3 Boys and 20 Hours in a Minivan,I Must Really Love this Place!*New4/22 TR LINK

[mommytothreeboys]

On to Epcot! This is our favorite park! Of course, I love all of the parks and for the most magic, I’d say the MK has the lock, but for my family Epcot is tops! :

This has always been a 2 day park for us, so this time is no different. We knew we would only have 5 park days and there was no question which park would get the extra touring day. With 2 full days, we hope to be able to do all of our must-do’s and then some!

YES

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure—On our last trip this was still KimPossible. My boys love Phineas and Ferb and we are excited to try this out!

Living with the Land—I can’t quite explain why I love this attraction so much. I have NO green thumb whatsoever. In fact, Jeff says I have a black thumb! But, this ride is one of my favorites!

Mission Space—This is a ride I sit out. I do suffer from motion sickness and this just makes me nervous. Rather than risk it, I skip it. But, my boys love it so they will ride while I take in the scenery and enjoy a Mickey Bar!

Soarin’—Duh!

Test Track—I’m not sure how I feel about the refurb, but we will give it a fair shot!

Turtle Talk with Crush—I know this is meant for kids, but this show makes us laugh!

Club Cool—I know this is not really and “attraction”, but it is most definitely a must-do!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends—I could skip this one as I’m not a huge fan of fish and aquariums. But, I will be outnumbered and will give in!

NO

Ellen’s Energy Adventure—We did this on our last trip and enjoyed it. But, it is a time killer and I think , for us, once was enough.

Journey into Imagination with Figment— Sorry all you Figment lovers out there. Just not a fan!

O Canada—This, and most of the WS movies, fall into the “seen it once, that’s enough” category.

Reflections of China—see above!

The American Adventure—We really liked this on our last trip. It is very well done.


MAYBE

Gran Fiesta Tour—Depending on how touring is going and the wait time when we are there, this is a possibility. It’s a cute ride and a nice chance to relax!

Impressions de France—I believe this is the one and only movie we have not seen. I doubt anyone will be interested, but we’ll see.

Maelstrom—As the Mexico ride, we’ll judge according to wait time once we get there. I don’t mind the ride, but last time we got stuck watching the movie afterward because it felt rude to walk out!

Spaceship Earth—This is something we have done on both trips so I don’t think my boys will want to do it again. But I could be wrong, and I like it enough to put it on the schedule if it fits.

Innoventions (East and West)—We did do a little exploring here on our 2009 trip and found some cool stuff. We may wander through and see what we can see!


So….what do we do in Epcot that takes 2 days if there are only 8 attractions on the must-do list? We LOVE to wander around the World Showcase and explore the gift shops and all the hidden treasures in the pavilions. We also enjoy playing with the fountains…especially the jumping fountain by the Figment ride. I’m sure we will fill 2 days without issue. On one of the nights we will be sure to see Illuminations. While it’s not my favorite night time show, it is beautiful and I love the WS all lit up for the party!

My favorite part! A walk down memory lane with pictures from our last 2 trips.

2007

Dan playing in the jumping fountain.

At Coral Reef

Newly “licensed”

YUMM…lovin’ the food!

2009

Trying the Beverly!

Plate spinning in China

He’s one of a kind!

In the phone booth!

My boys and me!

See how much they grew in two years!

A shark!

Up next: Random planning updates and what did we get for Christmas??

 

[mickeystoontown]

If you have time, see the movie in France. Even Hunter said that it was pretty cool. It's almost like Soarin' but your seat doesn't move. The screen opens up really really wide and, if you're in the middle, you're almost surrounded and three sides.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

If you have time, see the movie in France. Even Hunter said that it was pretty cool. It's almost like Soarin' but your seat doesn't move. The screen opens up really really wide and, if you're in the middle, you're almost surrounded and three sides.

Ok...we'll do our best to see it. At least then we will have seen them all! I sometimes have problems with the big wrap around screens....they tend to make me sick. But, the nice thing about movies is that I can just close my eyes and it usually passes.

 

[indimom]

Your Epcot plans look a lot like ours. Except, we have never done a single show in WS. (Well, I did. In high school. With my parents. I barely remember them.) We didn't even consider it on the last two trips.
Which are the best, in your opinion? Maybe we'll try to fit in one or two this time....

 

[lsenquiz]

Glad to see Turtle Ralk with Crush is on your yes list. Its one of our favorites and fun for all ages IMO.

I noticed the circle of life is not on any list. Do you plan to do this? We have never made time for it before and are considering it for this trip so just wonder what your thoughts are.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Your Epcot plans look a lot like ours. Except, we have never done a single show in WS. (Well, I did. In high school. With my parents. I barely remember them.) We didn't even consider it on the last two trips.
Which are the best, in your opinion? Maybe we'll try to fit in one or two this time....

The movie in China is pretty. The Canada movie is also nice, but when we saw it, seemed like it needed to be remastered. It seemed grainy. It has Martin Short, so it's funny!

The American Adventure is not a movie, but is kind of a multi-media presentations that takes you through our history. It is well done and I would say you should see it at least once.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Glad to see Turtle Ralk with Crush is on your yes list. Its one of our favorites and fun for all ages IMO.

I noticed the circle of life is not on any list. Do you plan to do this? We have never made time for it before and are considering it for this trip so just wonder what your thoughts are.

We did see the Circle of Life movie on our first trip. It seemed to me like a long public service announcement for recycling and caring for the planet....with Disney characters, of course! It wouldn't be something I would do twice.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I interrupt this PTR for a snow update! We did not get the worst of it in Western New York, but we did get about a foot of new snow yesterday. It was so pretty...clinging to the trees, sparkling white!

These are pictures of my back yard. If you could just stay in and take in the beauty of it, it wasn't so bad. Trying to clean off my van this morning..that was another story!

I so need a trip to Florida!

 

[Duzzygirl]

It looks gorgeous! I wish we'd have gotten something.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The snow is absolutely beautiful! I'm a sissy when it comes to cold weather and would have to just look at it from inside. Well, I take that back, I'd venture out for a little while but then come in for hot chocolate!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

It looks gorgeous! I wish we'd have gotten something.

Did it miss you completely?

The snow is absolutely beautiful! I'm a sissy when it comes to cold weather and would have to just look at it from inside. Well, I take that back, I'd venture out for a little while but then come in for hot chocolate!

I don't like the cold. I am a firm believer that we were meant to stay inside during the cold winter months. Unfortunately, my life requires me to set foot outdoors on occasion. I much prefer the snow from the warmth of my home looking out the picture window!

 

[15isto2]

 

[mommytothreeboys]

LOL! Right?

 

[lsenquiz]

I don't like the cold. I am a firm believer that we were meant to stay inside during the cold winter months. Unfortunately, my life requires me to set foot outdoors on occasion. I much prefer the snow from the warmth of my home looking out the picture window!

I am totally with you. I was born and raised in Ohio(near Dayton) when I got married we moved to Cleveland where my DH is from. A year later my DH was offered a job in Georgia and we jumped on it.

When I look back now I can not image how we got through all those winters and I really can't image ever going back. When it snows here in Georgia(which is rare) everything shuts down and you are not expected to go anywhere!

 

[Alysa]

What beautiful snowy photos! Stay safe and warm!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I am totoal with you. I was born and raised in Ohio(near Dayton) when I got married we moved to Cleveland where my DH is from. A year later my DH was offered a job in Georgia and we jumped on it.

When I look back now I can not image how we got through all those winters and I really can't image ever going back. When it snows here is Georgia(which is rare) everything shuts down and you are not expected to go anywhere!

I hear ya! I was born in Erie and a lot of my family still lives in that area...just down the thruway from Cleveland. I'd jump on a move south as well!

What beautiful snowy photos! Stay safe and warm!

Thank you...we're trying!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I figured it was time for a random planning update, so here it is! Ive been doing a few things here and there to get ready for this trip. I feel like Im a little behind, but maybe its just because Ive done it before and have a routine!

I wanted to get some of my rental property questions answered, so I have emailed the owner and found out that we do not need to provide our own towels, toilet paper, or paper towels. I also requested early check in, which cant happen because the home is being rented the night before we get there. In order to get it all cleaned and ready for us, we need to wait until check in time at 4. So, I think we will probably go to the park then check in after park closing. The owner said the gate is staffed 24/7 so that should not be a problem. The owner has been FANTASTIC to work with and patient with all of my questions as a newbie! I wish I could show you photos of the property, but the photos are not able to be uploaded to photobucket. Oh well. Here are a few pictures of the Windsor Hills resort from their website.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsorhills/35563438/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsorhills/19868248/

We are in the area designated The Ventura

This is the floor plan of our condo. It is 1,447 sq. feet.

In other planning news, I have arranged for our snorkeling trip while we are in Freeport. We will be picked up from the port at 9 am and head to this beautiful place...

While there, we will spend our day looking at these....

The cost for the excursion is $35 per person and includes the transportation to and from the port and use of the snorkeling gear for the day. (You can do 2, 4, or 6 hours for the same price) One of the best things about it is that we will not pay until we get there, so if the weather is bad or something goes wrong we dont lose our money.

With that checked off the list, I moved to the next order of business which was to make my Disney Box. This is just a box, or bin in my case, where we will put all of the things we accumulate for the trip over the next couple of months. It also has some things that we already have and use only for vacations, such as a pop-up hamper and an over-the-door shoe holder. I have added a few things already like glowsticks and my Disney lanyard.

My Disney Box!

Last but not least, I wanted to show you what we got for Christmas this year. Each year, my husbands Aunts give us gift cards to Wal-mart. This year, we got these instead!

Woo-Hoo! Instant souvenir money!

I also bought the family Disney shirts for our trip. Not matching, but cute nonetheless. (More on matching shirts later&. YES! I am one of those people!)

Jeffs (taken from the Disney store site since he happens to be wearing it today and is at work!)

Isaiahsthe villains!

DansGrumpy

JonahsMickey!

I hope to get one with Snow White before the trip. Just waiting on a good sale!

So, thats it for now. Im sure that with only 50 days until we leave, the planning will become fast and furious!

Next up&.the final Yes, No, Maybe update&.Magic Kingdom Edition!

 

[lsenquiz]

I love the shirts. Did these all come from the Disney website? We are not a matching shirt family but I do enjoy buying Disney Ts for our trip.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I love the shirts. Did these all come from the Disney website? We are not a matching shirt family but I do enjoy buying Disney Ts for our trip.

Yes, these t-shirts all came from the Disney shopping website. ONLY at Disney can I get my boys to agree to matching shirts. They wouldn't be caught dead doing it any other time. And I don't make them do it every day at Disney. Just a couple days for the photo ops!

 

[indimom]

Love the t-shirts and the snow photos (it really is beautiful when it's fresh and new).
We've actually got pretty nice weather right now and not a drop of snow left. I hope it stays this way. I need Spring!!!



That's an awesome deal of the snorkeling trip, especially since you can opt out at the last minute. Quite a find!