Can we break our PTR curse?...update 2/27 Wed and thurs plans and more count down

[Mickey_Mom]

So we are now 98 days away from departure, but 99 days away from our first day in the parks.
The other night we had our first countdown party. It wasn't the spectacular event I had dreamed up, but the boys had fun- and that is all that matters.

We came home and I had to think quick because it was only an hour before dinner, I managed to throw together some Mickey head shaped hamburgers and throw them in the oven so I could do other things before we sat down to dinner.

Jack surprised me by setting the table for us (which he has NEVER done before), but I told him I had a special dinner planned. The timer rang and the boys got excited for their surprise- Mickey shaped hamburgers, Jack LOVED them.

The next surprise when they ate their food was a special stamp set, they had to close their eyes and then I said open. It was a big hit, I'm thinking someone needs to go back to the dollar store and get more for stocking stuffers and for our trip in March.

After the boys continued stamping I told them we were going to watch a movie together:

Jack said this was the BEST family night ever.

Then I told them "We have 100 days before you get to see Mickey's Castle." (because that is what the castle is to them, it's Mickey's, not princess's, sorry girls, ) Jack jumped up out of the chair into my arms with excitement.

So while it wasn't the evening I had imagined, it was perfect.

p.s. my countdown poster is incomplete, so it will be used when we get to 50 days

Hi Jessica! I'm catching up all over the place.... what a GREAT night you had! I can't see your pics yet, I will from home but I wanted to pop in to say hello

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Merry Christmasfrom my family to yours. I hope everyone has a GREAT day.

 

[that's nice]

Merry Christmas!!!! I hope it was very Magical!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!! Looks like the boys had a fun 10 day celebration! DH is at Home Depot right now getting supplies for our generator (expecting heavy snow tonight) & he's getting me some Mickey heads for our countdown!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Sorry I've been so MIA again. I really need to catch up on giving you all my planning on this PTR and reading all your PTR's and TR's.

I've been consumed with plans for the DIS Spectrum Mom trip since Christmas. I leave in just two days Trying to get everything prepared and organized for work and home during my absence and of course figuring out the way to pack for a solo trip which I haven't taken since before getting married.

Update on my family trip: The only major thing is that our Vacation Home is PAID OFF Big Bananas to that one. The curse is over (knock on wood) and we are going.

More planning updates when I return from my trip this week. Hope you all are well.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I've returned from my January trip with my new friends, and we had a GREAT time. Here is a teaser picture, but you'll have to go read the TR:

I'm now ready to kick in gear the planning for my March trip with my family. Going on this trip made me realize several things about the plans I was making, both in taking a chance on some things we had no plans to do, and really opening my eyes to some things I had hoped to do that I know just won't happen.

So I've gone back to the drawing board and my new itinerary is forming, and our first two park days are looking like this:

Sunday March 13, 2011-AK: Kiliminjaro Safari, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Finding Nemo the musical, Festival of the Lion King, Pictures with Lilo and Stitch, Tricera Top Spin-Back to house- Lunch/Swimming/nap
-Dinner @ Chef Mickey’s 5:00 pm-Epcot: Explore Canada, UK, Mexico, and Norway; Maelstrom, 3 Caballeros, IllumiNations

Monday March 14, 2011-MK: Breakfast at Crystal Palace 8:05 am
Dumbo, Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Golden
Carousel, Indy Speedway, TTA, Buzz-Back to house-lunch/swimming/nap
-DHS: TSM, Backlot Tour, Playhouse Disney, Magic of
Animation, Star Tours
Snack in park-Back to house for late dinner (?? Pizza)

 

[MRYPPNS]

Love that picture!

Glad that you are re-vamping your plans, I am too. I'm going with a less or more game plan.

PS: I don't think Star Tours will be open in March, I thought it was reopening in May. Amy?

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Jessica!!!! Welcome back! I know you ladies must have had a FABULOUS time sharing and just having fun together! I can't wait to read about all the adventures you've had!

Now, I need to go find that TR

First couple of days look great! Lots of park hopping already.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Love that picture!

Glad that you are re-vamping your plans, I am too. I'm going with a less or more game plan.

PS: I don't think Star Tours will be open in March, I thought it was reopening in May. Amy?

oh man, Well Star Tours was really just an extra if we got to it type thing, so I won't be heart broken, but I thought it would be a good way to see if Jack would like Soarin' And the things I've listed are just to give us a game plan, but it will totally depend on the mood of the boys on each given day, @ Epcot, I really just want them to see Illuminations, if we do nothing else at Epcot I'll be fine, I just thought that show was so Great.

Hi Jessica!!!! Welcome back! I know you ladies must have had a FABULOUS time sharing and just having fun together! I can't wait to read about all the adventures you've had!

Now, I need to go find that TR

First couple of days look great! Lots of park hopping already.

The TR is continuing in our PTR, so just click the link in my siggie

Yes well we decided to go with 4 day park hopper tickets, because we've had to adjust our travel plans to allow us to have a day to relax at home before going back to work/school, and after the Nashville trip we knew we would be taking a lot of stops along the drive

 

[KathyRN137]

Don't mess with the Moms!!

Reserving a day to relax/regroup/recover after vacation may seem like a sacrifice, but I know you'll be very thankful you made that choice when the time comes! I know I was. Transitions are always hard, for kids (and moms) on the Spectrum!!



Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm glad to hear you gathered some valuable information on our trip.

Love that picture!

Glad that you are re-vamping your plans, I am too. I'm going with a less or more game plan.

PS: I don't think Star Tours will be open in March, I thought it was reopening in May. Amy?

But yes, unfortunately, Star Tours is closed until May.

We're hoping to do the Jedi Training, which will be open during the referb.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Don't mess with the Moms!!

Reserving a day to relax/regroup/recover after vacation may seem like a sacrifice, but I know you'll be very thankful you made that choice when the time comes! I know I was. Transitions are always hard, for kids (and moms) on the Spectrum!!

Kathy

Yes it was a hard decision to make, and I hadn't told my Mom our plans until yesterday, but she understood having driven in the car with the boys for more than 30 min before. And understood our family needed a recovery day before returning to our regular daily happenings.

Under each Mickey head is a picture of the words on the mickey head. Each Mickey head say ____ days until __________

I'm glad to hear you gathered some valuable information on our trip.



But yes, unfortunately, Star Tours is closed until May.

We're hoping to do the Jedi Training, which will be open during the referb.

So I've taken this new information and some other things into play and re did my itinerary again, But first I wanted to share our countdown calendar.

I recycled the hard work I had started for the trip that was suppose to happen a year ago, and just re-did some of it, added some things and this is what we ended up with:

We only made 30 Mickey heads to take down, and I'll post what those are some time today, and then we had some extra pictures of things we want to do that I still used to fill in the dead space, because originally it was suppose to count down 50 days and now it's only counting down 30 days.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great countdown!

Can't wait to hear about your new plans.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

My sisters airline tickets have been booked so they will arrive Saturday evening, it is undecided at this point of who will pick them up.

So again with now having park hoppers, and keeping in mind we are 10 people all with different agendas here are the plans for Sunday March 13

Park Hours for this day are:
AK 9am-7pm
DHS 9 am-8pm
Epcot 9am-9pm (World Showcase opening at 11am)
MK 9am-11pm (with evening EMH)

With the plans to avoid EMH parks we will begin our morning in AK and end in Epcot

Someone (most likely me) will run to get EE fastpasses, while everyone else heads to Kiliminjaro Safari

My families top 5 for the morning include
1. Kiliminjaro Safari
2. Festival of the Lion King
3. Pictures with characters in Camp Minnie-Mickey
4. Finding Nemo the Musical
5. Pictures with Lilo and Stitch

Other things we'd like to see if time allows
1. Triceratop spin
2. Devine
3. Rafikis planet watch area with animal encounters

Hoping my DH can ride EE with the fastpasses at least once, as I know my Mom also has that ride on her top 5, and my sister LOVES thrill rides

Next we'll head back to the house from about 1-4pm for naps/swimming/lunch
(Mom, Dad, and Erika might hang back and explore more while the littles nap)

We have a group dinner ADR @ Chef Mickeys for 5pm

Then we'll head to Epcot
1. top priority is Illuminations which shows at 9pm, and I want to sit where I sat with the spectrum moms (while we snack on whatever treats we gather)
2. Explore Mexico and ride 3 Caballeros
3. Explore Norway and ride Maelstrom
4. Explore Canada and UK

The touring of course would take place before Illuminations, but I think my Aunt Bea might be ready to just save our place for Illuminations after we explore Mexico and Norway, the men would probably also be happy sitting and eating again whilst holding a place and the ladies and kids can go to Kidcot stops and explore the shops and take pictures. (I like the Illuminations spot cause it's in front of a bathroom and coffee stand if either is needed)

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Ok so the park hours for Monday March 14 are:

AK- 9am-7pm (morning EMH)
DHS- 9am-7pm (evening EMH)
Epcot- 9am-9pm (World Shocase opens at 11am)
MK- 9am-11pm

My family of 4 has a breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace before the MK opens

Then our top 5 are:
1. Dumbo
2. The adventure of Winnie the Pooh
3. Peter Pan
4. Small World
5. Buzz

(must insert here that Jack now thinks Dumbo is going to be scary and now asks if each ride will be slow, not dark, and not high)

If time allows
1. Golden Carousel
2. Indy Speedway
3. TTA
4. Carousel of Progress

Back to house from about 1-4pm for naps/swimming/lunch if needed
or Lunch at CHH upstairs and grab fastpasses for BTMRR

This will also be an MK evening

top 5 for MK evening
1. Jungle Cruise
2. BTMRR
3. Pirates (Joey says we are riding this first)
4. Electric Light Parade (again stealing the spot I had with the spectrum Moms)
5. Go on rides in fantasyland during Wishes

If time
1. Aladdin Carpets
2. Country Bear Jamboree

***just realized I didn't work in any dinner plans so if we don't do lunch at CHH, then we'll do dinner there, and if we stay at the park later, we might head back to house for an early dinner or I need to explore some other dining places

Also should note that we will probably spend the morning together in Fantasyland and then break from the family, or spend the morning with just the four of us and join up with family later in the day

 

[DisMomAmy]

Plans are looking good so far.

 

[MRYPPNS]

plans for Sunday March 13

Park Hours for this day are:
AK 9am-7pm
DHS 9 am-8pm
Epcot 9am-9pm (World Showcase opening at 11am)
MK 9am-11pm (with evening EMH)

With the plans to avoid EMH parks we will begin our morning in AK and end in Epcot

Someone (most likely me) will run to get EE fastpasses, while everyone else heads to Kiliminjaro Safari

My families top 5 for the morning include
1. Kiliminjaro Safari
2. Festival of the Lion King
3. Pictures with characters in Camp Minnie-Mickey
4. Finding Nemo the Musical
5. Pictures with Lilo and Stitch

Other things we'd like to see if time allows
1. Triceratop spin
2. Devine
3. Rafikis planet watch area with animal encounters

My tip for your time at AK would be to figure what time you are going to try to see both shows. I find it really hard to do more then one scheduled show in a morning. The showtimes will be about the same as when we went if you still have your Times Guide. And you could spend an hour at Rafikis between the train ride x2, the inside part and the animal petting.

Ok so the park hours for Monday March 14 are:

AK- 9am-7pm (morning EMH)
DHS- 9am-7pm (evening EMH)
Epcot- 9am-9pm (World Shocase opens at 11am)
MK- 9am-11pm

My family of 4 has a breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace before the MK opens

Then our top 5 are:
1. Dumbo
2. The adventure of Winnie the Pooh
3. Peter Pan
4. Small World
5. Buzz

(must insert here that Jack now thinks Dumbo is going to be scary and now asks if each ride will be slow, not dark, and not high)

My tip here would be to get each of the boys a glow stick....not a bracelet or necklace but the stick kind and put ribbon on the end and tie it to their belt loops (or even yours). I found this really helped Liam get thru dark parts because he could see my face from the glow of the stick!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Thanks Amy

Thanks Heidi, I was thinking about that too, with two shows and also going to camp minnie mickey during a lion king show for pictures. We'll see how much we actually get done, but we can always go back another day

Yeah I'm planning a trip to the dollar store and will be buying A LOT of glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces. We usually buy the bracelets anytime we stay in a hotel and they throw them all over the room and it makes for a nice path to the bathroom at night, lol.

More Trip updates coming momentarily...

 

[JPFamilyMom]

My sister got her park maps and information in the mail yesterday (I sent them to her) so she will be giving me their top 5 for each park sometime tomorrow, and I'm sure that might alter the plans slightly, but here are still the plans I came up with for my family:

Park Hours:
AK 9am-7pm
DHS 9 am-830pm (Fantasmic night)
Epcot 9am-9pm (world showcase opens at 11am, morning EMH)
MK 9am-11pm

Top 5 for DHS morning
1. TSM
2. Playhouse Disney/Disney Junior (thinking they might change the name)
3. Backlot tour
4. Magic of Animation
5. Pictures with characters

If time
1. The Great Movie Ride

Lunch @ ???

Back to house from about 2-5pm for naps/swimming/early dinner (grill)

MK or AK or Both

Plans for the evening are flexible, main goal is to watch Wishes

So my plan/idea for the morning is for me to run and grab fastpasses for RnR while eveyrone else heads toward TSM.

Then we'll go across the way and take pictures with Woody and Buzz, head to backlot tour (cause we can all ride together), next let the boys run around in Honey I shrunk the kids play area (Jack LOVES those movies), grab TSM fastpasses (if any are available), then the kids and I will all go to Playhouse Disney (probably with my aunt and bil) and the others will go ride ToT and RnR, then we'll go to the animation area to take pictures with characters, and I'll ride RnR with DH, and then try and ride TSM with the boys again.

Pictures I MUST have at DHS are a family picture in front of the hat, a group picture in front of the hat, pictures with woody and buzz.

In the evening I have NO PLANS the only goal is to get in a good place to watch Wishes and I'll be a happy girl

 

[MRYPPNS]

Thanks Amy

Thanks Heidi, I was thinking about that too, with two shows and also going to camp minnie mickey during a lion king show for pictures. We'll see how much we actually get done, but we can always go back another day

Yeah I'm planning a trip to the dollar store and will be buying A LOT of glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces. We usually buy the bracelets anytime we stay in a hotel and they throw them all over the room and it makes for a nice path to the bathroom at night, lol.

More Trip updates coming momentarily...

Good idea about using glows sticks as night lights in the hotel.....I'm so stealing that!