A Trip of Firsts! Sept 2011 PTR *UPDATE* 8/30 The Train is WHAT?!

[Wicket's Mom]

We will arrive at CBR a few days after you do. Hope that we will bump into each other.

I, too would like a little Pixie dust for our anniversary. It will be our 45th, but we have gone 3 times for our anniversary, sadly no pixie dust. We still had a great time, after al it's Disney!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Denny, Nick, and I are tentatively planning a long weekend getaway to Williamsburg. That, of course, will mean Busch Gardens. I am just so afraid I will be disappointed. But all is tentative.

MEK that is one of our favorite places! The mecca for reenactors, we did dress up 18th century fashion there & go to dinner for our anniversary. We are due to go again.

Williamsburg is on our list of places to go see. In a couple years, the boys will be the right age to understand what "colonial" means.

We will arrive at CBR a few days after you do. Hope that we will bump into each other.

I, too would like a little Pixie dust for our anniversary. It will be our 45th, but we have gone 3 times for our anniversary, sadly no pixie dust. We still had a great time, after al it's Disney!

I'm sure we will! DH will be the guy to look for; he's hard to miss. He's 6'7", 340 pounds, short dark brown hair and a goatee. He'll be walking around with two youngs boys and a green Chicco stroller. Probably yelling "Come here... come here... come HERE!" to our 5 year old.

I know the upgrade is just a fanatasy but it makes for good daydreams! I'm really excited about CBR. It looks like a LOT of fun! I just wish the rooms with a king size bed could have 4 people in them. I still haven't figured out who is sleeping where! With my luck they'll want to give us a Pirate themed room and I'll have to decline because DH can't sleep in a bed with footboards (not without stubbing his toes or cracking his ankle on them).


D4D

 

[Wicket's Mom]

That sounds like me calling Wicket. I'm always yelling come here, come on!

We will be with our two granddaughters & DIL. It would be nice if they get a pirate upgrade, but I don't want one.

Your DH would be hard to miss!

 

[stephielela]

I don't think it's at all selfish to wish for an upgrade! Doesn't everyone secretly hope for one?

 

[KatMark]

Jen, sorry I missed your last update (we had a major change to our September trip -- believe it or not, we are NOT staying at CSR -- and I've been busy getting things organized).

I don't think it is selfish at all to hope for an upgrade. I think in the back of our minds most of us probably do.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

That sounds like me calling Wicket. I'm always yelling come here, come on!

We will be with our two granddaughters & DIL. It would be nice if they get a pirate upgrade, but I don't want one.

Your DH would be hard to miss!

Yeah, most people know me as "the big guys wife"!

I don't think it's at all selfish to wish for an upgrade! Doesn't everyone secretly hope for one?

I had a daydream while driving the other day that we got to stay in the castle.

Jen, sorry I missed your last update (we had a major change to our September trip -- believe it or not, we are NOT staying at CSR -- and I've been busy getting things organized).

I don't think it is selfish at all to hope for an upgrade. I think in the back of our minds most of us probably do.

A trip change, eh? A good one I hope! I will have to go check our your PTR and investigate!

Now that I've changed job locations there's this little rule in effect where two people at the same hospital can't be off at the same time. It just so happens that me and the Team Leader of my hospital are both off the first week of Sept! Someone asked me (sarcastically) if I was going to cancel my trip and I told them I'D QUIT FIRST! My time off was approved way back in March, before I moved to this team in Philly and I'll quit and take a job at WDW if they try to make me cancel my trip!

D4D

 

[MEK]

MEK that is one of our favorite places! The mecca for reenactors, we did dress up 18th century fashion there & go to dinner for our anniversary. We are due to go again.

We are definitely going. We rented a time share for three nights. I keep telling myself its not DVC, so don't be disappointed it. I know its going to be a fun trip and I wish we could stay longer.

Jen - no def nights yet for 2012. It seems that the East meets West girls usually go towards the middle of the month. Cynthia, my East meets West roommate is definitely in and so am I. I am completely flexible with dates. Can't wait for another all girl's trip!

I also have a 5 night reservation for a tree house in June. I invited my brother and his family.

Looking forward to seeing you next week and I will text you in the beginning of the week!!!!!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Time to get my park plans sorted out! While we don'e generally plan our days out down to the minute, we do like have a general idea of what is where and what the kids are big enough to do. I'm looking over the MK park map and it looks like AJ is big enough to do just about everything! The real question is *what* will he do? He rode on the Barnstormer last time we were here and he loved it, but he was 2.5 years old then. Since then, he's tried some other rides at various carnivals and amusement parks and he's done pretty well. I know he's ok with spinning rides it's the coaster-type rides that might be an issue.

Here are the maybe rides for AJ:
BTMRR
Splash
Space Mtn

Of the three, I think he'll do BTMRR because it's not a tall coaster. There's no big drop so I think I can I sneak him on that before he knows what's going on. Splash is another good option. Just one drop. Too bad I don't like log flumes! Then again, I heard they have new logs with lap bars and that's always been my biggest gripe; the feeling of falling out terrifies me. Space Mtn is a whole other ballgame. I don't think we'll talk him into riding that. BUT! The cool thing is we can ride the TTA and he can see it without riding it.

Wow! There is so much here that we can enjoy! MK was never my favorite park but I gained a special love for it when I did my first MNSSHP in 2003. Now that I have kids, I think I will love this park even more.

Tomzilla will love Astro Orbiter, that's for sure! I think Buzz will be loved by all - the big fight will be who rides with who . There are going to be so many FIRSTS for us at this park! I've never done the Jungle Cruise or the Swiss Family Treehouse! I know they're not exciting, but they're classics and the boys will enjoy them. The Laughfloor malfunctioned last time we were there so we can do that too! I always said I wouldn't ride Stitch's Great Escape but I have boys that might like it... so we might have to do that too.

Tiki Room! Country Bears! Haunted Mansion! Carousel of Progress! Pirates! Phillarmagic! Peter Pan's Flight! The Sppedway!

We're going to need to spend a few days here! I think we need a longer trip...

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

IT'S STARTED!

I am now thinking in terms of: "two weeks from now, I'll be.... [insert Disney location here]!" That is so awesome! I have been checking the weather in Orlando, trying to see where it's trending and imaging fabulous weather like last year!

I still think the crowds will be low for several reasons. It's pre-MNSSHP, pre-F&W, and post-school starting for most people. I am giddy with Pixie dust at the moment!

I ordered the in-room celebration! I decided to get the Mickey's Welcome, which is the smaller in-room celebration, and added a couple things to it. I added the "A Pirate's Life" tem which is a pirate hat, eye patch, treasure map, treasure, and chocolates. I added an extra pirate hat to that and an extra set of Mickey Mitts to the main package as well. It still cost less than the Grand Welcome package and I got "more stuff" - yay!

I also added the Water Park & More option to our tickets, but I haven't heard from my AAA Agent on that one yet, so I need to follow up.

And my good friends at St. Francis had a get-together for me last night which was a lot of fun and guess what they got me? A WDW gift card! I think that will take care of most of, if not all, the incidental costs while at WDW! Between that and the Reward dollars I have on my Disney Visa card, I think we're just about set.

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO ON MONDAY!

ON-LINE CHECK IN!

I've never done that, but I plan on taking advantage of it for this trip. I'll be all check in, before I even leave for WDW - fabulous!

I hope that doesn't affect my chances of getting a magical surprise upgrade...

D4D

 

[KatMark]

IT'S STARTED!

I am now thinking in terms of: "two weeks from now, I'll be.... [insert Disney location here]!" That is so awesome! I have been checking the weather in Orlando, trying to see where it's trending and imaging fabulous weather like last year!

I still think the crowds will be low for several reasons. It's pre-MNSSHP, pre-F&W, and post-school starting for most people. I am giddy with Pixie dust at the moment!

I ordered the in-room celebration! I decided to get the Mickey's Welcome, which is the smaller in-room celebration, and added a couple things to it. I added the "A Pirate's Life" tem which is a pirate hat, eye patch, treasure map, treasure, and chocolates. I added an extra pirate hat to that and an extra set of Mickey Mitts to the main package as well. It still cost less than the Grand Welcome package and I got "more stuff" - yay!

I also added the Water Park & More option to our tickets, but I haven't heard from my AAA Agent on that one yet, so I need to follow up.

And my good friends at St. Francis had a get-together for me last night which was a lot of fun and guess what they got me? A WDW gift card! I think that will take care of most of, if not all, the incidental costs while at WDW! Between that and the Reward dollars I have on my Disney Visa card, I think we're just about set.

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO ON MONDAY!

ON-LINE CHECK IN!

I've never done that, but I plan on taking advantage of it for this trip. I'll be all check in, before I even leave for WDW - fabulous!

I hope that doesn't affect my chances of getting a magical surprise upgrade...

D4D

I think you will do great with the crowds. We've gone at the time you are going a number of times and the rides were mostly walk ons. Your in-room celebration sounds perfect.

Enjoy online check in (we've done it before and been upgraded).

We aren't doing online check in this year as we have changed resorts and someone gave us his points to stay at OKW.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I think you will do great with the crowds. We've gone at the time you are going a number of times and the rides were mostly walk ons. Your in-room celebration sounds perfect.

Enjoy online check in (we've done it before and been upgraded).

We aren't doing online check in this year as we have changed resorts and someone gave us his points to stay at OKW.

I think the crowds will low but the heat will be on! Last year, it was hot, but not obnoxiously humid. That made it easier to deal with. We only had one thunderstorm as well. Not sure we'll be that lucky this year! We've had regular monsoons around here.

Good to hear you can be upgraded with online check in! I made the mistake of telling DH about the possibility of an upgrade and he's all interested in it now. I told him it is rare - think of how many people check in every day, I'm sure there are only a handful of upgrades. I hope he doesn't get verklempt when we don't get one

D4D

 

[MEK]

Yay for online check-in! So glad your trip is right around the corner. I can't believe its been almost a year since we were there. I don't like to think about it because it means my AP is about to expire without me using it a third time!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Two weeks from now I will be in WDW.... what will I want to do...

Let's look at Epcot!

Easily our favorite park but DH wasn't sure there would be much for the kiddo's to do. Oh contraire mon frere! I think there is a LOT for the kids to do at Epcot, but it's going to mean staying in areas we're not used to. Like Innoventions. Wow! That looks like fun! The kids are going to enjoy the fire truck and the recycling station. I've never seen the storm station, that looks interesting! I did the Sum of All Thrills last time with MEK but I'm not sure I can convince AJ to do that with me.

It's been a while since I've spent any time at the Imagination pavillion. I forgot the Captain EO is open again... have I even seen that? The ImageWorks area looks like fun too.

Even SE has all that fun stuff at the end of the ride! Not to mention the ride itself, such a classic and redone so well. I'm gonna have fun with the interactive screen too!

Onto the World Showcase Lagoon!

Kim Possible! I think that is going to be the key to keeping the kids attention around the countries. There were playgrounds scattered around the lagoon as well, are they still there? There will also be coloring with Sharpies, which I still think is stupid. Is it really wise to have Sharpie sponsor the Kidcot stations? Where's Crayola when you need them?!

Now that I have my sweet WDW gift card, thanks to my STF buddies, I need to find something to do with it! I've been looking at various tours that the whole family could do and the Family Magic Tour at MK looks promising. Something else to do, that we've never done, would be a carriage ride or a wagon ride! Now THAT sounds cool! I saw something about a wagon ride at Fort Wilderness that includes watching fireworks at MK. That might be an option, if we bring earmuffs for the boys to wear (I think they're still scared of fireworks). Oooh... I just saw the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage!

SO... MUCH... TO DO...!

D4D

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Yay for less than 2 weeks! We have two weeks to go.

Last trip we went in mid Sept. & were disappointed by the crowd level. The two trips before that we went right after Labor Day. The parks were practically empty. No ride waits at all. I have never used a fast pass in my life!

Here's hoping that we cross paths at CBR.
Doris

 

[MEK]

I think they all sound like wondeful options. I bet your kids would love the pirate's firework cruise.

p.s. the shutterfly book is gorgeous. You did such an awesome job! Thank you!

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I have to tell you that my boys ALWAYS loved Epcot...sometimes more than the Magic Kingdom. They always found things to do (and that was before Kim's Mission or the Kid Spot stations in World Showcase). I think you'll find that they really enjoy it.

I can't believe you are at two weeks; we are right behind you at four weeks.

 

[stephielela]

Looks like lots of fun!! You guys are going to have a great time!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Yay for less than 2 weeks! We have two weeks to go.

Last trip we went in mid Sept. & were disappointed by the crowd level. The two trips before that we went right after Labor Day. The parks were practically empty. No ride waits at all. I have never used a fast pass in my life!

Here's hoping that we cross paths at CBR.
Doris

I am hoping the crowds will be good, meaning low-ish. You never can tell with WDW! I will have on a red/black hip pack with a lime green Mickey head on it. Don't hesitate to scream out DUCKY! if you think you see me.

I think they all sound like wondeful options. I bet your kids would love the pirate's firework cruise.

p.s. the shutterfly book is gorgeous. You did such an awesome job! Thank you!

I like the book too, a great way to remember the trip. It's definitely an abridged version! My boys are still scared of fireworks, so sticking them on a boat and forcing them to watch fireworks may be a bad idea.

Jen, I have to tell you that my boys ALWAYS loved Epcot...sometimes more than the Magic Kingdom. They always found things to do (and that was before Kim's Mission or the Kid Spot stations in World Showcase). I think you'll find that they really enjoy it.

I can't believe you are at two weeks; we are right behind you at four weeks.

I have some quarters and pennies packed so we can do the penny machines, they are always a big hit. I think AJ will be interested in autographs this year, Tomzilla on the other hand... he saw the Red Robin mascot a couple weeks ago and was TERRIFED! I mean full on TERROR at the site of him . Who knows what will happen when he meets characters he knows and sees his brother meeting them. Peer pressure is amazing at that age.

Looks like lots of fun!! You guys are going to have a great time!

It's shaping up to be a fabulous trip! I am so excited that it's just US! We can do whatever we want, whatever the kids want, and not be concerned about appeasing extended family.

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Hurricane Irene did a number on the east coast. Downed trees, flooded rivers, massive power outtages.... and interrupted train service! Amtrak has cancelled the Auto Train for yesterday and today... will it be running tomorrow?

WE NEED A PLAN B!

And that is -

Yes, driving to Florida is our backup plan. Which isn't that bad, really. We have two days to get there and we can still aim to take the train for the trip back. We'll also get our money back from the train which can go towards a rental car for the ride down. Having this plan in place made me feel a whole lot better, because I was first thinking I would have to get last-minute airfare, a rental car in FL, airport parking, and it totally changed what needed to come with us. Driving makes it pretty easy, and we can reserve a car now without knowing if we need it; canceling is easy and invloves no money loss.

In the meantime, I'm almost packed! The boys are packed, I am 95% packed, and I'm working on packing for DH. The ancillary stuff is ready and the car is cleaned out. DH will pack up the electronics and then I think we're set!

I'M SO EXCITED - I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!

D4D

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I'm glad you have a backup plan, but I truly hope you won't need it and the trains are back to running by the time you are to depart.

If I don't get back here, have a magical trip and be sure to link us up for your TR (I assume you are doing one). I can't remember the exact date you get back, but I think you are back before I leave, so I'll be checking for that link.