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

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One Where We Travel and I Ramble

I'm gonna try and get this right as best I can but as none of you were actually there then I guess it doesn't matter all that much. Score! Right here we go...

Cast your minds back to 2012...October 2012 to be precise. That is when this trip I am about to (sort of) describe took place. My DM and I flew from Manchester (England) on Monday 30th October. We fly Virgin Atlantic. By some miracle we got extra leg room seats which was awesome. Now I used to love flying when I was a kid. Loved it. But since I got into less kidness (I really consider myself mature enough to be an adult...)in age I just don't love it AT.ALL.



So when it came time to land in Orlando I was relived...until it came time to actually LAND. It was terrible. I'm sure anyone who is reading this in America remember the awful Hurricane Sandy. Well we actually had to fly threw it. The whole flight the Captain kept coming over intercom telling everyone to stay in their seats and they kept the seat beat sign on the whole flight! It was crazy! They wouldn't let the air stewards serve any hot drinks at all! (Funnily enough the turbulence was WAY worse on the flight back but more on that later). So when we started our descent I knew it wasn't going to be smooth sailing...or flying...but OMG it I was TERRIFIED!



The whole plane actually cheered when we touched down. So I was super duper excited to be in Orlando and, you know, alive!
Of course what comes after de-planing? Yep you guessed it the dreaded Customs!

Okay here is a little fact for you: I am a queue jinx. Sad but true. A few years ago a me and a friend went to New York and we made the mistake of flying indirect This is something I will NEVER do again. After a delay in on our flight from Manchester to Paris we had a very short layover before our connecting flight to NYC and as such the airline had someone waiting to take us the plane. There was a group of about 12 people getting this flight and about half need to go the restroom. So airline helper lady was like sure go ahead I'll wait. Now we did make a somewhat silly error here, we both went to the restroom at the same time, but so did all those other people and I swear that someone else who was in the group literally just went out the door before we did but then everyone of them had vanished!! So after checking around a corner (it was a dead end! I think we both thought they were hiding!) we realised that they had left without us . So we hurried to the first available airport worker and asked where we should go and we given a very reassuring "just go down the escalator and you are there". Great easy peesy. Down we went. Quiz time. Do you think Mr Oh-So-Helpful-French-Dude was right?



What he should have actually said was go down the escalator, through a terminal, on a train, through CUSTOMS and to the furthest gate and you are there. Of course here my queue jinx came into its own. Every single time we got into a queue it stopped. No joke. So we moved. It stopped and the one we left moved again. The most stressful twenty minutes of my life!

Unfortunately now Customers makes you take your shoes off when you go through...well I got one and and just legged it with the other one in my hand! I looked like a complete nutter! You know in those movies when people run through other people photos? Yep I was doing that all through the terminal. So if you were one of those people who's photo I ruined I sincerely apologise.

Luckily we made it in time to board. All red faced and sweaty, oh yeah we looked good, ready for take off and...nothing.
Yeah we were delayed on the tarmac for an HOUR! Plus about thirty people arrived after us and some I recognised from our previous flight!

Thank you very much Air France. Making me look even more like an idiot than usual.
Well now that I took us so far I think we should get back on track. So we got through Customers relativity painlessly and we were off to Disney!! Oh wait... no we weren't! We didn't actually get to Disney until 6th November! Why you ask? Well we have a date with some dolphins! Not an actually date...that would be weird....

Now I have never used the Magical Express ever, we are planning on using it in September, so we headed instead for the rental car desk! We had prepaid so we just had to sign the paperwork and off we went. I love that you get to pick which car you want I just get ridiculously over excited by the prospect! After much debate about suitcase size vs. boot (or trunk) space our hearts ruled our heads and we ended up with Bertie the Beetle! Not as practical but more fun!! We made the somewhat foolish decision to bring our SatNav from home with an American map chip in it. Holy wow was that a mistake! American SatNav lady you suck! But anyway!

After major stress out in the car when I thought I had lost my itinerary folder with EVERYTHING in (FYI I was sitting on it...) we actually on our way! To our first hotel of four for this trip (can you tell we like changing hotels...at lot) the Marriott Grande Lakes.
For your viewing pleasure is a terrible selfie from the plane.You are

(I promise I don't always look that awful or that deranged!)



Also just notice that man totally photo-bombing us. Everyone wave at the stranger! Hi stranger! Funny story this is the most tan we look the whole trip! Seriously we went home paler than when we arrived, sad times ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One With The First Hotel And Epic Photography Skills

So when I left off we had just arrived at the Marriott Grande Lakes which is right next to the Ritz Carlton. How very, very posh! So I'm sure you would like to see some photos of this lovely hotel right?







Tada!!

What?

Oh you meant photos I took?

Hmmm....you and me both buddy! But I do have some uber awesome ones of our view. You have been warned my photos suck!




Amazing yes I know. Why am I not a profession photographer i hear you ask! This is really a lovely hotel and I apologise to it for my lack photographic evidence!





See they have very nice roofs!

Before we left the UK DM and I were both sick with a nasty cold. I was over it when we arrived but DM was still pretty sick . So the first night we ordered room service. We actually ordered room service every night we were there! The room service guy was so funny, one time when I ordered he wasn't on so the next time I spoke to him he was so upset he hadn't been there he sent us free milk and cookies!

I wish I could remember his name! So I will call him Bob. Thank you Bob! (FYI when I don't know someone or some things actually name I just call them/it Bob. Don't ask me why I don't have a clue!) No food porn but I do remember I ordered a burger every-time expect once when I got pizza which was gross . The burger was good though! I have no idea what DM ate and I give you free license to guess or make something up!

Fun fact about me I'm not very classy and will happily chow down on burgers and fries over fancy nosh any day! I keeps it real ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One With A Day Shopping I'll Never Remember

After that amazing photography I'm sure you need a moment to let it all sink in so I'm gonna let you do that and give you a photos-taken-by-me free post!

The main reason we decided to stay at the Marriott was two fold, one it was close to Discovery Cove and two we were going to St Pete's beach after this hotel before heading to Disney and we didn't want to leave the bubble once we got there! Some things are just too painful.

So the morning after we arrived we were at a loose end so what do you do when you don't have any official plans? You shop! I love to shop and may have a slight shopping addiction



Off to Florida Mall we went.
And then...
I don't actually remember anything about this day other than that...Sorry.



So I thought I would take you and tell you another story from a trip I took to NYC. Now this trip was very short we only went from three nights so we didn't have long to see everything.
We were staying not that far for from 5th Avenue. Oh dear...



Out of the four days we had we spent three in Macys...and Saks...and Nine West...and Bloomingdales...and one day sightseeing. On the one day it rained....alot! Oops! Never mind! I got some killer Christian Dior heels for half price! #WorthIt!



​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One With All The Dolphins: Discovery Cove Part 1


So after that amazingly detailed day two here is day three, a day I actually remember! Sort of!

One of the main things DM and I decided we wanted to do was Discovery Cove. I love dolphins, you can just tell they are laughing us damn humans! I like that! So when I was booking the trip I decided to surprise DM for her birthday (which is in early October) and go for the Trainer for a Day package. To say she was excited is an understatement!



So on the morning of 1st Novemeber we set off to Discovery Cove! And then American SatNav lady happened. Seriously lady. Seriously. How can you expect to give people directions if you don't know where you are going?? We ended up having to stop and ask someone for directions. Thanks technology, you failed again. Unexpected SatNav adventures aside we made it to our destination in time. Just!

Now I don't know if this is the same for everyone who does Discovery Cove or if its if you do the Trainer for a Day but we had to get our photo taken for our ID badge. At seven am. Are you for real Discovery Cove? I'm about to spend the whole day covered in water you think I would have put on enough make-up for a seven am close up photo when I'm doing that??



That photo is never seeing the light of day again! Moving on!

The Trainer for a Day package means that you spend the whole day with one of the Discovery Cove dolphin trainers. Our trainer was Brian, see I remembered someone's name! And there was six of us in the group. All of us were British! There was a mother and son and a mother and daughter (who said that her husband and son were playing golf as they didn't want to swim with dolphins??? )

If you haven't done Discovery Cove before, you should I 1000000% recommend it, there is a canteen that provides breakfast and lunch all included. So after we go checked in we went to get some food. I have no clue what we got. But I was something breakfasty! I know its like you are actually there! Next we went to the bird aviary which was very cool. A bird landed on my head which I was fine will, but this poor woman next to me had one poop on her! I really tried hard not to laugh. But I was pretty darn funny!

After that we met some of the other animal handlers who work within the Sea World company. But even more amazeballs was meeting a sloth! I am obsessed with sloths, I think its because I feel a certain kinship with them!



Plus we met this tiny little owl called Bob (yes I forgot his name!) That is my arm in the photo below but I was making so weird face that I didn't want to subject you to!



Isn't he cute? There was also a cute monkey also called Bob ...who had this really cool tail that did something cool...okay I may remember less than I thought!



(That is DM's arm in the photos. She specifically demanded not to be shown in her wetsuit! I have no idea why, they are soooooo flattering!!)

For what I remember we fed the otters next and then it was time for lunch?? Oh what the heck lets just go with that!

Oh wait no then we went "backstage" and saw where they get all the food ready for all the animals. Yeah that sound right cause then I'm sure we met the sharks. I know how brave!!





Okay fine they were only tiny but still...SHARKS!!

I know I said I wouldn't post DM but I couldn't crop it...she's sat down so I don't think it counts
So then I think it was time for lunch...or did we go through the lazy river first?? Let's say lazy river then lunch!

When we return DOLPHINS!! Or maybe something else happened next...who knows! Stay tuned to find out! ​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

The One Where We Nearly Drown: Discovery Cove Part 2

This is going really well isn't it? Right on with Discovery Cove day! So when we left off I was trying to decided if we had had lunch yet so I am going to say that we had by this point! Yep making it up as I go along is exactly the same and giving a actual factual account. Fact. It's science. So after lunch we went snorkelling where I discovered snorkelling is another skill which I am terrible at. I nearly drowned! The mask kept filling with water so I couldn't see a thing, then I filled the part where you actually breathe and by that point I had gotten the message from the watery Gods that this was just not my thing! DM loved it and said it was her favourite (after the dolphins of course) part of the day. She clearly didn't nearly drown.

Right now I'm pretty sure we went for our first dolphin interaction at this point. Now shockingly I can't remember exactly how this went but we did two separate dolphin interactions so I am just going to pretend it was just all one thing and tell you about it like that!!



First we got to met the dolphins and give them a kiss...gotta be honest that was a tiny bit weird! Then we did the actual swim. Which was when the funniest part of the whole trip happened. So before you swim out to where the dolphin is the trainer explains what you should do, how to have your feet and arms and all that jazz then you swim out and have your foot push swim. Now everyone else in our group (and I think ever in the world) did their swim with their arms up in the air. Like this:



Except for DM who decides that she is going to go with her arms down behind her. Well lets just say that what came next we just a classic You've Been Framed moment.







It was just too funny! I have the video of it and it just cracks me up everytime.​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Plans: Arrival Day and Blabbering



What up? It's still the weekend and we all know what that means......




Awkward solo dance party time!

Just an FYI it helps in alcohol if involved in your solo dance party...




So today I thought I would to a little planning! So exict right now as Disney has released some of their 2016 offers!!





So I got on the telephone to Virgin Holidays and got the wheels in motion for our September trip!!! They should get back to me with dates and prices next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have mentioned my DBF a couple of times, you maybe be wondering why he isn't coming along on our crazy, fun filled adventure...well....he doesn't "do" Disney





I know. I very nearly dumped him on the spot.
But he's hot so I let it slid!
So to protect his identity I won't show his photo (I might try and sneak one in later...) or use his real name. I will call him...Snick. Smooth. Nothing like his real name...which is one later shorter...
I can't be too harsh on him as when I called Virgin to get everything booked he said that would buy me a new camera for the trip!



(He said it was mainly so he didn't have to look at more photos like rubbish ones that I took last time Who said romance was dead? )
DBF and I a planning a trip to Hawaii in 2017 to celebrate his birthday (he is hitting the big 3-0) and I may have mentioned that Disney have a resort in Hawaii. And he didn't say no to the idea!



(Okay he didn't say yes either but still. Progress!! )

Right on with the plans!!!!

The hotel order we are going with is as follows:
Grand Floridian (3 nights)
Animal Kingdom Lodge (5 nights)
The Beach Club (5 nights)
Contempary (5 nights)
Old Key West (10 nights)

Now the only hotel that might be negotiable is the Grand Floridian I know. Sad sad times. Hopefully everything will work and we will get all our days! I know many people with be looking at this and think holy wow that's a long stay but we already know that this will be our last trip for the foreseeable future and added to DM's health issues we just thought what the heck lets just blow the bank and go big style!


This trip will also be the first time we are going to be using the Magical Express, we usually rent a car, so that will be new and exciting and different! But we are going to rent a car for the time we are at OKW because we are planning to hit up Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove and all that jazz and its just easier in your own car.

This is what I think arrival day will look like:
Leave Manchester Airport-Fly Virgin Atlantic to Orlando
Get the Magical Express and try to cover DM's eyes when they spoil the Beverley surprise
Arrive at the Grand Floridian and explore the resort
Eat dinner at the resort, I'm thinking Grand Floridian Cafe
Collapse and sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (preferably in the room )

That's where I am at right now. So I'm gonna go!






​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Must Do's: Magic Kingdom



Hi friends

So I have been waiting very (okay not very ) patiently for Virgin Holidays to get back to me with our dates etc and well....I'm still waiting.......



Sooooooo I thought I would do a little planning! Cause that always helps!

Now as I don't have any firm dates yet I'm not getting too ahead of myself and doing a day to day....yet...

Instead I thought I would steal an idea from Queen Stacey and do a run my "Must Do's" for each park and the trip as a whole. So which park should we start with??
Can you guess?



MAGIC KINGDOM!!



Now I love me some Magic Kingdom. I mean come on.

So I have some must "Must Do's" here:
1. Big Thunder Mountain Rail-road. This seriously is my first love It was the first "roller-coaster" I ever went on and I could ride this thing ALL.DAY.LONG. So clearly that's a must do!

2. Splash Mountain. As the Queen would say "I'm gonna ride that puppy!" Now I'm gonna be honest with you when I was little I was petrified of Splash. I know. Loved Big Thunder, hated Splash. I think it was a combo of the vultures and "the big" drop that just freaked the pants off me till I was like 6! Then I suddenly was like I LOVE this ride and the rest as they say is history!

3. Space Mountain (I see a theme ) Its a classic and I love it. I have never ridden it with the lights on so who knows that might just freak me out. I always have to do all the mountains when I'm in Magic Kingdom. Its the law

4. Haunted Mansion. Okay my first ever memory of this ride was SCREAMING blue murder while in the queue and forcing my mom to take me out! Just as we were nearly at the front. Sorry mom! I finally faced my fear when I was like 8 and I gripped my DB's hand so hard he had nail marks! But now I love it. Oh well

5. Its A Small World. "CL-A-SSIC" Love it or hate it. Its the Marmite of Disney! Just an FYI I also love Marmite!

6. Jungle Cruise. Its so corny and silly its just so my type of ride! "The back side of water" OOOOOOoooo

7. Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. I don't think this attraction gets the DIS love I think it deserves. I think it is HILAR! Who doesn't love them some comedy? Am I right?

8. Pirates of the Caribbean. Even though I ALWAYS seem to get the wet seat I don't (really) hold it against you POC! Plus it has Johnny Depp...JOHNNY DEPP!

So these are our every trip must dos at the Magic Kingdom.
These are something we haven't ever done so they are our new "Must Dos" or something we have done but not for awhile.

1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. For obvious reasons it wasn't built yet! It looks super cute so I'm looking forward to that.

2. Tom Sawyer's Island. Never done this before I guess I just never really come it much thought. I mean its near Splash and Big Thunder who goes to Tom Sawyer's Island by choice when those are right there? Well this girl is going to!!

3. The riverboat (what is that thing called?? ) Again its so close to more cool stuff! But I am curious to give it a whirl or I guess a sail

Now this wouldn't be a true Lu PTR post if it didn't include food. I mean really...



So here are some food "Must Dos"

1. Be Our Guest. In my mind I live here (I also have a winter home in the Grand Floridian gingerbread house...) Urg...its just too perfect.

2. Dole Whip. Okay confession time, please don't kill me, I have never had a Dole whip. Ever,
I know. So I made myself a promise to try one of these. I don't really like fruit ice cream or really fruit dessert in general (if chocolate is an option would you REALLY pick fruit?) so that will be interesting!

3. Cake Cups. I have seen these on the Dis and I am very intrigued to try one. I like cake. Cake is very good.

4. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich. You can keep your Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar its all about that sandwich for me...I may have eaten a couple(hundred) of these last time....


So that's it for Magic Kingdom! Stay tuned for Epcot. And Animal Kingdom. And whatever-they-decided-to-call-it-next-Hollywood Studios!



​

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Must Do's: Epcot

Right I feel like we are on a roll so lets keep on trucking! More "Must Dos" must be done!

Next I think we should journey into our imaginations and explore the world as we visit.....


EPCOT!

I know, didn't see it coming right?

Of all four parks Epcot is my least favourite. It just doesn't have as much that I feel I have to do there. That doesn't mean I don't have some "Must Dos" so here we go!

1. Test Track. I love this. Like epic love. I was devastated when it was closed for its revamp when we went in 2012. I may have cried ....So this will be the first time I have ridden it since it went all Tron...I am nervous yet excited. I hope I still love it as much as I used to.

2. Soarin. It love that Patrick Warburton is the air steward. I think he is swell! I do like this ride but I isn't in my top favourites list. But its still an Epcot must do.

3. Living with the land. Its not a popular one I know but its the most soothing ride in Disney. Plus when I was a kid and we went to eat at the Garden Grill I loved when it rotated to where you could see the ride and it was the part where it was meant to be a farm. Its just cute.

4. Journey in Imagination with Figment. Now seriously...



What did they do to Figment??? I used to love this ride as a kid. Granted the Dream Catcher (keeper??) guy was kind of a creeper, I still loved Old Skool Figment. It's just not the same....

5. Around the World in 80 shots...or World Showcase .
I just want to take a moment to say goodbye to Maelstrom. If I had know that you were headed for the great ride warehouse in the sky I would have ridden you more (okay that sounded wrong...)
Back to scheduled programming ...
I really want to explore World Showcase more this time. I usually just whiz round and miss pretty much everything!!

This leads very nicely into...

FOOD!



1. Food and Wine Festival. So hopefully the dates we get will coincide with Food and Wine! We did go when F&W was on in 2012 but we didn't know what it was and we didn't go to a single booth. Did someone say Do over??

2. Via Napoli. I think I may have covered my excitement to this in my preliminary ADR's post but come on its pizza and hot Italian waiters!



3. Get drunk around the world. Does this really need an explanation?



And with that Bombshell we are done with our "Must Dos" at Epcot.

Still to come Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. ​

 

[Leshaface]

Okay i'm sooooo in for this ride!

You see 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.

First and foremost, awesome news! I hope she continues to make progress and be well!

Love this GIF! Love my little Kronkie!

Hotel Number 1: Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We are going 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 oneCan you tell??

LOVE THIS PLACE! This is our home resort and I totally feel like i'm at home when i'm here. And Savannah view is just...ugh!

Hotel two: Contemporary Resort

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

Awesome! We stayed at Bay Lake when we were there in 2012 and loved it so much. Seriously, walking to the MK whenever we wanted without having to wait for a monorail (not that it was time consuming or anything!) but it was nice to have that option.

Hotel Number three: Old Key West

I've heard great things about this place but haven't stayed.

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.

Yep, that would have been me too! Ugh, that totally sucks!

Hotel Number Four: Grand Floridian Resort

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 .

As you know this was my first stay at the GF and it is just gorgeous. And DH and I were never fans of the decor. Very old lady like. But the villas are just beautiful (although there is a creepy photo of a girl in our room for some reason )

Hotel Number 5: The Beach Club

This is next on my list of resorts to stay at for sure! Mainly for proximity for alcohol and food over at Epcot Got my priorities straight

Taking back it the old days with Michelle Tanner! BTW, did you know they're coming out with 'Fuller House' with all the old cast?!

Hi Lu!

Hi Trish!

But just a heads up any photos I put on taken by me WILL BE TERRIBLE. You have been warned. My talents lie elsewhere...

Well if you can at least get a video of yourself doing this, all will be forgiven!

I don't know about you but I am really obsessed with food.

I'm currently eating a bear claw. In fact, if you see my on the DIS, I'm probably eating. So another food obsessed person here! Nice to meet you

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

I hate flavoured bread...just no.

You don't like Hawaiian bread?!

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! (Just kidding DBF!! Sort of...)

MY FAVORITE PLACE!

Sanna/Jiko.

Good choices!

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.

Is it bad that i've known about the place but still haven't visited?! I'm pretty positive my case is worse than yours. Should probably go into hiding now and get a new DIS name

Her eye!

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.

I actually like the food! I've only ever gotten their burgers and shakes though and their solid! And the atmosphere is just too darn cool.

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!

I went for the first time in 2012 and had such a fun time! We even lucked out and got a TV table

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!

Thank you dishes


Okay will be back later to read your 2012 TR!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Okay i'm sooooo in for this ride!

​

Yay!!! Hi! Thanks for stopping by and joining this crazy ride!!

First and foremost, awesome news! I hope she continues to make progress and be well!

She is doing really well so we are all really hopefully she is now in full remission.

Love this GIF! Love my little Kronkie!

Its such an underrated film. Personally I love it! Glad someone else does too!

This is next on my list of resorts to stay at for sure! Mainly for proximity for alcohol and food over at Epcot Got my priorities straight

You just get it. Its amazing just how many decisions I make around food! It was a major (okay only...) reason I picked it!

Taking back it the old days with Michelle Tanner! BTW, did you know they're coming out with 'Fuller House' with all the old cast?!

OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may have done a little happy dance!! Full House. Love. Uncle Jessie was my first childhood crush (still is now as well ) That show seriously...I think my love of the Grand Floridian might have started with that! I always have to stop myself shouting "Steve!" during Indiana Jones Stunt Show!

Hi Lu!

Hi Alicia

Hi Trish!

Quoting DM "Is that the girl with the adorable son and the rubbernecking husband?" That means hi!

Well if you can at least get a video of yourself doing this, all will be forgiven!

I will get right on that! For now just pretend that is me and I do a really good Jack Sparrow impression!

I'm currently eating a bear claw. In fact, if you see my on the DIS, I'm probably eating. So another food obsessed person here! Nice to meet you

You don't like Hawaiian bread?!

I know. I am weirdo! Can we still be friends???

Is it bad that i've known about the place but still haven't visited?! I'm pretty positive my case is worse than yours. Should probably go into hiding now and get a new DIS name

I think we need to start DIS witness protection programme, you can go in for your terrible neglect of Beaches and Cream and I can go in for my lack of love for Dole Whips and Ohana!
​

 

[Glittercat]

@BibbitybobityLu and @TheLittleKatie where the heck do you guys find all of of those fantabulous GIFs?! Please help a girl out. lol. *grin*

 

[Glittercat]

@BibbitybobityLu oh I hope your mom continues to heal and recover from breast cancer! It is wonderful that you two are are planning a do over trip, and it sounds like it will be a special time indeed!

Your resorts choices are dreamy and sound so very exciting! I'm pretty curious about AKL but as the only way to get about would be busses we'll not be staying there. Too much of a struggle with wheels, and I get shy and unsure when people get mad that I have them . lol. *blush* So, I'll just live vicariously though you!

FOOOOOOD is a fave of mine as well! WDW food is very fun to experiment with. We've not been to any of the restaurants on your list save one. Sanaa was one of the best restaurants we visited when we were in the World last, hope you love it! We're going back there for this trip as well, on our one AK day!

What dates are you hoping for? Any news from the travel company yet?! Waiting on something like that is so stressful!
Eager to watch your trip evolve and get to know you better!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Must Do's: Animal Kingdom


Well howdy there partners! Who is up for some more fun "Must Dos" with me Princess Lu ??

And if everyone is extra good I might even do another chapter in my Trip(ish) Report! I know you can all barely contain yourselves!!

Moving on!!

We already covered Magic Kingdom and Epcot so where in the Disney Universe should we go next???


Why not..............



Animal Kingdom!

So as I mentioned in the intros this is DM's favourite park. I am pretty darn fond of it too! So as you can see I feel the real icon of Animal Kingdom is not the tree but this beauty: Expedition Everest. Which leads us to our first "Must Do"

1. Expedition Everest. Considering I have a phobia of real mountains I seem to be a pretty big fan of these fake Disney ones! This really is the closest I will ever voluntarily to a mountain of any kind! In 2012 we hit up this bad boy 7 times in a row (10 times in one day...) and I am planning on beating this next time! DM...not so much! She got a really nasty bruise on her leg from sliding around in the train car!
(She is short ) So it might be a solo victory I will claim! She still loves it though!

2. Kilimanjaro Safari. Who doesn't love this? Plus it means we get to fill up the DIS with amazing shots of blurry giraffes and small dots on rocks we claim are lions!!

3. Dinosaur. I just love that a guy from CSI now works as a palaeontologist and Mr Cosby's wife is his boss. Realism.

4. Kali River Rapids. Now can we just take a moment and just bask in the knowledge that I am cursed on any and all water rides?? POC-wet seat. Splash-always front row and soaked. Kali-nearly drowned. I managed to be the ONLY one on our raft who got wet. It was like half the river decided to come and sit on my knee! Not cool Kali. Not cool. I was so drench I had to buy all new clothes. And I mean ALL new clothes. FYI Disney does some nice underwear!!

5. It's A Bugs Life. I love the movie, its just so good. And I love these kinds of 3D audience shows. I used to love Honey I Shrunk The Audience but that went to the big ride heaven in the sky replaced with Captain EO?? So I am glad It's A Bugs Life is filling that void for me. Thanks Kevin Spacey! Its was all clearly down to him!

Now in terms of "Must Dos" we didn't do or I guess haven't done:

1. Rafiki's Planet Watch. I didn't actually know what this was?? (Are you sensing a pattern?) So I think its something we should try

2. Festival of the Lion King. I have seen this on the West End in London and I it. I don't think it was there when we went in 2012 but lets face it I am probably wrong!

3. Finding Nemo. I guess we aren't really show people . But this looks super cute! DM has never seen Finding Nemo. She doesn't cope well with any sad bits in movies and has deemed this one TOO SAD! Oh well shes seeing this in September!

So this is usually the part when I tell you all about my "Food Dos", just made that up . But sadly I don't have any for this one






Just kidding!! I do have one:

1. Yak and Yeti. But not for the Fried Wantons.
(Okay I think I should just stop posting things like this! First I don't like Ohana, then Dole Whips and now the Fried Wantons??? I'll just see myself out )

Now can we just get real for a minute? I'm gonna get ranty up in here!

Why in are they building Avatar land??? I don't mean to hate on Avatar (okay maybe a little...) but why?? Couldn't they find something, I don't know, better?? Like something from an ACTUAL Disney movie? I mean its all fine and dandy to put other movie stuff in Hollywood Studios (isn't that kind of what its for?) but not in Animal Kingdom Why not Tarzan land? Or Lion King? Or move stuff from Up? Or Brother Bear? Bambi? The Jungle Book? The Fox and the Hound? Or even Brave for heaven sake?? That has BEARS in it! All of these would have made WAY more sense.
And since when are giant blue Aliens classed as something you would want to see in Animal Kingdom. "Hey I really want to see those giant blue Aliens from Avatar in a park which one should we go to?" "Well Animal Kingdom OBVS!"



I'm just sayin....


Okay rant over.



So there you have my "Must Dos" for the Animal Kingdom. Riveting wasn't it?
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[Glittercat]

Now can we just get real for a minute? I'm gonna get ranty up in here!

Why in are they building Avatar land??? I don't mean to hate on Avatar (okay maybe a little...) but why?? Couldn't they find something, I don't know, better?? Like something from an ACTUAL Disney movie? I mean its all fine and dandy to put other movie stuff in Hollywood Studios (isn't that kind of what its for?) but not in Animal Kingdom Why not Tarzan land? Or Lion King? Or move stuff from Up? Or Brother Bear? Bambi? The Jungle Book? The Fox and the Hound? Or even Brave for heaven sake?? That has BEARS in it! All of these would have made WAY more sense.
And since when are giant blue Aliens classed as something you would want to see in Animal Kingdom. "Hey I really want to see those giant blue Aliens from Avatar in a park which one should we go to?" "Well Animal Kingdom OBVS!"


View attachment 91940
I'm just sayin....


Okay rant over.

View attachment 91939

So there you have my "Must Dos" for the Animal Kingdom. Riveting wasn't it?
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Gee whiz do I ever have the same rant! I'm not going to sugar coat it Avatar is my least favorite of all time. Yes the CGI was pretty, big deal, hate the lame *** story and lack of character development. Grr... *sigh* Yes, Brave or Jungle Book could have worked beautifully!

I can't wait to try Expedition Everest!!! My daughter and husband rode it last time while the boy and I wandered. This time though I get to ride! Very much enjoying your PTR!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Hi Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by!

@BibbitybobityLu and @TheLittleKatie where the heck do you guys find all of of those fantabulous GIFs?! Please help a girl out. lol. *grin*

I use Giphy alot they have TONS are cool GIFs. Or if I have something specific in mind I just search Google images like "such and such gifs" and it gives you loads of results to chose from. Hope that helps!

@BibbitybobityLu oh I hope your mom continues to heal and recover from breast cancer! It is wonderful that you two are are planning a do over trip, and it sounds like it will be a special time indeed!

Thank you She is doing really well right now so we are hopeful she will be in full remission.

Your resorts choices are dreamy and sound so very exciting! I'm pretty curious about AKL but as the only way to get about would be busses we'll not be staying there. Too much of a struggle with wheels, and I get shy and unsure when people get mad that I have them . lol. *blush* So, I'll just live vicariously though you!

The distance of AKL from everything is a bit of a bummer. I'm sorry to hear that people get mad at you, that's just crazy People can suck in general but I would just ignore them. It's not like it's your fault! They are just small minded ignorant idiots! But by all means live vicariously though me! I don't mind!! It would be nice if someone wanted to rather than thinking I'm a weirdo! Which of course I am!

FOOOOOOD is a fave of mine as well! WDW food is very fun to experiment with. We've not been to any of the restaurants on your list save one. Sanaa was one of the best restaurants we visited when we were in the World last, hope you love it! We're going back there for this trip as well, on our one AK day!

Well you have come to the right place! It's all food all the time in this PTR! I'm exicted to try Sanna but also I am pretty nervous as I am a fussy eater if its not pizza, hot dog, fries or a burger!!

What dates are you hoping for? Any news from the travel company yet?! Waiting on something like that is so stressful!
Eager to watch your trip evolve and get to know you better!

We are hoping to get maybe first or second week of September until early October. Just depends on flights and what not! As for the travel company.....


Still waiting and its a stupid Bank Holiday so I won't hear anything till atleast Tuesday Oh well. I guess I will just have to pass the time planning on the DIS!
Glad you are following! I am classing you as my September planning buddy!
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[BibbitybobityLu]

Gee whiz do I ever have the same rant! I'm not going to sugar coat it Avatar is my least favorite of all time. Yes the CGI was pretty, big deal, hate the lame *** story and lack of character development. Grr... *sigh* Yes, Brave or Jungle Book could have worked beautifully!

I can't wait to try Expedition Everest!!! My daughter and husband rode it last time while the boy and I wandered. This time though I get to ride! Very much enjoying your PTR!

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!



I have only seen bits of Avatar...I was just bored... CGI can only get you so far James Cameron. You have been warned. He totally is gonna read this and cry!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Expedition Everest. It is just the bomb. I will really like it in my back garden then I could ride it all the time!! Please??
I hope you love it too! Then we can have an Expedition Everest fan club!

I am so glad you are enjoying it! Sometimes I just ramble on and its just like a mad cat lady talking to herself! You make me feel less crazy
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[Glittercat]

I like your kind of crazy and it plays well with mine! So delighted to have a September Planning Buddy! *hug!*

oooooooh the making of a GIF Addict! *swoon* Crazy Cat Ladies are good too!

Have to say most people in the World and the world-at-large are quite lovely! I adore people, their stories, their lives, getting to know them, and hopefully making them smile! Just being a chick in a wheelchair though, well, in public transportation situations when everyone is beat from a day at the parks, well, that is a lil' rough on everyone. In truth though I have been blessed to meet some of the kindest and most interesting people anywhere and it is one of the things I live for!

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

Must Do's: Hollywood Studios



Well pipe down and I will tell you Brick! Geez....We be yelling about:



HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS!

(Can I just suggest that instead of some new crappy icon like the hat rolleyes2) that this just becomes the new park icon?? )

Because its my favourite park!!!



I know some people say this is the "half day park" but those people are silly and clearly haven't been on RnRC or Tower of Terror.

So lets do the "Must Dos" at Miss Lu's Favourite park! (I just like the rhyme!)

1. Tower of Terror. Can I just say how much I this please? Just special, special love (not that kind I'm not that weird) I remember going on this with my father and step mother for the first time and step mother did NOT want to go on this! And of course we got front row! Her reaction was just priceless! I think this was before they changed it to random so you just went up and then down. Woman looked green when she got off! Surprisingly she didn't want to ride again Has anyone seen the movie of this ride?? With Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg? Anybody? Just me then!

2. Rockin Roller-coaster Starring Aerosmith. Yep it gets its full name here folks I do like Aerosmith and I like roller-coasters...hey lets put the two together! Results: awesomeness Its just maths.

3. Muppet Vision "Its in 3D". This is just a classic. I love the Muppets. Nough said

4. Star Tours. Now here is another Figmentesk problem for me. Why did they have to change this? Just cause you throw 3D at something doesn't make it better But it's still a must do.

Okay here is my one "Must Do" ride I have never must done and it's probably going to shock you...

1. Toy Story Midway Mania. I have never been on this in my life. I know! I did sorta know it was there but I didn't have a clue what it was plus the wait time was always posted at like 90 mins. Ain't nobody got time for that! So I am going to have my first ever foray into Toy Story Mania to see what all the fuss is about (Please don't take away my DIS card. I'm sorry I really am!)



I know why were are really all here! "Food Dos"! It would be rude to keep you waiting:

1. Sci-Fi Dine In. I mentioned this in my ADR section but I just love this place. Its just so freaking cool! A know a lot of people complain the food isn't great but its burger and fries so that's A-OK with this girl. I keeps it real classy you know Plus it plays the best movies! They don't make em like that any more ♫ Lets all go to the lobby....

2. 50's Prime Time Cafe. I love 50's America. I would like to live there. Can someone get working on that please? I remember eating here as a kid and it was so much fun! The interaction with waiters and waitresses was a hoot! But last time it was just...flat. I know its because people complained about it, but they are idiots why do we have to suffer?? They serve killer Fried Chicken though so I guess I'll let it slid...

3. Hollywood Brown Derby. You guys, you guys...I got a phone call from Goofy here. Yep the Goofster himself called little old me when I was stuffing my child sized face and I was just in awe! You just dont know. No such phone calls since mind you... How quickly they forget you

Well my lovelies that is it for my "Must Dos"at Hollywood Studios (or whatever else its going to be called. I still call it MGM Studios...)

So hows about a little Par-TY??



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[BibbitybobityLu]

I like your kind of crazy and it plays well with mine! So delighted to have a September Planning Buddy! *hug!*

oooooooh the making of a GIF Addict! *swoon* Crazy Cat Ladies are good too!

Have to say most people in the World and the world-at-large are quite lovely! I adore people, their stories, their lives, getting to know them, and hopefully making them smile! Just being a chick in a wheelchair though, well, in public transportation situations when everyone is beat from a day at the parks, well, that is a lil' rough on everyone. In truth though I have been blessed to meet some of the kindest and most interesting people anywhere and it is one of the things I live for!

If you like this kinda crazy you are in luck! That's all I got for ya! If your crazy too that mean that we are really normal Probably not!

Hi my name is Lu and I'm a GIF addict (Hi Lu )

I'm a crazy cat lady with no cats.... except this one I guess!
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[Glittercat]

We have two cats and one them some days is making me crazy! Does that count? By the way you've totally made me into a crazy GIF lady, and I couldn't be happier about that!