Christmas Comes Early PTR Nov 27 - Dec 3 2011 **What's YOUR Opinion?**

[Monknmom]

My son has some sensory issues and will let his face get painted, but wants it off right away so I didn't want to waste the money on that... have you maybe thought about the pirate cruise for the kids only? It's 2 hours and they find treasure and get a bandanna and photopass people are there with them! I think that it's the same price as the pirates league I'm not totally positive about that though, but this is the link! I think that might be a little bit more fun for my son at least!

 

[mphalens]

My son has some sensory issues and will let his face get painted, but wants it off right away so I didn't want to waste the money on that... have you maybe thought about the pirate cruise for the kids only? It's 2 hours and they find treasure and get a bandanna and photopass people are there with them! I think that it's the same price as the pirates league I'm not totally positive about that though, but this is the link! I think that might be a little bit more fun for my son at least!

Dagnabit! I knew there was a reason it wasn't an option for us They have to be 4. Sheriff Shortstuff will only be 3.5 when we go and he's SHORT. No way he'd pass for 4

Thanks for the idea though!!!

 

[Colleen27]

I'm really excited about the Deluxe dining - but I can't figure out any ADR's to add. MrCA wants Chef Mickey - but I can't get a decent time at any part of our week that we could make it work. Oh well keep trying, right?

We're still undecided about MVMCP. I think it's going to come down to a "IF DH GETS HIS BONUS" decision. We might not get to take advantage of the advance purchase pricing, but at least we'd really have the money to do it, kwim?

I'm still trying to figure out what outfits I'm going to make . . . and obviously I need to add in various and assorted pirate pajamas now I really want to make the boys some fabulous pirate outfits and let them do Pirates League (since Sheriff Shortstuff won't be old enough for Jedi Academy) - but MrCA isn't really keen on facepainting and I feel like that's all Pirates League really is, isn't it?

Has anyone done Pirates League that can tell me about it? Obviously I'd make their outfits rather than buy at Disney, so what all is included in the price????

Absolutely keep trying. Odds are a lot of people booked free dining and accompanying ADRs on trips they aren't 100% sure they'll take. There's usually a fair number of cancellations around the 45 day final payment mark.

My older two really enjoyed the Pirates League, but we went before they revamped their offerings so I'm not sure what all is included now. We went with the cheap package that was just facepainting and accessories back when they still had a range of packages that went all the way up to including a costume. Now as I understand it, you just book the basic package regardless and can buy the costumes as add-ons if you want?

Anyway, the kids really had a blast. They start out with choosing a pirate name, then get the makeover and the photos in the no-cameras-allowed secret treasure room. The only thing is that the "cursed pirate" look makeup is extremely hard to get off. I would highly suggest picking up a package of makeup remover cloths to throw in your parks bag for that day in case your kids decide, as mine did, that the makeup was too hot and itchy and wanted to take it off before sitting down to dinner.

 

[mphalens]

okay, as promised, here is my planning grid and my very vague ideas for outfits . . .

The lunch for 4 on Thursday will be cancelled if we keep the breakfast for 6 on Wednesday. Sheriff Shortstuff loves Oso & Manny and I think he'd love getting to dance around with them.
The same goes for lunch at Raglan Rd on Saturday . . . we want to be sure to take Papa there at some point in the week, but if we don't do MVMCP on Tuesday or if going to DTD and back doesn't seem feasible, I wanted a backup scheduled.

 

[Colleen27]

I love the planning grid. I'm not nearly that organized, I just have one line in my spreadsheet, wedged in between park hours and meal plans, for short notes on outfits.

I see you have the same problem I do with more outfit ideas/themes than days. Do you take breaks back at the resort and change the kids then? I haven't quite gotten there yet so I'm working on paring down my ideas list to one outfit for each day.

 

[mphalens]

I love the planning grid. I'm not nearly that organized, I just have one line in my spreadsheet, wedged in between park hours and meal plans, for short notes on outfits.

I see you have the same problem I do with more outfit ideas/themes than days. Do you take breaks back at the resort and change the kids then? I haven't quite gotten there yet so I'm working on paring down my ideas list to one outfit for each day.

Thanks! Sadly my problem is usually more along the lines of "the kids look like PigPen and need to be changed in order to remain in public" rather than taking a break and making them change

Also, the last time I was in WDW for the week after Thanksgiving I was 4. I have a picture, but no scanner, I'll have to try to work on that. Our last couple of trips have been the last week of January/first week of February, so I'm really not sure what we'll be seeing weather wise. I really want to figure out a good "roll-up" pant pattern (or really just modify my favorite pant pattern to BE roll-up leg style) because I think that will work the best for my boys. This is also our first time staying on-site in quite a while, so the option of being able to go back to the resort mid-day is still sort of "new" to us . . .

 

[mrsksomeday]

I love the planning spreadsheet . Thanks for posting that, I showed it to Bill so he could see I was not he only spreadsheet planner, he just shook his head at me . The outfit ideas sound adorable.

We are going to be at DHS on Dec. 2nd too .

 

[DisMomJill]

Subbing.... Came over from the DisBoutiquers thread when I noticed you would be there at the same time as us. I'm still trying to finalize our park days and ADRs because we didn't even decide to go on this trip until about 6 weeks ago. And then I need to get busy sewing since I got this crazy idea to make clothes for my DD (even though I haven't sewed anything in about 10 years)!

 

[Monknmom]

Dagnabit! I knew there was a reason it wasn't an option for us They have to be 4. Sheriff Shortstuff will only be 3.5 when we go and he's SHORT. No way he'd pass for 4

Thanks for the idea though!!!

Sorry I didn't realize the ages!


You are SO organized! I should hire you to do mine! Including the clothes.... I am still trying to figure out if I should make them or try to buy them? I love what the creative DISer's do so I am more leaning toward that! I mean if your going to be taking the photopass anyway...... I love the plans though!

 

[miprender]

Love the spread sheet too. 1900 PF was our best breakfast of our trip followed by Tusker House.

Which days do you need planning outfits for? It looks like you have mostly everything covered.

PS: I am so wanting to go back after seeing everything you have planned. I am in serious Disney withdrawals.

I love the planning grid. I'm not nearly that organized, I just have one line in my spreadsheet, wedged in between park hours and meal plans, for short notes on outfits.

I see you have the same problem I do with more outfit ideas/themes than days. Do you take breaks back at the resort and change the kids then? I haven't quite gotten there yet so I'm working on paring down my ideas list to one outfit for each day.

That is what we did. I ended up making outfits around some of our ADRs but didn't want them dirty before dinner so I then made more outfits. Then I lost track of how many I made for DD and she had more so I then needed more for my sons.

 

[mphalens]

I love the planning spreadsheet . Thanks for posting that, I showed it to Bill so he could see I was not he only spreadsheet planner, he just shook his head at me . The outfit ideas sound adorable.

We are going to be at DHS on Dec. 2nd too .

Yay! Tracy - we'll have to plan to meet up! I think Dec 2nd will probably just be my mom and the kids and I (or maybe just my mom and Sheriff Shortstuff & I, depending on who plays golf that day) . . .

I totally have Amber to thank for the spreadsheet (although mine is NOTHING compared to hers) . . . so you can definitely tell Bill there are plenty of us out there that use a spreadsheet to plan Disney

Subbing.... Came over from the DisBoutiquers thread when I noticed you would be there at the same time as us. I'm still trying to finalize our park days and ADRs because we didn't even decide to go on this trip until about 6 weeks ago. And then I need to get busy sewing since I got this crazy idea to make clothes for my DD (even though I haven't sewed anything in about 10 years)!

thanks for coming on over!
you can do it!!! there are so many more cute ideas for GIRL outfits - I get bored thinking of all the easy fits I'm going to be sewing for this trip

Sorry I didn't realize the ages!

No worries!

You are SO organized! I should hire you to do mine! Including the clothes.... I am still trying to figure out if I should make them or try to buy them? I love what the creative DISer's do so I am more leaning toward that! I mean if your going to be taking the photopass anyway...... I love the plans though!

Easy fits are pretty easy to sew! You could make your bottoms and purchase your tops if you were really worried . . . but I bet you could make them all!!!
Or do easy fit bottoms and get the DISigners to do some of their awesome work and then buy Amy_Mickey's fabulous iron-on transfer paper!!! Seriously, her transfer paper is THEE best www dot amymickey dot com

Love the spread sheet too. 1900 PF was our best breakfast of our trip followed by Tusker House.

Which days do you need planning outfits for? It looks like you have mostly everything covered.

PS: I am so wanting to go back after seeing everything you have planned. I am in serious Disney withdrawals.




That is what we did. I ended up making outfits around some of our ADRs but didn't want them dirty before dinner so I then made more outfits. Then I lost track of how many I made for DD and she had more so I then needed more for my sons.

I think I more need to figure out what the heck I bought all this fabric for and why I feel the need to buy MORE Honestly, the boys ARE pretty easy - just easy fits and a coordinating shirt (of course, i need to applique by hand, so that will take some time since I don't have an embroidery machine) . . . it's more what to make MYSELF to go with them that I really need to sort out

hey - by the way - are you still up for trying to meet IRL when I get back to Rhody??? We're making the drive Friday I think . . . I am DEFINITELY going to Ryco (need to make an Elphaba tutu for a certain little girl's birthday party at the end of the month) and of course, Just Fabrics . . . I've also promised the boys trips to Norman Bird Sanctuary, Sweet Berry Farm and the Audubon Society's museum over in Bristol . . .

 

[miprender]

I think I more need to figure out what the heck I bought all this fabric for and why I feel the need to buy MORE Honestly, the boys ARE pretty easy - just easy fits and a coordinating shirt (of course, i need to applique by hand, so that will take some time since I don't have an embroidery machine) . . . it's more what to make MYSELF to go with them that I really need to sort out
. .

Well I am just addicted to buying fabric. I keep buying more even though I don't have any plans coming up just yet.

hey - by the way - are you still up for trying to meet IRL when I get back to Rhody??? We're making the drive Friday I think . . . I am DEFINITELY going to Ryco (need to make an Elphaba tutu for a certain little girl's birthday party at the end of the month) and of course, Just Fabrics . . . I've also promised the boys trips to Norman Bird Sanctuary, Sweet Berry Farm and the Audubon Society's museum over in Bristol . . .

I would love to meet up. How long are you up here for? I am working all week next week I have to cover since she will be in DISNEY.

 

[mphalens]

Well I am just addicted to buying fabric. I keep buying more even though I don't have any plans coming up just yet.



I would love to meet up. How long are you up here for? I am working all week next week I have to cover since she will be in DISNEY.

We'll be there until the 26th . . . so the week following would work . . . or whenever!

 

[MARsMama]

While I am somewhat organized, I am no where near as organized as you I love the spreadsheet and may just have to try it out for this trip.
As for making outfits, the only thing I've been doing is making t-shirts. After all, my dd is nearly 12 she's starting to get picky about what she wears.

 

[Monknmom]

Easy fits are pretty easy to sew! You could make your bottoms and purchase your tops if you were really worried . . . but I bet you could make them all!!!
Or do easy fit bottoms and get the DISigners to do some of their awesome work and then buy Amy_Mickey's fabulous iron-on transfer paper!!! Seriously, her transfer paper is THEE best www dot amymickey dot com

.

I did buy her transfers! Now I'm just waiting for DS to go to school so he doesn't see anything!

 

[mphalens]

While I am somewhat organized, I am no where near as organized as you I love the spreadsheet and may just have to try it out for this trip.
As for making outfits, the only thing I've been doing is making t-shirts. After all, my dd is nearly 12 she's starting to get picky about what she wears.

I am SO not organized in most aspects of my life (well, I think I am, but to the outside world I'm sure it appears the complete opposite!!!) - I'm sure my DH would get a big kick out of your very sweet comment!!!

And I dread the day my boys are more picky about what they wear . . . they're picky NOW - I can't imagine when they're pre-teens!!!

I did buy her transfers! Now I'm just waiting for DS to go to school so he doesn't see anything!

Way to keep it a secret!!! SO MUCH FUN!!! We did that on our last trip and it was SO SO SO fun!!!!

 

[Monknmom]

I am hopping that it will be that much fun!

 

[DMGeurts]

I just stopped by to see what's going on in your PTR... I really need to go read your ADRs again...

Glad you had a super fabulous garage sale today - way to rock the TSS!!!

D~

 

[mphalens]

I just stopped by to see what's going on in your PTR... I really need to go read your ADRs again...

Glad you had a super fabulous garage sale today - way to rock the TSS!!!

D~

What's going on here . . . a whole lotta nuthin'

Can y'all weigh in on what you want to hear about? I seem to have hit a creative roadblock in many aspects of my life So - what shall I write about next???

 

[DMGeurts]

What's going on here . . . a whole lotta nuthin'

Can y'all weigh in on what you want to hear about? I seem to have hit a creative roadblock in many aspects of my life So - what shall I write about next???

Hmmmm.... You could tell us abut the customs you've been making.... or planning to make.

You could do a post about past trips... I know I'd love to hear about those... break them up into the trips themselves. That should give you something to write about. And I am dying to see pics of your notorious ILs.

What you're doing this time vs. what you've done before - what you liked and didn't like.

You could always talk about food.

THere you go... now start writing.

D~