Welcome, Foolish Mortals...to an October 2011 PTR! *Trip Report link is up, pg 71!!*

[PixieMama]

I've been away for a week and am now trying to catch up...

 

[Shannon84]

YAY for losing 3 pounds, that is awesome

They changed around the EMH for our week in October too...but thankfully it hasn't changed our plans yet, I have never done EPCOT EMH, might need to check that out this year!!

I am not so patiently waiting to see the full menus for F&W, so excited!!

 

[Nermel9]

I just wanted to give you a little advice on Universal. My husband is a big fan but I would much rather spend my time at Disney. We have gone in early November the last two years and have spent Tuesday of each week at Universal. The crowds were low! We arrived early so we were there a few minutes before the parks opened and did everything in both parks and were done by 2-4 each day. So, you could probably spend a day in Universal, accomplish EVERYTHING you would want to see and could still do a MNSSHP that night if you wanted. Also, I would head to Islands of Adventures first and head back to Harry Potter first thing. That's what we did last time. First Islands of Adventure, then Universal, then back to IOA for one more look at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one last time and we were on a bus back to Disney at 4!

Thank you for the advice! Going before MNSSHP is a good idea, but they're not having one on Tuesday the week I'm going. We might decide one random morning when we are there to just go to Universal for the day, but as of now, we are going to wait til the next trip!

Congrats on losing 3 pounds! Keep it up!

Don't you hate it when Disney throws a wrench in your plans and changes hours or EMH on you?! So annoying! At least you were able to reschedule the Haunted Carriage Ride.

Hawaii should be neat to see for F&W!

Thank you! So excited about 3 pounds!

LOL, when I found out they changed EMH at Epcot, I almost had a panic attack! Like it was the worst thing that could have happened to me! Then I calmed down and realized it wasn't the end of the world and changed the date of the Haunted Carriage Ride, and now everything is ok again!

3 pound- go you!!!!

I can't wait to read all about this year's F&W... I am obsessed with it! Even more so know that I think we're going in 2012!

Thanks!

I can't wait til the Food and Wine festival! We had such limited time at it last year, I'm planning on trying everything this year!

Congratulations on the 3 lbs! I am joining you not only in having an Oct trip but in wanting to lose weight before the trip comes. And it IS hard. Why is it that it feels like the weight appears overnight and then it takes "forever" to take off?? If you find any great tips, techniques, recipes/snacks etc. along the way, please share!

I am SO excited for F&W! Some more menu items were posted yesterday, I think. Seems like a bigger selection of speciality drinks in addition to wine. Including a mai tai! And HGTV doing some seminars on home entertaining that I think could be cool.

I really can't wait! Hate to wish the summer away but......

Thank you! LOL, I ask myself the same thing about weight! It's so easy to gain, but so hard to lose! Not fair! I don't really have any tips, the only thing that works for me is following Weight Watchers...that's it! Nothing else works for me, I just have to be really strict and keep track of everything I eat! Writing everything down helps, it helps me realize what I'm actually eating! Somehow when you write it down, it seems more real!

I didn't see any menu items for F&W yet, except for the new booths! Mmm, a mai tai sounds good!

Congrats on the 3 lbs!!!!

I'm glad you guys are going to go to GFC - I think you'll really enjoy it. That's a good idea to do it on the Epcot morning, there's not too much of a show there that you would miss if it ran a bit long.

The new Food and Wine booths sound awesome!

Thanks!

I can't wait to try GFC for breakfast! I've only been inside the GF once, so I'm looking forward to walking around in it a little!

Congrats on the 3lbs!!!! That's awesome. I keep telling myself just to join and get the app so I can do it all on my phone. Soon! As soon as I can't stand how much weight I gained back through poor eating.

Yummy to all the new booths. Carriage ride sounds great!

Thanks! Joining WW and doing it on your phone is a good idea! If I join again, I'll definitely get the app! For now, I just carry around the points calculator with me wherever I go! I can't stand how much weight I've gained either, sometimes I wonder if all I've done for the past 5 years is eat!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay for the three pounds! Also, I'm glad you decided to just wait for IOA. That's my main problem, too, is the money involved and the fact that we'd have to try and get to WWOHP in the middle of the afternoon, which I don't think we can do.

Yay! 3 pounds seems like a decent amount for one week but compared to what I have to lose...it's so very little! But one step at a time, though! Yeah, I don't really see any reason to go to Universal on this trip, we've waited this long, we might as well wait until we have more time!

Jen, I think the new plans sound great! I think doing MNSSHP twice is great idea...you can see the parade twice and get lots of photos and Hallowishes is absolutely spectacular!

Congrats on the weight loss--that is awesome!!!!

We go to three Disney outlet stores in the Orlando area; there are two that you can get really good deals, the third is iffy on the deals and the available merchandise.

Thanks! I can't wait to do 2 MNSSHP's, this way I'll know we won't have to rush through everything now! I can't wait to see Hallowishes, I know I'm going to love it!

Where are the 2 good Disney outlets? I always drive by an outlet center on the way to Disney, I believe it's on International Drive, or somewhere near there, but it's right off the highway, I was hoping to go there sometime! But I know there are lots of outlet centers, so I don't know which ones are the good ones!

Thanks for the heads up on the new Food and Wine booths, I'm always interested in reading about that kind of stuff!

I think I would go to two MNSSHP's. If you can afford it, and you want to, why not? When I go, I like to do a lot of the meet and greets, see the parade, and the fireworks...I don't really care how many rides I get on, but I really like to make sure I hit my favorite few, so I can understand why you'd want to go twice, heck, I've always wanted to do that!

I think you've made a good decision to leave Unviersal for when you have more time for it.

I got a little choked up reading about your ressie at the Grand Floridian cafe. First of all, let me just say that the resort is beautiful, and if you're going there, you must must must shop at Basin! It's awesome. The reason I choked up a bit is that I ate there with my mom on our last trip. We actually had tea there once, and had an impromptu breakfast at the cafe on our last day. It was really nice....wow...I wasn't expecting to just lose it for a moment there, probably because you and I have shared so much about losing our parents. Well, big for us both!!!

I'm so excited for your trip, because even though sometimes it's hard to go and remember them, it's also great too.

I've become kind of obsessed with the Disney Food Blog lately, I've been stalking it for more Food and Wine news! I can't wait til the menus are posted! Last year, I printed the menus and went through them with a highlighter, marking off each thing I wanted to try.

If I knew I would be going back to Disney in the fall again after this trip, I'd only do one MNSSHP, but I have no idea when we will go again in October, so I'd like to have enough time to see everything! I don't really care about rides on party nights...I'll have to do Haunted Mansion, of course, and Pirates, and probably Space, but I'll be more interested in seeing everything! I want to see most of the characters, and the villains! So excited for the villains!

I'm sorry, I knew the GF was special to you and your mom, I didn't think I'd get you choked up though! I'll definitely be thinking of you when I'm there, since it's your place! I'm excited to go there, it's such a beautiful resort, I've only been there once, to see the huge Gingerbread house, but I didn't really have time to explore. I will definitely check out Basin! I've been to the one in DTD, but never the one in GF!

I'm going to have to email you soon, I have some things I wanted to chat with you about.

Disney changed the EMHs that week! I don't think they should make changes past 180 days out. I'll have to check out my schedule, too and see if that messed with anything. I'm glad you were able to reschedule the hayride. That sounds like fun.

I'm also glad to hear there is some more information about F&W this year. I'll have to check out the Disney Food Blog, too.

I agree, Disney should not change things 180 days out, unless it's to extend hours or add shows or something! Never change an EMH day! That's not ok!

The Disney Food Blog is awesome! I've known about it for a while, but I've just recently become obsessed with it!

Congrats on the three pounds!! I need to start my butt exercising and eating better-- hearing other people doing well is definitely a motivator!
I do understand putting Universal off. For us, we HAD to do it this trip-- but we're also devoting a whole day (open to close!). Squeezing in both parks in less than a full day gives US a disservice, I think.
The Grand Floridan Cafe's breakfast menu looks sooo yummy! Those are fun additions to the F+W festival! I'd love to go in the fall our next trip-- so many fun things during that time of year!

Thanks! I can't stand exercising, but once I'm finished, I'm happy that I made myself do it!

If I do Universal, I will have to do what you guys are doing, a whole day there! I'd want to do both parks, and City Walk, and during this trip, it's just not going to work! If I was going to Disney during a time of year that nothing was going on, it wouldn't be a problem, but with the parties, and Food and Wine, there's just no time!

I'm so excited for GFC! I think the breakfast menu there looks a little better thank Kona Cafe, and it seems like everyone is obsessed with Kona! I know my DH is going to be so excited for steak and eggs!

The F&W festival is so much fun, I hope you get to go sometime! And I think the Halloween parties are going to be amazing!

 

[Nermel9]

on losing 3lbs!!! A positive result sure helps in keeping on track

Am glad you decided to stick with 2 MNSSHPs and will be visiting Universal on your next trip.

Have heard that park hours have changed - need to check them as will probably impact our plans as well!

Yay on booking an ADR at GFC! You are making me jealous now talking about the new booths at the F&W festival! Wish I was able to get to experience it...oh well will just have to read about it in your TR!

Thanks! I'm so happy I actually saw results this week, if I didn't, I might have had an actual mental breakdown, I worked SO hard last week to lose weight! Now I'm super motivated, I really hope I can lose at least 30 pounds by my trip!

I can't wait to go to 2 MNSSHP's! Have you decided if you are going to one yet? I hope you get to go!

So excited for GFC and Food and Wine! I love trying new restaurants on each trip, and the F&W festival is so much fun! It's too bad you are missing it this year, but there's always next year!

Yay on three pounds!!

When that happens it's a good way to keep you motivated throughout the process.

I've eaten at GFC for dinner, but not breakfast, but it's good.

I'm watching for the releasing of the information on the booths too. I can't wait to know what other ones are going to be there.

Thanks! I'm definitely motivated right now! I keep waiting for it to go away, but so far hasn't happened yet!

I can't wait for the menus to the booths! Last year it was mid July when they were released, so we don't have much longer to wait!

on losing 3lbs

GFC for breakfast is yummy, you won't be disappointed.

The new additions to F&W look great and am so disappointed we are missing it this year as the Hawaii booth is rumoured to be doing the delicious pineapple bread that you can only get at Ohana

Thanks!

Glad you like GFC for breakfast! It seems like it is really good, but overlooked because everyone likes Kona and the Tonga Toast!

They're doing the bread pudding at the Hawaii booth??? I didn't see that, that's amazing! Wow, I can't imagine what the lines will be like!

YAY for losing 3 pounds, that is awesome

They changed around the EMH for our week in October too...but thankfully it hasn't changed our plans yet, I have never done EPCOT EMH, might need to check that out this year!!

I am not so patiently waiting to see the full menus for F&W, so excited!!

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with my 3 pounds gone! I was hoping for 5, but I'll take 3!

Epcot EMH are awesome! When we do them, the park is always empty and we just go on whatever we want with no wait...except Soarin, of course. There's always a wait for Soarin!

I've been away for a week and am now trying to catch up...

Welcome back!

 

[TarzansKat]

I've become kind of obsessed with the Disney Food Blog lately, I've been stalking it for more Food and Wine news! I can't wait til the menus are posted! Last year, I printed the menus and went through them with a highlighter, marking off each thing I wanted to try.

You're too funny! You're a woman who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to use a highlighter to get it!

If I knew I would be going back to Disney in the fall again after this trip, I'd only do one MNSSHP, but I have no idea when we will go again in October, so I'd like to have enough time to see everything! I don't really care about rides on party nights...I'll have to do Haunted Mansion, of course, and Pirates, and probably Space, but I'll be more interested in seeing everything! I want to see most of the characters, and the villains! So excited for the villains!

You know, I haven't really ever seen the villains at the parties! I know they're there, but I'm rather obsessed with the other characters...one in particular...perhaps my DIS name may tip you off...

I'm sorry, I knew the GF was special to you and your mom, I didn't think I'd get you choked up though! I'll definitely be thinking of you when I'm there, since it's your place! I'm excited to go there, it's such a beautiful resort, I've only been there once, to see the huge Gingerbread house, but I didn't really have time to explore. I will definitely check out Basin! I've been to the one in DTD, but never the one in GF!

No apology necessary! Reading the DIS is always a hazard for me, lots of things remind me of Mom, so no worries.

On a side note, I'm glad you recognize that the Grand Floridian is mine, and as such, is on loan to everyone else.

I've been to the Basin in Downtown, and for some reason I like the one at the Grand Flo better. Can't really pinpoint why, I just do.

I'm going to have to email you soon, I have some things I wanted to chat with you about.

 

[Nermel9]

You're too funny! You're a woman who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to use a highlighter to get it!

You know, I haven't really ever seen the villains at the parties! I know they're there, but I'm rather obsessed with the other characters...one in particular...perhaps my DIS name may tip you off...

No apology necessary! Reading the DIS is always a hazard for me, lots of things remind me of Mom, so no worries.

On a side note, I'm glad you recognize that the Grand Floridian is mine, and as such, is on loan to everyone else.

I've been to the Basin in Downtown, and for some reason I like the one at the Grand Flo better. Can't really pinpoint why, I just do.

LOL! Yeah, I went through all that trouble highlighting, and I tried maybe 3 things off my list! That's ok though, once I tried that baked ravioli in Italy, I didn't want anything else from Food and Wine, it was SOOOO good! I hope they have it again this year!

I'm so excited for the villains! I never really watch the shows in front of the castle, but I'm definitely going to watch the villains one (I think that's where they have the mix n mingle, anyway, I have to do some more research!) You can meet Tarzan at the party??? What about Captain Jack? OMG, I'd LOVE to meet him...he doesn't do meet and greets though, does he? Jerk. (I figure if anyone knows, it's you! )

Your TR is making me cry, so I guess we're both emotional, reading the DIS!

Yes, you can have your Grand Flo, since the Wilderness Lodge is mine. And so is the Tower of Terror!

I will check out Basin at the GF, I really want one of those bath bombs! I never take baths, but I might make an exception if I had one of those to throw into the tub!

 

[Nermel9]

I just did something crazy!!!

Hi guys!

Rare midweek update from me, but this is TOO good to wait til the weekend to tell you guys about!

I won't get into any backstory here, I'll just get right to it...I added a day to our trip!

We will now be arriving in Florida on Thursday, September 29! I've wanted to add a day for a while, but I didn't want Brandon to have to use so many vacation days, but then I thought...who cares? We still have 3 left for our May trip (his vacation days reset in July, which is annoying ) so I'm thinking it will be a Wednesday-Monday trip, if we go at all during May, and we will fly home Memorial Day.

I considered adding a night to our package, but adding one night to the package would be really, really expensive! So I decided to go with a cheaper alternative:

Pop Century! I've wanted to try Pop for a while, and since it's only $85 a night, it was kind of an easy choice!

I'm not sure if I want to request a section or not. Is it pointless to make a room request since I'm only staying there one night?

I love Roger Rabbit, so seeing this would be fun!

I love the resort all lit up at night!

If you guys have a favorite section of Pop that you like to request, please let me know! I didn't get a preferred room, just standard, so I guess the 70's section is out? I'm thinking Brandon would like the 60's section!

Does anyone know if all the rooms have been refurbed? They have, right? I hope so, I really like the new rooms!

I can't wait to try the tie died cheesecake, and see all the crazy huge icons. take a walk by the lake and look out at the new Animation resort!

I have to really think about what we are doing the first few days now...I have so much more time to play around with! This means Universal can be back in the picture, maybe...we'll see!!

Have a great night! I'm off to make a new ticker, which kills me to do, since my ticker just got to the middle, but oh well! I can't stand having it a day off!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Yay on adding a day!

POP is great! I love the resort. We did the same thing when we wanted to add days to our upcoming trip. Since it's the least expensive alternative, it's kind of a no brainer.

Definitely get the tie dyed cheesecake! It's a can't miss in my opinion. The POP food court is my favorite on property.

I know that some of the 60's and 70's buildings are preferred. I wouldn't know which one I would suggest. Honestly, I think that you should just request the building you like the best. Since you are only staying for one day, I don't think the distance will be a big deal.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for adding a day!!!!!!!!

I've always wanted to try the tie-dye cheesecake, it looks so fun!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

You will love Pop I really enjoyed it for my stay, even though I was hardly in the room But yay for adding on a day!

 

[TarzansKat]

LOL! Yeah, I went through all that trouble highlighting, and I tried maybe 3 things off my list! That's ok though, once I tried that baked ravioli in Italy, I didn't want anything else from Food and Wine, it was SOOOO good! I hope they have it again this year!

I'm so excited for the villains! I never really watch the shows in front of the castle, but I'm definitely going to watch the villains one (I think that's where they have the mix n mingle, anyway, I have to do some more research!) You can meet Tarzan at the party??? What about Captain Jack? OMG, I'd LOVE to meet him...he doesn't do meet and greets though, does he? Jerk. (I figure if anyone knows, it's you! )

No, Jack doesn't do meet and greets anymore. He used to, and I totally missed them for lack of knowledge. Grr.

You so can meet Tarzan at the party! He's at a meet and greet in Adventureland in a building near where you get the Dole Whips. You can't miss it, trust me, there will be a big line.

And yes.

I have stalked him. Once, I went, and he was off swinging in the vines, so to speak, and I asked the character handler when he'd be back so that I could get my picture taken with him.

Believe me, my mother had no issues waiting for Tarzan.

:::sigh::: Delightful. I'll have to see if I can find a photo for you.

Your TR is making me cry, so I guess we're both emotional, reading the DIS!

Yes, you can have your Grand Flo, since the Wilderness Lodge is mine. And so is the Tower of Terror!

I think we are both a little weepy lately! You can have the Tower of Terror, but I have a vested interest in the Wilderness Lodge. It is so my family resort of choice, I love staying there with my boys, so I feel you on that. Will you allow us to borrow it on occasion?

I will check out Basin at the GF, I really want one of those bath bombs! I never take baths, but I might make an exception if I had one of those to throw into the tub!

One of my very dear DIS friends got me some of the bath bombs as a gift, and OMG, they are DIVINE!!!! I highly recommend. Basin also has a great shampoo bar that I love, it's a grapefruit scent, and it cleans my hair so nicely.

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Congrats on adding a day! You'll love Pop Century, it's such a fun resort! I don't usually request any particular section. Be sure to stop in the shop there, I always love going there because they seem to have things I couldn't find elsewhere, although I felt that way about CBR on my last trip, so maybe it's a resort thing.

 

[Disneymoon23]

That's so cool that you added a day! We totally did the same thing so that we could have better flights and an extra day in Disney. Pop Century looks really fun.

 

[klacey1]

You're so lucky! An extra night is perfect! I always thought taking a late-afternoon flight, eating a nice dinner, and relaxing at my resort so we'd be fresh for our first full day would be a great way to start a vacation.
I've never stayed at Pop, but only heard great reviews-- I probably wouldn't make a request and just see where they put you!

 

[Joyciemc]

I love Pop Century!

I've never requested a section, but I've always been happy with location. Most recently I stayed in 90's. All together, I've stayed at Pop 4 or 5 times and it is still the resort I think of when I picture going to Disney.

Have fun re-working your schedule!

 

[Nermel9]

Double Digits!!!!!

Hi everyone! I only have a few minutes before I have to leave for work, so really quick, I just wanted to let everyone know that since I added a day, today we are officially in double digits!!!

99 DAYS!!!!



Sooo excited for double digits! Now I can get started on my countdown calendar, hopefully this weekend!

Have a great day!

 

[pinkxray]

I can't believe you added a day and are staying at Pop. No fair

When I had Pop booked I requested the eighties section just b/c I wanted to be near RR and the computer pool. When we ate at Pop we took a walk over and it wasn't very far. Pop seems very compact so I don't think it matters where you stay. I'm surprised you don't pick 50's with Lady and the Tramp.

Is Brandon aware of this May trip? Are you going to actually get the AP's this time? If you do you can always go back next Sept. to get one more trip out of them. Or you can go in Feb. and do the Princess half.

 

[TarzansKat]

Hooray for double digit dancin'!

 

[Shannon84]

YAY We LOVE POP! It is my home away from home at WDW, since its really the only thing in budget for longer trips for me right now I LOVE that resort and I think you will love it, especially for the price!! I can't believe its cheaper there than some of the shady hotels near me in VA!

I never ask for a certain section, because I tend to love them all, and last time I visited it seemed like all the rooms were refurbed! YAY!!

 

[MEK]

Yeah for adding a day and being in the double digits.

Pop is fun. I have stayed there several times (twice in the same room - no lie - couldn't planned that if I tried).

I like to request 70's facing the lake or 50's facing the lake. Both are lovely locations and close to everything.

Enjoy!