1 more day! Some Mother/Daughter Mischief: A Jan 2016 PTR

[kcpinwdw]

Day 4

The problem with short trips is that this is already the day we go HOME! But first, we have a lovely full day at Magic Kingdom planned. While in my previous plan our flight arrived around noon and likely we would have 4-5 hours at epcot that evening with two full MK days, now I have a full day at Epcot and Mk with about 8-9 hours at MK our leaving day.

Flight is at 7:30 so plan on magical express picking us up around 4:30. So in theory we have from 8-3 to enjoy MK on this fine Tuesday.

I love a pre-park ADR and today is no exception. If we have a late night at Epcot the previous evening I will cancel it, but for now we are planning on a BOG breakfast again.

I also really want to eat at Liberty Tree Tavern so I made a lunch ADR. Yum I do love their food.

Both ADRs are subject to change if the Skipper Canteen opens up in time. I'm keeping a close eye out!

I haven't worked too much on a touring plan for the day yet. I am feeling like being flexible. I guess we will just see if we get any FPs that are hard to move, and otherwise just go with the flow.

Another goal for the day will be buying brother a nice present to bring home. I'm sure he will be having a grand ol' time with Daddy and grandma but I still feel a LITTLE bad he is missing out on all this fun. I guess I will have to plan a mother/son trip in a year or so!

 

[kcpinwdw]

We are down to double digits! 98 from today I believe.

I was looking at my calendar and we are really incredibly busy between now and this trip, hopefully that will help the time past by!

Next week we are headed to San Antonio for a conference. My husband and I are in the same line of work, so we often conference together. My in-laws are coming to help with the kids while we are there. We are staying right on the riverwalk. It is my first trip to Texas. We are going to do some serious EATING. We have reservations for our anniversary while we are there, just the two of us, and I have scouted some great restaurants for the whole family. We are going to hit the zoo and the Children's museum too. We will be there for Halloween, so I got tickets to trick or treat at the zoo. We fly home Halloween evening so we will miss real trick or treating. It was $100 cheaper per person to fly that night though, so it was a no brainer. I bought them the Halloween Mickey and Minnie from the disney store as a little surprise when we are there.

We just decided to drive to the in-laws for Thanksgiving too. Originally we were staying home because I was on call, but someone offered to take it last week and I let them have it. My husband's twin brother is hosting at his new house, it's about a 6 hour drive from where we live. We will leave wednesday night and come back sunday. Two nights in a hotel, two nights with family.

Then the next weekend, the first in December, we will be going to Charlotte NC. My husband's younger brother had a baby this year we havent met yet. We planned this trip when it looked like THanksgiving wasnt going to happen, since they are driving up for that too. So now we have back to back weekends away. We are going anyway because the cost to change the flight is more than the flight was in the first place! We got tickets for about $150 each. We are doing a night at Great Wolf Lodge, sharing a big suite with their family. I've never been there before. I think the kids will LOVE it. And I get two weekends in a row to snuggle my nephew.

That leaves only about two weeks until Christmas. Not sure what we are doing yet. My parents, who live near us, are going to Colorado. We may just stay home and have a quiet christmas, though the original plan was to drive to the inlaws, and that may still happen. Luckily I have already started my christmas shopping for the children. We usually dont do too much, actually (I am all about giving them experiences over things), but Costco had some cute toys and I couldnt resist... and of course I scout the disney store website for good clearance items!

Before you know it, it will be January!

I was sad to read this morning that Soarin' will be closed when we are there. My disappointment is tempered a bit since I now think Sylvie probably wont be tall enough anyway. She was 38.25" in bare feet at the doctor last week.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

We will be there for Halloween, so I got tickets to trick or treat at the zoo.

If Its anythinh like Boo at the Zoo at my local zoo the twins will have big fun! We're actually taking little miss to our boo at the zoo today.

but Costco had some cute toys and I couldnt resist... and of course I scout the disney store website for good clearance items!

Costco does have some cute ones. Consignment sales is another place you can sometimes get lucky. Believe it or not I am done shopping for Little Miss's christmas stuff. Got most of little Miss's stuff in consignment sales. I've been filling in here and there since and have recently cut myself off from buying more.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Boo at the Zoo

That is what it is called, so I bet it will be exactly like it!

I made them a fox and a pink owl costume, just finished this morning

consignment sales.

Totally. Do you have a Once Upon a Child? We have found some great items there, like the fisher price loving family dollhouse for $4!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Just popping in.

85 days on the countdown clock.

We are in San Antonio this week. Even though this is a work trip I can't help comparing everything to Disney!

Thinking about packing for January and LAYERS. You just never know, right? I am not planning on swimming at all since it is such a short trip. I just ordered my daughter an adorable Inside Out hoodie from Zulily this morning. She also has a Doc McStuffins one that is relatively new and a minnie mouse sweatshirt that's a bit small but works. I am wondering if I should do a set of customs for the trip, something "mommy and me" themed... any ideas?? Maybe Dutchess and Marie? There aren't a lot of good mothers out there in Disneyana, ha ha ha. I guess we could do Lady Tremaine and Drizella or something along those lines. Or maybe just some ear sweatshirts with the trip name embroidered on. MAybe I have to start pinteresting again and see what is out there for ideas!

 

[kcpinwdw]

BIG NEWS: I bought an Annual Pass!

I am really excited. Trip feels super real now. I bought my daughter's 3 day ticket too.

I'm having fun with the AP on the website. I can search for deals, book FPs, etc. Took me a little while to sort it out. It doesnt look like there are any AP discounts for WL available when we go. I may still call and check, though I dont know if the discount is any different than the general public discount rate I bought.

When we get to Disney I need to activate my pass at guest relations. I plan to buy a Tables in Wonderland card too. OUr first park day we have a pre-park aDR, and I am worries that guest relations will not be open that early. So I am thinking of taking the boat over after we check in and do it that first evening, so I dont have to worry about it. Just hope we have no flight problem so it is not too late for the toddler. If anyone knows about how early guest relations is open, I would love to hear it!

Here is my current to-do list:
1) still stalking illumiNations dessert party ressies just in case. Not sure I need or want but just considering, as they are not open for booking yet our week.
2) need to talk to travel agent for our Sept trip and remove my ticket from our package. Thinking about adding park hoppers to my family too. Never had them before but on a long, relaxing trip they may be good.
3) babysitting arrangements for my son need to be finalized

82 days

 

[Trixie15]

Yay on the Annual Pass!! If I thought I could squeeze in another trip in a year's time I would be all over that, too! I think my family wants to take a trip outside of Disney for our next vacation, though.

It would be so fun to dress up like Lady Tremaine and Drizella! Everyone always dresses up like the princesses but I think it's super fun to see people take on the personas of some of the other less-popular characters.

 

[Duzzygirl]

Sounds like a wonderful trip for you and your daughter. Cherish it. I'm 39 and my Mom is 64. We are still vacationing together. Though, we didn't actually start until about 10 years ago. We love it.

 

[kcpinwdw]

I'm 39 and my Mom is 64. We are still vacationing together. Though, we didn't actually start until about 10 years ago.

That's awesome! My mom and I have talked about doing a trip together but we haven't yet. When I was growing up she always talked about how much she HATED theme parks et al. Now she sees what a great time we all have and feels sad she is missing out... I just think she didn't give it a good enough chance. I'm going to pop over to your trip report too!

 

[kcpinwdw]

We are down to 63 days which means monday will be the late night I make my fastpasses! Now that I've used the new system a few times I am not too worried about it, I wouldnt be staying up until midnight except of course my little princess wants to meet herself some Anna and Elsa (again). I have a plan!

My plan is
Day 1) All FPs for the late afternoon/early evening. A&E and... maybe PP and ETWB?? (did I say I have a plan?? Oh well)
Day 2) No Soarin' so basically it doesnt matter, does it. I was going to get character spot but I have the disney Visa so maybe I should be doing that one instead.
Day 3) Random morning time MK rides.

OKay, ha ha, I guess I am staying up to Midnight for one FP and one FP only. Aw, who am I kidding? I'll set my alarm for 11:55. No way I am able to stay up that late!

From my previous post To-do list, all three checked off. I modified my sept reservations and upgraded my family to hoppers, for the first time ever. This should make for some interesting twists/challenges when I plan for that vacation! My mom is happy to take my son for the two days DH has to work while we are away. And lastly, illumiNations party opened up for January and isn't offered on our days, so I dont have to worry about it.

I now present my UPDATED to-do list!!
1) find the most awesome-ist princess dress for the Perfectly Princess tea party, or design it myself. I really want the chasing fireflies aurora dress but it is sold out. Thinking of making a long tulle tutu dress in an aurora style. I want it seriously pouffy.
2) A reservation for a meal at Skipper's Canteen.

That is all! I will update more when FPs become booked!

 

[NJlauren]

Yahoo! Good luck tonight! A&E for the win!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Fastpass Update!

Last night I set my alarm for 11:58pm and slept a few good hours before waking up at 11:51--- because I am GOOD like that. Anyway, I think FP booking was very successful. I felt lucky to get A&E for our first day, and not the worst time either!

Here is the FP breakdown:

Day 1 MK: 2:10-3:10 A&E (likely catch the tail end when we come back to the park after nap), 3:20-4:20 Cindy and Rapunzel, 4:20-5:20 ETWB
Day 2 Epcot: 9:50-10:50 Character Spot, 10:50-11:50 Nemo, 11:50-12:50 living with the land (because there was no other choice in Tier one for a 3 year old)
Day 3 MK: 9:40-10:40 Jungle cruise, 10:40-11:40 Meet Mickey, 12:40-1:40 A&E (back up for day 1 and likely last thing we do before leaving)

I tend to change FPs a LOT with the app while we are in the park, based on the line times. If anything looks short standby I usually reschedule that FP immediately.

We will Rope Drop Peter Pan on day 1 and Winnie the Pooh on day 3, I think.

Rumor has it that Skipper's Canteen is opening for ADRs tomorrow, so I am hoping for dinner on day 1 here. If that happens I may switch jungle cruise to right before dinner, then get ETWB on day 3. Hmmm.... maybe I will do that now

Online Check in

I filled in online check in. None of the room options seemed to pertain to me since we are staying club level and they were all about what floor you wanted (and obviously we will be on the 7th floor). So I did no online room requests, and instead emailed the IPO asking for a north facing room so we can see Wishes at night. They emailed me back very quickly thanking me for the request and saying it was noted on my reservation now, but no promises! Fingers crossed. I don't think we will likely make it to fireworks with the early mornings I have planned, unless Sylvie decides to do some serious surprise napping!

60 days away! So close and yet so far...

 

[kcpinwdw]

55 more days! I'm getting pretty excited.

I've decided I want to make Sylvie a dress for the My DIsney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party, and of course it should be Aurora. So I have almost two months to delicately brainwash her into thinking this is a wonderful idea (She loves dresses but definitely has her favorites... the rapunzel dress I made from her BBB photos for example gets worn almost daily, the overskirt is in tatters.) Stage one was buying her the animator's collection aurora doll for Christmas. I've also been showing her lots of photos from past meet and greets with Aurora. I think my ace in the hole will be that this dress will be a TUTU dress rather than the traditional sort. I found some cute examples on pinterest. I am thinking a super full almost floor length tulle skirt. I am not sure about the bodice yet, since I dont love the way the crocheted headbands look as the top. We will see. I ordered a boat load of pink tulle to get started. I will update with pictures once the project is underway.


Dreaming about future trips....

What is wrong with me?? I havent even taken this trip yet! As you know I have a club level trip to the Polynesian planned for September. The deal was "magical" and after our last Poly stay I am looking forward to a relaxing, resort-centered vacation. I dont think there will be a lot of planning attached to this trip. I'd be happy ordered Ohana' room service every single night instead of ADRs, ha ha ha. But I am sure I will plan a couple things. Maybe a grown-ups only night out.

Anyway, this weekend we traveled to central NY to visit my inlaws. LAst december we traveled to WDW with my husband's twin's family and my MIL and had an amazing off-site stay. Being with our family again makes me want to plan another extended family vacation. My husband's little brother and his family have never been to WDW, so this time they definitely need to come too. I am wondering if December 2016 may be a good time. Two years after our last big family trip. We would have 7 adults, and 6 kids--- two of whom would still be disney infants (2.5 and 1.5 in 12/2016). I would LOVE to stay on site but we will likely be bankrolling pretty much the whole thing so it probably would be much more cost effective to look at using a time share. I own with RCI, something given to me from my grandparents many years ago. We dont use it often but I know i can get 2-bedroom units for under $300 a week, so for under a grand we could have three units and SO MUCH SPACE. I'll probably still look into renting points and see how much different it is... But for that cheap we can help with ticket cost/airfare too and make the trip much more possible for everyone. Only problem with my plan is both other families have an parent that is a TEACHER, and that means very inflexible school schedules. They would have to figure out how to take a couple days off. I figure I have a year to convince everyone this is a fabulous idea Oh, and my Annual Pass will be about to run out by then, so of course I will need to sneak in another trip!!!


Still waiting on Skipper's Canteen!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Aurora Dress update

I've been having fun making a tutu aurora dress for Sylvie for the Princess Tea Party. Last night I finally found some time to cut up the tulle and attach it to the headband. The result is amazing, so fluffy. I cant believe materials were under $10!!!



Now I have to attach 5-6 bands together of white tulle to the top, and it will wrap around her shoulders and tie in the back. Maybe tomorrow! This morning I had Sylvie try it on and she LOVES it, which is good!



The top crocheted party is a bit see through so she'll need to wear something under. Maybe i'll pick up some soft, stretchy knit fabric and make a simple tube dress for underneath, and just tack it on at the top. I also bought a pink and white cape from zulily that she can wear in case of colder weather. It has a little hood and is very princessy, but should keep her a bit warmed. You never know in January. It's so fluffy I dont think that I'll have her wear it to the park in the morning, we will change at the GF or maybe on the monorail if running late!

I am excited for Christmas but I am more excited for this trip, ha ha.

I still havent gotten any magical express tags so I think I have to call this week, I dont think it worked when I added it online.

And Skipper Canteen watch is still on!

 

[kcpinwdw]

Friday morning are lazy at our house because the twins don't have school, which means I just have to get myself ready for the day and they get to lounge around until Nanny or grandma comes to watch them. So this morning Sylvie was playing on my phone and watching YouTube kids. I glance over at what she picked... and it was a video of a little girl getting her makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Ah, a child after my own heart. I really don't know if we have time for a BBB reservation this trip, we are BUSY. But would it hurt to call and check?? Of course not

So I thought maybe we'll get some pixie dust and find an early morning MK reservation. if not maybe we can try a walk-up?? Well of course nothing is available at MK... BUT, they did have a 9am available at Disney Spring on our Epcot day... hmmm...

So here is my NEW day 2 plan, do you think it will work? Monday January 25th

7:30 breakfast from CL lounge and hit the bus to Disney Spring.
9:00AM BBB reservation
finish around 10:30 I am guessing
A little shopping if we have time/finish early
Get to EPCOT, I will have to do some transportation research.
Noon reservation at Garden Grill ( I pushed this back from our earlier 11:30 reservation)
Then all our FPs are scheduled
then 5pm reservation for Akershus

Is this too much in one day?? I never go more than one place a day, and I heard that Disney Springs transportation can be brutal. On that note, though, I haven't been "downtown" in many, many years... we haven't made it on any of our recent trips.

If this plan works, we will need another princess dress for BBB. I am thinking Belle since we have Akershus. I may make it similar to my Aurora one above, since it was SO EASY.

 

[cajunfan]

Hi Casey!

How did I miss this one! It is awesome that it is just you and Sylvie!

I don't know that I would do BBB and then try to get to EPCOT from DS...from what I hear, DS is still a mess. You will have to get all the way from WoD to the front of the marketplace where the buses are, then probably take a bus to an Epcot resort (Beach Club/Yacht Club/Boardwalk) and then walk or take a boat to Epcot. I think that may be pushing it. Does she know about the Tea Party? Can you re-focus her on that? Have you thought about using Uber while there? Not sure where some of the drop off places are for parks for Uber, but it may be worth the expense on a tight schedule...but you still have the DS traffic mess right now.

 

[kcpinwdw]

I don't know that I would do BBB and then try to get to EPCOT from DS...

YEah you are right. I told her about the tea party but she has no frame of reference for it and I didnt want to spoil all the surprises there by showing her pictures from reviews. I will call randomly to check on MK locations. A taxi/uber isnt a bad idea either.

 

[kcpinwdw]

I finished the base for the Belle dress. I bought lots more yellow Tulle and flowers to make the overdress/swooping part. Then I will line it with a jersey knit tube dress. I will have to sew that though so maybe after christmas

New problem: These tutus are HUGE and I will apparently need a big suitcase.

 

[brb1006]

How much time do you have left until your trip to WDW. I could give some good advice for you two.

 

[mdsouth]

Aurora Dress update

I've been having fun making a tutu aurora dress for Sylvie for the Princess Tea Party. Last night I finally found some time to cut up the tulle and attach it to the headband. The result is amazing, so fluffy. I cant believe materials were under $10!!!

View attachment 139748

Now I have to attach 5-6 bands together of white tulle to the top, and it will wrap around her shoulders and tie in the back. Maybe tomorrow! This morning I had Sylvie try it on and she LOVES it, which is good!

View attachment 139750

The top crocheted party is a bit see through so she'll need to wear something under. Maybe i'll pick up some soft, stretchy knit fabric and make a simple tube dress for underneath, and just tack it on at the top. I also bought a pink and white cape from zulily that she can wear in case of colder weather. It has a little hood and is very princessy, but should keep her a bit warmed. You never know in January. It's so fluffy I dont think that I'll have her wear it to the park in the morning, we will change at the GF or maybe on the monorail if running late!

I am excited for Christmas but I am more excited for this trip, ha ha.

I still havent gotten any magical express tags so I think I have to call this week, I dont think it worked when I added it online.

And Skipper Canteen watch is still on!

Wow! I love the Aurora dress! Your daughter looks so cute in it. The bouncy skirt will be fun for her to dance around in! The pink cape sounds perfect for the outfit. And the Belle dress is great too!

On my last trip, my DD and I had four days on our own before my hubby and son joined us! I loved the mother-daughter time. She was ten at the time and we did a lot of princess/character meals and meet and greets. It was so much fun spending time doing more girly things than we normally get to do on our family trips.