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

[Shmily01]

Wow, what organization. You are an inspiration to all of us disorganized people!

 

[Charlefours]

That's right!! You can plan on getting the postcard towards the end of May!! I hope to mail it on our first day there!!

And I truly appreciate it!! I cannot wait to see what Lilian does when she gets it!!

Wow, what organization. You are an inspiration to all of us disorganized people!

Thank you!! I have to be organized or I go crazy!

 

[BabyEeyore]

WOW! I am very impressed with your organization, just like everyone else! That truly inspires me to get more organized about everything. I have all my ADR and resort info and everything written down, but it would be so helpful having everything written out like that!

 

[Cory's Gal]

HELLO!!!!!!!!! I just realized that you had PTR!! I have no idea why I never noticed it in your signature before!!?? I remember seeing your countdowns but not the link, I feel so scatterbrain sometimes! Anyways, I am glad that I found it and now I have 17 pages to read!!! Your DD is ADORABLE!!!! I can't wait to read all your plans!!! I will post more later after I read!!!
~Beth

 

[3princesses+aprince]

WOW, that is some organization. I'm impressed! See, if i made a list like that, I would not keep up, I would do things at other times and keep re writing the list. I guess you could say that i'm not super organized, but I guess I get everything done. No, as it gets a little closer, I really crack down

Great job!!!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Great list Stephanie! You are SOOOO organized! I put all the dates in my Outlook calendar to remind me-I get distracted easy.

 

[Charlefours]

WOW! I am very impressed with your organization, just like everyone else! That truly inspires me to get more organized about everything. I have all my ADR and resort info and everything written down, but it would be so helpful having everything written out like that!

Thank you!! I am glad I could perhaps offer some inspiration!! It is not for everyone, having a list like that, but it sure does help me out!!

WOW, that is some organization. I'm impressed! See, if i made a list like that, I would not keep up, I would do things at other times and keep re writing the list. I guess you could say that i'm not super organized, but I guess I get everything done. No, as it gets a little closer, I really crack down

Great job!!!

Thanks Pam! The dates are not set in stone but is good for me to have a ballpark range of when I would like to get things accomplished. Everyone has their own method of organization--the list is just want happens to work for me!

Great list Stephanie! You are SOOOO organized! I put all the dates in my Outlook calendar to remind me-I get distracted easy.

Thanks Leanne!! I try to be organized because like you--there is a lot to juggle with school demands, family demands and my very active playgroup, in which I am a main organizer for it, demands. I put the main Disney dates in my outlook calendar but I still use a paper one too. I searched long and hard to find one that works for me--I like my lists so I needed one that had space for them.

 

[Charlefours]

HELLO!!!!!!!!! I just realized that you had PTR!! I have no idea why I never noticed it in your signature before!!?? I remember seeing your countdowns but not the link, I feel so scatterbrain sometimes! Anyways, I am glad that I found it and now I have 17 pages to read!!! Your DD is ADORABLE!!!! I can't wait to read all your plans!!! I will post more later after I read!!!
~Beth

Beth to my PTR!! I miss links all the time--no worries! I am so glad you popped over. I am looking forward to reading any comments and suggestions you might have between now and when we leave!

Thank you so much--she is pretty cute.

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok...

I am now all read and caught up...I aplogize that I did not read the chit chat in the midle btwn the posts...I just clicked on your handy table of contents...

so I am going to try and remember everything I just read and make a few notes...sorry if some of this has changed or other people have suggested the same or different.

* traveling w/ extended people....or a secondary cast...

I have done this for just about EVERY WDW trip I have taken...the key is in MHO is to plan some key events and things for everyone to do...but not everything

like DD's 1900 PF dinner

the Tea Party/golfing

various blocks of time in each park

some pool time

or other important firsts your DH and you decide on

I obviously don't know you or your family...but since most have not been, only been once and then you have the "disney masters" I don't think you can realisticly plan that all 11 of you can tour together non-stop...

Great advatages to having extra people is splitting up for thrills so DD doesn't have wait around, or maybe she is tired and one GP or you or Daddy can take that rest while other people finish up something...get the idea...plus have you thought of or can you ask if anyone would watch DD for a little date time for you and DH?

* driving...

I have only done it once and that was w/out kids...it is doable...but as you said plan the breaks and expect to be tired upon arrival

* the special treats...

I think that is so sweet...I love the hats idea! Maybe since you have a PH you could hop over to MK and order them and pay and then pick them up and present everyone before DD's actual b-day...

sounds like you're a scrapbooker...even simple journals or mini brag books that are pre-decorated to give them to fill in w/ memories and pictures

* the food...

good choice on the DDP...here's hoping you might get your free dining still

I think it is a great value for the kids...considering practically 1 charcter meal is the price of the DDP for 1 night and you still have 1 meal coming

I like to chart mine out (remember in my PTR) and see how I can stretch out what I have...splitting some CS meals helps too and you can make a bfst out of snack credits at Main Street Bakery or Staring Rolls Cafe...or even a light sweet lunch after/or before a large TS...JAT

KIM w/ a party of 11 whenever you do all eat together...you will be split up...try and pick the off dining times to help assure the tables will be close by.

I'd just take the helm of the TS-ARD making for you 3 and the party of 11 ones and let everyone else fend for themselves...is that what you are doing? or are you eating all ADR's together?

* Shopping...

I think it is so smart to have a plan...I try to stick to it...but it is hard when you are down there. My kids' first trip was w/ extended family and for b-days...it was quite a trick to stuff all the purchases in the bags to go home (good thing you have a car)

* POR...

we stayed there in 05 that was our big trip too...I liked the trundle bed too, my DD Mae then 2 1/2 slept on it...we rolled up the large top comforter and put it between her and the bed so she wouldn't roll under the small space there. just left a note for Mousekeeping so they wouldn't remake the bed each time. I like the batroom layout too w/ the two sinks and privacy curtain...

* family nights...

not sure what your schedule is, did you post one yet? I love the idea...I will do 10 Days of Disney the 10 days leading up to the trip before we leave...

games, food, movie, look at previous trips' scrapbooks, etc...

* your first schedule plan...

my one thought is I would highly recommend dropping any park from the 1st day...after 2 and 1/2 days of driving...you will be zonked...why not spend the afternoon and eveing at POR...go swimming, walking around maybe your Dad can rent a fishing pole and take DD fishing...take the boat over to DTD and grab a light dinner at EOS and do a little pre-shopping...

I wouldn't want to tie myslef to a TS schedule on arrival you just never know what bumps might occur...yes you are Disney and I know you want to get to that MK quick...but take your time...ease in. JAT

as well watch the late nights followed by early mornings...if you stay at Epcot to watch Illuminations...you will not be out of the park for a while even w/ a car and to get up and be at BBB beofre park opening...you will be dragging...I also try to match early night to early morning...doesn't always work but a goal worth trying for...

* Wishes, no thank-you's and sprinkles....

I love this wording...so cute

my one thought for MK is don't do a no thank you on TTA...it is brillant...a fun favorite w/ the little kid crowd in my kids and my opinion...it is a great rest and filler...she should love zipping around the top of Tomorowland...it is a must do for us every time.

* to -do list...

wow girl you are a Diser after my own heart...

love the "Disney School" I hope you share some of that...

it looks pretty good...and yes there will always be something to add along the way...but you seem well on your way...

hope my notes were OK and not too forward...happy planning and glad to be here the rest of the way.

Scrappie J~

 

[Charlefours]

Hey Scrappie J! I cannot believe you trudge through it all!

Ok...

I am now all read and caught up...I aplogize that I did not read the chit chat in the midle btwn the posts...I just clicked on your handy table of contents...

LOVE TOC--makes it much easier to read IMO

so I am going to try and remember everything I just read and make a few notes...sorry if some of this has changed or other people have suggested the same or different.

* traveling w/ extended people....or a secondary cast...

I have done this for just about EVERY WDW trip I have taken...the key is in MHO is to plan some key events and things for everyone to do...but not everything

like DD's 1900 PF dinner

the Tea Party/golfing

various blocks of time in each park

some pool time

or other important firsts your DH and you decide on

I obviously don't know you or your family...but since most have not been, only been once and then you have the "disney masters" I don't think you can realisticly plan that all 11 of you can tour together non-stop...

I am still not sure what to think about the larger party. We have some very controlling personalities. DMIL is exclaiming we are not going to do this or that and she has never been! What the heck did I get myself into?

DH and I have maintained from the beginning that we are planning this trip for DD and that is what is important. We are glad the others want to go but they are not our priority.

Great advatages to having extra people is splitting up for thrills so DD doesn't have wait around, or maybe she is tired and one GP or you or Daddy can take that rest while other people finish up something...get the idea...plus have you thought of or can you ask if anyone would watch DD for a little date time for you and DH?

Date night at Disney We shall see if we might be able to sneak that in

* driving...

I have only done it once and that was w/out kids...it is doable...but as you said plan the breaks and expect to be tired upon arrival

* the special treats...

I think that is so sweet...I love the hats idea! Maybe since you have a PH you could hop over to MK and order them and pay and then pick them up and present everyone before DD's actual b-day...

sounds like you're a scrapbooker...even simple journals or mini brag books that are pre-decorated to give them to fill in w/ memories and pictures

We scratched the hats besides our family--figure the Disney Masters have multiples and the newbies won't want them. We got the newbies (DMIL, DFIL, DBIL and my Dad--though he is not a newbie) a Disney character shirt from Lilian for the holidays. They like those a lot!

I might have to see if I can put together a mini book for them...hmm great idea! to scrapbook though I don't get as much time anymore because of grad school!

* the food...

good choice on the DDP...here's hoping you might get your free dining still

I think it is a great value for the kids...considering practically 1 charcter meal is the price of the DDP for 1 night and you still have 1 meal coming

I like to chart mine out (remember in my PTR) and see how I can stretch out what I have...splitting some CS meals helps too and you can make a bfst out of snack credits at Main Street Bakery or Staring Rolls Cafe...or even a light sweet lunch after/or before a large TS...JAT

going to have to think about that! It would work for our family of three but some of the others have hardy appetites! Snack credits can always be used for snacks for the way home.

KIM w/ a party of 11 whenever you do all eat together...you will be split up...try and pick the off dining times to help assure the tables will be close by.

I'd just take the helm of the TS-ARD making for you 3 and the party of 11 ones and let everyone else fend for themselves...is that what you are doing? or are you eating all ADR's together?

I am going to do an update on this but I sent out the ADRs we had chosen to the Disney Masters about two weeks ago and not a single peep out them yet! I make them in TWO WEEKS from today!!! I am going to send out one more email this weekend and say I am booking you for Tuesday night for DD's birthday and then you are on your own otherwise if I don't hear from you. I don't want to make a huge ressie and show up with half the people.

We will be dining with my in-laws and Dad every meal unless DFIL and DMIlL don't join us Friday night but that is only slated to be a CS. They miss a TS midday depending on when they meet with a friend of theirs.

* Shopping...

I think it is so smart to have a plan...I try to stick to it...but it is hard when you are down there. My kids' first trip was w/ extended family and for b-days...it was quite a trick to stuff all the purchases in the bags to go home (good thing you have a car)

* POR...

we stayed there in 05 that was our big trip too...I liked the trundle bed too, my DD Mae then 2 1/2 slept on it...we rolled up the large top comforter and put it between her and the bed so she wouldn't roll under the small space there. just left a note for Mousekeeping so they wouldn't remake the bed each time. I like the batroom layout too w/ the two sinks and privacy curtain...

* family nights...

not sure what your schedule is, did you post one yet? I love the idea...I will do 10 Days of Disney the 10 days leading up to the trip before we leave...

Cute idea of 10 days of Disney but unfortunately I will be in classes again by that point so I don't know if I could swing it. I am still working everything in my head. I am considering beginning as a once a month affair and then doing them every week for the last say 8 weeks or such.

games, food, movie, look at previous trips' scrapbooks, etc...

* your first schedule plan...

my one thought is I would highly recommend dropping any park from the 1st day...after 2 and 1/2 days of driving...you will be zonked...why not spend the afternoon and eveing at POR...go swimming, walking around maybe your Dad can rent a fishing pole and take DD fishing...take the boat over to DTD and grab a light dinner at EOS and do a little pre-shopping...

I wouldn't want to tie myslef to a TS schedule on arrival you just never know what bumps might occur...yes you are Disney and I know you want to get to that MK quick...but take your time...ease in. JAT

as well watch the late nights followed by early mornings...if you stay at Epcot to watch Illuminations...you will not be out of the park for a while even w/ a car and to get up and be at BBB beofre park opening...you will be dragging...I also try to match early night to early morning...doesn't always work but a goal worth trying for...

Hmm...given food to think about...I will have really look at Illuminations once the schedule comes out soon and debate on the best day to fit it in!

* Wishes, no thank-you's and sprinkles....

I love this wording...so cute

my one thought for MK is don't do a no thank you on TTA...it is brillant...a fun favorite w/ the little kid crowd in my kids and my opinion...it is a great rest and filler...she should love zipping around the top of Tomorowland...it is a must do for us every time.

* to -do list...

wow girl you are a Diser after my own heart...

love the "Disney School" I hope you share some of that...

it looks pretty good...and yes there will always be something to add along the way...but you seem well on your way...

hope my notes were OK and not too forward...happy planning and glad to be here the rest of the way.

Scrappie J~

Ahh yes my To Do List I love having them as crazy as that sounds!! I am working on the Disney School as I like to call it and will post more about it once I work out more details.

Thanks for taking the time to read through it all and make so many helpful comments and suggestions!!! I hope you will stay on board and keep doing so!!

 

[Charlefours]

Ugh what a week it has been!! We received notice that our tenants in our townhome in IL were moving out abruptly because they broke up. Well, they lied to us the whole time they were leaving there!! ( They *TRASHED* our towhome!! It was disgusting! To spare you all the grossness lets just say it took 5 days to get it put back together. We ended up staying out in IL 2 1/2 days longer than we expected. If you want to see before and after pictures I am considering posting them on FB so PM if you want to see them.

Good news is even though it has been on the market for less than a week we have found new tenants! They seem like they are going to be dream renters!! So much better than what we had before we hope! Lets hope it is a better situation!!

So this past week after we got home on Monday evening has been spent catching up on things here at home and with my grad school. I am still not completely there so as soon as I do I will get a post together!

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

 

[BabyEeyore]

A friend of my family rented out a house to a family and our friends had to kick them out because they didn't pay rent for a few months. We actually were looking for a new place to move to so we decided we'd go ahead and live there. Well, after a struggle, they finally left and they had trashed the place. Really disgusting. It took awhile for all of us to clean it up, too. I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I really hope these new people will be good!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Ugh! I'm so sorry you had to deal with that!! But thank goodness you were able to find another tenant so quickly!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks for "visiting" me! You are a super-planner! I'm impressed!!!
Sending prayers for your friend. Cancer sucks!

Amanda

 

[Shmily01]

That stinks to have bad renters. Glad you found new ones fairly quickly. Hopefully these will be better than your last ones.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Sorry you had to deal with bad renters but glad you found some great people to move in. Good luck with your classwork and playgroup!

 

[kcandbella]

That is terrible about the renters. My aunt owns rental property and for the most part has had good luck...except with one family. Among other things, they let their children color on the walls...with SHARPIE markers. And that was one of the more tame things. At least you got it all under control and found new renters. Hopefully they will be 100% better!!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I've been meaning to get over here, and I finally did. I love how organized you are! But of course, you have to be - with a preschooler AND graduate school to deal with.

Your plans look great. We love traveling with extended family, but it can be tricky. I bet everyone will be so grateful for your planning expertise - you've done all the work, all they have to do is show up and have a great time!

I think you'll really enjoy POR. We've stayed at five different Disney resorts, and it's been our favorite so far

 

[Charlefours]

A friend of my family rented out a house to a family and our friends had to kick them out because they didn't pay rent for a few months. We actually were looking for a new place to move to so we decided we'd go ahead and live there. Well, after a struggle, they finally left and they had trashed the place. Really disgusting. It took awhile for all of us to clean it up, too. I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I really hope these new people will be good!!

Thanks! We think the next round of people will be great!! We have had great conversations with them thus far and have someone who will be there to spot check our townhome every few months.

Ugh! I'm so sorry you had to deal with that!! But thank goodness you were able to find another tenant so quickly!!

Definitely! It is what allows me to stay home with my daughter--essentially our second income.

That stinks to have bad renters. Glad you found new ones fairly quickly. Hopefully these will be better than your last ones.

They will be better! I have to keep my thoughts positive! We are not taking chances though, we will have someone do spot checks every so often though this go around.

 

[Charlefours]

Thanks for "visiting" me! You are a super-planner! I'm impressed!!!
Sending prayers for your friend. Cancer sucks!

Amanda

Amanda to my PTR!! Thanks--I enjoy planning things (as if that is not noticeable )

Thank you for the prayers--she completed her first round of chemo and is remaining positive--all good things!