Sometimes things don't always go according to plan TR! (8/27-9/1) UPDATED 9/7

[VACamm]

Just when I thought I was done I booked H&V Play n Dine breakfast on our Hollywood Studios day (Thursday, 8/30), mainly for the littles. I just know that they'll have fun with Oso, June, Handy Manny and Jake And the older kids always appreciate a good buffet I hope I'm not overdoing it...we'll be eating dinner there the same night for Fantasmic! seats. We've eaten dinner there before, but never breakfast. I'm actually looking forward to it! And it will get us into the park before opening (8:00 am, HS opens at 9:00 am) so hopefully we won't take too long and get a head start on the rides.

I also received a photopass in the mail today (I guess that's the extent of my "Mickey Mail" since I only booked a room- we are using Armed Forces Salute tickets, will be driving to WDW and are not on the DDP). I'm thinking about pre-ordering the Photopass + though...I need to make up my mind soon because I need to do it at least 14 days before our trip

What makes the Photopass worth all the money?? Am I missing something?

 

[mommys3]

What makes the Photopass worth all the money?? Am I missing something?

It's only worth it if you use it. Yes it is pricey, but we take as many pictures as we can with the PP photographers. I know we can ask them to take pictures with our own camera but I love the magic shots they take. And I also love that you can edit and add disney borders, etc. We'll be doing BBB and they have PP photographers there. We are also doing Akershus, but the prints already come with the price of the meal. My kids usually like to purchase the ride photos, so if we do get PP+ we will take full advantage of it!

 

[pas130]

Just when I thought I was done I booked H&V Play n Dine breakfast on our Hollywood Studios day (Thursday, 8/30), mainly for the littles. I just know that they'll have fun with Oso, June, Handy Manny and Jake And the older kids always appreciate a good buffet I hope I'm not overdoing it...we'll be eating dinner there the same night for Fantasmic! seats. We've eaten dinner there before, but never breakfast. I'm actually looking forward to it! And it will get us into the park before opening (8:00 am, HS opens at 9:00 am) so hopefully we won't take too long and get a head start on the rides.

I also received a photopass in the mail today (I guess that's the extent of my "Mickey Mail" since I only booked a room- we are using Armed Forces Salute tickets, will be driving to WDW and are not on the DDP). I'm thinking about pre-ordering the Photopass + though...I need to make up my mind soon because I need to do it at least 14 days before our trip

Yay for Mickey Mail...H&V buffet was my DHs favorite BTW. Not so crowded, yummy food, and TSM FP at 9am

I bet they will have a blast with grandma



It's the Disney Artist Collection for Target. If your MIL knows that you love Disney...I'm sure she's already seen it and scooped it all up! And I'm sure you'll be adding to your Food Challenge count by your next trip...all the more reason to go back to WDW

I am sure they will have fun. My DD7 said to me that Gramma is bringing marshmallows so DH & I are allowed to go to the WL campfire

And I agree, Gramma probably bought out most of the collection for back to school already

I'm gonna try to get my foodie on this trip. When it's hot I don't eat much...but there's snacks & desserts

 

[VACamm]

It's only worth it if you use it. Yes it is pricey, but we take as many pictures as we can with the PP photographers. I know we can ask them to take pictures with our own camera but I love the magic shots they take. And I also love that you can edit and add disney borders, etc. We'll be doing BBB and they have PP photographers there. We are also doing Akershus, but the prints already come with the price of the meal. My kids usually like to purchase the ride photos, so if we do get PP+ we will take full advantage of it!

That makes sense for your family for sure then !!! . I guess I'm lucky enough at my dad is coming with us and is an amazing photographer.

 

[mommys3]

I'm gonna try to get my foodie on this trip. When it's hot I don't eat much...but there's snacks & desserts

Awesome...I cannot wait to hear the reviews of all the snacks and desserts you try (always looking forward to adding on to my challenge list )! And you don't have to share them with the kiddos...jealous!

That makes sense for your family for sure then !!! . I guess I'm lucky enough at my dad is coming with us and is an amazing photographer.

That is awesome I am the "photographer"- and I use that term loosely - so it always helps when there is a third party willing to take a picture of all of us

 

[pas130]

Awesome...I cannot wait to hear the reviews of all the snacks and desserts you try (always looking forward to adding on to my challenge list )! And you don't have to share them with the kiddos...jealous!

And explaining to the kiddos why they can't try Mommy's yummy smoothie

 

[mommys3]

And explaining to the kiddos why they can't try Mommy's yummy smoothie

so true!

 

[mommys3]

I cannot believe it...21 more days until we arrive in WDW. So these past few days have been dragging by slooooooowly, but the mailman has been good to me We received our pins that we ordered from ebay and outfits from Etsy (still waiting on 2 more tops).

First off...the pins

Close up of B's

and J's

I bought a lot of 25. Now I knew that there was a risk that we were purchasing "scrappers" (or counterfeits) by going through ebay. Per the fake disney pins 101 ebay guide- When Disney contracts with a company to make a pin, a mold is made. Once the pin is manufactured, many times the mold is not destroyed but it's used again by Chinese companies to make "seconds." These pins are usually of a lesser quality than the originals, and are NOT AUTHORIZED by The Disney Company. I did my research and tried to purchase through a reputable seller with almost 100% feedback. Unfortunately, we still received a few scrappers which I did not add to their lanyard. They were lighter (in weight) than the other pins, the edges were not smooth, different colors, misprints, etc. All in all, there were about 10 that were scrappers

Here is the bag of scrappers

Oh well. Lesson learned. I told J and B that they could buy one more pin when we get there to make up for mommy's boo-boo. On to the rest of the goodies!

Here are my shirts- the mickey one I purchased at WDW a few years ago. The Big Bad Wolf I bought last week and is from the Disney Artist Collection exclusively for Target.

Here are two of I*'s dresses that I bought from etsy, both from the same seller. It is absolutely adorable on! I know that the UF one is not "disney" but she'll be wearing it at the AK...and hey, gotta represent daddy's college! GO GATORS

and the matching bows

Here is her Monsters Inc outfit. I* used to wear her hair in pigtails all the time and wherever we went, people would comment that she looked just like Boo! She doesn't get it as much lately since I stopped putting her hair in pigtails, but they will be in pigtails when she is wearing this outfit! I hope to get a picture of her with Mike and/or Sulley in this outfit!

And the back of the skirt

I bought a few shirts for J. Perry shirt is from the disney store and the grumpy shirt is from Target.

B's Minnie dress from etsy, she picked it out herself

And her 2 shirts from Target

And B got her free haircut courtesy of JCPenney!

It's shorter and lighter, perfect for the hot and humid FL weather. And she wanted bangs- which is nice because now her hair is out of her eyes! The boys got their hair cut too, but did not want their picture taken

 

[mommys3]

It was bound to happen I've had a change of plans. I had originally made an appt. for BBB on our MK day. It was supposed to be B (crown package) and J (knight package). After doing a little research, I figured that the Pirates League would probably be a better fit for J (since he's 9) and B (she's not really a "girly" girl ). So I asked them which one they wanted to do. I showed them what each place offered and after little thought- they chose the Pirates League! Luckily they had a 12:30 pm slot on our MK day. I'm kind of upset that B won't become a princess (although she'll always be my little princess ) but I'm sure she'll make a lovely mermaid

 

[mommys3]

DAY FOUR- Thursday (8/30)

*Wake up by 6:30 AM
*Leave ASMovies by 7:30 AM
*Arrive at Hollywood Studios
*ADR @ 8:00 AM for Hollywood & Vine Play n Dine breakfast
*sign the kids up for Jedi Training Academy, run to Toy Story Mania for FP and ride before crowds get there
*try to ride Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller coaster if the lines aren't too bad
*lunch at Sci-Fi @ 11:20 AM
*Rides/Shows
*Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun parade @ 3:00 PM
*more Rides/shows
*dinner at Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic! dining package) @4:50 PM
*the rides/shows that we haven't done
*Fantasic! @ 8:30 PM


There's a first for everything

*Jedi Training Academy- keeping my fingers crossed that I can get the kids signed up early enough to participate!

*Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun parade- my kids love the Disney/Pixar movies

*Toy Story Mania- really looking forward to riding this!

*Red Velvet cheesecake AND/OR Butterfinger cupcake from Starring Rolls....cannot wait to get my hands on one of these!!!

*Beauty and the Beast- haven't had the chance to watch this show, so I'm hoping that time allows for us to catch this one

Must-dos at Hollywood Studios

*Tower of Terror- B's favorite ride, and J is willing to ride it for the first time!

*Rock 'n' Roller Coaster- B and J's first time!

*Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure- time for the kids to burn off some energy, and something the littles can enjoy

*Disney Junior Live- a must do for I* and her cousin!

*Voyage of the Little Mermaid- I love this show!

*Muppet Vision 3D- ever since watching the movie, my kids love the Muppets

*Star Tours- haven't ridden it since the refurbishment!

*Lights, Motor, Action!- we never miss this show!

*Fantasmic!- perfect way to end the day

 

[DisneyGator13]

Joining in!

Your trip is so soon and you have it planned out so well! Here's hoping I'm able to plan that well for my November trip.

Those dresses are absolutely fantastic (especially the Gator one)! Your daughter is going to look absolutely adorable in all your pictures.

 

[pas130]

It was bound to happen I've had a change of plans. I had originally made an appt. for BBB on our MK day. It was supposed to be B (crown package) and J (knight package). After doing a little research, I figured that the Pirates League would probably be a better fit for J (since he's 9) and B (she's not really a "girly" girl ). So I asked them which one they wanted to do. I showed them what each place offered and after little thought- they chose the Pirates League! Luckily they had a 12:30 pm slot on our MK day. I'm kind of upset that B won't become a princess (although she'll always be my little princess ) but I'm sure she'll make a lovely mermaid

She'll be a Pirate Princess

I just booked appts for jcp on monday!!!!! all 3 girls FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mousemommy1 posted pics of her 2 DDs after their makeover....I think on the RC thread...so cute....let me find them

 

[mommys3]

Joining in!

Your trip is so soon and you have it planned out so well! Here's hoping I'm able to plan that well for my November trip.

Those dresses are absolutely fantastic (especially the Gator one)! Your daughter is going to look absolutely adorable in all your pictures.

Thank you! and Looking forward to reading your PTR

She'll be a Pirate Princess

I just booked appts for jcp on monday!!!!! all 3 girls FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mousemommy1 posted pics of her 2 DDs after their makeover....I think on the RC thread...so cute....let me find them

YAY for free haircuts B was looking at the Empress package, but decided to go with the Mermaid (I think because of the nail polish ). Either way, she'll rock it

 

[pas130]

YAY for free haircuts B was looking at the Empress package, but decided to go with the Mermaid (I think because of the nail polish ). Either way, she'll rock it

But of course she will

 

[blancah76]

Reading your PTR is getting me so excited about our trip

Love that list of food you found. I've got to print that out, so many things to try. I'm up for the challange as well

 

[pas130]

So I tried 4 more things on the list...bring the total to 18...but I liked everything

 

[mommys3]

Reading your PTR is getting me so excited about our trip

Love that list of food you found. I've got to print that out, so many things to try. I'm up for the challange as well

and thanks for reading along Yes, definitely print that list out! I am looking forward to checking off more goodies in 12 more days

So I tried 4 more things on the list...bring the total to 18...but I liked everything

Yay!!! So what did you end up trying?

I will be updating my PTR soon...I've been so busy with the kids, college, trying to get the house in order, and most importantly pack for our trip in 12 more days

 

[pas130]

and thanks for reading along Yes, definitely print that list out! I am looking forward to checking off more goodies in 12 more days




Yay!!! So what did you end up trying?

I will be updating my PTR soon...I've been so busy with the kids, college, trying to get the house in order, and most importantly pack for our trip in 12 more days

12 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!!!

Oh and we checked out the Pirate's League...we will DEIFINITELY do this for the kids next trip!!!!

My new foods from WDW...

Soft Pretzel & German Beer – Sommerfest
Hamburger and Fixins – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Lobster Roll – Columbia Harbour House
School Bread – Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

German Beer, we didn't like, but the pretzel was YUMMY!!!
School Bread was thrown out....but don't go by me, I don't like Dole Whips either

At Pecos Bill I highly recommed the BBQ Pulled Pork as well

 

[mommys3]

12 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!!!

Oh and we checked out the Pirate's League...we will DEIFINITELY do this for the kids next trip!!!!

My new foods from WDW...

Soft Pretzel & German Beer – Sommerfest
Hamburger and Fixins – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Lobster Roll – Columbia Harbour House
School Bread – Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

German Beer, we didn't like, but the pretzel was YUMMY!!!
School Bread was thrown out....but don't go by me, I don't like Dole Whips either

At Pecos Bill I highly recommed the BBQ Pulled Pork as well

I am so excited about the Pirates League...a bit disappointed about not doing BBB, but maybe my little girl will want to do it next time

Ok, so I can count out the beer and lobster roll (don't like either ), but I am definitely looking forward to trying School Bread. You don't like dole whips??? That is something you don't hear every day...I guess I'll have to eat an extra one just for you

 

[mommys3]

Friday, Aug. 31

Since Thursday is our last park day (yes, we only got 4 day park hoppers ), we will be checking out of ASMovies Friday morning...but wait....checking in to the Polynesian It will be our first stay there AND our first time staying Club Level To say that this is the best day of my life is an understatement (of course, other than the birth of my babies...and oh wait, marrying my husband - which is why we are staying at the Poly CL! An early anniversary present to ourselves ). Before checking in at the Poly, we will probably hit DTD, do some shopping, and eat at the Earl of Sandwich LOVE LOVE LOVE that place. Ham and swiss After DTD, check out the Poly, enjoy what the CL has to offer, swim if time allows, and then we have a 5:15 PM ADR at 'Ohana This is my husband's one request at WDW and of course I am more than happy to oblige! I originally had a later ADR (8 something) but someone had mentioned that watching Wishes from the CL or on the beach is the way to go. After 'Ohana, we plan on getting our swimming suits/trunks and swimming that big meal off When we get to our room (which reminds me...I need to contact IPO and make sure everything is good to go), we should have some goodies waiting for us! I ordered chocolate strawberries and a fruit/cheese tray to celebrate our anniversary I was going to order a cake, but not a good idea after a huge meal. And then I was going to add a bottle of champagne or wine with the fruit/cheese tray, but why do that when we can get cordials from the CL lounge