When October comes we shall futterwacken... vigorously.

[Sorsha]

Allrighty then... here we go! Time for the pre-trip to begin.

Let me apologize ahead of time for any typographical or spelling errors, as well as any unpopular opinions. I shall try to catch and remedy the former, but I make no promises about the latter.

On October the 2nd, we will be returning home to The World for a week of fun and festivities, and maybe even some futterwacken. We are doing several things differently this time around, having Learned Our Lessons on our 2007 trip. More on that later.

It has been 3 years since we were last in the World, 2 years since our last family vacation, and we are really looking forward to this trip. Join in, and follow along!

I will be updating this post with chapter links, so I will leave this for now, and go post some pictures. Coming up next, our cast of characters!

Pictures of us!
The Plan! (And me with no ointment...)
A count-down! And the first movie review.
2010 Food and Wine Festival Booth menus
What We Have Done So Far
Room Requests
Happy Birthday Disneyland
Dining plans - acronyms abound!
Monday Ramblings
Montana Scenery
The Almighty Planning Binder
Condo in Melbourne
September 1st - YAY!
A few costumes, and A Schedule!
Time to go!! YAY!!
Just back - some of the shine is definitely off...

 

[Sorsha]

All five of us!

This is, of course, a photopass pic from 2007. Not the best, but none of them were, due to Caitlyn being 4. More on that later.
Myself, Tanya, 38 in September, Disney-crazed and planner-extraordinaire. DH, James, 42. DD15 (will be 16 in September) Ariana, DD10 Alyssa, DD7, Caitlyn. We will be referred to by our names. There will be too darn many people this year to try to keep track of everyone as D-someone-or-other.

Newly added this year! My mom and step-dad!

Otherwise known as Grandma, or Grandma Ann, and Grandpa, or Grandpa Mike. Grandma and grandpa live in the Northeast, and don't get to see their grandkids as much as they would like, so they are very excited about this vacation. My mom is just as much a disney-nut as I am. Grandpa puts up with it gracefully.

Also new this year! My brother and his family!

Otherwise known as Uncle Josh, Aunt Angel, and cousin Gabriel (will be almost 3 at the time of the trip). Uncle Josh is doing a Neuro-Radiology fellowship in Baltimore, and cannot get away for the whole length of the trip, so they will be only joining us for about 5 days. They really wanted to come along for a while though, and he REALLY needs the vacation.

A few more recent pictures of my girls.
Alyssa and Caitlyn a week ago, on our way to see Toy Story 3

Ariana, at her 8th grade graduation

Up next... The Plan!

 

[Sorsha]

OK, this is our plan, so far...

Saturday October 2 = Fly to Orlando, Magical Express to Port Orleans Riverside. We arrive at about 5, so will probably get to POR at about 7. I assume we will just grab a bite to eat at POR's food court and collapse in exhaustion.

Sunday October 3 = Disney's Hollywood Studios in the morning/afternoon, back to POR for a nap/swim and to change into our costumes, then we have ADR for Crystal Palace and tickets for MNSSHP. Josh and Angel and Gabriel are NOT doing Crystal Palace and MNSSHP. They have him on a very strict schedule and do not want to have him out that late.

Monday October 4 = Animal Kingdom (morning EMH), then we (the 5 of us) have dinner ADR for Yachtsman Steak House, THEN if anyone has ANY steam left at all, MK has late night EMH and last showings of Spectro and Wishes. (HA HA). Meanwhile, grandma and grandpa and Josh and family have plans of their own that evening.

Tuesday October 5 = Epcot (morning EMH) all day, with ADR at Garden Grill for dinner for my 5 and grandma and grandpa. Josh and family were a late addition and could not get added in here, so they are doing their own thing for dinner this evening.

Wednesday October 6 = Magic Kingdom all day. Breakfast ADR for everyone at Kona, dinner ADR for my 5 at Ohana. Josh and his family have to leave around 2 this afternoon to head back to Baltimore. Grandma and Grandpa are going elsewhere for dinner.

Thursday October 7 = Universal Studios IOA for Grandma and Grandpa and James and Ariana. Caitlyn and I are taking another day at WDW - Alyssa is still undecided. The others are going over to see the new Harry Potter stuff. We are renting a car and will pick it up this morning at the Car Care Center.

Friday October 8 = Sea World for my 5. Grandma and Grandpa are checking out of POR on this day, and heading out to the beach. We will spend the day at Sea World, attend the Makahiki Luau that evening, and return to POR that night.

Saturday October 9 = Check out of POR this morning, use our last TS credits at Boma for breakfast, go to Orlando Prime Outlets for some shopping, then drive to Melbourne. We have family out there and will visit them and spend some time at the beach.

Sunday October 10 = We will spend this day at the beach. Meet back up with grandma and grandpa, and see some of the local attractions in Melbourne.

Monday October 11 = We will have breakfast with our family here on the coast, then drive back to Orlando, return car, and fly home in afternoon.

 

[Sorsha]

Every pre-trip report must have a count-down. Today is 80 days!

I was trying to think of some way that we could creatively count down the days, while still making it meaningful for the kids, so I decided we would make a video countdown! We went through our Disney DVDs and VHS tapes (and yes, we do have more than 80 of them) and made a list of 85 of them that we liked (at the time, it was 85 days till our trip) - we left off the ones we really don't like and don't watch.

We will try to watch one video each day, and cross it off the list. If we don't get to a video each day, no big deal, we will just pick one we don't really care about and cross it off - we did this the other day with Great Mouse Detective - I am pretty Meh about it.

I figure this count-down achieves several goals; 1) It is, of course, a count -down. The more we cross off, the closer our trip gets. 2) Its summer break, and sometimes I am really really tired of my 2 smallest children. Its nice to be able to pop a bowl of popcorn and remind them that its time to pick a movie and cross it off the list when they are bored and fighting. Pitiful?!? Yeah, I am. I admit it. And 3) It reconnects them to some of the Disney stories they may have forgotten about or may have never been very familiar with before we go back to WDW. When you are 7 years old there are a LOT of Disney movies to try to remember.

Yesterday, we were pretty busy, so we didn't get to a feature-length film. Instead, before bed, we popped in The Classic Short Film Collection volume that has The Reluctant Dragon on it.. we hadn't watched it since we bought it. The smaller girls were both mildly unimpressed with the Reluctant Dragon - and I had forgotten how dated it is. It is very hard to understand the characters when they talk because they are highly accented and archaic-sounding. Still a cute story. But EVERYONE loved the other 3 cartoons - all ones we had seen before - Ferdinand the Bull, Goliath the tiny Elephant, and Johnny Appleseed. Wonderful cartoons.

So that was yesterday's movie review - each day we fit in a video for our countdown, you will get a review!

 

[annmarieda]

joining in. Looks like a fun trip. I would love to go with extended family some day, but they just are not into Disney in the same way I am. Plus, dh is soooo tired of disney trips. I think it will be a while before I get him to even go back.

I love the movie idea. I am only taking 2 of my kids this trip, but I think it might give my youngest something to do each day when I am working. I might go pick out some movies after I get off the computer. thanks for the idea!!!!

 

[Sorsha]

2010 Food and Wine Festival Booth menus just released!! - YUM denotes things that, upon seeing, make me think "I GOTTA try THAT!!"

The 2010 menus are as follows:

Argentina
Roasted Corn and Cheese Empanda
Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree
Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec
Bodega Norton Cosecha Tardia
Kaiden Cabernet
Pasual Toso Torontes
Australia
Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes Arugula, and Lemon Oil
Grilled Lamp Chop with Roasted Potato Salad and Red Wine Reduction
Lamington (sponge cake dipped in chocolate)
Rosemount Traminer Riesling
Marquis Phillips Shiraz
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
Nugan Estate Riverina Chardonnay
NEW-Belgium
Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream - YUM
Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
Stella Artois
Godiva Chocolate Ice Coffee
Leffe
Hoegaarden
Brazil
Grilled Pork Skewer with Farofa
Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Lime - YUM
Leblon Frozen Caipirinha
Brewer's Collection
Radeberger Pilsner
Schofferhofer Weizen
Hovels
Schlosser Alt
Altenmunster Octoberfest
Altenmunster Dunkel
Altenmunster Marzen
Clausthaler Classic
Canada
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - YUM
Maple Glazed Salmon with Lentil Salad
Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta
Nanaimo Bar
Moosehead Beer
Vidal Icewine
Chateau De Charmes Riesling
St. David's Bench Vineyard Merlot
NEW-Charcuterie and Cheese
Cheese Fondue with Croutons and Roasted Potatoes
Applewood Smoked Beef, Duck, and Ham
Martini Prosecco
Ace Joker Hard Cider
MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Chile
Shrimp Ceviche
Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Pie)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc
Satna Ema Reserve Chardonnay
Casa Carmenere
Montes Classic Cabernet Sauvignon
China
Black Pepper Shrimp with Sichuan Noodles
Pork Pot Stickers - YUM
Xinjiang Barbecue Chicken Stick
Tsingtao Beer
Dragon's Hollow Chardonnay
Green Tee Plum Wine Cooler
Happy Lychee
Desserts and Champagne
Strawberry Angel Verrine
Pear Streusel Pudding Cake
Dark Chocolate Sensation
Moet and Chandon White Star Imperial
Rose Imperial
Nectar Imperial
Nectar Imperial Rose
France
Escargots Persillade en Brioche
Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes
Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait
Merlot, Chateau Des Deux Rives, Bordeaux
Chardonnay, Private Selection Barton and Guestier
Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
Parisien Cosmo Slush
Germany
Spatzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese
Nurnberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll - YUM
Apfel Strudel featuring Werther's Original Karamell Sauce - YUM
S.A. Prum Essence Riesling
Hooked Riesling
Gunderlock Diva Spatlese Riesling
Rudi Wiest Rhine River Riesling, Radeberger Pilsner
Hovels
Altenmunster Octoberfest
Greece
Greek Salad with Pita Bread
Spanakopita, Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki - YUM
Baklava - YUM
Boutari Moschofilero
Enoteca Emery Athiri Mountain Slopes
Boutari Naoussa
Atlantis White
Hops and Barley
Boston style Crab Cake with Cabbage Slaw and Remoulade - YUM
New England Lobster Roll
Pecan Bread Pudding
Samuel Adams Beers: Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Cherry Wheat, 15th Anniversary Festival Beer Coastal Wheat Light, Cream Stout, Blackberry Witbier, Latitude 48 IPA
Ireland
Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie
Kerrygold Cheese Selection
Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache
Italy
Polpettine Toscane with a Rosemary Breadstick
Baked Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Bolognese Sauce Melted Mozzarella - YUM
Cannolo Al Cioccolato
Primavera Fruit Smoothie
Fantinel Prosecco
Chianti Placido Banfi
Pinot Sartori
Moretti Beer
Japan
Spicy Tuna Roll
California Sushi Roll
Tuna Sensation
Wabu Ribettes
Kirin Draft Beer
Hatsumago sake
Denemon Junmai sake
Mexico
Tamal de Pollo
Taco de Chilorio
Esquites (Pan Fried Corn and Spices)
Churro
Dos Esqis Beer
Passion Fruit Frozen Margarita
Conga Fruit Punch
Wine L.A. Cetto Chardonnay
Wine L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah
Morocco
Beef in a Pita Pocket
Falafel Pita Pocket - YUM
Baklava - YUM
Amazigh Red wine
Sangria
Tangerine Mimosa Royale
Iced Mint Tea - YUM
Casa Beer
New Zealand
Seared Sea Scallop with Vegetable Slaw and Lemon Oil
Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon
Villa Maria Private Bin Unoaked Hawkes Bay Chardonnay
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir
Poland
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream - YUM
Golabki (Pork stuffed cabbage)
Chopin Strawberry Balsamic Chiller
Puerto Rico
Asopao de Pollo (Chicken Soup with Rice)
Medianoche Sandwich
Bacardi Frozen Torched Cherry Colada
Bacardi Frozen Lemon Mojito
Singapore
Shrimp Cake with Singapore Noodle Salad - YUM
Coconut Braised Beef Rendang with Jasmine Rice
Singapore Sling
Tiger Beer
South Africa
Flavors of Africa (Salad, Bread, and Spreads) - YUM
Seared Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Puree and Mango Barbecue Sauce - YUM
Goats do Roam White
La Capra Pinotage
La Capra Shiraz
La Capra Chardonnay

 

[Sorsha]

joining in. Looks like a fun trip. I would love to go with extended family some day, but they just are not into Disney in the same way I am. Plus, dh is soooo tired of disney trips. I think it will be a while before I get him to even go back.

I love the movie idea. I am only taking 2 of my kids this trip, but I think it might give my youngest something to do each day when I am working. I might go pick out some movies after I get off the computer. thanks for the idea!!!!

Hi! Welcome! Glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Subscribing! We will be going to WDW in October too after our cruise Looking for all the "pointers" I can get.
(I think we live in the same town )

 

[Sorsha]

Subscribing! We will be going to WDW in October too after our cruise Looking for all the "pointers" I can get.
(I think we live in the same town )

Welcome!! I bet we live in the same town too! I'm in Kalispell...in all of it's grand glory.. Where are you? It's OK if you aren't comfy with saying. I promise not to stalk you.

Anyhow, welcome! Thanks for joining in!

 

[annmarieda]

Not a stalker here... but I have to say I grew up in Spokane. We used to go to Kalispell when I was young. Also, I think they use the same architects or designers for buildings. I saw your dd's middle school and before I even saw where you lived, I thought it was the middle school I attended. Turns out no...cause different towns...but they have a very similar look to them.

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Welcome!! I bet we live in the same town too! I'm in Kalispell...in all of it's grand glory.. Where are you? It's OK if you aren't comfy with saying. I promise not to stalk you.

Anyhow, welcome! Thanks for joining in!

No worries . . .I live in CF, but work in Kal.
Small World!
This will be our first trip to WDW. I've been to DL several times, but am excited to visit WDW We are going with "veterans" who are familiar with boths coasts, but always LOVE to hear/read about others experiences.

 

[Sorsha]

What we have done so far

Disney Package is reserved, of course. 7 nights at Port Orleans Riverside with a 5 day park Hopper with Free Dining. I just Made the final Payment the other day.

Airline Tickets have finally been purchased. $299 a piece, for a grand total (when you add in all the fees and taxes) of $1750.

This is always the most nervewracking part of the process. Only a few planes fly in and out of the tiny little Kalispell airport every day, and ticket prices are always ridiculously high. Therefore it becomes a sick and twisted game waiting and watching and lurking and checking obsessively every day to see if prices have gone down, and then when they do, most times, all the seats are sold out!! Many times, people from Kalispell say Oh The He#$ With It!!! and just go to Spokane and fly from there. In 2007, we did. It was miserable; one of the Lessons We Learned. So this time, James begged to be allowed to fly out of Kalispell, and hang the cost. Why was it so bad? Well, for a number of reasons, we didn't want to drive to Spokane, so we came up with the brilliant idea of taking the train to Spokane, and then catching our plane. Let me just quote from my 2007 trip report:

We boarded the train, and this is where we started to feel a little dismayed. I don't think this train had been refurbished/repaired in 30 years. Everything was dingy, dirty, and in general disrepair. The seats were broken; most of the little footrest thingies wouldn't pop out, and several of the seats wouldn't recline. Then we found one seat that DID recline, just not on command. You would be sitting there, minding your own business, when suddenly the seat would decide that it was time to recline and WHAM you would be flat on your back staring at the ceiling thinking "What the heck just happened?!?" Worst of all was that the doors that were supposed to close between the cars of the train were broken, and wouldn't close. They wouldn't stay fully open either, and everytime the train went around a corner, they would slide allllmoooossstt closed and then when the train went back the other way they would slide baaaaaccccckk open again. It was REALLY loud with the doors not closed, and as the night wore on, REALLY cold.
Well, we finally found a grouping of functional seats, and settled in for the ride. We got the kids comfortable with snacks, pillows, blankets, and their backpacks full of entertainments. The kids managed to grab a few hours of sleep, but James and I didn't rest at all.

We arrived in Spokane right on time at 2 AM. We claimed our baggage, and headed outside to meet up with the taxi shuttle I had arranged for. Oh dear. We were met up by a large, hairy, and unfortunatly smelly fellow. He was driving a van, circa 1994, that looked as though it had been repainted and rebuilt more than a couple of times. He had all the proper ID though, and was the only taxi available at the train station at 2 AM, and so we allowed him to load up our bags and we hopped in. All I have to say is that I am REALLY glad it was 2 AM and the roads were empty, cause otherwise, the way this fellow drove, we might not have made it to the airport. SHEESH!!

Well, $25, half an hour, and a whole lot of new grey hairs later, we finally arrived at the Spokane airport. We settled ourselves and our bags in front of the Delta counter, which, incidentally, didn't open till 4 AM and very, very tiredly, waited.

OK, let's see, what else. Sea World Tickets (and parking pass) have been pre-purchased over the internet. I really like having things pre-paid. There was a discount "internet" rate too. We also prepaid for our admission to the Makahiki Luau Dinner Show at Sea World as well.

OH! And the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! I got my tickets for this too - they came in the mail the other day. We are soooo excited about this - we have been once before, but it has been 10 years.

We have reserved our car. We reserved through Alamo at the Car Care Center at the Magic Kingdom. We got a standard SUV for 5 days (we need lots of room) with a Costco discount, for about $350. I am still iffy on this being a good deal, but I guess if something better comes along I can always cancel.

I have made all my ADRs. I actually did this a long time ago, way back at 180+10 days. I am really glad I did too, because when my brother decided he was joining us he was pretty much screwed for dining reservations and had to take what was left. I called and tried to add the 3 of them in to our Crystal Palace reservations before MNSSHP on Oct 3rd, and I swear I could hear the people at CRO laughing at me.

Soooo, what's left to do?

Costumes for MNSSHP: I am sewing mine and Alyssa's (and REALLY need to get going on that), I have ordered James' (it's on its way). and will need to buy Caitlyn's and Ariana's, but we are still shopping around. We are doing a Peter Pan/Pirates theme. Grandma is being Peter Pan, Grandpa is being Captain Hook, Alyssa is being Wendy, Caitlyn is being Tinkerbell, James and I are being Pirates, and Ariana is still unsure if she is going to be a Pirate or a Indian.

Universal IOA tickets: I don't think we will buying these ahead of time. I can't get a discount on them by buying them online, so I will probably just wait. Also, Alyssa is still unsure whether she will be going to Universal or staying at WDW with Caitie and I.

Prepay for the Photopass CD
Prepay for our Luggage with Delta
Make packing lists and PACK!!

I am sure there are a million and one other things to do... but that's what's on the list for now.

Oh, and by the way. Today is 79 days. and we didn't watch a movie yesterday. We were really busy. So we just crossed one off the list - Rescuers Down Under - never liked it anyway.

 

[Sorsha]

Not a stalker here... but I have to say I grew up in Spokane. We used to go to Kalispell when I was young. Also, I think they use the same architects or designers for buildings. I saw your dd's middle school and before I even saw where you lived, I thought it was the middle school I attended. Turns out no...cause different towns...but they have a very similar look to them.

Wow - small world! You grew up in Spokane and came to Kalispell, I grew up in Kalispell and went to Spokane a lot!! We planned school shopping excursions to Spokane at the end of summer every year - still do with my own kids!

And yeah, a lot of the architecture all over the region has the same look, I have noticed that as well. Lots of the same architects, and I think, also just designed all right about the same time.

 

[Sorsha]

No worries . . .I live in CF, but work in Kal.
Small World!
This will be our first trip to WDW. I've been to DL several times, but am excited to visit WDW We are going with "veterans" who are familiar with boths coasts, but always LOVE to hear/read about others experiences.

Small world indeed!!

I am sooo jealous that you are going on a cruise - I will look forward to hearing about it. I have never cruised but I would love to some day.

 

[DizzylandDeb]

I absolutely HATE the price of flying out of Kalispell! I have watched prices daily (for years) trying to play the game of "catch the lowest price". I must say . . .you got a good deal! Congratulations.

 

[annmarieda]

Wow, what an ordeal with the train! I have never used it. Occasionally, if my mother comes to see me she will take the train.

You did get a good price on the flight. The fare I grabbed was more than that and it was out of Seattle. Luckily, I had companion fares I can use that take my total down...otherwise airfare would have been too high.

 

[Sorsha]

Good morning faithful readers!

I have been on the phone with WDW 3 times this morning!! First time, I worked my way obediently through their ridiculous voice-prompt menus (GAWD how I hate those menus - and WHY, no matter HOW many times I say/spell my last name, can they NOT get it right??!?) only to be put on hold, told my wait time would be approx. 10 minutes, then got disconnected 2 minutes later in the middle of the Tiki Bird theme. How rude!! So then, the next two times I had to call back, I just kept pressing 0 and bypassing the menus untill I got put on hold - sorry, I will only play by the rules for so long.

So anyhow, the upshot of it is I was trying to make a couple of room requests and also link my reservation with my mom's and my brother's so we could maybe get rooms that were somewhat close together.

We requested building 37, and ground floor rooms, if possible. We have stayed in building 37 before and enjoyed it because it is very very close to the bus stop. At night when coming home from the parks you only have about 25 feet to walk carrying sacked-out little people. Its rather a hike from the food court, but that's ok, we don't mind that. Ground floor we need because both mom and I have bad knees.

We got all the reservations linked together, and in doing so, talked to someone in the "Grand Gatherings" department. I knew we technically qualified as a Grand Gathering, but this is the first time someone has referred to us as such. Cool! Or, as my brother says "A "Grand Gathering". Isn't that spiffy?? A large group of people coming together at WDW to celebrate together. And drop lotso cash. Yeah, that's us. We get special attention, and a nifty title too!"

78 days till WDW! Yesterday's movie was "In Search of the Castaways". The kids didn't watch it, but I did, while I was folding laundry. I am a Hayley Mills junkie - I love just about everything she ever made, so I always enjoy this one, I have seen it many many times. But this is an interesting movie. One has to wonder what favors Walt called in to convince Maurice Chevalier to get involved in this one. To say its a little corny is putting it lightly. But, still enjoyable, if you know what you are getting in for. Once again, however, I am reminded that Hayley Mills really should not have been given singing parts.

Have a good Friday everyone!

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Subbing! I love your writing style and what you've done so far!


So excited to see what you come up with next.

 

[annmarieda]

Congrats on getting your grand gathering set. Kudos to you for waiting through their automated system. I hate it too...

Oh, you are staying at POR! We stayed there last time and other than the rough start, the resort itself was amazing. I keep wondering about going there this trip. I would want to stay in building 18 again..and with only 4 of us, I am not sure that we would not be placed in the Magnolia section, which is very pretty, but too far from the main building for my liking.

 

[Sorsha]

Subbing! I love your writing style and what you've done so far!


So excited to see what you come up with next.

Welcome! Glad to have you along!

Congrats on getting your grand gathering set. Kudos to you for waiting through their automated system. I hate it too...

Oh, you are staying at POR! We stayed there last time and other than the rough start, the resort itself was amazing. I keep wondering about going there this trip. I would want to stay in building 18 again..and with only 4 of us, I am not sure that we would not be placed in the Magnolia section, which is very pretty, but too far from the main building for my liking.

My mom feels the same way; last time she stayed at POR she and grandpa got put in the Mansions (because there were just the two of them) and she didn't really like them. So this time, when she made her reservation, she spoke very sternly with the reservation agent about making sure they got put in Alligator Bayou. You don't mess with Grandma when she speaks to you in That Tone of Voice.