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

[mom2rtk]

Wouldn't that be awesome! I originally wanted to go in December - but November just worked out better for us. The only thing we're missing that I wish we were seeing is Christmas Around the World at World Showcase. I think I'd really like the Candlelight Processional too - someday maybe.

I agree with you on school - Maddie is missing school too. The memories you are making with Katie are priceless!

I don't think you'll be disappointed in November. That last full week before Thanksgiving is one of the best weeks of the entire year. Crowds will be as low as you can find, and you'll still be able to get a good dose of Holiday atmosphere. I could easily see us moving to that week in a future year. I just didn't want to spend a lot of time out of town this year with Robbie (as a new driver) at home driving across town every day while we're gone. With the week we're going in December, he'll be done or have one last day of finals left.

That does look like a pretty awesome trip you have lined up! I totally agree, elementary school is important, but these are opportunities you won't have as Katie gets older, take advantage while you can!

Thanks Steph! We actually took Timmy out of school as a freshman in high school for a few days and he did just fine. Last year probably would have been ok too. This year? Nope. Junior year really seems to have the most work. He's doing great, but I wouldn't want to take any chances with that.

I know, I know! Just because last time I started the TR within 24 hours! This trip kicked my butt! It was the heat that did it!

Sammy's doing well, but bored is a word that had been tossed around by her. I guess I get it, her classes are about 3-4 hours a day right now, and she has 1 online class. Then she sits and states into the 4 walls of her dorm. I told her maybe find some clubs or activies and she did.
She's now a member of the Nurses Club, a volnteer club for comm. service, and has started walking in the late afternoons with a group of girls.
I think it just took some time to get aclimated.

Robby doing well with the driving and all?






We have then exact same thoughts! They are only young once, and we took for advantage of that on the trip!

I totally agree about how the heat can kick your butt at Disney. I had a trip scheduled initially that would have us heading down this Friday. But honestly, the odds are that it will still be pretty hot. As much as I'd love to do MNSSHP again, I just don't know if I want to deal with the potential heat.

I'm glad Sam's doing ok at school! And seriously....... you offered a suggestion to her problem (boredom) and she.......... TOOK IT????

What the heck? Nobody EVER takes suggestions around here! I'd probably just pass out on the spot if they did!

Robbie is doing great (knock wood) with both the driving and the school. The work is clearly a lot more than he ever had in high school, and he seems a little annoyed with that but he has stepped up to the plate in a huge way.

We ate at Panda Express last weekend and got fortune cookies. We opened one for each of the 3 kids and just died laughing at how spot on they all were. Robbie's said "The road before you is long. Drive safely". AMEN to that!

 

[annmarieda]

We're flying in the evening of the 8th and staying for........... 10 nights! We started with 8 nights, but the way Drew's schedule worked out it made more sense to just go in a couple nights earlier. And of course..... I was more than happy to go along with that plan!

Since nobody has messed with the schedule on me in a couple weeks....... and since we now have MVMCP tickets...... and since we now have plane tickets........... and since I cancelled a boat load of ADR's I had for all our contingency plans................... drum roll please........ I'm going to write this all down in PEN! (I know.... I know... famous last words).......

Thursday 12/8 Arrive MCO 9:30 PM
Check into POP

Friday 12/9: Magic Kingdom
Dinner Chef Mickey

Saturday 12/10 DHS
Sci Fi Lunch

Sunday 12/11 AK
Tusker House breakfast
Leave by noon/back to POP
Enter MK with MVMCP ticket 4 PM
Dinner CRT 4:15

Monday 12/12 Epcot
Akershus late breakfast
Teppan Edo dinner

Tuesday 12/13 Drew catches ME 6:30 AM
Since Katie and I will be up early, we thought we might just hang out near the entrance to the MK ...... you know...... for no particular reason.......
GIRLS ONLY day in the MK

Wednesday 12/14 DHS
Stalking Gaston, the sequel??????????
Dinner 50's Prime Time

Thursday 12/15 EMH MK
late breakfast 1900 Park Fare
Back to hotel
Katie's best friend and her mom, my best friend, arrive at POP 4:30ish
dinner 1900 Park Fare (Anastasia and Drizella should have a grand time!) I already made adjustments to Katie's Drizella costume from last year so her friend can wear it and Katie has a brand new Anastasia!

Friday 12/16 MK with our girlfriends!
8:15 BBB
4 PM CRT
MVMCP!

Saturday 12/17 late start back at the MK with our friends
lunch at Crystal Palace
Stay for Wishes/MSEP

Sunday 12/18 Animal Kingdom until 12
Depart for POP and ME home.......

Anyone as tired as me just reading this???????

I feel like I need to apologize. I have lurked quite a bit on here. I have never quite got caught up. I also think I have never "officially" said hello.

So.. please forgive me as I just now get around to doing so.

Looks like we will be in WDW at the same time... Pop for some of it and even go to the same MVMCP on the 11th.

I have been so impressed with your dd's dresses. You do an unbelievable job! It will be hard not to spot you in WDW as they are so distinctive. Don't worry though... I promise not to stalk you or anything. We actually are not planning on being in the same parks as you except for a couple of days and those days (based on your ADRs in your summary) will be fairly different from ours. See for us, the only way dh decided he was ok with yet another Disney trip was to say no more commando. So no rushing to rope drop for us. Which is going to drive me nuts since I like to be there right at rope drop. (although, not quite as much as you do. )

Last, I too hope for a warm December. It was cold here all summer (up until very recently) so warm would be nice for that fact alone... but knowing how bad last year was for all of you who went... brrrrr.... I PRAY it is not like that again.

 

[katt789]

I finally made it through!! Let me tell you, I loved every minute of it! The dresses/outfits that you make are just SO freakin incredible!! I adore the red Belle dress, it's amazing!!

AND!! We're going to be there the same time this Christmas. As a friend & I are going down for an audition, we'll be cramming the highlights of 4 parks into 1 day (the 16th) and then spend the evening at MVMCP that you'll be at! Maybe we'll spot you somewhere!

 

[mom2rtk]

I finally made it through!! Let me tell you, I loved every minute of it! The dresses/outfits that you make are just SO freakin incredible!! I adore the red Belle dress, it's amazing!!

AND!! We're going to be there the same time this Christmas. As a friend & I are going down for an audition, we'll be cramming the highlights of 4 parks into 1 day (the 16th) and then spend the evening at MVMCP that you'll be at! Maybe we'll spot you somewhere!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found the TR. Better late than never!

Your one day tour sounds awesome! And good luck on the audition.

Which of the party nights will you be there? We're going the 11th and 16th.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel like I need to apologize. I have lurked quite a bit on here. I have never quite got caught up. I also think I have never "officially" said hello.

So.. please forgive me as I just now get around to doing so.

Looks like we will be in WDW at the same time... Pop for some of it and even go to the same MVMCP on the 11th.

I have been so impressed with your dd's dresses. You do an unbelievable job! It will be hard not to spot you in WDW as they are so distinctive. Don't worry though... I promise not to stalk you or anything. We actually are not planning on being in the same parks as you except for a couple of days and those days (based on your ADRs in your summary) will be fairly different from ours. See for us, the only way dh decided he was ok with yet another Disney trip was to say no more commando. So no rushing to rope drop for us. Which is going to drive me nuts since I like to be there right at rope drop. (although, not quite as much as you do. )

Last, I too hope for a warm December. It was cold here all summer (up until very recently) so warm would be nice for that fact alone... but knowing how bad last year was for all of you who went... brrrrr.... I PRAY it is not like that again.

I'm so sorry I missed replying to you sooner! I've been as busy as a costume maker in October! Here you finally come out of lurkdom and get ignored. YIKES! Sorry!


Do stop and say hi if you see us at the party! I don't have a clue yet what we'll be doing which night of the party. I think I'll work that out once the first parties have been held and I get some recon from the field.

And what's with this "no commando" style thing? You'll have to let me know how that goes! LOL! Actually our first few days with my husband along should be pretty much "go with the flow" days. We'll save our commando stuff for after he leaves. I think it will be a nice balance.

And there's an awful lot of us hoping for a warmer December. Once was MORE than enough of that nonsense!

 

[katt789]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found the TR. Better late than never!

Your one day tour sounds awesome! And good luck on the audition.

Which of the party nights will you be there? We're going the 11th and 16th.

Thanks!! We'll be at the party on the 16th, really our only park day. Staying at Pop, and we're going to attempt to watch the rope drop ceremony at MK before heading to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks!! We'll be at the party on the 16th, really our only park day. Staying at Pop, and we're going to attempt to watch the rope drop ceremony at MK before heading to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast

Well, that's the day we'll be there with my friend and her daughter. We're also staying at the POP, so keep your eyes peeled for us! I'm the one usually carting around a camera backpack and a big Minnnie dot tote bag. We'll be entering the MK early that day for the BBB, staying all day, dining at CRT and staying through for the party. Just your average 16 hour day!

Be sure to say Hi if you see us! We'll have a few costumes along for the girls, but I don't have a clue which ones yet! Katie's friend is shorter than her, so I"m making adjustments to some of what she wore last year for her friend to wear. We're thinking about a pair of yellow Belles for the Boutique, but that could change. Who knew tween girls were so opinionated! Her friend could be wearing red Belle to the party. Katie? Who knows!

I'm really anxious to get my Halloween orders out so I can do a little fun sewing again. I'm running out of time!

 

[annmarieda]

I'm so sorry I missed replying to you sooner! I've been as busy as a costume maker in October! Here you finally come out of lurkdom and get ignored. YIKES! Sorry!


Do stop and say hi if you see us at the party! I don't have a clue yet what we'll be doing which night of the party. I think I'll work that out once the first parties have been held and I get some recon from the field.

And what's with this "no commando" style thing? You'll have to let me know how that goes! LOL! Actually our first few days with my husband along should be pretty much "go with the flow" days. We'll save our commando stuff for after he leaves. I think it will be a nice balance.

And there's an awful lot of us hoping for a warmer December. Once was MORE than enough of that nonsense!

No worries. I just noticed you responded. I actually saw a post of yours on another thread and I figured I missed something here since I hadn't see an update from your thread. Sure enough... I did.

I bet you are busy right now since Halloween is just a week away!

As for the no commando.. well as i started to plan our days in more detail I realized that we would need to start our days early. I am still trying to make time for a break in the afternoon, but to fit everything in one does need to go a little commando. Just don't tell my dh.

If I see you in the parks, I will make sure to stop and say hi. I am sure you are recognized by quite a few disers when your dd is all dressed up. So know that I will understand if you have places to be if and when I do stop you to say hi.

 

[Glennie5]

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your trip report! Your daughter is beautiful and your dresses are incredible! My DD and I are doing a mother daughter trip this Dec. and we will also be at the MK on the 13th. Who knows maybe I will spot your daughter in one of her dresses.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hi everyone! Long time, no see! I'm finally coming up for a little gulp of air. I hope to catch up on everyone's trip reports soon!

I did take a much needed break this last weekend to make something new for the trip. I really wasn't going to do a new Rapunzel. But then they had those dang crowns at the Disney store, and I had to have one. So of course it needed a new dress to go with it!

[/url][/IMG]

No worries. I just noticed you responded. I actually saw a post of yours on another thread and I figured I missed something here since I hadn't see an update from your thread. Sure enough... I did.

I bet you are busy right now since Halloween is just a week away!

As for the no commando.. well as i started to plan our days in more detail I realized that we would need to start our days early. I am still trying to make time for a break in the afternoon, but to fit everything in one does need to go a little commando. Just don't tell my dh.

If I see you in the parks, I will make sure to stop and say hi. I am sure you are recognized by quite a few disers when your dd is all dressed up. So know that I will understand if you have places to be if and when I do stop you to say hi.

Well, just as you guessed, I've been crazy busy with Halloween costumes. I have one left tomorrow..... then hope to do a little more fun sewing! Katie gets a real charge from me saying I want to take a break from my sewing to do some sewing!

I know what you mean about needing a touch of commando touring. I'm very much a commando about planning dining reservations and getting to the parks early, but once we're there I don't have a list or schedule or anything. Now, the hard ticketed parties are another matter entirely!

Do be sure to say hi if you see us. I'm not sure you'll see Katie in one of her costumes, as she sometimes changes out of them fairly quickly. But watch for me with my big Minnie dot bag!

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your trip report! Your daughter is beautiful and your dresses are incredible! My DD and I are doing a mother daughter trip this Dec. and we will also be at the MK on the 13th. Who knows maybe I will spot your daughter in one of her dresses.

Hi there! Better late than never!

Many thanks for the kind words!

I hope if you see us on the 13th you'll stop and say hi!

 

[annmarieda]

OMG! that dress is amazing!!! I think it is much prettier than the "deluxe" one at the disney store!!!

So you mention

but once we're there I don't have a list or schedule or anything. Now, the hard ticketed parties are another matter entirely!

So do you plan out your time at MVMCP? I have to hear more!

 

[mom2rtk]

OMG! that dress is amazing!!! I think it is much prettier than the "deluxe" one at the disney store!!!

So you mention

So do you plan out your time at MVMCP? I have to hear more!

Many thanks! Later this week I hope to work up a new Mary Poppins. I decided to make a Christmas version and can't wait to see how it goes. If I don't post a photo, don't ask. Just assume it didn't go well!

I have no idea yet what our plan will be for MVMCP. I'm anxiously waiting for the first parties to start so I can get an idea of what there is to do. But we generally go into it with a definite list of what needs to be done in what order.

Right now the princess room situation at MNSSHP is a mess. They aren't cutting the day guests before 7, which means the ones there for the party aren't getting in right away. So we'll probably have to suffer a long line later or go during the parade or fireworks. The problem of course is that we want to go through the line a couple times. I'll have to work on that plan.

The one lesson I learned last year is that going from one side of the park to another is almost impossible once you hit a certain point in the night. I knew Adventureland gets cut off during the parade but it didn't even pop into my mind that night. We hit utter gridlock and ended up waiting with a huge crowd for the parade to pass when we weren't even there to see the parade. We planned to see the second one.

If you can end the night down by the train station to watch the parade, it makes for a fairly easy exit.

I'll post more when the info on this year's party starts to leak out. I know they had character info for MNSSHP a week or 2 ahead of time. I sure hope they add some new characters this year. They cut so much the last couple of years without much giveback.

So is anyone surprised that I'm hoping they bring Gaston out for the parties?

Now off to finish (hopefully) the very last of the Halloween sewing today!

 

[KCmike]

To say you have a gift would be an understatement. WOW! Janet you rock!

 

[mom2rtk]

To say you have a gift would be an understatement. WOW! Janet you rock!

Awww.... thanks Mike! Some call it a sickness, but I'll take your descripton! LOL!

So are you all settled on Santa bringing a new 60D? You're going to have a ball with it. I have to say the step-up from Xsi to T2i was a big leap for me, just because of the higher ISO. Going from the Xti to the 60D would be even more remarkable!

 

[KCmike]

Awww.... thanks Mike! Some call it a sickness, but I'll take your descripton! LOL!

So are you all settled on Santa bringing a new 60D? You're going to have a ball with it. I have to say the step-up from Xsi to T2i was a big leap for me, just because of the higher ISO. Going from the Xti to the 60D would be even more remarkable!

It's on the Christmas wish list. We'll just have to see if it makes it under the tree or not. We have toyed with the idea of going back to Disneyland for a weekend this December but my job has been extremely busy (more work than I've ever dreamed of) and just as I was about to purchase the tickets the airfare shot up very high. Maybe it was a sign from upstairs? The kids know that next summer will be our last big trip for quite sometime and we know as parents that next year will probably be the last family vacation period as they are all growing up so fast. Sad. I was talking with my wife this morning about it all and she thought that since the airfare went up that maybe we could do it next year for a December weekend and surprise the kids with one last getaway. It makes more sense because DCA will be completely finished but I get very impatient and would just like to getaway now.

I see your coming up on a Christmas at WDW!! Woo Hoo! Where are you two staying? Did you get good airfare? Any special things or new stuff you plan to do?

 

[mom2rtk]

It's on the Christmas wish list. We'll just have to see if it makes it under the tree or not. We have toyed with the idea of going back to Disneyland for a weekend this December but my job has been extremely busy (more work than I've ever dreamed of) and just as I was about to purchase the tickets the airfare shot up very high. Maybe it was a sign from upstairs? The kids know that next summer will be our last big trip for quite sometime and we know as parents that next year will probably be the last family vacation period as they are all growing up so fast. Sad. I was talking with my wife this morning about it all and she thought that since the airfare went up that maybe we could do it next year for a December weekend and surprise the kids with one last getaway. It makes more sense because DCA will be completely finished but I get very impatient and would just like to getaway now.

I see your coming up on a Christmas at WDW!! Woo Hoo! Where are you two staying? Did you get good airfare? Any special things or new stuff you plan to do?

Well, if the DL weekend doesn't pan out, I sure hope the 60D does!

I hear you on the vacation thing. Neither of the boys came along on the trip to Rushmore this summer. It was far easier to vacation with just 3 in the car, but I sure missed having the entire family along. I do think we'll find a way down to Sanibel in the next couple of years though and they'd go for that.

This trip my husband is coming along for the first 4 days, then Katie and I are staying longer and even meeting a some friends a couple days.

We didn't get spectacular deals, but they weren't bad either. I think we ended up at $99 for the flight down and $133 for the trip back. Or maybe $148. That flight back is on a Sunday so they just didn't budge as much on that one.

There really isn't anything new planned for this trip. We're sort of creatures of habit. We're staying at POP again with free dining. So 10 days with no cooking. Heck, I don't even need Disney. That's vacation enough. And the boys will probably appreciate 10 days without my cooking too! As long as I leave enough pizza money!

 

[KCmike]

Well, if the DL weekend doesn't pan out, I sure hope the 60D does!

I hear you on the vacation thing. Neither of the boys came along on the trip to Rushmore this summer. It was far easier to vacation with just 3 in the car, but I sure missed having the entire family along. I do think we'll find a way down to Sanibel in the next couple of years though and they'd go for that.

This trip my husband is coming along for the first 4 days, then Katie and I are staying longer and even meeting a some friends a couple days.

We didn't get spectacular deals, but they weren't bad either. I think we ended up at $99 for the flight down and $133 for the trip back. Or maybe $148. That flight back is on a Sunday so they just didn't budge as much on that one.

There really isn't anything new planned for this trip. We're sort of creatures of habit. We're staying at POP again with free dining. So 10 days with no cooking. Heck, I don't even need Disney. That's vacation enough. And the boys will probably appreciate 10 days without my cooking too! As long as I leave enough pizza money!

Sounds like the perfect getaway! Did you book with Southwest? How many days in the parks are going with? What is your family's favorite park? I've always wanted to do the free dining and we have had plenty of those offers but couldn't justify my youngest daughter doing it as she eats like a bird. Do you get to take in the Epcot Candlelight processional? Always wanted to do the version in Disneyland. When I heard that Dick Van Dyke did it in DL a year or two ago I was wishing I would have pulled the trigger then. I don't get star struck but that would have been amazing to see him read the Christmas story at Disneyland.

Sounds like your boys are the same as my one. Pizza is what he lives, sleeps and dreams about.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sounds like the perfect getaway! Did you book with Southwest? How many days in the parks are going with? What is your family's favorite park? I've always wanted to do the free dining and we have had plenty of those offers but couldn't justify my youngest daughter doing it as she eats like a bird. Do you get to take in the Epcot Candlelight processional? Always wanted to do the version in Disneyland. When I heard that Dick Van Dyke did it in DL a year or two ago I was wishing I would have pulled the trigger then. I don't get star struck but that would have been amazing to see him read the Christmas story at Disneyland.

Sounds like your boys are the same as my one. Pizza is what he lives, sleeps and dreams about.

Yeah.... we never really consider other airlines. The baggage fees would just do us in!

We'll have 9 full park days plus the morning we leave. We to to be in the parks, so we'll spend the vast majority of that time in the parks. MK is our favorite, even though it pales in comparison to DL. I'm not sure how I'll feel about all the construction and the closing of Toontown though. It might feel a little claustrophobic. I want to be sure and say goodbye to the Snow White ride and Dumbo. I really loved Dumbo for where it was, not for the ride itself. I'm not sure I'll care about it one bit when it moves. But 4 of our park days will be at the MK. One with my husband along, one with just Katie and me, and 2 with our girlfriends.

We always shortchange Epcot and will spend only one day there. No Candlelight Processional. We thought about it. I think Katie is old enough to really appreciate it so we'll probably try that on another trip. Man, if Dick Van Dyke did the narrating though...... I'd be all over that. Katie would love it too. Mary Poppins was one of our great Disney bonding movies.

This will be the first time we've been out of town and the boys have been driving in our absence. Not sure what I think about that, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. Robbie will finish his finals at Rockhurst just as we leave, so he probably won't go anywhere after that. That's one of the reasons we went with December instead of October. At the time we planned the trip, he didn't even have his license yet. Now that he's been driving there and back every day for a couple months, it doesn't seem AS big a deal......

 

[annmarieda]

having never been to any of the parties, I will look forward to when things start to surface regarding this year's MVMCP. Then... I will make sure to see what your thoughts are. Dh and Ds are going with us and I am sure that they won't be big on meeting characters. Dd and I would be though... maybe we can split up?

And I have one older one staying behind... probably will just have started to drive.... I think it has me a bit stressed ... but if I can send him away to join the army, I better be ok with leaving him alone with a car he has purchased to drive himself around. He is over 18 after all...

 

[Yzerbear19]

I love your trip report!

I just have to say that your photos and dresses are AMAZING!!! We saw you and Katie last year in line for Rapunzel and then again for Tiana/Naveen. The dresses I think are prettier in person.

And that week was definitely FREEZING! We had went in April/May 2010 and it was BOILING and extremely humid so we planned the December trip hoping it would be cooler. Boy was it cooler, it was downright cold! LOL

My sister and I totally want to dress our niece up in different dresses when we take her in 2014 for her first trip. I can't wait for her to meet all the princesses and Tigger. She is only 8 months old, but she LOVES her Tigger. She gets a huge smile and all giggly when we read her a book with Tigger in it and she is always playing with her stuffed Tigger. We already bought her her first princess doll - an Ariel doll. We're thinking a Tangled theme for her first birthday. We're going to do our best to make her love all the Disney Princesses.

I wish I had your mad sewing skills. That was one thing I could never master. I just don't have the patience.

I love that Snow White dress and Rapunzel one you posted. Gorgeous work! Have you ever done a Mulan costume?