Our First Magical Family Vacation-May 2014

[feistygalkmc]

I absolutely LOVE reading others trip reports here so I decided to start a PTR of my own finally! Mostly to record ideas, get suggestions and like I mentioned on another thread....keep my anticipation at bay

So here goes...

Cast of characters
Me (32), DH (35)

My favorites
Park: Magic Kingdom/Epcot-hard hard choice
Ride: Tie between RNR or TOT & Soarin
Restaurant: Kona Café (before the menu change last year lol)
Disney Movie: All of them!
Character: Esmeralda, Jasmine, Evil Queen (queenie in our house) and Snow White

DH most excited about (this is his first trip)
Park: Epcot
Ride: Expectation Mountain aka EE (family joke here)
Restaurant: Flame Tree BBQ
Disney Movie: The Rescuers (really....wow...just asked him this...interesting...)
Character: Goofy


and now for the whole reason for this trip 3 years in the making (will get to that more in a bit)
our DD (17 months old as of now)
introducing....Macie Mouse

Also her first trip and she just doesn't really get it yet so Mama will fill in for her
Park: Sure to be Magic Kingdom
Ride: probably Dumbo or Aladdins flying carpets
Restaurant: anything with CHEEEEEE (her word for cheese, she IS a mouse at heart after all)
Disney Movie: well....her attention span right now is that of a 1 year old after all....She really likes Up! , Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and will watch some of Little Mermaid. (however she will sit for 30 minutes and watch Harry Potter??) LOVES Disney JR, Sofia the first, Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and starting to like Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Also very partial to Good Luck Charlie? She is a sweet girl with strange tastes? lol
Character: EEEEEENIE (this is Queenie aka Evil Queen), Minnie, Snow White and the Dalmations


Now we are all warm & fuzzy let me tell you how this trip came to be. Hopefully in less than 200 words...I will try
So 2 years ago DH and I thought hey next year lets take a Disney trip. Truth is...I was jonesing and BAD! My last most recent trip was a solo in Dec. 2010. So we had planned to ear mark our tax return the next year for our vacation at CBR. Well.....a few months later, I found out I was pregnant so trip was put on hold. Fast forward to earlier this year, the company I work for merged with a larger company and I was offered a 'stay' bonus. I immediately thought..yes yes yes! Just had to do whatever I could to get that bonus so we can go on a much needed vacation. So, here we are to make a long story short. I was offered a position with the new company and I get the bonus right before our trip in May.

I immediately also knew for a fact I wanted to stay at AOA Little Mermaid section. So now for our dates, I had originally planned Mon-Fri but then I thought what the heck! I have the bonus that I have worked and am still working hard for and I deserve a little R&R. So our official dates are 4May-10May. Also, we are driving all the way from Oklahoma, I calculated the savings and it is tremendous as opposed to flying from here. We plan on leaving during the wee hours of 3May and we will arrive sometime on 4May. We have the QSDP (I like it mostly for the fact that our meals are pre-paid and I didn't want to wrestle with ADR's for this trip.) and park hoppers. Only reason I did hoppers is because typically AK or HS are not full day parks for me. Our method is to see if Macie falls asleep in the stroller and do our child ride swaps at that time for the bigger rides. If not, no big deal we will just do ride swaps while she is awake. I have some things to keep her occupied (more on that later). Not sure travelling back to the resort will work for us so we are going to test it out with the stroller nap and see how it goes.

This is my fifth trip, DH & Macie's first trip so I am very excited to show them everything WDW has to offer! (and prepared for meltdowns, temper tantrums, etc etc etc.) Based on what I have been reading up on, I'm going to keep my philosophy of don't overplan but have a loose style plan. IE, plan for the park not what I'm doing in that park, then let the good times roll!

 

[missbecca]

Following along! We will also be at Disney World (and the AoA!) during May 5-May 10!

 

[lsenquiz]

I'm in! Your DH made a good choice with Flame Tree BBQ as his restaurant choice. It is my favorite CS meal. I predict you will have good luck with your little one taking naps in the stroller mid-day and always think that is a better option than heading back to the resort (unless your resort is within walking distance of the park you are in). Can't wait to see the rest of your plans.

 

[feistygalkmc]

Following along! We will also be at Disney World (and the AoA!) during May 5-May 10!

Can you believe it is so close?! I have a count of days at work (I only technically count Mon-Fri at work since those are the hardest days to get through!) that I need to update.

I'm in! Your DH made a good choice with Flame Tree BBQ as his restaurant choice. It is my favorite CS meal. I predict you will have good luck with your little one taking naps in the stroller mid-day and always think that is a better option than heading back to the resort (unless your resort is within walking distance of the park you are in). Can't wait to see the rest of your plans.

I think the stroller option will work best for us as well. That is if I can get her to nap! We went to disney store this last weekend to exchange one of her Christmas gifts and Dh let her out of the stroller to roam around and it was hard to keep up with her! She was running all over the place and he said her little heart was just beating so fast she was excited. I keep showing him pics of food and Flame Tree always comes up and he always loves it. It's just ok to me, something in the sauce I just don't care for but he is excited to get into those ribs.

So glad I have some readers and welcome!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[feistygalkmc]

Now for a mini update, DH had to come into work early and I DO NOT WANT TO START WORKING RIGHT NOW lol So I am not going to.

I have had a few DISigns made and plan on making us some shirts. DH really isn't into it, so I've found him a few here & there on clearance at the Disney store. Also found myself a really cute Aladdin shirt at Target and a LM shirt from Disney store. One that I really want is this one

I am really trying hard to lose some pounds or at least inches before our trip. Still working on that extra baby weight I have so I am using this shirt as my present to myself if I can hit my goal before May.
we plan on going clothes shopping before the trip, get DH some cargo shorts and myself some capris. I really hate wearing shorts in the FL heat/humidity. I prefer the capri option. And for little Macie, I have a couple of cute dresses picked out on Etsy, one for AK and the other an Esmeralda dress. I thought it would be cute to have our own little photo shoot in the Esmeralda dress.

Now onto the subject of BOWS......oh my! Etsy is my best friend & worst enemy. I am going to limit myself on these, I have found some really cute bows through Mickey Waffles and some other Etsy vendors so I think it will suit me best or order some of the mini versions then the regular size esmeralda bow. Here are some of the bows I have picked to order.

From WidgetsandRibbons

from GirlieQs

From Mickey Waffles
Also going to order some minis from Mickey Waffles in Jasmine, Evil Queen, Snow White maybe and not sure on the other characters on that for now.

Oh yes, I think I may order this shirt for me also

So that's it on clothes for now. I feel like I'm going overboard with the clothes & bows and I probably am, but I know that having a few new things makes you feel good while you are on vacation. Oh and we are going to do the ziploc bag pack mostly for Macie. I know that is a big big thing here on the dis and it truly does seem best. Just pull out a ziploc with the outfit and all accessories. perfect!

 

[anniebabymu]

Following along!! So happy to see another May 2014 PTR! Love reading them, but really love reading the ones from people who are going around the same time as me!

I'm loving the bows!! Adorable!

 

[anniebabymu]

Oh and we are going to do the ziploc bag pack mostly for Macie. I know that is a big big thing here on the dis and it truly does seem best. Just pull out a ziploc with the outfit and all accessories. perfect!

We've done the "ziploc method" for our girls the last two trips to Disney... and I will never pack another way for them! It was great just being able to pull out a baggie and throw it to them and everything was there!

 

[lsenquiz]

The bows are so cute. We are taking my great niece with us for our September trip and I would love to do bows for her but at 2 years old she still doesn't have much hair. Do you know if they make these bows with the bands instead of clips? I will have to check Mickey Waffles site out.

I do not think it is possible to go overboard on cloths for a Disney vacation (and this is coming from a person who rarely buys cloths for herself throughout the year). The way I look at it the pictures that we take while at Disney are a HUGE part of the trip. A part that will live on forever. Therefore I want to like what I am wearing in them. So I say go for it with the cloths!!!!

I have never done the ziplock packing. Don't the cloths get wrinkled?

 

[missbecca]

I am loving on that Little Mermaid bow with the dinglehopper!!! Completely adorable!!!

 

[feistygalkmc]

Following along!! So happy to see another May 2014 PTR! Love reading them, but really love reading the ones from people who are going around the same time as me!

I'm loving the bows!! Adorable!

Welcome! I do the same thing and also love reading TR now that have a toddler around the same age.

We've done the "ziploc method" for our girls the last two trips to Disney... and I will never pack another way for them! It was great just being able to pull out a baggie and throw it to them and everything was there!

It really seems like the best method to pack. Maybe not so much for us as adults? I usually have a mix/match wardrobe when I travel. Some specific shirts and different bottoms that can be worn multiple times if needed with a quick wash.

The bows are so cute. We are taking my great niece with us for our September trip and I would love to do bows for her but at 2 years old she still doesn't have much hair. Do you know if they make these bows with the bands instead of clips? I will have to check Mickey Waffles site out.

I do not think it is possible to go overboard on cloths for a Disney vacation (and this is coming from a person who rarely buys cloths for herself throughout the year). The way I look at it the pictures that we take while at Disney are a HUGE part of the trip. A part that will live on forever. Therefore I want to like what I am wearing in them. So I say go for it with the cloths!!!!

I have never done the ziplock packing. Don't the cloths get wrinkled?

For the bows I think it only says alligator clips or French barrettes but I'm sure that they could make it with a band instead if you send a special request. For the packing, I've never done it that way either but I don't think they could get anymore wrinkled than what they would be folded up in the suitcase?

I am loving on that Little Mermaid bow with the dinglehopper!!! Completely adorable!!!

I thought it would be so cute to go with her LM shirt that I'm going to make. Would be perfect for our first day since we are staying in a LM room.

 

[feistygalkmc]

OH what a day it has been! Work is so frustrating, making home life stressful (due to my mood) so I figured what the heck, I'll come on over to disboards and do a little reading & typing while we watch Coven.

So lets see, we have cast of characters, a little clothes/packing planning, lets go for a few ideas that I have been thinking about but I just can't make my mind up on it.

First up....leashes. Now, let me preface this with saying I DO NOT like the way the leashes look for the kids. But we actually mentioned to Macies Doctor that we were going to WDW and she suggested the leash. Her kids are much older now but when they went on a family vacation years ago she used the leash. She said they don't look as bad now and it is good for them to run around on their own but this way she doesn't get lost. Now Macie LOVES to walk around, in the store, outside, wherever so I am a little more open to them. Anyone used one? If so which ones do you suggest?

Shoes....I am really digging these shoes. Plus they are comfortable, lightweight and not too bad of a price. Thinking about the black/hot pink or the black/white

What else? Oh! Camera, I have a Canon Rebel XT which is several years old and we were wanting a newer camera. So before we go on our vacation we are going to pick up this bad boy. The Canon Rebel SL1, I had thought about purchasing a more expensive model but I think we are going to go with this one due to the price. I just didn't want to spend that much. One thing about my current DSLR is the weight of it, I have small hands so I this one fits perfectly. And it is also lightweight! So because of this I don't think I am going to purchase the Memory Maker. I just think Macie is too small for this right now and it is a lot of money extra. Now, I love love the borders you can pick, but is it really worth that? Not sure?

Now that's all over with, how about some food! Like I mentioned before we have just booked the QSDP mostly for the convenience sake but there are some places and some meals that I really must try or have again lol So here is my list of food/snacks that I can't wait to sink my teeth into!
Pop food court (figured since it is so close....) Crispy Chicken Alfredo..just so good!
Yorkshire Fish Shop-need I say more?! Love their fish, chips I can take them or leave them but the fish.
Sunshine Seasons-I've had the Chicken here before and it was decent but I want to try something else here and I like the variety for us.
Tamu Tamu-the spicy beef taco/sandwich/whatever you want to call it thing looks just yummy!
BOG (lunch)-The pork dish looks awesome so this is going to be my first FP+ that I attempt to book on March 5.
Landscape of Flavors-Surf & Surf burger looks great! I love crabcakes and I love shrimp.
Columbia Harbor House-the shrimp dinner.....mmmmmmmm
Caseys-just for French fries and the melty plastic cheese!
Earl of Sandwich-Best BLT 100% certified. I attempt to make this at home all the time but there is something in their mayo that I just cant get right.
Cookes of Dublin-I'm interested..possibility here
Contempo Café-also interested and would be a nice short break from the park

Snacks-
Dole Whip-ok so confession, I am a scentsy consultant and I have found that if you blend a cube of Simply Vanilla and a cube of Havana Cabana you have yourself a dolewhip. Needles to say, I've been warming that one about every other weekend lately it seems.
Egg Rolls-so silly, nothing special about them. But they just taste so much better at Disney
cupcakes-I could split a cupcake or two
Any of the flower & garden festival booths.

So you will notice that I don't have anything really from HS that I'm dying to eat. That's because I just don't find anything there with QS or snacks all that enticing?

I guess that's about it for now. I have a plan (sort of) for the parks. But since I don't have office on this computer at home, I can't see them. What I can tell you is first day=MK and last day=MK. This is always the way I begin and end my trips so I figure why break tradition? {now maybe it could be that I have Disney on the brain but I could swear they just said hurry, go get your tickets at epcot on Coven lol }

 

[feistygalkmc]

Ok for those that watch Coven....she did say take these tickets to Epcot! yay!

 

[anniebabymu]

I have never done the ziplock packing. Don't the cloths get wrinkled?

You'd be surprised! They aren't any worse doing it this way than doing it the normal way! I fold all their clothes really neatly and then put them in the bag. I then (mostly) close the bag and roll from bottom to top to get all the air out, similar to a space bag, then I close the little bit that was left open! Then I unroll them... get's pretty much all the air out and saves space!

 

[anniebabymu]

First up....leashes. Now, let me preface this with saying I DO NOT like the way the leashes look for the kids. But we actually mentioned to Macies Doctor that we were going to WDW and she suggested the leash. Her kids are much older now but when they went on a family vacation years ago she used the leash. She said they don't look as bad now and it is good for them to run around on their own but this way she doesn't get lost. Now Macie LOVES to walk around, in the store, outside, wherever so I am a little more open to them. Anyone used one? If so which ones do you suggest?

I guess we're lucky because our girls never leave our side! We've never taught them "stranger danger" or anything, but somebody they don't know comes around and they're both glued to my side! So I've never even contemplated getting a leash!

Now that's all over with, how about some food! Like I mentioned before we have just booked the QSDP mostly for the convenience sake but there are some places and some meals that I really must try or have again lol So here is my list of food/snacks that I can't wait to sink my teeth into!
Pop food court (figured since it is so close....) Crispy Chicken Alfredo..just so good!
Yorkshire Fish Shop-need I say more?! Love their fish, chips I can take them or leave them but the fish.
Sunshine Seasons-I've had the Chicken here before and it was decent but I want to try something else here and I like the variety for us.
Tamu Tamu-the spicy beef taco/sandwich/whatever you want to call it thing looks just yummy!
BOG (lunch)-The pork dish looks awesome so this is going to be my first FP+ that I attempt to book on March 5.
Landscape of Flavors-Surf & Surf burger looks great! I love crabcakes and I love shrimp.
Columbia Harbor House-the shrimp dinner.....mmmmmmmm
Caseys-just for French fries and the melty plastic cheese!
Earl of Sandwich-Best BLT 100% certified. I attempt to make this at home all the time but there is something in their mayo that I just cant get right.
Cookes of Dublin-I'm interested..possibility here
Contempo Café-also interested and would be a nice short break from the park

Snacks-
Dole Whip-ok so confession, I am a scentsy consultant and I have found that if you blend a cube of Simply Vanilla and a cube of Havana Cabana you have yourself a dolewhip. Needles to say, I've been warming that one about every other weekend lately it seems.
Egg Rolls-so silly, nothing special about them. But they just taste so much better at Disney
cupcakes-I could split a cupcake or two
Any of the flower & garden festival booths.

Now you're just making me hungry... I'm pretty bummed we'll be missing out on the F&G Festival by a few days... sooooo yummy last year!

So you will notice that I don't have anything really from HS that I'm dying to eat. That's because I just don't find anything there with QS or snacks all that enticing?

I find that we usually end up at ABC Commissary due to their table space... although, this time I really want to go over to Pizza Planet because my littlest is a Toy Story freak and we've never been there! I'm also wanting to try something (cupcake) from Starring Rolls because we've never been their either!

I guess that's about it for now. I have a plan (sort of) for the parks. But since I don't have office on this computer at home, I can't see them. What I can tell you is first day=MK and last day=MK. This is always the way I begin and end my trips so I figure why break tradition? {now maybe it could be that I have Disney on the brain but I could swear they just said hurry, go get your tickets at epcot on Coven lol }

Our first trip we started at Epcot and of course ended at MK, but our last trip we both started/ended at MK! I do have to say I loved jumping right into the magic like that! This time, we'll be starting out at Epcot because it makes most sense with crowd calendars and our schedule... but you can bet your booty we are ending at MK! And we're ending with a bang... The Dessert Party!

 

[feistygalkmc]

You'd be surprised! They aren't any worse doing it this way than doing it the normal way! I fold all their clothes really neatly and then put them in the bag. I then (mostly) close the bag and roll from bottom to top to get all the air out, similar to a space bag, then I close the little bit that was left open! Then I unroll them... get's pretty much all the air out and saves space!

Oh ok makes sense. I have used space bags before for myself and the packing part wasn't bad but the repackaging to go home was not as easy. At least I didn't think so. I couldn't get the clothes in as tightly as I did when I packed. I'm going to chalk it up to the Disney blues . Yep thats it, I just wasn't ready to leave yet

 

[anniebabymu]

Oh ok makes sense. I have used space bags before for myself and the packing part wasn't bad but the repackaging to go home was not as easy. At least I didn't think so. I couldn't get the clothes in as tightly as I did when I packed. I'm going to chalk it up to the Disney blues . Yep thats it, I just wasn't ready to leave yet

Yeah... packing to go home stinks . We have that issue too! Even if there were no souvenirs, clothes just don't fit in as neatly! We have a collapsible duffel that we pack in another bag on the way down! We usually throw dirty clothes in it, then I drop it off in the laundry room when we get home! That makes for plenty of room for other things

 

[feistygalkmc]

Yeah... packing to go home stinks . We have that issue too! Even if there were no souvenirs, clothes just don't fit in as neatly! We have a collapsible duffel that we pack in another bag on the way down! We usually throw dirty clothes in it, then I drop it off in the laundry room when we get home! That makes for plenty of room for other things

Excellent idea! I have always been the live out of my suitcase for 5 days-week type on vacation but with 2 other people joining me I have a feeling I'm going to have to be just a little more organized.

 

[Dreams0308]

From WidgetsandRibbons

AHHH omg...this is so weird but I was like taken by total surprise surfing the DISboards and I saw MY BOW pop up on your Pre-Trip Report...

 

[feistygalkmc]

So today I am taking a mental health day from work....and from life lol I have been super stressed out lately (mostly from work) and it is mostly affecting my mood at home. So I'm here at home watching what I want on tv, relaxing, laundry is in the washing machine and a fresh pitcher of sweet tea is made. Life is good again

Not sure if I mentioned this previously but we are DRIVING, yes driving from Oklahoma. I think it is something like 20-21 hours if I remember correctly. I am sort of looking forward to this, my boss travels to FL every year in the Summer to his time share. One tip he gave me and I think the best one is to leave early in the morning, he suggested that driving at this time 1-misses most of the traffic and 2-you will have driven most of the way while Macie is sleeping in the car seat.

We plan on stopping at a Hampton Inn near Valdosta GA or there is another town around the area with a Hampton Inn.

courtesy Trip Advisor
According to our driving plan we should arrive around 5-6pm. So that will give us a good break after driving all night. Have some dinner at a near by restaurant and get some much needed sleep for our excitement the next day. We probably could drive on into FL and make the stop later but I think that stopping at around 5-6 is a good time and we can relax and rest up.

One thing I feel like we have to do is stop at the Florida welcome center and grab some fresh squeezed orange juice! And I want our little princess awake enough (hopefully) when we pass through this puppy

Now that I have been typing this, all of about 20-30 minutes, I have got 1 scam phone call telling me I was going to be arrested for a felony today lol Some guys knocking on the door (thought they were selling something so I quickly locked the door and hid where they couldn't see me mostly because I just wasn't 'dressed' to answer the door-ladies you know what I mean here lol) and another random unknown phone caller with no message....sigh.....

No where was I, oh yes , driving! I am hoping (if we go according to plan/schedule) to arrive around 1-2 pm maybe earlier. Hoping they will have our room ready-crossing my fingers! But if not, not big deal.

I have been showing DH the Stacy videos on you tube and he says how can you watch her? She is so annoying lol I'm going to try to turn him around on that one. Now off to read some more pre-trip reports and maybe do a little planning/list making myself. Just because I can! (as long as I stop getting phone calls from weird unknown people & strangers at my front door)