Better Late than Never - Trip Report Jan 2012 - Updated 6-27

[pld5]

Okay, so I've continued looking and copied some of my pictures from my trip in 2005 and 2010 to look for ones that are worth trying to recreate on this and future trips.

The most obvious one is in front of (or behind or next to) the castle.

Here are DH and I in 2005 with DS in my belly. DH looks considerably happier in just about every other picture I've taken of him, so I'm guessing he had had enough of my pregnancy hormones at that point.

Here is DH, DS, my parents and I in front of the castle courtesy of photopass on our trip in 2010.

Here is one from 2005 that I regret not recreating on our 2010 trip. We were definitely there in 2010. My batteries must have died in my camera at the time.

Here are others only from 2010 that are possible and likely candidates to be recreated.

The requisite Epcot Golf Ball shot.

We liked this one a lot on the walkway to France. The photographer was very entertaining.

We will probably try to meet Tigger in United Kingdom this year as we were not thrilled with Animal Kingdom when we were there in 2010. It was a cold and rainy day and that could have had something to do with it. If we do go to Animal Kingdom, it will be to see Festival of the Lion King.

This one is near Pooh's playful spot, which I believe is no longer there. But I'm sure we will sit down at a picnic table at some point and get DS some ice cream.

I'm also pretty sure we will stop in Epcot for a beverage, only this time there will be 2 Grand Marnier slushies on the table....

Lastly, this was at the Transportation Center back to the parking lot on our last day there, so with us staying at the resorts, I don't know how likely it will be to replicate this. But my Dad will have his car, so you never know.

 

[Marshay]

On line check in done. Check!

Photopass CD and Book pre-ordered. Check!

Continued obsession with this trip. Check!

Inspired by Marshay's PTR, I started looking through pictures of our last 2 trips to see if there are ones I want to replicate on this trip and make a tradition out of for DS. And now I know why I appreciated photopass so much. All of my candid shots seem to be of DS alone, DS with my DH, DS with my parents. I guess it never occurs to any of them that I might want MY picture with my DS. Hrmph.

I will keep looking for the right ones to use as a tradition and should post them here soon. Not sure my ego will handle me posting my pregnant self from my 2005 trip, but maybe once I get a glass of wine in me, I won't care.

Somehow I keep forgetting to order my CD and do on-line check-in...I just wrote them in big letters and put on my computer for tomorrow..too tired tonight.

Sorry, to hear you didn't have a great time at AK...we used to kind of feel the same (just a 1/2 day park) but now that Rachel is a bit older and we found the Boneyard (and I'm willing to let the girls play in there , it's one of our favorite parks. Rachel loves Kali, EE and Primeval Whirl, and tolerates Dinosaur. So that opens up the whole park for us more.!

I'm glad you were inspired by "traditional" photo! It really is something neat to do.

I suggest you don't use the "canned" shots in front of the castle or in front of Spaceship Earth but instead go for something more personal.

I like the ones of you guys further away from the castle...I like the sitting eating ice cream photo, too. And there was one more...can't remember so let me go back.

 

[Marshay]

Oh, it was the Epcot walkway to France and sitting down for a drink in Epcot.

To me those are more like shots that not everyone has and can be recreated without a lot of people in the background.

Photos of you guys standing are also probably better so you can see your child grow up and see how tall he is getting over the years.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents ... (or was that 4 cents?)

 

[pld5]

Thank you for the advice Marshay! I think we will probably go with the Walkway to France. At least that will be a goal for our photopass. I won't have any idea what I come home with photowise until I'm back and I'm not ready to think about getting home from the trip yet.

 

[pld5]

and today is my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary!

We also have a 2 hour delay here in PA due to some snowy weather, but thankfully our DS's school has before school care on days like this.

 

[Marshay]

Congrats on your parents anniversary!! 50 years is quite an achievement and they should be so proud!

Ask them each one thing that helped them get to this great milestone and report back, please!

 

[pld5]

Congrats on your parents anniversary!! 50 years is quite an achievement and they should be so proud!

Ask them each one thing that helped them get to this great milestone and report back, please!

I asked my parents and in all seriousness, they both gave me the same answer. The one thing that helped them get to this great milestone was having my Dad go to work at Westinghouse in the late 80's and travel and be away from home for 185 days out of the year.

I told them my guesses would have been that my dad had said "Clean living and self denial" (a long standing family joke) and that my mom would have said "Neither of us could agree on who HAD to keep the kids." Mom told me that the Westinghouse job came along when they didn't have to worry about who had to keep the kids as an option any longer because my brother and I were in college at the time.

Although they may never admit it out loud, they complement each other very well. They love to travel, and many of my fondest memories of the two of them involve travelling with them, or hearing their stories of travelling. They don't like to be idle, and they each have some similar AND some separate interests.

 

[Marshay]

I asked my parents and in all seriousness, they both gave me the same answer. The one thing that helped them get to this great milestone was having my Dad go to work at Westinghouse in the late 80's and travel and be away from home for 185 days out of the year.

I told them my guesses would have been that my dad had said "Clean living and self denial" (a long standing family joke) and that my mom would have said "Neither of us could agree on who HAD to keep the kids." Mom told me that the Westinghouse job came along when they didn't have to worry about who had to keep the kids as an option any longer because my brother and I were in college at the time.

Although they may never admit it out loud, they complement each other very well. They love to travel, and many of my fondest memories of the two of them involve travelling with them, or hearing their stories of travelling. They don't like to be idle, and they each have some similar AND some separate interests.

That's really funny about their Westinghouse answer! But you know, absence does make the heart grow fonder!

I know when DH works from home for part of the day it drives me crazy!! I need my separation, too!!

So glad to hear they complement one another!

 

[pld5]

I forgot to do my single digit dance!

 

[pld5]

I pulled out the suitcases yesterday and started to put a few outfits in, and insisted that DH set aside a few things he wants to wear (AND that he DOES NOT wear them this week). I dont want to be doing this the night before we leave for the airport!

I also started a packing list or 2 or 3.
1 - what to pack in the suitcases -so far this is mainly clothes and toiletries, nothing we can't live without once we land in Florida and for several hours after we get to WL by ME.

2 - what to pack in the carryons - this is tricky since we haven't flown for a while, and DS has never flown. We need to have that perfect balance between what will keep us occupied on the plane, but will carry us through to MK if we decide to visit the parks before our luggage makes it to our rooms. Other than my DH's insulin, most of the things on the list are things to keep DS entertained, travel documents, cameras and cell phones. We'll also need a change of clothes because DS tends to get carsick, so I can only imagine what he may do on a plane. I take bonine, I need to check with his doctor this week whether he can.

3 - what to send with my parents - we won't send much with them, but prime candidates for the trip down are DS's swim bubble, beach towels, and spare insulin and supplies for DH, and some juice boxes and a few snacks bought in PA where we can benefit from the gas points at our local grocery store (and pay a lot less than Disney prices for). Although they are traveling in Florida longer than us, they can probably takes some of our souvenirs or dirty laundry with them when they leave us at WL one day earlier than us.

Last night at dinner, I told DH that I would be completely insane at the same time next week. I'll be wanting to go to the airport the night before. This is going to be a hard week to get through but I have a feeling it will be worth it!

 

[Marshay]

Happy packing!

I hope your DS loves the plane ride! I know DD6 loved looking out the window when we used to fly.

Last week I just snagged dH's tops that he is going to wear in WDW.

It's nice that your parents can bring things down with you!! yay parents!!

 

[pld5]

I've been thinking about trying to get to DHS on Monday night of our trip for the EMH. Hoping that may increase our odds of riding TSM.

Then I read on Marshay's PTR about a Disney Junior Dance party that they hold on EMH nights. DS would LOVE this much more than eating with the characters, if he can stay awake.

I think our plans will allow us some rest time on Monday between late LeCellier lunch and EMH at DHS ,starting at 7pm, but we'll really have to see how we all feel next week.

That's right, I said next week!

 

[pld5]

and I have officially bothered my DH with talking about the plans for the trip.

Although, as I was mentioning to him (again) the plans for next Monday, I reminded him of a conversation we had with my dad last week where Dad said he wanted to ride Soaring again. And DH said "We should get Fastpasses for Soaring as soon as we get to Epcot." I've never been so proud.

Heard another review for the Disney Junior Dance Party from my travel agent, and we are definitely going to take advantage of this and have given up our preferred fireworks location on Monday evening at MK. It would have been harder to do this if I didn't already have reservations for the Wishes Dessert party later in the week.

 

[Marshay]

I've been thinking about trying to get to DHS on Monday night of our trip for the EMH. Hoping that may increase our odds of riding TSM.

Then I read on Marshay's PTR about a Disney Junior Dance party that they hold on EMH nights. DS would LOVE this much more than eating with the characters, if he can stay awake.

I think our plans will allow us some rest time on Monday between late LeCellier lunch and EMH at DHS ,starting at 7pm, but we'll really have to see how we all feel next week.

That's right, I said next week!

and I have officially bothered my DH with talking about the plans for the trip.

Although, as I was mentioning to him (again) the plans for next Monday, I reminded him of a conversation we had with my dad last week where Dad said he wanted to ride Soaring again. And DH said "We should get Fastpasses for Soaring as soon as we get to Epcot." I've never been so proud.

Heard another review for the Disney Junior Dance Party from my travel agent, and we are definitely going to take advantage of this and have given up our preferred fireworks location on Monday evening at MK. It would have been harder to do this if I didn't already have reservations for the Wishes Dessert party later in the week.

Yay! I hope we see each other at the party! I hoping my girls will nap well that afternoon so they can at least do the dance party a little bit!

 

[amyb9]

Just wanted to give an idea for the DS first time flying....

We buy these ear plugs in a child size that are AWESOME. Bought ours at ShopKo I believe. They specifically say for motion sickness. I use them also and LOVE them.

Now, we also take the earphones with us for DS6 every time we fly and he really does like having them.

We pack a special backpack- this time it is Phineus and Ferb bought on clearance! woot woot!

We put in it NEW things for our trip (especially the plane). He has been such a trooper but it helped to have a new DS game and before the DS it was new Disney shows on my iPod. We will have a laptop loaded with new shows too just in case.

He loves the small things too we put in. Disney fruit snacks, etc. We always are able to find a small notebook and folder that is Disney related or I make it that way for him. I print off coloring pages or the dollar store has great Disney items too.

One of his favorites is always a few new Lego mini-figures- but make sure to bring a container so when the pieces go flying you have something to put them back into

Have fun- oh I do wish we were staying on-sight this time to take advantage of the HS Monday night dance party!!!!! We have always wanted to do that!!!! And that day is our LegoLand day so we will be back early enough as they close earlier.

But we still might see you at DHS ADRs at H&V on Tuesday! FYI- tonight I scored Ohana for dinner on the 22nd at 5:15- OMG- I was super excited. I had just checked for fun as I always do hoping for Chef Mickeys!

Cannot believe it is almost here!

 

[pld5]

Just wanted to give an idea for the DS first time flying....

We buy these ear plugs in a child size that are AWESOME. Bought ours at ShopKo I believe. They specifically say for motion sickness. I use them also and LOVE them.

Now, we also take the earphones with us for DS6 every time we fly and he really does like having them.

We pack a special backpack- this time it is Phineus and Ferb bought on clearance! woot woot!

We put in it NEW things for our trip (especially the plane). He has been such a trooper but it helped to have a new DS game and before the DS it was new Disney shows on my iPod. We will have a laptop loaded with new shows too just in case.

He loves the small things too we put in. Disney fruit snacks, etc. We always are able to find a small notebook and folder that is Disney related or I make it that way for him. I print off coloring pages or the dollar store has great Disney items too.

One of his favorites is always a few new Lego mini-figures- but make sure to bring a container so when the pieces go flying you have something to put them back into

Have fun- oh I do wish we were staying on-sight this time to take advantage of the HS Monday night dance party!!!!! We have always wanted to do that!!!! And that day is our LegoLand day so we will be back early enough as they close earlier.

But we still might see you at DHS ADRs at H&V on Tuesday! FYI- tonight I scored Ohana for dinner on the 22nd at 5:15- OMG- I was super excited. I had just checked for fun as I always do hoping for Chef Mickeys!

Cannot believe it is almost here!

Thank you so much for the ideas for DS flying. The earplugs sound like a great idea!

How cool you got Ohana. I keep checking for Chef Mickey's to no avail either. At least we have it for Friday morning but I am afraid I'll be out of TS credits by then!

Have fun at legoland. And look for us at H&V!

 

[pld5]

and when I wake up, we'll have 3 more sleeps!

Work has been heckish this week - trying not to leave too many loose ends for a week away, and despite what I have planned to do, stuff just pops up out of nowhere.

DH and DS are getting excited, and my mom is calling me at work to talk about the trip, so I know she and Dad are excited too.

Looking forward to meeting some other families at DHS next Monday for the Disney Junior Dance Party.

Also looking forward (and hoping it stays that way) to the pleasant weather being forecasted for next week.

 

[Marshay]

Have a safe trip and hope to see you Monday!!

 

[pld5]

And it is 12 degrees in PA today. The forecasts for next week in Florida look good, but even if they change, I don't think they will go as low as 12!

Finalizing most of the packing tonight so I can send some things with my parents who leave tomorrow morning. Then the rest goes with us to the airport on Sunday morning!

Sending my DH skiing tomorrow, so he has to be done with his packing tonight.

Looking forward to meeting people at the Dance Party on Monday!

 

[pld5]

We had a wonderful week at Disney. Perfect weather, great experiences, wonderful accomodations, excellent and entertaining meals.

I will be closing this out and starting a Trip Report some time this week.

Some highlights of the trip:

Upgraded to Courtyard view at WL - Beautiful!

3 parks in 2 days (MK, Epcot and DHS) -
MK - DS liked Buzz and fireworks, Extra magic hours rock!,

Epcot - Le Cellier - yum, Soarin, and Snow White read us a story,

Hollywood Studios - dance party was fun! Got to meet Marshay and her family, DH and I got to ride TSM and Star Tours, and found a beer.

Hollywood Studios during day time - Jedi Training was very entertaining, H&V was just okay, but Edward liked meeting Jake and Oso. My parents got two anniversary cupcakes from Pizza Planet because the staff were amazed at them being married for 50 years. And we did Animation Academy.

Off site day - Fantasy of Flight on Wednesday was more entertaining than expected and visit with Great Aunt was nice.
MK on Thursday - CRT was great! EMH still rocked - Buzz twice and Pooh once before breakfast. Pirates Tutorial was very entertaining. Wishes Dessert party - great view, seating and yummy desserts. Swimming at WL during the afternoon break.

Friday - Chef Mickeys was the best breakfast buffet ever. The characters came around fast and we got to enjoy the food without having to keep looking for them. Epcot for exploring the countries, eating at Biergarten and after one more Soarin ride, my parents took DS back to WL and DH and I got to drink around the world. Then we did Test Track and Mission Space.

Saturday we had to leave.

What a great week. My dad was amazed at how much we did and my mom said to thank the Disboards for all of the ideas that as casual visitors, they would never have known about. DS had a fantastic time, and DH did too.

I'll start a full trip report with pictures and everything later this week.