first trip do-over

[lvcourtneyy]

Glad picking the FP+ went well. I'm still not sure how I feel about the system and we used it! It is nice to have some FP+ ahead of time and not run around collecting them but yeah, working with all of the various reservations and such did kinda make my head spin.

Planning to head straight to Tinkerbell is a great idea. Even in September we never found them with low wait times during the day!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Good to see you this morning! LOL So funny that we've probably passed each other all semester!

Disney in Jan is awesome and you won't have long waits for Pooh or anything like that (as long as you're smart about going during the lower crowd times...like there might be a wait in the afternoon, but it shouldn't be long) We barely used FPs the times we've gone in Jan. Only for the long line rides like Soarin and Peter Pan etc. Otherwise, we've waited in 5-15 min lines for everything else. If the line was longer than that we'd just skip it and come back later and it would be short again! You're gonna have so much fun!!!

I was glad to see you, but I didn't want to bother you since you were working. I know, it's so crazy we've been in the same building and didn't even know it!

i'm so excited to try Disney in January and SO ready for the trip!

Glad picking the FP+ went well. I'm still not sure how I feel about the system and we used it! It is nice to have some FP+ ahead of time and not run around collecting them but yeah, working with all of the various reservations and such did kinda make my head spin.

Planning to head straight to Tinkerbell is a great idea. Even in September we never found them with low wait times during the day!

we can not miss tinkerbell again. we skipped it last time because the lines were so long and Madison still talks about not seeing her. I hope that getting into the park early to eat and hustling right over when we're done will get us in without a huge wait. fingers crossed!

I ended up changing some of our fast pass times after I started looking at park maps, but I still haven't had any trouble. I guess i'm ok with the system for now, but we'll see what we think when we get there.

 

[dismom9761]

glad you were able to change some of your FP Scared to touch mine!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

glad you were able to change some of your FP Scared to touch mine!

i was nervous about it, but it was surprisingly easy and I didn't have any problems. I was surprised! My disney experience always freaks me out a little but it's worked really well for the FP stuff. I guess we'll see what happens when we get there and actually try to use them. I might tweak stuff a little more then I'm going to post our plans for any advice.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

been MIA.....hi everyone! Sorry it's been so quiet over here. This week has been crazy busy! I have a ton of stuff to share--I have been studying maps and changing fast pass times and at least one ADR. I still need to make a plan for Hollywood studios day. When I get that done I want to post our new plans. I still have to sew Maddie's last pettiskirt and want to post some pictures. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll have things posted. Thanks for reading!!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

been MIA.....hi everyone! Sorry it's been so quiet over here. This week has been crazy busy! I have a ton of stuff to share--I have been studying maps and changing fast pass times and at least one ADR. I still need to make a plan for Hollywood studios day. When I get that done I want to post our new plans. I still have to sew Maddie's last pettiskirt and want to post some pictures. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll have things posted. Thanks for reading!!

Welcome back! Darn that real life getting in the way of DIS

Look forward to hearing about the changes!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I can't wait to see your petti skirt! There really is nothing that screams girl like a petti skirt! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

revised AK day and MK day 1.....after a fun, kid free weekend in Chicago with DH's company, we are on a LONG bus ride back to St Louis. To make the time go faster, i thought i'd post some of our new plans. I'm doing this on our tiny notebook, so please excuse the inevitable typos!

Sunday is our arrival day and everything is the same for that day.

Monday is our AK day. there are EMHs that day so the park hours are 8-5. our plan is to be there a few minutes before 8. we are planning to head to it's tough to be a bug, then go through the discovery trail on our way to use our 9-10 safari fastpass. after the safari, we'll go through the pangani trail and ride the train. i don't have plans to do conservation station, but we'll see. after that we are going to walk down to meet pocahontas and then over to meet russell and dug. hopefully by this time it'll be a good time to stop for lunch. we are just using QS credits for lunch at flametree BBQ or yak and yeti local foods. then hopefully over to the 11:30 flights of wonder show. or flip flop eating and the show. after that, we'll head over to the jungle trek and be at EE by 1:40 to use our fastpass. then we'll head over to dinoland for triceratop spin, primeval whirl and our 3-4 dinosaur fastpass. after that, we'll do whatever we missed, maybe try to do EE again or just head out. we have an ADR at 6:20 at 1900 park fare and would love to poke around the GF for awhile before or after that.

tuesday is our first day at magic kingdom. the park hours that day are 9-9. we have an 8:10 ADR at crystal palace. after we eat, we are going to sprint as fast as our full tummies will let us over to meet tinkerbell and, i believe, periwinkle. after that, and depending on what time it is, i'd like to head over to meet peter pan and the fairy godmother. then one of us can take the girls to ride the carousel and one of us can get a place staked out to watch dream along with mickey at 10:30. after dream along, i'd like to go use our rapunzel fastpass, then grab some lunch at pinocchio's, maybe meet gaston and try some lefou's brew. then we'll head back to little mermaid and meet ariel. i thought i'd read somewhere that ariel's grotto was going to be closed in january, but i'm not sure on that. if anybody knows anything about that, i'd love any info. if it is closed, we may or may not do the ride, just depending on time. from there, we'd head over to do winnie the pooh and the tea party. after that, storybook circus is up. we want to do dumbo and barnstormer, meet daisy and minnie and ride the train (hannah has specifically asked for lots of train rides--she loves them!). if we have time, i'd love to do the tea cups again. the girls love that ride and so do we! after that, we'll head over to tomorrowland. i'd like to try astro orbiter and the people mover since we've never tried them. we have a 4-5 fastpass for space mountain and a 5-6 fastpass for buzz lightyear. we'd also like to meet buzz while we're over there. depending on time during the day, i'd like to fit in meeting merida. we'll use some more QS credits to find some dinner before we head up for our 7:05 dessert party reservation. i'm not sure what time that ends, but if we have a chance, i'd like to get over to meet tiana and naveen between 8-8:40. then we'll head back to the hotel.

those are crazy busy days, right? both girls are not really nap takers anymore and i think we'll get plenty of sleep since the parks close early.also, i'm sure they will be excited and want to keep going, but we can always take breaks as needed. any thoughts, hints or tips? thanks!

 

[dismom9761]

been MIA.....hi everyone! Sorry it's been so quiet over here. This week has been crazy busy! I have a ton of stuff to share--I have been studying maps and changing fast pass times and at least one ADR. I still need to make a plan for Hollywood studios day. When I get that done I want to post our new plans. I still have to sew Maddie's last pettiskirt and want to post some pictures. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll have things posted. Thanks for reading!!

Isn't it awful when real life gets in the way of Disney?!

revised AK day and MK day 1.....after a fun, kid free weekend in Chicago with DH's company, we are on a LONG bus ride back to St Louis. To make the time go faster, i thought i'd post some of our new plans. I'm doing this on our tiny notebook, so please excuse the inevitable typos!

Sunday is our arrival day and everything is the same for that day.

Monday is our AK day. there are EMHs that day so the park hours are 8-5. our plan is to be there a few minutes before 8. we are planning to head to it's tough to be a bug, then go through the discovery trail on our way to use our 9-10 safari fastpass. after the safari, we'll go through the pangani trail and ride the train. i don't have plans to do conservation station, but we'll see. after that we are going to walk down to meet pocahontas and then over to meet russell and dug. hopefully by this time it'll be a good time to stop for lunch. we are just using QS credits for lunch at flametree BBQ or yak and yeti local foods. then hopefully over to the 11:30 flights of wonder show. or flip flop eating and the show. after that, we'll head over to the jungle trek and be at EE by 1:40 to use our fastpass. then we'll head over to dinoland for triceratop spin, primeval whirl and our 3-4 dinosaur fastpass. after that, we'll do whatever we missed, maybe try to do EE again or just head out. we have an ADR at 6:20 at 1900 park fare and would love to poke around the GF for awhile before or after that.

tuesday is our first day at magic kingdom. the park hours that day are 9-9. we have an 8:10 ADR at crystal palace. after we eat, we are going to sprint as fast as our full tummies will let us over to meet tinkerbell and, i believe, periwinkle. after that, and depending on what time it is, i'd like to head over to meet peter pan and the fairy godmother. then one of us can take the girls to ride the carousel and one of us can get a place staked out to watch dream along with mickey at 10:30. after dream along, i'd like to go use our rapunzel fastpass, then grab some lunch at pinocchio's, maybe meet gaston and try some lefou's brew. then we'll head back to little mermaid and meet ariel. i thought i'd read somewhere that ariel's grotto was going to be closed in january, but i'm not sure on that. if anybody knows anything about that, i'd love any info. if it is closed, we may or may not do the ride, just depending on time. from there, we'd head over to do winnie the pooh and the tea party. after that, storybook circus is up. we want to do dumbo and barnstormer, meet daisy and minnie and ride the train (hannah has specifically asked for lots of train rides--she loves them!). if we have time, i'd love to do the tea cups again. the girls love that ride and so do we! after that, we'll head over to tomorrowland. i'd like to try astro orbiter and the people mover since we've never tried them. we have a 4-5 fastpass for space mountain and a 5-6 fastpass for buzz lightyear. we'd also like to meet buzz while we're over there. depending on time during the day, i'd like to fit in meeting merida. we'll use some more QS credits to find some dinner before we head up for our 7:05 dessert party reservation. i'm not sure what time that ends, but if we have a chance, i'd like to get over to meet tiana and naveen between 8-8:40. then we'll head back to the hotel.

those are crazy busy days, right? both girls are not really nap takers anymore and i think we'll get plenty of sleep since the parks close early.also, i'm sure they will be excited and want to keep going, but we can always take breaks as needed. any thoughts, hints or tips? thanks!

Looks good! The only thing I would be concerned about is the Tinkerbelle thing. I remember it taking a while at Crystal Palace breakfast but we were always a big group.
I think if you go at the girls' pace you should be fine with busy days.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Welcome back! Darn that real life getting in the way of DIS

Isn't it awful when real life gets in the way of Disney?!

Looks good! The only thing I would be concerned about is the Tinkerbelle thing. I remember it taking a while at Crystal Palace breakfast but we were always a big group.
I think if you go at the girls' pace you should be fine with busy days.

I know--darn responsibilities! this week should be much quieter so I can hopefully get some stuff done around here and post some things here!

we ate at crystal palace last year for breakfast and I remember it taking awhile too. i'm hoping that even if it does take some time, we'll still be done by 9:15 or so. I was also thinking that DH could always leave with the girls (he's a faster walker than me!) and get in line for tink while I wait to pay. I remember that seemed to take forever--getting the check paid at the end of the meal.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

revised Epcot day....Wednesday will be my BIRTHDAY and we will spend it at epcot. I have found lots of things to do to try to make for a wonderful day! before we even go to epcot, we are heading over to the poly for breakfast at ohana. the park hours that day are 9-9. our first stop will be to meet goofy by the entrance. then go to spaceship earth. my DH has been in there several times, but I've actually never gone in. then we'll head over to club cool and maybe mousegear. when WS opens, our first stop will be in china to meet mulan between 11-11:30. we may then ride maelstrom, although we did it last time and I can't say i'll be that disappointed if we skip it. i'd like to stop in kringla bakery and get some snacks for later, then head over to do the gran fiesta tour and meet mexico Donald around noonish. I think we'll then take a boatride over to Germany. if we have time we'll meet snow white at 12:30, then go to our 1:10 ADR at biergarten. if we don't have time, we'll flip flop that. i'd then like to go into karamell-kuche for dessert. next we'll continue around to japan and do pick a pearl. we've never gone into any of the stores in japan and I think there is one with hello kitty things in it, so we'll have to stop there too for the girls. then we'll move on to meet belle (3:50ish) and aurora (4:20ish). at this time we'll take a boat ride again, or continue walking around WS, back to future world. we have a fast pass for 5-6 at the seas and 6-7 for turtle talk. we'll walk around the living seas then too. after that, we'll head over for my DH to do mission space. I think the girls and I will skip it this trip. i'm not sure they'll like it yet and i'd like to avoid anything that may induce vomiting, if at all possible! we have a fast pass for test track at 7. after that we'll head back to morocco to use QS credits to get some dinner at tangierine café and find a spot to watch illuminations at 9 and eat our snacks. we'll head back over to our hotel and maybe try to see some of yeehaw bob before heading to bed.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

revised Magic Kingdom day 2 and Hollywood day.....this day may be the most confusing. I feel like i'm having trouble making a plan that makes sense and keeps us moving towards our next thing, not doing a bunch of backtracking. so anyway...we actually have an ADR that morning at 7:15 at chef mickey. so early, but I think it'll be worth it. the hours at MK that day are 8-9 since there are morning EMHs. if we have time, we might try to do a ride before our 9am appointment at pirates league. after that, we have a 10-11 fast pass at big thunder mountain and will meet woody and Jessie after the ride. we'll head back over to ride pirates of the Caribbean and hopefully get lunch at Tortuga tavern. I have no idea if Tortuga will be open or not. we wanted to eat there last time, it smelled SO good, but it was closed when we were ready to eat. does anyone know if they are open in January? then we'll go over to the tiki room and magic carpets and meet Aladdin and jasmine. we have a 3-4 fast pass for jungle cruise, then we'll head over to haunted mansion and it's a small world and mickey's philharmagic--hopefully. we have a 5:10 ADR at BOG, so if we can't fit all that in before our ADR, we'll just do what we get to. after we eat, we'll find a place near town square to watch MSEP. after the parade is over, we have a fast pass to meet mickey. if we haven't done it yet, i'd like to go over and meet tiana and Naveen from 8-8:40 before we leave the park. then back to our hotel and bed!

Friday will be our last day and we will be at Hollywood studios. the park hours that day are 9-9, with EMHs from 7-9 pm. we plan on being there about 8:30ish. we have a 9-10 fast pass for toy story mania, then we'll try to meet jake and Sophia, mickey and wreck it ralph. I think then my DH will try to get into the animation class and the girls and I will go over to ride little mermaid. we will then try to see frozone and mr incredible before seeing Disney jr on stage at 12:10. we'll use some QS credits for some lunch and then try to find a green army man on our way to meet mike and sulley. we have a 2-3 fast pass for star tours, then we'll try to fit in some time in the honey I shrunk the kids play area and see muppets 3D before our 3-4 fast pass for RNR. my DH will want to do TOT, however, i'm not sure if our youngest will be big enough or if our oldest will like it. we may split up again and go see the beauty and the beast show while DH does TOT. we have a 5:45 ADR at 50's primetime. at 7 there is a Disney jr dance party that we want to take the girls to for awhile, then we might try to do star tours again and go see lightning McQueen and mater. after we've enjoyed the EMHs we'll head out to the hotel to pack up and head home the next morning.

and, just to end on a happier note, we are 49 days away from our trip! I can't believe we're under 50 days!!!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

The plans look great, but now I have so many questions! This is why I read these!

1. I I didn't know yo could take boats at Epcot! Ad ether pretty reliable! That would be fun and a nice walking break

2. Where oh where do you meet McQueen and Mater!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

email.....I forgot I wanted to post this too. on Saturday, the 9th, we received this email from Disney....



keep in mind, we'd already personalized magic bands and i'd made fast pass selections by that time already, but whatever, it was still fun to get the "official" invitation!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

The plans look great, but now I have so many questions! This is why I read these!

1. I I didn't know yo could take boats at Epcot! Ad ether pretty reliable! That would be fun and a nice walking break

2. Where oh where do you meet McQueen and Mater!

1) I didn't either!! i found them on the map on our Disney app on my phone, but i don't know how reliable they are or if they get crowded. i thought they might be more fun then just always walking. I guess there are two boats you can take. there are docks to the right and left when you come down the main sidewalk from future world to world showcase. the boat on the right goes across the lake to morocco and the boat on the left goes across the lake to Germany. they are the white dotted lines on the map






2) mater and lightning McQueen are to the left and sort of behind muppet 3D. if you walked past muppets on your right, and mama Melrose's on your left, you'd see a Phineas and Ferb meet and greet and lightning and mater are just down from there. we liked seeing them, but they're not very exciting. they are just cars you stand by and don't talk or move or anything. still, they are cute and our girls liked them a lot.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

1) I didn't either!! i found them on the map on our Disney app on my phone, but i don't know how reliable they are or if they get crowded. i thought they might be more fun then just always walking. I guess there are two boats you can take. there are docks to the right and left when you come down the main sidewalk from future world to world showcase. the boat on the right goes across the lake to morocco and the boat on the left goes across the lake to Germany. they are the white dotted lines on the map http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/S...8-4bf8-9518-4cdafec80d41_zpsaaaea2de.jpg.html http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/S...e-4da4-a809-947c1b3be986_zpse872b174.jpg.html 2) mater and lightning McQueen are to the left and sort of behind muppet 3D. if you walked past muppets on your right, and mama Melrose's on your left, you'd see a Phineas and Ferb meet and greet and lightning and mater are just down from there. we liked seeing them, but they're not very exciting. they are just cars you stand by and don't talk or move or anything. still, they are cute and our girls liked them a lot. http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/S...2-402c-9866-6636ec11427a_zps8fd01a0c.jpg.html http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/STLMickeyMom/media/null_zps982bcc13.jpg.html

Thank you! This looks like great ideas! I love the boat idea! Adding both these things to my trip

 

[STLMickeyMom]

clothes.....I can't believe I used to just throw whatever into a suitcase for a Disney trip! I've been planning and sewing for months this time! so, here we go....

I made these for the girls last year for the trip down and since they still fit, I decided we'd wear them again. I actually have a skirt that matches too, I just want to hem it and take it in a little. it was too long and I've lost weight since last trip (woohoo!). excuse Madison's crazy eyes--she was wanting to watch her movie, not model for me. they'll also wear leggings (and not sock monkey slippers).




Monday for animal kingdom and dinner at 1900 we'll wear our matching Disney shirts. I didn't take a picture of all of them, but these are the girls. mine is white and DHs is blue. we'll just wear shorts or jeans, depending on the weather, with them.




Tuesday at magic kingdom. I can't wait to get some cute pictures this day!! Hannah's purples don't match as well as I thought they would but it's what she picked and she's happy, so i'm happy.




Wednesday is ohana and epcot. we'll wear our family shirts and I found red leggings with SPARKLES for the girls. i'm packing a lot more leggings and long sleeve tshirts to wear under shirts this time because i'm afraid the girls will be cold. last time, in November, I only packed shorts and they were always freezing. anyway...




Thursday is magic kingdom again and we have pirate league reservations. I found leggings that look like lace for the girls to wear under their pettiskirts. and long sleeve shirts that match in case they're chilly. DH and I will just wear mickey shirts.



maddie modeling her outfit. she loves to twirl around in her skirt--i'm surprised the picture isn't blurry! she also had to put on her belle shoes! she was trying to convince me to bring them--plastic high heels--on the trip. oh, she's a funny one!




I don't have any pictures of what we'll wear Friday. I wanted to make them these cute dresses I bought a pattern for, but i think they might be cold in dresses. i also bought a pattern for capri rompers. i might still make them over Christmas when i have some time off, but i'm not planning on it. my MIL bought the girls some jeggings that are glittery, so i was thinking i'll just take those and get them a shirt that would be good for Hollywood studios at the Disney store. easier and faster for sure! then Saturday, i'm just packing comfy stuff for the plane ride home.

 

[kayemgi]

Wow that was a lot of updates I missed while I was away! Let's see, the only thing that really stick out to me was that your first MK day sounds a little jam packed! In January maybe it'll all be doable, I don't know, but keep an open mind that you might not get to meet all of those characters. I was surprised at how much longer the character lines were and they FEEL longer too because there's nothing much to see or do in those lines. But January is supposed to be pretty low crowds so maybe you'll get lucky and breeze right through all of them! I hope so!

Love the girls' outfits, they are going to be so adorable!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Wow that was a lot of updates I missed while I was away! Let's see, the only thing that really stick out to me was that your first MK day sounds a little jam packed! In January maybe it'll all be doable, I don't know, but keep an open mind that you might not get to meet all of those characters. I was surprised at how much longer the character lines were and they FEEL longer too because there's nothing much to see or do in those lines. But January is supposed to be pretty low crowds so maybe you'll get lucky and breeze right through all of them! I hope so!

Love the girls' outfits, they are going to be so adorable!

thanks! I just hope they are warm enough this time, but not too hot either. It's harder to pack for January, that's for sure!

I know-I always try to cram too many things into MK days. There are too many things to do!! Our plan is usually pretty flexible so if we get to something with a huge line or the kids want to do something again, we don't have a problem with skipping other things. And most of the character meets are "if we can" too, expect for a couple--tinkerbell and Peter Pan. Last year we never saw the wait for tink at less then 50 minutes-usually more like 75 or higher-and I just couldn't bring myself to waste an hour of park time standing in line. However, the girls were bummed after the trip that we didn't go. Also,we have pictures of our oldest meeting Peter Pan after the pirate party, but our youngest had fallen asleep. She says every time we look at pictures that she wants to see Peter so I've promised her we'd find him this time. I should know by now not to promise things.....

 

[STLMickeyMom]

paid!.....just paid off the trip tonight! after a crummy ending to a gloomy day, it was nice to pay off the trip, know we're only 46 days away, and that it is really happening! great way to end the day!