Magic Moments - Disney Blog Hop

Hi everybody!! It's Thursday so that means it's Disney Blog Hop day hosted by Lisa at Babes in Disneyland and co-hosted this week by my friend Manda of Manda's Disney Blog.  Welcome to anyone joining the hop for the first time and Welcome Back to everyone who has visited before. I really appreciate all of you stopping by.

This weeks theme is Magic Moments. I try to be a glass half full kind of girl, and find magic in life's little moments. Having Dakota want to sit down and watch a Disney movie with me, or flipping through the channels to see that Monster's Inc. is on Stars (there's something special about finding it on TV and not watching the DVD weird I know).

Mike is not a huge Disney fan, we are going to Walt Disney World for me and I am well aware of that. It's such a small thing, but having him ask about Disney restaurants or say something about wanting to ride Peter Pan's Flight are magical moments for me.

Reading Disney books to my kids when they were younger was really magical for me. They loved the pictures and the stories, even though they had every video Disney ever produced, something about the books and reading them together was so special. To this day Ashley & Dakota love to read, I attribute it to the Disney books we read when they were small. Now Ashley is reading the stories to Lexi, and it looks like I am going to have another grandbaby to read to in February.

Actual Walt Disney World magic moments, I think my most magical moment was seeing the Walt Disney World sign for the first time. There is something so magical about seeing it and knowing you are actually there. My palms were sweating and my heart began to beat a little faster, there was even a tear in my eye. I hope it's just as exciting this time around, and somehow I think it will be. Another magical moment was seeing Main Street for the first time, we were going to breakfast reservations at Crystal Palace and it almost seemed as though we were the only people there. I think it was like you went back to a time when life was a whole lot simpler. It's amazing how you forget the rest of the world even exists when you are there.

I hope you will all take the time to try to find a little magic in everyday!  You all make my days more magical, I'm glad I have so many new Disney friends.  I hope each one of you has a Magical Day!!

Disney Blog Hop - Disney Firsts

Hello! It's Thursday and that means Disney Blog Hop hosted by Babes In Disneyland. You should visit Lisa's blog it's full of lots of great info, especially if you have younger children. You may also want to check out her book while you are there, she is offering a discount right now.

The topic for today's Disney Blog Hop is Disney Firsts.  I thought about posting about my first Disney movie Sleeping Beauty. She is my favorite Disney Princess you know.

Then I thought I may post about the first Disney ornament I bought for my Christmas Tree, it was Mickey made of wood and hand painted. Then I thought, no that's just not right either.

Then I decided to write about my first trip to Walt Disney World. Really didn't like that idea either, you guys heard a lot about it in my The Good, The Bad and The Ugly post. Finally I decided to tell you what I am going to do for the first time when we go to Disney World next month. Thanks for the idea Beth.   ;0)

*

• Pirates of the Caribbean - Love these movies, but have never ridden the ride.
• Soarin' - We were in WDW in 2003, Soarin' opened in 2005.
• Tower of Terror - I am not a thrill ride person, I am going out on a limb and trying this one.
• Yacht Club Resort - Last visit we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it. This time we are changing it up and staying at the Yacht Club Resort.
• Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach - In 2003 we were at WDW in January, not exactly waterpark weather. This time we are definitely trying them out. If you have been let me know your favorite.
• Coral Reef - We had reservations last time, but the lovely family we were with didn't want to eat there.
• Fantasmic - My hubby isn't much on the shows, but Dakota & I have talked him into Fantasmic this trip.
• IllumiNations - If you read my post about my first trip you know I missed fireworks due to being sick. I am really looking forward to seeing them this time.
• World Showcase - The day I got sick was out Epcot day last time. I am very excited about visiting all of the countries this time.

**

Reading all the firsts I have on my list you would think I didn't do much on my first trip wouldn't you. I can't wait to get there and blog all about it!

*Picture of Barbosa is from www.intercot.com .
**Picture of IllumiNations is from www.wikipedia.com .

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Disney Blog Hop

It's Thursday, and that means Disney Blog Hop!!  Thanks again to Lisa at Babes In Disneyland for hosting the Disney Blog Hop each week.  By the way, if you're the parent of a young child and haven't bought her yet book I highly recommend it (you can find info on her site). Now on to today's post.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
We are going to take a trip back in time today, we are going back to January 2003. It was cold, record breaking cold and the Anderson family was taking their first ever trip to Walt Disney World. But they weren't going alone, they were traveling with a family who we shall call the Smith family (names have been changed to protect the innocent and not so innocent). You see, Michael Anderson was friends with Mr. Smith, but the rest of the Anderson family didn't know any of the Smith family, and Mr. Smith managed to invite his family along on the Anderson family vacation.  Plans were finalized and we began our journey.

I had never been to Disney World before, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw the Welcome To Walt Disney World sign for the first time!  This was definitely the good, actually the great.  I was on the edge of my seat just taking it all in, my heart was racing.  We went to check in at Wilderness Lodge, again beyond my expectations the lobby was amazing. My first impressions of Disney were amazing.  Our rooms weren't ready yet so we were given our Keys To The World and sent on our way, we had ADR's in Epcot at The Garden Grill. The food was good, we got to meet Chip and Dale our first characters at Disney World! Mike and I even had the pumpkin cheesecake for dessert (this is important). After lunch we all went to explore the park. 

Ashley, and the Smiths decided they wanted to ride Rockin Roller Coaster, Mike and I aren't big roller coaster people so we waited with Dakota while they rode. We both were getting kind of tired and decided to go back to the resort and see if the room was ready, Ashley was going to hang out and ride some more with the Smith's and their kids. While we were waiting at the bus stop, Mike and I gave each other the look, you know the look like "I don't know if I am going to make it to the bathroom in time". Yep, I think the cheesecake may have been out a little too long or something.  The bus took FOREVER to get to the Wilderness Lodge, and thank goodness our room was ready. We were both sick, and it was a choice as to which end you were going to be sick from first if you get my meaning.  Our first day at Disney was not very pretty, in fact you could say it was UGLY, very UGLY!!  We didn't leave the room until the next morning.

The next day was better and we spent the day at Magic Kingdom.  Walking down Main Street USA for the first time is very magical, and seeing Cinderella Castle for the first time is indescribable. We had breakfast at Crystal Palace with more characters to meet, Dakota was a huge Tigger fan at the time so that was very good. Now for the bad, the Smith children fought over who was going to hold my hand and who was going to get to ride with Mike and where we were going next. And Mr. Smith didn't like any of the plans I had made or the ADR's I had made. So he simply decided we were not going to do them, and he basically ignored his wife, who I think said about five words to me. It was just uncomfortable. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to do and I felt obligated to entertain them, and this was my first ever trip to Disney!! 

The third day at Animal Kingdom was fun and reasonably uneventful all things considered.  Now for the really UGLY!  Our last morning there we decided to return to Magic Kingdom to see some things we had missed.  Mr. Smith wanted to get some Fastpasses to Space Mountain or something and Ashley was feeling a little sick so I took her to a bathroom.  My poor husband was left with Mrs. Smith and the two Smith Children to ride It's A Small World.  If you have ever ridden this ride you know the que to get on is winding, almost like herding cattle. Let's face it people have a Love/Hate relationship with this ride anyway, I personally tend to lean toward the hate side, I think it's kind of creepy.  Mike is waiting in line with Mrs. Smith, the Smith children are between them, these children break out into an all out brawl, fists flying, hair pulling, kicking, screaming, free-for-all. Everyone in line for the ride has stopped moving and has turned to watch the show, Mike thought they were about to pull out their wallets and bet on whether the son or daughter were going to win, and Mrs. Smith is just standing there watching, so Mike has to break it up. He said all he could think was "These people think these are my kids."  As soon as he got off of the ride and found us we split up from the Smith family and told them Ashley wasn't feeling well and we were going to head home.

We all look back on our adventure and laugh now, and as I plan our July trip I have definitely learned two things: 1. Go alone. 2. No Pumpkin Cheesecake. 
*The pictures used on my post today came directly from the Walt Disney World website.

ADR's Made!!

Well it's done!! ADR's (advance dining reservations) are made, the majority of them anyway. Friday was 180 days from check in day, just 6 months until our Disney World Vacation!!! Bright and early I was online at disneyworld.com making dining reservations. Somehow getting those dining confirmations makes our vacation seem more REAL. I know that sounds a little crazy, sending the money should have made it seem real, right??? I guess ADR's forced me to plan where we would spend each day. So check in day will be Epcot, ending with Illimuniations. Thursday will be Magic Kingdom, but I left dinner reservations open but I am thinking we may just do room service. Friday, breakfast at Cape May and dinner at RainForest Cafe in Downtown Disney-possibly a water park and shopping day. Saturday, Tusker House for breakfast so obviously an Animal Kingdom day, planning to get to Hollywood Studios later in the day. I know you are probably wondering why a day at waterparks and shopping and only a half day at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Down time at the water parks and just relaxing is going to be very important to us, we are on vacation and relaxing is a part of that. During vacation is one of the few times I can get Mike to truly relax and enjoy himself. Now, Dakota and I have to work on our "Must See" list...

I Blog For Me, If You Are Reading That's Icing On The Cake..

I am a realist, I know that only on a rare occasion does someone other than myself actually read my blog. You see, truth is I write everything here for myself. Don't get me wrong I would love to have a million followers and have Disney ask me to blog for them. But, I am enjoying planning my vacation and as I write my posts it will be here for me to remember long after our vacation is over. And by writing it all down here I am not bugging my friends and family with Disney info and boring them to death. As Disney fanatics well know, not everyone is as crazy about the "World" as we are. You see, I could look at Disney Guide Books and Disboards, Zannaland, Allears, ect. for hours on end, much like my daughter can shop for a Coach purse or MAC makeup. I guess what I am saying is by having this blog I get to "talk" about Disney to my hearts delight, but I am not bugging the people I love.


Now in the same breath I have to tell you I am very much aware of the Disboards, Passporter and Allears Disney fans who post their "Pre Trip Reports" on their websites. I haven't had much luck with forums. You see I was never the popular kid in school, but you popular kids needed kids like me who were happy being followers and wall flowers-we were the kids who made you popular. Just sayin. Things haven't changed much since high school, I'm not the popular kid on the forums, I'm more the lurker type, and Pre Trip Reports are just popularity reports. Talk about pressure, you have this fear of "What if no one reads my post?", "What if no one follows my Pre Trip Report?", "Is the name of my report catchy enough to draw in readers?" Way too stressful, know what I mean?


Great things is, unless I choose to click the "Stats" tab at the top of my Blogger page I will never know how many people read about my "Adventures in Disney World Vacation Planning", and sometimes ignorance is bliss. Today I may want a million readers, tomorrow I may not want any. So for today thanks to all million of you for taking a few minutes to humor me and read my rambling thoughts.

Disney Acronyms

If you are anything like me when you visit the websites to plan your Disney World Vacation you scratch your head when you see MVMMCP or POFQ or DDP. I have put together a list of the acronyms I have found on the DisBoards and Zannaland and Mom's Panel on the Disney website that I hope are helpful to you when trying to decifer what all those letters mean. If you have any to add send them to me and I will update the list.

By the way I have 195 days until my magical Disney vacation begins! I can start making dining reservations in 15 days! I've got to do some serious restaurant research...

• ADR - Advance Dining Reservation
• AK - Animal Kingdom
• AKL - Animal Kingdom Lodge
• AKV - Animal Kingdom Villas
• AP - Annual Pass
• AS Mo - All Star Movies Resort
• AS Sp - All Star Sports Resort
• ASM - All Star Music Resort
• B&C - Beaches & Cream
• BB - Blizzard Beach
• BBB - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• BC - Beach Club Resort
• BCV - Beach Club Villas
• BTMRR - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• BW - Boardwalk
• BWI - Boardwalk Inn
• BWV - Boardwalk Villas
• CBV - Caribbean Beach Villas
• CBJ - Country Bear Jamboree
• CG - California Grill
• CL - Conceirge Level
• CM - Cast Member
• CM's - Chef Mickey's
• CoP - Carousel of Progress
• CP - Crystal Palace
• CR - Contemporary Resort
• CRO - Central Reservations Office
• CRT - Cinderella's Royal Table
• CS - Counter Service
• CSR - Coronodo Springs Resort
• CW - City Walk
• DC - Disney Club
• DCA - Disney's California Adventure
• DCL - Disney's Cruise Line
• DDE - Disney Dining Experience
• DDM - Downtown Disney Marketplace
• DDP - Disney Dining Plan
• DHS - Disney Hollywood Studios
• DQ - Disney Quest
• DTD - Downtown Disney
• DVC - Disney Vacation Club
• DXDDP - Deluxe Disney Dining Plan
• EE - Expedition Everest
• EMH - Extra Magic Hours
• EWP - Electric Water Pageant
• FDP - Fantasmic Dinner Package
• FFC - Flying Fish Cafe
• FP - Fast Pass
• FTLK - Festival of the Lion King
• FW - Fort Wilderness
• GF - Grand Floridian
• GG - Garden Grill
• GMR - Great Movie Ride
• H&V - Hollywood & Vine
• HDDR - Hoop Dee Doo Review
• HM - Haunted Mansion
• HoB - House of Blues
• HoND - Hunchback of Notre Dame
• HoP - Hall of Presidents
• IASW - It's a Small World
• IG - International Gateway
• ITTBAB - It's Tough to be a Bug
• JC - Jungle Cruise
• JIYA - Journey Into Your Imagination
• KRR - Kali River Rapids
• KTTW - Key to the World Card
• LC - Le Cellier
• LTT - Liberty Tree Tavern
• MK - Magic Kingdom
• MNNSHP - Mickey's Not So Scarry Halloween Party
• MSEP - Main Street Electrical Parade
• MVMCP - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
• MYW - Magic Your Way
• OKW - Old Key West
• PC - Pop Century
• PH - Park Hopper
• PO - Port Orleans
• PoC - Pirates of the Caribbean
• POFQ - Port Orleans French Quarter
• Poly - Polynesian Resort
• POR - Port Orleans Riverside
• PS - Priority Seating
• PTC - Prime Time Cafe
• QSDP - Quick Service Dining Plan
• R&C - Rose & Crown Pub
• RFC - Rain Forest Cafe
• RnR - Rockin' Roller Coaster
• SAB - Storm Along Bay
• SE - Spaceship Earth
• SM - Space Mountain
• SM - Splash Mountain
• TIW - Tables In Wonderland
• TL - Typhoon Lagoon
• ToT - Tower of Terror
• TT - Test Track
• TTA - Tomorrowland Transit Authority
• TTC - Transportation & Ticket Center
• V&A - Victoria & Albert's
• VWL - Villas @ Wilderness Lodge
• WC - Whispering Canyon
• WDW - Walt Disney World
• WL - Wilderness Lodge
• WS - World Showcase
• YC - Yacht Club Resort

My Disney Vacation Suitcase

For Christmas I decided I wanted a new piece of luggage to take on our Disney World Vacation. Mike & I have always shared a suitcase which has really limited us on how much we could pack (and how many new purchases we could make while we were on vacation!). I found a really HUGE Liz Claiborne suitcase at our local Burke's Outlet that I love!! It's 29" with lot's of room for souvenirs, the color is a little off on the picture below, mine is dark and light gray with an extending handle and wheels. It would weigh a ton if you filled it to the max. It's going be great to have it all to myself. I can't wait until it's time to start packing!! I swear, if Lexi weren't going to be in Korea when we were going I could hide her in there and PawPaw Mike would never know until we got there. I guess I am just going to have to buy lots of princess stuff and send it to her ;). Now I am just going to have to go shopping to buy myself some new clothes to fill it up before we leave. A girl's gotta look good while she's on vacation, you never know when you're going to bump into Mickey or Prince Charming.

My Research for Fun Has Begun!!

So Ashley & I went to do a little shopping for winter clothes for Lexi (it gets cold in Korea) and while we were there I had to buy Disney Vacation books. I picked up "The Complete Disney World 2010" by Julie & Mike Neal which I LOVE. Here's a link from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Walt-Disney-World-2010/dp/0970959672) and a pic of the book I love it, it has tons of pictures (500+) and info on EVERYTHING there is to do at Disney including helpful tips and cost of a lot of the attractions. By far the most pictures of the resorts of any book I found. The authors have written several books about Disney World and this is the first one I have bought. It is so well thought out, they go over each attraction and rate it and put a check mark by their favorite. They do the same with each level of resort. I find myself looking at this book all the time. It's a favorite of Dakota's too.

I also got "Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2011." It has lots of good information as well. Here is the link (http://www.amazon.com/Birnbaums-Walt-Disney-World-2011/dp/1423123786/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291831087&sr=1-1)

and a pic.

Birnbaum was the one book I knew I was going to get because it helped me make so many of my decisions from my 2003 trip and it is the "Official Guide." There are also coupons included in the back of this book which you may find useful. But I have to admit if I were going to recommend a book it would be "The Complete Disney World 2010."

My other research has lead me to the pages and pages of information on the internet. I am addicted to the Disboards!! I am now reading Trip Reports and Pre Trip Reports and reviews of restaurants and checking out menus so I can make my advance dinner reservations and OMG don't get me started on all of the acronyms that Disney people use (ADR, BCR, TOT, MK, AKL)!!! That will be a post all by itself!!

By the way, did I mention I called to pay for half of our vacation and found out that Whisper had not included Park Tickets for the Sunday we check out. Johnson was a sweetheart and took care of everything right away and I think it cost us and additional $15.