Guilt and the Guilty Pleasure – A Single Mom’s April 2011 PTR for a Surprise Birthday

[Tink-erin-belle]

Sorry to hear your brother and sisters won't be able to make it, but I know the three of you will have fun!

Thanks, Jackie. I’m still pretty bummed, but at least the kids and I will still be able to go and stay on property That is the bright side of this.

I am curious, too, about the woman's $5000 Disney trip! If I spent that much money, I know I would have a great time!

I know! We’d really do it up with a $5000 budget!

Too funny about Chip's comment about "stalking a trip report." He and Connor are so much alike! I could totally see Connor saying something like that!

I was thinking the same thing when you said in your TR that when Connor was doing the KP Mission and was asked if his memory was erased and Connor said something like, “I can’t remember”. Nothing beats a kid with a quick wit!

I think T-Rex would be a fun place to eat. I think the kids would get a kick out of that.

Love all the character pics! We enjoyed Tusker House, Chef Mickey's, and Crystal Palace -- plus it's one of the few times my two want to pose with the characters.

Thanks! I like the restaurants with characters too so that I can make sure I get some pictures of them with the kids

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Hi!

What a beautiful family! I started following your PTR because I'm getting ready to start mine soon, and it looks like we'll be traveling around the same time. I'm not sure of your exact dates, but we'll be there 4/6-4/16 and I'll be celebrating my birthday there, too!

I was a single mom for 12 years and used to take my DS to WDW once a year from 6-13. I've been married for 5 years now (together for 10) to a non-Disney lover eek and our DD will be 2 by the time of our April trip. DS is excited for the trip as WDW has always been his favorite place, but even he thinks it's too far off to get too excited. I respectfully disagree!

Just like you, I'm making all sorts of last minute (?) changes to our ADRs and adding in new restaurants. We'll be trying Liberty Tree Tavern for the first time, too. Also hitting Le Cellier (an old fave) Tusker House and Crystal Palace character breakfasts, Chef Mickey's, etc. I'll start my report this weekend and have the details, introductions, and tons of pics there.

Anyway, I'm going to go back and reread the start of your PTR to see if I can figure out your dates and where you're staying. Maybe we'll cross paths!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hi!

Hi, back at ya!

What a beautiful family! I started following your PTR because I'm getting ready to start mine soon, and it looks like we'll be traveling around the same time. I'm not sure of your exact dates, but we'll be there 4/6-4/16 and I'll be celebrating my birthday there, too!

Thank you! We'll be there 4/2 to 4/10 so our dates overlap!

I was a single mom for 12 years and used to take my DS to WDW once a year from 6-13. I've been married for 5 years now (together for 10) to a non-Disney lover eek and our DD will be 2 by the time of our April trip. DS is excited for the trip as WDW has always been his favorite place, but even he thinks it's too far off to get too excited. I respectfully disagree!

You mean that there are people in the world who don't get excited about a Disney trip a year in advance like we do? I can't imagine that! That is nice that you had that tradition with your son and that you guys are going now with your hubbs and baby girl!

Just like you, I'm making all sorts of last minute (?) changes to our ADRs and adding in new restaurants. We'll be trying Liberty Tree Tavern for the first time, too. Also hitting Le Cellier (an old fave) Tusker House and Crystal Palace character breakfasts, Chef Mickey's, etc. I'll start my report this weekend and have the details, introductions, and tons of pics there.

Anyway, I'm going to go back and reread the start of your PTR to see if I can figure out your dates and where you're staying. Maybe we'll cross paths!

I can't wait to see what you are planning! It will be nice to see what other people going around the same time will be doing. And how nice to celebrate your birthday there! That's something I'd like to do one day too.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I have been patiently waiting for the park hours to be released for April… Maybe “anxiously” waiting would be more accurate. I would like to create a touring plan this time because I’m not familiar with the crowds in April. I picked up The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World for our 2008 and 2009 trips specifically for the tear-out touring plans in the back of the book. We were there from Sunday, November 9th to Saturday, November 15th in 2008. In 2009, we were there from Sunday, November 29th to Saturday, December 5th. For both trips we had five day Park Hoppers and were at various parks from Monday through Friday. There were NO CROWDS. I mean no crowds at all for either trip. I was kinda shocked. Everything was practically walk on. Our average wait time was 10-15 minutes. The exceptions, of course, were the Mountains. I think we used Fast Passes a few times and the other times we rode were late in the evening when people must have been watching parades and fireworks. We have never really watched Wishes from inside the park. I know! I know! The horror! We have seen bits and pieces of it from the TTC but that is it. So Wishes is on my list of things I’d like for us to experience on this trip.

I’ve been thinking a lot about things the kids and I haven’t done before. So what did I do? I bet you can guess! I made a list – broken down by park! Ooooh, more lists! Alphabetical, even!

Country Bear Jamboree – I think I have a faint memory of watching this as a kid and not liking it. But that won’t necessarily be the case now – I was a much more cynical person as a preteen and the kids might like it.

Enchanted Tiki Room – Again, faint memories of not liking it, but I might like it now since it’s under new management, right?

Jungle Cruise – I really liked this as a kid and I can’t believe I haven’t taken the kids on it yet.

Liberty Square Riverboat – I used to think this ride was SO BORING as a kid I’m afraid my kids might think the same thing, but they surprised me with liking things I didn’t expect them to like on our previous trips. I know I’ll appreciate the boat ride now as an adult with an affinity for photographing anything in front of me

Magic Carpets of Aladdin – to me, this is just Dumbo in an Aladdin suit. But the kids have never done it and I think they’ll like it.

Peter Pan’s Flight – This one is the kids’ fault We had FP for this but they wanted to do something else (can’t remember what) and we never got back around to it. Well, I have, but it is another one of those fuzzy memories for me. I definitely want us to do it on this trip.

Pixie Hollow – Tinkerbell! Tinkerbell! Tinkerbell! In 2008, Minnie and I hadn’t seen the movie yet and in 2009 I totally forgot Pixie Hollow was there!

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel – OK, OK, we have been on the carrousel numerous times and I have vivid memories of loving it. But it has a new name, so that counts, right?

Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – I never did that as a kid because my mom said it looked “stupid” She said this every time we passed by it. My brother David (the one three years younger than me) and I never asked to do it anyway, but our mom always had to make that comment: “It looks stupid.” I have no idea how it looks as I’ve never seen it but I think it’s something the kids and I would enjoy.

Tom Sawyer Island – See “Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse” Seriously! She thought this one looked stupid too! The kids and I are going to form our own opinion!

Walt Disney World Railroad – This one is almost unforgivable of me, I think. I was able to go on it once or twice as a kid, but guess who thought it was stupid? Dear old mom. She actually didn’t say stupid, now that I think about it. I think she said it was too slow to use for getting around in the park. Now, I need to put a little disclaimer in here. My mom isn’t a totally negative person or anything. But I think a lot of her impatience for things was because on our last couple of trips to WDW she was pushing around my baby sister, Huey, AND she was pregnant with Dewey– or she was pushing around Huey, someone else was pushing around baby sister Dewey, AND she was pregnant with Louie! I think I would be cranky too! I can’t even imagine going on a vacation anywhere, much less Disney in the Summer, with kids the ages of 14, 11, 3, 2 AND one still cooking! So I have to cut her a little slack So anyway…I want to make this a priority on our next trip to take a ride on the railroad.

Wow, I went through that update without a single picture! I can’t have that! It doesn’t feel right! I’ll end it with these…

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Erin, you are a riot!!! Oh yes, I never seen the Tiki room either, but you are sooo right ---- since it's under new management, it's got to be awesome!!! I can't believe I have less than one week to go! On Monday I've got to start packing, but I still don't have my Magical Express luggage tags yet. The TA says they are on their way, but let's go already!!

In a couple of hours I'm heading to the resort where I'll be getting married. I'm anxious. I just want to be there already. I don't think I've forgotten anything and if I have, I'm sure my Mom will have thought of it. I have the rings, license and all the decorations packed. I'm going to pick up the corsage for my mom this morning and drop the dog off at the kennel.......the adventure begins......

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Happy Wedding Eve, Ann! I'm so excited for you! It sounds like you have a lot to do, but I'm sure you'll have time to get it all done. I'm sure you know this, but please remember to stop and savor these moments before and during your wedding because these next two days will go by in a flash. Good luck to you and your hubby to be!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

On to EPCOT. Actually, after looking at the list of attractions, it might be easier to list what the kids and I HAVE done We sorta stayed in Future world for the rides and activities, but we ventured over to World Showcase mostly to have lunch or dinner and to meet Mr. And Mrs. Claus



So I’ll start with Future World since we have done the most stuff there and since it’s the right one alphabetically Oh, I have a sickness! Moving on…

Circle of Life – we’ve been everywhere else in the Land Pavilion but to this movie

Ellen’s Energy Adventure – Eh just wasn’t interested. But Ellen is so funny, so this is bound to be good! BTW, Ellen in the role of Dory in Finding Nemo totally made that movie for me. I love the movie anyway, but she delivered some classic lines: “This is the ocean, silly. We’re not the only two in here.”

Journey into Imagination with Figment – again with the vague memories! I think I liked it but it must not have left an impression on me. It’s been at least 20 years, so who knows how much it may have been updated? Anyway, I think the kids would like it – or at the very least, sit through it.

Turtle Talk with Crush – I’m going to blame the kids for not doing this one either! We were waiting in the area with the stingrays and the kids were having fun just looking at them. Then I think someone had to go to the bathroom or something. By the time we got back, the show was already in progress. I guess I have to blame myself since I was the one who actually decided not to wait for the next show. Nah, I’ll blame the kids

Next is World Showcase. We will have to do Kidcot or Kim Possible to get through all of these. We’ll probably spend two full days in EPCOT, considering the lack of attention we gave it on the last two trips, but I don’t think the kids will mind at all

One of our stops this trip will be Canada since I want to get an ADR for lunch at Le Cellier. I would also like us to see O’ Canada. Side note: I really love visiting our neighbors to the North. I’ve been to Ontario and Quebec numerous times and I can’t wait until the kids are a little older so that we can take a road trip up there and they can experience a slightly different culture and a different language. Side-side note: The tour guide on my last visit up there told a somewhat rude joke, considering his audience. But I have a sarcastic sense of humor, so I thought it was funny in an insulting kinda way.
Tour Guide: “What do you call a person who speaks three languages?”
Us: “Trilingual”
Tour Guide: “What do you call a person who speaks two languages?”
Us: “Bilingual”
Tour Guide: “What do you call a person who speaks only one language?”
Us: “What?”
Tour Guide: “American!”
It was funny because it was true! That is why I would really like Chip and Minnie to learn to speak Spanish and French fluently. I can understand a lot of Spanish, but without any practice, I can’t speak it very well. Minnie learned a lot of Spanish in her Preschool classes, but she forgot a lot too. The only Spanish Chip knows is from Dora and I’m sure that’s long forgotten! Chip used to want to learn French because he used to watch that show Caillou on PBS. He also had a Caillou doll. Man, he would be mad if he knew I wrote that! Should I say Caillou action figure? Yeah, a soft, baby sized, plushy Caillou action figure Anyway, that “action figure” spoke and taught French numbers, letters and words. Whoa, now THAT was a tangent! I know when I start talking about shows on Nick Jr. and PBS, I need to reel it in

OK, so on to France. We gotta go this time. I’d like to see Impressions de France. I’d LOVE some pastries from Boulangerie Patisserie! Even though I don’t know how they could beat the pastries from Kringla Bakeri og Café in Norway. School Bread is to die for! The rumors are true! I want one right now. I wish I took a picture of it last year, but the kids loved this sweet pretzel



So yummy. But I’m looking forward to trying some pastry from France. That is the birthplace of pastry or something, right? Maybe we could go get some croissants for breakfast and then go back for dessert later in the evening.

Germany is yet another area we need to explore. I would like to try Biergarten, but I doubt it will happen on this trip. Just shopping there and taking in the sights will be good enough for me. Minnie will probably want a teddy bear. Chip could want any number of things. I would like to get candy from around the “World”. I gotta do more research to see if each country has some sort of candy. Mmm…research… But if any of you guys know for sure, please feel free to chime in! I’m just itching to make a souvenir list!

Italy is up next. Getting some candy for sure. Kinda interested in their wine. Wow, this is quickly turning into an impromptu souvenir list! I guess it's because I don’t know much about this country except that I would like to try Tutto Italia, but that would have to be on another trip as well.

Japan is another place I’d like for us to explore some more. The kids enjoyed the Koi pond



And also really enjoyed hearing about Japanese New Year’s traditions.



Look at how attentive they were!



Chip was even lucky enough to get Miyuki to make an eagle for him – if you call me standing in front of her kiosk for over 30 minutes to make sure the kids were up front “luck”



But it was so worth it to see the expression on his face



He even shared with me and his sister! I didn’t care for it, but he and Minnie loved it! Here he is, sneaking a bite before dinner at Garden Grill



I caught him! Too bad kids don’t get to keep her candy creations anymore. So anyway, I’d like to explore around the shop and general area more.

Mexico is a favorite of ours just because of Cantina de San Angel. I was so worried when it was being refurbished, but I looked at the menu recently and I think it looks the same if not very similar. LOVE the food! Now if the kids and I could just get inside the pavilion and do Gran Fiesta Tour

Morocco is one I’m looking forward because it is the only country in EPCOT that I remember visiting as a kid. The colors of the textiles there really spoke to me. I guess that is because ever since I can remember, I have been a frustrated Interior Designer, having only designed in my own home, but I would love to have a career in Interior Design. I was the only kid I knew who got the Barbie Dream House not for a place to play with my Barbies, but so that I could redecorate it from top to bottom! I’m lucky my mom supported my creativity and didn’t get mad when I did that! Anywho… Morocco is a place I can see myself dropping some serious cash. I’m going to have to have a very strict budget when we go there because I think I could spend way too much of my souvenir budget on things I “need” for my house Plus, I have to keep enough money in my pocket that day so that Minnie and I can get henna. I know she’ll want to do that. Not sure about Chip. Do boys even get henna? We might just have to find a place to get him a temporary tattoo. I think I saw a place on the last trip in Hollywood Studios where he could get one. But this is a post about EPCOT, so let me get back on track. The last place we haven’t visited in World Showcase is…

United Kingdom! This is a must for me for two reasons. Number one is that those fish and chips were calling my name on our last trip! It smelled so good as we passed by the UK, but we were on our way to our ADR at Garden Grill. The thought of cancelling did briefly cross my mind. You know how much I love Garden Grill, so you can tell how enticing the aroma coming from the fish and chips stand was for me. The kids would have killed me if I cancelled, though, so we went on to have a yummy and entertaining meal at GG – and I promised myself that I would satisfy my fish and chips craving another day. The other reason I want to go to the United Kingdom is to see the Butterfly and Herb garden – and April should be a beautiful time to see that.

So that brings me to the final thing which kinda belongs on this list but kinda doesn’t. It’s the Flower and Garden Festival. It doesn’t really count since we have never been to WDW during that time of year, but it DOES count because we’ll be there this time (see the depth if the sickness I have for making all things logical?) So I’m excited about going to the Flower and Garden Festival and I think the kids will enjoy it too. I’ll leave you with a picture of Minnie stopping to smell the roses

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

The park hours came out and now I am rethinking a few of the ADRs. The most important ones are for Chip and Minnie’s birthday dinners. First off, I’m thinking of changing them both to lunch time. I don’t want to run the risk of having them overtired or over stimulated and not having a good time for their birthday meal. I want them to have the best possible time. I also think that CRT dinner and CRT breakfast on one trip might be overkill and the kids might not think it’s as special to eat there as it is. So I’m toying with the idea of a very early CRT dinner on our last day of this trip.

So, what to do for Minnie’s birthday if we don’t got to CRT? I know she will want a princess themed meal (she’s been debating which princess to be for Halloween and I’m so grateful for that signal that she is still is into princess stuff) so I think a very early dinner at 1900 Park Fare would be fun for her. Hopefully, Prince Charming will be there – she’s never met him – and she also gets a kick out of Anastasia and Drizella. Maybe I could even coax Chip into proposing to one of the stepsisters – if I tell him it would be a special birthday surprise for his sister! Actually, I’ll probably have to bribe him, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it

Since MK has evening EMH on Minnie’s birthday, taking the monorail over to Grand Floridian to go to 1900 Park Fare won’t be too bad. We’ll still have plenty of time to go back to Minnie’s favorite park for a few hours. Chip’s favorite park is another issue. On his birthday, HS closes at 7 This is the main thing that prompted the ADR change. I know for a fact that he won’t want to have a long meal at Brown Derby when he could be riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster So my thoughts are to go to HS, then go to Whispering Canyon Café in Wilderness Lodge for Chip’s birthday lunch. I think he would have a ball there with all of the antics I’ve read about. Maybe I’ll set Minnie up by asking her to ask for a longer straw So, after thoroughly embarrassing my kids, embarrassing myself and having a fun time – I think we’ll head back to HS until about closing time and then head to another park. What a unique idea! I bet no one else in HS will hop over to a park that is still open!

So I have a lot to plan now that the hours are out! I mentioned before that I use the Unofficial Guide – and they have a website called touringplans.com. Since the park hours were released, I looked at the potential crowd levels. They go on a scale from 1 – 10 with 10 being the highest. I really hope something changes between now and April because I saw that some of my dates have expected crowd levels at 8, 9 and 10! So I know what I will be doing today (you know, during my down time at work – not when I should be working or anything ) I’ll have to fit our plans into these new hours and possible crowds. I may have to create an actual ride by ride touring plan since some of those days are going to be so crowded. Usually we pick a park and just go for it. That is clearly not going to work this time. So I’m thinking commando style touring up until lunch on those 8, 9 and 10 days – then taking it easy and going with the flow after lunch You all know I like planning, but I’m feeling a little out of my element here by trying to plan actual rides to go on and when. I guess we’ll see what happens! Wish me luck and PLEASE PLEASE if any of you guys have any experience with dealing with these large crowds, feel free to give me any tips you have! OK, off to plan! I mean…off to work

 

[wlake]

Oh, I'm enjoying reading your park plans! I'm afraid I agree with your mom about the Swiss Family Treehouse, but you should make up your own mind! Plus, it does have some great views of the castle! We love the train because you can see into Splash and Big Thunder. Tom Sawyer Island is big with my boys -- get your kids to go over the barrel bridge, but don't warn them that it's merely floating on barrels. (You may want to go last and hop from barrel to barrel, FYI.)

I would have cried too if I had to cancel a trip. Heck, I cry as we leave the park for the last time! I'm trying to convince my DH that we could really go again next summer, but I know he's right. I'm trying to console myself with a trip to DC over spring break, but it's just not working. So, here I am, lurking on two dozen different PTRs and TRs!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Welcome, wlake!

Oh, I'm enjoying reading your park plans! I'm afraid I agree with your mom about the Swiss Family Treehouse

Tom Sawyer Island is big with my boys -- get your kids to go over the barrel bridge, but don't warn them that it's merely floating on barrels. (You may want to go last and hop from barrel to barrel, FYI.)

Thanks for the tip!

I would have cried too if I had to cancel a trip. Heck, I cry as we leave the park for the last time! I'm trying to convince my DH that we could really go again next summer, but I know he's right. I'm trying to console myself with a trip to DC over spring break, but it's just not working. So, here I am, lurking on two dozen different PTRs and TRs!

We live outside of the DC area and we occasionally do “the tourist thing” and visit the monuments and the museums. I hope you have a great time while you’re here! Based on your ticker, I think you may even be here for the Cherry Blossoms! DC is just gorgeous in the Spring and the surrounding suburbs are beautiful too if you want to go exploring. Have you been to DC before? If you have any questions about the area, I can certainly try to answer them. As I said, we only occasionally do the tourist thing, which is funny considering how close we live. Hope you have a great trip and that you can get back to Disney soon too!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

We're Booked!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray! Hurray! That's awesome!!!

 

[wlake]

Congratulations! Lucky you!

Thanks for offering advice for our DC trip. Once we actually book a room (DH is in charge of that this time, and it's still not done!), I'll start asking!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Thanks so much, guys! I'm so excited!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

It is official! We are booked! I know I announced this last night, but that was just a quick post due to all of the excitement! I literally jumped on the DIS as soon as I hung up with the reservations cast member I knew you guys on the DIS would be the best ones to share this news with and the ones who would appreciate it the most. You know, besides my kids The CM asked me how long I was going to keep this a secret from them and I answered, “Until the day we leave!” I could hear the excitement in my own voice and I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t be able to hold it in! I will, though, because that will make the trip that much more special for all of us So here are the details:

April 2nd through April 10th
Staying at Pop Century
On the Disney Dining Plan
With 6 day Park Hoppers



So I’m still on the lookout for a PIN or some other promotion, but if I don’t get anything, I’m comfortable with this trip fitting into my budget. I also can’t get the thought of an AP out of my head –but that will depend completely on either getting child support again (so that I can start refilling my coffers a little bit faster) and/or getting a raise at the end of the year. I bet you can guess which one is more likely Either way, I am so happy right now because my plans are set for giving my children wonderful birthdays and a fantastic vacation all rolled into one! It gives me a great sense of satisfaction and pride as a single mom to be able to do this for my kids and myself. Five years ago, I couldn’t even think about a Disney vacation. Really, I couldn’t think about ANY kind of vacation. Since then, I’ve kicked myself into gear and I have been fortunate enough to take my kids on two awesome trips so far. Now I’m about to take the kids on a trip that has the makings of being our best vacation yet!

Now I just have to finish paying it off…book our flights…book our rental car…shop for the stuff on our packing list…order the birthday cakes…

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

We’ve done 2/3 of the attractions at Hollywood Studios and enjoyed all of them. Well, all of them except Sounds Dangerous If someone reading this is a huge fan of that attraction, sorry. The kids and I just don’t like it. One thing we do like is Star Tours. I know it isn’t scheduled to reopen until May, but I’m hoping they might have a soft opening when we’re there. You never know!

On to what we haven’t done…

Beauty and the Beast – I know, I know, it’s awesome. You’re preaching to the choir here. However, the kids have never seen the movie (bad mommy!) so I didn’t want to spoil it for them by watching the stage show first. Never fear! I’m planning a movie night for them as soon as I get the DVD from Disney Movie Club. For those of you who have been waiting with baited breath to see our Disney Movie Nights (all of you, right? ) I’m waiting to accumulate a few so that I can post some of them together. Why am I doing this? Because I have NO IDEA what I’ll post about after I make my ADRs on October 4th! OK, I’m going to stop being neurotic long enough to list what’s next

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground – Chip and Minnie wanted to play there before, but my thought pattern at the time was that I didn’t spend all of this money to take a Disney vacation so that they could play on a playground. Now my thought pattern is: why not? I’m not going to dictate that they have to be here or there to have fun because sometimes, they find joy in doing the smallest things. Or, I should say, they are small things in my mind – but they might be huge and significant memories to them. In 2008 Chip found a lizard in HS while we were sitting down with our Mickey Ice Cream bars. He asked me to take a picture



You can barely see it, but it is there in the upper right hand corner on the chain link fence. Then he saw another one in 2009 when we were walking down the sidewalk in HS. Again, he asked me to take a picture. You can actually see it this time:



So the lizards are something seemingly small that he and Minnie both remember from our trips – and now it is probably going to be a tradition to find a random lizard in HS

The Magic of Disney Animation – I think the kids will like this. Chip and Minnie enjoy drawing, so I’m pretty sure they’ll have fun doing this.

Pizza Planet Arcade – Again, I’m thinking that maximizing our time in Disney doesn’t leave room for an arcade. I’m also worried that Chip won’t want to leave! I’ll just have to make sure that we do this before tower of Terror Fast Pass return time or something. Really, I don’t want to get stuck in there…but as long as the kids are having fun…

Playhouse Disney Live! – Really, the kids are too old for this, but the kids and I are willing to try anything once. Besides, Minnie will occasionally watch Handy Manny, but shh! That is her secret

Studios Backlot Tour – I can’t remember if I went on this one as a kid, the one at Universal, or both. It was somewhat interesting at the time. I’m not sure how it will hold Chip and Minnie’s attention, but I guess we’ll see!

Wow. That’s it. I guess it is a nice break to have a quick post of stuff we haven’t done, I mean, compared to the novels I wrote about stuff we haven’t done in MK and EPCOT But this post only had a couple of pictures of lizards, and you know I think it is unacceptable to not include pics of my kids! Here they are in 2008, waiting in line to get autographs from Woody and Buzz

 

[inkedupmomma]

FANTASTIC news on the booking of your trip! So excited for you! Now you can really get excited! woot!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

FANTASTIC news on the booking of your trip! So excited for you! Now you can really get excited! woot!

Thanks, Jenn! I'm so hyped up now!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

These crowd predictions are really messing with my plans I knew April was peak season, but maybe I wasn’t really prepared for seeing crowd levels anticipated at 8, 9 and worst of all 10! Then I started making more solid plans for my ADRs and I realized two things: #1 having a lot of table service dinners was not going to work because Chip and Minnie would be more interested in rides. That was why the majority of our table service meals were breakfast on our previous trips. So if we’re going to maximize our ride times on busy days, we need a touring plan to start right after breakfast. #2: Since this is a birthday trip for my kids, I think they might enjoy having more character meals and that might give them more opportunities for birthday fun!

So this is the plan now:

Sat, 4/2 – Arrival Day/’Ohana dinner @ Polynesian
Sun, 4/3 – Minnie’s Birthday! Birthday dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
Mon, 4/4 – breakfast @ Chef Mickey’s and dinner @ Garden Grill
Tues, 4/5 – breakfast @ Tusker House
Weds, 4/6 – breakfast @ Crystal Palace
Thurs, 4/7 – breakfast @ Princess Storybook Breakfast (at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall)
Fri, 4/8 – Chip’s Birthday! Birthday dinner @ Whispering Canyon Café
Sat, 4/9 – breakfast @ Cinderella’s Royal Table (OOP)

So I had to cut out Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern and T-Rex (Sorry about T-Rex, Chip! Wait, you still don’t know about this trip! No harm, no foul! ) Actually, if we end up in DTD one night, I’ll probably check to see if we can have dinner there. The menu looks yummy! If we don’t end up going, though, there is always next time for T-Rex and all the others.

So on to my breakfast back-up plan: If there is no availability for the times I want at Chef Mickey’s, Crystal Palace or Princess Storybook we could do Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast or Lilo and Stitch Best Friends Character Breakfast. Tusker House is the only breakfast I don’t want to be flexible with because that day was one of the “10” crowd level days according to touringplans.com and that was the best park to be in that day. However, when I checked the site this morning, I saw that the anticipated crowd levels for our vacation week have changed to 5, 6 and 7! Now that’s more like it! I realize that these predictions could change at any moment or that the park hours could change or that any number of variables could happen, but I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that the crowd levels had gone down quite a bit! So, hopefully, they will stay that way (or go lower ). If I wanted to face a “10” day, I would take the kids for Christmas-New Years week! More power to you folks who do that! I know I couldn’t! Just in case the crowd predictions get bad again, you know I’m going to make a touring plan I even have the “Lines” app on my phone already! Anywho…I’m going to try to get all of the breakfast ADRs for before park opening so that we can be in the park-of-the-day or close to it when it does open. Notice that Chip and Minnie’s birthdays don’t have a breakfast ADR. That is because I want them to be able to sleep in a little on their birthdays so that they won’t be cranky Also, I want them to be able to pick out the attractions that they want to do that day and have a fairly relaxed pace until their birthday dinners. That is our style of touring. We’ve never done the commando thing and we’ve never been to rope drop. I think I should be able to get the kids to rope drop on their birthdays since they will be so excited, but it’s cool if I can’t.

We’re 181 days away from our trip! Wish me luck tomorrow!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Waking up at 5am has its rewards. Complete quiet while taking a long shower… Getting the clothes ready for the kids… Making cinnamon rolls for breakfast…Getting online by 6am to get my ADRs!!! Well, I actually didn’t hear my alarm until 5:48! So, I bet you can guess which one happened and which ones didn’t! Oh yeah, Mama has her priorities in order! I was online by 6:02am to get the majority of my ADRs, off by 6:33, took a shower and called Disney Dining to try to get the ADR for CRT by 7am (as I was putting moisturizer on my face – NOT recommended)!


So did I get the ADRs I wanted???


Come on! You didn’t think I was going to give up the goods that easily, did you? I have to give out this information in a long, drawn out, cutesy, somewhat annoying way so that I can savor the flavor of making these ADRs!

I have seen this written a few times on the DIS so I don’t know the origin of it and I don’t take credit for it, but: I may not know what I am having for dinner tonight, but I know what I’m having for dinner in 180 nights!

I’m such a tease! I’ll tell ya in the very next post!