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

[DisMomAmy]

Isn't it great when things like that just work out!? How cool that you will be able to catch a game as well. We haven't told Jonah yet...trying to make it a surprise since he is the Orioles fan (along with his Daddy). We'll see how long I can keep the secret...I'm horrible at surprises!

That's funny... we weren't going to tell Alex, but Zach & I couldn't help ourselves! We told Zach because he can be funny... as fun as a game would be, he would probably be disappointed that it's a Yankees game. So we decied to let him in on the secret first & present it as a Rays game... and oh by the way, unfortunately they are playing the Yankees. Plus, being the keeper of a surprise made it special. He loved the idea, but couldn't wait to tell Alex.

I just read your other updates and ...



Congratulations on 30 days!!

And...



Congratulations on the private island stop!! That's so exciting!!

 

[indimom]

29 days....

private island....

seafood buffet...



That deserves a bit more dancing, I think...

 

[mommytothreeboys]

That's funny... we weren't going to tell Alex, but Zach & I couldn't help ourselves! We told Zach because he can be funny... as fun as a game would be, he would probably be disappointed that it's a Yankees game. So we decied to let him in on the secret first & present it as a Rays game... and oh by the way, unfortunately they are playing the Yankees. Plus, being the keeper of a surprise made it special. He loved the idea, but couldn't wait to tell Alex.

I just read your other updates and ...



Congratulations on 30 days!!

And...



Congratulations on the private island stop!! That's so exciting!!

29 days....

private island....

seafood buffet...



That deserves a bit more dancing, I think...

All this dancing is making me so happy!!

 

[KyWildcatGirl01]

That 29 Days is FOR SURE worth a dance...
That is awesome about the private island stop and I must say I love your check list so I may "borrow" it!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

That 29 Days is FOR SURE worth a dance...
That is awesome about the private island stop and I must say I love your check list so I may "borrow" it!!

Borrow away! Glad I can help!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

It’s been kind of a rough week. With 3 boys who are involved in a lot of things along with church, home, and work (however part time it is) responsibilities I feel a little overwhelmed by my life recently! This vacation is so NEEDED!

On the planning front, I have finished our Mickey Head t-shirts! I may never work with fabric paint again! Although I like the finished product, I was nervous about making a mistake the whole time! I had to be very careful that I did not smudge or drip…..too much pressure! I like work that is erasable for those of us who don’t have the steadiest hand or craftiest mind! Anyway…here is a photo montage of the step by step process as well as the end results!

Iron the washed shirts before starting.

This is the template…made from two mini cupcake liners and a foam plate cut to the size of a margarine tub.

This is how Jonah held the template in place while I squeezed the paint.

Using the paintbrush to “feather” the paint after squeezing.

The fabric paint I used. You need to get the bottles with the very thin nozzle or the paint clumps and is too thick to use.

After the first color of paint, I let the shirts dry overnight. Then I added colors #2 and #3. I did one color inside the original color and one outside so I did not need to allow the paint to dry again. Also, the cupcake liners are nice because you can use two new ones for each shirt. I had to be sure the large foam circle was free of fabric paint before each new shirt so no paint got where it was not supposed to be!

All done!

Overall, I like the way they turned out. I like that, although they match, they are all a bit unique.

I also ordered my new walking sandals online and they arrived today! I love mail! They are SO comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them!

Lastly, I added some trivia questions to our nightly countdown chain link removal. I have always done trivia in the past, but didn’t this time. My boys were having none of it, so trivia they have! Our question for tonight…

“When the MK opened, what was the price of a 7 ride coupon?”

Any guesses?

 

[danceintherain]

My guess is $4.50

I so need to buy some new sandals for our trip, but I'm having the hardest time. Everything that seems comfortable is too expensive. Getting old is so frustrating. When I was younger, it was no big deal to wear Old Navy flip flops everywhere. Now I ache for arch support!

 

[danceintherain]

I'm incredibly impatient, so after I made my guess I looked it up.
I find it quite amusing that It's a Small World was considered an E-ticket attraction back in 1971. It's crazy how things change.

 

[indimom]

Its been kind of a rough week. With 3 boys who are involved in a lot of things along with church, home, and work (however part time it is) responsibilities I feel a little overwhelmed by my life recently! This vacation is so NEEDED!

I know the feeling. I was just whining in my PTR.

On the planning front, I have finished our Mickey Head t-shirts! I may never work with fabric paint again! Although I like the finished product, I was nervous about making a mistake the whole time! I had to be very careful that I did not smudge or drip&..too much pressure! I like work that is erasable for those of us who dont have the steadiest hand or craftiest mind! Anyway&here is a photo montage of the step by step process as well as the end results!

All done!

Overall, I like the way they turned out. I like that, although they match, they are all a bit unique.

I think they are great. I've seen something similar where they used the plate and cupcake liners while spraying around them with paint, but I've never seen this kind. I can see how it would be difficult and require a very steady hand. The red one is my favorite!

I also ordered my new walking sandals online and they arrived today! I love mail! They are SO comfortable and I cant wait to wear them!

LOVE the sandals. DD has a similar pair. I really need to find a good walking pair also. I don't want to wear tennis shoes and socks every day of my trip.
In the past, my favorite and most comfortable sandals were more like dress sandals, leather with about a 1.5" wedge heel, (I think something about a heel suits my feet better). I can't seem to wear the more active style sandals everyone else loves, so I've got some searching to do yet.

Lastly, I added some trivia questions to our nightly countdown chain link removal. I have always done trivia in the past, but didnt this time. My boys were having none of it, so trivia they have! Our question for tonight&

When the MK opened, what was the price of a 7 ride coupon?

Any guesses?

Hmmm, I have no idea. I'll go with $7, ($1 per ride) although that sounds like a lot. I'll be interested in seeing what the real number is.

FTR: I apologize for the large bold print. I wanted to comment throughout your post and I can't get my colors to work (again) to make it pop out, so I had to go with size. I'm really not trying to take over your post or yell at you. lol. I really do not know what's up with my color options. Sometimes it works and sometimes I get nothing.

 

[mickeystoontown]

You did a fantastic job on the shirts! They turned out so good. Like you, I'm a bit leery when I work with the fabric paint because I'm scare I'll squeeze out a big old glob. But, you did great.

Oh my! I have no idea what the answer to the trivia question is. I'm going to say $10

 

[mommytothreeboys]

My guess is $4.50

I so need to buy some new sandals for our trip, but I'm having the hardest time. Everything that seems comfortable is too expensive. Getting old is so frustrating. When I was younger, it was no big deal to wear Old Navy flip flops everywhere. Now I ache for arch support!

Great guess! I'll post the answer in my next update!
I am a flip-flop girl too. But they just don't work for me all day in the parks. I think these sandals will be perfect!

I'm incredibly impatient, so after I made my guess I looked it up.
I find it quite amusing that It's a Small World was considered an E-ticket attraction back in 1971. It's crazy how things change.

LOL! I guess you don't need me to answer for you!

Hmmm, I have no idea. I'll go with $7, ($1 per ride) although that sounds like a lot. I'll be interested in seeing what the real number is.

FTR: I apologize for the large bold print. I wanted to comment throughout your post and I can't get my colors to work (again) to make it pop out, so I had to go with size. I'm really not trying to take over your post or yell at you. lol. I really do not know what's up with my color options. Sometimes it works and sometimes I get nothing.

No problem! I like being able to find your responses easily..the bold print doesn't bother me at all!

I kind of wish I had tried the spray fabric paint...it may have been less stressful! These didn't turn out exactly like the Pinterest shirts I was using as my inspiration, but they're cute!

God bless you for walking all day in a heel! YIKES! I usually live in flip flops but not for walking all day. I've done Crocs but wanted something a little more stylish for this trip. I think these will be perfect.

You did a fantastic job on the shirts! They turned out so good. Like you, I'm a bit leery when I work with the fabric paint because I'm scare I'll squeeze out a big old glob. But, you did great.

Oh my! I have no idea what the answer to the trivia question is. I'm going to say $10

Thanks Lisa! I may try the spray fabric paint next time....way less stress!

I'll post the trivia answer in my next update....good guess!

 

[Angies1274]

Yay for a private island stop!! I remember reading how much you enjoyed the island on your last cruise. Such great news!

You did a great job on the shirts! Very creative! Love the sandals!

Hmm.....on the trivia question. I'm going to guess $5.00.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Yay for a private island stop!! I remember reading how much you enjoyed the island on your last cruise. Such great news!

You did a great job on the shirts! Very creative! Love the sandals!

Hmm.....on the trivia question. I'm going to guess $5.00.

We really did enjoy the island last time and were disappointed that we weren't going to be making a stop there on this trip. I was so excited to get the news!

Thank you...the shirts turned out cute. And I can't wait to wear my new sandals. If only it would stop snowing here!

Good guess....my next update will have the answer.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I subscribed to touringplans.com because I have purchased the book in the past and like all of the touring plan options. This time, I figured I would try the membership since it was cheaper than the book! The website is awesome, but a little overwhelming. You can customize, optimize, sanitize…okay, maybe not sanitize…your plans to fit your individual needs.

So, first I tried a DHS touring plan. This park seems to be the most difficult to navigate and no matter what I do, we tend to criss-cross the park a lot. In trying to come up with this touring plan, it was no different. I tried different options--FP vs no FP, break vs no break—and no matter what I tried the plan still seemed to criss-cross the park. So, this is the plan I have landed on. We arrive late at this park as we will be getting off the ship in the morning and making our way to Orlando. I hope to arrive at the park by 11 am.

DHS Touring Plan—Monday April 8, 2013
Crowd Level prediction—5.5/10 (They call this a park to avoid this day due to EMH, but we’re throwing caution to the wind…at a 5, how bad can it be?)
Hours—9am-10pm

Arrive at the entrance by 11 am.

Ride Toy Story Mania via the stand-by line. Predicted wait time at this point in the day is 61 minutes. We will evaluate this when we get there and may choose to get a FP for later in the day instead.

Visit Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

Get FP for Rock N Roller Coaster (projected return time- 4:00) Now if we did the FP for TSM we may do this stand-by.

See Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show at 1:20

Check out the Phineas and Ferb Meet and Greet

Ride the Great Movie Ride

Find spot for the Pixar Countdown to Fun! Parade

Ride Star Tours—just the boys, mom sits this one out!

Get FP for TOT (Projected return time-6:35pm)

See Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage at 4:00

Ride Rock N Roller Coaster with FP from earlier in the day.

See Muppet Vision 3D

Ride Tower of Terror with FP from earlier in the day.

Dinner—not sure about where this will happen, but we’ll definitely eat at some point!

See Fantasmic! , 8:30 show. We should be in the theater by 7:30ish.

Depending on when we get out of the show, we will have some time left to wander around and maybe ride a favorite or two again.

We need to leave the park at closing and check in to our condo, so we’ll try to leave pretty quickly and be on our way. No moseying around and shopping or people watching tonight!

Ok...critiques? This whole plan kind of hinges on riding TSM using the stand-by line. I’m very curious to see how closely the plan is to reality. Does anyone have any experience using these optimized plans with projected wait times, etc?

Up next: Touring Plan—Animal Kingdom

OH....the answer to my trivia question in the last update is $4.75. (Although I have done some research and have found a range from $4.25-$4.75) Good guesses everyone! Those were the days!

 

[Duzzygirl]

LOVE the t-shirts! Great job!

Also, I'm interested in those sandals. First off they're black and PINK. lol Secondly, I'm dying to find a pair of sandals I can wear instead of tenners, which I always wear to parks. I'm always so afraid of going with something else.

You're much more ahead of the game with times to get on rides. I'm just winging the times and seeing what happens. lol

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Just found your PTR. I have read your previous TR and I am very excited to find one of your from the beginning. Your plans so wonderful. I laughed when I read about your baseball game plan because we are the same way when planning budget trips. We keep adding things and finding things we have to do!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

LOVE the t-shirts! Great job!

Also, I'm interested in those sandals. First off they're black and PINK. lol Secondly, I'm dying to find a pair of sandals I can wear instead of tenners, which I always wear to parks. I'm always so afraid of going with something else.

You're much more ahead of the game with times to get on rides. I'm just winging the times and seeing what happens. lol

LOL...I love the black and pink! I had found the same sandals on another website, but ended up ordering right from skechers.com because I could get this color in my size! I think they will be perfect for the parks...just enough arch support to make them comfortable, but still open like flip flops.

Just found your PTR. I have read your previous TR and I am very excited to find one of your from the beginning. Your plans so wonderful. I laughed when I read about your baseball game plan because we are the same way when planning budget trips. We keep adding things and finding things we have to do!

Hi and welcome! Glad you found me! Oh my goodness...as soon as my hubby knew that the Orioles were playing in Tampa, we were going to make it happen! It's a good thing that Tropicana field has $10 seats!

 

[danceintherain]

I can't decide if I want to buy a touring plans subscription this time around. It worked really well on my honeymoon, and helped a bit for another trip later that year, but I feel as if I have enough knowledge now that I don't really "need" it. Their predictions were spot on back then, but there wasn't an "optimize" option, so I don't know about that.

I have a similar dilemma though. Rope Drop is easy. Those afternoon arrivals can be really confusing.

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Missy! I'm here!

I didn't realize you were staying at WH! You know we loved our stay there. Hope you enjoy it as much.

Last night I went through and read my TR from our last family trip in 2009 and it has made me want to do another one for our upcoming trip. Here's a question I have:

Do you take pictures with your phone, and if so, I assume we have to get them over to photobucket before posting them here? That could turn into a big pain. Is there any other way?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I can't decide if I want to buy a touring plans subscription this time around. It worked really well on my honeymoon, and helped a bit for another trip later that year, but I feel as if I have enough knowledge now that I don't really "need" it. Their predictions were spot on back then, but there wasn't an "optimize" option, so I don't know about that.

I have a similar dilemma though. Rope Drop is easy. Those afternoon arrivals can be really confusing.

Yeah...I debated too, but I figured $10 was a small price to pay for all the information I would be getting. Plus, I have it for a year, so if I have friends who are going, I can help them too. And I agree about late arrivals....we always make rope drop, so this is new!

Hey Missy! I'm here!

I didn't realize you were staying at WH! You know we loved our stay there. Hope you enjoy it as much.

Last night I went through and read my TR from our last family trip in 2009 and it has made me want to do another one for our upcoming trip. Here's a question I have:

Do you take pictures with your phone, and if so, I assume we have to get them over to photobucket before posting them here? That could turn into a big pain. Is there any other way?

Hi Carissa! So glad you are here!

I am very excited about WH. I was nervous about an offsite trip, but my experience with the owner so far has really put my mind at ease.

I do not take pics with my phone. I, sadly, have not jumped on the smartphone wagon as of yet. I still just have a quick messaging phone and an inferior phone camera! But...I would assume that you have to get the pics to photobucket or another photo sharing site before posting them here. Agreed, a big pain. Especially since posting to facebook is so simple from your device. I also find myself wanting to "like" a person's post on here...LOL! Facebook has spoiled me!