*Done! 3/6* Dec 2012 -The awesome now TR report that lacks a catchy title - Done!

[SAT887]

Thats good to know, I was planning on packing everything in a cooler since we are driving but maybe just hitting the WF down there would be easier. I have the same plan, of having a healthy breakfast, and trying to provide organic fruit for snacks during the day.

I make my own cleaners as well. I'm thinking of making some reusable Mickey Mouse snack bags to take, I have to see if my sewing skills improve by December.

It's nice to know I'm not alone! If you belong to Disney Movie Rewards they had Mickey Snack bags for 825 points.

 

[taaren]

Hiya!
Coming along on your PTR since we'll be there the same time as you: Dec 1-6, then 9-15 (BLT, then BWV). Always awesome to see what other people are planning so I can refine my plans and steal great ideas!

Both my friends' flight from SoCal and our flight from NorCal ended up being substantially cheaper to come in on Friday night instead of Saturday morning, so we're flying in on 11/30 just like you are! Currently have a 2 bedroom reserved at Residence Inn at MCO and planning on taking ME in on 12/1 in the morning, but I would love to do what you're doing and grab a Disney owned room the night before so they just transfer our luggage to BLT in the morning.

Unfortunately getting 2 values is $100 more than an airport hotel and we can't see spending that for a luggage transfer. Going to watch point rental board and if anybody has any expiring or holding points when it gets a little closer and there are any studios left (right now SSR and AKV still have some), then hopefully I can have a DVC studio for less than a value? Worth a shot right?

We're leaning towards getting Photopass+ too. We usually don't get a lot of pictures at Disneyland, but DisneyWorld will be more "special" since we don't get to go there every year, so more photo ops are once-in-a-decade. So great to hear other people's thoughts on this stuff!

 

[SAT887]

Hiya!
Coming along on your PTR since we'll be there the same time as you: Dec 1-6, then 9-15 (BLT, then BWV). Always awesome to see what other people are planning so I can refine my plans and steal great ideas!

Both my friends' flight from SoCal and our flight from NorCal ended up being substantially cheaper to come in on Friday night instead of Saturday morning, so we're flying in on 11/30 just like you are! Currently have a 2 bedroom reserved at Residence Inn at MCO and planning on taking ME in on 12/1 in the morning, but I would love to do what you're doing and grab a Disney owned room the night before so they just transfer our luggage to BLT in the morning.

Unfortunately getting 2 values is $100 more than an airport hotel and we can't see spending that for a luggage transfer. Going to watch point rental board and if anybody has any expiring or holding points when it gets a little closer and there are any studios left (right now SSR and AKV still have some), then hopefully I can have a DVC studio for less than a value? Worth a shot right?

We're leaning towards getting Photopass+ too. We usually don't get a lot of pictures at Disneyland, but DisneyWorld will be more "special" since we don't get to go there every year, so more photo ops are once-in-a-decade. So great to hear other people's thoughts on this stuff!

Hi!

Hehe the Friday flight in for me was just a con... However we are leaving early on Sat the 8th which I think more than makes up for it. For us, I knew I could find a cheaper room off-site but somehow I talked my husband into that too... We had some banked points that expired on 11/30 and and bought some one time use points and it was about as much as we would spend at a family suite at AoA - which don't get me wrong looks great - but a villa at AKL is more appealing to me. Plus it seems like it will be nice to just relax there.

I see you are in the SF area? I have family out that way and hopefully when the girls are a little older we want to fly out and see them. I've never been to California and really want to go to Disneyland but I REALLY want to meet my new niece

I am excited about the photopass+ I am determined to make it a value Plus now, I might bring my DSLR which I normally don't because I don't like passing it around... Which excites me - I am always so jealous of a lot of the photos I see that you just can't get even with a high end point and shoot camera. Now my big thing is what lenses to bring and to find a smaller camera bag.

Thanks for joining in!!

 

[Nemo32]

Hooray on your 1st PTR! How exciting...I never have clever titles either. Your daughters are so cute - I'm very interested on how they take the parks as I will be taking my niece next year, she'll be 2.5. And you will love HDDR - haven't been in like 2 years, but I never had any complaints. Can't wait to read more!

 

[reyasmommy]

Cute kids. I love the picture of your DD on the plane and her first mickey ears. I have a picture of DS on the airplane at 3 months old and his first mickey ears too. LOVE looking back at them.. The ears didn't fit of course, but still adorable. I can't wait to read more about your plans, everything looks perfect thus far.

 

[SAT887]

Hooray on your 1st PTR! How exciting...I never have clever titles either. Your daughters are so cute - I'm very interested on how they take the parks as I will be taking my niece next year, she'll be 2.5. And you will love HDDR - haven't been in like 2 years, but I never had any complaints. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks Last year Zoey had just turned 2 and it was a blast. She loved everything. We must have spent an hour our so walking around DTD and she would stare up at the giant statues on the buildings and go "Wow!" This year her imagination is in full swing so I am even more excited. I will tell you nothing beats experiencing Disney through her eyes

Cute kids. I love the picture of your DD on the plane and her first mickey ears. I have a picture of DS on the airplane at 3 months old and his first mickey ears too. LOVE looking back at them.. The ears didn't fit of course, but still adorable. I can't wait to read more about your plans, everything looks perfect thus far.

Thanks! I can't believe how small she was when we went! I am very excited - I am starting to make things to either ship/pack with us. I want to make a park explorers kit, invitations to characters meals, tie dye mickey shirts and bracelets or necklaces (from Minnie I think) with our cel #'s just in case they run off (hasn't happened yet, but I also don't feel right putting anything with thier name on them). This has been slow going - it's summer, and we are also trying to get the house fixed up to put on the market next spring

 

[SAT887]

Sooo this isn't about my Dec trip - but hubby is giving the green light for 3 or 4 nights away as grown up to WDW!! Thinking October 2013 would be fun - the food and wine festival... Two of my favorite things! I wonder if I could book the boardwalk or beachclub 7 months out....

 

[SAT887]

These were so much fun to make!!! A bit of prep work but not as hard as I thought. I really like tie dying and there is a good chance my girls will have one for each day of the month!! So I made 5 shirts ranging from 18month to XS (girls) I really love how they came out and I learned a bunch on this set and plan to do at least 1 or 2 more! The threads on the creative boards have fantastic tips and instructions!

So 18 month shirts while doable harder to get a nice swirl pattern; and the green mickey heads are not vibrant enough to stand out against the white. And finally when they say use 100% cotton use it! The colors are not as prettty. Here are some pics. The top row are XS' (2 are for friends daughters) and the bottom row is my cotton/poly trial.

 

[Nemo32]

Very cool tees! So creative.

 

[SAT887]

Very cool tees! So creative.

Thanks I stumbled across a tie dye thread here and had to do it. They were too cute and they had great step by step instructions!

 

[holleypie]

The shirts look great!

 

[SAT887]

The shirts look great!

Thanks!

 

[SAT887]

So it feels like my trip is changing... A lot! For the better I feeling as well!

So- my Sister (in law but my "in laws" treat and love me like family more than my family it feels, I feel apart of thier family which my family just has this bizarre anti anything feel) and brother in law who we haven't seen in 6 years (I know I know....) due to deployments, moves, home purchases, having 2 kids, them living in San Diego *should* be staying with us on our trip!!! They haven't met my daughters, and this should really add to the "magic" if it all works out. Fingers crossed!!

I am already planning that they will be there, changed all my ADR's to 8 instead of 6. I am down to three that I couldn't change - Cinderella's (My 3 yo loves her, I can't cancel it - but they will go off and explore no problems) 'Ohana and Le Cellier.... The CM I spoke to for over 30 minutes was so helpful and nice. She seemed excited for me too She stated the CM's at 'Ohana as long as they are not at fire code are often very understanding and can add to the table especially since both my kids are small - however she did say it can go either way... I have Kona as a back up but not sure what to do... I know that the tables we always sit at had multiple chairs left when we traveled with 4 adults and 3 kids... CRT - ugh what do you think my chances are?? She also suggested getting a second reservation for 2 if I could and request we sit near each other - if something opens up.... And Le Cellier - which I think I am all for changing to the Coral Reef (already booked a 11:30 ADR) because it helps with nap time, my daughter loves aquariums and well I can get it for 8 people, and family is way more important than a really really good cheeseburger at Le Cellier.... So now its a waiting game hoping all works out. If it does - this will be the best disney magic EVER!!

So now I am excited I've made t-shirts, starting to get supplies to make bracelets and necklaces with our phone number, and lots of printer ink to start making invites, postcards from Mickey and what not. It does help that I am also planning my daughter 3rd birthday with a Cinderella theme at the end of the month.

So now I am booking my moms value room - which I do not know where to book... Almost thinking AoA because it looks new and fun and it's only 11 bucks more... But - a penny saved is a penny earned...... I am also checking the CRT daily for an open reservation - I would love for them to be able to join us..... I am also trying to compile a list of "must sees" on this trip because for the past two years we haven't gone on the WDW Railroad at MK and I refuse to let that happen again

Hopefully soon I can post some pics of my creations as well as up date my touring plan for our trip...

 

[disney67]

Wow just caught up beatiful family , and you say this is your first PTR you seem like a pro. This time of year is very beatiful from the parks to the resorts , love all your ADR's a couple i have not tried yet hoping soon . I love your tye died shirts they came out amazing , I love to make shirts for my trips but have not ventured to tye die yet ? and as for your O'hana like the CM said just show up if they are not extremely busy they will add your extra people . this happend last year with me when a friend said come we can ask them to add you on and they did . And I so like that this is where you and your husband catch up thats magical me and my wife when we are there it is hard because we have more fun with the kids that they are a bit older dd11 and ds7 But i wish we could of one day no kids in disney ? lol

 

[SAT887]

Wow just caught up beatiful family , and you say this is your first PTR you seem like a pro. This time of year is very beatiful from the parks to the resorts , love all your ADR's a couple i have not tried yet hoping soon . I love your tye died shirts they came out amazing , I love to make shirts for my trips but have not ventured to tye die yet ? and as for your O'hana like the CM said just show up if they are not extremely busy they will add your extra people . this happend last year with me when a friend said come we can ask them to add you on and they did . And I so like that this is where you and your husband catch up thats magical me and my wife when we are there it is hard because we have more fun with the kids that they are a bit older dd11 and ds7 But i wish we could of one day no kids in disney ? lol

Thank you

We will see where everything ends up with ADR's - the birthday dinner with my friend has fallen through So now looking for a new Epcot ADR And in the end as long as we are with family we could eat in the parking lot of Hess and be happy. Tie Dye was so much fun - I am naturally fairly creative, but it was super easy. I want to make more before we leave - and even venture into more shapes, like stars etc.... I am also going to try iron ons for my daughters 3rd birthday with name fills. However I won't put there name on anything when we travel - just don't trust anyone... I can and can't wait until they are old enough to go for longer period of time out with out getting completely worn out... Having my MIL with us to watch them at night is a huge help and we are so grateful - the girls will be ready for bed by 7 or 8... So it will give us time to catch up - my husband works a lot, then throw in the commute and my part time work and we barely get to share a meal together or even 5 minutes it seems! I look forward to an adult trip too - we had so much fun there on our honeymoon Only like 14-15 months until then! But who is counting!

Thanks for reading! Do you have any trips coming up?

 

[disney67]

Thank you

We will see where everything ends up with ADR's - the birthday dinner with my friend has fallen through So now looking for a new Epcot ADR And in the end as long as we are with family we could eat in the parking lot of Hess and be happy. Tie Dye was so much fun - I am naturally fairly creative, but it was super easy. I want to make more before we leave - and even venture into more shapes, like stars etc.... I am also going to try iron ons for my daughters 3rd birthday with name fills. However I won't put there name on anything when we travel - just don't trust anyone... I can and can't wait until they are old enough to go for longer period of time out with out getting completely worn out... Having my MIL with us to watch them at night is a huge help and we are so grateful - the girls will be ready for bed by 7 or 8... So it will give us time to catch up - my husband works a lot, then throw in the commute and my part time work and we barely get to share a meal together or even 5 minutes it seems! I look forward to an adult trip too - we had so much fun there on our honeymoon Only like 14-15 months until then! But who is counting!

Thanks for reading! Do you have any trips coming up?

Im bad i will be there the same time as you guys but wife came up to me a few month ago and wanted to do a digital scrapbook meet in Vagas so the light bulb went off since it is been really hard for both of us , I said go have a good time and then i would like to go to WDW for my birthday she jumped on it yeah!!! so i was going on a solo trip but with jet blues special last week it is going to be me and my brother . there are 2 places i might be staying one is an all star resort or west gate main gate ? I still have not said when im goin 11-28 to 12-4 we are going to be there at the same time i usually go commando basically no plans with no ADR's and it is funny i have seen your name fills they look amazing too as well as the fast passes my wife does scrapbooking but not disney stuff unless i push her into it which surprises me . thats why i have to go on here every trip for my iron - on designs.

 

[SAT887]

Im bad i will be there the same time as you guys but wife came up to me a few month ago and wanted to do a digital scrapbook meet in Vagas so the light bulb went off since it is been really hard for both of us , I said go have a good time and then i would like to go to WDW for my birthday she jumped on it yeah!!! so i was going on a solo trip but with jet blues special last week it is going to be me and my brother . there are 2 places i might be staying one is an all star resort or west gate main gate ? I still have not said when im goin 11-28 to 12-4 we are going to be there at the same time i usually go commando basically no plans with no ADR's and it is funny i have seen your name fills they look amazing too as well as the fast passes my wife does scrapbooking but not disney stuff unless i push her into it which surprises me . thats why i have to go on here every trip for my iron - on designs.

Commando? Haha I am too much of a control freak! Plus I love to plan.... I don't do the name fills I ask the DISigners as well - I need to play around with photoshop one day - I have it for retouching my photos but never tried designing invites etc... Good luck on your minimal planning

Luckily somehow my husband and I have similar personalities when it comes to interests - we just like to do stuff, and do it together... I don't think I would have as much fun traveling with out him. However its also good most of our interests overlap. It works out well for us especially since we don't get a ton of time to do what we want anyway...

 

[SAT887]

So it has been QUITE a while since I have updated this. This summer has been pretty crazy. We (well I've been suckered in to doing most the work!) have been working on the house and are taking a break for now. We hope to put the house on the market in the spring (somehow I need to get over my fear of heights by then and get on a ladder and paint the exterior a happy shade of yellow that screams BUY ME!!) However, I painted the interior of my house builders beige (well its called Hickory but its still a neutral beige) Helped finish off our basement, and re-furb'd our kitchen. We had an ugly 70's kitchen that I painted the cabinets, did a glass backsplash, new countertops and a laminate floor.....

Then there was my daughters 3rd birthday, we did a Cinderella theme because she wanted a princess party. Ummm I am not a huge princess fan but it was awesome. We got her the castle off of disneystore.com and by far the best gift I have ever given her. She plays with it everyday. She also started pre school - which has been interesting. Very interesting. It is furthering my desire to move away from here as fast as possible!

So now that I have had some time, I am starting to actually finalize plans, ADR's and so on and so forth. I am still waiting on my SIL & BIL to find out if they can come - but I have added them to all my ADR's possible.

So as it goes we leave our house before the sun rises in NH and fly to FL. We still will be going to Sanaa for lucnh, however I pushed the ADR to 1:05 because I want to stop at DTD for my photopass+ card, TiW and upgrade our tickets to DVC premium AP! We plan on going back in October, just my husband and I as a couple to get away and be adults together. We need it.

So I emailed DVC asking since I was going from villa to villa if they could store my perishable groceries at OKW while I wait for my room. The email back said YES! I was so excited about this because now I can go to Whole Foods on Friday and just get it over with. I did keep a copy of that email for when I check in, it will be really great to take advantage of the kitchen for both units, and not have to go to the store on Sat.

We kept our Boma ADR and plan to do a lot of resort exploring that day. Maybe the pool if it is warm. I also want to try and go to Jiko or Victoria Falls Lounge for a drink with my husband. I am very interested in trying African wine, maybe wines.

So now its Saturday! We are now going to AK in the morning because we will not be meeting up with my husbands family. His mother will be on this trip and based on a conversation that was had when she visited last- him going to see his father could present possible drama. We figured, why deal with it, we have had a long rough year and really need the week to relax. We may do a non disney trip in the spring, and if plans actually go in the direction we wish, we will be in NC and a 10 hr drive isn't all that bad for a long weekend. So prior to AK I will have gone and checked us in at OKW for our grand villa, in hopes it will be ready when nap time rolls in around 1 oclock or so. We will also be going to Hollywood Studios that night because I spaced on the MK xmas parade and don't feeling like dealing with the potential crowds. We have a 6pm ADR at Raglan Rd and then we will go back to OKW and get the kids ready for bed. Then for one of my favorite parts of the trip, I scored a 9:40 ADR for California Grille This was our favorite restaurant on our honeymoon and we managed to see Wishes then and we will see it this time! We are thinking Sushi and dessert, maybe a drink or two and lots of resort exploring.

Sunday 8 am ADR at Chef Mickey's and then off to MK for the morning. I love MK and can't wait to go. My 3 year old is at a perfect age for MK and it's going to be so much fun with her. I want to try POTC and HM - she was apprehensive about skeletons last year so we avoided them, however with my mom having a GAC I think we can avoid the stretching room at HM which I think she will find the scariest. My mom has multiple issues and has a hard time standing in one place, this is actually going to probably be her last trip to WDW and she doesn't want to do it in a wheel chair... I did offer her a seat in my double stroller though.... So back for nap and I am off to SSR to the Spa for a pedicure! Afterwards we will go to Epcot and do Spaceship earth and eat a QS dinner in the worldshowcase. Around 5:30-6 oclock we will head back and Zack and I will go to MVMCP We have a lot of date nights planned hehe... We live far away from family, and don't often have someone to watch our kids so this is exciting for us.

Monday - the big day! HS in the morning and then after nap MK! CRT at 5:15 where my daughter will be in awe by meeting her favorite princess "Cinderelly" then we will try and see MS EP & Wishes if the kids permit both. No definite plans with my husband this night, I doubt we will go back to MK for the EMH maybe to DTD or Epcot.

Tuesday - kinda bummed that the EMH were switched, but its our Epcot morning. I have two ADR's.... One for Le Cellier at 1:05 and one for the Coral Reef at 11:35. I think we will be going with Coral Reef because of my daughters love of the aquarium. I have the 2nd because I could not get my ADR changed to 8 people to accomodate my SIL & BIL.... We plan on going to HS that night. Hopefully we can ride TSM once or twice, my daughter loved it last year and I wasn't able to go on.

Wednesday - AK in the morning and then after a nap the Hoop Dee Doo Revue - my mom has always wanted to go so we are going! I have gone once before and loved it, and it should be a blast. I think Wishes is at 6pm that night so maybe we can see it from FW before we head back to the room. We have Fantasia Mini golf planned for that night, and maybe some monorail resort hopping with either drinks or cupcakes!

Thursday- FLE grand opening day!! My husband is going golfing with a friend. My plan MK, so if we have seen everything through soft openings I will skip the FLE and hopefully take advantage of short waits in other areas of the park. I may head over to get a piece of grand opening merch but that it. We also will go back to MK after nap and we have a 6:25pm ADR at 'Ohana.

Friday... last full day. We will again go to MK in the AM and then after nap go to Epcot. We have a 5:05 ADR at Akersus. My daughter should love this place and I really like the themeing. We will probably close with a walk over to the boardwalk and a treat from the bakery. Super sad that even in planning our vacation seems too short!! Zack and I will probably go back for the evening after the girls are put to bed.

I almost forgot - a facial a SSR Spa

Sat - Cape May Cafe breakfast... I am not a 100% on this but think it will be fun to say goodbye to Minnie and the gang.

So I have a few things that I want to try and do with my husband, I want to try and go to addtionally Artists Point (or Territory Lounge) and Flying Fish for appetizers on days that don't involve a buffet meal. I am thinking appetizers, dessert, wine etc... We have already asked my MIL and she is fine with watching (basically sleeping kids) at night so we want to take advantage of it. I also heard Mizners was a great lounge at GF but read that it is closing to accomodate the closing of the quick service location at the Grand Floridian - I don't quite understand in what capacity Mizner's will be operating but we will see....

So now, basically my entire vacation is paid off (and will be fully paid for next Friday) And all I need to do is upgrade my passes, find a rental and start making things to appeal to my daughters imagination. I am going to get a few invites from the DISigners for the character meals. I am also thinking a postcard from Mickey would be a hit We are now doing Disney movie nights once a week as well. It's pretty simple, pizza, popcorn and a treat and a Disney movie And I am planning a countdown once we hit 60 days.

So all in all I am feeling pretty set in most of my plans And once Dec rolls on by I can't wait to plan my October trip!

 

[Tangelders Ahoy]

Looks great! We will be at O'hana's on Thursday for dinner and Arkeshus on Friday for dinner also!

 

[SAT887]

Looks great! We will be at O'hana's on Thursday for dinner and Arkeshus on Friday for dinner also!

Good Choices! I love 'Ohana's.

Thanks for reading!!