Can we? Should we? A Spring 2009 PTR - New 5/6 - The TR has begun!

[DisMomAmy]

4 weeks to go: (3/29 – 4/4)
• Get sharpies for autographs - DONE
• Post 2006 trip pictures - DONE
• Ask neighbor to take care of house/pets/mail - DONE
• Work on packing lists - I'm sure I'll still be adding, but basically DONE
• Start grocery list - DONE
• Work on touring plans - DONE
• Start putting Zach’s music on the ipod shuffle - TIM
• Put my music on DH’s old ipod - TIM
• Make sure DH has good games on his new ipod touch - TIM
• Make emergency phone number list for neighbor/moms
• Inventory batteries – buy more rechargeables if needed – Buy 2 sets on Sunday when we p/u the DS. - Tomorrow
• Buy more Ziploc bags when I go to BJs – didn’t make it to BJs yet, but DONE

So that leaves me with the above blue items (notice they are mostly DH), plus:

3 weeks to go: (4/5 – 4/11)
• Print menus
• Print DDP snack list - DONE
• Make ADR cards
• Make touring plan cards
• Let schools know about kids missing 5/4
• Confirm DME reservation - I got tags, but it didn't have any flight into - we are only using DME for the return trip.
• Start matching outfits and putting in Ziplocs - Started
• Make mousekeeping envelopes with kids
• Organize/label toiletries
• Watch the “Stranger Danger” vidoeo

I'm so glad I made these weekly lists... they seem very easy to accomplish week by week, but I get overwhelmed if I look at the whole list!

3 Weeks from now we'll be arriving at DBIL's house!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Okay, I think I am all caught up again -- you were an updating machine today!

I bet K has fun with the boys on this trip!

 

[cjackearl]

Yea for checking things off the "to do" list. It looks like you're right on track.

3 weeks!!! Lucky girl!

 

[KathyRN137]

I certainly am feeling calmer seeing all the things you're checking off; I hope you are too!!

Kathy

 

[mommytothreeboys]

WOW!! I go away for 2 days and I miss all your touring plans!!

I think your plans look good. You definitely know what you want to be sure to do and have flexibility built in...very nice job. Good idea to stay really open when you are with family...that can be tricky and it's better to plan less and do more than to be disappointed that you didn't do everything you wanted.

My DH is 14 and I am so hoping that he still embraces all things WDW like he did in 2007. He still wanted to meet characters, get pics, etc. I expect him to be a little more reserved and "cool" about it this time, but I hope he still wants to do it all. 14 is a tough age!

I am going to post my updated to-do list tomorrow...yours looks AWESOME! You are plugging right along!

Congrats on 3 weeks!

 

[carissanboys]

You're getting so close Amy!!

Sorry to hear Zach has been sick - definitely better now than on your trip!

Your plans look great.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I am impressed, you are just checking things off that list left and right. You are doing great!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Okay, I think I am all caught up again -- you were an updating machine today!

I bet K has fun with the boys on this trip!

I hope so! Teenagers can be so moody.

Yea for checking things off the "to do" list. It looks like you're right on track.

3 weeks!!! Lucky girl!

The last couple days have been crazy so I haven't gotten much Disney related stuff done - but it's work stuff that had to get done before Disney so I guess that counts, right?

18 DAYS!! You're right behind me...

I certainly am feeling calmer seeing all the things you're checking off; I hope you are too!!

Kathy

Calmer for the most part... but for some reason I couldn't sleep very well last night... I think it was buyers remorse for all the Disney shopping I've been doing!

WOW!! I go away for 2 days and I miss all your touring plans!!

I think your plans look good. You definitely know what you want to be sure to do and have flexibility built in...very nice job. Good idea to stay really open when you are with family...that can be tricky and it's better to plan less and do more than to be disappointed that you didn't do everything you wanted.

My DH is 14 and I am so hoping that he still embraces all things WDW like he did in 2007. He still wanted to meet characters, get pics, etc. I expect him to be a little more reserved and "cool" about it this time, but I hope he still wants to do it all. 14 is a tough age!

I am going to post my updated to-do list tomorrow...yours looks AWESOME! You are plugging right along!

Congrats on 3 weeks!

Where's your to-do list? Did I miss it?

You're getting so close Amy!!

Sorry to hear Zach has been sick - definitely better now than on your trip!

Your plans look great.

Zach's all better - but he wasn't happy to go back to school yesterday after a week of tv and video games! But now I have a sore throat! That's always the first symptom for me - but I guess better now than in 18 days!

I am impressed, you are just checking things off that list left and right. You are doing great!

I'm trying... I don't really have much weekend time left so I'm trying to get things done during the week. I haven't had much success so far this week. But I'll get back on track - it seems to come in spurts.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Where's your to-do list? Did I miss it?

LOL! Nope....I just didn't get to it yesterday! It was on my To-Do List!

 

[DisMomAmy]

LOL! Nope....I just didn't get to it yesterday! It was on my To-Do List!

That's OK - I was going to post pictures of what the mail lady has delivered this week, but life got in the way... again!

There's always tomorrow, right?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

That's OK - I was going to post pictures of what the mail lady has delivered this week, but life got in the way... again!

There's always tomorrow, right?

LOL...good point! But there are only so many "tomorrows" before we get on the plane!! WOO-HOO!!

Darn that real life getting in the way of my DISing!

 

[carissanboys]

Amy - I probably won't get to this part of my TR before you leave so I thought I'd post about the strollers here.

I took a few pictures for you, but we only ended up getting the single stroller (and only for one day - Epcot). I didn't think until afterwards that I should have tried having Owen sit in it to see how he fit.

Connor was fine, but he's only about 43 inches and 35 lbs (he turns 5 next month). I think Owen could have fit - he turns 7 in June and he's pretty tall for his age. Not sure how they would have fit in a double.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll try to answer them.

 

[mousescrapper]

Amy if this is scattered I'm sorry trying to get caught up w/ everyone and we need to eat dinner and then I have to work on the school event for the rest of the night....

LIST----that is a good one and I'm impressed w/ how much you have checked off.

Packing---I think I statred packing 4 weeks out w/ the small misc things and then 2 1/2 weeks in the clothes

Zach's school meet

MM Pancakes---those look professional

Illuminations---not from the mexican cantina

Stroller decision---think you made a good one...we have the stroller thing down finally after this trip and it went easy so I think we'll be bringing it one more time next Nov. but for you guys I have a pic of the older girls in a double to show you size. just need to upload I will tomorrow and post it for you.

I also made some notes in my trip notes as I looked at kids in the single and doubles....

"Amy, ok the single stroller IMOH there is no way 2 kids could fit in. I saw 2 larger kids in a double but smashed I didn't get a chance to ask the lady the ages. but younger than mine I think (under 6)."

as you can see in Carrisa's pic 2 only 1 kid in the single. I'll get you my double one later. DH just asked a lady by stroller rental who had one for her kids id we could take the pic and she said yes....

Your Dis tag---love the circle version

Kid id tags---our's came in handy to be told later....

pinning we did in the pockets or Aldine's bag for the older ones and pinned backwards on the back of the littler girl's shirts. we got many from the CM's for that!

Heidi's post on 4-2-----87 in Orlando yes I was in that in the morning and then came home to Chicago at night to 44 BRRRRRRRR

Bounceback offers----there were offers in our room for 40% off next stay if you book before you leave....what id we do

MK plan----looks good I think you really could get that all done on that time frame.

PS I will PM you but we had trouble going over the 6 guest limit on the help card

J-

someday WE need to have a girls DISMEET Weekend away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'll get back with responses to my DIS research team shortly... But first, I need to check something off my list...

Here are the contents of the wonderful packages that have been arriving at my door this week:

First - We got this beauty in the mail on Monday (I think it was Monday...):

Thanks Carissa - The boys loved the postcard!!!

Next - I bought this little gem because Alex has shown an interest in finding hidden Mickey's. There are a few listed in his "Guide to the Magic" and since we probably won't bring that book to the park, I thought this one might help:

Sorry - I forgot to rotate this picture...

Yay! I found it!! Zach and I had fun playing it yesterday. I'll play with Alex this weekend.

And some clothes I bought for Alex at The Children's Place:

Some PJs:

Unfortunately I think they are all too big - I ordered a 7/8 because he has the same outfits (in different colors) in size 5/6 from last year that he has almost outgrown. I figured I could pass them down to Zach and give Alex the new ones. I have them in the wash right now to see if they'll shrink.

Last but not least...

Yay! I found them Julie!

That's it for now... I'll be back with those responses later.

 

[carissanboys]

Research Team

Thanks for taking and posting the pictures Amy. I love seeing everyone with the postcards and a smile on their faces.

We have the Magic Kingdom Game! It's a lot of fun.

 

[starlight_003]

Amy, Where did you find the scotch-brite soap filled pad? I would love to find something like this.

 

[cjackearl]

Yea, Disney mail!

We've got the Magic Kingdom game also. I think we may have gotten it before our last Disney trip in '05. It's fun, but it's Disneyland. Is there a Disney World version?

I wish you luck with the clothes. My experience with CP is that their clothes tend to shrink more than some others, so you'll probably be fine.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for Disney mail!!! We have the Hidden Mickeys book and really like it! Okay, you need to take pictures of the game board for those of us contemplating buying it... Pretty please?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Disney Mail Rocks!!

Cute clothes! I was reading another PTR and she had posted some pics of some adorable girl's clothes. I still feel like boys get the short end of the stick in the clothing department. We just don't have as much to choose from for them. Oh well.

Looking for Hidden Mickey's will be fun! You'll have to report back on how it goes for you...are you going to do the scavenger hunts in that book or just look as you go?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Amy - I probably won't get to this part of my TR before you leave so I thought I'd post about the strollers here.

I took a few pictures for you, but we only ended up getting the single stroller (and only for one day - Epcot). I didn't think until afterwards that I should have tried having Owen sit in it to see how he fit.

Connor was fine, but he's only about 43 inches and 35 lbs (he turns 5 next month). I think Owen could have fit - he turns 7 in June and he's pretty tall for his age. Not sure how they would have fit in a double.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll try to answer them.

Thanks for posting this info for me! It helps a lot! It sounds like the boys will fit in a single stroller (separately). The stroller handle looks different... I think I like it.

Amy if this is scattered I'm sorry trying to get caught up w/ everyone and we need to eat dinner and then I have to work on the school event for the rest of the night....

LIST----that is a good one and I'm impressed w/ how much you have checked off.

Packing---I think I statred packing 4 weeks out w/ the small misc things and then 2 1/2 weeks in the clothes

Sounds like I'm right on target.

Zach's school meet

Thanks! And this week I was able to get an appointment for his neuropsychological testing in June - it was going to take 8-9 months to have it done at Mass General.

MM Pancakes---those look professional

It was fun - I was glad Zachary enjoyed them so much!

Illuminations---not from the mexican cantina

Isn't that comment based on last year's trip? Or is there a new story to tell?

Stroller decision---think you made a good one...we have the stroller thing down finally after this trip and it went easy so I think we'll be bringing it one more time next Nov. but for you guys I have a pic of the older girls in a double to show you size. just need to upload I will tomorrow and post it for you.

next Nov?

I also made some notes in my trip notes as I looked at kids in the single and doubles....

"Amy, ok the single stroller IMOH there is no way 2 kids could fit in. I saw 2 larger kids in a double but smashed I didn't get a chance to ask the lady the ages. but younger than mine I think (under 6)."

as you can see in Carrisa's pic 2 only 1 kid in the single. I'll get you my double one later. DH just asked a lady by stroller rental who had one for her kids id we could take the pic and she said yes....

Thanks for the stroller info! I definitely wouldn't have tried to put both boys in a singe. Hopefully our plan will work out well. Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

Your Dis tag---love the circle version

I just couldn't find my corner cutter... The only thing I could find that would work was a circle cutter thingamabob.

Kid id tags---our's came in handy to be told later....

Uh oh!

pinning we did in the pockets or Aldine's bag for the older ones and pinned backwards on the back of the littler girl's shirts. we got many from the CM's for that!

Good tip! I haven't completely figured out how we are goig to work it out... this helps!

Heidi's post on 4-2-----87 in Orlando yes I was in that in the morning and then came home to Chicago at night to 44 BRRRRRRRR



Bounceback offers----there were offers in our room for 40% off next stay if you book before you leave....what id we do

Good to know! I'll have to do the math. Was it only valid during a certain time? I'd really rather go for our girls weekend in late October/early November when free dining isn't available. We've also thought about only 2 night rather than 3 - free dining doesn't seem to work on only 2 nights.

MK plan----looks good I think you really could get that all done on that time frame.

Thanks! I hope it all works out OK - we haven't had 7 days to spend in the parks before - last year we only had 5 park days. The two extra days should give us time to slow down a little.

PS I will PM you but we had trouble going over the 6 guest limit on the help card

Thanks! I'm anxiously awaiting your PM.

J-

someday WE need to have a girls DISMEET Weekend away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to a girls DISMEET weekend! What are you doing this fall?

Thanks for taking the time to get caught up! I've been a bit post-happy while you were gone.