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[CAStevens218]

So I've been reading along whenever I have a few minute to spare and then running out of time to comment!! Time to catch up!

Your "illegal" walkway seems like a great place to watch the fireworks! I'm glad the Disney Police left you alone!!

Blake looks so happy in that picture with his Flounder! I remember that feeling of having a gift card or my own money to spend as a kid....it was such a cool feeling to buy something with it!

I'm glad you guys finally made it to the Tangled meet and greet! AND you made such great use of the time in line! A win-win!!!

 

[Dugette]

Okay, I'm way behind, so I'm going to comment as I read. Here goes:

That art store by the animation academy is a fun place to walk around! So many cool, unique things to look at.

The poncho-removal thing is so strange! We found out on this trip that they differentiate between ponchos and nearly-a-poncho-but-technically-a-raincoats. Only actual ponchos need to be removed. I still have no idea why!

Sweet of Andrew to share his doubloon with the little girl! Looks like they had a fun time at Disney Junior!

Glad you had a good visit to Sci Fi and the boys got commended on their behavior! I actually thought about Andrew and Blake on this last trip...I saw a lot of out of control little boys and kept thinking, "Andrew and Blake wouldn't do that!"

Uggghhh, 85 minutes for TSM?! Yikes!

Funny about your husband's random conversations with "Bob". I guess he's quite the social one!

Love the signs in the Monsters, Inc. greeting area! And Blake's "one eye" comment!

“And they all rolled over and one fell off..” Bummer that LMA was not super-fun. It's not our favorite either.

Cute Photopass pics leaving the Studios! on your conversation with the Photopass photographer! Nice magic shot!

Funny tram vs. walking race!

Love the story about watching Illuminations from the closed path! What a cool experience!

Nice pic of the Toy Story topiaries! F & G Festival looks so pretty!

Cute pic of Blake with Bruce!

Where was Rapunzel's tower? I kept an eye out for it in Epcot, but never saw it. Then again, I didn't know where to look!

Love all the topiary pics!

Nice view from the monorail on your way into that early MK morning.

Wow, Fantasyland was really empty when you went on that PPF FP run!

That whole Rapunzel meet and greet sounds so complicated! And that family in line by you... I'm glad that I'm okay with merely walking by and seeing the characters greeting other people!

Oh, goody, I'm all caught up now!

 

[jc040404]

John's so nice, letting you guys go explore while he held the line! Glad you got to enjoy that empty fantasy land! I just realized that you updated since I opened your thread (should have refreshed before starting to read)
Gonna go finish now!

I knew he'd offer to wait for us. John had actually once offered to wait in that ridiculous three hour line while I played with them if we couldn't manage something easier. He's awesome like that. I am super glad we didn't have to worry about that though.

Yay! Now I actually read the whole thing! (I hope!)
I'm glad you guys finally got to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. It seems like you guys had a lot of fun! Well, in the actual meet at least. I totally agree with you...the play part was kinda stupid. We didn't have any kids to take pictures of but I think I would have thought it was stupid even if my kids were down there coloring. The normal meet and greets are just fine! And besides you end up waiting in a line while watching other people meet the characters ANYWAY! Basically, you have to wait TWICE to meet them!
Yep, as Cogsworth says "If it's not baroque...don't fix it!"

Love the quote! I think that one about a lot of stuff. The coloring was just ridiculous. I need to read up on what's going on in the parks now. I remember seeing this one being cut little by little, so I hope they've changed it.

So I've been reading along whenever I have a few minute to spare and then running out of time to comment!! Time to catch up!

Your "illegal" walkway seems like a great place to watch the fireworks! I'm glad the Disney Police left you alone!!

Blake looks so happy in that picture with his Flounder! I remember that feeling of having a gift card or my own money to spend as a kid....it was such a cool feeling to buy something with it!

I'm glad you guys finally made it to the Tangled meet and greet! AND you made such great use of the time in line! A win-win!!!

You're not alone on the comment thing. I can't keep up with much lately, but I'm really trying to finish this thing!

Blake loves his Flounder even now. He immediately made friends with a big plush Nemo and they never leave the little guy's bed. The gift cards were great. We actually found Andrew's yesterday and it still has 1.94 on it! We're ready to go back to WDW!

Okay, I'm way behind, so I'm going to comment as I read. Here goes:

That art store by the animation academy is a fun place to walk around! So many cool, unique things to look at.

The poncho-removal thing is so strange! We found out on this trip that they differentiate between ponchos and nearly-a-poncho-but-technically-a-raincoats. Only actual ponchos need to be removed. I still have no idea why!

Sweet of Andrew to share his doubloon with the little girl! Looks like they had a fun time at Disney Junior!

Glad you had a good visit to Sci Fi and the boys got commended on their behavior! I actually thought about Andrew and Blake on this last trip...I saw a lot of out of control little boys and kept thinking, "Andrew and Blake wouldn't do that!"

Uggghhh, 85 minutes for TSM?! Yikes!

Funny about your husband's random conversations with "Bob". I guess he's quite the social one!

Love the signs in the Monsters, Inc. greeting area! And Blake's "one eye" comment!

“And they all rolled over and one fell off..” Bummer that LMA was not super-fun. It's not our favorite either.

Cute Photopass pics leaving the Studios! on your conversation with the Photopass photographer! Nice magic shot!

Funny tram vs. walking race!

Love the story about watching Illuminations from the closed path! What a cool experience!

Nice pic of the Toy Story topiaries! F & G Festival looks so pretty!

Cute pic of Blake with Bruce!

Where was Rapunzel's tower? I kept an eye out for it in Epcot, but never saw it. Then again, I didn't know where to look!

Love all the topiary pics!

Nice view from the monorail on your way into that early MK morning.

Wow, Fantasyland was really empty when you went on that PPF FP run!

That whole Rapunzel meet and greet sounds so complicated! And that family in line by you... I'm glad that I'm okay with merely walking by and seeing the characters greeting other people!

Oh, goody, I'm all caught up now!

So many comments!! Glad you're caught up!

I have no idea where that Rapunzel tower was now. I'm pretty sure we were in Germany. Does it look like Germany? I'm not even sure what country that story is supposed to take place in and Andrew's made us watch it soooo many times! Maybe by the trains? I think it really is gone now.

 

[IheartDDuck]

What a good husband you have waiting in line while you went with the boys and had some fun!

OMG at that family in line with you! Crazies. They're everywhere, aren't they?

OK, I think I missed something....I see a new ticker?

 

[jc040404]

What a good husband you have waiting in line while you went with the boys and had some fun!

OMG at that family in line with you! Crazies. They're everywhere, aren't they?

OK, I think I missed something....I see a new ticker?

Those people were really wild, and this wasn't our only experience with them that day. Aside from the dad's words with the little girl, they were more annoying-entertaining than anything else though. I don't know if that really makes sense..? The two girls were super cute anyway.

And the ticker.. Isn't it gorgeous? I've always wanted one, but it seemed pointless with how we do the parks. You missed nothing though. I never really brought it up. The way we are with plans, I was afraid to say or plan too much! We are definitely going back for something soon!

 

[arubio0801]

Love the new update! Especially the photos of the wishing well thats where me and DH got engaged Hows Andrew liking school? Hope you guys enjoyed your weekend!!

 

[jc040404]

Love the new update! Especially the photos of the wishing well thats where me and DH got engaged Hows Andrew liking school? Hope you guys enjoyed your weekend!!

Awwww!! What a perfect spot! How are you guys doing??

Andrew is still loving school and we had a great weekend! It was way too short though!

OT pics from today!! (since I'm cleaning up my camera right now.. I still had pics on there from Disney in July!! )

LOVE his backwards "L" in this one!

Icecream after the beach!

 

[GaRain]

FINALLY!!! Rapunzel and Flynn! Is Flynn still part of this M&G?
I think I would like to check out that smolder look and crooked goatee....
Hope the family behind you has lots of pictures to go with their forced memories....

 

[akayek31]

I am soooooo jealous There was no Flynn when we were there in September I waited an 1 hr and 45 min to meet her. She was a must do this trip. I heard rumors that Flynn was with Rapunzel during the MNSSHP but I could never find them.

 

[jc040404]

I am soooooo jealous There was no Flynn when we were there in September I waited an 1 hr and 45 min to meet her. She was a must do this trip. I heard rumors that Flynn was with Rapunzel during the MNSSHP but I could never find them.

I don't know what Disney is thinking! Flynn is such a huge part of that movie. Was Naveen gone when you were there? I can understand leaving out the boring ones, like Cinderella & Aurora's princes, but these guys are important! Glad you got to see her, but I wish you could've seen both.

FINALLY!!! Rapunzel and Flynn! Is Flynn still part of this M&G?
I think I would like to check out that smolder look and crooked goatee....
Hope the family behind you has lots of pictures to go with their forced memories....

It sounds like he's not.

Forced memories are the best memories, aren't they? Asking a child to smile for a pic is one thing, but this was over the top, totally crazy, "Let's pretend we're having the best time ever!" posing that nobody really wanted to do! I don't know how you could look at pics done this way and not remember how they came to be.

 

[AprilRenee]

The boys look so old in that ice cream pic!! I'm so sad that this is going to draw to a close soon.
You're going to do a TR for your upcoming trip right??

 

[jc040404]

I added that ticker, but never really said a thing about it. I'm working on this tonight, so here it is!

No, we're not getting APs again just yet. We couldn't possibly make it through the holidays without a dose of Disney though! The December trip is going to be very short, and with a budget in mind. I had trouble figuring a time when we definitely wouldn't busy.. and neither would the MK! We're only doing one day in the parks! (This would be a terrible way to do tickets, but I have three one day PH tickets, so it's actually super cheap for us. I only need to buy for Blakers. )

Here's what I'm thinking..

Day One-
Andrew has school and we're not interested in keeping him home or taking him out early for Disney. If we're only doing one day in the parks, I don't want a super early morning either! We're staying two nights. He'll finished the day and come home to change out of his uniform before we leave. Right now, I want to keep him somewhat on schedule with bedtime around 8:30 that night. Soooo, here's where I need help! What would you do with yourself that evening without park tickets?? I know we'll need to work dinner in, but I didn't plan on adding any TS meals this night. I'd LOVE to do that night's MVMCP and push bedtime instead, but it doesn't really agree with my "budget" plans.

Day Two-
Park day! We have a list of "must do" stuff that will include hopping from MK to DHS for a bit. I don't remember crowds being too bad in early December, so I hope it works out. Do buses go from park to park? We're thinking it might be smarter to take a bus directly instead of the journey out to the TTC and back. The idea is to make it back to MK by the end of the night for Wishes. We're all bus virgins, so I'm not sure if I should chance it. Thoughts? How long does it take? I'm worried about the stroller aspect, but we don't even have a working single stroller right now. Blake doesn't use one anymore and ours' will meet its end before this TR is over! I doubt he can manage open to close without one though, so I'm looking for something lighter than our Aria.

Day Three-
Mini Golf! The boys can't wait to do this at Disney! The plan is to get there at opening and play. We'll do Christmas shopping and lunch at DTD.

I think it sounds like a nice little getaway before the holidays, even if we won't be doing all that much! We've had lots of WDW time this year, so no one is upset about how short it'll be.

Everything changes if I can talk him into APs, of course!

 

[jc040404]

The boys look so old in that ice cream pic!! I'm so sad that this is going to draw to a close soon.
You're going to do a TR for your upcoming trip right??

Blake wishes he was older! Everyday, I hear how he wants to be five to go to school like brother. It's too sweet.

There's not going to be much to that trip, but I might! I cannot wait until we have APs again!! Sadly, I don't think we're going to bother until we can schedule something a little longer after the start of the year. I miss Mickey!!

 

[AprilRenee]

king..

Day One-
Andrew has school and we're not interested in keeping him home or taking him out early for Disney. If we're only doing one day in the parks, I don't want a super early morning either! We're staying two nights. He'll finished the day and come home to change out of his uniform before we leave. Right now, I want to keep him somewhat on schedule with bedtime around 8:30 that night. Soooo, here's where I need help! What would you do with yourself that evening without park tickets?? I know we'll need to work dinner in, but I didn't plan on adding any TS meals this night. I'd LOVE to do that night's MVMCP and push bedtime instead, but it doesn't really agree with my "budget" plans.
Could you do a CS at some cool resort? Maybe a deluxe? Just something different for that night. Maybe watch Holiday Wishes from the Poly? (oh...I guess that doesn't work for the whole 8:30 bedtime...)


Day Two-
Park day! We have a list of "must do" stuff that will include hopping from MK to DHS for a bit. I don't remember crowds being too bad in early December, so I hope it works out. Do buses go from park to park? We're thinking it might be smarter to take a bus directly instead of the journey out to the TTC and back. The idea is to make it back to MK by the end of the night for Wishes. We're all bus virgins, so I'm not sure if I should chance it. Thoughts? How long does it take? I'm worried about the stroller aspect, but we don't even have a working single stroller right now. Blake doesn't use one anymore and ours' will meet its end before this TR is over! I doubt he can manage open to close without one though, so I'm looking for something lighter than our Aria.

Definitely would drive. Buses don't go park to park so you'd have to take a bus from MK to a resort then bus to HS. OR you could monorail to a MK resort and then bus to HS. Either would work. Or just drive. Honestly, driving would probably be easier.
EDITED TO ADD: usually I plan on 45 min or so to transfer parks and hope it takes less time... I use this website to calculate how to get from place to place. It also tells you the transfer time

Day Three-
Mini Golf! The boys can't wait to do this at Disney! The plan is to get there at opening and play. We'll do Christmas shopping and lunch at DTD.
Sounds like fun!!
I think it sounds like a nice little getaway before the holidays, even if we won't be doing all that much! We've had lots of WDW time this year, so no one is upset about how short it'll be.

Everything changes if I can talk him into APs, of course!

Hope the bus info helps you! We have to rely on buses for our trips.
I'm excited that you get to go back soon!!

 

[Dugette]

Yay for details! I was hoping to hear more about your ticker!

I do have some feedback, but I've got to get to work early today, so no time right now. I'll try to pop on later with some thoughts on everything!

 

[jane2073]

Busses DO go from park to park.

They do not go from any of the parks to DTD.

If we are not at a park we usually go to DTD. But that sounds like what you are doing the third day.

You could always hotel hop. Take the monorail loop and go to the different hotels to check out the Christmas decorations. The Grand Floridian is known for their gingerbread house.

Blake looked much older in the ice cream picture! At least 4 1/2!

Glad Andrew is enjoying school.

 

[Dugette]

I added that ticker, but never really said a thing about it. I'm working on this tonight, so here it is!

No, we're not getting APs again just yet. We couldn't possibly make it through the holidays without a dose of Disney though! The December trip is going to be very short, and with a budget in mind. I had trouble figuring a time when we definitely wouldn't busy.. and neither would the MK! We're only doing one day in the parks! (This would be a terrible way to do tickets, but I have three one day PH tickets, so it's actually super cheap for us. I only need to buy for Blakers. )

So, I don't know how you got the 1-day PH tickets, but in most cases (unless they were free, I think), you can use them towards an AP upgrade. I don't know the exact prices right now, but I bet those 1-day tickets are a good amount towards the cost of APs. Also, I don't think you said where you're staying, but I'm assuming it's on property, so you could get an AP discount then too. Maybe that will help talk him into it...

Here's what I'm thinking..

Day One-
Andrew has school and we're not interested in keeping him home or taking him out early for Disney. If we're only doing one day in the parks, I don't want a super early morning either! We're staying two nights. He'll finished the day and come home to change out of his uniform before we leave. Right now, I want to keep him somewhat on schedule with bedtime around 8:30 that night. Soooo, here's where I need help! What would you do with yourself that evening without park tickets?? I know we'll need to work dinner in, but I didn't plan on adding any TS meals this night. I'd LOVE to do that night's MVMCP and push bedtime instead, but it doesn't really agree with my "budget" plans.

I'm with AprilRenee--having a hard time coming up with things compatible with an 8:30pm bedtime. The fireworks from the Poly beach are great (we did that this last trip), but late. I also thought maybe you could catch Yehaa Bob and grab dinner at Port Orleans (which we never did, but I hear it's great), but looks like he doesn't start until 8:30pm. Checking out some of the resort holiday decorations might be your best bet. And grabbing some quick service dinner at one of them (Captain Cook's at the Poly is good...and has Dole Whip!) The gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian is great. The stuff over at the Beach Club (and other resorts nearby) is great too. Maybe you could go to the Boardwalk area and check out the entertainment and stop into some resorts? And eat dinner at Beaches 'N' Cream? Mmmmmmmm....

Day Two-
Park day! We have a list of "must do" stuff that will include hopping from MK to DHS for a bit. I don't remember crowds being too bad in early December, so I hope it works out. Do buses go from park to park? We're thinking it might be smarter to take a bus directly instead of the journey out to the TTC and back. The idea is to make it back to MK by the end of the night for Wishes. We're all bus virgins, so I'm not sure if I should chance it. Thoughts? How long does it take? I'm worried about the stroller aspect, but we don't even have a working single stroller right now. Blake doesn't use one anymore and ours' will meet its end before this TR is over! I doubt he can manage open to close without one though, so I'm looking for something lighter than our Aria.

As far as I know, buses sometimes run from park to park, but not all parks. I wouldn't count on that, as we once got stuck in a situation where we expected a direct connection, but had to go to a resort instead. If you haven't checked out the GF's gingerbread house yet, you could do that as your connection one way (monorail to/from MK, bus to/from DHS) and maybe another resort on the way back. There are other connections, but they all involve a resort (i.e. bus from MK to Boardwalk, then take boat to DHS) and with as little park time as you have, that might take up too much time in transport. Also, if you do take buses, try to avoid the crowded times (like right after fireworks) or you and the boys and the stroller will be packed on tight--mid-day should be pretty quiet, though. And early December is usually pretty slow, in general.

Day Three-
Mini Golf! The boys can't wait to do this at Disney! The plan is to get there at opening and play. We'll do Christmas shopping and lunch at DTD.

I think it sounds like a nice little getaway before the holidays, even if we won't be doing all that much! We've had lots of WDW time this year, so no one is upset about how short it'll be.

Everything changes if I can talk him into APs, of course!

Yay for the mini-golf...I'm assuming Winter/Summerland? Great for December and holiday spirit! Downtown Disney sounds like a nice way to wrap things up!

Can't wait to hear about it!

 

[jc040404]

Hope the bus info helps you! We have to rely on buses for our trips.
I'm excited that you get to go back soon!!

Weird. I guess it doesn't quote the quote when you reply? The idea of watching Holiday Wishes from the beach sounds kinda neat. I've never really looked at CS at any resort that we weren't staying at either. I may have to give in a little on the bedtime. With him having school that day, we'll have a pretty early start. Hopefully they nap okay on the drive. I worry about possible meltdowns and then having a bad night of sleep to hurt the next day.

I already feel lost about this bus thing so I think we'll stick with the car! It definitely shouldn't take 45 minutes to get from the park to the parking lot unless there are some major monorail/ferry issues. Wouldn't it be nice if the monorail really did connect everything? I'll keep dreaming!

Busses DO go from park to park.

They do not go from any of the parks to DTD.

If we are not at a park we usually go to DTD. But that sounds like what you are doing the third day.

You could always hotel hop. Take the monorail loop and go to the different hotels to check out the Christmas decorations. The Grand Floridian is known for their gingerbread house.

Blake looked much older in the ice cream picture! At least 4 1/2!

Glad Andrew is enjoying school.

More bus confusion. I bet I never try one at all. haha.. I like the resort hopping idea and have enjoyed looking at TRs where others have done it. I'll have to discuss this one with Andrew. I could combine it with the beach Wishes thing even. Earlier today I started pricing the Ice/Snow stuff at Gaylord Palms, too. I suppose it wouldn't fit my "be as cheap as possible!" goal, but it looks nifty and John's wanted to go before we started all this Disney stuff. Ever been?

Blake does look so much older in that pic, but he's still such a little guy. We haven't even hit that magic height for Kali River Rapids yet!

So, I don't know how you got the 1-day PH tickets, but in most cases (unless they were free, I think), you can use them towards an AP upgrade. I don't know the exact prices right now, but I bet those 1-day tickets are a good amount towards the cost of APs. Also, I don't think you said where you're staying, but I'm assuming it's on property, so you could get an AP discount then too. Maybe that will help talk him into it...

The tickets were free and can't be upgraded. That's totally fine, but I would've been jumping on that idea now if they could! We're staying at Pop again. Gotta stay in the budget! It's ALL Blake talks about when we mention going to Disney.

I'm with AprilRenee--having a hard time coming up with things compatible with an 8:30pm bedtime. The fireworks from the Poly beach are great (we did that this last trip), but late. I also thought maybe you could catch Yehaa Bob and grab dinner at Port Orleans (which we never did, but I hear it's great), but looks like he doesn't start until 8:30pm. Checking out some of the resort holiday decorations might be your best bet. And grabbing some quick service dinner at one of them (Captain Cook's at the Poly is good...and has Dole Whip!) The gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian is great. The stuff over at the Beach Club (and other resorts nearby) is great too. Maybe you could go to the Boardwalk area and check out the entertainment and stop into some resorts? And eat dinner at Beaches 'N' Cream? Mmmmmmmm....

Oooohhh.. I didn't even think about Beaches n Cream! We never have tried that place. That area would be totally new to us!

As far as I know, buses sometimes run from park to park, but not all parks. I wouldn't count on that, as we once got stuck in a situation where we expected a direct connection, but had to go to a resort instead. If you haven't checked out the GF's gingerbread house yet, you could do that as your connection one way (monorail to/from MK, bus to/from DHS) and maybe another resort on the way back. There are other connections, but they all involve a resort (i.e. bus from MK to Boardwalk, then take boat to DHS) and with as little park time as you have, that might take up too much time in transport. Also, if you do take buses, try to avoid the crowded times (like right after fireworks) or you and the boys and the stroller will be packed on tight--mid-day should be pretty quiet, though. And early December is usually pretty slow, in general.

Bus idea is out! Now I'm wondering why I thought that would be a faster option.

Yay for the mini-golf...I'm assuming Winter/Summerland? Great for December and holiday spirit! Downtown Disney sounds like a nice way to wrap things up!

Can't wait to hear about it!

Of course! I can't decide if I should share some of the pics I've seen of the place in TRs (like yours'!) with the boys ahead of time or let them see it all when we get there. That place looks perfect for the time of year.

 

[IheartDDuck]

You got some good answers, but I was going to add that the only park that takes you to other parks is Animal Kingdom. I've never seen a park to park bus at other locations. However, if you wanted to go from DHS to Magic Kingdom, you could take the bus to the Contemporary and walk. Or vice versa. Walk to the Contemporary and take a bus to DHS.

 

[PirateKate]

If I had a free evening at Disney World with two little boys, I'd do one of two things:

1. Eat dinner at Captain Cook's at the Polynesian, let the boys play in the sand on the beach, tour the monorail resorts and check out the Christmas decorations at each, (maybe include some sort of a game, like buying a cookie or trinket at each resort), and if there was any time left, we'd take the boat over to Fort Wilderness for the bonfire.

2. Eat dinner at Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge, explore the resort, maybe find a playground, see the animals through night vision goggles, sit by the fire-pit, and get lots of zebra domes, which I haven't had before, but I'd love to try some.

Meeting Rapunzel and Flynn looks like it was a cool experience, although an hour and a half still seems a bit daunting to me. It was nice that you and the boys got to go on some rides, though. I do wish Flynn was still there.