A Stringbean, a Wingnut, and a plan! (A January '12 PTR) TRIP REPORT STARTED!! 1/16!!

[Charleston Princess]

Agghhh! Can't believe the ME stuff still isn't here! I am stressing with you at this point!

I am totally with you about choosing the weather site that has what I want to hear on it. Totally jealous of the way men can pack and not obsess over it.

Yum to the carrot cake cookie! Looks very delicious!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ack! Sara, how can you stand this? Why is Disney tormenting you? I'd demand that they email me a copy of my ME tags, I'd print them out, laminate them and then slap them on my luggage. Problem solved.

Seriously though, this would be driving me batty if I didn't have my ME tags in hand by now.

Love love love the Dooney & Bourke! Good work Wingnut. It's darling and will look great with your pink converse sneakers.

So, do you have a countdown calendar for your trip? One perhaps plastered with Phineas & Ferb or something? How many days now?

Hahahaha I'll admit, I'm more than a bit antsy about this! Wait, can they email the tags??? Or is that just an awesome system you just thought up??? That would be fantastic if they could!

Thank you!! Hahahaha should I bring the pink ones? I was leaning more towards my gray ones (they have fun rainbow laces).

Nah, no calendar for us! Very few days left now!!!

Yikes, you still don't have them? What on earth is going on? Your whole fiasco is making me nervous about my own upcoming Magical Express mailing!

Lots of good luck vibes your way for a bright, shiny Magical Express packet in your mailbox tomorrow.

Don't be nervous!!! This is the first time that this has ever happened to me, and I've used ME before with no mail problems! I'm sure everything will be fine!

Thank you!!

Yum for the cookie and I hear you in the quacking front I hope it's warmer than my Jan trip last yr too...especially for the kids.

Can't believe you don't have them yet do you have some odd house number or a name street that could be confused w/ someone or someplace else? Maybe contact your local PO

We used to have a house number that started w/0 and always didn't get our mail

Oh I really really hope it's nice and warm!! Last December was just too cold!!

No, our address is pretty standard (at least, in my opinion! ). We've never had a problem not receiving mail before.

I can imagine that the 0 would cause mail problems for you guys though!

UGH...so annoying about your ME info. But...keeping my fingers crossed that the weather is good. The 70s sound wonderful.

And you had to go with the carrot cake cookie? One of the delectable Disney goodies that I truly cannot find anywhere else? Ugh...the pain!

Thank you!! Don't they??

Hahahaha sorry!! It was the richest-looking treat I could find on my Flickr!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

What, still no ME documents?

Ooooo, that carrot cake cookie looks guuuud.

Not yet...

Doesn't it? I could totally start today with a trip to the Writer's Stop!

Maybe the ME stuff isn't coming because so many people are waiting for it right along with you (you know, the old "a watched pot never boils" mentality).

Let's all pretend that it doesn't matter in the least and see what happens!





So, is it here yet?

Good theory!!! (Also, mmm pasta...)

Should I post some more distracting Disney food pictures?

Agghhh! Can't believe the ME stuff still isn't here! I am stressing with you at this point!

I am totally with you about choosing the weather site that has what I want to hear on it. Totally jealous of the way men can pack and not obsess over it.

Yum to the carrot cake cookie! Looks very delicious!

Hahahaha "this one's saying beautiful clear skies...let's go with it!"

This was seriously and honestly Wingnut's packing method:

- Grab a pile of polo shirts, put in suitcase
- Grab a pile of pants/shorts, put in suitcase
- "I'll also need to pack socks and stuff, but I'm pretty much done"

If only I could pack like that too!

 

[tankgirl427]

Can Wingnut call you once he's home to let you knwo if they came in today? The suspense is kiling me! I haven't received my extra tags yet, but considering I called them ten days out and I won't be home tomorrow, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Bwahaha! I always pick the weather site that tells me what I want to hear, too! Wishful thinking makes it a reality, right?!

Seriously? No ME? This is on the verge of ridiculous.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Can Wingnut call you once he's home to let you knwo if they came in today? The suspense is kiling me! I haven't received my extra tags yet, but considering I called them ten days out and I won't be home tomorrow, I'm not holding my breath.

He usually only gets home about 15 minutes before me, so a call wouldn't make too much of a difference! I will definitely let you know what happens though! Hopefully you get your extra tags before you leave!

Bwahaha! I always pick the weather site that tells me what I want to hear, too! Wishful thinking makes it a reality, right?!

Seriously? No ME? This is on the verge of ridiculous.

Hahaha I think so!! If there was a weather forecast that just constantly told me 72 degrees and sunny, I'd happily follow that one!

Nope, not yet!! I really really hope they come before we leave!

 

[tankgirl427]

Well I have my packets for both parts of the trip, so worse case scenerio, I don't put any tags on and I give them the baggage claim numbers. Or I put them on two bags and try to remember what bag goes to what claim number.

My cousin is bringing one bag and one carryon for the 10 days. I have two suitcases a backpack and a camera backpack. She isn't even bringing a bag to the parks!

 

[tankgirl427]

Please say your ME stuff came today, otherwise I'm going to feel horrible telling you this......


I had a UPS Express envelope waiting for me at home with my extra ME luggage tags. I don't know why I can get things so fast and you are still waiting!

 

[MEK]

Can't believe you don't have them yet do you have some odd house number or a name street that could be confused w/ someone or someplace else? Maybe contact your local PO

We used to have a house number that started w/0 and always didn't get our mail

I'm thinking the same thing. Some person in NY has gotten your last 3 ME packages and they are about to lose their mind.

How about if you add the last 4 numbers to your regular zip. I guess its too late for that now.

No worries - you will be leaving soon and all will be right with the world.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

As of tonight....





....still nothing.

Oh no, that's so annoying! How many days til you leave? Not many, I'm guessing! Don't worry, you will probably get them tomorrow!

We are down to very few!! Maybe tomorrow? I think maybe I should call the post office? I really don't know!

Well I have my packets for both parts of the trip, so worse case scenerio, I don't put any tags on and I give them the baggage claim numbers. Or I put them on two bags and try to remember what bag goes to what claim number.

My cousin is bringing one bag and one carryon for the 10 days. I have two suitcases a backpack and a camera backpack. She isn't even bringing a bag to the parks!

Please say your ME stuff came today, otherwise I'm going to feel horrible telling you this......


I had a UPS Express envelope waiting for me at home with my extra ME luggage tags. I don't know why I can get things so fast and you are still waiting!

Oh, sure! Nope, nothing here!

This is really befuddling! I swear, I've gotten mail before!

I'm thinking the same thing. Some person in NY has gotten your last 3 ME packages and they are about to lose their mind.

How about if you add the last 4 numbers to your regular zip. I guess its too late for that now.

No worries - you will be leaving soon and all will be right with the world.

Hahaha I really do wonder where these have possibly ended up! At this point, maybe Australia!

Maybe I should have done that? Maybe I should have put Wingnut's name on it? What I really wish I had done is tried to get it shipped to one of our parents houses, maybe tried that. But I think it's too late for a fourth attempt, unfortunately.

 

[tankgirl427]

I'll try to remember to ask on Friday if you want. Seriously I think I called for my extra tags after your 3rd shipment. Makes no sense!

 

[Merida]

Oh no! At least it'll be a slightly different experience? I'm sure this must happen to lots of people given the amount that use Magical Express but it's no fun all the same!

Honestly, overall, the food was our favorite part of the trip! I know people say that you can save money by not ordering everything given on the dining plan but we loved being able to get appetizers and desserts. Also, all the Mickey waffles I could eat.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I see the ME tag saga continues. It must be frying your brain at this point, it's driving me nuts and I'm not even the one going!

Love the food pics. Where is that sundae pic from?? It looks goooood. Very good fudge distribution which is important in a sundae.

As far as your converse sneakers go, I suppose the gray are a better choice if you have snazzy rainbow laces! Then they'll match your new Dooney & Bourke perfectly. Always match your shoes to your purse, that's what my mom taught me. She'd be ashamed to know that I rarely do though.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'll try to remember to ask on Friday if you want. Seriously I think I called for my extra tags after your 3rd shipment. Makes no sense!

This inspired me to try calling ME one more time...details in the next post.

Oh no! At least it'll be a slightly different experience? I'm sure this must happen to lots of people given the amount that use Magical Express but it's no fun all the same!

Honestly, overall, the food was our favorite part of the trip! I know people say that you can save money by not ordering everything given on the dining plan but we loved being able to get appetizers and desserts. Also, all the Mickey waffles I could eat.

Hahaha this is true! Something new to experience!

The food is definitely one of our favorite parts too. It's so fun using the dining plan and just feeling like you can go to town with your orders. (Yes, you have to pay accordingly with the tip, but that's perfectly fine by us!)

I see the ME tag saga continues. It must be frying your brain at this point, it's driving me nuts and I'm not even the one going!

Love the food pics. Where is that sundae pic from?? It looks goooood. Very good fudge distribution which is important in a sundae.

As far as your converse sneakers go, I suppose the gray are a better choice if you have snazzy rainbow laces! Then they'll match your new Dooney & Bourke perfectly. Always match your shoes to your purse, that's what my mom taught me. She'd be ashamed to know that I rarely do though.

Hahahaha yes, it continues on...

Thanks! That is from the Fountain, in the Dolphin. It is the Coco Loco Shake - chocolate and caramel cappuccino ice creams blended together, topped with whipped cream, malted milk balls and drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauces. Wingnut LOVED it.

The gray are my newest pair, so I've been wearing them the most lately. But I do wear the pink ones a lot too! I'll see which ones go with more of my outfits

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Still no tags/vouchers.

So I decided to try calling ME one more time, confirming the procedure for what I need to do/attempting to find out what on earth is up.

According to ME, the last 2 sets were mailed via UPS, but he was not able to pull up a tracking number for the shipments. He said that there's a good chance that the last one is still in transit (no idea about the one before it...), and that "it could even be on your doorstep right now!".

Alright...

I so knew they weren't there.

There was no way.

But then of course I wasn't able to relax without checking outside.

Friends, I even checked the shrubbery nearby, just to make sure wind hadn't blown it in a neighboring direction.

No dice.

I'm considering calling back AGAIN today to see if I can possibly get a tracking number for these things. I know that it's not a big deal if they don't come, but now it's kind of the the principle of the thing for me. Where the heck is my mail??

I'm like Sherlock Holmes, Disney-style.

Anyways. In more productive news, we're checked into the Polynesian! . We decided to make no room requests, and go with where the whims of the tikis place us. I am still hoping for a central location, but wherever we are, I'm sure we will love.

Oh, and an entirely random question, while we're all here. I bought these headband-style ears last time:



But they're kind of tight. Does anyone have any suggestions to make them slightly looser without breaking them or any sort of super-complicated handicraft?

 

[MeMom]

I have not been able to get on the boards hardly at all since I was gone and have had a broken laptop. I hope you have an incredible trip.

Have you heard any rumors about Polynesian being leveled and redone Aulani style? We heard that on NYE from the people we visited there. She said Tikiman Steve had been hearing rumors and while he was there saw many official looking people walking around taking measurements and notes. There has been speculation that Poly has a lot of codes violations, so this may be a way to update, allow for more rooms (thus more money coming in), and take care of those codes issues. Let us know if you hear anything while you are there. The people that told us this, however, did say that they are already booked for Poly for their next trip, so it won't happen in the next few months. Again, all speculation, but keep your ears open for any news of this, if you will. I think it would lose a lot of its charm if it were to become a high-rise, and I hope to get to stay there at least one time for even one night before it goes away, if it does.

 

[Simba22]

OK so now I am finally caught up (after 3 days!)

I would totally be freaking out if my DME stuff was not there. Yes, there is a very simple procedure to getting on the ME bus once you get to Orlando...HOWEVER...that means you have to stand in the big long slow line, instead of bypassing it and just getting directly on the bus! TIME CONSUMING and frustrating when you're trying to get to WDW as fast as possible. And I don't know if I trust them to get my bags without those bright yellow tags on them... I would probably pick them up myself from baggage claim at MCO and just bring them on the MCO bus. I would worry about my stuff.

OK next...I have 30 answers to 30 Challenge Questions (which apparently took you 6 months to ask, but I never noticed because I read this whole thing in 3 days). And one thing you have to know about me is that I am completely and utterly indecisive. If you put a gun to my head and told me I had to pick just ONE thing, I would probably pee myself and then break down crying or throwing a tantrum because I just can't make a definitive decision on most things.

1) Favorite Park: Either AK or Epcot. I love both for their own reasons
2) FAvorite Land in MK: Adventureland or Frontierland
3) Favorite Tomorroland Attraction: The TTA
4) Favorite Fantasyland Attraction: Philharmagic and Peter Pan
5) Favorite Liberty Square Attraction: The Haunted Mansion
6) Favorite Frontierland Attraction: Umm...the huge Pin store...followed by Splash... and BTMRR but I prefer to ride that one at night!
7) Favorite Adventureland Attraction: Pirates!
8) Future World or World Showcase: Can't pick! I love the rides in FW but I love shopping/eating in WS!
9) Favorite Attraction in Future World: SOARIN'!!!!!! (and Mouse Gear!)
10) Favorite Attraction in World Showcase: Maelstrom and Illuminations!
11) Favorite Area in DHS: Hollywood Blvd
12) Favorite Attraction at DHS: RnRC or TSMM
13) Favorite Area in AK: This is a tough one for me...I like the Oasis, Discovery Island, and Africa the best....although the path from Africa into Asia is GORGEOUS if you have the opportunity to be on it really early in the morning or at night.
14) Favorite Attraction at AK: Expedition Everest
15) Favorite WDW Resort: We haven't stayed at very many but so far it's Coronado Springs
16) Favorite Park Snack: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cone from either Hollywood Scoops or The Plaza Ice Cream Shop. Totally the same as it is anywhere else, but it just tastes better when eaten on Disney property!
17) Favorite Restaurant: Either San Angel Inn or Yak & Yeti. We've had nothing but great experiences over a course of multiple visits and I love the "ambience" in both.
18) What Attraction Should They Bring Back: I never visited WDW prior to 2002 so I don't know a lot of the older attractions...but I have to say Mr. Toad just so that I can experience it....I never got the chance!
19) Least Favorite Attraction: The Teacups and any of the Circle Vision movies...only because they make me nauseous!
20) Favorite Dessert: Bread Pudding at Ohana
21) Favorite Character to see in The Parks: Goofy!!! Hands down!
22) Favorite Parade: Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade and/or Boo To You
23) Scariest Ride: Dinosaur! I love it, but it's loud and dark and bumpy and just generally terrifying
24) Favorite Face Character: Jack Sparrow
25) Favorite Attraction Outside The Parks: Cirque du Soleil....and I love to just walk around Coronado Springs and take pictures!
26) Favorite Souvenir: A Sorcerer Mickey statue, where he is holding a small snowglobe, containing a whole slew of park, and other Disney, icons. That and our extensive pin collection....
27) Favorite WDW Breakfast: Ohana or Kona!
28) Favorite Fireworks: Illuminations and/or Hallowishes
29) Favorite Monorail Color: I don't really have a favorite, althought I did really like the Tron-orail...
30) Favorite Statue or Fountain: Anything in Epcot...they're all amazing and beautiful...from the Fountain of Nations, to the ones in Mexico, France, and Morocco.

OK next....
I am SO excited for you that you are no longer having to deal with so many food allergies (ummm YAY for being able to eat cannolis again!) I would have a hard time going back to eating those things...I would panic about ending up in the ER because I'm suddenly allergic again! That being said...Yay for your awesome recovery from your surgery!

These are just some random notes I wrote down while reading through...

That Indoor Water Ride Smell...we call it the Pirate Water Smell because it smells like Pirates of the Caribbean....every once in a while, we smell it somewhere OUTSIDE of Disney, we're like "I smell Pirate Water!"

I have seen Rabbit as a meetable character on occassion with Pooh and/or Tigger in Fantasyland...but the last time I saw him was 2007 so I don't know if he still comes out. And of course, I REALLY wanted to meet him but the rest of my group wanted to ride the stupid Teacups so I missed him!

To further convince you of AK's awesomeness....My main word of advice is GO SLOW! When you get there, make a beeline for the attraction you MOST want FPs for and then spend the rest of the day meandering around aimlessly. Really take your time walking through the shops ....They pretty much all sell a different variety of things. Go slow walking along all of the trails...the various Macaws in Oasis and Discovery Island are fascinating, IMO...I could watch them all day! And DEFINITELY take the walking tours - the Maharajah Jungle Trek (TIGERS!) and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (Gorillas who may or may not be doing something completely inappropriate!). But again, take your time! Don't let other people rush you!

OK so for now, that is all! I really hope you get your DME tags today!!

 

[Joyciemc]

I love when the trip is so close that you're already checked in! Say hello to the Poly for me!

 

[glennbo123]

Still no tags/vouchers.

We decided to make no room requests, and go with where the whims of the tikis place us.

Ooo, I'd be afraid that the tikis would have bad whims for me.

Oh, and an entirely random question, while we're all here. I bought these headband-style ears last time:

But they're kind of tight. Does anyone have any suggestions to make them slightly looser without breaking them or any sort of super-complicated handicraft?

Yes, yes I do. Wingnut's head looks a little bigger than yours, so have him wear them for several days (how long is your trip again). That should do the trick.

 

[Jennifer48]

I feel like your neighbor or mailman is playing a trick on you taking your ME packets!

Do you have a basketball or a soccer ball? Maybe you could put your ears on those for a few days to stretch them out? Just a thought.