Zen And The Art Of PTR Maintenance. Sept 2016 PTR. 16/4 Trip Report Anyone??

[BibbitybobityLu]

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Welcome, welcome please have a seat while I tell you a story.

A story of two crazy travellers who have decided to embark on adventure in not one, not two but SIX different hotels.
So prepare for some insanity with me your remarkable and modest host Lu.​

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Our story begins on a warm summers day in August 1991...hmm maybe that's a bit too far back. Let's skip ahead....

I've been visiting the Mouse since I was two years old. and every year after that until 2000.

But then I didn't get to see my castle until 2012 when my mom and I ventured back to our home from home. I wish I could say it was the vacation I had been dreaming about for twelve long years but I can't.

Five days into the Disney part of our stay I got really sick and could barely get out of bed. I finally felt better on, you guessed it, our last day and was sooooooo upset I didn't get to experience everything I had been so excited for.

Whomp ​

So what did we do?

Booked another trip of course! Redo style.

We booked for May 2015!!

But wait a minute.

May 2015? But this PTR is for September 2016.

What gives??

Well...that trip is donezo.

Not happening.

Do not pass go or collect $200.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and we just didn't know what was going to happen and we just didn't think we could keep the booking. Her getting better was our only priority.

Thankfully she is doing really well and the doctors are very hopefully that she will make a complete recovery.
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After all that we decided that we really needed a vacation! And where better than WDW!! ​

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Which brings us to this PTR,
We are going to be in the World September 5th to October 3rd!!!

So sit back, relax and get ready to ride the crazy train cause its about to get all kinds of loopy up in here!

But don't worry:
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[BibbitybobityLu]

LINKS PAGE!!!!!! I finally figured it out!!

INTROS: It's nice to meet you

September 2016 Planning:

Hotel One: Its A little wild...

Hotel Two: It's all modern to me...

Hotel Three: I'm home..

Hotel Four: How very posh...

Hotel Five: Did someone say ice cream...

Hotel Six: Aloha.

ADR's Part 1: The One With All The Food

ADR's Part 2: The One When Where We Go There Again??

Plans: Arrival day (and babbling...)

Must Dos: Magic Kingdom

Must Dos: Epcot

Must Dos:Animal Kingdom

Must Dos: Hollywood Studios​

Disney Bucket List​

Plans: Tours​

Plans: ALL CHANGE

Plans: Days 1-6

October/November 2012 Trip Report:

The One Where I Do A Trip Report Intro

The One Where We Travel And I Ramble

The One With The First Hotel And Epic Photography Skills

The One With A Day Shopping I Will Never Remember

The One With All The Dolphins: Discovery Cove Part 1

The One Where We Nearly Drown: Discovery Cove Part 2

The One Where We Go To The Dark Side: Universal Studios

The One With The Pink Hotel: St Pete's Beach

The One With Bad Boat Driving and Swans: St Pete's Beach Part 2

The One When We Finally Get To Disney: Checking In and Poly Confusion

The One Where We See A Castle

The One Where We See Two More Castles

The One Where We Try The Grey Stuff, Its Delicious, Don't Believe Me, Well What's Up With That I Thought We Were Friends?!?
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[BibbitybobityLu]

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I lead you in with talk of six hotels...but Lu you didn't mention any of them yet I hear you cry. Well here we go....​

Hotel Number One:

Animal Kingdom Lodge



(Not my photo)​

I have never stayed here or even seen it in the flesh

But it is the one non negotiable hotel on our list. It's DM's pick and her wish is my command.

Also I really want to stay here!

But if this her pick then I still get my pick

We are going Club Level Savannah view because I don't think I could stand it knowing that there are animals roaming around outside and I could see them but I can't see them

...and calm down...I maybe a little too excited for this one!

Can you tell??

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[BibbitybobityLu]

Hotel Number Two:

Contemporary Resort

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(Not my photo)

A little back story on this one.

Before 2012 I have only stayed here once when I was like 3 or 4. It was Christmas and we were staying in an amazing suite and there was this amazing Christmas tree...and...all I remember is this toy where you moved beads from one side to the other.

I know but seriously I was 3! My father, who was the major Disney nut when I was growing up, still bemoans my lack of memory Really dude.

So really I class my first real stay as 2012. I this resort.

It's just the coolest thing ever to have the Monorail go through the building

I love it.

When we stayed in 2012 I never got tired of opening the room door and seeing the Monorail whizzing past. I find it strangely soothing.

Plus from our window we could see the Electrical Water Parade which is my favourite water based parade ever! ​

And big BIG news....

We are going THEME PARK VIEW!!!!!!!!!!!! ​

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[BibbitybobityLu]

Hotel Number Three:

Old Key West

(Not my photo)



When I was younger we owned Vacation Club points here.

But alas they were sold on to some other lucky family.

I was totally fine with it.




Totally,totally fine.

It is still the resort that feels like home. I love it. So this is our villa choice. We like to have some time when we can get breakfast and stuff away from the parks and you know...

Plus it's nice to do laundry.

That maybe the first time I ever said that.

Only Disney!
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[MouseketeerKelsey]

Following along! This sounds like an amazing trip. Glad your mom is doing well! Sounds like it is a well deserved trip!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Following along! This sounds like an amazing trip. Glad your mom is doing well! Sounds like it is a well deserved trip!

Yay! It's nice to have some company!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Hotel Number Four:

Grand Floridian Resort


(Not my photo)

I may be a teensy tiny bit excited...

I have loved the Grand Floridian so much for so long. It's just so pretty. The architecture, the grounds, the views, the lobby and don't get me started on the gingerbread house at Christmas

Can I live in that please?

Please?

There was just one slight problem with my love affair with the Grand...the Grandma's house bedrooms.

Yeah...no. Just no.

It just wasn't what I thought they should be like. Paying such a high cost for décor I hated was just a no-no.

So no Grand Floridian for me .

That was until they updated the rooms!

Disney!

The new rooms look gorgeous!

Now DM isn't quite as keen on the Grand

I know I don't get it either...So imagine my surprise when I causally mentioned the new rooms and that maybe we could stay there now and she said sure why not!!



Ummm....WHAT?! That calls for the happy dance!

It will only be a short stay, but I don't care! I'm going to stay at the Grand Floridian baby!


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[BibbitybobityLu]

Hotel Number Five:

Beach Club​

(Not my photo)​

So in planning this trip I thought why not try an Epcot resort?

Neither of use have ever stayed in any of these, I don't consider the Swaolphin to be a Disney hotel so that was out which left us with Yacht and Beach Club and the Boardwalk.
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But which to choose? ​

I won't bore you with the very in-depth and scientific decision process I went through to decide (it was the closer proximity to Beaches and Cream. I won't lie! ) the chose was made!


The Beach Club!!

Is it bad that being slightly nearer to copious amounts of ice cream kind of made the decision for me?



Yeah I didn't think so either! ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Intros: Its Nice To Meet You​

I just realise I haven't formally and properly introduced myself! Slap on the wrist for me.

So maybe I should give you a run down on our cast of characters.

The Stars of our show:
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Name: Lu. Everyone calls me Lu. ​

Favourite Park: Hollywood Studios (Magic Kingdom actually come in third! Sacrilege!)​

Favourite Ride: Tied between Expedition Everest, Rockin Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror​

Favourite Princess: Childhood it was Belle but Anna is up there cause she keeps it real.​

Favourite Prince: Flynn Rider. But I also had soft spot for Eric (so pretty but so dumb)​

Favourite Sidekick: Olaf​

Favourite Movie: The Little Mermaid​

Favourite Park Snack: Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich​

Favourite Restaurant: Be Our Guest​

Favourite Resort: Old Key West
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Name: DM or Trish as her non children call her!​

Favourite Park: Animal Kingdom​

Favourite Ride: Expedition Everest (but maybe not 7 times in a row...)​

Favourite Princess: Belle​

Favourite Prince: Aladdin​

Favourite Sidekick: Sven​

Favourite Movie: Up​

Favourite Park Snack: Churro​

Favourite Restaurant: Mama Melrose​

Favourite Resort: Old Key West​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Hotel Number Six
Polynesian Village Resort​

(Not my photo)​

So when I started this PTR the original plan was the to the five hotel I already mentioned.

But then after I got everything booked I started planning things out and decided to price up the Poly just for fun...then it turned out that doing all six hotels worked out cheaper! ​

Crazy right??

So I thought why the heck not! So here we are with our sixth hotel! ​

I'm an obsessive planner! Its a talent! So is this:



Because I edited this post I wanted to keep those gifs! I like gifs okay! Plus I added a photo with my favourite donkey when I was a tiny bit younger so I'm gonna leave that in too.

If this doesn't make any sense...well just take it as a sign of things to come!
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You're ​

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Hey Lu! I'm loving this PTR! Your writing style is so much fun And your trip sounds absolutely AMAZING! Holy moly!

not one, not two but FIVE different hotels.

Thankfully she is doing really well and the doctors are very hopefully that she will make a complete recovery.

This is really really great news, I can't even begin to imagine what a difficult time this must've been. But yay, go Momma

Hotel Number 1: Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Hotel two: Contemporary Resort.

Hotel Number three: Old Key West

Hotel Number Four: Grand Floridian Resort.

Hotel Number 5: Beach Club

This is a seriously amazing line up How long will you be in WDW for?! Ugh, it's not until September 2016 and I already can't wait to read about it

And this cracked me up so much:

But alas they were sold on to some other lucky family. I was totally fine with it.

Sounds like such an amazing trip!!!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Hey Lu! I'm loving this PTR! Your writing style is so much fun And your trip sounds absolutely AMAZING! Holy moly!








This is really really great news, I can't even begin to imagine what a difficult time this must've been. But yay, go Momma











This is a seriously amazing line up How long will you be in WDW for?! Ugh, it's not until September 2016 and I already can't wait to read about it

And this cracked me up so much:





Sounds like such an amazing trip!!!

Yay! for stopping by! I love you trip reports and its a compliment that you are enjoying mine so far! I will try not to get too boring...or more likely crazy and weird! Apologies is advanced...
(I may have a slight addiction to gifs...I'm sure no one noticed...)
So far the plan is either three or four weeks...depending on how astronomical the cost is!! It's veering onto four as we want to go to Busch Gardens and do Discovery Cove and water park it up! Plus I have enough ADRs I want to last like three months so I need to stretch it as long as I can to fit as many of them in.
Is it strange that part of me wishes I already took the trip so I could write a TR for it? Yeah. I think it is. Oh well! I guess I'll just have to settle for this PTR

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

ADR's Part 1: The One With All The Food
Ahoy! How is everyone doing? Still over loaded with chocolate from Easter? I know I am! That's my Segway into today's ramblings...​

FOOD!! ​

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I don't know about you but I am really obsessed with food. Yes lunch was my favourite class in school. I got all A's! ​

So I'm sure it comes as no surprise when I tell you that food plays a MAJOR role in my Disney planning. I don't mind booking 180 days in advance.

Heck I would book them all now if I could! But I can't.

Sad, sad times.
So those who can't book, plan!



So as many Disney regulars we have our "must dos" (Thank you Stacey!). I won't bore you with them right off the bat. I will list them in a separate post. Called "There again?". These are our top, top new try places.

1. Ohana (no auto-correct not Obama's...geez)

DM is very excited about the pot-stickers and noodles. I'm excited but nervous. I hate flavoured bread...just no. I like my savoury savoury and my sweets sweet. I'm not into mixing things up. Boring I know. Secret time: I don't like the sound of the dessert! I think the Ohana Disboarders may now have a hit out on me

I don't like cooked banana.

BUT I am still excited to try the place!!​

2. California Grill.

I have eaten here before when I was a kiddo. I remember going into the kitchen to make sushi with sweets (no fish...that would be weird ) Of course it's all super duper fancy there now and I will have to order off the adult menu, darn!

3. Via Napoli.

I cannot believe I have never been here! It has my two most favourite things in the world, pizza and hot Italian men!
This is a must must must do! At least once... Or twice... Three times is a good round number... Four is an even number though... But then five is my favourite number!

4. Sanna/Jiko.

Now these two are both at AKL and we are going to be staying there at least 5 nights so we will probably end up doing both. Only thing is I don't really like curry...or trying new things...or sweet with savoury as I said before...but I'm sure it will be fine!!

5. Beaches and Cream.

Now here is where my total lack of planning and research failed me so miserably last time. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THERE!!

That much be rectified. As I mentioned in my Beach Club post this was the main reason in staying there! Ice cream is my friend. I l love it. It's not a question of want it's a question of need!! ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

ADR's Part 2: The One When Where GoThere Again??

Attention!! Attention!! Attention!!


It's Time to Get Back to Food!!

Here are our go to must do restaurantoos...that's not a word...Moving on!

1.Sci-fi Dine In.

Yes the Food isn't great but hey it's an outdoor dive in movie theatre INSIDE. It's just amazeballs.

2. 50's Prime Time Cafe.

I love the theme in here. I wish they still do the interaction like they used to. Why would people complain about it? It was all in fun peeps!

3. Mama Melrose.

I see a pattern here...their steak with Mac and cheese is to.die.for. Nough said.
4. Fulton's Crab House.

I love seafood. Surf and turf with steak and crab claws???? Can I just have it now? Please?

5. Be Our Guest. We first went here during the soft opening in 2012. It was amazing! If I can't live in the Grand Floridian gingerbread house can I just live here instead? (Please pretend this is red for the purposes of this post . Thank you) We had dinner in the West Wing and the Ballroom which just blow my mind plus we got free grey stuff! Thank you dishes!

Hey you!

That's right!

What to hear something shocking?

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There are many, many more ADR's on my wish list!!

I know. Spoiler alert! But it's only April 2015 and this PTR is for September 2016! If I told you about everything now we would be sat twiddling our thumbs by June! (Yes there maybe that many )​

 

[SafferMom]

Following along. Your trip sounds amazing. Going to be wonderful bonding time with your mom

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Your PTR is so funny!

Yes lunch was my favourite class in school.

OMG. We have so much in common.

So as many Disney regulars we have our "must dos" (Thank you Stacey!).

YES! Stacey is the Queen of the world.

I like my savoury savoury and my sweets sweet. I'm not into mixing things up

Another thing we have in common!!! I really can't cope with this kind of thing. There were a few things I didn't like at Ohana for this same reason, but all the meat was really good! And the dessert...

I don't like the sound of the dessert!

indeed!!! The bread pudding is MAGICAL. I don't have a formal laminated list or anything (although I really should..), but I would definitely think that Ohana's bread pudding is one of my top 3 Disney desserts. I hope you at least try it!

It has my two most favourite things in the world, pizza and hot Italian men! (Just kidding DBF!! Sort of...)

Hahaha oh lord, tell me about it it's great to have a bit of eye candy with your meal

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Following along. Your trip sounds amazing. Going to be wonderful bonding time with your mom

Thanks for following along! Its nice to have company!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Your PTR is so funny!

I always worry people will just think I'm straight up crazy. I'm not...really...

OMG. We have so much in common.

If they offered a whole A-level in lunch I would have aced that. No problem. Plus I'm sure I have used what I have learnt from eating much more that I ever used trigonometry...just sayin

YES! Stacey is the Queen of the world.

I LOVE Stacey! She is just the bomb. If the ever change her I think I will have to protest. It would just be anarchic! That is just a must not do.

indeed!!! The bread pudding is MAGICAL. I don't have a formal laminated list or anything (although I really should..), but I would definitely think that Ohana's bread pudding is one of my top 3 Disney desserts. I hope you at least try it!

I know! I'm crazy right? I will try it I just don't do banana flavoured stuff. I like bananas but only if they are still pretty green and don't taste too bananary...I am a werido! Same with steak I don't like it when it tastes like cow!

Hahaha oh lord, tell me about it it's great to have a bit of eye candy with your meal

OMG I know! Once while DBF and I were eating boring non Via Napoli pizza I told him that things could have been improved by hot Italian waiters. I mean come on,pizza and hot Italian guys? Heaven... He was less than impressed!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One Where I Do A Trip Report Intro

Hello party people!

I've been very busy with very boring normal non Disney life

zzzzzzzzzzz



I haven't had any time for fun things like the Dis.

SO....I thought since its the weekend and I have a rare day off I would do some fun rambling to you guys about TWO different Disney trips!

I should clarify that I'm not planning another trips (sad times) other than this September trip but I am going to tell you about my October/November 2012!

SPOILER ALERT!

I hadn't discovered the Dis when we went in 2012 so I don't have any notes or too many photos so basically I'm gonna be making stuff up! Just kidding! (Sort of...)

But I might inadvertently get bits wrong so apologies in advance!

My memory...more goldfish than elephant.



(Also I have no food porn photos I know. I suck.) The camera I took the limited photos on is less than stellar so no photography awards for me!
The main reason my photos are limited is because my clutz skills came out to play when I broke the phone I took most of the photos from our trip on when I dropped it in the bath. When it was full of water. Surprisingly it wouldn't turn back on. Whoops!



That's why I back up EVERYTHING now

Okay. On with the show!! ​