January 2013

[EpcotIsMyFave]

Wow! I just found this thread and I am 50 days out! (49 actually, since we are driving to the airport in Chicago the night before since we have a 6:05 AM flight)

We are going the 22-30 of January and staying at Pop on the s/p/d deal, upgraded to the regular DDP after seeing the cost of a meal at CRT!

This is a surprise for the kids and we are telling them on Christmas day - I can't wait, I am so very excited!!!!!!

 

[mickeyplanner]

They did the ceramic activity, you buy a piece($3-$5) paint it and they will tell you to pick it up later after they put it in their kiln. Both our DD's really like rubbing. AKL has two or three 4' brass circle imbedded in their lobby floor with african symbols, plants and animals engraved on it. You just ask a CM for some paper and crayons and then lay the paper over a part of the circle and lightly rub the crayon over the paper and whatever you put the paper on will start showing up on the paper as a picture. Hint; take the paper off the crayon and rub using it on it's side. We had all 4 of us sitting in the middle of the lobby floor doing this It makes a very unique souvenir
I would also highly recommend doing the night vision, it is also free. Google aklresort and they have a copy of the animal list that the resort gives out and a lot of good info. Have a great time. Only 32 days before we will be back at the world

Thanks for all the tips, we will be back in 34 days and we got our Mickey Mail over the weekend.

 

[Echo queen]

If I'm mistaken, hope someone can correct me, but as best as I can remember, the Magical Express tickets are a separate thing from what most folks refer to as "Mickey Mail". Mickey Mail consists of a booklet that includes your a reservation summary sheet that includes the names of the guests included in the package along with the lodging ressie and park pass information. It will also include air travel summary and car rental vouchers as well as some other coupons and vouchers that's included as your Magic Your Way Package. Finally, the mailing will also include some Disney themed luggage tags to help you label your luggage BUT is different and separate from your Magical Express Tickets.

My understanding is that the Magical Express tickets arrive first. Then the Mickey Mail and in some cases, the Mickey Mail may not arrive until 2-3 weeks prior to your arrival date. Also, if you did not book a vacation package (such as those who book room-only ressies), you will not receive the Mickey Mail.

Hope this helps!!

Everything came together this time for me, so they do change it sometimes. Past visits I did receive 2 separate mailing as you describe above.

 

[letthewookiewin]

So excited to be going back! My sister and I are having a girls only weekend Jan 18-21st. We're staying at POR Royal Guest Room River View! SO EXCITED!!

& added
A girls weekend sounds like so much fun!!

Wow! I just found this thread and I am 50 days out! (49 actually, since we are driving to the airport in Chicago the night before since we have a 6:05 AM flight)

We are going the 22-30 of January and staying at Pop on the s/p/d deal, upgraded to the regular DDP after seeing the cost of a meal at CRT!

This is a surprise for the kids and we are telling them on Christmas day - I can't wait, I am so very excited!!!!!!

& added
Have you decided how you are telling them on Christmas day? I can't wait to hear how excited, I'm sure they will be. Heck, if someone did that for me on Christmas, I would be.

 

[mom of lil princess]

Everything came together this time for me, so they do change it sometimes. Past visits I did receive 2 separate mailing as you describe above.

Mine came today in the mail and luggage tags and booklet were all together..

 

[Penguin312]

We received our ME packet on Saturday and then luggage tags and package info today. A month and a few days. I can barely contain the excitement.

 

[mickeyplanner]

To add to the excitment of our upcoming January trip, we received the 2013 Planning DVD in the mail today.

 

[haPevraftr]

Awesome!!! We leave in 24 days!!!!!!!

 

[niffer5150]

32 days left to go and i'm dying to get our mickey mail. this is awful. everyday I rush to the mail box only to find it chock full of disappointment. how do you kill time and distract yourself? I swear im worse than a 6 year old on xmas eve.

 

[letthewookiewin]

To add to the excitment of our upcoming January trip, we received the 2013 Planning DVD in the mail today.

That is awesome!! I think I'll order one for our June 2013 trip.

 

[SgtsWifeandmommyof4]

I know we are all counting down the days now. YAY!! Im so excited for our trip and for everyone that is about to embark on magical adventures of your own! I wanted to ask a question if I may. My family has only taken 1 vacation before. We drove for 27 hours to MA when DH came home from Afghanistan last time. Packing was eh. lol I only had 3 kids, it was still pretty warm so summer clothes were small and in full swing. Ive begun packing but man am I overwhelmed! We have another baby now and while his clothes are small, he comes with so much stuff!

My question is, do any of you have a system for this? Oh and I should mention this trip is a surprise so packing has to be in secret......which makes things harder.

 

[kdog_1981]

I know we are all counting down the days now. YAY!! Im so excited for our trip and for everyone that is about to embark on magical adventures of your own! I wanted to ask a question if I may. My family has only taken 1 vacation before. We drove for 27 hours to MA when DH came home from Afghanistan last time. Packing was eh. lol I only had 3 kids, it was still pretty warm so summer clothes were small and in full swing. Ive begun packing but man am I overwhelmed! We have another baby now and while his clothes are small, he comes with so much stuff!

My question is, do any of you have a system for this? Oh and I should mention this trip is a surprise so packing has to be in secret......which makes things harder.

You can always do laundry at the resort. I did this last time and worked out great!

 

[SgtsWifeandmommyof4]

Very true. I cringe to think about opening 4 bags of boys clothes when we get back. It would be nice to clean everything the night before and just have them put their things away when we get home.

 

[mickeyplanner]

That is awesome!! I think I'll order one for our June 2013 trip.

I agree that you should order one to help pass the time for June. Who doesn't like getting mail from Disney? Go for it.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I agree that you should order one to help pass the time for June. Who doesn't like getting mail from Disney? Go for it.

My DH b/c he thinks it's filling my head with more ideas for more trips.

 

[EpcotIsMyFave]

& added
Have you decided how you are telling them on Christmas day? I can't wait to hear how excited, I'm sure they will be. Heck, if someone did that for me on Christmas, I would be.[/QUOTE]

We are going to have a balloon in a box with a note attached to the ribbon and (hopefully!) it will pop up when they open it. I do need to figure out how to get a helium filled balloon on Christmas Eve... We are also including a countdown chain in the box a well so they will know exactly how many more sleeps! I am so excited I can't stand it! I know my DH will be thrilled when they know so I'll have someone else to talk to about it!

 

[mickeyplanner]

My DH b/c he thinks it's filling my head with more ideas for more trips.

All the more reason to order

 

[jrtoastyman]

I do need to figure out how to get a helium filled balloon on Christmas Eve...

Party supply stores sell miniature disposable helium tanks that are just intended to fill a small number of balloons, not very expensive at all. You might even be able to find them at Target/Walmart.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I am getting so excited!! 37 days!! Got most of the ADRs we wanted-trying a few new places this trip-Raglan Road, CRT, Tusker house dinner, and still trying to get a late morning breakfast to Chef mickeys on our departure day. If I knew what park the kids would want to goto that morning, I'd just make a breakfast ADR there, but my inner freak-planner is going to try not to stress about it. maybe one will open up, or we can find one that week.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Party supply stores sell miniature disposable helium tanks that are just intended to fill a small number of balloons, not very expensive at all. You might even be able to find them at Target/Walmart.

That's what I was thinking. I don't know about Target, but I have seen the small ones at Wal Mart. Then you could have a Mickey one and green and red ones.