Vacation Details

Everyone is in for our vacation!  Matt, my mom, his mom, and myself.  I talked to Orbitz today and they gave me some information. 

We get to pick our travel days as long as there aren't any blackout dates over time.  We've decided that we want to see Food & Wine Festival so we're thinking of going at the beginning of October.  Choosing a Saturday through a Saturday for the sake of only having to take 5 days off of work then.  We'll be adding the dining plan and just paying for it ourselves.

With the $250.00 gift card we're not exactly sure what to do with it yet.  If we can, we're thinking of doing the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour again.  Or possibly, getting SCUBA certified so we can go deeper into the water.  We both aren't big on buying tons of Disney stuff so using the gift card to shop wouldn't be the most efficient.  Might as well try and do something that we wouldn't normally be able to pay for.

We don't know where we will be staying yet.  Orbitz has to check with WDW on the availability of resorts and what not.  It sounds as though we may get something pretty nice!  Of course, i'm crossing my fingers and toes for the Polynesian but if not, we're just happy to be going for free.

Time to get to planning!

I Won A Trip To DISNEY WORLD!

Last week I entereted a contest on Twitter through Orbitz. You had to send in your best "Disney Travel Tip." I sent my tweet in with much hope and a lot of faith. Hoping that some pixie dust would fall on my family.

This morning, I casually was browsing through my Twitter feed and saw my Twitter name right next to Orbitz's. I WON!

If you visit Orbitz's blog you can read the announcement.

"Let's tell you what i've won!" *in game show host voice*

The winning tip: “WDW isn’t just for kids! Adults can enjoy golfing, spa time, fine dining, water sports, shopping, and behind the scenes tours!”


That one sweet tweet earned @stacey87:


*airfare for four
*7-night hotel stay in a Disney property
*four 7-day Magic Your Way® theme park tickets with Park Hopper® AND Water Parks Fun & More options
*$250 Disney gift certificate
*admission to Cirque du Soleil® show for four
*winner’s choice of spa treatment or round of golf

I called up my husband who started freaking out. He asked if we could take our moms and of course I said, "YES!" My mom is still at work so I can't tell her until she gets out. I have a feeling she will pass out (hardy har har if you've read my latest trip report).

I'll let you all know more details when I find out this afternoon. This could not have come at a better time. DH and I found out that we somehow OWE money back to the IRS even though we both have fairly low paying jobs. We've had a very rough past year in general and have been needing to get away together.

Dream do come true...

I Miss Mickey

So, basically, I decided to plug some numbers in and see how much a full vacation to WDW would cost us.  I chose 5 nights instead of the usual 7 in an effort to save money.  We're already vacationing on a budget (like always) so any way I can cut back I will.  Shaving a few days off is the easiest way to take a large amount off of the total.

I chose a time that hopefully overlaps the free dining promotion as well as the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival.  I absolutely loved that time of the year.  Food and Wine Festival is my favorite thing to do at WDW now.  I'm also obviously assuming free dining will be offered.  It should be announced within the next week if it is.

Here is the price breakdown.  AKA, how i'm justifying affording this trip.

Airline (as of now) - $318.00 total

WDW MYW, 5 day park hoppers, at Pop Century, September 28-October 3 - $1136 total

Airline + Disney = $1454.00

Airline is paid upfront and a down payment on the package is as well.  $318 + $250 = $568

The remainder of the package will be paid in increments over 5 months so it can be paid off 45 days before arrival to WDW. 

Remainder $886.00 / 5 months = $177.20 a month

That we can totally swing no problem. 

I have to calculate how much our Nashville/Memphis trip will cost us.  I'm thinking that will only be like $350.00 total.  We only have to pay for gas, attractions, and spliting the hotels with my mom. 

Hopefully, by next week, we'll have a package booked!

Disneyland vs. Disney World

In case you haven't been reading my personal blog, i'll catch you up.  My husband and I are thinking of taking a little trip out to California in the fall.  His aunt lives in San Luis Obispo... about 4 hours away from Disneyland.  The thought recently came to us that it would be a fun trip to fly into Anaheim, spend a few days at Disneyland, then drive to San Luis Obispo for a few days.

I decided today to price it out and see how much we're actually looking at.  This trip is very different for us since we normally just have to pay for a big WDW package and then our flights to Orlando.  There are a lot of seperate factors going into the west coast idea.  This is what it looks like budgeted out roughly.

Flight = $550.00 roundtrip for two people
This is just what i'm getting right now.  It could go down.  It could go up.  We normally pay about $250.00 roundtrip flying to Orlando.

Disneyland tickets = $300.00 - 2 day Park Hopper for two people
I'm quite shocked with this number but... it's Disney so I really shouldn't ever be sticker shocked, right?  There is a chance that we could knock it down to a one day base ticket.  But, that's really not worth the trip to me if i'm not actually "seeing" everything.

Gas money = $100.00
Rental car =  ???
I haven't looked into the rental car thing yet but with having to drive quite a bit I went high with $100.00 for gas.  Now, gas and rental car would be split with Matt's parents IF they decided to go. 

Food in DL and food in SLO = $100.00
I'm not totally sure on this one.  I know that Matt's aunt with end up cooking breakfast and dinner so all we'll have to pay for is lunch when we're out sight seeing in SLO.  I can assume we'll do no table service restaurant at DL and just do counter service in an effort to save money.

Not counting the hotel in Anaheim, rental car, and spending cash the total comes to be $1050.00. 

Just for kicks I decided to price out what a 5 days (Tuesday through Sunday) in WDW would be.  Assuming free dining will occur at this time frame I chose, the total would be $1100.00.  The only thing not added into that would be the flights. 

I really thought that DL would end up being cheaper and now... i'm not so sure. 

Walt Disney World... Day Seven! Final Day!

Here it is, folks,  We finally (and unfortunely) made it to mom and I's last full day at Walt Disney World.  Our touring pretty much consisted of us wrapping up everything we needed to get done.  Mom and I felt like we hadn't fully gotten everything that we could out of Magic Kingdom so that's where we went.  We hit up Carousel of Progress (my personal favorite) and did Tomorrowland Transit Authority again.  Of course we visited Fantasyland and Frontierland again.  We even did something we hadn't done in quite a few years in Liberty Square... The Hall of Presidents.  Obama looked great and is a well done addition to this classic attraction.

Since we were right there, we grabbed some lunch at Columbia Harbour House.  This is my personal favorite counter service in Magic Kingdom.  I decided to get the Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus with tomato and broccoli slaw), chips, and apple crisp.  Mom ordered the BLT salad.  We both raved about lunch.  I'm obsessed with hummus so this really fit the bill!

On our way out of MK we went through Fantasyland and witnessed one of the cutest things i've ever seen at WDW.  Alice came out and asked a little girl to ride the teacups with her.  This kind of occurance i've only seen in the commercials.  It's absolutely adorable to see it in person and watch how the child reacts. 

Mom and I took the monorail over to Epcot to explore the Food and Wine Festival one last time.  We had some time to kill before dinner at 'Ohana.  After doing a whole lot of pussy footing around we hopped back on the monorail and arrived at the BEAUTIFUL Polynesian Resort.  I feel so blessed every single time I walk into this resort.  It's paradise.

We stood in a very very long line of people waiting to check into the restaurant.  We were about a half hour early for our ADR time but we only ended up waiting about fifteen minutes for a table.  We were seated at by the window on the far side of the main seating area.  Totally fine by us because last time we had coconuts being kicked at our feet. 

Before we left for vacation I'd asked around about Chef TJ at 'Ohana and was told that he was no longer there.  I didn't even bother telling our waiters (yes, two) that I was vegetarian because I didn't feel like the fuss would be worth it if TJ wasn't there.  After the first four appetizers came and I only ate salad and noodles one of the waiters asked if I ate meat.  I told them 'no' but that I was just fine eating what I could.  She insisted that I let her tell the chef to whip something extra up for me.  Whatever... it's fine.  No Chef TJ but we'll see what comes out.

About ten minutes later walking my way comes the one, the only, Chef TJ.  I whispered to my mom, "Oh my gosh!  That's him!  That's Chef TJ!"  As he approaches I just repeatedly begin thanking him for making something special for me.  I told him that I heard he wasn't cooking at 'Ohana anymore and that I'd wanted to meet him for so long because I heard his concoctions were just amazing.  He really makes the whole dining time an experience.  He seriously loves what he's doing. 

I could tell he was absolutely flattered.  He said he'd come back to check on me in a bit.

What he made me was absolutely delicious.  It was fried asparagus with tofu on top of rice and veggies.  The sauce he put on it all was out of this world and just tied it all in.  The dish was HUGE!!!  I devoured about 2/3 of it before I had to give in.  Dessert was coming up!

In the middle of our meal, a fellow tourist walked towards our table and said that I looked very familiar to her.  After I told her my name she goes, "I thought it was you!  I'm (so and so) from the Intercot boards.  I knew I recognized you from somewhere."  She remembered seeing pictures of me

As promised, Chef TJ came back out and chatted with me for a bit and I asked to get my picture taken with him.  Our bread pudding dessert came out and totally knocked us off our chairs.  It's so delicious.  We were very very stuffed at that point.  It was time to undo the pants basically.

Mom and I were waiting for our bill and Chef TJ came back out and said, "you're done with dessert already?  Wait here!  Don't leave yet!"  So he ran back to the kitchen and it gave mom and I some time to just rest.  We had no idea what he was doing but we sure as hell weren't going to miss it.  In about ten or fifteen minutes he came back out to our table with ANOTHER dessert.  I can't even tell you what it was exactly.  Some kind of fried dough with chocolate and raspberry drizzled over the top.  So good.  Chef TJ insisted that the next time I come back to 'Ohana that I specifically ask to speak with him before we begin our meal.  Of course I will, Chef TJ.  Of course I will.

What a way to end the final day of our vacation. 

American Idol Experience Interview with CoasterRadio.com

I was asked to be a guest on CoasterRadio.com's theme park podcast to talk about the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Here's the link if you're interested in listening.  I suggest you even listen to the parts that i'm not on but if you want to just hear me, fast forward to about the ten minute mark.

http://blog.coasterradio.com/2010/02/coasterradiocom-422-american-idol.html

Thanks E.B. & Mike for having me on the show!

Part seven of my WDW trip report will resume very soon.  Keep your shirt on.

Disney World... Day Six

Greetings from day six!  Mom and I vowed today would be a drama free day with no one passing out.  Mom got her morning coffee at Everything Pop then we were off to Disney's Hollywood Studios to finish up things we didn't get to do the other day.  We made sure to be on the ball and get there before opening.  It was cool to watch American Idol Experience come out and get people to audition. 

After being on the third vehicle of the day at Toy Story Mania we saw green army men outside walking around.  They approached me and asked how I did.  I was able to tell them I had a high score for the day.  Sure, only about twelve people had riden the attraction before me but at least I got to be proud of myself for a little bit! 

Mom and I worked our way around through some more attractions and even stopped to meet Mike sans Sulley.  I was disappointed to say the least.  I'm a Sulley fan.  We got some lunch at Backlot Express.  I think mom got a salad and I got the vegetable sandwich.  I heard it was to die for and it certainly was!  Of course I picked off the mushroom.  Yuck.  That's just wrong.

Finally it was time for us to head over to the Animation Studio to try and meet all three characters from "Up."  It was only Russell and Dug a few days prior and I really needed to meet all three together.  We were about fifth in line waiting for the characters to come out.  After about twenty minutes Dug, Russell, and Carl came out greeting everyone waiting.  Russell saw my shirt and RAN to me so excited.  He pointed to his shirt and then to mine and clapped.  I knew this was going to be good.

When it was our turn to go and meet the characters I let my mom go first.  She did her cute poses with them and then... my turn!  I walked around the corner and Russell saw me and CHARGED at me.  He hugged me for what seemed like forever.  Everyone there really got a kick out of watching us.  To say that I love Russell is a serious understatement.  I walked over and greeted Dug and Carl with big hugs.  I even got a kiss on the hand from Carl which of course made Russell jealous.  I told the them all that I wanted a picture doing the "roar" pose.  The guys didn't want to let me go.  Russell grabbed my hand and started walking away with me, waving goodbye to everyone.  It was SO CUTE!  The photopass photographer told us to stop and pose just the two of us.  I swear I spent a good five minutes with them.  That's a long time for a WDW meet and greet!

I was BEAMING after that experience and couldn't wait to see the pictures.  Mom and I decided to do something i'd always wanted to do but seemed to skip past in every previous trip.  We drew Tigger!  Mom didn't want to do it so she just took pictures of me doing it.  My drawing started off pretty well actually.  I can draw still life well but i've never been good with animals or people.  About half way through I hold my paper out and look at it.  Mom and I start laughing like idiots in this quiet drawing class.  I'm pretty sure I snorted at some point.  Somehow I drew Tigger looking a lot like Gumby.  My head hung in shame the rest of the afternoon.

Mom and I took the bus back to Pop Century and got around to go to Epcot for dinner.  Dinner was a little early tonight... 4:45 p.m. at Le Cellier.  It was the only time I could get a reservation for but I didn't care because I just wanted my mom to be able to experience Le Cellier.  I'd raved about it for so long that I was hoping it'd live up to the hype for her.  Luckily, it did!  She was rather impressed that they let her get a shake with her meal.  We both decided to get a "fixed" option on the menu that allows you to get an appetizer even on the Disney Dining Plan.  I chose a ridiculously amazing salad and mom got my suggestion...cheddar cheese soup.  I can never even try the soup because of the bacon in it.  She RAVED about it and at that point I think she was getting why I talked this place up so much.  Our entrees came out in perfect timing.  Mom ordered some kind of steak (don't ask me I don't know the difference) with potatoes and I got the salmon two ways.  Now I thought the salmon I had at Le Cellier on a previous trip was amazing.  No no no.  This was it.  They served the salmon along side this veggie rice wrap thing.  I almost passed out from how good that was alone.  But, mom and I decided neither of us would be passing out that day so onto dessert.  We both got the creme brulee. It's absolutely ridiculous.  The waitress came back out to check and make sure we liked it... yeah.... I was already done with mine.  Throw an amazing Canadian Moosehead beer on top of the whole meal and it ended up being one of the best meals i'd ever had in my life. 

I think our stomachs were so full we could have burst at that point.  Mom and I walked off dinner touring the World Showcase.  We then got a seat at the American Pavillion to watch En Vogue.  I grew up singing En Vogue's songs at age five.  They even performed with my idol, Kelly Clarkson back in the day.  We were surrounded by two very distinct groups...  middle aged black women and elderly folks that were just looking for a place to sit down out of the sun.  En Vogue came out and I totally got into it.  I'm sure I was the only white girl getting down.  I impressed myself by remembering a lot of words to the songs.  Mom and I had a blast!

En Vogue must have made me thirsty because I then decided to get a beer from the "New Orleans" booth.  I do believe it was called Purple Haze.  A co-worker had told me she loved it.  I personally wasn't crazy about it.  It was a little too fruity and light for my taste.  Mom and I decided to visit the beautiful France pavillion.  We thought about seeing the movie there because neither of us had done it before.  The plan quickly changed when we met a new friend. 

A French cast member greeting people at the movie called out to me, "Hi, is that good?" 

I replied nicely, "It's okay.  Nothing special." 

He asked, "Where are you from?"

I said, "A small city in Michigan.  Right here."  *pointing to my hand*

He then grabs my shoulders and smiles.  He says, "You have the most beautiful eyes.  You're gorgeous!"

Uhhh?  Is this a joke?  Is he pretending to be a smooth talking Frenchman?  It's gotta be a joke.  My mom is just standing there smiling making little comments here and there.  I looked at her in a state of panic.

I said, "Thanks.  That's nice of you to say.  Where are you from in France?"  Clearly I was trying to change the subject.

It didn't work.  He kept talking about how he was going home to France around Christmas but would be back after the New Year and I shouldn't worry because he'll be in Florida waiting for me.  He even asked if I was happy in "my city" because I just might like Florida better.  I think he commented on my eyes and smile a handful of times in the middle of this conversation.  I just couldn't change the subject long enough to keep him from talking about my looks.  My mom suggested that we get a picture together.  She later told me that she thought it would shut him up.  After we awkwardly took a picture together he asked to SEE IT.  Mom showed him and he ZOOMED IN on our faces and looked and my mom and said "Don't we look beautiful together?" 

Uh, okay.  Hold up, Pierre.  I will not be moving to Florida to make babies with you and live scarily ever after.  Uh uh.  No way.  Go find another Belle. 

Mom swooped right in with the zinger.

"Yeah it's too bad she's married."

Poor guy pouted his lips and hunched down.  That should stop him from making anymore horrific comments, right?  WRONG!  

"This makes me sad.  You're married?  He is so lucky.  You are the most beautiful."  

Mom and I said that we had to get going to see other "things."  We ran into the wine store (boy did I need a drink at that point) and laughed so hard about what just happened.  I felt like I needed a shower!  Since we weren't obviously going into the movie anymore we decided to slip out through another walkway further down past a few more shops.  We turn the corner and guess who is standing there talking to another cast member.  My lover, Pierre!  Mom and I walked briskly to the further shop back and bolted out behind our friend so he didn't notice us.  I'd show you a picture of my admirer and I but i'm a little too ashamed of how tightly he was holding me.

To erase it all from our brains we took a trip into the future on Spaceship Earth and then called it a night.  What an interesting day!