation to participate in Mymagic+.

I just took the survey and thought it was a good idea for them to send one about the planning. I was a little annoyed that other than an "Other" option for some questions, there was nowhere to type in your own comments.

In other news, ALADDIN IS COMING TO BROADWAY!


IMG_2133 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

It's so strange because Chris and I were watching Aladdin with his brother like 2 weeks ago and talking about how great of a Broadway show it would be. Also, his brother introduced me to the bonus features and we listened to the song Proud of Your Boy that was cut from the movie and the whole backstory/Howard Ashman's connection to it. Ever since I've been OBSESSED with the song. It's seriously a beautiful song AND IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE BROADWAY show. I'm beyond excited.

Anndd today my cousin and I went to the mall after we got out of work. Since I have to go in the Disneystore every time I'm there, I dragged her in there and got this gorgeous phone case! They have an Art of Ariel line which I'm now obsessed with and all kinds of LM merchandise because it's re-releasing on DVD! I love it because LM has been my favorite since I was 2. Seriously. I didn't have the VHS so my parents recorded it on a VHS tape for me and they recorded it multiple times on the same tape so we wouldn't have to rewind it as often because apparently I threw a fit while it was rewinding.


IMG_2140 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

DBF and I FINALLY watched the Princess and the Frog the other night.


Unknown-4 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

We thought it was great! I loved it and I've never been so sad to see a firefly die in my whole life!

Otherwise, I've just been gathering stuff together to pack for our trip! I think my FP+ selections are finalized, unless selections for Wishes/MSEP/Illuminations open up.

We watched some youtube video walk-throughs of the waterparks to get more familiar with them and some of those slides are SCARY! One thing I'm sad about is DHS has apparently opened a new "temporary" character dance thing to take place from September 2-12 and now Characterpalooza won't occur on those dates. A lot of the characters who are usually at characterpalooza will apparently take part in this dance party but I'm sad!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Saturday, September 21: Park Hopping!
We've finally reached the plans for the last day of our trip. I'm trying not to think about it too much because I don't want it to end!

On our last morning, DHS has EMH at 8 am. So we plan to get there before opening.

We want to sneak in some last minute rides on:


Photo0346FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr


Photo0264FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr

After some rides, we're heading out (probably by 9-9:30!) to AK! Depending on what time we leave/get there, we will try to get a ride in on the safari/EE or catch the first showing of the FOTLK before our ADR at 11:15 at:


Photo0905FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr

Yes. We will be eating here twice this trip. My original plans for our last day were to start at HS then hop to MK with lunch at LTT because it was so great last trip. However, DBF said he'd really like to eat at Tusker House twice this trip. So, I really hope it lives up to our expectations again!

After we finish eating, we are hopping (again!) to the MK!

Again, our timing will decide exactly what we do. But our main priority is to catch our LAST EVER viewing of the Celebrate a Dream parade.


Still 49 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

Our flight leaves at 8:15 PM so the un-magical express will probably pick us up around 5-5:15 PM Unless there are any last minute, quick things we want to do in the MK after the parade, we will probably head back to Pop just to make sure we are not cutting it too close to our pick-up time. Last trip, we just hung out in the lobby and started uploading and looking at our photopass pictures while waiting to be picked up which was nice.

I truly can't believe how close this trip is and that I'm already thinking about it ending!

 

[cfw213]

I'm behind in commenting!!! I'm reading your new post but I wanted to post before I forgot:

OMG did not realize there was a hidden Mickey app!!! I will so be getting that.

Yay for another waterpark day!! Last September they were open 10-5, and we didn't see any characters. Keep in mind he crowds at the waterparks are crazzzzzy low in September. We literally finished typhoon lagoon in 2 hours, and rode crush n gusher at LEAST 5 times! Maybe it was just me but we were too exhausted to stay there the whole day, so much walking! Haha

Your trip is sooooo close!!!! If I don't check back in, have an AMAZING time. I am supremely jealous that you're going back in September. I still have 49 days to go! can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[missangelalexis]

I had no idea Aladdin was coming to Broadway! That's exciting!

I love your new phone case and I'm so glad you watched Princess and the Frog!

Ah such a bummer about not getting to see Characterpalooza At least you get to see the dance party!

I think it's so fun that you will be park hopping so much on your last day! It sounds like a really great way to end the trip- rides, character meal and a parade! So excited for you!!

 

[shan23877]

Your trip is so close now! So excited for you!

I wonder if the dance party will eventually be the afternoon entertainment now that they've done away with the dance party? Hmmm.

What a fun last day! I hope you squeeze some rides in before you have to leave. Try not to think about it ending, focus on the beginning

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Courtney!! I thought I had subbed for your PTR, but apparently I didn't because I just now finished reading all of it and your basically about to get on a plane! all of your plans sound great! you guys are going to have a ton of fun! the villians magic at HS sounds awesome and I can't wait to hear all about the nights at MNSSHP! and, i'm anxious to see how the magicbands and fastpass things work out for you. I'm with you on not looking at much about it until our trip gets closer. but that was so cool how they sent them to you in the box with your names!
last summer we took our girls to see Aladdin at the Muny here in st Louis. it's an outside theater that does awesome productions during the summer. we LOVED it. more importantly, the girls loved it and watched it all. if you get the chance, you should absolutely go see it!
it's funny you mentioned watching Hercules on Netflix, because that's what my girls are watching right now on Netflix while I catch up on here. and i'm so happy you watched princess and the frog! isn't it awesome?!? ray is my absolute favorite, along with Louis. i'm sure I have every line memorized! and our youngest is being Tiana for Halloween. we adore that movie!
anyway, go finish your last minute packing!!
p.s. I loved your comment about DBF giving you tips from your book! I can tell my DH something and 5 minutes later he'll say the same thing like he just had some great revelation. men! they're crazy!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I'm behind in commenting!!! I'm reading your new post but I wanted to post before I forgot:

OMG did not realize there was a hidden Mickey app!!! I will so be getting that.

Yay for another waterpark day!! Last September they were open 10-5, and we didn't see any characters. Keep in mind he crowds at the waterparks are crazzzzzy low in September. We literally finished typhoon lagoon in 2 hours, and rode crush n gusher at LEAST 5 times! Maybe it was just me but we were too exhausted to stay there the whole day, so much walking! Haha

Your trip is sooooo close!!!! If I don't check back in, have an AMAZING time. I am supremely jealous that you're going back in September. I still have 49 days to go! can't wait to hear about your trip!

Yes! It's my understanding that it was created by the author of the book. I was planning to buy the book but I think it'll be much more convenient when in lines to check an app!

Thanks for the tip on the waterparks! I was thinking we would probably finish early so it will be nice to have some time to relax and change before dinner!

Thank you so much! And thanks for reading! I'm hoping to update once more before we leave but the next few days are jam-packed!

I had no idea Aladdin was coming to Broadway! That's exciting!

I love your new phone case and I'm so glad you watched Princess and the Frog!

Ah such a bummer about not getting to see Characterpalooza At least you get to see the dance party!

I think it's so fun that you will be park hopping so much on your last day! It sounds like a really great way to end the trip- rides, character meal and a parade! So excited for you!!

Yes! I think it's going to be a great show. We've never stopped for a dance party before and now there are gonna be so many of them to see.

Thanks! I think it'll be fun to end our trip with the highlights of some favorites!

Your trip is so close now! So excited for you!

I wonder if the dance party will eventually be the afternoon entertainment now that they've done away with the dance party? Hmmm.

What a fun last day! I hope you squeeze some rides in before you have to leave. Try not to think about it ending, focus on the beginning

Thanks! I'm glad the next few days here are gonna be busy to keep me from going insane with excitement!

I was thinking that as well. As much as I'm sad that we won't get to see characterpalooza, I think it would make a lot of sense for them to do, especially if they keep some of the rarer characters available.

Courtney!! I thought I had subbed for your PTR, but apparently I didn't because I just now finished reading all of it and your basically about to get on a plane! all of your plans sound great! you guys are going to have a ton of fun! the villians magic at HS sounds awesome and I can't wait to hear all about the nights at MNSSHP! and, i'm anxious to see how the magicbands and fastpass things work out for you. I'm with you on not looking at much about it until our trip gets closer. but that was so cool how they sent them to you in the box with your names!
last summer we took our girls to see Aladdin at the Muny here in st Louis. it's an outside theater that does awesome productions during the summer. we LOVED it. more importantly, the girls loved it and watched it all. if you get the chance, you should absolutely go see it!
it's funny you mentioned watching Hercules on Netflix, because that's what my girls are watching right now on Netflix while I catch up on here. and i'm so happy you watched princess and the frog! isn't it awesome?!? ray is my absolute favorite, along with Louis. i'm sure I have every line memorized! and our youngest is being Tiana for Halloween. we adore that movie!
anyway, go finish your last minute packing!!
p.s. I loved your comment about DBF giving you tips from your book! I can tell my DH something and 5 minutes later he'll say the same thing like he just had some great revelation. men! they're crazy!

Glad you made it back! The magicbands do seem cool now that we have them! There are so many new things for us on this trip!

That's awesome about Aladdin being performed at the outside theater. I am totally excited to see it come here!

aw too funny! The Princess and the Frog is so good! I can't believe I've never seen it before. Louis is definitely our favorite. Too cute that your DD is gonna be Tiana for Halloween! Love it!

I mostly finished packing last night. I just have to find all the electronics and get all my carry-on stuff in order!

Hahaha it's so true though! I tell him something and it's in one ear and out the other. He reads it and you'd think he discovered the wheel!

 

[blabbermouth]

Hi Courtney! Thought I'd let you know that Pop is great we're in building 2 in the 50s section. It's likely that we'll be at the pool bar on the night you arrive so take a look for me and we can say hi before we leave the next day. If I'm not already in bed :-(

Love your new phone case! Wish I had an iPhone only for all of the cute cases available.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Hi Courtney! Thought I'd let you know that Pop is great we're in building 2 in the 50s section. It's likely that we'll be at the pool bar on the night you arrive so take a look for me and we can say hi before we leave the next day. If I'm not already in bed :-(

Love your new phone case! Wish I had an iPhone only for all of the cute cases available.

Hey!!! Glad to hear you're having a great time!!! Thanks for taking some time out of your vacation to let me know! We were in building 2 of the 50s section in January! It's a great location!

Our flight is really early on the 10th so we should be at Pop by noon at the latest! I hope we can catch you guys!!!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

It's really crazy how time flies! I can NOT believe that we are leaving on TUESDAY! Since I'm working tomorrow, I'm trying to get as much as I can packed tonight so that I don't have to feel rushed. It's not going so well since I spent the last few hours watching football (Go Giants!), eating, catching up on the Dis and adjusting my FP+ choices....

In my own defense, I THOUGHT I was pretty much done packing and then realized there are no bras/underwear/socks or shoes in my luggage so....


IMG_2143 by RN Courtney, on Flickr


IMG_2159 by RN Courtney, on Flickr


So since there's clearly going to be a lot of last minute getting things together and I'm working tomorrow and we fly out on Tuesday at 7 am, this is going to be the FINAL UPDATE!

We finally watched Hercules yesterday! It's even more exciting because it sounds like Hades, Pain and Panic and Meg are all going to be at the Villains party!

We also purchased our second set of MNSSHP tickets for the 20th today so we're officially doing 2 parties! The map for the party is up on the Disney site and Kennythepirate has a more detailed one on his site also so yay!

For anyone interested, our FP+ selections stand as follows :

September 11: DHS
TSMM: 12 PM-1PM
Rock and Roller Coaster: 6 PM-7 PM
Tower of Terror: 7 PM-8 PM

September 12: AK, then park hop to MK
Meet the Princess at TST: 5:45-6:45 PM
ETWB: 6:45-7:45
Meet Ariel at Her Grotto: 7:45-8:45
Haunted Mansion: 9-10 PM

September 13: MK, park hop to DHS
TSMM: 6:20-7:20 PM
RnRC: 8:10-9:10 PM
ToT: 12-1 AM

September 16: Epcot
Character Spot: 10-11 AM
Soarin: 11-12 PM
Test Track: 7:20-8:20 PM

September 18: MK
Splash Mountain: 12-1 PM
Meet Rapunzel and a Princess Friend at Princess Fairytale Hall (opening day!): 4:20-5:20 PM
Meet Cinderella and a Princess Friend: 5:20-6:20 PM
Space Mountain: 6:55-7:55 PM

September 21: DHS, parkhop to AK, parkhop to MK
Space Mountain: 1:15-2:15 PM
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade: 2:45-3:05 PM
Big Thunder Mountain RR: 3:15-4:15 PM
Meet Mickey at TST: 4:15-5:15

I think it'll be interesting to see how/if any of these change!

Thank you SO much to everyone who read/commented/lurked/followed along! I really appreciate it!

I know I'm following some of you on Instagram but if anyone else wants to follow me I'm @rncourtney and I'd love to follow you! I'm sure I'll be posted 1000 pictures during our trip!

 

[shan23877]

Those are important things! I take about triple the amount of undergarments I actually think I need, and several pairs of shoes

I love that you shared your FP+ choices. Do you think that they'll change them to more of a tiered system later or did you get the feeling that you'll always be able to book several E Ticket rides? I think you made amazing choices and you know that one family will be waiting with baited breath to see your photos of Fairytale Hall!

Can't wait to hear about the trip Courtney, have a great time and travel safely!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Safe travels! I hope you have a wonderful trip!


I'll be at the MK on 9/15 after 7pm, MK on 9/16 in the AM and EP on 9/19 until about 2pm.