Disney Magic with an ADD Family - PTR for March 09 (Update 4/20)

[mommytothreeboys]

I think we've reached the point in planning where the problems overshadow the excitement. Is anyone else feeling like they have so much left to do, but you're not quite sure what that stuff is, but you're still positive there is no time to do it? Maybe it's just me haha

Don't stress out too much! Just do one thing at a time and you'll get it all done! Remember....planning is fun!! Don't get too crazy with it so that it's not fun anymore.

Biggest problem right now is these guys

I haven't introduced these members of my family but they are my two babies, Scutter and Que and they are causing major problems at the moment (one is currently sitting on my head). I really have no idea whose going to watch them while we are away since we are taking our regular dog sitter with us! My other dog sitter isn't answering my phone calls and I will not put them in a kennel because I've worked in many and they are awful awful places. I may have found someone to watch them for a few days but i still need someone for the rest of the week!

I have the same issue with my dog. We're hoping my nephew and his fiancee will housesit for us. It will work out...have faith!

We're coming up on the 30 day mark and i'm trying to think of something I can do as a countdown. I have wednesday off so i'm thinking of some sort of calendar or something...anything to get the family a little excited...it's just so difficult!

A countdown calendar is always fun! You can see some great ideas here on the boards!

Boyfriend and I were talking about vacations and what not the other day and I said how a friend of mine wanted to go to the Bahamas or something and he shrugged and said "There's better places you can go, like Disney." I mean really that's how you know it's true love.

AWWWW! Too cute!

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

We have to figure out what to do with our birds every time we go somewhere and they are also sometimes difficult to get a place for. Most boarding places don't have facilities for birds, and we have to have friends that can do it that don't have cats or dogs or children that will torture the birds. Some kids can handle them and some can't.

Anyway, I started a pre-trip report, so I thought I would let you know!!

 

[trinaweena]

Disney keeps changing their hours and I am frantically checking each day to make sure nothing is screwed up with our plans...don't they know that people plan months in advance! But like i said so far so good, some things even work out in our favor since now MK is open till 12am instead of 11pm on the day we are there! I'm so riding splash mountain (never been on it) and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after dark!

I did have a momentary freak out though, because I totally for a second thought for some reason that Fantasmic was at Animal Kingdom. I know I know, how the hell did I make that mistake, but it's just been one of those days!

The trip is closer and closer, only 24 days left! For the most part I'm excited but I did have a sad moment yesterday and actually told Boyfriend I didn't want to go because I won't see him for 9 days. He told me he would miss me lots but I had to go to Disney so I could check things out for our trip in July! What a sweetie, he always knows just what to say to make me feel better!

Well it's getting late but tomorrow I will try and post our list of MUSTS for our trip!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

24 days!!! WOO-HOO!!!

Can't wait to see the Must-Do List!

We are doing an MK evening EMH night on our trip and SO looking forward to riding some of the rides in the dark!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Trina!

You have such a bubbly personality; it really shines through your writing!

I'm so interested in how your ADD/ADHD family does while vacationing together. My DS(11) is autistic and has many of the same challenges that face those with ADD/ADHD, so I feel as though I can relate to you.

It is important to have the "plan of attack" and to utilize FastPass, so rest assured, your planning will pay off.

for the trip!

Kathy

 

[trinaweena]

24 days!!! WOO-HOO!!!

Can't wait to see the Must-Do List!

We are doing an MK evening EMH night on our trip and SO looking forward to riding some of the rides in the dark!

I know I'm excited to make my Must Do List but of course, i slept in late today (first day off in a week, my dogs were kind of peeved we slept till noon!) But I will get it done sometime today!

I've never ridden splash mountain, the drop scares me but Boyfriend is making me go on it in July so I have to prep myself now! And I've heard its gorgeous at night so thanks Disney for extending those hours!!

Hi Trina!

You have such a bubbly personality; it really shines through your writing!

I'm so interested in how your ADD/ADHD family does while vacationing together. My DS(11) is autistic and has many of the same challenges that face those with ADD/ADHD, so I feel as though I can relate to you.

It is important to have the "plan of attack" and to utilize FastPass, so rest assured, your planning will pay off.

for the trip!

Kathy

Thank you, that's so nice of you to say...I'm a writer be nature so I'm pretty good at conveying my feelings through words!

It's defiantly going to be a challenge with our family, especially my brother. So far so good but we haven't even gotten to WDW yet haha. I think my mom is mostly amazed at what i've been able to do despite my ADD in planning this trip. Yesterday i was complaining about everything not being organized enough!

It's hard too because of my mom and dad's health problems, I'm not sure how much walking they will actually be able to do, and I know we will have to take frequent breaks. At this point I'm kind of thinking about every possibility in order to have all my bases covered!

Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

I hope Disney stops changing their hours on you!!! That must be sooo frustrating!

You are getting so close! I can't wait to see your must-do list and to hear what you thought of all of the rides!!!

 

[trinaweena]

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a nice weekend! It doesn't feel like Friday to me but I spent a very enjoyable day with the Boyfriend, having lunch at ihop and then going to home depot to get some LGMH and some shopping dogfood...we are so domestic sometimes!

Unfortunately I ran out of sleeping pills and it's not going to be an enjoyable weekend. I suffer from insomnia and being able to take my pills is a miserable miserable experience for me. i think the worse part about it, is that if you don't have insomnia, it's very had to relate to someone who does. Lots of people think that if the person is tired enough they should be able to fall asleep but alas it doesn't work that way and I already know i'll be pretty miserable this weekend.

Oh well, I don't want to bring people down with dilemma so i've decided to post our Must List! Only 22 days to go, I can hardly believe it! So without further ado, here a things we must do!!

Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Jungle Cruise
It's A Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Spectromagic
Wishes

Epcot
Test Track
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk With Crush
Universe Of Energy
Maelstorm
Illuminations

Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest
Safari
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur

Hollywood Studios
Rock N Roller Coaster
Magic Of Disney Animation
Great Movie Ride
Toy Story Mania
Backlot Tour
Muppet Visions 3D
Star Tours
Fantasmic!

So those are our Musts! Its a lot but we also won't be doing any of the little kids stuff so I'm pretty sure we'll be fine. So what does everyone think? Feel free to share some of your favorites as well!

 

[KathyRN137]

No Soarin' ???

That's my favorite Epcot ride!

Your lists sound fun!

Are you planning to get to the parks early and take an afternoon break? Mom & Dad may need it, and for that matter, so might your brother.....

Kathy

 

[trinaweena]

No Soarin' ???

That's my favorite Epcot ride!

Your lists sound fun!

Are you planning to get to the parks early and take an afternoon break? Mom & Dad may need it, and for that matter, so might your brother.....

Kathy

You know I always forget about Soarin..i've never been on it! We skipped it last year because the line was so long and it was the end of the day and I'm not sure what we'll be doing this time, but I know i'll be doing it in July!

I'm not sure what we have planned to be honest, when I asked my mom she said they would just 'play it by ear' so I guess we'll see. I think the whole family will need breaks in the middle of the day, between my brother's zero attention span and mom's back and dad's diabetes and no tolerance of heat....well yeah it will be good for them to get a break. But if Sis and I don't feel like taking a break (we did all day at the parks last year with no problems) they can always go back and we can stay!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Jungle Cruise
It's A Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Spectromagic
Wishes

The only thing I would add here would be the Buzz Lightyear ride. I know it may seem like a "little kid" thing, but it was so fun and I think everyone would enjoy it! Oh..and Mickey's Philharmagic is a GREAT show! And it has AC and you sit down....what's not to love?!

Epcot
Test Track
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk With Crush
Universe Of Energy
Maelstorm
Illuminations

I'm assuming you are going to spend some time in World Showcase even though you only listed one ride there.....it's one of the best parts of Epcot! Lots of hidden treasures to look at and explore!

And what about Soarin? If you've never gone on it, you should! It's a great ride and one your parents would appreciate.

Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest
Safari
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur

Seems like you are missing A LOT here! Do you have limited time at AK?? I would highly suggest the Festival of the Lion King show as well as Nemo. Also the animal trails are relaxing and beautiful.

Hollywood Studios
Rock N Roller Coaster
Magic Of Disney Animation
Great Movie Ride
Toy Story Mania
Backlot Tour
Muppet Visions 3D
Star Tours
Fantasmic!

The Lights Motors Action Stunt Show is AWESOME! I bet your brother would like it! No Tower of Terror??


Looks like you have a great plan! I'm sorry about the sleeping situation and I hope you have a good weekend in spite of it!

 

[trinaweena]

The only thing I would add here would be the Buzz Lightyear ride. I know it may seem like a "little kid" thing, but it was so fun and I think everyone would enjoy it! Oh..and Mickey's Philharmagic is a GREAT show! And it has AC and you sit down....what's not to love?!

I think Buzz Lightyear will be something we do if we have time, just because when we went last year it wasn't really our favorite. I have NO IDEA how I forgot Philharmagic because that is a definate must do!

I'm assuming you are going to spend some time in World Showcase even though you only listed one ride there.....it's one of the best parts of Epcot! Lots of hidden treasures to look at and explore!

And what about Soarin? If you've never gone on it, you should! It's a great ride and one your parents would appreciate.

We will definatly be spending time in the World Showcase, I kkinda just put the rides we were going to do, but rest assured we will be exploring! I need to hit up the French Bakery!

The thing that makes me not so sure about Soarin is my mom very easily gets motion sickness...I mean she can't even watch HD TV without feeling ill so I don't know how she'd be...but we might still do it if we have time!

Seems like you are missing A LOT here! Do you have limited time at AK?? I would highly suggest the Festival of the Lion King show as well as Nemo. Also the animal trails are relaxing and beautiful.

We will be doing the animal trails and hopefully hitting the shows, but I'm not sure if they are a MUST for us yet...well the animal trails are but we'll see about the shows

The Lights Motors Action Stunt Show is AWESOME! I bet your brother would like it! No Tower of Terror??

My dad will probably want to do Lights Motors Action but I cannot handle it...those kinds of things always scare the crap out of me, I just sit there crying so I know I want nothing to do with it. The only person who would want to do Tower of Terror is DSis and she did it last year and HATED it, so TOT is a no go for us

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I have NO IDEA how I forgot Philharmagic because that is a definate must do!

We will definatly be spending time in the World Showcase, I kkinda just put the rides we were going to do, but rest assured we will be exploring! I need to hit up the French Bakery!

Oh good! I figured you were just putting rides in your list, but I had to check!!

The thing that makes me not so sure about Soarin is my mom very easily gets motion sickness...I mean she can't even watch HD TV without feeling ill so I don't know how she'd be...but we might still do it if we have time!

I get motion sick too and have to sit out rides like Mission Space and the teacups. Soarin' didn't bother me at all. It's so tough to know though and it's definitely better to be safe than sorry....feeling like that can ruin the day!

 

[lilyfrog73]

Great must do list. We have a lot of the same on ours. DD is against the shows for some reason. She only has a couple on her list. Oh, the time is flying by!!

 

[trinaweena]

I was not going to update today but since it's 2:36AM and I'm STILL AWAKE after taking 2 different sleepy time medicines, I thought I might as well.

I have four days off in a row so I've been getting alot of planning done. Sunday Mom and I went to Kohls to get a new bathing suit for me...I got one I kind of like I think...I don't know bathing suits are tough.

I was also informed by the family that they didn't want everything to be planned and that they don't really like the Magic Kingdom. I think i almost cried. I told them I don't need to have everything planned I just want to know what people want to do so we don't miss something people really want to see, and so we don't waste time. They just don't really understand how much time and effort I've put into this trip and are 100% unappreciative of anything I do.

Well I don't know, at this point I kind of just want to say screw them and continue on with my planning and tell myself they'll thank me when we get there. So that's what I did today. I printed out pages for my trip journal/trip binder and pretty much got the binder put together and i'm pretty proud of myself! I got alot accomplished today but I still have so much more to do! Tomorrow I will post pictures of my binder!

That's it for this mini update...it was mostly for me to vent, so thanks. I'm going to go try and get a little sleep

 

[mommytothreeboys]

HI Trina...sorry you couldn't sleep..that must be so frustrating.

Don't stress out too much about your family. Make your plans...just try to be loose and just put in the important attractions. You'll be at Disney! It will be a great time....focus on what's important, spending time with the family and enjoying Disney together.

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

First, I can imagine how frustrating and upsetting it might be to have someone say that to you and not understand what that *really* means in terms of having a nice Disney vacation.

I think you are right to try to plan and hope for the best. It sort of sounds like they maybe don't understand how useful planning can be in terms of not standing in lines and having good places to eat and stuff like that. I know that it made a big difference to my husband when I told him about not having to wait in as many lines and getting our first choice places to eat. He really appreciated knowing that. I don't know if that's going on with your gang at all.

Also, it might be good to ask what they don't like about MK...they don't like the long lines or the little kid rides or something, rather than they don't like things like Space Mountain or something.

 

[trinaweena]

HI Trina...sorry you couldn't sleep..that must be so frustrating.

Don't stress out too much about your family. Make your plans...just try to be loose and just put in the important attractions. You'll be at Disney! It will be a great time....focus on what's important, spending time with the family and enjoying Disney together.

I'm used to not sleeping, but thank you...I eventually fell asleep around 4.

I'm just going to plan as much as I feel like and then play it by ear. I think once were down there they'll thank me

First, I can imagine how frustrating and upsetting it might be to have someone say that to you and not understand what that *really* means in terms of having a nice Disney vacation.

I think you are right to try to plan and hope for the best. It sort of sounds like they maybe don't understand how useful planning can be in terms of not standing in lines and having good places to eat and stuff like that. I know that it made a big difference to my husband when I told him about not having to wait in as many lines and getting our first choice places to eat. He really appreciated knowing that. I don't know if that's going on with your gang at all.

Also, it might be good to ask what they don't like about MK...they don't like the long lines or the little kid rides or something, rather than they don't like things like Space Mountain or something.

You know one of the problems is they've been to Disney before but its never been planned so they think its no big deal to have no plan. But they don't realize that we have very little time to do everything and lots of people to please.

I asked them why they don't like Magic Kingdom and they said it's more geared towards little kids and there is not much to do there. I don't know...I guess they're not really feeling the magic. Hopefully when we get there things will change

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

You know one of the problems is they've been to Disney before but its never been planned so they think its no big deal to have no plan. But they don't realize that we have very little time to do everything and lots of people to please.

I asked them why they don't like Magic Kingdom and they said it's more geared towards little kids and there is not much to do there. I don't know...I guess they're not really feeling the magic. Hopefully when we get there things will change

That is sad See, DH, as sort of half-interested as he is in the Disney thing, does understand about things being busy, doing things early, etc, because he works in Logistics for a small organization and knows how early they have to do things and they're small. So yeah. That helps.

Your planning will help make it magical!

 

[trinaweena]

So as some of you may know, this March trip is not the last of my trips this year! I also have a trip planned for July as well, and I got some details for that tonight so i thought I would share.

First some background...My Boyfriend and I have been together 10 months (today actually!) And we had only been dating about a month or so before I was invited to go with them to Disney in July. Of course I accepted! It's going to be a big group, we're a grand gathering! The trip is for his Grandfather's 80th Birthday and not only is Boyfriend and I and the parents going but his brother and his girlfriend, plus Aunts, Uncles, and little cousins!

Obviously we won't be with everyone all the time but we do have quite a few things planned with everyone. We will be staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas (his parents are DVC members and apparntly are paying for everything with their points) so I don't have to pay anything for accomdation.

Boyfriend and I will also be celebrating our 1 year anniversary while we're down there and plan on eating in Canada for dinner.

Boyfriend's Dad is planning everything, and its tough for me to relinquish control haha, but he does a good job...he'll be making all our reservations for us as well! He sends out newsletters every few weeks/months to keep everyone updated on what's going on. Well I get one tonight and had a minor panic attack. See they haven't really told me what I will be paying for and what not, we haven't really discussed it all. I open the email to see in big bold letters that 'WE BOOKED OUR FLIGHTS!!' Um...WHAT? No one has said anything to me about this! I have no idea how much this costs, if they even got my ticket or whats going on! I have zero money right now and I mentioned this to Boyfriend and he assured me that his parents won't care about the money, if I don't have it right now then I can pay them later, but he said he would talk to them and find out exactly what I'm going to need to pay for. Whew

But I did get some updates that did not make me almost pee my pants! It looks like we def will be doing the disney dining plan!!! YAY!!!! Couple this with staying at Wilderness Lodge with the guy i love and his awesome family...trip of my dreams!

He also sent over a tentative intinerary (turns out we're leaving a day earlier than I thought) so I'll share that with you all as well!

Sunday July 5 - Flying out of Bradley at 6:50am arrive in MCO 9:40am. Pool Day then Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Monday July6 - Animal kingdom then dinner at hoop de doo review (which I'm determind to buy a cowgirl shirt for)

Tuesday July 7 - Magic Kingdom

Wednesday July 8 - hollywood Studios doing Fantasmic Dinner Package

Thursday July 9 - Epcot dinner in Japan

Friday July10 - Free Day

Saturday July 11 - Free Day Fly back at 6:50pm

So obviously things are not set in stone especially since hours aren't out yet! It's so hard to be the one not planning this!

So I hope you enjoyed this deteour from our regular march PTR....it's so nice to know that once I come back from March I get to go back!!