A Very Merry 4th Birthday! December 2-14

[21hearts]

I am so glad to find someone else who is picture heavy! I love pictures (and Troy as a pirate was precious)! I love to scrapbook, so hence my photo obsession justification ...I just signed up for a photography class at my local community college this summer so I can take even better pictures!

Your family is precious, and you must be a saint to have 3 little ones! Mine are spread out and my patience is thin most days!

I stayed at POR-R last summer and really liked the resort. I hope that you can get a room close to the main building...I found the trails to the room buildings hard to follow, found myself constantly lost (even in the daylight), and the resort is huge!

I love scrapbooking! I've been doing it since 1999... I'm trying to talk my husband into letting me buy a digital SLR camera. I've been dying to have once for years now. I'm hoping that I can get one before this trip.

Troy still loves that pirate hat. He was even wearing it today. Sometimes I wonder how I manage with three kids but then I see people with five and I feel better.... Most days its crazy at our house but I love it & keep reminding myself that it will not be this way forever. I will miss these days.

Riverside looked awesome but my DH really wants to stay at French Quarter now. So it just depends on if they can meet our DD1's needs.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

still reading but i'm assuming that you've checked the DISabilities board to see if the hotel will be able to accomidate you?

 

[21hearts]

Tomorrow I am bringing our 2 y/o Rachel to an ortho doctor to see if she needs leg braces to correct her right leg. When she walks her foot faces outward and not straight like 'normal'. We're pretty sure that she's going to need braces because its not like her foot is just facing a little outwards. Its pretty bad.

But we'll do what we always do: suck it up & truck on. There's nothing else to do. I mean we could sulk and ask why. But really what good would that do?

We are so extremely lucky & blessed that she is still with us. When she was born we were told that she wouldn't make it to her first birthday but she did & she saw her second. We don't take any day with her for granted. I secretly call her my miracle baby (why secretly? because we try to keep things fair between the kids).

We went to Disney in February to celebrate the fact that she had proved the doctors wrong & lived twice as long as they thought she would. That totally deserved some Disney magic!

 

[21hearts]

still reading but i'm assuming that you've checked the DISabilities board to see if the hotel will be able to accomidate you?

Not with that board but I have asked in the Resort board. At POP & ASMovies we booked a preferred room & were able to ask for a ground floor knowing that we would at least be close to the main building & food court. I'm feeling pretty confident that they will be able to meet her needs.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Sunday December 11th
Arrive at hotel around 10am.
-- If room is ready then go to room, unpack and relax. Have lunch at food court then DH goes back to room with Troy & Lilly while I take Rachel to DTD to get some gifts for Troy's birthday.
-- If room is not ready then we'll all go to DTD and I'll just have to be sneaky with purchasing the gifts. We'll mostly have lunch at DTD as well.

You can have the gifts sent back to your room from the parks... can you do that at DTD as well?? That way you don't have to worry about being sneaky!

Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party (7pm to Midnight)
- Some people have said that you can get into the park at 4pm. So if that is true then the plan is to have dinner at MK (not sure where yet) and enjoy the park & party. We will most likely head back to hotel around 10:30/11.

YES! You can get in at 4p - despite the rumors... They will have a special turnstile set up (last year's MNSSHP was the far right one - the same one they use for the early morning/pre-park opening ADRs). We went in around 5 (after a crazy monsoon storm) and ate at Pecos Bills. Straight from there we lined up to meet the Dwarves. We lined up at 6:25 and were 20 families back!

NONE of the actual party events/characters will be out until 7. If Rachel loves both Aurora and Philip, know that they are out together during the parties BUT she rotates with Snow White and the Snow Prince. Check, double check, and TRIPLE check with the CMs of whos in rotation.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to line up for your MUST-DO characters first thing!

Monday December 12th - Troy's FOURTH Birthday
Park - Magic Kingdom [day 1]
Hours - Not sure
ADR - Chief Mickeys for Troy's birthday lunch (ride monorail since Troy loves it & this way DH doesn't have to drive)

Wake up & find a gift left by Mickey Then let him open the gifts from us & his sisters. Have breakfast at the hotel and head to MK for the day.

Yay! Another December birthday! (Mine is the 6th and my grandfather's was the 4th) He may luck out if he keeps his celebration button on. DD2 got LOADS of attention with hers the day we officially celebrated (our trip was 3 days after her b-day). The piano player at Casey's saw her button and sang happy birthday to her. It was really cool!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

The hotel saga continues. DH wants to stay at New Orleans French Quarter now (esp since seeing the updated rooms) but they don't have a preferred category. This may be a deal breaker. Our 2 year old has a walker and will have leg braces during our trip. We would like to be close to the main building/food court so she can walk some and not be stuck in her stroller for 7 days. So I need to call & see if they can meet our needs. Fingers crossed.

What's the room situation? Have you talked to them about Rachel's needs? They should be able to accomodate your needs for her!

I'm trying to talk DH into at least one more day so we can do two days at Hollywood Studios since we want to see all of the shows. Rachel would love the Little Mermaid show & Beauty and the Beast. She has a hard time focusing unless music/singing/dancing is involved so I really think those will hold her attention. DH and Troy want to see the Lights! Motor! Action! show and the Indian Jones show.

Can you divide and conquer? Have you and the girls do Beauty & the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the boys do the boy shows?

Plus Toy Story Mania, meet Buzz & Woody (we missed them last time because someone got hurt in line for them), DH and I want to do the drawing class, meet the characters by the Disney Junior show and of course ride the new Star Tours!

Are you planning on making Rope Drop? You could ride TSM first thing, then immediately head over the Star Tours and get FPs. By then, the return window will probably be after noon, so then you could hit up Disney Junior and the characters over there? That would give you a bit of rest/down time after the first rush. You could laze about Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard, too.

ETA - you guys will have to do the parent swap on Star Tours anyway... If you grab 2 FPs... in theory, you could rider swap 2 times. Is Troy 40" yet?



Honestly, with all the hype of ST2, I would ride TSM immediately after RD and then grab FPs for ST2.

As for Buzz and Woody - if you aren't bent on meeting them at DHS, you CAN find them in MK. Woody and Jessie have been meeting by Big Thunder in the mornings and Buzz meets at the exit of his ride in Tomorrowland.

IDK if they do dance parties for MVMCP but we caught a dance party with Woody and Jessie (Bulleyes was MIA) at MNSSHP and the kids had a blast!

I've already started looking for cheap/little Disney related things I can buy the kids for our trip.

Dollar stores and the Target dollar bin will be your friend. Find them... them! Don't rule out glow sticks for the kids if you plan to stick around for parades/fireworks. (and some dark rides!)

Also does anyone know if I can have a cake made for his birthday?

-- Found the answer out for this... The prices through have me worried. I really want him to have a nice birthday cake but I'm not paying $50+!!!! I just may so he can have one.

We noted on our ressie that it was DD's birthday. Our waiter (even though he wasn't the greatest...) brought DD a free cupcake in celebration of her birthday.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Tomorrow I am bringing our 2 y/o Rachel to an ortho doctor to see if she needs leg braces to correct her right leg. When she walks her foot faces outward and not straight like 'normal'. We're pretty sure that she's going to need braces because its not like her foot is just facing a little outwards. Its pretty bad.

Braces aren't the end of the world! My dear friend wore them on both of her legs as a child and is thankful for them to this day. It lowered her pain. And you know what?? The pity party is only a state of mind. You seem to be an amazingly positive person! That infectious mindset will only make Rachel a stronger kiddo!

I mean we could sulk and ask why. But really what good would that do?

EXACTLY!!!! Whining is like sitting in a rocking chair, you go back and forth, but it takes you no where!

Have you called the resort about an accomodating room yet?

I found this on allears.net:

Each Walt Disney World Resort has Accessible Rooms that may be able to accommodate your special needs.

When you call, be sure to state what type of accommodations you need. Some rooms have roll-in showers, others don't.

Some rooms are equipped for those with hearing or vision impairments. By being as specific as possible, you help ensure you get the room that best suits your needs.

Here are links to the accessible room photos we have on AllEars.net Note that not all accessible rooms at these resorts will be identical to the photos shown here. These photos are provided to give you an idea of what the rooms may look like.

Some, but not all accessible rooms may have the following features: low threshold at balcony; countertop microwave (in Disney Vacation Club Resorts); lower countertops and cabinets; vanity open below sink for roll up; touch switch lamp; electrical switches or thermostat 48" from floor.
Please help us help others by sending accessible room photos from a resort that isn't included. And if you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know.

Here's the link to that page.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Official takeover of your PTR is over.

I'm all caught up!

 

[21hearts]

You can have the gifts sent back to your room from the parks... can you do that at DTD as well?? That way you don't have to worry about being sneaky!

I had thought about it but the last time we were at WDW it took two days for the stuff to be brought to our room.

YES! You can get in at 4p - despite the rumors... They will have a special turnstile set up (last year's MNSSHP was the far right one - the same one they use for the early morning/pre-park opening ADRs). We went in around 5 (after a crazy monsoon storm) and ate at Pecos Bills. Straight from there we lined up to meet the Dwarves. We lined up at 6:25 and were 20 families back!

NONE of the actual party events/characters will be out until 7. If Rachel loves both Aurora and Philip, know that they are out together during the parties BUT she rotates with Snow White and the Snow Prince. Check, double check, and TRIPLE check with the CMs of whos in rotation.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to line up for your MUST-DO characters first thing!


Yay! Another December birthday! (Mine is the 6th and my grandfather's was the 4th) He may luck out if he keeps his celebration button on. DD2 got LOADS of attention with hers the day we officially celebrated (our trip was 3 days after her b-day). The piano player at Casey's saw her button and sang happy birthday to her. It was really cool!

That's awesome thanks! So we will def be eating dinner in the MK that night. We haven't met Prince Phillip so that would be a must do for Rachel. Thank you for letting me know! We went to WDW in February for Rachel's birthday and she got some extra magic so I'm hoping that Troy will as well. and Yay for December birthdays!

What's the room situation? Have you talked to them about Rachel's needs? They should be able to accomodate your needs for her!
Can you divide and conquer? Have you and the girls do Beauty & the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the boys do the boy shows?
Are you planning on making Rope Drop? You could ride TSM first thing, then immediately head over the Star Tours and get FPs. By then, the return window will probably be after noon, so then you could hit up Disney Junior and the characters over there? That would give you a bit of rest/down time after the first rush. You could laze about Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard, too.
ETA - you guys will have to do the parent swap on Star Tours anyway... If you grab 2 FPs... in theory, you could rider swap 2 times. Is Troy 40" yet?

Honestly, with all the hype of ST2, I would ride TSM immediately after RD and then grab FPs for ST2.

As for Buzz and Woody - if you aren't bent on meeting them at DHS, you CAN find them in MK. Woody and Jessie have been meeting by Big Thunder in the mornings and Buzz meets at the exit of his ride in Tomorrowland.

IDK if they do dance parties for MVMCP but we caught a dance party with Woody and Jessie (Bulleyes was MIA) at MNSSHP and the kids had a blast!
Dollar stores and the Target dollar bin will be your friend. Find them... them! Don't rule out glow sticks for the kids if you plan to stick around for parades/fireworks. (and some dark rides!)
We noted on our ressie that it was DD's birthday. Our waiter (even though he wasn't the greatest...) brought DD a free cupcake in celebration of her birthday.

I haven't called yet I'm waiting till DH gets paid so we can make our reservation at the same time. I did briefly say something to my aunt & uncle on the phone (they are both CMs) and they said that they would be really surprised if they can't meet Rachel's needs.

We can divide if needed but Troy has been saying he wants to see the Beauty & the Beast show & Rachel claps and gets all excited for the car show so we're not sure yet what to do.

On our last trip we were always 4 to 5 minutes later for RD which I will take. We didn't see many crowds and it worked out well for us. I'm hoping we can do the same thing this trip.

Troy is 40 inches as of now so we can do the Star Tours ride! Our plan is to get two FPs and then DH will take Troy while I wait with the girls then we'll do Rider Swap and I'll take Troy back on if he liked it. If not I'll go alone. We may get another set later but I'm not sure now.

I didn't know that Buzz, Woody & Jesse were at MK. So we'll have a couple of times we can meet them! Sweet.

Our Dollar Spot at Target has Alice In Wonderland pens, notebooks, stickers, hair bows and ribbons right now. I picked up $10 worth of stuff and hid it (well expect for 1 pack of pens.... I just had to open them). I haven't checked the dollar store yet. I did go to the online Disney store and order the kids some shirts from the clearance section in bigger sizes. I got some great deals & the shipping wasn't bad.

Braces aren't the end of the world! My dear friend wore them on both of her legs as a child and is thankful for them to this day. It lowered her pain. And you know what?? The pity party is only a state of mind. You seem to be an amazingly positive person! That infectious mindset will only make Rachel a stronger kiddo!


EXACTLY!!!! Whining is like sitting in a rocking chair, you go back and forth, but it takes you no where!

Have you called the resort about an accomodating room yet?

I found this on allears.net:


Here's the link to that page.

We got good news today at the orthopedics. They took a xray and said that there is no reason for her to need braces right now. Her doctor believes that she's dragging that foot/leg because it is bigger then the other (due to her medical condition) and its heavier then the other foot. He wants to see her back in November to see how she's doing.

Whew. Now I need to post a update about what restaurants DH picked.

 

[21hearts]

So my anti-Disney & non planner of a DH helped me pick out what restaurants we should eat at. This is our loose schedule for now. We both know that the park hours may change but this is what we have for now.

Sunday
Liberty Tree Traven for dinner

Monday
Chef Mickeys for lunch

Tuesday
Hollywood & Vine for F! dinner package

Wednesday
1900 Park Fair for breakfast

Thursday
Princess breakfast (can't recall name)

Friday
Le Cellier for lunch

 

[21hearts]

Picture Share #1

How I spent my 22nd birthday

DH, troy (2), Myself (7 months pregnant with Lilly) & Rachel (about 19 months)

 

[21hearts]

Troy and I are currently in Miami Florida for my sisters college graduation. Once we get home tomorrow I will resume working on my PRT and commenting on those I am following.

 

[21hearts]

So DH keeps going back & forth on if we should add two days at the beginning of our trip. If we do then our plan would be

Friday 12/9 - Leave for WDW at 7am & get there by 9/10am.
Saturday 12/10 - Epcot
Sunday 12/11 - Magic Kingdom
Monday 12/12 - Magic Kingdom
Tuesday 12/13 - Hollywood Studios for F!
Wednesday 12/14 - Hollywood Studios in morning then MVMCP
Thursday 12/15 - Rest / May go to park in afternoon
Friday 12/16 - Epcot
Saturday 12/17 - Universal Studios - IOA
Sunday 12/18 - Universal Studios
Monday 12/19 - go home

I like this much better because we get another morning/afternoon at Hollywood Studios & a rest day (or morning) after MVMCP. But I have to talk DH into it. He also really wants to stay at a Universal Studios hotel but its going to cost $400-500 for two nights! All of our nights at Port Orleans is going to be about $1500 (didn't factor in two new nights yet) so that's like a 1/3 the cost of the Disney hotel. Not sure it that will happen or not. But if it will get DH to spend two more days in Disney then it may just be worth it.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Adding on is always great, but yeah... the Universal hotel rates are crazy high!

It'll work out. Don't worry!

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

Another YAY for the December birthdays! Mine is Dec. 22, and so was my brother's. My DH decided that we should go to WDW for MY birthday this year, so we will be there Dec. 10-23! Wooooohoooo! We are staying at AKV, and I cannot wait!
I have to say that I agree with your DH about POFQ. That was the first place I ever stayed and it was awesome! And that was before the refurb. I don't know what the building number or whatever it is, but there is a building that is really close to the lobby and food court. It's also steps away from the bus if that is of interest to you.
As for the cake, I second someone else's notion. Go pick one up at Publix or something. That's what I did when we went for DH's birthday; I just couldn't convince myself to spend $50+ for a cake! DH's was just chocolate, but I'm thinking if you order the cake from Publix you can get Disney characters on it.
Good luck with your planning. Have a great time!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I would like to invite you to "The World's Shortest PTR"

 

[21hearts]

Adding on is always great, but yeah... the Universal hotel rates are crazy high!

It'll work out. Don't worry!

Yeah when he told me that I was like what did you pick the most expensive room? He said he picked the cheapest option and I was like wow! We could add another 2 to 3 nights to our WDW hotel for that price...

Another YAY for the December birthdays! Mine is Dec. 22, and so was my brother's. My DH decided that we should go to WDW for MY birthday this year, so we will be there Dec. 10-23! Wooooohoooo! We are staying at AKV, and I cannot wait!
I have to say that I agree with your DH about POFQ. That was the first place I ever stayed and it was awesome! And that was before the refurb. I don't know what the building number or whatever it is, but there is a building that is really close to the lobby and food court. It's also steps away from the bus if that is of interest to you.
As for the cake, I second someone else's notion. Go pick one up at Publix or something. That's what I did when we went for DH's birthday; I just couldn't convince myself to spend $50+ for a cake! DH's was just chocolate, but I'm thinking if you order the cake from Publix you can get Disney characters on it.
Good luck with your planning. Have a great time!

Yay for more December birthdays! It looks like we'll be there at the same time so maybe we'll run into each other at the parks? That would be awesome. After talking to DH we are going to get a cake from a Publix that we know if close to WDW. We usually go there on arrival day to pick up water, snacks & juices for the kids.

I would like to invite you to "The World's Shortest PTR"

I'm heading there now. I'm loving reading all of these PTRs!

 

[21hearts]

All's quiet on the planning end. We're just waiting to make our ADR's and I've been looking all over online to see if Disney has released the details around the Military hotel room discount or ANY other hotel discount that we can use with our dates.

On another note DH's pay increase may get pushed back another month. So instead of June 1st it's looking more like July 1st. Which means we wouldn't be able to book until July 1st. Go with the flow right? It just gives me more time to play with what days we want to go.

 

[21hearts]

A Early Christmas Present? Yes why I do believe so!

So every since I took three years of photography classes in high school I've been wishing & hoping for a digital SLR camera. Well when DH gets his pay increase I'm buying one!

EOS Rebel T3 18-55mm IS II Kit <-- This one to be more exact.

I've looked around for a couple of months now just secretly hoping for one and this is the one I like the most. I like how it fits into my hands the best and it sounds really great. I can't wait to get my hands on it and call it mine.

Plus I'm already dreaming of the pictures I will take at WDW.

 

[21hearts]

Photo Share #2

Troys first trip to Magic Kingdom & his first character. Doesn't he look thrilled? - January 16th 2010.