From Certifiably Insane to Shockingly Lucid: 10/20 - TR Link Posted, We're Back!!!

[MinnieNurse]

I like the new changes. I would definitely fly if you can get the right price on airfare. I refuse to stat offsite, I just love the whole experience of being onsite. Camping sounds fun, will you take a tent?

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by MinnieNurse

I like the new changes. I would definitely fly if you can get the right price on airfare. I refuse to stat offsite, I just love the whole experience of being onsite. Camping sounds fun, will you take a tent?

Nah, it'll just be us---sleeping bags----and the stars.....

OF COURSE we'd bring a tent! And bring an air matress with some sheets and a lantern, you know, your standard camping fare

The only other option would be the cabins, but those wouldn't be cost effective for only 2 people. I think I'm going to book a campground and then if some really sweet PINs come out for October, maybe just change over to POP or the All-Stars.

Honestly, I'd much prefer to stay in a hotel, but driving down was supposed to be our "adventure," so if we fly, our new adventure is going to be camping!!!

[MinnieNurse]

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

Nah, it'll just be us---sleeping bags----and the stars.....

OF COURSE we'd bring a tent! And bring an air matress with some sheets and a lantern, you know, your standard camping fare

The only other option would be the cabins, but those wouldn't be cost effective for only 2 people. I think I'm going to book a campground and then if some really sweet PINs come out for October, maybe just change over to POP or the All-Stars.

Honestly, I'd much prefer to stay in a hotel, but driving down was supposed to be our "adventure," so if we fly, our new adventure is going to be camping!!!

Thats what I meant tent or cabin? We have priced the cabins before but with just us 3 it didnt seem like a good deal so we end up going with a resort.

We have a travel trailer, but DH refuses to drive. Dont think I could do a tent for more than a couple of nights. I think it would be fun for a few nights though.

[DWGal210]

Hi there! Now reading about your Halloween trip....

That would be so fun to get in free on your birthday!! And you're a braver soul than I in regards to camping - I just have visions of being eaten alive by bugs and with my luck, it would be a torential downpour the night I was camping! But your revised plans sound fun! Keep us posted on what you decide to do!

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by MinnieNurse

We have a travel trailer, but DH refuses to drive. Dont think I could do a tent for more than a couple of nights. I think it would be fun for a few nights though.

I totally agree. Trust me, my preference would be an air conditioned hotel room, which is why even after I book the FW campgrounds, I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a good discount code at POP or All-Star. From what I understand, they usually come out around September (the public discount codes), so I'll book the campgrounds now just to make sure we have somewhere on property to stay and then if I can get a good deal at a value resort, we'll change it closer to the trip.

I would be willing to spend maybe an extra $30-$50 total to stay at an actual hotel---but for only two nights, I wouldn't mind camping at all.

Originally Posted by DWGal210

Hi there! Now reading about your Halloween trip....

That would be so fun to get in free on your birthday!! And you're a braver soul than I in regards to camping - I just have visions of being eaten alive by bugs and with my luck, it would be a torential downpour the night I was camping!

Welcome to this PTR!

I'm excited about the prospect of being in WDW for my birthday, especially since it'll be free. I think we're going to stick to MK on my birthday to do rides, etc. and this way, we can really have a blast at MNSSHP and not worry too much about getting rides done.

I have been camping lots throughout the course of my lifetime, just always with a car. It'll be interesting to see how living out of a suitcase (literally) for 2 nights goes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for perfect weather---warm in the day and cool (but not cold) at night, with no rain, no spiders and no alligators!!

[lovedonaldduck]

Very brave to camp. We stayed in the cabins in April with my parents and it was awesome, but definitely not cost effective for 2 people, with 5 people we felt like we were getting a great deal. My parents and I camped tons when I was little but I must have outgrown it, I know require a 4 star hotel If it were me I would be looking nonstop for great deals at a value resort. I have turned into such a girlie girl.

[lurkyloo]

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

My DH is from Philadelphia and loves each Rocky movie more than the last.

Wait a minute - so your DH thinks that Rocky V - the most reviled episode in the entire franchise - was better than Rocky IV?

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

C
To keep the trip on the cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap---I think we might camp!!

For two nights at the FW campground it's under $100, less if I can get a AAA discount! We'll be able to use the ME, we'll be able to use WDW transportation and we'll be able to go for under $600 which was the original plan. We can borrow a tent from my DB, an air matress from my DFIL and check one bag with all of our gear.

You ARE crazy!

OK, I hate camping so I don't know much about it, but I know enough to know that you need more than a tent and an air mattress. I'm pretty sure you also need sleeping bags, pillows, s'more fixings, folding chairs, red flannel stuff, a canoe (there's always one in the SUV ads!), mini fridge, battery-operated hair-straightening iron, generator-powered dehumidifier, Persian rugs, Victrola, and a portable Tiffany chandelier. I'm pretty sure....

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by lurkyloo

Wait a minute - so your DH thinks that Rocky V - the most reviled episode in the entire franchise - was better than Rocky IV?

Uh...I think you are forgetting Rocky Balboa, the most recent installment of the Rocky movies.

OK, I hate camping so I don't know much about it, but I know enough to know that you need more than a tent and an air mattress. I'm pretty sure you also need sleeping bags, pillows, s'more fixings, folding chairs, red flannel stuff, a canoe (there's always one in the SUV ads!), mini fridge, battery-operated hair-straightening iron, generator-powered dehumidifier, Persian rugs, Victrola, and a portable Tiffany chandelier. I'm pretty sure....

No way! Tent, air mattress, sheets & pillows and a lantern and you're set! I do the whole "camping" thing fairly often (and by fairly often I mean like 5 times as a child in a RV )---but each time I have conveniently overlooked the portable Tiffany chandelier.....hmmmm....I'll have to add that to my packing list and alert DH of the change in plans.

Seriously, what would all of us lost and confused DISers do without you here for guidance???

[annnewjerz]

So---as many (or the three people reading) know, I have been making lots of changes to my October trip, and shocker---I have made some more. These will in no way be the last set of changes, but it's something new to write about!!

Here is the progression of the trip so far:

Original Plan: Drive to WDW, stay at off-site hotel and spend wedding anniversary at MNSSHP on October 9.

Updated Plan: Fly to WDW, stay at on-site hotel and spend wedding anniversary at MNSSHP.

Second Updated Plan: Fly to WDW, stay on-site at campgrounds. Get in for free on my birthday (October 17) and spend October 18 at MNSSHP.

So----as you can see, "Second Updated Plan" is where we left off. Here is the new plan, appropriately called "Third Updated Plan":

Third Updated Plan: Fly to WDW, stay on-site at POP. Get in for free on my birthday and attend MNSSHP on October 18.

No more camping for us!! Right now we are one step away from my ideal weekend. The last thing I am waiting on is an earlier departing flight (right now we get there at 3:45) and switching airports from BWI to PHL. If all goes well, I should be able to make those changes within the next month or so----and then it's time for costume planning!!

Since we are no longer driving just to attend MNSSHP, I think it would be best for me to change the title of my PTR. Now I've just got to think of a new name

[MissMet]

Subscribing to my favorite Photography-Diser's PTR!!

...even though she IS a Phillies fan & I AM a Mets fan- who would of thought & on the eve of our 4 game series.

Can't wait to catch up on what I've missed already.

[annnewjerz]

So, this weekend was Independence Day and overall we had a really great time. No real trip updates (sorry!!) but I do have some really fun pics from the weekend I thought I would share.

Friday, DH and I both had off of work. We went to a Phillies v. Mets game in Philly and (hooray!) the Phils won. Great seats, perfect weather, a cheesesteak and a win to boot!

Saturday was our annual family picnic. There was BBQ, horseshoes, music, fireworks, friends---it was a great time. We had a fireworks mishap (it shot into the crowd watching instead of the sky and some people got a little burnt) but other than that---tons of fun.

Here are some pictures that I took.

Family.


Hubby (Erik).




Mom (Lois).


Brother (Chris).


Cousin (Carly).




PopPop (Frank).


Now for some fun ones, inspired by a recent thread on the Photo Board.



















That's all I've got for right now, hopefully that gives you a little peak into what I might bring back from my trips to The World in October 9and December!)

[DisneysRedhead]

I love this idea! I don't think it is crazy at all! I'm almost sad that I can't go for MNSSH but atleast I'll be there when the X-mas decorations are up.

I love your 4th of July pics! They are so awesome!

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by DisneysRedhead

I love this idea! I don't think it is crazy at all! I'm almost sad that I can't go for MNSSH but atleast I'll be there when the X-mas decorations are up.

I love your 4th of July pics! They are so awesome!

Thanks! I'm glad I'm getting the chance to go to MNSSHP since we've never been---but the Christmas decorations are what I'm really looking forward to! Can't wait!

[annnewjerz]

So for anyone who may be out there reading this PTR---I'd really appreciate some input. My call-in day for ADRs is July 19th, less than two weeks now!! If I can't get it here, I'll just have to ask the DISers on the Restaurant Board

We'll be arriving in WDW on my birthday for this mini-trip and I'd really like to have one sit-down meal while we're in The World. I figured my birthday would be the best day to take advantage (can we say "free dessert" anyone?? ) and I'm having some trouble deciding where to go.

We will be going to MK that day around 3:00 or so probably, and I would like to make an ADR for dinner. Here are my thoughts, any other opinions would be greatly appreciated though

1. The Plaza Restaurant: We are doing this trip on the cheap and from what I understand---you can get the best burgers, fries and shakes here. Also, I might have a chance at meeting The Mayor which seems like it would be a lot of fun AND it's in the park we will be visiting that day.

2. The Wave: It seems to get great reviews, but I'm worried this will be a little pricey (i.e. filet mignon for dinner). The trip is supposed to be my present, so the food is the icing on the cake and unfortunately for this trip---the icing needs to be spread a littttttle thin.

3. Whispering Canyon Cafe: It's in the Wilderness Lodge, so only a hop, skip and jump from MK. They've got food I know DH would enjoy (ribs, biscuits, etc.) and a never ending milkshake??! How can you go wrong with that?

4. Beaches and Cream: It's a little out of the way and if we went here, we would probably go to the park as soon as we got settled at the hotel and then our "break" would be cabbing it to B&C for dinner. Again, I hear they have great burgers and the No Way Jose looks insaaaaane---but maybe this would be better saved for our trip in December when we'll be staying at BWV.

5. Other: We can't enter another park on this day and we will be going to DTD the day of our departure, so I'd probably prefer not to make a trip over there unless there is a really good reason to. Any other opinions on where to go??

I'm sure this will get zero responses, but I'm really at an impasse here and would like someone else's two cents on the situation.

WWYD??

[annnewjerz]

This sure is disappointing. If pictures can't get any comments and talk of food can't get any comments---I think I'm in for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ng 3 more months.

I'm still optimistic that I can get some people on board for my TRs---I'm convinced PTRs are much more boring and much lower in readers than TRs, or at least that's what I'm telling myself

I guess I will have to pose my question to the foodies on the Restaurant Board instead.

To anyone who even considered responding to my cry for help regarding my birthday meal---thanks for the thought!!