A Disney-addicted mom plans a trip in August, 2010! *New pics #574*

[DrMomof3]

Thanks all! I shouldn't be here because I have SO much to do since our POWER is finally ON!!! The fridge and freezer are a bit scary right now....

I'm going to Disney 3 weeks from tomorrow. I feel totally unprepared! I have made dinner reservations, bought plane tickets, bought park tickets, and booked the hotel. I do have DME stuff. But I don't have a solid plan yet. Once I get settled back home, I'd better work on that....

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Yay for having your power back on!!! It would be rough for me to worry about trivial things like the fridge and freezer when something as important as a Disney trip is so close.

 

[dismagiclover]

Hey Amanda,
I followed you over here from Carissa's report and just want to say congrats on taking the half marathon leap! You won't regret it. This may sound like a shameless plug, but check out my Jan. 2010 TR (just click on that date in my siggy) and you can read my extended report of the half this year. I'm also so jealous of your upcoming trips to Yacht and Beach Club. We stayed there last summer and loved every minute of it (you can read about that in my June 2009 TR I'm headed down again this June and I signed up my kids for the Albatross Cruise as well. I hope they enjoy it. I think my oldest is a bit too old (she's 10), but I wanted some solo time. We're also going to hit Harry Potter for a few days at the end of the trip. My DH like yours is not a Disney fanatic so he is flying down just for Harry Potter and Universal. You have some great ADR's booked. We love Garden Grill and Cape May breakfast. I really like Rose & Crown too. I think your kids will be just fine there. Though if you switch to Chefs my kids like that OK too. I guess it depends if you want an English pub or a French bistro.

Anyway, this is probably more than you wanted to know. I'm excited about all 3 of your upcoming trips

 

[lexmas]

Yay for the power coming back on! Sounds like you have a lot done already, and you still have 3 weeks to hammer out a solid plan. Can't wait for more updates on your planning! Have fun getting re-adjusted back home!

 

[carissanboys]

I just registered for the Disney half-marathon! OMG! I can't even believe it!!!

Amanda

Woohoo!! Embrace the insanity!!

The great thing about signing up is that it really helps motivate you on the days you don't feel like running.

 

[Charlefours]

for your power being back on!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Yay for having your power back on!!! It would be rough for me to worry about trivial things like the fridge and freezer when something as important as a Disney trip is so close.

Exactly! I knew someone here would understand. Let the rotten food rot and let's worry about something important. Like, say, Disney!

Hey Amanda,
I followed you over here from Carissa's report and just want to say congrats on taking the half marathon leap! You won't regret it. This may sound like a shameless plug, but check out my Jan. 2010 TR (just click on that date in my siggy) and you can read my extended report of the half this year. I'm also so jealous of your upcoming trips to Yacht and Beach Club. We stayed there last summer and loved every minute of it (you can read about that in my June 2009 TR I'm headed down again this June and I signed up my kids for the Albatross Cruise as well. I hope they enjoy it. I think my oldest is a bit too old (she's 10), but I wanted some solo time. We're also going to hit Harry Potter for a few days at the end of the trip. My DH like yours is not a Disney fanatic so he is flying down just for Harry Potter and Universal. You have some great ADR's booked. We love Garden Grill and Cape May breakfast. I really like Rose & Crown too. I think your kids will be just fine there. Though if you switch to Chefs my kids like that OK too. I guess it depends if you want an English pub or a French bistro.

Anyway, this is probably more than you wanted to know. I'm excited about all 3 of your upcoming trips

Thank you! Welcome!!! Totally jealous of your trip to Harry Potter!

Yay for the power coming back on! Sounds like you have a lot done already, and you still have 3 weeks to hammer out a solid plan. Can't wait for more updates on your planning! Have fun getting re-adjusted back home!

Thanks. It's awesome to be home. My MIL is insane baseline. Having 5 extra people in her house didn't improve her sanity at all!

Woohoo!! Embrace the insanity!!

The great thing about signing up is that it really helps motivate you on the days you don't feel like running.

I hope so! Otherwise I'm going to look pretty stupid come January....

for your power being back on!!

I never realized how wonderful electricty is...until we lost it for FIVE full days!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I've been listening to the Dis unplugged podcasts a lot recently. I started back to 2006 and am working forward. I also listen to the current ones so I know what's going on now. It's getting me so excited for my trips! Yesterday I listened to a recent one (maybe 2 weeks ago?) that was talking about some threads on dis. It was interesting because someone had posted about whether or not to take young children to Epcot. The podcast was saying that Epcot is awesome and if they were going to skip a park, they'd skip AK. I totally agree! In fact we did skip AK in December. We only had 3.5 days at parks. I like AK but don't *love* it. I LOVE the other parks. Just my thought for the day!

We took the 2 older kids out to dinner. We went to a real "grown-up" restaurant (no children's menu). They did great! I realized that when Zachary is about a year or 2 older, travel will be much easier. I feel bad that we go out without him sometimes but he just can't sit still yet. We talked a lot about our upcoming trip in August. It's fun to talk to the kids about Disney. They've been frequently enough that they have opinions about stuff. We might try Kim Possible this time. I think my daughter has now agreed to do JTA with my son. That'll be better. He's much more shy than she is but I think he'll be better if she does it to (he told her that he wants her to do it, too). He's the Star Wars fanatic but doesn't like having people stare at him. Hopefully this will work out ok!

Amanda

PS I did w5d2 of C25K yesterday. I was worried about the 8 min runs but I did ok with them. I didn't have to slow my pace.

 

[dismagiclover]

Hi Amanda. First of all great job on the C25K program! You'll find that so much of running is a mental thing. If you believe you can do it then you can

I probably have to agree that AK is my least favorite park. My DH loves it though. He's a great animal lover so that is why. I always find it strange when people say there is nothing at Epcot for kids It is my daughter's favorite park and my sons second favorite. Heck my kids could spend hours just in Innoventions And you are so right about how much easier it will get to travel for you in a couple of years. My 3 kids are just a couple years ahead of yours and me and DH always talk about being in the Golden Era. The kids still want to please us, haven't yet developed teenage attitudes (though I sometime see hints of it with DD) and are just generally lots of fun. Look forward to good times ahead

 

[DrMomof3]

Hi Amanda. First of all great job on the C25K program! You'll find that so much of running is a mental thing. If you believe you can do it then you can

I probably have to agree that AK is my least favorite park. My DH loves it though. He's a great animal lover so that is why. I always find it strange when people say there is nothing at Epcot for kids It is my daughter's favorite park and my sons second favorite. Heck my kids could spend hours just in Innoventions And you are so right about how much easier it will get to travel for you in a couple of years. My 3 kids are just a couple years ahead of yours and me and DH always talk about being in the Golden Era. The kids still want to please us, haven't yet developed teenage attitudes (though I sometime see hints of it with DD) and are just generally lots of fun. Look forward to good times ahead

What a reassuring post!!!
And it's not that I don't like AK, I just don't think it's a great as the other parks. We're a little spoiled because we live about 15-20 min away from the Bronx Zoo. We're members so we go often (free parking and free admission with membership plus 10% off purchases). The Bronx Zoo is huge a fabulous. They have a few rides and lots of animals. Obviously AK has a lot more rides and shows. And the Safari is cool but it's not *that* much better than our Zoo. Add to that the fact that my kids aren't ready for the thrill rides at AK and it's not our favorite place. We'll spend a long morning at AK but that's probably it.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

I've never listened to the podcasts- now you've piqued my curiosity.

How fun that the kids got to go out for a 'grown up' meal. Don't feel bad about leaving the LO behind- he'll have his turn and for now the older kids probably enjoy the special time.

 

[lexmas]

Sounds like you had a fun dinner! DS talks to us about disney, but he doesn't remember when he's gone so it's not the same. It will be fun once he really knows what he's talking about!

I generally agree with you about AK, I can take it or leave it. This trip we'll be spending tons of time there though, since DS is obsessed with it. We always found tons to do at Epcot, even when DS was a baby. There's just so much to do there! AK is too spread out and doesn't have all that much.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've never listened to the podcasts- now you've piqued my curiosity.

How fun that the kids got to go out for a 'grown up' meal. Don't feel bad about leaving the LO behind- he'll have his turn and for now the older kids probably enjoy the special time.

I'm loving the podcasts! Very funny and informative. And like having a little slice of Disney whenever you need!

Sounds like you had a fun dinner! DS talks to us about disney, but he doesn't remember when he's gone so it's not the same. It will be fun once he really knows what he's talking about!

I generally agree with you about AK, I can take it or leave it. This trip we'll be spending tons of time there though, since DS is obsessed with it. We always found tons to do at Epcot, even when DS was a baby. There's just so much to do there! AK is too spread out and doesn't have all that much.

My kids like AK but I don't think they love it, either. They do enjoy the Safari and the Lion King show. My kids are Disney-obsessed like me!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I just spent way too much money on the disneystore.com. My daughter desperately needs warm-weather clothes and there were some decent discounts. They have shorts/t-shirt outfits 2 for $25 (so 2 full outfits for $25) and some tank dresses for $10. The PJs are 2 for $20. I bought Jessica 2 shorts outfits, one Tiana dress, and one nightgown. Nathaniel is getting one shorts outfit and a Phineas and Ferb t-shirt. Zachary gets one shorts outfit, one PJs, and one Mickey t-shirt. I also got him so Mickey dishes (3 items for $10). And then I spent a small fortune so Tom and I can each have a Half-Marathon training t-shirt. They only had the women's in size small. It'll fit me but it'll be a little tighter than I'd prefer. But I needed it!
I'll probably use this stuff for Easter. I think I may get Jessica the Princess and the Frog DVD. I want to get Nathaniel a Toy Story Mania game for the Wii (ok, it's really because I want it! Not sure what to get Zachary. I'll keep my eyes open. I could give him the Mickey Mouse bowl, fork/spoon, and sippy cup but it doesn't seem fair that the other kids are getting stuff that's more fun. Maybe I'll get the newest Little Einstein's DVD?

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

That Disney Store can be evil I know exactly what you're talking about with those half marathon training shirts. Way pricey They are cute though! We want photos when the shipment arrives

 

[DrMomof3]

That Disney Store can be evil I know exactly what you're talking about with those half marathon training shirts. Way pricey They are cute though! We want photos when the shipment arrives

I'm bad about taking pics and worse about posting them but I'll try!

Today's random thought.... Maybe we should rent a double stroller rather than dragging our double stroller from NY. We have a jeep double which is super lightweight and easy to use. But we have so much stuff to carry with 3 kids and carry-ons, etc. The big kids can certainly navigate the airport without a stroller. They could probably do the parks without one but with the hot weather, I think they'll appreciate a rest (or we'll listen to incessant whining!). And our now 6 year old fell asleep in the stroller at least twice on our December trip. So maybe we're better off renting? What does everyone think???
Zachary definitely needs a stroller for the airport because he's an unreliable hurricane!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Well, with ME checking your stroller would be a cinch but you'd probably have to pay the airline- so, I'd probably save myself the headache and just rent one when you get there.

 

[carissanboys]

I love the strollers at WDW and the convenience if you purchase all of your days when you first arrive. If you can afford it, I'd go for it. Unless you think you'll need a stroller at the airport or when you leave the parks.

 

[lexmas]

Oh disneystore.com has my number. It's the shipping that makes me too cheap to shop there most of the time. Other than that they have great deals! We have toy story mania for the wii and it's really fun, you're going to love it! The only thing it's missing is that they should have created a new controller for it that looks like the little cannon from the ride!

I couldn't imagine not having a stroller for your "big kids". I drag MYSELF back to the hotel room bone tired at the end of each day, so I wouldn't think a 4 or 6 year old would be able to do it, unless you're planning on a very leisurely touring style. Our touring style makes strollers a necessity!

I would either check the double, or just make the big kids ride in the double in the airport and carry your carryons in their laps. I don't think the park strollers are really made for "napping", and even if you have to pay to check the double it's still way less expensive than renting.

 

[-Hope-]

I'm wondering if you can gate check the stroller? I'd check the airline's policy on this because then you could avoid checked bags fees, have the stroller in the airport for your LO, and use the extra seat to hold some of your carry-on.