A Disney-addicted mom: 2nd annual August trip and Marathon Weekend *Update 10/7*

[DrMomof3]

Sounds perfect.

Amanda

 

[beebeeryan]

Your plan for the cruise sounds PERFECT!!! And dreamy!!!

We can check in online tomorrow, I'm getting so excited too!!!

 

[-Hope-]

The cruise plans sound great! And so does low crowds at WWoHP!

 

[DrMomof3]

Your plan for the cruise sounds PERFECT!!! And dreamy!!!

We can check in online tomorrow, I'm getting so excited too!!!

I can't believe that I can do online check-in on Wednesday. I'm super excited!

The cruise plans sound great! And so does low crowds at WWoHP!

Thanks Hope! I'm feeling really lucky on all counts!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Kids Nite Out - booked for Tuesday night's Jiko diner!
Garden Grocer - Order placed! I'm hoping I didn't over-order like I usually do.
Transportation to White Plains Airport - Arranged! My nanny is dropping us off and picking us up.
Dog sitter - Arranged!

Tom now thinks we'll probably make am EMH on the days I planned. That means I have NO lunch ADRs made because our Via Napoli lunch is now on our AK day. And there are no Via Napoli ADRs available for the day we will be at Epcot. then Tom started asking me about lunch ADRs and I showed great restraint in not yelling at him that we have no lunch ADRs because he has refused to help plan our trip. Until we get there and can't eat in any of our 1st choices for lunch. I'm actually vetting more because I love Via Napoli than because I care that much. We could still try to have lunch at Via Napoli or we could eat at Biergarten, Chefs de France, or in Mexico. Any would be a-ok!
I'm sure we'll have no problem with a same day ADR at Rainforest for lunch. Same for Liberty Tree or Plaza. And also Hollywood and Vine to see Little Einsteins, Oso, and Handy Manny. Have I ever mentioned that I'm tired of that particular meal? the food is fine but it's noisy and crazy and I don't love buffets with my crew. And I'd love to try 50's Primetime. Or Brown Derby again. Some day...

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

So close!! You are so much more calm than I would be about the ADRs! I'm sure it will all be fine but I'd be so stressed, lol.

 

[natebenma]

Kids Nite Out - booked for Tuesday night's Jiko diner!
Garden Grocer - Order placed! I'm hoping I didn't over-order like I usually do.
Transportation to White Plains Airport - Arranged! My nanny is dropping us off and picking us up.
Dog sitter - Arranged!

Tom now thinks we'll probably make am EMH on the days I planned. That means I have NO lunch ADRs made because our Via Napoli lunch is now on our AK day. And there are no Via Napoli ADRs available for the day we will be at Epcot. then Tom started asking me about lunch ADRs and I showed great restraint in not yelling at him that we have no lunch ADRs because he has refused to help plan our trip. Until we get there and can't eat in any of our 1st choices for lunch. I'm actually vetting more because I love Via Napoli than because I care that much. We could still try to have lunch at Via Napoli or we could eat at Biergarten, Chefs de France, or in Mexico. Any would be a-ok!
I'm sure we'll have no problem with a same day ADR at Rainforest for lunch. Same for Liberty Tree or Plaza. And also Hollywood and Vine to see Little Einsteins, Oso, and Handy Manny. Have I ever mentioned that I'm tired of that particular meal? the food is fine but it's noisy and crazy and I don't love buffets with my crew. And I'd love to try 50's Primetime. Or Brown Derby again. Some day...

Amanda

Love those last minute details coming together!

Too bad about not having the lunch ADRs, but I'm glad that you will be doing a couple of EMHs. You know I'm a big fan! Don't give up on trying to book a few, though, either before your trip or even while you are there.

 

[DrMomof3]

So close!! You are so much more calm than I would be about the ADRs! I'm sure it will all be fine but I'd be so stressed, lol.

It is what it is. I've been married almost 11 years so these things don't worry me anymore...

Love those last minute details coming together!

Too bad about not having the lunch ADRs, but I'm glad that you will be doing a couple of EMHs. You know I'm a big fan! Don't give up on trying to book a few, though, either before your trip or even while you are there.

There is NO giving up! I'm just sad to lose out on Via Napoli. I really like eating there. But we'll be back and I'll eat there another time.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I've gotten a few lunch ADRs.

Sunday - Hollywood and Vine at 12:25pm.
Monday - Nothing available at Rainforest for normal lunch times but last summer we were able to get a same day reservation so I'm not worried. I could probably get something through the restaurant directly...
Tuesday - Chefs de France at 1:10pm. A little late but we'll eat lots of snacks in the morning. Tom and I are having dinner at Jiko and the kids are eating Kids Cuisine for dinner in the room. Super gourmet, no?
Thursday - Liberty Tree Tavern at 12:35 (I think?). Another favorite of Tom's.

Amanda

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

You are so very close!!! I think not planning the cruise is a wonderful plan! How cool that you get to go to Disapalooza (did I spell that anywhere close to correct? ) At some point I'd like to see WWOHP, and doing it with only disers is certainly a great way to go!

PS Tiki Room is reopened; Star Tours is cool; interactive queues at Pooh and HM are available for your little ones to explore...and Mickey is waiting.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It is what it is. I've been married almost 11 years so these things don't worry me anymore...



There is NO giving up! I'm just sad to lose out on Via Napoli. I really like eating there. But we'll be back and I'll eat there another time.

Amanda

Hi I just wanted to let you know that Via Napoli operated a stand-by line when we were there this summer. They were able to get us (family of 5) in with a short 10 minute wait. You might be lucky too. The hostess was pretty accurate with the timings so it's worth a try if you're in epcot some lunchtime

 

[-Hope-]

I'm so glad the lunch ADRs are coming together- I can relax for you now.

 

[DrMomof3]

You are so very close!!! I think not planning the cruise is a wonderful plan! How cool that you get to go to Disapalooza (did I spell that anywhere close to correct? ) At some point I'd like to see WWOHP, and doing it with only disers is certainly a great way to go!

PS Tiki Room is reopened; Star Tours is cool; interactive queues at Pooh and HM are available for your little ones to explore...and Mickey is waiting.

Thank you! I'm pretty psyched about all my upcoming stuff!
You're getting me very excited for the trip.

Hi I just wanted to let you know that Via Napoli operated a stand-by line when we were there this summer. They were able to get us (family of 5) in with a short 10 minute wait. You might be lucky too. The hostess was pretty accurate with the timings so it's worth a try if you're in epcot some lunchtime

Great tip! Thanks! My DH is happy with Chefs but it's nice to have a back-up plan, especially because 1:10pm is pretty late for my kids to eat lunch.

I'm so glad the lunch ADRs are coming together- I can relax for you now.

You totally made me laugh Hope! But I know what you mean.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I went to do online check-in 10 days out - only to discover that my husband and children's last name was spelled incorrectly on the reservation. I emailed my TA and asked to her fix it. I don't know that it would matter if the room keys had the wrong spelling (and the name has 13 letters and the mis-spelling was just missing a letter in the middle so I'm not sure anyone would notice) but it bothered me. By Wednesday the spelling was fixed and I completed online check-in!!!
I love online check-in. There's something wonderful about knowing that we're all checked in, even though we're still working. I know there's debate about whether or not online check in is faster or better but I like it! I also learned, the hard way, that if/when we stay CL we shouldn't do online check in.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Being checked in definitely makes it seem real!

 

[DrMomof3]

Being checked in definitely makes it seem real!

Thanks Hope!

Amanda

 

[beebeeryan]

I love online check-in too. Just makes me feel like we're all set and it helps with those worries of showing up and having them say, "Sorry, we don't have a reservation for you!"

It's getting so CLOSE!!!!!

 

[klacey1]

Ahh, we're both so close! We did online check in for the first time this trip-- I'm hoping it means our room will be ready when we arrive around 1:00ish.

 

[DrMomof3]

I love online check-in too. Just makes me feel like we're all set and it helps with those worries of showing up and having them say, "Sorry, we don't have a reservation for you!"

It's getting so CLOSE!!!!!

I've never worried about them losing my reservation but maybe I should.

Ahh, we're both so close! We did online check in for the first time this trip-- I'm hoping it means our room will be ready when we arrive around 1:00ish.

We've had good luck with early check-in, except when we requested connecting rooms.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I need a vacation!!!!!
Ok, I got that out of the way. We should be at Orlando Airport (or just leaving with our rental car) at this time next week.
So where am I in the process?
I've started packing. At this point I've packed:
many of the toiletries
rain ponchos
some of the little gifts for the kids
glow sticks
Rain cover for stroller
swim diapers
sunscreen
Purex sheets
Etc.

I'm not quite ready to pack clothes, although I will talk to the kids this weekend about what they want to bring. I think I'll only have the kids bring about 3 pair of PJs since I'll do laundry.
I changed my mind and we're going to bring the Phil and Ted's stroller which has a 2nd little seat in back and also bring an old umbrella style stroller (it's the much cheaper Chicco version of the Maclaren umbrella stroller). It has a rain cover (and I know where the rain cover is - miracle of miracles). Tom recently cleaned out the garage and was debating throwing it out. I suggested that we bring it and leave it at Disney so we have a 3rd seat for tired children. I think we'll really appreciate that when we have dinner ADRs at Epcot and take the monorail back to BLT. It's not the cleanest and certainly not fancy but it's a seat.
We also agreed to get Zachary's stroller tagged as a wheelchair again. He really does need a seat, especially as the day goes on. I know we won't use the wheelchair option often but I think it's better to have that and never use it than to need it and then regret not getting it.
We need car seats for the rental car. The big kids will obviously just bring their booster seats (I think we'll gate check those) but I'm not sure what to do with Zachary. Legally he CAN be in a booster seat in Florida but I don't know that I completely trust him. I don't want to compromise his safety but I also don't really want to drag a car seat on the plane. One option is to bring one of our old car seats (nothing wrong with them, the big kids just upgraded to boosters) and leave it in Orlando, too. I don't relish dragging a car seat around the airport (our home airport is tiny but MCO is huge) but that might be a better option. Hmmm.
I also need to talk to the kids about their carry-ons. I'm trying to leave electronic toys at home, especially since we're flying JetBlue and I have tons of stuff for them to do. And we have 2 iPads. I'd like to minimize the carry-on gear. Wish me luck with that.
I have another busy week but I think I can plow through.

Amanda

PS Did a 9 mile run this morning!