1. Our September trip countdown is finally under the two-month mark.  Anyone know how to get time to move faster? I’m looking for a time machine or some other solution to make September get here more quickly!

2. Speaking of our September trip, we’ve booked a Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party and now have our tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  If we can swing it, I think we’re both going to dress up (at least a bit) as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.  Other than these two add-on experiences, the last to book will be some kind of behind-the-scenes tour (we get a good discount as AP holders and as Disney Visa cardholders, so why not?). I’ve heard mixed reviews about the day-long Backstage Magic tour, so we may end up doing Keys to the Kingdom at the Magic Kingdom (an unquestionable fan favorite), or we might do that as well as an Epcot tour. Still mulling.

3. And speaking of Epcot, I’m having some small pangs of sadness that we won’t be there to celebrate Epcot’s 30th anniversary on October 1st. The D23 event looks amazing (and it would be nice to actually attend a D23 event, since may of them seem to be on the West Coast – this is a rare East Coast opportunity!), as does the anniversary merchandise.

Epcot Anniversary T-Shirts. Image (c) Disney Parks Blog.

Epcot Anniversary Pins. Image (c) Disney Parks Blog

At least we’ll get to see the merchandise firsthand. Still – for an Epcot lover, it will be hard not to be in attendance!

4. The Disney Store is having a semi-annual 25% off sale, so as I’ve discussed in a previous post, I’m using this opportunity to stock up on trading pins for the trip. The discount plus free shipping are an attractive alternative to buying fakes on eBay, so if you’re looking for some pins to trade away, now is the time to buy, especially for a fall trip!  The sale ends July 22nd.

5.  I’ve promised a nerdy blog and so far haven’t entirely delivered. That changes soon. With two high-profile presidential (and presidential candidate) visits to Walt Disney World so far this year, I thought it would be interesting to address the political history of Disney.  For those who think that Obama’s visits are not what Walt would have wanted, you might be surprised. Stay tuned.

Richard Nixon and his family at Disneyland.