It is soo nice to meet you!!
DH and I will be going in December; only about a month before you. We were hoping this trip would be with our first LO; however, it is not our time yet. In the meantime, I will live vicariously through others PTR/TPs.
Jonah is absolutely perfect!!! Congratulations on your new family of 3!! I am sure it is going to be amazing to experience a trip with him at that age. I have always said that I want to take our kids for their 1st birthdays; however, DH has always been against it. He said they wouldn't go until they were old enough to understand what was going on. That is, until our last trip
. When we went in October last year, we had breakfast at Chef Mickey's. At the same time, a precious little boy was celebrating his 1st birthday next to us. After DH watching his reactions and how much fun he was having, he was sold. It is now a must to go for their 1st birthday; whenever that may be
We have debating on having the dining plan; however, we have not had the opportunity to take advantage of it. We have transferred in my parents timeshare into DVC and used Military tickets. Because of that, and the fact that we go for less than $1000 for the week, I am not complaining about paying out of pocket for food. Have you used it before? What are your thoughts on it? I like the idea of having most everything paid for before we go.
I am so excited about seeing the new Fantasyland. Nothing was open when we went in October 2011, and because of the construction, we avoid Fantasyland in general.
We have never been to Garden Grill, but I have heard great things about it.
One of my fellow dis-addicts and dis-mentors, who happens to also be my hairdresser, took all 3 of her kids for their first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop. This will be a must do for us as well. It was such an amazing experience for them, and so memorable. They received a certificate, a lock of hair, TONS of stickers, and a special pair of ears.
We did Hoop-Dee-Doo on our trip in May 2009. It was a blast. If you were to do the early show, I think Jonah would love it. Sorry you are going to miss out on it. The food was delicious, but the show OUTSTANDING!!!
We have never done the Dessert Party, but I have debating on it this trip. We are already doing several big things though, so I think we may wait until next time. DH and I have a tradition of getting ice cream from the Ice Cream Parlor in Main Street and then watching Wishes. Cant break tradition, now can we?!?!
We enjoy Park Hoppers, and get them each trip. We find it well worth the money. Typically, we will hit a park that should be the least crowded, and then go to the park with PM EMH that evening. We also like to go to one park in the morning, lunch and relaxing at the resort, than a different park that evening. I feel like it creates a more relax trip, and provides more freedom.
Congratulations on your new home!!! Regardless of the structure type, it is still your home. We currently own our home, but many times, I wish we rented or lived in a condo/townhouse type home. The yard work, and other maintenance can build up and up, and then there is the cost of it
Love the idea of Jonahs room, and especially the Mickey kitchen
We also have a mickey kitchen!!
I never understood what my parents mean about how fast time flies faster and faster the older you get, until my niece and nephews were born. I feel like yesterday we had their baby shower, and today it was their 1st birthday party!!!
We love staying DVC, and plan to rent points if we are never able to transfer in RCI to DVC. Nothing beats the space you have. My mom and I have the dream of staying at BLT, while DH and Dad have the dream of staying at VWL or BC/YC.
We are trying to do new ADRs as well, but it is SO HAAARRDD!!!! When you find something you love, and you dont get it very often, it is so so hard to go elsewhere. We have only done LTT once, but it was really good. My only complaint was how dark and loud it was. We were often, having to look and look at something to see what it was. The food, specifically the salad, was delicious!! I want to do the GFC for lunch one day this trip. I have heard great things about it, but I really want to do Kona again. We have never done GFC, but have done Kona twice. It is just SO SO GOOD!!! We have not done San Angel Inn, but have done La Hacienda, or maybe it is the other way around?!?!
We have been to the one that is outside on the water. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS!!! We also had a spectacular view of Illuminations with our window seat
I am pretty certain I discovered the deliciousness that an Island Sunset encompasses on our last trip!! Have not done 50s, but tried to get a reservation this trip, but no go. I am starting to get concerned by the number of booked restaurants there are this trip. Everything I have looked at indicates the crowd levels will be 2-3; however, the limited number of dining reservations indicates otherwise. I am really hoping it is because there was a free dining offer for our dates. DH and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary this year, and have a reservation booked at CG for our last night. We are still contemplating keeping this reservation, or eating/drinking around the work in EPCOT. I am thinking EPCOT may win out.
It amazes me how much babies change from month to month. Love his timeline pictures!!
A very similar painting situation happened to us as well. When painting our bedroom, I had the paint sitting on a step stool because I was doing the trim. DH thought it would be funny to come around the corner and scare me. Well, the result, was new flooring. I told him that is what he gets because I HATE IT when he scares me!! The paint soaked through carpet padding, and always the way to the sub floor. He swears to this day it was intentional because I had been begging for hardwood floors in our bedroom. I assured him it was not, but I had just wished really hard for it
I am so happy that your mom is able to go with you. My parents go with us each trip and it is so much fun. Really the only time we see each other is in the morning, and we always meet up for dinner, but it is still a great time. It is nice to be able to do our own thing, but yet, we get to build more memories with them. They will certainly be joining us when grandchildren are in the picture as well!!
The first DVC we stayed at was OKW, and would go back in a heartbeat!! The resort itself is so relaxing and beautiful!!!
I am a huge planner, and have already picked out baby gear. I admit that I am sort of embarrassed by this; however, I told DH I had rather start researching and picking now, than to only have 7-8 months to decide. I cant imagine how fast that time FLIES by!! Anywhoo, this will be the stroller that we get, but I want it in Kiwi
Arent split stays so much fun!! We typically start at a Value and move to DVC. We stay value now, figuring we will want no less than a moderate with a LO. I have a goal of staying at every Disney resort.
Luckily, we dont have the where to eat issue. Typically Mom and Dad have only 1 place they really want to each, always Crystal Palace and most recently, DH has been requesting either WCC or Trails End. I can deal with that!! We havent done Tuskers or Bona, but do love Saana. I thought about trying Jiko or Boma this trip, but I dont know if we will be able to fit it in; however, now that I am thinking about, I might need to change that.
Love love LOVE the Dalmatian outfit!! DH is a firefighter, so yeah.. it is a win for us!!
I am so sorry for your Mom, but it is amazing that she has such an optimistic perspective on the situation.
We have never flown airtran or southwest, but are thinking about flying it in January to Sanibel. I am sort of leery about the no assigned seat thing with southwest though. Isnt ME the best sight to be seen when getting to MCO though!?!? We will be driving this time, like most times, but we are always on the lookout for them when we get close. It sort of seals the deal that we are almost there!!
Great deal on the room upgrade!! Hopefully it is a sign for pixie dust to come!! I had never heard of Mousersize, but I must say, it had a good motive!! I have also gained about 70 lbs between various medications I am been on, and just horrible eating while in college and working night shift shortly thereafter. DH has also put on weight and lost muscle since moving from being a contractor, where he was extremely active, to being an insurance agent, sitting behind a desk. He is also a firefighter, so he does get physical activity with work, but it isnt nearly comparable to when he was a contractor. I just ordered P90X and we are planning to do this together. We have starting walking at night over the past month or so, but when it getting dark so much earlier, it is difficult to get home from work in time. We plan to do this 5 days a week, and also start eating organic/natural again. This is the hardest part. I love to cook, but I like to do it at my pace, not because I have to. Eating organic/natural will require mass cooking on the weekend, and reheating during the week. I have done this method (Richard Simmons/Biggest Loser DVD instead of P90X) before and lost about 25lbs, but then life intervened and I got side tracked. Now it is all hands on deck, and battle stations are manned!! DH and I are tired of being a prisoner in our own bodies.
We are looking into having 5 year anniversary pictures done while at Disney. A 45 minute session, which comes with a Photopass CD is $150. That is the same cost as a Photopass CD, so why not, right?!?! We are planning for the GF or Poly, but leaning more towards GF.
Sorry this is so long, but I had 10 pages to get caught up on
I cant wait to read more about your planning and especially our TR. Enjoy every minute of it!!
Jonah is already pretty restless without being mobile, so I think you're right!
Walking Jonah is definitely a great idea. I think the weather here is finally getting to where we can do that. 
