08 was so Great at the Poly...TR-NEW 2/3 Time to say Good-bye (final post) / pics

[KathyRN137]

I love crossing things off my "lists"; glad you were able to get the seating straightened out!

Hey... it's November... '08 is almost here!!

Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi all,

sorry things have been quite busy here in my household ....DS has been having a real hard time lately with "down time" he's very concerned about what to do...it's hard for him when he doesn't have a checklist to work off. And outings and parties like here in our home last Sat for my little DD's Birthdays have been consistently ending in meltdown epsoides...

This week will be tough with no school, no set schedule and he has to have a tooth pulled on Wed....

I'm going to try and be a good Diser and get caught up on several of TR's and PTR's before I update here on my end.

Thank you dismom9761, DisMomAmy and Kathy RN for always coming by and saying Send me some for this week and I'll be thinking of your DS's who may be going through schedule letdown this week as well.

Mousescrapper

PS
dismom Amy who's the water situation down there? My Aunt in the same area gives us updates, hope your OK and how's the job going?

Kathy I've been so behind, did you leave already?

DisMom Amy have the weeks of school between your trip and Thanksgiving Break been better for DS? I hope he's easing in better.

Other visitors and lurkers...keep coming by and please say HI love to say HI back!

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy I've been so behind, did you leave already?

You have been busy.... I've been and come back already!!

Billy's been quite antsy since our return; it really threw him off schedule and with the holidays coming up fast, it's not going to get much better soon!!

Here's your and have a happy Turkey Day if I don't get to "talk" to you again!


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

isMom Amy have the weeks of school between your trip and Thanksgiving Break been better for DS? I hope he's easing in better.

Hi Mousescrapper! First... Here's that pixie dust you need for this week:

Second- Thanks for asking about Alex - he has settled into school (and pretty much at home) since our trip. A little anxiety this week with Thanksgiving (and his birthday is next week). I love Disney, but it really messed with him leading up to the trip. Next time we'll go later in the school year and won't tell him (as much as it will kill me) until right before we go. Hopefully we'll be ok in the month of December. It seems like he has a hard time getting back into a routine after Christmas break. We'll see how it goes this year!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Mousescrapper! First... Here's that pixie dust you need for this week:

Second- Thanks for asking about Alex - he has settled into school (and pretty much at home) since our trip. A little anxiety this week with Thanksgiving (and his birthday is next week). I love Disney, but it really messed with him leading up to the trip. Next time we'll go later in the school year and won't tell him (as much as it will kill me) until right before we go. Hopefully we'll be ok in the month of December. It seems like he has a hard time getting back into a routine after Christmas break. We'll see how it goes this year!

I hear you on that off routine thing after breaks, especially for my DS with 2 weeks off for Christmas. We're really hoping this year will be better too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and you do the same for me. This way we're bound to get a winner, right?


And thanks for the pixie dust!

Mousescrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

Hey,

We have some BIRTHDAYS here in our house!

Send some ONE-YEAR old happy wished to DD #3 You can call her Princess , well what little girl at one isn't?

Today the 20th is her real Birthday! Here is a picture of her at her party over the weekend enjoying her first piece of cake. YUMMY!

Here she is today trying to get a toy out of her crib....

The other Birthday belongs to our middle DD you can call her Dora (that was her birthday party theme) She is turning FIVE on Friday after Thanksgiving the 23rd. Here she is opening some presents:

Sorry this one is a little blury, but this was her standing in the hallway at the end of her day of parties...pretty tired looking

Last of the Birthday buzz is props to my DSister who made these awesome cakes for my girls...make a wish

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Now my 2nd little mini post to ponder is for Thanksgiving. Last Sunday at church during service, my DS was looking at his Kids Worship Folder and the front page had an oval on it and siad "draw something your thankful for"

DS instead without any promting wrote out a special list. As some of you know DS has special needs including Aspergers. His list truely touched me and I hope it sends a little Thankful Blessings your way.

​

"My Dog,
My family,
My Friends,
summer,
reading,
when it's quiet,
pasta,
the Lord,
church,
fun games,
animals,
Shamrock (his stuffed dog)"

​

Happy Thanksgiving all!

I'll post a Disney Post after the Holiday.

Mousescrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

sorry I double posted again, but hey see my ticker at the bottom! 6 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days till DISNEY at the POLY!

That's cool for me! Kathy RN we're entering the 2nd trimester for sure now....tee-hee

 

[mousescrapper]

Wanted to post real quick that on Saturday the 8th, I'll be up at 6:00 am making my call down to WDW DINE to make my ADR's....

It seemed like forever away and now it's only a day and a half away. DH and I still want to look over our list one last time and make sure things seem to look good still and most importantly how it flows with DS's usual better times of the day.

If you forgot here is a reminder of what I'm shooting for: I didn't include all my dining thoughts this time just the one's I need ADR's for (and times). I also included the 3 fun things we need to try and get ressies for the kids.

Thursday Day One:
B:
L:
D: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano at MGM (TS #1) Target Time: 3:00-3:00 pm

Friday Day Two:
B:
L:
D: 2 thoughts a) pop at Captain Cook's at Poly for 1/2 our party or b) use package free voucher at Planet Hollywood Possible Target Time: 6:00 pmat DTD The 3 older kids will hopefully be at the Neverland Club for dinner, etc. Do we have enough time to get to DTD and back in our possible 3 hr window? Neverland club for DD's and DS? Target Time 5:30/45-8:30/45 pm

Saturday Day Three:
B: Crystal Palace at MK TS #2 Target Time: 8:05 am
L:
D:

Sunday Day Four:
B:
L: Play and Dine at Hollywood & Vine-Character meal at MGM TS# 3 Target Time 11:20/11:40 am
D:

Monday Day Five:
B: O'Hana Character Brunch at the Poly TS #4 Target Time 8:45/9:00 am
L:
D:

Tuesday Day Six:
B: Kona Cafe at Poly (TONGA, TONGA, TOGA...whoops) TS #5 Target Time 7:30/8:00 am
L: Grand Adventures in Cooking for DD's Time 10:00-12:00 pm
D: 1900 Park Fare- Cinderella's Gala Feast TS# 6 Target Time 4:30/5:00 pm

Wednesday Day Seven:
B:
L: Tony's Town Square Restaurant at MK TS Target Time: 11:30/11:45 am#7 (do you the Lady & Tramp love song in your head ?)
D:

Thursday Day Eight: None
B:
L: Pirate Cruise for DS Time 9:30 to 11:30
D:


Well wish me luck! I do plan to arise early, have a quick cup of OJ for some morning energy. Sit down in the quiet, cold and dark (maybe DH will light a fire?) kitchen and dial that wonderful number....I'll have my planner in front of me, with pencil in hand to write down my ressie numbers and credit card in case I need to hold or pay for anything in advance. I don't really have any real back-up plans yet, if something doens't work on the first attempt. But maybe I'll be super-duper lucky. Huh?

I'll post the results later in the day then on Sat. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.

Thanks!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Good Luck getting the ADRs you want!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi all,

Thanks DisMomAmy for the it helped!


Can't believe I actually got up at 6:00 am CST to call WDW DINE, but I did... As I out into the kitchen in my fuzzy fannel Mickey and Minnie pj's I dialed and a very lovely CM answered the phone and helped me for almost an hour to line up all my dinning ADR's and the bonus fun activities for the kids as well. I got EVERYONE for the times and dates I wanted!

Only one Mama Melroses's did we need to be split into 2 tables. But it is all good. She kindly noted a high chair for DD 1, and that we have a special needs child and that we will be asking for special seating (side tables).

It was a great call and has me even more super excited to get there. I think of them all, the one I'm looking forward to the most is Crystal Palace at MK on Sat. Walking down Main Street before the park is officially open! Cool


One last thing to leave with you....last night we were grilling turkey burgers on our Formen Grill and put 3 on at a time. DD 5 says "it's Mickey Mouse" It sure looked like "him" Then for those of you who have one of these nifty indoor grills know you have that little plastic tray under the lip of the grill to catch the juices....well, then DD noted "look at all the pee that Mickey is peeing out"

Know that's gross, but it sure made DH and I crack up , the things kids say.

Have a magical week!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi mousescrapper! It's almost 08!!! Happy New Year! Amy

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi all,

it's been almost a month since I was last on the boards....life was BUSY! these last several weeks with Christmas, kids out of school, company in town for 5 days (uh 8 kids in my house....). But now school is back in session. It's 2008! We're actually in the year of my trip! 149 days to go now....sounds like alot still, but it's better than more than 200!

Hope to be more consistent now with my PTR and visiting you all. Please stop by and say HI if you can.

Since I haven't had the chance to start talking about my Touring plan, I'll start that soon. Now with all my ADR's in check, have June 08 news, the final stages of planning can now begin.

DisMomAmy Thanks for the shout out on NYE! I know it's 2008!!!!! Yeah!

anyhow, I'm going to visit some of the TR's I read and then I'll be back to mine real soon.

Missed you!

Mousescrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

a

 

[dismom9761]

HI! Remember me??

You got your ADRs! That is the best feeling to know it is taken care of.

Can't wait to read more...

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Scrappie!

Wow, love your ADRs!!!

We had such an awesome experience at both the Crystal Palace and Play 'n Dine meals this year....your kids are gonna love them!!

Have you started packing yet???

Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

Dismom9761 (Amy)

OF COURSE, I remember you!

Thanks for checking in and saying hi. We've both been busy bees lately.

Kathy

I have been scrappin again, now that my Christmas projects are done. Keeping busy with working on the Baby's album. Lots of pink

Read the beginning of my next post to answer your question "have I started packing?" You know me so well

Mousescrapper

 

[mousescrapper]

Well it has been awhile since I have posted something for the actual Pre-Trip Report...so here goes!


Can you believe it's actually 2008? Or that's its almost mid-January already? Or that I'm "packing" for a vacation still 4+ months out?

If you know me at all by now, you know I just LOVE to plan and prepare, hey it is one of the fun perks of going to WDW. There is so much that you canplan in advance for.


Now for a side note:

Next weekend the 20-22 (Sun-Tues) DH and I are taking the family up to the Wisconsin Dells to stay in our favorite water park resort (yes they have indoor parks). The kids are off school for 2 days. We try to go once a year for a long weekend because it's alot of fun and very convienent and quick for a getaway. This trip also has a duo purpose in being a "test run" of sorts for DS (as you may remember he has ADHD and Aspergers). We havn't been away except to a family's lake house since his diagnosis last summer and then last years big Atlanta and FL trip. All of these had some minor and major issues for him. And being that a week at the beach doesn't quite compare to a week at WDW, we're hoping the Dells will give us an idea of he may handle some things and give us some ideas for the June trip.

How will he be being in a hotel room with everyone else? (These rooms are very comparable in size to the Poly)

How will he deal with the spontanety of being on a trip?

How will he deal with the noise, crowds, etc?

Will he go on or tolerate the water slides and other areas like in the past or differently?

I'll do a mini report when we get back.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now back to our regular reporting....

Now this is especially for my friend Kathy RN.

YOU'RE PACKING ALREADY??!!

Well, now I wouldn't actually call it "packing"...it's not in a suitcase yet!

I have a small box in the corner in my bedroom and a bag in my closet to put things I pick up now or pull out specifically in mind for the trip. I'm also making several lists. I DO LOVE LISTS!

Here is the box (a Disney shipping box too) with some shirts I ordered from online and a Tink costume for the baby. These were all on sale and I got super deals. I also bought DD 8 a Belle costume too. I'll post a pic of that later. (And becuase I'm ever the thinking ahead planner, both of these costumes will double up for Halloween!)

Here is the bag (sorry it's not Disney) that I'm keeping some misc things in. Like kid trivia cards for line boredom stoppers, start of DS's shiny penny collection for his penny presses, glow braclets, and other things.

I'M SURE I'LL NEED A BIGGER BAG AND BOX BY THE END!!!

Here a few shirts of mine too, that I've set aside. A new Tink one (yes I tried it on) and 2 previous purchases from the 05 trip.

As far as my "packing lists" I downloaded from another planning site some fill-in-the-blank packing list pages. 1 for each family member, a list of non clothing or carry on items, a list of the things in my pre-packing box/bag (so I don't forget anything), and a list for an emergency 1-day carry-on bag in case we have any delays with our luggage from the DME.

Just so you all don't think I'm a complete loony I've only written in a few things

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Now to reveal DAY ONE of my TPTP!!!!

TPTP The Parks Touring Plan

little side note, cause I know you're all thinking of the typical high school prank involving some white stuff and trees....DH and I actually met during our high school days through a mutual friend (we didn't attend the same one) on a dark and stormy night with a getaway car (DH's) full of toliet paper.... Yep! that's how I met my future husband

Day One: "Arrival day--We're HERE!"

We have a 7:25 am CST flight out of Chicago to hopefully arrive at MCO by 10:55 EST. Thinking we'll hopefully arrive at the Poly around 12-12:30 pm.

check in, check our bags, grab some grub at Captian Cooks and walk around the Poly a bit and rest. With any luck our room will be ready (not neccessarily counting on it) around 2 ish, freshen up there or somewhere and then head off to MGM oh sorry I mean Disney Hollywood Studios.

So our first park of choice of our TPTP is the STUDIOS

We have a 3:00 pm ADR at Mama Melerose's and then onto rides and attractions!

Here is my proposed list of what to do that day:

Possibly do Extreme Stunt Show depends on the times

Voyage of Little Mermaid

The Great Movie Ride

Split for Muppet Vision 3D and Star Tours others will visit Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playset

Head over to grab a snack and get viewing seats for Fantasmic.

I, the thrill seeker of the bunch will go on Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster (ultilizing FP if needed)

Fantasmic

Leisurely head out to let some of the mass of people ahead of us.
If needed half of us may take a cab back to the Poly, specifically for DS.

That is the gist of day one. Hope it sounds good!

Till another wonderful Disney planning Day!

Mousescrapper

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow - somehow I missed that post! I haven't been getting the email alerts on a regular basis - not sure why?? Anyway... love to see people packing months ahead of time. Glad to see I'm not the only one! I usually have a box in the corner of my room as soon as any plans have been finalized.

Hope you are having a fun weekend. Can't wait to hear about it - sounds like a lot of fun.

You TPTP for day one sounds great too.

 

[mousescrapper]

Well as I'm freshly back from 1 trip, and I'm packing yet for another....though this can be considered a "vacation" as it's a Mom-Only trip! Time to refresh my body and soul emotionally and spiritually as I head up to Lake Geneva for a women's retreat thru my church. AHHH! I can't wait.

So as I depart temporarily from Dis mode and try to stay warm in the below zero weather...I'd like to give you an update from our little Dells excursion last Sun-Tues.

As I mentioned before, this was a fun planned getaway for our family and a "test-run" for DS and a time for DH and I to gage how his aspergers would come into play.

The details:

We left about 8:30 am with the heat full blast in the van and all the kids covered in coats and blankets as it was about 8 below out....chilly. It's a quick 3 hour drive northwest of us. I drove, while DH read, set up the DVD player and entertained the baby. The kids read, played on their leapsters and watched Leroy & Stitch.

We arrived about 11:30 ish and stopped at the local McD's for lunch. Then we checked in the waterpark resort and headed over to the dry-park and the kids ran aound and played in the big climbing fort. The baby and DD 5 played in the toddler area. The kids (especially DS) also liked going in the Kid Klub area to play board games and watch movies while we waited for our room to be ready.

It was ready about 2:15 pm and we headed over and DH unloaded the van. We changed into our swim suits and walked (thru the hotel) to the 1st WP. The baby was not so fond of the water, so mainly sat in my lap or was entertianed by Dh in her stroller.

We hit the sack about 9 pm.

We awoke Monday morning (6:00 am) with DD 5 couging for almost 1/2 hour with a deep barky asthma/croop like cough . Luckily I remembered to pack the portable breathing treatment machine and we gave her a treatment. We all got up about 7:30am. We got to another indoor park a little after 9 am and scoped out a table to claim. Boy it was packed only 5 minutes after opening!!!! The kids played and everyone but DS went on the lazy river. the baby fell asleep in DH's arms....aww! We stayed there about an hr & 1/2 then headed over to the big wavepool park where we reserved and indoor cabana for the day. We had a good day and got a free pizza and pop with our rental for dinner. Then back to the dry park and the arcade for games and prizes.

Tuesday morning we had the same coughing fit, but then slept in till about 8 am. We had bfast in the room again and I got everything packed to check-out. DH re-loaded the van after shovling a foot of snow off it....Then we went to the wave pool park again and finished off with the one with the lazy river. We changed and left the resort about 3 pm and stopped for an early dinner at the Monk's Bar and Grill. It was YUMMY! On the road about 4:30 pm and home by 7:30 pm

Highlights:

DD baby: even though she didn't care for the water, she was a very good baby, took some naps and besides a major diaper blowout , it was a great little trip for her. And of course everyone thought she was just adorable!

DD 5: liked playing with her pool toys in the water and alligator and crab walking in the water. She also liked walking with a huge inner tube around her in the low depth water of the wave pool when the waves were off.

DS: enjoyed playing and splashing around with the water gushers and going on the small kiddie slides. He loved climbing around and chasing his twin sis in the dry park and winning lots of prize tickets at the arcade.

DD 8: loved just about everything! going on the slides playing with her siblings and especially the wave pool she spent alot of time in there. swimming, bouncing in the waves and getting very water logged.

DH: liked playing with DD 8 in the wave pool, going on the lazy river and in the hot tubs albiet they were massively crowded . He also like the time to to sit relax and read.

me: though I dind't get as wet as I would have liked it was just nice not to be home and doing home stuff if you know what I mean. I enjoyed watching the kids have fun and playing with DD 5. After this mini trip I'm even more excited for Disney!

Asperger & ADHD lessons:

We definitely learned alot in regards to DS and it will help us adjust some Dis plans and have a better idea of how to handle some things. Now minded that things can and probably will be different there, but as a planner(me), and aspergers not being something you can neccessarily "plan" around, it really gives me and DH some gage points to help DS prepare better for the Dis trip and while were there. (FYI: I'll post my list and ideas I've been gathering as we get closer!)

Points:

*He needs some downtime after travel, he also needs to know in advance what were doing when we arrive....(we were indecisive on drypark till room ready or change and water when we first got there, it was throwing him)

*He needs to have some clear cut options of what he can and can't do during down time or waiting in the room to head out....(it was too open ended for him and he wa very hyper)

*When he's hungry, he's hungry and needs to eat pretty much right then and there...(we wern't really ready to eat dinner yet, but he was, so I bit the bullet and spent $17 on overpriced in park food, but he was happy, and it stopped a very potential meltdown. DH & I decided while at Dis, even if it's not in the schedule or messes things up a bit, it's worth it to stop for him to eat!)

*When he's done, he's done. It was I think to open ended at the parks with many choices for him to deciper of what to do. And many times he just wanted to leave. DH and I had to redirect and help him cope with not leaving yet or giving him other choices of what to do, ie read or play with his cards....(we hope at Dis the more structured schedule of this to that...will benefit him better and that we can discuss our daily plans better with him as we get closer and were there. and obviously if its truely done time, one of will take him back to the room, while the others finish up.)

* Normal routines off...when to get up, going to bed, eating, the things he normally does each day that were not normal you could see how that stuff really affected him....(at Dis, we hope to help him understand how things work on a trip and for him to adjust to this concept before we leave and work with each day while we're there with having as close to a "normal schedule" outlined for him as possible)

*major letdown and completely lost it once home ...(the arrival at home and the instructions given to get out the van were overload for him, need to keep that in mind big time upon return from Dis. Luckily no school the day on that one. just need him to unwind and get "home" in his own way.

Well I hope that doesn't bore anyone, it sure helps me quite alot and will keep these thoughts in my head for June. I'll be back if not next week but in Feb and start some more fun Disney posts and planning.

Mousescrapper
Here are some pictures too:

me and the baby sitting at the edge of the water

DH & DD 8 being silly in one of the tubes

DD having fun in the wave pool

the baby checking things out

DS getting off one of the kiddie slides

DD 5 playing a game at the arcade, notice her Disney Princess sweatshirt?

DS resting

 

[DisMomAmy]

Nice update - and great pictures. It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. That's definitely something we would do if it were within driving distance.

Good pointers. Those are great things to know BEFORE your trip. Alex is the same way - most of your tips ring true for him too.

You guys will have a great time - it'll be here before you know it.