First family vacation, MNSSHP, and Free dining ptr...lets try this again

[JPFamilyMom]

subbing be back to read later!

welcome welcome, thanks for joining, need to make some updates, like I'm a working mommy now, lol

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

For booking!!!!!! Free dining as well - great news!!

I'm sure you'll have fun at MNSSHP!!!! Can't wait to hear all about the planning!

Di x

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I have decided we definitely need to do HS because of Toy Story Mania, but I don't think there is enough there for a full day, so I was thinking of starting our vacation out with:
HS Friday and then ending our night at MNSSHP

and then I know I want to do a full day at MK on Sunday

now I just have to decide between Epcot and AK for Saturday

Monday we plan to leave early afternoon, so will either finish up whatever we didn't see at MK or if we make it through everything on our list we will do Epcot or AK whichever doesn't get done on Saturday


So my question to anyone reading is this: If you were traveling with a 4yo and 1yo would you rather do Epcot or AK? (and we would probably limit shows as my kiddos won't sit through them)

 

[JPFamilyMom]

For booking!!!!!! Free dining as well - great news!!

I'm sure you'll have fun at MNSSHP!!!! Can't wait to hear all about the planning!

Di x

I'm super super super excited, can you tell I'm just a little excited? It's a shorter trip, but will be fun- I have to decide where we want to eat, I've read so many great TR's about food than I'll have to narrow down my choices.

 

[jmskinner]

Your plan sounds great. Do your boys like animals? I highly recommend Animal Kingdom. But then I think Epcot is great also. Not a lot you could ride at AK, you can ride the Safari ride and the Tyrannsarus Spin (spelling???), but think that may be it for AK. Epcot, maybe Figment, Nemo, Universe of Energy may be a little scary. The boys would enjoy the ride in Mexico. Jack might like the Kim Possible Adventures at Epcot. Can you tell I love them ALL!!!!

I would suggest asking on the parks page. Since Jacob was 7 the first time we went, its hard for me to get the perspective of a little ones view.

I'm so excited you are going!

 

[SandiKB]

Hello fellow NC'inian, lol! I'm enjoying reading your PTR Looks like we're going at roughly the same time, and I wanted to mention the F&W Festival starts on 9/25 @ Epcot

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Hello fellow NC'inian, lol! I'm enjoying reading your PTR Looks like we're going at roughly the same time, and I wanted to mention the F&W Festival starts on 9/25 @ Epcot

Thanks for the heads up on the F&W Festival, that just might entice DH to Epcot. I think I'm deciding Epcot for saturday, I want to see Illuminations.

So that will now leave Monday as either AK or MK, probably do AK just so the kids get a taste of each park. I don't want to wear my kiddos out but I do want to try and cram in as much as possible.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Wooohooo for booking free dining! MNSSHP is a BLAST! We had such a good time when we went in 07!! We'll definitely be going back for that again at some point!

I definitely think AK is worth a trip with the little ones! There's so much to look at! Even if you don't do a full day and hit the pool at the resort in the afternoon!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

I have decided we definitely need to do HS because of Toy Story Mania, but I don't think there is enough there for a full day, so I was thinking of starting our vacation out with:
HS Friday and then ending our night at MNSSHP

and then I know I want to do a full day at MK on Sunday

now I just have to decide between Epcot and AK for Saturday

Monday we plan to leave early afternoon, so will either finish up whatever we didn't see at MK or if we make it through everything on our list we will do Epcot or AK whichever doesn't get done on Saturday


So my question to anyone reading is this: If you were traveling with a 4yo and 1yo would you rather do Epcot or AK? (and we would probably limit shows as my kiddos won't sit through them)

Your plan sounds great. Do your boys like animals? I highly recommend Animal Kingdom. But then I think Epcot is great also. Not a lot you could ride at AK, you can ride the Safari ride and the Tyrannsarus Spin (spelling???), but think that may be it for AK. Epcot, maybe Figment, Nemo, Universe of Energy may be a little scary. The boys would enjoy the ride in Mexico. Jack might like the Kim Possible Adventures at Epcot. Can you tell I love them ALL!!!!

I would suggest asking on the parks page. Since Jacob was 7 the first time we went, its hard for me to get the perspective of a little ones view.

I'm so excited you are going!

Hi there!

I kind of agree with Melissa - they're both really good, with lots for the kids to 'see' at both parks. Epcot takes longer to walk around so maybe do that the Sunday, and then AK the Monday morning, you could probably see what you wanted to there then.

Anymore planning news?

Di x

 

[JPFamilyMom]

The other night I got on the Disney site and made those customized maps with everything that I want to see and think the kids would want to see.

So I have decided, we will do

Fri: DHS in the a.m. , lunch at hollywood play n-dine (most likely) head back to hotel for a dip in the pool and then head over to MK for MNSSHP

Sat: now knowing it's the food and wine festival and all the things I want to see, do, etc we will spend the day at Epcot. Probably take a break in the middle of the day for a nap and dip in the pool cause I want to see illuminations and have decided we must dine with the fish at the reef.

Sun: we will spend the whole day at MK, knowing how many rides we should be able to do at MNSSHP and it being a slower time of year I figure we should get in a good amount of rides and character meets. And we will dine with Pooh and friends probably, unless someone has a better suggestion. My kids like pooh and friends, but it wouldn't be at the top of the list.

Mon: AK in the a.m. head back to hotel to check out after a nap or a dip in the pool, then head over to Chef Mickey's before hitting the road to go home

With the heat I'm really debating costumes, I had my heart set on peter pan for the baby and that I would be tink, so I have figured out how to do that. I will be on a search all summer for a matching green top and shorts (which I will cut the little triangles on at the bottom) and I'm going to add a peter pan image to the top. then I just need a hat for him, if he'll keep it on. And tink is easy, should be spaghetti straps anyways

I'll probably make dh a halloween top to wear, cause he will not wear a costume, so at least he'll be semi festive. And DS4-I'm trying to convince him something cooler like Phineas or ferb (who are his fav characters right now, and that would be easy, just shorts and a top), but I know he would rather be Perry which would be hot. But we'll see what he decides the month before, as he has his own opinion these days-and I might need to take him two options.

 

[jmskinner]

You are going the same time we did last year. Heat can be a problem with the costumes, but sounds like you have some great ideas.

We will probably be pirates. Thinking of a ghost pirate for Jacob and need to find us t-shirts or something.

The daily plans sound good. Since you said the boys like Pooh and Friends, make sure you do the character greet at AK. We really enjoyed it.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

The park hours won't be available and ADR booking can't be done until like June I think. I've been reading some more ADR's, watching opening ceremony videos on youtube and other general research.

Is the breakfast better at Chef Mickeys or another meal. My husband isn't a morning person, but the kids and I are. (we all LOVE breakfast foods, sometimes we have breakfast for dinner) I was thinking of maybe doing Chef Mickeys our first morning instead of our last day. A great way to start the vacation. Then maybe going to AK instead of DHS, because I want my kids to leave with really fun memories and Toy Story Mania will be a big hit with them, so I was thinking of saving that for the last day.

I think I only would want to make sure to see the rope drop at MK, the others looked fun, but wouldn't care if I missed them.

So I was thinking of Chef Mickeys first appointment of the day on that Friday. Thoughts anyone?????

Melissa, pirates would be fun, I wanted us to all be pirates last year, but it didn't work out.

 

[jmskinner]

I think Chef Mickey's would be fun, but are you all going to be too excited to eat? I know on our first day we would want to go directly to the parks. As I am typing this I am remembering our very first day, arrived about 2:00, had a 3:00 ADR at 50's Primetime, then went to Typhoon Lagoon. So maybe you have the right idea. I guess I don't practice what I preach.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Hmmm, good question! Early breakfast ressies can be really tough! We did 2 early breakfasts in 05 when we stayed at AKL. One of the breakfasts like 8:10 at Cinderella's Royal Table. We had to get up reallllllly early to get there! I got up at 6 am to get myself ready and then wake everyone else up and head to MK in. We left around 7:15 - 7:20 so we could get there and walk up Main Street.

Of course if you have a car it will be a lot easier getting there!

We've had both dinner and breakfast at Chef Mickey's and both are good!

One thing to consider is the characters. Are the little ones going to be ok with them that upclose and personal so early on? Depending on that you may want to ease them into characters gradually. Goofy is one giant, scary dude to some kids!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

My parents are moving to Memphis and well now so are we.

And so my parents are once again planning the trip to WDW with us. So we may be adding 3 more to our little family trip. They probably wouldn't do the halloween party with us, but everything else I think they would jump on board for, could possibly change our dining plans though. We'll see, they are pretty easy going people

 

[pamouselover]

I have decided we definitely need to do HS because of Toy Story Mania, but I don't think there is enough there for a full day, so I was thinking of starting our vacation out with:
HS Friday and then ending our night at MNSSHP

and then I know I want to do a full day at MK on Sunday

now I just have to decide between Epcot and AK for Saturday

Monday we plan to leave early afternoon, so will either finish up whatever we didn't see at MK or if we make it through everything on our list we will do Epcot or AK whichever doesn't get done on Saturday


So my question to anyone reading is this: If you were traveling with a 4yo and 1yo would you rather do Epcot or AK? (and we would probably limit shows as my kiddos won't sit through them)

DHS is a good first day park. That way if there is something else you want to do or see, you could always get back. Dont miss TSM!

The park hours won't be available and ADR booking can't be done until like June I think. I've been reading some more ADR's, watching opening ceremony videos on youtube and other general research.

Is the breakfast better at Chef Mickeys or another meal. My husband isn't a morning person, but the kids and I are. (we all LOVE breakfast foods, sometimes we have breakfast for dinner) I was thinking of maybe doing Chef Mickeys our first morning instead of our last day. A great way to start the vacation. Then maybe going to AK instead of DHS, because I want my kids to leave with really fun memories and Toy Story Mania will be a big hit with them, so I was thinking of saving that for the last day.

I think I only would want to make sure to see the rope drop at MK, the others looked fun, but wouldn't care if I missed them.

So I was thinking of Chef Mickeys first appointment of the day on that Friday. Thoughts anyone?????

Melissa, pirates would be fun, I wanted us to all be pirates last year, but it didn't work out.

Yes, both meals at CM are great. I would try for dinner if you want to make rope drop at MK. You can always go back to the park after dinner.
It sometimes takes a bit to see Mickey and all his friends at CM.

My parents are moving to Memphis and well now so are we.

And so my parents are once again planning the trip to WDW with us. So we may be adding 3 more to our little family trip. They probably wouldn't do the halloween party with us, but everything else I think they would jump on board for, could possibly change our dining plans though. We'll see, they are pretty easy going people

That sounds wonderful. Good luck with the move.

 

[jmskinner]

Oh wow. I was thinking of emailing you yesterday to see how things are going. How are the schools in Memphis?

When will you be moving?

That is wonderful that your parents are going to WDW with you, and they should go to MNSSHP. If they are worried about it being too late, we left about 10:00pm (the earlier part of the day was horrible) and still rode several ride, did some trickortreating and saw the parade and fireworks.

Now you will be like me and have a PTR and TR of WDW and moving!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Good luck with the move! It should be fun going with your parents as well!
Plans are sounding good so far. An early breakfast could be good as it means you're up and out, and so close to MK!! Sometimes a dinner ADR can be tough with kids as after a day at the parks they can be tired and grouchy by dinner time! Remembering what my 2 were like when they were as young as your 2 I'd say go more for lunch or breakfast ADRs, or get early dinner ADRs.
I still have vivid memories of Ben falling asleep into his pasta at Olive Garden one evening when he was 4 on our first family holiday to Orlando!
I'd say for costumes go for something that can be taken off easily in case it gets too hot.

Di x

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Planning my Epcot day again. With the food and wine festival I'm thinking of eating our way around the world, but wanted to do a dinner at Corral Reef. Wondering if we should just do it on another trip and do two sit downs on another day.

Here was my tentative schedule for Epcot:
Breakfast in resort
Arrive at Epcot
Hit the character Greet at Epcot Character spot in Future World
-Dh run to get fast pass tickets for Test Track (if needed)
Spaceship Earth
Innoventions
Living with the Land
Kodak “What If” labs
Test Track
Grab snacks for kids
~~~~head to world showcase
Gran Fiesta tour with the three caballeros
Maelstrom
~~as we walk around, kidcot stops, food booth stops, and character greets

if time allows back to hotel for a nap and swim

Return to Epcot for dinner at Corral Reef or just more snacks
The Seas with Nemo
Turtle Talk with Crush
Illuminations

If we do decide dinner I want to do an off time, like an early dinner, but worried we will be too full from all the food boths in WS..... thoughts?

 

[jmskinner]

That makes for a very big day.

Don't do Spaceship: Earth first thing, unless the line is short and I mean basically, it is just people heading up the ramp and not a line weaving around. We got there at 10:30 this morning and it was a long line, but when we left at 3:00, no line. Most people head straight to it when they get to the park.

I'm also thinking that if you head to Nemo after the Character Spot in Futureworld and possibly Crush, the lines might be shorter. You do want to the Character Spot early because the lines do get long quickly. We haven't done it yet ourselves. From Nemo you could make a straight dash to Livin with the Land and the Kodak "What If" Labs. Were you going to ride Figment or do you think your youngest will get scared? It has lots of surprises.

From there, head over to the World Showcase. Have you thought about the Kim Possible Adventures. They are really fun. We did two today. Maelstrom you can get FP's for and when we were there today, the return time was in 30 minutes. So, one of you could get FP's for Maelstrom, and then ride the one in Mexico.

We have walked through Innoventions, but still haven't done that much of it.

I think you could do it all though.