We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy. What do ya say?

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Welcome to my trip report now showing in 3D!

Ok, sorry, its not really in 3D. But that would be really cool, wouldn't it? Internet in 3D? Then we could view everyone's trip reports like we were actually there.

Um, anyway, lets get started with the report. As everyone knows, to have a good trip report, one must first introduce the trippers.

This trip will feature me and my BF (26 and 25). I asked him if he thought we should use clever Disney nicknames for ourselves, and he suggested that he'd like to be BeatBoxerSlickMeister

Anywho, here is a pic of us from our first Disney vacation together. Ok, sorry, this picture has been put on hold. Everytime I try to upload a picture on photobucket, my router throws a fit and disconnects us. So I will try again later.


The picture will show (eventually) us having dinner at Kona in early December (lovely time of the year for a trip, the weather was nice and the decorations were all gorgeous).

I've always really loved Disney, my parents took my two sisters and I 2 times when we were young. We went again about 4 years ago when I was in college, and it was just as enjoyable. Then I met my BF (I think I'll just use his real name, Brian) while we were both at Ohio State in 2004. We've been together ever since.

To make a long story short, I graduated before him and I went on to law school. Law school was a lot of work and I was pretty much going insane so I decided to get a part time job so that I could fund a vacation during winter break of my second year. Thus the idea to go to Disney was born. My BF revealed to me that he had never really had an awesome family vacation (unlike me, I even look back on all those family road trips with fondness) so I was determined to show him a good time. And I think it actually worked. He really liked Disney too, but we were both pretty convinced we wouldn't go again for a long time.

I graduated, passed the bar, and got a job that I really hated. So to make myself happier, I turned to the DIS, and thus the seed for a new vacation was planted.

Brian really didn't protest too much, especially when I found out we could go during free dining! Ok, really, how many people's BFs or husbands turn down free food?

Our trip dates are Sept. 8 through Sept. 16. Um, yeah, I did wait until a week or so before my trip to start my pre trip report (compared to some of you guys, I am totally an amateur and cannot compete).

Before I finish up my first post, I'd like to do the obligatory 'who we are leaving behind' segment. (and I already had these pictures uploaded, so hurrah!)

This is Toulouse, my persian cat (yes, he is named mostly after the Aristocat kitten).

This is how he works out on the wii fit.

This is Sirius, we adopted him from a shelter the day after I finished taking the bar exam (unbelievable amount of stress, so how do I cope? Going home, crashing on the sofa avec laptop, and looking at pictures of dogs at the local shelters).

We don't think that he is full Husky, he is only about 30 pounds so he is much smaller than any other Husky we've met.

The two pets will be staying with my parents in PA (they will also be dropping us off at the airport, well, the parents, not the pets).

All right, I feel like I've thrown out enough information for right now. Since there is only a very short time before the trip begins (see trip counter in signature) I will be trying to jam a lot of posts into a short time.

Stop in and say hello if you are hanging around!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I am an OSU fan so of course I had to check out your report! Your pets are adorable and I can't wait to read more! You must be getting excited that your trip is right around the corner, no?!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I am an OSU fan so of course I had to check out your report! Your pets are adorable and I can't wait to read more! You must be getting excited that your trip is right around the corner, no?!

O-H-!

I am incredibly excited! Brian...not so much, even though I bet he will be once we get nearer to leaving.

You'll have to read my upcoming post about the absolute terror and horror we felt once we realized I had scheduled our elusive Le Cellier dinner at the same time as the OSU/USC game.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I gotta say, I had no intention of ever paying Disney even more just to go to an after hours party, but after I got immersed in the MNSSHP thread on the Attractions board, I was hooked.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to dress up for Halloween. There were a few problems with that, mainly the fact that I had no place to wear my costume. Of course, I could have always dressed up and gone to a bar/club on Halloween, but that is not really my thing.

So Disney gave me the perfect opportunity

Now all that was left was to think up a costume and get Brian to actually agree to wearing one as well.

On a side note, how hard is it to find boy/girl pair costumes? Most of the awesome people you could dress up as are guys, and their female counterparts are kinda bleh. I vetoed most of the costume sets Brian could come up with (like Indiana Jones, I coulda been Marian, but how many would have recognized me?), and he immediately vetoed any Disney prince/princess costume (which I wasn't too excited about anyway).

My first thought was Rogue and Wolverine from Xmen. I had always wanted to be Rogue (I have red hair so I thought that was an instant fit), and I thought Brian could make a good Wolverine. I had almost convinced him that he could pull off the hair when BOOM.

We went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and I was talking with my old college roommate about costumes when we suddenly decided that Brian and I would make a perfect fit for Harry and Ginny (yeah, I know, I really need to get a pic of us up).

I thought it would be a pretty original thought to go as Harry and Ginny in their Quidditch uniforms, instead of going as them in their class uniforms.

So we had a little argument about old Quidditch outfits v. new outfits.

old outfit

and the new outfit (also the one we finally picked)

We have been scrambling around for the past month trying to put the costume pieces together. My mom is sewing our capes (hopefully I will be able to use tshirt transfer to put the names and numbers on the capes, which is thinking I need to test really soon).

We are still deciding if we want to carry brooms or not. If we do, we would just go out back, get a couple good sticks, then go to a craft store and get the twigs. I think the only way we would be able to get them in our suitcases is if we can take the top part off...so we will see what happens.

We decided to go to the party on Friday Sept. 11. However, plans got changed during the great Le Cellier debacle, so we decided on Tuesday the 15th.

Let me know if your going the same night! Maybe we'll see each other.

 

[reyasmommy]

Great costume choice!!

You're so lucky your leaving so soon! We aren't leaving until March and time seems to have come to a stand-still since we've make our airline reservations!

Have a fabulous time!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Great costume choice!!

You're so lucky your leaving so soon! We aren't leaving until March and time seems to have come to a stand-still since we've make our airline reservations!

Have a fabulous time!

Thanks! I am just hoping right now that the costumes come out ok in the end.

Yeah, I am lucky we're leaving soon, but I booked way back in May I think. So I've put my time in

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Yep, I've got way too much extra time on my hands today, so I am going to post my itinerary. If anyone takes the time to go through it, please critique.

Monday 9/7: travel from Columbus, OH to PA after I get off work (hopefully I do not have to work too late)

Tuesday 9/8: say goodbye to the pets and fly out of the Pittsburgh airport at 11:35 am. Will hopefully arrive in Florida around 1:50.

-my plans after arrival are to check into All Star Movies, get our dining plan set up, and head to DD.

-eat at Earl of Sandwich for lunch. I have been dying to do this since I first discovered it existed.

-shop around a bit, then be at Planet Hollywood in time for our 4:45 reservation where we will split either a meal or an appetizer using the $15 voucher.

-I was not really sure what to do with the rest of the night, I was thinking maybe mini golf with the one free voucher and then back to the room for an early night.

Wednesday 9/9: hit AK for rope drop at 9 am. Stay in the park all day, have dinner at Yak and Yeti at 4:45. Leave around closing at 8 pm and head back to the room.

Thursday 9/10: sleep in, then head to MK. We have a Kona dinner reservation at 5:10.

-After this I am undecided if we should hop over to DHS to catch the second showing of Fantasmic, or if we should head to ESPN club to watch the Steelers play the Titans. This will be our only chance to see Fantasmic, but I also love the Steelers.

Friday 9/11: We have a breakfast reservation at Boma for 10:15, we will head there in the morning and afterwards take some time to look around the resort.

-at this point, if we had wanted to redo anything in AK we would go there

-the only other plans for the day are to be in Epcot in time for our 6:45 Le Cellier reservation. We will then stay for EMH.

Saturday 9/12: depending on how late we stayed up the night before, we will make our way to Epcot. We have a 2:05 Coral Reef reservation, after that we will enjoy the park for a couple more hours.

-around 6 pm we will make our way back to DD to pick up some sandwiches to go from Earl of Sandwich, and we'll make our way back to our room to watch the OSU/USC game for the rest of the night.

Sunday 9/13: head to DHS for rope drop (have my TSM strat all figured out, ride first, grab a fast pass, then head to RRC and ToT). Have a reservation at Sci Fi at 4:05 where we will pay oop for some milkshakes and maybe an appetizer. We really didn't have the points on the dining plan to fit this restaurant in, but we love the atmosphere too much to pass it by.

-leave DHS around 7 pm to make our way to Narccossee's at 8:55 for our 5 year anniversary dinner.

-MK is having EMH that night, so maybe if we feel like it and have time we'll go to MK for the last hour or so after dinner.

Monday 9/14: if we missed anything at DHS, we will head there in the morning, if not we are off to Epcot for a 2 pm San Angel reservation. Then we have a 7:05 reservation for Rose and Crown (I will be wearing my Dr. Who shirt) in hopes of watching Illuminations from the patio.

Tuesday 9/15: This is our MNSSHP day. We will be sleeping in, then heading over to the Disney stables to check out all the horses. We will also check out the WL lodge, since I am pretty sure Brian will love it.

-I know we can get inside of the MK at 4pm, but Brian is a bit hesitant in showing up in costume before the party actually starts, so we'll see what happens.

Wednesday 9/16: this is our last day, and our flight leaves at 7:45. This is going to be an open day where we can fit in anything we missed or want to do again.

So...if anyone is still with me, how does that sound? We are kind of night people, so I gave us only three early mornings and plenty of evening EMHs.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I-O!!

Hahaha ohhh man. Are there TV's in Le Cellier to cheer for the Bucks!? That is too funny. I'm going to the game on the 5th before I head back to school. I'm not a Harry Potter person but those will be fun costumes!

I can't wait to hear about MNSSHP!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I-O!!

Hahaha ohhh man. Are there TV's in Le Cellier to cheer for the Bucks!? That is too funny. I'm going to the game on the 5th before I head back to school. I'm not a Harry Potter person but those will be fun costumes!

I can't wait to hear about MNSSHP!

This sounds like a good time to tell the Le Cellier story.

So I, of course, booked all my ADRs 90 days out like any good DISer. I got the coveted Le Cellier dinner ressie for Saturday night.

Fast forward about a month and a half, and Brian is looking at the upcoming Buckeye football schedule when he puts two and two together, and we realize we have an 8 pm ressie and the game is at 8

So I check the online reservation site every day about three times a day for the next month. Lo and behold, I hit the jackpot finally and got a prime time 645 pm reservation for Friday.

All it took was a little switcheroo with the MNSSHP to the following Tuesday, and we were all set.

Which was awesome, since now we get to have our cake and eat it too lol.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Just did on line check in. It was pretty easy, only wanted my credit card info, estimate of check in and check out times, and if you wanted a fridge.

Now I just hope this will actually save me some time once I check in, so I can get to my Earl of Sandwich sooner.

 

[addicted2dizney]

Hi,
love your plans and can't wait to see your pics of the trip! It's getting close!
Dana

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Hi,
love your plans and can't wait to see your pics of the trip! It's getting close!
Dana

I know! I am starting to get really excited! Thanks for stopping by, hope to see ya guys at the party.

 

[deslynnpatterson]

Yep, I've got way too much extra time on my hands today, so I am going to post my itinerary. If anyone takes the time to go through it, please critique.

Monday 9/7: travel from Columbus, OH to PA after I get off work (hopefully I do not have to work too late)

Tuesday 9/8: say goodbye to the pets and fly out of the Pittsburgh airport at 11:35 am. Will hopefully arrive in Florida around 1:50.

-my plans after arrival are to check into All Star Movies, get our dining plan set up, and head to DD.

-eat at Earl of Sandwich for lunch. I have been dying to do this since I first discovered it existed.

-shop around a bit, then be at Planet Hollywood in time for our 4:45 reservation where we will split either a meal or an appetizer using the $15 voucher.

-I was not really sure what to do with the rest of the night, I was thinking maybe mini golf with the one free voucher and then back to the room for an early night.

Wednesday 9/9: hit AK for rope drop at 9 am. Stay in the park all day, have dinner at Yak and Yeti at 4:45. Leave around closing at 8 pm and head back to the room.

Thursday 9/10: sleep in, then head to MK. We have a Kona dinner reservation at 5:10.

-After this I am undecided if we should hop over to DHS to catch the second showing of Fantasmic, or if we should head to ESPN club to watch the Steelers play the Titans. This will be our only chance to see Fantasmic, but I also love the Steelers.

Friday 9/11: We have a breakfast reservation at Boma for 10:15, we will head there in the morning and afterwards take some time to look around the resort.

-at this point, if we had wanted to redo anything in AK we would go there

-the only other plans for the day are to be in Epcot in time for our 6:45 Le Cellier reservation. We will then stay for EMH.

Saturday 9/12: depending on how late we stayed up the night before, we will make our way to Epcot. We have a 2:05 Coral Reef reservation, after that we will enjoy the park for a couple more hours.

-around 6 pm we will make our way back to DD to pick up some sandwiches to go from Earl of Sandwich, and we'll make our way back to our room to watch the OSU/USC game for the rest of the night.

Sunday 9/13: head to DHS for rope drop (have my TSM strat all figured out, ride first, grab a fast pass, then head to RRC and ToT). Have a reservation at Sci Fi at 4:05 where we will pay oop for some milkshakes and maybe an appetizer. We really didn't have the points on the dining plan to fit this restaurant in, but we love the atmosphere too much to pass it by.

-leave DHS around 7 pm to make our way to Narccossee's at 8:55 for our 5 year anniversary dinner.

-MK is having EMH that night, so maybe if we feel like it and have time we'll go to MK for the last hour or so after dinner.

Monday 9/14: if we missed anything at DHS, we will head there in the morning, if not we are off to Epcot for a 2 pm San Angel reservation. Then we have a 7:05 reservation for Rose and Crown (I will be wearing my Dr. Who shirt) in hopes of watching Illuminations from the patio.

Tuesday 9/15: This is our MNSSHP day. We will be sleeping in, then heading over to the Disney stables to check out all the horses. We will also check out the WL lodge, since I am pretty sure Brian will love it.

-I know we can get inside of the MK at 4pm, but Brian is a bit hesitant in showing up in costume before the party actually starts, so we'll see what happens.

Wednesday 9/16: this is our last day, and our flight leaves at 7:45. This is going to be an open day where we can fit in anything we missed or want to do again.

So...if anyone is still with me, how does that sound? We are kind of night people, so I gave us only three early mornings and plenty of evening EMHs.

i am from pitsburgh and I am flying out of pittsburgh a few days after you we are going sept 10th-20th, something else really crazy we booked a dinner at Narcoosees too for you 5 year wedding anniversary LOL its a small world!! Also you animals are beautiful!! I am a animal lover I cannot wait to read more or your plans

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

i am from pitsburgh and I am flying out of pittsburgh a few days after you we are going sept 10th-20th, something else really crazy we booked a dinner at Narcoosees too for you 5 year wedding anniversary LOL its a small world!! Also you animals are beautiful!! I am a animal lover I cannot wait to read more or your plans

Now you've got its a small world stuck in my head

Are you gonna be eating at Narcoossee's the same night as us?

 

[deslynnpatterson]

Now you've got its a small world stuck in my head

Are you gonna be eating at Narcoossee's the same night as us?

no we are eating a narcoossee's the 17th bummer!! LOL it really is a small world!! I am amazed at the people's PTRS that i am finding to be a lot like mine LOL

 

[DisneysRedhead]

Everything looks great so far! I am so jealous that you are not only going to MNSSHP, but that you are also going to be there so soon!

Post plenty of pictures of your costumes for sure! Oh, and I love the title btw! He may be evil, but I still like Hades.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Everything looks great so far! I am so jealous that you are not only going to MNSSHP, but that you are also going to be there so soon!

Post plenty of pictures of your costumes for sure! Oh, and I love the title btw! He may be evil, but I still like Hades.

We will definitely post a bunch of costume pictures (unless the costumes suck, then you will see me mysteriously skip over MNSSHP descriptions).

Do you think we should make brooms for the costumes? Now that its really coming down to it, I am starting to think we should, but I am not sure.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think my biggest worry for the trip (besides the costumes sucking) is that I will gain a whole lot of weight.

I have been on the south beach diet since the 4th of July, as of today I have lost 15 pounds (from 154 to 139). I am just terrified I will gain the weight back. The last time we went to Disney 2 years ago, we mostly shared CS meals and had cereal in the room, and I am pretty sure I gained 5 pounds. So you can imagine I am scared for this trip. We have ADRs at the following places:

Planet Hollywood,
Yak and Yeti,
Kona,
Boma,
Coral Reef,
Le Cellier,
Sci Fi,
Narcoossee's,
San Angel,
and Rose and Crown,

We are hoping to do some CS at:
Flame Tree Barbecue,
Earl of Sandwich (hopefully twice),
Cooke's,
Columbia Harbor House,
Pizza Planet,
Yakitori,
and Kringla

Yep...we are gonna be eating a lot more this trip. I really don't want to deny myself desserts and snacks. Hopefully I can just walk it all off

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Oh! I also forgot to add to the above food post that my BF (who does not yet have a DIS user name) is going to be doing a food report while I do the main trip report. He cares a lot about food, and unlike me he can distinguish flavors and stuff like that (whereas to me something is just good or bad or ok). I will be sure to post a link to his report as soon as he gets started.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Cool! I'm sure that all the walking you'll be doing will makeup for all the yummy food you are eating. And if you promise that you will go right back to the diet when you get home - you will be fine! Congrats on your weight loss!! I wish I had the willpower to eat better and work out!