2011 MNSSHP trip! Need help figuring out DD's costume!

[Victoriasmom98]

HI!! I hope you don't mind, but I came over from Karen's ptr. You have a wonderful family and I'm enjoying reading your plans. I absolutely LOVE your bookshelf......oh, I've got to start one!!!

 

[Parla]

Great buys

Love the grey shirts you got. They are cute

Poor doggie, hope he is okay

Thanks, she seems to be doing a little better. She will be 16 in December.

Piggy bank shelf! Genius! Buying stuff for the shelf is exactly something I would have done!

I LOVE your shirts! Those are awesome! I wish we had a Disney Store, but I don't think there is even one in St. Louis, 100 miles from here.

Thanks, 100 miles is a bit far to travel for a shirt. The website is just as good for clothing. DD and DS got a couple of vinylmation though and that was pretty exciting to do in the store. The clerk asked them to open them at the counter so she could see what they got. She was more excited than they were.

HI!! I hope you don't mind, but I came over from Karen's ptr. You have a wonderful family and I'm enjoying reading your plans. I absolutely LOVE your bookshelf......oh, I've got to start one!!!

I'm so glad you joined in. Yes, everyone should have a Disney saving shelf. My dad got us a big old glass water jug to try and fill too. We don't tend to get a lot of change though so the piggy banks are pretty hungry. Our Fifth Third cards give points and when you turn them in as a $50 deposit into a special savings account they add $5 so we only turn our points in for Disney savings now. Loving the extra $5 rewards.

 

[Parla]

Here's the official ADR list. Already canceled a couple and re-booked for an hour or so off of the original time. Loving the online reservations!

10/15 Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room 1:25 PM
10/15 Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show 8 PM

10/16 1900 Park Fare 8 AM
10/16 Pirates League 10:20 AM
10/16 BBB 11 AM
10/16 Cinderella's Royal Table 2:40 PM
MNSSHP!!!

10/17 Tutto Italia Ristorante 1 PM
10/17 Behind the Seeds Tour 4:30 PM
10/17 The Garden Grill Restaurant 7:50 PM

10/18 Tusker House Restaurant 8:05 AM
10/18 Yak & Yeti Restaurant 1 PM
10/18 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue 7:15 PM
10/18 Haunted Carriage Ride 9:30 PM

10/19 Boma-Flavors of Africa 7:30AM
10/19 Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater 11:15 AM
10/19 50's Prime Time Cafe 5:45 PM
10/19 Illumination's Cruise 8:30 PM

10/20 Biergarten 12:00 PM
10/20 Jiko - The Cooking Place 7:45 PM

10/21 Kona Cafe 7:30 AM
10/21 The Crystal Palace 4:30 PM
10/21 Boma-Flavors of Africa 9:10 PM (will cancel this one if we decide to do another MNSSHP)

The only problems I had other than Biergarten was a couple of times I got a warning that our party may be seated at different tables. I didn't get the message if I chose a time that was off by 15-20 minutes so a few are a little off from where I really wanted them. Also, HDDR wasn't showing up for the +10 timeframe but the gal I spoke to for the Illuminations Cruise took care of it. I find it funny that they have several different phone numbers but the first person you talk to can take care of anything. She also booked BBB and PL for us as well as Behind the Seeds. The only one I had to pay for in advance was Behind the Seeds ($68).

 

[Trentmom]

wow

You did great

the 16th looks like it is going to be a blast!!!

MNSSHP is awesome

If you do end up just doing one, go on rides during first parade. The 2nd parade always seems less crowded

The fireworks are amazing!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Whoohooo! Look at all those ADRs!!! I'm not sure what's up with Biergarten, but I've seen reports in the last week or so of people having trouble mid-October getting ADRs. I'm not sure what that's about, it's usually a REALLY easy one to get and I can't imagine a refurb in OCTOBER for Biergarten???

The castle before MNSSHP with be so fun!!!

 

[Family Loves Disney]

I'm nervous. The last two trips were pure excitement to plan but this time I'm nervous. For the first time ever I'm planning on taking my kids out of school for a couple of days for something other than an illness or a doctor's appointment. They get a four day weekend (four days is definitely not long enough when you haven't been in four years) in October and I've always wanted to do MNSSHP but didn't think I would ever bite the bullet. I really want to do this while they are young enough to enjoy it.

DS is 12 now and it's going to be a tough one to know if he enjoys it. He was diagnosed with Asperger's a few years ago after our last trip. Part of the reason we had him tested was because he had a complete meltdown every morning when he would ask if we were going to the Lego Store and we would have to remind him that the DTD day was scheduled the day before the last full day. It has been really rough dealing with a lot of day to day activity such as homework and trumpet practice. Not to mention cleaning his room and now we've had a rather large bump in the road of missing money from the Disney piggy bank.

DD is 8 and I believe will fully embrace MNSSHP. I've promised her a trip to BBB the day of the party and she is stoked. Her biggest issue is that she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 6 1/2. This will be our first vacation since the diagnosis and a real test for all of us. I wish Disney had a Droid app that listed all the carbs in all of their food. Of course it probably wouldn't help much. The weekend we went to our service unit's girl scout camp out had her blood sugars so low I spent both nights up all night trying to get her to drink juice in her sleep. I cut her insulin at dinner the second night and she was over 500 a couple of hours later. I'm going to work out more of a plan with her nurse practitioner before this trip.

Here we are just minutes after entering the happiest place on earth for the very first time as a family.

Now on to the last really stressful item. We are flying. I don't want to but I also don't want to drive. We just won't have the time. I'm already pulling them out of school for two days. I would have to make it four if we drove. I don't know the first thing about booking flights. I would love to get straight flights with no connections but I'm thinking that's not going to work. Especially at the times we want to fly. I always said if we flew I would want to go with Southwest Airlines because I've always heard such good things about them but their October schedule isn't even out yet. I want to avoid Delta NWA because we had issues last time. My TR was closed before I had the chance to post on those. I should type something up and ask a mod if I can add it.

Question, would it be really stupid of me just to walk into AAA to book my trip and have them take care of the flights also? I always remember T booking through AAA and then getting a great deal on flights all on her own. If even a handful of you say just go with AAA then I'm in their office Monday booking everything since that's the date I read the October flights should be released for Southwest.

I can't wait to come back and post things as they are planned. I really enjoy going back and reading the TR that I made. It brings back so many memories. Plus, help with any problems that arise would be awesome.

UPDATE 03/25/2011 Changed my posts color today to red. Let me know if that's annoying was going to change it to lime green but it was a bit too much. Think I will make the updates I add to my post a different color though.

Booked airfare with Air Tran
Leaving Indy on October 15th at 7 AM to arrive in Orlando at 9:13 AM
Leaving Orlando on October 22nd at 6:40 PM and arrives in Atlanta at 8:13 PM. Leaving Atlanta at 10:15 PM and home by 11:46 PM.

Officially booked ADRs here.

Since we might be sharing a cruise and being there at the same time and I am an RN, I can help you with DD's diabetes and insulin if you need me. Not to mention help with DS, too. I think Justin will love to know that your DS is on the ASD too. Maybe our kids will be quick friends. Hope this doesn't sound too stalkerish. lol.

 

[Parla]

wow

You did great

the 16th looks like it is going to be a blast!!!

MNSSHP is awesome

If you do end up just doing one, go on rides during first parade. The 2nd parade always seems less crowded

The fireworks are amazing!!!!

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to that day. That's why it's so early in the trip.

Whoohooo! Look at all those ADRs!!! I'm not sure what's up with Biergarten, but I've seen reports in the last week or so of people having trouble mid-October getting ADRs. I'm not sure what that's about, it's usually a REALLY easy one to get and I can't imagine a refurb in OCTOBER for Biergarten???

The castle before MNSSHP with be so fun!!!

IKR? I really hope they get it straightened out so I can make a different ADR and cancel Teppan Edo. Don't get me wrong, I would kind of like to eat there but had our hearts set on Biergarten this trip.

Since we might be sharing a cruise and being there at the same time and I am an RN, I can help you with DD's diabetes and insulin if you need me. Not to mention help with DS, too. I think Justin will love to know that your DS is on the ASD too. Maybe our kids will be quick friends. Hope this doesn't sound too stalkerish. lol.

Not at all, I was actually thinking that already.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi

got a little behind on your PTR....but happy to see you were able to get most of all of your ADR wants...it's an impressive list ...you'll be eating good

post away on whatever you like I say...I usally try to post misc tidbits that relate to Disney or life in general if I think it's something my readers would enjoy

like your shelf too! We have Disney stuff all over our house too...

Also love the idea of a scrapbook I'm an avid scrapper (hence my name)

J~

 

[Parla]

Look what I found when cleaning out my closet. Actually I found a whole stack of receipts from our 2006 trip. This was just the first one I came across and the most sentimental. Of course I'm recycling them all (it is Earth Day you know) but they made me ache to be at WDW. I told DH it's a good thing we have a trip planned. I would have needed some prozac after looking over those receipts if I didn't have a trip to look forward to.

Biergarten is up and booking for any of you that were planning on going and couldn't get it to work. I changed out Teppan Edo (sorry, see ya next time) and now I'm looking forward to Biergarten more than any of the other restaurants. Very strange and psychologically disquieting. I was looking forward to CRT and HDDR more. Oh and that Tonga Toast that makes me drool when I think about it even though I've never tried it.

 

[Trentmom]

love finding old receipts and other trinkets from disney trips

 

[kaoden39]

I used a purse I hadn't used for a while and I found receipts and maps from our June trip to Disneyland.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yay for Biergarten! I wonder why there were issues? No matter, it's fixed now! I've found old receipts as well and felt that nostalgia calling me!

 

[02AggieGirl]

I'm in!! haven't had a chance to read any yet, but I will catch up

 

[therussells08]

Wow! Your ADRs are great! That is so awesome that you are going to be able to do so many fun "extras" on your trip!

Awww, that receipt is so cool! I never think to hold onto things like that, but I wish I did. I made a scrapbook from our first trip to Disney and I look at it all the time!

Glad you were able to get Biergarten!

 

[mousescrapper]

I have reciepts, trip notes etc from my '98 trip and a fewe misc things even from my first WDW trip as kid

 

[Parla]

Wow, I can't seem to find time to update my PTR. Luckily I did find time to make a couple of reservations. I added DH to the reservation for Pirates League. I didn’t think he would want to but when I asked he didn’t seem opposed. How fun will that be for the two of them? It was a good thing too because I had 10:55 written down but it was apparently at 10:15. Now it is for both at 10:20. My only problem is DD would love to do the mermaid make over that they are doing right now but it probably won't be available. However, what if it is? Should I make a reservation for both BBB (already made) and PL for DD and then just call a few days before to see what is being offered and cancel the one we don't want? Of course, now I will be the only one not getting dressed at all for the Halloween party (get your mind out of the gutter, I won’t be naked).

The second reservation I made was for a Haunted Carriage Ride after our dinner at HDDR. I saw a post saying they were available. It was at least a week after the post and I didn’t think I would be able to get it. The times after HDDR seem to go quickly.

I had only seen the first POTC movie all the way through so when Target had the combo pack on temporary price cut to $14.99 with a free action figure a few weeks ago I had to buy them all and then we watched them one a day before going to see the new movie. Check it out!

We have also been really busy because DD went to diabetes camp for the first time this year. We went to family camp at the end of the school year for the weekend (just to see how it worked) and then she had a week of camp last week. I got the most amazing hug when I picked her up and she said she wouldn’t go back but by the time we left camp she was ready for next year. I think they were all tired and ready to see their parents. She got to swim every day and was in heaven just for that.

This is a little zip swing that they have.

The big zip line requires a little more hardware.

These baby birds on the porch of the dining hall were pretty awesome too!

Although we actually have a new nest by our back door. It’s on top of an old one. I thought I heard bird sounds when I opened the door to let the dog out and used a mirror to check only to find a big momma about to bite my hand off as she was sitting on either eggs or babies. LOL!

While DD was at camp DH and DS went to boy scout camp. I had already asked for the week off because I wasn’t sure if she was going to camp. Her camp is about an hour away from us and near a Disney Store. So I stopped in and picked up a few things for their carry-ons in October.

The small things in the upper left are Mickey and Minnie clip-ons for ear buds. I can only imagine they will both be killing their ipod batteries on the plane. Then (counter clockwise) a new snack container, a coupon for free shipping because I asked about some water bottles they no longer have but found them on the website with my phone) and a new vinylmation for each of them. The store had a new thing that if you don’t like your vinylmation you can exchange it for a few that they already have open. Hopefully the kids get a different one than they got last time and I don’t have to worry about that. And yes, these are in a new Perry shopping bag.

My favorite purchase though was these shirts. I’ve washed them and packed them away already. They are so wearing them on the same day!

DH actually came home Monday night and went back to camp Wednesday morning. We haven’t been without kids for even an afternoon for more than two years. We ate out and saw the movie Bridesmaids. I loved it! I’ve tried to watch Mike & Molly but didn’t really care for it. Melissa McCarthy was really the stand out performance in this movie though. Plus, thanks to my first Groupon purchase it was only $4 a ticket through Fandango.

The last thing is we are being swamped with paperwork for an insulin pump. We have decided to go with the Omnipod. The salesperson at camp over family weekend didn’t have anything to do with that decision but she sure made me happier about it and already has our insurance processed and ready to go for us. However the doctor’s office won’t give you the go ahead until you take a class, fill out a novel in paperwork and keep track of every crumb you eat down to the brand name (as well as insulin doses and activity). Fingers crossed this is done before school starts.

I’m probably not caught up with something Disney but will try to get on more often and post when I remember. I’m really upset because I lost the envelope that I wrote where I left off in the threads I didn’t have time to read last time. I could have missed the most important posts in distory!

 

[mousescrapper]

hi that is great about the camps...my twins camps are coming up soon to...N and DH head off to Boy Scout Camp for 1 week next Sunday and GB's 10 day camp is in mid July...


I am at a lull w/ planning for Oct...getting some fine tuning done and have begun working on jan'12 things now.

Like the start of your Disney stash, my kids havn't caught on to the vinlymation yet (thank goodness) but that is nice about the returning

If you don't get penalized for booking both PL and BB for DD when needing to cancel one then I'd say do it...PL is less money anyways

and you will need to dress up somehow, maybe even a fun hat and shirt or just sign yourself up for the PL too

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Mind in the gutter? Who me???

Great update! I cannot imagine two nights with no kids! It's been almost 17 years since my oldest was born and we are SO ready for our Anniversary trip next year! Love the P&F shirts!

 

[Parla]

love finding old receipts and other trinkets from disney trips

Memories! Light the corner of my mind!

I used a purse I hadn't used for a while and I found receipts and maps from our June trip to Disneyland.

Ahhhh, love it!

Yay for Biergarten! I wonder why there were issues? No matter, it's fixed now! I've found old receipts as well and felt that nostalgia calling me!

Yes, glad it's fixed. Even if they know why it was broken I'm sure they won't tell us.

I'm in!! haven't had a chance to read any yet, but I will catch up

Welcome! Where did you go?

Wow! Your ADRs are great! That is so awesome that you are going to be able to do so many fun "extras" on your trip!

Awww, that receipt is so cool! I never think to hold onto things like that, but I wish I did. I made a scrapbook from our first trip to Disney and I look at it all the time!

Glad you were able to get Biergarten!

Since we really only have the two trips planned and don't know if we'll ever make it back before grandchildren I'm trying to squeeze all the fun stuff in that we may never get the chance to do again.

I didn't really mean to keep the receipt for memories but that was during a period of 7-10 years where I thought I should keep EVERY receipt. I've been going through boxes and making shred/recycle piles.

I have reciepts, trip notes etc from my '98 trip and a fewe misc things even from my first WDW trip as kid

I think the only things we have from our first Disney trip are pictures. Maybe a mug and t-shirt that my sister actually bought for us. She was there at the same time we were on our honeymoon. That trip report would have been a hoot!

hi that is great about the camps...my twins camps are coming up soon to...N and DH head off to Boy Scout Camp for 1 week next Sunday and GB's 10 day camp is in mid July...


I am at a lull w/ planning for Oct...getting some fine tuning done and have begun working on jan'12 things now.

Like the start of your Disney stash, my kids havn't caught on to the vinlymation yet (thank goodness) but that is nice about the returning

If you don't get penalized for booking both PL and BB for DD when needing to cancel one then I'd say do it...PL is less money anyways

and you will need to dress up somehow, maybe even a fun hat and shirt or just sign yourself up for the PL too

I think my pirate league vs. BBB dilemma has worked itself out. I was really stressing over it today because I don't want to wait until it's too late to make a reservation. I called for DD one more time and asked if she was sure the order she wanted was Rapunzel, mermaid or pirate. She grabbed an Ariel doll off of the shelf and said, "Mom, I don't know why you're freaking out did you forget about her? If they don't have Rapunzel I can still be a mermaid!" Why didn't she say that the first time?

Mind in the gutter? Who me???

Great update! I cannot imagine two nights with no kids! It's been almost 17 years since my oldest was born and we are SO ready for our Anniversary trip next year! Love the P&F shirts!

It was so great. I hope that every parent of a diabetic child has a camp to send them to. Best mental health break ever! We are going to try and help raise money for the camp soon. I let them take DD's picture for the calendar that they sell. It costs $1000 for each child to go to camp there because of all the medical staff and things they have to have. But they only charge families $350. That was hard enough to pay. I really appreciate all of their fund raising to try and keep the fees down for families.

 

[Trentmom]

Yay, an update

Glad your daughter had a good time at Camp.

How cool you got to have some alone time. I went and saw Bridesmaids and laughed the whole time. I love it so much, I want to see it again

Looks like you got some great purchases

Those Phineas shirts are great

Haunted Carriage Ride sounds like that will be a blast

I would make a reservation at BBB and Pirate League. THen just do what you said and call a few days before to see what Pirate League is offering. You can make your decision then on what to keep