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

[DrMomof3]

Sounds like a great trip! Glad you guys had a good time.

Somehow technology is never what keeps my kids happy in the car (despite the fact that they are techno junkies at home). A few years ago my mom bought the kids individual dvd players before a trip to Colorado. 14 hours in the van each way and they each watched on movie. Travel games, coloring books/drawing paper, and small toys have always work best for us.

I love that you have a list of "lessons learned". I try to learn something from each trip we take (sometimes even day trips) so travel gets easier and easier.

Thanks Hope!
We haven't done very many road trips. My DH isn't really into the whole road trip thing (he lacks patience). I grew up on road trips. I'm from a big family and we rarely flew anywhere. We drove from NY to Chicago at least once a year (my mom is from the Midwest). I guess in my mind the trip was short enough that I didn't need to prepare everything but I see that I was wrong!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I talked to my 2 older kids about am EMH and they were both very enthusiastic about it. Of course when I'm dragging them out of bed at 7am and telling them to get a move on, they may change their tune.

We won't be able to take advantage of DHS am EMH because that takes place on Saturdays. The first Saturday is arrival day and the 2nd Saturday is departure day. There is NO way I can be organized enough to get us out of the room and do resort luggage check before 7:30am!!! I'm also not sure what to do about AK. There are am EMH there a few times early in the week. AK is definitely not our favorite park so I'm not sure if it's a good idea to schedule it early or better to schedule it later????

I'm thinking about buying the kids Guide to the Magic for Kids books (is that what they are called?). From what I've read I may not need autograph books in addition to that. Does anyone know? I was thinking about making ONE autograph book for the kids to share but maybe just the Guide to the Magic books will be enough? Does anyone know? I need to research this more. It says that it's an autograph book, too, but it might be less cumbersome to make a small autograph book that's easier to carry...

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

I'm thinking about buying the kids Guide to the Magic for Kids books (is that what they are called?). From what I've read I may not need autograph books in addition to that. Does anyone know? I was thinking about making ONE autograph book for the kids to share but maybe just the Guide to the Magic books will be enough? Does anyone know? I need to research this more. It says that it's an autograph book, too, but it might be less cumbersome to make a small autograph book that's easier to carry...

Amanda

We have the Guide to the Magic Book. Actually 2 because the boys wouldn't share. Actually 3 because on a subsequent trip we got the journal.

This is a fun book, but it is BIG. Almost 8 1/2 by 11 and an inch thick. And relatively expensive: we paid around $30 at Amazon for each Guide, $10 for the journal.

There are a lot of neat activities (scavenger hunts, hints to Hidden Mickeys and a comprehensive review of rides including the dark/scary factor).

Autographs- there are 14 mostly blank pages at the end of the book (with a border that says "Autographs and Stickers") Depending on the number of characters you are planning to meet, you may need to double, triple or whatever on signatures per page. This would really work well for a character breakfast- all of the characters could sign on one page.

I'll post a photo for you.

Or if you used a smaller photo album because it is easier to carry around, you could photocopy the pages in the smaller book and attach them to the Guide along with photos/stickers of the meet & greet.

The feature I really like is the journaling- and the stickers they give you to rate each ride and an area to write what you like about each ride/attraction.

As pictured in your photo, for each day of your stay, up to 14 days, there is a page to write in the date, weather, checkoff boxes for the parks you visited, a place to write down the attractions and then prompt questions:

What/Where I ate, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Favorite thing I did today
Hidden Mickeys and Other Surprises
Other things I did

The good thing was, if we brought the book to restaurants, Ben (around age 7)would fill out the info before out meals arrived. The incovenient thing was the size- really too bulky/heavy for a backpack. But if you are using a stroller with a pouch and could keep it there, it might work.

Bottom line- It is a great book, I highly recommend it to friends who have never been to the parks. If you will be carrying it in a backpack, thumbs down. But it can potentially be a great keepsake of your trip, from the kids perspectives.

 

[natebenma]

 

[DrMomof3]

Awesome Dee!
Thanks for all the info!!! We have not one but TWO strollers and each has space underneath so the size isn't really an issue. And we have a huge backpack diaper bag. Maybe I will buy 3. On the website there's a decent discount if you buy more than one so it might be worth it. And I could just order the autograph book that I've already prepared on shutterfly. I think the autograph book is 4x6 but it might be 5x7. I'm just waiting to see if I need to change around any of the characters in the book. Last year I made a huge effort to do a lot of DIY projects for our trip. I enjoyed it but it's hard for me between my job and my kids. I like finding pre-made things that are cool for the kids without the pressure on me to get it done myself.

Amanda

 

[Native NYer]

The Guide to the Magic looks awesome!
I'm ordering a couple of my nephews.

 

[DrMomof3]

The Guide to the Magic looks awesome!
I'm ordering a couple of my nephews.

Good call!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

This morning Jessica had Part 1 of her kindergarten orientation. She and I went to the bagel store for breakfast. She wanted tobtalk about her favorite rides at Disney! definitely my child!!!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Adorable! :

 

[beebeeryan]

Subbing!

I just spent WAY too much time reading this PTR and your 1/2 Marathon TR that I happened upon somehow and followed it here, I don't even remember now. You signed up the FULL in 2012 Loved reading about the race from a first timer perspective, makes me feel like maybe I could do it. Someday.

I just discovered the C25K programs and am on week 7 now. Signed up for my first 5k for June 4th. Trying to convince DH we should both do an Adult trip to Disney for the 1/2 in 2012. So far he's not going for it. Guess I should see if I can do a 5k first then push it.

We'll be at the CR around the same time, Aug 26-Sep 1. Love your plans so far, lots of great restaurants and I am so jealous of that date night, we had one planned on last summer's trip, but then the Kids Club was so much $$$, we opted not to bother and took them with us.

 

[DrMomof3]

Adorable! :

Thanks!

Subbing!

I just spent WAY too much time reading this PTR and your 1/2 Marathon TR that I happened upon somehow and followed it here, I don't even remember now. You signed up the FULL in 2012 Loved reading about the race from a first timer perspective, makes me feel like maybe I could do it. Someday.

I just discovered the C25K programs and am on week 7 now. Signed up for my first 5k for June 4th. Trying to convince DH we should both do an Adult trip to Disney for the 1/2 in 2012. So far he's not going for it. Guess I should see if I can do a 5k first then push it.

We'll be at the CR around the same time, Aug 26-Sep 1. Love your plans so far, lots of great restaurants and I am so jealous of that date night, we had one planned on last summer's trip, but then the Kids Club was so much $$$, we opted not to bother and took them with us.

WELCOME!!!!!
I started with the C25K last year. You're off to a great start! I've become a HUGE fan of Galloway's walk/run method. He's such an inspiration! I should have run a few races before the Disney 1/2 but I didn't really know enough to do it. I was very happy with how the 1/2 went but I've learned SO much about running and racing during and since. I'm far from experienced but I feel a lot more comfortable. I also found that after my 1st race I was much, much more motivated to train for my next one. And I feel like I need a race on the schedule to keep me going!

We've used Kids Nite Out a few times and really liked it. My youngest isn't old enough for the Kids Club (and isn't potty trained yet) so that's not an option. The cost of putting 3 in Kids Clubs is more than using an in-room babysitter. The final advantage of KNO is that my kids have always been asleep in their own beds when we returned from dinner! I won't go into any details here but my marriage went through some really bad times during and immediately after my pregnancy with Zachary. We've learned that having things like "adult time" during family vacation is very important to preserving our marriage. I consider the babysitting cost minor compared to the cost of marriage counseling or worse!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I had a CRAZY week!!!
I did 17 operations. Took Nathaniel to his 1st tennis lesson. Took Jessica to Kindergarten orientation. Was initiated into my mom's Women's Club. Went to a Benefit for the preschool and afterschool program. Ran 8 miles (in 3 separate runs). Attended a Family Service at our synagogue. And had dinner with 2 amazing women from work.
This weekend is super busy. Nathaniel's at his Little League game now. Then he has violin lesson followed by a birthday party at a bowling alley. Jessica needs to leave for ballet in 30 minutes. Tomorrow is Zachary's THIRD birthday!!! Jessica has rehearsal for her ballet recital. Jessica and Nathaniel have swim lessons. Nathaniel has baseball practice and lacrosse practice. And then we're having 10 people over for Zachary's birthday party. Did I mention that Tom talked me into buying him drums????

I've started filling in our Disney plans into my Passporter. I need to really start thinking about park days, especially since Tom will want us to have some lunch ADRs. We can make some when we're there as lunch seems to not fill up like dinner does. I also can't decide Pirate League vs. Harmony Barber Shop for the boys.... Need to talk this over with Nathaniel and have him decide.

The Passporter 2011 Cruise book has been delayed in its release due to the new itineraries. I'm dying to get the book so I can start working on planning our October cruise!!!

I also think we're going to spend a night at Sesame Place over Memorial Day weekend. This will be part of Zachary's birthday celebration since he isn't having a "real" party.

Amanda

 

[beebeeryan]

I had a CRAZY week!!!
I did 17 operations. Took Nathaniel to his 1st tennis lesson. Took Jessica to Kindergarten orientation. Was initiated into my mom's Women's Club. Went to a Benefit for the preschool and afterschool program. Ran 8 miles (in 3 separate runs). Attended a Family Service at our synagogue. And had dinner with 2 amazing women from work.
This weekend is super busy. Nathaniel's at his Little League game now. Then he has violin lesson followed by a birthday party at a bowling alley. Jessica needs to leave for ballet in 30 minutes. Tomorrow is Zachary's THIRD birthday!!! Jessica has rehearsal for her ballet recital. Jessica and Nathaniel have swim lessons. Nathaniel has baseball practice and lacrosse practice. And then we're having 10 people over for Zachary's birthday party. Did I mention that Tom talked me into buying him drums????

I've started filling in our Disney plans into my Passporter. I need to really start thinking about park days, especially since Tom will want us to have some lunch ADRs. We can make some when we're there as lunch seems to not fill up like dinner does. I also can't decide Pirate League vs. Harmony Barber Shop for the boys.... Need to talk this over with Nathaniel and have him decide.

The Passporter 2011 Cruise book has been delayed in its release due to the new itineraries. I'm dying to get the book so I can start working on planning our October cruise!!!

I also think we're going to spend a night at Sesame Place over Memorial Day weekend. This will be part of Zachary's birthday celebration since he isn't having a "real" party.

Amanda

I am not exactly sure how on earth you do it, I mean even manage to come on here with all you have going on!!! You GO girl!!!

I hear you on the date night stuff, it certainly helps to re-connect. KNO sounds like a good idea for vacation. We don't have family nearby so rarely get out alone even at home. Getting babysitters is tough, teenagers now-a-days (doesn't that make me sound old!) tend to be in so many activities that they aren't available and don't seem to need the money like I did when I was babysitting as a teenager. Makes it tough.

Good luck with your busy weekend and Happy 3rd Birthday to Zachary!

 

[-Hope-]

Wow, I'm tired just from reading that! Not sure how you're managing to fill in the Passporter much less DIS.

 

[DrMomof3]

I am not exactly sure how on earth you do it, I mean even manage to come on here with all you have going on!!! You GO girl!!!

I hear you on the date night stuff, it certainly helps to re-connect. KNO sounds like a good idea for vacation. We don't have family nearby so rarely get out alone even at home. Getting babysitters is tough, teenagers now-a-days (doesn't that make me sound old!) tend to be in so many activities that they aren't available and don't seem to need the money like I did when I was babysitting as a teenager. Makes it tough.

Good luck with your busy weekend and Happy 3rd Birthday to Zachary!

Thank you!!! We don't really have family to help either so we've developed a list of babysitters to help. It's never easy, is it?

Wow, I'm tired just from reading that! Not sure how you're managing to fill in the Passporter much less DIS.

The DIS and Passporter are my break from reality!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Zachary turned THREE on Sunday. The bad news is that he's now a Disney "child" and we have to pay for him.
We had a family-only party. It was the 5 of us, my parents, my MIL and GMIL, my mom's sister (who was visiting from Chicago), my brother/SIL/niece. The party was nice. The weather cooperated so the kids got to play on the swing set in the backyard. We had a Mickey Mouse cake (I don't think I have pictures - bad mommy!). Tom and I bought Zachary a "real" drum set. He LOVES it! Yes, it's noisy but so worth it. He also got a Mickey Mouse t-ball set which is awesome.
Not a lot of trip planning since my last update. I want to start paying off the hotel (we do room-only so we don't have to pay until arrival). We have to buy 5 APs so I want to pre-pay as much as possible!!!
House update: Mortgage company did an appraisal on Monday. A few more documents to the mortgage underwriter and then the mortgage gets forwarded to the bank. Still haven't signed the contract but I think that's mostly a formality. Don't have a closing date yet but title search in NY takes a LONG time.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

I'm glad Zachary had a nice birthday and that all is going well with the house!

Just wait until your kids start turning 10 and they are Disney ADULTS!

 

[-Hope-]

Oops, double post!

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm glad Zachary had a nice birthday and that all is going well with the house!

Just wait until your kids start turning 10 and they are Disney ADULTS!

We're not that far off! Nathaniel's already 7. I think 10 is just around the corner!!!

Amanda

 

[klacey1]

Awww, happy birthday to Zachary! Drum set ! You're brave parents!