Yo ho, yo ho, a bounceback life for me LEAVING TOMORROW 9/12!!!!!!!!!!!

[OhioDisneyLover]

You and I are about the same vintage (I'm 43) so I feel your pain. One thing that I did that helped a lot was to start going for long walks well before our trip in order to build up my WDW walking tolerance. In what free time, I know, but maybe that can work for you? Once those pounds start to come off it helps to inspire you to keep going (I remember dimly...I need to start walking again).


BlueZoo looks SO awesome but I don't think that it would work with a 5YO in tow . Maybe I can persuade my crew to stop by for happy hour? But Flying Fish sounds divine. Maybe a bit loud but you can get a table that has a view right into the kitchen.


I had to laugh about this. My husband & I have been married for 15 years and he complains about how the waist size on his jeans have increased by an inch. ONE INCH! I've increased by an entire person .

Like I said, I feel your pain .

I absolutely NEED to start walking again. We have a treadmill that has been in the up position WAY TOO LONG!

I'm going to go back over the menus again. It may be that we do Flying Fish. Too many choices!

My DH doesn't even notice the weight gain, or so he says. I think he's just full of it! He is actually smaller than when we first met!

I'm on cold meds, so maybe I missed it on your list, but what about Le Cellier for your anni dinner? We haven't tried it yet, but I've only heard wonderful things about it! And hey, if we go on Saturday night and it's bad, I can tell you on Sunday morning to cancel and pick somewhere else! But, I doubt that'll happen and I'll just tell you how wonderful it was, instead!

9:30am-10:00am works great! That'd give us time to take care of checking out if need be and head over there. Has anyone made ressies for a large party even if you've only got 4 on your hotel ressie? I don't think they should give me a hassle about it, hopefully not!

Oh oh oh!! Can you give me an idea about park hours from your past experience? I have, literally, 6 spreadsheets laid out for possible ADRs depending on park hours. I would love to hear your past experience to guide me a bit!!!

We've been to LeCellier three or four time so far. DH says "eh, it's okay" so I don't know what to do. I'm looking at Flying Fish again.

I have made ADR's for large parties even with only 2 of us in our room. They never said that I couldn't or questioned it at all!

I can go through my stuff and get the hours that I have over the last couple of years this weekend for you.

Ok, off to an HR Conference.....Happy Friday everyone!

 

[rottiemom]

My DH doesn't even notice the weight gain, or so he says.

Your DH is a very, very smart man

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Sophia,

I had the pot roast when we went to 50's - and it was great! The cocktail with glowing ice cube also was very nice!

Di x

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

What about Jiko? That's where I would go! PS I'm totally using your packing list to help me start packing so I don't forget anything - so thanks!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Your DH is a very, very smart man

I keep telling him that he needs new glasses.

Hi Sophia,

I had the pot roast when we went to 50's - and it was great! The cocktail with glowing ice cube also was very nice!

Di x

Hmm, I think I will get the pot roast! Seems to be a winner. What cocktail with a glowing ice cube do they have there? I've not noticed it before.

What about Jiko? That's where I would go! PS I'm totally using your packing list to help me start packing so I don't forget anything - so thanks!

Thanks for the suggestion. I am going to check out their menu. For some reason, I didn't think of Jiko....and we have stayed at the AKL a few times and just never tried it. No reason why.............

Glad you can use my list. DH just laughs. Says it is ridiculous. I keep asking him how ridiculous it is when he asks for scissors, bite stick and stuff that he called "stupid" when I insisted on packing it.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Sophia,

Hmmm, trying to cast my mind back....I know I had a cocktail, definately had a glowing ice cube in it....Not that I overindulged or anything ...

Could have been a Mowie Wowie or maybe Dad's Electric lemonade - just checked the menu.

Whatever....it was a cocktail with a glowing ice cube in it. That's all I need to know!

Di x

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

If your DH laughs at that list then he would probably just die if he saw my color coordinated, multiple sheet, packing spreadsheet. LOL!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi Sophia,

Hmmm, trying to cast my mind back....I know I had a cocktail, definately had a glowing ice cube in it....Not that I overindulged or anything ...

Could have been a Mowie Wowie or maybe Dad's Electric lemonade - just checked the menu.

Whatever....it was a cocktail with a glowing ice cube in it. That's all I need to know!

Di x

I'm going to have to check out the menus and see what I can find.

If your DH laughs at that list then he would probably just die if he saw my color coordinated, multiple sheet, packing spreadsheet. LOL!

My packing spreadsheet is pretty simple however I am interested in the color coordinated, multiple sheet packing spreadsheet that you use. What gets him going is my binder. He thinks I'm crazy.

 

[Beka]

I wanna see this spreadsheet too! Sounds innerestin'! I love me some spreadsheets! (And exclamation points!!)

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Aw; I've heard such wonderful things about Le Cellier; I hope it's good! That's where we're doing our anni dinner! (We're celebrating a bit late..haha.)

I'm anxiously awaiting your park hour expertise! I've got my Excel doc ready to go!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So, I zipped out my binders for the last two years to check out park hours and this is what I found. Could just be coincidence but who knows. We go the same week every year and over the last two, I found these. I could dig back more but it would be such a pain. I have the EMH's too but I'd have to back and find them. These are park hours without EMH's.

Saturday arrival:

MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Sunday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Monday
MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Tuesday
MK 9-7
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8
This was a MNSSHP two years in a row

Wednesday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Thursday
MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8


Friday
MK 9-7
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8
This was a MNSSHP night two years in a row

Saturday
MK 9-10
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Sunday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

For some reason I also noted that Wishes was at 8 and Spectro at 9 on Thursday and Saturday. Not sure about the other days of the week.

So again, these are just the hours that I had in my notes for the last two years. The only consistency that I noted was that MNSSHP is also on Tuesday and Friday of the week that we are going. Who knows that the actual park hours will be. I think that the EMH's are listed somewhere on the DIS and I recall seeing them in one of my planning books stating that they pretty much stay the same but who knows.

For me, a guess was better than nothing so I figured I would plan based on this and then I can switch stuff around if I have to.

Not sure if this will help anyone or not.

 

[bettyann29]

So, I zipped out my binders for the last two years to check out park hours and this is what I found. Could just be coincidence but who knows. We go the same week every year and over the last two, I found these. I could dig back more but it would be such a pain. I have the EMH's too but I'd have to back and find them. These are park hours without EMH's.

Saturday arrival:

MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Sunday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Monday
MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Tuesday
MK 9-7
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8
This was a MNSSHP two years in a row

Wednesday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Thursday
MK 9-9
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8


Friday
MK 9-7
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8
This was a MNSSHP night two years in a row

Saturday
MK 9-10
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

Sunday
MK 9-8
Epcot - FW - 9-7
Epcot - WS - 11-9
DAK - 9-5
DHS - 9-8

For some reason I also noted that Wishes was at 8 and Spectro at 9 on Thursday and Saturday. Not sure about the other days of the week.

So again, these are just the hours that I had in my notes for the last two years. The only consistency that I noted was that MNSSHP is also on Tuesday and Friday of the week that we are going. Who knows that the actual park hours will be. I think that the EMH's are listed somewhere on the DIS and I recall seeing them in one of my planning books stating that they pretty much stay the same but who knows.

For me, a guess was better than nothing so I figured I would plan based on this and then I can switch stuff around if I have to.

Not sure if this will help anyone or not.

Im impressed that you were so organized to still have this info..

The hours do seem to go the same pattern Ive noticed too just from years past.. the one thing I noticed last year I think it was with the EMH was that on the Friday before Labor Day Epcot had the evening EMH but I think this past year when we went they didnt.. it was a different park.. so I guess every now and then they like to change things up.. at least thats what I remember

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I have a folder or a binder with info from each trip I have taken. I think I also have park maps and time tables for all of them from the year 2000 and on.

The EMH's do change but I really thought that I read in the unofficial guide or something that they are sort of standardized now. I don't know...maybe wishful thinking on my part!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

OK what is in your binder? I hear quite a few people mention that they have a Disney binder, but I never really asked what went into it.

Also, my color coordinated spreadsheet helps me figure out the smallest # of clothing items that I need to bring in order to have a different outfit each day. So I made the columns with different tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, purses, and jewelry/accessories. Then when I decide, it all goes into the other sheet in a list of what I'll wear on each day. I may change my mind but at least the outfits are laid out in stone and I don't have to sit there thinking "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!!" in the AM! Then of course the other sheet is includes standard hair products, makeup, flat iron/curlers, etc. Basically I started doing this because I would forget something if I didn't spell it out like that! I know, I'm nuts!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

OK I just went back to read your TR and loved the AKL pics! I also almost died laughing at the picture of Matt with his Travis Hafner t-shirt on standing in front of the troll in Norway. Look closely b/c the troll seriously looks like Hafner himself!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

OK what is in your binder? I hear quite a few people mention that they have a Disney binder, but I never really asked what went into it.

Also, my color coordinated spreadsheet helps me figure out the smallest # of clothing items that I need to bring in order to have a different outfit each day. So I made the columns with different tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, purses, and jewelry/accessories. Then when I decide, it all goes into the other sheet in a list of what I'll wear on each day. I may change my mind but at least the outfits are laid out in stone and I don't have to sit there thinking "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!!" in the AM! Then of course the other sheet is includes standard hair products, makeup, flat iron/curlers, etc. Basically I started doing this because I would forget something if I didn't spell it out like that! I know, I'm nuts!

Your spreadsheet sounds interesting. I am going to give it a whirl and see if I can create one.

I copied my binder contents from an earlier post:

It's a one inch ring binder. I have tabs and pocket folders. One tab is for the "itinerary" that I type out in Waltograph font that is a summary of everything...air, car rental, resort, etc. I have a tab for air which holds my confirmation and eventually the boarding passes, the next is for car rental and I print out the confirmation and put it there, the next is for the resort. I have a pocket insert there that holds the information that I get in the mail from Disney. I punch all my reciepts and put them there too. Next I have a tab for AP's and there is a pocket for our AP's so that they don't get lost. Next is a tab for the dining plan. I printed the Dining Plan information including what restaurants participate, etc. from Disney's site and put it there. I use this mostly for counter service places so we are not running like fools trying to figure out what we can get, etc. Lots of times we look at it on the plane, etc. or just to pass the time. I also have a tab that I call Day by Day which has the itinerary for the day and then lines for notes so a the end of the day I can journal and have notes for my TR. I also have a miscellaneous tab to hold other stuff.

OK I just went back to read your TR and loved the AKL pics! I also almost died laughing at the picture of Matt with his Travis Hafner t-shirt on standing in front of the troll in Norway. Look closely b/c the troll seriously looks like Hafner himself!

LOL. I think he may have been "trying to." The best though was when he had his LeBron James shirt on backwards! Did you happen to catch that in the TR? I think I had pictures of it. Gotta love 'em. He is so awesome!

OMG, I just noticed your ticker is down to three freaking days!!!!!!!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

So, I have, like, 5 new spreadsheets from the hours you posted. Oh dearie! I want the September hours to just come out already! I know we're all going to be on here jumping for joy that day!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

How did I miss the post about your binder??!?! anyways, thanks for posting again!!

I don't care HOW you're wearing a lebron shirt, it's a lebron shirt!! <3 him! I have NO love for Travis Hafner. lol

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So, I have, like, 5 new spreadsheets from the hours you posted. Oh dearie! I want the September hours to just come out already! I know we're all going to be on here jumping for joy that day!

You bet we will! And I bet we all post at the same time. The hours are out, the hours are out!

How did I miss the post about your binder??!?! anyways, thanks for posting again!!

I don't care HOW you're wearing a lebron shirt, it's a lebron shirt!! <3 him! I have NO love for Travis Hafner. lol

I had a hard time finding my own post about the binder so don't feel bad.

I have a friend that is a MAJOR LeBron fan. I'm just not that into basketball but we make sure that Matt is well outfitted in his CAVS and Tribe gear. Football season however is much different. You see, Joe (DH) is a Steelers fan. Yep, I married one of THEM. Needless to say, Matt has a TON of Steelers gear! If you ask Joe, he would add..."as it should be."

 

[bettyann29]

I wish I was a little more organized than I am.. I can remember in past when waiting behind someone at check in at the resort and they pull out a binder and I think "man thats nice.. I need to do that next time" and then I never do

I think for my trip with DH I will do this.. actually I NEED to do this as there will be so much going on I will need to be organized..

Oh I was excited today when I found some park maps that I got last trip.. You know I have them out so I can look at everything I want to do..