Way Too Much Time to Plan This Trip - Dec. 2013 TR - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Honestly most of my kits are older ones I got as payment for being a Creative Team member and making pages for different designers. I have waaaay too many kits that I rarely buy new stuff any more!!
I don't scrap as much as I wish I did, but someday I will get back to it. I am excited to finish my TR for my first trip so I can turn that into a digital scrapbook, but I think I am still working on pages from 2006 for my normal scrapping. LOL How about you? Where do you normally shop?
Somehow most of the kits I've collected are bright summery things or (more often) Halloween--I think I need to round out my collection a bit!
When I do go looking for something, my go-to sites are ScrapGirls and Divine Digital, they both have so many different styles available I can *usually* find what I'm looking for (but since I've been out of the loop for so long I'm never sure what other sites have sprung up since the last time I looked).
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Jennifer "Scraps" Walker, Queen of the Helper Monkeys
2013 Scrapbook Page Goal: 98/175
So we have been to the World twice now, the first time for 2 weeks. Even so, there is so much (as I am sure you can imagine) that we haven't seen yet. Since I am planning this trip waaaay too far in advance, I thought it might be fun to make a list for each park of the rides and attractions we haven't seen yet. I know by the time we go, things will probably change (open or close or close for repair), but at least this will give me a good starting point. Since we will only have one day in most of the parks, I would like to hit on a few new things in each one if possible.
So first up is the Animal Kingdom
Restaurants - Visited Tusker House - TS, character
Yak & Yeti - TS
Restaurants - Not Visited Flame Tree BBQ - QS
Pizzafari - QS
Rainforest Cafe - Sit down, no food credits
Restaurantosaurus - QS
Yak & Yeti - QS
So for our 2013 trip, we probably won't try any of the QS places. Since we have weird allergies that are not as simple as reading a label, it's just better if we stick with our own food or being able to speak with the chef that actually makes the food. The only restaurant we plan on trying here again is the Yak & Yeti.
Rides - Experienced It's Tough to Be a Bug
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
Rides - Not Experienced Wildlife Express Train
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur
We have been on a good number of the rides that AK offers. One thing that we recently discovered though was that we missed the section of the park that had the train and Rafiki's Planet Watch completely!! I couldn't believe it, though my passporter says they don't put this section on the map? So maybe that's why. Either way, we are definitely going to see this on our next trip and I may even be brave enough to try Dinosaur as well.
Entertainment - Seen Festival of the Lion King
Tree of Life & Discovery Trails
Pangani Forest Trail
The Boneyard
Fossil Fun Games
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Entertainment - Unseen Divine
Flights of Wonder
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
Mickey's Jungle Jungle Parade
Cretaceous Trail
I am so glad we saw Lion King when we did since it sounds like it will be closed for now while they add the Avatar section to the park. We saw the tail end of the parade from the Yak & Yeti on our first trip, but I wouldn't count that. Since we will be there at Christmas time, I guess we will be seeing the Christmas parade this time. We have a hard time catching parades as we are usually off doing something else, but I would like to make an effort to see the Christmas one here. Probably the only other new thing I'd like to see here is the Maharajah Jungle Trek. We have yet to see Divine too, I am going to do my best to look for her this trip.
Characters - Visited Chip & Dale
Safari Daisy
Safari Donald
Dug & Russell
Eeyore
Flick
Safari Goofy
Lilo & Stitch
Safari Mickey
Safari Minnie
Pluto
Tigger
Thumper & Miss Bunny (Retired)
Winnie the Pooh
Characters - Not Visited
Baloo
King Louie
Pocahontas
Rafiki
Since I am making a character signature book using characters we have seen in the past, I would like to re-visit some of them to have them sign the book. But I also want to try and get some new characters we haven't seen yet. There are a few here that we haven't seen, so I will try and seek those out. Of course the characters may change by the time we get there, but I have a pretty good website that shows the characters that are in the park and what time they are doing signatures, so I will use that once we are closer. I have also heard that the characters are dressed up for Christmas at this time of year, so it will be fun to try and get some of those as well.
So besides Rafiki's Planet Watch, there isn't too much we have missed in this park, which is good. Is there anything I have missed putting on my list that we must see? Perhaps things that are not on guide maps? Characters you have seen recently?
Since I hate a picture-less post, here are a few from our previous trip to AK:
Hi, just joining in here I love how your book is coming along, what a great idea! Great dining choices so far.
Thanks so much, dining was hard to set up, but I think I have a good plan. I may change a few things, but of course there is still plenty of time for that!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ellifonts
Your autograph pages are incredible! Love your use of lines--both written and drawn.
Thank you so much!! I am having so much fun making these pages!! I didn't really realize how many characters we saw until I made the list for the book.
Great plans for AK! I don't know what your food allergies are but I would not rule out Quick Service, the manager actually talks to you and the have a big book that shows everything in each item. You should at least check it out before you decide to totally rule it out. Also if you contact WDW at Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com they can give you a lot of information on counter services and allergies as well. Just a thought. Loving all your planning!
Great plans for AK! I don't know what your food allergies are but I would not rule out Quick Service, the manager actually talks to you and the have a big book that shows everything in each item. You should at least check it out before you decide to totally rule it out. Also if you contact WDW at Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com they can give you a lot of information on counter services and allergies as well. Just a thought. Loving all your planning!
I know that in your last trip report you mentioned your families food allergies, but I can't remember the specifics. Did you have bad experiences regarding your allergies at the CS restaurants on your last couple of trips? We've had several CS managers who were very helpful with our situation, even personally going back and putting a tray of food together for our daughter. While not every CS place was like this, the ones we had exceptional service from were Columbia Harbor House, Flame Tree Barbecue and the Liberty Inn.
We just recently found out we have allergies to artificial dyes and preservatives. We are also allergic to corn (corn, corn syrup, popcorn, corn starch), berries, apples, and some other fruits and some spices. We haven't tried CS at all since we found out about the allergy and we have only tried one TS (Hollywood & Vine). I know that CS does a good job now with the book and such. However, the dyes are easy (no red dye 40, blue dye 10, etc....), but unfortunately manufacturers are not required to but preservatives in the ingredient list, so it's so hard to tell if it's hidden in there or not. We basically have to eat foods that are basic, basic, basic. That means minimal seasoning, and made from scratch. Not foods that are made in a factory and shipped to WDW. That's what makes the CS harder because I know they don't necessarily make their foods from scratch. I am sure they have things we can eat, but when a vacation is so short, I don't want to spend 4 days of it recovering from an accidental reaction KWIM? I almost wish we had a more simple allergy (if any allergy is simple!) like dairy so it would be as easy as reading a label, but unfortunately that's not the case. BTW We use the Feingold program to help us know what foods are safe to eat in case anyone has heard of that.
But I truly do appreciate both of you trying to help! I wish I felt better about CS, and maybe someday I will, but since the next trip will really be our first time eating fully in the park with our allergy, it's probably better to stick with what we are comfortable with. I did try to pick "off" times to eat at TS meals so we wouldn't be as much of a bother to the chef and hopefully that will also help us get in and out faster even with special meals being made.
We just recently found out we have allergies to artificial dyes and preservatives. We are also allergic to corn (corn, corn syrup, popcorn, corn starch), berries, apples, and some other fruits and some spices. We haven't tried CS at all since we found out about the allergy and we have only tried one TS (Hollywood & Vine). I know that CS does a good job now with the book and such. However, the dyes are easy (no red dye 40, blue dye 10, etc....), but unfortunately manufacturers are not required to but preservatives in the ingredient list, so it's so hard to tell if it's hidden in there or not. We basically have to eat foods that are basic, basic, basic. That means minimal seasoning, and made from scratch. Not foods that are made in a factory and shipped to WDW. That's what makes the CS harder because I know they don't necessarily make their foods from scratch. I am sure they have things we can eat, but when a vacation is so short, I don't want to spend 4 days of it recovering from an accidental reaction KWIM? I almost wish we had a more simple allergy (if any allergy is simple!) like dairy so it would be as easy as reading a label, but unfortunately that's not the case. BTW We use the Feingold program to help us know what foods are safe to eat in case anyone has heard of that.
But I truly do appreciate both of you trying to help! I wish I felt better about CS, and maybe someday I will, but since the next trip will really be our first time eating fully in the park with our allergy, it's probably better to stick with what we are comfortable with. I did try to pick "off" times to eat at TS meals so we wouldn't be as much of a bother to the chef and hopefully that will also help us get in and out faster even with special meals being made.
Rachel
I totally understand! I don't blame you at all for wanting to avoid CS for now. You should still contact Special Diets they have us send them a sheet with all our meals and I have actually had one of the Chefs call me at home before our trip to ask if we had any questions. Since your allergies are extensive you can get the numbers to the TS restaurants and talk to the Chefs personally ahead of time. That way they are prepared when you arrive and they can order anything they need ahead of time. They suggest you call a couple of weeks ahead to give them time to order if necessary. I know you will be taken care of no matter what. We have always been well taken care of with my son's allergies and now we can add mine to our list as well but I have no problem with Disney TS restaurants. Enjoy your trip.
I totally understand! I don't blame you at all for wanting to avoid CS for now. You should still contact Special Diets they have us send them a sheet with all our meals and I have actually had one of the Chefs call me at home before our trip to ask if we had any questions. Since your allergies are extensive you can get the numbers to the TS restaurants and talk to the Chefs personally ahead of time. That way they are prepared when you arrive and they can order anything they need ahead of time. They suggest you call a couple of weeks ahead to give them time to order if necessary. I know you will be taken care of no matter what. We have always been well taken care of with my son's allergies and now we can add mine to our list as well but I have no problem with Disney TS restaurants. Enjoy your trip.
That's a good point about contacting them ahead of time. I am still getting used to being a family with allergies so I forget to do things like that. It would be good for not only us, but to be sure the chefs are prepared too. Thanks so much for the reminder!! I will be sure to look into that once I make my ressies.
That is totally understandable, I wouldn't want to spend any part of my vacation sick or in the ER because an accidental reaction to something! Just know that you will be well taken care of at Disney, they really understand food allergies and most of the chefs will go the extra mile to make sure that you ha e something safe and delicious to eat
That's a good point about contacting them ahead of time. I am still getting used to being a family with allergies so I forget to do things like that. It would be good for not only us, but to be sure the chefs are prepared too. Thanks so much for the reminder!! I will be sure to look into that once I make my ressies.