"Why don't we tag along, too?" A PTR June 11-19!

[DisDancerina]

We've really bounced around regarding summer plans for the past month (we're really not too much of advanced planners; I get too obsessive over the vacation and if we booked 6 months out, I'd probably go cuckoo!). We've had thoughts from, "Oh, let's just go visit family in New York and maybe go to the city for a couple days!" to "Hey, let's go to Tokyo DisneySea!" (that is happening sometime in the future; I will make it so!) to "Let's just run around Europe like crazy!"
... After we decided that we did need to don our planning caps to make those international trips happen, we decided to work out a scenario that could be reached in a shorter period of time. New York was definitely on the table. We wanted to go see my dad's brother (it's his birthday in June) and our family in general because it had been so long! So, I jokingly added in, "Why don't we just go to Disney World too?"

Let's just say my dad doesn't take much as a joke.

He actually thought it was a wonderful idea. So, we started looking into things. Then, my dad's phone goes off (insert Imperial March ringtone here). It's my brother. My dad tells him we're planning on going to New York (the for-sure part of the trip at this point) and my brother replies, "Oh, I was planning on going to New York, too. Why don't we just go together?" I was dumbfounded; my family doesn't do the whole "family vacation" thing. It's usually just my dad and me and then if I'm lucky and we're traveling close, a friend. At that point, they started planning New York stuff, but my dad mentioned that we were thinking about going to Disney World, too.

My brother's next response surprised me even more than his first: he wanted to go!

... Long story short, we're going to Disney World! It'll be my dad, my brother Mark, his other half Annette and myself all going to Disney World and New York for a crazy time! This TR will only focus on the Disney half, but I felt I should mention the New York part, seeing as we'll be taking three planes, buses, subways, trains... I'm going to be frazzled.

Now, I personally haven't been to the World since July of 2008 when my 13- year old self planned a trip to Disney World all by myself. That's the last time my dad went, too. You can see that trip report here! Please keep in mind that I was 13 years old and actually certifiably crazy.
Annette and Mark have actually never been to Disney World, so I am so excited that I get to show them the world. That shining, shimmering splendid world. It will also be Father's Day and my brother's birthday on the trip, so I'm really excited to have something to celebrate!

Well, we've got a lot of planning to do which I'd love to share with you guys if you're willing to listen! And don't lurk, feel free to just say hi!

I can't wait to get this show on the road!


... And away we go!

 

[MarbleBob]

Sounds fun. I'm in for your PTR

 

[DisDancerina]

Sounds fun. I'm in for your PTR

Yay! Welcome!

 

[DisDancerina]

CAST OF CHARACTERS

I’m so excited that this group grew to be more than just my dad and me. We don’t get to vacation with other people a lot and absolutely love it when we have other people to share the magic with!

Me (Dani)— I go to ASU and I’m studying public relations so I can grow up and go work for Disney hopefully as the head of social media! Gotta dream big! I honestly don’t know who my favorite Disney character is, but I love Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty, Flounder and Oswald (and Ortensia!). I also reeeeeally love pretty much every Disney movie; I’m so indecisive! I love to plan, plan, plan and eat really yummy food! I also love fashion and am trying to Disneybound every day of our trip, so we’ll see how that goes! I’m most excited to stay at AoA, we’re staying in a Lion King suite which is going to be SO cool! I’ve been to Disney World twice, once when I was 4 (Dad had a business trip) and once when I was 13 and planned like a mad man!

My dad (Richard) — While my dad likes to say he’s Buzz Lightyear, I like to associate him with Grumpy. He’s really not that bad, he’s just old and get’s kind of crazy sometimes! I still really love him, though. He’s always such a good sport when it comes to doing things and has crazy stamina! He can do a 3 day Disneyland trip like a boss and he’s in his 70’s. It’s pretty awesome! I think he’s most excited that we’re all going together!

My brother (Mark) -- We didn’t grow up together, so we’re not the closest, but when we do get to see each other we have a lot of fun! This will be his first trip to Disney World EVER! How exciting is that?! We’ll also be celebrating his birthday in the parks, so I want to make it as special as possible for him! On My Disney Experience he chose Tramp from Lady and the Tramp as his character, so that’ll be his character on here, too! I’m really excited to get to spend time with him and Annette!

My brother’s other half (Annette)-- She is seriously the sweetest! I know she loves roller coasters, so we’re definitely going to have to get her on RR. She chose Lady as her character on My Disney Experience, she chose Lady as her character! So cute, right? I cannot wait to spend more time with her! She’s awesome. AND she’s a first timer too!

… And that is our cast of characters! I can’t wait to keep planning this trip and sharing with you guys what I’m getting whipped up!

Stay tuned!

 

[DisDancerina]

BASIC PLANS


Okay, so I went over the “who”… Now onto the when, why and what!

We’ll be going to the World June 11-19. Here’s where it gets tricky. My dad and I are flying from Phoenix to Orlando on the 11th, but Mark and Annette aren’t coming in until the 14th because she’s working until then! So, it’s going to be kind of hard to plan. My dad and I will be seeing everything twice and probably wanting to hit the lesser things when they’re here, but it will also be their first visit, so we’re going to just have to do everything over again! That’s what I’m most worried about, to be honest. Any tips on how to make both segments as magical as possible?

This time around, planning is a little more difficult/strange to me with this whole Fastpass+ fiasco. Yes, I’m excited to try out the new technology, but I’m afraid as well because I’ve heard there can be some glitches… I got a subscription to touring plans, but having things planned down to the minute is really freaking me out! That, and crowd monitors on touring guide vs easywdw are very different and I don’t know which one to go off of! Ah well. I’m just hoping for the best at this point.

{Picture via CastMemberSecrets}
For the first part of our trip, my dad and I are staying at Pop Century! We chose Pop because we don’t share busses with any other resorts and because I just love the theming! Of course, I love All Star Movie, too, but we’re afraid to stay at an all star resort! Pop was just well-rounded and the best choice for us.

{Picture via VacationKids}
For the second part of the trip I am SO excited to say that we’ll be staying at Art of Animation in a Lion King Suite! Because my brother and his other half are coming, we knew we needed more space. We didn’t want to share just one bathroom and we wanted to be close, as well! AoA was the perfect choice. Lion King came out the year I was born so it’s an incredibly special movie to me and I’m just so excited we get to stay there!

I’m a little nervous about doing a split stay, but I read somewhere that they’ll move your luggage for you? That’s so sweet! I’m hoping that transition goes smoothly because our transfer day is also our only Animal Kingdom day and I want to be there for park opening! So, fingers crossed everything goes well. Over the course of the entire trip, including New York, we’ll be staying in four different hotels… I’m sure I’ll get used to quickly packing and unpacking really quick!

Also, I'm looking for a good bag to take with us to the World! On my last trip, I took a Baggalini (in DisBoards lime green, of course), but I'm not sure that's such a great bag for me anymore! Have any of you had a Patagonia Atom Sling bag before?

I think I'm going to go to my local REI on Monday and check it out! I need something that can carry a water bottle, small makeup bag, my wallet, my light jacket, some sunscreen and a couple small snacks! I also might bring my DSLR, so having somewhere to put that would probably be great, too! If you guys have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

And happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

 

[MarbleBob]

Sounds fun! We are also going in June... with my extended family 19 of us in all. I share your frustration with FP+. We don't plan to tour with all 19 people at the same time, but we'll be having a few meals and riding a few rides as an entire group. Coordinating our FP+'s has been quite the challenge!

We've stayed at POP and All Star Movie in the past, but I really preferred POP. All the larger than life "pop culture" icons were really cool. I especially liked the giant Big Wheel. I haven't been to Art of Animation yet, so looking forward to your TR.

That's cool that your brother gets to celebrate his birthday in WDW. I've been lucky enough to spend two of my birthdays there and it's a lot of fun. You are probably already aware of this, but make sure you stop at guest relations of whatever your first park is and ask for a birthday button. I was surprised at just how many cast members go out of their way to wish you a happy birthday. Also, make sure to mention his birthday on any of your ADR's. Disney really knows how to treat people on their special day

Being a dude, I can't really offer any opinions on bags and purses, but I can say that I've had great experiences with Patagonia products through the years. I have a fleece jacket that I've worn every fall/spring for over 20 years. And it's still in great shape. No joke!!! That Atom Sling looks pretty cool.

 

[DisDancerina]

Planning is so challenging! Especially planning a split trip where there are different people coming half way through our trip... It's crazy. I've honestly been writing this post over and over again... But nothing comes out! We are just 11 days away from our trip and I'm still going nuts! I at least have stuff together so far!
I'm kind of freaking out though. I really never get nervous for a trip until I can start to see what the weather is going to look like and the 10 day forecast gets posted tomorrow! How could it be so soon?! I'm honestly really great at planning most of the time, but my patience has been running really thin lately and I've been having trouble focussing on one thing for a long time. It's so strange! I honestly don't know what I've got left to do to plan this trip and I have a fear I'm going to forget to plan something really important. Do you ever get that feeling?
Feelings aside, here's what I've got completed and together for the trip!



I made these ears are I really love them! They're a little sloppy when it comes to sealing the headband cover on, but they seriously look awesome on. In addition to making this pair and the Elsa ears you will see in a moment, I made a pair of steampunk ears that are super cute! I also ordered 2 pairs from Judy and Park on instagram; I am so happy I finally got a pair! One pair are Star Wars themed with Darth Vader and they glow in the dark! The other pair is Maleficent, which is perfect; seeing that the movie just came out. I'm absolutely in love! Have I ever mentioned my addiction to Mickey Ears headbands? It's bad.



I also made these super-cute Elsa ears to wear with my Olaf shirt... I'm excited to Frozen it up!



And here that shirt is... How cute is this Olaf shirt I found at JC Penney's?! And baby Sven is there chilling in the background as well. Hehe. "Chilling."



I also got my Patagonia Atom! I decided to get it in this strange tomato & mint combo color. I honestly can't tell you why, but I actually do like it! I'm excited to try it out on the trip!


See? I'm getting stuff done even if I'm not working... I promise!

This week I really need to work on decorating my magic band, planning outfits, figuring out snacks and packing! I tried to make ADRs a couple weeks ago but there was seriously NOTHING left! Just glad I got a 50's Prime Time reservation on my brother's birthday right when we made our plans. Oh! Another exciting thing is that my carry-on was delivered a couple days ago and it is AWESOME! It's a hard side case, but has a front pocket with a padded laptop case and room to access stuff during the flight. It's so great. I believe it's a Delsey Helium Shadow 2.0, with the front pocket. There's a cary-on of the same name with no front pocket but there's no way I'd want that one! Anyways... I will hopefully be posting more now...

11 days!! ​