Disney Every Day - Update 10/21 – 1, 2, 3! We’re Leaving for Orlando Tomorrow!

[Tink-erin-belle]

I hope this subject matter isn't too boring for you guys, but that last post got me thinking about the camera apps I have on my phone:



I haven't used Camera Fun Pro even once, so I don't know what it does. We already talked about Instagram. Paper Camera was the free app of the day on the Amazon app store one day, so I got it but I only used it once before today. I've also never used Photo Enhance. Wow, I need to try out those two apps to see if they're worth using up space on my phone. QuickPic is a good app because it helps to organize pictures on your phone and you can even password protect folders if there are certain pictures or videos you don't want people to see. Retro Camera+ is what I used to put filters on my pics back when Instagram wasn't available for Droid. I used to play this daily picture scavenger hunt online and take the pictures with Retro to make an otherwise boring pic look interesting and artsy. I wasn't fooling anyone

OK, so I'm about to post roughly 15 different pictures of the same thing If you're not interested, skipping these won't hurt my feelings So these pictures were taken using Retro Camera+ :

The Barbl:



Little Orange Box:



Xolaroid 2000:



Pinhole Camera:



Fudge Cam:



Hipsteroku:



The other app is the Paper Camera app. As I said, I've hardly used this app, so I took a few pictures with it today. And when I say "a few" I mean 11 Clearly, my boss wasn't at work today

Comic Boom:



Sketch Up:



Acquarello:



Old Printer:



Neon Cola:



Contours:



Bleaching:



Gotham Noir:



Half Ton:



Granny's Paper:



Pastel Perfect:



Andy Pop:



I wouldn't use either of these apps to take important pictures in Disney World, but I think it might be fun to use them while waiting in line. Oh, and I just remembered that I got another camera app last week called Fast Burst Camera Lite. It is supposed to be a high speed camera app that will help phones take better action shots. I pointed the camera out of the bus window and it seemed to take decent shots. I won't bore you with those - especially since you just sat through a hundred pics of an umbrella! The true test will be taking pictures of the kids. Do you all have any other camera apps that you like?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I love reading your posts Erin, it's like we're just hanging out chatting! I have Instagram, but meh...as a professional photographer, it annoys me. I cannot do really anything I want and just changing filters gets old to me. AND, Savannah says I use it all wrong. I'm supposed to be using the site to look at other people's shots, but I'm just not interested in camera phone pics that have filters, so I have only messed with it to spruce stuff up occasionally. I cannot wait to upgrade my Iphone, I have a 3Gs currently and the camera is horrible!

 

[-Hope-]

Great updates, Erin! Happy one year!

Yep, meltdowns are an inevitable part of our trips as well. I always say that we are who we are no matter what so our annoying habits will always go on vacation with us.

That bus story cracks me up!

I haven't tried many camera apps for my phone (I just got a smart phone so haven't had much time to mess with it). I was really hoping to like the camera on my phone enough to use it as my main camera when we go to US but I'm not convinced yet. We'll see.

I do know I still owe you a PM but life has been crazy- I haven't forgotten you though!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Well hello, my friend.....Finally I have a minute to catch up on your ptr. I agree with Karen and love the way you write --- it is like you are right here chatting away.

Wow....lots of changes since I've been gone. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your homeschooling choice. You are doing what you feel is best for your family. Like Karen and Hope said, do lots of research and you will do just great! We all have faith in you! I'm proud of you for making that hard, hard decision. Victoria's first day of high school didn't go so well (after all, she was working on 4 hours of sleep) but yesterday was alot better, so I'm remaining hopeful.

Yeah, I don't recommend 7am shopping trips for you anymore. It sounds like you are an impulse shopper and that's not good especially with caffeine in your system. But you did walk to the other bus stop, so that's a good thing! Now that I'm used to walking a zillion miles per day, I will have to keep it up!

So, your trip will overlap mine!! Yep, we booked the bounceback Free Dining offer which starts August 18, 2013! We booked CBR, but there's plenty of time to change our minds (who am I kidding ---- MY MIND!) prior to that time. At least I got the Free Dining. I honestly don't think we could swing it otherwise. I'm seriously considering POP.....Our Magical Express took us to POP and then to Art of Animation prior to CBR and I just think both of them are so cute! But I don't need a suite, so POP it would be if we go that route. We'll see. Due to our meltdowns this time around, I am NOT READY to start planning another trip. Or I am ready to plan a solo trip!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Well hello, my friend.....Finally I have a minute to catch up on your ptr. I agree with Karen and love the way you write --- it is like you are right here chatting away.

Wow....lots of changes since I've been gone. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your homeschooling choice. You are doing what you feel is best for your family. Like Karen and Hope said, do lots of research and you will do just great! We all have faith in you! I'm proud of you for making that hard, hard decision. Victoria's first day of high school didn't go so well (after all, she was working on 4 hours of sleep) but yesterday was alot better, so I'm remaining hopeful.

Yeah, I don't recommend 7am shopping trips for you anymore. It sounds like you are an impulse shopper and that's not good especially with caffeine in your system. But you did walk to the other bus stop, so that's a good thing! Now that I'm used to walking a zillion miles per day, I will have to keep it up!

So, your trip will overlap mine!! Yep, we booked the bounceback Free Dining offer which starts August 18, 2013! We booked CBR, but there's plenty of time to change our minds (who am I kidding ---- MY MIND!) prior to that time. At least I got the Free Dining. I honestly don't think we could swing it otherwise. I'm seriously considering POP.....Our Magical Express took us to POP and then to Art of Animation prior to CBR and I just think both of them are so cute! But I don't need a suite, so POP it would be if we go that route. We'll see. Due to our meltdowns this time around, I am NOT READY to start planning another trip. Or I am ready to plan a solo trip!!!

WHAT MELTDOWNS?!?!?!? WHERE is the TRIP REPORT?!?!?!? Running of to check your PTR and dying to know about the trip!!!!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Oh, there were meltdowns, Karen! Just check out my siggie for the trip report. I've only written a couple of lines so far, but more is coming.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I love reading your posts Erin, it's like we're just hanging out chatting! I have Instagram, but meh...as a professional photographer, it annoys me. I cannot do really anything I want and just changing filters gets old to me. AND, Savannah says I use it all wrong. I'm supposed to be using the site to look at other people's shots, but I'm just not interested in camera phone pics that have filters, so I have only messed with it to spruce stuff up occasionally. I cannot wait to upgrade my Iphone, I have a 3Gs currently and the camera is horrible!

Thanks, Karen! Yeah, we might as well chat since it’s still too early to plan What am I saying? It’s never too early to plan! So you can’t get into Instagram either, huh? Yeah, it’s kinda boring. My sister’s boyfriend posted 101 pictures of their new dog and, while the dog is adorable, I don’t really want to see 700 pictures of him using different filters! The iPhone camera seems to be really good! I think the iPhone 5 is coming out in October, so that would be cool if you could get it for your trip

Great updates, Erin! Happy one year!

Yep, meltdowns are an inevitable part of our trips as well. I always say that we are who we are no matter what so our annoying habits will always go on vacation with us.

That bus story cracks me up!

I haven't tried many camera apps for my phone (I just got a smart phone so haven't had much time to mess with it). I was really hoping to like the camera on my phone enough to use it as my main camera when we go to US but I'm not convinced yet. We'll see.

I do know I still owe you a PM but life has been crazy- I haven't forgotten you though!

Thanks, Hope! Not that I am glad that other families have meltdowns on trips, but I am glad that our family isn’t the only one! It sure feels that way when we’re in the middle of a park and someone loses it! I hope you like using your phone for pictures. I really like using mine – mostly because it is very easy for me to upload them to Flickr – but I don’t think it can ever replace my point-and-shoot.

Thank you for the PM! I forgot to mention in my reply that I understand that life can get hectic, so no worries about not PMing me sooner! I’m just glad I have some DISbuddies that can help me along the homeschooling process!

Well hello, my friend.....Finally I have a minute to catch up on your ptr. I agree with Karen and love the way you write --- it is like you are right here chatting away.

Wow....lots of changes since I've been gone. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your homeschooling choice. You are doing what you feel is best for your family. Like Karen and Hope said, do lots of research and you will do just great! We all have faith in you! I'm proud of you for making that hard, hard decision. Victoria's first day of high school didn't go so well (after all, she was working on 4 hours of sleep) but yesterday was alot better, so I'm remaining hopeful.

Yeah, I don't recommend 7am shopping trips for you anymore. It sounds like you are an impulse shopper and that's not good especially with caffeine in your system. But you did walk to the other bus stop, so that's a good thing! Now that I'm used to walking a zillion miles per day, I will have to keep it up!

So, your trip will overlap mine!! Yep, we booked the bounceback Free Dining offer which starts August 18, 2013! We booked CBR, but there's plenty of time to change our minds (who am I kidding ---- MY MIND!) prior to that time. At least I got the Free Dining. I honestly don't think we could swing it otherwise. I'm seriously considering POP.....Our Magical Express took us to POP and then to Art of Animation prior to CBR and I just think both of them are so cute! But I don't need a suite, so POP it would be if we go that route. We'll see. Due to our meltdowns this time around, I am NOT READY to start planning another trip. Or I am ready to plan a solo trip!!!

Thanks, Ann! I feel like I could chat with you guys all day. Well, sometimes I do chat with you on these boards all day! Thank you for being supportive about my homeschooling decision. I hope Victoria adjusts to high school well! Yeah, four hours of sleep would make me have a bad day too! Poor thing! Yes, I am very much an impulse shopper! I have to stop myself from buying things all of the time! I’m getting MUCH better at it, but when I see Disney items, I have a hard time resisting! I have to remember that my goal is to go to Disney World, not just to buy the merchandise! Walking has been great exercise for me and I hope I can keep it up, too, so that I can be ready to walk a zillion miles a day! I’m so glad our trips overlap!!! That is cool you got the bounceback offer

WHAT MELTDOWNS?!?!?!? WHERE is the TRIP REPORT?!?!?!? Running of to check your PTR and dying to know about the trip!!!!

I know, Karen! I can’t wait to hear more about Ann’s trip!

Oh, there were meltdowns, Karen! Just check out my siggie for the trip report. I've only written a couple of lines so far, but more is coming.

There should be a meltdown thread where we all get to let it all out about the drama on our trips! Then, people who read it will say, “OK, maybe my family isn’t so bad! Everyone has meltdowns!”

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I was just about to post an update for this PTR when I got a text from my mom. As you all know, we are easing our way into this homeschooling thing. Last night after work, I took the kids to Target to pick up a book. My only requests were that it had to be fiction and it had to be a chapter book. After going back and forth with True about how the Justin Bieber biography didn’t qualify because it wasn’t fiction ( ) she and Coy picked out a book each. I asked them to fit at least an hour of reading in today, but when I called to check on them, they hadn’t read anything yet. I was starting to get nervous, but then I got the text from my mom that said that they made coffee and were reading! I wrote back, “Oh my! Coffee and a book!” I’m picturing them sitting by the windows with their cups of Joe and reading I’m really proud of them that they read like they said they would – and without much prompting from me or my mom! Now all I have to worry about is the coffee. Please let it be decaf! Heaven help me if it isn’t decaf!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

So what's wrong with caffine ??????

Hey, I was thinking.....I'm going to be purchasing the photopass plus anyways for my trip in August 2013 and our trips are within the 14 day window we have to use the plus, so if you want to, you can share with me! It can be a little challenging from what I hear (as for the character meals) but from what I've read it's doable. Just something for you to think about. Like I said, I'm going to buy it for myself anyways!!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

So what's wrong with caffine ??????

Hey, I was thinking.....I'm going to be purchasing the photopass plus anyways for my trip in August 2013 and our trips are within the 14 day window we have to use the plus, so if you want to, you can share with me! It can be a little challenging from what I hear (as for the character meals) but from what I've read it's doable. Just something for you to think about. Like I said, I'm going to buy it for myself anyways!!

I’m afraid that two kids going is what I have to look forward to tonight! This is going to be an interesting evening! Yeah, I would love to share a Photopass+!!! Thanks for offering! That will be great to cut that cost in half – and I know we are going to take full advantage of all of the picture taking opportunities It might be challenging, but we are DISers! We can figure it out!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

We are finally under a year out from our trip, so I was able to go on to touringplans.com to check out the crowd calendar. For those who don’t use that site, it assigns days a number based on how crowded they expect it to be or not to be in the parks. To be, or not to be, that is the question! OK, I have problems So the crowds are numbered 1 through 10. 1 through 3 being low crowds, 4 through 6 being moderate crowds and 7 through 10 being high crowds. I was very happy to see that the anticipated crowd levels for our vacation dates next year are between 3 and 6! Actually, there is a “7” in there, but I’m just pretending I don’t see that I made up a spreadsheet with the dates and the crowd levels on there. Based on that, I made up a rough draft of our park days. This schedule is probably going to change quite a few times before the trip, but here it is for now:

Wednesday, 08/21 – Magic Kingdom
Thursday, 08/22 – Animal Kingdom
Friday, 08/23 – Hollywood Studios
Saturday, 08/24 – Universal Studios
Sunday, 08/25 – Universal Studios
Monday, 08/26 – EPCOT
Tuesday, 08/27 – Magic Kingdom
Wednesday, 08/28 – Sea World
Thursday, 08/29 – EPCOT or Relaxing Day
Friday, 08/30 – Relaxing Day or EPCOT
Saturday, 08/31 – Animal Kingdom
Sunday – 09/01 – Hollywood Studios/Magic Kingdom

From 08/21 to 08/25 or 08/26, my sisters could be with us, so I wanted to be sure to visit all of the Disney Parks as well as get in a couple of days at US. We’ll have hoppers, so if we wanted to go to a different park later in the day, we could. All that mattered to me was that the MK would be the first park and the last park that we visited on our trip. I put US on Saturday and Sunday because, according to Touring Plans, those two days will have the lowest crowd levels in Disney. By extension, I figured that those would be the two least crowded days in US. I could be all wrong! The same logic applied to the SW day: Wednesday was the lowest crowd level day in WDW that week.

I have to do some more research on the Sea World and Universal tickets. Have any of you ever purchased an Orlando Flex ticket? I have to do the math on that. You may have also noticed that there are only 8 park days planned, but that my plan so far is to get 10 day hoppers. I’ll have to wait until the hours come out, but either I’ll just get 8 day hoppers or I’ll keep the 10 day hoppers so that we can visit WDW after spending the day in US or SW. There is only about a $64 difference between the 8 and the 10 day hoppers with water park option. Oh no! I forgot about the water parks! There goes our “relaxing day”! OK, these plans are going to change A LOT! I can already tell! The relaxing day was supposed to be either 08/29 or 08/30. I originally scheduled it for 08/30 because that is one of the higher crowd level days, but I thought it would be better to go to EPCOT within the last few days of our trip, so I’m thinking about doing it on 08/29 instead. I don’t know! Seemed to make sense at the time! You know what? I think it is too early to plan park days! The hours won’t be out for months and it is difficult to decide what to do without knowing when EMH will be or what times parades will be going on. I’m just so excited about planning! I almost wish I could be a Disney travel agent! I just wouldn’t like the pressure of making sure someone else’s vacation was perfect.

Anyway, this wasn’t a total waste of time! I can see that I will have two days in each Disney park – that is, except for MK where I will likely have 2.5 days. I plan on getting the DDP, so that will mean one table service meal per day. I’ll have to figure out what restaurants I really want to share with my sisters and be sure to make ADRs for those early in the trip. Right now, I’m thinking Crystal Palace in MK so we can get that before-park-opening picture, Garden Grill in EP because that is my absolute favorite, 50’s Prime Time Café in HS because none of us have ever done that and I think the interaction will be funny, and Tusker House in AK because…well, because it is Tusker House and it is awesome! We also have to fit in a meal with the princesses. I have no idea how to plan meals for the US and SW days. I am tempted to just go to those parks during the day and then go to a WDW resort or park later in the day to eat! That’s a little weird, huh? We’ll have so many dining credits to use up, though, so it makes sense to me. At the same time, I heard that some of the restaurants in US were pretty good. I really want to go to Bubba Gump. I know it’s a chain, but we don’t have one in Virginia and that’s the only restaurant that I know I want to try. Oh, and Three Broomsticks! Duh! How could I forget that? WWoHP is the main reason I am betraying my beloved Disney for two days at US! I heard Three Broomsticks isn’t all that great, but I really just want to soak up the atmosphere there. I guess I need to go on the US boards and do a little research! Those of you who have dined at US: what do you think? Have you used the Universal Meal Deal? It doesn’t seem to cover any place where I want to eat, but I’m curious about how it works. Off to do more research!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Love your updaate and how you have your days already planned (although not set in stone). While you are at it, can you give me good/bad parks for the 19, 20,21,22,23,24th???? I don't have touring plans, silly me!!!

Ok I am just DYING to tell someone and your ptr seems to be calling my name!!! The family thinks we are going to CBR next year. Nah, nah!! I changed it to POR, the Alligator Bayou section and preferred so hopefully building 14 -- that's what I've requested. We all were talking and that seems to be everyone's favorite. I also found out the whole resort has been renovated and I looked up the pics. I am paying for preferred as I just don't want the walk we had last time around to the food court. I am also planning on flying out of Portland, ME this time around, too. Driving to Manchester really wasn't all that fun this time, especially landing at 9:30 and still having a 3 hour drive. ugh. Also, Peter's SW Rapid Rewards can be transferred to Air Tran a+ rewards. And Air Tran flies out of Portland. Would you believe we already have enough points for one round trip ticket?? Yep! And I've already made up a Garden Grocer order!!! That is going to be so convenient for snacks/breakfast type items. Yep.....how's that for planning????

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The tentative park days look good! I believe the best day for MK, no matter the hours, is Tuesday. Wednesdays are not bad either, I avoid Monday and thursdays! Also, check out easywdw.com, Josh is really good at crowd predictors!

Have not gotten tickets from the place you mentioned, but have you looked into YES individual enrollment? Amazing discount on tickets if you are not getting a package/dining plan.

Oh wait, you were talking about Universal tickets, weren't you? Nevermind! Lol

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Love your updaate and how you have your days already planned (although not set in stone). While you are at it, can you give me good/bad parks for the 19, 20,21,22,23,24th???? I don't have touring plans, silly me!!!

Ok I am just DYING to tell someone and your ptr seems to be calling my name!!! The family thinks we are going to CBR next year. Nah, nah!! I changed it to POR, the Alligator Bayou section and preferred so hopefully building 14 -- that's what I've requested. We all were talking and that seems to be everyone's favorite. I also found out the whole resort has been renovated and I looked up the pics. I am paying for preferred as I just don't want the walk we had last time around to the food court. I am also planning on flying out of Portland, ME this time around, too. Driving to Manchester really wasn't all that fun this time, especially landing at 9:30 and still having a 3 hour drive. ugh. Also, Peter's SW Rapid Rewards can be transferred to Air Tran a+ rewards. And Air Tran flies out of Portland. Would you believe we already have enough points for one round trip ticket?? Yep! And I've already made up a Garden Grocer order!!! That is going to be so convenient for snacks/breakfast type items. Yep.....how's that for planning????

I PMed you the crowd levels for those dates. I didn’t want to post them here because touringplans.com is a paid site and I didn’t want to get in trouble. I am such a goody goody That is so cool that you are staying at POR again! I love those renovated rooms! I still want to stay there or POFQ. I love the way Pop looks, but I am used to staying in moderates with the kids. I hope it isn’t that much of a difference in room size in the Values. I’m not sure why I care since we will hardly be in the room when we are there. We could sleep in a broom closet and I wouldn’t care because we would be at Disney World! I’m still going to try to see if I can swing a Moderate, though. I mean, I have almost a whole year to plan and to save up! Anyway, I’m glad that you can fly out of an airport that isn’t three hours away! That must be rough! I took a look at that Garden Grocer site and I think I am going to order from there too. It is such a pain to have to go to the grocery store after checking in – and that is time that we could spend in Disney! Thanks for giving me another idea for a post: a Garden Grocer order! I’m running out of things to post since this is my third PTR

The tentative park days look good! I believe the best day for MK, no matter the hours, is Tuesday. Wednesdays are not bad either, I avoid Monday and thursdays! Also, check out easywdw.com, Josh is really good at crowd predictors!

Have not gotten tickets from the place you mentioned, but have you looked into YES individual enrollment? Amazing discount on tickets if you are not getting a package/dining plan.

Oh wait, you were talking about Universal tickets, weren't you? Nevermind! Lol

Since you said Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best MK days, I had to scroll up really quick to see if that was how I planned my MK days! Whew! I went to easywdw.com just now. How is it that I have never been to that site? I thought I knew them all! Thank you, Karen! I think I have a little exploring to do! Yeah, I was talking about Universal What is YES? I think I saw you mention that on your PTR?

 

[-Hope-]

I've read great reviews and not so great reviews for Three Broomsticks so I guess it's a toss up. Mythos gets consistently good reviews and in the land adjacent to WWoHP. The entire restaurant is like dining inside a cave! And I figured out that I can feed my family of four for under $80 including the tip- not bad for a TS. : you don't really don't even need to make ADRs from what I understand but I prob will anyway. :

I don't really recommend the meal plan for UO. Most of the restaurants that are included don't get great reviews and my calculations didn't show us saving any money with it- especially since it doesn't include drinks! :

Your tentative plans look great! Can't wait to read about the changes.

 

[-Hope-]

Just wanted to tell you that I started a PTR for our trip to UO!! Link is in my siggy.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I've read great reviews and not so great reviews for Three Broomsticks so I guess it's a toss up. Mythos gets consistently good reviews and in the land adjacent to WWoHP. The entire restaurant is like dining inside a cave! And I figured out that I can feed my family of four for under $80 including the tip- not bad for a TS. : you don't really don't even need to make ADRs from what I understand but I prob will anyway. :

I don't really recommend the meal plan for UO. Most of the restaurants that are included don't get great reviews and my calculations didn't show us saving any money with it- especially since it doesn't include drinks! :

Your tentative plans look great! Can't wait to read about the changes.

Just wanted to tell you that I started a PTR for our trip to UO!! Link is in my siggy.

That sounds kind of cool to dine in a cave! I’ll have to look that up . The meal plan doesn’t include drinks? OK, forget it, then. I will pay OOP for everything and end up doing better Yes, there will be LOTS of changes, I’m sure!

I’m so glad that you started your PTR!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

This is the What Should I Call This Update? update because I am just going on and on about random nonsense. Lucky for you guys, I finally updated my table of Contents so that you can skip the boring stuff! So, anyway&

I was thinking that I had all of the time in the world to prepare for this trip because it is almost a year away at this point. I can plan, save money, buy little things here and there for the trip&then I realized that this will most likely not be a road trip. I know how to prepare for a road trip: #1 pack the car up #2 take a cooler with drinks and snacks #3 make sure the kids have plenty to keep them entertained #4 hit the road! I dont have to worry about how many bags Im taking or how much those bags weigh, or if Ill have room for souvenirs or what item might get us stopped by TSA! So far Ive heard glitter (thanks, Ann, for the heads up on that one!), snow globes, light up ice cubes and rocks! As far as the bags go, Im planning on flying Southwest, and they allow two bags per person. So that is six bags for us. Im also a little concerned about over packing because I really over packed for our trip to Boston earlier this year. By the way, I know I said that I owe you guys a Mini-Trip Report about Boston, but we are going back in less than three months, so I figured two reports on Boston might be a bit much Plus, we went all the way back in March. That was forever ago!

Anyway, I realized that I have to revise my packing list so that it is suitable for only filling 5 bags between the three of us. The sixth bag I want to leave empty (or packed within a larger suitcase) so that we can use that to pack souvenirs. I have a feeling that we are going to want to get a lot of souvenirs since it has been so long since we have been there! Another option is shipping our souvenirs back home. I hope we don't have to do that, but I am trying to plan for a trip to a UPS store or a Parcel Plus to box up our stuff if we cant fit it in suitcases. Has anyone done that? I really do think we might go overboard on souvenirs because the kids and I will have a year to save money for that too! They keep asking for more chores so that they can earn more money. Hey, who am I to stop them from sweeping the floor? Plus, we went to a Disney Outlet the other day. I was so excited to go! Once I got there, though, it seemed like it was just another Disney store. Usually, I love the Disney stores, but I just wasnt into it this time. At first, I thought it was because there wasnt very much on clearance. Then I realized that half of the fun of buying this stuff is being able to buy it in the parks I saw a Tinkerbell mug that I wanted, a Mickey cold cup that I wanted, some Merida dolls that I wanted err, uh, I meant that True wanted - and a couple of cute tops, but I just wasnt really into shopping right then. I'll probably go back as it gets closer to the trip to get the kids a couple of stuffed animals to bring along. Actually, Coy isnt all that into stuffed animals anymore. They grow up too fast! The point is, I'll probably get them only one or two things to keep them occupied on the plane since its only about a two hour ride on a nonstop flight.

So even if we dont get a box full of souvenirs (thats crazy, right? )I have to go over my packing list because this will be a 12 day vacation. I dont really want to do laundry on this trip, but it seems like that might be unrealistic considering the amount of days we are going. I could see packing 12 shirts, 12 set of undergarments, 12 pairs of socks etc., but not 12 pairs of shorts! That would end up being so bulky. Plus, with the rate my kids are growing, it would be a bad idea to buy 12 sets of almost anything because they will just end up outgrowing them within a few months, anyway. The only way I will be able to get them (and myself) 12 sets of shorts is if I happen to come across a major clearance sale. Then, when the kids start to outgrow them, theyll still be able to wear them around the house as play clothes Again, Im not counting on that. So I need to come to terms with doing laundry on vacation This brings me to Garden Grocer. I have not decided if I am going to rent a car on this trip. I probably will, but referencing Boston again, we did pretty well travelling without a car before. Then again, the Disney area is a whole different ball game and I probably will rent a car at the airport. Even if I do rent one, I don't really enjoy spending our arrival day at the grocery store. I have never used Garden Grocer before, but so many people spoke so highly of the service that I checked it out. I know I won't get my laundry detergent from here (I'll probably get a couple of travel packs of detergent at Target) but I think I am going to place an order for a few food items so that we dont have to lug them on the plane. Back to Boston again (maybe this is a Boston TR after all ) The kids and I packed one small suitcase full of snacks for the hotel room. We had beef jerky (eww that is True's thing), Slim Jims (eww that is Coy's thing), some kind of nuts cashews or something I dont remember, Welchs fruit snacks, animal crackers, and a few other things that I can't remember. Basically, it was a bag full of junk food to ward off the midnight munchies. Dont worry! We ate VERY WELL on our trip. Thats one of the reasons I can't wait to go back! But, were talking about Disney World here, so let me get back on track! So, the bag full of junk food tuned into our souvenir bag once it was empty, and that was what I planned to do for this trip. However, I dont think it would make sense to carry 12 days of snacks with us on the plane! So I am thinking I will order beef jerky (eww), Slim Jims (eww), Pop Tarts and/or cereal bars, Vanilla and Chocolate Silk or Parmalat (in individual sized boxes) and a 24 pack of bottled water. I might also get the peanut butter to go cups from Jif so that we can have that to spread on apples. I dont want to get too much stuff, but just enough to have in case we don't have a breakfast ADR one day or if we come back from the parks a little hungry. What do you guys think? What do you order from Garden Grocer? Or, if you don't do that, what snacks do you bring on the plane with you? Any tips are greatly appreciated, as always!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I can’t wait for February 22, 2013! Why? Is it because it is the day after I turn 40??? No! Well, maybe a little but it is mostly because that is my ADR day! I am going to wake up the crack of dawn to make sure I get everything I want! That is, if I didn’t party too hard the night before! Who am I kidding? I can’t hang with the young’uns anymore! Speaking of young’uns, my mom told me that my youngest brother, Kyle, is graduating next year! I didn’t even realize it! He has been working so hard and I am so proud of him for finally getting his degree next year. It’s funny that he is the youngest and he is getting his degree first! My sisters are still working and going to school part time, so they are still a year or two from getting theirs, I believe. I have pretty much given up on getting mine unless I find a way to squeeze in some time between being a full time employee and a full time mom. Anyway, since my brother won’t be headed back to school in the fall, I am wondering if he could make the Disney trip with us?!? I guess that all really depends on if he can find a job right after graduating or not. He works part time in a law office now, and I’m sure he’d be able to keep that job after he graduates because they love him there. If so, hopefully, he’ll have some vacation time. If he starts a new job after he graduates, it’s almost a guarantee that he won’t have any vacation time. Then there is also the fact that he tends to take vacations with his girlfriend. Oh, did I not tell you that he was seeing someone new after that…that…person broke his heart and their engagement? I said that “person” because I can’t use the word I really want to use on the DIS Anyway, I haven’t met the new girl, but they have really cute pictures together on FB. But being cute isn’t everything. The other one was cute. I have to meet this new girl. See if I approve… I am kind of a mother figure to my three youngest sibs because they are so much younger than I am. Marissa is 12 years younger, Ashley is 13 years younger and Kyle is 15 years younger (David is only 3 years younger than me). Maybe not a mother figure. That sounds old. Cool, young aunt? It’s weird because we didn’t really grow up together because of our age differences. In any case, as I get older and they get older, I want us to spend more family time together. We haven’t had a family vacation in about 10 years when we all went to our grandmother’s house for Christmas.

ANYWAY…Sorry for the tangent! My point was that I think it would be so cool if the whole family could go to Disney World in August! I don’t know if they could all pull that off, but it is a thought that I keep having. I would love to be able to pay for David to go. I really want Kyle to go. I hope Marissa and Ashley can go, as planned. So, for right now, I am making some loose plans for the ADRs based on out rough draft of park days. Since Marissa and Ashley (and possibly Kyle and David) would be there for the first six days or so, I want to make ADRs at places where they would really get the Disney experience:

Wednesday, 08/21 – Magic Kingdom: I would like to get a before-park-opening ADR at Crystal Palace. I’ve got to get that family picture in front of the castle! I would love an ADR at Cinderella’s Royal Table, but that might be a bit much.

Thursday, 08/22 – Animal Kingdom: A before-park-opening ADR at Tusker House, of course!

Friday, 08/23 – Hollywood Studios: I think it would be fun if we all went to 50’s Prime Time. Coy really wants to go there and I do too. If David goes on this trip, though, 50’s will be out because he never eats his veggies! Maybe a lunch at Sci-Fi instead

Saturday, 08/24 – Universal Studios: I haven’t done any research on this yet, but I think we would have an early lunch at US (or is it UO on the boards? I’ve seen both. I don’t want to look like a “noob” ) Then, I think it would be nice to have dinner at a WDW resort after leaving US/UO or whatever. I was thinking Whispering Canyon Café or 1900 Park Fare.

Sunday, 08/25 – another Universal day, so I was thinking about doing the same thing as above

Monday, 08/26 – EPCOT: this would definitely be the day to have breakfast at Akershus because Ashley really wants to see the princesses. We’d have to skip lunch because I have to Have to HAVE TO take them to Garden Grill for dinner!

Tuesday, 08/27 – Magic Kingdom: if my sibs are still with us on this day, I would want to get a breakfast at Chef Mickey or ‘Ohana. Most likely ‘Ohana since they wouldn’t have seen those characters yet. Actually, True, Coy and I will probably do this if my sibs are with us or not. Then I think it would be nice to have dinner at Be Our Guest!

Wednesday, 08/28 – Sea World: I think this would be a good day for us to go see a dinner show! I saw Spirit of Aloha when I was a kid. Well, I’m sure the show has changed since then, but you know what I mean. The kids have never seen a dinner show at WDW. I think that one would be a good one to see, and it will get us back into “Disney Mode” after spending the day at a non-Disney park.

Thursday, 08/29 – Relaxing Day or Water Park Day: either way, I think it would be fun to see another dinner show on this day! If we go to a water park, I don’t think we will want to be there for too long – maybe half a day – then we’ll go to the room and probably nap after being in the sun and water all morning. This would be a perfect time to see Hoop-Dee-Doo!

Friday, 08/30 – EPCOT: I’m thinking this would be a good day for Coral Reef. I also want to go to Le Cellier. Le Cellier has the steaks that my kids and I would love, but Coral Reef is like being inside a fish bowl! Decisions, decisions!

Saturday, 08/31 – Animal Kingdom: Since I have no interest in Tusker house for dinner, I think we might go to Boma for dinner. Or…we might go back to EPCOT (I love EPCOT almost as much as Magic Kingdom) and go to Coral Reef or Le Cellier then! Or… we could go someplace completely new and try Biergarten!

Sunday, 09/01 – Hollywood Studios/Magic Kingdom: I am determined to get a dinner ADR at Cinderella’s Royal Table on our last park day! I’ve wanted to go back there ever since I was a kid. I know my kids would enjoy it because they really liked having breakfast here on our last trip. If I can’t get that ADR, I think I might want to do something else that is special, which would be going to Brown Derby in HS. Or maybe Sci Fi if we don’t go earlier in the trip with my sibs. I really don’t want to settle, though. We’ll see what happens in about five months when I can actually make the ADRs! Until then, I’m sure there will be plenty of tweaking to the plans!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

No, I don't believe you did tell us about Kyle's new flame. Yep, she will have to get the big sister once over or she's outta there! Yeah on him getting his degree, too!! What a great accomplishment! Good for him! Tell him your Disfriends said so!

I love your ideas on ADR's, too. I haven't really gotten that far, except for knowing we want to do Be Our Guest at MK. We are going to do Sea World as well this year!