What to buy at WDW? Retro EPCOT Center attire!

Does anyone else do this?  I am just days away from departing for Walt Disney World and I am already trying to keep a level head as to what I am going to spend on WDW swag while I am there.  Let me explain:

I would say that 60-70% of my wardrobe comes courtesy of Walt Disney World (and some from Disneyland).  Plenty of T-shirts, but I need to consider a few new ones.  Polo shirts are a weakness since I can wear them in casual and business casual environments.  I have but two regrets of clothing purchases I didn't make.  Both are jackets.  One was the leather jacket from the Millennium Celebration era.  It was all four parks on the sleeves.  The other jacket was the limited edition Main Street Electrical fiber optic denim jacket.  Ahh,  woulda coulda shoulda.

BUT, back to today- EPCOT Center (yes, I typed it that way- the right way) retro shirts will easily make it into a package delivery run to Disney's Old Key West this trip.  I have three as it is now, but one is sooo worn out.  I love the designs and look of the original icon-based system of pavilion and attraction identification.  It will be great to build more of that into my wardrobe :)

Moral of the story is this:  If you know me, you know my clothing selections are usually influenced by Disney.  Love it or hate it, it is a representation of me and my tastes. :)

6 days to go... I need to upgrade the Seasonal Pass

With less than a week to go until the August Crewunion WDW trip, I have realized something: I can't get into the parks with my Florida Resident Seasonal Pass. OK- I still hold a Florida Driver License for real reasons (actually, it has been like a magnet trying to bring me back permanently ever since I left), so I have taken advantage of the Florida Resident Seasonal Passport for the last few years.

The Florida Resident Seasonal Passport is a GREAT value in that it is all-year admission only blocked out during peak times (Summer, Christmas, Spring Break) and is only about $275. In other words, not included are dates when given a choice you would AVOID AT ALL COSTS (unless you have an Unofficial Guide and a Touringplans.com subscription in your arsenal).

Well, the Summer block out period doesn't end until August 20th, so I need to step it up and splurge. In addition, there is a Crew day in Typhoon Lagoon on Friday planned. So do I go to the Annual (and pay one day at a Water Park) or go for the Premium Annual (with Water Parks/Disney Quest included)?

Aside from the actual upgrade price, the difference in the two passes is approx. $120 (considering the prorated time remaining in the SP until my renewal date next June 2011). A one day Water Park ticket is $48 for FL residents. That means two trips to the Water Parks and a night a Disney Quest in the next year to justify it, right? Did I just convince myself?

OH, one more thing: As I have shared in the past, I am VERY seriously considering/planning a move back to Orlando. If I do it... I am planning to execute this plan within the next 4-6 months. An Annual Passport with parking included and no block out dates was going to be in my future no matter what. Having a Premium Annual Passport would allow me to hang with and meet up with friends I know today and will discover tomorrow. OK- I am now convinced. Thanks for talking it over with me. You are a great friend. :)

My goal... a post a day until the August WDW Trip.

SO- I have been awful, just awful about keeping my blog fresh. I recall a certain Betamouse podcast episode that says if you want to be relevant, keep it coming. Well I think I am getting in the zone! I am just 7 days to the arrival of 5 days of fun and I am feeling inspired. SO, I will be trying something new: Quick thoughts I am having in the days leading up to departure.

Tonight, I am realizing that the amount of sleep I get will be limited. Yep, that Mickey towel left on the bed by housekeeping may very well be there well into the night before it is even touched.  I think my sleep will not just limited due to my usual all-out maximizing of time in the parks... But that I will be so excited to be spending time with new, known, and unknown Disney friends and Tweeps. I will admit, I enjoy taking part in the discussions and interactions we share about the World. There is something magical that happens when it becomes real when we go further into the community that we are all a part of. I mean if you are reading this, you are so a part of it.

Have you felt this kind of excitement? Are you old hat at this whole "I'm going to Disney World" thing? Are you going next weekend? Don't be shy... Stop on by, below or in person!

See you tomorrow... When it is only 6 days to arrival!