Getting in the Christmas Mood at Disney: A Dec 2013 Pre-Trip Report

[mchelle77]

AK day - only two FP+s? Am I missing the third?

 

[DisMomJill]

AK day - only two FP+s? Am I missing the third?

Oh, I forgot. We have one for the 5pm Nemo show.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using DISBoards

 

[DisMomJill]

On Saturday and Sunday, I worked on DD's Sofia inspired dress. Right now I'm trying to decide how much more I want to do with it. I am definitely planning to let out the hem for the underskirt a little and then add a puple ribbon around it. I may add a couple of pearl string to the bodice, and I'm also thinking about adding the appliques to the scallops. So now what most people are interested in... the picture.

I'm trying to decide what my next project will be. I think it will either be a Pooh reversible a-line dress or a Mary Poppins dress.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

awww....she looks so sweet in her sofia dress! that is very cute (my 3 year old was sitting with me and said so, so it must be true!). I love the scallops--you were brave! I keep passing on a pattern I saw because I don't want to try to cut and sew scallops....

 

[DisMomJill]

awww....she looks so sweet in her sofia dress! that is very cute (my 3 year old was sitting with me and said so, so it must be true!). I love the scallops--you were brave! I keep passing on a pattern I saw because I don't want to try to cut and sew scallops....

I have been procrastinating on this for a long time. I did the bodice, but the scalopped skirt kind of scared me so it sat on my sewing table. I used the instructions from the scallopini pattern by Scientific Seamstress, and it was actually pretty easy. It did take a while to sew, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. If you decide to do it, I do recommend that pattern. And you can use the instructions that are provided to add scallops to any skirt/dress. I may very well go back and make some scalloped skorts now

 

[DisMomJill]

This weekend I did some major sewing. First I made a Mary Poppins inspired dress for DD to wear to our breakfast at 1900PF. I took a photo of her wearing it this morning, even though it isn't quite complete. It currently has a red ribbon pinned on where the red sash will be just to give an idea of the finished product. I'm also pretty sure I bought some small red bows or flowers to add to the skirt. I just need to find them


I also made significant progress on the dress DD will wear to AK. I used a red dot fabric along with some animal prints. I need to shorten it a lot. I was going for mid-thigh length so she can wear leggings under it, but it is currently mid-calf length. Obviously I was very tired when I was coming up the the skirt dimensions last ngiht. I also need to add a ruffle to the bottom. I'm hoping to finish that tonight, so I'll try to post a picture of it tomorrow.

With those two dresses pretty much done, I have 3 or 4 more to complete before we leave in just over two weeks. I would also like to have DD's Christmas dress complete before trip, and I want to attempt to make a bag that I can carry in the parks. I don't know if everything will get done or not, but I am definitely going to try!

Over the weekend I was able to get an earlier ADR at Akershus. I now have one for 9:45 and one for 10:50, and I need to decide which one I will keep. Right now I'm leaning toward sticking with the later one so we can hopefully ride both Soarin and Test Track before our ADR. I have really wanted to go back and rework our FP+ for my Epcot day, but that isn't going to happen now that they are only allowing one headliner. All three of my FP+ are currently headliners, so if I change I would lose two of them.

One last thing. Last night I decided to put my PP+ documents with our Magic Bands. Well, evidently I have forgotten what "safe place" I put the documents in. So looking for the PP+ stuff is also on the agenda tonight. I'm really hoping I can find it quickly!!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

The fabric for the Mary poppins dress is so cute! I always want to do something with eyelet fabric like that, but I never want to take the time to line it first. I get impatient when I sew!

I can't believe you're leaving so soon! It'll be here before you know it!

You are dedicated to try finishing up all the sewing projects. I have totally overextended myself lately and have decided after the last pettiskirt, I'm nixing the last sewing project I was going to do. Unless I find myself with time on my hands over Christmas--and who has free time during the holidays?!? can't wait to see what else you do, especially a bag!

 

[DisMomJill]

The fabric for the Mary poppins dress is so cute! I always want to do something with eyelet fabric like that, but I never want to take the time to line it first. I get impatient when I sew!

I only lined the bodice. I figure DD can wear a slip or something under the skirt. I did NOT like sewing the eyelet. It was too thin, plus the stitching on it interfered with gathering. I don't think I'll use it much in the future!

 

[DisMomJill]

So last night I spent my time finishing up DD's AK dress. I am debating whether or not I'll take in the bodice some since there is so much room.


And I found my PP+ mail this morning! For some reason, I was looking for an envelope instead of a package. I noticed a package on the end table this morning, checked the return address, and sure enough, it was the PP+. One more thing checked off of the list. I also found my pattern for the reversible A-line. I had misplaced it (the story of my life!), and I really didn't want to redraft it. So tonight I will be cutting out the Pooh dress.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Another cute creation! I'm glad you found your PP+ package! I can't wait to see the next dress! You are really doing a lot! DD is going to look adorable in all your Disney pictures!

 

[mchelle77]

That AK dress is SO CUTE!

 

[DisMomJill]

I think last night was a first for me. I got DD down for bed shortly before 8, and amazingly I didn't have to make 50 trips upstairs for her various stall tactics. Once I got downstairs I did my normal evening computer tasks, then I got busy with my next sewing project - a pooh reversible a-line. I actually managed to finish it in one night. Well, it is finished except for the buttons. I will have to make a trip to the store to buy those before I can finish it completely. One side is a colorful toile and the other side is a blue/white toile. This wasn't really the best fabric combination because you can slightly see the colored pattern through the blue/white fabric. But it is really only noticable if you look closely, and most people won't examine it like I do.


My sewing list is looking a lot more manageable now that I have managed to finish three dresses since Friday. Tonight I think I'll start working on the Christmas party outfit. I know what fabrics I will be using, but I haven't decided on a pattern yet. Once that is done (which I am hoping will be on Friday), I will make a top for DD to wear for the sleigh ride. And then I'll work on my bag and her Christmas dress. I'm actually beginning to think I'll be able to get everything done before we leave, although I'm scared to admit that because I may jinx myself.

This weekend will be spent shopping for the trip, so I need to make a list before Saturday. And I really need to spend a little time thinking about an autograph book for DD. I can't believe that we are leaving two weeks from tomorrow!!!

 

[DisMomJill]

I didn't get any sewing done last night, but I did get a BOG lunch FP+ It took a little while to get an acceptable time (didn't want early because of our late breakfast). Now that I have that FP+, I have finished working out our touring plan for our full MK day. I currently have Enchanted Tales with Belle on the plan, but that may end up being removed if our 4-5pm FP+ works on our Christmas party night. The plan may also be adjusted some after we go to the Christmas party because I'll have a better idea of what rides DD prefers. I also need to add some notes about character meetings. I know I want to try to meet the Fairy Godmother because that will be our only chance since she only meets in the morning. And I think I'd like to try to meet the White Rabbit. I currently have the day ending at about 5:30, so we will have an hour or so to either catch favorite rides again or to spend time at the resort.


1. Meet Rapunzel and Guest (try to meet Fairy Godmother)
2. Under the Sea
3. Barnstormer
4. Dumbo
5. Meet Ariel
6. Mad Tea Party (try to meet White Rabbit)
7. The Crystal Palace (ADR at 9:55)
8. Pirates of the Caribbean
9. Jungle Cruise
10. Carpets of Aladdin
11. Country Bear Jamboree
12. Big Thunder Moutain Railroad (FP+ 12-1)
13. Haunted Mansion
14. Peter Pan's Flight (FP+ 1-2)
15. Carrousel
16. Be Our Guest Lunch (FP+ 1:30-2:00)
17. Parade (will try to watch it near the Hall of Presidents)
18. Mickey's PhilharMagic
19. Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
20. Enchanted Tales with Belle (FP+ 4-5)
21. Meet Minnie & Daisy
22. Meet Donald & Goofy
23. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

And with that, I think I have all of our days planned. I have no doubt that these plans will be thrown out pretty much as soon as each day starts because more than likely, DD will want to ride some ride again as soon as it ends. And, since this trip is mostly about her, that is what we'll go with. Thankfully she does understand about needing to be somewhere at a certain time, so that should get us to our ADRs and FP+s on time.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

The pooh dress is adorable! I really love the blue and white fabric.

Woohoo on the BOG fast pass! I can't wait for our dinner there!

Your plans for day look good. We always do 2 days at MK but looking at our plans this time I feel like it's still not enough time! I promised the girls we could meet all the characters we missed last time and I'm a little stressed about standing in lines. Hopefully going in January will cut down on wait times.

 

[DisMomJill]

The pooh dress is adorable! I really love the blue and white fabric.

Woohoo on the BOG fast pass! I can't wait for our dinner there!

Your plans for day look good. We always do 2 days at MK but looking at our plans this time I feel like it's still not enough time! I promised the girls we could meet all the characters we missed last time and I'm a little stressed about standing in lines. Hopefully going in January will cut down on wait times.

Thanks so much for your comments about the outfits I have made for DD. After thinking about it, I kind of wish we were doing the party on the 1st even though that is supposed to be one of the more crowded nights. Then we could do full days at MK on the 3rd and 5th, essentially giving us 2.5 days there. The way I planned it, we get one full day and two half days. But I think it will work out ok, unless DD wants to keep doing the longer wait rides over and over again.

===========================

Disney released revised park hours recently, and it looks like AK will be open until 7 on the day we are there. I don't know if that will change anything for us though.

Tonight I started working on DD's Christmas party dress. I'm not very confident about how it will turn out though. It will be done with three fabrics, and I'm just unsure how it will look. Hopefully it will be fine. I finished the bodice tonight, so I should be able to finish it tomorrow since all I have left is the sash and the skirt. Then on Thursday I have to clean up my sewing area because it is located in the spot where we put our Chrismas tree (and we'll be doing that on Saturday). I'm hoping to move it to the kitchen table so I can attempt to get the bag done that I was hoping to do.

We will be leaving one week from Thursday, and I don't feel like I'm ready. I still have a lot of shopping to do, and I really need to figure out what clothes I will wear. I also need to make sure DD has some back up clothes in case she makes a big mess or has an accident.

Speaking of accidents, I have informed DD that she will be wearing a pull-up when we are at Disney World. I don't want to do that but I have a major dilemma. She absolutely REFUSES to use an automatic flush toilet. She used to use them, but I was unprepared one time and didn't have my trusty sticky notes. I was covering the sensor with my hand, but then she needed help with the toilet paper. I moved my hand, and the toilet flushed while she was sitting on it. To make matters worse, it was a loud flushing toilet. Well, now she pretty much throws a fit if I try to get her to use one. So I told her that she will have to wear a pull-up while we are there until she shows me that she will use the toilets there. I was kind of hoping that not wanting to wear the pull-up would be an incentive to use those toilets, but she was fine with that solution.

 

[DisMomJill]

Misplacing things is the story of my lIfe. Now I can't find my camera, and I need it tomorrow. The phone camera may have to suffice. But I MUST find the real one in the next 7 days!

 

[DisMomJill]

First, I found my camera Yay!

Second, I ended up changing my mind about what DD will wear to the Christmas party. She will now wear the same top that she wore two years ago. And I made a new pair of easy fit pants to go with it. I found the perfect fabric in my stash. The only problem is I don't have any hair accessories to match. So hopefully I'll be able to find something in the next couple of days.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oohhh, that outfit is so cute! I love the ruffle pants! I want to make some like that for our girls for....something! maybe Christmas?

 

[LB1122]

Each outfit is so so sweet. My favs - Mary Poppins (love the white eyelet) and the AK dress...what a fun outfit to wear in that park.

 

[DisMomJill]

Thanks for the compliments on the outfits. I have really enjoyed making them. I finished my bag tonight! I had a few mistakes, but I managed to get it done. I will try to post pictures tomorrow if I get a free moment away from getting ready to leave on Thursday.