1 Child and 10 Adults--A GG to Celebrate DD's 4th Bday :) TR Link is Posted

[jenny105]

Hi Jen! I am glad you are able to come back and read a long. Yay for planning another trip!! being the Disney veteran has the advantages (including being them at TSM!!). A Treehouse Villa! Nice!!

Too bad you are not going in September

No Treehouse Villa. Couldn't get a travel agent rate on it. But we are going to stay at Saratoga Springs for now in a 2 BR Villa. So far there are 6 people interested in going. If the number drops, I'll switch resorts. I'm excited!

If I was going in September, we'd definitely be meeting up! But I've always wanted to spend my birthday in Disney!!

Love your DD's dress!!!! So cute!!!

 

[kcandbella]

I love the custom! Can you PM me the sellers name? I would love to check out her items!!! Thanks!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Stephanie,
the dress is beautiful...she will be so lovely on her birthday!

Can't wait to hear and see what ADR's you end up with and how you decide to settle on you r touring plans.

 

[Charlefours]

No Treehouse Villa. Couldn't get a travel agent rate on it. But we are going to stay at Saratoga Springs for now in a 2 BR Villa. So far there are 6 people interested in going. If the number drops, I'll switch resorts. I'm excited!

If I was going in September, we'd definitely be meeting up! But I've always wanted to spend my birthday in Disney!!

Love your DD's dress!!!! So cute!!!

SSR Villa--very nice!! I don't blame you for wanting to go on your birthday--what a great way to celebrate!

Thanks

Stephanie,
the dress is beautiful...she will be so lovely on her birthday!

Can't wait to hear and see what ADR's you end up with and how you decide to settle on you r touring plans.

Thanks Connie! I am really pleased with the way it turned out. ADRs are on Friday!! I have a two Wishes list to finish before I can do the touring plans but I will get to them.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Lilian's dress is beautiful! Can't wait to see her all done up!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

What a beautiful dress!!! I love it!!!

 

[elizablake]

Hi . I've read through all your plans and love your trip report so far. I especially love your to do list.

I answered your question about Ridemax vs. TGM that you asked in my pre-trip report. But....now that I have read about your trip, I would not recommend Ridemax. I think TGM would be better for your situation but I'm not sure you need it either. Our first trip was similar to yours because we weren't Disney experts, we were traveling with a 4 year old and we were going during a slow time. A step by step itinerary was not necessary.

Here's what I would recommend (please send $19.95 for a six month subscription):
1. Do research and make a list of the rides/attractions you want to do in each park. Sounds like you already have that park covered.
2. Find out what rides have the longest line- TSM, Soarin', Dumbo, Everest. Plan to hit these rides first or get fast passes.
3. Find out what rides rarely have a long line- Country Bear Jamboree, TTA, Spaceship Earth. Plan to do them in the afternoon, early evening or when you are waiting for your fastpass window to open.

Fantasyland is always busy and it will probably be your DD's favorite. Plan to go early and collect fast passes. The Carousel, It's a Small World, Mickey's Philharmagic, Snow White and the Tea Cups will have the shortest lines. Dumbo, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh always have crazy long lines. I think DD made us ride Winnie the Pooh 1,567,821,021 times last January

If your DD is anything like mine, she will love TSM. Fastpasses run out by early afternoon. The shows at HS are perfect for a 4 year old.

Get a FP early for Soarin' at EPCOT. The only other ride that has a long wait during the slow season is Test Track.

At AK, Kali River Rapids, Everest, and Safari will require a fast pass or get there early. Warning: Dinosaur and It's Tough to be a Bug are scary . The Lion King is awesome! Perfect for 4 year olds.

Are you getting ready to make your ADRs? Do you have a final list.

I LOVE your DD's dress. It is beautiful. I believe you mentioned getting a BBB appt for 8:30AM. Their first appt is 8:00AM. It takes about 30 minutes so you would be done by 8:30 and be able to take photos of your DD in an empty park after she is transformed into a princess. And you would still be able to hit Dumbo after rope drop. Also, I was surprised to find out that only one adult is able to get into the MK early with a BBB appointment. I wasn't sure if you were planning to bring all 10 adults.

 

[Arielssister]

So since I have started planning this trip, I have been using a bunch of word documents to keep me organized and whatnot. I have cut and pasted my Disney Timeline of Things to DO and Mention--it is a constant work in progress but I thought I would share what will be upcoming for me to do and remember.

Disney Timeline of Things to Do and Mention

January 5th: Order custom dress for Lilian’s BBB visit and 1900 Park Fare dinner ($$)

Feb 1st: Send out details of narrowed ADRs—ask if anyone has a preference and see how many will be joining us.

Feb 10th: Plan “Disney School” activities to do with Lilian (ongoing activity from now until we leave)
--Plan Disney Theme nights, beginning March 13th—180 day celebration mark. (One per a week, ongoing activity from now until we leave)

Feb 15th: Begin putting together materials for Disney School (ongoing activity)

March 1st: Park hours should be announced if WDW keeps it at 180 day mark instead of 90 days. Could be out sooner—A should email them out to us since they get released sooner to TAs.
--Plan 180 day celebration
--Email ADRS, BBB and Tea Party reservation information to A
--Order Disney game to play at celebration party

March 5th: Make ADRs
--Tea Party Reservations (cc)
--BBB reservations (cc)

March 13th: 180 day celebration party!!
--Begin “Disney School” with Lilian

March 15th: Request invites (Akershus, BBB, TH, Park Fare, Welcome Letter, Lego store for Allyn)

March 22nd: Finish binder sheets and dividers

March 31st: What deal is Disney offering for when we are traveling? Free Dining or another offer should be announced with our date range

April 1st: send out information regarding MNSSHP. Price of tickets, date and costume/shirts. Take count—do I order the tickets for all and get reimburse or have them buy the tickets individually if they choose to come?
--Begin walking with Lilian to build up endurance

May 1st: order the MNSSHP tickets ($$) based on the above findings
--sign up for Fairy Godmailers

May 15th: should have EMHs out—are we going to try to hit any? (Thought is we will avoid morning EMHs b/c busier park that day—one exception would be AK to get on the Safari ASAP)
--Begin autograph book for Lilian
--Plan 100 day mark party!!

June 1st: order customized maps for Lilian and the scrapbook (if they survive her)
--consider asking Kristy or Julie to help with shirt designs
--100 DAY MARK!!!
--Email A golf outing information for reservation

June 13th: make golf reservations/morning tee time the same day as Tea Party (shooting for Wednesday) ($$) (cc)

July 1st: Make hotel reservations for traveling dates
--order any custom pieces from Etsy ($$)??
--make countdown calendar (30 days long)
--Request DISign or create own design for MNSSHP shirt for Allyn and I (possibly for DMIL, DFIL, DBIL, Dad too)

July 15th: order bows from Becky ($$)
--request shirt sizes from everyone for GG shirt
--order supplies for my custom shirts I am doing

July 20th: final payments are due!!

August 1st: Call to discuss and order cake (11 people, no more than $75) $$
--get shirts printed by Julie ($$)
--arrange for kitty sitter, figure out fee and key situation
--plan emails if going to do (see August 10th)
--Put together smaller version of Disney Binder

August 10th: 30 day countdown begins!! Have a Disney celebration tonight!!
--consider beginning emails to Secondary Cast to get them excited about our trip!!
--make Mousekeeping and Table Service Envelopes

August 15th: Call to confirm room requests—near transportation, on ground floor, fridge and if possible close to the pool and dining hall.
--Order birthday surprise from Disney Floral www.disneyflorist.com ?? ($$)
--Make Trick or Treat bag or decide if going to get Mickey Pumpkin from park ($$)
--make At-A-Glance Where in the World will Lilian Be cards for everyone, laminate them??
--make cell phone list cards, laminate them

August 20th: Order Amazon Disney Wish List items ($$)
--make bag tags, stroller license plate tag and laminate them
--Print out Dining Plan tracker card and laminate it (request for MIL, FIL and BIL?)
--Order new park bag

September 1st: Put in hold mail form (remind parents to do this as well)
--verify cake order to make sure it is correct and still have it!
--verify date with Deanna for seeing them on our way back home
--double check and triple check I have all important information written down (ADR numbers, phone numbers, insurance numbers, cc information, medical information)

September 5th: make GG t-shirts and any others (Lilian’s first trip shirt?), MNSSHP shirts, Lilian’s Birthday Shirt to wear to BBB ($$)

September 6th: pack, pack, pack!!
--wrap few birthday presents we are taking with us

September 9th: WE ARE OFF ON OUR JOURNEY!!

September 25th: Customize Photopass pictures and order CD with discount code


Am I crazy? I have five weeks off between now and the time I go to Disney, even those off weeks I will be prepping for the next round of classes. With everything I am trying to juggle, I have to stay EXTREMELY organized or I will go a wee bit crazy!

Do you see anything I am missing? I am sure I will constantly be adding to this list, but it makes me much more relieved to have all this written down!! Thanks for reading--I know it was a long email!!

I forgot to do say this earlier when I read and joined in. You are amazing! Hope things are going as planned!

 

[MHTeacher]

Love the custom dress----Lilian looks precious in it!

Noticed on your ticker that you get to make your ADRs this week. As super-organized as you are, I know that you have your list ready! But won't it feel great, when you have those confirmations numbers in hand!

 

[Charlefours]

Lilian's dress is beautiful! Can't wait to see her all done up!

Thank you!! It will be a magical moment I hope on our trip!

What a beautiful dress!!! I love it!!!

Thank you Karen!

I forgot to do say this earlier when I read and joined in. You are amazing! Hope things are going as planned!

Thank you! LOL I do love my lists

Love the custom dress----Lilian looks precious in it!

Noticed on your ticker that you get to make your ADRs this week. As super-organized as you are, I know that you have your list ready! But won't it feel great, when you have those confirmations numbers in hand!

Thank you!! I am excited to see her all dolled up. Getting ready to post about ADRs...stay tuned.

 

[Charlefours]

Hi . I've read through all your plans and love your trip report so far. I especially love your to do list.

I answered your question about Ridemax vs. TGM that you asked in my pre-trip report. But....now that I have read about your trip, I would not recommend Ridemax. I think TGM would be better for your situation but I'm not sure you need it either. Our first trip was similar to yours because we weren't Disney experts, we were traveling with a 4 year old and we were going during a slow time. A step by step itinerary was not necessary.

Here's what I would recommend (please send $19.95 for a six month subscription):
1. Do research and make a list of the rides/attractions you want to do in each park. Sounds like you already have that park covered.
2. Find out what rides have the longest line- TSM, Soarin', Dumbo, Everest. Plan to hit these rides first or get fast passes.
3. Find out what rides rarely have a long line- Country Bear Jamboree, TTA, Spaceship Earth. Plan to do them in the afternoon, early evening or when you are waiting for your fastpass window to open.

Fantasyland is always busy and it will probably be your DD's favorite. Plan to go early and collect fast passes. The Carousel, It's a Small World, Mickey's Philharmagic, Snow White and the Tea Cups will have the shortest lines. Dumbo, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh always have crazy long lines. I think DD made us ride Winnie the Pooh 1,567,821,021 times last January

If your DD is anything like mine, she will love TSM. Fastpasses run out by early afternoon. The shows at HS are perfect for a 4 year old.

Get a FP early for Soarin' at EPCOT. The only other ride that has a long wait during the slow season is Test Track.

At AK, Kali River Rapids, Everest, and Safari will require a fast pass or get there early. Warning: Dinosaur and It's Tough to be a Bug are scary . The Lion King is awesome! Perfect for 4 year olds.

Are you getting ready to make your ADRs? Do you have a final list.

I LOVE your DD's dress. It is beautiful. I believe you mentioned getting a BBB appt for 8:30AM. Their first appt is 8:00AM. It takes about 30 minutes so you would be done by 8:30 and be able to take photos of your DD in an empty park after she is transformed into a princess. And you would still be able to hit Dumbo after rope drop. Also, I was surprised to find out that only one adult is able to get into the MK early with a BBB appointment. I wasn't sure if you were planning to bring all 10 adults.

Wow!! Thank you All the advice above--thank you thank you thank you!! I had similar thoughts but for you to write them down as well, and to begin to confirm which rides are going to have the longest wait times--especially in Fantasyland--is exactly what I will be hoping people here on DIS can help me with upcoming. I figure as I start posting touring ideas, I would be asking that sort of information.

Nope, not all 10 adults. I am hoping for 2--my DH and I. I thought I read other TRs where both got in but maybe I am mistaken?

Thank you!! We love the dress and are very pleased with the way it turned out.

 

[Charlefours]

So I am chalking up to being a bit crazy with classes and juggling so many other dates but I mixed up our ADR date! We will not be making them for another ten days—March 15th. I have updated my ticker. The list is ready to go, along with our BBB time and The My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party pick. Without further ado, here is our list:

ADRs
Sunday, September 12th
• Mama Melrose, Fantasmic Dinner Package
--as early as possible (we want to go back to the resort to cool off and rest before Fantasmic)

Monday, September 13th
• Akershus—Princess Storybook Breakfast
--before the park opens
• Coral Reef
--early dinner around 5:00

Tuesday, September 14th (Lilian’s actual birthday)
• Liberty Tree Tavern
--An early lunchtime, around 11:30
• 1900 Park Fare—Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
--dinnertime
--we are planning on going to MNSSHP if it is offered this evening after the dinner, so not too late of a dinner

Thursday, September 16th
• Tusker House—Donald’s Safari Breakfast,
--before the park opens

Friday, September 17th
• Rose and Crown
--we are hoping for a seating around 8:00 so we can enjoy Illuminations from here.

That is our wish list! We hope that it works out and I will be sure to update what we actually end up with once we do make the reservations.

An update on my to do list:

I am working on what I like to call Disney School—it will be ongoing starting soon and run until we go. : I am going to combine a few things that I have read here on DIS and do what I think will work best for Lilian and us. If there is interest, I will post about it once we are doing it.

I am working on our Disney Celebration for 180 days which is coming up!! I think that it will just be the three of us. I think we do a celebration with the in-law family closer to the time we leave. Perhaps when we kick off our countdown calendar we will have them all over to begin it. Here are some games I am looking at getting at another point—perhaps for the countdown calendar kickoff party—Disney Bingo Game and Disney Scene It original and Second edition. Anyone have any of these games? For the 180 day mark, I think I will bring out Disney Yahtzee Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Version.

I think I will hold off on the Scene-Its and do it like a “final exam” at the end right before we go down to Disney (you can probably tell I am very much in school mode). I think it will be a fun way to relax and enjoy Disney with the others. What do you all think?

So, with my mix up in dates (again, on what I did??), here is the revised March’s To Do List:

March 1st: Park hours should be announced if WDW keeps it at 180 day mark instead of 90 days. Could be out sooner—A should email them out to us since they get released sooner to TAs.
--Plan 180 day celebration
--Email ADRS, BBB and Tea Party reservation information to A

March 13th: 180 day celebration party!!
--Begin “Disney School” with Lilian

March 15th: Request invites (Akershus, BBB, TH, Park Fare, Welcome Letter, Lego store for Allyn)
-- Make ADRs
--Tea Party Reservations (cc)
--BBB reservations (cc)

March 22nd: Finish binder sheets and dividers

March 31st: What deal is Disney offering for when we are traveling? Free Dining or another offer should be announced with our date range

Lots to do this month with Disney, Lilian and my graduate school! My two big projects (besides one research paper due at the end of the semester) are due in the next few weeks. It is going to be hectic that’s for sure!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Stephanie, I can't wait to hear more! I think taking a break before Fantasmic is important, it's going to be hot and crowded! As for Park Fare before MNSSHP, I've heard the best ADR to make is 4:30. Yes, it's early, but it's the first reservation of the evening, so you will be able to get in and eat without too much rushing and then make it to the party. We're just doing CS on our party night (which is a whole other issue for us to find something that DD & I can both eat at the same place!)

 

[-Hope-]

Oh, you're so organized with your great to do list for the month! I have something similar in my Disney folder but yours is much better (I'm a sucker for a to do list. )

That's such a bummer that you got your ADR dates mixed up! I know you're disappointed but at least now you have it all figured out and will be 100% ready to go whne they day does roll around. All those character meals are going to be a blast for Lilian- her birthday plans look great!

 

[jenny105]

You are super organized! I have to check the date when I can make ADRs. We're not going all out but I want a reservation at Ohana on my birthday! BTW, I officially booked my trip if you hadn't guessed!

 

[Charlefours]

Stephanie, I can't wait to hear more! I think taking a break before Fantasmic is important, it's going to be hot and crowded! As for Park Fare before MNSSHP, I've heard the best ADR to make is 4:30. Yes, it's early, but it's the first reservation of the evening, so you will be able to get in and eat without too much rushing and then make it to the party. We're just doing CS on our party night (which is a whole other issue for us to find something that DD & I can both eat at the same place!)

Thanks Karen--I am glad there are readers who are willing to stick around for the long haul! I think that is the best thing about DIS--having a place to get it all out, share and ask questions.

We definitely want to take a decent break before MNSSHP. We originally had planned on the Friday one but figure it might be more crowded and it worked out better this way so we do not have to get up early the next day. We can also sleep in after Illuminates and EMH at EP if we decide to stay late.

1900 PF, that is the definite night we want to do it since we want it for Lilian's birthday dinner--eating with Cinderella I think will be very magical! We will be shooting for a dinner no later than 5:00 so we can leave had head over right around 7 when if officially kicks off (though if we can be there sooner that will be great!!)

Oh, you're so organized with your great to do list for the month! I have something similar in my Disney folder but yours is much better (I'm a sucker for a to do list. )

That's such a bummer that you got your ADR dates mixed up! I know you're disappointed but at least now you have it all figured out and will be 100% ready to go whne they day does roll around. All those character meals are going to be a blast for Lilian- her birthday plans look great!

Oh well, it is my own fault I mixed up the date (still do not know how I managed to do that)--it is not the end of the world luckily! At least I did not do it the other way--made ADRs 10 days late!!

I love me a good to-do list. I posted the mother list awhile back but since I had to update March's part I thought I would post that part again.

Character Meals: I hope that we do not go to crazy with them but this trip is for DD so we are doing quite a few of them. I had more but we cut a few out.

You are super organized! I have to check the date when I can make ADRs. We're not going all out but I want a reservation at Ohana on my birthday! BTW, I officially booked my trip if you hadn't guessed!

Thanks Jen!! I have to be organized--too much going on right now. for booking your trip!! I cannot wait to read about your birthday celebration in Disney!!! Are you going to do a PTR this go around?

 

[DrMomof3]

Your plans look great! You're going to have a fabulous time.

Amanda

 

[jenny105]

Thanks Jen!! I have to be organized--too much going on right now. for booking your trip!! I cannot wait to read about your birthday celebration in Disney!!! Are you going to do a PTR this go around?

Yup, I plan on doing a PTR, probably start it sometime this month. I'll let you know when I do!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Just subscribing and now going back to the start to read it all. Yeah

 

[Cory's Gal]

The updates look great Stephanie, and your Disney School sounds like a lot of fun!! At least you are under the "2 week" mark until you can make your ADR's!! I hope you can get them all!