A Sept '10 pre-trip report on how Disney addicts kill time before vacation!

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Thanks for the pictures. They were great to see again/ Oh how I miss the old ride. I wish that my girls could have experienced it.
I did know about the Winnnie the Pooh ride which i thought was really cool. On our last trip i did show my girls. They were old enough to understand the significance. I had no idea about the HM ride. I am so glad to have seen it. I can't wait to show my family in August.
Thanks again.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

hehe thats how my friend Elisa and i are also... we dubbed ourselves double trouble when we first met 9 years ago!! shes def a BFF!!!

t bad you dont lvie closre to each other... but nothing can really beat a reunion in wdw!!

We used to reunion in Vegas, but we kinda grew out of those days. I still love it out there, but it was a lot to pack in a weekend. Plus E knows all the indoor paths so we never had to go outside.

I think this may become a more regular trip for her and I... I just need to convince DH of this.

Thanks for the pictures. They were great to see again/ Oh how I miss the old ride. I wish that my girls could have experienced it.

I did know about the Winnnie the Pooh ride which i thought was really cool. On our last trip i did show my girls. They were old enough to understand the significance. I had no idea about the HM ride. I am so glad to have seen it. I can't wait to show my family in August.

Thanks again.

I miss Toad so much! I took DS on Pooh last April and he didn't care for it... the Pooh he knows is My Friends Tigger and Pooh. I'm trying to find some of the older stuff - hopefully they'll run it on the Disney Jr. station that's taking over Soapnet next year.

Okay... hopefully this post rounds out this page. I'm going to end this post and come back with 2 more - 1 of my amended hunt, the 2nd will be our schedule.

E's still really busy with school and work, but she said she'd try to chime in very soon!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Here is my updated scavenger hunt list (the whole reason I started this thread!) You can see a good chunk has been changed due to the FLE. Some may still need adjustments as we learn more about the construction, but here it is nonetheless!

We also added a rule that each park had to have 1 food opportunity.

Magic Kingdom

• Find PUSH
• Find M.T. Lott
• Picture of Train pulled in the Main St. Station
• Snow White and ALL 7 dwarfs
• Find the message board of missing passengers (hint: Runaground Sue)
• Find the Liberty Tree
• Find Mr. Toad’s statuette
• Picture by the Golden Camel
• Find Lytum & Hyde explosives
• Find where Anastasia and Drusilla are red with rage and green with envy
• Get a Dole Whip
• Find the mustached ladies
• What is the engine company number?
• Mirror the Partner’s Statue
• Get a picture while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Animal Kingdom

• Find DeVine
• Go on Safari
• Make some music! Hunt the African Drums.
• Find the Xylobone.
• Is the dinosaur at Dinoland a boy or a girl?
• Try some fried rice
• Find the shrine that matches the shape of Everest.
• Brush a goat
• Find the ketchup, mustard, and mayo formulas
• Find Rafiki

Epcot

• Make a Beverly face
• Find the crash test dummies (not the band)
• Find the train in Epcot.
• Find the English Channel
• Find the Canadian totem poles, get a picture of the “real” totem pole
• Find Tower of Terror from Epcot
• Find the candy lady, Miyuki
• Take the Monorail from MK to EP, take a picture ON the monorail inside EP.
• Find the original “center” of the World
• Find the Stave Church.
• Prove you were on a Segway
• Find the 9/11 rubble flag
• Find the Jammitors
• Find a butterfly garden.
• Try a kaki-gori

MGM

• Record your score on TSM
• Find Mr. Spock’s handprints
• Pull the rope at the well
• Find the Singin’ in the Rain umbrella
• Find Gertie
• Goin’ back to Cali, find a world famous landmark from LA

Around the World

• Wear your GAD buttons
• Kiss Minnie or Daisy’s hand
• Find a cast member with your name!
• Relax in a hammock.

The items in MK listed in bold are unknowns right now. I had other ideas for Snow White, but the closing of the Expo Hall is preventing that from happening! It’s okay though… there are lots of little things we can replace it with!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

As for our schedule… everyone thinks I’m nuts, but I think we can do day 1 fairly easily.


DAY 1: Arrival/EP

• Depart Indianapolis at 7:00 a.m. (pray kids stay asleep on the 2 hour drive down! – Thankful my dad is our chauffer for the day!)
• Arrive MCO @ 9:15 a.m.
• Board ME and head to CBR – reading recently that some people made it to CBR in like 20 minutes… is that for real?
• Check-in at CBR, head for EP
• DD birthday lunch at Akershus 12:10p
• Roam EP (ride Soarin' with E, BEST RIDE EVER!)
• Swim with the fishies err… dine with the fishies at Coral Reef 6:30p
• Hit up 1-2 attractions ??
• Head home for the night

DAY 2: MK

• Head to the park around 9a
• Cash in GAD vouchers for FPs - sharing our GAD w/Team SD - I can't wait to ride Space Mtn!!!
• Roam the park
• Dinner at CM 7:35p
• Back to park or go swim at home

DAY 3: AK or bust!

• Cash in GAD vouchers for FPs - sharing our GAD w/Team SD
• Roam the park until close (5p)
• Tour AKL
• Dinner at Boma 6:15p
• Evening EMH at DHS (7p-10p)

DAY 4: MNSSHP

• Pool/relaxation morning
• Grab a bite to eat/nap
• Get ready for the party!
• PARTY the night away! (4p-12a)
• Hallowishes
• Catch 2nd Boo-To-You parade
• Head home

DAY 5: DHS morning/EP evening

• Arrive at DHS ~ 9:30/10a
• Roam DHS (catch B&TB stage show, cry about One Man’s Dream being closed)
• Head to EP via International Gateway around 2:45p
• EARLY dinner at Le Cellier 4:15p (thank God for snack credits)
• EP has evening EMH until 12a – will not stay until then but will enjoy EP emptying after Illuminations that night

DAY 6: MK/departure day

• Check out CBR/check luggage
• Breakfast at Crystal Palace 8:30a
• Cash in Team South Dakota’s 2nd GAD voucher for FPs
• Hit up attractions that we want to do one last time
• Head to DTD by 1p via SSR or POR bus/ferry
• Early dinner at T-Rex 2:15p **really thinking about moving this to like 3:30p**
• Head to CBR
• Board ME at 6:00p

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Wow! 2 monster posts and it didn't turn the page!

 

[amyrella]

i'm sure you mentioned it already... but are you guys doing the basic dining plan or the deluxe dining plan?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We're doing regular DP on free dining with the moderate resort.

We booked last October with the hopes of the free dining promo coming out. I actually booked at Pop with the dining plan (paid). By upgrading resorts we actually saved $100! (which we immediately put towards MNSSHP!)

 

[BabyEeyore]

I'm joining in! We're going in September, too, and can't wait!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay, I think I'm going to start compiling a list of the closures/rehabs in coordination with the Mickey Gets Evicted thread.

I'm also going to start listing out everything that I've compiled as far as our hotel/transportation/anything I can think of. Maybe it will help someone out!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay, here's the run down of what I know so far, please, anyone feel free to correct me if I have down the wrong info!

This is the first time we are flying (to DH's bemusement... he has never flown before) so this is the FIRST TIME EVER I have been at the World without a car!

For ME:
- call about 1 1/2 months out to confirm travel times to/from MCO
- reconfirm travel at 10 days
- they really only need the flight number, not the times - they check those with the airport
- travel package should arrive 2 weeks out from our trip
- 1 luggage tag is provided per registered traveller
- some kind of yellow tape is sent as well, as an indicator for ME staff to take your bags
- ME can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes to reach your resort
- bags can take up to a WHOLE day to reach the resort as they go through several processing centers
- can check our bags at our hotel for our outgoing flight
- ME leaves every 30 minutes
- need to be back at resort 15 minutes before your scheduled ME departure time
- you are given a scheduled departure time 3 hours from your flight departure time

GAD voucher redemption:
- if trading in for FP, they must be redeemed by 11:00 a.m.
- redeem at will call/guest services
- valid photo ID MUST be shown
- FPs are distributed by 3 Donald/3 Daisy for a total of 6 passes per person
- up to 6 members of your party may receive the passes off a single voucher, but no one has been turned away for groups larger than 6 (yet)
- if the FP machines are shut down or FP are out for the day, AND the GAD FP doesn't work for some reason, contact a ride manager - GAD FP superceedes ALL other passes

Rehabs/Closures for September:
MK -
CLOSED: IASW, Ariel's Grotto, Scuttle's Landing, Pooh's Playful Spot
OTHER: the Great Wall of Disney starts near IASW and continues to Toontown, Toontown should remain open until early 2011, Exposition Hall's movie theater is closed and being refurbed to house meet and greets in the near future, the Fairies and Princesses are still meeting in Toontown, the train will close at some point due to the work in Toontown - but that date has not been released, it is unsure if Summer Nightastic and MSEP will continue into the fall (I'm sooo hoping to see MSEP again!!)

EP -
CLOSED: nothing is known at this time
OTHER: there have been some rare characters being seen at Millenium Village (between Canada and England) - worth a look to see if anyone is out

DHS -
CLOSED: Star Tours will close mid-August for a major refurb including new ride variations and updated for all 6 films, One Man's Dream will close for refurb mid-August and may or may not reopen (it's was only a temporary exhibit in the first place in which most of the artifacts are on loan - it is unsure if all of the artifacts are being given back or traded out for others), Toy Story Mania has just been updated with new games
OTHER: the Power Rangers will no longer appear at DHS, some rumors to putting out Phineas and Ferb, but several park insiders say no changes will be made until October at the earliest, changes may be coming soon to the characters at Hollywood & Vine - trading out Jojo and Goliath for Handy Manny (again, not rumored to begin until after October)

AK -
CLOSED: Betty is out of commission behind a scrim while Imaginears are attempting a small refurb so she will become somewhat functional, but not fully operational to get her out of strobe-mode
OTHER: the characters have been on the move lately (Pocohontas, Jiminy Cricket, Devine) but we can call the character hotline to see who will be out and where

MNSSHP INFO -
- MNSSHP will be held 3x/week towards the end of September
- MK is rumored to be empty on party days
- it is going to be HOT so dress accordingly
- can enter MK at 4 p.m. to get our bracelets and candy bags
- 2nd parade is less crowded
- parade begins in Frontierland, ends in Town Square; starts at Splash runs by the south side of the riverboat dock through Liberty Square, across the bridge to the Hub, past the Villians show stage, down Main Street to the Tear Drop
- the villians will do a brief meet and greet after the stage show, but do not sign autographs due to time constraints
- Hallowishes is not to be missed
- don't trick or treat early on, several CM's are near the exit to top off bags at the end of the night
- be in line to meet your must-see characters by 7
- Snow White and Cindy's carriage are generally the longest lines
- two dance parties have been in the past, but with the Grotto closed, no other place has been announced as of yet
- Merchant of Venus has official party gear; if you want a shirt, buy it early, they have a tendancy to run out

That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure more will pop up in the near future!

More soon!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

Jimmy Crickets! You live in Rapid?! What a small world

So folks I thought I would drop a line and say no that I haven't died, I mean come on who dies before they can go on their disney trip right! NO ONE, thats why So yes I have been absent, yes I have been lazy and yes I have been busy My dog really was ill, things are all better now by the way, thanks for asking Yes I did start a part time job, GO Borders! and yes I am going to school which started back up again last month, with another class beginning on Monday. So No I can not contribute all they time, but my friend BEGGED me (it was really rather embarrassing) to come back because she said the thread was failing miserably without out my comic genious Well as you can see I excepted, but don't tell her I told you guys she begged, she will probably deny the whole event, then blame i on you guys and pretend that I came back because she emailed me that she needed my help because you guys were desperate to here more form me and missed me terrible, So sad I tell you...

So I had a few moments before work this morning and let you guys know that yes I had for got about the thread, yes it had completed vanished form my mind, and yes I had no intention of ever comeing back CRAP! did I just type that out loud?? hehehe ::nervous laughter:: only joking GOTCHA!

Any ways I will try to come back now and then to spice up Jenn drab posts. I mean really what are friends for if they can't poke fun at you

P.S. Don't worry I know you guys didn't beg for me to come back, and please don't be mad at Jenn if she succumbs the the evil of blaming it all on you nice people. She is good people, she just gets desperate at times for my attention. Always calling me and saying yeah DISNEY, blah blah blah, wasting my pressious time and all, but I love anyways

I just started and read your entire trip report in one sitting. The scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. My family will definitely have to try it on a future trip, but I think we might have too much to do for our trip in December, especially with the crowds.

I hope y'all are doing okay. I noticed you haven't posted in awhile. Hope you're just a little busy.

So, a couple of crazy coincidences. My wife and I are living in Rapid City too! Also, we're expecting our first child in the next few weeks and we decided to name her Lucy.

I look forward to your next update!

 

[justplaingoofy]

Hi guys..... not sure if you remember me, but we were chatting back in April before I went on my trip. I went to get some info for the Frontierland train stop...

anyway.. my sister sent me a great new Disney book for my birthday called "The hidden magic of Walt Disney World"..so the other day I'm sitting it and reading it (just when I thought I know all things Disney, this book taught me even more)..any who... I was reading some of it to my dh and needless to say..we just booked to go back Sept 20.
yeah!!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

anyway.. my sister sent me a great new Disney book for my birthday called "The hidden magic of Walt Disney World"..so the other day I'm sitting it and reading it (just when I thought I know all things Disney, this book taught me even more)..any who... I was reading some of it to my dh and needless to say..we just booked to go back Sept 20. yeah!!!!

That's awesome goofy!!! You'll be finishing up your trip just as we get there! Be careful with that book... a few things in there are out of date, but boy is it a great read! I read that while going through my physical therapy for plantar fascitis. My PT (and a dear friend, known him since he was little and wearing smocked ducky outfits ) called me a dork whenever I cracked open my Disney books! Then I'd remind him of his old outfits...

And no I didn't beg... well, maybe a little... okay, I did! (But I'll deny it in public... ) She's back isn't she????

I cannot wait for this trip. E and I decided this morning we may have a few more rules to add to our scavenger hunt with all of the construction going on. Hopefully Main Street won't be under tarps anymore so Adam can get the full value of that magical little place we all love. I still think Team Indiana will kick Team SD's butts in that hunt!

Okay, DS just did the cutest thing... he knew I was on the DIS working on our trip and I looked over at he and DH and said, guess what?!?!? 3 months, 1 week, and 4 days... he threw his arms in the air and said "woohoo!" and DH said, "'til what?" but DS gets it! I think I've created a monster!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Looking over our costumes for MNSSHP and figuring out what we need, I run to my closet to see what I have laying around (I just know I have some army green dress pants that I can roll up to be Linda from P&F... Yay! I found them. Let's try them on....



Looks like I have a little work to do before our trip!

On a side note, E and I are trying to figure out a special place/person to do a really nice portrait/picture of the two of us. (All our pictures, the very limited ones we have, are from college and we look a little haggard... ). To everyone in Rapid, I'm a figment of the imagination - she wants some proof I exist!


Anyone have any ideas??

P.S. - I've almost got our trip paid off! I'm actually ahead of schedule. I didn't think I'd get it all done until late July/early August but I've had a couple extra money makers come my way. My newspaper gig has really kicked off (but it's only for 2 more weeks ) I should be able to sneak in at least 6-8 more jobs before that time is up!

 

[justplaingoofy]

Looking over our costumes for MNSSHP and figuring out what we need, I run to my closet to see what I have laying around (I just know I have some army green dress pants that I can roll up to be Linda from P&F... Yay! I found them. Let's try them on....



Looks like I have a little work to do before our trip!

The big butt fairy visited me this winter. Although I didn't fully know she had come for a visit until I put on my summer clothes.
Now thats one fairy I can do without!

 

[webstah]

How's that Sir Mix a Lot song go again?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Looking over our costumes for MNSSHP and figuring out what we need, I run to my closet to see what I have laying around (I just know I have some army green dress pants that I can roll up to be Linda from P&F... Yay! I found them. Let's try them on....



Looks like I have a little work to do before our trip!

The big butt fairy visited me this winter. Although I didn't fully know she had come for a visit until I put on my summer clothes.
Now thats one fairy I can do without!

I needed that giggle today!

I'm feeling a little defeated today. I came to these boards looking for information and anymore I don't check on here because people have been so critical of late... it's down-heartening.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay... I'm 100% guilty - I've not been around. July is always the craziest month for me between 4-H fairs, birthdays, and weddings and this year is NO exception!

I started getting all bummed that my scavenger hunt was shrinking by the day due to the upcoming refurbs, so I wept a bit, then called E. We decided to revisit our list to make it 100% around mid-August, so cross your fingers.

BTW...

I JUST PAID OFF OUR TRIP!!!! We can officially go now!!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay, so I know that we suck... we promised a PTR full of fun and excitement and humor and that all went by the wayside.

E's schooling is still in high gear and I spent the last month judging photography at different 4-H fairs across the state so even I haven't been home!

Right now I'm monitoring for any changes in the FLE and feverishly saving money for souvies and all of the little extras that pop up. Here's a list of incidentals... can anyone think of any others??

Airport: checking max of 2 bags each way (Airtran) - $80
Due to our package, DH and I are upgrading our tix 2 days - $30
2 OOP meals (last day, CP and T-Rex, judging on high end) - $140
Tips for DDP - 3 meals (4 people) - $45 min
Tips for DDP -2 meals (6 people) - $36 min
Refillable mugs x2 - $29
Souvies - $200

for a grand total of $558 in cash... what am I forgetting guys??

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Looking over our costumes for MNSSHP and figuring out what we need, I run to my closet to see what I have laying around (I just know I have some army green dress pants that I can roll up to be Linda from P&F... Yay! I found them. Let's try them on....



Looks like I have a little work to do before our trip!

On a side note, E and I are trying to figure out a special place/person to do a really nice portrait/picture of the two of us. (All our pictures, the very limited ones we have, are from college and we look a little haggard... ). To everyone in Rapid, I'm a figment of the imagination - she wants some proof I exist!


Anyone have any ideas??

P.S. - I've almost got our trip paid off! I'm actually ahead of schedule. I didn't think I'd get it all done until late July/early August but I've had a couple extra money makers come my way. My newspaper gig has really kicked off (but it's only for 2 more weeks ) I should be able to sneak in at least 6-8 more jobs before that time is up!

If taking this picture in Disney, use photopass. In our WDW welcome packet last year we received a free 5x7. Take them at all the parks and at the end or near end of trip, pick your favorite. They will print it out for you. Take that picture when you get home to Walgreens/CVS and you can get a package and or copies.