Disney (9/22 - 9/29/09) Pre-trip Report..the Planning of a Surprise Trip

[Mickey_Dust]

Here is our crazy cast:

(This picture is from Disney Trip #1 in 2007)

The Mommy, (Tessa) I am the planner of all things family related. I absolutely love Disney It was only when I saw Disney through the eyes of my children in 2007 that I really fell in love.. Now can anyone say obsessed!!! LOL! I am a SAHM, tossing around the idea of going back to school. I like to think I keep everything running smoothly here at home.

The Daddy, (Dennis) He is the bread winner in the house, he is also my rock, the kids jungle gym, and the official okayer when it comes to vacations. (Grrrr I don't like that part). We have been married for 9 years we consider each other our best friends. Life is good because of him.

Big Sis, (Rinne) She is a typical little girl, all attitude and tests every limit put on her, ughhh and she is only 6. She is lover of all things disney, especially Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana and Princesses.

Big Bo, (Connor) He is my (3 year old) special man, who knew that I would have a boy that could make me be "That Mother-In-Law"... Anyway Connor has Verbal Apraxia and is difficult to understand most of the time (for those who don't know him). He also has several Severe food allergies which is a big reason why we love disney so much! He loves all things Disney, Especially Monsters, Inc., Cars and Toy Story.

Bo (Will) (He is the one in my tummy in the picture) William is my little Bully, He is 18 months and doesn't take lightly to being the little guy. He copies everything his big brother says and does and wants everything his sister has. Right now he is a typical toe-head, but I presume that will change in time, but if not.... look out girls! This trip is Will's first trip (outside of mommy). I am really confident he will love it.

Well that is us! Next post will be about the trip.

Table of Contents
ADR's Post #3
First Draft Itinerary Post #10​

 

[Mickey_Dust]

One day out of the clear blue (kinda like a dream coming true) I got a phone call from my DH while he was at work he was asking if I knew how much a few days in Disney would cost, and if they were going to do the Free Dining this year... I told him I would look into it and we would talk later. So to the internet I went, Stopping at Disboards and Disney.com I got my info and made my lists, ready to give him the lowdown.

I was a little disappointed when he said he was looking to go for only 3 or 4 days. I stayed calm and stated the facts... That going for 5 or more days was a bigger bang for your buck. So the reservation #1 was hatched.. Sept. 19 - Sept. 26th. (At Pop Century, no park hopper on the hopeful free dining plan and driving). I was happy with the reservation as it stood, but I was doing some serious wishing on finding some cheap airfare for all of us. Again like a fairy was listening to my wishes and granting them Free Dining was released and then shortly after that Southwest released its Sept. reservations... Presto! Resonable airfare for our family of 5 (one lap baby). There was a slight change of plans though : We had to add a day to our reservation and change the dates. In changing our dated Pop Century was not available any longer, so next choice was All Star movies (Okay twist my arm and we have to stay in a preferred room).

So that is it Sept. 22 - sept. 29, All Star Movies (Preferred Room) no Park Hopper, and Free Dining all with the benefit of not having a 20 hour drive with 3 non-stop kids!

The kids don't know anything about it, more on the big reveal later... And my passion begins the planning and putting together the FAMILY DISNEY VACATION 2009.

 

[Mickey_Dust]

90 Days!!!!

My alarm was set for 6:30AM and my Coffee was in hand I didn't look my best but my date wasn't expecting me to look good just sound coherent. At 7 AM I met him... (Although I can't remember his name and he kept me waiting for 15 minutes) he did his job well.... Who was this unnamed man?? He was my CM that helped me make my ADR's. I came prepared I had my must have list and the alternative times and days for everything. It was a sucessful Date that lasted about an hour. (I should tell you now that I am terrible with names and I feel bad that I don't remember his name to give him credit, but sometime, okay most of the time, I forget my own son's name. ) Here is my list and Itinerary in its most basic form....

Day 1 - Arrive @ 9:40pm no Dining plans or Parks.
Day 2 - Magic Kingdom (Chef Mickey Breakfast 10:30am)
Day 3 - Epcot - Future World (Whispering Canyon 4:30pm)
Day 4 - Hollywood Studios (50's Prime Time 7:05pm)
Day 5 - Magic Kingdom (1900 Park Fare 5:10pm)
Day 6 - Epcot - World Showcase (Teppan Edo 5:30pm)
Day 7 - Animal kingdom (O'hana 5:30pm)
Day 8 - Magic Kingdom (Kona Cafe Breakfast 10:25am)

Grrrumble Grrrrrumble Grrrrumble .... My tummy is growling for disney dining!!!

We are returning to Chef Mickey and Ohana's (we did those during our 2007 trip) but the rest of them are all new and we are super excited to try them all!!! If you have any favorite dishes at the above Restaurants or can recommend a counter service in the respective parks I would value your opinion

here is a more recent picture of my unsuspecting children...

 

[Mickey_Dust]

I swear if someone was to be a fly on my wall most of the day they would be calling the Crazy Keepers to come and get me.

These are the normal everyday happenings...

-Today I walk into the kitchen to find my son sitting on the floor eating handful of sugar out of the sugar bag.
-My DAughter had this conversation with a friend of hers. Friend - "Wow, you have a Hannah Montana Poster." My Daughter - "You know it, Girl!"... (again my DD is 6).
-I wake last night to my youngest (18 months) crying which is not normal for him. So I go into his room to check on him I walk to his crib and step in something wet.. I look into the crib and find that he has taken off his diaper and proceeded to pee everywhere
-The Neighbor girl is standing by my front window and gestures that she wont go to the front door, (getting irritated I open the front door to ask why.) Well I find out why... Clinging to the screen is a creature... at first I thought it was a spider (to which I immediately thought to myself if that is a spider we are packing and moving right now.) I move closer and realize that nope its not a spider its a bat!! SO next thing I do is go get the neighbor and we being brave women go and check it out (of course I am armed with a tennis racket) we get close and confirm it is a bat... it hears us and flys away we scream and jump 10 feet (No~I didn't get to use the racket,)


I think I hear the Crazy keepers coming for me! (I will go as long as it is quiet)

Hopefully next I will have pictures of my Planning book... (I need a Disney Fix)

 

[Mickey_Dust]

This is just a regular 8X10 Scrapbook bought at the Craft store for about $10.00.

More to come....

 

[Mickey_Dust]

More of the planner...

I need to get the map of the Resort to put on here... (Work in progress)

The Park hours and Parade and Show times for the week we are there.

There are pages for each day we are there and they are all blank... to later be filled in with a photo of us and a journal of the days events...

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I am loving your PTR!! Your kids are adorable... I love your planner too, makes mine look plain... Maybe I need to fix that... I have every piece of Disney scrapbook accessory ever made...

We will be at All Star Sports from the 15th to the 28th... We stayed at Movies last year and thought it was very cute...

Keep it coming...

 

[Mickey_Dust]

I am loving your PTR!! Your kids are adorable... I love your planner too, makes mine look plain... Maybe I need to fix that... I have every piece of Disney scrapbook accessory ever made...

We will be at All Star Sports from the 15th to the 28th... We stayed at Movies last year and thought it was very cute...

Keep it coming...

Thanks for reading, I am enjoying trying keep up with the pre trip report. I wished I were more savy and could include links in my posts. Oh, well I guess that will come in time.

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

Great start to your trip report! Looking forward to seeing more!!

 

[Mickey_Dust]

Day 1 - Tuesday 9/22/09
Arrive in Orlando at 9:15 PM
Take Magical Express to All Star Movies
unwind and sleep, get ready for Day 2

Day 2 - Wednesday 9/23/09
MAGIC KINGDOM
Rope Drop Ceremony at 9:00 AM
Ride a few rides... No real plans
Take Monorail to Contemporary 10:15 AM
Breakfast at Chef Mickey's 10:40 AM
Back to MK for more rides and shows
Watch the Parade!! (We missed every one of the parades last time.)Have a snack
Counter Service - Dinner around 6:00 PM (Not sure where yet, will depend on the kids)
Rest at the Hotel in the evening, swim and explore.

Day 3 - Thursday 9/24/09
Epcot - Future World
7:30AM Breakfast in Room
Epcot at 9:00 AM
Rides and Shows no real plans
11:00 AM Counter Service - Lunch at Electric Umbrella, Sunshine Seasons and Cool Wash Pizza
(Because everyone will want something different!)
More Epcot rides and shows
Take Bus to WL or Monorail to MK then fairy to WL (Depending on the time)
Dinner at Whispering Canyon 4:30 PM
Back to resort for evening or to DTD​

Day 4 - Friday 9/25/09
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast in room - No rush to get to HS
Hollywood Studios Rides and Shows (TSM and Playhouse Live are must dos)
Counter Service - for Lunch later lunch.
Block Party at 3:00 is a must Do
50's Prime Time Cafe at 7:05 PM
Back to Resort for the night.

Day 5 - Saturday 9/26/09
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast in the room
Hang out at the resort or DTD
Lunch at Resort or go to Caribbean for lunch (to get kids meal in a bucket)
Magic Kingdom Rides and Shows
Take Monorail to Grand Floridian
1900 Park Fare 5:10
Magic Kingdom - Rides and Shows Wishes and Spectromagic.
Back to Resort

Day 6 - Sunday 9/27/09
Epcot - World Showcase
Eat in Room early
11:00 World Showcase opens - counter service in the "World"
See Shows at different Countries, do Kidcot and get Passport stamps
Dinner at Teppan Edo at 5:30 PM
See Illuminations

Day 7 - Monday 9/28/09
Animal Kingdom
Snack in Room Early!!
EMH at 8:00!!
Expore the park
Counter Service at AK
Explore the park more
Take Bus to Polynesian - O'Hana Dinner 5:30 PM
Rest at resort/ Pack/ DTD if time

Day 8 - Tuesday 9/29/09
Magic Kingdom
Pack and Check out....
Take Bus to MK & Monorail to Poly. Breakfast at Kona Cafe 10:25
Magic Kingdom for Rides and Shows missed or do-overs
Snack or Counterservice
Back to Resort at 3:00 Claim Baggage
Magical Express to Airport
Flight at 7:00 PM

I know its a little much but I will probably have many back-up plans too. I still have a TO-Do list to write... I will call it my 2 month out To Do List

 

[Mickey_Dust]

Great start to your trip report! Looking forward to seeing more!!

Thanks for reading! I am having a great time doing it...

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Days 2, 3 and 5 we are at the same park!!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Hi Tessa!
I followed you over from Jess's PTR!! I am loving your PTR so far. You planning binder is great, so creative. I am hoping that I can have a little of that creativity when I create the scrapbook from our trip...it will be my first one! Well I am joining in on your report and I look forward to reading more!!

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

Your plans look great! Lots of park action, but also, downtime and flexibility. Very nice

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I'm in! our trips overlap by a few days. Can't wait to hear about the surprise

 

[Mickey_Dust]

Days 2, 3 and 5 we are at the same park!!

Thats awesome! Maybe we will run into each other... I will have to get a set of those LGMH buttons you guys have to help identify us.

Hi Tessa!
I followed you over from Jess's PTR!! I am loving your PTR so far. You planning binder is great, so creative. I am hoping that I can have a little of that creativity when I create the scrapbook from our trip...it will be my first one! Well I am joining in on your report and I look forward to reading more!!

:Welcome: Thanks for reading and the comments on the binder, I plan on using ours more as a scrapbook when we come home too. I have saved lots of space in it for pictures and journal tags. We will see when it actually gets done though, hopefully before the next trip which isn't in the works for a while! More of the binder is coming soon.

Your plans look great! Lots of park action, but also, downtime and flexibility. Very nice

Thanks, With the kids the way they are it is best to plan downtime, or else we would deal with non-stop attitude all day everyday X's 3.

I'm in! our trips overlap by a few days. Can't wait to hear about the surprise

:Welcome:, more about the surprise is coming... I love Free Dining!!!

 

[Mickey_Dust]

This page is for Vacation Tips... (Hint, Hint ... So if you have any I can include, lets hear them!!

This menu doesn't apply to this trip, I replaced Crystal Palace with O'Hana.. and since we have already been to O'Hana the menu isn't a "Must" change right away.

Each menu page has some blank space for a picture of the kids or of the food!!

 

[Mickey_Dust]

This is a real display of all three of their personalities!! Mr. Attitude, Miss Princess and Mr. Smiley (Don't let the smile fool you he is a bully to the core!!)

My List of Lists to make
Packing List
-Clothing items
-Toiletries
-Misc. gear
-Medicines
Grocery List
Daily Planning Lists
Important Document List
Budget
Stuff to ship down.
To Do List
-misc. Stuff to get.
-Cleaning list

I am exhausted just thinking about it..

These are the lists I can complete now.
Misc. Gear
Double Stroller
Single stroller too* Possible
Backpack tether for William
Diapers
Swimmers
Sunscreen (Kids & Adult)
Sunglasses
Wipes
Laptop
Camera
Video Camera
Chargers
Cell Phone
Charger
Over the Door Organizer
Ziplock Baggies
Sheet for airplane seat

(I think I need a whole plane to ourselves to get our stuff there.)

Gotta get up early more lists tomorrow.

 

[Mickey_Dust]

I think I have a pretty good idea about most of the stuff that need to go with us, I am having the hardest time figuring out snacks and food. Do i ship the stuff of have it delivered or do I pack it and take it with us??

Here is my tentative grocery list....

Silk Very Vanilla Boxes - about 7 packs *they come in 3's*
Water could get away with 12 but 24 would be better
flavored water mixes.- one box for every other day so about 4 boxes
Milk (the kind that is self safe and not cold)

Cereal bars.
donut sticks or packs
muffins
Cereal boxes mini's

Gummy snacks
Power bars
pretzels
candies
yogart baby bites freeze dried
cookies
Crackers
Special K bars

Diapers
Wipes
Pull ups (Although these are only for nighttime so we don't need that many that we can't just pack them.)

If it wasn't for the water and the milk i would just pack everything in a hard shell suitcase, since we can check two bags per person for free. Thanks Southwest Airlines!

 

[Mickey_Dust]

Did you see that? We have 2 months today until we leave!! OMGosh!! I have to get on the ball~ ~ I guess I shouldn't be on here then..

So this Surprise is really wearing on me... I just finished our family shirts for MK day, the kids saw the shirts and all the other stuff I was doing.. I just told them that we are planning on wearing the shirts to get our pictures taken in. I will have to be more careful next time.

I will be placing my mickey ear order next week, plus I was thinking of getting one of those make your our sound cards and recording the Celebration song... that way when we give them their gift boxes they will have the card singing to them the "official" song!.

I would love to find those mickey shaped balloons to have in the box too kinda like the commercial., but I think that is going a little overboard. Maybe the card will be from Mickey Mouse??

How is this all going to happen, well in my head I have it all planned and it goes smooth, I know that in reality its probably not going to 1. plan out on paper as smoothly, and 2. play out without some kind of hitch happening.

We are leaving on a Tuesday and the kids will go to school as normal, while Connor is at Preschool we will pack the van, then pick him up and clean the house and prepare to go on an "Adventure". We will pick up Corinne from school at 2 and leave on the "Adventure". The story is still that we have to go somewhere and we will be stopping to eat along the way. (We will have been to pittsburgh a few time prior to the vacation so a trip to Pittsburgh will seem to be just another long car ride.) Well when we start getting close to the airport we will of course be seeing planes take off and land, we will ask the kids if they want to go see the planes? Of course the answer will be YES! then once we get the car parked we will tell them that we are gonna go see the planes and we have something that they will need to take with them... Cue the gift boxes!! Cue the Celebration Music, and Mickey Ears... and they will quickly get the idea and start the screaming!! I hope we get the reaction we are hoping for and that we get it on video!.

We will see what is truly going to happen in 2 months..