DON'T Read This TRIP REPORT If You're a Princess Hater!

[stephielela]

Was that last night, or the night before???? We've gotten hit two nights in a row now. I'm so over all this spring weather. Might as well move on to summer since I think it's over 90 today anyway.....

Sorry about your windshield. What a pain!

We didn't get hail the first night, just thunder that shook the house! Last night it was just hail. The midwest has the wierdest weather. I know it was 85 when I was on my way to work this morning, so I am sure it made it over 90!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Janet that dress is gorgeous! Where do you find the fabrics that look so much like the real Disney costumes? All your projects are real works of art. I think you should get a job working in the Disney costume making department. You could TOTALLY do that job!

I am going to make some things for my DD for our fall trip. I have done that on the last two trips and it was a lot of fun! I don't even attempt anything close to what you have done, but I like to make t-shirts and hair bows. I may even branch out and make a pillowcase dress or a shirt this time! My mom is the one who sews though. I come up with the ideas and do all the leg work, and then she does the embroidery and appliques! We made hair bows this past weekend and they turned out great! But I am really in awe of your fabrics! We have NOTHING like that around here. The only place in our town that sells fabric is Walmart! Isn't that pathetic!

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet that dress is gorgeous! Where do you find the fabrics that look so much like the real Disney costumes? All your projects are real works of art. I think you should get a job working in the Disney costume making department. You could TOTALLY do that job!

I am going to make some things for my DD for our fall trip. I have done that on the last two trips and it was a lot of fun! I don't even attempt anything close to what you have done, but I like to make t-shirts and hair bows. I may even branch out and make a pillowcase dress or a shirt this time! My mom is the one who sews though. I come up with the ideas and do all the leg work, and then she does the embroidery and appliques! We made hair bows this past weekend and they turned out great! But I am really in awe of your fabrics! We have NOTHING like that around here. The only place in our town that sells fabric is Walmart! Isn't that pathetic!

Many thanks for the kind words.

Finding the right fabrics is half the challenge. When I see something that strikes my fancy, I sort of file it away mentally and keep my eye out for the fabric. All we have here are the chain stores (JoAnn's, Hancock, Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart) and even those have cut back substantially through the years. I had wanted to do that green Ariel gown FOREVER but couldn't find anything remotely close. I ended up finding a length of vintage fabric on Ebay.

The fabric for this Snow White was all ordered online. Just this weekend I ordered a bunch of swatches from another place trying to pull together the right ones for Anastasia. Sometimes I order sight unseen if I think it's right and they don't do swatches. Lots of time it's a trim that trips me up.

It's all sort of like putting a puzzle together, and I like doing it. Or it's a sickness, but the puzzle story seems more flattering, so I'll go with that.....

It really would be a dream job to work in Disney costuming. But then I'd probably be fired after the first day for trying to sneak fabric out under my coat! (Which should be the first tipoff since you don't need a coat in Florida!)

 

[MNTwinsMom]

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I'm so happy for you that Katie is excited for another year of dressing up at Disney!

Since you are so good at character hunting, can I ask you a couple questions? I've read about 2 things in trip reports and I'm wondering if they happen regularly or if you have to get lucky and stumble upon them:

1. The "hoe down" in Frontierland? I think I read it happens in the evening and all of the sudden lots of cast members and characters come out into the street and they play music and dance.

2. At park closing in MK, Micky, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale (maybe others too) come out around the Sword in the Stone/Carousel area. I've read about this twice and both times it was during evening EMH.

Am I crazy? Do these things exist? And if so are they unofficially scheduled?

 

[WDWAtLast]

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I have got to start sewing on our October customs, but the girls keep changing their minds on what they will actually wear! But they are still dressing as Fairies for MNSSHP. For sure I have a Vidia and either a Tink/Rosetta or Fawn. My 7 year old likes to keep me on my toes! Any ideas on patterns/ fabrics to keep them cool in mid October? I see you chickened out of the October heat and are planning for December again! can't say I blame you! And the Hoarders show creeps me put, too, BUT it also helps me justify my ever growing fabric stash and scrapbook stash, because I am not nearly bad enough to be on TV!

 

[mom2rtk]

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I'm so happy for you that Katie is excited for another year of dressing up at Disney!

Since you are so good at character hunting, can I ask you a couple questions? I've read about 2 things in trip reports and I'm wondering if they happen regularly or if you have to get lucky and stumble upon them:

1. The "hoe down" in Frontierland? I think I read it happens in the evening and all of the sudden lots of cast members and characters come out into the street and they play music and dance.

2. At park closing in MK, Micky, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale (maybe others too) come out around the Sword in the Stone/Carousel area. I've read about this twice and both times it was during evening EMH.

Am I crazy? Do these things exist? And if so are they unofficially scheduled?

Thanks! I'm really glad Katie wants to do some costume play again this time. I'm thinking of doing a new Belle next. Not much new ground to cover here, but I'll try to do one like I did 2 years ago, which was one similar to Belle in the parks.

I HAVE heard about the hoedown in Frontierland, but don't know if they still do it. Keep in mind, we didn't even GET to that side of the park until our 3rd day in the Magic Kingdom! Now, if it was something happening in Fantasyland, I'd have been all over it!

I have also heard about the characters at the Sword in the Stone on EMH night. I have only done an evening EMH once, and didn't see any special character activity. I had also heard about a bunch of characters jumping into the last boat of Small World once, so we timed our night to be on the last boat of Small World the night we closed down EMH. I'm STILL getting grief from my family on that one!

I think sometimes they do some interesting things to end the night, sometimes they don't. It's really hit or miss. But most people don't make it to the bitter end, so there isn't a lot of feedback on what's typical.

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I have got to start sewing on our October customs, but the girls keep changing their minds on what they will actually wear! But they are still dressing as Fairies for MNSSHP. For sure I have a Vidia and either a Tink/Rosetta or Fawn. My 7 year old likes to keep me on my toes! Any ideas on patterns/ fabrics to keep them cool in mid October? I see you chickened out of the October heat and are planning for December again! can't say I blame you! And the Hoarders show creeps me put, too, BUT it also helps me justify my ever growing fabric stash and scrapbook stash, because I am not nearly bad enough to be on TV!

Thank you!

And OH NO! on the changing minds! That would pretty much drive me crazy, don't you know!

You got the story right on October for us. I big time CHICKENED out! I think you have to be prepared for hot weather, but be ready to add another layer if a cold front comes through. I'd go with what you typically do, something aimed for warm weather, but have some layers to put under if needed. I would think at WORST you might need a sweatshirt for evening.

I know when we were there in 09, we had record heat. My friend came in the next week and STILL had record heat. The folks who came in mid-month got cool weather and I recall seeing them wearing jackets to MNSSHP. That would be PURE HEAVEN to me and I'd schedule in a heartbeat if I knew that was going to be the case........ but then the folks the end of the month had record heat again. At least you won't need the chemical handwarmers and thermal underwear we did last year!

I spend some time the last couple of days editing my Animal Kingdom photos, so I should be able to post an update soon! I think Katie and I are going to make a run to some fabric stores today and give one last look for the right Anastasia fabrics. Then I'll probably give up on my "exact replica" plan and settle for a "close replica".

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Hey... didn't you had to wait... just be gentle!

I'm loving the new dress! The collar alone should tip off that it's for Snow White!!!

 

[basketkat]

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I'm so happy for you that Katie is excited for another year of dressing up at Disney!

Since you are so good at character hunting, can I ask you a couple questions? I've read about 2 things in trip reports and I'm wondering if they happen regularly or if you have to get lucky and stumble upon them:

1. The "hoe down" in Frontierland? I think I read it happens in the evening and all of the sudden lots of cast members and characters come out into the street and they play music and dance.

2. At park closing in MK, Micky, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale (maybe others too) come out around the Sword in the Stone/Carousel area. I've read about this twice and both times it was during evening EMH.

Am I crazy? Do these things exist? And if so are they unofficially scheduled?

We experienced the "hoedown" last year in September. It was right around Pecos Bills...this music started...and the CM's gathered and started clapping and formed a circle. Then they did their thing. I would say it was late afternoon early evening, but I don't remember for sure.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey... didn't you had to wait... just be gentle!

I'm loving the new dress! The collar alone should tip off that it's for Snow White!!!

Thanks Jenn! I'm hoping the collar gives it away. Otherwise there would be no way to tell!

I was out scouting fabric this morning. I got what I need for Anastasia, and found some great possibilities for winter Cindy. We're still negotiating on that one. We agreed to do something with some sort of sheer wintery organza overlay. I was thinking something with snowflakes and glitter. Katie? She IMMEDIATELY picked up the sheer fabric with red and green sparkly polka dots. Hmmmmm....... gonna have to negotiate on that one.........

We experienced the "hoedown" last year in September. It was right around Pecos Bills...this music started...and the CM's gathered and started clapping and formed a circle. Then they did their thing. I would say it was late afternoon early evening, but I don't remember for sure.

That sounds cool. We're gonna have to get over to that side of the park sooner this trip and experience this!

 

[jenseib]

The Snow White dress is beautiful! I'm so happy for you that Katie is excited for another year of dressing up at Disney!

Since you are so good at character hunting, can I ask you a couple questions? I've read about 2 things in trip reports and I'm wondering if they happen regularly or if you have to get lucky and stumble upon them:

1. The "hoe down" in Frontierland? I think I read it happens in the evening and all of the sudden lots of cast members and characters come out into the street and they play music and dance.

2. At park closing in MK, Micky, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale (maybe others too) come out around the Sword in the Stone/Carousel area. I've read about this twice and both times it was during evening EMH.

Am I crazy? Do these things exist? And if so are they unofficially scheduled?

When I was there in April we stayed for EMH at MK. We were told by the CM running Dumbo that if we came back about 5 minutes prior to closeing (3 AM) we would see all the characters ride Dumbo before it shut down and could ride with them..sadly we left at 2:45. We just couldn't last any longer.

 

[mom2rtk]

When I was there in April we stayed for EMH at MK. We were told by the CM running Dumbo that if we came back about 5 minutes prior to closeing (3 AM) we would see all the characters ride Dumbo before it shut down and could ride with them..sadly we left at 2:45. We just couldn't last any longer.

Jen...... you're KILLING me!

You could make it to 2:45, but not 15 MINUTES MORE?????

LOL!

I can't really talk though. I'm a lightweight. I made it to 1:20 once and that was a stretch. Now granted, the park closed at 1, but I think we can all safely assume 3 was out of the question.....

 

[jenseib]

Jen...... you're KILLING me!

You could make it to 2:45, but not 15 MINUTES MORE?????

LOL!

I can't really talk though. I'm a lightweight. I made it to 1:20 once and that was a stretch. Now granted, the park closed at 1, but I think we can all safely assume 3 was out of the question.....

I know. I feel stupid even admitting it. But we were soooo tired. Claire was asleep as soon as we were out the front of the park. We talked about doing it, but then just decided that 15 minutes felt like hours at that point and needed to head back.

 

[mom2rtk]

I know. I feel stupid even admitting it. But we were soooo tired. Claire was asleep as soon as we were out the front of the park. We talked about doing it, but then just decided that 15 minutes felt like hours at that point and needed to head back.

And what..... you couldn't just curl up on the Dumbo loading platform for a short cat nap?????????

I've never been an evening EMH sort. I'm an early riser, so that sort of goes against my grain. But we were in FL for a beach vacation that summer. I couldn't ge that close and not go to Disney, but you know how much I despise the heat..... We chose to stop for one PM EMH in the MK. We got there at 4 and stayed til 1. It was the perfect for a quick dose of Disney.

 

[jenseib]

And what..... you couldn't just curl up on the Dumbo loading platform for a short cat nap?????????

I've never been an evening EMH sort. I'm an early riser, so that sort of goes against my grain. But we were in FL for a beach vacation that summer. I couldn't ge that close and not go to Disney, but you know how much I despise the heat..... We chose to stop for one PM EMH in the MK. We got there at 4 and stayed til 1. It was the perfect for a quick dose of Disney.

It's the best time to be there though. Everything was walk on and it felt like we owned the park

 

[WDWAtLast]

Did you see that Southwest is having an anniversary sale? Tickets for $40/$80/$120 through Thursday for travel until November 16. Maybe I will see you in October! I was able to rebook and get a $400 credit! Maybe I will have to make a solo trip, since the credit must be used by March 2012!!

 

[mom2rtk]

It's the best time to be there though. Everything was walk on and it felt like we owned the park

It's an awesome feeling, isn't it? Our EMH stayed really busy until about the last hour. But man, that last hour was awesome!

Did you see that Southwest is having an anniversary sale? Tickets for $40/$80/$120 through Thursday for travel until November 16. Maybe I will see you in October! I was able to rebook and get a $400 credit! Maybe I will have to make a solo trip, since the credit must be used by March 2012!!

I know! I wailed over on the discount board today because we're pretty committed to December. I had a hard enough time committing on a time to go, but to have that dangled out in front of me was just torture! There were $80 flights both ways available in the sale, for travel through 11/16. Right now the cheapest I've seen for December is $144. And sometimes when I look it's even higher than that.

It's KILLING me!

 

[MNTwinsMom]

Thanks! I'm really glad Katie wants to do some costume play again this time. I'm thinking of doing a new Belle next. Not much new ground to cover here, but I'll try to do one like I did 2 years ago, which was one similar to Belle in the parks.

Which Belle dress? Blue with apron or gold? Sorry, I can't keep up with all Katie's dresses, so I don't know which one was 2 years ago! Either way, Katie will be beautiful dressed as Belle

I HAVE heard about the hoedown in Frontierland, but don't know if they still do it. Keep in mind, we didn't even GET to that side of the park until our 3rd day in the Magic Kingdom! Now, if it was something happening in Fantasyland, I'd have been all over it!

I have also heard about the characters at the Sword in the Stone on EMH night. I have only done an evening EMH once, and didn't see any special character activity. I had also heard about a bunch of characters jumping into the last boat of Small World once, so we timed our night to be on the last boat of Small World the night we closed down EMH. I'm STILL getting grief from my family on that one!

I think sometimes they do some interesting things to end the night, sometimes they don't. It's really hit or miss. But most people don't make it to the bitter end, so there isn't a lot of feedback on what's typical.

We experienced the "hoedown" last year in September. It was right around Pecos Bills...this music started...and the CM's gathered and started clapping and formed a circle. Then they did their thing. I would say it was late afternoon early evening, but I don't remember for sure.

When I was there in April we stayed for EMH at MK. We were told by the CM running Dumbo that if we came back about 5 minutes prior to closeing (3 AM) we would see all the characters ride Dumbo before it shut down and could ride with them..sadly we left at 2:45. We just couldn't last any longer.

Thanks for the feedback on the hoedown and Fantasyland characters during evening EMH. I've already added both events to my "list" of things to try to fit in on our next trip. On our last trip we discovered that evening EMH is the best time to hit Fantasyland. We walked onto everything - even Peter Pan. DH did Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh for the first time (and he's been to WDW 6 times) during evening EMH.

We usually visit WDW in value season so evening EMH is from 10pm-1am. I don't think we would make 3am either! It also helps to do the evening EMH early in our trip when we're still on CST.

 

[mom2rtk]

Which Belle dress? Blue with apron or gold? Sorry, I can't keep up with all Katie's dresses, so I don't know which one was 2 years ago! Either way, Katie will be beautiful dressed as Belle

LOL! Can't imagine why you can't keep them all straight!

p.s. There will be a quiz at the end of this trip report..........









Ok, just kidding on that.

I want to do this style, but I didn't use a pattern and it was rather technically ......... challenging. I'll give it a go soon, but from the yellow rose brocade I used last year:

 

[RGirl]

I am enjoying your report so much! I can't even begin to say how blown away I am by the dresses you have made over the years for your DD. I will have to make sure my DD doesn't see any of these pics - she will be crazy for those dresses, and I don't sew.

Looking forward to your next installment and more amazing pics!

 

[mom2rtk]

I am enjoying your report so much! I can't even begin to say how blown away I am by the dresses you have made over the years for your DD. I will have to make sure my DD doesn't see any of these pics - she will be crazy for those dresses, and I don't sew.

Looking forward to your next installment and more amazing pics!

Hi RGirl! I'm glad you found us. Thanks for the kind words!



I'm working on some Animal Kingdom photos right now so I should have an update soon.