Will this trip ever get off the ground? - Jan 2012 PTR - TOMORROW - 1/5!!!

[KatMark]

I LOVE the way you have worked out the surprise with all the little tidbits, etc. I can't wait to hear the reaction.

 

[shocky5]

Can't wait to hear about the surprise either! All of your little trinkets you've sent her make me want to do a scavenger hunt reveal for the kids now... oh boy... more tinkering...

Seriously - you are doing such an amazing thing for your cousin. A kind, giving, generous person you are!!

 

[tankgirl427]

Wow, that is a GREAT, elaborate(!) surprise plan. I'm sure your cousin will be thrilled! Can't wait to hear how it all turns out.

Yeah, I guess I don't anything simple, but its kept me from tinkering with my plans too much. We're only 50 days away now!

How cool that you're going to be revealing the surprise soon! You must be so excited!! (And that you have even more surprises in store - very sneaky!! )

Ha! I always have surprises up my sleeve for one thing or another.

I hope that she comes for Thanksgiving. I just can't wait to hear how excited she is. You are a super cousin!!!! She must adore you.

I really want her to come up as well. #1 so my mom can be there, and #2 so keeping this secret can be over with! One of my other cousins was like a sister to her, but she got married and moved away and I've tried to fill a bit of that void. So this will be a good bonding trip, and my cousin has been married for 10 years now.

I LOVE the way you have worked out the surprise with all the little tidbits, etc. I can't wait to hear the reaction.

Hopefully I'll have a video or pictures before my December trip to share with you. I can see your boys doing something similar.

Can't wait to hear about the surprise either! All of your little trinkets you've sent her make me want to do a scavenger hunt reveal for the kids now... oh boy... more tinkering...

Seriously - you are doing such an amazing thing for your cousin. A kind, giving, generous person you are!!

Don't pressure yourself to come up with something, just let it come to you naturally. I'm sure they will be shocked!

 

[tankgirl427]

With 18 days left to go, the TA's calendar has been updated for December. So we're back to the drawing board to figure out our Saturday - Monday plans. The only things staying the same is our flights (crosses fingers), where we are staying, and MVMCP on the 11th (since we have tickets already!). Oh and after we land we still want to book it to Epcot for EMHs.

Saturday - HS is now opne until 10pm, MK is open until 1am. This does not work with meeting up with Ann in DTD

Sunday - Where will we be before MVMCP? We had a pre-park opening Crystal Palace breakfast but now the park opens at 8am!

Monday - Where will we end the trip?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ugh the hours shouldn't be allowed to change this close to the trip!! Not fair, when you have to make ADR's half a year in advance!

 

[tankgirl427]

Ugh the hours shouldn't be allowed to change this close to the trip!! Not fair, when you have to make ADR's half a year in advance!

Just you wait until December 18th and they make changes to the January calendar. The last updates to the calendar that I see is from September, its really overdue!

 

[tankgirl427]

Welcome to my insanity. Last night I made an Excel sheet showing all possible hours in each park Saturday through approximate pick up time on Monday. Then I marked off MVMCP, since we have the tickets and a few hours before the park starts (dwarves line up time). Then that left Saturday as seeing Osborne Lights and Mickey's Jingle Jammin' Parade. I'm not sure if we will really need 5 hours for HS in seeing the lights and whatever rides especially with starting the day there, but if we get done early maybe we can arrange a meet in DTD with Ann still, if not, we'll be headed to MK for the 1am close! Enjoy seeing my craziness below

Do you think 2 - 3 hours between traveling from Epcot to MK is enough to resort hop on the monorail and see decorations?

Unfortunantly, the plans call for me to cancel my Crystal Palace breakfast, because who wants to be sitting in a restaurant when you could be experiencing the park? Sorry Eeyore, but I'll catch you in AK and at the MVMCP!

 

[KatMark]

Welcome to my insanity. Last night I made an Excel sheet showing all possible hours in each park Saturday through approximate pick up time on Monday. Then I marked off MVMCP, since we have the tickets and a few hours before the park starts (dwarves line up time). Then that left Saturday as seeing Osborne Lights and Mickey's Jingle Jammin' Parade. I'm not sure if we will really need 5 hours for HS in seeing the lights and whatever rides especially with starting the day there, but if we get done early maybe we can arrange a meet in DTD with Ann still, if not, we'll be headed to MK for the 1am close! Enjoy seeing my craziness below

Do you think 2 - 3 hours between traveling from Epcot to MK is enough to resort hop on the monorail and see decorations?

Unfortunantly, the plans call for me to cancel my Crystal Palace breakfast, because who wants to be sitting in a restaurant when you could be experiencing the park? Sorry Eeyore, but I'll catch you in AK and at the MVMCP!

Be SURE to line up early for the Dwarves (especially after our 90 minute wait in September).

I think the 2-3 hours for the monorail sounds fine IF and that is a BIG IF the monorail is working properly. I keep reaidng of the resort monorail being screwed up and I know it was shut down when we were there in September.

 

[annmarieda]

That spreadsheet looks amazing!!! You have it down!!!

As for the resort hop, you are planning just the monorail resorts? Or also the Boardwalk? I think if you are staying within the monorail, you can do it.

 

[tankgirl427]

Be SURE to line up early for the Dwarves (especially after our 90 minute wait in September).

I think the 2-3 hours for the monorail sounds fine IF and that is a BIG IF the monorail is working properly. I keep reaidng of the resort monorail being screwed up and I know it was shut down when we were there in September.

Well that's one of the reasons I'm planning for us to be in the park before 4pm. Then we can pick up our wristbands already there and head over to the exit of Splash and see if there is a line yet or not. If no line, maybe a quick ride on BTMRR then start the line at 5:30pm. Worst case scenario with the monorail is it not working while we're in Poly and we walk to TTC or not working when we are at Contemporary and we walk to MK.

That spreadsheet looks amazing!!! You have it down!!!

As for the resort hop, you are planning just the monorail resorts? Or also the Boardwalk? I think if you are staying within the monorail, you can do it.

I figured while in Epcot we can walk over to Boardwalk and Beach Club. No Way Jose? And while leaving Epcot to get back to MK to get ready for MVMCP we can stop and check out the monorail resorts. I told you I went a little crazy with it.

 

[annmarieda]

I figured while in Epcot we can walk over to Boardwalk and Beach Club. No Way Jose? And while leaving Epcot to get back to MK to get ready for MVMCP we can stop and check out the monorail resorts. I told you I went a little crazy with it.

Not crazy...just thorough.

 

[KatMark]

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you have a great day.

 

[swwake]

Yes! Go see the Epcot resorts while you're at Epcot. It's the fastest way to get there and to see them. Might take about 1-1.5 hours. Not long.

 

[Nermel9]

That is an impressive spreadsheet! I'm having such a hard time planning my days for this trip! I know I'm doing EMH at DHS on Sunday, CP on Monday, and I'm 90% sure we're doing MVMCP on Tuesday, since we added that day. Other than that, no idea! It's so hard planning a short trip! I want to start at AK to see the parade, but I have a feeling we will go to Epcot instead. I think that's going to be a last minute decision. It also all depends on if our room is ready when we get there, we are arriving in FL at 9:30 am, so we're gonna be tired! We'll see!

Did you find everything for your window? I am taking this so seriously! I got a timer for my lights (which I'm testing out now, because I am so bad with timers!), more window clings, and today I'm going to go on a search for pretty garland, because some of it is so tacky! I'm going to draw a sketch of how I want it to look!

Oh and at Dollar Tree, they have Disney dry erase boards, I was thinking of getting one to hang on our door...then I thought I shouldn't, because if no one leaves us a message, I'd cry!

 

[tankgirl427]

Yes! Go see the Epcot resorts while you're at Epcot. It's the fastest way to get there and to see them. Might take about 1-1.5 hours. Not long.

That's not too bad. I'm sure we can spare about 2 hours from Epcot time to take it all in.

That is an impressive spreadsheet! I'm having such a hard time planning my days for this trip! I know I'm doing EMH at DHS on Sunday, CP on Monday, and I'm 90% sure we're doing MVMCP on Tuesday, since we added that day. Other than that, no idea! It's so hard planning a short trip! I want to start at AK to see the parade, but I have a feeling we will go to Epcot instead. I think that's going to be a last minute decision. It also all depends on if our room is ready when we get there, we are arriving in FL at 9:30 am, so we're gonna be tired! We'll see!

Did you find everything for your window? I am taking this so seriously! I got a timer for my lights (which I'm testing out now, because I am so bad with timers!), more window clings, and today I'm going to go on a search for pretty garland, because some of it is so tacky! I'm going to draw a sketch of how I want it to look!

Oh and at Dollar Tree, they have Disney dry erase boards, I was thinking of getting one to hang on our door...then I thought I shouldn't, because if no one leaves us a message, I'd cry!

We'll have to see if our schedules match up at all now! For our window, my friend is bringing a mickey head light with suction cup for the middle of the window, lights to go around the window, battery operated lights, an extension cord, and timer. She's been to Disney at Christmas before. I am bringing a 2 foot tree, ornaments and a tree skirt, (this is where the battery operated lights come in) along with Disney window clings and gel clings from the Christmas Tree Shops that say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Let It Snow, and one of lights or ornaments. I can't decide which to pack. I have a dry erase board from my trip last year, which I am bringing and will maybe spruce up with some garland? and have it on our door.

 

[annmarieda]

That is an impressive spreadsheet! I'm having such a hard time planning my days for this trip! I know I'm doing EMH at DHS on Sunday, CP on Monday, and I'm 90% sure we're doing MVMCP on Tuesday, since we added that day. Other than that, no idea! It's so hard planning a short trip! I want to start at AK to see the parade, but I have a feeling we will go to Epcot instead. I think that's going to be a last minute decision. It also all depends on if our room is ready when we get there, we are arriving in FL at 9:30 am, so we're gonna be tired! We'll see!

Did you find everything for your window? I am taking this so seriously! I got a timer for my lights (which I'm testing out now, because I am so bad with timers!), more window clings, and today I'm going to go on a search for pretty garland, because some of it is so tacky! I'm going to draw a sketch of how I want it to look!

Oh and at Dollar Tree, they have Disney dry erase boards, I was thinking of getting one to hang on our door...then I thought I shouldn't, because if no one leaves us a message, I'd cry!

That is a good idea with the dry erase board. I have seen that at DT and have been looking for a reason why I would need it. Course, yes... if no one leaves messages... kinda sad. But...what if they did?

Thanks for the idea.

 

[Nermel9]

We'll have to see if our schedules match up at all now! For our window, my friend is bringing a mickey head light with suction cup for the middle of the window, lights to go around the window, battery operated lights, an extension cord, and timer. She's been to Disney at Christmas before. I am bringing a 2 foot tree, ornaments and a tree skirt, (this is where the battery operated lights come in) along with Disney window clings and gel clings from the Christmas Tree Shops that say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Let It Snow, and one of lights or ornaments. I can't decide which to pack. I have a dry erase board from my trip last year, which I am bringing and will maybe spruce up with some garland? and have it on our door.

If I do end up going to AK on our arrival day, we will be there at the same time as you! But I have a feeling we will go to Epcot. I'm also HOPING to get to MK that night for Magic hours, but we might be too tired from getting in so early. I might just go, stare at the castle for a little while, and go back to our room!

I really need to go to the Christmas tree shop! I keep forgetting to check there for window clings! I got 2 really cute Disney gel clings from Walgreens and the rest that I use are going to be just random Christmas decorations. I'm also looking for a tiny tree for the bottom of the window, and I need some garland to hang down the sides, I just can't decide what color to get! This is SO much fun, I'm seriously obsessing over this window!

That is a good idea with the dry erase board. I have seen that at DT and have been looking for a reason why I would need it. Course, yes... if no one leaves messages... kinda sad. But...what if they did?

Thanks for the idea.

No problem! I think I might get one and bring it, and if no one leaves a message, oh well! They're only a dollar, why not?

 

[tankgirl427]

If I do end up going to AK on our arrival day, we will be there at the same time as you! But I have a feeling we will go to Epcot. I'm also HOPING to get to MK that night for Magic hours, but we might be too tired from getting in so early. I might just go, stare at the castle for a little while, and go back to our room!

I really need to go to the Christmas tree shop! I keep forgetting to check there for window clings! I got 2 really cute Disney gel clings from Walgreens and the rest that I use are going to be just random Christmas decorations. I'm also looking for a tiny tree for the bottom of the window, and I need some garland to hang down the sides, I just can't decide what color to get! This is SO much fun, I'm seriously obsessing over this window!

We're basically doing the same thing arrival day. We work a full day, fly out by 5pm land by 8pm, once we get to Pop and our room, we're going to head over to Epcot because it should be open and even if we just stare at something or get one photo taken at least the trip has officially begun! I got a 2 foot tree at Target for $8, it fits barely in my suitcase to be checked in its box. They also had some 18 inch trees.

Plus being home this weekend has allowed me to find some cool old stuff to share.

 

[tankgirl427]

My cousin did not make it for Thanksgiving, so there was six of us trying to eat a 20 lb. turkey. I don't think I'll be roasting a turkey or chicken for a VERY long time!

The plan is for me to stay at a friend's house by Worcester (once I tell them ) Friday night, and Saturday get up and drive the rest of the way out to Western MA. Her dad and brother should be home, we're going to have lunch and visit her mom at work, and eventually get to the BIG surprise!

Hopefully I'll have photos and videos for you next weekend!

But in the meantime, I'm going to post some bonus photos! See next post...

 

[tankgirl427]

Picture Pages, Picture Pages, Time to get your Picture Pages, Time to get your crayons and your pencils...

I'm sure most of you are like , some might be like

Enjoy these bonus photos from my first trip to the World in 1986!

More flashback photos to come tomorrow and every day as we count down to the December trip!

....Oh! and my favorite comment while looking at these photos with my parents - My mom "I still have that jacket!" Me "Maybe its time to get rid of it then?"