How did it take me so long to find this TR? I'm a mama of four, too. I've only read the first day so far but will be catching up soon. Your kids are adorable! I was cracking up over the kids' first question asking if someone was coming over. We get that a lot in our house, too.
Off to read more. I'm definitely going to be following along!
Yay!! I'm so glad that you found my TR!!
Wow so jealous you got one of her bags. I love them. Cant believe she hand appliques all those...I seriously want to "steal" uhmm I mean borrow her Donald Duck bag
I had the same apprehension on the Nemo show but loved it too...so glad Im not the only one who thinks like that.
And you have the right to have a melt-down. Those of us who do all the planning and whatnot sometimes just have to have a teary all out cry fest then we are on with the trip again.
Looks like such a great time you guys are having. Thanks for the info on the hats...they are sooo adorable.
PS wanted to add that I am so jealous of your photo skills. Awesome. Got my DH his first DSLR this year for Christmas. Im hoping he can figure it all out by the time we go in Sept.
I know! Her Donald bag is awesome! She does such amazing work.
Aww, thank you so much! What a sweet compliment.
Right now I have an Olympus PEN. I would love to upgrade to a DSLR! I'm sure your hubby will get some awesome shots with his new camera.
Hello! I just found your TR. I must say I am really really enjoying it. You are a great storyteller and I can so relate being a mom myself. Your trip looks like so much fun so far. I can't wait to read the rest.
PS as a name nerd, I have to say I adore your kids name. They are awesome!
I'm happy to have you here! Thanks for the kind words. Our trip was absolutely amazing and I'm so happy to be able to share it.
"Name Nerd" haha I like that. We definitely like names that are different, but not totally crazy. As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I hear some moms giving their new babies some pretty crazy names!
Sorry about your experience at 1900 Park Fare, a bad server can make a great meal and experience awful. I am in the process of determining our ADR's and I am trying to decide about breakfast or dinner there. We had breakfast there in 2009 and loved the Mad Hatter!
((hugs)) on your Disney meltdown. I was sure there at least once on our trip and I am sure I will be there on our next one. It is a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves as the planners! Your trip looks like you did a WONDERFUL job planning it!
Having a bad server definitely ruined our experience... and it's such a shame because the characters there were awesome. The Stepsisters were hilarious and, she wasn't there for us, but I've heard that Lady Tremaine is so much fun too. I would like to give it another try- maybe we'll try breakfast next time. I think my kids would love getting to meet the Mad Hatter & Alice!
Great update! Love the dresses too!! Can't believe that I caught a glimpse of them walking by and yet we still didn't run into each other. LOL And your bag is awesome!
As for the mini meltdown, I say it wouldn't be a Disney vacation without at least one. I usually need at least one to get all the stress and frustrations out from all the pre planning and wanting everything to go just right. Usually afterwards, I just feel so much better.
That stinks that you had such rude CM's at 1900 PF. We go there mainly for the Stepsister's but having a rude waiter would definitely take away some of the fun.
OH I know! All of those times that we crossed paths! I wish that we would have met each other but it's probably a good thing that we didn't meet THAT night, haha. I definitely wasn't myself!!
Haha, it's so funny that for ages people seemed to miss seeing the ducks in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Now people always do, and now it's closed.
I also love that drinking fountain. Such clever theming.
Ugh... People just say NO to iPad photos. Yet it is so comical to see.
Lion King is astounding for sure. So looking forward to seeing it in it's new theatre.
WOW, that is an impressive pout right there.
The thing I really enjoy about the Puppeteers in Nemo is they really play into their characters well with facial expression and other mannerisms.
And I totally agree, the shows in WDW are WORLD CLASS, and despite what people say about ticket prices, you get a LOT for that money.
Ahhh Everest how I love thee. Not such a fan of the ride photo now though since they appear to be cutting people off.
OMG you all look so fabulous in your dinner attire.
Those cupcakes are too cute!!!
Aww Rachel, I really feel your pain when things just build and build like that. I know EXACTLY how you felt. I don't think people realize how much energy it takes to plan these trips and make it LOOK like it's all just so easy. I've been there believe me, and I've also hit the wall just like you (and MANY others).
But doesn't Wishes make it all better? Magical!!
Donovan was the one who spotted the ducks in Camp Minnie-Mickey and pointed them out to me. Oh and now it is closed, isn't it? I wonder what will happen to them... aww that makes me sad.
Is that where the new Avatar land will be going? I loved the movie, so I'm actually really excited to see what Disney does with it... but I know that the are many out there who are REALLY against it... what side are you on?
I agree I think the Broadway style shows included in your Disney ticket are fantastic and such a good value!
The first time I saw Nemo the puppets and people weirded me out too, but after awhile I really liked it! The people controlling the puppets were so into it, it was nice to be able to see their facial expressions!
I don't blame Donovan, Dinosaur scares the crap out of me too, and I'm 24
SUCH cute outfits for 1900 Park Faire. I especially love the Lucifier T-shirt on Donovan. Seriously, your kids look adorable. That cinderella dress on Browyn was adorable too!
I'm sorry the service wasn't very good, that's such a bummer.
I'm glad you guys ended up having a good night in the MK. Being on a trip when that many people must be super stressful, I would have cracked way before you did. I'm glad the rest of the night went smoothly
Thanks! I love that Lucifer tee too! And I can totally take credit for the idea. One of my favorite designers had a tee with the Cheshire Cat's face on it
... and I thought it would be perfect to do the same thing with Lucifer, so I asked her and it turned out really cute!
OMG, yes it was super stressful with so many people! And I'm not usually the one to be "in charge" especially when my mom or in-laws are around. Thankfully we did have a good night in MK.
Hi Rachel
Following along on your TR. Love all the coordinated outfits you planned, the pictures are priceless. Did you make all the dresses?
If you did, you're truly talented.
Can't wait to read more about your experience.
Hi! I'm so glad that you're following along! Thank you, thank you!
No I did not make the dresses. (I wish that I could!) I bought them from some very talented designers and also from some awesome moms who were reselling them after their Disney trips.
Aww, I can totally relate to your meltdown! I get into funks like that, too, when being "in charge" gets overwhelming sometimes. The server at 1900 Park Fare would have set me off, too.
I'm glad you had a magical ending to a very busy day!
And about those iPad pictures--gah! That's such a pet peeve of mine (sorry to those that do it!). We were at the Shedd Aquarium summer of 2012 and people were holding up iPads allllll over the exhibits. Made it very difficult to actually look!
My mother-in-law takes pics/videos with her iPad all the time (like at Donovan's soccer games, Jorie's dance recital, etc) and it drives me crazy! Thankfully she didn't bring it along to WDW!
I enjoyed your FOLTK photos, so sad that it is closed for now. We will be at AK on Friday and it won't be the same.
I had the same thing happened to me back in 2011 during DD 5th birthday trip at Ohana. it was close to the end of our trip and DD started having a tooth ache. I felt so bad for her and all my sister and brother-in-law could talk about was having to pay for towels at OKW because they were staying on points. I started crying and told my DH to give them $5 for the towels. I was done with being the tour guide for our family trip of 12 that night. I think we all have those moments when everyone is counting on us. To my surprise tomorrow we will be back at WDW with the same sister and her family. I hope I don't have a meltdown but if I do, I am sure she will get over it.
Oh no! That's a bummer that FOTLK is closed. Hopefully you'll still get to enjoy AK.
So excited for you to be back in WDW!! I hope you've been having a wonderful trip!
OMG. I have to know your source for your dresses. Those Duffy dresses were amazing! I'm sorry if you've already addressed this, but I must know!!!
You must be a Duffy fan!! I can PM you the names of the designers if you'd like.
I don't think I told this story in my TR:
While we were eating at Via Napoli and the girls were wearing those Duffy dresses, one of the chefs came up to us to tell us that he loved the dresses. Well then he went on the say that there is a lady that comes into the restaurant every year on Duffy's birthday. The first year she brought her Duffy bear with her. And this past year she has brought like 5 or 6 Duffys and set them all up at her table. He even pulled out his phone and showed us a pic of the "Birthday party."
Great update!!!
I, too, have had meltdowns quite a few times at Disney.... It happens...
Is the FG normally at 1900 Park Faire? She wasn't when we went in October... Now that I see her in your pics, I forgot that she was supposed to be there.
I love the electrical parade. It just screams Disney to me- it's a just do!
No, I wasn't expecting the Fairy Godmother to be at 1900 Park Fare so that was an awesome surprise. I think it's usually Lady Tremaine instead, but she wasn't there that night. Anastasia gave some funny excuse as to why her mother was there that night but I can't seem to remember what she said. I've also read recently that the stepsisters are not always there... sometimes it's Cinderella's mice, Suzy & Perla.
Just joining in! Love the TR so far! I was thinking of switching one of our ADRs so we could eat at 1900 PF but yours isn't the first bad review I've seen recently. Seems the servers are all pretty unhappy most of the time. I definitely won't be trying it now!
Glad to have you here!!
I think that 1900 Park Fare would be much better overall if they were in a larger area. They have way too many people squeezed into such a small space and it just make the whole area seem very chaotic. I guess if I had to deal with that every night, I'd be pretty unhappy too. What ADR were you going to give up for 1900 Park Fare?
Yup, we are going to be doing a split stay. More on that to come later but I just had to share! 
