August 2012 PTR - It's finally here!! (Updated 8/14/12)!

[Halloween Baby]

Not sure I can post the link to the movie schedule here or not. I'll PM the link to you.
Pat

Thanks!! How fun is that???

 

[Halloween Baby]

DAY 5

EPCOT!!!

Epcot is my FAVORITE park! Ashton's too! We both love World Showcase! I could probably stay the entire vacation at Epcot and never get sick of it! This is the first day of vacation that I really can't wait to get to!!

We'll be at the gates for opening on this day, probably heading for Soarin' like everyone else that's there!!

Must Dos
Soarin'
The Seas with Nemo
Turtle Talk
World Showcase

Since our list in Future World is so short, we'll probably spend some time in Innovations. I'm thinking that we'll check out the Imagination Pavilion too... It all depends on where's we're at on time. The advantage we have is that we're going to have two days at Epcot, so we really don't need to rush to do anything!

At noon, we have reservations at Biergarten. I LOVE Biergarten!! Last time we went there and I became obsessed with the potato soup and the pretzel rolls. You can just stick an IV in me! I've often compared food I've had since then to theirs (never as good!). We looked into doing a different World Showcase restaurant, but decided that we'd be disappointed to come home and not have gone to Biergarten.

After lunch, I think Chris will take the baby back for his nap and Ashton will have some bumming around time in World Showcase. We're really into checking out all of the shops and exhibits, but have never really had the time to go to many of the shows there.

I'm not sure if Chris and Aidan will come back or if we'll just end up at the hotel for dinner. Comparing our two Epcot days on the Touring Plans crowd calendar, this day is over double what the other day is. So I'm thinking we'll save Illuminations for our second Epcot day... Plus we really want to take it easy because the next two days are going to be super busy!!

 

[Halloween Baby]

So I went to Target and picked up some must haves (at least in my opinion) for our trip!

First, I picked up some new shoes for the boys:

Ashton had outgrown his and Aidan doesn't have walking shoes. He loves his Mickey crocs, but I don't think those would be the best shoes for heavy lifting!!

I figure if I get them now, they have plenty of time to wear them in before the trip. The problem will be getting their feet in the shoes. My boys seem to have a "NO SHOE" policy for the summer!

I also picked up some Starbuck's Via:

We are major coffee drinkers. And the Nescafe in the parks just doesn't cut it. So we're going to bring these into the parks and then just ask for some hot water. For the mornings, we'll bring our own coffeemaker and brew our own. Last time we brought disposable coffee cups and it worked out really well. We're fans of the reusable cups, but don't like to carry them around in the parks all day!

Last, I pick up some single packs of Tide:

Going for 10 days means a laundry day in the middle somewhere. We're going to have plenty of shirts, but I worry about re-wearing shorts. I think it would be best if we bring 5 or so pairs each and then wash them halfway through. The price to do the laundry is kind of ridiculous, but it's better than having to worry about another bag!

So that's where we're at! I am starting to piece together what I already have for the boys backpacks too. This part is still a surprise! I'm hoping to get them packed in the car without them seeing and then they'll get them at the airport!

I think maybe Ashton and I will work on the Autograph book today if time allows (which it never seems to!!)

 

[jmskinner]

Thought I would join in, since we will be there the same time. And I have to tell you, we love Biergarten too. And I am a huge fan of the Potato Soup. The last two times we went, they didn't have it. Hopefully that has changed. We have eaten at Garden Grill, I enjoyed it and the character interaction is great. I figured out I am not a big fan of the spice Thyme, which was on all of the food.

At DHS we always eat CS at Backlot Express or there along Sunset Boulevard.

I had to laugh when I saw your packs of Starbucks Via. We pour it into the Nescafe, makes a decent cup of coffee.

Love how you surprised your son.

Sounds like it is going to be a fabulous trip.

 

[Halloween Baby]

Thought I would join in, since we will be there the same time. And I have to tell you, we love Biergarten too. And I am a huge fan of the Potato Soup. The last two times we went, they didn't have it. Hopefully that has changed. We have eaten at Garden Grill, I enjoyed it and the character interaction is great. I figured out I am not a big fan of the spice Thyme, which was on all of the food.

At DHS we always eat CS at Backlot Express or there along Sunset Boulevard.

I had to laugh when I saw your packs of Starbucks Via. We pour it into the Nescafe, makes a decent cup of coffee.

Love how you surprised your son.

Sounds like it is going to be a fabulous trip.

WHAT???? NO POTATO SOUP????

That would be just terrible!! I've been drooling over it for 3 years now...

On the bright side, the Via in the Nescafe sounds like an EXCELLENT idea! I can't wait to try it out. I've never used Via, but I can only assume it's better than Nescafe... but combined I bet it's even better. We're not coffee snobs by any means... we usually drink whatever's on sale at the store (although I love my Keurig!!), but Nescafe is just... YUCK!

Thanks for the tips and I'm looking forward to checking out your PTR!

 

[Halloween Baby]

50 DAYS!!!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Hey there, just found your pre-trip report and thought I'd read along. We are going in August too and will be at Universal the same time as you (we are staying at Royal Pacific resort from 20th-24th August). We then have our last 6 days at WDW. I love visiting in late August, it is a great time of year since the weather is so good and the summer crowds are mostly gone. Love the sound of your plans. I can't see any of your pics at the moment since I'm at work (and our work PCs don't like photobucket ) but will check out your little cuties when I get home. I have a DS, 9, who is super excited about our trip so I love that you told Ashton early so he could enjoy the planning too.

Can't wait to read more about your plans

 

[Halloween Baby]

Hey there, just found your pre-trip report and thought I'd read along. We are going in August too and will be at Universal the same time as you (we are staying at Royal Pacific resort from 20th-24th August). We then have our last 6 days at WDW. I love visiting in late August, it is a great time of year since the weather is so good and the summer crowds are mostly gone. Love the sound of your plans. I can't see any of your pics at the moment since I'm at work (and our work PCs don't like photobucket ) but will check out your little cuties when I get home. I have a DS, 9, who is super excited about our trip so I love that you told Ashton early so he could enjoy the planning too.

Can't wait to read more about your plans

Welcome!! That's too fun that we'll be at RPR at the same time and we both have a DS that's 9!! Maybe we'll see each other! Have you been to Universal before?? Any advise for a type-A personality that's never been??

 

[Halloween Baby]

On the morning of our 6th day we are going to get up SUPER early and head on over to Universal!! The main reason (the only in my opinion ) we're going is to see Harry Potter, so we're going to spend one night on-site to get the early access. Yes, it's pricey, but it's my big splurge!! So the jist of it is this: Island of Adventure opens at 9 AM which means we get access at 8 AM. But we need to be there in time to check in at the hotel. We already have our park passes from Undercover Tourist, but we need our hotel keys to get in early! Plus, I'd like to stop by the concierge and see if we can get last minute reservations at Three Broomsticks. I've read on here about people that have had luck doing that. So that means we should plan on being at the hotel by about 7 AM?? I'm not real sure how long it takes to get from the hotel to the park, so that's my estimate...

So, it makes me wonder how bad traffic is going to be at 6 AM on a Monday?? I know here in Dallas (where traffic is horrible!) it's still fine at 6 AM. I'm thinking if we get a cab around that time we should be fine to make it there. I'll pack everything the night before and we can snack in the cab (if allowed) or in the lobby... Yes, it's a super early day but it's an hour later our time and we are early birds! I'm trying to take it super easy at the Disney parks on the previous couple days to prepare too.

Next, it's straight to Harry Potter!!!

We're going first to Ollivander's to get Ashton a wand. He's dying to get one. One of my friends is actually making him a Hogwarts robe in a very lightweight material, so we'll be surprising him with it before heading to the park. We also have Harry glasses from one of the book releases years ago so he'll be all decked out. I'm hoping for him to be picked at Ollivander's!! It would be so awesome!! Either way, though, he'll have an great time and I can't wait to see it!

After Ollivander's, we'll head on over to Forbidden Journey. I'm still not sure if I want to ride this since I'm not big on anything that is the slightest bit crazy... but I can't wait to see inside the castle.

From here, we're planning on wandering the shops, hopefully eating at Three Broomsticks and drinking some butterbeer! We'll have another morning to check out the other rides if we choose to. I am dying to get my hands on some of the Harry Potter gadgets and gizmos!

Outside of Harry World, we'll probably spend the rest of the day at IOA. If for some reason we finish the park, we'll head over to US. We're going to play it by ear mostly. I do hope to head back to the hotel after seeing WWOHP. The big boys can ride the big boy rides till they see their insides and Aidan and I can rest up!

Must Dos

Camp Jurassic
Caro-Suess-el
The Cat in the Hat
Spiderman (for the big boys)

After dark, I'd like to go back to WWOHP. I've heard it's amazing in the dark! Not sure that we'll close down the park though. It's going to be a LONG day so we'll probably head back to get some early sleep and get prepared for day two!

 

[Halloween Baby]

So, let me just say......

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

Chris' birthday is next week and he's always so impossible to shop for. On the 4th, we went out looking and I gave him my ideas: a new patio set, some tools, a small shed for our backyard. He so darn picky though, he couldn't settle on any one idea. I casually said that I should just upgrade our resort to a moderate.... AND HE SAID HE'D LOVE THAT!!!

So I spend the better part of yesterday not working on my schoolwork and "researching" moderates. Neither of us liked the French Quarter very much, so we quickly took that one off the list. We had a hard time with the other ones though!

Caribbean Beach has the awesome pool and the marina. Coronado Springs has the beautiful rooms with queen sized bedsthumbsup2) and a separating door to the vanity (perfect for Aidan to nap) and another great pool. Port Orleans Riverside has the boat to DTD and the marina... The decision was so hard we did the only logical thing we could think of... We let Ashton pick!!

We showed him pictures of each resort and described them. He said he like Caribbean Beach because it was bright and fun for kids to look at. He liked Coronado because of all of the activities. We did show him French Quarter and Riverside and he didn't care for either. In the end, he chose Coronado because "activities are more important than how it looks." What a wise kid!

So I called today and made the switch!

Coronado here we come!!

I requested a room in the Cabanas area...

Look at how pretty the rooms are!

From how the map looks, we'll be close to something no matter what!

I sure hope so!! Ideally we'll be in 8A or 8B so we're right by the dig site and the big pool and still by a bus stop. I think we'll be happy no matter what though! I've very excited about our sudden change of plans!

 

[wilma-bride]

That is GREAT news. Got to say that CSR looks like a great resort, you will have an amazing time.

I haven't missed your question about advice for Universal/Islands of Adventure. We have been several times so I promise I will try and let you have some hints and tips this weekend

 

[cbeeindisney]

That is such good news! What a good choice- he is very wise

 

[Halloween Baby]

That is GREAT news. Got to say that CSR looks like a great resort, you will have an amazing time.

I haven't missed your question about advice for Universal/Islands of Adventure. We have been several times so I promise I will try and let you have some hints and tips this weekend

That is such good news! What a good choice- he is very wise

Thanks! And yes, he is very wise!!

So, I already talked about going to see the fireworks at the Poly beach. Tonight I decided to commit and I booked us for an 8:35 PM dessert at Kona Cafe. I've wanted to go there FOREVER... just for the coffee! I thought this was the perfect time to try it out! Very excited!! Only 38 more days!

I'm finishing my class tomorrow for my master's program and then I'm on "summer" break until September. I'm going to have sooo much more time for Disney. I'll have to continue my daily breakdown then!! But for now, it's back to work, work, work!

 

[Halloween Baby]

So today was a big, big, big day!! First, we got our Magical Express in the mail! YAY!!!!

It makes the trip seem more real somehow!!



Then tonight, Ashton and I spent the evening working on his shirts! We finished 9 of the 10, so it's a really good start!

Here are some pics:

The fronts:

Close ups of the fronts:

The backs:

Close ups of the backs:

SOOOOO Excited about these!

 

[cbeeindisney]

Yay! Mickey mail- I'm still anxiously awaiting mine

It really feels real and so close when you get that!

I LOVE the shirts- you really did such a great job on them! I'm impressed

 

[Halloween Baby]

Okay, I'm going to admit something! I think I'm addicted to planning my Disney trip! I am driving Chris NUTS!!

I've done some changing again....

I was at work today and had an email about a Southwest promo. Just for fun (yeah right!) I checked how much it would cost to stay one more day. Then it started...

I found out it would literally be like 20 buck! So I called Disney and priced out a room at one of the All-Stars Resorts. With the promo they have going on, it was only 90 bucks!! Shoot, 100 bucks for an extra night??? Totally worth it!

I called Chris and said, "You're gonna kill me!" He was so nice about it, but I think he's just appeasing me at this point. He told me if it makes me happy I should do it. Heck yeah, it makes me happy!!!

So, I made all the necessary changes. We're now leaving August 25th at 4 PM. And we're back at ASMu for that last night! So we will get to check it out after all!

I called to change our Chef Mickey's Reservations but they don't have anything available. They were able to get us into the Ohana breakfast though! Really, it's just Mickey that's important to us... I mostly wanted to keep the breakfast on the last day so it doesn't interrupt a full park day. And now I see that it's actually 25-30 dollars cheaper!! Even better!

I checked out some pictures and it looks really great! I'm thinking we might like it more than Chef Mickey's... Anyone been before??

Also, since I already got my ME tags, how does that work??

 

[wilma-bride]

Woohoo, an extra ngiht at Disney We loved ASMu when we stayed there

 

[Whereisalyssa]

I love the shirts!! they are so cute! You're great with photoshop!

 

[Halloween Baby]

Yay! Mickey mail- I'm still anxiously awaiting mine

It really feels real and so close when you get that!

I LOVE the shirts- you really did such a great job on them! I'm impressed

Me too! So close but still sooo far away!!

Woohoo, an extra ngiht at Disney We loved ASMu when we stayed there

I think we'll love it too! I know Coronado will be AWESOME but I was still disappointed to not get to stay at ASMu... now we can even if its just a short day. Do you know if there are showers by the pools? I'm thinking we may just return to the hotel after Ohana and swim/snack until ME picks us up.

I love the shirts!! they are so cute! You're great with photoshop!

Thanks but all I did was print them, cut them, and iron them!! The wonderful Disigners on here made them for me!!

Yesterday, I did one more step to prepare us for the trip. I went to Target and bought a ton of Disney gift cards with my Target Debit Card. For whatever reason, Target doesn't consider Disney gift cards "real" gift cards, so the 5% off qualifies. I got $1050 worth of cards for $997.50!!

 

[Halloween Baby]

Okay, while I'm on and I have time, I'm going to post another daily plan... I have Aidan in my lap, so this may have to be an abridged version!!

So we'll wake up on day 7 in the beautiful Royal Pacific Resort!! Again, from staying onsite, we'll be able to get in early, so we'll probably just grab a snack, check out, and head to IOA. I definitely want to go to Harry Potter again first thing! This will be the day to check out more of the shops and just soak it all in!!

We can hang out there until about 10 am, and then we'll have to head on over to US for breakfast at Cafe La Bamba. This is a character breakfast with Spongebob, the Minions (YAY! ), E.B. from Hop, Dora, and Diego. The boy LOVE Spongebob!! They are going to have the best time. After that, we're open for whatever. Aidan and I will probably break off from the boys and we'll take in some shows (and maybe he'll take a nap ). The big boys will go ridge the big boy rides!!

Must Dos
Despicable Me
Barney (for Aidan!)
E.T.
Fieval's Playland
Men in Black
Shrek

Whenever we've had enough, we'll go back and grab our bags from bell services and get a cab back to Disney!! I don't see any reason to stay for the nighttime show... I've heard it's just okay and I think we'll be ready to go "home"!!