Cafeen, DxDDP, CSR, and... A Sept 2010 PTR

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Allan! I lurked on your TR from your trip with Beth and Emily. I really enjoy your sense of humor. Anywho, your plans look great so far and I look forward to reading more.

I have a 3 yr old Canon XTi. I love this camera. I, like your brother, use my old SLR lenses on it. That was a major reason I bought it. Didn't want to have to buy as many new lenses. It does take beautiful pictures. Hope to read you get one. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Cafeen]

Well, I've been slacking. I suppose it's time to write some stuff on the trip, but my home life is rather boring, so there's not much other than plans (were are, for the most part, done ><)

Hi Allan! I lurked on your TR from your trip with Beth and Emily. I really enjoy your sense of humor. Anywho, your plans look great so far and I look forward to reading more.

I have a 3 yr old Canon XTi. I love this camera. I, like your brother, use my old SLR lenses on it. That was a major reason I bought it. Didn't want to have to buy as many new lenses. It does take beautiful pictures. Hope to read you get one. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks . I'm sure the TR itself will be more interesting than the PTR, since on the trip I'll actually be doing stuff. It'll be a bit different this year without the girls, but oh well.

I've added something to my requirement to get my camera. This may make or break it... As of Thursday, I am attempting to quit smoking. I've already cut down from 2ish packs a day to 1ish (though, I've been bad today... since it's the weekend), but it's going to be a bit tough. For the longest time, I haven't had a desire to quit, now that I do, I'm going to have to not half-rear-end it. I did the math, and if I had quit after Thursday, I would have saved roughly 1500$ by the time Disney was here. That would virtually pay for the entire trip!

The excitement for the camera should really help it along though. While I don't have any of my old lenses anymore , the one I'm looking at comes with the 18-55, and then there's a cheapish 55-200 (I think). Those, plus filters (can't live without a polarizer!) should work for the majority of what I like to do. It'll give me something to do on weekends too other than sit at home.

At any rate, I suppose I should stop jabbering and write some stuff up...

 

[Cafeen]

Day 5 - Magic Kingdom
So, after a week, we arrive at day 5 (time travel is neat-o). This brings me back to the Magic Kingdom. It also (most likely) brings me to a fully solo trip time.

Well, before I go forward, let's rewind a little... (more time travel, weee!)

I have made a few edits to the ADR list, you may notice them (or you may not, since I haven't ACTUALLY made the edits yet, so if you ninja-read the at midnight (Alabama time), then you aren't going to see them. If you're reading this after I made the edits, then ignore this entire aside), or you may not.

Also, I did mention that my mom was going to come along for a few days. We're still discussing the details, especially since I have so many dining plans that we'll want to work that out ahead of time. I can't say that she has to come and pay her way at all of them, since she's not going to be on a dining plan. I figure that she may skip one or two, I'll pay for one or two, and she'll get the rest. Should work out ok. We'll see what she says after I email her the PDF of my plans (funny, I'm not particularly organized at home or work, or even on other vacations, but come Disney and I'm writing up 10-15 page documents detailing the plans...).

Oh yeah, the actual days... most likely she'll be coming either Thursday (23 Sept) evening or Friday morning (which may put a damper on MK rope drop... but that's ok, that's why I have 2 1/2 days there!). I'm guessing that she'll most likely head out Sunday evening. Of course, this puts us not visiting her favorite park (MGM) while we're there... but oh well, this is my vacation

First off, Saturday 25 Sept: I have added a Tusker House breakfast here @ 8:30am. Yes, I scheduled a character breakfast for me and my mom. I figured it'd be a fun thing to do.

I will also be canceling my Yak and Yeti for this day. 3 Sit down meals will be a bit much (both food-wise and mom's OOP-wise), and Yak and Yeti wasn't really grabbing me.

I also changed the times on both Le Cellier and Boma to 11:30am and 5:35pm respectively. I figure the Le Cellier earlier would help get seated quickly (pretty sure that's the first seating) as well as spread out the lunch and dinner that day. Boma was more so I wouldn't have to fill almost 2 hours between AK closing and the original ADR time (6:45pm). This makes even more sense now for not doing Yak & Yeti for lunch too.

I'm also considering adding a 1900 Park Fare dinner in here while my mom's around. Chances are it'll be either on Friday (forcing me to move Artist Point) or Sunday (forcing me to cancel Tutto, which I'm ok with). Sunday may be an issue with the time she plans to leave though...

So... while I have solid plans for dining now, as you guys all know (erm.. both know? heh), they're never really set in stone .

So... now we fast forward again to "today" (or several months from today....).

So... I just wanted to start a 3rd paragraph like that. On Monday (Day 5 AKA 27 Sept for those keeping score at home), once again the plan is for Magic Kingdom. If I did rope drop on the previous Friday, I'll try to sleep in some (it's strange, I hate getting up before 9am at home... but at Disney, which is an hour ahead of me, I can't sleep past 6:30am...). I will walk around the Magic Kingdom for the morning with the goal of taking at least 50 pictures (and not of crap either!). This should keep me entertained for a bit, since I kinda have to entertain myself here. I'll hop on the rides I feel like doing and otherwise meander, putter, roam, stroll, etc around. Nothing much to add, I'm not going with a certain order to do things, I'm definitely not doing with a Touring Plans Schedule, I'm just going to figure it out as I get there.

So, after awhile, I'll be hungry. Good thing I made ADRs for lunch. This should give me something to do for awhile. I'm eating at Tony's Town Square at 11:30 (which gives more reason to possibly cancel Tutto the night before, 2 Italian meals in a row... like that's ever bothered me before though!)

After lunch, I'll play it by ear a bit until dinner time. I have ADRs at Citrico's for 7pm. I'll eat and then head back to CSR for the night (or back to MK... or wherever I feel like going!)

And that about sums up the day.

 

[dizneeat]

So sorry to hear you lost both of your grandmothers! So sorry you had to cancel your other trip but



for the plans on your upcoming trip! Love the ADRs and daily plans! Helps with my own plans!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

I'm enjoying reading about your plans so far. Epcot is our favorite park as well.

Your dining choices are great.

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Well, if you've been slacking on posting installments, then I don't feel so bad about slacking on my reading. I swear I can't seem to get caught up here lately. Have no real excuse other than, simply, life.

Congrats on deciding to stop smoking. Not only will that help your pocketbook but that will be great for your health too.

I know you were wondering about people on the dining plan and not on the dining plan sharing entrees. I haven't had that exact experience but we always share entrees (on the dining plan) and haven't had anybody tell us that's a no-no. I don't see why it would matter if you are both paying customers.

 

[trickiwoo]

Hopping on board for your PTR!

I hope you're able to get a DSLR before your trip! I'm going in Sept and it will be my first WDW trip taking a DSLR! Last year I chose to only bring a P&S because I really wanted to focus on going on rides since it was my very first time at WDW! But now that I've done most of the rides, for my next trip I'm planning on taking loads of pictures! So now I just have to figure out which cameras and which lenses to bring!

 

[Cafeen]

So sorry to hear you lost both of your grandmothers! So sorry you had to cancel your other trip but



for the plans on your upcoming trip! Love the ADRs and daily plans! Helps with my own plans!

Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks Glad that my strange, nearly obsessive behavior toward this one thing (since I only act this way toward Disney) can help someone out.

Sorry to hear about your losses.

I'm enjoying reading about your plans so far. Epcot is our favorite park as well.

Your dining choices are great.

Looking forward to reading more.

Thanks to you as well . I'm really liking MOST of the choices. Not sold on Tutto yet, but hoping for the new restaurant to be open by then, and have taken ADRs. If I can get that dinner there instead (or move R&C or Marrakesh around to get a dinner there at all), then they will be pretty much perfect.

I am having trouble moving things around to see about 1900 PF dinner though. I like having my ADRs near (or at) the park I plan to be at that day, so it looks like this plan may be kaput.

Well, if you've been slacking on posting installments, then I don't feel so bad about slacking on my reading. I swear I can't seem to get caught up here lately. Have no real excuse other than, simply, life.

Congrats on deciding to stop smoking. Not only will that help your pocketbook but that will be great for your health too.

I know you were wondering about people on the dining plan and not on the dining plan sharing entrees. I haven't had that exact experience but we always share entrees (on the dining plan) and haven't had anybody tell us that's a no-no. I don't see why it would matter if you are both paying customers.

When I fall behind on DISing, I just blame the boss. Even if it's over a weekend that I wasn't working, it's still the boss's fault.

The smoking thing will be tough, I was pretty good the first couple of days, but this weekend... not so much. I have made it through so far today on about 1/2 a pack, but I spent 3hrs sleeping after work (and about 2 hrs at the dentist this morning). If I do quit though, it will make for an easier time at Disney. I won't have to seek out those extra-hidden DSAs...

As far as the sharing, I know that we'd not be allowed to full on share, but who's going to say anything about her taking a bite of my appy, entree, or dessert? If all else fails, I'll just happen to only want about half of the appy or dessert and the restaurant police can hunt me down if they see the need!

Hopping on board for your PTR!

I hope you're able to get a DSLR before your trip! I'm going in Sept and it will be my first WDW trip taking a DSLR! Last year I chose to only bring a P&S because I really wanted to focus on going on rides since it was my very first time at WDW! But now that I've done most of the rides, for my next trip I'm planning on taking loads of pictures! So now I just have to figure out which cameras and which lenses to bring!

Very nice . When in Sept are you going?

It's been so long since I've gone shooting, that I don't really have advice to give. I do know that if you have a fast lens, you should be able to get some decent dark ride pics (without a flash). There was a guy over on the photography boards who brought a 50mm f1.4 (I think...) and those pics were insanely good.

--------------------------------------
(That line separates out the responses with my own stuff.... so does this descriptive aside)
--------------------------------------
(And that one for good measure)

So, the dentist was today... it was as much "fun" as I remember it. Get my teeth scraped and gums all poked to heck and back, and then told that I shouldn't drink my soda anymore. At least they said I brushed well and that the only problems was due to the excessive amounts of sugary soda I drink. It'll take some work to right it 100%, but nothing beyond cavities in there after 15 or 16 years (ok, some of them are real bad and will likely require the removal of the tooth... but still, it could be worse.)

BTW, I hate the dentist... I was all shaking after she finished the cleaning part. Guess I probably should have accepted the nitrous...

And on the smoking front, as mentioned, I've been bad. Still an improvement over this time last week, but not as good as Thurs and Fri. I have found myself smoking less of a cigarette each time I smoke (typically 1/2 - 2/3), but I'm going outside at work nearly twice as often... Oh well, it's a process. I just gotta keep the XSi in my thoughts...

And lastly, Free Dining and 30% room discounts came out today (30% Value/Mod, 40% Deluxe/Villa). I was going to call Disney after work to see if I could take advantage and how much each option would be.. but I fell asleep. I'll call tomorrow during one of my breaks.

Post-lastly, I have to find a way to get some Mickey heads. Without a car, heading to Home Depot is tricky since I don't have a car, nor will really ever need anything at Home Depot. And asking my friends from work may be strange... as they wouldn't quite get the concept of the LGMHs... I suppose I'll figure that out too.

And even post-er-lastly... I need to start working on my photo assignments for Disney. I figure, being solo that it'll give me something to do. Whether I'm still using my P&S (Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Grey).. yes, I copied that from the Amazon link in my past orders...) or I get the new one, either way will work. I'll start getting this organized and then likely ask for help for ideas .

 

[KatMark]

Allan, I was on mickeystoontown pre-trip report and saw you posted so I found the link to your pre-trip report. I am so glad I found it as I so much enjoyed last year's trip report.

First, I am so sorry about you losing both of your grandmother's, and so very sorry about the issues with Emily's mother; I know how much you love that little girl.

I am so glad you are going back to CSR for your solo trip. As you saw in my PM to you, we are going back too...but we will miss you by two or three days...this makes me very

I have a pre-trip report going as well if you would like to join in.

But I'm here for the duration.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Well, I've been slacking. I suppose it's time to write some stuff on the trip, but my home life is rather boring, so there's not much other than plans (were are, for the most part, done ><)



Thanks . I'm sure the TR itself will be more interesting than the PTR, since on the trip I'll actually be doing stuff. It'll be a bit different this year without the girls, but oh well.

I've added something to my requirement to get my camera. This may make or break it... As of Thursday, I am attempting to quit smoking. I've already cut down from 2ish packs a day to 1ish (though, I've been bad today... since it's the weekend), but it's going to be a bit tough. For the longest time, I haven't had a desire to quit, now that I do, I'm going to have to not half-rear-end it. I did the math, and if I had quit after Thursday, I would have saved roughly 1500$ by the time Disney was here. That would virtually pay for the entire trip!

The excitement for the camera should really help it along though. While I don't have any of my old lenses anymore , the one I'm looking at comes with the 18-55, and then there's a cheapish 55-200 (I think). Those, plus filters (can't live without a polarizer!) should work for the majority of what I like to do. It'll give me something to do on weekends too other than sit at home.

At any rate, I suppose I should stop jabbering and write some stuff up...

I COMPLETELY understand the pain of quitting smoking. I'm happy to say I will be hitting my 3 year quit anniversary on 6/3. I couldn't believe how much money I had left each week after I quit. I had a habit like yours and only name brand cigs for this girl so lots of $$$. Hope you do quit so we can see some pics with your new Xsi! You've got this, your a smart guy just put your mind to it.

 

[Cafeen]

Allan, I was on mickeystoontown pre-trip report and saw you posted so I found the link to your pre-trip report. I am so glad I found it as I so much enjoyed last year's trip report.

First, I am so sorry about you losing both of your grandmother's, and so very sorry about the issues with Emily's mother; I know how much you love that little girl.

I am so glad you are going back to CSR for your solo trip. As you saw in my PM to you, we are going back too...but we will miss you by two or three days...this makes me very

I have a pre-trip report going as well if you would like to join in.

But I'm here for the duration.

Hey Kathy . I've actually been lurking on your PTR too . I don't post nearly enough outside of my "comfort zone" (Dining Boards mostly, not sure why but I seem to know a lot about that process ), but I've been reading along .

The Emily thing, yeah, it sucks. It's gotten easier over the past couple of months. It was really difficult at Grammy's funeral, not so much missing Beth at that point, but Emily was constantly in my thoughts. At least they're doing alright, from what I hear and that's what matters most.

And, CSR, I just love it. I've always been a fan of the Southwestern/Mexican style, ever since I took a special class in grade school about it. (Yeah, I was a nerd )

I COMPLETELY understand the pain of quitting smoking. I'm happy to say I will be hitting my 3 year quit anniversary on 6/3. I couldn't believe how much money I had left each week after I quit. I had a habit like yours and only name brand cigs for this girl so lots of $$$. Hope you do quit so we can see some pics with your new Xsi! You've got this, your a smart guy just put your mind to it.

Thanks for the support. I've been getting better, but still far from where I need to get. I suppose the fact that the Circle K right near my house always knows what to get me isn't helping. Going to make a real effort this weekend though (and the rest of this week). I figure that if I stop for at least a week or two, that'll be enough to get my camera (not money-wise of course, not even I smoke that much ), which will then reinforce it some more. We shall see.

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, this isn't particularly PTR related (at least for myself...), but in helping someone else look at their DxDDP plans over on the restaurant boards I got inspired to come up with a very strong DDP cost analysis spreadsheet.

I'm still considering it "in beta", but it's fully functional and such. (Well, I haven't converted it to other formats, but the Excel 2007 version is ). There's more detail over on my website. If any of you feels like they want to look it over, please feel free and let me know what you think and if there's stuff that needs to change.

Just for reference, here's what it looks like (and real data from my upcoming trip )

I'll be back on later this evening to continue my (not-so-)epic planning.

Also, for those who may not have seen it yet, in my signature I also wrote up an ADR tutorial (well, I didn't write it up in my signature, that would end up being WAY over the line limits! But, the link to the write up is there.)

 

[rndmr2]

So, I'll head on over to Canada for lunch at this point. I do have the 11:30 ADRs now for Le Cellier, which should be good. Although, I did notice that the DIS (wdwinfo.com) no longer lists the chocolate moose as a dessert... Hopefully they still have it and just missed it or something when entering in the information

FYI, My DH had the Chocolate Moose for dessert when we ate there this past Thursday (5/6)

Sounds like your plans are shaping up. Good luck with quitting smoking.

 

[Cafeen]

FYI, My DH had the Chocolate Moose for dessert when we ate there this past Thursday (5/6)

Sounds like your plans are shaping up. Good luck with quitting smoking.

Well, that's a relief, although that double chocolate cake thingy they have also looks good. It'll be a tough choice!

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, so I've been slacking at this thing. I've been busy or something! At anyrate...

Day 6 - Hollywood Studios (bleh)
Ok, if you read my last TR, you know this isn't my favorite park. If you didn't read, well, you know because you just read the last sentence. So yup, I don't particularly enjoy "HS" too much. When we were there in September, it didn't help things that we barely did much of anything.

I hate that hat. It looked so much better with the Chinese Theater as the backdrop .
​

So, with all that said, the plan for the day is Rope Drop to TSM. Since I had to imaginarily (no, it's not a real word, deal with it!) rip up last year's fast passes (see the end of this post), I need to do this at least once. (Well, twice if I get my camera, once to ride, once to photograph ). So, since it's my higher priority, I will become part of the "Mad Dash" to TSM for a ride then a FP. Of course, being solo, I don't have to worry about dragging the rest of the crew along with me!

After the first TSM ride (depending on FP return!), I'll stroll down to RnRC and ToT. I used to be a HUGE (imagine that in 48pt font!) ride wimp when I was younger. I never did the trill rides, all until the day I went to King's Dominion with the Boy Scouts on our return home from a trip to DC (Hm, since when is VA on the way home from DC... when home is NH? I may have to revisit this) and I rode the big wooden coaster there. After that, a few rides on the local park's woodie (Yankee Cannonball at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH) and I was good to go.

If the same random people are in my shots this coming trip, that would just be odd.
​

So, RnRC and ToT are on my list for this year. As is Space Mountain (yes, this is my 11th trip and I've never been on it, it was closed last year), but this isn't about Magic Kingdom.

...Where was I? Other than rambling along? Hm... So anyway, at around lunch time I have ADRs for Sci-Fi. (11:40am to be approximate). I'm looking forward to a decent burger and some onion rings. Nothing too fancy.

After lunch, we'll see how things go. Lots of photography and meandering around. If I get too bored, I'll head over to Epcot /shrug.

Dinner is around 7pm at Yachtsman. This is one of the "I'm very much looking forward to eat here" places (Like Artist Point and LTT lunch). Not that I'm not looking forward to the other places (well, except Yak and Yeti, which is why I'm canceling it), but this is above that. You guys know what I mean.

After some yummy steak and getting to see a large bill that I only have to pay 20-25% on , I'll head somewhere. I don't really know yet. Either back to Epcot for some end of night stuff, or some how manage to get back to CSR or whatever. Being solo is nice .

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Allan. The Studios is my least favorite park as well. We do the Walt Disney Story (you really ought to do this), TSM, Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll Roller Coaster (only Mark though...this is one coaster that I just can't do anymore), Muppets and the Great Movie Ride (although both of these REALLY need updates). If we hit it right we will do Beauty & the Beast Show as well.

How's the quitting smoking going?

 

[Cafeen]

Great update, Allan. The Studios is my least favorite park as well. We do the Walt Disney Story (you really ought to do this), TSM, Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll Roller Coaster (only Mark though...this is one coaster that I just can't do anymore), Muppets and the Great Movie Ride (although both of these REALLY need updates). If we hit it right we will do Beauty & the Beast Show as well.

How's the quitting smoking going?

Man, I forgot about GMR, I remembered it way back when the park opened and loved it then. Didn't get a chance to go on in Sept (of course, looking back, that seems to be the theme of that trip...).

Also forgot about the Walt Disney Story too! /gasp. One of the main reasons that I was doing the park at all (well, besides TSM, ToT, RnRC, GMR, and the Indy show (another old favorite that I forgot to mention). Star Tours would be on there too (what can I say, I liked it when it first came out too), but it will likely be closed .

I'm not really a fan of the other shows though. I'm just not really a show and parade type of guy /shrug.

As far as the smoking, it's best we don't talk about it . Too much of my personal craving triggers are tied to using the computer, and since I spend all day at work on it, and then all evening at home... it's tough. Last night wasn't so bad and hopefully today will be better.. we'll see.

 

[KatMark]

Man, I forgot about GMR, I remembered it way back when the park opened and loved it then. Didn't get a chance to go on in Sept (of course, looking back, that seems to be the theme of that trip...).

Also forgot about the Walt Disney Story too! /gasp. One of the main reasons that I was doing the park at all (well, besides TSM, ToT, RnRC, GMR, and the Indy show (another old favorite that I forgot to mention). Star Tours would be on there too (what can I say, I liked it when it first came out too), but it will likely be closed .

I'm not really a fan of the other shows though. I'm just not really a show and parade type of guy /shrug.

As far as the smoking, it's best we don't talk about it . Too much of my personal craving triggers are tied to using the computer, and since I spend all day at work on it, and then all evening at home... it's tough. Last night wasn't so bad and hopefully today will be better.. we'll see.

Now, aren't you glad I visited today so you'd remember all the things you forgot?

And hang in there with the smoking...you can do it!

 

[KatMark]

Allan, the latest on Star Tours as I found on Facebook:

Update on Star Tours closures - Star Tours to close September 8, 2010 at Walt Disney World

 

[aprilisis]

Great update, Allan. The Studios is my least favorite park as well. We do the Walt Disney Story (you really ought to do this), TSM, Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll Roller Coaster (only Mark though...this is one coaster that I just can't do anymore), Muppets and the Great Movie Ride (although both of these REALLY need updates). If we hit it right we will do Beauty & the Beast Show as well.

That's exactly what we do there, too!
Allan- I hope you get your camera. I wish our trips overlapped- we are eating at a lot of the same places!