So at over 200 days or so before I arrive, I am sitting in front of my computer looking at menus. Feb 15,2012 to be exact.

I just looked and found Disney released their park hours for September already. Using the spreadsheet I created for my last trip, 99% of the time, the park hours are the same.

I do notice that the Magic Kingdom closes early on a couple of nights while I hopefully will be there. On Sept 7,8,11, and 14, it closes at 7 pm. I am going to guess, based on last year, that Night of Joy could be on Sept 7 and 8. I am also guessing that Mickey’s not so scary Halloween Party will be on Sept 11 and 14. The last two years, I kept missing the party because they moved night of joy from the studios to the MK. MNSHP used to be the first week in Sept, but because of NoJ, MNSHP got pushed to the second week in Sept, so I changed the week I plan on going from the first week of Sept to the second, so I can go to the party.

Like I did previous years, I currently have basic dining plan, but plan on upgrading to deluxe when I finalize my dining adr’s.

But unlike last year, I plan on not doing so many buffets, so first up, Fantasmic Dinner Package.

Previous years, I did the FDP at Hollywood and Vine. But since that is a buffet, I am going to change my plans. The other places I can eat at is either Mama Melrose or Brown Derby. Mama Melrose is a single credit sit down restaurant while Brown Derby is a 2 credit sit down restaurant.

The deluxe plan gets me the appetizer. I am looking at the menus of both places. Nothing at all I like. What to do?

The first problem is I hate to need a dictionary to figure out what the menu is offering, here is a example:

uilles de Brick Napoleon of Blue Affine - with wild mushroom duxelle, griled portobello, golden chanterelles, and a fig reduction $11.00

I know what the color blue is. I know what a mushroom is (which I don’t eat), and I know what a fig is, fig reduction???

And here is this:

Chared Filet of Beef - glazed with a red wine reduction topped with Cabernet and Roasted shallot butter, over white truffle forest mushroom whipped potatoes 6 oz $37.00 or 8 oz. $41.00

What does ….reduction…. mean???? I don’t know. Roasted Shallot butter, white truffle with that M word again.

But I think I am going with Brown Derby. But that is Sunday. I forgot about Saturday.

My plan is to arrive on Saturday, September 8^th. Last year, I did lunch at Flame tree (tradition) and dinner at Boma. Do I want to do Boma again? Will look at what other choices I have. I think I will do Yak N Yeti here. Last year, I did it later in the week, but will do it first day. I like YnY. So my Saturday is done.

Now on to Sunday the 9^th. Last year I did breakfast at Boma. I liked the breakfast meat they served at the carving station. But will look at what else I can do. I plan to be at the studios for the day. Breakfast is always a problem at the studios. So maybe I will go the Epcot resorts for breakfast. Think I will go with Captains Grille.

Like last year, after watching Fantasmic, will head to Magic Kingdom for evening EMH hours. Maybe eat at Cosmic Rays there. I need to figure out how many dining credits I have.

On Monday, Sept 10. Breakfast at Kona is good. But lunch at Crystal Palace isn’t, another buffet. I looked at the Wave, and disappointed with the appetizers there. Eating breakfast at Kona, don’t want to eat there for lunch. Going to do Grand Floridian Café for lunch. Probably do lunch again later in the week. Going to do ‘Ohana for dinner.

Tuesday, Sept 11. last year, did Crystal Palace, doing Grand Floridian Café instead. Lunch at Kona. But what to do for dinner in or around the Magic Kingdom? Did ‘Ohana yesterday, do it two days in a row?? Will do Grand Floridian Café.

Wednesday, Sept 12. Epcot day. Last year I did breakfast buffet at Cape May Café. This year, no J Captains Grille. Maybe do buffet?? Will see how I feel. Lunch at Le Cellier, Dinner at Coral Reef, just like last year.

Thursday, Sept 13. Another Epcot day. Last year I did Captains Grille, but since I plan on doing that last year, not doing it three times. Need to come up with options. I keep looking at Kouzzina, but I tried breakfast once there before, and still nothing interests me.

I think enough planning for tonight… head hurts J

2/20/12 back to figure out breakfast on Sept 13. Not happy, but I guess I will go with Sunshine Seasons. Just like last year, Coral Reef. And for dinner Captains Grille.

Sept 14, breakfast, like last year, Grand Floridian Café, lunch at Kona, dinner at Whispering Canyon

Sept 15, breakfast, last year sunshine Seasons, but I don’t want to do that twice, so here I am again, looking for breakfast at or near Epcot. Ok, going to boma for breakfast, since I am doing lunch at Yak N Yeti. Dinner is back at Le Cellier

J done. Now that I can see everything at a glance.. time to tweak.

Ok.. now for the fun parts. Assuming the night of not so scary would be 9/11, will do it that night.

Now, will I want to do wishes dessert party?? 9/10 seems good, but I am doing ‘ohana that night, so I can going to switch the nights I am going to ‘Ohana and Whispering Canyon, Whispering Canyon will be 9/10 and ‘Ohana on 9/14

Bottom line

Flame Tree BBq once

Yak N Yeti Lunch and dinner

Captains Grill, breakfast (twice), dinner

Brown Derby, Fantasmic Dinner Package, late lunch

Cosmic Rays, late night snack

Kona Breakfast, lunch (twice), dinner

Grand Floridian Café, Breakfast (twice), lunch , dinner

Le Cellier, lunch and dinner

Coral reef, lunch and dinner

Sunshine Seasons, breakfast

Ohana, dinner

Boma Breakfast

I count 25 dining credits.

I am staying 8 nights, times 3 credits per nights, 24 credits total, means I am doing one too many meals J, so let me rethink.

Option A, drop Brown Derby and do Mama Melrose instead. Both offer Fantasmic Dinner package. It would make sense to get the Chicken Parm at Mama Melrose, but the strip steak is $29 while the chicken Parm is $18. Best value, go for the steak, but what about the appetizer there? Probably settle for Caser Salad.

That gets me back to 24.

Option B: drop cosmic rays for a late night snack, option A sounds better.

Ok, revised

Captains Grille Kona 9am GFc Captains Grille Sunshine Seasons gfc Boma

Flame tree Mama Melrose/ Fantasmic GFC Kona Le Cellier Coral Reef 1 pm Kona Yak N Yeti

wishes dessert party mnsshp

Yak N Yeti Cosmic Rays Whispering canyon GFC Coral reef Captains Grille ohana Le Cellier

As you can see, I will be eating at some places two days in a row. I love to tell them when I am asked, ‘did you enjoy your meal?’ I will say so much, I will be back tomorrow ;)

I keep looking at my plans. I can do this J 3 weeks to go before ADR day.

3/1/12 booking Amtrak

On my second trip to Disneyworld using Amtrak, I joined the Amtrak rewards program.

For every mile you travel, they give you a point. 7 trips, about 8,000 points? Rough guess.

Just like Disney has a Visa credit card reward program with Chase, so does Amtrak. Open a Amtrak credit card, get 30,000 points reward points.

So for job expenses, I use my Amtrak rewards credit card. Kind of a synergy between letting your job help pay for your trip. :) For every dollar you spend on the credit card, you get a point. For every day expenses, I still use my Disney rewards card.

I have over 39,000 Amtrak reward points.

Of course I am going to have a sleeper room. Right now my vacation package with Disney is that I arrive on a Sunday, leave back home the following Saturday. But I have every intention to expand my trip by a day coming and going. So when I book with Amtrak, remember it takes a day to travel, I am leaving for Orlando on Friday to arrive on Saturday. Returning home, boarding the train on Sunday, arriving back in New York on Monday.

For travel in a private room, you have two choices, a small roomette, or a bedroom. The only major difference, besides more space is the bedroom comes with a interior bathroom/shower combination. The roomette comes with a bowl and sink only inside the room, no privacy if you have someone in the room with you. A bedroom takes 20,000 points, A roomette takes 15,000.

So I decide to splurge to reserve a bedroom in one direction, and the roomette the other. But which direction to reserve what?

Some people who decide to split their stays at two different resort levels always are told to book the lower level resort first, then the better level for the second part. So that means take the roomette going to Orlando, and have something to look forward to on the trip home. Makes sense to do the same on Amtrak?? Nope :)

On all my previous trips, I am too excited to sleep, I nod off for a couple of hours while traveling through Georgia, but that’s it. I am up most of the time. So I figure if I am up, I would enjoy the extra space more. On the trip home, I sleep mostly, so who cares about the smaller room :)

On the weekends, there is a Amtrak chat room I participate in. So they helped me plan how to book my trip using reward points. There is a number on the website to call to reserve a bedroom. If reserving just a coach seat, you can do that online. But if you have to call to reserve a bedroom.

I called the number, and after getting a little crazy over their automated directory system, spoke to a real person. Explained where I wanted to go and such, told them my choices of times and such. And that was that.

As previous years, I am taking the Silver Star from NY Penn to Orlando. It leaves Friday, just after 11 am, arrives Saturday, just after 10 am. The return trip, just like previous years is the early afternoon train, The Silver Meteor. I will board that train 1:35 pm on Sunday, to arrive Monday 11:06 am.

There is the evening train leaving Orlando after 7 pm, but I prefer to board and travel in the mornings, not in the evenings.

One thing I find strange. I booked this trip over 6 months out. For the bedroom on my train ride to Orlando, I am in the first car. But the return trip back to New York, I am in the second car, meaning the first car’s roomettes are already fully booked J

Next milestone is ADR day.

Just before ADR day. I know I will be competing with others for the same dining plans. What I will do, when asking for them, I will ask for the harder ones first. Which means Le Cellier, ‘Ohana, and Fantasmic Dinner Package. The others aren’t critical.

3/5/12 update

With Disney opening free dining to the general public, I was a little worried. While I have a hotel reserved from Sept 9 through the 15^th, My Amtrak train tickets gets me there on the 8^th, returning home on the 16^th. Two extra days. But will they have availability under the free dining plan? Remember, availability for this offer is limited. I planned all along to extend my trip by two days. So I called today to extend my trip.

So I called, spent 40 minutes on hold, got through and almost $300 later, I have two more nights at Pop Century, two more park hopper days at parks, and lastly two more days of basic dining (just paying the difference between quick service and basic dining)

I started to break down the numbers, and I was getting a little worried. It seemed a little too much. Do I still have quick service dining free and paying the difference for basic? I also looked at my reservation online, no mention of free dining at all. Here are the numbers.

I paid $291.96 more for the two additional days. Two more park days (at $8 per day), subtract that is now $275.96. Subtract 32 ($16 per day difference between quick and basic), leaves me with $240 and change, just the two extra nights. But Pop Century more then $100 a night??

So I called back, waited on hold for 25 minutes. Spoke to a very nice CM, his name was Chad. I explained to Chad, do I still have the code for free dining? He said, that’s why he loves his job, we cant see codes online yet. He broke down the numbers above for me. He also did a single night only Pop Century for a Saturday night stay only. $120. Wow. I always thought Pop Century was less then a $100 a night. You see, even though I am in value season, weekends are still more then weekdays.

I also found out, ADR day is March 12. So very close.

3/7/12

Still about a week away from ADR Day. There are still things to do to get ready. Still working on my transportation options.

First up, going from Orlando Train Station to Pop Century. As usual, I filled out a website to hire Sunray. I did that yesterday. Today I got the email back confirming my reservation.

Now back to Amtrak. As it was setup, I am using my reward points to travel for free between Orlando and New York Penn. I had previously reserved a bedroom going south, and a Roomette going north. Bedrooms are 20,000 points. Roomettes are 15,000. I reserved a roomette because I thought I had only about 39k points, less then the 40k I needed to reserve the bedroom both ways. But it turns out I did have the points. So today I called back, cancelled the roomette, and reserved the bedroom. So now on the return trip I am in car number 9812. The only downside is, I am 3 cars away from the dining car. Like I said, the first sleeper car next to the dining car is 9810, next 9811, and so on. Oh well.

I also coordinated my method of attack on ADR day. Some ADRs are more difficult to make then others. Topping my list of hard to get is ‘Ohana, followed by Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dinner Package, followed by Le Cellier. Everything else I am just going by the day.

After handwriting the ADR’s, I created a spreadsheet to enter in the info. 5 days to ADR day and counting.

3/12/12 ADR day… or that day that makes or breaks your vacation. 180 days from now, I will be checking into Pop Century Resort. But being on property, I can also book 10 days worth of dining reservations, known as Advance Dining Reservations, ADR for short.

To be able to book 181 to 190 days from now, to book online, you do this. Register a logon account at Disneyworld.com, seek a table between 181 to 190 days away, and a little box appears saying you are trying to book a table 180+ days away, you need to confirm you will be a registered guest by submitting your reservation number, last name, and date you will arrive.

So I wake up at 5 am, enter the three pieces of information, click confirm, and it says, it cant retrieve the reservation at this time, call Disney dining, which opens at 7 am. Ok, maybe I am too early, set my clock for 5:30, go back to sleep.

5:30, try again to confirm my resort reservation, same issue, cant retrieve my reservation at this time. Reset my alarm for 6.

6:00 am, still getting the same issue, cant confirm my resort reservation to open up the calendar to book my 180+10 days. I resign myself to be calling at 7 am. But I do make my 180 day reservation, according to my notes, Yak N Yeti for lunch on Sept 8, more about that later.

Now I usually get ready for work between 7 and 7:30, but not today, so I get ready starting at 6. Kind of keep trying to get the website to confirm my reservation, but doesn’t work.

To call long distance, I use my laptop and magic jack. I use the laptop’s speakers as a speaker phone, but when they answer the phone, will use a regular phone.

Starting at 6:57 am, I keep dialing. Till 7 am on the dot, I get the office is closed message. But right at 7, I get the normal message. After getting a little frustrated at what to ask for, I just press O for operator. Wait a couple of minutes, and I have someone answering me. I then try to use the phone, and it isn’t working. Lucky enough my laptop has a mic, so I talk to her like that.

She asks for my resort information, and at this time, I know it by heart, entering it so many times on the website. I have my list of 20 adr’s to make. With the one I already made, that leaves 19 to make.

When it comes to meals, I am pretty structured in terms of times. I figure to eat breakfast around 10 am. I found on my previous trip, I can get to the restaurant as early as 9 am and be seated without issue. Lunch time is around 1 pm, dinner around 6. The day I do Fantasmic dinner package, it’s a mid afternoon meal. The idea behind the FDP is not to get you reserved seating, but get you to eat between lunch and dinner. In the past I usually eat at Hollywood and Vine around 3. This year trying for Mama Melrose around 4.

I previously mentioned that I do my adrs trying to get the harder ones first. But I didn’t mention this, those harder ones, I ask for at the end of my trip, the 187 or so days out. I figure less people can ask for those days meaning my chances are better. So even though I arrive on 9/8, I wont try to get ‘Ohana till 9/14.

After waiting just about 3 minutes, someone answers the phone. I tell her I want to book dining reservations, I arrive on Sept 8, and here is my package reservation number. I ask for ‘Ohana for Sept 14, 6 pm party of 1. And after ½ a minute, just like last year, nothing available. I asked how about a party of two? She knows what I am doing. It’s the same table as one person would get, but the way they work the reservation system, they only reserve x amount of tables for single diners. She finds a table for 2 at 6:25. I say ok. Everything else is a table for one.

I get everything else within a ½ hr of my asking except for Whispering Canyon Café which they only have for 7:25 pm.

After I get done with all my adr requests, about a 20 minute endeavor, she then asks for my credit card for those adr’s that require them. And gives me the standard warnings about needing approximately 90 minutes for traveling. Then I start recording all the confirmation numbers. That all adds another 20 minutes to do. 19 adr’s, 40 minutes from start to finish. I head out to work.

Tonight, I take a quick look at my dinning online and something catches my eye, Yak N Yeti for lunch on arrival day. But my tradition is Flame Tree for lunch. I look at my spreadsheet I created to record to record ADR confirmation numbers and adr times, yep, I wrote lunch, but on my master spreadsheet, its dinner. Oh no L

So I look online find Yak N Yeti at 4:45, book it, and cancel the lunch one. Tweak # 1 of many to come J

3/13/12 tweak #2 The day I have the 7:25 pm adr for Whispering Canyon Café, was also the night I wanted to do Wishes Dessert Party which starts at 8 pm. So I wanted to see if I could get a earlier time online, but still getting the same error, cant retrieve my resort reservation, so I plugged in my magic jack and called Disney dining. They were able to change it to 6:25 pm, but had to change the reservation to two people. The CM on the phone even tried changing it before I asked her to try two people instead of one.

I also ordered my Disney rewards card. Currently have $141 on it. Will use the card to help pay the balance in a couple of months. Except for a theme park music cd set, I can never find things I want at the parks.

3/15/12 One of the last important things I needed to do, just did. I upgraded the vacation package to deluxe dining, and added insurance too. Do I really need insurance? Don’t think so, but traveling solo, perhaps just a security blanket.

Just two less important things left to do. When they allow me to book, tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Tomorrowland Terrace Wishes Dessert Party. More concerned about doing not so scary. Wishes?, if I don’t, I don’t.

3/23/12 Received my Disney Rewards Card today.

3/30/12-4/1/12 Disney changed their menus. I double checked to make sure there are some things I still want to eat. Some new interesting dishes. Still the only let down is Mama Melrose, appetizer. Still only find a Caser Salad. Oh well.

I also tried to look up to see if they opened it up Wishes Dessert Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace for September, and they did. According to my planning, I can only go on the 10^th. So I start to see if there is any availability, and there is none. Just for fun, I see if there is any availability for parties up to 6, nothing. Another year, shut out. I am not so disappointed, but a little bummed. I know I won’t even eat anywhere close to the cost of the dessert party.

Next concern is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. When they open that up.

4/4/12 All my previous trips, I always went to Boma for dinner. But it’s a buffet, and I wanted zero buffets this trip. So I decided to do Yak N Yeti twice this trip, one time instead of Boma. Well, tonight, I changed my mind, booked Boma for dinner and canceled YnY. I know I can not stuff myself silly.

4/6/12 Mama Melrose or Hollywood and Vine? Both are being done under the Fantasmic Dinner Package. I really didn’t want to do buffets this trip, but that is slowly falling away. On one hand, all you can eat buffet. On the other hand, nothing special at all to eat at Mama Melrose, another NY Strip, no special appetizer, would ‘settle’ for a Caesar salad. And when was the last time someone spoke about a special dessert at Mama Melrose? When people ask about Mama Melrose or Tonys Town Square, I give this advice, if you live and enjoy Italian food at home, don’t go to these places, as you would be disappointed. So why aren’t I taking my own advice. What to do??

I decided to roll the dice, so to speak. I will see if there is anything available. I remember back in 2009. I called up the first day I can book, 7 am that morning. Out of the three possible places I can eat at, Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose, or Brown Derby, only Brown Derby was available, later then morning, that was gone too. Fantasmic was only shown a couple of times a week then. Now its daily, so maybe availability is better?

So I enter the information, Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood and Vine on September 9,2012, and wow… 4 pm, same time as my ressie at Mama Melrose. I look and agonize, what to do. I remember this. I have will power. I walked out of the Wishes Dessert Party… still hungry. I know I can do this at Hollywood and Vine too. I know I will find more that I like to eat at H&V then at MM. I know I will enjoy myself better.

When booking things like the Fantasmic Dinner Package, you need to get a credit card to guarantee your reservation, so if you fail to show up, they penalize you, think $10 per person if no one shows up, and you fail to cancel more then 24 hours before arriving. So I go get my wallet and enter my credit card info. The system sees I have a adr at the same time, same date at Mama Melrose. It asks me, do I want to cancel MM and go with H&V? I say yes. I feel like I just gained 5 pounds, kidding :)

Whats next? Drop Grand Floridian Café for Crystal Palace? Not likely, I like what they serve at GFC better then CP.

4/8/12 I was bored, so what else to do? Look over my dining plans. On Thursday, September 13, my plan was to do a quick service meal at Sunshine Seasons. But the same meal credit can also get me a meal at a table service restaurant. Ok, I have to leave a tip, but a couple of dollars wont bother me. Finding a place for breakfast in or around Epcot, the Studios or nearby resorts is always a problem. I am already eating at Captains Grille a couple of times. Still remember my very unhappy dining experience at Kouzzina, so what does that leave? Cape May Café. Yes, I know, a character buffet meal. Oh well, rolled the dice (see if there is anything open) and made adr’s for 9:30 am.

I figure even if I just get one plate, still getting more value then getting a quick service meal at Sunshine Seasons.

4/18/12 Two words, Cheese Omelets. I love cheese omelets for Breakfast. The Crystal Palace has a omelet station, so the lure of Pooh and characters are making me rethink my decision not to do The Crystal Palace.

So I am so far eating at Kona, Grand Floridian Café, and The Wave for breakfast on my Magic Kingdom days. I first check to see what times they have available for The Crystal Palace if I dropped The Wave. 9:15, not crazy about eating after park opening. For those that don’t know, you can enter a almost empty Magic Kingdom before official opening if you have adr’s at The Crystal Palace. Next up, drop GFC in favor of CP. I can get a adr at 8:45, so I add that, drop GFC. Gee….. Did I say I wouldn’t do that? :)

4/25/12 I don’t know. I started to think about Cape May Café for dinner. It’s a buffet, yes, forget about my 0 buffet plan, just not happening. So I looked at my dining plans. I am doing Le Cellier on Saturday for dinner. Pehaps move it, and do Cape May Saturday.

So I looked if I could find a good adr time for Le Cellier on either Wednesday or Thursday. Nope. So I leave Le Cellier for Saturday, last table service meal. I search Cape may for Thursday, find a adr time of 6:40, drop Captains Grille in favor of Cape May. Funny, doing breakfast at Cape May on Thursday too.

5/1/12 I looked online and was surprised that I can book Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for September 11, yay J I booked it. Now if they can open up Wishes Dessert Party too. I would be very happy. That’s the last piece of the puzzle for my trip.

7/13/12 So off and on, I have been trying to book the Wishes Dessert Party. I am on the fence to do it or not. But if I can, I probably would. People on the mouse for less yahoo group know I was interested, but as far as I know, they didn’t open up so you can book this yet. I did try yesterday, but I still couldn’t book it.

Today someone named Minnesota said they opened up table reservations. Asked if I booked it yet or not. I said I tried last night, but still couldn’t. I said I would try later tonight. She (or he?) responded back, that they tried it online, they couldn’t book it for 1 or 2 people. That I should try calling Disney Dining.

So when I got home, I called, and they tried to book it, and said there is no availability, for parties of 1 or 2. I said I tried to book 3 online and I could. She (the CM who answers Disney Dining) asked and said if it was available, she could book me, but since she cant, its not available.

I will keep trying, Perhaps they wont allow parties of 2 or less book till later on. If I cant do it, I wont lose sleep over it.

7/17/12 I cant even book parties of any size right now. I guess another year of no dessert party. Oh well.

7/18/12 its so nice to see a zero balance on your trip :) At 54 days before arrival, fully paid.

I did use Disney Reward money. I had just $10 on the card. I transferred $30 more to just make sure that $30 payment gets applied properly. Once it does, I will transfer another $160 to the Rewards card, and make another payment of $170, leaving less then $10 left in the account with a zero balance on the card itself.

I tried to do it online, but I got a message that they couldn’t do it online as the system was unavailable. So I called the number and spoke to the auto attendant, went through the process of supplying my reservation number, confirmed my name and zip code, which card I wanted to use, the amount on the card, and how much I want to make, full or partial, I made the partial payment of just $30. It confirmed the payment. I went back online to look at my reward card to see the proper amount deducted, it was.

So I then went ahead and did another phone session of $170, same slow process.

At this time, I was able to look at my reservation package online, and I used my Disney Visa for the remaining balance. I chose today since today is my credit card statement date. I get a extra month of deferred interest making the payment today as opposed to yesterday.

next major milestone is at the 10 day online check in, even though I tend to make a phone call to make sure my room request is there.

7/25/12 45 days till check in at Pop Century.

Vacation is paid for, well at least as far as Disney Resorts is concerned (6 month interest free Disney Visa)

Been weeks since I tweaked my dining plans. I don’t think I can make any changes that makes this trip better. Hope the menus don’t change.

Still trying for the Wishes dessert Party, I don’t know why. Still cant book a table for one, but can for a table for three. And you cant cancel this. So the chances of a ressie opening up, I have a better chance of being upgraded to the Poly from Pop.

Too early to worry about the weather. That is after the 10 day window opens.

Just sitting here watching some home video of the monorail resort loop. Also looking at some photos. Looking at vacation photos, especially from the train ride excites me :) Going to be thinking about the train as I try to go to sleep :)

Cant figure out about my luggage yet. Buy a new 4 wheel model? or do slight repairs to the piece I used last year?

I should be receiving my vacation package paperwork any day now, I think.

Since I leave on a Friday, arrive in Orlando on a Saturday, have car service pick me up at the train station and drop me off at Pop Century, I have this fear of the dates not matching. Will check it for probably the hundredth time.

Already bought some items for my trip, cheap rain poncho, bathroom tissue (don’t ask :) Need to buy underwear and socks. Easier to pack new stuff then folding currently owned items :)

In the coming weeks, need to wash my Disney clothes, pack them, and bring them to Brooklyn. I am strange, instead of wearing t-shirts saying where I visited, I wear items from where I live, Coney Island, New York.

Need to order the ECV. Still trying to find a flag that says Coney Island on it to place on the ECV.

Last time I looked, Country Bear will be down for a refurb :( Haven't looked in a while. Hope that is all that will be closed while down there that I will miss.

35 days till online check in. Then I really go nuts about worrying about the weather.

7/31/12 today I received some paperwork confirming zero balance owed on my trip.

8/1/12 I made my mousekeeping envelopes, really just printed paper that says Mousekeeping on it. I will fold the paper and place $2 in each, date them for each day I will be there.

8/4/12 Today I went to my orthopedic surgeon who I have been seeing since I hurt my right calf muscle. He also took x-rays of my left ankle and got some bad news. I have a bone spur, which makes it painful when walking up and down ramps allot. He also said I am getting arthritis in the joint too, so renting the ECV will be a must. Years ago, I walked from the studios to Epcot just to see how fast I could do it. Now I don’t even think I could walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot without being in pain.

I also went shopping for my trip.

yes, #1 and 2 on my list were underwear and socks, purchased :)

for those who know me.. know what #3 necessary item is, if not, will PS it at the end of the email :)

Well, that’s when I arrive at Disney, now for items needed while getting to Disney.

#1 Honey Roasted Peanuts

#2 garlic onion potato chips (2, one package for each direction)

#3 sucking candy (Nips)

and for this years DVD entertainment, I saw a sale of TV box sets at Best Buy.

Science Fiction : Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

Drama : The Big Valley

comedy: Newhart (... this is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl)

And gong to take one of the box sets of Columbo for crime drama

now back to my luggage issues.

last year I had purchased a 31 tall by 19 inch wide suitcase which got damaged. I dealt with the manufacturer for repairs, and they send me two pieces to replace this one, a 29 and 20 inch model. But since I am going solo, I will have a backpack of my electronics, so wheeling around two pieces isn't any good. So I attempted to fix it myself. Bought a rivet gun, repaired that, bought some duck take, fixed a small tear, and the handle (extender handle to hold the piece while rolling. I cannibalized another piece of luggage, and it fits well enough to use. It doesn’t make sense to spend over $100 because I cant find a piece of 50 cent plastic.

Trip is getting close :)

Item #3?? Yoo hoos of course :)

8/6/12 My paperwork from Disney Travel has arrived. :)

8/11/12 Wifi vs mifi

So I dig up my Virgin Mobile Mifi device, battery totally drained. It looks like its taking a charge, I bought a third battery for my cell phone, and a third way to charge a battery (in cell phone, 110 volt drop in charger, and usb charger)

I don’t feel like needing a new battery for my mifi device.

Last year when I used it, I believe I paid $50 for one month unlimited usage. That plan is no more. They just have a $55 for one month for 5 gigs of usage or $35 for 2 gigs, or $10 for 100 megs for a week.. Oh well. And its just 3g. If this device was a 4g device, it would have been unlimited.

In the park and resort, probably use the guest wifi. But so far, the train wont have wifi yet. So I will use that for the train ride, at least.

I also purchased a Net zero 4g mifi device. It comes with 200 megs free per month the first year. The other day, I was using my tablet to watch a video stream, and I think I burned the 200 megs in less then 15 minutes. If this works in the park, I plan on trying to use this to stream on Ustream.

I will be carrying the following wifi enabled devices, my cell phone, touch, and tablet. I am not sure why I am taking the tablet, but since I have it, will use it. My original intention of buying the tablet was to read online newspaper, but I can also read this on my cell phone too. My eyes aren't that bad to not be able to read it :) I like the idea of maybe using the tablets camera to take ustream video. It’s a faster processor then my cell phone, hopefully it works better.

8/14/12 Today I reserved my ecv. For a person who prided himself being able to walk faster then a cross town bus, being pain free won out over pride. I reserved through Walker Mobility, just like I did last year. They had a special, for the same price for getting insurance or a canopy, the special was both for the same price. I really don’t need the canopy, so I may remove it when using it in the parks.

8/16/12 So after work, I was looking around a video game store and found Kingdom Hearts 3D for the Ninetendo 3DS. Also bought the cheat book. Ok, they call it a strategy guide, but for us old gamers, it’s a cheat book :) Another activity to do while on the train.

For those keeping count, I am taking my 3DS to take 3D video in the parks.

What images would you like to see in 3D?? I figure a loop around World Showcase would be nice. Should I show myself getting lost in the Animal Kingdom?? ;)

8/25/12 So how many cameras will be packed?

This doesn’t mean, how many cameras I will take to the parks, but simply how many electronic devices that is capable of taking a digital image, will be packed for the trip. This also includes other items, that is being used, that can also take a photo.

1- HTC Hero Cell phone

2- Emergency Cell phone

3- Fuji slimline camera

4- Polaroid water proof camera

5- Kodak Water proof camera

6- Canon mid size digital camera

7- Acer tablet

8- Sony hidef camcorder

9- Sony mini dv camcorder

10- Nintendo 3ds

11- Looksie bluetooth camera

12- Pen Camera

13- iPod Touch

I also spent this morning, gathering the above together, finding the accessories for the above, and placing them in zip lock bags, so all the wires don’t get tangled together.

I am also making a list of items that I should have, but currently cant locate it. I don’t want to buy new, till I am sure it cant be found

Looking over the list, you may wonder, why I am taking two different types of Sony Camcorders? The mini-dv takes better video on the dark rides.

Also when traveling, I like to carry the Fuji, but when in the parks, I will be using the Canon.

The two water proof cameras, I feel the Kodak takes better video, but the Polaroid is better for still images. Have to worry about those afternoon thunderstorms

The tablet will be used when I try Ustream. With wifi in the Magic Kingdom, and now at Epcot, cant wait to stress their connection

The Looksie and or the Pen camera, will be used when just walking around between attractions, trying to capture the atmosphere of the parks.

The iPod Touch will be used to control the Looksie.

8/27/12 It started with a email….

Well, It started with a mouse was taken :)

Obsession is defined as such “the domination of one's thoughts or feelings
by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. “

My favorite Star Trek episode is Obsession. Favorite line McCoy "well
captain your trophy isn't on the wall, its in it"

But I am digressing. This started last Wednesday, with a phone call.
Wednesday night, I was thinking of a very cute way of bringing this up.
Even the true events are a story in itself, but I will start with what never
happened.

This never happened.

I get a phone call, answer it.

Me: Hello?
caller: Brucie, how the hell are you?

The voice sounded familiar, the caller id, didn’t recognize the area code,
thought about it, then a name came to my lips

me: Mr Eye.....,.,..,.
he cut me off
caller: The tens of thousands of employees call me that, my friends call me
Bobby, your my friend.

see, I met Bobby a long time ago.... in a galaxy.... not that far.. but a
couple of decades ago, I was working on my local Boardwalk serving Ice
Cream.....

wavy lines.... wavy lines.... wavy lines......

It was a nice Sunday on the Boardwalk, business was good at the ice cream
parlor. I remember this cute little boy, he was so happy as he held his ice
cream cone, but he turned too fast, and the ice cream plopped to the floor.
He started crying, but as soon as I could, I gave him another cone, and he
was happy again. His father, Bobby, couldn’t thank me enough, gave me his
card, he was a manager at my local TV station here in New York. He called
me every so often, just to say hi, see if there was anything he could do for
me. He started to work through a merger and acquisition at Disney, cant say
exactly who he is. Back to the present....

wavy lines.... wavy lines... wavy lines.......

Bobby: I heard you are coming again this year, would enjoy touring with you,
but you can understand, probably have a better time without me, people get
tense around me, but I also understand you are trying to book the Wishes
Dessert Party, but cant, true?
me: Yes, been trying for months, but I seem to have been a day late booking
it, cant get it, oh well.
Bobby: Bruce.. I am hurt, deeply hurt, I can finally pay back the act of
kindness you showed my son, and you wont let me.
me: I just didn’t think it was right.
Bobby: Listen, I am not giving you a choice, I am having someone call you, I
let her know, if she cant help you, she will be on protein patrol. I gotta
go Brucie, another meeting. Hey, if you want to sleep in the Castle Suite,
its yours too, just tell them RI said its ok. Bye now.

he hung up before I could turn him down, oh well.

So that’s how I got my ressie for Tomorrowland Terrace Wishes dessert Party.


That’s the lie, the following is the truth.

Ok, I admit it.. I was obsessing about trying to book this. Not that I want
to eat all those desserts. I plan on using the Mio to flavor the plain
water, as I don’t like what else they serve. I just wanted to do it.

Some weeks ago, there was this internet online form to fill out. I
explained how unfair the current adr system is. I have been trying to book
a solo for months, but if I was a party of 3, then I could.

I got back a email saying, sorry, they I need to call Disney dining, as they
cant help me. So I called, they couldn't help me.

A couple of weeks go by, early last week, I found a email address to wdw
guest communications. So I wrote a email basically saying the same thing.

I get a voice mail at home (I didn’t leave a phone number in the email, nor
any other information, except my first and last name, which is on my email
address) Scary isnt it ? :)

Basically left a phone number, extension, and she would gladly help me book
the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party.

So I called Thursday, I start to type in the number, and my cell phone
completes the number. Its Disney resorts number, to make reservations. I
wait for someone to answer, and I asked for the extension. They go..... 5
digit extension? we only 4 digit extensions. I explain why I am calling,
they transferred me Disney Dining, they could help me. I also wrote down
the caller ID number, tried that, same thing. I couldn’t get a hold of this
person. I listened to the message 4 times, she said the extension twice. I
know I got it right

Cruel Hoax?? I was crushed.

I got home Thursday night, and tried to call the number again from my magic
jack, and this time, I got through. Well, I got through to her voice mail.
I left her a message, to call me back on Friday.

So I looked over the numbers. My bad, the number I dialed on my cell phone,
and the number I called that night, was the same, except for the last two
digits, were reversed, I called...... 23, her number was 32 :)

I had a real bad.. busy Friday. When I got the call on my cell phone (I
left her my cell phone to call me back on) from her, I was in front of a
customer, and way to busy to talk at that moment. As soon as I left the
customer, I tried to call her back, just got her voice mail. I tried a
couple of more times, same thing. :(

Today, my schedule wasn’t that bad. Before I went to lunch, sitting in my
work van, I called again, and I got her. Told her who I was, and she
remembered why I was calling. She worked her magic on her computer screen,
see she was authorized to book a solo table, bypassing the current computer
restriction.

Sunday Night, Fantasmic
Monday night, Wishes dessert party
Tuesday night, not so scary :)


Two more days to online check in :)

8/29/12 on-line Check done, with a phone call first

So I got home, logged into Disneyworld.com, clicked on the online check in, yes, I checked the ground floor and 70’s section, entered my cell phone, expected arrival/check out times, checked the box that I read the terms and conditions (which I didn’t, but who really does??) and I got back a error

we are unable to complete your online check in due to your room requests, please call 407 wdw disney.

so I did, answered those questions to prove who I am, spoke to a CM, she took my info, and said try to complete the online check in, minus the room requests, and I guess it worked.

single digit time.

Like I said in the past, till I am having my rib meal at Flame Tree, that’s when I relax, till then...... stressssssss :)

8/31/12 Weather dot com becomes a daily website.

My last worry…. Stress…… concern…. Is the weather. While hurricane Irene was a daily topic on news casts, it is the next storm, if there is one, that worries me. So today I checked out the 10 day forecast for Disneyworld. No usual weather patterns, just the same chance of thunderstorms that is always expected. I am beginning to feel I really am going to Disneyworld. Nothing in the way.

9/3/12 I am packed…

With 4 more nights between me and boarding the Silver Star to Orlando. Time to figure out my luggage issues.

On Saturday, I was in Kmart looking at luggage pieces. The tallest one they have is 28 inches high. My piece I planed on taking is 31 inches. My piece is also deeper then the one I was looking at. But the piece I was looking at had 4 wheels, which makes it easier to manipulate on the train. But spending the $70 was giving me second thoughts about getting it. My piece is ok, but the handle that extends in and out of the luggage was repaired by me, it tends to stick, which makes me nervous. When I board the train at New York Penn, the station platform and the car entrance is on the same level. but exiting the train at Orlando Station, you need to step down to street level from the train, and that is the part that made me nervous. I didn’t want the train attendants mistakenly handle via the handle and break it, letting the luggage fall to the street. Also let me re-iterate, 4 wheels are better then two, especially when they swivel in all directions. In the past, I tended to carry, not roll the luggage on the train. The handle on top of the luggage is also tearing a little.

The last two trips, I had luggage issues, which bothered me. With my current piece not 100%, on the way home back to Brooklyn, I stopped by Kmart and bought the piece.

I just finished packing it. I couldn’t fit everything I had in my old piece in the new one, so I borrowed from my parents a roll bag to carry non clothes items... like my Yoo hoos, which did add weight to the luggage, so carrying it separately will help the weight from breaking the luggage.

With no threat of hurricaines in the forecast, looks like all systems are go J