1 Child and 10 Adults--A GG to Celebrate DD's 4th Bday :) TR Link is Posted

[jenny105]

I hope she gets to meet the mermaid version of Ariel! They have to relocate her somewhere. I'm happy about Goofy the pirate though

I started my PTR. The link is in my siggy!

[kcandbella]

Well of course I will let you know how it goes for us, but I doubt I will be much help. Some of the changes are taking place in April, but a lot of the characters are shifting on May 9th. That is our departure day and we are not planning on going into the parks! So we may not even get to meet Ariel at all, as her move to the Veranda isn't schduled to begin until then. And we are not going to Akershus. I doubt Bella will care all that much, as she is not that into Ariel (more into Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, the Fairies, and of course TIANA) but I would be very disappointed if she were. I am excited that it seems the Up characters will still be at DHS when we are there. Even though I am a little disappointed by some of the changes, I keep thinking about the trip we will take FOR SURE in '12 or '13 to see the new FL and how great it will be!

[Charlefours]

Originally Posted by jenny105

I hope she gets to meet the mermaid version of Ariel! They have to relocate her somewhere. I'm happy about Goofy the pirate though

I started my PTR. The link is in my siggy!

I do too but it does not look like it is going to happen. If they close Ariel's Grotto and do not open it again there is no other location at this point that will have Ariel as a mermaid.

I subbed and commented!

[Charlefours]

Originally Posted by kcandbella

Well of course I will let you know how it goes for us, but I doubt I will be much help. Some of the changes are taking place in April, but a lot of the characters are shifting on May 9th. That is our departure day and we are not planning on going into the parks! So we may not even get to meet Ariel at all, as her move to the Veranda isn't schduled to begin until then. And we are not going to Akershus. I doubt Bella will care all that much, as she is not that into Ariel (more into Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, the Fairies, and of course TIANA) but I would be very disappointed if she were. I am excited that it seems the Up characters will still be at DHS when we are there. Even though I am a little disappointed by some of the changes, I keep thinking about the trip we will take FOR SURE in '12 or '13 to see the new FL and how great it will be!

Thanks Kayce! When I read that, I realized that it is big changes happening when you are going to be there. Would you have time to run to MK in the morning? I am so glad that have left out Tiana!! That way Bella can meet her favorite Princess.

We definitely will be planning on going back in '12 or '13 too. I just hope it is as magical as it seems it will be. With another few years too it will be interesting to see what Bella and Lilian like since they are fairly similar right now.

[Charlefours]

The second concern I want feedback on if you care to comment is about Night of Joy. It is scheduled to move back to MK after being in DHS the last few years. There are several bigger bands slated to be performing on the 11th—our first day there.

I really want Lilian’s first experience of Disney to be MK. We are scheduled to go there Saturday after we arrive. MK closes at 6:00 p.m. to all guests who do not have Night of Joy tickets. Night of Joy ticket holders can start coming in at 4:00 p.m. Am I insane for still wanting to go to MK that day?

Here is what I am mulling over in my head, schedule wise:

Leave Valdosta, GA at 8:00 a.m. and drive straight to POR—no stops for groceries. If we do not stop, it would take about 4 hours to get to POR. We would probably be able to get to MK around 1:00 p.m. That is no lunch stop either—we would have to pick something up in the park. We have the credits to use as long as we stick to CS that day.

That is best case scenario. If we are dragging, we may not get off until 9:00 a.m. That would put us there about 1:00, then at the park at 2:00. Of course, our room may not be ready so we may be able to get to the park much faster than an hour. What do you all think about this?

DHS has EMH until 9:00 p.m. and EP is open until 9:00 p.m. as well. DTD is always an option too—we are considering going to MK until it closes, than off to DTD if we have the energy or back to the resort for swimming. Sunday we are off to DHS, early to get a few things knocked out right away with a break late morning until 3:00 when we go back to DHS and stay through F! We do not want to be up too late on Saturday.

What do you think—what should we do? I really do not want to give up Lilian’s first experience being MK because that is what she thinks of when talking about Disney. Help!!

[jenny105]

I would still shoot for MK. The first thing she has to see is the castle. If I were in your shoes, nothing would stop me from taking her there first thing! You'll have a few hours in the park and I'm sure you planned time to go back and see everything you miss on your first day. I say go for it!

[gallmcduck]

I would def go to MK even if it's just for that first disney look and then back to hotel or DTD for some relaxation and walk around shops. You may want to just take it all. Taking it all in, in a sort of relaxing way, all the headline stuff will be there for next visit. Bonus would be fitting some attractions in

[Dancegrl624]

Is Disney guaranteeing that Ariel will be Akershus? Because when we went there last Jan (2009), we saw Princess Aurora, Princess Jasmine, Snow White and Mary Poppins (and Belle of course). I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news or anything, I swear! Have you checked out the "official fantasyland expansion q & a" thread? They have TONS of info about everything and they update it whenever they can.

[MHTeacher]

That stinks about not being able to have an up close visit with Ariel as a mermaid! Maybe Disney will work something out to move her. I will definitely keep my eyes open while I'm there at the end of May.

Now, on the first day question.......One thought I had was it might be upsetting to Lilian if you got to MK and had to turn around and leave so quickly. If you get there at 2 and have to be out by 4 that's really not a lot of Disney time, especially in the middle of the afternoon, while crowds are thicker.

Now, you could go in, see the castle, watch the afternoon parade, and then leave. That might work.

[Charlefours]

The first day all I would hope to accomplish would be to get to MK, buy ears for our family, get a couple photopass pictures with Castle shots (with and without the ears) and just walk around and absorb that magical Disney feeling (and stretch our legs ). If we can get on rides that would be a perk.

Originally Posted by jenny105

I would still shoot for MK. The first thing she has to see is the castle. If I were in your shoes, nothing would stop me from taking her there first thing! You'll have a few hours in the park and I'm sure you planned time to go back and see everything you miss on your first day. I say go for it!

I really do want her first visit to the actual parks to be MK to see the Castle.

Originally Posted by gallmcduck

I would def go to MK even if it's just for that first disney look and then back to hotel or DTD for some relaxation and walk around shops. You may want to just take it all. Taking it all in, in a sort of relaxing way, all the headline stuff will be there for next visit. Bonus would be fitting some attractions in

Not so much about how much we can get done but soaking it up like you said!

Originally Posted by Dancegrl624

Is Disney guaranteeing that Ariel will be Akershus? Because when we went there last Jan (2009), we saw Princess Aurora, Princess Jasmine, Snow White and Mary Poppins (and Belle of course). I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news or anything, I swear! Have you checked out the "official fantasyland expansion q & a" thread? They have TONS of info about everything and they update it whenever they can.

The last several reports I have read, Ariel has been there. Mary Poppins, on the other hand, I have only read I think one report of her being there.

Originally Posted by MHTeacher

That stinks about not being able to have an up close visit with Ariel as a mermaid! Maybe Disney will work something out to move her. I will definitely keep my eyes open while I'm there at the end of May.

Now, on the first day question.......One thought I had was it might be upsetting to Lilian if you got to MK and had to turn around and leave so quickly. If you get there at 2 and have to be out by 4 that's really not a lot of Disney time, especially in the middle of the afternoon, while crowds are thicker.

Now, you could go in, see the castle, watch the afternoon parade, and then leave. That might work.

I wrote above what my hopes are for that first day. MK closes at 6:00 to non-NOJ ticket holders.

Thank you for scouting for me!! I would really appreciate it.

[lbuzz52]

Gotta do mk first. Many non-hoppers will avoid it because of the early closing. So maybe it won't be too busy. You should be able to accomplish your goals and a couple rides I would think. Just get your kttw and go!
I hate all the changes for you- all the limbo.
And I'm saving for 12/13 too. I'm betting the deals will be few and far between because it seems everyone is excited about the improvements.

[lexmas]

The changes are all tough. Thanks for the update about all the characters. Seems like this fall is a tough time to travel this year!

[Dancegrl624]

Originally Posted by Charlefours

The last several reports I have read, Ariel has been there. Mary Poppins, on the other hand, I have only read I think one report of her being there.

I do know that Ariel is at Akershus sometimes. I've read that she'll be appearing at CRT and Akershus until she moves to the Adventureland Veranda, but certain characters aren't guaranteed to be a character meals. Here's a post from the Fantasyland expansion thread:

Yep, Ariel is theoretically replacing Jasmine (at CRT and Akershus). Of course, no princess is a guarantee at either dining location, but that's going to be the new trend starting April 12th.

[kcandbella]

Originally Posted by Dancegrl624

Yep, Ariel is theoretically replacing Jasmine (at CRT and Akershus). Of course, no princess is a guarantee at either dining location, but that's going to be the new trend starting April 12th.

This is good to know. Especially since Jasmine is available for meet and greets in the WS and by the Magic Carpets. I would rather meet Ariel than her at CRT (only because there are other options for J).

As for MK the first day, I was pretty set on that, too. I want the MK to be first and also last. It will always be the most "Disney" to me, and I want to pass that along. If you think it is do-able to get there in time, I would go for it. You wouldn't be interested in buying tickets to the special event? It would cost more but at least you could stay longer...just an idea.

[jenny105]

Originally Posted by kcandbella

This is good to know. Especially since Jasmine is available for meet and greets in the WS and by the Magic Carpets. I would rather meet Ariel than her at CRT (only because there are other options for J).

As for MK the first day, I was pretty set on that, too. I want the MK to be first and also last. It will always be the most "Disney" to me, and I want to pass that along. If you think it is do-able to get there in time, I would go for it. You wouldn't be interested in buying tickets to the special event? It would cost more but at least you could stay longer...just an idea.

That is my ritual whenever I visit the World!