Will She or Won't She--8/17 Update-Cow Tipping?

[Nuwanda9]

Welp, I started my PTR on the 27th which is six months out from my trip but I inadvertantly posted it in the TR's. Since I don't know how to move it I decided to start again here and hope that the link below will allow people to see the first few installments (if anyone wants to that is!)

Anyway, quick recap...

Who's going -- Me and my niece
When -- Right now it is 12/27 - 1/3
How -- Amtrak (This chick doesn't fly!)
Where -- Pop Century
Why -- Because!

When I called to book the room the CM asked me what I was going to be celebrating. Hmmm...it's three months after my niece's birthday, three months before my birthday, no anniversaries, graduations...so, I said, "We're celebrating because we are so happy to be going back to WDW!"

I was hoping there would be a couple mini TR's between now and the WDW trip but one of those trips was cancelled today. That one was a long weekend next week to Concord, MA (one of my favoite places in the world!) with my Cadette troop. But circumstances :cough:: co-leader ::cough:: ) changed the plans. Anyway, maybe next month will bring a mini TR!

In the meantime....I am enjoying buying things for my WDW trip! (Even tho I shouldn't be buying things for my WDW trip!) Thanks to Soleil (because she has a hipster and it looks so cute!) I am now the proud owner of this..

I tested it on a trip to Cleveland for my birthday and really liked it! I could fit a lot of stuff in it and slung across my body it left my hands free. I really liked that! Wish I could not carry anything but I've tried putting my wallet, phone, gum, lip gloss, and camera in my pants pockets and, well...not only is it uncomfortable, it is not a pretty picture! (My hips are wide enough, thank you!)

While I was at it I also got this one..

The mini version of the hipster! I thought my niece might want to carry it but I haven't shown it to her yet because I like it, too!

And to further my new current Vera Bradley obsession I bought this to carry around now..

I was never a VB fan. My mother used to love her stuff and I couldn't be seen carrying something my mother would carry! But VB's popularity is growing and I might just be...just a tiny bit...influenced by others. Since I have been Dissing I have purchased VB, Teva flip flops and Model in a Bottle! Nope, not too influnced by others, huh??

 

[mla1977]

I'm bringing my niece too! In August though. How old is you niece?

 

[Nuwanda9]

OMG! I have a reader!! Thanks!!

My niece is 16 years old and will be a senior in high school in the fall. I have a number of nieces and nephews (I have 1 sister and three brothers! So there are a lot of children between them.) My niece is a twin, as well, and until last year the three of us used to do a lot together. Not quite sure what happened there but her sister is now spending a lot of time with friends and her mother. More than you wanted to know, huh? Anyway, we are very close and do a lot together. In fact, she'll be coming to my house on Thursday to spend the rest of the summer with me. I can't wait!

 

[Nuwanda9]

I had to add this...in the mail today MY BOSS got a pin number for free dining! Doesn't it just figure? (See previous post about NO LUCK!) Makes me laugh, tho.

 

[Nuwanda9]

I've drop to page three! Oh, the horror!

Anyway, when I got home last night there was no postcard waiting for me with a pin code. Not that I thought there would be but after seeing the one my boss got it raised my hopes! My boss goes to Disney at least once a year. I don't think she stays on property very often, tho. She knows I am a fan so she always asks what she can bring back for me. I just tell her, "Pixie dust.". She is always asking when I am going to go again (last trip -- 2001~ ) and encouraging me, "You should go!". I'd LIKE to but she knows how much I make! She makes like 5X as much as me so it isn't that big a deal to her. But enough of my pity party!

I realize how easily I can be influenced (see previous post about the things I've purchased just from seeing them on the DIS board!) but I am coming to realize that I am not just easy...I practically beg to be influenced! I have been reading so much on the DIS. Even the wedding boards! And I am not now or ever will (again) be planning a wedding! If my friends (who know me and my views) knew that I was reading about weddings and thinking how nice a Disney wedding would be they would call out a search party to find the real me! I started reading the DCL forum, too. I've never in my life ever desired to go on a cruise.

Never.

Ever.

Not that I don't like boats or water--I do. But I just don't know what I'd do on a cruise. I don't like cheezy shows (been to Vegas already), I am not much of joiner, don't travel for the food, etc, etc.

BUT.............................................................................................


I WANT TO GO ON A DISNEY CRUISE!! I am SO excited that I can't wait to go home where my niece should be by now and talk to her about taking a cruise! Not for this trip we have planned but January 2011.

I seriously think I have got to STOP reading any more!

 

[mla1977]

The podcast cruise has some great prices! December 12, 2010 sailing. There is a link to the reservations page on the Podcast page. I'm booked for it right now. DBF is currently my 2nd person, but you can change the name on your second guest any time!

 

[jenn-]

Sounds like you have a great relationship with your niece. I am sorry to hear that her sister has started to break away from her. I am not looking forward to the day that happens with my twin boys.

I totally know what you mean by this board having influence. So far I have impulsively purchased Mousejunkies, and started 2 totally different types of t-shirts.

My DH keeps trying to convince me to go on a cruise. I get motion sick though, so I am not really sure. I couldn't convince myself to spend that kind of money to have to spend my entire trip doped up on drugs. I can't wait to read more of your PTR.

 

[Nuwanda9]

Sounds like you have a great relationship with your niece. I am sorry to hear that her sister has started to break away from her. I am not looking forward to the day that happens with my twin boys.

I totally know what you mean by this board having influence. So far I have impulsively purchased Mousejunkies, and started 2 totally different types of t-shirts.

My DH keeps trying to convince me to go on a cruise. I get motion sick though, so I am not really sure. I couldn't convince myself to spend that kind of money to have to spend my entire trip doped up on drugs. I can't wait to read more of your PTR.

Well, the girls were never all that close to begin with even tho we used to all do everything together. I'd always tell them, "Mary Kate and Ashley you are not!" My feeling is that if your boys are close now they will always be.

I totally understand about not wanting to spend money on a trip you might be sick on or doped up on!! So far, knock on wood, I really haven't experienced motion sickness while on a boat (although I will admit that I saw Public Enemies this weekend and sometimes the camera action was so jerky that I had to look away or risk losing my popcorn!). I will be prepared for with some Dramamine, just in case!

The podcast cruise has some great prices! December 12, 2010 sailing. There is a link to the reservations page on the Podcast page. I'm booked for it right now. DBF is currently my 2nd person, but you can change the name on your second guest any time!

Thanks for the heads up!!

 

[Nuwanda9]

Having serious DIS withdrawls here as I was unable to get an internet connection all weekend! I hope that everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend. I had Friday off so it was a long weekend although not long enough!!

My niece finally arrived at my house (she lives about 30 minutes away from me) to spend the summer. Friday we went to the movies to see Public Enemies. I like Johnny Depp but am more of a Christian Bale fan. I did like the movie even tho as mentioned in a previous post the camera action was quite jerky at times. And, as with any movie of this kind, the facts were skewed quite a bit. But I enjoyed it! And I enjoyed another Embarrass-the-Kid moment when I got all excited about the shots of Union Station in Chicago! A couple years ago I took my niece with me to the Eric Clapton Guitar Fest in Chicago and I made her stand on the stairs where they filmed The Untouchables for a picture.

Another great Embarrass-the-Kid moment!!

Other than that we did, well, not much all weekend! I told her that we were indulging in the Great American Pastime of Laziness!

On the Disney front--I didn't get into a discussion yet with her about changing the dates of the trip. (Just push the trip a little more into January.) I am not looking forward to the crowds between Christmas and New Year's so this could help to ease my mind a bit if we could nudge those dates!!

I pulled out my Passporter book and went thru all the rides. I figure if we do end up keeping our original, already booked dates then we probably should pick out our can't-be-missed rides and concentrate on getting on those and not worry so much about the others. My niece hasn't been to WDW since she was 5 years old and doesn't remember much. So, she really had no favorites that she HAS to go on. But she likes the sounds of the Rock and Roll Rollercoaster. I will not go on that, tho, because I am not a roller coaster person! It took me a few trips to get up the nerve to go on BTMRR!! (Which, BTW, I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!) So, I read off the descriptions of the rides while she half listened, half watched TV. Some are non-negotiable such as Star Tours which is my favorite ride of ALL TIME!! BTMRR, Kali River Rapids and Carrousel of Progress! Just to name a few!! The ride she does remember is ToT. Her mother took her on that ride. I didn't think the girls were old enough for it at 4 years old but their mother is one of those throw-them-in-the-water-and-they'll-learn-to-swim kind of people. My niece was terrified and when I mentioned ToT (I have never been on it but I am willing to now give it a try!) she got wide eyed. Oh, yeah, she remembers!

I also had some print outs of menus of resturants that I want to try and I read them off to her trying to get her take on them. And try to get her excited about SOMETHING! She is interested in eating some steak but that is about all I got out of her.

::sigh::

Is it any wonder why I found my way here where people are excited about WDW and planning trips there?? I talked to her about a cruise and she said, "That sounds like fun." And that, my folks, is about as much excitement I am going to get out of her! (And the sad thing is that I am SURE I was exactly like her when I was 16!!)

 

[mla1977]

LOL! My niece is or will be excited. I hope. I sent her a copy of Birnbaums guide on Friday. Hopefully she gets it today. I gave her instructions to check out some of the menus on AllEars and let me know if she wants the reservations that I already made. Hopefully she is happy with what I've done so far. And hopefully she is wearing her crocs to break them in. I know if I was your niece I would be bouncing off the walls because someone was taking me to Disney.

 

[Nuwanda9]

LOL! My niece is or will be excited. I hope. I sent her a copy of Birnbaums guide on Friday. Hopefully she gets it today. I gave her instructions to check out some of the menus on AllEars and let me know if she wants the reservations that I already made. Hopefully she is happy with what I've done so far. And hopefully she is wearing her crocs to break them in. I know if I was your niece I would be bouncing off the walls because someone was taking me to Disney.

I know, right!?!? I'd be excited, too, if someone were offering me a trip. And a FREE trip at that! Ahhh, she doesn't know how good she has it! She's been spoiled since day one so I guess that is partially my fault. I was teasing her the other day how people tell me all the time how lucky DN is to have someone who does so much for her. I never had an aunt that took me on trips. All I get out of her is a "But, I wuv you!". She's a stinker!

 

[jenn-]

I am so not looking forward to that age. I hope my kids will always be excited about a trip to Disney. Maybe as they get a little older I can get them to help with the planning. I hope you can spark some interest in it for her. Until them, keep entertaining us with your excitement.

 

[Nuwanda9]

Until then, keep entertaining us with your excitement.

Will do!!


It's another rainy (it has been raining a lot here lately) Tuesday. I just walked up to the Farmer's Market that they have downtown during the summer. Got the kid some kettle corn. I am too nice to her! I KNOW!! Anyway, now I am hot and sweaty...it's not hot out but it is humid (rain..ya know...) and I was walking fast since the skies went from me needing sunglasses to not being able to see with my sunglasses on. I made it back before it started pouring, tho.

ANYWAY....now I need a few minutes to relax and refocus. Not too much happening on the Disney front. BUT....I was looking for some pictures of tee shirts that I bought the kid for the trip to post since I keep forgetting to take pictures of them at home. (Okay, I'll be honest...you all might as well know that I do not have a domestic bone in my body. I put the Disney clothes in a dresser drawer and now the dresser has a ton of junk blocking it and I can't get to them. There. Now you know. ) And while I was snagging pictures I saw that there were some other things ON SALE! I KNOW I am supposing to be conserving my money but once I saw these I HAD to get them...

Because my DN's favorite character is..

Only $3.99! And I got these for $3.99, too...

And this was $5.99, I believe...

I think she has all the tee shirts she needs for the trip. Here are a couple others that were already purchased at the Disney Store..

There are more but I will have to dig them out and take pictures of them. She has two pairs of Tink pj's, too. Plus underwear. She's all set! I, on the other hand, have nothing except my Vera Bradley purse for the trip. What is wrong with this picture??

This is my favorite character in case I haven't mentioned it...

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of demand for Chicken Little stuff so it is hard to find.

 

[mla1977]

So, your PTR is almost as viewed as mine. We need to promote these more!

DN just got her package with the Birnbaums guide today. Her response:

C=

I don't know if that will translate into a smilie or not, but on a text message it is a capital C and =.

"I'm really excited"

Was the next response.

Yay!

ETA: Whoops! I guess that doesn't translate into a smilie!

Here you go:

That is what I was expecting!

 

[Nuwanda9]

So, your PTR is almost as viewed as mine. We need to promote these more!

DN just got her package with the Birnbaums guide today. Her response:

C=

I don't know if that will translate into a smilie or not, but on a text message it is a capital C and =.

"I'm really excited"

Was the next response.

Yay!

ETA: Whoops! I guess that doesn't translate into a smilie!

Here you go:

That is what I was expecting!

That's great! I am so glad she is excited! But, really, besides my niece, who wouldn't be, right? My DN is just not normal! She wants to go but she just doesn't show a lot of excitement. She has never shown a lot of emotion. I remember as a baby she never even smiled a lot. (Like I said, she's strange! )

How old is your niece?

But I am happy for you and your niece!! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!

 

[jenn-]

I really like this shirt!

 

[Nuwanda9]

I really like this shirt!

Me, too! And it was inexpensive at the online Disney Store!! They had a few shirts on sale. I could have gone crazier but I reined myself in!

 

[jenn-]

Me, too! And it was inexpensive at the online Disney Store!! They had a few shirts on sale. I could have gone crazier but I reined myself in!

Oh that is dangerous news. Off to go see what they have.

 

[Nuwanda9]

Let me preface this by saying I probably decided on this topic right now because I am hungry! Trying to stay away from the vending machine (I can't believe how a dollar here and a dollar there can add UP!) but the diet Pepsi just ain't cutting it!!

Food falls way down on the priority list for me when traveling. Not that I don't LIKE to eat (one look at me would erase any doubt!) but it just never has been a selling point when traveling. There are a few things I like to get when I am traveling but I don't travel for food. In past WDW trips the only MUST DO was the character breakfast at Chef Mickey's. (And for me--a rice kreme from the Krigala in Norway!! A must do used to be the beavertails in Canada. Does anyone remember that stand?) We've eaten at Pecos Bill's, Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe..and that is about all I can remember. Chosing those restaurants was more of a "Where do you want to get something to eat?" than a "We HAVE to try this restaurant!". For me, a food court will do. Although, the first trip to WDW that I took I was traveling alone and decided to try to 50s Prime Time Cafe because I heard they had homestyle food (meatloaf...mmmm...). I just walked in and got a table. Maybe the wait staff didn't want to pick on someone who was dining alone or maybe they sensed the "I embarrass easily" vibe coming off me but I honestly don't remember it being an unpleasant experience. (I know some people really like the interaction with the CM's there but that is SO not something I would enjoy!)

So, let's recap...food not a draw when traveling...

....That is until I came to the DIS.....

As I have said before, the DIS has me under it's spell! I have been reading reviews, menus, soaking up the pictures with hungry eyes! And NOW I have to try some of these restaurants!! On my list (so far...) is....

Sci Fi Cafe
Le Cellier
Grand Floridian Cafe
Wolfgang Puck Express
Earl of Sandwich
Raglan Road

I don't consider myself a picky eater (again, look at me!) but when I start reciting what I don't like it makes me sound really picky! I don't like seafood, pork, oriental food, and even most red meat. Kind of narrows the choices!

I was showing the kid pictures from reviews on the DIS the other night. The pictures she got the most excited about? Were from the 50's Prime Time Cafe!! I would love to eat there for the food but not the ambience and I know she is the same way. Also character meals are out because the kid would freak out. She was okay with them when she was little but now that she is a teenager she feels it is cool to be freaked out by people in costumes. I KNOW! Makes you wonder why we are even going!!

My window for ADR's is a few months off but I am scared of not getting what TS I want. My list is so small and it is going to be so crowded when we go. I am trying not to get my hopes up. It's not like we will starve if we don't get these particular restaurants. It's just that now that I know about their wonderness I WANT to partake! I have never, ever made ADR's before. So, that has me a bit nervous, too. So many new experiences! I am even thinking of doing a dining plan!! Yikes!

 

[jenn-]

The only one of those you will probably have problems getting into is Le Cellier. Be up and either online ready to go on your 90 +10 day the minute you can make ressies for that one. When they ask what you want to book, start with that, then work your way down. Wolfgang Puck Express is not a table service restaurant. There is a Wolfgang Puck TS, but I honestly thought the Express was better. Earl of Sandwich again is a CS not a TS, so other than a line, you will get it. Both of those are in DTD in case you didn't realize. We ate at GFC this past trip, but we are red meat and veggie eaters, so I can't recall what all they had there other than that. Realize that anything with heavy carbs is totally skipped over in my memory bank when it comes to menus. I ate at Raglan Road in 2005 (one of the very few highlights of that trip). I remember it was pretty good and I would love to try it again, but again with the carbs for me, too many potato dishes. I think they recommend getting a seating at 8 when they start live music (might want to look up and confirm that time). The teen might enjoy that. Good luck on getting your ressies. I have to wait until Febuary still .