$5 A Day Means Disney MY Way! Update: OUR DAY OUT!

[meggiebeth]

We did Keys to the Kingdom last September!!!

We totally loved it! From what I can tell, every tour may be a little different. We rode Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise on our tour, but some other tours have gone on Pirates too! Even so, we loved it all! But I love trivia type stuff. Our tour started at 9 am and I think we got done around 2 or 2:30. When you check in, they give you a list of about 6 (i think) different lunch options to choose from. I had some sort of broccoli salad which I liked a lot.

I will be in WDW just for a short trip over Columbus Day weekend. (You probably don't have that holiday, right?) October 11-14. I just started a new job so we are using our four day weekend to hit Disney!

I am glad to hear more positive reports on it! We were hesitant due to how much money it costs, so I am hoping it is fully worth the money! We've never been on Jungle Cruise, so hopefully that'll be interesting too. I love broccoli- so as long as there's no meat in it I will probably order that. I hate fish and meat. We still don't know what to do with Willum and Rory as they cannot attend- not sure we want to leave them at the resort.

Ah, shame, you leave about two weeks before we arrive. Hopefully you'll have great weather, it being October. No, we don't have Columbus Day (or Veteran's Day, for that matter, on the 11th November! I was disappointed when I heard that it fell on our trip- I didn't even bother looking up US holidays. ) That sounds fun- I would love to be able to pop down to Disney for a quick weekend break.

Yes I'm from Dundee, I went to Dundee Uni too! I have heard all about how dreadful Kirkton High was . My school (St Saviours) was merged with another one recently and the building has been demolished. It makes me sad everytime I pass the site.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, I'm never quite sure) I do look under 18. It used to bother me a little but now I don't really mind. I can still fit into kids' clothes and I like that I can dress a little quirky because of that.

We might be going to London for a mini break during the summer hols, hopefully we can make a trip to Harrods whilst we're there.

You have picked such tough subjects for Sixth Form, I'm very impressed. At my school we had to pick five subjects for our Highers but two of them had to be English and Maths! I'm glad you get more freedom down south.

So jealous you are doing Keys to the Kingdom! I would absolutely love that.

Surreal! I just spoke to my dad and he said he knew St Saviours well- he visited often for hockey matches and had some close friends there. It seems like loads of schools are being demolished recently. The old one that was a school, but turned into council offices (looked derelict and horrible!) was recently demolished, too. I was thankful for that though, it really looked like it'd fall down any minute.

I'll look out for an under-18 looking person at CRT then! I suppose it must be nice to look younger... but it is incredibly frustrating. I have to admit kids clothes are a benefit though! I can't wait to go to the malls in Florida and buy loads of cheap kids designer clothes.

Have fun in London! Funny, we want to come up your way, but apparently it may not be in the budget. We love Aviemore but not sure we can afford to stay there- staying at my Grandma's in Dundee is NOT relaxing!

I hope they're not too tough. But thanks! Eeeek- I feel for you! I would HATE to do maths for A-Levels! I stopped doing it in year 10 after my GCSEs. I didn't know they could make you! (We did get made to do ICT for one of our options for GCSE though. POINTLESS!!!)

IKR! I cannot wait for KTTK tour! Now we just have to book MVMCP and MNSSHP!

 

[meggiebeth]

ADRs

 

[ZFamily5]

Hey Meggie!

Hope everything is going well for you and your family! I miss talking to you more often!

I love your ADRs, they all sound good to me!

Are you on summer break yet? We get out Thursday, so almost!

Talk to you soon!

 

[meggiebeth]

Hey Meggie!

Hope everything is going well for you and your family! I miss talking to you more often!

I love your ADRs, they all sound good to me!

Are you on summer break yet? We get out Thursday, so almost!

Talk to you soon!

Hiya!!!

Everything is good, thanks! I have had a lot of exams recently, and a few more to go! Awwww, I miss talking to you too, we must stay in touch!

Thanks! And wow, that's an early summer break. We would normally break up at the end of July. However as I'm in my last year of school, we leave as soon as we've finished our GCSE exams- late June- STILL not as early as you!

I never understand how you can occupy yourself with nearly three months of summer holiday! What do you even do to not get bored? I envy you, lol

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[glaserjm]

Your ADRs look great! We never do the DDP as doing it for just the two of us isn't a great deal (and we rent DVC points so free diningnever factors in), but I'm thinking I may want to try it sometime so I can just book whatever restaurant strikes me without looking at cost.

You'll love KTTK tour! We did it in March 2012 and it was well worth it, it's such a great look at the technical aspects of how the magic is made.

Our trips overlap! Maybe I'll see you in the parks!

 

[partyof2]

So funny!

We have a ADR at 5.10 at Liberty Tree Tavern on our party night!

 

[meggiebeth]

Your ADRs look great! We never do the DDP as doing it for just the two of us isn't a great deal (and we rent DVC points so free diningnever factors in), but I'm thinking I may want to try it sometime so I can just book whatever restaurant strikes me without looking at cost.

You'll love KTTK tour! We did it in March 2012 and it was well worth it, it's such a great look at the technical aspects of how the magic is made.

Our trips overlap! Maybe I'll see you in the parks!

Thanks! I have thought about renting DVC points, should a better deal not come along. What puts me off is having to pay for the DDP... which I'd never do! So I agree with your logic!

I guess we don't get the best value out of it anyway. Breakfast at GFC, for example, would cost us $50- 60 and probably isn't worth the credit. I just like not having to pay for food! Normally when eating out we go for a cheap option on the menu and don't get dessert because it is simply so expensive! (And my dad is a cheapskate, he attempts to 're-use' tea bags. Ugh. Don't ask!

I am so glad to hear good reports of KTTK tour! I was a bit worried it would 'ruin' the magic a little, but I want to get into the Utilidors so much that I don't really care anymore.

That's awesome! When are you in WDW? That would be funny if we bumped into eachother!

So funny!

We have a ADR at 5.10 at Liberty Tree Tavern on our party night!

I guess the saying 'great minds think alike' comes to mind!!!

 

[meggiebeth]

Chaos... Chaos... Chaos...!!!

(Some images have been taken from the internet)

I apologise wholeheartedly for being absent for so long! Exam season has come and I have just sat most of my (over-hyped) GCSE exams. Two more to go... one on Wednesday and one next Monday, so wish me luck!

In addition we have been very busy in other ways. Poor Rors has been having a bit of a difficult time at school with friends, and I have been trying to support him as much as I can. I am volunteering at his school in a few weeks (after I did work experience there in November and loved it) and hope to keep an eye out for him.

Summer has (in a way) come- and by that, I mean, SUNSHINE!!! It is still quite chilly though, but at least our days are filled with bright, warm sunshine and not miserable, cold rain!

My dad is busy- taking part in the local village play! It is on this weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing him. The other 'actors' find his accent such a novelty!

And of course we all got together to paint our house yesterday- a much needed splash of freshness! We are having a barbeque with the play's cast this weekend and felt we ought to 'spruce' the house up a little!

We've eaten out twice... and I just had to share this photograph of my dad...

What is that red stripe on his arm, you may ask? He burnt himself on the barbecue! It looked grilled for ages which was quite offputting!

My mum and me enjoyed our meals at Pizza Express- although the food really wasn't great.

My great aunt visited our home and we enjoyed a barbeque in the sunny weather. (Yes, this was the very barbeque that my father grilled -accidentally, might I add- his arm on!)

We bought Wreck-It Ralph! I really enjoyed it, but did anyone else find it a little tacky? I liked the music and the twist, but the whole evil bug thing with that lady was kind of boring! Rory adores the movie but mostly is thrilled seeing Sonic the Hedgehog make an appearance- his 'favourite' video game character. We had to take a photograph to commemorate, of course!

Osc... is just as cute as ever. Filling our hearts with love (and gobbling some food on the way!)

We went to a lovely fair in Cambridge, with some wonderful crafts being sold and some typical fairground rides. Rory rode in the weird inflatable ball things and... well... it was entertaining to say the least!

I am the proud owner of an iPhone 5! I am so thrilled with my new phone! I had the iPhone 3GS until a few weeks ago when we took the jump and got me an all-new and wonderful handset! I especially love the panoramic photos, although I am pretty terrible at taking them. Here is one of our garden...

Last night we ate out at our favourite chain restaurant- Prezzo! It so irritates me when people call it 'Presso'. I mean, seriously! Do you call pizza 'pizza' or 'pissa'!

We had a wonderful meal, and had nachos as a starter. I just had to share that... I mean... why oh why would an Italian restaurant serve nachos?!?!?!

Willum is slowly adjusting to life with braces. He was worried about being able to eat all the food we'll be offered in WDW, but he is absolutely fine now! The look on his face the day he got them made me want to avoid them for life! So painful!

Et finalement, moi and mon mignon frère, Rory!!! Ah, mon beau garcon, je t'aime beaucoup!

He obviously adores my new iPhone too, and has changed Siri's accent to American! Every so often my phone goes missing and I know exactly who's 'borrowed' it...!

Thanks for your patience! I have lots to update about with regards to our fast-approaching trip to WDW, so stay tuned!

 

[partyof2]

Good to hear from you, I was getting a little worried.

Hope your exams went well!

Your brother's new hair is very cool and he suits his braces.

We've only eaten at Pizza Express once, we were so excited to go but it was very expensive and the food wasn't good at all. We were really disappointed. We've never tried Prezzo though.

Have an amazing summer - it's going to fly by and before we know it our hols will be sooooo close.

 

[darnheather]

Such an exciting endeavor! Fingers crossed that you make it.

 

[Rosiekins]

Hello!
I have been having fun reading your PTR. It looks like you are having a great time planning! We are going on Nov 5th-20th and I am having so much fun planning for us and our friends! We are eating in Crystal Palace on the same day/time! Anyway I look forward to reading more about your trip!

 

[ougrad86]

I've been absent for awhile. Busy at work and DS has his final exams a short time ago as well. He is now ready for his last year at high school, and then on to college. We will be crazy busy filling out college applications, he will be writing his essays, taking the SAT and we need to research scholarships! We will get his letters next spring so we can use our trip to celebrate whatever college(s) he is accepted at.

Sounds like you have been busy with exams as well, and making plans and crafting your bows ! Wow!

Keys to the Kingdom sounds awesome. I plan to do that someday, but our trips are always so rushed trying to get to everything. I want to plan a nice quiet trip with just DH and myself when DS is in college (he won't mind missing the trip if his friend is not there). We can stop and smell the roses, ride a few rides and go on those tours I have always wanted to go on! DH will enjoy them to, we both like that sort of thing...see what makes things do what they do!

Willum is probably old enough to hang out at the resort on his own, is there like a arcade he could go to; is there a way to rent video games for the room? For Rory, there are guest service type things that will take care of kids - not sure if he is too old or if that would suit him.

Sorry to hear Rory is having problems with his friends. Hope it gets better. DS is very quiet, so most of his friends are from when he was younger and more out-going (his best friend he has known since kindergarten). He is a bit of a loner, although he does interact when he is at school.

I liked Wreck-It-Ralph, but the story could have been better, the concept was good. But I like a lot of video games, so it was kind of fun. DH did not like it at all and DS was like whatever...

Leaning toward trying to fit in Be Our Guest for our spring trip. I have just heard so many awesome things about it...I will try for dinner, but if we can't make it we will do lunch. Both my friend and I will be trying at the same time for a party of five, so one of us should get in! Then we just cancel any extras!

Your ADR's look great, HS day does look a little crazy, although we took the boat from HS to WS our last trip and it was kind of nice. Just be sure to allow enough time!

Le Cellier has moose?

Sounds like your trip is coming together nicely! And now you can relax after exams...and plan some more ! One of my favorite things to do!

 

[meggiebeth]

Good to hear from you, I was getting a little worried.

Hope your exams went well!

Your brother's new hair is very cool and he suits his braces.

We've only eaten at Pizza Express once, we were so excited to go but it was very expensive and the food wasn't good at all. We were really disappointed. We've never tried Prezzo though.

Have an amazing summer - it's going to fly by and before we know it our hols will be sooooo close.

Sorry I've been away for so long again!

I think they went okay. I love Willum's new hair, but not his braces.

Sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience either. We have been to loads of Pizza Express restaurants and generally have been disappointed. Prezzo is a lot better but I don't think there are many in Scotland, which is a shame.

Thank you, you too! It's going to be a long summer as we aren't going on holiday, but we'll have a fantastic trip to WDW very soon after!

Such an exciting endeavor! Fingers crossed that you make it.

Thank you and welcome!

Hello!
I have been having fun reading your PTR. It looks like you are having a great time planning! We are going on Nov 5th-20th and I am having so much fun planning for us and our friends! We are eating in Crystal Palace on the same day/time! Anyway I look forward to reading more about your trip!

How funny we are going at the same time! And how weird we will both be at CP at the same day and time! I'll have to look out for you. You have a wonderful long trip too. I'd have loved to have stayed till the 20th!

I've been absent for awhile. Busy at work and DS has his final exams a short time ago as well. He is now ready for his last year at high school, and then on to college. We will be crazy busy filling out college applications, he will be writing his essays, taking the SAT and we need to research scholarships! We will get his letters next spring so we can use our trip to celebrate whatever college(s) he is accepted at.

Sounds like you have been busy with exams as well, and making plans and crafting your bows ! Wow!

Keys to the Kingdom sounds awesome. I plan to do that someday, but our trips are always so rushed trying to get to everything. I want to plan a nice quiet trip with just DH and myself when DS is in college (he won't mind missing the trip if his friend is not there). We can stop and smell the roses, ride a few rides and go on those tours I have always wanted to go on! DH will enjoy them to, we both like that sort of thing...see what makes things do what they do!

Willum is probably old enough to hang out at the resort on his own, is there like a arcade he could go to; is there a way to rent video games for the room? For Rory, there are guest service type things that will take care of kids - not sure if he is too old or if that would suit him.

Sorry to hear Rory is having problems with his friends. Hope it gets better. DS is very quiet, so most of his friends are from when he was younger and more out-going (his best friend he has known since kindergarten). He is a bit of a loner, although he does interact when he is at school.

I liked Wreck-It-Ralph, but the story could have been better, the concept was good. But I like a lot of video games, so it was kind of fun. DH did not like it at all and DS was like whatever...

Leaning toward trying to fit in Be Our Guest for our spring trip. I have just heard so many awesome things about it...I will try for dinner, but if we can't make it we will do lunch. Both my friend and I will be trying at the same time for a party of five, so one of us should get in! Then we just cancel any extras!

Your ADR's look great, HS day does look a little crazy, although we took the boat from HS to WS our last trip and it was kind of nice. Just be sure to allow enough time!

Le Cellier has moose?

Sounds like your trip is coming together nicely! And now you can relax after exams...and plan some more ! One of my favorite things to do!

Sounds very chaotic! The best of luck to your DS with his exams. Must be pretty stressful for you. It sounds like he is the grade above me! I officially 'left' school this year but am going onto sixth form, so sounds like our education systems are different.

Your future vacation plans sound fantastic! I highly recommend going for more than a week. It's wonderful just to relax at the resort, stroll to DTD and I am really looking forward to doing the KTTK tour. I'll have to let you know how it went.

Last trip Willum spent a lot of time at the resort when the rest of us went out, and surprisingly really enjoyed just watching TV. It is Rory that I am not sure about- I would put him in the Neverland childcare club but it isn't open in the morning when we are doing the KTTK tour.

Your DS sounds similar to me- I am really shy and quiet, and struggle to overcome this. Rory is shy, but I think his maturity has caused him some of his problems. His friends behave childishly (I just spent a lunchtime with them volunteering at Rors' school and was surprised at their behaviour) so I can understand why he is having problems to some extent.

I suppose Wreck-It Ralph depends a lot on whether you like video games or not. Rory was just thrilled Sonic made an appearance or two. I found it somewhat touching but a little tacky. Sorry to hear your DH didn't like it... my dad got bored and walked out halfway through too!

I think you should definitely try out BOG for lunch or dinner. I have heard the experience alone is worth the meal. If I have learnt anything though, I have learnt you have to call AS SOON AS the lines open at 7am. We called a few hours later but missed out (temporarily, of course. We got lucky and found a cancellation a few years later.)

Le Cellier chocolate moose! YUM!

It is a little crazy. I have struggled to fit in all my ADRs, but I am getting so excited. How much time do you think I should allow? I am a bit puzzled at how much time to allow.

I am so pleased my exam is over, and now I have more time to plan and do some crafty things!

 

[eeyoresnr]

wow, I just caught myself up on your PTR and am exhausted
not to mention I think I gained 10 pounds reading your ADR's
you have such a positive outlook on everything it lifts my spirits to see someone your age so thoughtful and caring about others.... your parents have much to be proud of...

your ADR's look absolutely wonderful! We have eaten at many of them ourselves but several we haven't and I can't wait to hear how you liked or disliked them when you return...
summer is definitely upon us here in Florida... hot, very humid, and we had over 15 inches (some places up to 22) of rain this last week which is unusual for us (unless there is a hurricane) ... we needed the rain but not all at one time... lots of roads flooded and some even washed away
I couldn't sleep last night and you would of thought we were leaving for Disney this week or something. I just kept laying there thinking about Disney this and Disney that We are under the 5 months mark and I'm getting excited

 

[meggiebeth]

wow, I just caught myself up on your PTR and am exhausted
not to mention I think I gained 10 pounds reading your ADR's
you have such a positive outlook on everything it lifts my spirits to see someone your age so thoughtful and caring about others.... your parents have much to be proud of...

your ADR's look absolutely wonderful! We have eaten at many of them ourselves but several we haven't and I can't wait to hear how you liked or disliked them when you return...
summer is definitely upon us here in Florida... hot, very humid, and we had over 15 inches (some places up to 22) of rain this last week which is unusual for us (unless there is a hurricane) ... we needed the rain but not all at one time... lots of roads flooded and some even washed away
I couldn't sleep last night and you would of thought we were leaving for Disney this week or something. I just kept laying there thinking about Disney this and Disney that We are under the 5 months mark and I'm getting excited

Hello!

I can only imagine how much weight we will all gain from all the ADRs too! Thank you for the compliments. That was very kind of you to say. Rory's situation has somewhat improved- I have been volunteering at his school and seen exactly what was happening. The boy causing the trouble is leaving the school when we break up for summer so hopefully Rors will be happier at school after that.

Thank you! I guess great minds think alike! Hopefully we enjoy the restaurants and can report back on our positive experiences.

The rain sounds dreadful, I can certainly empathise. Whilst our last week has consisted of fabulous warm, sunny weather, for the rest of the summer we have had to put up with cold and excessive rain. As for humidity, it must get tedious! How's the weather in late October/ early November? I am worried it won't be hot enough. We like the humidity.

Isn't it fantastic that your trip is fast approaching?! After the 180 days mark, I start to get really excited. 110 days for us! At least I'm not the only one thinking about Disney this and Disney that when I should be sleeping!

 

[meggiebeth]

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

We plan to attend MNSSHP whilst staying at Reunion Resort. This is exciting- I finally persuaded my parents to buy tickets and we are now set to go! We also got Willum a ticket- my parents are keen for him to attend one of the parties and I think the Halloween one would be less 'Disney' than the Christmas one.

(Photos taken from the internet)

Some of the events taking place are:

The park is decked in Halloween decorations to add to the spookiness:

The Boo-To-You Parade graces Main Street USA:

Trick-Or-Treating is available to attendees and dressing up is welcome:

And fantastic fireworks add to a spectacular evening:

Taken from the Walt Disney World website:

During this spooktacular celebration, Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. Even better, you can collect delicious candy as you trick-or-treat around the park.

In addition to many favorite Disney attractions, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offers an array of entertainment, including:

•Themed parades and fireworks displays

•Many favorite Disney Characters and Disney Villains in special Halloween costumes

•Special lighting, music and theming effects transforms special areas of Magic Kingdom theme park into happy haunted hollows


The tone of the event is, well, "Not-So-Scary", and is appropriate for children of all ages.

This exciting evening is costing us $330 (a total of 2 adults, 2 'Disney adults' and 1 child). For this money I just really hope it is worth the expense. I had to work hard to persuade my parents in the first place (although we initially booked in October/ November for MNSSHP, MVMCP and the F&W Festival.)

I am hoping we will all dress up but working on Willum will be rather hard- he doesn't want to unless we pay for his costume, and I am not sure whether we'll justify doing that.

Just over three months away and I am getting so excited for our spectacular trip to WDW, the most magical place on earth!

 

[eeyoresnr]

quick answer to your weather question... late Oct to early Nov averages are 80-84 during the day and 60-65 at night....lol degrees not Celsius

 

[eeyoresnr]

My husband and I did the MNSSHP for the first time in late Sept 2010 and we both loved it and can't wait to go again in 2014...

 

[meggiebeth]

quick answer to your weather question... late Oct to early Nov averages are 80-84 during the day and 60-65 at night....lol degrees not Celsius

My husband and I did the MNSSHP for the first time in late Sept 2010 and we both loved it and can't wait to go again in 2014...

I am so glad to hear that! We are hoping for hot (yet not overly hot) temperatures. You are lucky getting it year round, although you must get sick of the humidity sometimes.

I am so glad to hear good reports of MNSSHP too! Did you dress up? We are hoping to.

 

[meggiebeth]

Our Day Out at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

Today, Mummy, Daddy, myself and Rory went on a unique day out to a nearby national nature reserve. It was about a 40-50 minute drive but worth it for the experience.

We have had fantastic weather for the last week or so, and today was no exception. It was very hot, and so if you see any of us with our eyes practically closed in any of the photos, it is because of the sunshine!

Here I am at the front of the reserve. It is really tranquil and a lovely place to walk.

There was a lovely little windmill sitting nearby. The whole place had barely been touched and looked beautiful.

There was so much nature. Sadly, otters did not come into sight (although unsurprisingly as they are apparently rare) and black adders, a venomous snake, also did not make an appearance. However we did see lots of wildlife in all its diversity.

Rory took the following photos which is something to be proud of being only eight years old!

Sadly the walk tired Rory a little, and he kept saying he wanted to go home. I think he got a little bored, and of course the heat wasn't a great factor either when determining his mood.

So Rory looked like this for a lot of the walk:

We got some nice photographs along the way...

Before getting a refreshing drink and snack at the nearby café onsite, after which we all felt more 'rested' so to speak. Rory cheered up, that's for sure!

We also booked a boat trip through the waterways and Rory loved this. There was so much activity about the water, and beautiful blue dragonflies and damselflies could be seen everywhere, sometimes being territorial!

We also bumped into a family of swans, and the male got a little aggressive- an eye opening experience!

We were all interested, and were happy that Rory had taken an interest. He was looking into the water a lot for fish and eels, plus some nests.

What a fabulous day out- it was wonderful to try something new. We would have taken Oscar but felt the heat would be a little too much- and his black fur absorbs it so much. William, on the other hand, decided to visit his friends instead. Hopefully he will come on the next family outing- and Oscar too!