6 Boys, 2 Princesses, and 2 Mini-vans! A New Petty PTR!-*Updated 3/8

[mommytothreeboys]

Join Me in a DANCE!

So today marks the 30 days until we leave point! Woo-Hoo!!! I think I feel like a dance....

 

[KatMark]

with you. So exciting.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

YES, NO, MAYBE--Epcot Edition

This is my last YES, NO, MAYBE post and it is our FAVORITE park!! We will have 2 full days at Epcot on this trip, one being Shawna's Birthday! We have some special, princess only, plans for that day that I am SO excited about! One day is also an EMH day. One of our very favorite things to do at Epcot is to stroll leisurely through the WS countries and explore the shops and foods and atmosphere. So, that is a MUST DO! Beyond that, here is the list.

YES-We will do everything we can do to be sure to hit these attractions.

Living with the Land--I hate gardening myself, but oddly, I absolutely love this ride.

Mission Space--I cannot do simulator rides well, and this one is a NO WAY for me. But, the rest of the family likes it so they will ride while I enjoy a Mickey Bar!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends--Again, I am not a big fan of the aquarium and sea life, but the ride is cute and my boys and Christian like to look at the sharks, manatees, and sea turtles!

Soarin'--Well, yeah!

Spaceship Earth--I love to look for the Hidden Mickeys on this one.

Test Track--I wasn't sure about the refurb, but my whole family loves the re-imagined ride. We like to design the car and then see who's car fared better.

Turtle Talk--I can't wait to see Christian experience this! We just watched Finding Nemo with him so he will be familiar with Crush.

IllumiNations--We are a big fireworks family so this is a no-brainer.



MAYBE--If time and touring allow, we may do these attractions.

Phineas and Ferb's World Showcase Adventure--we have done this when it was KimPossible and since Agent P took it over. It's cute, but not sure my boys will want to take the time to do it this year.

Gran Fiesta Tour--cute ride, nice to sit and relax.

Innoventions East/West--we have walked through here and done a few of the activities in the past. We will probably mosey through again and see what catches our attention.



NO--Sorry folks, these just don't make the cut.

Captain EO-- we just aren't interested
.

The Circle of Life--we've seen it, no need to see it twice.

Ellen's Energy Adventure--very long and time consuming. Plus we HAVE done it before.


I'm not sure which of the movies in WS we will decide to see, if any. We have seen them all at one point or another, but I'm not sure what kind of interest Nick and Shawna have. I doubt they will care either way, so I suspect they will all be on a "see how we feel" basis. Same with meet and greets. If we catch a short line, I can see us meeting Snow White, Aladdin and Jasmine, or Mulan.

We will also check the showtimes for the days we are in Epcot and try to see some of the WS performances like the acrobats or the Japanese drummers.

Now for some fun pictures of our last Epcot visit!


We stumbled upon these two in the back of the shop in Morocco! They were so fun!


Fish Faces!


Poor Shawna! We totally got her with the Beverly!


Cute little family!


My boys love the jumping fountains! All 3 of them!


Meeting Mulan!


Fun in the UK!


What a group!




WOW...we are so close! I have to post our FP+ selections, touring plans, Disney box contents, shopping purchases.... Stay tuned!

 

[KatMark]

Epcot plans sound great. I'm with you on Captain E-O...NO thanks. I don't do Mission either and can totally skip Test Track, but I know guys love it.

I LOVE your thorwback pictures to previous Epcot day...so much fun. I LOVE the fish faces.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

PLANS, PLANS, and more PLANS!

It has been a while since I have updated and I have done a LOT of planning and crossing off of the to-do list. So, first, let's take a look at the list and what I have been able to accomplish.

GREEN is finished, BLUE is in progress, and RED is yet to be done.

45 Days till Disney! (February 4th)

*Firm up plans for t-shirts with Shawna

*Begin purchasing glow sticks, etc for the parks.

*Work on touring plans for each park day

*Start working on a budget and a plan for eating in the parks. (this is the first major trip we have done without the DDP)

*Make arrangements for someone to cover my work schedule. (I am a caregiver for an elderly woman. I do her errands, shopping, cleaning, and provide companionship.)


One Month till Disney! (February 19th)

*Inventory boys clothes and shop for shorts, shoes, etc if needed

*Make arrangements for Harvey (our sweet 10 month old Australian Cattle Dog)

*Print updated calendars with park hours, parades, etc and add to binder

*Make a packing list

*Start purchasing car snacks and food for breakfasts and snacking at parks

*Plan road trip meals and look into hotel at stopping point


2 Weeks till Disney! (March 7th)

*Pull suitcases and begin packing

*Finalize touring plans and make daily 3x5 cards--touring plans are done, I need to make the 3x5 cards

*Schedule haircuts and pedicure--I got my hair cut, the boys are going tomorrow. I have decided to skip the pedicure.

*Take inventory of travel items and purchase as needed--I have a list of things to buy

*Plan 10 Day celebrations for each night leading up to vacation

*Finalize budget (spending money, etc)

*Finish shirts with Shawna--One last step and then they will be done.



I am feeling pretty good about where we are in terms of planning. I have been struggling with being excited about this trip for the last week or so because I have a dear friend who is in the end stages of her battle with Pancreatic cancer. I am so worried that she will pass while I am away and I will not be able to attend her funeral I really am wracked with guilt and it is making this trip hard to plan and get excited about. But, I am working on it. Some days are easier than others and I really am excited. Just trying to find balance.

Ok...next. What have I purchased? There is nothing as fun as shopping for an upcoming trip. Below are a some of my recent trip purchases.


New shorts and sunglasses for Isaiah.


New swim shorts for Jonah and new shades


New capris for me...only because I had a gift card!


New shirt for me cause it was cute!


New swim trunks for Isaiah


2 new bathing suit tops for me. Now, I have not had a new swimsuit for about 4 years. So, I decided I liked them both!


New sunglasses for me.


Tiara for Princess Day! I got one for Shawna too, but I gave it to her already so I don't have it to photograph.


Small coffee maker for the room at POP. Also good for oatmeal and such.



I have also purchased Mickey bandaids, lip balm with sunscreen, some single serving snacks for the parks, socks for Jeff and Jonah, Shout wipes, and a few other small things. I still have a small list of travel sized items that need to be purchased.

That's enough for now. Next post....what FP+ did we get???

 

[KatMark]

Sounds like you've been busy with your planning and you are getting there.

LOVE the shirt with the big black polka dots on it...very cute.

 

[irene_dsc]

Following along! I'm hoping I don't need to buy many clothes, but both kids need new sandals, probably Keens, since we have 4 days with water rides planned.