Confessions of an obsessive planner... Let the countdown begin!!

[-Hope-]

We are now in the TEENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am prepping for a yard sale we will have Next Sat. At some point today I have to get some work done, but getting stuff for the yard sale was more fun! Now I'm headed upstairs to our spare room, which is where my mom will stay when she comes to house/pet sit. I want to put clean sheets on the bed, make it and get the suitcases out on it so I can start packing!!!!!!!!

Very close!! Getting down to the last minute details now.

 

[Charlefours]

I Bet Jace is going to love JTA! Looking forward to hearing about it.

less than 20 days!!!!

 

[-Hope-]

I Bet Jace is going to love JTA! Looking forward to hearing about it.

less than 20 days!!!!

Thanks for celebrating with me Stephanie! You're trip is SOOOO close- we can dance together!

 

[-Hope-]

Moving right along with my countdown! I can hardly believe we're so close!

18: Main Street Electrical Parade (or Spectro)!!

I'm pretty sure MSEP will still be running during our trip but since I have no nostalgic attachment to Spectro or MSEP it doesn't really matter to me which one we see- I'm just excited about seeing the spectacle of lights and the kids feeling like a part of it all with their glow necklaces.

And because we're taking breaks during the afternoons we won't be seeing other parades. I'm okay with that and I think it's going to make this one even more special. All any of us have ever seen are rinky dink, small town parades where half of the people just pile in a pick-up truck and hang a sign off of it instead of actually making a float. I think it's going to be so fun to see a big parade that is a full-on WDW production.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

The next item on the countdown is another of Jace's...

19: Jedi Training Academy

Jace is SO excited about this and I'm excited for him! We've watched a few videos on youtube of the experience and it just looks like so much fun!

The JTA is also one of the many, many, MANY reasons I'm so thankful for the DIS. If I hadn't known about this in advance and known to get in line right at rope drop we would have walked by and seen this and either wouldn't have been able to do it or we would have waited in line for a very long time. But since I've done my homework we know to run straight to this line so he can be in the first show of the day.

Hope, my nephew Peter LOVED JTA. He grinned from ear to ear and was really into the whole experience. Bella was a tad bored waiting for him to have his turn (it was during Star Wars weekend and the place was packed) so she and I walked a bit and found the face painters. She had the most beautiful butterfly done I've seen. Both kids were happy and my sister and I celebrated later with margaritas. I know Jace will love JTA as much as Peter. They remind me of each other - very intense in their interest in things. Make sure you gets lots of photos. Do you plan to video too? Anne taped Peter and he still watches it.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Moving right along with my countdown! I can hardly believe we're so close!

18: Main Street Electrical Parade (or Spectro)!!

I'm pretty sure MSEP will still be running during our trip but since I have no nostalgic attachment to Spectro or MSEP it doesn't really matter to me which one we see- I'm just excited about seeing the spectacle of lights and the kids feeling like a part of it all with their glow necklaces.

And because we're taking breaks during the afternoons we won't be seeing other parades. I'm okay with that and I think it's going to make this one even more special. All any of us have ever seen are rinky dink, small town parades where half of the people just pile in a pick-up truck and hang a sign off of it instead of actually making a float. I think it's going to be so fun to see a big parade that is a full-on WDW production.

Either one will outdo anything you've ever seen in <insert tiny town name>. Trust me. Get ice cream to enjoy during the parade. It's a tradition with my crowd.

 

[-Hope-]

Hope, my nephew Peter LOVED JTA. He grinned from ear to ear and was really into the whole experience. Bella was a tad bored waiting for him to have his turn (it was during Star Wars weekend and the place was packed) so she and I walked a bit and found the face painters. She had the most beautiful butterfly done I've seen. Both kids were happy and my sister and I celebrated later with margaritas. I know Jace will love JTA as much as Peter. They remind me of each other - very intense in their interest in things. Make sure you gets lots of photos. Do you plan to video too? Anne taped Peter and he still watches it.

Yes, we're going to video it- Jace has watched several other videos on youtube and can't wait to put up his own. We're going to have breakfast while we're waiting in line for Jace's turn and I figured Kya and I would find plenty to do if we need to- she loves helping me look for photo ops. Mostly because then she doesn't have to be in the pictures.

Get ice cream to enjoy during the parade. It's a tradition with my crowd.

That's the plan.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi Hope, I haven't been on in a while, just coming on to say HAVE A GREAT TRIP! You guys must be so exciting to be leaving soon!

 

[-Hope-]

Hi Hope, I haven't been on in a while, just coming on to say HAVE A GREAT TRIP! You guys must be so exciting to be leaving soon!

Thanks Pam!

 

[-Hope-]

The next item on my countdown is technically from Kya's list but it's something we are both very excited about...

Splash Mountain!!

We've been watching videos on youtube of this because I wanted to be sure she was ready for the big drop and she swears she is! (Jace says he's ready too but he's not nearlly as excited as us.) I'm so glad because I don't really remember much about my afternoon in the MK on my senior trip but I remember Splash Mountain- and I LOVED it! I hope Kya loves it as much as she thinks she will- then we'll get to ride it again!

 

[BabyEeyore]

The next item on my countdown is technically from Kya's list but it's something we are both very excited about...

Splash Mountain!!

We've been watching videos on youtube of this because I wanted to be sure she was ready for the big drop and she swears she is! (Jace says he's ready too but he's not nearlly as excited as us.) I'm so glad because I don't really remember much about my afternoon in the MK on my senior trip but I remember Splash Mountain- and I LOVED it! I hope Kya loves it as much as she thinks she will- then we'll get to ride it again!

Ooohhh, good one! If we do take advantage of baby swap while Ashlyn's sleeping (which I really plan to!) this is definitely one I want to do. I don't know if Aaron's ever been on it! He went to WDW as a kid but he doesn't remember much at all. I've never been on the one at WDW... I wonder if it's much different than the one at DL?

 

[Charlefours]

MSEP!!! I am looking forward to it but I don't do Splash! I'm sure others in my group will go on it but no thank you from me!

 

[-Hope-]

MSEP!!! I am looking forward to it but I don't do Splash! I'm sure others in my group will go on it but no thank you from me!

I know it's not for everyone but I can't wait!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Hope, Isabella was timid about lots of other rides but rode Splash and loved it from the time she first went to WDW when she was 4.5 yrs old. She was so tiny her butt flew up off the seat and I had to hold her down but she screamed and laughed and begged for more. The story is so much fun you almost forget what's coming ---at the end! You and Kya are going to LOVE it.

 

[-Hope-]

Thanks MA- I think Kya will have a similar reaction. At least I hope so!

And btw- somehow I feel like the only time I've talked to you lately is on the DIS- I hope I see you tomorrow (or today considering when you'll be reading this).

 

[-Hope-]

Next item on my countdown...

16: Kilimanjaro Safari

I debated including this because I honestly have mixed emotions about this one. However, when I think about the things I really want to do I always think of the safari so, despite my niggling doubt I included it. The thing is as I get older (and hopefully wiser, lol) I realize that I don't quite know how I feel about wild animals in captivity. But I'm also really anxious to do this- I've always wanted to go on a safari and I think this may be the closest I get- at least for a long, long time! I understand that zoos and animal parks are a great way for people to learn about animals which makes them more likely to care about protecting them. I also know that Disney does a great job and the animals are well cared for but it's still not the wild, KWIM? The zoo near us also has really great habitats for the animals and I did have fun when we were there in July but I also had a little nagging voice reminding me that these animals don't belong in downtown St. Louis. I don't want it to seem like I walked around upset all day- I didn't, we had lots of fun! It's hard to explain, it's just a twinge of guilt I suppose for having so much fun at what could be the expense of another living thing. (Maybe they don't mind but we don't know that for sure!)

All that being said, I'm still really looking forward to the Safari. Crazy I know- but like I said it's just a little niggling feeling, not overwhelming. Karen and I have talked about it and share similar views and she assures me that she didn't feel badly for the animals on the safari. I'm also hoping for some good pics but I know it's a bumpy ride so whatever I get will be okay.

I'll was going to leave you with a few shots from the zoo just to prove I really did have a good time but photobucket is being uncooperative.

 

[lexmas]

Catching up! Your countdown list is getting short!

Splash should be fun! I really dislike being wet, so I avoid it, but I wish I could see the inside without the drop, because I think it's such a great ride!

I understand what you mean about the safari, but at least disney does a great job about giving them space and excellent care. I understand the nagging feeling though, I feel the same way about eating meat (and I only eat fish and poultry, and very sparingly)...it bothers me enough that I know eventually I will be a vegetarian, but not so much that I'm at that point today.

ANYWAY, since it wasn't a debate about zoos or meat, I think you will be able to enjoy the safari. My friend used to be a travel agent/tour guide in Africa and she said that it was REALLY similar to the actual safaris that she had been on...she thought it was very realistic. So if you have dreamed of being on Safari, it should live up to your expectations!

 

[-Hope-]

Catching up! Your countdown list is getting short!

Splash should be fun! I really dislike being wet, so I avoid it, but I wish I could see the inside without the drop, because I think it's such a great ride!

We're doing it on the way out of the park.

I understand what you mean about the safari, but at least disney does a great job about giving them space and excellent care. I understand the nagging feeling though, I feel the same way about eating meat (and I only eat fish and poultry, and very sparingly)...it bothers me enough that I know eventually I will be a vegetarian, but not so much that I'm at that point today.

I have the same feelings about meat. I feel guilty enough to think twice but not guilty enough to give it up.

ANYWAY, since it wasn't a debate about zoos or meat, I think you will be able to enjoy the safari. My friend used to be a travel agent/tour guide in Africa and she said that it was REALLY similar to the actual safaris that she had been on...she thought it was very realistic. So if you have dreamed of being on Safari, it should live up to your expectations!

I've heard that it is very realistic- I've even read comments from people who are from Africa saying that it is better than some of the safaris they've been on. Disney magic!

 

[-Hope-]

I thought I'd share a link to a post in the MNSSHP thread. A character lovin' DISer laid out plans to be able to meet EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. at the party. And you guys thought I was obsessive.

We don't have any desire to meet all of the characters and this itinerary doesn't leave time for anything but character greets (the poster won't be doing it all eithere but made the schedule up as a guide for others). But I still think it could be a useful tool since she's taken the time to put in when and where to find characters, including dance parties and villain shows. We'll probably pick our fave characters and work them in around fireworks, a parade, candy and maybe a few rides.

I love new info- it gives me more to plan!

 

[SparKeLLy]

Hi, just noticed we'll be there the same time as you and we will be at the same MNSSHP We're dressing as Donald & Daisy.