Around WDW in 14 days - a pre-trip report

[MARsMama]

Fifteen weeks from today we will be frantically packing as our flight will be leaving in three days!!!
I've purchased some water shoes for two of the three kids. We've never been to either of the waterparks so are unsure what to expect. Gonna have to read up a lot on those!

 

[MissStitch626]

I'm at the weird stage of trip planning where on one hand I think that there's more than three months to go till WDW and there's nothing left to do and on the other hand I'm thinking there are only three months left to go till WDW and I have so much still to do!!

All of the major trip planning activities are done - ADRs are made, tickets are bought, clothes are purchased (and I'm ashamed to say are already in a suitcase. I promise this is just for storage solution and not that I am already packed to go on holiday ), and itinerary is more or less locked in.

I'm now at the stage of picking up random bits and pieces here and there and checking then double checkings lists to make sure I haven't forgotten something huge and obvious (always a danger with overplanning I think!)

Currently on the trip planning agenda is DH's MNSSHP costume. He's still in the midst of the world's longest decision making process about what he dressing up as - last I checked he had it narrowed down to Indiana Jones or Jedi. I keep dropping helpful reminders that if he wants something made for him I would like to know this soon as opposed to two days before we leave!

Today is the day when I make my first attempt at putting together the first pieces of my own costume - if I'm successful pics will follow. . .

Quick question - how many pairs of shoes do you take with you to WDW? I have two new pairs of trainers that I will be taking with me (different colours/styles for different outfits) but I was thinking of taking a well worn pair with me in case there are any comfort issues. Is this too much?

 

[MissStitch626]

Fifteen weeks from today we will be frantically packing as our flight will be leaving in three days!!!
I've purchased some water shoes for two of the three kids. We've never been to either of the waterparks so are unsure what to expect. Gonna have to read up a lot on those!

Water shoes are definitely the way to go! This is what I learned at Blizzard Beach on our one and only visit after finding the ground/sand so hot it was painful to walk on. We went to Discovery Cove later in that same trip and the first thing I did on arrival was purchase a pair of water shoes, so much easier and made me so much more comfortable going in and out of the water. Since I have misplaced by trusty DC shoes a new pair was a must for a visit to the water parks!

Do you know which park you are going to visit? I have a feeling we won't decide till the morning we go, probably based on whichever bus comes first I was thinking TL because we have already been to BB but I feel like I didn't really see anything while I was there so really they're both new to me!

 

[MissStitch626]

Yay! I fixed my ticker! Can now watch Tink count me down to the trip!

Time for another random photo from a previous adventure. . .

One of my favourite stores in the world (not just WDW!)

 

[MARsMama]

I had read about the water shoes and so the oldest and youngest got them for Easter (didn't have middle's shoe size). I am really thinking I will need a pair as I really mind walking in my bare feet on rough/hot surfaces. Not sure if Dh will wear a pair, but I might convince him to.
We are planning to visit Blizzard Beach on the day that we have our Boma breakfast as that is our non-park day (of the 4 major parks that is) and it's closer to Boma. We haven't planned a day for Typhoon Lagoon, but since that is closer to our resort we are thinking that a couple of our park days will start out there, then back to the resort to change and head to our park of the day. Particularily thinking of doing that on our second day to Hollywood Studios when we're doing the F! dining pkg, and also on the day we go to MNSSHP. Of course, those plans are tentative depending on weather and how we feel once we're there!!

 

[MARsMama]

Love your random photo I'm not sure I've been there, I might have to check that store out!

I usually take two pair of shoes, my sneakers and my crocs (for going to the pool and back). This year I will likely include water shoes, and might even find comfortable flip flops to replace the crocs as they are so big and bulky to pack.

 

[MissStitch626]

No, I haven't slipped into some kind of trip-planning induced madness. I know it's not Friday today, but I had planned to post this on Friday and got caught up with other things (certainly not a Gilmore Girls marathon on DVD )

There are now only fifteen Fridays till my trip (I love how that makes it sound so much closer), so I thought I'd use each Friday to share some of my favourite things about Disney and hopefully some of you will join in!

This week I've been pondering my Top 5 Magic Kingdom rides/attractions:

5. It's a Small World. No, really.
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Had to be there didn't it?
3. Haunted Mansion - "I am your host. Your ghost host"
2. Mickey's Philharmagic - every time I pass an automatic door in the real world, I tell myself that the door is opening automagically towards me.

and coming in at number one. . . .


. . .

. . .


. . .

sorry to be predictable, but there can only be one

Is it because it was my first WDW ride? Is it the smell of the water? Is it that familiar, eerie music and the sound of the waves splashing against the boat? Is it because I'm never really sure that some of the "pirates" aren't the "bad" guests who are taken away after standing up on Splash Mountain? Who knows? But this is the ride where it all becomes real and I know I'm back at WDW. It's the first place I go in the Magic Kingdom, and the last thing I ride before leaving. (And I promise, I did NOT use flash photography to take that picture!)

What are your favourite MK rides and why?

(Sorry the photos are so huge today! Photobucket is not my friend today)

 

[TanzUnited99]

Great buy with the water shoes - I still need to get some. I've seen a nice pair online so if I don't see any others will just go for them.

I'm the same at the minute. Think I have done most things so am relaxed that in 3 months time I will be one day away from our trip!! Then I think about stuff I still have to do and start panicking that 3 months is not enough!

Being a shoes person I will prob be taking quite a few pairs - around 4-5 at least! I will only be taking one pair of trainers though - the rest will be sandals. The trainers I have I use all the time and they are super comfy.

Can't wait to shop at World of Disney and love the top 5 rides list. Think mine will be Splash Mountain but we will find out after our trip.

 

[Villainess]

POTC is my favorite ride as well and is our 1st attraction tradition!

I'm not a sneaker person at all so I usually bring 4 or 5 different flip flops and sandals to wear. With our trip in Dec, I will probably have to bring a pair or 2 of ballet flats and maybe just 1 or 2 sandals/flip flops.

 

[MissStitch626]

(I'm either spending way too much time on Disboards and I'm now seeing things or that POTC photo was much bigger before! )

At the risk of revealing far too much about my costume, I just had to post this pic of the result of my iron on transfer experiment. . .

It's not the best picture quality, but I'm so happy with how this turned out!!! I wasn't sure this would work at all. The colours are a little off but I think it looks ok, can't wait to make the rest of the alterations to the t-shirt for the full effect.

Can you guess what it is yet? The logo might be a bit of a give away

For the logo, I couldn't find a picture on the internet without writing on it, so I ended up copying the picture using Paint on my computer. It's the first time I've ever attempted anything like that so I've been a bit pathetic about how proud I am of it I just printed it on some transfer paper and ironed it on, so that's why the colours are a bit funny. I'm so relieved I don't have to attempt to paint the logo on with fabric paint, that would not have ended well!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Wow check you out - getting all creative!!!

The shirt design looks great - I still don't get it! Told you am no good with guessing games!

I want to create a couple of iron on transfers but am not sure if it is worth it. Will see how I feel near the time - doubt they will come out very good anyway.

 

[Villainess]

Great job with the iron ons. I may be way out there, but I'll take a guess: Green Alien from Toy Story? The Saturn kinda looks like a pizza and since your shirt is green? Just a guess ...

 

[MARsMama]

I still have no idea what your costume will be! Great job on the transfer though I'm actually thinking our 'costumes' might just be t-shirts with MNSSHP transfers on them
We have started working on our t-shirts and I am pleased with how they've turned out so far.

 

[MissStitch626]

Great job with the iron ons. I may be way out there, but I'll take a guess: Green Alien from Toy Story? The Saturn kinda looks like a pizza and since your shirt is green? Just a guess ...

You got it!! My costume is a tribute to my favourite Toy Story characters. . .the aliens! Still working on perfecting my "oooh" and "the claaaaw!"

Every picture I could find on the internet of the Pizza Planet logo actually had Pizza Planet written across it, and me being the fussy person that I am I didn't want this since the little guys themselves don't have it Much to DH's bemusement I decided I needed to create a replica on the paint program on my computer then spent a few hours having tantrums until I figured out how to do it

It's not very clear in the picture but the iron on turned out great, the colours are a little off but it actually works with the blue/green colour of the t-shirt. I have purple ribbon that I plan to sew around the neck line to match the aliens' outfit (expect more tantrums - me and sewing don't generally mix!)

The final stage is the head piece - the plan is to cover a thick head band with green ribbon and use the coloured pipe cleaner things and pom poms to make an antenna. This may be one of those things that sounds really good in my head but not so great in reality so will see how it turns out!

On the night I will probably just wear blue jeans or shorts depending on the weather.

I will not, however, be painting my face green (tribute rather than actual costume ) Aside from the sticky, runny mess it would end up, I really don't want to risk someone asking me if I'm meant to be Shrek!

 

[MissStitch626]

Today is double digit day - it is now 99 days till WDW

That's cause for a little dance methinks!

 

[MissStitch626]

This week's top 5 on Friday topic. . .CS locations around the World (parks only)

This was tough to narrow down!

5. Yak and Yeti - I love almost everything about this place - such a welcome break from the usual burger, pizza, hotdog fare. I say almost everything - everything but the slightly scary ducks!

4. Backlot Express - love the layout in here, nice quiet area of DHS and they have terrific hot dogs!

3. Yorkshire County Fish Shop - perfect place to grab a quick bite before Illuminations

2. Pecos Bills - this is quickly becoming the traditional first stop at the Magic Kingdom - it was the first CS meal we had at WDW and has been a favourite ever since

1. Casey's - want to know the perfect MK evening? Casey's hot dog with ketchup and mustard, fried and a Coke on Main Street minutes before the lights dim and Jiminy Cricket's voice signals that it's time for Wishes No matter how much I have eaten during the day, I will make room for Casey's!

Honourable mentions go to Pinnochios, Electric Umbrella, the Liberty Inn and, of course, Pizza Planet. This only includes places inside the parks - outside the hands down winner would be the wonderful Wolfgang Puck Express.

What are your favourite CS locations in the parks?

 

[21hearts]

I use to love love love Pinnochios when it sold burgers. This was my families favorite place for years & years. Pecos Bills burgers are just as good but its just not the same. You know? Pinnochios was a family tradition. We'd eat and then go on Its A Small World.

 

[MARsMama]

Great costume idea I never would have guessed it though as it's been so long since I seen a Toy Story movie I forgot there were green aliens in it!
I love your top 5 on Friday, I might have to steal that idea and start up my own top 5s!! We did get a list of 'must dos' when we sat down with the kids, for 3 of the 4 parks anyway, so I'll soon post our 'must do' lists. However, my top 5 will very greatly from the family 'must dos'
Hmmm, top 5 CS is a hard one! I know Cosmic Rays was our favorite on our first day at MK, but on our second day at MK when we went back they no longer served hot dogs which is what the kids wanted so we didn't eat there a second time. The Mexican place in Epcot was our second favorite, but I've heard it's changed a lot since we were there last and it's not on our list to go to this time.

 

[TanzUnited99]

on being in double digits!!

I think I am most looking forward to eating at CHH! Your choices sound good

 

[PixieMama]

I've been away for a week and am now trying to catch up...


I would never have guessed your costume! Can't wait to see the finished product.

LOVE the "Top 5 Fridays" idea. I'd have the same MK attractions on my list as yours, except for IASW. But I don't know what I'd put in it's place!

As for CS in the parks, Sunshine Seasons and Cosmic Ray's would have to be on my list!