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

[mom2rtk]

OMG! The mascot for Marian is a Sabre, and there was one roaming around saying welcome, I looked at Sam and was about to ask, and she said" Don't even think about it"

LOL! I think we're living parallel lives.......... well, except that your child LIKES Disney! I told Robbie the other day it's a shame he dislikes Disney so much because I bet he'd love Epcot. He said he'd just wait and see each country for real, instead of the "fake" ones........

Thanks for the info Janet - those outfits are just so cute!!!

Thanks Joy!

 

[mom2rtk]

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday and that anyone on the East coast who lost power has it up and running soon. We were without power for 4 days in a huge ice storm in 2001 and I squealed like a stuck pig. We were staying with my in-laws with a 1 year old........ and it was a LONG 4 days. Seriously though, I hope everyone is safe and sound.

Time to finish out our top 6 list.


I actually messed up yesterday. So that makes this pretty anti-climactic.... Katie's second favorite was Meeting Marie....... so...... here's the corrected list........

6. Plane Crackers
5. Riding Space Mountain and Everest
4. Playing the instruments at the cart in AK while I checked in for Tusker House
3. The tube of candy she got at MVMCP they wouldn't let us pay for while waiting for Snow White to show up!
2. Meeting Marie

And her favorite thing of the whole trip..........

1. Pick-a-Pearl!





And here's mine:

6. Seeing Katie in her Red Belle at the Chrismtas party
5. Riding thrill rides with Katie
4. Our very own personal Fairy Godmother!
3. Pick a Pearl!
2. Eating in the castle 3 times!

And my favorite is pretty anti-climactic too since anyone who knows me knows it was getting the photo op i my signature. No surprises there!

 

[hjones78]

Love love love this TR. This is actually the first TR that I have read all the way through. My kids and I have read this every night for almost a week now. You are amazing!!

I love, as everyone else does, all your dresses. I don't know how you carry all of them with you to the park and change so quick.

We were there last November and that is actually the first time in my 4 trips I rode dumbo and I'm so glad I did, as I didn't realize they were moving it. My daughter just discovered Marie this last time and she agrees with Katie that she is her favorite character. We just happened upon her with no one else in line! I also never knew about the tea party with Alice. We are going to have to make that a priority next time.

I noticed that you don't do autographs?? I think you get a much better interaction with the characters without having them sign.

 

[Caretames1]

LOL! I think we're living parallel lives.......... well, except that your child LIKES Disney! I told Robbie the other day it's a shame he dislikes Disney so much because I bet he'd love Epcot. He said he'd just wait and see each country for real, instead of the "fake" ones........

Sam has recently said she wasn't much of a Disney person I don't know where I went wrong She really did enjoy epcot, but said that she'd rather go to Jamacia! I hope she saves her money, because I'm NOT going to Jamacia!

 

[mom2rtk]

Love love love this TR. This is actually the first TR that I have read all the way through. My kids and I have read this every night for almost a week now. You are amazing!!

I love, as everyone else does, all your dresses. I don't know how you carry all of them with you to the park and change so quick.

We were there last November and that is actually the first time in my 4 trips I rode dumbo and I'm so glad I did, as I didn't realize they were moving it. My daughter just discovered Marie this last time and she agrees with Katie that she is her favorite character. We just happened upon her with no one else in line! I also never knew about the tea party with Alice. We are going to have to make that a priority next time.

I noticed that you don't do autographs?? I think you get a much better interaction with the characters without having them sign.

Hi! And ................. to my trip report! Many thanks for the kind words.

I'm glad you got to ride Dumbo before it moved. I'm still not convinced it will seem the same once they move it. I guess it depends on how well we can see the rest of Fantasyland, which was my favorite part of the ride.

We love The Aristocats, so finding Marie was a lot of fun for both of us. I'm glad you found her too!

And definitely do the Alice Tea Party. Katie is done with it now, but did it 3 times over the years, and absolutely loves it. And it's fun for mom to have a chance to wander the grounds of the Grand Floridian for a while.

I just carry a tote bag with me in the parks. Each morning I fold up hte 1 or 2 costumes we want along and when we're done, I stash it in a park locker.

We actually do autographs. We've gone without, but it just seemed like sometimes getting the actual autograph slowed down the interaction with the characters just a little, so it's not over quite as quickly. I'm getting tired of filling the same sort of book each trip, so I'm considering a new approach, maybe a pillowcase or tote bag like Jen had on her cruise. I'd do a special album like Jenn (kwikerkitchen) does, but doubt I'll have time to put anything together before the trip. I have never used our autographs in one of my scrapbooks yet, so maybe I just need to bring blank notecards and do that this time so I can add them to my pages later.

Sam has recently said she wasn't much of a Disney person I don't know where I went wrong She really did enjoy epcot, but said that she'd rather go to Jamacia! I hope she saves her money, because I'm NOT going to Jamacia!

But at least she'll still GO. Robbie's refuses. He only went into the parks at Disneyland last year because we had a free Give a Day ticket for him then bribed him with food!

 

[meggiebeth]

Your trip report is amazing! I've only got through the first few of your updates and am hastily trying to read more.

Your dresses are amazing- Katie is so lucky! I have always wanted Disney princess dresses like that (I am fourteen years old) but they don't sell them like that anywhere that I've seen. You're never too old to dress like a princess I guess! The Belle one at Hollywood Studios was really pretty.

It must be magical visiting WDW at Christmas time. I really want to, but as we are from the UK (Cold virtually all year round ) we couldn't justify spending all that money to visit a place that is cold. Well- my parents couldn't anyway. I think it's more expensive to stay onsite at that time too.

We went on our first trip in August and it was absolutely boiling! We really loved it... and want to return ASAP, when we have the money. We stayed at SSR on a 45% off deal & got a free dining plan- so we saved quite a lot. Hopefully they'll have deals like that in the future!

Can't wait to catch up on the rest of the TR- sad I only found it when it was finished.

 

[meggiebeth]

P.S. Just seen your costumes on Etsy..... Wow. (I recognised the photos of Katie! ) I would love to buy one... but spent all my money at WDW last month. I think I'll save up. I love the Belle Ball Gown but I think I'm kind of inbetween child and adult sizes. I'm 14 but I'm the size of an 11 or 12 year old. We're going again hopefully in 2013, either August or October. If we go for MNSSHP I would definately want to wear something like that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Your trip report is amazing! I've only got through the first few of your updates and am hastily trying to read more.

Your dresses are amazing- Katie is so lucky! I have always wanted Disney princess dresses like that (I am fourteen years old) but they don't sell them like that anywhere that I've seen. You're never too old to dress like a princess I guess! The Belle one at Hollywood Studios was really pretty.

It must be magical visiting WDW at Christmas time. I really want to, but as we are from the UK (Cold virtually all year round ) we couldn't justify spending all that money to visit a place that is cold. Well- my parents couldn't anyway. I think it's more expensive to stay onsite at that time too.

We went on our first trip in August and it was absolutely boiling! We really loved it... and want to return ASAP, when we have the money. We stayed at SSR on a 45% off deal & got a free dining plan- so we saved quite a lot. Hopefully they'll have deals like that in the future!

Can't wait to catch up on the rest of the TR- sad I only found it when it was finished.

Hello and from across the pond!

I suppose if you don't like the cold, then you really picked the right time to visit WDW! It sounds like you guys got a great deal and I hope that you get to come back again soon.

Christmas time is such a magical time to visit. You do run the risk of hitting a cold snap, but I've been there in December when it was shorts weather... and there's nothing nicer this side of heaven. Disney in a sweatshirt and shorts...........

I'm so glad you're reading along and appreciat all your kind words. No problem that you're late to the party. Jump on in..... the water's great!

P.S. Just seen your costumes on Etsy..... Wow. (I recognised the photos of Katie! ) I would love to buy one... but spent all my money at WDW last month. I think I'll save up. I love the Belle Ball Gown but I think I'm kind of inbetween child and adult sizes. I'm 14 but I'm the size of an 11 or 12 year old. We're going again hopefully in 2013, either August or October. If we go for MNSSHP I would definately want to wear something like that.

Thanks again for the kind words.

MNSSHP really is a lot of fun. I was SO close to scheduling our trip that time of year this year. But as much as you hate the cold, I hate the heat .... and just didn't want to take a chance.l

 

[meggiebeth]

Hello and from across the pond!

I suppose if you don't like the cold, then you really picked the right time to visit WDW! It sounds like you guys got a great deal and I hope that you get to come back again soon.

Christmas time is such a magical time to visit. You do run the risk of hitting a cold snap, but I've been there in December when it was shorts weather... and there's nothing nicer this side of heaven. Disney in a sweatshirt and shorts...........

I'm so glad you're reading along and appreciat all your kind words. No problem that you're late to the party. Jump on in..... the water's great!



Thanks again for the kind words.

MNSSHP really is a lot of fun. I was SO close to scheduling our trip that time of year this year. But as much as you hate the cold, I hate the heat .... and just didn't want to take a chance.l

Thanks for the advice! So if you don't mind my asking, would you reccommend visiting in August, October or at Christmas time? Ideally I'd love to go at Christmas, but I'm not sure my family would agree. The Osbourne Lights look amazing. I've heard the crowds are less in October than August, and hopefully the weather is less humid too! Have you ever been in October? I'm interested to hear about MNSSHP and whether it's worth it. I heard that the Christmas decorations start coming up straight after Halloween.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the advice! So if you don't mind my asking, would you reccommend visiting in August, October or at Christmas time? Ideally I'd love to go at Christmas, but I'm not sure my family would agree. The Osbourne Lights look amazing. I've heard the crowds are less in October than August, and hopefully the weather is less humid too! Have you ever been in October? I'm interested to hear about MNSSHP and whether it's worth it. I heard that the Christmas decorations start coming up straight after Halloween.

Well, that really just depends on whether you like Christmas or Halloween more.... and on your tolerance for heat vs. cold.

We were the last of September into early October in 09. They had record heat that week. It was just as hot as summer. That made me nervous about trying again. That year it was still in the 90's ON Halloween. But generally the weather starts to break and offer cooler evenings SOME time in October. There's just no guarantee of that.

The parks are more done up for Christmas than for Halloween. There are a few decorations in the MK for Halloween, but nowhere else. At Christmas, all of the parks and resorts have something.

I of course like the idea of going to MNSSHP so we can dress up. But it's really no fun to plan a great costume, only to have it far to hot to ever wear.

If you ever consider Christmas though, I'd plan to complete travel by the weekend before Christmas. The resort rates get really high after that point, and the parks get far too busy for the kind of fun I want.

My ideal trip would be from 11/1 to about 11/10, covering the last MNSSP and the first MVMCP. I'm REALLY going to do that sometime. But we have too much fun with Halloween here. While the kids are young enough to trick or treat, we'll always be home ON Halloween, and probably too tired to leave too early the next day!

 

[meggiebeth]

Well, that really just depends on whether you like Christmas or Halloween more.... and on your tolerance for heat vs. cold.

We were the last of September into early October in 09. They had record heat that week. It was just as hot as summer. That made me nervous about trying again. That year it was still in the 90's ON Halloween. But generally the weather starts to break and offer cooler evenings SOME time in October. There's just no guarantee of that.

The parks are more done up for Christmas than for Halloween. There are a few decorations in the MK for Halloween, but nowhere else. At Christmas, all of the parks and resorts have something.

I of course like the idea of going to MNSSHP so we can dress up. But it's really no fun to plan a great costume, only to have it far to hot to ever wear.

If you ever consider Christmas though, I'd plan to complete travel by the weekend before Christmas. The resort rates get really high after that point, and the parks get far too busy for the kind of fun I want.

My ideal trip would be from 11/1 to about 11/10, covering the last MNSSP and the first MVMCP. I'm REALLY going to do that sometime. But we have too much fun with Halloween here. While the kids are young enough to trick or treat, we'll always be home ON Halloween, and probably too tired to leave too early the next day!

Thanks for all the information. I'm really glad that you told me about MVMCP starting in November. I was wondering about that. So I think going for Halloween AND Christmas would be the best thing to do. I'd love to go in December but we can't afford the rates at the moment. We really want to join DVC, we had the briefing and everything, but we don't have the money at present. If and when we join DVC, I'm hoping we can afford to stay at actual Christmas time. A 70% discount makes everything good, right?!
It's interesting you saying you like staying home during Halloween. We don't celebrate it much in the UK... I guess that's why I'd love to see what it's like in WDW.
Thanks again- I really hope we can aim to go right at the end of October so most of our trip is in November. I have always wanted to try MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[joy13]

Thanks for all the information. I'm really glad that you told me about MVMCP starting in November. I was wondering about that. So I think going for Halloween AND Christmas would be the best thing to do. I'd love to go in December but we can't afford the rates at the moment. We really want to join DVC, we had the briefing and everything, but we don't have the money at present. If and when we join DVC, I'm hoping we can afford to stay at actual Christmas time. A 70% discount makes everything good, right?!
It's interesting you saying you like staying home during Halloween. We don't celebrate it much in the UK... I guess that's why I'd love to see what it's like in WDW.
Thanks again- I really hope we can aim to go right at the end of October so most of our trip is in November. I have always wanted to try MNSSHP and MVMCP.

I have been to WDW right around Halloween twice and loved it both times. Since you did ok during the heat in August, I think you would be ok in October. We were there in 2009 (10/24 - 11/1) when Janet referred to the heat wave and yes it was HOT! We did ok though. In 2005 we went 10/30 - 11/6 and the weather was perfect! 80's during the day, 60's at night I love the idea Janet had though - if we like MVMCP on this next trip - I may try and do that some day too! I absolutely love the Halloween party - I would go every year if I could!

 

[jenseib]

Joy, Are you doing the MVMCP this trip too? I really would love to try out al lthe parties. I still kick myself for never going to the priate and princess one. And I think Janet and I were on a trip the same time one year, but didn't really know each other then...if only we knew back then!

 

[joy13]

Joy, Are you doing the MVMCP this trip too? I really would love to try out al lthe parties. I still kick myself for never going to the priate and princess one. And I think Janet and I were on a trip the same time one year, but didn't really know each other then...if only we knew back then!

Yes - we are planning to go to MVMCP, though I haven't ordered the tickets yet - I probably should since it's the only party during our trip and we are for sure going to go.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for all the information. I'm really glad that you told me about MVMCP starting in November. I was wondering about that. So I think going for Halloween AND Christmas would be the best thing to do. I'd love to go in December but we can't afford the rates at the moment. We really want to join DVC, we had the briefing and everything, but we don't have the money at present. If and when we join DVC, I'm hoping we can afford to stay at actual Christmas time. A 70% discount makes everything good, right?!
It's interesting you saying you like staying home during Halloween. We don't celebrate it much in the UK... I guess that's why I'd love to see what it's like in WDW.
Thanks again- I really hope we can aim to go right at the end of October so most of our trip is in November. I have always wanted to try MNSSHP and MVMCP.

No problem at all. I'm happy to share my idea for the world's BEST ever Disnely trip..... you know.... the one I haven't worked out taking yet...... I wonder if I could get Katie up early enough for a flight on 11/1 after trick or treating all night and eating a ton of candy....... and still stay up late enough for the party on arrival night......... Hmmmm.........

We have always loved Halloween here. I just can't see Drew ever going for a trip over Halloween night. Even before we had kids we loved decorating the house and handing out candy. It's a lot of fun now with kids because we get TONS of trick or treaters and see most of the kids from Katie's school.

I have been to WDW right around Halloween twice and loved it both times. Since you did ok during the heat in August, I think you would be ok in October. We were there in 2009 (10/24 - 11/1) when Janet referred to the heat wave and yes it was HOT! We did ok though. In 2005 we went 10/30 - 11/6 and the weather was perfect! 80's during the day, 60's at night I love the idea Janet had though - if we like MVMCP on this next trip - I may try and do that some day too! I absolutely love the Halloween party - I would go every year if I could!

Oh definitely, if she did fine with August heat, she can stand ANYTHING. SO October would be perfect. I love December, but you DO take a chance on unseasonably cold weather in December.

Joy, Are you doing the MVMCP this trip too? I really would love to try out al lthe parties. I still kick myself for never going to the priate and princess one. And I think Janet and I were on a trip the same time one year, but didn't really know each other then...if only we knew back then!

Oh yeah.... I think that was March 07. I think we were even in the Magic Kingdom that day. Claire must have been a baby because Katie was pretty young. And I really wish you had done the P&PP. We did it 3 times over 3 trips and ended up at the very last one ever (6/4/08) although we didn't know it at the time. I remember being back and forth about it before that March 07 trip, but decided to get tickets for the family as an early Mother's Day present. Of course, that was a short trip and we had an 8 AM ADR at CRT the next morning, so we missed a LOT. But it was still a BALL.

Yes - we are planning to go to MVMCP, though I haven't ordered the tickets yet - I probably should since it's the only party during our trip and we are for sure going to go.

I haven't ordered ours yet either .... and we are going that last week of December. My husband is wavering again........ you know...... now that I changed all of our plans around....... Well, I added the extra 2 nights, so the worst that can happen is that Katie and I get a couple extra days. But I don't want to buy him a party ticket and end up wasting it..... So I wait...........

 

[jenseib]

Claire was 2 in 07, it was her 1st trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Claire was 2 in 07, it was her 1st trip!

I'm so honored to have shared her first trip! It was a great time to be at Disney, wasn't it??? I'd go back the first of March again except I'm now addicted to doing the hard ticketed parties. I wish they'd do something that time of year again.

 

[jenseib]

I'm so honored to have shared her first trip! It was a great time to be at Disney, wasn't it??? I'd go back the first of March again except I'm now addicted to doing the hard ticketed parties. I wish they'd do something that time of year again.

I do like that time of year. I belive that Sudnay had a cold spell and I was wearing my winter jacket that night, but it warmed up as the week went on. I think our 2008 trip had just about perfect weather and corwds were really low that year.

 

[joy13]

Claire was 2 in 07, it was her 1st trip!

That makes sense because we went in 9/07 and I booked that trip in 4/07 - so I probably found your trip report while I was planning or I saw you on the Pop picture thread and BBB threads. Did you do a trip report for that trip?

 

[joy13]

We never got to the P&PP's, everyone who went though seems to be disappointed that they stopped them. Probably because they weren't crowded - but then that's probably why they stopped having them - oh the irony!