Five Years is a long time to wait Day 8 & 9 Plans!

[MarbleBob]

Sorry to hear that you are having a tough day. Sending happy thoughts and good vibes your way And it's great to have Disney to think about, even though planning/packing/last minute scrambling can add to the stress, it's great that you have an awesome stay at WDW coming soon

As you were listing the criteria for the lunch ADR, I was thinking to myself.... "Sounds like they should eat at Kona Cafe". I've only been there once (it was great), but my parents visit WDW a couple times a year and it's a staple on their trips. We LOVE sushi, and plan to eat at the Kona Island Sushi Bar once or twice on our next trip. I like most sushi (not a big fan of eel though), but assuming that you can get the "California Luau Roll" inside the restaurant, that looks so YUMMY! (Fresh Jumbo Lump Crab, Pineapple and Avocado.)

OK. Now, I'm going to have a tough time staying focused for the last hour of work today too

 

[KatMark]

I love when old friends get together, but I hate when they don't think of others around them with their loudness.

I hope you've gotten some work done on your paper.

Can you believe our trips are so close?

We are doing dinner for the first time at Kona in a couple of weeks too. I understand the pork chop is also excellent (I'm leaning toward that). Mark tried Sushi in Vegas in March. He said "no thanks".

Hope you have a great weekend, and I hope it warms up some...this is crazy (did you see the snow flurries today?).

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Joining in!

 

[PrncessA]

Hello out there! It has been a week of hectic here, that is for sure!! We have had trips to the ER, eye appointments, birthday parties, uncovering our yard from the destruction of this winter, a hectic week at work, and finals week for me! When I started this week I knew it would be hectic, but jeezz!

A few of the highlights…

DH got VERY ill on Wednesday night, we thought it was just food poisoning at first, because we had pizza and I didn’t feel very well either, but my tummy issues passed fairly quickly and the kids weren’t sick at all. DH was in so much pain and was so sick to his stomach he was near crying Thursday morning; at that point we knew it was time to head to the ER after getting the kids off to school. He was diagnosed pretty quickly with a kidney stone and was given morphine! He felt pretty good after that! After a few days of drinking TONS of water he does seem to be doing better, not sure if it has passed or not because the nausea and pain comes and goes. But is not nearly as painful. I think he is almost over it. I really hope another one doesn't make an appearance at WDW!

Work was super hectic, and missing Thursday didn’t help… Friday my final assignments were due for all of my classes. I had finished one on Thursday, but I had only finished 2 ¼ pages of my 5 page history essay and none of the three final assignments that were due for my World Destinations class. I was so tired from the week and just wanted to get them over with. I know I didn’t do my best work, but I found out this morning that I managed an A in all of my classes. Now it is time to celebrate in Disney! DD also received the Pirate Fairy in the mail, and we have yet to watch it, she reminds me of that every two minutes.

Saturday I had an eye appointment, which was interesting since I had both kids in the room with me, since DH was still feeling pretty sick. Hard to concentrate on letters when the kids are fighting over what cartoon to watch on Netflix. Turns out both my contacts and glasses prescription changed pretty drastically. Bummer!! My eyes will not level out on a prescription for more than two years, and I really want Lasik surgery! Oh well, maybe in a couple of years. We did a few errands, picked up DS some new swimming trunks, since I couldn’t find his for the life of me, and we were planning on going swimming later that day with friends. Turns out the pool was closed for kayaking and scuba diving, which we weren’t interested in trying.

Instead we spent some time at a friend’s house. The kid’s played and we talked about Disney. What else is there? Seriously though, they just decided that they are want to do two days at Disney World while they are on vacation in Tampa at the end of June and they have never been. They know nothing about WDW, so I feel like it is my duty to help out as much as I can. And let’s face it; talking about Disney is no hardship!!! Then the kids had a birthday party for the rest of the day, at a neighbor’s house. They were so exhausted from jumping in the bouncy house for almost 4 hours straight, they almost fell into bed!

Sunday we skipped church, again. I feel awful about it! No skipping next week, especially since we will be out of town for two weeks! We did get quite a bit accomplished around the house, since it has been neglected with everything going on. My kitchen sparkled by the time DD woke up. We did more errands that we have been putting off because of the horrible weather around here. We hit Costco for some household necessities, before hitting a local pop up nursery and Menards for garden and yard supplies. The kids each picked out a plant to “grow” which ultimately falls on me anyway. DD picked peppermint because it smells good and DS picked celery, because he likes to eat it. Completely mirrors their personality.

We then spent HOURS working in our back yard tilling up the garden and two flower beds that we let go last year and they were a wreck with weeds. That took a long time to clean out. We ended up lining one with garden fabric and buying 13 bags of river rocks to pour in it. It still needs about 3 more bags.

DH is on a road trip for work today so he won’t be home till very late so my mom is coming over to help me tonight. The garden has to be planted and now that I have all of our planters out I need about 4 or five more flowing plants. I prefer to have rocks in gardens with planters, much easier to handle. I placed my Minnie and Mickey by the lillies this morning, just made me smile.

We did find out yesterday when we tried to fire up the grill that we need a new one. The only bummer to the day, since we ended up cooking inside and not grilling out. DH didn't say it but I am sure we will be shopping for a new grill this week

So now back to Disney, I have been trying to get caught up on reading all of my PTR and TR subscriptions. So many updates! And of course working on mine… which is coming up in the next post!!

 

[PrncessA]

Day 4!! June 2!
I just saw this week that the MK extended their EMH on June 1 to 3am… I don’t think we will make it that late, but who knows. My original plan had us with an 8:00am Akershus breakfast, but I knew that wouldn’t work with the night before so I scratched that idea.


Instead we have a 9:45am breakfast planned at:


Much easier since it is in our resort, so we can sleep in a bit and walk to our breakfast.

After breakfast here are we heading off to?
Here of course:


Our last trip to DHS we didn’t really plan well around the shows, and we missed quite a bit. It was still a lot of fun and we are excited to go back.
Here are a few pics from our DHS day last trip (ignore the date, I was so distracted I forgot to change it, LOL)










We have FP+ for these rides in the morning (thanks to Google images mostly):






We want to catch Indy (so many rumors that it might not be around too much longer, or wishful thinking for some) but we have never watched it so it is a must do for us, as well as Beauty and the Beast. I am hoping to score a FP for RRC after we use our FP’s. The kids really want to ride it. I can’t wait to see that ride photo.

We have a Fantasmic package for Hollywood and Vine that I am super excited to for!! We get to meet these wonderful Star Wars characters!


We will hopefully get to see Fantasmic that night! It was our favorite fireworks show from our last trip, so if it gets rained out we will definitely rearrange another day’s plans to fit it in. Hopefully we will run into Kathy and her girls while we are there.

DHS has EMH that night, so we will stick around and try and get some rides in and make it over to One Man’s Dream. We are planning another ½ day at DHS, but our main focus of that day is getting the kids into Jedi Training, which they both are dying to do and maybe picking up a ride or two while we are there.

Next up: Day 5 the day of perpetual changes...

 

[PrncessA]

Sorry to hear that you are having a tough day. Sending happy thoughts and good vibes your way And it's great to have Disney to think about, even though planning/packing/last minute scrambling can add to the stress, it's great that you have an awesome stay at WDW coming soon

As you were listing the criteria for the lunch ADR, I was thinking to myself.... "Sounds like they should eat at Kona Cafe". I've only been there once (it was great), but my parents visit WDW a couple times a year and it's a staple on their trips. We LOVE sushi, and plan to eat at the Kona Island Sushi Bar once or twice on our next trip. I like most sushi (not a big fan of eel though), but assuming that you can get the "California Luau Roll" inside the restaurant, that looks so YUMMY! (Fresh Jumbo Lump Crab, Pineapple and Avocado.)

OK. Now, I'm going to have a tough time staying focused for the last hour of work today too

Thanks! It was a hectic week that is for sure, I am looking forward to starting to pull out luggage and put outfits together!

I am so excited to try Kona Cafe, although now it might be a dinner ADR instead, details on that coming soon. Day five is the day that keeps changing!

I love when old friends get together, but I hate when they don't think of others around them with their loudness.

I ended up leaving after a man sat down behind me and started making phone calls at the top of his voice. Then he turned around in his chair with his head an inch or two away from the back of mine.

I hope you've gotten some work done on your paper.

Done!!!

Can you believe our trips are so close?

So excited!!


We are doing dinner for the first time at Kona in a couple of weeks too. I understand the pork chop is also excellent (I'm leaning toward that). Mark tried Sushi in Vegas in March. He said "no thanks".

I am NOT a fish person, especially raw fish, crab is all I like, so I understand his reaction!! I only like my fish battered and deep fried with tons of tarter sauce.

Hope you have a great weekend, and I hope it warms up some...this is crazy (did you see the snow flurries today?).

CRAZY!!! Saturday was a bit chilly but Sunday was very nice.

Joining in!

Yay! Welcome!!!

 

[KatMark]

I'm glad hubby is feeling better. I hoep he doesn't have any more episodes.

I'm glad we finally got some good weather that you could do your gardening. You sound like me with your "River Rock."

Your plans for June 2 sound awesome. We aren't getting to the Studios until around 12:30 or so; we are going to try to stay at the MK as long as we can and then let the girls swim a bit in the morning. We have the same FP+ selection.

We definitely need to try to hook up either at the MK on Sunday or at the Studios on Monday. Let's PM each other before we leave. What day do you leave again? I leave on the 29th.

 

[annegirl]

Yours is the third trip report I have read in the last two days written by someone in the Chicagoland area. We just moved from that area a year ago and while I am glad to be back where our families live, it is making me really miss things!
Like Gurnee Mills Mall!
Anyway, I am enjoying reading all of your plans. My husband would love to do a star wars meal. Too bad they aren't available year round.
And my little four year old DD that doesn't know we are going for her birthday in November just walked by when I was looking at the Anna and Elsa doll and said, "Ooh! I want those!"

 

[PrncessA]

I'm glad hubby is feeling better. I hoep he doesn't have any more episodes.

I'm glad we finally got some good weather that you could do your gardening. You sound like me with your "River Rock."

Your plans for June 2 sound awesome. We aren't getting to the Studios until around 12:30 or so; we are going to try to stay at the MK as long as we can and then let the girls swim a bit in the morning. We have the same FP+ selection.

We definitely need to try to hook up either at the MK on Sunday or at the Studios on Monday. Let's PM each other before we leave. What day do you leave again? I leave on the 29th.

Thanks! I am just so glad he got sick while we were at home, well before we leave.

I was lucky I made DH do the lifting and pouring of the river rock, I just used the rake to spread it around. You did all the heavy lifting!

We are bound to run into each other at DHS! We fly out on the 30th.

Yours is the third trip report I have read in the last two days written by someone in the Chicagoland area. We just moved from that area a year ago and while I am glad to be back where our families live, it is making me really miss things!
Like Gurnee Mills Mall!
Anyway, I am enjoying reading all of your plans. My husband would love to do a star wars meal. Too bad they aren't available year round.
And my little four year old DD that doesn't know we are going for her birthday in November just walked by when I was looking at the Anna and Elsa doll and said, "Ooh! I want those!"

First of all I love love LOVE your user name! I don't know if you are using it as a reference to Anne of Green Gables, but that is my all time favorite movie.



I have lived in the Chicagoland area for 9 years now, and it is almost like another world from where I grew up. There is so much to do!! And so many places to shop.

I am so excited for the Star Wars dining, I agree they should offer it year round. I think it would be a hot ticket year round. I love surprise trips!! It is just so hard on the parent. I am amazed by ChicagoMo, she can keep a secret like nobody I have ever saw!! I would have squealed by now if the kids didn't think I was still planning the August trip. DS was marking the days off of our "Tennessee Trip" countdown (in reality our Disney countdown) and he pulled up the pages to August and sighed before walking away.

Boy I bet Disney is making a killing off of Frozen merchandise. Luckly they haven't seemed to really inflate the price of the product themselves which is good. They just exclude them from sales. And have very little to no stock.

 

[annegirl]

First of all I love love LOVE your user name! I don't know if you are using it as a reference to Anne of Green Gables, but that is my all time favorite movie.

Yes! It is a reference to Anne of Green Gables- also my all time favorite movie. And some of my favorite books as well.
Also, my middle name is Anne.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Sounds like life has been insane. Glad you made it through the semester! You trip is coming up REALLY soon! Looking forward to seeing how the elusive Day 5 pans out for you.

 

[PrncessA]

Quick life update!

I gave myself a three official days off from thinking about school starting up in 3 weeks, and registering for classes for the fall. Today I went ahead and searched for my books online, I used all digital books this semester and it was a PAIN! I was able to score all three of my books used on Amazon for $107! The college bookstore wanted me to pay almost $300 just to rent them!! Plus, I officially registered for my fall classes. I am taking it a bit easier in fall with only two classes… although that could change. I am glad I registered today. One of the classes I had been looking at filled up quickly, only 4 spots were still open!

Our yard is almost completed! After planting I decided I need some more flowers… and beans. The kids want to grow watermelon, not sure how that would work. DS has his awards ceremony at church tonight and he is so happy. They earn points throughout the year with behavior, badge work, readiness, and neatliness. None of these are easy for DS, especially in the evening when his ADHD is worse. He worked soooo hard this year and is in the top of the rankings with points. It is harder for a Jr. Cadet (which he is) to earn points because they don’t have as much badge work as the older Cadets do, but he has been doing such a good job!!

Day 5! June 3!! aka The Day that never stops changing!!

At this point we will have spent two days at the Yacht Club and we have yet to make it to Epcot… are we going to make it today?

Nope. Although it is a possibility during our mid-day break if we want head over, but I doubt it. Our original plan was to spend the afternoon at Epcot, then it changed to Disney Quest and DTD, then I was able to score an ADR to the elusive Dessert Party and things changed again!

Instead we need to be up bright and early to head to the “Most Magical Place on Earth”

And hopefully we will have a empty or semi-empty Main Street.



We will dining with some loveable guys from the Hundred Acre Wood and hopefully this time DD will not be TERRIFIED of them!!



Love Tigger!!!



Something about the pink made Piglet seem okay I guess. He was also our first character, after him she was terrified!!


After eating some Pooh puffs and delicious OJ we will head out to get our MK on!

Our plan is to head straight to Peter Pan before the wait gets too long, and meander our way around NFL and depending on what we hit up on our first day at MK, we will either do Tommorowland or Liberty Square. One thing is sure, we will hit up Mickey’s Philharmagic!! We just love that show.

We have a few FP’s for the day namely:




and


We will head back to the resort around lunch time, depending on how hungry we are we might stop at Casey’s and get some nuggets to snack on. I am thinking about making a ADR at Beaches & Cream just for some ice cream. We might even take on the Kitchen Sink, or we could order the smaller version at the take out window. Not sure yet.

We will spend some time enjoying Stormalong Bay and relaxing. I originally had a lunch ADR at Kona Café but when we scored the Dessert Party I moved it to a dinner.

After swimming, relaxing, and cleaning up, we will head over to the Poly and enjoy dinner here:


Before heading to the surprise Dessert Party!!! DH doesn’t know about it! I told him that I wasn’t sure if him and DS would make it to DTD to use the DQ voucher, and he didn’t ask questions. He knows that I had been having a hard time getting a Dessert Party ADR and I had given up on it, so this will be a big surprise!

Up next: Day 6, and our schedule says we still aren’t going to Epcot… we might change that…. after all we did choose the Yacht Club to be close!!

 

[KatMark]

Congrats to your son, and good job on the score on the books through Amazon.

I'm that you are staying at the Yacht Club and you still haven't "been" to Epcot for the convenience.

I love early morning breakfasts with Pooh and friends (I have one of those in September!). I simply cannot do a trip without Pooh's puffed french toast.

The rest of the days plans sound great. I keep checking every day for a Dessert party for either this trip or our September trip...so far no luck.

 

[PrncessA]

I had not realized until writing yesterday’s plans that we had still not visited Epcot yet, in fact even with this day’s plans we will still would have not made it. I have looked and looked at our plans and one of our huge reasons for staying at the Yacht Club was to make use of the walk to Epcot. The problem came from all the changes with our plans, the days at Epcot seemed to melt away without me realizing it.So I took a good long look at our plans and changed a few things around.

Mainly, the first park we visit will now be Epcot!!

I am giving up our BOG FP, which I was nervous to use anyway, to stand in the standby line on another day. And the most shocking revelation? We are giving up a 7DMT FP! We have 3 more scheduled so don’t worry! This actually works out better with our plans since we can take the bus over to Epcot, spend some time (eat at Coral Reef) and mosey on over to the Yacht Club when we feel like it to relax and explore Stormalong Bay before heading back out to Ohana and MK until 3am!

Day 6! June 4

So this day almost got changed around today, but since our purpose for the day is to have the best chance at an early morning Jedi Training Academy, this was the day that best fit the bill. With that clue I am sure you can guess we are heading to DHS this morning! How cute are those smilies?

I was NOT braving the crowds on a SWW to sign the kids up for Jedi Training! This is an EMH morning at DHS and I know that we are wasting valuable EMH time signing up for Jedi Training, but the kids really want to do it. This will be one of the few mornings that we will try and make it well before they open the turnstyles, so we can get to the sign ups as early as possible.

If we have time we will hit a few rides on standby, since our FP’s are scheduled for later in the day. It is a play it by ear morning. We do have an ADR here:


I know most people either love it or hate it, but I am super excited to try it. It just looks so cool and how can you turn down burgers and shakes?

After eating we will head out to our exciting makeovers at the MK!!

Our first stop will be at 3:20:



Where DS will be transformed into a scary pirate! I am not sure which pirate face he will pick, but I guessing it will be one with the least amount of face paint. He is particular about face paint. I am hoping they get us right in and I am able to stay for the entire process, but most likely DD and I will leave a few minutes before he is finished, because we are headed here:



Where she will emerge as Merida.



We borrowed the dress from a friend a while ago (her daughter is not as into princesses as DD is) and I am just in love with this dress, as is DD. It is so pretty with the detail!

After our transformations we have some very important dates to get to!

First we will visit Belle, because when you are a princess, you visit your friends.



Then we will take a sail through the Caribbean and keep an eye out for Jack.



I know a lot of people aren’t big fans of the movie overlay on PoTC, but I say that one can never go wrong with a little more Johnny Depp!!

Then we will take another turn around the 7DMT and see our favorite dwarfs!

Finally we will head over to the castle for a very special meal:



We will be eating when Wishes begins, so I am hoping to request a table near a window. I saw pictures from Brenda’s trip to CRT during Wishes, and how beautiful!!

We might explore around a bit in the MK and hopefully we will have a Dis Meet during the day!

Next up: Day 7, only 4 days of plans left

 

[KatMark]

I was wondering if you were ever going to Epcot.

I love your Day 6 Plans.

We really enjoy Sci Fi. The only thing I suggest is stick with the burgers, reuben, onion rings and shakes! Skip everything else.

I hope you get the kids signed up for the Jedi training (sure wish they had that when our boys were young).

What a beautiful Merida!

I'm hoping we see you at the MK later in the evening.

 

[PrncessA]

Yes! It is a reference to Anne of Green Gables- also my all time favorite movie. And some of my favorite books as well.
Also, my middle name is Anne.

Sounds like life has been insane. Glad you made it through the semester! You trip is coming up REALLY soon! Looking forward to seeing how the elusive Day 5 pans out for you.

So close!! I am feeling a bit of panic at the moment. I was able to get the kid's clothes semi sorted and placed in ziploc baggies but there is just so much to do! I have one more half flat of flowers to plant and we still need to finish the river rocks, but after spending another 3 hours in the yard after work and then cooking dinner, I was wiped yesterday. This Friday we have two of the kid's friends coming over to visit, so that means tonight is "clean your room" night! That is always fun!

I need a packing plan next!!

Congrats to your son, and good job on the score on the books through Amazon.

I'm that you are staying at the Yacht Club and you still haven't "been" to Epcot for the convenience.

I love early morning breakfasts with Pooh and friends (I have one of those in September!). I simply cannot do a trip without Pooh's puffed french toast.

The rest of the days plans sound great. I keep checking every day for a Dessert party for either this trip or our September trip...so far no luck.

I love getting into the parks early! I don't think they had the puffed french toast when we went in 2009, but I am looking forward to it this trip. I just remember drinking a gallon of yummy Florida OJ!

Good luck with the Dessert Party!!

I was wondering if you were ever going to Epcot.

I love your Day 6 Plans.

We really enjoy Sci Fi. The only thing I suggest is stick with the burgers, reuben, onion rings and shakes! Skip everything else.

I hope you get the kids signed up for the Jedi training (sure wish they had that when our boys were young).

What a beautiful Merida!

I'm hoping we see you at the MK later in the evening.

I had to change things around to make it to Epcot!! Starting off our first park day with a Grey Goose slush in France is the right way to go.

Stick to the burgers and shakes, got it!! I am excited for the themeing, I hope it isn't a let down.

I wish that they offered FP's for Jedi Training! Now that would be a good Fast Pass option, versus other options that Disney gives!! I have heard it is a mad rush to sign up, worse on SWW! Just keep thinking that one day you might have grandkids to sign up!! I have two older step-sons (who are too old and cool for Disney), one of which has a serious girlfriend and they have been talking about marriage. This gives me a VERY good chance of becoming a grandmother in my 30's! I am 31 and my step-son is about to turn 21, crazy right? I told him he needs to wait until I am at least 40!

We hope to see you as well! I will PM you my cell # in a few minutes.

 

[PrncessA]

I’m going to try and crank out another day or two before I have to head home for the long weekend. There is always something to do at home that keeps me busy, tonight DH is going to a White Sox game and the kids and I are going to meet up with friends for dinner.

I did manage to get some of the kid’s outfits together and put into Ziploc bags Tuesday night.
Before:


After:


I am hoping they don’t run out of shorts and wonder where they all went to! Tonight I do hope to pull out the suitcases and do a bit of pre-packing for me and DH after dinner. The kids are oblivious to me packing Disney items right now, not sure if that will last. I want to get most of my packing done this weekend so if I find out I am short on an item or need something we are not running around the last minute trying to find it… that will probably happen anyway. Last night I accomplished the dreaded task of packing away winter clothes and pulling out stored summer clothes. Plus I cleaned our entry way and put away all the winter coats.

Of course we have a lot to do this weekend with it being a holiday weekend. First the kids have friends coming over to play on Saturday morning. Yesterday DS informed me that the little girl who is coming over (the other child is her sister, who is DD’s BFF), is now his girlfriend. I guess he is right about that age. So I ask him what it means to be girlfriend/boyfriend and his response was “It means you have true love forever.” So DS and his true love will be playing Minecraft and stuffed animals and DD and her BFF will be playing Barbie on Saturday together.

DH and I will finish the yard work and are looking at a sprinkler timer so our neighbor doesn’t have to water our plants every day, just take a peek at the hose to make sure it isn’t leaking when she lets the dog out. We have had a leak or a water hose break nearly every time we have went on vacation. Or our fridge breaks; that happened last year! On top of a few more garden items we are in desperate need of a new kitchen table and grill. The table is a must for me and the grill for DH, but I don’t think our budget can swing both right now, so we’ll see how that works out. We are hoping to have a large BBQ at some point this summer, so a grill will be bought… eventually.

Monday we will be taking a trip into downtown Chicago with some friends. We try and do an annual trip downtown every year. We have done a few museums, Millennium Park and Navy Pier at different seasons. We are planning on the Museum of Science and Industry, with no Disney Archives, since it is a trip for the kids and last time we went we didn’t get to do some of the more interactive, hands on exhibits that they like. This will be an all day adventure, so it is imperative that I pack a lot on Saturday and Sunday!! Yay packing!!!

So close now!!
Okay on with the show!!!

Day 7!! June 5!

At this point we have visited Epcot (with a little schedule changing), MK and DHS. On our last trip we did not have a good adventure at AK, in fact we hated it. You can read about the crazy ride to AK here and our day at AK here if you want to relive the horrors with us.

It is just so hot!! And okay let’s be honest… I didn’t do much research or planning for the day either. We considered skipping AK all together; before I read a few TR’s that make the AK look like so much fun! You would think we are going to AK today right? Nope, I just got off on an AK tangent; we will be visiting AK, but later in our trip.

Today we are going to play it by ear for our morning routine. Our main park for the day is Epcot, but MK has EMH in the morning so if we feel like getting up and making over to the MK to squeeze in some of our favs before breakfast we might! Or we might sleep in a bit. Or we might take a quick dip in the pool. Who knows?

The one thing I do know is that we have an ADR for a very late breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. This was really a wonderful meal for us in 2009. The Mad Hatter was just hilarious!! Plus the kids were Alice and the Mad Hatter for Halloween two years ago. I put so much work into the Alice dress, that it will be fun to use it again other than dress up around the house.
Here are a few pictures of our fun meal at 1900PF last time:








After breakfast we will take the monorails over to Epcot! We do have a few FP+ for the day although I am actually scheduling one of them (Captain EO) for before we get the parks, since I just want to be able to choose another Tier 1 quickly. We have this fav:


And a first for us, a trip on Living with the Land. We have these scheduled for as soon as we get there, then we will try for a Test Track FP. I am thinking/hoping that there will still be a few available. We are going to be there for the rest of the day so we can wait.

We then will head over to the World Showcase. I am sure the kids would enjoy Agent P’s Adventure, so we might do that. I think this will be the day that DH attempts to make it drinking around the world, but that ambition has died down quite a bit with the introduction of kidney stones into his life. He will probably try a few here and there, but he keeps telling me that I need to keep reminding him of how much water he needs to drink. The pain of the kidney stones really scared him.

We barely skimmed the WS last time we were in Epcot, since we only spent basically half a day there. I really want to see some of the country movies and explore as much as possible. Just take our time really…

Our only firm plans for the rest of the day are an ADR at:

Pizza! Yummo!!!

After dinner we might stay or we might head back to the resort to swim a bit. I’m a little nervous about this being a “light plan” day, but at this point in the vacation we will need a relaxing day. Plus I have a margarita and slush calling my name!!

Day 8 coming up next... will the AK redeem it's self??

 

[KatMark]

I’m going to try and crank out another day or two before I have to head home for the long weekend. There is always something to do at home that keeps me busy, tonight DH is going to a White Sox game and the kids and I are going to meet up with friends for dinner.

Go Cubs.

I did manage to get some of the kid’s outfits together and put into Ziploc bags Tuesday night.
Before:


After:


Very nice job! I wonder if my husband would let me do that with his stuff?

I am hoping they don’t run out of shorts and wonder where they all went to! Tonight I do hope to pull out the suitcases and do a bit of pre-packing for me and DH after dinner. The kids are oblivious to me packing Disney items right now, not sure if that will last. I want to get most of my packing done this weekend so if I find out I am short on an item or need something we are not running around the last minute trying to find it… that will probably happen anyway. Last night I accomplished the dreaded task of packing away winter clothes and pulling out stored summer clothes. Plus I cleaned our entry way and put away all the winter coats.

Are you sure it is safe to put away the winter coats?

Of course we have a lot to do this weekend with it being a holiday weekend. First the kids have friends coming over to play on Saturday morning. Yesterday DS informed me that the little girl who is coming over (the other child is her sister, who is DD’s BFF), is now his girlfriend. I guess he is right about that age. So I ask him what it means to be girlfriend/boyfriend and his response was “It means you have true love forever.” So DS and his true love will be playing Minecraft and stuffed animals and DD and her BFF will be playing Barbie on Saturday together.

Gotta love kids and how they think.

DH and I will finish the yard work and are looking at a sprinkler timer so our neighbor doesn’t have to water our plants every day, just take a peek at the hose to make sure it isn’t leaking when she lets the dog out. We have had a leak or a water hose break nearly every time we have went on vacation. Or our fridge breaks; that happened last year! On top of a few more garden items we are in desperate need of a new kitchen table and grill. The table is a must for me and the grill for DH, but I don’t think our budget can swing both right now, so we’ll see how that works out. We are hoping to have a large BBQ at some point this summer, so a grill will be bought… eventually.

I hate household things you need to buy...always hurting the budget.

Monday we will be taking a trip into downtown Chicago with some friends. We try and do an annual trip downtown every year. We have done a few museums, Millennium Park and Navy Pier at different seasons. We are planning on the Museum of Science and Industry, with no Disney Archives, since it is a trip for the kids and last time we went we didn’t get to do some of the more interactive, hands on exhibits that they like. This will be an all day adventure, so it is imperative that I pack a lot on Saturday and Sunday!! Yay packing!!!

Is the Disney Archives still there? Mark and I were planning on going to Brookfield Zoo on Monday, but I really wanted to see the Archives and thought we missed it.

So close now!!
Okay on with the show!!!

Six days for me.

Day 7!! June 5!

At this point we have visited Epcot (with a little schedule changing), MK and DHS. On our last trip we did not have a good adventure at AK, in fact we hated it. You can read about the crazy ride to AK here and our day at AK here if you want to relive the horrors with us.

It is just so hot!! And okay let’s be honest… I didn’t do much research or planning for the day either. We considered skipping AK all together; before I read a few TR’s that make the AK look like so much fun! You would think we are going to AK today right? Nope, I just got off on an AK tangent; we will be visiting AK, but later in our trip.

You had me all excited to tell you all the great stuff about AK (we love it a heck of a lot more than the Studios!).

Today we are going to play it by ear for our morning routine. Our main park for the day is Epcot, but MK has EMH in the morning so if we feel like getting up and making over to the MK to squeeze in some of our favs before breakfast we might! Or we might sleep in a bit. Or we might take a quick dip in the pool. Who knows?

I like those kinds of mornings.

The one thing I do know is that we have an ADR for a very late breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. This was really a wonderful meal for us in 2009. The Mad Hatter was just hilarious!! Plus the kids were Alice and the Mad Hatter for Halloween two years ago. I put so much work into the Alice dress, that it will be fun to use it again other than dress up around the house.
Here are a few pictures of our fun meal at 1900PF last time:








We are doing this breakfast for the very first time in September on our nonpark day; I can't wait.

After breakfast we will take the monorails over to Epcot! We do have a few FP+ for the day although I am actually scheduling one of them (Captain EO) for before we get the parks, since I just want to be able to choose another Tier 1 quickly. We have this fav:


Good plan!

And a first for us, a trip on Living with the Land. We have these scheduled for as soon as we get there, then we will try for a Test Track FP. I am thinking/hoping that there will still be a few available. We are going to be there for the rest of the day so we can wait.

We are skipping Test Track...not fans of the new version, but your son will love it.

We then will head over to the World Showcase. I am sure the kids would enjoy Agent P’s Adventure, so we might do that. I think this will be the day that DH attempts to make it drinking around the world, but that ambition has died down quite a bit with the introduction of kidney stones into his life. He will probably try a few here and there, but he keeps telling me that I need to keep reminding him of how much water he needs to drink. The pain of the kidney stones really scared him.

We barely skimmed the WS last time we were in Epcot, since we only spent basically half a day there. I really want to see some of the country movies and explore as much as possible. Just take our time really…

Our only firm plans for the rest of the day are an ADR at:

Pizza! Yummo!!!

Another restaurant we are trying for the first time ever.

After dinner we might stay or we might head back to the resort to swim a bit. I’m a little nervous about this being a “light plan” day, but at this point in the vacation we will need a relaxing day. Plus I have a margarita and slush calling my name!!

OOOOhhhI can't wait to have a slush.

Day 8 coming up next... will the AK redeem it's self??

I sure hope so.

 

[PrncessA]

Less than 2 days to go… and so much to do!
Busy day at work, catching up on a day off and preparing for a week off!!! Wooohoooo!!!!


Now on with the show…. Not many pictures, because I’m lazy and there is a lot to cover. This weekend was LONG and left me drained, I need to rest before my vacation comes, and I know I am going to need to rest after my vacation! Here are a few pictures from the weekend though:

















Day 8!!! June 6!

Today is the day, the day that Animal Kingdom will try to convert our family to fans! It won’t be easy, it will indeed be an uphill struggle, but on the adventure we go none the less!

We will start the day in a way that cannot go wrong, by dining at Tusker House! I have heard NOTHING but amazing reviews about this place! Plus I heard they serve an amazing mimosa! Nothing more needs to be said, right? I managed to score an 8:00am seating, so hopefully we will be finishing up breakfast right around rope drop.

On our last trip to AK, we did not research enough or plan well enough. This time is different! The only thing that is still up in the air is whether or not Festival of the Lion King will be open yet or not. I used Touring Plans and we will try our best to follow our personalized plan.

We will start out on safari! We barely saw any animals on our last trek, so we are hoping that doing the safari first thing in the morning will bode better results!

After visiting the animals, we will make our way over to Expedition Everest for the first time! We are all super excited to try this for the first time. Hopefully we can get a standby ride in right away and then use our FP for a second go around!

After escaping the Yeti, we will head for yet another first… Finding Nemo the Musical. Did I mention that our last day at AK was a bust?

After saving Nemo, we will hunt for Dinosaurs and ride Primeval Hurl (FP)… or at least I will ride the Primeval Whirl, DH doesn’t do very well with spinning.

Around this time we will be in need of some air conditioning. I have gone back and forth with whether or not we will eat at Yak & Yeti, made an ADR canceled it, repeat over and over. The ending result is no ADR. We will most likely eat at either Pizzafari or another CS restaurant, OOP. I am guessing us adults will be too hot to have much of an appetite.

We will head back out to explore a bit more. We might try ITTBAB again, and we have a FP for Kali River Rapids. If we feel like it we might catch the train and visit Rafiki. I would like to spend a little time at Stormalong Bay after AK.
We have a late ADR at Beirgarten and Epcot is has EMH, so we will end the night with fireworks and drinks. When we get back to the resort I will need to pack up and organize our luggage.

Thus ends our 8th day and next is our 9th and last full day at WDW.

 

[PrncessA]

Day 9! June 7!

So sad that is our last full day at Disney World! I feel like crying just writing it!

This morning we need to be up early this day for two reasons. First reason is that we are checking out of the Yacht Club and heading home to the Wilderness Lodge Club Level for our last night! So I need to make sure everything is packed and luggage services gets our luggage to be transferred.

The second reason is that we have an early morning ADR to dine with the princesses! We didn’t care for the dinner here on our last trip, but who can mess up breakfast?

On our last trip here, DS ask Aurora if she would stay and have dinner with him.








After breakfast we will head over to future world and explore. Right now we have a few FP’s including Soarin’ but I am thinking of changing it to Test Track. We will also be visiting The Sea’s and Crush.

Eventually we will make our way over to Mexico and have a late lunch at the San Angel Inn. We might stay in the WS and do some more exploring, or we might be ready to head over to check out our new digs!

I am looking forward to spending our last night at the WL, it is such a relaxing place, and just so beautiful! It was the kid’s choice to return here over staying at the Poly, and I am glad I went with their choice! After getting settled in, we might take a dip in the pool or do a bit of Lodge exploring. I believe that you can get a scavenger hunt page at the front desk, or that might have been done away with years ago.

We will pick up some appetizers and before dinner drinks, before heading over to Fort Wilderness for our final night festivities. Miraculously I was able to score Category 1 seating with our DxDDP!

So ends our last full night at WDW and begins the saddest day of the trip... departure day..