Family of 3 Takes on Disney!

[julezdisney]

Hey! Hope everything turns out well for the ressies!

As for Snow White- You Tube has vids of all the rides if you want to do a "run-through" with him. I probably wouldn't take him if he is leary or doesn't even know who Snow White is. But I used You Tube to show the kids what Haunted Mansion looks like decorated for Halloween cuz they were kinda scared about it- and now they're excited!

 

[Marthonica]

You Tube.....great idea! Didn't think of that. We'll check it out.

I just got off the phone with AAA. I was on hold for like 15 minutes That place is driving me nuts!! Anyway, once again, they say all is fine and they promised to put another invoice in the mail. She did say she'd email me a copy as well. Not holding my breath, but I hope it arrives soon There's probably a note next to my name on their computer system that says I'm a crazed planner It's bad enough to be an over-the-top planner, but I'm always convinced that my reservation is lost or that something will go wrong so I compusively confirm everything. For our wedding I made my fiancee call the Limo company so many times they actually asked him to please stop

 

[Marthonica]

Well, of course I never received an email So this morning I try sending them an email since calling hasn't been my most successful avenue. Plus I figured then they'd definately have my correct email. To their credit, one of the managers did sent me a nice response, included my invoice and assured me that a package (with goodies! ) was being put in the mail.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Also just want to say it's only 8 days until the 5 month mark!!!

 

[Marthonica]

So, not only did I very quickly get the emailed confirmation, the next day, via FedEx, I got a print copy of it, with details cool1: ) AND a cool Mickey backpack. Now that's some customer service!

The planner in me can now relax

 

[Marthonica]

Many postings ago I mentioned that I still had some big (and some not so big) decsions to make regarding this trip. All the really big stuff is done, but there's one decision still bugging me.....touring plans or no touring plans

If there wasn't a sometimes difficult 4 year old in the mix it's be touring plans all the way. But with him, I'm just not sure. I've thought about subscribing to TGM but I'm scared it will say that the days we're going to be at WDW will all be super crowded or that I should have picked totally different parks for each day than I did (I'm definately one of those people who thinks not knowing is better than knowing).

I'm leaning towards just having a bare-bones plan for each park - seems like it has worked out well for others on the DIS Boards.

 

[csmoore1808]

If it's not a crowded time of the year, you shouldn't need to bother with a touring plan. What we usually do is hit the big three first (Dumbo, Peter Pan and Pooh) and then play it by ear. You can really get a lot of rides in the first hour or two, and then take your time the rest of the day.

I do have one good tip for Dumbo; do the switch-off system from the Unofficial Guide. One adult gets in line with the child, the other lets 25 (I think that's right) people go ahead of them and then gets in line. When the ride is over, adult number one hands off the child to adult number two. I was leery to do it at first, but we asked if it was okay and the CM said yes. If you're extra shy about it, just have adult number two wait by the railing on the left before the turnstile. This worked GREAT and our DD could ride twice in a row.

 

[Marthonica]

Turns out I can't count I've had in my head that we'd hit the 5 month mark on May 30th. DH pointed out to me this weekend that it's the 4 month mark - not 5 Gotta love that!

Good advice for Dumbo - to be honest, I'm kind of hoping DS isn't too interested in it if the line is really long. I think he may be a little past that ride, but if he's wants to ride it, by golly, we'll do it! My big goal for this trip is to remember that within reason we are there for DS and we should really let him do the things he wants to do, rather than us telling him what to do. We'll see how that goes

I'm really leaning towards just taking some bare-bones touring plans to each park and seeing if they work out. I'm trying to study all the maps so I know where things are and I've got lists of all the rides/attractions in each park that we plan to avoid or don't really care about.

Warning Has anyone read My Sister's Keeper? I've just started it and I can tell it's going to be pretty hard to read.

 

[Marthonica]

I still have 2 open spots on my ADR list. I have both meals listed as CS, but was waiting to learn more about The Wave to see if I should add it for one of them. Well, the first reviews are not inspiring!

Since it is almost 4 months until we go I'm sure some of the kinks will be worked out but I'm just not all that crazy about the menu. Neither breakfast nor dinner looks all that interesting. What are others thinking about the menu?

 

[Marthonica]

I'm just not all that inspired by the menu. The photos of the place look great - love the atmosphere But the food, well, I just can't get excited about it.

Is it wrong to want a good ol' white flour waffle?? Multigrain just sounds so healthy! And not good! Seriously, I'm sure it's all very good, but I think I'm just going to stay with the ADR's we have. No sense adding the Wave when I'm not all that interested in it, and I don't really want another TS meal anyway.


I am still hoping with all my might that T-Rex will be open when we get there - but don't think that's going to happen. Sounds like a late fall opening and we'll be there in early October. Maybe some extra wishes and pixie dust will work miracles

 

[Marthonica]

After reading countless trip reports (I am SO addicted ), I have decided to layout some general goals and guidelines for our trip:

1. We will be on vacation and everyone in the family is important. I will try my very hardest to remember that it's not just about my plan, or what I think will make everyone happy - I need to actually listen to others and be willing to change things up a bit if that's what's needed.
2. I will do my best not to let others ruin my vacation. If someone gets in front of my staked-out parade spot - I will politely ask them to move or I will move. If rude, obnoxious or inconsiderate people are around us, I will move away, ignore them and move on. I will not dwell, stew or focus on the short-comings of others.
3. We will not see everything - we will not try to see everything. I will not get worked up over it.
4. It will probably be hot, it might be rainy. I will not let these outside factors ruin my happiness. Complaints WILL be kept to a minimum. We will remember that we are at Disney, on a family vacation, and THAT is more important than some raindrops and hot weather.
5. I will enjoy the moment - every moment. I will not focus on where we need to go next, or what we are doing tomorrow - I will live for the here and now (this one may kill me, but you gotta have goals )

Additional goals and thoughts are welcome!

 

[Marthonica]

Yes, I admit it - I'm a planning addict. I think I enjoy the trip planning almost more than the trip. BUT, the problem comes when start churning stomach acid over every little decision!

Here's my latest issue...I had written off Hollywood Studios. We have park hoppers but we were not going to go to HS. I'm just not sure there's enough there that my family would like. But now I've been told that we cannot miss Fantasmic. Since I'd planned on avoiding this park, I've not read up on it. Don't yet know much about Fantasmic. What I know is that I may have to get there an hour early to get a seat (entertaining a 4 year old in a seat for one hour does NOT sound fun! Nor does entertaining a cranky DH!)

I see there is a dinner package deal - can you do that on the dining plan? Will we like HS and Fantasmic enough to give up Downtown Disney?

 

[Marthonica]

Well, even though it seems no one is really reading this report (I must be incredibly dull ) I feel the need to continue documenting my OCD behavior!

I DID book a Fantasmic package. 4:10pm at Mama Melrose. Nothing says dinner like 4pm!! Wonder if they have a Senior Citizens special at that hour Not 100% sure we'll keep it. We weren't even planning on going to HS, but now we're going to spend an afternoon there. AND, I made the mistake of asking DH if there was anything there he wanted to do. He actually read the guide book and then declares that RnRC looks cool. Well OF COURSE it does. But, DS is way to short to ride, we have a total of like 3 hours in the park and it's one of the busiest rides. I suggested something we could do as a family. He decides to give me sass (YEAH, you heard me - DON't KNOW WHO he thinks he is!!) and says "you drag me to Disney and now you are telling me I can't ride the one thing that looks fun?" You MUST be kidding me! WHY did I ever ask his opinion. More on that saga to come I'm sure.

Oh, and I broke down and subbed to a touring plan site. I've made modifications to plans so I kind of have my own, but I decided that we really did need a bit more of a plan than I had going. It's still a LITTLE loose and breezy, but I think it will cut way down on aimless wondering and will make sure we do all the things we really want to.

 

[Marthonica]

Can't believe we have hit the 3 month mark!

We are all getting excited. Even DH has been looking at the guide books! What's up with that??

I've got modified touring plans all set for each park. ADR's all set. Our basic itinerary now looks like this:

Day 1 (arrival) - Epcot Day (we should be at the park no later than 1pm). ADR's at Coral Reef. Stay for Illuminations.

Day 2 - MK Day. Breakfast ADR's at Kona Cafe. Lunch ADR's at CRT. See Parade and Fireworks.

Day 3 - AK Day. Lunch ADR's at Yak and Yeti. Dinner ADR's at Whispering Canyon. Early night.

Day 4 - MK Morning, HS afternoon. Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package.

Day 5 - Open Day. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's, dinner at Citrico's (will probably put DS in Kids Club) Plan to return to favorite park - DS's choice. IF T-Rex is open in Downtown Disney we'll go there at some point.

Day 6 (departure) - Off to the airport at 6am.

The "touring plans" are pretty basic, but at least we'll have a general plan to follow for each park.

Now I've got to start doing some shopping for the trip. This week I plan to go through my packingl list a determine what I have and what I need to buy.

 

[Marthonica]

A lot has happened since I last posted. On the Disney front we had a flight issue Delta flights got changed and we would have lost almost the entire first day I was able to get a full refund and rebooked on Southwest for a few dollars less than the first flights and we now arrive at MCO at 9:30am. Whew! Now I've just got to call ME and make a ressie

On the home front DS has been experiementing with playdates - it's about to do us in Let's just say that when you put 2 4 year-old only children together for 3 hours, mayhem can ensue!

Shopping is almost finished for the trip. I have given up on T-Rex opening in DD before we get there so I think we'll just bypass DD entirely. I'd like to go, but we only have 5 days and we're not big shoppers so there doesn't seem to be much reason.

I'm not the craftiest of people, but I did come up with a great idea if I must say so myself ....Mickey Money. I designed and printed "money" for DS. It has Mickey on it (of course) and says "Trade for 1 gift item in Disney World". He's getting 5. He can use one a day, all on one day, whatever. Since DS is only 4 I figured he'd have a hard time allocating actual money. This way he knows in advance how many things he can come home with (5) and knows he needs to trade in "money" each time he buys something.

Hopefully he'll keep with his usual trend of selecting low priced items! Watch him pick the most expensive item in the store 5 times over