Wishin' & Hopin', Planning & Dreamin': Oct 2013 PTR - 10/20 UPDATE: Link to TR!!

[Chicago Mo]

I think your plans sound good....Sorry, but you lost me at "Via Napoli" didn't really read more than that! Yum! Love love love my VN. It is our arrival night tradition now... get in early, have lunch at the resort, head to MK just for a bit then head over to Epcot via monorail (just because it is so cool to enter Epcot on the monorail) for dinner at VN. Hope to stay and watch Illuminations this time after VN too, I've never seen them

i haven't seen illuminations either... the last time we were leaving the park as they were going on... Epcot is our first park to go to never been to VN

 

[Pixiedust530]

That is so awesome!!! Some day I hope to take the underground tour (not sure what the name of it is?)... But I hate that it cuts into my park time... Sigh.

I hope you and DH are feeling better soon... (((Hugs)))

D~

I am beginning to feel better, but Wayne is still just eh... I hope he gets better soon.

I wasn't thrilled with the idea of cutting into park time either, but at least we get to ride a couple rides during the tour. I know this will be the last opportunity we have for a while to do it since we are traveling without kids. I would hate to not do it and then not have the chance in the future.

I think your plans sound good....Sorry, but you lost me at "Via Napoli" didn't really read more than that! Yum! Love love love my VN. It is our arrival night tradition now... get in early, have lunch at the resort, head to MK just for a bit then head over to Epcot via monorail (just because it is so cool to enter Epcot on the monorail) for dinner at VN. Hope to stay and watch Illuminations this time after VN too, I've never seen them

I am excited about trying Via Napoli. It will be a first for us and I have heard wonderful things. I have seen IllumiNations, but it's been since 2006 and we had a crappy vantage point. It will be a first for Wayne!

i haven't seen illuminations either... the last time we were leaving the park as they were going on... Epcot is our first park to go to never been to VN

It's been 7 years since I last saw IllumiNations. When we were there in 2011 we were late coming out of dinner &couldn't find a good viewing spot. We decided to leave and as we were walking through Future World it started to sprinkle. As soon as we got to the parking lot the skies opened up. In hindsight I am SO glad we decided to leave.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I should totally be working right now...but I just don't have the motivation. I have PLENTY that I could be doing...in fact it's piling up on my desk. Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow, right?

So I was sitting here trying to come up with some "other" stuff for us to do while we are at Disney...as if we don't have enough to do already. I know we will spend some time taking pictures in and out of the parks, but I would like some other ideas. We might do some hunting for Hidden Mickey's. I am always rushing and never seem to have the time to "stop and look".

What are some other things you and your family like to do? It could be while IN the parks or something outside. Not necessarily activities, shows or places to go, just the "extras". Does that even make sense? IDK...maybe a favorite shop you like to visit, or trying on hats in all the countries in EPCOT? Help a girl out here!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Other stuff...
all about photography! trying to find different views? well that's me.
hidden mickeys are always fun. character finds- how many signatures can you get? harmony barber shop? Pirates League? Explore other resorts?

 

[solana131]

What are some other things you and your family like to do? It could be while IN the parks or something outside. Not necessarily activities, shows or places to go, just the "extras".

Well my favorite thing to do is resort hop. I can honestly fill a whole day just jumping on a bus and heading to a new resort. Plan to have lunch at one of the resort QS spots. Rent a surrey bike at Wilderness Lodge (it is a long ride over to Ft. Wilderness and back), explore AoA. I just love checking out all the beautiful lobbies (GF, Boardwalk, Beach/Yatch, AKL, WL). If you don't have a car, it is a lot of bus rides, but they don't bother me, I just sit back in the AC and relax. We are planning on hitting the parks early each day, then taking a lunch/pool break every single day. Some days we will go back to our resort, but some days we will hop to a new one I have never seen. I want to check out CBR and CSR this year.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Well my favorite thing to do is resort hop. I can honestly fill a whole day just jumping on a bus and heading to a new resort. Plan to have lunch at one of the resort QS spots. Rent a surrey bike at Wilderness Lodge (it is a long ride over to Ft. Wilderness and back),

A friend of mine is staying at the wilderness this September really excited to hear what she has to say! lots of pictures!!!

 

[solana131]

A friend of mine is staying at the wilderness this September really excited to hear what she has to say! lots of pictures!!!

Oh it's just gorgeous there! We hopped over last Feb for dinner one night. Bill wants to stay there next time he goes though, so it isn't a contender this trip.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh it's just gorgeous there! We hopped over last Feb for dinner one night. Bill wants to stay there next time he goes though, so it isn't a contender this trip.

that's RIGHT! i totally forgot you wrote about that in your trip report!!! Nicole doesn't do trip reports so you can't follow her along when she is there!!!

 

[sintoc]

Hi, I'm joining in from the October Facebook group. I love reading all of these plans!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Other stuff...
all about photography! trying to find different views? well that's me.
hidden mickeys are always fun. character finds- how many signatures can you get? harmony barber shop? Pirates League? Explore other resorts?

I was thinking about picking up the Hidden Mickey Field Guide book, but I have read some bad reviews...so now I am unsure!

Well my favorite thing to do is resort hop. I can honestly fill a whole day just jumping on a bus and heading to a new resort. Plan to have lunch at one of the resort QS spots. Rent a surrey bike at Wilderness Lodge (it is a long ride over to Ft. Wilderness and back), explore AoA. I just love checking out all the beautiful lobbies (GF, Boardwalk, Beach/Yatch, AKL, WL). If you don't have a car, it is a lot of bus rides, but they don't bother me, I just sit back in the AC and relax. We are planning on hitting the parks early each day, then taking a lunch/pool break every single day. Some days we will go back to our resort, but some days we will hop to a new one I have never seen. I want to check out CBR and CSR this year.

We will be visiting the Poly and Wilderness for meals...I may have to set aside some time to actually explore the resort! I would really love to check out the Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge, but I'm just not sure how to fit it all in. Ahhhhhh....I clearly have already overbooked our activities.

A friend of mine is staying at the wilderness this September really excited to hear what she has to say! lots of pictures!!!

Oh it's just gorgeous there! We hopped over last Feb for dinner one night. Bill wants to stay there next time he goes though, so it isn't a contender this trip.

that's RIGHT! i totally forgot you wrote about that in your trip report!!! Nicole doesn't do trip reports so you can't follow her along when she is there!!!

AS USUAL I SEE YOU LADIES HAVE KEPT YOURSELVES BUSY IN MY ABSENCE!

So sorry for my disappearance. We have been fighting sickness and keeping busy with end of the school year planning and activities. Only 10 more SCHOOL DAYS to go (not including today). My son still has 12 more actual school days. I will be glad when it's over...except the weather still feels like Winter/Spring around here. Bring on the SUMMER!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Don't worry about us we will keep ourselves busy..

same here with the sickness. totally understand and i hope ALL is feeling better!!!

i like the hidden mickey book! plus im such a researcher in the internet you can find TONS of information on the hidden mickey's!!!

do you go on the picture boards here on the dis?!?! i love them!!!! everyday i get to see Disney in a different view and the way other see it! AWESOME!!!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Hi, I'm joining in from the October Facebook group. I love reading all of these plans!

So glad to have you along. Thanks for joining in. I see you only have about 10 posts here...have you thought about starting your own PTR yet? I love reading other's plans too. I love the FB group...but sometimes it's a little too fast paced for me.

 

[DMGeurts]

AS USUAL I SEE YOU LADIES HAVE KEPT YOURSELVES BUSY IN MY ABSENCE!

So glad you didn't quote me - that wasn't my mess.

Glad to see you back... Hmm... I am a bit behind though - something fun that we like to do...

Honestly, our favorite thing is checking in to the resort and heading over to MK on our first night, just to let it know we are back. However, some may consider it a warning...

Dole whips, in front of the castle at night... Love it!

We also enjoy snagging early entry to the parks with early ADRs... There is nothing better than the sun shining brightly on MK as you are eating at Crystal Palace.

Notice how most of my enjoyment comes from food?

Oh yes, and we LOVE all of the parks at night... I love the feel of all the lights when they are on, it's just so... Romantic? I dunno - I love it though.

Last, but not least, we love our Dis-meets! It's so much fun to meet the people I converse with every day.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

D~

 

[IowaTater]

Popping in from the October group.

DH and I plan on resort hopping to 1) see all the themeing & scenery and 2) hit up the pressed penny machines all over the property. They are a cheap and easy souvenir for us plus it's kind of like a treasure hunt.

There is also this book that we were thinking about getting. I know it says "in line" but from what I've read, it covers just about every area LOL

http://www.amazon.com/Lots-Do-In-Li...TF8&colid=3NWPVF27G6GO3&coliid=I3UQC96YTMN3ST

 

[Pixiedust530]

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

D~

Thank you so much D~...and a very belated Happy Mother's Day to you as well!

Popping in from the October group.

DH and I plan on resort hopping to 1) see all the themeing & scenery and 2) hit up the pressed penny machines all over the property. They are a cheap and easy souvenir for us plus it's kind of like a treasure hunt.

There is also this book that we were thinking about getting. I know it says "in line" but from what I've read, it covers just about every area LOL

http://www.amazon.com/Lots-Do-In-Li...TF8&colid=3NWPVF27G6GO3&coliid=I3UQC96YTMN3ST

Hey there! Welcome to my "almost deserted" PTR. I got a little busy with life and haven't been here for a while. I'm back now.

On our trip in Oct 2011 we hit up a lot of the pressed penny machines. It was an inexpensive way to keep my DS occupied. I hadn't planned to do any more pressed pennies this trip since I hope to take my son back in 2015, but maybe I shoud reconsider. After all...there are PLENTY of those machines...everywhere! Resort hopping does sound like fun...I wonder if I can squeeze it in?

That book looks neat. I may have to check that out.

 

[Pixiedust530]

It's time for a much needed update. Now that the school year has ended I should have more time to "waste" in the DIS!

I recently purchased new shoes for Wayne and I for the trip. I ended up going with a pair of Asics. I haven't had Asics in many years, but the ones I have had in the past were GREAT for my arches and weak ankles. I ended up trying them on at Kohls but I bought them from Amazon in a color scheme I liked better than the purple ones in the store.



I also purchased a new shirt for me for the trip. I have several from the last trip that I plan to wear again, but I just couldn't pass this one up.




I am trying really hard to limit my pre-trip purchases, but I wouldn't mind another shirt or 2. Not to mention, all the shirts I bought for wayne for our last trip he has stretched the collar out on them. I'm not sure how he manages to stretch the collars on all his T-shirts. UGH...drives me crazy!

 

[Pixiedust530]

I thought it would be fun to spend a little time talking about some of our MUST DO's in each park. I will start with Magic Kingdom since it is the first park we will visit...and it's my FAVORITE!!!



Since this is an adult trip our must do's are a little different than they were when we visited in 2011. First...we won't have a kiddo...or a Mimi...or great-grandparents. Second...it is the 2nd trip for Wayne (rather than his 1st of course) so he actually had some input on what he did and didn't want to ride/see/do! I know... I know... it's hard to believe. I didn't say it was EASY to get his input BUT...I have it!

So...here's the list of non-negotiable must do's and the "If we have time" list.
MUST DO
Big Thunder Mountain
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain (if it's warm enough...Wayne is weird about water rides)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Haunted Mansion
WDW Railroad
People Mover (I love to just ride and chill on this)
Little Mermaid **
Jungle Cruise *
Carousel of Progress *
Explore the Castle and surrounding area(s) (Rose Garden, etc.)
Tinker Bell's Magical Nook - Meet Tinker Bell **
WISHES
ETA: Mickey's Philharmagic * (Thanks Mo)

"If we have time..."
Peter Pan
It's A Small World
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor **
Liberty Square Riverboat **
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse *
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel *
Hall of Presidents **
Pete's Silly Sideshow - Meet Great Goofini and Astounding Donaldo **

* - Wayne has never ridden
** - Neither Wayne nor I have ridden (or I was too little to remember)

These are some of mine and Wayne's favorites (because a post without pics isn't very fun)!










I just realized that our MK must do list is a little long...YIKES! I hope we can fit it all in. I think we will be okay, because we have several visits to MK planned. We may adjust the priority of some of our rides/experiences as we tour.

So... What do you think? Too much? Not enough? Just right? Did I leave off your favorite? Anything you think I didn't list that "shouldn't be missed"? I know...I am full of questions. It's just that we both have so many things that we just LOVE about MK and there are some things I have never done, but I'm just not sure I am willing to sacrifice them to try new stuff. KWIM? OH...I did forget to mention that we want to spend some time just wandering around and exploring New Fantasyland.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Great must do's!!! The Monster's laugh floor is surprisingly very good!! Turned into a must do for us!
i didn't see the Philharmonic?!?!

 

[DMGeurts]

Love the must dos... They are very similar to ours...

However - like Mo - Monster's Inc laugh floor is a must do for us - several times... Try to get a seat with a light in front of it.

D~