Kristen's 3 Night Hotel Hopper - Day One & Two!

I totally secured my scooter today from Buena Vista Scooter. I am positively giddy about it. This is one of last "big" pieces that I needed to fall into place.

Whoo hoo! Getting closer to this trip. So here's my 66 day update.

This week I paid off our Deluxe Dining Plan for the last two nights, the first night we're just paying cash. The DDP will save me a lot of stress in the long run. I also made our Magical Express reservations.

There are a few points of this trip that were suddenly tossed up in the air, but whatever happens will happen. I have to remember that this is mainly a working trip for me, and I'll go get done what needs to get done.

Tori and I started staging our wardrobes. It's never too early to start packing in our house. Animal Kingdom day is already set aside. We're still deciding what the best clothes for Hollywood Studios.

I also went to the gym today, because if I don't get used to walking some longer distances I will be toast.

If I'm not all in my suitcase 2 weeks ahead I will have a serious anxiety attack. My vacation spread sheets even have a row on the bottom of each day that is for wardrobe. If we're cruising, there will be a day outfit and a dinner dress. I'm not quite that bad on land though.

I think I'm in love

My countdown says that I am 26 days away from this trip and I am beginning to get that anxious "oh my god I have to much still to do" feeling. There are still things that need to be done that I'm a bit stressed out about.

1. Finances need to continue falling into place. We're going to be down to our departure day paycheck getting this one paid for. I seriously hate that. I always like to have everything paid for and taken care of before we leave. Post-Disney debt is one of the most depressing things on the planet to me. I made my cash envelopes yesterday. I also went through our plans and made sure that I had accounted for the million snacks and boozy drinks that I want to try.

2. I need to make a new pair of floral mouse ears. I was going to do this today, but much to my surprise I seem to be out of hot glue sticks. I only use them when I'm making ears, so I'm not really sure where all my hot glue went. It's a mystery.

3. I need to get things into the suitcase. Most of my clothing is in the staging area, I just need to do a load of pre-trip laundry. For the first time in about a decade I didn't go with a capsule wardrobe for this trip and it really seems like I have to pack twice as much. I've always laughed about my need to have coordinated clothing throughout my trip and wrote it off as part of my travel OCD. In truth though, it really does make the whole process of packing easier for me when everything I take can mix and match. I think this is the last trip that I don't take a capsule wardrobe.

4. I had Mickey Mail this week! My Magical Express papers came, and I got email that my MagicBands have shipped. Woot woot! It's gettin' real people. It's getting real.

I'm deeply bummed that Becks and Carlos are not able to join us as planned. His sudden critical illness has tossed both our households into a tailspin. However, when I spoke with her Friday they were pricing out some options for a spring Florida trip with a stop in Disney. He's doing better and may be headed into remission. I've got my fingers crossed that they will be able to enjoy an amazing spring trip.

Girl - you'd better get on that! Drink some coffee and pull it together.

I had a board meeting today for a thing I do. We actually have a board member who has the title "Procrastination Facilitator." He would be very proud of you.

I can't believe I am about to say this, but I have to cancel my reservations for Tea at the Grand. I am not happy about this at all. However we needed some car repairs, and this trip is so tightly budgeted that something had to give. In the grand scheme of things $150 spent on tea and finger sammies seemed like the smartest thing for us to give up.

On the bright side (I need to find a silver lining someplace here) this completely opens up my schedule on arrival day. We can now hit an extra stop or two on our monorail crawl that we wouldn't have before, and still reduce our budget for the day by half.

I'm going to hope for some sort of Hail Mary pass to drop into my hands and keep the reservation for tea until I have to cancel to avoid the fee. You never know. Many times things just work out at the last minute. No matter what we'll be in Disney, and that will be a wonderful thing.

The counter says 26 days.

Oh! One more thing. We got the news today that Carlos is officially in remission! He's been cleared to move to the rehab unit before going home. It's the very best news we could have gotten.

And to prove what a whirlwind my life has been this week. Tea is back on.

Single Digit Dance

Tori and I are both chomping at the bit to get this trip rolling. We've started packing, and we're just anxiously waiting for the next week. I finished making a new pair of floral Mickey ears and today I am super happy with how they came out. Today I ordered a rain coat, because I have this nagging feeling that I'm going to need it. Better safe than sorry.

I just really want to go, I'm ready to go. Even though I have a ton of work to squish into a very short trip, I am so looking forward to getting out of Rockford and away from the daily grind for a bit. I'm not even taking my computer with me on this trip, and that's a first.

Does anyone else get anxious before a trip? Do those last few days just take forever to pass by?

I went and got a flu shot early last week so that it would kick in by the time we leave. I take daily vitamin C and B12. My blood counts are up (in a good way) right now so I don't have to worry about my anemia this trip. Plus we booked me an ECV so I don't overdo things. I will of course be packing my mini pharmacy just in case.

I pack, and check the pack, and have to retouch everything I packed. I stress that I packed too much, or not enough. Once we're on the bus and about 10 minutes down the road I will start to settle down. Once there is no turning back I realize that it's time to just enjoy myself.

I'm working like mad to get everything set up here on WDWFG before I leave next week. Want a sneak peek of what's coming up on WDWFG Blog for the next year? Here's my list of 131 photo sets for articles I will be taking (hopefully I won't forget any) at WDW next weekend. If you've got anything to add that you don't see on my list you would like me to cover in Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom let me know! Now is your chance.

Luggage Delivery with Magical Express
Using Bell Services
Straight To The Room Check-in
Grand Floridian Hidden Mickey Hunt
Meet The New Grand Floridian Greeter
Buena Vista Scooter
Magic Kingdom Area Boats Fun & Transport
Magic Kingdom Pre-Gate Guest Relations
Charming Spots on the Grand Floridian Grounds
Grand Floridian Lobby Overview
Shopping the Grand Floridian
Basin White Bath Products
Garden View Tea Room
Grand Floridian Pianist / Lobby Entertainment
Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
GF Lighthouse Memorial
Grand Floridian Pools & Hot Tubs
Grand Floridian Main Pool Bar
Grand Floridian Courtyard Pool Bar
Mizner's Lounge Menu & Overview
Monorail - Do Security Checks Hinder Monorail Crawl
Monorail Crawl - Where We Had What
Polynesian Lobby Pictures
Polynesian Pool Pictures
Polynesian Trader Sam's Patio Pictures
Polynesian Grounds Pictures
Polynesian Marina Pictures
Polynesian Restaurants Overview
Trader Sam's Grogg Grotto Overview
Best Spots To Relax Grand Floridian
Gasparilla Grill
Grand Floridian MK View Room Tour
Fireworks From Your Hotel Room
Gasparilla Grill / Marina Fireworks Viewing
Split Stay Luggage Transfer
Restaurants of the Grand Floridian Overview
Extrodinary Bathrooms - Grand Floridian
Are Monorail Resorts Worth The Extra Money?
Why I Love Staying On The Monorail
Disney Wake Up Calls
Split Stay Luggage Transfer
Packing Your Scooter for the Day
Using Lockers In Parks
Tusker House Safari Breakfast
Harambe Fruit Market Healthy Snacks
Kilimanjaro Safari
Dole Whip WIth Rum Tamu Tamu
Lion King Souvenirs
Pandora Overview
N'avi RIver Journey
Flights of Passage w/ Plus perspective
Pandora Day or Night?
Satu'li Canteen Overview
Satuli Canteen - Use Pre-order - Cheeseburger Bao
Pongo Pongo Overview
Pongo Pongo Bar Pineapple Lumpia & Night Blossom
What I Love Most About Pandora
Top Pandora Souvenirs
Nomad Lounge Drinks on Patio
Eight Spoon Cafe BBQ Pork Mac n Cheese
Isle of Java Cinnamon Apple Cider Doughnuts
Teriyaki Beef Sliders at Caravan Road
Mr. Kamals Tzatzki Fries and Falafel
Up! A Great Bird Adventure
Yak & Yeti Dinner
Yak & Yeti Bar
Rivers of Light
Rivers of Light w/ Dinner Package
Expedition Everest Souvenirs
Thirsty River Trek Khum Icefall
Thirsty River Trek Mocktails
Secret Spots To Charge Your Phone at DAK
What I Love Most About DAK
Using A Disability Access Services
DAK Character Meets
Survival Guide for Crowded Days
Best Bathrooms AKL
Best Benches For A Quiet Spot AKL
Best Spots to "Meet-up" with people AKL
Best Things We Drank at DAK
Best Things We Ate at DAK
DAK With Same Day FastPass+
Polynesian DVC Studio Room Tour
Disability Minnie Van To Old Key West
Pros of Sleeping In at WDW
Homecomin Brunch
DHS Same Day FastPass+
Toy Story Land Overview
Slinky Dog Dash
Woody's Lunch Box
Sarg & Troops
Alien Spinning Saucers
Toy Story Mania
Toy Story Souvenis
What I Love About Toy Story Land
Nutcracker Movie Preview
Nutcracker Souvenirs
Disney Visa Character Meet
Little Mermaid Stage Show
Chinese Theater Handprints
Grand Avenue Things To Do
Pizza Rizzo - Photos Only
Baseline Tap House Pretzel & Cider
What To Do In Echo Lake Area
Oasis CanTeen Funnel Cake
50's Prime Time Diner
Tune-In Lounge
Dockside Diner Vodka Lemonade
Where To Charge Your Phone DHS
Best Bathrooms DHS
Best Benches For A Quiet Spot DHS
Best Spots to "Meet-up" with people DHS
Best Things We Ate DHS
Best Things We Drank DHS
What I love About Hollywood Studios
Old Key West Room Tour
Old Key West Grounds, Hospitality House & Pool
Good's To Go Breakfast - Photos Only Coffee
Maria & Enzo's - The Landing
Gurgling Suitcase Bar Turtle Krawl Cocktail
Pizza Ponte Sweet & Coffee
The Basket at Wine Bar George Overview
Corkcicle Tumbler & Free Froze' Wine Bar George
The Ganachery something something
The Pros & Cons of Living Out Of Your Suitcase
Organizing Your Bag For Hotel Hopping
3 Night, 3 hotels; Would I Do It Again?
How to Kill Time at Your Hotel Pre-Tragical Express
Advantages of Traveling Solo
Most Creative Ways To Save Money For Travel

You got it! I will test that out. It will probably be in the "Straight To Room" article. Which I have planned to post the week after we get back.