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

[DrMomof3]

I have never worn crocs because I just am not sure they would be all that comfortable but I can tell you all three of us will be wearing Keens. I even went ahead and bought DD the next size up knowing that she might be out of her current pair by September. They are comfortable, great arch support and quick drying. Probably the best and most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.

They look awesome but a bit pricey! From the Keens website they're $50 each pair - which means $250 for shoes for my family. It might be worth it though....

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I made and ordered 3 autograph books last night. I was playing on Shutterfly.com and hit the "order" button without really meaning to do it yet. They're identical except the cover page which is personalized. I'm pretty sure that Zachary won't get it but I also know that he'll be upset if he doesn't have one.
I've also been printing out activity pages for the kids. I'm going to make each child a coloring/activity book for the plane and to bring to restaurants. I'll pack crayons for Zachary (he tends to draw on himself) and then a combination of crayons and markers for the older kids. Nathaniel has more activity pages while Zachary has coloring pages. I don't know how much Zachary will use his book. I have decided about getting the books bound (worried about spending more on the homemade stuff than if I just bought it!). I think I'm also going to buy lots of stickers for the trip. I tend to put everything in ziploc baggies but maybe I'll buy some small, flat storage containers. We like to bring activities in the diaper bag for restaurants. Our diaper bag is a big backpack so it can hold a lot!

Amanda

 

[starann]

I made and ordered 3 autograph books last night. I was playing on Shutterfly.com and hit the "order" button without really meaning to do it yet. They're identical except the cover page which is personalized. I'm pretty sure that Zachary won't get it but I also know that he'll be upset if he doesn't have one.
I've also been printing out activity pages for the kids. I'm going to make each child a coloring/activity book for the plane and to bring to restaurants. I'll pack crayons for Zachary (he tends to draw on himself) and then a combination of crayons and markers for the older kids. Nathaniel has more activity pages while Zachary has coloring pages. I don't know how much Zachary will use his book. I have decided about getting the books bound (worried about spending more on the homemade stuff than if I just bought it!). I think I'm also going to buy lots of stickers for the trip. I tend to put everything in ziploc baggies but maybe I'll buy some small, flat storage containers. We like to bring activities in the diaper bag for restaurants. Our diaper bag is a big backpack so it can hold a lot!

Amanda

Where have you been finding hte activity pages? I would love to do some for my boys!

 

[DrMomof3]

Where have you been finding hte activity pages? I would love to do some for my boys!

Look under Disney for Families section. There are a few "stickies" with website links with activity/coloring pages.

Amanda

 

[Charlefours]

I am planning on activity sheets/coloring book for DD too to keep her occupied during our TS meals. She can finish quickly sometimes so she will need something to do.

 

[DrMomof3]

I am planning on activity sheets/coloring book for DD too to keep her occupied during our TS meals. She can finish quickly sometimes so she will need something to do.

I've been printing a bunch. I think I made try to get spiral binding done - maybe with a plastic cover? I don't know how much it'll cost.

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

Look under Disney for Families section. There are a few "stickies" with website links with activity/coloring pages.

Amanda

Thanks for this, I'll have to look it up!

Having activities for meals sounds like a great idea. We don't dare do TS with my kids, there's just no way that would go well. Last time when we just had DS one of us got to eat and the other got to glom down a few bites of food and then go outside to entertain DS so he didn't bother everyone else at the restaurant. Any guesses on who got to do what?

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks for this, I'll have to look it up!

Having activities for meals sounds like a great idea. We don't dare do TS with my kids, there's just no way that would go well. Last time when we just had DS one of us got to eat and the other got to glom down a few bites of food and then go outside to entertain DS so he didn't bother everyone else at the restaurant. Any guesses on who got to do what?

Zachary is definitely at "that age" where sitting through a restaurant meal can be challenging. Disney is pretty good when it comes to service and we tend to eat on the early side to prevent disasters! There are certainly restaurant meals where we take turn walking around with Zachary. And Jessica thinks she should use every restaurant bathroom at least 5 times or she hasn't gotten her money's worth.
I find CS meals more stressful. One person is trying to manage 2-3 trays of food and beverage while the other is desperately trying to find a table without losing any children! (I don't know if I've mentioned it here but Jessica is the master at getting "lost").

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Hey Amanda! I've been super busy and not on the DIS much lately so just popping in to catch up.

My 2 cents on the shoes- I have my Teva Mush flip flops that I live in when the weather permits. I'm thinking of getting some for the kids for Disney. Kya has the cutes Mickey head crocs that gave her a terrible blister when we went to the zoo last week so they are definately not our park shoes. Oh well, at least we know in advance! I also have some Keens that are so comfortable! They are my go to shoes when the weather isn't nice enough for flip flops.

Congrats on the raise and the bonus!

I can't wait to see pics of the autograph books!

 

[serene56]

I've been printing a bunch. I think I made try to get spiral binding done - maybe with a plastic cover? I don't know how much it'll cost.

Amanda

I have a 160 page autograph book that we took to staples to get binding and plastic pages on front and back- it costs 4.50 total.

 

[DrMomof3]

Hey Amanda! I've been super busy and not on the DIS much lately so just popping in to catch up.

My 2 cents on the shoes- I have my Teva Mush flip flops that I live in when the weather permits. I'm thinking of getting some for the kids for Disney. Kya has the cutes Mickey head crocs that gave her a terrible blister when we went to the zoo last week so they are definately not our park shoes. Oh well, at least we know in advance! I also have some Keens that are so comfortable! They are my go to shoes when the weather isn't nice enough for flip flops.

Congrats on the raise and the bonus!

I can't wait to see pics of the autograph books!

Thanks Hope! Maybe I will splurge on Keens. The adult Keens are close to $100 but at least they'll last. The kid ones are $50 each. That's $350 in shoes! But well worth it if they're as awesome as it sounds.

I have a 160 page autograph book that we took to staples to get binding and plastic pages on front and back- it costs 4.50 total.

Thank you! I'm making at least 3 coloring/activity books and 2 travel journals (Zachary doesn't need a travel journal but maybe I'll make him an extra coloring book). Glad to hear the binding is so inexpensive!!!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Thanks Hope! Maybe I will splurge on Keens. The adult Keens are close to $100 but at least they'll last. The kid ones are $50 each. That's $350 in shoes! But well worth it if they're as awesome as it sounds.

Amanda

I got mine for $50 at Sierra Trading Post

I would suggest reading reviews for the shoes you want- Sierra Trading Post has lots. Keens has a lot of styles and I read lots of reviews to find the right pair for my wide feet and high arches. They are the only sneakers I've ever owned that don't hurt my feet when I walk long distances so definately worth the money.

 

[DrMomof3]

I got mine for $50 at Sierra Trading Post

I would suggest reading reviews for the shoes you want- Sierra Trading Post has lots. Keens has a lot of styles and I read lots of reviews to find the right pair for my wide feet and high arches. They are the only sneakers I've ever owned that don't hurt my feet when I walk long distances so definately worth the money.

Thanks Hope! I'll check it out.

Question: How many pages do you think I need for each activity/coloring book? We're leaving on a Saturday afternoon and returning the following Saturday evening. We'll use the books for the airport, on the airplane, and in restaurants. I think we have about 8 ADRs for sit-down meals (more or less).
The big kids will each get a travel journal to fill out also.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Exciting news: I've officially booked our marathon-weekend trip! We're staying in a 2 bedroom villa at BLT with my parents. January 6-11. Should I start a separate PTR for that trip or just include it here?

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

About the coloring pages, it just depends on how fast your kids color! I would say two or three per meal.

And for booking! It's really up to you whether you want to keep up two PTRs or not. I'll read either way!

 

[-Hope-]

I agree with Christa that two or three pages for meal and maybe 5 or 6 for each plane ride.

 

[DrMomof3]

About the coloring pages, it just depends on how fast your kids color! I would say two or three per meal.

And for booking! It's really up to you whether you want to keep up two PTRs or not. I'll read either way!

Awww thanks!

I agree with Christa that two or three pages for meal and maybe 5 or 6 for each plane ride.

So maybe 40 pages.... I need to keep printing!!!

My autograph books arrived! I'll confess that I'm a teeny bit disappointed. I did flip books. They basically are photos bound together with spiral binding and a plastic sheet over the front. I'm sure they'll be great but I was expecting something a little more book-like. I guess I should have made actually photobooks. For a few more dollars I think that would have been nicer. They're not bad! Just not exactly what I was expecting.
I ordered a twin-size air bed for our trip. Jessica and Nathaniel don't share a bed nicely so I want another option. I bought a set of twin sheets at Target for $9.99. I also bought a really snuggly Star Wars blanket for Nathaniel, princess one for Jessica, and - sadly - a pink Dora blanket for Zachary. My DH is having a small heart attack over it! Zachary is obsessed with Dora and he insisted on the Dora blanket. He doesn't care about pink or otherwise; he wants Dora!
I also bought lots of other trip stuff at Target. Travel-size toothpaste for the 1st night when our luggage may not be there before bedtime. Lots of hand wipes, antibacterial hand gel, boxes of crayons, markers, sunscreen, etc. I bought a soft-side cooler with ice packs to bring to the parks (it looks like a tote bag but is insulated - very cute).
I can't believe that one month from today we're heading to Disney!!!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Yay for autograph books! I've read here on the DIS that the retractable Sharpies work well on photos.

The blankets sound great- especially the pink Dora one!! Your trip is so close, I'm so excited for you!

 

[DrMomof3]

Yay for autograph books! I've read here on the DIS that the retractable Sharpies work well on photos.

The blankets sound great- especially the pink Dora one!! Your trip is so close, I'm so excited for you!

I bought a package of retractable Sharpies on my Target spending spree!

Trip is ONE MONTH from today!

Amanda

 

[Native NYer]

Yay on hitting the one month mark!!!
We're arriving on the same day. I can't wait!