Celebrating 2 September Birthdays at Disney!! UPDATE 9/23 One more sleep!

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here! I have been subscribed, but was finally able to just read and get caught up.

Your son is SO adorable! Oh my word! I love his first day of school pictures - the "I'm scared" pose is hilarious! He looks so frightened with that big grin hiding behind his hands.

Your plans are looking very nice! We encountered VERY low crowds during our trip. The only day that was busy was when we went to MK on a day they had AM EMHs. We generally avoid the parks with EMHs, but it was our last day, so we had to go! But even those crowds were bearable. Otherwise it was walk-ons everywhere!!!

I *think* the last Nemo show is at 3:20. I had to ask this very thing to a CM, that's why I remember!

And yes, little ones can do the surrey bikes! There is a seat up front that they can sit in, and there is a bell up there too that they can ring!

 

[ptcrn]

I'm here! I have been subscribed, but was finally able to just read and get caught up.

Your son is SO adorable! Oh my word! I love his first day of school pictures - the "I'm scared" pose is hilarious! He looks so frightened with that big grin hiding behind his hands.

Your plans are looking very nice! We encountered VERY low crowds during our trip. The only day that was busy was when we went to MK on a day they had AM EMHs. We generally avoid the parks with EMHs, but it was our last day, so we had to go! But even those crowds were bearable. Otherwise it was walk-ons everywhere!!!

I *think* the last Nemo show is at 3:20. I had to ask this very thing to a CM, that's why I remember!

And yes, little ones can do the surrey bikes! There is a seat up front that they can sit in, and there is a bell up there too that they can ring!

Thanks for coming over! I know how busy it is just getting back from a trip! Thank you for the comments about David

I'm so glad to hear there were low crowds! Now I have to hope for temps a little lower than 90's. It has been getting into the 60's here for the last few days and it feels really good after the heat wave!

Thanks for the Nemo and surrey bike info- I knew you would know! And I'm so excited to get him one of those Buzz light-up drink cubes too!

 

[ptcrn]

Monday 9/27

Two weeks from today (plus a few hours ) we will be arriving here for rope drop!

We will head straight to Soarin' to get FP, and maybe ride. I'm sure David won't be tall enough, he is about 37 inches without shoes. I haven't measured him lately with shoes, but I'm guessing he's out of luck! Next we'll head to the character signing place across from Innoventions. Those are the only things on the agenda to do early.

Next I imagine we will head over here:

I don't have a lot of must do's for Epcot except to just take the time to really explore all the little things. This is such a big park that I find myself running all over the place trying not to miss anything, and I find that I miss all the details! I want to let David explore Innoventions, and all the kid play areas in various spots. Kidcot would be fun to do. I also really want to get to the Disney Visa pictures with the characters.

I of course have a lot of Must Eats at Epcot! I am really looking forward to lunch at Sunshine Seasons. I never seem to make it there to eat even though I always want to. And the snacks.... I seriously have a whole list to try! A napolean, the sweet almond pretzel in Norway, just about anything in France! And I haven't even thought about drinks yet! We are coming back for the opening of the Food & Wine Festival on Friday night, so I'll have lots of opportunities for snacking then as well!

We will probably go back to POR after lunch and start out with World Showcase when we get back. We have a Le Cellier ADR at 7 pm (I am sooo looking forward to the cheddar cheese soup!) and will stay for Illuminations if David is not too tired or grumpy!

 

[brookelizabeth]

And I'm so excited to get him one of those Buzz light-up drink cubes too!

Henry LOVES his. He played with it for the entire meal...which was nice because we had reallyyyyyy slow service that meal. I clipped it to his stroller and we turned it on at night, he liked that!

I hope the heat isn't too bad! It wasn't terrible while we were there, it was hot, but bearable. Our worst day was our last, I was melting that day!

Your Epcot plans look GREAT. We spent quite a bit of time in Innoventions - air conditioning, plus a giant fire truck?! I attempted to get Henry interested in the Velcro Frogs, but he didn't care. He loved all the furniture and touch screen computers though.

Did you ever go through Figment last time? The play area after the ride (you can also skip the ride and go straight to the play area) is really fun! Henry also enjoyed the play area in Mission: Space.

 

[ptcrn]

Henry LOVES his. He played with it for the entire meal...which was nice because we had reallyyyyyy slow service that meal. I clipped it to his stroller and we turned it on at night, he liked that!

I hope the heat isn't too bad! It wasn't terrible while we were there, it was hot, but bearable. Our worst day was our last, I was melting that day!

Your Epcot plans look GREAT. We spent quite a bit of time in Innoventions - air conditioning, plus a giant fire truck?! I attempted to get Henry interested in the Velcro Frogs, but he didn't care. He loved all the furniture and touch screen computers though.

Did you ever go through Figment last time? The play area after the ride (you can also skip the ride and go straight to the play area) is really fun! Henry also enjoyed the play area in Mission: Space.

I'm really looking forward to Innoventions, it seems like the perfect thing for a 3 year old boy!! We didn't do Figment last time, but we'll have to put it on the list. I've seen pictures of the play area there and it looks really fun! That's the one with the lighted squares on the floor, right? David would LOVE that!

And I have to say a big thank you for his Mickey postcard! I don't have the pictures uploaded yet, but we got it last night and he loves it!!! I read it to him and told him Mickey was waiting to celebrate his birthday with him, and he just grinned!

 

[ptcrn]

I'll be back tonight with our plans for 2 weeks from now, but I wanted to do a quick post on some things I bought for the trip! I love shopping for the trip, it's almost as much fun as going!

We went to the Disney Store a couple weeks ago and made a road trip out of it. Our closest store is 2 1/2 hours away! I got us a bunch of t-shirts for the trip and some birthday presents for David.

These are small enough so we can bring them as toys for the plane.

The flip flops and sunglasses were all just 1.99!!

Stickers!

Shirts for David

Shirts for me

I thought this one was so cute! This is the back...

and this is the front!

And finally I got this giant re-usable bag. I figured this would be perfect for bringing with us to put extra souvenirs in for the plane ride home.

 

[brookelizabeth]

You got some great buys! I love that Mickey/Pluto shirt, I saw it the other day at ours too and wanted to buy it. Stickers are always a good distraction item for the plane too - I once gave Henry a sheet to put on a piece of notebook paper, it was a good 20 minutes of entertainment!

Are you doing online check-in?

I'm really looking forward to Innoventions, it seems like the perfect thing for a 3 year old boy!! We didn't do Figment last time, but we'll have to put it on the list. I've seen pictures of the play area there and it looks really fun! That's the one with the lighted squares on the floor, right? David would LOVE that!

And I have to say a big thank you for his Mickey postcard! I don't have the pictures uploaded yet, but we got it last night and he loves it!!! I read it to him and told him Mickey was waiting to celebrate his birthday with him, and he just grinned!

Yep, it is the play area with the lighted squares - and when they are lit and the kids stand on them, you can hear the instrument that is pictured on the square. It's really cool. Henry enjoyed "conducting" music with Figment too. The digital postcard area was down when we were there, but maybe it will be back!

So glad he got the postcard!!!! Yes, Mickey is VERY excited to see David and celebrate with him!!

Three is such a magical age there...it was a BLAST with Henry. He was into everything, excited, understood what was going on....completely wonderful!!

 

[ptcrn]

You got some great buys! I love that Mickey/Pluto shirt, I saw it the other day at ours too and wanted to buy it. Stickers are always a good distraction item for the plane too - I once gave Henry a sheet to put on a piece of notebook paper, it was a good 20 minutes of entertainment!

Are you doing online check-in?



Yep, it is the play area with the lighted squares - and when they are lit and the kids stand on them, you can hear the instrument that is pictured on the square. It's really cool. Henry enjoyed "conducting" music with Figment too. The digital postcard area was down when we were there, but maybe it will be back!

So glad he got the postcard!!!! Yes, Mickey is VERY excited to see David and celebrate with him!!

Three is such a magical age there...it was a BLAST with Henry. He was into everything, excited, understood what was going on....completely wonderful!!

I don't think I'll bother with online check in, just because we're arriving so late at night. I imagine the lines won't be very long, and if we don't get our room requests I want to be able to see if anything else is available.

Can't wait to see my little man enjoying Disney!

 

[ptcrn]

Single digits baby!!! ​

I can't believe our trip is this close already!! I have SO much to do still! And we have had a few very busy days away from home with lots going on. I'm just grateful I still have one weekend left to get stuff done! I've got to take advantage of the time tomorrow while David is at school.

So I didn't get back here last night to post our Tuesday plans, so here are two days at once!

Tuesday 9/28

We are heading to DHS today. This is the only park we didn't get to on our last trip, and probably the one I could spend the least time in. Don't get me wrong, I love it, I just feel like I can get everything done here in one day. It seems the least "toddler friendly" to me. We are going to try for rope drop at 9, and head straight for TSM.

I have never been on TSM!! It wasn't open yet the last time I was in this park- I don't ever remember when that was! So I'm really looking forward to this, and I have a feeling David will love it.

Next we have to hit Playhouse Disney. I TOT and RnRC, so we'll most likely either use FP or baby swap on these. Then I think we will head to the HISTK playground and to meet some characters! David is really looking forward to "meeting" Mater and McQueen- his favorites! I'm hoping we'll meet Handy Manny too, I'm guessing he signs outside of Playhouse Disney?

Lunch will be either at Starring Rolls or Pizza Planet. If I can just visit Starring Rolls in the morning for a snack, it will satisfy my cravings!! I just love all their yummy stuff!

Other things I would like to do if we have time are American Idol and the cars stunt show.

Tonight we have a dinner ADR at Ohana at 6:30. I can't wait to try the dinner! We have eaten breakfast there before and loved it, and the food pictures and reviews on the DIS make my mouth water!

Early to bed this night!

 

[ptcrn]

Wednesday 9/29. This was supposed to our no parks, just rest and relax day. Then I decided on park hoppers, and figured out that it only costs like $5 more to add one more day to our ticket! Yes, fuzzy Disney math is at play here!!

So, what could be the harm in going to just one park on our day off for a couple hours, hmm? See, I really wanted the experience of doing a Crystal Palace breakfast before the park opens. And the next day (our last day at MK) is morning EMH, which wouldn't work, because CP doesn't open until 8. So I had the brilliant idea of doing this on our "no park day."

Our breakfast ADR is at 8:05. We should be able to get the coveted almost empty Main Street pictures, have breakfast with Pooh and Tigger, and still make the Fantasyland rope drop! Because of course... since we are already there, it would be a shame to waste the early morning! My plan is to stay just a couple of hours, do Fantasyland and/or whatever else David wants. Once the crowds start getting bigger, we'll head out to the resort.

The rest of the day will be spent lounging by the pool, playing on the playground, doing laundry ! Hoping it will be relaxing enough for DH, who does NOT like the commando style of touring! He says, "I just want to relax on vacation!"

Tonight we have a 6:40 ADR for Cape May Cafe- another new restaurant for us! Then I thought we'd swing into Epcot (utilize those park hoppers!) for their evening EMH. They are open until midnight and it would be the perfect time to stroll the World Showcase, since I doubt we will really get to much of it on Monday. If DH is really resistant to this, maybe we'll just wander the Boardwalk and explore.

So... we may end up at 2 parks on our "no park day!!"

 

[brookelizabeth]

You sound like me! One of our "no parks days" had both MK and AK planned into it. We only made it to one of those though!

I'm hoping we'll meet Handy Manny too, I'm guessing he signs outside of Playhouse Disney?

Yep! Sometimes the Little Einsteins are out too. I really wish they would add Agent Oso!

If he likes Mike & Sully they are over across from HISTK, behind the gift shop area.

We did the Backlot Tour this trip and Henry LOVED it - we did too! I've heard so many negative reviews of it, but we thought it was really cool. Henry loves to run through the Streets of America too!

Happy Single Digits!!!!!!!!!

 

[ptcrn]

We leave one week from today!!!

I'm freaking out about all I have left to do, yet I'm still playing on the internet! Here is my list:

* Order garden grocer
* Pennies and quarters
* Make t-shirts
* Postcard stamps
* Mousekeeping envelopes and money
* Pack!!
* Fax room request Monday (4 days ahead)
* Quarters for laundry
* Haircut for David
* charge all batteries

I'll get to it all eventually! I'm sure there are also a million things that are not on the list! Like wrapping David's birthday presents and picking up his cake, cleaning the house- oh dear! We are having a family party for him on Sunday afternoon.


I've got to catch up on my itinerary- next up is Thursday 9/30- my birthday!!

We have a Kona ADR at 8:20- LOVE their breakfast! Then I would like to walk around the Poly and explore, then take the monorail over to MK and catch the boat to Wilderness Lodge. I have never been over there and have always wanted to see it. So we'll explore over there for a little while, then head either back to POR or to DTD for lunch.

I just looked at the forecast for today and it is supposed to rain! Tonight is our MNSSHP night- figures! I'm saying a little prayer right now that it won't be heavy rain, I will be so sad to miss out on the party- especially with how expensive the tickets are! Technically I guess we could re-arrange things for Friday night and go then... something to think about in the back of my mind.

So- MNSSHP!!! I can't wait for this, we have never been during Halloween time before. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the decorations and the characters dressed up! We plan on getting there around 4, eating an early dinner probably at Pecos Bills, since that seems to be the only thing that will be open, according to the map?

I got David a Buzz Lightyear costume shirt, didn't want to do a whole costume since it will be pretty hot. I am going to make all 3 of us matching shirts that are so cute! I had the design done from the Creative Disigns board. Maybe we can all wear our shirts during the day and then change David's once we get to the party. I have to get a PP pic of us in our shirts!

 

[ptcrn]

Two weeks from today we will be in Animal Kingdom!

We plan to get there by rope drop or shortly after. We have lunch at Yak & Yeti at 11:30. Basically, I want to do EVERYTHING in this park!! I love it here!

Our must do's are:

• FOTLK
• Nemo musical
• Safari
• both of the trails
• Conservation Station
• the Boneyard
• EE
• Maybe Kali- depends on if we feel like getting wet!
• Parade at 3:45
• Dinosaur
• the ride that is like Dumbo- can't remember the name!
• I'd love to do ITTBAB but I think it would freak Dave out!

I know that is a long list, but we do have evening EMH until 8 pm if we decide to go to them.

My original plan for the night was to go to Epcot for the beginning of the Food & Wine Festival! This is my absolute favorite event at WDW! But I know the crowds are going to be outrageous on the opening weekend, so I may have to go over by myself if DH and David can't stand it! Which is fine with me!

Of course this all may need to be reworked if our MNSSHP is rained out.

 

[ptcrn]

You sound like me! One of our "no parks days" had both MK and AK planned into it. We only made it to one of those though!

Yep! Sometimes the Little Einsteins are out too. I really wish they would add Agent Oso!

If he likes Mike & Sully they are over across from HISTK, behind the gift shop area.

We did the Backlot Tour this trip and Henry LOVED it - we did too! I've heard so many negative reviews of it, but we thought it was really cool. Henry loves to run through the Streets of America too!

Happy Single Digits!!!!!!!!!

I don't think David would know who Agent Oso was! We've only watched it a few times in hotels and such- we don't have cable!

He does like Mike and Sully though- we'll have to go see them! I forgot about the Backlot Tour, I bet David would like it.

 

[ptcrn]

Two weeks from today... well, I don't even like to think about it! We will be home.

Our plan for the day is to repeat our park of choice. Tentatively I have planned DHS for morning EMH from 8-9am, so we can do TSM one more time. But we'll see what David wants to do!

Then I HAVE to go back to Epcot for lunch at the F&W Festival! I know I will not have had enough of this the night before!!

Our flight leaves at 5pm, so I guess we will be picked up by ME around 1:30 or 2. So depressing!!!

Another depressing thing that I heard today- Mickey is no longer going to be coming to your table at Chef Mickey's breakfast!!! And they are going to charge $30 for a picture with him! This is crazy!! I just read that it is a 2 week trial right now- but my son's 3rd birthday breakfast happens to fall in the middle of that 2 weeks. I know David won't know the difference, and I guess we'll just play up the other characters and have a picture taken with Mickey on our own camera. Such a bummer though!

 

[shelbys mommy]

I am in! Your little boy is too cute! My daughter got her 1st haircut at Disney in June!

 

[ptcrn]

I am in! Your little boy is too cute! My daughter got her 1st haircut at Disney in June!

Thanks for reading!!

Isn't the first haircut the best? David had his done last March and he still wears the ears all over the house! It's so cute!

I will be over to read your report!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Thanks for reading!!

Isn't the first haircut the best? David had his done last March and he still wears the ears all over the house! It's so cute!

I will be over to read your report!

Absolutely! Did you know Disneyland doesn't do them?! I was floored! I have a friend who lives 10 mins away, has AP since she is so close. She saw my pics of Shelby's 1st haircut at WDW & she called to get her twins 1st haircut there. They told her, you have to go to Florida! I was shocked!

Shelby didn't wear her ears, until we got home, of course!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That is RIDICULOUS about Chef Mickey's!!!!!!! It's like "Donald's Breakfast Safari" over at AK and Donald is only outside for a picture op. I hope guests give some BAD feedback early on and they cut the 2 week trial early!

I hope it doesn't rain on your MNSSHP! Chances are if it does, it'll be over quickly.

Your trip is so close!!!!! How is that to do list looking?

 

[ptcrn]

Absolutely! Did you know Disneyland doesn't do them?! I was floored! I have a friend who lives 10 mins away, has AP since she is so close. She saw my pics of Shelby's 1st haircut at WDW & she called to get her twins 1st haircut there. They told her, you have to go to Florida! I was shocked!

Shelby didn't wear her ears, until we got home, of course!

How funny that Disneyland doesn't do them! I wonder why?

That is RIDICULOUS about Chef Mickey's!!!!!!! It's like "Donald's Breakfast Safari" over at AK and Donald is only outside for a picture op. I hope guests give some BAD feedback early on and they cut the 2 week trial early!

I hope it doesn't rain on your MNSSHP! Chances are if it does, it'll be over quickly.

Your trip is so close!!!!! How is that to do list looking?

Well, the list wasn't looking so good this morning, but now it is almost done! I put some pictures of David getting his postcard over on your TR!