A Tale from Two Sisters---May/June 2012 PTR ***Link to TR--6/13!!***

[mindystar]

The Bare Bone Basics of this vacation:
We leave on May 26th to head down to WDW. We will return back home on June 4th. We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort

The Cast:
Oldest Sister/Me aka Sleeping Beauty aka Aurora aka Briar Rose (not my fault she had so many aka’s ) Everyone at work will ask at the beginning of the year when my WDW trip is and where am I staying. This will be my 15th trip

Middle Sister/Co-Author of this PTR aka Cinderella. Married PC at the Wedding Pavilion and has had the joy of bringing her own children down to the Magic. This will be her 16th trip.

Brother-in-Law aka Prince Charming (PC). Went once with his family as a child, and now he’s drank the Disney Koolaid This will be his 9th trip (that’s 8 trips in 6 years--stinker!!!)

Oldest Niece aka Ariel will have just turned 4 during the week we leave. This is her fourth trip (well one was in the womb ) She has also went to Disneyland when she was one.

Middle Niece aka Minnie Mouse will have just turned 2 during the week we leave. This is her 2nd trip to the World.

Baby Niece aka Marie will be just 5 months old and on her very first trip to the World!!!

Little Sister aka Snow (White) has been to both MNSSHP and MVMCP many times, and has gone on so many trips I have no idea what her total is

Mom/Grandma aka Tink saved for two years for our first Disney World vacation and now half of her wardrobe consists of WDW t-shirts. We guesstimate that she has been on the most trips of us all.

Dad/Grandpa aka Peter Pan (PP) is as big a Disney World fan as we are. He researches trips on the internet looking for good deals so he can squeeze in another trip to WDW in the year. He loves all the thrill rides and no I don’t know how many numerous trips he’s been on either.

Left to Right: Snow, Cinderella, Aurora, Tink and PP

PC and Cinderella on their Honeymoon

Ariel loving on her doggie

Minnie Mouse

Baby Marie

Our Past Trips:
1993 (CR Garden Wing) our first trip as the original family (the Fab Five) [Tink, PP, Aurora (14), Cindy (10) and Snow(7)] to WDW. What was suppose to be a once in a lifetime trip!!!

1996 (Poly) was our second trip as the Fab Five. Guess we were bit by the WDW bug

1997 (offsite ) for PP’s birthday and I had just graduated high school. Our third Fab Five trip, back when the castle was a Cake.

1999-(CR Theme Park View) The fifth Fab Five vacation at WDW...remember when it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip that first time. Now it’s in our blood!

2000 (CSR) Cinderella’s Future Educators of America Convention, where she also played tour guide to her fellow club members.

2002 (AKL Savanna View) Where the two younger sisters slept in bunk beds and we watched giraffes and other animals graze from our deck The Fab Five’s 6th trip!

2005 (CR TPV) Fab Five’s 7th trip, the last one before we hook in another person to our addiction.

2005, Labor Day (All Star Sports/CSR) Tink and PPs 25th Ann and Cinderella joined them to look at wedding and reception venues, and also to set a wedding date for her and PC with their Wedding Coordinator.

2006, Feb (Poly) PP gave up his spot on this Wedding Planning trip so that I could join in the fun. So it was the girls and PC tasting cakes, picking colors, and sneaking in some Park time as well.

2006, May (GF and CR-Concierge) Cinderella and PC’s Wedding, Reception and Honeymoon. Cinderella’s Bachelorette Party was a park hopping day with Snow, myself and the Bridesmaid. Tink, PP, Snow and myself had our summer vacation after their wedding day.

2006, Labor Day (Dolphin Resort) Cinderella and PC wanted to make good use of their wedding gift from Disney, their AP.

2006, Dec. (CSR) Cinderella and PC spend the week after Christmas and ring in the New Year (at EPCOT).

2007, April (POR) Fell in love with this new (to us) resort. This time it was just Tink, PP, Snow and I on our family vacation.

2007, Dec (CSR) My first Christmas time in WDW. Tink, PP, Snow and I attended two MVMCPs and enjoyed all the Christmas decor

2008 (Poly) The Fab Five were reunited with a bun (Ariel) about to pop out of the oven.

2009, March (POR) Snow came down with me to celebrate my 30th Birthday. I wasn’t taking the turn into the next decade too well, but knew WDW would make the transition easier Plus it was nice to get away from the snow on the ground to my favorite type of weather in the high 60s.

2009, May/June (GF and Pop) Our first three generation family trip, with Ariel out the tummy and just turned one

2009, August Tink, PP, Cinderella and Ariel visited Disneyland and California Adventure.

2010, June (CR) Tink and PP were going down by themselves originally. Then they invited to take Cinderella, Ariel and a newly hatched Minnie, but at the last minute they decided not to. That’s when I invited myself to go in their place, the day they were leaving and from my place of work. I’ve never packed so fast in my life (methodical and overpacker extraordinaire )

2010, Dec (POR) Cinderella, PC, Ariel, and Minnie left the day after Christmas to enjoy the Holidays at Disney. Minnie’s first trip and both girls first New Year’s at WDW

*Tink and PP have had many Anniversary celebrations and other vacations to WDW that we can’t keep track of. Even Snow has had many more trips down that we can’t recall all of them.

Next Up:
More Detailed Plans of our 2012 WDW Family Vacation

Chapters:
[post=44500184]First Leg of Journey[/post]
[post=44562272]Day 3 of Vacation or 1st Full Day at WDW and AK[/post]
[post=44580620]Day 4 of Vacation or EPCOT[/post]
[post=44601330]Day 5 of Vacation or MK[/post]
[post=44740349]Day 6 of Vacation or Rest Day[/post]
[post=44893935]Day 7 of Vacation or 2nd Day at EPCOT[/post]
[post=44917412]Day 8 of Vacation or 2nd Day at MK[/post]
[post=44944845]Final Leg of Journey[/post]



[post=44517891]Littles' Outfits and a Countdown Poster[/post]
[post=44652198]Changing of the Resorts[/post]
[post=44680567]Disney Nights-First Installment[/post]
[post=44777645]Countdown Calendar[/post]
[post=44830505]Planning, Packing and Purchases[/post]

 

[MHTeacher]

I'm here! Looks as if we're going to be there around the same times!

Your family looks as if you all have a lot of fun together, and your little nieces are adorable!

Your little sister (Snow) looks familiar. Does she DIS, and if so, has she ever written a trip report where I might have seen her picture?

Looking forward to hearing more of your plans!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I'm in! We're there for part of the same time, too! Can't wait to read more!

 

[mindystar]

Your family looks as if you all have a lot of fun together, and your little nieces are adorable!

We do have fun, especially on our vacations I know, aren't the littles cute

Your little sister (Snow) looks familiar. Does she DIS, and if so, has she ever written a trip report where I might have seen her picture?

Snow doesn't DIS, Cinderella and I do. I attempted, and did not execute, a TR back in 2006 for Cinderella's wedding. Cinderella attempted, and did not execute, a TR for their December 2010 trip We think two of us might be able to handle a whole PTR and TR together. . .it's our goal, even if it takes all summer So back to your question, you may have seen Snow in one of our TRs

I'm in! We're there for part of the same time, too! Can't wait to read more!

Glad to have you here along for the ride with us

 

[mindystar]

Bags will be packed and we will be more than ready to go on Saturday, June 26. We will do the last turn for each of our Countdown Calendar and Chains. We will load up our caravan (of two vehicles) and start heading out at 4 am Aurora will be in the vehicle consisting of four adults (Tink, PP, Snow and myself). I will be snoozing along the way, trying to stave off motion sickness, while Cinderella works to keep the three Littles happy.

On our way to our first night's stay we plan to stop for "cooler breakfast" and "cooler lunch". Ahhh, reminds us of vacations when we were younger. Stopping at the rest stops, eating fruit and Little Debbie breakfast and then for lunch was sandwiches and individual chip bags and snack pack puddings. Then we got to run around for awhile and do races, empty our bladders and back in the car.

After about 11-12 hours just consisting of drive time, not including rest stops and such, we will arrive at our halfway mark to Walt Disney World. Now we can swim and relax before hitting the sack to be back up and on the road at 5 am the next day. Ahhh, sleeping in

Day 2 will be basically the same thing, except this time we will end our day at WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!! Whoo hooo As we enter into Florida we will probably stop by the Visitor Center, enjoy some juice and snap a few pictures by the sign! Before making it to that Magical place we may stop for some Dunkin Donuts, or we will load up on some on the drive back home.

We will be checking into our resort, Port Orleans Riverside This will be Cinderella's second stay here and Aurora's third. Cinderella will be picking up her stroller that will be delivered to the resort, and Aurora is thinking about having some staples, like bottled water, delivered by Garden Grocer.

After settling in our room, or tossing our bags inside, we can head out to explore the resort, including the pools. We plan to use a CS (oh yeah, we're all on the Plus Dining Plan for this trip) and eat over at POFQ's Sassgoula Floatworks and Food Factory. Tink and PP have eaten here, but the rest of us have not. I'm looking forward to trying a Po' Boy or build your own salad, they sound good. I've also heard rave reviews of the beignets, and that's really want I want to try! This will give us all a chance to stretch our road weary, and swollen feet, and the Littles to run off excess energy.

Then we'll head back to our Vacation Homes, as Ariel loves to call them, and settle in for the night. We'll make sure to get plenty of rest for our first full day in the World, starting at AK!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Cooler breakfast and cooler lunches? I love it! We also had those when I was a kid--but I didn't know to call them that! That's great! I can remember my mama getting up early to fry chicken and then put it in the cooler. Then we would stop for lunch, and eat chips and cold fried chicken!

 

[mindystar]

Cooler breakfast and cooler lunches? I love it! We also had those when I was a kid--but I didn't know to call them that! That's great! I can remember my mama getting up early to fry chicken and then put it in the cooler. Then we would stop for lunch, and eat chips and cold fried chicken!

Mmmm. . .what delicious memories of your own cooler lunches Even though, as of late with all adults in a vehicle, we sometimes just grab drive-through for lunch on the way down, there's nothing like a cooler lunch to seem like going on vacation to me!!!
We do grab dinner from a fast food joint and eat at the hotel on the night down and back. This time I'm hoping to eat from Chik-Fil-A once (we don't have one near us) and hopefully they have a Peach Shake. Mmmm, those are good, esp considering I don't like eating peaches plain.

 

[magickingdom]

Hi everyone! This is Cinderella and I thought I would add a couple more things to our PTR. I'm on spring break and have been working on a few things for the trip! I have been working on organizing the girls outfits with the help of Sleeping Beauty and creating our countdown poster that will go along with the chain Sleeping Beauty found for us on Esty! Here are some pics of the poster (I will post the finished product later) and just a few of the outfits the girls will be wearing!

Ariel and Minnie have this matching outfit for one of our Epcot days

Ariel and Minnie also have this matching for our last MK Day

This is a MK outfit for baby Marie

Here is a close up of a hair "pretty" made by a friend of mine and Ariel and Minnie also have matching ones with their initial

Ohana outfits for the littles

Park Fare outfit for baby Marie

MK outfit for baby Marie

And lastly an outfit for Minnie to wear to MK (it was part of her halloween costume). Here's of pic of them at Halloween

Ok and here's the poster making pics...

I have also been looking up new ideas for road trip activities for toddlers, so I may post later about that. Up next along with day 2 Sleeping Beauty and I will share some pics of our 1st Disney themed party to get us excited for the trip!!

 

[mindystar]

Awww. . .I didn't see those pics. Minnie looks adorable making her poster. I had went to Hobby Lobby to get some supplies for our countdown calendar (though I still don't know exactly what I'm going to do ) and when I reached for a light blue poster paper, Ariel said she needed a pink one. You know, because pink is her favorite. I didn't know what I was going to have her do with it, but am glad she got to put it to good use and that Minnie got to help out and work along her big sister.
We have been making countdown calendars since our first WDW trip. It sparked it all. Have made everyone for our trips (including me) to WDW, from a basic one to scrapbooking pages that we read one each day. Have done them for our Hawaii trips, and our trip up that included a second cousin's wedding, Niagra Falls, D.C., Hershey Park, and something else too. . . We loved doing our Hallmark mouse one for Christmas it has become tradition since 1993 to do one for our family vacations as well. And I still have each and everyone stored downstairs safe and sound I just can't seem to part with them
Can't wait to read more. . .oh wait that's me that has to help write it--yipes

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I love the outfits, the poster-making, and the big ol' countdown poster!! Those are terrific!

"Cooler lunches"! We do those, too! We won't on this trip, since Brian likes to drive overnight, but I'll definitely have snacks and stuff for the trip down!

 

[magickingdom]

Even though I (Cinderella) am posting this, it was actually written by Sleeping Beauty (so not to get confused)

This day we will be heading out to Animal Kingdom in the morning. We plan to make sure that we get to Kilimanjaro Safaris and ride Dinosaur. For lunch Tink and PP like to eat at Flaming Tree BBQ, and the rest of us plan to eat over at Restaurantasaurus. We’ve never eaten there, but are looking forward the pails for the girls’ lunches and the different food fare here. After we dine we’ll take the Littles over to the Boneyard to play.

After having some fun in Dinoland, USA we’ll head back to the resort so the Littles can take their naps. Who am I kidding, so us old people can rest; and those of who are as pale as vampires don’t burn to a crisp. We may also have time to take a dip in the pool before needing to clean up and be “nice and pretty” (remember the old soaps in WDW resorts that had Mickey saying that?) to head over to the Poly.

Tonight we have reservations at ‘Ohanas. We’ve eaten here before, for breakfast and dinner. In fact Cinderella and PC had their rehearsal/welcome dinner here as well We are hoping that they are running a little behind so that perhaps at the end of our dining experience we can be eating the bread pudding and watching Wishes! After a late evening for the Littles we’ll sleep in a little before heading out tomorrow to Future World.

 

[mindystar]

Cinderella has changed her resort. She pretends that because she has three little ones who will be just 4, just 2 and 5 months that she needs something closer to the parks, with less transport time between park and room. They were originally going to stay at this resort and then moved over to where I was staying. So I guess technically she's changed back
It's a monorail resort. . .
It'll be baby Marie's first resort and the same as our first resort. Even though the decor is totally different (is it bad I miss the old decor? )
Almost six weeks left!!!!!
Need to catch up on everyone's PTRs, sorry busy week and now halfway through my work week

 

[magickingdom]

CONTEMPORARY!!! Yay, we are so excited!!!!

 

[magickingdom]

After sleeping in a bit and then getting ready we will head over to EPCOT. Today we are going to concentrate our touring efforts on Future World. When we reach the park we will head over Sunshine Seasons for lunch. Our family enjoys eating here, especially the half chicken platter with choice of sides. Don’t think they offer that choice anymore, so we’ll see what we like from their plethora of choices for the palate. The desserts though. . .yummy! I think I may have to try the strawberry shortcake for all the rave reviews its got!

Then we’ve got an afternoon full of must do’s. Like Living with the Land, Soarin’, Seas with Nemo and Friends, Captain EO and Spaceship Earth. We’ll also need to make sure that we head over to the Innovations side where we, as Disney Visa Cardholders, can get pictures with some of the characters and then get a free print as well. We also can’t forget to stop into Club Cool for my favorite drink. . .the Beverly. I’m not sure why it gets such a bad rap. Of course, I’m kidding, and will be stopping in here to get a frozen Coke instead. I’ll be wishing it was Pepsi, but that’s just not going to happen. Fond memories of the Frozen Coke machine in the CR that you could fill up your refillable mug with and suck down in your room.

Then we will head back to The Land, not far from where we started our day, and dine with Chip and Dale at the Garden Grill. This will be a first for everyone in our family.

After eating, pictures and autographs we will retreat back to our Vacation Homes. Everyone needs to rest up for the BIG, LONG day tomorrow!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Love 'Ohana-and of course just walking through the Poly!

Your AK and EP Future World days sound fun.

I've never tried the strawberry shortcake either. But this trip I think I'm going to take care of that!

 

[mindystar]

Love 'Ohana-and of course just walking through the Poly!

I love the Poly too. . .it's my favorite resort out of all the ones I've stayed at! Pretty sure I could just eat at Poly for the whole trip

Off to read your PTR now

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

So cool that y'all will be at the Contemporary! I completely agree with you--I could make it the whole trip and just eat at the Poly!

 

[mindystar]

The longest day ever. . .LOL!!! This will be our first Magic Kingdom Day Today we will be there at the opening and closing of the park. Minnie has her first haircut appointment at Harmony Barber Shop at 9:30 am. Sleeping Beauty has already pre-ordered the PhotoPass so we plan to get plenty of pictures taken by the PhotoPass photographers. We may even upgrade to the PhotoPass+ if I can get enough donations Then we can get the pictures at our character meals that offer pictures, as well as some ride photos. Sharing pictures will be easier among us and cheaper for prints this way

In the morning we plan to hit Fantasyland hard. We are looking forward to watching Mickey’s Philharmagic, riding Dumbo, it’s a small world, Winnie the Pooh, Goofini’s Barnstormer, Peter Pan’s Flight and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Lunch will be at a counter service. I’d like to try Columbia Harbour House, since I’ve never ate here and I hear such great reviews about it

Then Ariel will get her birthday present from Tink and PP at the real Cinderella’s Castle right before 1 pm. She will be treated to the Castle Package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! During this time her younger sisters will return to their room for nap time. After the princess has taken her royal photo session, she too will retire to her vacation home to relax before heading into a fun packed evening.

After enjoying some down time we will head over to 1900 Park Fare for dinner at 6:35 pm. Minnie will come in her Minnie outfit that she will get from Sleeping Beauty for her birthday. It’s a cute minnie shirt from tar-jay and a minnie tutu skirt from etsy. I got her some minnie sunglasses for Easter, and will probably get her the new hot pink minnie ears in WDW. Ariel will come in her new Princess dress from her boutique experience earlier in the day. We are hoping for Suzy and Pearla instead of the Stepmother and Sisters, but know it will probably be the three instead of the adorable mice. Sleeping Beauty was going to get the two recent Birthday Girls a chocolate slipper, but Tink had a surprise and so the slipper would just be too much sweets in a short amount of time.

Once we are done dining with Royalty we will head back over to the MK. Tink wanted to do something for all of us that would be new for all of us on this trip. So we voted on the Tomorowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party. Our reservation time is for 9 pm and fireworks that night is at 10. Hopefully were not too full from dinner so that we can graze on the sweet offerings. Then we will let the emotions Wishes! brings out wash over us. Ah, I remember watching Wishes! from that exact same spot for free. Hopefully no group will jump in front of us right before the show begins, since that sometimes would occur

After Wishes! is over we will begin to depart the park. Some only hopping the monorail to reach their sleeping quarters, while the rest of us brave the bus system. A BIG (long)day for the littles!!! (who are used to being in bed by 7:30 pm)

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Sounds like a wonderful MK day!

DS had his first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop. I loved the experience. . .him not so much. He screamed through the whole thing! But, once it was over, he thought the haircut was a good idea!

The Wishes dessert party looks like lots of fun!! We may have to do that sometime!

 

[mindystar]

DS had his first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop. I loved the experience. . .him not so much. He screamed through the whole thing! But, once it was over, he thought the haircut was a good idea!

Ariel had her first hair cut here too. . .and her second. In fact she thought that's where she was suppose to go when it was time for her hair cut earlier this year, what a disappointment to just go to a regular old hair salon I also had my hair cut here twice, both to cut off hair for locks of love. Loved the "fairy dust" even if most of it came out during Splash Mountain!!!

For the Dessert Party I'm most looking forward to the chocolate covered strawberries. Even though they're not rare nor exotic, they remind me of Cinderella's wedding and the ones we had there