Weird and Ninja’s Pre-Disneymoon [Completed!]

[irky416]

I love Mouse Gears! It's my favorite store in all of WDW! They have way too much.

I love the bag pictures, but it makes me want some. I have a Mickey bag that I take to and from work everyday. It's dark blue with a white outline of Mickey. I like it because it's not over the top and loud, but still Disney.

The size of Jack is both a plus and a minus for my travel buddy. I like that he's small because Kevin can shove him in his pocket, but sometimes it's hard to pose him for a picture. Your Mascot seems to be a good size for travel and posing for pictures!

The Goofy Vinylmation is cute!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I love Mouse Gears, I could just spend hours wandering around in there. I never think to take pictures of the things I want. I just stare longingly and then move on. I should try taking pictures. It might help - or at least be more pictures for the TR!!

You cracked me up with your comments about the "demure" black mickey bag. I was totally thinking "I haven't seen that one, it would be perfect for me" since even my just normal bright blue purse sticks out like a sore thumb at work

My first "real" job after I graduated from college was at our local Children's Museum. I used to love being able to have bright colors and characters all over. I loved having an excuse to watch the Disney Channel and cartoons and such... I had to be able to have conversations with the kids! Halloween was a blast too - an excuse to dress up like a Disney character! But sadly, my job now is at law firm. Not so great for bright colors and characters. Don't get me wrong, I love my job - it's just much more of a "grown-up" environment than the Children's Museum.

 

[floridascgirl]

Fantastic shopping update, Rachel. You must have a patient family. There is no way my DH and DS could have handled me wandering around MouseGears snapping photos. I can see it now...they would have been standing by the door, rolling their eyes, exhaling, tapping their watches, etc... This trip, I think I'll just send them on to Test Track and shop solo.

 

[therussells08]

Great update! I love seeing the pictures you take of the merchandise! It inspires me to save my money for WDW rather than spending it on random stuff now! I really want to get a nice bag when I go in December to use for teaching. Right now I carry all of my stuff in a tote bag my mom gave me a few years ago that she got for free somewhere. It gets the job done, but I don't really like the colors on it. I like a bag that cheers me up everytime I throw it over my shoulder! Does that make sense?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Rachel!!! We are back (sadly)...so much to catch up on! Just wanted to say hey and I got you guys your buttons (but you already knew that, haha!).

 

[LilAnn]

Oh my gosh, those baby plush keychains are too cute. I love seeing all of the bigger stuffed animals in the display so I would totally have ended up getting one of those baby ones!

Love the post, but makes me want to go shopping, and I so don't have the money to do that right now.....

 

[wisblue]

A quick comment about DVC points. Starting in 2011 the "premium" for Friday and Saturday nights has been reduced significantly. Those nights are still a little more than the rest of the week, but not by as much as they were. For example, I just made a reservation for March 2011 at the Beach Club villas. At that time of year, Friday and Saturday nights are 22 points each and Sunday-Thursday are 18 points each. For 2010, those rates were 27 and 16 points respectively. The cost for a full week is unchanged at 134 points. This type of change has been made across the board for all of the resorts and all of the seasons.

 

[jasperess]

In regards to the monorail Mickey, when I first saw it I thought it was a spacesuit Mickey for Space Mountain... but I could definitely see it as a monorail too! Who knows?

 

[Bridora]

Sounds like you got some great answers for all of your questions and on the ones I would know the answer to, I'd just be repeating info!

Please send me the link to you blog! I can't wait to read about wedding plans and such!

Love those shopping pictures! I did that a little bit on our trip, but I'm going to have to remember to do that more often. I think it would help reduce impulse buys! Some of those vinylmation guys are creepy, but others are just so cute!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ummm...you should start checking your mail soon for something....

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi Rachel,
I'm sooo behind on your TR...going back to catch-up now!!!

 

[stacikristine]

Reading that thing you sent really helped me understand more of the DVC point system. However, the charts help and don't help at the same time. They help because I know the point values, but they don't help because it makes me sad knowing that it's going to be so much more just because I'm a teacher! AGH! I can't help that I have to go to WDW during school breaks! I really wish that I could just take off work during a slow season ... hehe. My principal wouldn't like that though!

I looked at the QSDP before I looked at DDP. I think it'd be more fun, especially on our honeymoon, to have some nice meals! That'd be the time to splurge more!

Yeah, I read about EMH being the busy days. Since we stayed off-site this past April, I knew I had to avoid the EMH parks. Sarah (wdwgirl03) was there at the same time and because she and her dad used EMH, they were able to get everything done and not feel the crowds. They said they got so much done in that first hour! I know that if you can't get there for EMH that that's the park to avoid. I think we actually ended up at MK on an EMH day though because we had no choice. We were able to deal with it by seeing the shows during the hot afternoons. I still wish we could go in February ... we just don't want to worry about snow!

I know what you mean...renting points really is the best when you can go off-season. They're just SO much cheaper then! My parents are the same way since they're teachers (well, a principal and counselor now...). So we've decided that we'll do Disney the first week in December in 7 years when my dad retires! That week is the best since it's still the value season, but it's all decorated for Christmas! Maybe you can find a way to only take off a couple of days from work and be able to go at a cheaper time.

We LOVE the DDP. It's just so great knowing that we can go to all of the nice restaurants and pick whatever we want--without looking at the prices.

Yeah, sometimes EMH work, and sometimes they end up being more crowded than a regular day. We avoided all of them except our last day, and it ended up working really well for us!



GREAT shopping update!! All of those purses/totes are too cute. You should check ebay to see if they have any of the ones you like. That's fun that you and Howard both like taking shopping pics!

 

[RachelNinja]

I'm getting to where I really love shopping pics. Except for I want everything that I see! I'm a Mickey girl and I love just about anything with Mickey on it. However, I find that wearing my Mickey clothes outside of Disney seems a bit out of place (only to me, probably not to anyone else around me, though - with the exception of those co-workers who make fun of my Disney obsession!). I do carry a Mickey recycled bag and I have a Mickey watch and a Mickey bracelt, though!

I'm so grateful that my students know I love Disney. Any time we have a dress down day (teachers wear business casual, students have uniforms), I try to wear a Disney t-shirt! Haha, people around just need to accept that we like Disney even on our clothes! What difference is it when they like wearing a certain clothing brand? Ours is just happier, haha.

Oh, I remember seeing an episode of "What Not To Wear" and they threw away all of this woman's Disney t-shirts because they said she was too old to be wearing them. GASP!

Love MouseGears!! That canvas/green zippered tote is really cute!! I don't "do" a lot of Disney stuff IRL (besides my Wishes/monorail ring tones), but I like the subtlety of that bag!
I also love the Muppets Vinylmations! Love anything to do with the Muppets. The TOT one is also pretty cool-- didn't know they had ones based on rides!

That bag definitely looks like a cheerful bag! Hehe, you should get it It'll satisfy your Disney cravings without being too loud.

I think I stopped looking at Vinylmation when they came out with the urban series, but I remember seeing the park related things in the beginning and thinking they were cute. They should do more like that without being creepy!

Yay for shopping pics! The Vinylmation shirt is cool- kinda reminds me of Toki Doki. It would be neat if they had a bag with the same design as the shirt.

Oh gosh, the Vinylmation characters are just so adorable I want them all!

I had to look up Toki Doki! I didn't know what it was! Haha, it's so cute! The Marvel stuff is especially cute!

I love Mouse Gears! It's my favorite store in all of WDW! They have way too much.

I love the bag pictures, but it makes me want some. I have a Mickey bag that I take to and from work everyday. It's dark blue with a white outline of Mickey. I like it because it's not over the top and loud, but still Disney.

The size of Jack is both a plus and a minus for my travel buddy. I like that he's small because Kevin can shove him in his pocket, but sometimes it's hard to pose him for a picture. Your Mascot seems to be a good size for travel and posing for pictures!

The Goofy Vinylmation is cute!

Curious to know if you would use that bag if you worked in an office! I seriously just love being a teacher for those extra "perks"! Sarah got me "Just Engaged" pins when she went back; I want to put it somewhere on my work bag. I don't think I'd do that if I worked in an office!

Haha, I love that Jack can tag along with you guys because he fits in Kevin's pocket! Yeah, there are definite benefits to having a smaller mascot and a larger one. I just hope that I won't have to carry more in my bag when Weird and I are on our Disneymoon! Mascot Mickey's gotta fit!

I love Mouse Gears, I could just spend hours wandering around in there. I never think to take pictures of the things I want. I just stare longingly and then move on. I should try taking pictures. It might help - or at least be more pictures for the TR!!

You cracked me up with your comments about the "demure" black mickey bag. I was totally thinking "I haven't seen that one, it would be perfect for me" since even my just normal bright blue purse sticks out like a sore thumb at work

My first "real" job after I graduated from college was at our local Children's Museum. I used to love being able to have bright colors and characters all over. I loved having an excuse to watch the Disney Channel and cartoons and such... I had to be able to have conversations with the kids! Halloween was a blast too - an excuse to dress up like a Disney character! But sadly, my job now is at law firm. Not so great for bright colors and characters. Don't get me wrong, I love my job - it's just much more of a "grown-up" environment than the Children's Museum.

Yes! I agree with you about working with kids. I used to know more about TV shows during my first year of teaching just so I could talk with the students. Now there's just too much going on for me to keep up with - Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Twilight ... all stuff I'm not interested in. Haha, that's why I liked it when 3 of my girls last year came up to me and were like, "DID YOU SEE LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE OF GREY'S ANATOMY?!?" Haha, that I could talk about.

Fantastic shopping update, Rachel. You must have a patient family. There is no way my DH and DS could have handled me wandering around MouseGears snapping photos. I can see it now...they would have been standing by the door, rolling their eyes, exhaling, tapping their watches, etc... This trip, I think I'll just send them on to Test Track and shop solo.

Haha, my father was there so he wasn't that patient! I went around really quickly. Weird and I actually split up for the most part there, so we couldn't even point things out to each other. I knew my dad wouldn't be pleased with spending time in there! You'll have to see what happened when we were at DTD!

Great update! I love seeing the pictures you take of the merchandise! It inspires me to save my money for WDW rather than spending it on random stuff now! I really want to get a nice bag when I go in December to use for teaching. Right now I carry all of my stuff in a tote bag my mom gave me a few years ago that she got for free somewhere. It gets the job done, but I don't really like the colors on it. I like a bag that cheers me up everytime I throw it over my shoulder! Does that make sense?

Yesterday when mom had to get some school supplies from Walgreens, I saw that they had Corn Nuts. I used to get it often when I was a kid. I haven't seen it in a while, and I grabbed a bag to buy for $1.50. My mom paid first, and because she needed a rebate, she took longer. By then, my impulse to buy the snack was gone, so I went to put it back. I told myself, "I could spend that $1.50 on a snack in WDW (or at least part of a snack!)." It's a good mindset to have ... save money for Disney!

And YES, I get needing something that cheers you up! I'm getting my mom to understand that and do it herself. When I have to pick colors for anything, I ask myself, "Which one makes me happy?" Yesterday when we were at Staples too, mom had to get a 3-hole punch. She normally always picks blue, but she actually said, "I think the purple one would make me happy." Haha, I was so proud of her.

Hi Rachel!!! We are back (sadly)...so much to catch up on! Just wanted to say hey and I got you guys your buttons (but you already knew that, haha!).

Sad that you're back, but glad you're home safely with stories to share! And woohoo! Thank you so much for the buttons!!!

Oh my gosh, those baby plush keychains are too cute. I love seeing all of the bigger stuffed animals in the display so I would totally have ended up getting one of those baby ones!

Love the post, but makes me want to go shopping, and I so don't have the money to do that right now.....

Hehe, do you think your DD will go through a phase of wanting the plushies in blankets? I totally would be okay buying one for my daughter because then I could play with it too!

You might have enough money to go shopping and you don't even know it. Do you have $2? Haha, Disney trip or shopping ... gotta pick just one!

A quick comment about DVC points. Starting in 2011 the "premium" for Friday and Saturday nights has been reduced significantly. Those nights are still a little more than the rest of the week, but not by as much as they were. For example, I just made a reservation for March 2011 at the Beach Club villas. At that time of year, Friday and Saturday nights are 22 points each and Sunday-Thursday are 18 points each. For 2010, those rates were 27 and 16 points respectively. The cost for a full week is unchanged at 134 points. This type of change has been made across the board for all of the resorts and all of the seasons.

Ooo, thanks for letting me know! That could definitely be helpful. Weird and I are really excited to stay DVC for our Disneymoon!

In regards to the monorail Mickey, when I first saw it I thought it was a spacesuit Mickey for Space Mountain... but I could definitely see it as a monorail too! Who knows?

Ooo, it would make sense as Space Mountain too. I just Google image searched it. I believe it is monorail because they have it in different colors! There's a different one for Space Mountain. Haha, love how some of them aren't definite! Or maybe we just don't know our Disney enough. I say we go back to make sure we never have doubts again!

Sounds like you got some great answers for all of your questions and on the ones I would know the answer to, I'd just be repeating info!

Please send me the link to you blog! I can't wait to read about wedding plans and such!

Love those shopping pictures! I did that a little bit on our trip, but I'm going to have to remember to do that more often. I think it would help reduce impulse buys! Some of those vinylmation guys are creepy, but others are just so cute!

Haha, think of it this way ... if you take pics of the things you like and want to buy, it'll help if you decide later on at home that you NEED to have it! I've read that you can call merchandising and order things that way. If you have a more accurate description of the item ... hehe.

Ummm...you should start checking your mail soon for something....

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! Thanks, Sarah! I'm so exciteddd!!!

Hi Rachel,
I'm sooo behind on your TR...going back to catch-up now!!!

I sometimes like having to catch-up because that means I can just read a bunch of updates at once! Hehe, remember you can use the handy links in the table of contents!

 

[RachelNinja]

I know what you mean...renting points really is the best when you can go off-season. They're just SO much cheaper then! My parents are the same way since they're teachers (well, a principal and counselor now...). So we've decided that we'll do Disney the first week in December in 7 years when my dad retires! That week is the best since it's still the value season, but it's all decorated for Christmas! Maybe you can find a way to only take off a couple of days from work and be able to go at a cheaper time.

We LOVE the DDP. It's just so great knowing that we can go to all of the nice restaurants and pick whatever we want--without looking at the prices.

Yeah, sometimes EMH work, and sometimes they end up being more crowded than a regular day. We avoided all of them except our last day, and it ended up working really well for us!


GREAT shopping update!! All of those purses/totes are too cute. You should check ebay to see if they have any of the ones you like. That's fun that you and Howard both like taking shopping pics!

Absolutely LOVE that you have your trip planned for 7 years from now! I'm sure that if I didn't take my job so seriously, I could miss 2-3 days or something, but I do take my job too seriously, haha. I am learning how to make things easier on myself and "uncomplicate" my life though!

Weird and I talked about it a LOT. We're actually most likely NOT going to do DDP. That'll probably be an entry on my blog since it's unrelated to this TR. Haha, well, when I get around to writing it ... I used to be an excellent blogger when I was on Xanga through high school and college. I wrote almost every day. Now I just don't ... I know I'm going to regret it though!

Unfortunately, I think that whichever park we go to during the Easter break/spring break time, it'll be crowded. Haha. It's just how April is. Hopefully, using EMH gives us some extra time in the park even if it's still crowded. I know that even with long lines for rides, Weird and I want to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe during crazy crowd times, we'll grab a snack and people watch! Haha, or take a Hall of Presidents nap.

My favorite Mickey bag is actually a Disney Couture tote. I've found it on eBay for $40+ or so. I bought it at Five Below for $5! Best find EVER! If I were as into DIS as am now, I would've bought ALL of them and sent them to DIS friends!!! I think that time was more about VMK, so I didn't know people personally on the VMK section of the boards.

 

[RachelNinja]

Monday, April 5: Paper Making as a Profession

After browsing MouseGears, we left to explore Innoventions with our wallets safe in our bags and pockets. Outside we saw this little fella perched on the tip of the elephant trunk! We thought it made for a cute picture!

We still weren't ready to head over to World Showcase yet though because at that time, the sun was directly above us. Ugh, that's way too hot! I didn't want to be walking where there wasn't that much shade, so we took the time to explore Innoventions. This was something on my to do list anyway because we usually zoom through it! There were things that I really wanted to try!

This, however, was NOT one of them! The concept is great, but I'd probably end up creating such a mild ride that I might as well just go ride Figment again! I would like to try this if there were no lines during a non-peak season. When we passed by that day, the line was rather long!

I would've liked to stay there and watch it a bit, but like I've said a few times before in this trip report ... my dad was with us.

While continuing through the building, we saw the trash recycling game. I'd look up the name of it, but I have too many tabs open because I'm also researching what Weird and I can eat during our Disneymoon ... yes, I said Disneymoon!

Okay, I had to look it up ... it's called "Don't Waste It!" and it's sponsored by Waste Management. And just because I feel guilty that I was going to bypass this picture and move on, this is the description on AllEars: "Waste Management unveiled its new sponsored exhibit, Don't Waste It!, a 4,000-square foot exhibit that entertains and educates about the trash disposal process, with a special ribbon cutting ceremony February 19, 2008. The interactive games include how to recycle, reduce and reuse "trash" and a personal "trash" profile."

Alrighty, guilt's gone ... moving on!

This enticed Weird because he went to school for architecture! I'm guessing this had something to do with The House of Innoventions? I really don't know what it was for, and I think I found a sign pointing in this direction that said that. However, I think it was closed. That was something I wanted to see because it'd be like having a one-house IKEA sample room!

In that general area, there was this small display case with a soccer match. Weird took a picture of it and said, "Look, tilt-shift!" Haha, we cracked up about that because we both LOVE the videos for MK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyZfIlxwsfI) and Epcot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6pTRcVuoRA)! If for whatever reason you've never seen them, you MUST watch it!

As we rounded the corner, I found what I knew I wanted to do! It was the Environmentality Corner. I was excited to make paper! Here I am eagerly waiting my turn!

The most hilarious thing is that when I looked at Weird's pics that night, I saw this one and couldn't believe that I didn't see it with my own eyes! I saw this pic on one of MeMom's TRs because I remember she wanted it for her classroom. I never saw it before, so I thought it'd be cool to look for it this time. Haha, of course, I still haven't learned to look up, so I missed it!

Weird took this pic of other things that were over our heads that you can bet I would never have seen myself!

Finally it was my turn. I was intently listening to the woman who helped me out step by step.

The first step requires putting the net thing with handles into the water that has pulp in it. You move it back and forth so that it can settle into the square that will then become your paper.

Then you pull it out and stick it on a dryer. It's so powerful that it creates this suction that apparently amazed me! It looks like I'm saying, "Oooo!" Oh, and you can see that the CM kept wiping the place down because there were water drops getting everywhere when moving from place to place. I love that she kept it nice and tidy!

Waiting for it to dry.

You can see a close-up of how it's done. The silver part has handles on it. There was also a frame on top that's now removed. In the first few pics, you can see that there was a black square there. When the drying time was finished, you have to pick it up by the handles and yank it off. It's on pretty tight! When Matt did it after me, he had a little trouble pulling it off and actually lost his balance a little when pulling!

Next, the CM put a piece of paper on top of it and gave me a rolling pin. This was to roll on top of my paper to dry it a little more. Look, you can't even see the rolling pin because I'm so lightning fast. Haha.

Then she told me to peel the paper off slowly. This is then put into the oven for it to dry.

As my paper was drying, Matt started on his. I like that Weird captured this pic because the CM was looking at him at this point to explain.

Here is Matt rolling to blot out more water. He, as you can see, is not as fast as I am.

And lastly, here's Matt waiting for the CM to take his paper that he peeled off so it could go in the dryer.

Of course, Weird knew to look up!

Finally, here I am with the finished product! It took quite a bit longer to dry because my piece was thicker. Since she had just added more pulp to the water right before I did mine, I got more pulp than normal. It was fine by me though because as these were drying, there was something going on outside that pulled my attention ...

... but I'm not going to tell you what it was just yet because this update is done! I think you should definitely stop to make some paper. It might not be something I have to do every time I'm there, but it was definitely fun to try once! I love teaching, don't get me wrong, but if possible, I'd be a paper maker if I could change careers. Oh, and if it came with a good health care plan.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Thanks for posting the name of "Don't Waste It", I always just called it the Waste Management thing......

How long has that paper making area been there? I've never noticed it!

 

[LilAnn]

I've always wanted to make paper, but can never find it. Innoventions always has so many cool things to try out that I always get sidetracked.

Funny that you asked about whether my daughter would like a the baby plushes with the blankets. She actually has a minnie mouse one that my BIL gave us when I was pregnant. She loves it and actually brought it on our first trip with her. She kept hugging all the displays in the stores too.

Also, funny that you remember her $2 story. we saw her Uncle G again last night and she asked him if he had any money. Then she reached into his pants pocket looking for money and he gave in and gave her $1. I told him she would have been happy with a penny. Then she turned to her Auntie Nikki and asked her if we could go to Disney World. Once again, if only it were that easy.

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

All caught up - Whew!!

LOVED the video EPCOT....I think I saw myself - ha,ha LOL


We don't spend much time in Innoventions and I don't know why??? It has soo many cool things...hopefully the paper making display will still be there when I go again...

Please send me the link to your blog...would love to follow along

I saw that What not to Wear episode - How dare they take her Disney clothes! I almost sent Stacy and Clinton a nasty e-mail!!! LOL

 

[Believeinfairytales]

I didn't know you could make paper at Epcot! How cool is that???

 

[RachelNinja]

Thanks for posting the name of "Don't Waste It", I always just called it the Waste Management thing......

How long has that paper making area been there? I've never noticed it!

I hope that Weird and I get to try "Don't Waste It' or "The Great Piggy Bank Adventure" next time we're there. All those things seem like so much fun!

Not sure how long the paper-making has been there. I read about it on a few TRs before we went, and I was looking out for it. I never really spent that much time in Innoventions before!

I've always wanted to make paper, but can never find it. Innoventions always has so many cool things to try out that I always get sidetracked.

Funny that you asked about whether my daughter would like a the baby plushes with the blankets. She actually has a minnie mouse one that my BIL gave us when I was pregnant. She loves it and actually brought it on our first trip with her. She kept hugging all the displays in the stores too.

Also, funny that you remember her $2 story. we saw her Uncle G again last night and she asked him if he had any money. Then she reached into his pants pocket looking for money and he gave in and gave her $1. I told him she would have been happy with a penny. Then she turned to her Auntie Nikki and asked her if we could go to Disney World. Once again, if only it were that easy.

All I remember is that the paper-making thing was near automatic doors that led outside. Innoventions has little pamphlets that you can pick up so you can find where everything is. I found that to be really helpful!

Haha, maybe your DD thought that the $1 would get her to WDW instead of the $2 because they just released the discount rates! Love how Disneyfied she is!

All caught up - Whew!!

LOVED the video EPCOT....I think I saw myself - ha,ha LOL

We don't spend much time in Innoventions and I don't know why??? It has soo many cool things...hopefully the paper making display will still be there when I go again...

Please send me the link to your blog...would love to follow along

I saw that What not to Wear episode - How dare they take her Disney clothes! I almost sent Stacy and Clinton a nasty e-mail!!! LOL

Haha, I thought that same exactly thing when I watched the videos! I was wondering if anyone would be able to find themselves in the video! In the MK one, I always look at the person in the yellow shirt watching or photographing the Dumbo ride. I wonder if that guy saw himself in the video!

Yeah, we've never spent much time in Innoventions before either unless it was raining. Guess we tend to think that we have to be on rides! There was still so much Weird and I wanted to do. We saw a section with video games, and I know he wanted to try the Cars one, but we were rushing out of there!

I'll PM the link to ya

I kept thinking that they could just let her keep those t-shirts and say she wasn't allowed to wear them to like, work or something. That I understand. But if she's just lounging or going to pick up groceries, let her wear the shirts! I mean, the show is great and all because some people do wear the wackiest things. But seriously, you don't have to be in the best outfit all the time! I'd like to see Stacy and Clinton in sweats!

I didn't know you could make paper at Epcot! How cool is that???

It'd be a great addition to a scrapbook or memory box! Ooo, I should have had a character sign it!