A skeptical family of First-Timers take on WDW Nov 15-22** NOV 28 update

[skier_pete]

Every time I type out one of these day plans on my report, I think "now this is going to be my favorite day"! The problem is that every day I swear will be my most favorite day!

Hard to predict what your favorite day will be, I would think most people would say they don't even have favorite days. One thing I can tell you - your favorite MOMENT of the trip will not be something you planned for, but will be something unexpected. And this comes from a hard-core planner who pretty much knows where we'll be every day of the trip. Something your husband or kids says...something a CM does for you...being at the right place at the right time...that's the true magic of Walt Disney World.

 

[FosterA]

I have been thinking about Hoop...it gets such good reviews, but I just can't figure out where to put it in my plans...

I know....make it a 3 week vacation!! yeah right, your husband would really flip right?
well, I hope you can find a little spot to squeeze it in because I've heard sooooo much good about the place. I'll be sure to give details on my report when I get back.

 

[FosterA]

Your report caught my eye since you would be at Disney in November. But as I continued to read our trips became more and more similar. We are actually going from November 14th - 21st. But more importantly, we live in Pflugerville, TX!! I too have been frantic about the airfare, your deal is amazing!!! I was able to snag an $80. flight on SW for our trip to down, but am obsessing about the return flights, which are crazy expensive! We have three boys, 13, 10 & 6 and have been to Disney in November several times. Actually, it's the only time my husband will agree to go, he thinks we have enough heat here in TX, certainly doesn't want to experience it on vacation, lol. We are staying at Port Orleans, family of five have fewer choices of resorts, but since we usually stay at Value, this will be a nice change. So, we will be at the Christmas party on the 15th as well, so excited. And your fears of Thanksgiving crowds is right on. It's been our experience that crowds are manageable until about Tuesday, then they get CRAZY!! We are doing the dining plan, with three big boys, it more than pays off for us. You must be someplace close to Cedar Park (that is where we attend church), and I know they are out for the full week of Thanksgiving, again, AWESOME!! We only get Wed-Fri. So, we take our kids out of school as well, pay the price, but honestly it's not been a problem in the past. Plans all look fantastic, look forward to hearing more. You'll have to tell me where your salon is, always up for trying something new!!

November can't get here soon enough, happy planning!!

Robin

Well hello there!!
That's pretty cool that you will be at the party the same night. Have you done the party before?

We live in Buda and I work in Kyle. David actually works out at Samsung which is getting out there by Pflugerville I think. Hays schools get the entire week of Thanksgiving week off which is awesome but I'm pulling mine out the tues-fri of the week before our off week. So, they'll technically get an almost 2-week Thanksgiving break I plan on telling the teachers and such as it gets closer so they'll be aware and can pile on any extra work for the kids to make up.

You guys are going to have a great time with the dining plan and staying at POR. I plan on getting over there to look around at some point. I love the New Orleans theming.

Thanks for following along!

 

[joy13]

Here is what Maddie and I look like (my Mom will be along also) so if you see us in Epcot on Sunday - be sure to say hi!

 

[FosterA]

Here is what Maddie and I look like (my Mom will be along also) so if you see us in Epcot on Sunday - be sure to say hi!

How cute! I certainly will stop you and say "hi" if I see you. As a matter of fact, it's an ongoing thing in my family that everybody teases me because they say everywhere I go I know somebody! It will really freak them out to stop and say "hey" to someone in Epcot and I'll just tell them "oh yeah, I totally know her." I'll be looking for ya'll!!

 

[joy13]

How cute! I certainly will stop you and say "hi" if I see you. As a matter of fact, it's an ongoing thing in my family that everybody teases me because they say everywhere I go I know somebody! It will really freak them out to stop and say "hey" to someone in Epcot and I'll just tell them "oh yeah, I totally know her." I'll be looking for ya'll!!

That would be funny! Really by the time November comes we probably will feel like old friends from chatting on our trip reports

 

[baseballmickey]

jumping in.

still getting caught up on what you've been up to. I hope you and your family have a fantastic trip!

 

[FosterA]

jumping in.

still getting caught up on what you've been up to. I hope you and your family have a fantastic trip!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[blessedisneymomx3]

Good Morning, hope all is well on this balmy TX morning! I had no idea Buda also took the whole week off, sure wish Pville would get the hint. My best friend growing up lived in Buda and went to Hays HS, so I am familiar with that area, ha...I say that, but I guess it has been 20 years!! I'm a little nervous about my 8th grader missing 6 days this year, but honestly, if the grades are impacted that much, we'll just chalk the six weeks up to Disney )! Yes, we've been to the Christmas party twice so far and we absolutely LOVE LOVE it! Some people say it's not worth the extra money, but I completely disagree. There is so much magic happening, how can you not have a fabulous time?? I think one of the things my kids enjoy the most is the dance party they have in Tomorrowland, Goofy and friends are out there on the dance floor mingling with the kids, it's awesome. I believe it pretty much happens every hour beginning at 7ish. Also, the snow on Mainstreet is so fun for the kids, maybe it means more to us since we don't get to see snow very often in TX. The last time we were in Hollywood Studios at the Osborne Lights, they also had "snow", it was again MAGICAL!! One other thing I am still waiting for reservations on is the Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. We did it in 2009, and was unreal, if you're family are sweet eaters like mine, you won't find a better place, and you have a prime viewing spot of Wishes, no crowds!! I wouldn't do it on the party night because you will miss too many of the activities, but if you have another night at Magic Kingdom, I would highly recommend it. We are actually surprising our boys this time with the Disney trip, so I have absolutely nobody to talk to about everything, forgive me if I am way to chatty. My husband is Disney'd out, very tired of hearing about it . I'm still watching the flights daily, let me know if you hear or see anything good.

Have a great weekend in the heat!!

Robin

 

[LoriH91]

You're going to love Hoop De Doo!! We went last summer & had a blast. Even our surly 19 year old really enjoyed it!! We ended up booking it because I could & we were on the dining plan, so I figured, why not!!

I'm glad we're not the only ones pulling our kids out of school. We won't get there until January 2, but our kids are supposed to go back to school on the 4th. They'll miss until the 10th, probably. It's the start of a new semester, tho, so I figure they won't miss too much.

 

[FosterA]

Good Morning, hope all is well on this balmy TX morning! I had no idea Buda also took the whole week off, sure wish Pville would get the hint. My best friend growing up lived in Buda and went to Hays HS, so I am familiar with that area, ha...I say that, but I guess it has been 20 years!! I'm a little nervous about my 8th grader missing 6 days this year, but honestly, if the grades are impacted that much, we'll just chalk the six weeks up to Disney )! Yes, we've been to the Christmas party twice so far and we absolutely LOVE LOVE it! Some people say it's not worth the extra money, but I completely disagree. There is so much magic happening, how can you not have a fabulous time?? I think one of the things my kids enjoy the most is the dance party they have in Tomorrowland, Goofy and friends are out there on the dance floor mingling with the kids, it's awesome. I believe it pretty much happens every hour beginning at 7ish. Also, the snow on Mainstreet is so fun for the kids, maybe it means more to us since we don't get to see snow very often in TX. The last time we were in Hollywood Studios at the Osborne Lights, they also had "snow", it was again MAGICAL!! One other thing I am still waiting for reservations on is the Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. We did it in 2009, and was unreal, if you're family are sweet eaters like mine, you won't find a better place, and you have a prime viewing spot of Wishes, no crowds!! I wouldn't do it on the party night because you will miss too many of the activities, but if you have another night at Magic Kingdom, I would highly recommend it. We are actually surprising our boys this time with the Disney trip, so I have absolutely nobody to talk to about everything, forgive me if I am way to chatty. My husband is Disney'd out, very tired of hearing about it . I'm still watching the flights daily, let me know if you hear or see anything good.

Have a great weekend in the heat!!

Robin

Thanks for all the fabulous holiday tips!! I was thinking about that dessert party because I LOVE my sugar. Once again though, I get worried about the value simply because my kids eat like teeny birds!
Oh man, my husband is soooo Disney'd out too!

You're going to love Hoop De Doo!! We went last summer & had a blast. Even our surly 19 year old really enjoyed it!! We ended up booking it because I could & we were on the dining plan, so I figured, why not!!

I'm glad we're not the only ones pulling our kids out of school. We won't get there until January 2, but our kids are supposed to go back to school on the 4th. They'll miss until the 10th, probably. It's the start of a new semester, tho, so I figure they won't miss too much.

That's so good to hear that even your 19 year old liked Hoop! I think that is why I mainly booked it, because you just never hear anything negative about this show...or maybe a rare negative comment every now and then but they are very rare. I also want some of the strawberry shortcake!

 

[FosterA]

79 days to go!!

Ok, technically we only have less than 3 months until our trip but it feels sooooo far away and I'll tell you why. It's like 112 degrees down here in TX and when we go to Disney we'll be doing the Christmas party! Know what I mean? It just doesn't feel Fall like at all right now in TX and we're roasting and miserable down here so thinking of going to Disney with Christmas decor and such up just doesn't seem right, it feels like it's going to be FOREVER before we go. I suppose if it ever cools off and get "fall feeling" down here, than it will feel more realistic.
However, I went to Hobby Lobby the other day and they are getting Fall and Christmas things out and I got soooooo excited. Because that means our trip is close no matter how the weather feels!

On another note, there was a breakthrough today with David. He plopped down on the couch after work and stated that he couldn't wait for our vacation!!! I have not heard that out of him yet. Granted, it's not "Disney" so much as a vacation in general but still....that's a good sign!

The kids are back in school and I've been sizing up their new teachers and hoping and praying that they are Disney fanatics because I'll have to spring it on them at some point that I'm yanking the kids out for a few days in Nov. I'm going to start my kissing up to them now.

There is nothing spectacular to report since everything is booked and ready and now it's just the big ol' wait. At this point, it's too early to really "do" anything for the trip but I am starting to make some sort of packing list I suppose. I hate to pack for trips. Hate Hate Hate it!! I figured I'm going to start buying some stuff here and there though. We really need some new luggage so I think I might get a set I saw at Sam's Club the other day. I also bought a really cute bag the other day that will be my daily park purse. It's sort of like a baggellini in that it crosses over you and is sort of flat with lots of pockets. Since we're going to the Christmas party, I've already got my tickets and I put them in the purse already so I won't forget them. yay!! I guess that's sort of like packing right? David couldn't understand why I'd buy yet another bag especially since I just blew a wad of cash on a new Coach purse the other day. Please!! I'm not packing a coach purse around Disney. Boys....they just don't get it.

anyway....I'll probably just update every 10 days or so from now on but thanks everybody for still reading along!!

 

[momabaarjo]

I so understand where you are coming at up here in the Panhandle of our great state! Less than 2 inches of anything since last fall...we are dying up here and the temps are not helping. I believe we are now over 45 days of 100 plus temps for this summer...and no end in site. We have friends who work at the National Weather Service...they are seeing no breaks in this pattern through September and possibly October. Many famers who should be planting winter wheat are not planting this fall...they lost everything last year with the wheat. My comfort is that we are escaping to the mountains to our cabin next weekend for a long weekend...cool temps and they have finally been getting some rain (although not very much)...

There are lots to write about between now and your trip to keep you busy with a trip report. Spend some time researching rides, attractions, shows, places, the ADR places you have selected...you can find lots to write about and have fun with. Right now I am doing researching and posting about Islands of Adventure at Universal. I have also started a daily Disney Movie Trivia game for those following along...several of the PTR reports have quizes going to pass the time...a couple do name the people in the picture, the park, the ride..etc., some others are doing park trivia. When 100 days gets here for me, I am going start 100 things I am looking forward to on my trip...and then providing information about that for others to use in their plans. When we get to 25 days (December 1st), I am going let people follow along on my 25 day advent surprise reveal.

You also can pass the time reading other people's PTR that are going around the same time...wealth of information out there!

I have started making packing lists...that is the type a person in me. And I am already buying little things for the trip and stealing things from the kids rooms for the trip (since I will be packing for all of us, going to take December 21st off from work to do all my packing since that is the last day til 2 of mine are in school before vacation...I started with a small suitcase hiding things, but now I am up to a big plastic tub.

I am also passing the time away with a movie night each week. The kids love it, we are doing something as a family, and it is Disney related whether they "get" the hidden meaning or not!

I am looking for a bag...could you post a picture of the one you found at Sam's? I am thinking I need a backpack...always the pack horse for my family.

 

[FosterA]

I so understand where you are coming at up here in the Panhandle of our great state! Less than 2 inches of anything since last fall...we are dying up here and the temps are not helping. I believe we are now over 45 days of 100 plus temps for this summer...and no end in site. We have friends who work at the National Weather Service...they are seeing no breaks in this pattern through September and possibly October. Many famers who should be planting winter wheat are not planting this fall...they lost everything last year with the wheat. My comfort is that we are escaping to the mountains to our cabin next weekend for a long weekend...cool temps and they have finally been getting some rain (although not very much)...

There are lots to write about between now and your trip to keep you busy with a trip report. Spend some time researching rides, attractions, shows, places, the ADR places you have selected...you can find lots to write about and have fun with. Right now I am doing researching and posting about Islands of Adventure at Universal. I have also started a daily Disney Movie Trivia game for those following along...several of the PTR reports have quizes going to pass the time...a couple do name the people in the picture, the park, the ride..etc., some others are doing park trivia. When 100 days gets here for me, I am going start 100 things I am looking forward to on my trip...and then providing information about that for others to use in their plans. When we get to 25 days (December 1st), I am going let people follow along on my 25 day advent surprise reveal.

You also can pass the time reading other people's PTR that are going around the same time...wealth of information out there!

I have started making packing lists...that is the type a person in me. And I am already buying little things for the trip and stealing things from the kids rooms for the trip (since I will be packing for all of us, going to take December 21st off from work to do all my packing since that is the last day til 2 of mine are in school before vacation...I started with a small suitcase hiding things, but now I am up to a big plastic tub.

I am also passing the time away with a movie night each week. The kids love it, we are doing something as a family, and it is Disney related whether they "get" the hidden meaning or not!

I am looking for a bag...could you post a picture of the one you found at Sam's? I am thinking I need a backpack...always the pack horse for my family.

Just wanted to tell you that even though I don't post alot, I just love your report and I think it's awesome about your family movie nights with themed food and such. So creative! I've been trying to get the fam to watch a few Disney movies to sort of get into the mood but they all roll their eyes at me and think I'm a big dork I am going to force everybody to watch Lion King though soon because I really don't think the kids ever have and they just must so we'll be all set to see the Lion King show at AK.

Also...I'll get a photo up of my new purse in the next day or two. But...I did not get it at Sam's. I actually found the purse at JcPenney. However, I did mention that there is some actual luggage (samsonite suitcase set) at Sam's that I will probably buy.

 

[kokotg]

Just started reading, but I'm subscribing so I remember to come back and finish! My oldest was just a skeptical first timer before our first trip, and he was only 5! But he was, of course, totally won over very quickly.

 

[shan23877]

love that you bought a new purse for vacation! I got a new wallet before we went last month. Small, hard shelled, with a few pockets inside. It was perfect for carrying in a small purse and fit KTTW card, ID, little cash, and fastpasses perfectly! Found it at Target if you're looking for anything. Also, you might want to decide how you'll organize your daily schedules and figure out if you'll want to email it to yourself and have it handy on your phone or print out a sheet to carry for each day.

 

[FosterA]

I am looking for a bag...could you post a picture of the one you found at Sam's? I am thinking I need a backpack...always the pack horse for my family.

So here's a couple pics of the new purse. It is just Jcpenny brand (st. johns bay I think?). Original price was 50 which I thought was ridiculous and would not have bought it for that. I got it for 60% off I think. It's a perfect Disney bag because I found I really don't need to bring much into the parks and I didn't want a big bag that I'd have to stuff somewhere on rides.

Oh....and what's with these Christmas party tickets??? As detailed as Disney is, you'd think they would be more Christmas-y.

I just previewed these photos before I posted and for some reason they make the bag look smaller than it is. It's actually pretty nice sized, maybe 10 inches from top to bottom and about 9 inches across and opens to one large opening inside and some other pockets on the outside with lots of little slots for credit cards and such

 

[joy13]

Love the purse! That is very similar in style to the park purse I use

As for the tickets - I don't think they've ever themed the hard tickets to the event. The Halloween tickets are plain too.

 

[heathsf]

On another note, there was a breakthrough today with David. He plopped down on the couch after work and stated that he couldn't wait for our vacation!!! I have not heard that out of him yet. Granted, it's not "Disney" so much as a vacation in general but still....that's a good sign!

It's an amazing sign!!!!

 

[weezy26nm]

As a matter of fact, it's an ongoing thing in my family that everybody teases me because they say everywhere I go I know somebody!

My family always says that about me too!
Although I have yet to run into anyone while at Disney. But then again I've only been there twice and planning for the third next year.