**A YEAR in the Making of a Disney Trip-Sept. 2011**9/28 TR Link Added!**

[Fantasyland Mom]

Why did I not know you live in Atlanta? Why did I think you were in the midwest? Well, we are practically neighbors. Well, not really. I used to live in Atlanta. We lived in Midtown right between Piedmont Park and Flying Biscuit. Loved it but we were broke newlyweds.
Yeah, yeah, yeah on pottytraining!!! Will you come over here and PT my Brady? He turned 2 in June and I really really want him out of dipes by the trip and his third birthday. He is so stubborn. Potty training with another baby is tough. Abby was out of diapers completely by 2 and a half and it was so easy without any other babies in the house.

The zoo looked fun. We had a great fall zoo day as well. I think we will make a tradition of that. The summer is just too hot.

Well, ma'am, I have the most genteel southern accent in the world...okay, might be a bit more redneck. We're north-of-the-perimeter (NOTP) suburbanites!
Oooooh, that potty! Sorry, you could not even pay me to potty train! Bebo turned 2 in April and is just now showing interest. She was a little interested before the baby was born, then decided she didn't want to give up the babyhood. I was determined that she would be well-trained by the time we go, so I hope she's really good at it by then! We still have an occasional accident and haven't ventured out of the house much, but she's doing well around here. Juju was the opposite--when Bebo was born, she decided to play the "big girl" role and didn't want to wear diapers like her baby sister and learned in a snap with barely any help from me! This time has been considerably more difficult.
Fall is much better for the zoo. The animals are so sleepy and lazy in the summer.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I FORGOT TO ASK SOMETHING!! Do you prefer CRT for lunch or breakfast? Any opinions? I'm already making up my TS dining list and I can't decide how I want to fit it in.

 

[999ghostslover]

If I were to do CRT again I would do breakfast. I did lunch and got a cold cut sandwich that was not very good and potato chips with chocolate buckle which was like a very small chocolate muffin. And then you get this weird appetizer plate that did not taste very good. The breakfast food looks good. The only reason I wouldn't do breakfast is if you already have a lot of breakfasts.
And for all of our ADRs all week last year we were seated within 20 minutes of checking in except for CRT. That was an hour so it was 3:10pm when we got to eat lunch. I think that they forgot about us honestly because many people who checked in were seated before us and the whole lunch was rushed because dinner people start coming in at about 4:30. So maybe an early breakfast will still have them on their A game.

I feel like I have been giving nothing but negative reviews on your PTR. I am really sorry. I am actually 99% pleased with everything at Disney from a mickey bar to a quick burger at Electric Umbrella to dinner at LTT without characters. I love it all!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I feel like I have been giving nothing but negative reviews on your PTR. I am really sorry. I am actually 99% pleased with everything at Disney from a mickey bar to a quick burger at Electric Umbrella to dinner at LTT without characters. I love it all!

I love that you're willing to give negative reviews!! That's why I'm asking this stuff, for real opinions!

I guess I should have added that we did CRT for breakfast last year. I was hoping their lunch would be better than their breakfast. I'm not afraid to admit that I'll eat just about anything just for that atmosphere, but for the price we were paying (or the 2 TS credits we were using), I would have hoped for something more than dry potatoes and rubbery eggs. I ate it like it was going out of style, though! Perhaps because I was 31 weeks pregnant. We did have a really long wait for our ADR last time, and I think it was at 10:30. Sounds like lunch might not be any better?

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Love your fall decorations...even the spider webs! Too cute!

It looks like you had a great time at the zoo

I'm with Jenn on Earl of Sandwich. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Another sahm jumping in to follow along.
You have the cutest kids. And so lucky to have a grandma to go along.
We like to eat at Pinnochios for cs. But we haven't had much experience as our june trip was the first one on the ddp.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Love your fall decorations...even the spider webs! Too cute!

It looks like you had a great time at the zoo

I'm with Jenn on Earl of Sandwich. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! And I think you guys have convinced me! If we end up eating at DTD, I'm pretty sure that's where we'll go! I've heard nothing but good things about it.

Another sahm jumping in to follow along.
You have the cutest kids. And so lucky to have a grandma to go along.
We like to eat at Pinnochios for cs. But we haven't had much experience as our june trip was the first one on the ddp.

WELCOME!! We've only eaten Pinnochios one time, and it was just fine! They gave DD an adult size pizza because they didn't have the kids sized cooked right then, so that was good! Glad to have you following along!

 

[lindap1]

Subscribing!! We'll be going in Sept 2011 also. We (meaning me--I'm the planner) are going either Sept 18 - 24 or Sept 25 - Oct 1. Not sure yet where were staying, I think we (I) are (am) leaning towards CBR. I like the tropical look, the pools and my hubby likes the poolbar. It will be me, DH and DD (who will be 4 1/2 when we go). Happy planning and YEAH for free dining! This will be our first Disney trip EVER!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Subscribing!! We'll be going in Sept 2011 also. We (meaning me--I'm the planner) are going either Sept 18 - 24 or Sept 25 - Oct 1. Not sure yet where were staying, I think we (I) are (am) leaning towards CBR. I like the tropical look, the pools and my hubby likes the poolbar. It will be me, DH and DD (who will be 4 1/2 when we go). Happy planning and YEAH for free dining! This will be our first Disney trip EVER!!

Glad to have you!! I'm gonna go ahead and say you should come Sept 18-24 and we can all be there together! We stayed at CBR for 3 nights last time--it was very nice! Very relaxing! Congrats on your first trip. You will be an addict like us! We've been twice in the last year and are now planning this trip. We'd be back sooner if our new baby wasn't so little still! Planning is part of the fun; happy you can plan with me!

 

[pinkxray]

Hi
I'm joining in. I would love to go on a Sept trip, but I just can't wait that long! We decided to go back in May instead. One year we have to go and see the fall deorations and MNSSHP.

Your kids are so cute! Glad Bebo started to use the potty. I can't even imagine having two kids in diapers. It must seem like all you do is change diapers all day.

YAY for Pop Century. I've decided to do a split stay there on our trip. We have never been there before and I am always so happy when I read how much people love it. Glad to see you love the food court food, I've seen some bad reviews lately.

I haven't been to CRT for lunch but have been for dinner. If we decide to go back we will pick breakfast. The stuffed french toast looks really good. (Can you tell I spend way too much time on the dining board?)

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Hi
I'm joining in. I would love to go on a Sept trip, but I just can't wait that long! We decided to go back in May instead. One year we have to go and see the fall deorations and MNSSHP.

Your kids are so cute! Glad Bebo started to use the potty. I can't even imagine having two kids in diapers. It must seem like all you do is change diapers all day.

YAY for Pop Century. I've decided to do a split stay there on our trip. We have never been there before and I am always so happy when I read how much people love it. Glad to see you love the food court food, I've seen some bad reviews lately.

I haven't been to CRT for lunch but have been for dinner. If we decide to go back we will pick breakfast. The stuffed french toast looks really good. (Can you tell I spend way too much time on the dining board?)

WELCOME! Happy you're joining in! We've been in May and in September, and we like both months for different reasons. The fall decorations really are great, but in May you have the F&G at Epcot that's nice, too! Yes, it really did seem like I was changing diapers all day--SOOOOO glad to be over that! I really think you will love Pop Century. It has just a great atmosphere. What did you eat for dinner at CRT, and what is your opinion on it? We had breakfast there, but after the pastries they bring at the beginning I had had enough sweet stuff and didn't order the stuffed french toast.

 

[pinkxray]

WELCOME! Happy you're joining in! We've been in May and in September, and we like both months for different reasons. The fall decorations really are great, but in May you have the F&G at Epcot that's nice, too! Yes, it really did seem like I was changing diapers all day--SOOOOO glad to be over that! I really think you will love Pop Century. It has just a great atmosphere. What did you eat for dinner at CRT, and what is your opinion on it? We had breakfast there, but after the pastries they bring at the beginning I had had enough sweet stuff and didn't order the stuffed french toast.

They have changed the menu since I went last year. Not for the better I hear.

I had the prime rib which was good. It came with a few tiny cold potatoes and a few pieces of asparagus. It tasted good but if I didn't eat all of the yummy rolls in the bread basket I would have been pretty hungry walking out of there.

DH had whatever chicken they had at the time.He said it was alright. They have added fried chicken to the menu and I'm sure he would love that.

DD had a hot dog. Most expensive hot dog ever

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Just wanted to say you have a beautiful family. I will wait along with you as I am hoping to plan a Christmas trip for our family next year and we are hoping to take a trip out west with a stop at Disneyland next spring/summer

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

They have changed the menu since I went last year. Not for the better I hear.

I had the prime rib which was good. It came with a few tiny cold potatoes and a few pieces of asparagus. It tasted good but if I didn't eat all of the yummy rolls in the bread basket I would have been pretty hungry walking out of there.

DH had whatever chicken they had at the time.He said it was alright. They have added fried chicken to the menu and I'm sure he would love that.

DD had a hot dog. Most expensive hot dog ever

about the hot dog! So true!! I'm starting to think CRT doesn't have much of anything that's good!

Just wanted to say you have a beautiful family. I will wait along with you as I am hoping to plan a Christmas trip for our family next year and we are hoping to take a trip out west with a stop at Disneyland next spring/summer

Thank you so much, and glad to have you waiting with me! It's hard, isn't it?? You are so lucky to be going to DL. My kids really want to go there (and so do I!) because they're determined to see all things Disney...might turn out to be quite an expensive obsession!

 

[rtmpmm]

I just found your pre-tr, it's funny, we went to Disney this past May as well, and started planning our next trip back, in the car on the way home!! We will be going next Sept, as well, and will be there the 24-30!!!

I love your idea of decorating a "Disney fund jar" going to start one soon!! I have my own little bag of change that I started saving up about a month ago, but what a great idea to have the kids/DH have something to put their change in too!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I just found your pre-tr, it's funny, we went to Disney this past May as well, and started planning our next trip back, in the car on the way home!! We will be going next Sept, as well, and will be there the 24-30!!!

I love your idea of decorating a "Disney fund jar" going to start one soon!! I have my own little bag of change that I started saving up about a month ago, but what a great idea to have the kids/DH have something to put their change in too!!

THAT IS SO FUNNY! You know what they say...great minds think alike!
Our Disney Fund jar is getting pretty full--I can't wait to see how much is in there and then call up Disney and make a payment! The kids are getting really good at putting money in it. I think that they like to do it even more because they helped decorate it. It also helps keep the change away from the baby so he won't put it in his mouth! Safety nut in me coming out...hehe...
Anyway, glad you're joining in!

 

[2princesses2princes]

YAY for Potty Training. I got soooo lucky with my last baby, my little Alli-cat. She was about 18mos old when I found her in the bathroom pointing at the big potty saying, sit sit, but of course at that age it sounded like a different word. I tried to sit her on it and she freaked, but I decided to get the little one out, although I wasn't expecting anything, shoot been there done that 3 times already, 18mos it just doesn't happen like that. She sat on it about 10 times that night and on the 10th time she pee'd!!!!!!! And so we began and she was 100% potty trained by about 22mos, before even turning 2!!! My 2 boys were darn near 3, I have been diaper free for 8 mos after 11 years with diapers.

And with Disney, thanks for all the ideas for counter service, that helps a lot with my planning. Love the pics of the kids at the zoo.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

YAY for Potty Training. I got soooo lucky with my last baby, my little Alli-cat. She was about 18mos old when I found her in the bathroom pointing at the big potty saying, sit sit, but of course at that age it sounded like a different word. I tried to sit her on it and she freaked, but I decided to get the little one out, although I wasn't expecting anything, shoot been there done that 3 times already, 18mos it just doesn't happen like that. She sat on it about 10 times that night and on the 10th time she pee'd!!!!!!! And so we began and she was 100% potty trained by about 22mos, before even turning 2!!! My 2 boys were darn near 3, I have been diaper free for 8 mos after 11 years with diapers.

And with Disney, thanks for all the ideas for counter service, that helps a lot with my planning. Love the pics of the kids at the zoo.

11 years with diapers...WHOA! As of now, we've had at least one in diapers for nearly 5 years, and that's seemed like a lot! Neither of my kids has shown interest in the potty as early as your last one. Maybe our new baby will! I have hope!
Glad you liked the CS reviews! I will be doing our break-down of TS meals soon. Happy you're here!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Let's face it...we've got a looooong time before we go to Disney World. Of course we do the usual family thing of watching a million Disney movies and listening to Disney songs in the van on car trips, but we've recently found a couple of other ways to get our "Disney fix," and I thought I'd share them with you just in case you need a little magic in your day.

Go to Google Earth and search for any Disney Park or Resort. At the bottom left, you can check a box to turn on 3-d buildings...do it, and enjoy the view! You can "walk around" WDW. Click and drag to tilt the screen to see more of the buildings and rides from other angles. Zoom in and out. The details are amazing. They even have the Roy statue and Coca-Cola signs on Casey's. Very cool. I just like to pretend I'm walking down Main St. USA.

On our iPad, we got a new app. I think it just came out last week. It's called Magic Mirror, and it has lots of pictures, videos, and 3d virtual-tour type things. I think it also has park maps. One of the features is pretty neat if you're surprising someone; it has a button you push, then hand it to someone. When they "dust off the mirror," the Magic Mirror goes into a whole poem telling them they're going to WDW!

Then there's YouTube. We watch countdowns of top 10 rides. We watch family vacations. We watch ride-throughs of attractions. We watch the Must-Dos (of course...remember Bebo's obsession?). We watch them on the computer, streamed on our TV through the BluRay player, and on the iPad. We might have a slight obsession.

My kids LOVE seeing all these images of Disney.
What do you do to keep the magic going when you have a long wait???

 

[999ghostslover]

I didn't know the Must-dos were on You Tube? That is awesome. We do a lot of that too. We watch videos of our resort, rent more obscure Disney movies off Netflix. We watched 3 Caballeros because we loved the Mexico pavillion so much and because we are staying at CSR. My kids have never seen the original Winnie the Pooh movie (they have seen a couple of the newer ones) so that is coming next...if we can ever give back Nightmare Before Christmas. We need to bite the bullet and buy that one.