A boy’s week out..or..Mommy needs a change of (Disney)heart.

[tweeter]

A PTR for November 2012 and my first PTR, so be kind.

An introduction—there’s me, Tweeter, the 43 year old Dad who loves Disney. Only 4 trips to DLR and one commando visit to WDW. It’s been about 10 years since my last park visit and it's time to go back.

And then there’s Munchkin, aka Phineas; my 4 (going on 15) year old DS. He doesn’t realize it, but he’s been in love with Disney from month 1 when he was introduced to Winnie the Pooh; his first stuffed friend. Rocket and the Little Einstein gang was his go to show from 18 months (He loved the music). He has since graduated to Phineas & Ferb, but still visits his Little Einstein friends now and again. He is definitely getting excited about this trip.

Missing, but not completely MIA, is Mom aka Grumpy; 35 and working hard. She has time to take off, but she’s not the Disney fanatic I am, so she doesn't want to waste vacation time on a full week off. She’s given me permission to take “her baby” to Disney, but now she’s having second thoughts. That’s good for us, because she’s decided that she’d rather go, than tell us stay home. So far, it looks like she’ll fly out an meet us mid-week.

That’s us, and the guys are chomping at the bit; November 10th can’t get here soon enough.

 

[arthur06]

That’s us, and the guys are chomping at the bit; November 10th can’t get here soon enough.

Glad your going and possibly your wife going as well too.

However, November 10th is not a good day. That is the day we return home. We are there the 3rd to the 10th, so we will just miss you. Have a great time.

 

[annmarieda]

Love the intros! And the title is awesome "mommy needs a change of (disney) heart" I hope she has one! who knows... I am slowly after how many trips.. getting my dh to have one.

 

[tweeter]

Glad your going and possibly your wife going as well too.

However, November 10th is not a good day. That is the day we return home. We are there the 3rd to the 10th, so we will just miss you. Have a great time.

arthur06. Your're my first offical poster. Sorry we're going to miss you, but I hope you have a great time.

Love the intros! And the title is awesome "mommy needs a change of (disney) heart" I hope she has one! who knows... I am slowly after how many trips.. getting my dh to have one.

annmarieda. I'm glad you liked the those intros, it took lots of reading to find the right style I needed to steal... I mean.. that matched my writing style. Yea, that's the ticket.

I suspect that if anyone changes mommy's heart, it's going to be her baby. I've been trying for 10 years without much sucess.

 

[tweeter]

Today marks 90 days to Disneyland. I'm exicited and so is the little one.

I requested a planning CD from Disney, just to see what I get and it came in the mail about a week ago. I left it out, waiting for a good time to watch it. Two days ago, Munchkin picks it up and says "Daddy, it's Disneyland, we have to watch it."

The next 40 minutes, or so, was filled with "we need to see that" or "I want to ride that".

 

[DisneytheKid]

Awesome!

Today marks 90 days to Disneyland. I'm exicited and so is the little one.

I requested a planning CD from Disney, just to see what I get and I came in the mail about a week ago. I left it out, waiting for a good time to watch it. Two days ago, Munchkin picks it up and says "Daddy, it's Disneyland, we have to watch it."

The next 40 minutes, or so, was filled with "we need to see that" or "I want to ride that".

 

[annmarieda]

annmarieda. I'm glad you liked the those intros, it took lots of reading to find the right style I needed to steal... I mean.. that matched my writing style. Yea, that's the ticket.

Today marks 90 days to Disneyland. I'm exicited and so is the little one.

I requested a planning CD from Disney, just to see what I get and I came in the mail about a week ago. I left it out, waiting for a good time to watch it. Two days ago, Munchkin picks it up and says "Daddy, it's Disneyland, we have to watch it."

The next 40 minutes, or so, was filled with "we need to see that" or "I want to ride that".

That is too cool! If that isn't the type of thing that melts his moms heart, I don't know what will!

 

[tweeter]

Awesome!

DisneytheKid. It was a real blast watching Munchkin get excited about the different rides.

That is too cool! If that isn't the type of thing that melts his moms heart, I don't know what will!

It's starting to work; Mom is talking more about going than she did before. And a Bonus; I know what rides to plan for. I tried using youtube, but this DVD made it easier.

 

[NStramler]

A PTR for November 2012 and my first PTR, so be kind.

An introduction—there’s me, Tweeter, the 43 year old Dad who loves Disney. Only 4 trips to DLR and one commando visit to WDW. It’s been about 10 years since my last park visit and it's time to go back.

And then there’s Munchkin, aka Phineas; my 4 (going on 15) year old DS. He doesn’t realize it, but he’s been in love with Disney from month 1 when he was introduced to Winnie the Pooh; his first stuffed friend. Rocket and the Little Einstein gang was his go to show from 18 months (He loved the music). He has since graduated to Phineas & Ferb, but still visits his Little Einstein friends now and again. He is definitely getting excited about this trip.

Missing, but not completely MIA, is Mom aka Grumpy; 35 and working hard. She has time to take off, but she’s not the Disney fanatic I am, so she doesn't want to waste vacation time on a full week off. She’s given me permission to take “her baby” to Disney, but now she’s having second thoughts. That’s good for us, because she’s decided that she’d rather go, than tell us stay home. So far, it looks like she’ll fly out an meet us mid-week.

That’s us, and the guys are chomping at the bit; November 10th can’t get here soon enough.

As a Mom, I can not imagine missing my kids first time to Disneyland... With kids, vacations are now something that you make memories with... and what better place than Disneyland!!! Enjpy your trip!!

 

[tweeter]

As a Mom, I can not imagine missing my kids first time to Disneyland... With kids, vacations are now something that you make memories with... and what better place than Disneyland!!! Enjpy your trip!!

NStramler. I think Mom is coming around. She realizes that Munchkin will only have one "first" visit to Disneyland. We went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago and she begged out of that, choosing to visit her brother instead. Just as we are leaving, Munchkin asks "Mommy, will you go to the zoo with us?". It broke her heart, because she wanted to be with him. But her aversion to the zoo won out. The Munchkin and Dad had a wonderful time at the zoo. Mom had fun visiting her brother too.

 

[tweeter]

So we’ve covered the who, now the why.

In May this year, we did a short vacation/long weekend in San Diego and got to visit Legoland. Munckin loved the whole trip. Dad however, felt he didn’t really get a break from work. Stresses build and Dad decides, it’s time for a vacation…again.

I’ve been reading about the holiday time at Disneyland for a while and decided it was time to see it for myself. Besides, if we plan it just right, we could celebrate our birthdays at the same time. Funny thing with those, Grumpy is first in line, then 3 weeks to the day it’s my birthday and exactly three weeks after me is Munchkin’s birthday. We’ll be visiting Disneyland during my birthday, but I’m sure Munchkin and Grumpy won’t mind celebrating a little early/late. Besides, Munchkin will be beside himself happy walking around with a birthday pin either way.

 

[rokstedy]

Today marks 90 days to Disneyland. I'm exicited and so is the little one.

I requested a planning CD from Disney, just to see what I get and it came in the mail about a week ago. I left it out, waiting for a good time to watch it. Two days ago, Munchkin picks it up and says "Daddy, it's Disneyland, we have to watch it."

The next 40 minutes, or so, was filled with "we need to see that" or "I want to ride that".

I got a planning video when we were looking to possibly visit WDW. I ad to get rid of it. It's like going food shopping on an empty stomach.

 

[tweeter]

I got a planning video when we were looking to possibly visit WDW. I ad to get rid of it. It's like going food shopping on an empty stomach.

rokstedy. I can see where you're coming from.

On the other hand, I've been searching the DISboards looking for the best rides (for a soon to be 5 yo) and a plan to see them all. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

 

[annmarieda]

I love that you added some pics! Munchkin is just too cute.

Birthdays in Disney are THE BEST! You are all going to have so much fun wearing your bday buttons!!!

 

[tweeter]

I love that you added some pics! Munchkin is just too cute.

Birthdays in Disney are THE BEST! You are all going to have so much fun wearing your bday buttons!!!

Thank you, it took me a while to find the right pictures. Then it took just as long to figure out how to post them.

I'm really looking forward to the Bday button. I've read that it gets a little bit extra attention, so I'm expecting Munchkin to have a really fun day.

 

[annmarieda]

Thank you, it took me a while to find the right pictures. Then it took just as long to figure out how to post them.

I'm really looking forward to the Bday button. I've read that it gets a little bit extra attention, so I'm expecting Munchkin to have a really fun day.

It does get a bit of attention...especially at restaurants. In WDW when on the dp, it is overkill... a bday dessert on top of the dessert that comes with the meal? I did have one restaurant give me champagne instead... and that was a special treat. In the parks, I think the wee ones get more attention than the not so wee (my teenage son barely got a "happy bday")

Lots of attention...little attention... it is all good since celebrating a bday in Disney is the BEST!

 

[tweeter]

For those following along, I did figure out how to add pictures, so the introduction has been updated; in case you’d like to see the cast.

So.. we plan to start our trip early Saturday morning (November 10th) to get a good start on our 12 hour drive. With a lunch stop in Phoenix, and an unknown number of stops for the dreaded “Daddy, I have to go potty”, I’d say we can be on the road for 2 or 3 hours longer than the planned 12.

Now, I’m sure we’ve all had the desire to stay “On site” at Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian or the Paradise Pier. I’ve been looking at those prices and saying we can do it, because I really want to experience that atmosphere. But the budget won out; I found the Castle Inn at about 1/3 rd the price. We’ll have atmosphere, just not the Disney kind. Besides, if Google maps is to be believed, it’s only about 10 steps further than PP, right?

I’ll flesh this out over the next few weeks, but here’s a summary of what we’re looking at. We plan on getting 5 day hoppers. Sunday will be a character meal, most likely Goofy’s Kitchen, then explore Griffith Park and maybe Hollywood. Monday would be DL. Tuesday would be DCA. Wednesday and Thursday are up in the air. Friday will be DL since the Storybook land canal boats and Casey Jr. railroad will be open. Not to mention, Friday is our Birthday day.

Mom has also made her decision and she’ll be joining us on Wednesday. That may change our plans slightly; we’d make the tickets a 4 day hopper and make Wednesday a non park day. Maybe try to go see the shuttle Endeavour at its new home.

 

[annmarieda]

For those following along, I did figure out how to add pictures, so the introduction has been updated; in case you’d like to see the cast.

So.. we plan to start our trip early Saturday morning (November 10th) to get a good start on our 12 hour drive. With a lunch stop in Phoenix, and an unknown number of stops for the dreaded “Daddy, I have to go potty”, I’d say we can be on the road for 2 or 3 hours longer than the planned 12.

Now, I’m sure we’ve all had the desire to stay “On site” at Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian or the Paradise Pier. I’ve been looking at those prices and saying we can do it, because I really want to experience that atmosphere. But the budget won out; I found the Castle Inn at about 1/3 rd the price. We’ll have atmosphere, just not the Disney kind. Besides, if Google maps is to be believed, it’s only about 10 steps further than PP, right?

I’ll flesh this out over the next few weeks, but here’s a summary of what we’re looking at. We plan on getting 5 day hoppers. Sunday will be a character meal, most likely Goofy’s Kitchen, then explore Griffith Park and maybe Hollywood. Monday would be DL. Tuesday would be DCA. Wednesday and Thursday are up in the air. Friday will be DL since the Storybook land canal boats and Casey Jr. railroad will be open. Not to mention, Friday is our Birthday day.

Mom has also made her decision and she’ll be joining us on Wednesday. That may change our plans slightly; we’d make the tickets a 4 day hopper and make Wednesday a non park day. Maybe try to go see the shuttle Endeavour at its new home.

I didn't realize you were driving. Will it just be you and your son driving? You are brave

Sounds like plans are starting to come together nicely!

 

[tweeter]

I didn't realize you were driving. Will it just be you and your son driving? You are brave

Thank you!

Actually, Munchkin does very well on car trips. I've gone to visit my brother several times with just the two of us in the car (4 hour drive) and we (Dad, Mom and Munchkin) drove to San Diego back in May (10 hour drive) with only one small problem just as we got to our hotel. Munchkin and I will drive out to DL and Mom will join us on the way back. The plan is to take it one hour at a time and plan for several stops; both ways.

By the way, we are now 64 days out and I only have 4 days to complete my calendar. I only have to glue it all together, so I'm sure it'll be done in time. I'll be posting pics early next week.

 

[tweeter]

Today is 60 days from the start of our trip. Excitement is waning, just a little, but I have completed a 60 day countdown calendar to boost that excitement.

It took a few hours here and there to complete the steps so I thought I'd share of few of those milestones with you.

Tracing and cutting the Mickey Heads was about the most fun, because 4 yo Munchkin kept saying "Daddy you're not cutting right, let me show you."

Okay, all cut out and ready to put together.

Allright, I've got those Mickey Heads glued together and attached to the central wheel; now it's time to show the final product.

Here's a close up off the top half.

And a little closer to see the detail in the numbers. On each day (i.e. 60) we'll turn the Mickey Head around for the next number to display (i.e. 60 becomes 30, 59 becomes 29, etc.) The color pattern will change and the countdown will move smoothly from 60 all the way to 1.