Will We Still Love Each Other When It's Over? An April/May PTR *10/28 Booked! *

[JessicaKnits]

Well...Since the Packers are currently losing, I figured why not start up another PTR...

So, Welcome Everyone to my PTR! Some of you may remember me from my previous PTR, or my now infamously unfinished TR.

This PTR is a little bittersweet to me, emphasis on the sweet side though. I have been to Disneyworld twice before with my fiancé. We went once in August 2010 and again in March 2012. A few weeks after we returned home from our last trip, we decided to part ways after five years together. Don't worry, no one was angry or bitter, but it was the right choice for us to make.

It took me a few months to get settled in to my new life, but now that I am, its time to shift focus to Disney! After the breakup, I threw myself into work, and that is the main reason why this trip is even possible.

Last year I spent August-December working in New York City, and all the travel back and forth to Wisconsin meant a LOT of frequent flyer miles. To make matters even better, our company has a cash out program for the travel points we earn on our corporate cards. How awesome are they? Living in Manhattan for four months and charging rent to the corporate card provided an awfully nice cash out bonus. So after I covered my moving expenses, I was very pleased to find out that I had more than enough to cover a trip to Disney for myself and another person.

So who did I choose? Well, that would be my BFF Megan. She was such a huge support to me this past year, there was no doubt in my mind on who I should pick to go with me on this trip. Megan has NEVER been to Disney! Can you believe it?! Her and I are both lifelong Packer fans (We interrupt this previously scheduled PTR to tell you that the Packers have, in fact, lost. To the Colts. We now continue with our regular scheduled programming.) and we love going out for drinks and dinner. Megan has worked at many restaurants and bars to put herself through school and I have always enjoyed coming to visit her at those places. She will LOVE all the restaurants. While we have known each other forever, we have never taken a full on vacation together before. Just weekend trips here and there. So, it will be a true test of friendship!

Allow me to introduce us!

This is after the Packers won the Super Bowl. We are waiting outside in 10 degree-ish weather to welcome them home.

See, we don't LOOK crazy, do we?

So, a little about us.

Me - Jessica. Just celebrated the infamous 2-5th birthday. It is the last "cool" birthday. Read: Every year now is one more closer to thirty. I am, so far, embracing my new number, and am excited that 25 is shaping up to be my best year yet. I am a compulsive planner by nature. Very Type A personality. Loves sports, margaritas, cooking, Disney theme nights and really just life in general. I hate peas and tomatoes. Otherwise, pretty adventurous in the food department.

Megan - Slightly older than I, and as I mentioned, has NEVER been to Disney before. She is also very Type A and a thrill seeker by nature. I predict being forced onto the "Orange" version of Mission Space. I also predict needing to use those air sick bags they so kindly provide. She, like me, is a big foodie and loves all things wine and tequila. Megan is just finishing her degree this winter in veterinary science, and LOVES animals. We will be spending a lot of time at Animal Kingdom.

Our trip is scheduled for late April. We are trying for either April 21st-29th or April 28th-May 6th. April 21st will have lower crowds according to touringplans, but April 28th has better park hours, such a tough choice. What has everyone's experience been?

I hope everyone decides to tune in for all of the exciting events to come!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Chapter 1: Preliminary Plas (Read: We have NO plans!)

 

[rachel09985]

Oh my gosh!! I was wandering what happened to you! I am glad you aren't Disney'ed out and are coming back for more!!

I know, poor packers! Thankfully my boyfriend was not able to watch the game this week as he is in Florida without me! I get too stressed out watching packers games with him!

Edit- Wait was that picture from the celebration in Lambeau Field when they all came in with the trophy?? I went to that!!!! It was ridiculously cold. I ended up in the bathroom for most of it with about 40 other women! It was soo warm in there!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm subbing!

Grrrr......I couldn't believe they lost to the Colts. I get the feeling for some reasons that the refs have something against the Packers, because they keep making horrible calls! But, I digress.

I can't wait to hear about your plans.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Oh my gosh!! I was wandering what happened to you! I am glad you aren't Disney'ed out and are coming back for more!!

I know, poor packers! Thankfully my boyfriend was not able to watch the game this week as he is in Florida without me! I get too stressed out watching packers games with him!

Edit- Wait was that picture from the celebration in Lambeau Field when they all came in with the trophy?? I went to that!!!! It was ridiculously cold. I ended up in the bathroom for most of it with about 40 other women! It was soo warm in there!

Rach! So glad to see you! The picture is actually from the day BEFORE they had the celebration with the trophy. This was just them coming home from the airport. Yea. We. Are. Freaks. I was in 4th grade the last they won the Super Bowl, and we actually got out of school when they got home. For the next day celebration we sat in a box, but it was still freezing. My friend was outside and it was so cold her iphone AND her camera froze and would not work.

I'm subbing!

Grrrr......I couldn't believe they lost to the Colts. I get the feeling for some reasons that the refs have something against the Packers, because they keep making horrible calls! But, I digress.

I can't wait to hear about your plans.

I digress as well. Here's to hoping for 8-8 this year?!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Oh...

Did I mention...

We don't have any...

YET!

We know this much so far.

I am paying for the trip for myself and Megan, and we are going for 7 nights, 8 days (most likely...maybe longer). I am using my frequent flyer miles to purchase my ticket, and asked Megan cover her own airfare.

We are most likely going to stay at a Moderate Resort. I am possibly considering a Value (Pop) and using the extra money to rent a car. The buses were a source of endless frustration for me on my last trip. I mean, its not like I would never take another bus again. But...it was bad enough that I think the $300 for the week isn't all that bad. If a super good deal comes out, I would maybe, possibly, perhaps consider a deluxe. Honestly, I consider myself a pretty fancy pantsy, yet practical, girl. I have thus far, been unable to pull the trigger on such an extravagant room, mainly because you are never actually in it. But, its a bucket list item. So if the deal fits, it might happen.

We know that we will be eating. This will include a Deluxe Dining plan. I love my sit down meals! (Side Note: I have TONS of food porn from my last trip. Expect it to make an appearance here. Other Side Note: I have tons of amazing pictures from my last trip. Expect that they will also make an appearance.)

We know that we want to indulge. This includes, but is not limited to, tea parties, dessert parties, and perhaps a tour or two. TBD.

So far, this is the lease planned out trip I have had, but we all know that will change.

Really interested in hearing about all the tours offered at the Animal Kingdom. What have you done/seen/heard?

 

[rachel09985]

Rach! So glad to see you! The picture is actually from the day BEFORE they had the celebration with the trophy. This was just them coming home from the airport. Yea. We. Are. Freaks. I was in 4th grade the last they won the Super Bowl, and we actually got out of school when they got home. For the next day celebration we sat in a box, but it was still freezing. My friend was outside and it was so cold her iphone AND her camera froze and would not work.

I really do hope to see some of those food porn pics!!! Did you get to Disneyland this past year too?

I am sad to see you aren't with your fiance anymore, but it sounds like a good thing from what I hear. It is so much better to realize this now instead of realizing it after you go through with your wedding!! I have friends that broke it off about 1 month before their wedding. They are still together but are not getting married, yet anyways.

 

[IheartDDuck]

There's nothing wrong with not having any plans! It's the planning part that's the most fun. And we like to listen to that.

Wow, Deluxe Dining! I haven't been able to pull the trigger and do it. I just can't justify it for myself. Every time I think about it I'm like....nope, can't do it.

Definitely do the Wishes Dessert party. I love it!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Joining in!!! Yay for deluxe dining and LOTS of food!!! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[JessicaKnits]

I really do hope to see some of those food porn pics!!! Did you get to Disneyland this past year too?

I am sad to see you aren't with your fiance anymore, but it sounds like a good thing from what I hear. It is so much better to realize this now instead of realizing it after you go through with your wedding!! I have friends that broke it off about 1 month before their wedding. They are still together but are not getting married, yet anyways.

We did not make it to Disneyland as that was post break-up. Now that Carsland is open, I hope to make it there at some point. I have been peeking through your PTR all morning, SO glad you decided to write one!

There's nothing wrong with not having any plans! It's the planning part that's the most fun. And we like to listen to that.

Wow, Deluxe Dining! I haven't been able to pull the trigger and do it. I just can't justify it for myself. Every time I think about it I'm like....nope, can't do it.

Definitely do the Wishes Dessert party. I love it!

Oh I looooove the Deluxe dining, but it is such an expense. Not even for the cost of the plan, but just for tipping at 2-3 TS meals a day. But...I LOVE the food. I just can't get enough. I haven't eaten at any of the CS restaurants (Except Earl of course) but I think for this trip we might do counter service lunch every day, and do a TS breakfast and signature dinner. Any good places to recommend?

Joining in!!! Yay for deluxe dining and LOTS of food!!! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't WAIT to hear all about the wedding planning and the wedding tasting! Sounds fabulous!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Oh I looooove the Deluxe dining, but it is such an expense. Not even for the cost of the plan, but just for tipping at 2-3 TS meals a day. But...I LOVE the food. I just can't get enough. I haven't eaten at any of the CS restaurants (Except Earl of course) but I think for this trip we might do counter service lunch every day, and do a TS breakfast and signature dinner. Any good places to recommend?

Some of my favorites are:

Wolfgang Puck Express (DTD)
Tangierine Cafe (Morocco)
Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom)
La Cantina (Mexico)
Flame Tree Barbecue (Animal Kingdom)

I just like variety and eating at the CS locations that have broader variety more than anything else. Wolfgang Puck Express (on the Marketplace side), is such a great value. It's like the biggest bang for your buck CS credit on any dining plan. And breakfast, lunch, and dinner are fabulous.

 

[JessicaKnits]

Happy Six Months Till D-Day to us!

That's right, we are officially booked, and as of right now, we are officially six months away from our trip!

Megan and I have both been swamped at work and up until this weekend, we hadn't gotten a whole lot accomplished on the trip planning front.

Yesterday was our day, until I got called into work for a "quick" emergency that lasted 8 hours.

Have no fear, a few margaritas into last evening, and we had just about everything worked out.

We decided on April 28th (a Sunday) thru May 6th (a Monday.)

Would have gone Saturday thru Sunday but the flight times just weren't working.

Speaking of flights not working...yea, don't ever try and redeem miles for a flight during a major hurricane. Or really any type of weather disaster. I spent all of yesterday (while I was supposed to be working) and most of this morning trying to get that straightened out. I am happy to report Megan and I both got primo flights.

We leave Chicago (O'Hare) at 6:30 AM on a non-stop flight which will put us into Orlando right at 10:30 in the morning. We decided to table the discussion on whether or not to spend the night in Chicago the night before our flight, or just drive down in the morning. For those of you that read my previously unfinished TR, you will recall that the drive down to Chicago in March looked something like this...

Now, granted we are leaving end of April, but it's probably a worthwhile investment.

We spent a bit of time having the "To rent a car or not to rent a car" discussion. Part of me wants to simply because, well, I CAN now. But, I truly think that not taking the Magical Express wouldn't be nearly as cool of a way to kick of Megan's first trip. That would only leave the option of picking up a rental at the Swan/Dolphin, and frankly, its too much hassle.

So after we land, it's time to hop aboard the...

It will be just a few short stops and we will be arriving at the...

So, I would like to tell you that the decision on where to stay was long, and difficult, and contrived. But...it went like this.

Jessica: "Here's the link to check out the resorts. We want to stay at something in the moderate category for now."
Megan: "What's this about Royal Rooms?"
Jessica: "Yea, they're new..."
Megan: "Decision made. Princess rooms."

And, so it was.

We booked into the Royal Guest Room...Standard View.

Can't wait to share our ADR hit list with you guys, Tuesday morning is the big day for those!

 

[rachel09985]

Awesome hotel plans!!! Those rooms are so pretty!