Finally getting to see the lights! Nov '11 Anniversary/Holiday/F&W PTR-New 11/4 p50

[DisMomAmy]

I've never been able to keep a trip a surprise before, so I am no help.

We've tried before... but I coudln't keep it a secret!

I talked to a CM and they said the MVMCP starts the first week in November and that sat starts Osbourne lights! I think we will be able to see them! YAY!

I was going to say the exact same thing, although I really admire people who CAN plan a surprise and KEEP it!

I do like your idea of telling them they are going "somewhere" and then surprising them the morning of.

Keeping a secret is tough for me too but I feel like we have to this time. Our October 2007 trip really messed up the boys' fall routine! At least that's what I keep telling myself when I want to spill the beans!

I had to read that twice too...I was like is she confused mis typing something very fun Amy!

I think I had forgotten this detail very cool! We have done it twice...the first trip in 05 and told them at the airport...I was packing and doing all the work ingontio had suitcases under my bed it was tough but worth it...I think they were more surprised when the grandparents were knocking on our resort door 4 days later

the 2nd surprise was for the March '09 trip...do you remember reading that? we told them about a month before going (heck I planned it in 2) and did the whole scavenger hunt thing and did balloons out of suitcase as the commercials were doing then....they loved it jumping up and down etc...(although Rach was disappointed she didn't think we were going to take the Nov trip )

here's my thoughts since my kids are very similar to yours...go w/ the surprise but I'd tell them at least 1-2 weeks before going...make it a fun game, reveal w/ a goodie bag maybe w/ a shirt, a mini countdown chain (you know they love those), plane activities like AM's idea w/ the tickets too cute!...this way it will be very exciting but at same time allow them to sink in to going back and you'd be able to go over plans w/ them and get them prepared for this trip, w/ the new things and new flow

I definitely remember that last minute trip in 2009. I didn't realize your 2005 trip was a surprise. I'll have to use your trick of hiding the suitcases under the bed! I guess that means I need to get the dust ruffle put back on the bed!

I'm totally on the fence about telling them a week or so ahead of time... I'd love to try the very last minute, like at the airport, kind of surprise but I don't want it to backfire! I know we'll have to tell them something ahead of time because most likely there will be some soccer or birthday parties or other events that they'll be missing. We need them to know ahead of time that they are going to miss those things. I don't know if we'll just make up an excuse for each event they have to miss or come up with a fake story...

I was thinking about something related to our anniversary. Maybe something about a long weekend for our anniversary. Just say it's a hotel with a pool... that way we aren't lying & they won't be disappointed when our hotel is at Disney World! I'd really downplay it & not bring it up until I had to or the caught me packing!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hmmm...khertz and I were just back-and-forthing about the AK parade on her PTR! I wasn't able to find anything official on the start-time. I'd be curious to know where you saw the 11/11 date!

We've seen both the parades. They are actually pretty similar, the Christmas one is just an overlay of the regular one with some additional decorations on the parade floats. I actually think I am slightly partial to the regular one. I definitely wouldn't re-jigger my whole schedule to see one or the other, especially if you've never seen either. I would recommend seeing it in one incarnation though - it is a pretty neat parade.

As far as where to go for viewing it, we've really only waited for this parade once (for the Christmas one), the other times we just sort of happened upon it. Since the walkways are very narrow at DAK I don't really think there is a great place to see it. We waited right at the main hub where you cross the bridge from the Oasis to the tree of life. We did wait about 30 minutes to get a front row spot. Another option (which we haven't done) is that the parade does a circle route starting and ending in Harambe (Africa). I've wondered if you wait for the parade to leave that area, and THEN go there, if people would leave and then you catch it on the time back through.

OR, just post the question on the main board..Robo will be there in 30 seconds with his map of best locations.

Thanks Pete! I'll have to go look up khertz - another November 2011 tripper?

I'm leaning toward not moving things around at the moment... but thanks for the viewing tips. I think I remember reading something about catching it in Africa on the return loop.

Hmmm, I still couldn't find it on the Disney web-site. Doesn't mean he's wrong...just wondering what his source is...

Not sure... I guess we'll have to wait & see.

I can't imagine that the Jingle parade is a "must see" that you need to re-arrange your whole schedule for it (unlike Osborne Lights). I've only see pictures of it, and have only seen the regular parade in person years ago. If it was a matter of just staying longer for it on a day you were already there my answer might be different. Remember that you are going to be seeing the Christmas party parade...I'm sure Jingle Jungle pales in comparison.

It wouldn't be too major of a change but I still don't think I want to move things around. I'm sure we'll get our parade fix at MVMCP!

 

[MeMom]

I'll be back with replies & more discussion about the big surprise but I want to get your opinions on the Jingle Jungle Parade...

We've never seen the regular Jammin Jungle parade mainly due to the fact that we're usually out of the park by then & partially because the kids don't like to wait for parades. But... I just read that the Jingle Jungle Parade will be starting on 11/11. I had planned for us to visit AK on 11/10 but could move things around a little bit & by visiting Epcot on 11/10 & AK on 11/12.

Is the Jammin Jungle parade worth juggling things around?

Are there any secret spots to catch the parade without waiting for too long?

You can always youtube it and see what you think. We love AK and that parade, but your guys might rather be doing something more exciting. If you do watch it, you could find a place toward the front of the park and then just leave right after it goes by. If you can find a spot where there is no viewing spot on the opposite side of the walkway, then all the characters will be looking only your way when they come by.

Here are a few pictures from that parade.

The 'puppeteers' really do a great job in the parade. They always seem so into it.

 

[eandesmom]

Keeping a secret is tough for me too but I feel like we have to this time. Our October 2007 trip really messed up the boys' fall routine! At least that's what I keep telling myself when I want to spill the beans!


I'm totally on the fence about telling them a week or so ahead of time... I'd love to try the very last minute, like at the airport, kind of surprise but I don't want it to backfire! I know we'll have to tell them something ahead of time because most likely there will be some soccer or birthday parties or other events that they'll be missing. We need them to know ahead of time that they are going to miss those things. I don't know if we'll just make up an excuse for each event they have to miss or come up with a fake story...

I was thinking about something related to our anniversary. Maybe something about a long weekend for our anniversary. Just say it's a hotel with a pool... that way we aren't lying & they won't be disappointed when our hotel is at Disney World! I'd really downplay it & not bring it up until I had to or the caught me packing!

We did the "tell them we are going somewhere" thing with our DCL trip and it worked out really well. Enough so that they didn't ask questions and then got really excited when they realized it wasn't where they thought.

Now, that said, we'd originally planned for the cruise to be a suprise and decided to tell them. They really want to be involved in planning these days and while I'm sure I'll do another surprise trip someday, telling them was the right thing. not to mention the fact that Evan had gotten so used to cool surprises (WL was a surprise, it was supposed to be POP, Illuminations cruise was too, etc) that he was a nightmare in class when I went to Germany, thinking he really was going and it would be a surprise.

 

[DisMomAmy]

You can always youtube it and see what you think. We love AK and that parade, but your guys might rather be doing something more exciting. If you do watch it, you could find a place toward the front of the park and then just leave right after it goes by. If you can find a spot where there is no viewing spot on the opposite side of the walkway, then all the characters will be looking only your way when they come by.

Here are a few pictures from that parade.

Great pictures MeMom!! Thanks for sharing!! I am a bit fascinated with the puppeteers. They are so cool!!

We did the "tell them we are going somewhere" thing with our DCL trip and it worked out really well. Enough so that they didn't ask questions and then got really excited when they realized it wasn't where they thought.

Now, that said, we'd originally planned for the cruise to be a suprise and decided to tell them. They really want to be involved in planning these days and while I'm sure I'll do another surprise trip someday, telling them was the right thing. not to mention the fact that Evan had gotten so used to cool surprises (WL was a surprise, it was supposed to be POP, Illuminations cruise was too, etc) that he was a nightmare in class when I went to Germany, thinking he really was going and it would be a surprise.

Oh that's right! I remember the story of the fake trip. At the moment I'm really leaning that way. I think it's a good way to prep the boys to be away from home without spoiling the surprise.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Reading all the Epcot plans makes me want to go back NOW! Epcot is definitely my family's favorite park and gets a lot of time on the itinerary! Your plans look great.

However...there really is not a more magical place than the MK!

I can't wait to hear about how you surprise the boys! I'd love to do a surprise trip soon...we're looking at a possible spring 2012 trip, but who knows?

I hope you are enjoying all the little trips and family time this summer!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Reading all the Epcot plans makes me want to go back NOW! Epcot is definitely my family's favorite park and gets a lot of time on the itinerary! Your plans look great.

However...there really is not a more magical place than the MK!

I can't wait to hear about how you surprise the boys! I'd love to do a surprise trip soon...we're looking at a possible spring 2012 trip, but who knows?

I hope you are enjoying all the little trips and family time this summer!

I love spending time at Epcot. I wish my boys enjoyed it more... especially Alex. Zach enjoys the KP missions but Alex just wants to go, go, go!

It is all about the Magic Kingdom!

Woo hoo for 2012!! I hope it works out for you guys!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

We have had a very busy July! It started with a camping trip over the 4th of July weekend:

One day we checked out Clarke's Trading Post in Lincoln, NH. They are famous for their trained bears:

The boys tried out rock climbing. Alex had done it before but this was a first for Zach:

Zach made it to the top & loved it!

Alex thought Zach must have had an easier route... he didn't get to the top. But he thought this looked like more fun anyways:

Zach squirted from the side to start:

Then he joined in on the fun (he's out there somewhere):

They got a little wet... I held our stuff...

There was also a train ride out into "Wolfman" territory:

A staring contest:

There's Wolfman again:

More next post...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Continued...

Then we saw the bear show:

Then it was time for a snack & we stumbled across these two benches:

The next day was a little wet so after breakfast (and a heavy downpour) we decided to grab the ponchos & head for a hike at the Flume:

We got a little wet toward the end but it was a really fun hike!

Continued next post...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Continued...

Last week was spent out in the Berkshires in Western, MA. This was our third visit in three years & I'm sure we'll be back. This year the weather cooperated!

Notice Zach OUTSIDE the boat:

He didn't want to get back in the boat so Tim towed him in:

Then we headed to Connecticut to visit with family & attend a memorial service for Tim's grandmother. Other than the unbearable heat in the church (with no AC) the service was very nice. After we got to catch up with Tim's aunt & uncle, cousin, her husband & their two boys (and a whole bunch of other distant relatives). Tim's aunt & uncle have a summer cottage at a little cove at the beach. They spend a lot of time jumping off the rocks into the swimming area. I wish I had more pictures... I have some videos but can't figure out how to get them off my phone into photobucket... I'll work on that. There is a diving board that Alex jumped right off (no pictures). Zach wanted to jump so badly, he kept walking out to the end & would stand there forever before turning around and coming back in! But he FINALLY did it & was so proud of himself! Here they are jumping off the lower rocks:

Zach swam out to the float:

Waiting in line for the diving board. They jumped together one time:

They also got to trick-or-treat! Tim's cousin's kids had chosen to dress as baseball players too!

One more update to come...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Continued...

The other thing that has kept us busy this month is baseball!! We've been to 3 minor league games & one professional game at Fenway Park!

Our local team, the NH Fishercats, play in Manchester, NH. We've been up there to watch them play the Portland Sea Dogs (from Maine) who are the farm team for the Boston Red Sox. The first game was just because we felt like going to a game. The second game was a last minute even we found out about for autism awareness day at the park. The boys' cousin, K, was up from Florida so we invited my mom, Tim's mom & K to the game. The boys & K (I tagged along) got to go on the field to hold a giant flag during the national anthem at the beginning of the game:

It's hard to see us but we're out there:

The latest Fishercats game was on Sunday. Instead of a birthday party this year, Alex wanted to take some friends to a baseball game! Since his birthday is in November, we decided to do it over the summer! Alex invited four friends & we let Zach invite one. They all had a GREAT time!

We got to meet the mascot & get autographs:

Zach even lost a tooth at the game!

At the end of the game they got to run the bases:

Zach & his friend even made it on the big screen between innings. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture but they saw themselves & thought it was very cool.

Then on Tuesday night we trekked into Boston for a night game at Fenway Park! This was a first for the boys. Alex has been to Yankee Stadium but he was 9 months old so he doesn't remember.

It was a GREAT game with a lot of hits! A nice man even gave Zach a ball he caught during batting practice before the game:

The Red Sox won:

And we got home around 12:30! Zach had camp the next morning but I let him sleep late. He was a bit crabby yesterday but after a good night's sleep I think he has finally caught up on his sleep!

Now I'm looking forward to a very low key August!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wow!!! You guys have been BUSY! But it looks like so much fun!! Lots of wonderful memories made.

As for the Jingle Jungle Parade, I agree with what others have said. It's a cute parade, but it's truly not very different than the normal parade, I wouldn't consider it a must-do if your family isn't interested in parades in general.

 

[MEK]

I LOVE the White Mountains of New Hampshire and its been years since I have visited them. I took my kids there the summer before our first Disney trip. It was our annual vacation when I was a kid. No beach for us - NOPE - White Mountains. I have so many great memories of the Flume and climbing Mount Washington and driving the Kancamangus Highway. In fact, if I could get away for a long weekend I would leave now!

 

[mousescrapper]

Is the Jammin Jungle parade worth juggling things around?

Are there any secret spots to catch the parade without waiting for too long?

I would recommend seeing it in one incarnation though - it is a pretty neat parade.

As far as where to go for viewing it, we've really only waited for this parade once (for the Christmas one), the other times we just sort of happened upon it. Since the walkways are very narrow at DAK I don't really think there is a great place to see it. We waited right at the main hub where you cross the bridge from the Oasis to the tree of life. We did wait about 30 minutes to get a front row spot. Another option (which we haven't done) is that the parade does a circle route starting and ending in Harambe (Africa). I've wondered if you wait for the parade to leave that area, and THEN go there, if people would leave and then you catch it on the time back through.

Amy I agree w/ skier_pete here and the others it is a very Fun parade and we have enjoyed it the few times we have seen it the music and puppets do make it one of the more fun parades I think...but if you were already at AK that day and adjusted plans to stay longer I'd do it...but to re-arrange park days...I don't know...who knows if it would even be a priority for the boys

I definitely remember that last minute trip in 2009. I didn't realize your 2005 trip was a surprise. I'll have to use your trick of hiding the suitcases under the bed! I guess that means I need to get the dust ruffle put back on the bed!


this made me laugh

I'm totally on the fence about telling them a week or so ahead of time... I'd love to try the very last minute, like at the airport, kind of surprise but I don't want it to backfire! I know we'll have to tell them something ahead of time because most likely there will be some soccer or birthday parties or other events that they'll be missing. We need them to know ahead of time that they are going to miss those things. I don't know if we'll just make up an excuse for each event they have to miss or come up with a fake story...

IMHO it's alot of work to do a fake story for a significant period of time...but you have a lot of time to decide still what to do...either way telling them week before, day before or at the airport it's still a surprise just depends what reaction are you going for?


Love all the family updates and such, the ballgames look like a ton of fun...I love going to the game the hike you took at The Flume looked just so cool and fun...we would have loved that

hope you have a restful August...we don't have too much going on before school resumes for us on the 24th...B has a Home Outreach Week through church youth group, which I am helping to cook two dinners for...then we have a small group long weekend w/ 4 other families in MI in 2 weeks, plus my annual Cubs game will be coming up soon too...

 

[eandesmom]

If you keep your fake trip to the bare minimum, it's not so much work. For us, all we did was say we were going to visit a friend of mine that they hadn't met before, at a place not too far that they hadn't been to before and it would be a bit of a trip, time wise.

I think I quoted the approximate flight time, not my fault they assumed we were driving. Or that they assumed it was a college sorority sister.

All of it was true, and it was really funny to see what they'd imagined on their own in the absence of much detail. We downplayed it as not being a big deal and they bought it. Because we had to wake them up at 6am for the flight, the fake trip was needed.

The puzzles were a great way to reveal it on the plane.

Hiking, lakes, baseball...looks like a pretty perfect summer to me!!!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow!!! You guys have been BUSY! But it looks like so much fun!! Lots of wonderful memories made.

As for the Jingle Jungle Parade, I agree with what others have said. It's a cute parade, but it's truly not very different than the normal parade, I wouldn't consider it a must-do if your family isn't interested in parades in general.

We've been having a lot of fun this summer!

I think we'll try to catch the regular AK parade on another trip & not worry about the Jingle version.

I LOVE the White Mountains of New Hampshire and its been years since I have visited them. I took my kids there the summer before our first Disney trip. It was our annual vacation when I was a kid. No beach for us - NOPE - White Mountains. I have so many great memories of the Flume and climbing Mount Washington and driving the Kancamangus Highway. In fact, if I could get away for a long weekend I would leave now!

There's so much to do in the White Mountains! This is the first year we haven't gone to Story Land or Santa's Village. I think we're going to try one of the zip line places next year. DH needs to shed a few pounds first...

Amy I agree w/ skier_pete here and the others it is a very Fun parade and we have enjoyed it the few times we have seen it the music and puppets do make it one of the more fun parades I think...but if you were already at AK that day and adjusted plans to stay longer I'd do it...but to re-arrange park days...I don't know...who knows if it would even be a priority for the boys

IMHO it's alot of work to do a fake story for a significant period of time...but you have a lot of time to decide still what to do...either way telling them week before, day before or at the airport it's still a surprise just depends what reaction are you going for?

Love all the family updates and such, the ballgames look like a ton of fun...I love going to the game the hike you took at The Flume looked just so cool and fun...we would have loved that

hope you have a restful August...we don't have too much going on before school resumes for us on the 24th...B has a Home Outreach Week through church youth group, which I am helping to cook two dinners for...then we have a small group long weekend w/ 4 other families in MI in 2 weeks, plus my annual Cubs game will be coming up soon too...

Seems like everyone's on the same page about the Jingle parade... we'll be missing it by one day but I'm OK with that.

I'm leaning toward a low key story... and I'll only use it when I have to. There won't be a big announcement or anything. Probably when the soccer schedule comes out... I suspect Alex is going to miss the end of season jamboree. I'll need a story to deal with that ahead of time. We really want to try for a last minute surprise about the Disney part.

We've had a lot fun so far this summer but we're half-way through & need to chill out a bit. School starts the 29th for us. Sounds like you have some fun stuff coming up too!

If you keep your fake trip to the bare minimum, it's not so much work. For us, all we did was say we were going to visit a friend of mine that they hadn't met before, at a place not too far that they hadn't been to before and it would be a bit of a trip, time wise.

I think I quoted the approximate flight time, not my fault they assumed we were driving. Or that they assumed it was a college sorority sister.

All of it was true, and it was really funny to see what they'd imagined on their own in the absence of much detail. We downplayed it as not being a big deal and they bought it. Because we had to wake them up at 6am for the flight, the fake trip was needed.

The puzzles were a great way to reveal it on the plane.

Hiking, lakes, baseball...looks like a pretty perfect summer to me!!!!

This is definitely the way I'm leaning. When we get the soccer schedule I'll have to tell Alex he's going to miss a game or the jamboree (hopefully that's all he'll miss). He won't be happy. I need to tell him early so he can get over it. So sometime in September we'll have to tell them that we're going away... somewhere...

 

[MEK]

I just saw your pictures and they remind me so much of when my boys were that age. I feel like I have some of the exact same poses but I can't post them because they were taken during the pre-digital age.

My DH just told me that he thinks he can get a long weekend end off from work (we had no real summer vacation) so I am thinking about coming to NH August 26th weekend. Not sure yet, but I really want to. Thanks for reminding me how much I love the White Mountains!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm all caught up on your PTR! I almost finished yesterday at work but ran out of time, stupid work getting in the way.

Your plans sound great so far, I love the outfits for the photo shoot. I have to start thinking about that more for Marc & I. I'm so jealous you are going at Christmas time, I really need to plan a trip so I can see everything!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Goodness, I think you must have been on the go the entire month!!! Lots of fun was had, though! Love the sign about Hit My Dad! Oh, and the staring contest -- Chelsea and Connor do that all the time when they are bored.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

It looks like you've been having lots of fun this summer Amy! Time for a little downtime? lol!!