"Stop squeezing Mickey's nose!" - An October 2014 TR *COMPLETED!*

[missangelalexis]

Aw man, I'm sorry Nate bailed on Jedi Training! I'm sure it was disappointing for you after all that planning, but I guess something inside him just didn't want to do it Cute pics of the two of you though! And at least you made it back to the group before they met Buzz & Woody!

 

[MissMaryQC]

I'm sorry Nate got cold feet. Poor little guy; there's always next year!

Stitch! What an adorable photo of you two.

Dad got some cute pics of Colin!

Uh-oh I don't like the sound of that title one bit.

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Awe poor little buddy but I'm glad you followed your motherly instincts. I hate watching kids scream they don't want to do something and being forced to do it. I'm sure our DDs will be just as enthusiastic to be Jedis as their brothers although DH may be the most excited lol Love the Stitch photo so cute!!! Interested to see what happens...suspense

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So sorry to hear that Nate decided he didn't want to do the Jedi Training ... I can totally see how the process can be intimidating to smaller kids. Definitely a tough situation as a parent as you don't want them to miss out on something they would wind up loving, but you also don't want to "force" them to do things they don't want to do.

I love the line area for the meet with Woody and Buzz - the photo op set pieces are really cute, and something different

 

[hokieinpa]

Aw man, I'm sorry Nate bailed on Jedi Training! I'm sure it was disappointing for you after all that planning, but I guess something inside him just didn't want to do it Cute pics of the two of you though! And at least you made it back to the group before they met Buzz & Woody!

I was SO disappointed when he didn't want to do JTA. I was sure it was something he would love but maybe next trip when he is older!

We did get there at just the perfect time for Buzz and Woody - another fun character interaction coming up!

I'm sorry Nate got cold feet. Poor little guy; there's always next year!

Stitch! What an adorable photo of you two.

Dad got some cute pics of Colin!

Uh-oh I don't like the sound of that title one bit.

I think he was a little intimidated by all the big kids in line. And I'm not sure he liked the concept of getting up on stage and battling. He was probably a little young since he was only 4.5 at the time. He'll be 6 next trip so I hope he will be ready!

Stitch was the only magic shot we got this trip! I need to remember to ask about it more next time.

I'll just say that I didn't handle things very well when we couldn't follow the plan I had worked out - minor freakout in the middle of DHS!

Awe poor little buddy but I'm glad you followed your motherly instincts. I hate watching kids scream they don't want to do something and being forced to do it. I'm sure our DDs will be just as enthusiastic to be Jedis as their brothers although DH may be the most excited lol Love the Stitch photo so cute!!! Interested to see what happens...suspense

Yes, I think he was really intimidated by all the big kids around him. Most were at least 8 so he was the youngest by quite a bit!

I hope that he'll feel more ready next trip since he'll be 6. Colin will be old enough as well so maybe there will be strength in numbers!

So sorry to hear that Nate decided he didn't want to do the Jedi Training ... I can totally see how the process can be intimidating to smaller kids. Definitely a tough situation as a parent as you don't want them to miss out on something they would wind up loving, but you also don't want to "force" them to do things they don't want to do.

I love the line area for the meet with Woody and Buzz - the photo op set pieces are really cute, and something different

I so badly wanted him to do JTA. I think he was just too young since he was only 4.5 during the trip. When we go next May he will be 6 so I'm hoping he'll feel more comfortable. Colin will be old enough as well and I think we will have no trouble convincing him to participate. Maybe they will give each other the necessary confidence?

And the queue to meet Buzz and Woody looked cute! Nate and I breezed by most of it and to the front of the line (we were those people ) but it looks like lots of fun photo ops!

 

[Dugette]

Now I'm not sure if it was her questions, the fact that we were surrounded by lots of older boys, or that he was bored but Nate said "Mommy, I don't want to do this anymore."

Oh noooo! I'm sorry, what a bummer!

But I so didn't want to be that parent that forced their kid to do something only to have them freak out at the last minute.

Totally understand. I've seen those parents/kids and wouldn't want to be in that situation (last June, there was a kid that was TERRIFIED of It's a Small World - the parents were trying to force him on and it was miserable for everyone nearby to hear ).

 

[hokieinpa]

Oh noooo! I'm sorry, what a bummer!

Totally understand. I've seen those parents/kids and wouldn't want to be in that situation (last June, there was a kid that was TERRIFIED of It's a Small World - the parents were trying to force him on and it was miserable for everyone nearby to hear ).

I was so disappointed. I was so positive that JTA would be something he would love. He loves light saber battles at home so wouldn't defeating Darth Vader be just perfect? But maybe next time when he is older! Nate is the most timid of all 3 and needs more time to warm up to things. Maybe I can show him some videos of JTA before our next trip to warm him up to the idea?

 

[hokieinpa]

The Plan Breaks Down

After Nate and I bailed out on JTA (), we headed over to Pixar Place to meet up with everyone else in line to meet Buzz and Woody.

This worked out well for Nate and I because we only had to wait a few minutes before this happened!



I guess the PhotoPass pictures didn't make it onto my account. But I did grab some with my phone!

The boys love Toy Story, so this was a highlight for them.



High fives for Buzz!



Jake was very interested in Woody's belt buckle!


Which Woody then found funny!



After our meet with Buzz and Woody, it was time for our fist FP+ of the day and we were in the perfect spot!

Our FP+ window had opened up for Toy Story Midway Mania. I was so excited for this ride. But...



down and no estimated time of when it would be up and running.

I talked to one of the CMs at the front of the line. He told me I would receive an e-mail with a list of alternate attractions OR that my FP+ would still be good at any point during the day if TSMM was down for our entire FP+ window. We decided that we would check back before the window expired to see if we could get in for a ride!

*Foreshadowing - This decision will impact our nighttime entertainment options!

Now this is where the plan breaks down..and I have a minor freakout.

So TSMM is down.

We already met Buzz and Woody.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid is halfway through the show.

Beauty and the Beast is halfway through the show.

Disney Junior Live hasn't begun it's first show yet.


Everyone is looking at me and I'm looking at my spreadsheet. This wasn't supposed to happen! Things are not going according to the plan! I just couldn't figure out something for us to do! I sure didn't want to just stand around and wait for one of the shows to start and we still had some time before for Indiana Jones FP+...so what are we going to do??

We pulled the strollers into the shade and I pulled out the map to see what was nearby and...



Why not? Totally not on the schedule for this morning. In fact, it was not a must do for us but since we were out of options, it was looking pretty good!



The posted wait time was 20 minutes and we waited that or a little longer. Definitely one of the slowest moving lines we encountered!

I snapped a few shots during the queue/ride of one of my favorite movies!





I only took a few pictures because Nate found parts of the ride a little intense (especially the gangster scene) so I was talking him through the ride. After we got back outside, Nate said " We don't need to do that one again, ok?" So he wasn't a fan!

After Nate informed me that we had just taken our first and only ride on The Great Movie Ride, we headed toward our next destination - a show that had been one of my favorites on my last trip to Disney over 20 years ago!


Next up

Where are the rest of the snacks?

 

[MissMaryQC]

I love the photo of Jake hugging Buzz's leg. That little man is just took cute!

I hate those moments in planning plans A, B, and C aren't happening... what now?!? And since you're planner/mom everyone look to you!! Not a fun moment.

I love Mary Poppins!!

Yeah, I hated TGMR when I was smaller; aliens, thieves, fire and then the wicked witch, no thanks! I love it now though! I do wish they'd give it a good overhaul though, maybe get a few new movies in there....?

Missing snack with three boys? Uh-oh!

 

[hokieinpa]

I love the photo of Jake hugging Buzz's leg. That little man is just took cute!

He was quite the leg grabber (in addition to nose squeezer) this trip! I guess when that's all you can reach you just go with it!

I hate those moments in planning plans A, B, and C aren't happening... what now?!? And since you're planner/mom everyone look to you!! Not a fun moment.

Yes! When your plan and all the back ups aren't working...what in the world are you supposed to do? Added pressure of fussy kids and it was a little stressful!

Yeah, I hated TGMR when I was smaller; aliens, thieves, fire and then the wicked witch, no thanks! I love it now though! I do wish they'd give it a good overhaul though, maybe get a few new movies in there....?

I had read that some kids might find it a little intense so I had an idea that Nate might get scared. I think we may be able to talk him into it again next trip! I think there are plans to update it some but not sure when that will be!

Missing snack with three boys? Uh-oh!

It was not a pretty sight...

 

[missangelalexis]

Fun pics!! Sorry the photpass ones weren't there, did you try sending in a claim for them??

It's always frustrating when your plans go out of order and you need to think on the fly! You spend so much time planning every moment that one thing can just throw you off, I understand how that feels.

Great Movie Ride sounds like it was a good choice, even if Nate declared you wouldn't be doing it again! LOL

 

[hokieinpa]

Fun pics!! Sorry the photpass ones weren't there, did you try sending in a claim for them??

I really didn't pay attention to the photos/which ones were missing until I downloaded them and my 45 days passed so I don't have any of our ride photos either. I called and they said they can't recover them at this point. I'm going to check during the trip next time for sure!

It's always frustrating when your plans go out of order and you need to think on the fly! You spend so much time planning every moment that one thing can just throw you off, I understand how that feels.

Yes - months of planning and then you're just left standing there sometimes! Very frustrating!

Great Movie Ride sounds like it was a good choice, even if Nate declared you wouldn't be doing it again! LOL

It was a good time filler for us! I'm hoping we can talk him into again next trip!

 

[hokieinpa]

NEWS!!!

So if you take a look at the tickers in my signature, you see a new countdown. And that's because...

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!



And much sooner than we thought!



So, it all started this weekend when I was talking to my mom. I told her that I was starting to get really excited for our May trip but that it still seemed so far away. She agreed and then there was a long pause...and she said "Unless we go sooner..."



And this is why I love my mom (among many reasons, but you know) and we are usually on the same wave length about anything Disney.

We tossed around a few dates:

Late June - too crowded, too hot, too soon for ADRs/FP+

September/October - we did Halloween last year, don't want Nate to miss too much school

Early December -


Nate will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. I know he will miss 6 days for our May trip. Our school district is very forgiving about absences for family vacations so I'm not worried, but I don't want him to miss many more days. He just happens to have off the Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving. So if we can make a quick trip and he will only miss 2 days of school for 5 days in Disney.

So...



We're going to Disney for Christmas!

My mom sent me off to run some numbers so we can make a resort choice.




We'll be there Sunday November 29-Thursday December 3. December 3rd also happens to be my birthday so we're wrapping this into a birthday/Christmas party!





A PTR will be absolutely necessary once this TR is finished!

 

[Elevationist]

Okay, I have three things to say about this super exciting news...

1. YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

2. ...You're leaving on MY birthday, which is ALSO DECEMBER 3RD.

3. That also means that you're leaving the day BEFORE I check in on Friday, Dec. 4th!

 

[missangelalexis]

Omgosh that's amazing!! So happy for you! You're going to LOVE Disney at Christmas! Please continue to share your plans with us!

 

[DisneyAndrew]

Yay for the new trip! My wife and daughter and I are planning on going November 29-December 5. November 29th is my wife's birthday. Maybe we'll bump into each other!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Maybe I can show him some videos of JTA before our next trip to warm him up to the idea?

We did this our kids for just general character meets before their first trips and it seemed to help so I think that might be a good plan if you are still worried about it

Ugh, hate when rides are down and they don't know when it will be back up - and that is one frustrating part about FP+ as you plan around that, but then might not be able to but you won't know until later, etc. can be very frustrating

Everyone is looking at me and I'm looking at my spreadsheet. This wasn't supposed to happen! Things are not going according to the plan!

... definitely the downside of being the trip planner in that everyone expects you to fix anything that is off. Oh well, I think your idea of going on GMR was a good one though ...

After we got back outside, Nate said " We don't need to do that one again, ok?" So he wasn't a fan!

... yeah I'd say he wasn't a fan! I think it was the Alien part that my kids had the most trouble with. I definitely think that ride has more scary parts than you would think if you didn't know anything about it


Yeah for another trip! And for Christmas time no less! And for your birthday! That is very exciting and beyond your first day or two the crowds should be rather low!

 

[cstorm65]

Congratulations on the new ticker! And at Christmas time nonetheless!

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Congrats on your WDW Christmas trip! We did DL that time of year and it was great, someday we will do WDW at Christmas time too

I love the Toy Story pics, we got some precious one of ODS there a few years ago at the peak of his TS love. Too bad about the missing PP pics.

Also too bad about missing out on JTA but hopefully it will go better another time. I am thinking about trying to sign ODS up for it this fall, but I'm afraid of making it work and then what if he doesn't want to at the last minute... Still time to decide .

 

[hokieinpa]

Okay, I have three things to say about this super exciting news...

1. YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

I KNOW, RIGHT!!

2. ...You're leaving on MY birthday, which is ALSO DECEMBER 3RD.

Birthday buddies!

3. That also means that you're leaving the day BEFORE I check in on Friday, Dec. 4th!

Oh, noooo! I can't believe we'll be literally passing right by each other!!

Omgosh that's amazing!! So happy for you! You're going to LOVE Disney at Christmas! Please continue to share your plans with us!

I am so excited! I've been wanting to see Disney at Christmas so this quick trip will let us fit in the highlights!

And I'm excited to start my PTR. I know it's a little over 6 months away, but it almost seems like I'm short on time because I'm used to planning so much further in advance!

Yay for the new trip! My wife and daughter and I are planning on going November 29-December 5. November 29th is my wife's birthday. Maybe we'll bump into each other!

It sounds like we'll both have fun birthday/Christmas celebrations! That would be be great if we could do a quick hi if things work out!

We did this our kids for just general character meets before their first trips and it seemed to help so I think that might be a good plan if you are still worried about it

We watched lots of ride/show/parade videos but I never thought about characters! The big boys will be ok but Jake might need a refresher before the next trip.

Ugh, hate when rides are down and they don't know when it will be back up - and that is one frustrating part about FP+ as you plan around that, but then might not be able to but you won't know until later, etc. can be very frustrating

... definitely the downside of being the trip planner in that everyone expects you to fix anything that is off. Oh well, I think your idea of going on GMR was a good one though ...

Yes, a wrench in the plans is very frustrating! I'm going to work on being more flexible this time but I'll just say that isn't one of my strengths! GMR was a nice time filler that pleased (most of) us!

.. yeah I'd say he wasn't a fan! I think it was the Alien part that my kids had the most trouble with. I definitely think that ride has more scary parts than you would think if you didn't know anything about it

I never even thought about the GMR being the least bit scary, but there do seem to be several opportunities for kids to get nervous!

Yeah for another trip! And for Christmas time no less! And for your birthday! That is very exciting and beyond your first day or two the crowds should be rather low!

It's all very exciting and my head is spinning with ideas right now! I'm hoping the crowds will be fairly low since our first park day will be the Monday after Thanksgiving. It's going to be a short trip so we'll have to try and squeeze as much in as possible (while working on that flexibility thing, of course).

Congratulations on the new ticker! And at Christmas time nonetheless!

Thank you! We're very excited to experience Disney at Christmas!

Congrats on your WDW Christmas trip! We did DL that time of year and it was great, someday we will do WDW at Christmas time too

I'm so excited to see it all - the party, parade, decorations, lights! There's so much to see at Christmas!

I love the Toy Story pics, we got some precious one of ODS there a few years ago at the peak of his TS love. Too bad about the missing PP pics.

Also too bad about missing out on JTA but hopefully it will go better another time. I am thinking about trying to sign ODS up for it this fall, but I'm afraid of making it work and then what if he doesn't want to at the last minute... Still time to decide .

I was pretty sad about the pictures but realized too late for Disney to try and recover them.

I'm still going to give JTA a shot this trip. But I'm hoping if I explain it to Nate and show him some videos of the show that he will feel more comfortable. But it is hard since you need to be able to work in whatever times are available. I hope it works our for ODS in the fall!