Great Canadian Diaries of YEAH BABY, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

[joelp]

All caught up ...

 

[Honeystar120608]

Hi

I just responded to your Transportation Board question. If you have any other questions, about AirTran, give me a PM.

OhMari

Thanks a bunch! I think I have all the answers so far. The not knowing is driving me a little nutty, but that is the adventure too right??

With the umbrella strollers - bring straps/clips to hold them once they're folded up - it makes it really easy to handle when the kids aren't in them ...

... and the only tough part you'll probably have with the buses is coming back to the resort at night: they'll be crowded and you'll have (probably) two sleeping kids ...

You may want to consider requesting a 1st floor room - makes it a lot easier with the kids ...

What do you mean by straps? THe strollers click when together to stay together.
I doubt we will be staying until close... I mean who knows..but I doubt it in many cases (half because I know the kids won't wnat to and half because I know how bad the crowds will be!!)
I was wondering about 1st floor or top floor so there won't be any noise above us.... you think 1st floor is best?

All caught up ...

lol Im slacking in my pre Trip report...... Im a stay at home Mom you would think I had the time

 

[Honeystar120608]

Alrighty, a small update (Im very wordy so I doubt it will trully be that small ).

This weekend we got hit with 30 cm of snow....checking the messuring tape for my American neighbours... that is a little over 11 inches. My messuring tape was no help, but Goggle is the best!!

So we got very much in the CHristmas spirit (We have been since the day after Halloween )

WE decorated the house, and put up the tree (Last year we bought an artificial and I LOVE it!!

I will get some pictures up of our festive house later on...when the house is cleaned up a bit!! I swear, my kids are the tazmanian devils!

DH got the set of taps in which we purchased in July... ... and I love them! We had just the regular standard kitchen taps, now we have (and forgive my lack of proper terms) the turn knob thingy with the spout that pulls out. lol "thingy" being the most improper word.

I have been trying to place and organize for Disney World in my mind... of course that isn't working. So I have to start writting things down. lol I have all the Contact numbers for hotels, airline, and DW incase a flight is canceled or something. I will be taping this info to my plastic portfolio containing all of our documents and ID.

Also, this weekend coming up is the Santa Claus Parade here. Very exciting for us! We love it! WE go out to eat at Swiss Chalet (it's a restaurant widely known for rotissery chicken and ribs) with my parents and step sisters and families and then go to watch the parade. Day after that we are going to a benefit for an 11 year old girl who has *lack of proper terms again!* major problems in each hip and will need to undergo some major surgery(ies) on each one. She is a cousin (Step father has 10 siblings with children and their children have children...so I can't say I am very close to her at all...but if we can afford to go to Disney World, we can definitely afford to go to her benefit and support her and her parents!!!)

Weekend after that is Brayden's 4th Birthday party. We have SO many luau decorations. On top of the Christmas decor, it's going to be wild!! It's a Lilo and Stitch Luau. He wants Pizza and a cake that looks identical to a massive cheeseburger. He wants Pepsi, gingerale and grape pop. He also invited his own peeps...some kids...some aunts...and some of daddy's co-workers that he thinks are 'cool' lol. His party, we invited them all!! I have also, secretly, have hired Santa Claus ...I mean I invited Santa Claus to come visit an hour into the party. He is going to pass out gifts and sing songs and read a story. This man has so much Christmas spirit. He only charges $15 and does it for the fun of it!! He has a 3.5 year old himself. Im so excited to see Brayden's reaction to Santa!! YAY!
The Sunday after that will be extensive packing nad cleaning of the car. Calling reservations to dbl check, and faxing ASmovies my requests.
CHristmas Daddies (an all day national (and area wide) fundraiser for 'in need' families) will be on this SUnday as well. It's tradition to watch it and veg all day. Then Dh works for 4 days and I try to keep up with the housework and laundry and make sure every single little thing is packed. and away we go!!

So, Im pretty much fully booked up until Christmas. My 'Santa' shopping is done... wrapped and stored away. I have some stocking stuffers to get..hoping to get those at the Dollar Tree and great Family Dollar. The kids know the toys here at the DOllarama.

See, I told you this wasn't short. My kids are running around downstairs chasing the poor cat. And like a heard of elephants, they are coming up the stairs.

Oh yeah, I have some Christmas baking to do this week!!


Oh, in closing... cute little story. After finishing up the decorating the tree yesterday, Brayden comes upstairs this morning and says "Santa didn't come!" HAHAHAHA Too funny! I had to advise him that Santa won't officially be here to bring gifts until after Disney World.

 

[GoofyGymMom]

I understand your excitement. We leave in 9 days!!! Driving to Portland, but staying at the Holiday Inn Express. This is our second trip, as the first did not fulfill the "need" .

I hope that you have a great trip!!!

I assume that you are close to us if your parade is this weekend. We are from NS, and went up to the parade last year. It is good to get in practice for the parade at DW!!!! Although it will be a little warmer there

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yes, I have ditched the DLX dining plan. Kept 3 reservations... 1900 PF, Chef Mickey breakfast and Coral Reef.
lol! Thanks for the post though. But we wanted to forgo the schedule and the cost.

I think you'll be happier you ditched the DDP. Especially with the Deluxe, there's just too much food. We love Table Service at WDW, but if we're doing that we usually get appetizers, split a main course and no dessert (w/DDP you get no appetizer, a main course each and dessert for each). We economize a lot by having breakfast in the room, and bringing our own snacks to the parks; in the DVC resorts we have a kitchen and we get grocery delivery, but even without you can just pack some cereal and bagels and buy milk and coffee in the resort.

The Coral Reef is one of our Favourite restaurants in WDW (along with Jiko at AKL and Spoodles on the Boardwalk), one we go back to again and again. The menu is very limited, but everything they make is very well done. We were underwhelmed by 1900 Park Faire and Chef Mickey's, but at that point we were growing out of the whole character dining thing; the food is just OK at these two in our experience, but the character contact is very nice (and I know you're not really going to these two for the food after all). Our favourite character meal is still the Crystal Palace with the Pooh characters, and the food's good too. We like the food at Akershus too, and wish we could get a non-Princess option, but frankly Norwegian food is a little hard for most North Americans to take (great for us not for everyone); the Princess time is awesome tho back when we were into this.

Keep the pre-trip report coming. I'm counting on you ton keep me excited about your trip.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Okay I'm caught up and on board. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Hi Guys, so sorry I haven't posted! Been busy with the Santa Claus Parade, and Christmas stuff. Dh had injured his foot. I say injured, but this happens about every 3rd month. He thinks (or dr had suggested) he has a fallen arch. But it ALWAYS seems to happen every 2-3 months. It's finally getting better. He was off of work Friday. At least we aren't in DW while this happened!!!
Brayden is sick, poor guy. Im pretty certain he had a 24 hours stomach flu. He threw up 3 times last night. Poor guy. All I can do is just try to keep him calm, then wipe him up, change the bedding and pop him back into bed and he is out again. I have done SO much washings today... I can't even begin to tell you how blessed I am to have a washer and dryer is right now! Thank you LORD!

On that note, we are going TO DISNEY WORLD NEXT FRIDAY!!! I'm in awe that I get to say those words!! We are almost all packed except for last minute stuff (stupid 'ef' key is sticking so I get a lot of ffffffffffffffffffffff)

Ok, so Im thinking today, I will start to wrap up and tape up the strollers to go on the plane. WELL!!!!!! I messured them, they are 5 inches too much in diameter. NOT HAPPY! I start to panic. OMG, we NEED strollers. I bought these last July in Maine at $15 a pop and they are awesome strollers!!! They fit our genetically non enhanced big (not meaning fat!) children. We don't have to hunch over to push them. WHY ME GOD, WHY?????? Then I remembered the Canopy is still attached and I take it off, and we are at exactly 61-62 inches (I realize by saying exactly I can't have an inch difference...oh the irony!) Max is 61. So a little freaking is still going on. Not sure if they will let them go through or not. I honestly dont care coming home if they do or not. I will leave them in Florida for all I care. I don't ever need them again! Im not sure what to think or what to do?

On top of that, the Candian Dollar closed at .79 on the US $1. Like holy poopers. Time for me to go back and make sure our busget is alright. Maybe I should sell my darn strollers and piggy back the kids throughout DW!!!! (that was a totaly joke, please don't PM me telling me how terribly bad of an idea this is... I get that it's a bad idea...hence the sarcasm).

Ok, going to start my Disney figuring out, and hopefully I will get to the Day to Day 'activities', as my fickle dh likes to say. (he is strange, but I love him!)

 

[Honeystar120608]

I would just like to comment on the strollers... Im at a loss for words because I HAD messured them as soon as I got home in July and they were under. I even paired them together to wrap them that way, and they were just a few inches over. My theory is that they changed the messurements from 71 incehs to 61 inches OR my messuring tape is playing tricks on me. Couldn't possibly be me having a typical DUH moment!!!!

Back to the drawing board...

 

[joelp]

So I see that stomach flu-yucky has made it all the way up north ...

DD - and her entire class - had it a few weeks ago ... followed by the DW ... who passed it on to about 20 of her family and friends at a party ...

... missed me ...

2 1/2 days to go ... last day of "work" tomorrow ... and I still don't have a touring plan or CS restaurant for DHS!!

Lots of stuff to do tomorrow ...

 

[Honeystar120608]

So I see that stomach flu-yucky has made it all the way up north ...

DD - and her entire class - had it a few weeks ago ... followed by the DW ... who passed it on to about 20 of her family and friends at a party ...

... missed me ...

2 1/2 days to go ... last day of "work" tomorrow ... and I still don't have a touring plan or CS restaurant for DHS!!

Lots of stuff to do tomorrow ...

Ugh, no fun! It hasn't reached the rest of us yet! We are avid hand washers...we will see where that will get us! If we are going to get it, let it be now!!!! I keep wipping a full nose!

I haven't done the touring plan and cs restaurants at all. I started looking at the restaurants budget (mainly cs) and realised that it's $100 for 1900 PF and there really isn't much we would enjoy on the menu at Coral Reef. Now it kills me to cancel both, esp CR since we have the diver and menu set up. BUT DH is happy to be saving the money, and he appreciates the thought of it all. There are so many places in Epcot that we can eat, and as pretty as CR is, and even how great their food is, it's not somewhere (based on the menu) that we would go to. Financially, it makes sense not to go.

SO now, Im not sure how to go about a schedule since we only have one table service scheduled (Chef Mickeys breakfast). I don't have anywhere specifically to 'be'. Just mid afternoon naps for the kiddos.

Oh, and for the strollers, i found out we can wheel them right up to the plane door and they are gate checked.... WOOT!!!!!

Have a great trip! We are down to 7 days

This time next week I will be Freaking out!

 

[joelp]

Yep - you will be freakin' out!!

But it's a fun club to be in - take it from me!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I was going to suggest gate checking the strollers. Other than slowing you down at your arrival a few minutes while you wait for the staff to bring you your stroller it works like a charm.

So sorry about the sore foot and the stomach bug. Hopefully all will be well by next friday!

If it helps you feel better about losing CR, my kids enjoyed just watching those same fish alot better from the other side. The exhibit side. They could run around and didn't have to be quiet.

 

[Honeystar120608]

HI GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

WEll, I have been painfully absent...just so much going on and not enough time!! Brayden's birthday party was just awesome! Im going to try and get some pictures up here in a sec of his party.

SOOO.... Forecast is looking not good for a 7 hour drive on Friday. Like, 30 cm of snow starting LATE Thursday night. LOVELY! So we are preparing for a departure on Thursday Afternoon. Can we say slight panic?? Yes! I have so much packing to do! I have done lots already mind you! I don't want to forget anything!!!
I had a list, i counted everything as I packed it per person per item. Marked it down to keep track of who has what and who needs what etc etc. Well, it disappeared since yesterday. Only thing I can think of is that it's in the garbage, and went to the road last night. So just to add to the chaos!

Ok... going over our schedule. This is not something we have to stick with, just a guide to help us along.....

I wish I could give you all some shortbread cookies (made some today) as you read my posts. Story time begins....

 

[Honeystar120608]

I am trying to remember, I think I briefed the day we fly, Saturday the 13th. So onto Sunday the 14th.

Epcot
9:00am Arrive at the entrance to Epcot 30 mins prior to opening. Pick up park map and daily entertainment schedule when entering the park.< Ask for 1st time visitors badge.>
9:10am Proceed to TEST TRACK. Kiwi can go to KIDCOT by the Lake. 20 mins
9:30am Proceed to JAMMITORS 5 mins
9:35am Proceed to MISSION SPACE PAVILLION 15 mins
9:50am Proceed to SPACE SHIP EARTH. An educational dark ride though past, present, and future. Before 10am or after 4pm. Duration 16 mins. 25 mins
10:15am Proceed to ICE STATION COOL --Build your own bottle 2.50-- 20 mins
10:35am Proceed to THE SEAS WITH NEMO AND FRIENDS and TURTLE TALK WITH CRUSH. Walk around and see exhibits. 1hr 20 mins
LUNCH
GET HAND STAMPED ON WAY OUT!

-BACK TO ASmo-

3:30pm Arrive at Epcot.
3:40pm Proceed to the MEXICO PAVILLION---Gran Fiesta 25 mins
4:05pm Proceed to the NORWAY PAVILLION---Maelstrom---Viking Hats 30 mins
4:35pm Proceed to the CHINA PAVILLION---Dragon Legend Acrobats 20 mins
5:55pm Proceed to the GERMANY PAVILLION---Pickle Ornament 20 mins
6:15pm Proceed to the USA PAVILLION---Fife and Drum Tavern>Turkey Leg 20 mins
6:35pm Proceed to Boat and cross lagoon---Kids can play at Upside Down Waterfall, or KIDCOT, or ICE STATION COOL.
7:15pm Proceed back to Boat and cross lagoon
7:30pm Proceed to the ITALY PAVILLION---Human Statue- 20 mins
7:40pm Proceed to the JAPAN PAVILLION---Gardens and stores---Matsuriza 20 mins
8:00pm Proceed to the MOROCCO PAVILLION---Mo Rockin'---Try a side Dish!--Genie Lamps-Finger Symbals 20 mins
8:20pm Proceed to the FRANCE PAVILLION---Serveur Amusant---Boulangerie Patisserie (breakfast for tomorrow?) 20 mins
8:40pm Proceed to the UNITED KINGDOM PAVILLION---Yorkshire County Fish Shop---Pam Brody---The British Invasion--British Candies 20 mins

9:00pm Reservations at ROSE AND CROWN for Illuminations.

--I am completely aware the times on these might not be accurate, but Im not too too worried about it..unless I am WAY off!!

 

[CharacterFan]

I am trying to remember, I think I briefed the day we fly, Saturday the 13th. So onto Sunday the 14th.

Epcot
9:00am Arrive at the entrance to Epcot 30 mins prior to opening. Pick up park map and daily entertainment schedule when entering the park.< Ask for 1st time visitors badge.>
9:10am Proceed to TEST TRACK. Kiwi can go to KIDCOT by the Lake. 20 mins
9:30am Proceed to JAMMITORS 5 mins
9:35am Proceed to MISSION SPACE PAVILLION 15 mins
9:50am Proceed to SPACE SHIP EARTH. An educational dark ride though past, present, and future. Before 10am or after 4pm. Duration 16 mins. 25 mins
10:15am Proceed to ICE STATION COOL --Build your own bottle 2.50-- 20 mins
10:35am Proceed to THE SEAS WITH NEMO AND FRIENDS and TURTLE TALK WITH CRUSH. Walk around and see exhibits. 1hr 20 mins
LUNCH
GET HAND STAMPED ON WAY OUT!

-BACK TO ASmo-

3:30pm Arrive at Epcot.
3:40pm Proceed to the MEXICO PAVILLION---Gran Fiesta 25 mins
4:05pm Proceed to the NORWAY PAVILLION---Maelstrom---Viking Hats 30 mins
4:35pm Proceed to the CHINA PAVILLION---Dragon Legend Acrobats 20 mins
5:55pm Proceed to the GERMANY PAVILLION---Pickle Ornament 20 mins
6:15pm Proceed to the USA PAVILLION---Fife and Drum Tavern>Turkey Leg 20 mins
6:35pm Proceed to Boat and cross lagoon---Kids can play at Upside Down Waterfall, or KIDCOT, or ICE STATION COOL.
7:15pm Proceed back to Boat and cross lagoon
7:30pm Proceed to the ITALY PAVILLION---Human Statue- 20 mins
7:40pm Proceed to the JAPAN PAVILLION---Gardens and stores---Matsuriza 20 mins
8:00pm Proceed to the MOROCCO PAVILLION---Mo Rockin'---Try a side Dish!--Genie Lamps-Finger Symbals 20 mins
8:20pm Proceed to the FRANCE PAVILLION---Serveur Amusant---Boulangerie Patisserie (breakfast for tomorrow?) 20 mins
8:40pm Proceed to the UNITED KINGDOM PAVILLION---Yorkshire County Fish Shop---Pam Brody---The British Invasion--British Candies 20 mins

9:00pm Reservations at ROSE AND CROWN for Illuminations.

--I am completely aware the times on these might not be accurate, but Im not too too worried about it..unless I am WAY off!!

Wow that is some detailed planning. Just some notes, they don't do hand stamps anymore, just bring your ticket back with you, and if you're already going to be at your resort the night before you can ask for buttons there to save yourself a few minutes.

Have a great trip.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Wow that is some detailed planning. Just some notes, they don't do hand stamps anymore, just bring your ticket back with you, and if you're already going to be at your resort the night before you can ask for buttons there to save yourself a few minutes.

Have a great trip.

Ahh good to know!! I did the detailed schedule back when I started looking into the dining plan. Trying to figure out where we would be and when to book some restaurants. I haven't really changed them much. There seem to be great restaurants all over the place that are CS.

I just found this link... it's to hotsync your pda with all the menus at DW. how cool is that??

http://allears.net/din/palmshop.htm

 

[Honeystar120608]

Monday the 15th MAGIC KINGDOM
8:05am res Crystal Palace -we MIGHT go to this, I just couldn't cancel it!!
9:15am Proceed to DUMBO 10 mins
9:25am Proceed to CAROUSEL 10 mins
9:35am Proceed to PETER PAN'S FLIGHT 15 mins
9:50am Proceed to ARIEL'S GROTTO 20 mins
10:10am Proceed to MANY ADVENTURE OF WINNIE THE POOH 15 mins
10:15am Proceed to MAD TEA PARTY 10 mins
10:25am Proceed to TOON TOWN---DONALD'S BOAT---
11:00am Proceed to BARNSTORMER 10 mins
11:15am Proceed to RAILROAD to MAIN STREET to CASEY'S CORNER for lunch
Find color-changing hot chocolate and apple butter
11:35am -BACK TO ASmo-




2:40pm Arrive back to MK
2:45pm Proceed to RAILROAD and get off at FRONTIERLAND
3:10pm Porceed to PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 10 mins
3:20pm Proceed to JUNGLE CRUISE 15 mins
3:40pm Proceed to MAGIC CARPETS OF ALADDIN-if not busy 10 mins (which I have recently heard it will be down for refurb)
4:00pm Proceed to PECOS BILLS for supper 30mins-30.00
4:40pm Proceed to TOM SAWYER ISLAND 40 mins
5:20pm Proceed to RAILROAD and get off at TOONTOWN
5:40pm Proceed to INDY SPEEDWAY 15 mins
5:55pm Proceed to ASTRO ORBITER 10 mins
6:05pm Proceed to TRANSIT AUTHORITY--Check areas for Parade 15 mins
6:20pm Proceed to Either location for Parade or BUZZ LIGHTYEAR'S SPACE RANGER SPIN
7:00pm Parade (left side of road would be best!)-or- stay put! Send someone for ice cream.
7:30pm Proceed to ALOHA ISLE for DOLE WHIP (Cross the bridge to AdventureLand)
7:45pm Proceed to FANTASYLAND for Fireworks
8:00pm FIREWORKS

CINDERELLA'S CASTLE for Parade-If not busy go on another ride and then get a spot.
7:00pm Proceed to FANTASYLAND and play until 8pm for Fireworks
7:30pm -BACK TO ASmo-

 

[Honeystar120608]

Ok so is it MGM or Hollywood studios? I am so very confused!!!

Well, I have this weeks schedule for HS, and will have to go over it tomorrow when my eyes aren't yelling at me to go to sleep.
But Day 3 will be MGM/HS!

 

[Honeystar120608]

well the forecast has changed AGAIN! THurs is 10-15 cm snow and Friday is +12 with rain. So we are still a go for Friday!

Ok so 72-74 F Is good right?? Im finding it so hard to to the conversion in my head. Orlando is supposed to be nice all next week (im sure that is liable to change) with no rain in the forecast. Every day around 72-77....low to mid 20's C right?

 

[Honeystar120608]