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

[STLMickeyMom]

I am so jealous/excited that 1) your trip is soooo close and 2) you get to see jack and Sally!! We adore nightmare and would love to meet them!! Can't wait to see a picture!
Woah-that is expensive for the party at universal. I don't know what I'd do, but any decision for more time at Disney can't be wrong, right?
Not to add to your options and decision making dilemmas, but last time we went we did the pirate cruise. I can't remember for sure what nights it goes out but it was super fun. You meet at the contemporary and get to wait in a room where there are tons of snacks and drinks and you meet capt hook and mr smee (I have a picture of us with them on my PTR--our youngest was NOT sure about capt hook). Then they take you out on the water and you see the water parade. Then they find a place to stop, turn on the music and you watch wishes. It was great and we had a really fun time. Just throwing that out to consider

 

[klacey1]

I hate how expensive one day at Universal OR Disney is-- a long vacation, when you break it down per day it seems totally worth it, but it's hard justifying the money for that short of a visit.

I have heard people love attending MNSSHP twice-- you could pick different things to "focus" on each night. One night for getting all of the character shots and another for...other stuff? I don't know much about the party lol.

 

[cfw213]

Wow HHN is super expensive!! We love the water parks - probably TL more than BB but they're both great! If you're brave enough to do summit plummet, definitely go there first! We opted to skip it, haha

 

[lvcourtneyy]

v

Yay for Jack and Sally, and yay for a second party! Winning!! I’m not insanely stoked on them being there, having only seen the movie like, once but I know Paige will DIE if I get her a video of them saying Hi or something for her, it’ll be great!

Pin trading! AH! Did you guys order some off like, ebay/amazon? That’s the best way to do it! I bought off there, and had a lanyard from Disney, and a few that I had bought to keep. Every day I put some on my lanyard, and then trade away all day with CM’s. I usually don’t wear my lanyard, I think they’re kinda tacky in pictures, and I really only trade when I see one I like, so it’s easier to just keep it in my bag! It gets addicting fast!

Never been to a waterpark! Not really into them, so obviously I have no suggestions!

Yay Ohana! YUUUUMMM!!! I loved that place, I did find the food to be delicious, but not as amazing as I had expected from all the reviews on here, but it was still super good! The noodles were the best part!!

Ah you should totally try to watch it again before September! We just watched it again 2 days ago after the official announcement was made!

Yes! I ordered a bunch online to start trading with (and a bunch of them that I already love and don't want to trade ....). I bought a lanyard at Party City because it has princesses and it was only 99 cents! I think I'll do the same, leave my lanyard in my bag until I want to trade. I don't really want to wear it on my neck and I don't want to constantly check if I lost any pins either.

Yay! I'm so excited!

Congrats on the 28 day mark . We will be under 30 this Friday

I read about Jack and Sally also. I think they are going to be like the Dwarfs. Get in line about 45 minutes before the party start or plan to wait a couple hours. Kenny the Pirate said the last time they had a meet and greet in DtD the wait was 4 hours

I think you made the right decision on two MNSSHP days. I am actually considering it myself because I just do not think we can get everything done in one night.

Sadly I know nothing about pin trading so can not help with that

Ah we're so close! Yeah I saw pictures of the line for their meet last year and it was CRAZY! I don't think it'll get AS long at MNSSHP because DTD is free and they only met for 3 days there but I'm sure it will become a LONG line. Definitely going to have to plan to get in line for them early!

I thought we could squeeze most of what we wanted to do into 1 night but now, I'm thinking it'll be much better to do two!

For what it's worth, I would skip Universal. Sounds pretty expensive, and frankly I never want to leave the bubble

If you don't decide to do a second party you'd still find plenty to-maybe even treat yourselves to a nice date night dinner with the money you saved!

Before our recent trip I scoured the DIS for water park info and came up pretty empty. There are threads dedicated to info on them (much like the resort threads), but they are pretty slim with info. The best thing I got from them were detailed park maps which in the end did me no good At TL I'd say do Humunga Cowabunga and Crush n Gusher first. The like for both was fairly long once we found them (but that was July)

And Pin trading-never done it (I'm commenting a lot for someone who is of absolutely no help aren't I?) I want to try and may on the next trip. I want Maddie to wait until she's a bit older, but it seems like a lot of fun and a great way to buy fairly inexpensive souvenirs. I seem to remember that there's a big "pin stroller" near the entrance to AK and that the resorts are great places to trade.

I hope you enjoy 'Ohana! I love the food!

It is SO expensive! I don't even understand how it's so much more expensive than MNSSHP! You're completely right! No matter what, we will always find something else to do!

Yeah I haven't found much at all! Thanks for the tips!

You're plenty of help! It makes sense to wait until Maddie's older. I know when we went when we were younger, we didn't want to pin "trade", we just wanted to buy pins because we didn't want to give up any of the ones we had!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We have been to BB the last two September trips and I really do not think you have to have a plan at all. We have always done everything multiple times and that includes spending a good amount of time in the Ski Patrol area which I am sure you will not be doing since it is for little ones. The only thing I have ever waited more than two minutes for is the chair lift and SP. The SP wait can be up to 15 minutes and the chair lift can go up to 30 minutes.

So we usually just tour to limit the walking. We always finish by 3pm at the latest which for us has always been when it starts raining and they shut alot down because of it.

Thanks for the tips! Minimizing the walking sounds like an excellent plan! I was thinking we might end up finishing early so that sounds good! It'll give us some time to go back to the resort and relax before dinner!

Yay for 28 days!!!

We liked Blizzard Beach when we went, but it was tiring, all the walking around in the heat, and lots of stairs!

Ohana sounds soooo good. I assume your BF is a meat-guy, lol. Sounds like a good plan for after dinner too.

I can't believe Universal's Halloween party is even more expensive! $60 already seems like too much to me.

That is what I HATE about water parks! SO MANY STAIRS!

He is and we are both very excited about it! Seriously, it is so expensive. I just don't understand!

28 days, ah it will be here before you know it!

Yikes, that does sound like a lot of money for HHN, I'm sorry you guys won't be going after all

Well my vote is definitely for a second MNSSHP party! We originally were only going to do one party, but there's so much to do that I knew it would feel rushed to only do one. I also took into consideration that we probably won't be going back to Disney during October (or even anytime for quite a while) so we might as well take advantage of attending the party while we can! The addition of Jack & Sally makes me VERY excited, I'm also a big NBC fan, so this kind of solidifies that I made the right decision doing 2 parties and perhaps it will for you too!

But no matter what you do I'm sure it will be a good decision! SeaWorld at a discounted rate is awesome, and even just getting another day in the park would be great!

You already know how I feel about pin trading! Not really sure I have any good tips though! You will notice that tons of cast members wear landyards and the ones I've come across are always super friendly and don't mind you looking! Some stores and resorts also have pin boards that they put out at certain times of the day that you can look at. I know Pop has theirs out at i think 2 times of the day, though I'm not sure exactly what time. Also one night when leaving MK before heading to the buses, 2 cast members had out 3 huge pin boards! So always be on the lookout, you never know what might pop up! The pin store in DtD is awesome and you will definitely go crazy there!

A day at the water park sounds fun! And YUM for dinner at Ohana! I've wanted to go there but couldn't seem to find time last trip or this trip to squeeze it in. If I went I'd be doing EXACTLY what you plan on doing- try to see Wishes and the EWP. Sounds like a wonderful night

Anddd I realize this comment turned into a novel, sorry!

I like long comments so no worries!

Yeah, hopefully we'll get to go one day but I don't think it's in the cards for this trip. I'm about 99% certain we'll be doing 2 parties! I kinda wanted to already and switching out HHN makes it fit in perfectly especially with Jack and Sally!

Thanks for the tips! I'm gonna be on the lookout for pins everywhere!

It's one of the nights I'm most excited for on our trip so I hope it lives up to my expectations!

Yay!! Getting close! Sucks about HHN @ Universal, I would die to do that, but you're right...first day would be tooooooo crowded. My second choice would be MNSSHP also, seems like a lot to do there and you won't have to worry about meeting all the characters at once!

I have no tips on pin trading but we plan to do it too! I ordered about 75 pins off eBay so were all set! I know a lot of people told me the store in your resort will have pin trading at certain times as will a lot of other shops throughout the parks. I'm a little nervous myself!

And fun plan with BB! We are skipping the waterparks since we have Schlitterbahn so close and it's the #1 rated waterpark in the nation. But it would be fun, maybe when our kiddos are bigger we will do it.

Yeah crowded and expensive aren't my two favorite things! It will be nice to have to MNSSHP's to meet everyone!

I ordered some off ebay as well! I'm interested to see how it goes!

That's awesome that you have a fantastic waterpark so close!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Do 2 MNSSHPs. I feel like I'm a guinea pig going to the first one. I'm doing a second party just so I know more of what to expect.

That's 100% what I'm leaning towards. That's a smart way of thinking! It's pretty frustrating not to know what exactly is gonna happen until the parties start-- especially if you are gonna be at the first one!

I am so jealous/excited that 1) your trip is soooo close and 2) you get to see jack and Sally!! We adore nightmare and would love to meet them!! Can't wait to see a picture!
Woah-that is expensive for the party at universal. I don't know what I'd do, but any decision for more time at Disney can't be wrong, right?
Not to add to your options and decision making dilemmas, but last time we went we did the pirate cruise. I can't remember for sure what nights it goes out but it was super fun. You meet at the contemporary and get to wait in a room where there are tons of snacks and drinks and you meet capt hook and mr smee (I have a picture of us with them on my PTR--our youngest was NOT sure about capt hook). Then they take you out on the water and you see the water parade. Then they find a place to stop, turn on the music and you watch wishes. It was great and we had a really fun time. Just throwing that out to consider

We love NBC also and DBF is always saying how it's weird that they don't do more with it at the parks!

Isn't it though?! That sounds awesome! I never really heard much about that! I'm gonna look into it (and head over to your PTR now!)

I hate how expensive one day at Universal OR Disney is-- a long vacation, when you break it down per day it seems totally worth it, but it's hard justifying the money for that short of a visit.

I have heard people love attending MNSSHP twice-- you could pick different things to "focus" on each night. One night for getting all of the character shots and another for...other stuff? I don't know much about the party lol.

That's true. I think Universal always seems so much more to me because we always only want to do it one/two days.

Yeah it seems pretty popular! That's what I'm leaning towards!

Wow HHN is super expensive!! We love the water parks - probably TL more than BB but they're both great! If you're brave enough to do summit plummet, definitely go there first! We opted to skip it, haha

It really is! Glad to hear you enjoy them and thanks for the tip! I'm a little more wary with water rides than with other kinds of rides because I'm not the best swimmer so we'll have to wait to get there to see if we wanna do it!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Your DBF is totally right!! It IS weird that they don't do more with nightmare and Jack and Sally in the parks. They really should since so many people love that movie! I read on another TR (danimaroo's) that at Disneyland they change the haunted mansion to nightmare around Halloween. Her pics of it were AWESOME! We're going to have to check that out some year.....

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Your DBF is totally right!! It IS weird that they don't do more with nightmare and Jack and Sally in the parks. They really should since so many people love that movie! I read on another TR (danimaroo's) that at Disneyland they change the haunted mansion to nightmare around Halloween. Her pics of it were AWESOME! We're going to have to check that out some year.....

They really should! They have plenty of merchandise for it but no attractions.

I REALLY want to see the HM overlay of NBC one day! It sounds awesome. I wish they did it in WDW too

 

[lvcourtneyy]

So, it happened. I was innocently browsing the web the other night and logged into the MDE site to check on my reservation. Lo and behold, a box popped up telling me to customize my Magicbands and select FP+! My head started spinning. I've been avoiding learning about all of it as much as possible so I was lost.

Well, I followed the link to customize my bands and....nothing happened.

Well that was fun. I hopped back over to the Disboards and learned that apparently that's a thing. People get the box and some indeterminate number of hours later, you actually get to customize your Magicbands. So finally I was able to and now I will have a pink and DBF will have a red band.

Then came the FP+ selections and my head really hurt.

The choices are different on different days. Some days you can pick one for the princesses, for example. Other days, nope. Not even an option. Plus it randomly says Ariel's Grotto is closed for refurbishment while we're there?

So for the most part, I have our FP+ picked out. From my understanding, we can still use regular FP and will still have regular KTTW cards so I'm ok with it for now. I think.

I would share my FP+ selections with you but I change them at least 3 times a day so I'm gonna wait until right before our trip. I'm also hoping parades and Wishes will become available so fingers crossed!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Day 6: Sunday, September 15th

This day is scheduled to be an off day. DBF wants to get in some workouts while we're there so he's planning on paying to use the gym at a deluxe resort. So I figured we could sleep in today and he could do that and we could explore some new resorts.

Then at 7:15, we have dinner reservations at Boma at the AKL! I'm planning for us to head over there early because it looks like a GORGEOUS resort so I really want to explore it!

BOMAentrance by RN Courtney, on Flickr

After dinner, we'll head back and hopefully have another early night to catch up on some sleep!

DAY 7: Epcot
So a lot of people love Epcot. We don't fall in that category

I mean, don't get me wrong. I think the WS is beautiful and I get what they were trying to do. I guess feel like something is missing to me.

We're planning to get there at RD and I scheduled our FP+ for Future World mostly in the AM because I just feel like we're not gonna want to trek back out of the WS into Future World to use them. I would like to schedule one for Illuminations but it seems that the option is only available on weekends for now.

My plan as it currently stands (with no promises that this is going to stick ) is for us to first head to Test Track and ride standby.


Photo0255FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr

I figure after that we'll do Mission Space and then start heading over to the other side of Future World.

We have a FP+ for the Character Spot from 10 am-11 am. Just because I needed a third one. Hopefully I can change this to Illuminations at some point but we'll see.

Photo0216FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr

Either way, I'm sure we'll go to the Character Spot at some point. Sadly, we won't have this cute little princess with us this time.

Afterwards, I think we'll head to Spaceship Earth and maybe Innoventions. We may also stop to meet Goofy and Chip n Dale if they're around.

Then, we have FP+ for Soarin from 11 am-12. Confession: We don't really get the hype about Soarin. So that one ride will be plenty for us. Before/afterwards depending on the timing, we will be doing our first ride on Living with the Land!

Depending on our hunger level, we may/may not eat at Sunshine Seasons. Then, we will make our way (hopefully successfully) to the Imagination Pavillion WHERE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN. And part of it is because I really have no idea where it is. I just can't picture in my head. I'm pretty directionally challenged so I'm not surprised. But I heard a rumor that it's closing sometime soon and I don't know if it's true or not but I want to see it just in case this is my last chance!

The whole time we're in Epcot I'm going to have my eyes open for characters in training. Anyone care to remind me of the common places I should look out for them?

So, after we're done in Future World, we'll make our way to the World Showcase.

I definitely want to meet Duffy again because he's so fluffy and adorable.


Photo0065FourBySix by RN Courtney, on Flickr
I also DEFINITELY plan on purchasing a Duffy at the Duffy store across from his M&G because I just need him in my life.

We'll make our way around the WS. We'll probably stop for The Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico and Maelstorm in Norway. We watched the Three Caballeros recently and it was pretty funny!

As far as characters go in the WS, we met pretty much all of them in January. I definitely want to meet Belle. If it's convenient, I'd also like to try to catch Alice, Mary Poppins and Snow White. I'd also like to try to meet Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco because we've only met them in MK! The line was super long in January so we'll see.

We have an ADR at 4:40 for Teppan Edo!

I scheduled us a FP from 7:25-8:25 for Test Track because I figured it'd be fun to do it again at night so I guess we'll head out of the WS towards 8ish to go there and then find our spot for Illuminations!


Still 35 by RN Courtney, on Flickr

Our Never-Done List for the day includes:
Living with the Land
Journey into the Imagination with Figment!
Captain EO
Movies in the World Showcase
Catch some Street Performers in the World Showcase
Character Training
Pick-a-Pearl

And I have a must have snack for the day which is the American Dream:

The-American-Dream by RN Courtney, on Flickr
It's apparently frozen Strawberry, vanilla ice cream and blue raspberry. It sounds delicious and I need it!

 

[Dancegrl624]

The Imagination Pavilion is next to The Land as you walk towards World Showcase. It is 2 glass pyramids and there is an upside down fountain in front of it. Don't forget to watch the jumping fountains too!! From the rumors I read, the pavilion itself isn't going away. They will most likely be redoing the ride and things like that inside. I love those glass pyramids!

A lot of the character training is done by the International Gateway (between France and the UK) and it's sometimes over by the American Adventure as well (empty walkway as you walk from Italy to the AA). I would check out http://unofficialdisneycharacterhuntingguide.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more info.

Your Epcot day makes me sad because it's my favorite park and Soarin is my favorite ride in all of WDW!! My family could spend days at Epcot and still not see everything we want. I love exploring all the little secret areas in WS and we always find something new.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

The Imagination Pavilion is next to The Land as you walk towards World Showcase. It is 2 glass pyramids and there is an upside down fountain in front of it. Don't forget to watch the jumping fountains too!! From the rumors I read, the pavilion itself isn't going away. They will most likely be redoing the ride and things like that inside. I love those glass pyramids!

A lot of the character training is done by the International Gateway (between France and the UK) and it's sometimes over by the American Adventure as well (empty walkway as you walk from Italy to the AA). I would check out http://unofficialdisneycharacterhuntingguide.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more info.

Your Epcot day makes me sad because it's my favorite park and Soarin is my favorite ride in all of WDW!! My family could spend days at Epcot and still not see everything we want. I love exploring all the little secret areas in WS and we always find something new.

Thank you! That is what I should have said, they're redoing the inside of the pavilion! I can't believe we've never seen it!

Awesome. Thank you for time tips!

I thought of you when I was thinking about Soarin. I know you absolutely love it! I honestly think we need to give it another chance. We've only been on it once without really knowing what to expect so we're going to give it another chance this trip and maybe we'll surprise ourselves and love it.

 

[klacey1]

I really do love Epcot-- strolling the World Showcase is one of my favorite things to do in the World. I do agree that Future World could use some sprucing.

I think the Imagination Pavilion is okay, but we don't spend a ton of time there. And confession: I also do not get the Soarin hype. I think it's okay, but not amazing. I skip it when I go with Zach because he doesn't like heights.

 

[blabbermouth]

My Magic Band is pink too

I found the FP+ pretty difficult too. It's really hard to think that specifically about our plan! Especially since it's two couples, so I can't just make all of the decisions myself.

I did choose Illuminations, but it's on the Friday, so I guess that it's available since it's a weekend night.

I agree with you about Soarin'. We go on it every time (WDW and DL), but neither of us LOVE it, and the wait is always too long even with FP I find.

But we do LOVE Living with the Land! So I hope you like it too. I know Figment gets a bad rap, but I liked it just fine. It's a kiddy ride, but otherwise not bad at all!

The CIT we saw were the ones between AA and Italy that Dancegrl624 mentioned.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I really do love Epcot-- strolling the World Showcase is one of my favorite things to do in the World. I do agree that Future World could use some sprucing.

I think the Imagination Pavilion is okay, but we don't spend a ton of time there. And confession: I also do not get the Soarin hype. I think it's okay, but not amazing. I skip it when I go with Zach because he doesn't like heights.

We're gonna try to give it more of a chance this trip! Maybe we were too quick to judge.

My Magic Band is pink too

I found the FP+ pretty difficult too. It's really hard to think that specifically about our plan! Especially since it's two couples, so I can't just make all of the decisions myself.

I did choose Illuminations, but it's on the Friday, so I guess that it's available since it's a weekend night.

I agree with you about Soarin'. We go on it every time (WDW and DL), but neither of us LOVE it, and the wait is always too long even with FP I find.

But we do LOVE Living with the Land! So I hope you like it too. I know Figment gets a bad rap, but I liked it just fine. It's a kiddy ride, but otherwise not bad at all!

The CIT we saw were the ones between AA and Italy that Dancegrl624 mentioned.

Yay we'll match! I is pretty difficult to choose times. We don't plan our days out that specifically so it's hard to decide where we'll want to be when.

So strange! I saw Illuminations only on weekends and Fantasmic like every night but nothing for MK.

Thanks for the tips! I hope we'll see some CIT!

 

[lsenquiz]

Commenting on - Magicbands and FP+


I am like you, I have completely avoided learing anything about Magic Bands so was really surprised to learn that you can actually still use regular FP with the Magic Bands. Are you sure about that? If so, I do not think I would be so against trying them out.

Can't wait to see what you final selections will be.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Commenting on - Magicbands and FP+

I am like you, I have completely avoided learing anything about Magic Bands so was really surprised to learn that you can actually still use regular FP with the Magic Bands. Are you sure about that? If so, I do not think I would be so against trying them out.

Can't wait to see what you final selections will be.

I'm not entirely sure about anything about them lol! From what I've read, it seems that for now, everyone is getting a KTTW card and a Magicband. Therefore, it's possible to use both regular FP and FP+. I've also heard it's not going to be like this once everything is officially rolled out.

So I honesty don't know what the case may be in September!

 

[blabbermouth]

Hey! I was just listening to disunplugged and they were saying the Halloween Horror nights at Universal have deals, so it actually works out cheaper if you buy a 15 night pass than just a one night ticket? I think it's $72.99. http://halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/tickets.html They also said there is $15 off discounts on bottles of Coke!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Hey! I was just listening to disunplugged and they were saying the Halloween Horror nights at Universal have deals, so it actually works out cheaper if you buy a 15 night pass than just a one night ticket? I think it's $72.99. http://halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/tickets.html They also said there is $15 off discounts on bottles of Coke!

Ah thank you so much for letting me know!!!

I just checked it out and the 15 night pass IS cheaper than a one night ticket That's so odd haha but so much more reasonable!

Thank you again!!

 

[missangelalexis]

I know what you mean about avoiding FP+ and MagicBand stuff! It all seems so confusing and I am not a person who likes change, especially after learning all the tricks of the regular fastpasses!

Your off day sounds fun, especially when you will be resort exploring!

Your Epcot plan also sounds good! The good part about it not being your favorite park is that you can kind of take it easy when you're there! I would love to come across some Character Training as well, so fingers crossed for both of us! Pick a Pearl is so fun, I had a blast doing it and I love how they put on a little show for you