Dec. Golden Birthday Trip!!!

[mblc14]

I feel your pain... Alli is doing track this year again - she added long distance to her meets... So she has been crazy busy with practice, on top of honors classes... It's been insane for her. I can't imagine having to score those events though... YIKES!

I know the feeling - my "honey-do" list is SUPER LOOOOOONG this year.

I am sure the kids will love it wherever you stay... Then that saves the other resorts for next time.

D~

How is track going for Alli? We only have one more home meet left, and it's Middle School girls, so it will at least be fairly quick thankfully.

I know she'll love BW, but with all the Disney Parks commercials on for Summer lately, she keeps saying she wants to stay AKL or the Poly next time.... I guess she'll just have to settle....

Still following on your TR, just haven't posted lately and know you have been uber busy with your custom and auction orders. Excited to see what awesome things you will have ready to go.

Hi, fellow December DISer! Following along. Your family is lovely.

Thanks and welcome!! When are you going?

Subscribing!! Can't wait to read you PTR! My family and I will be at Disney this December too! We'll be there 11/29-12/6 and we can't wait!!

Welcome!! Where are you guys staying? Have you ever been during the Holidays before?

Subscribing!!

I feel your little guy's pain. I have such weak teeth as well. After 22 years of going to the same dentist and her telling me my teeth were fine, I switched dentists when I moved and needed cavities filled on all 8 of my molars!!! I asked him if he was going to put me under and he looked at me like I was crazy LOL! Glad he is feeling better. Looking forward to reading the rest of your report!

Welcome!! Ugh, sorry about your teeth as well. Can't even imagine. The only plus from the whole thing is that he has been really good about brushing his teeth, or when he growls about doing it we just remind him of what happens when you don't take care of your teeth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haven't had much to update on lately.....until this weekend, and this morning.

We bought our park tickets on Saturday. . It's only a 2 day park hopper and we weren't really sure of we wanted to hop or not really. But, since it's only 2 days in the park, we wanted to keep our options open on what we wanted to do. Especially since we are in walking distance of Epcot and DHS. being able to walk there on a whim will still be a possibility with the hoppers.

This morning while on FB, I saw that they have released the dates, times for MVMCP!!!! So we got our tickets for Dec. 11th!!!!!!!

Slowly, but surely, things are starting to happen. Next up, finding the flight we want......

Have a great day all!!!!

 

[mblc14]

Alright, its way past time to get this thing back going....school is almost finally out for us. Only 7 days left, but they should go rather quickly...hopefully.

Airfare is now booked! Was able to utilize Southwest points I had accumulated and had to buy a little more to get the deal sealed. All in all, RT for all 4 of us was around $400. Which was a great savings for us. We do not have a lot of options with airfare here. We can drive to Des Moines and then take a connecting flight through Chicago to get anywhere through SW. Which usually isnt horrible, but I had a bad experience last Winter flying and making connecting flights with weather issues. I did not enjoy spending the night in the terminal...

So, we were able to get non-stop to Orlando from Kansas City early in the morning. And with that, we will have to drive down and stay the night before. Here is where this will help with the surprise too. LG has always wanted to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, and this will what we are telling the kids why we are driving to KC. SO, this is what we have told them we are doing for her birthday weekend, and she was super excited....so excited that I thought maybe it would backfire when we dropped the surprise on her. So, I said to her, it sounds like youre more excited about going there than Disney, to which her reply was Disney would still be here first choice though.

Looking at our possible Day 1 now:

Thursday, Dec. 11

Flight out of KC at 7:30 and arrive in Orlando at 11:10. Hoping to be at the BW around 1:00. We will be headed to MK around 4:00 to get there for MVMCP that evening.

Planning on grabbing some grub before we take off to MK. Cant get ADR's for a couple more weeks, but right I am leaning to Beaches and Cream at the YC. One of the main reasons for that is to get the Mickey's Kitchen sink ice cream.

I am sure we will Fastpass 7DMT and after that we are not sure right now. We have never rode Peter Pans flight the last trips because the wait was so long. But we love Haunted Mansion as well.

Any advice from anyone that has been to MVMCP and what to expect for some of the wait times? We will obviously take part in a lot of what is going on during the party. But thinking ahead to planning Fastpass times for that evening, other then possibly 7DMT, I'm not sure which ones we'll do for sure.

What is everyone's thing that they do on their arrival day? We have done Chef Mickey's the past 2 trips the first night, and still might do that instead of Beaches and Cream. At least there is still time to decide right?

Ok, enough for tonight.....I'll be back more regularly, especially with Summer quickly approaching

 

[mblc14]

Only 191 days to go....

 

[DMGeurts]

How is track going for Alli? We only have one more home meet left, and it's Middle School girls, so it will at least be fairly quick thankfully.

I know she'll love BW, but with all the Disney Parks commercials on for Summer lately, she keeps saying she wants to stay AKL or the Poly next time.... I guess she'll just have to settle....

Still following on your TR, just haven't posted lately and know you have been uber busy with your custom and auction orders. Excited to see what awesome things you will have ready to go.

Sorry I fell behind here Mike... I have been working like crazy!!!

Track went well for Alli, she had a good time. Track season is now over until next year.

Hahaha.... "Settle for BW..." LOL I'd "settle" any day.

Yes, I've been super busy... But I am just now pulling into the home stretch - hopefull I"ll survive...

I wish I had some advice for you for MVMCP - but I've only ever done MNSSHP... Which was awesome - and I'd totally recommend, for the parade alone.

How far of a drive is KC for you? I am thinking 6 hours? Trying to remember driving through IA - but all those fields run together... I am only giving you crap... Not sure if you know this, but my Mom's family are IA natives and she was born there - so I need to be a little nicer to you.

Have a great day Mike and happy planning!

D~

 

[mblc14]

Sorry I fell behind here Mike... I have been working like crazy!!!

Track went well for Alli, she had a good time. Track season is now over until next year.

Hahaha.... "Settle for BW..." LOL I'd "settle" any day.

Yes, I've been super busy... But I am just now pulling into the home stretch - hopefull I"ll survive...

I wish I had some advice for you for MVMCP - but I've only ever done MNSSHP... Which was awesome - and I'd totally recommend, for the parade alone.

How far of a drive is KC for you? I am thinking 6 hours? Trying to remember driving through IA - but all those fields run together... I am only giving you crap... Not sure if you know this, but my Mom's family are IA natives and she was born there - so I need to be a little nicer to you.

Have a great day Mike and happy planning!

D~

Hey D~, no worries about falling behind. I know how incredibly busy you have been with getting your custom orders and auction bags ready to go. Cant wait to see what you have in store or the auctions, might have to throw my hat in the ring on one if they dont get too crazy.... BTW, Lg's bag is also apart of the surprise...we gave her the wallet last Easter and uses it whenever she has a little $$ which is pretty rare.

So during the MNSSHP, were most of the rides walk on? After doing some more thinking, I am not sure we cna use Fastpass+ with just the party tickets?? Will have to research that some more....

KC is just about 3 hours away, so not too bad. Drive down is fine, its that drive back everytime...you can tease me all you want about Iowa, at least you have asked me if I like corn, like the server at Chef Mickeys did last trip...I know it is not the most exciting place to drive through.

Cant wait to read more about your upcoming trip and to see that TR before we get to go!!

 

[mblc14]

Anxiously awaiting our 180 day window which will be here next week....and the first of ADR's before I adjust them around 100 times...

Chance turned 7 last week and here are some pics from his par-tay...his teeth are doing much better, but he has had a loose tooth now for just about 2 months that he wont let us touch....its probably just going to fall out on its on at some point or accidently fall out like his last one did when he ran into a bookshelf while running around the house....maybe its time for the old string and door trick...lol

The Birthday Boy


Star Wars Lego's. We just finished all 6 Star Wars and we've watched Star Tours and Jedi Training on Youtube and he wants to try them next time we go, whenever that is....
URL=http://s1094.photobucket.com/user/mbegbert14/media/Chance%207th%20Birthday%20Party/DSC06616_zps3c45886b.jpg.html]

[/URL]

Water gun fight


Hula Hoop Queen


Hope everyone has a great day...5 more days of school for us!!! (I know most everyone else is out already...)

Mike

 

[DMGeurts]

Loved the birthday pictures Mike... The kids are sure growing.

Well, be thankful that Chance won't let you touch his teeth... My girls were the opposite... Once they caught on that the Tooth Fairy brought them $$, they started a money making scheme with their teeth... So, they started pulling them out one by one... Even though the TF was slowly running out of $$, they were slowly running out of teeth. I have many pictures with Alli totally toothless. LOL

Oooh - I didn't know you were saving the bag for the surprise... That's really cool! I hope she likes it.

Have a great day Mike!

D~

 

[mblc14]

Loved the birthday pictures Mike... The kids are sure growing.

Well, be thankful that Chance won't let you touch his teeth... My girls were the opposite... Once they caught on that the Tooth Fairy brought them $$, they started a money making scheme with their teeth... So, they started pulling them out one by one... Even though the TF was slowly running out of $$, they were slowly running out of teeth. I have many pictures with Alli totally toothless. LOL

Oooh - I didn't know you were saving the bag for the surprise... That's really cool! I hope she likes it.

Have a great day Mike!

D~

D~, just checked out your auction. Things are looking great!! Those bags are awesome, it truly is amazing how talented you are with all of that!! Nice work. And thanks for the shout out on your TR for Father's Day!! I appreciated that!!

And, Chance finally lost his 2 front teeth the past 2 days. 1 each day. Back to back trips for the tooth fairy. I had to pull the first one, and he was able to get the next one. I literally barely touched the first one and it just fell out. That's how loose they were. I wont post the pics of what they looked like before they came out...they looked awful. But at last, they gone!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, gotta get this PTR rolling. Finally done with school for the Summer, just have to go in for a couple mornings here and there. But gotta post stuff to have readers, right?

ADR window was last weekend, and was quite the adventure to try and do. I have researched and planned to see where we should go and LG is my planner helper and it is so hard not to ask her where she wants to eat. So, I had some pretty basic ideas and just decided to see what was available when I looked at the dates.

The issue was one of my high school friends had his bachelor party in Milwaukee on the dates when I needed to book. So I had to wake up and try and clear my foggy head and focus on some ADR's....and then go back to sleep....

Arrival day, Dec.11
This is our MVMCP night and want to be there right at 4 if at all possible. Originally booked Beaches and Cream for a quick lunch since it is just a short walk from BW. Already changed this one to a 1:20 lunch at Whispering Canyon. We ate here last time and really enjoyed the food. The antics werent quite in full swing, at least with our waitress, but still was fun overall. Probably our only chance this trip to see Wilderness Lodge all decked out at Christmas. Pictures look awesome and cant wait to see. We then can take a quick boat ride over to the monorail resorts and see some more Christmas deco before we can get in MK at 4:00. Maybe even stop at the Gingerbread house in the GF. Here are some pics from Whispering Canyon in 2012:
















Seriously love this resort. I really considered staying here for this trip and definitely want to sometime in the next couple of trips. But BW sold me on the location to Epcot and the Studios, especially with this quick of a trip.
OK, hope everyone has a great start to this weekend, Billie and I are heading to DSM with some friends to watch an I-Cubs game....sans kids!!

I'll keep up on writing better than I have lately, and if youre reading, please feel free to post!!

 

[mblc14]

ADR's for Dec. 12th. Someone will be turning 12 today!!!

Only planning on breakfast and dinner today with ADR's....for now.


9:15 at Cape May Cafe.
This breakfast looks fun! We have never ate here, but just being able to walk over will make things so simple for us since some of us are not morning people. LG will more than likely be up and ready to go early on her birthday, holding her off until 9:15 might be difficult.


5:55 Garden Grill
Another new place for us, it sounds like they fixed it so the restaurant rotates again. We were planning on going either way. Just another character meal we can check off our list, and another Mickey costume that will be new to us. Will have to try and get a Soarin FP+ time a little before our time.


The menus at both places look simple enough for us, we arent a very adventurous group of eaters. We keep it pretty simple for the most part. The question remains if there will be any changes to this or not by the time we actually go, which is still so far far away....but am enjoying reading some of awesome TR's from people that just got back and am looking forward to seeing some people have their trips that are coming up quickly!! Thank goodness for the Dis to live vicariously through everyone else's trips!!

Happy Sunday to everyone, hope you have an enjoyable day!! I'll leave you with a pic from our Iowa Cubs game we went to with 2 other couple last night. The I-Cubs are the AAA team for the Chicago Cubs, its the last stop before these guys make it to the majors, so there is always some up and coming player, or a big leaguer rehabbing some injury. We all started to take some pics when the sun finally went down and out of our faces and started to play around with the panoramic setting on our phones. So here was mine...

 

[mblc14]

ADR's for Dec.13th....gonna try and pack as much as we can into this 2nd full, and last day. This trip is gonna be soooo fast.


Kona Cafe 8:55 Breakfast.
I really think that the wife will enjoy the Tonga Toast, and I am sure I will too. Not sure if I will order it. I am sure she will let me borrow a bite or two!! SO many rave reviews about it, sounds like something we just have to try. This is already a change from the original plans from last week. Originally scheduled O'Hana breakfast for this morning. LG and I went there our first trip and really enjoyed it. But as I was looking over the ADR's, there was only one non-character meal planned. Not that we didnt enjoy ourselves, or the food, the last time we went. It just seemed like a like a little much. So, it looks like Kona will make a great alternative. Menu looks very good.

Chef Mickey's 7:10 Dinner.
Still not real sure about this one. Might change if something else comes up, or if we can snag a BOG FP+ for lunch that day. Not sure really. We do love CM, it had been the first place we had done the previous 2 trips and it was a great way to start off each trip with the character interactions. Maybe it will also be a great way to wrap up a trip. Always thought the food was ok, but never great. Except for some of the desserts....lol. So, we will have to see if this one sticks or not....

CM blast from the past...
2012


2007



Cant believe thats it for the ADR's already. But we are only there for 2 and half days, so it is what it is. Still excited for this surprise to go down. We just saw a commercial for the Great Wolf LOdge and LG throws out, "Thats where we're going for my birthday!" Love it!! Billie found some Christmas Disney shirts in the Ozarks yesterday, so even though we are 170 days out...its nice to get little things here and there for this trip as we go along.


Well Happy Monday to everyone! LG has swim team this morning and volleyball camp this afternoon. Our niece is also up for the Summer and staying with her Mom for the summer. (Billie's sister) Kids are excited to see her and to have her around this Summer. They never get to see her.

 

[mblc14]

Thought I'd see where I ranked....still have a lot of work to do!!



{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252
{\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;}
{\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;}
\deftab720
\pard\pardeftab720\sa320\partightenfactor0

\f0\fs22 \cf2 \cb3 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0
\outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec2

\
I've eaten at 17 out of 247 restaurants at Walt Disney World (7%)\
I've eaten at 5 out of 87 quick service/counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World (6%)\
I've eaten at 10 out of 73 table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World (14%)\
I've eaten at 2 out of 18 signature restaurants at Walt Disney World (11%)\
I've eaten at 0 out of 3 dinner show restaurants at Walt Disney World (0%)\

 

[mblc14]

Almost forgot that I made this online awhile back until it came last week. The kids love it and luckily we were able to hide the flyer that came with it since it says you've booked an upcoming trip. Only 159 more days to go!!



Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!!!

 

[mblc14]

Hello to anyone that is reading.

Hope everyone has been having a great Summer no matter where you are. It's been a little cooler than usual here in Iowa, which we are definitely ok with!

Already have had to make a small adjustment to the ADR's. Lately, when watching something on YouTube on Disney, or just talking Disney in general, LG and Chance have mentioned they would both like to eat at Coral Reef again like we did last trip. I ad to remind them that we may not get a tankside table again like we did last time, but they didnt seem to care. They just liked eating and watching the fish. So, I squeezed us in a lunch on the 12th and pushed back dinner at Garden Grill for that evening to give us some time to do some Epcot things between lunch and dinner and then head over to HS to see the Osborne Lights.

Here are some pics from our 4th of July with family. Its a little late, but I was having trouble with my Photobucket phone app and getting some of the pics uploaded.

My Dad with Chance