The "World" May Never Be The Same! *We're back!* *new 8/24*

[Leger13]

Chapter 2 - Disney Trips of Long Long Ago


Next up....our Disney history!

Our little Disney problem started way back, long ago on our honeymoon....yes, its been that long! 13 years to be exact! Have I really been looking at him that long? Ya, and I love him!

We stayed at Dixie Landings now known as Port Orleans Riverside but it will always be Dixie Landings to us. Makes me sad to think the Port Orleans just opened up and swollowed poor Dixie. She never even saw it coming.

We stayed there for a week and that was it, we were sold! Totally in love with Disneyworld!

We made a repeat trip in February of 1996 and stayed at our beloved Dixie once again. Can't remember how long we were there that time. Probably about a week. No sense in us traveling that far for much less then that.

Next trip we had Belle with us and I was 6 months pregnant with Tink. We wanted to take Belle on one last trip as an only child. Why I'm not sure but it seemed important at the time!

Me being the sneaky person that I often think I am decided I was going to go on some of the rides that they warned pregnant people (okay, pregnant women - I mean really, how often do you see a pregnant man?) not to ride. Now before anyone goes all ape on me, I went on the Safari Ride and something else which currently escapes my brain. Nothing too thrilling. Anyways, back to the story - I really didn't think that anyone would be able to tell that I was pregnant. I thought I was still this skinny little thing and I was really getting away with something there. Until I got home and looked at the pictures - yep, I was huge as a house. Oh well. I guess they knew but decided not to fight with the preggo-lady!

Last trip was in February 2001 just after Tink turned a year old. We learned the beauty of the stroller pass that trip! Belle fell in love with Test Track and was terrified of the Winnie the Pooh ride. Go figure! Weird kid.

We have made many, many trips to Disneyland in California inbetween all these Florida trips and HG used to go to Los Angeles on business so the girls and I would tag along and visit Mickey while HG was working. As much as I love Disneyland it pales in comparison to WDW.

Our last trip to Disneyland was Feb 2006 for Tink's 6th birthday. Belle spent the whole trip in the hotel room with HG sick as a dog. I guess its only fair though - when we went down for Belle's 6th birthday Tink threw up the whole time!

We haven't tempted the Disney fate since.

Here's hoping no one gets sick this time. I'm bringing my Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer and I may use both to bathe the kids!

awww you had a Disneymoon too. My DH and I had our Disneymoon in 2003 and stayed at the beach club. Disneymoon's are the best!!

that's funny that you thought you were getting away with something when you were 6 months pregnant and getting on the "forbidden" rides maybe if you had 3 or 4 months pregnant you would've not been showing that much. At least they didn't put up a fight by not letting you get on the rides you wanted to! I think it's special that you took your oldest as an "only child" you will always have those memories with just her.

I noticed in other threads and yours too that you and your kids were sick (I believe that was you?)...so hopefully that's all over with now BEFORE your trip and you won't have another incedent like the last trip. Here's hoping **crosses fingers**

 

[MissMichelle]

You nearly bought a laptop! You silly girl! Okay, so it is something I would consider doing but then I have a problem when it comes to stuff like that!

So do I..TC is normally the voice of reason but he was actually egging me on!!!

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 3 - The Liberation of the LGMHPCs


Yes indeed. A very important part done.

And it feels so good!

The other day I went to Home Depot in search of the LGMHPC. I have heard they are a hot commodity and are often not in their proper paint chip holders. I was expecting this to be the first of many missions to obtain to elusive LGMHPCs yet when I walked into the paint department there they were!

A whole holder of them begging me to liberate them!

I have to admit I used Belle and Tink as cover as we looked at each colour of Mickey heads and discussed the merits of each. I ended up having to convince them both that no, they could not paint their rooms in either Rumbly Tumbly or Sunny Spot. So much for not causing a scene! They were supposed to be my cover - not draw more attention to us!

I had just about had enough and so took a few of the others - again for cover and then I reach for the prize - the LGMHPCs!

SCORE!!!!!

Well, almost.....

To get out of HD you have to pass through the cash registers and of course on the day we go there is no line up - just lots of cashiers looking eager as we near. Well Tink thinks that we should stop and be social and show the nice ladies all the Mickey heads that are coming home with us!

NO!!!!!!!

Keep walking Tink!

I say in a nice yet firm voice "Tink they are paint chips, we don't have to pay for them" and ushered her out the door.

Made off with 9 of them. Not quite the mother load some others have but I figured it was enough for now. If I need more I'll go on another mission but I think we have freed enough LGMHPC for now.

They must be so excited to be going "home". Kind of like the LGMHPC alien green mother ship is calling them home!

this is hillarious!! I STILL haven't gotten my LGMH's yet!! I'm scared that a HD employee will scold me

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 5 - A Surprize Booking

I just got off the phone with Disney Tours and I booked a surprize tour for HG! Shhhh....don't tell him!

I mentioned before that he is a computer geek and loves all types of high tech gadgets so I booked him the Around The World Segway Tour!

He is going to be so excited!

When the CM was reading off all the restrictions and the liability waivers I admit I was starting to wonder if this was a good idea but then I figured, heck, its Disney! How wrong could it go? Right?

We've had an injury at the parks before and we were amazed at the wonderful medical care Belle received so I figure even if he takes a header off the Segway, they'll take care of him!

So if you are taking the Around the World tour on Thursday Sept 20 at 9am make sure you point and laugh at HG for me!

for the Segway Tour!! My DH and I were thinking of doing this but instead we opted to tack on an extra day to the end of our trip which cost us the same if not a little more than the Segway Tour.

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 6 - The Food

As I mentioned before the dining fairies were so kind to us and gave us free dining while we are there. I am so excited!

We have only ever eaten in 2 TS restaurants before on all our trips. One was Tony's on our last trip and the one before that was at Boatwright's at Dixie Landings. We didn't pay for that last one as they had trouble finding us a room at check in the night before. I mean, they were sending us to plenty of rooms and when we'd walk in there would already be another family in it or it was unmade! The very kind bellman who was driving us around in the middle of the night in the little golf cart shuttle thing was absolutly horrified that it kept happened over and over. I think it took about 5 tries to get us a room. To make up for it they gave us dinner at the restaurant.

So anyways - after 4 trips and only 2 TS you can imagine my excitement at getting to eat at a TS every stinking day!

I came to the restaurant board to start looking at where to dine because in all honesty - I had no idea. After humming and hawing this is what I came up with:

Sept 15 - 6:05 - Askerhaus Princess Dinner
Sept 16 - 6:10 - Le Cellier
Sept 17 - 11:50 - Crystal Palace
- 7:10 - Tony's
Sept 18 - 6:25 - 'Ohanas
Sept 19 - 6:05 - Sci-Fi Drive In
Sept 20 - 6:00 - Coral Reef
Sept 21 - 6:00 - Garden Grill
Sept 22 - 6:10 - Crystal Palace

Now I know some of my choices aren't the real popular ones but there is a method to my madness.

First of all Tony's - I admit it makes me nervous but it was the only one that HG was really wanting to do. I think because he remembers being there with the kids last trip and how good the air conditioning felt and we did have a good experience there. Let's hope we do this time too!

We MUST go to Garden Grill because I have a little girl who is in love with Chip. Not Dale, just Chip! We had an amazing experience with Chip on her 6th birthday in Disneyland at Goofy's Kitchen. Its a long story but he basically spent almost an hour with her alone and even walked out of the restaurant and danced with her outside the hotel under the stars. It really was a magical experience. I know she is going to want to visit with her buddy and I have heard the character interaction is good at Garden Grill. I know it won't ever be the same as that one time but she still is hoping to get to reunite with Chip!

I know I am repeating Crystal Palace but buffets work well for us and who doesn't love Pooh! There also isn't much else to do in terms of TS in MK except LTT I think and the Americana theme doesn't do a whole lot for this Canadian family.

So there you have it - our ADRs!

You have no idea how much I stressed over them! I hope most of them turn out to be good experiences!

Finger's crossed!

awesome ADR's!! You will LOVE Garden Grill!! I LOVED to eat there as a child because of the character interaction. I still have the picture of me with Chip and Dale sitting at my table with me while I ate! I never let my grandmother take me anywhere else to eat at Epcot. It is so great!!

And Si-Fi is awesome too.

i love the story about your daughter and chip from the last trip. How he danced under the stars with her. I totally "awwwwed" out loud

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 7 - Let the crafting begin!

I mentioned earlier that I am crafty and today was the perfect day to start the vacation crafts!

I made each of the girls a lunchbox to keep their Disney treasures in when we get back. They tend to collect streamers, confetti, etc and it ends up spread all over the house so this time I am ready. They can keep it in a bag while we are away and when we come home it goes into their memory tins!

I LOVE the lunchboxes you made for your girls. What a great idea!!

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 8 - We'll be glowing!

Every time we go to Disney (usually Land but this time World) the girls beg and pester us until we give in and buy them the glow necklaces in the evening. They try to "sell" it to us as a safety feature - "you'll be able to spot us in the crowd if we have them". Ya, you and every other child in the park!

Anyways, in an attempt to not spend a fortune every single night I decided to bring some with us. I have been looking around trying to find some inexpensive ones and I hit the jackpot today!

At Michael's they had packs of 15 bracelets with the connecters to make them into necklaces for $1.50!

Score!

And they are packed in cardboard tubes so they won't get accidently set off in the luggage on the way down. Nothing like disapointing the kids by handing them no-longer glowing glow sticks!

Here they are!

Now I wonder if I have enough. I bought 6 tubes so 90. That should be enough for 8 nights, right?

that's a great idea. You've got me on google right now searching for some for me and DH...lime green of course!!

 

[Leger13]

Great idea on the lysol. I just wish they made a travel size. Maybe I'll pack the lysol wipes instead if it proves to be smaller than the spray.

Remote Control? whats that? ....Oh you mean a Clicker !!! & Lysol for a Clicker & such Is a great Idea I am shocked that I did not think of it First...Wait that's 2 things that you do that I haven't done Before...Maybe I need to pay more attention to you...Oh Mighty Disney Princess

I found where the "dream princess" nick name came from. I was wondering how that origonated!

Hmm....if it's THIS easy....


You will also need to get some shoes for Cherbear. And pick up some ponchos while you're at it.

you're so silly Cheri.

 

[Leger13]

Chapter 11 - Mickey we have a problem or two

I was sitting around yesterday and it suddenly dawned on my that I never received Tink's passport.

Her's had expired and so I ordered her new one in June and they told me it would be about 2 weeks until we had it. I just assume this means 3-4 weeks because its a government thing and when do they ever run on time?

Anyways, I just went about life and to be honest, I kind of forgot about it and suddenly yesterday the lights came on!

Tink doesn't have a passport!

So I called and waited on hold for awhile. Actually the wait wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but there is always some sort of wait calling the passport office.

It would seem that they decided to do a guarenteer check on her and since her guarenteer was her Headmaster and its summer vacation, they had a hard time getting in touch with him. They finally did and it is "in production" so we should have it in a week or so.

I hope so because I'd really hate to leave her behind!

I'm kidding!

I'd never leave her behind but I will feel better when it gets here!

The second problem that has cropped up is that I have to have surgery and the soonest date I can get is just 2 weeks before the trip!

He is going to try to get me in earlier and I hope he is able to or it may be a very uncomfortable vactation for me.

I must remember, drugs are my friend while in pain at Disney but still I don't want to have to do that.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

about the passport but I also saw in another update you did that she finally got it! so you don't have to leave Tink behind.

And about the surgery!! Hopefully everything goes well and you can keep your trip as scheduled.

 

[estherhead]

We've only eaten in 2 TS also! Cinderella's Royal Table for Breakfast & Marakesh. Long, long ago I ate at the British TS in England but it was the year Epcot opened & I don't really remember it. So we were thrilled when the free dining came around!

Won't we have fun eating at all the "new to us" places? We have an ADR at Tony's also. It's on an evening when we may not make our ADR & I wanted a place I wouldn't be sad to lose but still would be nice if we make it.

WDW, here we come! Crafts, empty bellies, and free spirits!

 

[cherbear]

LOL! I read your post (the guilt one) when I came here AFTER I posted!!! I was thinking "Now she'll think thats why I posted!" hahaha.

I almost bought a laptop JUST so I can get on the DIS while down there..now that would be bad...let's make this trip cost me another $1,000+. No thanks. I'll try and pop on next week from Disneyquest like I did last year.

ooh for shame! that's a lot of moola!

So do I..TC is normally the voice of reason but he was actually egging me on!!!

shame on him!

this is hillarious!! I STILL haven't gotten my LGMH's yet!! I'm scared that a HD employee will scold me

me neither. I even asked my Dad to go get me some...and had to explain to him why....he gave me a funny look of course!
I will hopefully get mine this weekend when I'm in my "hometown" where I grew up

you're so silly Cheri.

Don't I know it!!

 

[Leger13]

me neither. I even asked my Dad to go get me some...and had to explain to him why....he gave me a funny look of course!
I will hopefully get mine this weekend when I'm in my "hometown" where I grew up



Don't I know it!!

the "funny look" is what I'm afraid of also from my DH. But, he'll just have to deal 'cause I'm gonna get a few at least to put on my back pack and up in our room window!! After all this posting I wanna be reconized gosh darnit!

 

[mnmrmustard]

WOW! I love the way one thread will lead to a comment by another DIS'er ...which will then lead to discovering another amazing aspect to the site! I saw you link and here I am

I have been going through LOTS of information including trip reports but hadn't seen any "pre-trip" reports before! So first of all, thank you very much for posting such good info about your planning process and all of the helpful tips that all of the DIS'ers on this thread have posted in response

Congrats on being so close to your vacation
I'm glad your daughter's passport came in, I'm sure that's a relief. Was your doctor able to move up your surgery any sooner ....or is that where you are right now? Either way, here's to a speedy recovery and you being on your feet and feeling good while you are at WDW

Great pictures and beautiful family :-] I have also been married to my DW for 13 years and have 2 daughters ...ages 8 and 11 (the 1/2's apparently aren't a big deal for them at the moment - lol). I know what you mean about the expense of kids activities ....my older girl was in gymnastics for 6 years, the last 3 competitively. She took a year off and has now come back and is doing cheerleading cometitively. My younger daughter just moved up into competitive gymnastics. Lots of time, energy, and money involved in it

I'm a computer geek and yes MACs are no fun for me, simply because they don't play nicely on a network and have very outdated security protocols ...I know, blah blah blah. They are GREAT stand alone graphics boxes though

I'm planning our first trip to WDW and am flying from Oregon, so I know what you mean by long plane rides - whew! We'll spend 12hrs in airports/in the air. The things we do to experience some Disney magic Keep the good info coming and have a fantastic day!!!

Mike

 

[kindakrazy2]

Hey everyone. Sorry I was missing for a couple of days. Long story that you don't want to hear!

Anyways, I am about to go get caught up here!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Just stopping by to say Hi!!!

Hi LeeLee!

Good Morning, Sarah!!!

I was just wondering, when do your children start school? We start pretty late, 9/5, most schools have already started by then.

HOW MANY DAYS???

Hey there! The girls don't go back until Sept 4. We always go back the day after labor day. One week of holidays left. Makes me sad, I don't want to send them back to school. I love having them home with me.

looks like you have just as many days as me to wait to get to WDW hoooray!!

now that I'm all caught up on my other threads and DDad's thread is quiet for once I'm gonna go and catch up with yours.

Hi Leger!

your daughters are beautiful!! just had to say that since i finally read the first post in your pre-tr! That's so cool that your oldest has danced professionally already! Wow.

Thanks! I think it is pretty cool now except that after that experience she has decided that she wants to be a professional dancer when she grows up and that thought scares the bejeebers out of me!

awww you had a Disneymoon too. My DH and I had our Disneymoon in 2003 and stayed at the beach club. Disneymoon's are the best!!

that's funny that you thought you were getting away with something when you were 6 months pregnant and getting on the "forbidden" rides maybe if you had 3 or 4 months pregnant you would've not been showing that much. At least they didn't put up a fight by not letting you get on the rides you wanted to! I think it's special that you took your oldest as an "only child" you will always have those memories with just her.

I noticed in other threads and yours too that you and your kids were sick (I believe that was you?)...so hopefully that's all over with now BEFORE your trip and you won't have another incedent like the last trip. Here's hoping **crosses fingers**

I know. It is funny me trying to "sneak" on rides! I thought I was being so sneaky too. Little did I realize just how ridiculous that was!

Ya, we're always sick when we go on holidays. I am hoping we get it all over with before we go. I am stocking up on vitamins and hand sanitizer!

So do I..TC is normally the voice of reason but he was actually egging me on!!!

Glad I am not the only one with the shopping weakness!

this is hillarious!! I STILL haven't gotten my LGMH's yet!! I'm scared that a HD employee will scold me

You have to go get some Leger! Its fun! I felt like I was on some sort of secret mission to save the Mickey heads! Now go get some and report back with your stash!

for the Segway Tour!! My DH and I were thinking of doing this but instead we opted to tack on an extra day to the end of our trip which cost us the same if not a little more than the Segway Tour.

If it was a choice of Segway or an extra day - the extra day would win out no questions asked! I hope he likes it but part of me hopes he falls on his butt! Is that bad?

awesome ADR's!! You will LOVE Garden Grill!! I LOVED to eat there as a child because of the character interaction. I still have the picture of me with Chip and Dale sitting at my table with me while I ate! I never let my grandmother take me anywhere else to eat at Epcot. It is so great!!

And Si-Fi is awesome too.

i love the story about your daughter and chip from the last trip. How he danced under the stars with her. I totally "awwwwed" out loud

I am so glad to hear about a good experience at Garden Grill. I keep hearing how bad it is and I was worried. You've made me feel much better about that one! Thanks!

Tink's night with Chip was so amazing. One of those moments that I can't even believe happened. It was like being in a dream. And of course HG missed it because he was back in the room with a very sick Belle. She came down with mumps on that trip. Who gets mumps anymore, especially in Disneyland? Anyways, I hope she has a happy reunion with her Chip!

I LOVE the lunchboxes you made for your girls. What a great idea!!

Thanks! They were fun to make and the girls love them!

that's a great idea. You've got me on google right now searching for some for me and DH...lime green of course!!

Just passing on my obsession to others! Glad to get you started on it!

Great idea on the lysol. I just wish they made a travel size. Maybe I'll pack the lysol wipes instead if it proves to be smaller than the spray.




I found where the "dream princess" nick name came from. I was wondering how that origonated!

Yes, you found us out! HAhahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!

about the passport but I also saw in another update you did that she finally got it! so you don't have to leave Tink behind.

And about the surgery!! Hopefully everything goes well and you can keep your trip as scheduled.

Oh I'm going on the trip even if they have to haul me there in a body bag! I'm sure everything will go well and I'll be fine. At least I hope!

We've only eaten in 2 TS also! Cinderella's Royal Table for Breakfast & Marakesh. Long, long ago I ate at the British TS in England but it was the year Epcot opened & I don't really remember it. So we were thrilled when the free dining came around!

Won't we have fun eating at all the "new to us" places? We have an ADR at Tony's also. It's on an evening when we may not make our ADR & I wanted a place I wouldn't be sad to lose but still would be nice if we make it.

WDW, here we come! Crafts, empty bellies, and free spirits!

I know Esther - I am so excited about eating at all the TS places. It was always "I wish we could" on all the other trips but it was either eating there or souveniers so we didn't do it.

This time, its a whole other story!

Just hope my pants still fit when I get home!

 

[kindakrazy2]

me neither. I even asked my Dad to go get me some...and had to explain to him why....he gave me a funny look of course!
I will hopefully get mine this weekend when I'm in my "hometown" where I grew up

Go for it Cheri! And I want to see your LGMHPC collection after you've gotten them!

WOW! I love the way one thread will lead to a comment by another DIS'er ...which will then lead to discovering another amazing aspect to the site! I saw you link and here I am

I have been going through LOTS of information including trip reports but hadn't seen any "pre-trip" reports before! So first of all, thank you very much for posting such good info about your planning process and all of the helpful tips that all of the DIS'ers on this thread have posted in response

Congrats on being so close to your vacation
I'm glad your daughter's passport came in, I'm sure that's a relief. Was your doctor able to move up your surgery any sooner ....or is that where you are right now? Either way, here's to a speedy recovery and you being on your feet and feeling good while you are at WDW

Great pictures and beautiful family :-] I have also been married to my DW for 13 years and have 2 daughters ...ages 8 and 11 (the 1/2's apparently aren't a big deal for them at the moment - lol). I know what you mean about the expense of kids activities ....my older girl was in gymnastics for 6 years, the last 3 competitively. She took a year off and has now come back and is doing cheerleading cometitively. My younger daughter just moved up into competitive gymnastics. Lots of time, energy, and money involved in it

I'm a computer geek and yes MACs are no fun for me, simply because they don't play nicely on a network and have very outdated security protocols ...I know, blah blah blah. They are GREAT stand alone graphics boxes though

I'm planning our first trip to WDW and am flying from Oregon, so I know what you mean by long plane rides - whew! We'll spend 12hrs in airports/in the air. The things we do to experience some Disney magic Keep the good info coming and have a fantastic day!!!

Mike

Hi Mike! Thanks for joining in on the fun here!

I was so relieved to get the passport! I wouldn't have really left her behind but still - the thought had crossed my mind! Well, not really - well maybe just for a second!

My surgery is next week. I couldn't be moved up because I was sick last week and the first part of this one so I am stuck with the date. Oh well. Not anything I can do about it now.

Someone who feels my pain about childen's activities! I love the kids but they are expensive little creatures! Wouldn't change it for anything though!

Another computer geek! My DH will be happy to read that someone else is dissing my Mac!

I see you are another west-coaster! When is your trip planned for? We are driving down from Vancouver and flying out of Seattle. Once I get on that plane I just want to be there but it takes so long......

Glad to have you on board here Mike! Keep posting and jump in on the fun!

 

[Disneydad99]

Hey everyone. Sorry I was missing for a couple of days. Long story that you don't want to hear!

Anyways, I am about to go get caught up here!

I hope everything Is OK!!!!

We Missed you!!!!!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Thanks Disneydad. Everything will be fine by next week. I hope!

 

[Disneydad99]

Me Too....


You Getting Excited about WDW yet!!!!

 

[kindakrazy2]

I am getting very excited! More so then the kids I think.

But I do have this surgery on Tuesday that is hanging over my head like some sort of dark cloud.

I'll be os glad to get it over with so I can focus on all things Disney!