PTR: Our First Family Trip to Meet the MOUSE!! *Finished Mini TR 8/26*

[Mommy2LittleVols]

The Cast:

Definite

* Me (Julia) - Lifelong Disney Lover. Visited WDW on my senior trip back in 2002, and have been trying to make it back ever since.
* DH (Darren) - Not a big Disney fan, but agreed to this trip to make me happy.:love: Has only ever visited Epcot (once, about 10 years ago).
* DS (Dakoda 2 yrs) - LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!! I'm talking this kid would watch MMC (or Meeska Mooska, as we call it) 24/7 if I would let him. This will be his first WDW trip.
* DD (Sarah 7 months) - Our newest Princess. This will (obviously) be her first WDW trip.
* MIL (Mam) - Loves to travel and really loves the beach. EXCELLENT cook! True Southern woman. (Think Paula Deen or Steel Magnolias) I love her! Been to WDW once, about 30 years ago.
* FIL (Pap) - AKA My Saving Grace. He's a farmer and keeps my DS for me a lot. I don't know what I'd do without him! He's the best Dad/Grandpa in the world! Been to WDW once, about 30 years ago.
* SILs (Kristy & Cynthia) - DH's sister and her wife. These two are a blast to have around! Very fun-loving and dote on our kids. Oh, and did I mention they are armed and dangerous? But only if you're a criminal. ;) They're both FBI agents. Not sure how many times they've been to WDW.
* DNephews (Zach - 15, and Landon - 13) - The Entertainment. Two of the coolest kids you will ever meet. Neither have ever been to WDW, so I am so excited that they will get to join us!


Travel Dates:
Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2009 (Free Dining! :dance3:) - Me, Darren, Dakoda, Sarah
Sept. 25 - Sept. 29, 2009 - Kristy, Cynthia
Sept. 25 - Sept. 30, 2009 - Mam, Pap, Zach, Landon

Location:
Pop Century Resort!

ADR's:
9/26/09 - Chef Mickey's - 7:00 am
9/26/09 - Tony's Town Square - 12:35 pm
9/27/09 - Biergarten - 12:00 pm
9/27/09 - Teppan Edo - 5:20 pm
9/28/09 - Kona Cafe - 9:10 am
9/28/09 - Fulton's Crab House - 6:30 pm
9/29/09 - Boma - 7:45 am
9/30/09 - The Crystal Palace - 8:15 am
9/30/09 - Liberty Tree Tavern - 11:30 am
10/1/09 - Le Cellier - 1:30 pm
10/1/09 - Chef Mickey's - 6:20 pm

Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel & Disney Studios
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Day 3: Epcot
Day 4: Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney
Day 5: Disney Studios
Day 6: Magic Kingdom
Day 7: Morning - Free
Afternoon/Evening - Epcot
Day 8: Travel

Special Plans or Events:
We are planning to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries while we are there.

How this trip came to be:
I guess it all started several months ago when DS suddenly fell in love with "Meeska Mooska." Once I realized that it wasn't just a passing fancy, the wheels started turning. I started mentioning to DH how nice it would be if we could take the kids to WDW so Dakoda could meet Mickey. Then I started dropping hints about the Free Ticket on your Birthday deal. After a few weeks (actually didn't take as long as I was expecting), he agreed that we could go as long as we stuck to a budget.

At first, the plan was to go for DH's birthday (12/6) so we could see the decorations/Osborne Lights and go to MVMCP. Travel dates were going to be 12/4-12/7...which was only going to give us 3 days in the parks since we will be driving down from TN. That wasn't really long enough for me, so I started trying to figure out a way to get in some extra days. Then, lo and behold, FREE DINING was announced!!!! :dance3: I figured out that it was going to only be a price difference of $72 if we went in September for 6 nights/7 days w/ FD, as opposed to December with 3 nights/3 days w/DDP. DH is always a sucker for a deal, so he agreed! :cool1: I booked our stay at POP the very same day.

We later decided to invite some of our extended family to join us on our trip, and they are joining us for the first half.

Thanks for reading! :goodvibes

Links to the PTR posts:
Tentative Itinerary (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31485137&postcount=24)
Rough Plan - Day 1 (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31487215&postcount=30)
ADR Preferences (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31493983&postcount=35)
Cast Update (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31515472&postcount=38)
ADR Update (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31515624&postcount=39)
Mini Update (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31545664&postcount=45)
Mickey Mail (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31677170&postcount=53)
Planning Tools (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31678596&postcount=55)
All booked! (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31877013&postcount=65)
95 Days Out!!! (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32380822&postcount=69)
ADR's!!! (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32457985&postcount=74)
Let's Talk Numbers (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32483514&postcount=77)
Completely Gratuitous (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32510704&postcount=81)
Updated ADR's (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32525265&postcount=87)
PIN Codes are so bad (but so good!) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32843102&postcount=101)
Paid In Full and The Countdown Is On!! (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33226545&postcount=113)
LA Mini TR - Part One (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33227045&postcount=115)
LA Mini TR - Part Two (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33236670&postcount=121)
LA Mini TR - Part Three (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33251011&postcount=130)
LA Mini TR - Part Four (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33318864&postcount=136)

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Here are some pics of the crew.

Entire Family, taken last August
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/NorrisFamilyAugust2008-1.jpg
Back row, L to R: Paul, Gina, Kristy, Cynthia, Me (and DD ;)), Darren.
Front row, L to R: Landon, Von and Riley, Donnie and Dakoda, Zach.

My Family of Four, taken on Easter 2009
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/Easter2009.jpg

Darren (DH) and I at a UT Football game in 2006 (only good pic I could find)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/darrenjuliautairforcegame.jpg

Dakoda (DS) at the UT Orange & White game 4/18/09
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/dakodaow-2.jpg

Sarah (DD) before the O&W game
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/SarahKatesFirstOWGame.jpg

Riley (DNiece) on Easter 2009
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/RileyAnna.jpg

[CherylA]

Gotta love the free dining! Good work getting those kids started on Disney early! Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Gotta love the free dining! Good work getting those kids started on Disney early! Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

Oh yes, I've been pushing Disney since DS was in the womb. :rotfl: Got started on his movie and character collection before he was born. DD is getting a Disney princess room once she's ready for her own room. I can't wait to start decorating it! Oh, and DH doesn't know it yet, but this trip is only going to be the first of (very) many. :ssst:;) Is that a picture of your DDs in your signature? Super cute!!

[shordiebecka]

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of planning to do! That's half the fun anyways :goodvibes can't wait to hear more!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of planning to do! That's half the fun anyways :goodvibes can't wait to hear more!

Ooohhh yes, I LOVE to plan! I just wish my inlaws would figure out who's going and who isn't so that I can really get started. :rolleyes1

[CherylA]

Oh yes, I've been pushing Disney since DS was in the womb. :rotfl: Got started on his movie and character collection before he was born. DD is getting a Disney princess room once she's ready for her own room. I can't wait to start decorating it! Oh, and DH doesn't know it yet, but this trip is only going to be the first of (very) many. :ssst:;) Is that a picture of your DDs in your signature? Super cute!!

There truely is no better family vacation. Its great when they're little like your kids and it stays great as they get older. My kids are at the point where they ask for Disney, which is nice because we have excuses to go back! Yup those are my DDs with their faces painted at the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party last year.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

There truely is no better family vacation. Its great when they're little like your kids and it stays great as they get older. My kids are at the point where they ask for Disney, which is nice because we have excuses to go back! Yup those are my DDs with their faces painted at the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party last year.

I didn't realize they did face painting at MNSSHP! How fun! I am so excited that we'll be there for that this time. I'm really hoping that my kiddos love Disney as much as I do. I seem to be the only one in my family so far that really does. :confused3 Maybe that will change after this trip, though.

[lizet313]

Subscribing

[Cinderelly5507]

I had to pop in and say hi! We're also going for free dining, Sept. 23-30 and staying at Pop! My DD turns 2 next month and loves Mickey Mouse too! She sings the hot dog song all the time! I graduated in 2002 too and we live in TN too! With all that in common, I had to subscribe! Looking forward to your plans. It's nice hearing how other parents handle Disney with such little ones! We're are training them right by getting them started early!

[kschafer]

I found you on the food thread. Sounds like possibly a large group! We went last year with my parents, brothers and their families - 15 in all. It was great fun to experience with all the kiddos together!

Subbing to hear the plans! Your son will LOVE Playhouse Disney at DHS!! It is SO much fun!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Subscribing
Thanks for reading! :goodvibes

I had to pop in and say hi! We're also going for free dining, Sept. 23-30 and staying at Pop! My DD turns 2 next month and loves Mickey Mouse too! She sings the hot dog song all the time! I graduated in 2002 too and we live in TN too! With all that in common, I had to subscribe! Looking forward to your plans. It's nice hearing how other parents handle Disney with such little ones! We're are training them right by getting them started early!
Wow! That is crazy how much we have in common! When is your DD's birthday? Dakoda actually isn't 2 yet - his bday is 5/30. What part of TN do you live in? We're close to Knoxville - GO BIG ORANGE! :cheer2: ;) Looks like our dates overlap; I bet we'll run into each other at the resort!

I found you on the food thread. Sounds like possibly a large group! We went last year with my parents, brothers and their families - 15 in all. It was great fun to experience with all the kiddos together!

Subbing to hear the plans! Your son will LOVE Playhouse Disney at DHS!! It is SO much fun!
Oh, I am sooo obsessed with the food thread! DH is always like, "Are you looking at WDW food AGAIN??" :rotfl: Fifteen is a large group! I bet you guys had a blast! I'm really hoping that everyone in our family gets to go. We have a great time when we're all together. I'm glad to hear that you all enjoyed Playhouse Disney! I haven't read much about it on here. We saw Winnie the Pooh Live! in Knoxville last year, and he wasn't all that into it, but I think he was still a little young for it. Plus he wasn't nearly as crazy about Pooh and friends as he is about the Mouse!

[Cinderelly5507]

Wow! That is crazy how much we have in common! When is your DD's birthday? Dakoda actually isn't 2 yet - his bday is 5/30. What part of TN do you live in? We're close to Knoxville - GO BIG ORANGE! :cheer2: ;) Looks like our dates overlap; I bet we'll run into each other at the resort!


My DD turns 2 May 5th! She's having a "Finding Nemo" theme. The girl is obsessed! She got a stuffed Nemo last Sept. after coming off the Nemo ride and has slept with him every night since! I'm so looking forward to Pop! We stayed in ASMu last year, but Pop as frozen cokes and the Goofy water sprinklers that DD will LOVE!! We live in west TN about 1- 1 1/2 hours north of Memphis. We're originally from WV though and moved here last January.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

My DD turns 2 May 5th! She's having a "Finding Nemo" theme. The girl is obsessed! She got a stuffed Nemo last Sept. after coming off the Nemo ride and has slept with him every night since! I'm so looking forward to Pop! We stayed in ASMu last year, but Pop as frozen cokes and the Goofy water sprinklers that DD will LOVE!! We live in west TN about 1- 1 1/2 hours north of Memphis. We're originally from WV though and moved here last January.

That is too cute about your DD and Nemo! Dakoda is having a (surprise, surprise :)) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme for his birthday party. He sleeps with a MMC pillow and blanket, a stuffed Mickey, and (another odd coincidence) a stuffed Nemo! I'm really looking forward to POP, too! I stayed at AS Sports last time I went. It was okay, but I think I'll like POP more. I love me some frozen Cokes! The Goofy sprinklers were a draw for me with DS, too.

[that's nice]

Alright another PTR i'm subbing to!:goodvibes

My DD watches 'Meeska Mouska' everyday!!!! Her favorite right now is the "Minnie's Rainbow' episode. We have about 20 saved right now on our DVR. I'll be following your PTR.... if you need any suggestions let me know!!!:goodvibes

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Alright another PTR i'm subbing to!:goodvibes

My DD watches 'Meeska Mouska' everyday!!!! Her favorite right now is the "Minnie's Rainbow' episode. We have about 20 saved right now on our DVR. I'll be following your PTR.... if you need any suggestions let me know!!!:goodvibes

I'm becoming addicted to PTRs and TRs, too. :goodvibes I think we're up to about 50 episodes on our DVR now. "Minnie's Rainbow" is a favorite here, too! Along with "Goofy Baby" and "Space Captain Donald." I'm sure I'll be needing suggestions as I get more into the planning. I've already gotten some great ideas from your TR, though! So thanks! :thumbsup2

[Cinderelly5507]

Hey! I know you haven't posted any ADR plans, but I was wondering if you had thought about Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Ft. Wilderness? Every review I've read from parents of children ages 15 months-3years seems to be in agreement that their little ones LOVED it! I'm still trying to decide! It is 2TS credits though, but we're upgrading to DxDP...

[3princesses+aprince]

Joining in on your TR!!! That's funny you guys are hoping BIL doesn't go! I hope you get your wish there!
We are going on our very first Disney World trip in 20 Days:woohoo:

[princess_momma]

Hey!! I'm subbing!! I'm excited for your pj!! My DS is just a few months older than your DD and is going for the first time in September as well!! And we're staying at Pop!! We won't be there at the same time though :sad1: but at least we both get to go for free dining! :woohoo:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I added some pics of my crew to the second post and I'm working on an update of my travel plans. Hope to get it posted in a little bit.

Hey! I know you haven't posted any ADR plans, but I was wondering if you had thought about Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Ft. Wilderness? Every review I've read from parents of children ages 15 months-3years seems to be in agreement that their little ones LOVED it! I'm still trying to decide! It is 2TS credits though, but we're upgrading to DxDP...

I have looked at and considered it, but since we're just doing the regular DDP this time, I think we're going to hold off. It looks like lots of fun, though! I'm thinking when my DD is a little older we will probably give it a try.

Joining in on your TR!!! That's funny you guys are hoping BIL doesn't go! I hope you get your wish there!
We are going on our very first Disney World trip in 20 Days:woohoo:

Thanks for joining in! :goodvibes I very much hope I get my wish, too. ;) Your trip is so close! I bet you are getting super excited!

Hey!! I'm subbing!! I'm excited for your pj!! My DS is just a few months older than your DD and is going for the first time in September as well!! And we're staying at Pop!! We won't be there at the same time though :sad1: but at least we both get to go for free dining! :woohoo:

Thanks for subbing! :goodvibes Glad to know I'm not the only crazy person taking an infant to the World. LOL That stinks that we won't be there at the same time, but yes, woohoo for Free Dining!! :cool1:

[kschafer]

Your family is just beautiful. I'm anxious to hear who all will be joining you in the end.

My nephew was 7 months when we went (we had postponed the trip a year so the younger ones would be 3, then SIL got pregnant again! :laughing:). It actually not too bad of an age because for the most part, he was content being pushed around in the stroller or carried in the sling. My SIL did spend a lot of time at the childcare centers as she was nursing still.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Your family is just beautiful. I'm anxious to hear who all will be joining you in the end.

My nephew was 7 months when we went (we had postponed the trip a year so the younger ones would be 3, then SIL got pregnant again! :laughing:). It actually not too bad of an age because for the most part, he was content being pushed around in the stroller or carried in the sling. My SIL did spend a lot of time at the childcare centers as she was nursing still.

Thank you! :goodvibes I figure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the BC stations, too, as I will probably still be nursing when we go. I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall! :laughing:

[Cinderelly5507]

I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall! :laughing:

:scared1:no kidding!! haha

I've got Mickey's BBQ set for a Saturday, so I can do MNSSHP on Tuesday. This will probably all change, and I won't do either! I can't make decisions! :lmao:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle :sad1:)
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Mommy2LittleVols]

:scared1:no kidding!! haha

I've got Mickey's BBQ set for a Saturday, so I can do MNSSHP on Tuesday. This will probably all change, and I won't do either! I can't make decisions! :lmao:

I am right there with you. I am the worst decision maker ever! I think I have already changed my rough draft itinerary about 6 times (including when I was typing it up to post on here). :rotfl:

[kschafer]

Thank you! :goodvibes I figure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the BC stations, too, as I will probably still be nursing when we go. I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall! :laughing:

I always wondered why she took the time to go to the centers. When I was nursing, I was never shy, I would whip it out anywhere :rotfl: I don't like missing out on the fun!! (OK, I DID try to be discreet most of the time. I wouldn't do it sitting on a curb on mainstreet or anything!)

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I always wondered why she took the time to go to the centers. When I was nursing, I was never shy, I would whip it out anywhere :rotfl: I don't like missing out on the fun!! (OK, I DID try to be discreet most of the time. I wouldn't do it sitting on a curb on mainstreet or anything!)

You sound like me. I've been to known to nurse whenever and wherever - in a restaurant, at a college football game, on a bench at the mall.... :rolleyes1 I do use a nursing cover-up, but hey, the kid's gotta eat, right? :rotfl:

[Cinderelly5507]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle :sad1:)
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Looks good! I think the 29th is when we're planning MNSSHP too! I'm not sure about which parks though, as I'm waiting on WDW to release hours! :rolleyes1 Are you planning mid-day breaks too?

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Looks good! I think the 29th is when we're planning MNSSHP too! I'm not sure about which parks though, as I'm waiting on WDW to release hours! :rolleyes1 Are you planning mid-day breaks too?

I know, I am not-so-patiently waiting on those hours, too. I may have to change some of my days around after they finally release them. I am most definitely planning mid-day breaks! DS gets super-cranky without a nap, so those are must for us!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Here is the rough plan for Day One.

Day 1 - Sept. 25, 2009

Travel Day
Leave our house between 4 and 5 am (no later than 5:30)
Drive the 10-12 hours to Orlando (with frequent stops for the LO's, I'm sure)
Arrive at POP between 5 and 6 pm (hopefully earlier)
Check-in and unpack the van
Explore the resort a bit
Dinner @ Everything Pop
Hit the sack early to be ready for....

Day 2 at the MAGIC KINGDOM!!! :banana:

[Cinderelly5507]

I know, I am not-so-patiently waiting on those hours, too. I may have to change some of my days around after they finally release them. I am most definitely planning mid-day breaks! DS gets super-cranky without a nap, so those are must for us!

I agree! We took mid-day breaks every day last Sept. and it was nice! Not only for DD, but for us too! We went ahead and added the park hopper so that we could go to another park if we wanted. DH and I want to eat at too many places in Epcot not to have it. Our whole trip would be in Epcot if we didn't! :rotfl2:

[shordiebecka]

I think your plans look great so far. Any idea where you'll be eating yet? I'm interested to know how MNSSHP is...I won't be able to make it there this year, but perhaps next year?

[princess_momma]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle :sad1:)
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

If we were going on the same dates, we would have the EXACT same plan with resorts and parks!! I think we're Dis Twins! :laughing: From plans to resort we're staying to fav princess to country lovers to bringing infants to the world and our kids having some of the same stuff! lol

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I agree! We took mid-day breaks every day last Sept. and it was nice! Not only for DD, but for us too! We went ahead and added the park hopper so that we could go to another park if we wanted. DH and I want to eat at too many places in Epcot not to have it. Our whole trip would be in Epcot if we didn't! :rotfl2:
I've been considering adding the PH to our tickets for that same reason. There are a couple parks that I'm not sure we'll eat TS in, and I know we could plan a meal at a resort that day, but...I don't know. We'll see.

I think your plans look great so far. Any idea where you'll be eating yet? I'm interested to know how MNSSHP is...I won't be able to make it there this year, but perhaps next year?
I was just about to type up an ADR post. :thumbsup2

If we were going on the same dates, we would have the EXACT same plan with resorts and parks!! I think we're Dis Twins! :laughing: From plans to resort we're staying to fav princess to country lovers to bringing infants to the world and our kids having some of the same stuff! lol
That is too funny! It's crazy how much we have in common! You know what they say about great minds...:rotfl:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Obviously I'm nowhere near my 90 day window yet (only 2 months and 4 days to go!), but here are the places we're considering so far.

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square (if we have enough people for a Grand Gathering)
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's (if we don't have enough for a GG)
Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Casey's Corner or Cosmic Ray's
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - We'll either snack around at the F&W booths, or Le Cellier if I can't get a dinner ADR there
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Le Cellier
Chef Mickey's (if we don't go there for breakfast)
Fulton's Crab House
Ohana (maybe - we're not very adventurous eaters ;))

I'm not sure about any others. Thoughts and/or suggestions are very much appreciated!! :goodvibes

[Cinderelly5507]

I wish I could do Tony's GG for breakfast! It looks so cute for only 1TS! We loved CP for breakfast last year! It was pretty decent food, good character interaction, and great to get into the park before opening. We were done eating before the park opened so we were over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as the rope dropped in Adventrureland and we made it to Frontierland. We had lunch at Chef Mickey's last year (they added lunch because of Free Dining). The food was ok but the characters were great! That's all I've got... We've got a lot of the same ADR (hopefuls that is)! :rotfl:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I wish I could do Tony's GG for breakfast! It looks so cute for only 1TS! We loved CP for breakfast last year! It was pretty decent food, good character interaction, and great to get into the park before opening. We were done eating before the park opened so we were over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as the rope dropped in Adventrureland and we made it to Frontierland. We had lunch at Chef Mickey's last year (they added lunch because of Free Dining). The food was ok but the characters were great! That's all I've got... We've got a lot of the same ADR (hopefuls that is)! :rotfl:

I've kind of been going back and forth on Crystal Palace, only because DS isn't crazy about Pooh and Friends. He likes them, but not as much as Mickey. If it came down to a choice between CP and Chef Mickey's - which would you recommend?

[Mommy2LittleVols]

We talked to MIL and SIL last night and found out that MIL and FIL (will be referred to as "Mam" and "Pap"), and Kristy and Cynthia are definitely going. We're going to book their rooms either this weekend or first thing Monday morning. :cool1: Gina, Paul and Riley are NOT going, and we don't know for sure yet about Zach and Landon. We're going to put them on the reservation for now, and then remove them if Gina decides not to let them go. :rolleyes:

So the headcount now comes to 6 adults and 4 children, ages 15, 13, 2, and 7 months. Should make for a great time! :thumbsup2

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Yes, I've already started changing my mind about ADR's. :lmao:After finally getting DH to listen to some of the choices last night, he told me a couple that he thinks that he and some of his family members would really enjoy, so we're adding those to the list. I'm also considering adding a night to the trip and skipping MNSSHP, but I haven't discussed that with DH yet, so we'll see.

Here's the new ADR list:

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's OR Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern (gotta have one of those 3 Chocolate Brownies :love:)
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - See below
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Fulton's Crab House (OOP)
Beaches and Cream

Snacks
Goofy's Candy Co.
Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie
Starring Rolls
Cookes of Dublin (maybe)

We also want to do Le Cellier, Biergarten, and Teppan Edo, but we're not sure which meal of the day would be best for those three. Any suggestions?

[Cinderelly5507]

I've kind of been going back and forth on Crystal Palace, only because DS isn't crazy about Pooh and Friends. He likes them, but not as much as Mickey. If it came down to a choice between CP and Chef Mickey's - which would you recommend?

Hmmmm I'd say Chef Mickey's since that is what your little guy is into. CP is nice to get if you can get a reservation before park opening and get pictures on an empty main street. We were even finished eating before rope drop and was lined up at the "Advertureland" rope drop to head over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as it officially opened. I think in your case I'd go to Chef Mickeys for your DS. He'll be guaranteed to see the "Big 5" then. My DD loved Biergarten last year! There is a German band that plays and kids can go down and dance. She loved dancing around!

[shordiebecka]

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's OR Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern (gotta have one of those 3 Chocolate Brownies :love:)
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - See below
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Fulton's Crab House (OOP)
Beaches and Cream

Snacks
Goofy's Candy Co.
Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie
Starring Rolls
Cookes of Dublin (maybe)

We also want to do Le Cellier, Biergarten, and Teppan Edo, but we're not sure which meal of the day would be best for those three. Any suggestions?[/QUOTE]


I always do Biergarten for lunch. I find it to be less crowded, and I also find it to be somewhat central in the WS- so if I start at Mexico around 11, I'm usually to Germany around 1, which is a good point to stop and relax (this is without rides, shows, etc). Canada, on the otherhand, is at one extreme end of the WS, so you could go either way on lunch/dinner- either start or end there. Teppan Edo I believe only does dinner- not sure on that however! It's okay to change your mind lots of times:rotfl:

[CherylA]

I didn't realize they did face painting at MNSSHP! How fun! I am so excited that we'll be there for that this time. I'm really hoping that my kiddos love Disney as much as I do. I seem to be the only one in my family so far that really does. :confused3 Maybe that will change after this trip, though.


Oh you're doing MNSSHP? Yay for you! It was our first time this past year. I didn't know they did the face painting either until we got to the party. If you want to have it done (hubby and I had ours done too :rotfl:) get in the line for that before they even open the station. I don't remember timing, maybe ask around on the boards but it's free and we got ours done right after the party started but we waited in line about 45 minutes to have it done. If we had known where to wait for it to open up and been there right away we could have been done much faster. Toward the end of the night there was no wait but who wants it done at the end! You just go back to the room and take it off! Also I wished I had packed cold cream to get it off. My daughters loved having it done and they both cried when I took it off at the end of the night!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Hmmmm I'd say Chef Mickey's since that is what your little guy is into. CP is nice to get if you can get a reservation before park opening and get pictures on an empty main street. We were even finished eating before rope drop and was lined up at the "Advertureland" rope drop to head over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as it officially opened. I think in your case I'd go to Chef Mickeys for your DS. He'll be guaranteed to see the "Big 5" then. My DD loved Biergarten last year! There is a German band that plays and kids can go down and dance. She loved dancing around!

Thanks for the recommendation! :thumbsup2 I think we've definitely decided on Chef Mickey's.



I always do Biergarten for lunch. I find it to be less crowded, and I also find it to be somewhat central in the WS- so if I start at Mexico around 11, I'm usually to Germany around 1, which is a good point to stop and relax (this is without rides, shows, etc). Canada, on the otherhand, is at one extreme end of the WS, so you could go either way on lunch/dinner- either start or end there. Teppan Edo I believe only does dinner- not sure on that however! It's okay to change your mind lots of times:rotfl:

Thanks for letting me know about the locations! It definitely makes more sense to do Biergarten for lunch since it is more centrally located. I just hope I can get a dinner ressie for Le Cellier! I can't believe how popular it is. Does it really live up to the hype?

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Oh you're doing MNSSHP? Yay for you! It was our first time this past year. I didn't know they did the face painting either until we got to the party. If you want to have it done (hubby and I had ours done too :rotfl:) get in the line for that before they even open the station. I don't remember timing, maybe ask around on the boards but it's free and we got ours done right after the party started but we waited in line about 45 minutes to have it done. If we had known where to wait for it to open up and been there right away we could have been done much faster. Toward the end of the night there was no wait but who wants it done at the end! You just go back to the room and take it off! Also I wished I had packed cold cream to get it off. My daughters loved having it done and they both cried when I took it off at the end of the night!

That sounds like so much fun! Great tip about the cold cream. :thumbsup2 I think we have decided to skip the party this year. DH isn't crazy about the idea and I'm not sure either of my kids will be old enough to appreciate it. Hopefully next year, though!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Well, I called this morning and extended our reservation to Oct. 2. So now we're staying 7 nights, woohoo! :cool1:

I think we got a definite NO for the boys to join us on the trip. Their mom doesn't want them to miss that much school, which I guess I can understand. Only now MIL said she doesn't know if FIL will go or not, so we've put off booking the other rooms until everyone has made up their mind one way or another. :sad2: I've decided to just continue planning the trip as if it were just my family of four going, and then once everyone else makes up their mind, I'll worry about making changes. :thumbsup2

[Cinderelly5507]

Well, I called this morning and extended our reservation to Oct. 2. So now we're staying 7 nights, woohoo! :cool1:

I think we got a definite NO for the boys to join us on the trip. Their mom doesn't want them to miss that much school, which I guess I can understand. Only now MIL said she doesn't know if FIL will go or not, so we've put off booking the other rooms until everyone has made up their mind one way or another. :sad2: I've decided to just continue planning the trip as if it were just my family of four going, and then once everyone else makes up their mind, I'll worry about making changes. :thumbsup2

:yay: for 7 nights!! Have you decided about park hoppers? I was really thinking about not getting them if we do 10 nights, but DH insists we need them either way. I'll take any input from him that I can get! :laughing: Hopefully your family will figure out if they're going. I would love to have a big bunch go, but we can't talk anyone into it. :confused3 I think your DS will really like Biergarten and the band. We plan on doing it for lunch too, but I want to make sure the band will be there. I *think* their first show is at 1:15, but I'm not sure. I'll need to confirm that so we can see them again!

[that's nice]

Yes, I've already started changing my mind about ADR's. :lmao:After finally getting DH to listen to some of the choices last night, he told me a couple that he thinks that he and some of his family members would really enjoy, so we're adding those to the list. I'm also considering adding a night to the trip and skipping MNSSHP, but I haven't discussed that with DH yet, so we'll see.

Here's the new ADR list:

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's OR Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern (gotta have one of those 3 Chocolate Brownies :love:)
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - See below
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Fulton's Crab House (OOP)
Beaches and Cream

Snacks
Goofy's Candy Co.
Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie
Starring Rolls
Cookes of Dublin (maybe)

We also want to do Le Cellier, Biergarten, and Teppan Edo, but we're not sure which meal of the day would be best for those three. Any suggestions?

Your choices look good to me!!! We have ate at many of these places.

Thanks for the recommendation! :thumbsup2 I think we've definitely decided on Chef Mickey's.

I just hope I can get a dinner ressie for Le Cellier! I can't believe how popular it is. Does it really live up to the hype?

Chef Mickey's is a must do. Plus I feel like they have the biggest dessert buffet in Disney!

Le Cellier lived up to the hype for me but not so much for my DW. I had the filet she had the 'experience' with the prime rib. Her meat was quite fatty and when she tried my filet she loved it.

Well, I called this morning and extended our reservation to Oct. 2. So now we're staying 7 nights, woohoo! :cool1:

We'll be arriving the day after you leave:sad2:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

:yay: for 7 nights!! Have you decided about park hoppers? I was really thinking about not getting them if we do 10 nights, but DH insists we need them either way. I'll take any input from him that I can get! :laughing: Hopefully your family will figure out if they're going. I would love to have a big bunch go, but we can't talk anyone into it. :confused3 I think your DS will really like Biergarten and the band. We plan on doing it for lunch too, but I want to make sure the band will be there. I *think* their first show is at 1:15, but I'm not sure. I'll need to confirm that so we can see them again!

I'm pretty sure we're going to get PH's, especially since there are so many places we want to eat at Epcot. I also like the idea of being able to go to a different park in the evenings. Thanks for the tip about the time for the band at Biergarten. I really want them to be playing when we eat! DS LOVES music!

Your choices look good to me!!! We have ate at many of these places.

Chef Mickey's is a must do. Plus I feel like they have the biggest dessert buffet in Disney!

Le Cellier lived up to the hype for me but not so much for my DW. I had the filet she had the 'experience' with the prime rib. Her meat was quite fatty and when she tried my filet she loved it.



We'll be arriving the day after you leave:sad2:

Hmm, that's funny that you've eaten at many of our ADR choices...maybe because I made out my ADR list while I read your TR!!! :rotfl2:It was extremely helpful! So thank you!! :goodvibes Of course we're leaving the day before you arrive. :sad2: I wish we were staying longer. I bet our kiddos would have had fun playing together.

I'm glad to hear that LC's filet was good. That's the main reason I want to go there! Ever since I saw a pic of it on the Food Porn thread, I've been dreaming of it. :laughing:

[Cinderelly5507]

I can't believe they took out the frozen coke machines! I'm so upset! I guess we'll have to spend some snack credits on frozen cokes or lemonades now. :headache:

[that's nice]

Hmm, that's funny that you've eaten at many of our ADR choices...maybe because I made out my ADR list while I read your TR!!! :rotfl2:It was extremely helpful! So thank you!! :goodvibes Of course we're leaving the day before you arrive. :sad2: I wish we were staying longer. I bet our kiddos would have had fun playing together.

I'm glad to hear that LC's filet was good. That's the main reason I want to go there! Ever since I saw a pic of it on the Food Porn thread, I've been dreaming of it. :laughing:

:scratchin Hope I didn't sway you too much! LOL

We really enjoyed every where we ate. We didn't have a bad meal the whole trip! I eat filet often and Le Cellier's was right up there with the best I have ever eaten. I could have cut mine with a fork! I wish it was bigger because I could have kept on eating it!!!!

[shordiebecka]

I've never eaten at Le Cellier..but my parents love it and insist on eating there very time. The location thing is SUPER important to me, because I am a huge fan of being efficient lol. If it makes you feel any better, I just made ADR's yesterday morning, and got Le Cellier for Dinner in July...so I think it should be somewhat easy for you to get a dinner ressie there :)

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I can't believe they took out the frozen coke machines! I'm so upset! I guess we'll have to spend some snack credits on frozen cokes or lemonades now. :headache:

I know, me too!! I was really looking forward to having them at the resort and not having to use up my snack credits. :sad1:

:scratchin Hope I didn't sway you too much! LOL

We really enjoyed every where we ate. We didn't have a bad meal the whole trip! I eat filet often and Le Cellier's was right up there with the best I have ever eaten. I could have cut mine with a fork! I wish it was bigger because I could have kept on eating it!!!!

You did sway me, but in a good way. :) I always like reading TR's and dining reviews with kids close to DS's age b/c they're really helpful.

I've never eaten at Le Cellier..but my parents love it and insist on eating there very time. The location thing is SUPER important to me, because I am a huge fan of being efficient lol. If it makes you feel any better, I just made ADR's yesterday morning, and got Le Cellier for Dinner in July...so I think it should be somewhat easy for you to get a dinner ressie there :)

That does make me feel better, thanks! :goodvibes I'm big on efficiency as well.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Over the past week or so, I've gotten lots of Mickey Mail! :dance3:Here are some pictures of things we've received:

Our Vacation Planning DVD
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4449-1.jpg

Our Personalized Maps
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4451-2.jpg

Planning Literature
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4454-1.jpg

I also received our travel documents and my very first PIN codes via email! There were two offers (Kids Stay, Play, 'n' Dine, or a Room Discount), but we couldn't use either. But at least now I know I'm in the system! :banana:

[lizet313]

YEY you are in the system.:cool1: I just received the dvd planning cd too and a pin code but under my dads name.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I thought that I would share with you some of the tools that I am using to plan my trip. Maybe I will be able to help someone else out! :goodvibes

First, my guidebooks:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4445.jpg

I cannot say enough about The Unofficial Guide!! I'm only about halfway through it, but I have already learned SOOO many helpful tips. It's definitely a must-read for OCD planners like myself.

I don't have much to say about the The Complete WDW 2009 yet, because I have yet to read it. But I thumbed through it and it looks awesome! I'm looking forward to reading it next.

Second, my iPhone Apps:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/disneykingdommapthumbnail.gif http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/wdwdining.png

I have maps of each of the four major parks and Downtown Disney, as well as a WDW Dining app which has menus for almost every restaurant at the WDW resort! It's so awesome, because I can plan while I'm waiting at the doctor's office, for a table at a restaurant, or whenever I'm just bored and don't have Internet access. *Sigh* I :love:my iPhone!

Finally, my Master Schedule spreadsheet:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/MasterSchedule.jpg

I have to admit - I "borrowed" this from a fabulous PTR that I highly recommend (PTR for the planning obsessed (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1740311)).

Also very helpful is the UG website - www.touringplans.com (http://www.touringplans.com). Access to the site is free for UG owners, or if you don't want to buy the book, you can pay $8.95 for complete website access. **The crowd calendar is especially helpful in planning your days!!**

Other websites that I frequently reference:
www.allears.net (http://www.allears.net)
www.mousesavers.com (http://www.mousesavers.com)
www.wdwinfo.com (http://www.wdwinfo.com) (of course ;))

So there you have it! The planning tools that I use most often. I hope that someone else finds them helpful, too! :goodvibes

[that's nice]

:yay:Congrats on the pin codes!!!!!
Now if only I could get some!

Those park maps are nice! I sent away for those before our last trip. They were so nice I left them home because I didn't want to ruin them!! LOL

[that's nice]

I use the Unofficial Guide too! Its a great book with tons of great info!!!

[Cinderelly5507]

I think you've convinced me to get the Unofficial Guide! Something to add to my insaneness! :lmao: You've already gotten your travel documents? Hmmmm we've received the planning literature, but that's it... :confused3 I need to order the new DVD and my personalized maps. I never ordered them last time! Did mark your favorite attractions on them or leave them blank? I received the same pin code as you did, but unfortunately I'd never be able to talk DH into going back that soon! :rotfl: We've got some of the same days planned too, I'm just waiting on those darn hours!! :rolleyes1

[Mommy2LittleVols]

:yay:Congrats on the pin codes!!!!!
Now if only I could get some!

Those park maps are nice! I sent away for those before our last trip. They were so nice I left them home because I didn't want to ruin them!! LOL

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya that you get the code! I think it might even work with your October dates. I hope you get it!! I don't think I'll be taking my maps with me, either. They're too nice to waste on the actual trip! :lmao:

I think you've convinced me to get the Unofficial Guide! Something to add to my insaneness! :lmao: You've already gotten your travel documents? Hmmmm we've received the planning literature, but that's it... :confused3 I need to order the new DVD and my personalized maps. I never ordered them last time! Did mark your favorite attractions on them or leave them blank? I received the same pin code as you did, but unfortunately I'd never be able to talk DH into going back that soon! :rotfl: We've got some of the same days planned too, I'm just waiting on those darn hours!! :rolleyes1

Yay! Glad to know that I've converted you to the UG! :rotfl: Yeah, I think I got our docs last Thursday or Friday. It was right after I changed our reservation for the third time. :rotfl2:They probably just sent them hoping that once I had them I would stop changing it!! You definitely need to order the DVD and maps! I did mark our favorite attractions, and then when they came, they had added some that they thought we'd be interested in. That's my problem with the PIN codes, too. The dates are 10/2-11/24/09, so just way to close to our travel dates. Maybe they're hoping that we'll change our dates and they won't have to give us free dining! :lmao:

[ladybugmom]

Hi Julia!! Joining in on your PTR--I live in TN, too!! I live in a suburb of Memphis. We are leaving for our WDW in 11 days--can't wait!! You have a beautiful family! Just wanted to say "hello" and that I'm subscribing!! princess:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Hi Julia!! Joining in on your PTR--I live in TN, too!! I live in a suburb of Memphis. We are leaving for our WDW in 11 days--can't wait!! You have a beautiful family! Just wanted to say "hello" and that I'm subscribing!! princess:

Hi Becky and welcome to my PTR! :) Thanks for joining us! I always love "meeting" fellow DISing Tennesseans. Wow, your trip is really close! I bet you are getting super excited!

[shordiebecka]

ohhh love your spread sheet! i'm thinking of making one similar. I have TGM's day to day itinerary planning (seperate sections for each day), but I might have to make one big spread sheet for easy reference in case plans change.

[ladybugmom]

Hi Becky and welcome to my PTR! :) Thanks for joining us! I always love "meeting" fellow DISing Tennesseans. Wow, your trip is really close! I bet you are getting super excited!

We are!! This will be a first for my girls and I haven't been since 1994!! 10 days!! Whoo hoo!! :cheer2:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

ohhh love your spread sheet! i'm thinking of making one similar. I have TGM's day to day itinerary planning (seperate sections for each day), but I might have to make one big spread sheet for easy reference in case plans change.

I use the UG touring plans, but have found that it helps me a lot to have that sheet to reference as an overall master plan.

We are!! This will be a first for my girls and I haven't been since 1994!! 10 days!! Whoo hoo!! :cheer2:

Wow! Your first trip after 15 years, and the first trip for your girls - should be a blast!! I can't wait to read your TR!!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

We've made some great progress in planning over the past couple of weeks. My SILs decided that they were just coming for part of the trip, and convinced my other SIL, Gina, to let my two nephews come with them since they will only miss 1 day of school. Woohoo!

Kristy booked the rooms for them last night. They booked 2 rooms at ASMovies. One room will be Kristy and Cynthia, and the other will be Mam, Pap, Zach, and Landon. They are staying from Friday, Sept. 25 to Tuesday, Sept. 29. (The boys are flying home Monday night so they can go to school on Tuesday.)

Darren, Dakoda, Sarah, and I are still staying at Pop Century from 9/25-10/2. I'm so glad to finally know for sure who is going! Now the real planning can begin! :dance3:

[lizet313]

:cool1::cool1:Glad everything is working out.

[that's nice]

We've made some great progress in planning over the past couple of weeks. My SILs decided that they were just coming for part of the trip, and convinced my other SIL, Gina, to let my two nephews come with them since they will only miss 1 day of school. Woohoo!

Kristy booked the rooms for them last night. They booked 2 rooms at ASMovies. One room will be Kristy and Cynthia, and the other will be Mam, Pap, Zach, and Landon. They are staying from Friday, Sept. 25 to Tuesday, Sept. 29. (The boys are flying home Monday night so they can go to school on Tuesday.)

Darren, Dakoda, Sarah, and I are still staying at Pop Century from 9/25-10/2. I'm so glad to finally know for sure who is going! Now the real planning can begin! :dance3:

It sounds like you are going to have one BIG Disney party!!!!!!!!!! LOL
party:

[Cinderelly5507]

You'll have a Grand Gathering now! How exciting!!! :woohoo:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Okay, so I tried to update Saturday, but got sidetracked because my Yorkie decided to have her puppies! So here is the real update (if I haven't lost all of my readers since I haven't updated in a month :eek:). I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. I started a new job, so I've been super busy. Now that things are settled down and we are only 95 days out from our trip, I will definitely be updating more often!

First major development - we have decided to forego the 12 hour drive with an infant and a toddler and FLY to Orlando instead! :banana: Woohoo! We got a great price on airfare ($44/person each way - thanks to my good friends over on the Budget Board!), so I was able to convince DH to do it. He has never flown, so he's not too crazy about the idea.

Second major development - we got a definitive YES from my SIL about my nephews, so they are going for sure! YAY! So we definitely have a Grand Gathering for half of our trip. :dance3:

I finally got a chance to sit down with my other SILs this weekend and nail down our itinerary. Here is what it is looking like (obviously, all the ADR's are pending):

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel/Disney Studios
Depart @ 1:15 pm
Arrive in Orlando @ 2:55 pm
Settle in at Resort
Fantasmic Dinner Pkg @ Mama Melrose
Fantasmic! @ 8:00 PM

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom Day 1 (Water Park for SILs and DNephews)
Breakfast: Grand Gathering Welcome Breakfast @ Tony's
Lunch: @ MK or Resort
Nap/Downtime
Dinner: Casey's Corner
Spectromagic @ 8:00 PM
Wishes @ 9:00 PM

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot
Breakfast: @ Resort
Lunch: Biergarten (earliest seating possible)
Nap/Downtime
Dinner: Teppan Edo
Illuminations @ 9:00 PM

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney
Breakfast: Tusker House
Nap/Downtime
Late Lunch: Fulton's Crab House (OOP)
Shopping!
Dinner: CS @ Downtown Disney

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 (Extended family leaves this AM)
Disney Studios
Breakfast: @ Resort
Probably will sleep in and take it easy this AM
Lunch: Toy Story Pizza Planet
Block Party Bash @ 3:00 PM
Dinner: CS @ DS

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Magic Kingdom Day 2
Breakfast: Main Street Bakery
Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern
Dreams Come True Parade @ 3:00 PM
Nap/Downtime
Dinner: @ MK or Resort

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Free Day
I told DH that we could do whatever he wanted on this day (except leave early ;))

Day 8 - Friday, Oct. 2, 2009
Our Last Day :sad1:
Breakfast: Chef Mickey's
Depart @ 10:55 am
Arrive @ 12:40 pm
Unpack and cry :rotfl:

[shordiebecka]

I'm still reading! Glad to hear you will be back around. I also have been MIA because of silly grad school..sigh...

your itinerary looks really great. Its good that you scheduled so much down time, thats the best way to do it!

[wahmtexas]

Hi
I am killing time on DIS before we leave to meet my parents for dinner(DH is out of town)
Switched our Poly ressie to WL yesterday(long story) but we have never been to WL so I am really excited.
I am so happy for you, you are helping so many people work from home and off to a great start. :thumbsup2

[that's nice]

Your plans look good!!!

When you're unpacking I'll be packing up the car to leave Saturday morning to go to the airport!!!!! LOL:rotfl::rotfl:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I'm still reading! Glad to hear you will be back around. I also have been MIA because of silly grad school..sigh...

your itinerary looks really great. Its good that you scheduled so much down time, thats the best way to do it!

I feel for you on grad school! What are you studying? I can't imagine trying to do the parks without downtime. My kids would be sooo cranky.

Hi
I am killing time on DIS before we leave to meet my parents for dinner(DH is out of town)
Switched our Poly ressie to WL yesterday(long story) but we have never been to WL so I am really excited.
I am so happy for you, you are helping so many people work from home and off to a great start. :thumbsup2

Hi Michelle! Thanks for stopping by! :goodvibes I'm jealous - I really want to stay at WL. I'm going to try to convince DH to stay there at Christmas-time one year. I've heard the decorations there are amazing. I'm loving the job so far, and I can't thank you enough for all of your help!

Your plans look good!!!

When you're unpacking I'll be packing up the car to leave Saturday morning to go to the airport!!!!! LOL:rotfl::rotfl:

Thanks! How is Juliana's potty training going? And did you guys ever decide on a house?? Off to check your PTR...

[Mommy2LittleVols]

The day is finally here! I got to make my ADR's this morning and.........I GOT EVERYTHING I WANTED!!!!! :banana::banana::banana: Except the Fantasmic! Dinner Package, but I'm ok with that.

I did make one small change to the Itinerary that I posted a few days ago - I decided to forego the Grand Gathering Breakfast at Tony's since we would miss out on park time, so we are eating at Chef Mickey's that morning instead. I also decided not to try and do a TS breakfast the morning that we leave so that we wouldn't have to rush.

So, here are our CONFIRMED ADR's!!! :dance3:

9/26/09 - Chef Mickey's - 7:00 am
9/26/09 - Tony's Town Square - 12:35 pm
9/27/09 - Biergarten - 12:00 pm
9/27/09 - Teppan Edo - 5:20 pm
9/28/09 - Tusker House - 8:10 am
9/28/09 - Fulton's Crab House - 5:00 pm
9/30/09 - Liberty Tree Tavern - 11:30 am
10/1/09 - Le Cellier - 2:10 pm

[princess_momma]

Yay for getting everything!! It looks like we have a lot of the same tastes!! I wish we were going to Fulton's crab house...but its not on the dining plan :sad2:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Yay for getting everything!! It looks like we have a lot of the same tastes!! I wish we were going to Fulton's crab house...but its not on the dining plan :sad2:

Yeah...the only thing that DH requested we eat while on vacation is crab legs. So we'll be paying out of pocket for that. :scared:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Since I haven't looked at it in a while, I decided today was as good a time as any to update our vacation budget.

Originally, DH wanted us to spend no more than $1500. Total. For 7 days at Disney World. :rotfl2:Our room and tickets alone were right at $1100, so I don't know what he was thinking. :confused3

Here is how it is looking now:

Transportation:
Airfare for 3, plus free Infant: $363.60
Ground Transportation: FREE! - Magical Express
Airport parking: $100 (I have no clue how much this might cost, so I'm erring on the side of caution)
Total Transportation: $463.60

Lodging:
7 nights at Pop Century: $574.00

Park Tickets:
2 Adult 7-day MYW Base Tickets: $562.56

Meals and Food:
Dining Plan: FREE!
Breakfast: $50
Lunch: $0
Dinner: $100
Snacks: $50
Groceries: $50
Total Meals and Food: $250

Shopping and Souvenirs: $250

Tips and Miscellaneous: $200

Total Budget: $2300.16

I think DH should be able to live with that....I mean, it's only $800 more than he originally planned, right? :scared: Good thing I have that new job....:thumbsup2

[MRYPPNS]

So I'm reading along and up pops this!

Finally, my Master Schedule spreadsheet:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/MasterSchedule.jpg

I have to admit - I "borrowed" this from a fabulous PTR that I highly recommend (PTR for the planning obsessed (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1740311)).


I'm glad my Master schedule form is helpful for you. I always had that handy when we were at Disney. And thanks for the kind words about my PTR :hug:

[jenjolt]

Found your PTR over on another one and saw that we would be at Disney at the same time so I had to come over and say hi!!!! You have quite the gang going and you guys are going to have a great time!!

Congrats on getting all the ADRs you wanted YAY!! Isn't that a great feeling!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

So I'm reading along and up pops this!



I'm glad my Master schedule form is helpful for you. I always had that handy when we were at Disney. And thanks for the kind words about my PTR :hug:

I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your design. It was so well thought out that I just had to use it. :goodvibes

Found your PTR over on another one and saw that we would be at Disney at the same time so I had to come over and say hi!!!! You have quite the gang going and you guys are going to have a great time!!

Congrats on getting all the ADRs you wanted YAY!! Isn't that a great feeling!

Hi! Thanks for joining me on this crazy ride! I'm going to have to check out your PTR...

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Well, this has absolutely nothing to do with our upcoming trip, but they're so cute that I just have to share. :goodvibes We had some pictures made a couple of weeks ago, and these are a few of my favs. (Sorry they are so large...)

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3597copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3526copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3503copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3473.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3434copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3368copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3552.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3372copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3443copy.jpg

[MRYPPNS]

Beautiful family pictures!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Beautiful family pictures!

Thanks! :goodvibes

[Bashful in TN]

Another East Tennessean here! We live in Knoxville and love The Mouse. DH and I went to WDW 3 times before DS(1) was born. We just took our first Disney Cruise a couple of weeks ago and loved it. No WDW trips in the works right now, but hope to go in September 2010.

I wanted to suggest another great planning book, Passporter. It has a lot of great information and I love the pockets in the back of the book to help keep up with daily plans and receipts.

PS-Your kids are adorable!

[ladybugmom]

Oh Julia!! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!! I just love your dd's bowband!! My girls wore them when they were little. Precious--what a sweet family you have!!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Another East Tennessean here! We live in Knoxville and love The Mouse. DH and I went to WDW 3 times before DS(1) was born. We just took our first Disney Cruise a couple of weeks ago and loved it. No WDW trips in the works right now, but hope to go in September 2010.

I wanted to suggest another great planning book, Passporter. It has a lot of great information and I love the pockets in the back of the book to help keep up with daily plans and receipts.

PS-Your kids are adorable!

Thanks for the tip! I will have to check it out. How neat that we are both in Knoxville! It's a small world after all.....:rotfl: Did your DS go on the Cruise with you? We're considering one in a couple years when the kids are bigger.


Oh Julia!! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!! I just love your dd's bowband!! My girls wore them when they were little. Precious--what a sweet family you have!!

Thank you!! :goodvibes I LOVE putting bows on her. DH hates them, but I win. Happy wife, happy life. :rotfl2:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

So.....this online ADR thing is really dangerous for obsessive planners such as myself. Makes it way too easy to change them. I've spent the past 4 days endlessly going back and forth trying to "perfect" the places/times, and here is how it is looking.

9/26/09 - Chef Mickey's - 7:00 am
9/26/09 - Tony's Town Square - 12:35 pm
9/27/09 - Biergarten - 12:00 pm
9/27/09 - Teppan Edo - 5:20 pm
9/28/09 - Fulton's Crab House - 6:30 pm
9/30/09 - The Crystal Palace - 8:15 am
10/1/09 - Le Cellier - 1:30 pm
10/1/09 - Chef Mickey's 6:20 pm

I switched out Tusker House for CP - I'm dying to get a shot of the castle without crowds on Main Street! :thumbsup2 I also pushed our Fulton's ADR back an hour and a half, bumped Le Cellier up 40 mins, cut Liberty Tree Tavern, and added Chef Mickey's on our last night. I wanted DS's last Disney experience to be dinner with Mickey. :goodvibes

For counter service, I'm thinking Casey's Corner and/or Cosmic Ray's at MK, Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, Pizzafari and/or Flame Tree at AK, Pizza Planet and/or Backlot Express(?) at DHS, and I'd like to fit in Beaches and Cream at some point. These are mostly just places that I remember I liked on my previous trip, so suggestions are appreciated!

[that's nice]

Your pics are great!!!!! Your little one is soooooooo cute!:goodvibes (so is your son ;))

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Your pics are great!!!!! Your little one is soooooooo cute!:goodvibes (so is your son ;))

Thanks! :)

[Bashful in TN]

Did your DS go on the Cruise with you? We're considering one in a couple years when the kids are bigger.

Yes he went with us and had a great time! He loved the characters and Flounder's Nursery. We will definitely cruise again but will wait until DS is potty trained so he can swim in the pool and go to the kids club. My brother and his family went with us and their DDs (7 & 1) enjoyed it too.

We've had early morning breakfasts at Crystal Palace before the park opened and loved it. Great photo opportunities!

[mrsksomeday]

Hi! I just got done catching up. So many changes back and forth about who is coming, that would have my head spinning. I know what you mean about rethinking ADR's, that is me this week :sad2:.

I am loving the "Master Schedule". You "borrowed it" and I think I am "borrowing it" from you. I do love Heidi :hug:!! She is wonderful. I had forgotten all about the schedule, thanks for posting it.

Goodness $44 flights :eek:? I need to know how you did that.

Oh my goodness your family is gorgeous. Those children are absolutely adorable. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures.

Your ADR's look great! The online ADR system will be horrible for me, I will be wanting to tinker with things constantly and that is not a good thing :scared:.

Bill and I love Tennessee, we get to drive to the Pigeon Forge area in August, going to his parents vacation home there. It is just beautiful in that area.

[nu2wdisneyw]

Well, this has absolutely nothing to do with our upcoming trip, but they're so cute that I just have to share. :goodvibes We had some pictures made a couple of weeks ago, and these are a few of my favs. (Sorry they are so large...)

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3597copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3526copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3503copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3473.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3434copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3368copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3552.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3372copy.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/June%202009%20Mini-session/IMG_3443copy.jpg

Well I decided to check you out...your plans look GREAT :thumbsup2. I am so glad that you got all the ADR's you wanted!! We were going to fly, but the cost for the 4 of us was too much! Your family pictures are BEAUTIFUL...I love the closeups of the baby! :goodvibes

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Yes he went with us and had a great time! He loved the characters and Flounder's Nursery. We will definitely cruise again but will wait until DS is potty trained so he can swim in the pool and go to the kids club. My brother and his family went with us and their DDs (7 & 1) enjoyed it too.

We've had early morning breakfasts at Crystal Palace before the park opened and loved it. Great photo opportunities!

That is our thought process, too - no diapers on the boat! :rotfl:

Hi! I just got done catching up. So many changes back and forth about who is coming, that would have my head spinning. I know what you mean about rethinking ADR's, that is me this week :sad2:.

I am loving the "Master Schedule". You "borrowed it" and I think I am "borrowing it" from you. I do love Heidi :hug:!! She is wonderful. I had forgotten all about the schedule, thanks for posting it.

Goodness $44 flights :eek:? I need to know how you did that.

Oh my goodness your family is gorgeous. Those children are absolutely adorable. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures.

Your ADR's look great! The online ADR system will be horrible for me, I will be wanting to tinker with things constantly and that is not a good thing :scared:.

Bill and I love Tennessee, we get to drive to the Pigeon Forge area in August, going to his parents vacation home there. It is just beautiful in that area.

Thank you for the sweet comments about my family and kiddos! :hug: Heidi is awesome! I think hers was the first PTR that I ever read. She's one of my PTR inspirations! :goodvibes Check www.airtran.com for the $44 flights. We are flying out of Knoxville - non-stop even! They only fly in/out on certain days, though. Pigeon Forge is so beautiful! We live not too far from there, so we get up there pretty often. Love it!

Well I decided to check you out...your plans look GREAT :thumbsup2. I am so glad that you got all the ADR's you wanted!! We were going to fly, but the cost for the 4 of us was too much! Your family pictures are BEAUTIFUL...I love the closeups of the baby! :goodvibes

Welcome! Thanks for the compliments! :goodvibes Airfare is crazy expensive. If we hadn't found such a great deal, we would definitely be driving.

[MRYPPNS]

Heidi is awesome! I think hers was the first PTR that I ever read. She's one of my PTR inspirations! :goodvibes

My head is gonna get big if you keep that up :) Thanks for the nice words. My PTR got way bigger than I ever thought it would.

[KathyRN137]

Julia! :wave2:

Just popping in to say hello and that I'm joining in!

Now, back to page one...


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

The day is finally here! I got to make my ADR's this morning and.........I GOT EVERYTHING I WANTED!!!!! :banana::banana::banana:
So, here are our CONFIRMED ADR's!!! :dance3:

9/26/09 - Chef Mickey's - 7:00 am
9/26/09 - Tony's Town Square - 12:35 pm
9/27/09 - Biergarten - 12:00 pm
9/27/09 - Teppan Edo - 5:20 pm
9/28/09 - Tusker House - 8:10 am
9/28/09 - Fulton's Crab House - 5:00 pm
9/30/09 - Liberty Tree Tavern - 11:30 am
10/1/09 - Le Cellier - 2:10 pm



Nice!! :thumbsup2


Kathy

[Mommy2LittleVols]

My head is gonna get big if you keep that up :) Thanks for the nice words. My PTR got way bigger than I ever thought it would.

LOL It's the truth. Your PTR rocked (still does)! :goodvibes

Julia! :wave2:

Just popping in to say hello and that I'm joining in!

Now, back to page one...


Kathy

Hi Kathy! Thanks for stopping by! :wave2:


I hope everyone is having a good 4th of July weekend! Ours has gotten off to a rough start. My son woke up Wednesday night around midnight with a 105 degree temperature (he had already been on antibiotics for 4 days for an ear infection). Tylenol couldn't break it - the lowest it got all day on Thursday was 101.8. We spent a good deal of the afternoon on Thursday at the pediatrician's office trying to figure out what was causing it. They did blood tests, a chest x-ray, a sinus x-ray.....the only thing that came back abnormal was an elevated WBC count. His ears even looked better. The doctor couldn't pinpoint the cause of the fever, so he gave him a shot of antibiotics hoping that a more aggressive approach would help.....IT DID!!! His fever broke around 9 pm last night. He's still been running a slight temp today, but nowhere near as high as yesterday, thank goodness! We saw the ped again this afternoon and his WBC count had gone down a bit, too. THANK THE LORD!!! Nothing is worse than having a sick baby and not knowing what is causing it. We are so thankful that he now seems to be on the mend! We're hoping that he will feel well enough for 4th festivities tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!!

[MRYPPNS]

:grouphug: Sick kiddos are no fun ...hope he's on the mend soon.

[mrsksomeday]

:hug: Thank goodness the fever is going down. We feel so helpless when we can't fix it.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Once again, I must apologize for my absence. I've been so busy reading other people's PTR's and TR's that I didn't even realize that it had been almost 3 weeks since I updated! :rotfl:

Thank you, Heidi and Tracy, for your well wishes!! :grouphug:

Okay, off to update about the craziness that ensues when Disney starts issuing PIN codes.....

[Mommy2LittleVols]

It has been a busy morning at my house! First, I guess I should mention that a few days ago, it was decided that MIL, FIL, Zach and Landon would stay until Wednesday instead of leaving on Tuesday, due to cheaper airfare, but my SILs were still going to leave on Tuesday. SIL called last night to add a day to the reservation, but they told her they couldn't do it for some reason, so she ended up booking a one-night ressie for them w/o FD, and planned to just add a day to their tickets when we got there. They were even going to have to switch rooms for their last night. It was pretty much a crappy plan, but we thought it was the best they could do. BUT THEN.......


Around lunchtime today, I got an email from my SIL. She had received a PIN code this morning for a FREE upgrade to SSR or OKW!!! My first thought was - HOLY BANANAS, IS THIS FOR REAL?!? My second thought was - SHE GOT THIS 3 HOURS AGO AND IS JUST NOW SENDING IT TO ME?? Then I remembered that she is a Disney newbie and had no clue as to the absolute pandemonium that I knew a PIN code like that was sure to cause. She also didn't know that we could apply it to all 3 rooms so that we could ALL upgrade - she was just wondering if I had gotten the same one.

So, first things first, I jumped on the DIS boards to see how many posts there were regarding this new code. Of course there were TONS. I knew then that my chances of getting 3 rooms upgraded were slim to none. Still, I decided it was worth a shot. I called SIL and got everyone's reservation numbers, then got on the phone to Disney Reservations. As I suspected, there was no availability left at either resort. The CM told me that the PIN code was good until August 1, though, and to keep trying. I was bummed for about 5 mins.....then I realized that if that many people had upgraded, then there was bound to be some availability now at Pop Century. (For those who don't remember, me and DH and the kids were staying at POP, while the rest of the party was booked at ASMo.) So back on the phone I got. I reached a very helpful CM who was more than happy to change everyone over to POP for me, add a night to MIL and FIL's and DNephews reservation and tickets, and cancel the one-night ressie that SIL made yesterday. WOOHOO!!!! :dance3:

So we didn't get a free upgrade to a Deluxe Villa resort (YET...I'm going to keep trying ;)), but at least now we are all staying at the same resort, and my IL's and DNephews have FD for their entire stay. Thank you Tinkerbell for that Pixie Dust!!! :thumbsup2

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Double posted for some reason. Sorry!

[mrsksomeday]

Wow, so sad they didn't have availablility!! It is wonderful that you got everyone staying at Pop now, I think that would make things much easier.

[MRYPPNS]

:woohoo: Yahoo for been able to fix up the ressies!

[that's nice]

Congrats on the pin!!!!!!!

Glad you are all able to stay together!

Keep trying maybe you all will be able to upgrade resorts!!!:goodvibes

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Wow, so sad they didn't have availablility!! It is wonderful that you got everyone staying at Pop now, I think that would make things much easier.

I know....but honestly, I'm thinking that I might rather stay at Pop anyway since they have their own bus and we will be traveling with babies. But yes, I definitely think that all of us being at the same resort will be MUCH easier!

:woohoo: Yahoo for been able to fix up the ressies! Yep, I'm still doing the happy dance! :banana:

[ladybugmom]

YAY!! That's awesome!! How do you receive pin codes from Disney? I've never gotten one before! I know you are THRILLED!! :woohoo:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

YAY!! That's awesome!! How do you receive pin codes from Disney? I've never gotten one before! I know you are THRILLED!! :woohoo:

I have no clue how the codes are generated. I just signed up for everything possible on the Disney website with every email address I have. :rotfl:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Not much Disney planning has been going on at my house lately because I've been busy planning for our week-long trip to Los Angeles that starts tomorrow. My DH has to fly out there for some training for work, so DD and I are going to join him. (DS is staying with the IL's so that he doesn't miss school/speech therapy.) I have always wanted to visit LA, so I am super excited! Will I be able to resist the temptation to visit DL while we are there??? :rolleyes1

[KathyRN137]

Not much Disney planning has been going on at my house lately because I've been busy planning for our week-long trip to Los Angeles that starts tomorrow. My DH has to fly out there for some training for work, so DD and I are going to join him. (DS is staying with the IL's so that he doesn't miss school/speech therapy.) I have always wanted to visit LA, so I am super excited! Will I be able to resist the temptation to visit DL while we are there??? :rolleyes1


Ummm, hmmm, now let me see....

I'm guessing.....


No!


Have a great time! http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/KathyRN137/Smilies/dance.gif


Kathy

[that's nice]

Have a great time in LA!:cool2:

[KathyRN137]

~Bumping~

Hope you were able to visit The Mouse in California!!!


Kathy

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I have been so bad about updating this PTR! Mainly because I have not made much time for Disney planning in the past few weeks. With only 37 days left until our trip, I've got to really get on the ball now!!

We paid our balance off last week - WOOHOO!! :cool1: We received our Magical Express vouchers and luggage tags on Monday.I went to Old Navy on Monday and hit up their clearance section. I found some super cute sundresses for DD for the trip. Not much for myself, though. I'm still searching for some (long) shorts and tank tops, so if anyone has any advice on where I can find those things, let me know! :thumbsup2

Here are some pics of some trip stuff:

DD's outfits from Old Navy (I know they're not "Disney" but they are cute and will keep her cool :))
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4935.jpg

A couple of other sundresses that I had made for her recently that we are taking
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4936.jpg

Our latest Disney Store purchases - beach towels for each kiddo, a MMC "look and find" book and a Mickey football for DS
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4938.jpg

Our shirts that we are wearing on the plane to Orlando and on our first night at the World
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4937.jpg

And I'll close with a cute pic of DD
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/SarahKate6months.jpg

[mrsksomeday]

I love all the stuff you bought!! The sundresses are too cute and I love the Disney stuff. Great picture of DD, what a gorgeous baby!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Shout out to my girl Miley with that post title! :thumbsup2

We had a FaBuLoUs time in California!! I really had never had any desire to go there b/c I didn't think that I would like it, but I was SO wrong. I am definitely in LOVE with SoCal! I told DH that if we ever move to another part of the country, it will be there! The weather was gorgeous - mid-high 70s with NO humidity and blue skies every single day. *sigh* I miss it already! :lovestruc

Day One - 8/2/09
DH and I ended up flying separately due to his was about $300 more each way (his company paid for his flight and we paid for mine OOP). He left Knoxville at 7:50 am, laid over in Dallas, and arrived at LAX around noon. DD and I left Knoxville at 9:35 am, laid over in Denver, and arrived at LAX around 1:15. DH met us outside the terminal and we took a cab to our hotel. (We stayed at the Doubletree Inn Torrance-South Bay. I highly recommend it!) Our room wasn't ready yet, so we checked our luggage with the bellboy and decided to explore the area around the hotel on foot. We didn't make it very far. Once we hit the restaurants, we realized that it was dinnertime back home, so we ate at Red Lobster (yum! love their biscuits!!). After dinner, we walked back to the hotel. Our room was ready by then, so we had our luggage delivered and spent the evening unpacking and settling in. DH had an early meeting the next day, so we went to bed early (well, it was early on the west coast, but for us east coasters, it was like 11 pm!).

Day Two - 8/3/09
Since we were still functioning on east coast time, we woke up before 5 am. We showered and got ready for the day, then went downstairs for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. They had a full breakfast buffet - eggs cooked to order, potatoes, bacon, sausage, french toast, pancakes, fresh fruit, bagels, croissants, danishes, toast, cereal -- you name it, they had it. I was in heaven! I :love: breakfast food!! After we had gorged ourselves, DH went to his conference and I took DD back upstairs for a nap. DH came up to see us during his lunch hour, and then he went back to work and I decided to explore some more. I strapped DD into the Moby Wrap, put on my handy Columbia backpack diaper bag, made sure the GPS was working on my iPhone, and headed out on foot. I was a little bit nervous about walking around a strange city by myself with an infant, especially since I have no sense of direction. Lucky for me, there was a gigantic mall right across the street and the biggest Barnes and Noble I have ever seen. Once again - HEAVEN!!!! Disney is my #1 obsession, but it is followed very closely by BOOKS! At home, the closest bookstore is over 45 mins away, so Sarah Kate and I spent quite a bit of time at B&N that week. It was wonderful! After I'd had my fill of shopping, we headed back to the hotel and met up with DH. The company that was hosting the conference he was attending paid for dinner at a local restaurant that night - woohoo! Gotta love free food, especially when it's steak! :thumbsup2 We were still jetlagged, so we went to bed early again.

Up next - Hollywood Tour and Santa Monica!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I love all the stuff you bought!! The sundresses are too cute and I love the Disney stuff. Great picture of DD, what a gorgeous baby!

Thanks! :goodvibes

[MRYPPNS]

Very cute stuff. Glad you liked Cali so much!

[that's nice]

Our shirts that we are wearing on the plane to Orlando and on our first night at the World
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4937.jpg

Welcome back!!!!! Grad you had a good time in Cali.

I just bought the same Mickey t-shirt for our October trip. Disney outlet price $6.99 got it to the register and it rang up at $4.49... then I got the 'old school' Donald one too!

[Bashful in TN]

Awww! What cute sundresses!

Can't wait to hear more about your trip to California.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Welcome back!!!!! Grad you had a good time in Cali.

I just bought the same Mickey t-shirt for our October trip. Disney outlet price $6.99 got it to the register and it rang up at $4.49... then I got the 'old school' Donald one too!

LOVE outlet prices!!! We are going to Pigeon Forge this weekend and there is a Disney outlet there. I am feeling a pull in that direction!! :rolleyes1

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Day Three - 8/4/09
Since our first couple of days had been kind of boring, I decided that it was time for Sarah Kate and I to hit the town. So I had the concierge call and set up a tour for us, and we headed to Hollywood! It was a really great tour! The bus picked us up at the hotel and we drove downtown and saw the Nokia (where they film So You Think You Can Dance, among other things), the Kodak (American Idol and the Academy Awards), and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Then we headed over to Hollywood Blvd and they let us get out and shop/sightsee on our own for about an hour. Here are some pics from there.

MJ's Star on the Walk of Fame (Tim - Too bad your pal MJ wasn't with me! Haha!!)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4803.jpg

Sorceror's Apprentice Mickey
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4805.jpg

Grauman's Chinese Theater
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4807.jpg

Jimmy Kimmel Live (don't know why I took this other than it looked cool, LOL)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4809.jpg

The Hollywood Sign!!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4810.jpg

The only thing I saw being filmed while we were there
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4811.jpg

Harry Potter stars hand prints and foot prints in front of Grauman's
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4813.jpg

"Marilyn Monroe" at Madame Tussaud's
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4814.jpg

"Samuel L Jackson" at MT's
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4815.jpg

After we left Hollywood Blvd, we drove into Beverly Hills and did a drive-by of some star's homes. I don't remember all the ones that the driver pointed out, and I didn't get any pics, but I do know that we saw the house where MJ died. :( After we saw the star's homes, we drove up Wilshire and saw Rodeo Dr. and after that I fell asleep! :lmao:By the time I woke up we were on our way back to the hotel.

When we got back to the hotel, I put Sarah Kate down for a nap and picked up the hotel room a bit (I don't mind a mess at home, but I can't stand a messy hotel room!!) and waited for Darren to finish up his workday. When he got off, we decided that we were sick of having to take cabs or walk everywhere, so we went to rent a car. After we picked up the car, we drove out to the Santa Monica Pier. It was sooooo beautiful!! Some pics from there:

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4817.jpg

I wanted to ride the ferris wheel sooo bad, but DH wasn't up for it.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4821.jpg

This was some kind of trapeze school. Very cool! My nephews would have loved it!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4822.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4825.jpg

The sunset was GORGEOUS!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4827.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4829.jpg

We had dinner at Pizza Hut on the Pier (real adventurous, I know! :rotfl:) and then headed back to Torrance. We wanted some dessert and I decided to try Pinkberry since I have heard so much about it and we don't have them back home. OMG, YUCK!! No offense to anyone who likes it, but it was so not my thing!! After we that we made a quick stop at B&N and then back to the hotel and bed.

Up next - DOWNTOWN DISNEY AT DISNEYLAND!!!!!! :dance3:

[Simba22]

Hi Julia! I followed your link from Jordan's PTR and wanted to stop by to say hello! I haven't gone through the whole thing yet but just wanted to pop in! You have a beautiful family! Your DD looks so dang cute in that UT dress! LOL And at 26 years old, I find MYSELF glued to MMC! I swear, the Disney Channel is part of only a small handful of things that are actually worth watching these days!

Your ADRs look great! We had dinner at LTT and LOVED it, and we had dinner at Tony's once and didn't have to great of an experience. But I've heard that lunch time there is better than dinner so hopefully you have a better experience than we did. We've eaten at Crystal Palace a couple of times for the character breakfast. This will be our first trip in 3 years without it so I'm worrying now that I will miss it! We traded CP for Kona Cafe... hope that Tonga Toast is worth it!

I have a feeling that once you all do WDW the RIGHT way (ie with ADRs and an actual plan) your DH will start to like it a bit more. And seeing how happy it makes you and your son will definitely make him like it!

We are checking in to POP on 10/23. It will be our first time staying and everyone who has been there has loved it so I'm looking forward to it! After today I'm down to 63 days! :woohoo: MNSSHP is a BLAST! We don't have any kids but we liked it so much when we went in 2007 that that we booked it TWICE for our upcoming trip!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Hi Julia! I followed your link from Jordan's PTR and wanted to stop by to say hello! I haven't gone through the whole thing yet but just wanted to pop in! You have a beautiful family! Your DD looks so dang cute in that UT dress! LOL And at 26 years old, I find MYSELF glued to MMC! I swear, the Disney Channel is part of only a small handful of things that are actually worth watching these days!

Your ADRs look great! We had dinner at LTT and LOVED it, and we had dinner at Tony's once and didn't have to great of an experience. But I've heard that lunch time there is better than dinner so hopefully you have a better experience than we did. We've eaten at Crystal Palace a couple of times for the character breakfast. This will be our first trip in 3 years without it so I'm worrying now that I will miss it! We traded CP for Kona Cafe... hope that Tonga Toast is worth it!

I have a feeling that once you all do WDW the RIGHT way (ie with ADRs and an actual plan) your DH will start to like it a bit more. And seeing how happy it makes you and your son will definitely make him like it!

We are checking in to POP on 10/23. It will be our first time staying and everyone who has been there has loved it so I'm looking forward to it! After today I'm down to 63 days! :woohoo: MNSSHP is a BLAST! We don't have any kids but we liked it so much when we went in 2007 that that we booked it TWICE for our upcoming trip!

Hi and Welcome!! I have heard so much about that darn Tonga Toast. I hope it's worth the hype! I agree about DH liking it once we do it the right way. I think he's more excited than he is letting on. He LOVED Downtown Disney at Disneyland. We spent over an hour in World of Disney, and I was not the only one running around going "Oooo look at this! Oooo look at that!" :rotfl:Your trip is getting close - only a little over 2 months away!! :banana:

[Simba22]

Hi and Welcome!! I have heard so much about that darn Tonga Toast. I hope it's worth the hype! I agree about DH liking it once we do it the right way. I think he's more excited than he is letting on. He LOVED Downtown Disney at Disneyland. We spent over an hour in World of Disney, and I was not the only one running around going "Oooo look at this! Oooo look at that!" :rotfl:Your trip is getting close - only a little over 2 months away!! :banana:

OMG I just typed up this whole big long drawn out "I'm totally bored at work" response and I got logged out and lost the whole thing!

In a nutshell:
I spend way too much money at WoD stores. We live about an hour long train ride away from NYC and spend way too much time/money at the WoD store there.

Your pics from LA were great! I like Madame Tussaud's in NYC. It was fun and made for some great pics! Wasn't Marilyn melting out there?? I wish I had some kind of mini-trip coming up to break up the waiting until WDW but nothing planned and we don't have a lot of money with which to do anything anyway. Waiting stinks!

[shordiebecka]

SoCal looks so fun! I have always wanted to visit there, just to see what it was like. Your trip is getting really close. I love Old Navy's clearance section too..their clothes are already so cheap!!

[that's nice]

Thanks for the shout out!!!!

WOW your pictures have brought back some memories. On our honeymoon we stopped in LA for 3 days on the way home from Hawaii. We went to Jimmy Kimmel and sat in the second row. We took 3 pictures of the stars- Bob Barker DW loves him, Rodney Dangerfield.. he passed away the day before we got there, and guess who?.... Michael Jackson! I'll see if I have some pics on this computer.:goodvibes

EDIT:: I found our pics... we had 1 more star. The mickey mouse star with the wannabe mickey! LOL

Here are the pics.....

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo351/djtimbct/Honeymoon/DSCN1301.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo351/djtimbct/Honeymoon/DSCN1298.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo351/djtimbct/Honeymoon/DSCN1274.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo351/djtimbct/Honeymoon/DSCN1275.jpg

[KathyRN137]

Hi Julia!

Great mini-trip so far! :sunny: So Cal has so much to see and do! Glad you had fun and I'm not-so-patiently waiting for the DL post!!


Kathy

[jordanyosh]

okay. I think I'm caught up.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

OMG I just typed up this whole big long drawn out "I'm totally bored at work" response and I got logged out and lost the whole thing!

In a nutshell:
I spend way too much money at WoD stores. We live about an hour long train ride away from NYC and spend way too much time/money at the WoD store there.

Your pics from LA were great! I like Madame Tussaud's in NYC. It was fun and made for some great pics! Wasn't Marilyn melting out there?? I wish I had some kind of mini-trip coming up to break up the waiting until WDW but nothing planned and we don't have a lot of money with which to do anything anyway. Waiting stinks!

I am so jealous that you live so close to the City! I <3 NY!! We didn't go in MT's, and I didn't get too close to Marilyn. To be honest, wax museums kind of freak me out! :rotfl:

SoCal looks so fun! I have always wanted to visit there, just to see what it was like. Your trip is getting really close. I love Old Navy's clearance section too..their clothes are already so cheap!!

It was wonderful! You should definitely visit if you ever get a chance. ON is the best for cheap clothes! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the shout out!!!!

WOW your pictures have brought back some memories. On our honeymoon we stopped in LA for 3 days on the way home from Hawaii. We went to Jimmy Kimmel and sat in the second row. We took 3 pictures of the stars- Bob Barker DW loves him, Rodney Dangerfield.. he passed away the day before we got there, and guess who?.... Michael Jackson! I'll see if I have some pics on this computer.:goodvibes


I actually took a pic of the Mickey Mouse star, too! It wasn't a good pic though....my shadow was over the star. LOL!

Hi Julia!

Great mini-trip so far! :sunny: So Cal has so much to see and do! Glad you had fun and I'm not-so-patiently waiting for the DL post!!


Kathy

I'm about to start on the DL post!! :thumbsup2

okay. I think I'm caught up.

Hi Jordan! Thanks for stopping by!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Day Four - 8/5/09
Although I tried VERY hard to convince DH that we needed to visit the Disneyland parks, I was only able to get him as close as Downtown Disney. (I'm going to go ahead and apologize for the picture quality in this post. I had a baby strapped to me all night, LOL!)

Sarah Kate and I spent the morning resting and recovering from the busy previous day. When Darren got off work, we hopped in the car and headed to Anaheim. I made Darren listen to Disney music the whole way there. And then once we got off the highway, I saw this:

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4840.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4842.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4843.jpg

I was so excited!! And you know what - DH was, too. I swear, the pixie dust kicks in once you get within 50 miles of Disney property. pixiedust: We followed the signs for Downtown Disney parking.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4844.jpg

Parked the car and headed Downtown. Now, DTD at DL is nowhere near the size of DTD at WDW, but I still missed out on about half the stuff I wanted to do. Mainly b/c we got trapped in WoD right after we got there.

This is the only "good" pic I got of the exterior of the store. You can't see very well, but it's a giant eye and Donald is sitting on top of it bending down to look at it.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4857-1.jpg

I know we spent well over an hour in there and still didn't see everything. LOVE IT!!! Here we are totally NOT acting our age:

DH as Grumpy
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4846.jpg

Me as Princess Minnie
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4848.jpg

DH as Indiana Jones
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4849.jpg

Our hosts for the evening
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4879.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4880.jpg
Don't know why that one is so dark. :confused3

After we finally made it out of the store, we decided to eat at Catal. I highly, HiGhLy, HIGHLY recommend it!! I had the Bucatini Pasta and DH had the Rotisserie Roasted Half Chicken. I wish I had taken Food Porn pictures, but I didn't think of it until we were about 1/2 way through dinner. It was sooo good, though! We ate outside on the balcony and had an excellent view of the fireworks, though I missed the first half b/c Miss Sarah Kate needed a diaper change.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4867.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4870.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4872.jpg

After the fireworks, we hit up Marceline's Confectionary and I got DS a Mickey Head rice krispie treat dipped in white chocolate. And for me, I got some kind of peanut butter and chocolate bar that was sinfully delicious! YUM!! Wish I had one of those right about now.

After that, DD was getting cranky so we decided to call it a night. I was a little bummed that I didn't get to see Sleeping Beauty's castle or Summer Nightastic! but I am so glad that we were able to visit DTD! It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me, and got me even more excited for our upcoming trip to the World!!!

Oh, I almost forgot to post the pics of our purchases at WoD! We tried not to go too crazy, but we had to get the kids some souvenirs, of course!

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4940.jpg

DS got a shirt, a Mickey Mouse that says "I'm A Mousekedoer" on the shirt and the bullhorn says "Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse", and a Disneyland football. (Hmm, do we see a pattern that the kid gets a LOT of balls? LOL!!) DD got a "My First Minnie Mouse" that is suuuper soft and cuddly and a DL waterball w/ the castle and 3 princesses in it. I wanted something for her that she could keep forever. :)

So that wraps up the DL portion of this mini TR. Up next - the Bandslam premiere and more Hollywood!

[jordanyosh]

Too bad I didn't know you were going to be at DTD....I live like 10 minutes away.

I'm also in Torrance all the time because my cousin, Wendy lives near there. You probably were at the Barnes and Nobles at Del Amo Mall.....

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Too bad I didn't know you were going to be at DTD....I live like 10 minutes away.

I'm also in Torrance all the time because my cousin, Wendy lives near there. You probably were at the Barnes and Nobles at Del Amo Mall.....

I thought of you while we were in Cali! I knew you lived in SoCal, but I wasn't sure where. Next time we will have to have a DISmeet! :thumbsup2 Yes, that was the B&N that I lived at that week. :rotfl:

[KathyRN137]

Hi Julia!

So... you didn't make it to either of the parks, you still got a Disney fix!!

Sarah Kate is just precious; she must be a very good baby... well, except for making a dirty diaper at the start of Wishes... but that's really not her fault now, is it? :lmao:

Love the pic of DH as Grumpy... don't most of us here on the DIS refer to our husbands as "Grumpy?" I wonder why...


Kathy

[jordanyosh]

I thought of you while we were in Cali! I knew you lived in SoCal, but I wasn't sure where. Next time we will have to have a DISmeet! :thumbsup2 Yes, that was the B&N that I lived at that week. :rotfl:

Did you get a chance to go into the Huge Crate and Barrel?

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Hi Julia!

So... you didn't make it to either of the parks, you still got a Disney fix!!

Sarah Kate is just precious; she must be a very good baby... well, except for making a dirty diaper at the start of Wishes... but that's really not her fault now, is it? :lmao:

Love the pic of DH as Grumpy... don't most of us here on the DIS refer to our husbands as "Grumpy?" I wonder why...


Kathy

We sat there after dinner for probably 10-15 mins waiting on the fireworks to start and then I heard her little toots and I was like "CRAP!!" I knew as soon as I went inside to change her, they would start, and sure enough....

Did you get a chance to go into the Huge Crate and Barrel?

I didn't make it in there. It was on my list and I just ran out of time. :(

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Day Five - 8/6/09
We found out that there were going to be two movie premieres that night - GI Joe at Graumann's Chinese, and Bandslam at Mann's Village. I really wanted to see what a movie premiere was like with the press and the red carpet and everything, but we didn't want to be in a huge crowd with the baby and everything, so we opted to hit the smaller one - Bandslam. We stood across the street in front of California Pizza Kitchen (where we also ate dinner - YUM!) and had a pretty good view of the celebs as they came off the red carpet. Also, some celebs actually came in through where we were standing, although I didn't realize who they were in time to get pics of most of them. I know David Henrie (Wizards of Waverly Place) was standing like 10 feet away from us taking pics with fans and I had no clue who he was. All I knew was that all of a sudden a bunch of teeny-boppers were going nuts and I looked over and saw some kid in a hat, and then he walked across the street and I heard someone announce who he was. Oops! :confused3 LOL I did recognize Nicole Gale Anderson (Macy on Jonas, and she's also been on the ABC Family show Make It or Break It) and got a couple pics of her, one before she crossed the street, and one after. She was super cute.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4885-1.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4893.jpg

I got a pic of Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock and ABC Family's 10 Things I Hate About You) coming across the street to meet someone who was attending with her. She was really cute, too, and so tiny! (Well, all the stars were.)

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4892.jpg

And here is what Sarah Kate thought of the premiere (she was unimpressed)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4884-1.jpg

After the red carpet stuff was over, we ate dinner and then decided to drive around since DH hadn't gotten to come on the Hollywood tour with me. We pretty much took the same route that I had taken before, with the exception of Hollywood Blvd since it was blocked off for the GI Joe premiere. Then we drove up Laurel Canyon and up to Mulholland and I can sum up the view in one word - WOW!!!!!! It was so beautiful. Twinkling city lights for as far as you can see. Even DH, who is such a country boy, thought that it was beautiful. I tried to take pictures, but none of them came out well. It is definitely something that I will have to see again sometime!

Day Six - 8/7/09
I guess I'll just go ahead and finish up this Mini TR. DH is a huge Braves fan, and they just happened to be playing the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, so we decided to hit that up! I'm not really a big sports fan, but even I had a good time at the game. :thumbsup2

We had great seats!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4903.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4904.jpg

Go Braves!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4905.jpg

This was cool
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/DSCN4906.jpg

The funniest thing was that we were talking on the way over about one of our friends from college that was a huge Dodgers fan, and how he would be so jealous if he knew we were there. And then when we were walking to our seats, we ran into him!!! So funny that we can fly all the way across the country and still run into someone from back home! Here we are with our friends.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/jdstrickla21/withfriendsatdodgerstadium.jpg

So that wraps up our Cali trip! We had soooo much fun and I can't wait to go back!!

[that's nice]

Looks like you had a great time!

How crazy you saw people you know across the country!

I think I've said this before but your DD is so cute!princess:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Looks like you had a great time!

How crazy you saw people you know across the country!

I think I've said this before but your DD is so cute!princess:

Thanks about DD! :goodvibes Yeah, I thought it was nuts that we ran into them.

[ladybugmom]

Hi Julia!! I'm all caught up! It looks like you had an incredible trip to California!! Things have been crazy busy here with my dd starting Kindergarten, so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here on the DIS.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Hi Julia!! I'm all caught up! It looks like you had an incredible trip to California!! Things have been crazy busy here with my dd starting Kindergarten, so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here on the DIS.

Welcome back! :goodvibes I totally understand the back-to-school craziness. How is your DD liking school so far? Oh, this is totally random, but I LOVE your DDs outfits in your signature!! Where did you get them?

[jordanyosh]

How trippie to run into people from home in LA!

GO BLUE!

[ladybugmom]

Welcome back! :goodvibes I totally understand the back-to-school craziness. How is your DD liking school so far? Oh, this is totally random, but I LOVE your DDs outfits in your signature!! Where did you get them?

Thanks!! Ally is LOVING Kindergarten!! I had the outfits made by a lady in Georgia but I cannot recommmend her. I almost didn't receive them and several of my friends were burned by her--never getting their things or $ back. Do a search on www.etsy.com. You can find something similar on there for a good price!!

[3princesses+aprince]

Wow, excellent mini trip report!!! Looks like you guys had a blast!! I really enjoyed seeing the Hollywood pictures!!

I just clicked on your PTR and saw that I had posted on here way back when you first started! Your trip is coming soon :cool1:

[that's nice]

I missed your single digit dance so here is an 8 day to go dance!!!! :cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool 1::banana:

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Wow, excellent mini trip report!!! Looks like you guys had a blast!! I really enjoyed seeing the Hollywood pictures!!

I just clicked on your PTR and saw that I had posted on here way back when you first started! Your trip is coming soon :cool1:
Welcome back! :goodvibes


I missed your single digit dance so here is an 8 day to go dance!!!! :cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool 1::banana:
Thanks for the dance! :cool1: I missed my own single digit dance. :rolleyes1

[jordanyosh]

3 more days!!!!!!

[Mommy2LittleVols]

3 more days!!!!!!

I know!!!!!! We have had so much going on the past few weeks that I haven't been able to plan obsessively like I wanted to, so now I'm running around crazy trying to get everything done!! :eek:

[MRYPPNS]

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful and safe vacation!

[jordanyosh]

Have a GREAT time on your vacation!!!!!!!!

[ladybugmom]

Have a fabulous trip, Julia!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!!

[that's nice]

I missed the big send off.

I hope you have the most magical trip!!!!!!!!!:goodvibes

[3princesses+aprince]

Hope you guys are having a blast. Can't wait to read all about it.

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Thanks for the great trip wishes everyone!! We are home and had a FABULOUS time!!! I'll be starting my TR very soon. :)

[Charlefours]

First off, loving the PTR--love the master schedule that Heidi created. I may have to think of doing one for myself. I subscribed to your PTR and I am going to be reading your TR as well!

We are taking DD to WDW Sept 2010 for her first visit--to celebrate her 4th birthday. So excited to see what happens and how she reacts!

Question--what are pin codes and how do you get them?? I would love to get upgrade but we are already staying at POR. I am praying they offer the FDP for next Sept like they have for the last few years. :scratchin

Thanks for the info! I hope you have had a fabulous trip! :yay:

[ladybugmom]

Thanks for the great trip wishes everyone!! We are home and had a FABULOUS time!!! I'll be starting my TR very soon. :)

YAY!! Glad you had a great trip!! Can't wait to read all about it!! popcorn::