The Whole Family is FINALLY Doing WDW Right since 2007 ~ An August PTR at AKV & BLT

[Nemo32]

Welcome, welcome! (Did anyone else hear Effie Trinket's voice? )

Nemo32 here, or Katie, and this is my 4th TR, but the most exciting because it includes my whole Dis family in its entirety for a real, legit WDW trip since like 2007!

We are going August 10th-17th and are staying at AKV and BLT! Two firsts for me This trip will be my 9th to WDW. I have been in August before, but thankfully, it rained a lot so I didn't experience the full heat August has to offer - kinda scared for that.

So, without further delay...the cast of characters...

Me, Katie (24)...I'm the one front row, white jacket hiding from the Dinosaur - gets me every time.

DStepmom, Joyce (jjohnson), DSister, Elise (16), me (yes, eyes closed) and DFather, Ken

DBrother, Richard (18) and DBrother, Kenneth (15)

DSister, Elise (16) and me

And DStepmom again, because she helped me find the path to Disney

Ok...so that's us...now, I say this is our first legit trip since 2007 because I've been to WDW since, but it was with others, or only one family member or only for a few days with the whole family. Let's chronicle those trips...if you like lots of photos in your TRs, you're in luck with me btw.

My first WDW trip was in 2006 with my family. I had been previously when I was a child, but only to MK, as if that's actually visiting WDW! Sadly, no photos from either of those.

Our next was in 2007 during June...

All of us at Hoop-dee-do-Revue (one of my favs)

Joyce and Elise on our girls' night in MK

Me and Elise as well

A better picture of Kenneth

And all four kids

And this was our last real trip together. After that I went in 2008 (in May), 2009 (in January for like no waits on lines!) and 2010 (in December for Disney Christmas and my Birthday!) with (then) DBF. C'est la vie.

However, prior to the 2010 Christmas/Birthday trip, I popped down to WDW for 4 days as my family was staying 8 days. I don't count this is as a real, full WDW trip because I arrived, blinked and was already heading home.

Since our first trip together, Elise has become a vegetarian and gets special treatment from the chefs...this is at O'hana

Being silly...

And being August, it rained...

And rained...

The rain actually made for the best day in MK - everyone else left or was hiding under awnings. At one point, me, Elise and Kenneth said, "Why bother?" and walked around the park without ponchos or anything. I'm hoping it rains when we are there in August to cool it down and make for some empty parks.

And lastly...this past September, Elise and I went down to WDW for THREE days. It was a whirlwind, but well worth it...except for me having to ride around in an ECV. I had sprained my ankle like two days before leaving. I got very used to those stares from people who probably thought, "What's wrong with her?" But as we know, you can walk miles and miles in WDW - my ankle would not have held up.

The ECV itself...

A silly EE photo

A surprise FP (my first!)

And we got to see some Halloween decorations going up around MK

Ok, I'm written out...next time will be our itinerary with ADRs. I promise lots of photos, esp. of food for you food porn addicts! with the added bonus of a vegetarian in tow and some picky eaters (mainly DFather) and two extremely organized planners trying to take time to slow down (me and Joyce).

Thanks for reading!

PS ~ Any thoughts on a better title?!
PPS ~ Any advice on surviving August?!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PTR
INTRODUCTIONS http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45546242&postcount=1
Disboards app?! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45559796&postcount=8
Itinerary http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45569916&postcount=13
My Park Bag http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45594491&postcount=18
Two weeks! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45626818&postcount=27
ADRs http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45636735&postcount=32
DVC Sundown Mingle! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45687827&postcount=38
Packing List!!! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45696118&postcount=41
More Dooney! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45715486&postcount=48
Our Favorites and Must Dos! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45720409&postcount=53
I Can't Sleep...I'm Too Excited! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45773944&postcount=60

TR
We Are Back!!!! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45857988&postcount=64

 

[jjohnson]

20 Days today!!!!
I'm hoping for a bit of rain again too. Really wasn't too bad last time.

I love seeing all the past trip pictures. Everyone looks so much younger (including me)

 

[Nemo32]

20 Days today!!!!
I'm hoping for a bit of rain again too. Really wasn't too bad last time.

I love seeing all the past trip pictures. Everyone looks so much younger (including me)

But we all get better with age! YAY FOR 20 DAYS!!! And what are you doing on the Dis when you should be working...

 

[holleypie]

if you like lots of photos in your TRs, you're in luck with me btw.

Looking forward to hearing about your plans! It looks like you have a fun family. I haven't done a summer trip yet so they fascinate and terrify me.

 

[Nemo32]

Looking forward to hearing about your plans! It looks like you have a fun family. I haven't done a summer trip yet so they fascinate and terrify me.

Glad you're here and thanks for reading! Summer trips are fun with the right planning as it can be hot and crowded. I myself have been spoiled by going recently in September, December and January - best time imo.

 

[teekathepony]

Wow, you're really close already! I'm jumping on board too, looks like a good trip!

 

[Nemo32]

Wow, you're really close already! I'm jumping on board too, looks like a good trip!

Welcome and thanks for reading!

 

[Nemo32]

So, while I am waiting to finalize our ADRS to update you with an itineray etc. there is a side note...I discovered just yesterday there is a Disboards app! Where was I???

This means I won't miss a beat while in WDW and could pop in to say hi! I'm not sure I could handle a live TR, but the access to the Dis will be awesome. So behind in the times.

I promise an itinerary with ADRs tomorrw - we are in the process of moving some things around, so please hold

Also, I saw as a great idea on a few other TRs, people list their favorite parks, rides, etc...so, stay tuned for that!

Thanks for reading!

PS ~ A table of contents has been added in Post 1 for easy navigation. I am still trying to figure out how to set-up links. I'll get there!

 

[teekathepony]

PS ~ A table of contents has been added in Post 1 for easy navigation. I am still trying to figure out how to set-up links. I'll get there!

Omg, it took me forever to figure out how to do the links to chapters, so if you like I can pass along what I learned...
In your posts, there is a number in the top right corner (in the blue bar above your post) Click that number and it will open just that post in a new window or tab. Then you can take the url and use it in your chapter links so that when everyone clicks the link, it takes them only to the exact post you want it to.
Hope that helps!

 

[Nemo32]

Omg, it took me forever to figure out how to do the links to chapters, so if you like I can pass along what I learned...
In your posts, there is a number in the top right corner (in the blue bar above your post) Click that number and it will open just that post in a new window or tab. Then you can take the url and use it in your chapter links so that when everyone clicks the link, it takes them only to the exact post you want it to.
Hope that helps!

Sweet! I'll give it a try! Thank you, thank you!

 

[BearcatsFan]

I'm here too!

Looks like Teeka beat me to giving you the how-to's on doing links. Can't wait to read more details - your trip is sooo close!

 

[Nemo32]

I'm here too!

Looks like Teeka beat me to giving you the how-to's on doing links. Can't wait to read more details - your trip is sooo close!

Welcome! and thanks for reading! 19 days today!

 

[Nemo32]

Ok...still waiting to solidify ADRs, etc. But we have lots of good places planned. In the meantime, here is our park itinerary - I will spare you the hour-by-hour itinerary I've created (unless you're into that sort of thing?). Usually I have a master binder with a week overview, including all park hours, shows, parades, etc. and then a daily itinerary AND that daily itinerary printed out on index cards for easy travel to the park!

Anyway...

Fri. 8/10
Arrive at MCO 2:30pm
AK for a laid-back evening...I will personally try and squeeze in seeing my bf (rumor has it he IS a girl?!), the Yeti. He misses me. I feel it

Sat. 8/11
MK during day and for lunch
Rest
EP - the DFather and DStepmom will go elsewhere while the young folk peruse WS and get some Illuminations in

Sun. 8/12
AK during day and for lunch
Rest while others will do Blizzard Beach mini-golf
MGM (I refuse to say DHS, sorry) plus Fantasmic!

Mon. 8/13
EP during day and for lunch
Rest
DTD

Tues. 8/14
Switch to BLT
YES Program - I have selflessly volunteered to take them...just to get into the park early!
MGM during day and for lunch
Rest
EP/Top of the World

Wed. 8/15
MK during day and for lunch
Rest
MK for Wishes (my personal fav)

Thurs. 8/16
MGM during day and for lunch
Rest
Top of the World

Fri. 8/17
MK during day and for lunch
Go home (sadness)

So, that's the rough of it...I promise to update with ADRs as soon as our ducks are in a row! But as you can see, it is looking to be a very chill trip, no commando here...but those are always one's famous last words...

 

[jjohnson]

Elise doesn't approve of the pics of herself...typical 16yo

 

[Nemo32]

Elise doesn't approve of the pics of herself...typical 16yo

TOO BAD

Girls will be girls!

 

[jjohnson]

She's also plotting for us to do EMH MK the first night

 

[Nemo32]

she's also plotting for us to do emh mk the first night

so down!

 

[Nemo32]

We all have our park bag of choice and usually I go with the Donner bag, but...

...for this trip I have chosen fashion over practicality for my park bag.

Yes, for Christmas I received the Dooney & Bourke WDW bag...mine is the lime green one. I specifically asked for lime green so that fellow Dis'ers might be able to spot me!

It should be fine for holding the essentials. It will also be comfy and hassle-free as it is over the shoulder. Totally practical! Just have to figure out where to put that poncho for the afternoon rain...

 

[jjohnson]

I'll have plenty of room in my Donner bag

 

[Nemo32]

I'll have plenty of room in my Donner bag

Oh good, you can put my poncho in there as well