Driving down to Mickey's for Christmas!

[momabaarjo]

I know I see Ann's TR and I get nervous that I haven't planned enough or anything like that! But I didn't only use ridemax! I used a few things that I found places and combined them! I am hoping that works!

I am trying to merge all the touring sites together along with RideMax...which is only leavining me

Thank you! I am hoping that it's nice and simple! I don't like those big over the top parties! And he's not that great with loud and crowds (hence my worry with Disney!), so a small group of friends will be best for him! I just got the cotton candy machine and I need to test it out! If you want some I'll send it! Not sure how it's going to turn out though because the directions sound difficult!

I like simple to, way less stress!

Cotton Candy is easy, pour the sugar in turn the machine and let it go...twirling the stick around and around...I have spent many school carnival prep day doing over 500 bags...

 

[Monknmom]

I don't mean to make you nervous...

Don't worry...I am an OVER planner...way over...do you want to know what I worked on tonight???
a packing list

Don't feel bad Ann... I am an over planner too, I think that's why we all get along! We are crazy with our planning
!

You are just NOW doing this... I did that ages ago, I am now trying to make sure everything is color coordinated EACH DAY (so we have great photopass pictures)!

me too!!!! I want as close to perfect pictures I can get!

Cotton Candy is easy, pour the sugar in turn the machine and let it go...twirling the stick around and around...I have spent many school carnival prep day doing over 500 bags...

You can come and help! I wouldn't mind! I'm hoping it's that easy! I am going to test it at my little brother in laws party this weekend and at my son's school party on Monday! Now it doesn't say though.... should I wait a certain amount of time before I start turning the stick? Or as soon as it starts coming out start turning? And is this going to be messy?

 

[Monknmom]

Today we are going to be visiting the magic kingdom, I just don't like any of the ideas that they are giving me because we are all over the park for the whole day.... does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[annmarieda]

You are just NOW doing this... I did that ages ago, I am now trying to make sure everything is color coordinated EACH DAY (so we have great photopass pictures)!

Well, it is obvious that I am the only over planner.

Today we are going to be visiting the magic kingdom, I just don't like any of the ideas that they are giving me because we are all over the park for the whole day.... does anyone have any suggestions?

I was running into the same thing with our MK day 2. I normally do parts of the part that are next to each other. But since I didn't want to do Fantasy land until the day we have our early breakfast...it meant a cross over. So first...(assuming you have 2 days) Do Adventureland to Frontierland on one day and then Fantasy and Tomorrow on another. The other thing is to adjust break times (if you have set some) Just by keeping our total time down to 90 minutes (instead of 120) It gave me a better schedule (no running back and forth) and also gave me a break that was longer than the 30 minutes I cut out of that break. It doesn't make sense some times. I do figure I have to tinker with each day a bit before I get exactly what i like. In the end I did get it nicely planned using ridemax...but it wasn't as easy as I wished it could have been.

 

[Monknmom]

I was running into the same thing with our MK day 2. I normally do parts of the part that are next to each other. But since I didn't want to do Fantasy land until the day we have our early breakfast...it meant a cross over. So first...(assuming you have 2 days) Do Adventureland to Frontierland on one day and then Fantasy and Tomorrow on another. The other thing is to adjust break times (if you have set some) Just by keeping our total time down to 90 minutes (instead of 120) It gave me a better schedule (no running back and forth) and also gave me a break that was longer than the 30 minutes I cut out of that break. It doesn't make sense some times. I do figure I have to tinker with each day a bit before I get exactly what i like. In the end I did get it nicely planned using ridemax...but it wasn't as easy as I wished it could have been.

That sounds like a good idea! I think that I may take that too! Yeah I want to get to see things that are not on ridemax too (little things) so I am trying to add touring plans and the passporter suggestions in too! I think that's what's messing me up.. it's okay though it's fun none the less!

 

[momabaarjo]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS]You can come and help! I wouldn't mind! I'm hoping it's that easy! I am going to test it at my little brother in laws party this weekend and at my son's school party on Monday! Now it doesn't say though.... should I wait a certain amount of time before I start turning the stick? Or as soon as it starts coming out start turning? And is this going to be messy? [/COLOR][/FONT]

Messy is not the word I would use...HOW ABOUT STICKY from head to toe! When the strands of cotton candy start to appear at full speed then start twirling. The key is to have enough to start wrapping on the stick so that more will stick!

 

[momabaarjo]

Today we are going to be visiting the magic kingdom, I just don't like any of the ideas that they are giving me because we are all over the park for the whole day.... does anyone have any suggestions?

Refresh my mind...do you have just 1 day in MK? Have you looked through the touring plans on touringplans.com (do you have a membership)? With the little guy I am sure that Fantasyland probably should be your best start at rope drop.

That's the thing with touringplans/ridemax you have to be willing to WALK back and forth...in order to get everything in. Do you have rides you must do and ones that you are going to skip?

 

[momabaarjo]

Well, it is obvious that I am the only over planner.



I was running into the same thing with our MK day 2. I normally do parts of the part that are next to each other. But since I didn't want to do Fantasy land until the day we have our early breakfast...it meant a cross over. So first...(assuming you have 2 days) Do Adventureland to Frontierland on one day and then Fantasy and Tomorrow on another. The other thing is to adjust break times (if you have set some) Just by keeping our total time down to 90 minutes (instead of 120) It gave me a better schedule (no running back and forth) and also gave me a break that was longer than the 30 minutes I cut out of that break. It doesn't make sense some times. I do figure I have to tinker with each day a bit before I get exactly what i like. In the end I did get it nicely planned using ridemax...but it wasn't as easy as I wished it could have been.

Hijacking the thread...Sorry Heather!!!

Ann can you customize Ridemax once they give you a plan or do you have to start all over. There are some strange breaks that I could easily fill in AK with one of the trails they have later in the day...

 

[Monknmom]

Messy is not the word I would use...HOW ABOUT STICKY from head to toe! When the strands of cotton candy start to appear at full speed then start twirling. The key is to have enough to start wrapping on the stick so that more will stick!

So I'll be the server to the kids while my BIL does that... I don't do sticky and messing is walking the line

Refresh my mind...do you have just 1 day in MK? Have you looked through the touring plans on touringplans.com (do you have a membership)? With the little guy I am sure that Fantasyland probably should be your best start at rope drop.

That's the thing with touringplans/ridemax you have to be willing to WALK back and forth...in order to get everything in. Do you have rides you must do and ones that you are going to skip?

So maybe I do have to go up and down main street... I am not sure though that he will do any of the fantasyland rides- he loves adventure and scary so maybe snow white, I want Winnie the pooh, and maybe he will do peter pan? I know that space mountain and the train are must dos! I have about 7 rides that I really would like to get on... so maybe I should start from there
I am thinking of adding a day on the say that we are leaving... but I'm not sure I know that DH wants to be at his friends house in Georgia (a 4 hour drive) by 4 so that would mean only about 2-3 hours.... so I'm not sure I am weighing the options since I know that DH is no help

Hijacking the thread...Sorry Heather!!!

Ann can you customize Ridemax once they give you a plan or do you have to start all over. There are some strange breaks that I could easily fill in AK with one of the trails they have later in the day...

It's okay I just wrote a ton on yours!

 

[momabaarjo]

I think making a list of your MUST DOs is the first step...you have to go and do Philharmonic in Fantasyland...it was not on my plans when I went a few years ago...we got a magical extra FP for it and it had to be my FAVORITE OF ALL ATTRACTIONS IN MK...I think Damian will love it!

As Amy and I would say...ADD A DAY! That is our motto and we are sticking to it! If dh is not giving you any input, then make the decision for him!

 

[Monknmom]

I think making a list of your MUST DOs is the first step...you have to go and do Philharmonic in Fantasyland...it was not on my plans when I went a few years ago...we got a magical extra FP for it and it had to be my FAVORITE OF ALL ATTRACTIONS IN MK...I think Damian will love it!

As Amy and I would say...ADD A DAY! That is our motto and we are sticking to it! If dh is not giving you any input, then make the decision for him!

Yeah I do have that on the list I just don't know why I didn't say it.... I love Donald! I am actually on again now (that Damien and Emily are sleeping and DH is working late) so I can look over the rides and touring plan again! Yeah the only hesitation that I have with another day is that it will cut out of DTD time! And I really want to go there! Maybe I can go there on the day we go to AK since it closes early? UGH... I don't know I have to tweak!

 

[annmarieda]

Hijacking the thread...Sorry Heather!!!

Ann can you customize Ridemax once they give you a plan or do you have to start all over. There are some strange breaks that I could easily fill in AK with one of the trails they have later in the day...

yeah.. no. Sorry... that is definitely a frustration. I have learned to "read between the breaks" so to speak. Like if you read my latest update, I could not add Splash mountain or it has me jumpin all over and I didn't like. (although it gave me less of an overall wait time) But... when I left Splash out there was a long enough break that I know...no matter how long (unless it is over a couple hours wait) that we should be able to fit it it. Similar thing happened with me and AK...I know we can trek through the trails rather quick just to "get it done" but Ridemax wants to allow for more time that I need..and thus I can't add it in...instead, like you I can fit it into a break.

so in the end, I use ridemax pretty heavy as a GUIDE. I will have my own itinerary where I add those things into and I have never ran into that much difficulty. The only exception is the year I put that we would run for fast passes and also go at a fast pace. For what ever reason, that was definitely a hurry up and wait itinerary and it drove us all nuts. It was our first time in WDW so I had no idea how much back and forth we were doing. Now I know how to read the plan better and oddly enough, seem to fit more in by using a "slow and no running" plan

Refresh my mind...do you have just 1 day in MK? Have you looked through the touring plans on touringplans.com (do you have a membership)? With the little guy I am sure that Fantasyland probably should be your best start at rope drop.

That's the thing with touringplans/ridemax you have to be willing to WALK back and forth...in order to get everything in. Do you have rides you must do and ones that you are going to skip?

Like Tammie mentioned, Fantasyland is good to get to right at rope drop. Here is why.... When the castle show is going on..(and there usually is one) it often time has the first show at 10am. Well, if opening is at 9:00 then shortly after 9am they close the bridge into fantasyland to prepare for the show. What this means is that anyone who wants to go to Fantasyland now has to go around through either tommorrowland or Libertysquare. So if you are lucky enough to get in there before the crowds filter around it is like you have fantasyland to yourself.

 

[Monknmom]

yeah.. no. Sorry... that is definitely a frustration. I have learned to "read between the breaks" so to speak. Like if you read my latest update, I could not add Splash mountain or it has me jumpin all over and I didn't like. (although it gave me less of an overall wait time) But... when I left Splash out there was a long enough break that I know...no matter how long (unless it is over a couple hours wait) that we should be able to fit it it. Similar thing happened with me and AK...I know we can trek through the trails rather quick just to "get it done" but Ridemax wants to allow for more time that I need..and thus I can't add it in...instead, like you I can fit it into a break.

so in the end, I use ridemax pretty heavy as a GUIDE. I will have my own itinerary where I add those things into and I have never ran into that much difficulty. The only exception is the year I put that we would run for fast passes and also go at a fast pace. For what ever reason, that was definitely a hurry up and wait itinerary and it drove us all nuts. It was our first time in WDW so I had no idea how much back and forth we were doing. Now I know how to read the plan better and oddly enough, seem to fit more in by using a "slow and no running" plan


Like Tammie mentioned, Fantasyland is good to get to right at rope drop. Here is why.... When the castle show is going on..(and there usually is one) it often time has the first show at 10am. Well, if opening is at 9:00 then shortly after 9am they close the bridge into fantasyland to prepare for the show. What this means is that anyone who wants to go to Fantasyland now has to go around through either tommorrowland or Libertysquare. So if you are lucky enough to get in there before the crowds filter around it is like you have fantasyland to yourself.

I guess with time comes experience? So maybe this year we will be running around and next year we'll know what to do......

That makes sense! I never understood why some sights say to go there first! I think that I am going to try to make up some plans along that line next time I jump on.... I have such a headache from life that this would be a great break... but I need sleep!

 

[Monknmom]

Although we are all paid up... Today marked the 45 day that we have!!!

That means only 43 days until we leave for Disney!!!!!

I have to keep changing my ticker because I have to make sure that Damien doesn't see how close we are!

 

[annmarieda]

I guess with time comes experience? So maybe this year we will be running around and next year we'll know what to do......

That makes sense! I never understood why some sights say to go there first! I think that I am going to try to make up some plans along that line next time I jump on.... I have such a headache from life that this would be a great break... but I need sleep!

I hope you feel better. Headaches are no fun!

Although we are all paid up... Today marked the 45 day that we have!!!

That means only 43 days until we leave for Disney!!!!!

I have to keep changing my ticker because I have to make sure that Damien doesn't see how close we are!

I am amazed at how close it is now getting.

We are definitely going to have to make some plans to meet since we are there on the same days. I know we are thinking we might get to ride a ride together... but (and I may have missed an update) if you go to WCC on 12/11... make sure to text me. We check in that day...late afternoon probably...so who knows...we might be in the lobby. I would hate to have us there the same time and miss eachother.

 

[momabaarjo]

I certainly think you can fit DTD into the plan after AK closes...but I am not a HUGE shopper so I can do without going into a lot of the stores. There are lots of fun things on the stage near the Disney Store for the kids to do...dance contests and such. I had so much funny sitting and watching during the summer. I have only a couple of stores on our list to hit...Disney Store, Ridemakerz, Legostore, Christmas Store, and Goofy's Candy Company...the rest I am happy at window shopping past!

 

[shocky5]

I think making a list of your MUST DOs is the first step...you have to go and do Philharmonic in Fantasyland...it was not on my plans when I went a few years ago...we got a magical extra FP for it and it had to be my FAVORITE OF ALL ATTRACTIONS IN MK...I think Damian will love it!

As Amy and I would say...ADD A DAY! That is our motto and we are sticking to it! If dh is not giving you any input, then make the decision for him!

ADD A DAY! ADD A DAY! ADD A DAY!!

Just wanted to give a shout out for the motto! I'm trying to get caught up but my good gravy you girls are ALL detailed planners and my mind hurts from trying to decipher it all right now! But it's why I love you all so much!

 

[momabaarjo]

 

[Monknmom]

I hope you feel better. Headaches are no fun!



I am amazed at how close it is now getting.

We are definitely going to have to make some plans to meet since we are there on the same days. I know we are thinking we might get to ride a ride together... but (and I may have missed an update) if you go to WCC on 12/11... make sure to text me. We check in that day...late afternoon probably...so who knows...we might be in the lobby. I would hate to have us there the same time and miss eachother.

I think that the headaches are from the school, but I don't want to ask for less work because that's actually how I got the position of secretary (the previous lady asked for a break)! And I'm having fun with it!

I certainly think you can fit DTD into the plan after AK closes...but I am not a HUGE shopper so I can do without going into a lot of the stores. There are lots of fun things on the stage near the Disney Store for the kids to do...dance contests and such. I had so much funny sitting and watching during the summer. I have only a couple of stores on our list to hit...Disney Store, Ridemakerz, Legostore, Christmas Store, and Goofy's Candy Company...the rest I am happy at window shopping past!

I am not going to that many places either, but I like to shop.... I REALLY want to go to the left handed store-- Damien is left handed when he writes (right handed for everything else though) so he may enjoy that! I am trying to rework my plans now between everything else I have on my plate adding people's suggestions!

ADD A DAY! ADD A DAY! ADD A DAY!!

Just wanted to give a shout out for the motto! I'm trying to get caught up but my good gravy you girls are ALL detailed planners and my mind hurts from trying to decipher it all right now! But it's why I love you all so much!

I am trying to convince DH that we don't HAVE to be in Georgia that early! But he wants to visit with his friends before we leave in the morning for NC to see my mom and sister in law! So I'm not sure he's going to let me add a day... but while you are there how does that go? Can you add a day?


Okay I am REALLY sorry that I have missed more days! I have been getting up at 6am to do whatever cleaning I can fit in until Damien wakes up at 7, then getting him ready for school and when he goes to school I have been going to school. I get "lunch" around noon and I have been running to get things for his party (I thought I had it all until last night DH ate the snickers for the trick or treaters and handed out the candy for Monk's scared1 so today I took off this morning meaning to run and get more of the boxes of candy (and some goody bag stuff because there is going to be an extra child coming)! And at night I have been doing other stuff for Damien (boy scouts, soccer, birthday parties, Halloween parties, etc). Well obviously I didn't get more candy because I am on here I figure that I can get that on our way to practice tonight. And between all of that I am taking care of a kid and 2 babies (Emily the puppy and Kaung the husband)! I am hoping that on Thursday I can clean up the house really good since I cancelled everything I had to do and Friday when I get back from being class mom I can make the goody bags and send Damien off to soccer with DH alone! Then Saturday is his party..... how far in advance do you think that I can make cupcakes without them drying out and not being fluffy? If I make them Friday and leave them covered on the counter to decorate Saturday afternoon that should be good right? Anyway, I hope that everyone had a great Halloween! I did, the only bad thing was they had me carve a pumpkin at the class Halloween party and I'm not good at that so the child that I had a pumpkin for wasn't happy because I can only make triangles for everything so a dad fixed my triangles to look cool for that kid! But other than that Damien has a 1/2 bag of candy and he's happy with that!

 

[Monknmom]

I am so mad right now... I have been in Damien's school for the last few weeks, taking him to games and practice and everything else that falls into our line of duty. I didn't say anything when "DH" (he doesn't deserve the "D" right now)stayed home on Sunday to "rest" because he wasn't feeling well and it was cold. I didn't say anything on Monday when he took off of work because he felt "sick", but proceeded to the convenient store to buy an extra large coffee, giant snickers and a bag of chips-- I have soup at the house and he knows it but didn't bother with it. So he ate the whole bag of snickers I bought for the trick or treaters (because Damien and I went to a friends for a trick or treating group thing), then instead of giving out the pretzels and gummies near the door with Halloween print on them he gave out the candy in the top of my closet for Damien's confused3... really??? He had to see the Halloween candy because they were sitting next to the snickers! So okay no problem I can buy more candy for the party. Then today I am cleaning the bathroom (like washing the tub and floors and such) before we have to leave for boy scouts and soccer. Husband comes home and sits on the couch and YELLS to me "What did you cook?" I lost it! And sadly I didn't cook because I got home from the school at 3:45 and have to be at soccer by 4:30 and wanted to get something done! I am just so mad!!! What gives him the right to say that? I am so busy and Damien's party is on Saturday and yes I am the one that decided to have it at our house but does that mean that you can't help me? Even if we weren't having the party don't you think that the house should be cleaned? Really? AUGH.... anyway Damien missed soccer because I had to cook dinner and he wasn't taking Damien because I yelled at him. I have to leave in a 1/2 hour now for boy scouts and the bathroom is now finally cleaned and dinner is done cooking... I just want to throw him out the window!