A Disney-Addicted mom plans an August, 2013 Autotrain Trip for 7! *Big Update! 11/19*

[DrMomof3]

Marathon Weekend Update:
We are staying at BLT which will be great for taking the monorail to the race start. I'm debating renting a car as I think it's helpful for getting to the race Expo and maybe to the start of the 10k. I don't think I would drive to the Marathon start because of road closures. I made our ADRs for Marathon Weekend and we're very happy with the results!
Thursday (night before 10k): Via Napoli
Friday (night after 10k): Le Cellier (we may change to California Grill)
Saturday (night before Marathon): Kona Cafe
Sunday (night after Marathon): Be Our Guest

Autograph book arrived (note to self: must take pictures of it) and I'm very happy with the result. Tom was able to pick up the two 6-day park hoppers from West Point. They still had tickets from before the price increase so we got a bonus discount on top of the military discount. Yay!

Here's my to-do list:

1. Talk to kids about priorities during trip. I think we're basically going to have one day per park. Wednesday will be a flex day (Tom and Steve will be playing golf and kids and Karin and I have early ADR at Cape May). Karin and I can take the kids to a park while the men golf. Or we can have a relaxing day. We can also spend either arrival afternoon or departure morning at a park. Arrival afternoon will likely be DTD with dinner at Splitsville. Which means we could head to a park on Saturday morning before going to the auto train. I want to make a priority list of attractions so I can set up a touring plan.
2. Garden Grocer. I'll probably wait a few more weeks to order but I need to set that up. We decided that it doesn't make sense to take 7 people to a grocery store and the delivery charges are so reasonable...
3. Stroller rental. Zachary definitely needs a stroller. Jessica is too old for a stroller but will likely whine incessantly if we don't order a double. Need to discuss with Tom and decide.
4.Starting packing train/car backpacks. I bought cheap backpacks at the dollar store for the kids and I've bought lots of travel goodies for them to play with in the car and on the train. I need to start packing those bags. Real packing needs to wait because the kids are wearing their summer clothes to camp every day.

What am I forgetting to do???

Amanda

 

[cogero]

What Double do you usually get?

I am having that debate right now.

 

[DrMomof3]

What Double do you usually get?

I am having that debate right now.

We've ordered from Orlando Stroller in the past. I think we just got the City Mini Double...

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Sounds great Amanda!! Won't be long now

We are doing the Wishes DP tonight I am so excited!

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[klacey1]

I haven't read anything yet (darn work!) but needed to subscribe so I can catch up later! I am the worst about not getting in on PTRs until they're well underway!

Can't wait to read about all of your plans!

 

[DrMomof3]

Sounds great Amanda!! Won't be long now

We are doing the Wishes DP tonight I am so excited!

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I hope you had fun at the Wishes DP!

I haven't read anything yet (darn work!) but needed to subscribe so I can catch up later! I am the worst about not getting in on PTRs until they're well underway!

Can't wait to read about all of your plans!

I'm the worst! I'm here for several days and then disappear for weeks...

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I hope you had fun at the Wishes DP!

I'm the worst! I'm here for several days and then disappear for weeks...

Amanda

It was fantastic! I am so glad we did it. The best part is sitting in a chair to watch wishes!!! Our table was right up against the railing.

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[DrMomof3]

It was fantastic! I am so glad we did it. The best part is sitting in a chair to watch wishes!!! Our table was right up against the railing.

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I'm SO happy for you!!!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

We're in the midst of a heat wave where Florida looks cool and refreshing! Tonight when I got home from work, Tom was at the gym and my nanny was taking the boys out for ice cream. Jessica had been dropped off from her playdate/softball practice. We've been having lots of issues with black-outs and brown-outs this week and it's been BRUTAL. Our house is under-air conditioned anyway because of an outdated electrical system. When Jessica got home, the power had just gone out so no a/c. It was hot and sticky and she was tired. She started to whine and complain. I realized that I had recently started a Spotify playlist of Disney songs. So we started playing "Name that Disney Tune" which turned into a Disney Dance Party in the dark living room. Instead of whining about being hot, we actually had tons of fun. When the boys got home, they joined in. It was - perhaps too rare - an example of using Disney to make our life better!

Amanda

 

[momto3gr8boys]

We're in the midst of a heat wave where Florida looks cool and refreshing! Tonight when I got home from work, Tom was at the gym and my nanny was taking the boys out for ice cream. Jessica had been dropped off from her playdate/softball practice. We've been having lots of issues with black-outs and brown-outs this week and it's been BRUTAL. Our house is under-air conditioned anyway because of an outdated electrical system. When Jessica got home, the power had just gone out so no a/c. It was hot and sticky and she was tired. She started to whine and complain. I realized that I had recently started a Spotify playlist of Disney songs. So we started playing "Name that Disney Tune" which turned into a Disney Dance Party in the dark living room. Instead of whining about being hot, we actually had tons of fun. When the boys got home, they joined in. It was - perhaps too rare - an example of using Disney to make our life better!

Amanda

Aww, that is very sweet . Every time we walk outside I tell the boys it's Disney training lol...this heat is insane. FWIW, we updated our electrical system last year from....oh, I can't remember what it was to 200amps (I think...whatever the recommended number is) and it was not that expensive or difficult. It has made a huge difference though...no more concerns about blown fuses or overuse of electricity.

I had brunch in your neck of the woods last weekend at Fig and Olive.

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[cogero]

We're in the midst of a heat wave where Florida looks cool and refreshing! Tonight when I got home from work, Tom was at the gym and my nanny was taking the boys out for ice cream. Jessica had been dropped off from her playdate/softball practice. We've been having lots of issues with black-outs and brown-outs this week and it's been BRUTAL. Our house is under-air conditioned anyway because of an outdated electrical system. When Jessica got home, the power had just gone out so no a/c. It was hot and sticky and she was tired. She started to whine and complain. I realized that I had recently started a Spotify playlist of Disney songs. So we started playing "Name that Disney Tune" which turned into a Disney Dance Party in the dark living room. Instead of whining about being hot, we actually had tons of fun. When the boys got home, they joined in. It was - perhaps too rare - an example of using Disney to make our life better!

Amanda

Aww, that is very sweet . Every time we walk outside I tell the boys it's Disney training lol...this heat is insane. FWIW, we updated our electrical system last year from....oh, I can't remember what it was to 200amps (I think...whatever the recommended number is) and it was not that expensive or difficult. It has made a huge difference though...no more concerns about blown fuses or overuse of electricity.

I had brunch in your neck of the woods last weekend at Fig and Olive.

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Oh I can't wait for this heat wave to be over. I wish Con Ed here would stop lowering the power though I should be thankful I haven't lost power at all this year. I have taken the kids swimming the last 2 days so Jimmy and C have had fun me not so much.

That is great about the dance party. I should start a playlist I find it sad that we are hotter than FL but it will make the trip that much more fun.

 

[DrMomof3]

Aww, that is very sweet . Every time we walk outside I tell the boys it's Disney training lol...this heat is insane. FWIW, we updated our electrical system last year from....oh, I can't remember what it was to 200amps (I think...whatever the recommended number is) and it was not that expensive or difficult. It has made a huge difference though...no more concerns about blown fuses or overuse of electricity.

I had brunch in your neck of the woods last weekend at Fig and Olive.

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I really like the Fig and Olive! We live a few miles up the road. One of my husband's offices is in that shopping center.

We will have to re-wire the entire house. Most of the outlets in our house are 2-prong outlets instead of 3-prong. I think we have wiring from the 1950's!!!

Oh I can't wait for this heat wave to be over. I wish Con Ed here would stop lowering the power though I should be thankful I haven't lost power at all this year. I have taken the kids swimming the last 2 days so Jimmy and C have had fun me not so much.

That is great about the dance party. I should start a playlist I find it sad that we are hotter than FL but it will make the trip that much more fun.

Our air conditioner was barely working last night. It was SO bad. I could barely sleep.
I've had fun making playlists. My kids really got into the whole game.

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Before we left for FL, my BIL said hope its not too hot in FL Lol!! Who's laughing now???

I'm sure it won't last long. It has been nice here the past couple of days a lot of overcast and not much rain. A nice relief.

We ate in the castle today for my niece's b-day. I had so much fun! It was my first time ( I do have 2 BOYS). They were far from thrilled but lived. DS12 got a kiss from Ariel he was extremely embarrassed and NOT happy Lol

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[DrMomof3]

Before we left for FL, my BIL said hope its not too hot in FL Lol!! Who's laughing now???

I'm sure it won't last long. It has been nice here the past couple of days a lot of overcast and not much rain. A nice relief.

We ate in the castle today for my niece's b-day. I had so much fun! It was my first time ( I do have 2 BOYS). They were far from thrilled but lived. DS12 got a kiss from Ariel he was extremely embarrassed and NOT happy Lol

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My DS5 wants to marry Ariel. He would have been thrilled!
We ate in the Castle maybe 2 years ago? It was a really good experience.
Glad you're having good weather!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Amtrak has added a priority off-loading option. Your car can be one of the 1st twenty cars off the train for $50. As a bunch of uptight New Yorkers, we paid to upgrade! Apparently this is a new option...

Amanda

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Love that you had a dance party Amanda We are having a heat wave here too and my youngest wanted to know why we didn't turn on the air-conditioning which brought about roars of laughter from everyone (it's probably the first time in his 6 years it's been hot enough to need it
Mind you it is so hot atm we are all wishing there was air con!

I would definitely have paid the extra to be off the train first! When you're there you just want to get checked in asap-definite no-brainer for me

 

[DrMomof3]

Love that you had a dance party Amanda We are having a heat wave here too and my youngest wanted to know why we didn't turn on the air-conditioning which brought about roars of laughter from everyone (it's probably the first time in his 6 years it's been hot enough to need it
Mind you it is so hot atm we are all wishing there was air con!

I would definitely have paid the extra to be off the train first! When you're there you just want to get checked in asap-definite no-brainer for me

I remember being in London many years ago (1995?) and there was a heat wave. We were shocked that there was no a/c and no ice for our drinks! Spoiled Americans!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

29 days until we leave NY for Disney. We arrive the follow day so 30 days until I'm physically in the Disney bubble again!
I still need to reserve a stroller for Zachary (the minivan will be crowded with 7 people + bags so anything I can leave at home will help) and order Garden Grocer. I know we have a car but I do NOT want to bring 7 people to the grocery store. It's worth a few extra dollars to have the groceries delivered to us. Trust me.
I think I'll try to start packing the kids' backpacks for the trip. We did some dollar store purchases (including cheap backpacks) and I bought a few surprises for the train ride. I can't really pack any clothes yet because we're still wearing them every day. I'm considering Owner's Locker. Any opinions? We'll be back in January for Marathon Weekend and it would be nice to leave some non-perishables (sugar packets for coffee, coffee filters, shampoo/conditioner (the Disney conditioner isn't strong enough for my fine hair), hip pack, etc.)....
In other news we may be skipping our Disney trip next summer. After purchasing DVC points....
I'm going to London in October for my niece's baptism. My kids really wanted to go so they could see their cousins (this baby is my brother's 3rd child and we've never even met the 2 year old) and see their aunt/uncle. It was just too expensive for a long weekend to bring all 5 of us. So I'm going solo. The compromise is that we will spend 10 days visiting my brother next summer (he has a vacation house in France so that is likely where we will go). Which means we'll probably skip the August Disney trip. I actually think that using our DVC points every other year and getting a one bedroom villa instead of a studio is going to be a good plan anyway. And I may use the 2013 points to run W&D next November. Tom doesn't know this part of the plan yet...

Amanda

 

[cogero]

WE love our Owners Locker. I actually have two because we have a Keurig Mini in one. Also we leave a bathing suit in them too. Oh and plastic glasses that are bigger than the ones in the rooms.

 

[DrMomof3]

WE love our Owners Locker. I actually have two because we have a Keurig Mini in one. Also we leave a bathing suit in them too. Oh and plastic glasses that are bigger than the ones in the rooms.

Good to know. I'm not sure I'd leave bathing suits for the kids because they grow so fast! How often do you think you need to go to Disney to make it worthwhile?

Amanda