"Where are we staying again??" - My very first, an October 2011 PTR

[ZehnJahren]

Time really is flying by. I love your idea of your countdown to fun with your mom. I do that to Farrell every few days. I send her a picture of something to get her excited about the trip. Although it doesn't seem like I have to do it that much, because she's excited enough to go.

My mom has finally started guessing where the pictures are. Her first guess off the second pic I sent yesterday? "Polynesian." I was thinking "whoa, lady, you are WAAY off", but it was a pretty nondescript picture, so I guess it could have been any resort. Then she guessed "Art of Animation?" and I just wrote her back and said "Ma, that isn't even open yet." I guess she's just looking through pics on the Disney website trying to figure it out, ha! Her last guess got a little closer - "All-Star Movies". Maybe she'll get it today!

 

[IheartDDuck]

My mom has finally started guessing where the pictures are. Her first guess off the second pic I sent yesterday? "Polynesian." I was thinking "whoa, lady, you are WAAY off", but it was a pretty nondescript picture, so I guess it could have been any resort. Then she guessed "Art of Animation?" and I just wrote her back and said "Ma, that isn't even open yet." I guess she's just looking through pics on the Disney website trying to figure it out, ha! Her last guess got a little closer - "All-Star Movies". Maybe she'll get it today!

That's funny that she guessed the Poly. Maybe that's her dream resort? She is getting closer and closer. If she figures it out, are you going to tell her?

 

[teekathepony]

YAYYY for time flying! Don't you just love those types of lines? Your countdown is so fun, it's funny how close your mom is! Wonder how long till she gets it?

 

[ZehnJahren]

That's funny that she guessed the Poly. Maybe that's her dream resort? She is getting closer and closer. If she figures it out, are you going to tell her?

She did guess it yesterday; I told her she'd find out soon enough. Honestly, I don't know WHAT she knows about the resorts, since we've never stayed. However, I called and checked on some other rates while we're there for Deluxes (I can't HELP IT!) but it seems like so much more money for so little extra. If I could get a decent deal on the Contemporary, I'd do it - but I can't, as they're booked up. It would really be the only resort I'd REALLY REALLY consider, because we used to talk about it all the time when I was a kid. They have only two of our days open while we're down there, and I really don't want to change resorts with such a short stay.

YAYYY for time flying! Don't you just love those types of lines? Your countdown is so fun, it's funny how close your mom is! Wonder how long till she gets it?

Oh, she got it - she just doesn't know it yet! She told me the bridge in one of the pics was at "Pop Century - is it Pop Century??" but I told her she'd find out soon enough.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Just got back from watching the Mayweather-Ortiz fight at a local bar - WOW what a fight!

That being said - I got Mom's ticket from Undercover Tourist and made the requisite copies for my "file" that I'll take with me in case of emergency. I went to buy my annual pass at the Disney Store today and left without it - - I can't make up my mind as to whether or not I'll go again in the next year. I want to go in early November next year - so I'd have to buy tickets regardless - but I'd like to try to go again before then. But will I go for sure? I figured it out; I will only lose $124 if I buy the AP and don't go again - but I"m a tightwad with my money, so $124 is a lot to me! However, it could save me a lot if I even make one more trip for three days, as I'm using the AP discount on my room and probably would again. That would make up the difference - not counting any AP discounts on food or merchandise that I might use while down there as well. I don't know- I'm so indecisive. If I had more friends or family that I could travel with, this would be a moot point!

Mom guessed the resort, and I let her know she was right. She was so excited - so that was really nice! She said she was "stoked" to stay there - made me feel better about not upgrading. I wish I could get in the Contemporary!!

Anyway, 24 days to go!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Just got back from watching the Mayweather-Ortiz fight at a local bar - WOW what a fight!

That being said - I got Mom's ticket from Undercover Tourist and made the requisite copies for my "file" that I'll take with me in case of emergency. I went to buy my annual pass at the Disney Store today and left without it - - I can't make up my mind as to whether or not I'll go again in the next year. I want to go in early November next year - so I'd have to buy tickets regardless - but I'd like to try to go again before then. But will I go for sure? I figured it out; I will only lose $124 if I buy the AP and don't go again - but I"m a tightwad with my money, so $124 is a lot to me! However, it could save me a lot if I even make one more trip for three days, as I'm using the AP discount on my room and probably would again. That would make up the difference - not counting any AP discounts on food or merchandise that I might use while down there as well. I don't know- I'm so indecisive. If I had more friends or family that I could travel with, this would be a moot point!

Mom guessed the resort, and I let her know she was right. She was so excited - so that was really nice! She said she was "stoked" to stay there - made me feel better about not upgrading. I wish I could get in the Contemporary!!

Anyway, 24 days to go!

That's a tough decision that you have to make regarding whether or not to buy the annual pass. Would you even consider taking a solo trip? I've never done it, but I've definitely thought about it if I couldn't find anyone to go with me.

I would say to get it and then make sure you make plans to go before November. But I'm a bad influence.

 

[ZehnJahren]

That's a tough decision that you have to make regarding whether or not to buy the annual pass. Would you even consider taking a solo trip? I've never done it, but I've definitely thought about it if I couldn't find anyone to go with me.

I would say to get it and then make sure you make plans to go before November. But I'm a bad influence.

Oh, I've definitely thought about a solo trip. Wouldn't be that expensive, either. But sometimes I have issues in crowds and need an 'emotional anchor' to get through it, and I'm a little nervous about the idea of going without that (so pretty much, I need someone that I know to be around me at those times, so I can talk to them and refocus). Still, I am absolutely thinking about it!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Everything is still moving forward for the trip. I tried in vain to get a room at the Contemporary (I just couldn't help myself!) but everything is either booked up or SUPER expensive (vs. regular expensive) so I guess I'm thwarted in that aspect.

I did get a few things for my trip. I'm not happy with the fact that the below pictures are SO BIG, in spite of my having resized them smaller multiple times. I don't know why they won't post properly.

First, I just got a new point-and-shoot camera for Christmas from DBF; it's pretty nice, so I am naturally worried about getting water on it while filming Splash Mountain, or getting sand in it while we're at the beach. I read some reviews, and finally decided to buy this waterproof, submersible case! You can take pics through the plastic; I, of course, tried right away! (though we'll see how long the pics are serviceable!).

Then, I got a new park-bag; I checked out this Baggalini at a travel store at our local mall, and thought it would be perfect for me! I use very small bags at home (I have a Princess bucket bag from Dooney and Bourke, and it's a bit too big for me - I use it, but I could store an additional purse in there with all the extra room I have!), so this is really a good choice for me.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Well, I'm at the 10-day mark. I'm going to do online check-in, just not yet; i'm still checking daily in the hopes a room may open up for two of our days at the Contemporary.

Can't wait!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Well, I'm at the 10-day mark. I'm going to do online check-in, just not yet; i'm still checking daily in the hopes a room may open up for two of our days at the Contemporary.

Can't wait!

Yay, it's getting close! I did online check-in the other day for both of our reservations. I'm so excited!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Yay, it's getting close! I did online check-in the other day for both of our reservations. I'm so excited!

You got that right - look at our tickers! I had a long, drawn out dream about Disney last night, in which my Ma and I wanted to go back to our room and change clothes because it was so hot, so we left HS and walked to the monorail (hm). We had a difficult time waiting for the monorail for Beach Club - which is where we were staying. It was crazy.

I think I have a bit too much WDW on the brain right now.

 

[IheartDDuck]

You got that right - look at our tickers! I had a long, drawn out dream about Disney last night, in which my Ma and I wanted to go back to our room and change clothes because it was so hot, so we left HS and walked to the monorail (hm). We had a difficult time waiting for the monorail for Beach Club - which is where we were staying. It was crazy.

I think I have a bit too much WDW on the brain right now.

Wow. Walking to the monorail from DHS. I wonder how long that would take in reality?

Nothing wrong with having WDW on the brain. I have it on the brain right now too.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Wow. Walking to the monorail from DHS. I wonder how long that would take in reality?

Nothing wrong with having WDW on the brain. I have it on the brain right now too.

In my dream, the monorail went EVERYWHERE, and where they were going was written right on the front of each monorail. Very cool, but very crowded. I was VERY frustrated in the dream!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Today was D-day (Doctor Day) for my mom; and we got GREAT NEWS!



She's been cleared to ride EVERYTHING! The doc was so excited about all the work she's done and the positive changes she's made in her life, and she is medically cleared to ride anything she wants at all!



We just didn't know what was going to happen; but we were both prepared for the worst. I was already ready to ride IASW and watch shows the whole time if I needed to; but lo and behold, good news arrives! Or, in the words of my Ma, "Space Mountain here we come!"

Amen to that!

In other news, I made my final purchase for my trip(s) - a pair of sandals. I do not have any sandals at all, and I've been ordering shoes from Zappos, trying them on, wearing them around the house, and lamenting that none of them worked for me - this is through multiple pairs of Keens and trying on several pairs of Tevas as well. But finally, just today, I got THE shoes - they fit great, they look good, and best of all they're COMFORTABLE!

And here they are:

 

[IheartDDuck]

Yay on mom being able to ride everything! Look out mountains!!!

Glad you found a pair of sandals that you'll wear. My feet are so used to flip flops that they can take just about anything. It's very sad.

 

[teekathepony]

Hooray for your mom's good news! That's great!
Love those sandals. I'm like IheartDDuck though, flip flops are my go-to footwear lol!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Yay on mom being able to ride everything! Look out mountains!!!

Glad you found a pair of sandals that you'll wear. My feet are so used to flip flops that they can take just about anything. It's very sad.

Look out mountains, indeed! So excited; this is such a different trip than any we've taken before - our first adult vacation together. We've traveled to see family together, but not had a vacation together in about 12 years.

Hooray for your mom's good news! That's great!
Love those sandals. I'm like IheartDDuck though, flip flops are my go-to footwear lol!

Thank you thank you, can't wait!

But you two are CRAZY with the flip flops; I can't wear those more than 20 yards before I have to take them off!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Ok, I did something today I swore I wouldn't do.

I swore it and swore it.

I hem-hawed and flaked out over it for weeks.

But I had decided NOT to do it.

If my Ma is reading this (you know who you are), stop reading this right now because it's a SURPRISE and FURTHERMORE, you didn't tell me you were reading this PTR! You close this browser window, and you call me right now young lady!

Ok, if you're not my Ma (and let's face it, there's only like 2 readers here, so you're probably not my Ma), you can keep reading.

Ok, where was I?

Oh, so, I said I wouldn't do this - I'd made up my mind.

Yessir, mind made up.

Not gonna do it.

After all, I already MADE all my purchases.

So no.

Ok.

So.

I did it. I managed to get Ma and I two nights at BLT for the two nights at the end of our trip!

It's going to be PERFECT for what we're doing the last two days (and third morning!!), and I am ecstatic that I got this room! I got the AP discount, so it wasn't too much more (although it WAS still a good chunk), but I just kept thinking - what if I never got to make this trip with Mom again? Why not take her to the (general) place we always swore we'd stay when I was a child? CR wasn't opening up (at least not anything I could afford), so I went with the absolute next best thing!

I had the lady on the other end of the phone tearing up as well, as I myself got choked up talking about how my ma is my hero and I want to make this trip perfect for us both, and how this part of our reservation is a big deal to us, and how I'm so proud of myself for being in the financial position to afford it and be able to treat her for once.

ZOMG I am so excited. I almost can't even sit down. And worse, I can't tell anyone except DBF, because I really want this to be a surprise!!!

I'm thinking about trying to rush her out the door to a park on Wednesday so she doesn't unpack, and then once we get back to Pop that first night, telling her not to get settled in. Then, we'll take our carry-ons to BLT in the morning via cab and walk over to MK for rope drop! It will be PERFECT because we're hitting MNSSHP that night, so we won't have to worry about monorails, ferries, or buses.

Anyway, I'm hoping to figure out a GOOD way to surprise her - but I am BURSTING right now. And, I'll get to try out both Pop and BLT for future trips! And, it's going to be my first trip at a deluxe, and at a monorail resort! So please comment, because I'm so excited.

 

[teekathepony]

Not your mom here, and I am so excited for you guys! I can't wait to see the pictures and read some reviews of BLT! I saw it from a distance, hahaha, looked nice even from there.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Not your mom here, and I am so excited for you guys! I can't wait to see the pictures and read some reviews of BLT! I saw it from a distance, hahaha, looked nice even from there.

Yay! Not my mom! I was typing this out and had a weird feeling she would read this and the surprise would be blown! And even if she WAS reading, I don't think she'd ever tell me - she'd act surprised when we ended up at BLT and go to her grave never mentioning she already knew. She's Mom like that.

I can't wait to TAKE pictures and WRITE a review, so looks like we're BOTH in luck!!!