Getting Skisney for Disney May 2013 PTR 4/11: Day 1 Plan

[denisea51]

Good morning everyone. Rise and shine. Hope everyone in the NE isn't under too much snow. If so at least it's good exercise (shoveling). Easy for me to say, there's no snow here to shovel.

OK it's the week end and I know I have a hard time staying on any kind of schedule on Sat or Sun, but let's all at least try to make good choices. WDW will be here before we know it and we (or at least I) want to have lots of pics taken. So as Dorrie would say "keep on swimming"

Have a good one Denise

 

[matkensgirl2000]

I've been to Disney 6 times...not quite a prolific amount. I would say the first 2 times I went, I wasn't quite prepared. I'd say it took my until my 4th time (2008) before I really even knew my way around the parks. As it is, I still couldn't get from one park to another without signs or a map. And I am the one with a sense of direction in my family!!

During each visit, we always hit the major rides. Since we have had small people for the last few visits, we haven't been able to ride quite a few rides as a family and have had to use Baby Swap. This often cuts into our touring time, meaning that we have missed quite a few rides in Disney. Since DS3 is tall enough to ride MOST rides this time, I am excited to think of how much time we might save not doing Baby Swap and that we might get to try some new experiences this time. Here is a list of rides our family has yet to ride in Disney:
Magic Kingdom (this list is extensive, please don't kick me off the Dis)
Astro Orbiter (round rides make me)
Barnstormer starring Goofini (we've actually done this, but not since they've redone it)
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tales
Enchanted Tiki Room
Liberty Square Riverboat
Stitch's Great Escape
Tom Sawyer Island
Under the Sea
Walt Disney Railroad
Afternoon Parade
Epcot
Captain EO
Journey into the Imagination
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Impressions de France
O Canada!
Wonders of China
DHS
American Idol
Beauty and the Beast
Indiana Jones (never with the kids)
One Man's Dream
Sounds Dangerous
Afternoon Parade
Animal Kingdom
Affection Section
The Boneyard
Conservation Station
Finding Nemo
Flights of Wonder
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
Afternoon parade

Italics denote new things that weren't open yet when we went in 2011.
So which of these that I missed have I absolutely got to do this time with my kids? They are all very good about trying new things.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I've been to Disney 6 times...not quite a prolific amount. I would say the first 2 times I went, I wasn't quite prepared. I'd say it took my until my 4th time (2008) before I really even knew my way around the parks. As it is, I still couldn't get from one park to another without signs or a map. And I am the one with a sense of direction in my family!!

During each visit, we always hit the major rides. Since we have had small people for the last few visits, we haven't been able to ride quite a few rides as a family and have had to use Baby Swap. This often cuts into our touring time, meaning that we have missed quite a few rides in Disney. Since DS3 is tall enough to ride MOST rides this time, I am excited to think of how much time we might save not doing Baby Swap and that we might get to try some new experiences this time. Here is a list of rides our family has yet to ride in Disney:
Magic Kingdom (this list is extensive, please don't kick me off the Dis)
Astro Orbiter (round rides make me)
Barnstormer starring Goofini (we've actually done this, but not since they've redone it)
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tales
Enchanted Tiki Room
Liberty Square Riverboat
Stitch's Great Escape
Tom Sawyer Island
Under the Sea
Walt Disney Railroad
Afternoon Parade
Epcot
Captain EO
Journey into the Imagination
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Impressions de France
O Canada!
Wonders of China
DHS
American Idol
Beauty and the Beast
Indiana Jones (never with the kids)
One Man's Dream
Sounds Dangerous
Afternoon Parade
Animal Kingdom
Affection Section
The Boneyard
Conservation Station
Finding Nemo
Flights of Wonder
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
Afternoon parade

Italics denote new things that weren't open yet when we went in 2011.
So which of these that I missed have I absolutely got to do this time with my kids? They are all very good about trying new things.

I have done all of these except Under the Sea and ETWB since they are new, and I would say you should try to get them all done at some point. But time permitting, I would say you should definitely try to make:

Tiki Room (one of my all time faves, but I'm sure a lot here would disagree
Walt Disney Railroad - you actually will see parts of the park you can't see from anywhere else.
Tom Sawyer Island is a lot of fun, but it might be a lot for you chasing your 3 year old. There are a lot of caves, etc. I love it now that my kids can run free, but it was a little stressful when they were younger.
Under the Sea
ETWB

Journey into Imagination
Ellen's energy is long - a good 45 minutes, but if your kids are into dinosaurs, they might like the second half.
Of all the shows in FW, O Canada! is the most entertaining. Younger kids may find the others a little on the boring side.

Nemo
Flights of Wonder
Triceratop spin is just Dumbo with dinosaurs
If your kids like petting zoos and hands on animal stuff, go out to conservation station - it's a nice break, and the train ride is fun too.

It will be fun to have so many new things to try this trip!!

And as for my weight loss, I am -.2 this week - was hoping for more, but oh well. I think that puts me at T-5.8.

 

[matkensgirl2000]

I have done all of these except Under the Sea and ETWB since they are new, and I would say you should try to get them all done at some point. But time permitting, I would say you should definitely try to make:

Tiki Room (one of my all time faves, but I'm sure a lot here would disagree
Walt Disney Railroad - you actually will see parts of the park you can't see from anywhere else.
Tom Sawyer Island is a lot of fun, but it might be a lot for you chasing your 3 year old. There are a lot of caves, etc. I love it now that my kids can run free, but it was a little stressful when they were younger.
Under the Sea
ETWB

Journey into Imagination
Ellen's energy is long - a good 45 minutes, but if your kids are into dinosaurs, they might like the second half.
Of all the shows in FW, O Canada! is the most entertaining. Younger kids may find the others a little on the boring side.

Nemo
Flights of Wonder
Triceratop spin is just Dumbo with dinosaurs
If your kids like petting zoos and hands on animal stuff, go out to conservation station - it's a nice break, and the train ride is fun too.

It will be fun to have so many new things to try this trip!!

And as for my weight loss, I am -.2 this week - was hoping for more, but oh well. I think that puts me at T-5.8.

Thanks so much for the advice!! I may give Tom Sawyer a try. My DS3 will be 4 for the trip and I must say, as far as boys go, he is pretty chill and mellow, though I know I'd have to follow him everywhere. Wait you know what? DD got lost on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids when she was almost 7. It was very traumatic for both of us. So maybe we'll skip it. Would I have a hard time following him around? Would I need to do much crawling or climbing?
But you're right, it will kind of be like a whole new trip for us.
-.2 is a minus, so that's great. Beats going up any day!!
I forgot to say on my post that I'm back to T-1.6. Not even close to where I want to be, but at least it's back on the way down instead of on the way up.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Thanks so much for the advice!! I may give Tom Sawyer a try. My DS3 will be 4 for the trip and I must say, as far as boys go, he is pretty chill and mellow, though I know I'd have to follow him everywhere. Wait you know what? DD got lost on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids when she was almost 7. It was very traumatic for both of us. So maybe we'll skip it. Would I have a hard time following him around? Would I need to do much crawling or climbing?
But you're right, it will kind of be like a whole new trip for us.
-.2 is a minus, so that's great. Beats going up any day!!
I forgot to say on my post that I'm back to T-1.6. Not even close to where I want to be, but at least it's back on the way down instead of on the way up.

Tom Sawyer won't be as crowded and chaotic as HISTK, but it is much more spread out. A lot of it depends on how much you love chasing after your child vs. how hot and tired you may be . You go in and out of caves where he will scoot right through and you may need to duck a bit. There's a shaky bridge, up and down stairs and hills, and a lot of shade. It is an island...he's not going to get totally lost if he gets away from you, but it's an easy place to get turned around and confused on where you are. It's also one of those places that the kids will most likely have a blast and not be ready to leave when you are way past done lol. So if your kids are good with 5 minute warnings, etc. then it will be fine when you want to leave. Like I said, I am much happier now that my kids are older and I can sit at Aunt Polly's and know that eventually they will come by

And as for your loss, yes, as long as the numbers stay in the negatives, it's all good!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

First, a big yay for still being in a negative number!!! You are doing great! I am doing not-so-great..hoping to get back on the wagon!

For your list. . .i have to say, even though Stitch is my favorite character, I despise that ride. It smells yucky, and I just can't handle that! . I absolutely love the Country Bear Jamboree, but I think I may be in the minority there. I cannot ride Astro Orbiter. We tried it once a few years ago (Pre-DS) and I got SOOOOOOO sick.

For DHS, I actually liked Sounds Dangerous, but there's a part with bees that's a little freaky. Loved Beauty and the Beast, and even my non-Disney-loving parents loved One Man's Dream!

We aren't big Epcot fans, so I am no help there.

I saved my favorite, AK, for last. I love everything there. . .EXCEPT Primeval Hurl. If that's not the actual name, it should be. . I got really sick on that one--it swings and jerks worse than any spinny ride I have ever been on. DS loves the Affection Section, but if anyone in your family has any allergy/sinus issues, take Benadryl or something with you. dH's sinuses did not like the goats. DS also loved the Boneyard. So much so that it was the only place he wanted to go! Nemo is terrific, but bring tissues! I cry every time!!

You probably didn't need a bajillion-paragraph answer but oh well!

 

[3Rouselings]

T-19.2!!!
So close to the 20 pound mark and still so far to go! We are 80 days until our trip - and it can't come soon enough!

 

[RomeGal]

T-19.2!!!
So close to the 20 pound mark and still so far to go! We are 80 days until our trip - and it can't come soon enough!

I'm so impressed! ALMOST 20 POUNDS! How long has this taken you? I cannot, for the life of me, manage to lose more than 1-2 pounds/week. Sometimes, if I kind of have a blow it day/weekend, and THEN get back on the wagon, I'll lose 3-4 in a week, but usually because I've gained a pound or two over a crazy weekend

I just caught up on everyone's news! I did not check in last Friday or the beginning of the week because DD(7) had THE FLU. It was totally terribly awful, but wonders never cease because noone else seems to have gotten it (knock on wood) - of course... we have had other drama. DH has a cracked rib and torn cartiledge from coughing so hard. It's a thrill a minute around here.

SOOOO - what have I done to distract myself from the misery? DISNEY DREAMING! It's really hard because my kids don't know we're going (SURPRISE!) and I can't talk to DH about it or call the reservations folks about anything durning normal hours when the kids are awake/around. Hence me wasting time at work and being on the boards. The kids know we are saving for Disney... and that we are planning to go in the fall or next spring... but in reality we are going in 93 days!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!

I have pretty much decided that we will try to do DDP ONLY if there is a CM discount on it before we go. I am going to try to buy Disney gift cards ($150 every time I get paid (2x a month) - which works out to $900 before we go for food and souvenirs... When I priced out the DDP it was $1000ish for all 4 of us for the 7 nights. When I priced out a full meal for each of us 2x a day and a snack for the 7 days/nights - it worked out to $1000 exactly. With tax & tip. SO, I feel like Carson and I will DEFINITELY be splitting some full sized meals. My kids are not nuggets and PBJ kind of kids. My DH was out of town for work last week and I told them if they went to kickboxing with me at 5pm I would take them anywhere they wanted for dinner. They chose Sumo - the japanese place. (Incidentally we will be eating at Teppan Edo in Japan our first night in Disney!)

Still gotta get tickets. I was so worried budget wise because 47,000 things have happened and the kids' dad (not my current DH ) has been out of work for a while and we are not getting child support (since May) and all my medical bills from the cancer and stuff built up (they're paid now, but it wiped out my savings) - but DH is going to just buy the tickets in April. I've paid off the AoA suite so all that's left is pocket money and food! YAY!

OH - and my weigh in Friday that I forgot to report - total loss - T -8! (2 more pounds last week... I did not get to work out very much last week or the first half of this one becuase DH was out of town - meaning I can't leave the little bits at home by themselves to go to my 5am workout... and then little girl had the flu. But, I went back today at 5am!

 

[3Rouselings]

I'm so impressed! ALMOST 20 POUNDS! How long has this taken you?

I have been at it since December 30th using my Fitness Pal and good ol' exercise. It has been hard work but the results have been so great that it has kept me motivated.

I hope your kids are feeling better, my ds 11 is just recovering from a nasty stomach bug. There seems to be a lot of it going around this winter.

 

[carolinamom]

T-19.2!!!
So close to the 20 pound mark and still so far to go! We are 80 days until our trip - and it can't come soon enough!

Fantastic!!!!! Way to go!

 

[carolinamom]

I've been to Disney 6 times...not quite a prolific amount. I would say the first 2 times I went, I wasn't quite prepared. I'd say it took my until my 4th time (2008) before I really even knew my way around the parks. As it is, I still couldn't get from one park to another without signs or a map. And I am the one with a sense of direction in my family!!

During each visit, we always hit the major rides. Since we have had small people for the last few visits, we haven't been able to ride quite a few rides as a family and have had to use Baby Swap. This often cuts into our touring time, meaning that we have missed quite a few rides in Disney. Since DS3 is tall enough to ride MOST rides this time, I am excited to think of how much time we might save not doing Baby Swap and that we might get to try some new experiences this time. Here is a list of rides our family has yet to ride in Disney:
Magic Kingdom (this list is extensive, please don't kick me off the Dis)
Astro Orbiter (round rides make me)
Barnstormer starring Goofini (we've actually done this, but not since they've redone it)
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tales
Enchanted Tiki Room
Liberty Square Riverboat
Stitch's Great Escape
Tom Sawyer Island
Under the Sea
Walt Disney Railroad
Afternoon Parade
Epcot
Captain EO
Journey into the Imagination
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Impressions de France
O Canada!
Wonders of China
DHS
American Idol
Beauty and the Beast
Indiana Jones (never with the kids)
One Man's Dream
Sounds Dangerous
Afternoon Parade
Animal Kingdom
Affection Section
The Boneyard
Conservation Station
Finding Nemo
Flights of Wonder
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
Afternoon parade

Italics denote new things that weren't open yet when we went in 2011.
So which of these that I missed have I absolutely got to do this time with my kids? They are all very good about trying new things.

Too funny! This is almost exactly the list I would write if you asked me what I would skip if pressed for time.
We go to WDW as often as we can (it's driving distance- around 9 hours). We usually do just a long weekend, so we are typically "pressed for time!". From your list, I would say the Universe of Energy is kind of cool- its LONG, but seated and indoors, so good for a break. Country Bear Jamboree- also long, and seated, and indoors, but a classic. Captain EO, I saw as a child, then saw again this year (sniff- nostalgia). Can't say I'd do it again. The EPCOT movies: we generally bypass these, but on a recent trip without kids, we decided to check them our. After seeing Impressions de France, I am ready to move there. It was great! The rest were interesting and lovely, but they are dated.
Re: The dig- when my kids were little, they could have spent the entire day there! Lol!
Happy Planning!

 

[carolinamom]

I'm so impressed! ALMOST 20 POUNDS! How long has this taken you? I cannot, for the life of me, manage to lose more than 1-2 pounds/week. Sometimes, if I kind of have a blow it day/weekend, and THEN get back on the wagon, I'll lose 3-4 in a week, but usually because I've gained a pound or two over a crazy weekend

I just caught up on everyone's news! I did not check in last Friday or the beginning of the week because DD(7) had THE FLU. It was totally terribly awful, but wonders never cease because noone else seems to have gotten it (knock on wood) - of course... we have had other drama. DH has a cracked rib and torn cartiledge from coughing so hard. It's a thrill a minute around here.

SOOOO - what have I done to distract myself from the misery? DISNEY DREAMING! It's really hard because my kids don't know we're going (SURPRISE!) and I can't talk to DH about it or call the reservations folks about anything durning normal hours when the kids are awake/around. Hence me wasting time at work and being on the boards. The kids know we are saving for Disney... and that we are planning to go in the fall or next spring... but in reality we are going in 93 days!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!

I have pretty much decided that we will try to do DDP ONLY if there is a CM discount on it before we go. I am going to try to buy Disney gift cards ($150 every time I get paid (2x a month) - which works out to $900 before we go for food and souvenirs... When I priced out the DDP it was $1000ish for all 4 of us for the 7 nights. When I priced out a full meal for each of us 2x a day and a snack for the 7 days/nights - it worked out to $1000 exactly. With tax & tip. SO, I feel like Carson and I will DEFINITELY be splitting some full sized meals. My kids are not nuggets and PBJ kind of kids. My DH was out of town for work last week and I told them if they went to kickboxing with me at 5pm I would take them anywhere they wanted for dinner. They chose Sumo - the japanese place. (Incidentally we will be eating at Teppan Edo in Japan our first night in Disney!)

Still gotta get tickets. I was so worried budget wise because 47,000 things have happened and the kids' dad (not my current DH ) has been out of work for a while and we are not getting child support (since May) and all my medical bills from the cancer and stuff built up (they're paid now, but it wiped out my savings) - but DH is going to just buy the tickets in April. I've paid off the AoA suite so all that's left is pocket money and food! YAY!

OH - and my weigh in Friday that I forgot to report - total loss - T -8! (2 more pounds last week... I did not get to work out very much last week or the first half of this one becuase DH was out of town - meaning I can't leave the little bits at home by themselves to go to my 5am workout... and then little girl had the flu. But, I went back today at 5am!

NICE weightloss!!! That is awesome commitment despite the stress!!

 

[carolinamom]

I am at T=0.

Sometimes I'm at T-2 in the morning, then will be T+2 by evening! I DO have really good progress elsewhere. I am still working with my trainer 3 times a week and I have made a big jump there. I can do the entire session without feeling like I'm going to throw up----yay! (lol!). I have also made great strides in my cardio- I can now do 60 minutes on the elliptical at level 13 out of 16 and I increased my run to 4.5 miles. Woo Hoo!!! My endurance is sooooo much better and I am hovering between my dress size and the next one down! I do indulge from time to time (a glass of wine or something sweet). My goal is to get consistent in documenting my food and get back to tracking calories.
I'll say it again: everybody here inspires me!

 

[denisea51]

T- 2

This is going to be a l o o o n g journey...

but I think I have DH convinced to take a parks/cruise/park trip 2014 during food and wine. Yeah me. This year will be our first time to F&W and I'm counting on likeing it so much we'll want to go back next year.

How's everyone doing on Skisney? Stayed away from sweets yesterday but dinner packed a punch (ribs and potato salad) mmmbad.

Keep on swimming....

Denise

Is everyone else waiting for Sept crowd calendars to come out? Read maybe today....

 

[KaylaSue22]

This is my ID badge at work from May 2012 and the one on the right is my new one from February 2013!! Just 9 months in between!!

 

[matkensgirl2000]

This is my ID badge at work from May 2012 and the one on the right is my new one from February 2013!! Just 9 months in between!!

Aww, man. I can't see it!!

 

[denisea51]

I can't either. I thought it was just me.

But I am sure congrats are instore. Gives me hope.

Keep on swimming Denise

 

[KaylaSue22]

I hope this works?

 

[denisea51]

Holy catfish, Kayla! You're looking more and more beautiful with every lost lb.
You really are inspiring.

Keep on swimming...

Denise

 

[KaylaSue22]

Thanks Seeing yourself in the mirror everyday you don't realize just how much you change until you look at the differences side by side!!