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

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Oh, I'll be around! I can't go more than a day without checking the DIS!

 

[Pixiedust530]

As usual...life gets in the way. Last night was just as hectic as every other night this week. The weekends are the only time I get some peace and quiet!

I guess you are all hear waiting for the fun and exciting post that I promised. Okay...well here goes....

A little backstory: I have been very excited about this trip for many many months...well...over a year really! Anyway, naturally as it gets closer I am even more excited. The only thing is...I am a mega Type A planner...so basically....my plans have been complete for a long time. On one hand, this is a wonderful thing as I don't really have to worry about much. The bad part...I find myself wishing I had something to plan or work on in the weeks leading up to departure.

My usual afternoons consist of leaving work, picking Caden up from school and arriving home by about 4:15. I usually have about 20 minutes to chill, check facebook and the DIS and then its time to start preparing dinner and getting ready for whatever activities the evening holds (in this case...Thursday night is Cub Scouts).

So...I sit down on the couch with my laptop...login to the Disney site (My Disney Experience)...and much to my surprise and excitement I magically have the option to add FastPass + reservations! This is what I see:


(I actually took this screen shot after I had made a few of my FP+ selections, so you might notice that in the picture).

I thought for sure that this must be a fluke since BLT is not one of the test resorts for October! I went ahead and made FastPass+ reservations for EVERY day of our trip and saved all my changes. It is a little bit of a time consuming process, but I was able to get FP+ times that fit with our schedule. The only thing I didn't have an option for was MSEP or Wishes, which I totally would have selected just to try it out and see if it was worth it.

Since I have already shared my Day 1 and 2 plans, I will share my FP+ selections for those days here. Then I will go back and add them to the posts with plans for those days.

Day 1 - Arrival Day - Will only be in MK for a few hours in the afternoon.

**NOTE - I only selected SM and BTMRR for FP+ and the system automatically gave me the Little Mermaid FP+ since I did not choose a 3rd on my own. I went ahead and adjusted the time to *possibly* work out for us, although I really don't expect us to enter MK until closer to 3:00pm.

Day 2 - EPCOT - Future World in AM and then Food & Wine Festival from 11:00am -2:00ish

**NOTE - The FP+ time I selected should allow us to ride Soarin' and Test Track standby when we arrive and hopefully squeeze in a 2nd ride on each with our FP+. The Mission Space FP+ is a maybe for the afternoon if we feel like riding on our way out of the park.

After I finished with all my FP+ reservations I thought I would try my hand at the Magic Band portion of My Disney Experience. I wasn't expecting them to be available for us. I had read several (MANY) reports on the DIS of people being able to make FP+ selections but not MBs. I was proven wrong and when I went to the page I was given the option to customize:

*The image doesn't show in my screen shot...it kept disappearing.


I opted for a pink Magic band with Tink530 on the back instead of my name.
Wayne opted for a red Magic Band with iAWESOME on the back instead of his name. (YES...I am aware that he is a strange one)

I was so excited about all of this, but still a little worried that I would log on the MDE the next day and it would be gone. Instead...yesterday I received this e-mail from Disney Destinations:




So folks...there you have it. It's OFFICIAL...we are testing Magic Bands and FP+ on our trip!

This morning...I receivied THIS e-mail:

And when I check the tracking number it is scheduled for delivery on Monday before 10:30am. Looks like they shipped it UPS Next Day Air! I will be sure to post pictures on Monday when the Magic bands are in hand!

Sorry for some of the ramble, but I am just SOOOOOO EXCITED about this. I really can't wait!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Yeah I found that out on Thursday day as well. Super excited! Now to try to make FP times that work for us. At least my husband will be happy I won't make him run to Toy Story Mania this trip.

 

[-Hope-]

OMG!! That's so exciting! I can really see both benefits and drawbacks of this system and I'm anxious to see what another type A planner thinks of it.

And speaking of type A planning... I know what you mean about having everything finished and nothing left to plan.

 

[Skycat]

Wishing and hoping for lots of Pixiedust where the monorail is concerned!

I let wayne talk about his STUFF too...I even ask questions to show interest. I think deep down...Wayne is a closet Disney lover like myself...he is just scraed to show it! After all...he totally tried to get a spot on my girls trip next February!


Can you sense my excitement? 24 days!!! It will be here in no time!

I can relate - I listen and participate in my guy's things so that we can spend time together. Oh well - here's to hoping he enjoys it more than he thinks he will. We will be there at the same time I think. I am at 25 days till we leave.

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

 

[Chicago Mo]

OMG OMG OMG OMG


How exciting for you!!!!

Na na na na i didn't know there was a big reveal... so i had a NICE surprise this morning!I'm so happy for you!!!!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

That is soooo awesome! We just missed Magic bands/FPP by a matter of days... In a way I am so glad we were able to tour the "old way" one last time - but on the other hand, I really wanted to see what all the hype was about. I cannot wait to hear your review on all of it once you get home!

D~

 

[Pixiedust530]

Yeah I found that out on Thursday day as well. Super excited! Now to try to make FP times that work for us. At least my husband will be happy I won't make him run to Toy Story Mania this trip.

LOL...we are still planning to make the run to TSM. We will probably ride standby right away, maybe pull a regular FP if we can double dip, and then schedule our FP+ for later in the day to ride a 2nd (or 3rd) time!

I'm hoping they release MSEP, Wishes & IllumiNations for FP+. If they do that, then I am going to have to change everything around!

OMG!! That's so exciting! I can really see both benefits and drawbacks of this system and I'm anxious to see what another type A planner thinks of it.

And speaking of type A planning... I know what you mean about having everything finished and nothing left to plan.

I will give a full report when I return! I am sure that I will like the system. I know many are worried about the rigidity of planning your whole day. I tend to think of it the opposite way. I think it creates flexibility. the old FP you are at the mercy of whatever time slot is available when you pull it. With FP+ you know when you will be eating, leaving the park, etc so you can schedule your choices accordingly!

I am such a Type A planner it's almost scary. I have had this trip "planned" for months. Nothing left to do but sit and watch the countdown calendar!

I can relate - I listen and participate in my guy's things so that we can spend time together. Oh well - here's to hoping he enjoys it more than he thinks he will. We will be there at the same time I think. I am at 25 days till we leave.

We are there Oct. 6-11. What are your dates?

He really does love Disney and I know (and so does he) that we will both have a great time. He just isn't a Type A planner like me!

OMG OMG OMG OMG


How exciting for you!!!!

Na na na na i didn't know there was a big reveal... so i had a NICE surprise this morning!I'm so happy for you!!!!!!

Of course you didn't know....maybe I should have posted it on YOUR report!

I'm glad that you had a surprise this morning. I am super excited. I actually stayed home from work today because I wasn't feeling well, and realized when i woke up that the Magic Bands are on the UPS truck for delivery before 10:30am.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Of course you didn't know....maybe I should have posted it on YOUR report!

I'm glad that you had a surprise this morning. I am super excited. I actually stayed home from work today because I wasn't feeling well, and realized when i woke up that the Magic Bands are on the UPS truck for delivery before 10:30am.

Nope haven't even read that yet! always read others first!!!

you stayed home just for those bands... don't lie!!! HA HA HA HA

 

[Pixiedust530]

That is soooo awesome! We just missed Magic bands/FPP by a matter of days... In a way I am so glad we were able to tour the "old way" one last time - but on the other hand, I really wanted to see what all the hype was about. I cannot wait to hear your review on all of it once you get home!

D~

You must have posted while I was doing replies! Sneaky Sneaky!

I have been really excited about it since it was first announced. The cool thing about testing is that we should be able to utilize the old FP system also, so if we find the FP+ too limiting or we are running all over just to make our FP+ windows then we will just throw it out the window and go with what we know. Honestly though...part of my excitement is the bands. I think they are fantastic and absolutely adorable! I can't wait to wear mine!

Since I am going back in February with 3 newbies and the system will almost definitely be completely rolled out I wanted to have a taste of what it will be like. I'm so excited we get to test!

Nope haven't even read that yet! always read others first!!!

you stayed home just for those bands... don't lie!!! HA HA HA HA

That's exactly what Wayne said when I texted him a picture of the bands. How dare the people I love and care about accuse me of such a thing! Actually, let's just say...it sure didn't help my motivation to GO to work knowing that those were coming today!

 

[solana131]

Oh my gosh, I am soooo excited for you! Magic Bands! So cool...we were so jealous of all the people walking around with them on in August. Can't wait to hear about your experience with them.

You got it! I have totally decided on the monorail as our means of transport to EPCOT...mostly thianks to YOU!

Oh geeez....well I hope it works for you. I have never had a problem with them, but I know lots of people who have been caught on a stalled monorail.

NOT take a camera?!? Who would do such a thing?!? Surely you don't mean ME! Oh...what's that you said? That friend Suzi of ours didn't take her camera! Has she lost her mind? Thankfully she thought ahead enough to take along someone with a camera (who took beautiful shots I might add).

Okay, okay....I took my cell phone which has a CAMERA on it. Sara took her cell phone. She didn't have a camera either. She just happened to have a better cell phone camera than me. So there.

 

[Pixiedust530]

Lots of fun things to share today! First...and most importantly...our Magic Bands arrived today. They were delivered at exactly 9:42am. I have never jumped up from the couch so quickly as I did when I heard the UPS truck!

Without delay...here they are:


Mine:


Wayne's:


I tried mine on and I find them to be comfortable. They seem a little rigid at first, because the top portion with the Mickey head isn't flexible, but it really isn't any different than wearing a watch. They can be worn as sung or as lose as you like and fit very securely!

Wayne tried his on when he got home from work, and he said it was "pretty cool" (HIS WORDS)!


Last week, I received another special delivery. I decided that since we are taking this trip, I am traveling to WDW again in February and I hope to be planning many more trips to Disney in the future that I needed new luggage. To be fair...I actually have never owned luggage. Wayne has a large rolling suitcase and a small rolling suitcase. If we travel and need additional luggage I always borrow my grandma's. No need for that anymore! I have my very own 3 piece rolling luggage set!



Isn't it cute?!? A big suitcase, a small suitcase AND a rolling duffel bag...all for about $110 shipped!


Finally... I picked up a couple new T-Shirts for Wayne and I to wear in WDW. I still have all of our shirts from 2011, but I don't want to have all of our pictures with us in the same outfits!

I got a new Tinkerbell shirt for me:

**Notice the wording - "not that innocent" - That might happen to be a pretty accurate description of me!
(Not sure why Photobucket isn't cooperating with my photo rotation) UGH

For Wayne I picked up a classic Mickey shirt:



OH...I almost forgot! I was spending some time on the DIS Oct 2013 FB group and stumbled upon a discussion of Disney Apps to have for your trip. Someone recommended Disney memories HD. It's a FREE app and allows you to add borders and other fun stuff to your photos. I was playing around with it and had a little fun. This is my Beagle/Basset Hound named HEMI. I thought he needed a little Disney Magic:


I hope to be back in the next day or 2 with our Day 3 plans!

 

[solana131]

Yay for MBs!

I would love that app....is it just for Apple??? Seems like all the good Disney apps are only available for iphones

 

[Pixiedust530]

Oh my gosh, I am soooo excited for you! Magic Bands! So cool...we were so jealous of all the people walking around with them on in August. Can't wait to hear about your experience with them.

Thanks! I'm excited too....Can you tell!

Oh geeez....well I hope it works for you. I have never had a problem with them, but I know lots of people who have been caught on a stalled monorail.

I have always had pretty good luck with the monorails but to be fair...I havent used them a ton.

Okay, okay....I took my cell phone which has a CAMERA on it. Sara took her cell phone. She didn't have a camera either. She just happened to have a better cell phone camera than me. So there.

WOW....Sara's cell phone does take really good pictures!

Yay for MBs!

I would love that app....is it just for Apple??? Seems like all the good Disney apps are only available for iphones

NOPE...not for Apple. I don't have an iPhone! I got it from the Google Play Store for my Samsung Galaxy S3 (Android)! It's lots of FUN!

 

[solana131]

Got it! Oh boy oh boy....this is gonna be my new addiction Thanks!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Got it! Oh boy oh boy....this is gonna be my new addiction Thanks!

Yep...it's like Photopass...for FREE! LOL!! It is definitely addicting...and I know it will be even more so once I get back and have actual Disney pics to play with!

BTW...You're welcome!

 

[-Hope-]

Hurray for magic bands! Very cool!

And the shirts are adorable- love the Tink! And I REALLY love the luggage. Adorable! My dd loves giraffes and would love this! Where did you get it?

 

[Skycat]

We are there Oct. 6-11. What are your dates?

Oct. 9-14

Isn't it cute?!? A big suitcase, a small suitcase AND a rolling duffel bag...all for about $110 shipped!


OH...I almost forgot! I was spending some time on the DIS Oct 2013 FB group and stumbled upon a discussion of Disney Apps to have for your trip. Someone recommended Disney memories HD.

Love the bags - super cute. I got luggage for the trip too - mine are just boring gray, but new since my two mismatched have been around since college (which wasn't exactly yesterday) and were pretty cheap quality to begin with.

Thanks for the tip in the app - going to check it out

 

[DMGeurts]

Love the MBs... iAwesome made me chuckle. I am glad they are comfortable - I thought they may be a little like wearing a watch.

Sooo LOVE your new luggage! A great investment!!! I hope you get lots and lots of use out of it.

That app looks super cool! Thanks for sharing.

D~