Having a GRAND time - the NEW Official GF Chat Thread PART 3

[tinklvr64]

those stories made me smile

okay so heres a question...what is like going to Disney now they are older? We spend a lot of time in Fantasy Land...I guess you all have to fast pass a lot for the big headliners. This will be the first year our kids are big enough to ride Soarin...

Its really different with teens at Disney, even 8-10yr olds. We do all the big rides and do FP everything..BUT we still hit all the fun rides..like pirates, jungle cruise, buzz, goofy's barnstormer and even Indy Speedway! And they are 16 and 14! They still love everything except in a different way....

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey! We are back in the room...YAY! LOL

No...it's just been super disappointing. With the lame park hours and the mega crowds it's just hard to do ANYTHING. We walked around WS tonight...did the two rides...didn't eat anything as it was too deep to stand in any lines....I needed Advil BAD and couldn't find a decent line to get a water bottle from!! ugh....I did manage to get into the Norway bakery and get one there. yay

We didn't stay for Illuminations.....I got pegged with a camera in the side of the head by some idiot trying to take a pic of the candy lady in Japan. And then I am NOT KIDDING....this freaky lady totally side swiped Lucy and almost knocked her down. Peeps are crazed. So we just tried to make it thru the crowds.....I held on tight to Jo and MADE Lucy hang onto my arm. It is a MAD HOUSE...and it doesn't help that the night before we left I had a HORRID nightmare that I lost my girls.....

We went to BW and ordered some food there....chicken strips again. And watched some of the shows. That was fun. And then I had some things to purchase but the line was super long and suddenly Jojo had to go to the bathroom.

We are comfy and cozy now. Getting ready to move tomorrow morning.

I miss my husband and my dog. Not necessarily in that order.

For example today with the DHS crowds....we did see Muppets...but it was SO crowded there was no room for us in teh waiting queue area...we were out by the turnstyles!!!!

Tomorrow I know I will probably feel differently about it all as we will be in our favorite place - besides home. We are doing the Halloween party....and I am nervous about the mega crowds for that. Mandy and I saw the LINE from the monorail of peeps WAITING to get in. It was UNREAL. So hoping tomorrow is different.... But we will have fun. The girls are excited about that.

I think meeting Mandy was the highlight of the trip!!! I am glad we got to do that.

We have the tea booked tomorrow, too. That is a first! Should be fun.

So.....hope everybody is doing well.

Talk to ya all later - off to pack up.
Chan

 

[BlueSkies]

Channing Sorry that the trip wasnt so great today...I'm sure that tomorrow being at the GF will bring back the magic... hope the crowd situation gets better for you and Traci too..

Mandy Your family is adorable...Yours too Traci...

Dawn OMG teens and driving it is the next step in parenting...DSs both have been driving for a while DD just got her permit and she too is not shall we say a natural...every time DH takes her out driving he comes back with a
Here is one of our teen driving stories... DS calls me Hi Mom where is the insurance card for the car...Me Why?? Oh because the police officer wants to know.... Thankfully only a minor traffic infraction but....as I always say..teens gotta love em...

All of you gals with little ones ENJOY...the time definately flies...

 

[vbarry]

Channing- Here is wishing you a better day girl~ You will feel better once you get to the GF. Let us know how the tea goes. That sounds fun. Since I read your post I booked two more days with a guide. You are scaring me to death...I may be broke but gosh darn it I am going to do some things while I am there! Hey-if you are bored can you check to see if that cute pink bling outfit is still in the store at the GF. I really want to get that for the girls when we get down there. Anyway- have fun at the Halloween party. Are you guys all dressing up?

Hi DAWN!!! Glad to see you around!!

Where is Andrea?? Anyone hear from Brook??

Mandy and Traci- cute pics of the kids. When I quit being electronically challenged I will post some.


Hope everyone has a good day! We have a tumbling meet this weekend so I have to get in gear because I won't be working Friday! See ya all later! V

 

[BlueSkies]

Deb I was reading your port about letting DSs drive and my one bit of advice is...DONT let them...for as long as you can.... No practicing nothing... Is much easier to just drive them everywhere....

Vancessa I dont blame you for adding some extra days with the guide for your trip..It sounds like those crowds can be pretty overwhelming..It also sounds like the guides reallly can work some extra magic for you to get the most out of a day in the parks Your trip will be here before you know it...

Hope the rest of the week is better for Channing and her girls....

Myra do you think the extra large crowds at this usually not crowded time is due to the Food and Wine Festival?? I wonder if its just become so much more popular..or the bounce back and fall discount offers...used to be you could count on Oct being a great month crowd and weather wise at Disney Glad you still got to enjoy those priceless moments with your kids Those are the things you'll always remember...

HI to everyone!!! Hope you all have a great day

 

[mickeynut1]

Morning Gals


Chan ~ ~ Sounds like you and the girls have just been running into some real crazies ......getting hit in the head with a camera ....and Lucy getting side swiped ......can't people watch where they're going . But you're moving to the GF today.....YAY . I think once you get there things will be better . I hope the crowds go down a bit so you can enjoy these next few days before coming home . Have a great time at the tea.....along with the Halloween party ....those are so much fun .


Dawn ~ ~ "The Tempenator" .


Traci ~ ~ I agree with Dawn.......we still do all the fun rides along with FP-ing the bigger rides, too . My two still love Goofy's Barnstormer, Buzz, POTC, etc. It's still Disney fun, just in a different way . That is, of course, IF I get my oldest DS to get out of bed at a decent hour and get moving ....all he wants to do is sleep in and lounge around .


BlueSkies ~ ~ I would freak if DS called me and asked about the insurance card.....I'd be like "WHAT"???? . But I guess that comes with the territory so I better prepare myself . I'm trying my best to hold off on DS driving as long as I can.....but you know how that goes .


Hope everyone has a great day . Gotta get moving to get DS to school . TTYL .


Deb

 

[tete01830]

Good Morning everyone!

It has turned very cold here and I dont like it at all! I dread the morning cold with no car starter!

Traci and Mandy I love your pictures! Traci I also like your DDs bows...Very cute! Mandy I told you yesterday that I love those shirts! I wish I could get one for my DD!

Dawn...Hi! I wish I knew you were here last night! We could have chatted! Miss the laughs that I get from you!

Chan! OMG I cant believe those crowds! I am starting to feel a little better about moving my trip to Dec! When you go to the GF think of us here and know that we are all very jealous! Relax and enjoy...

Hi everyone..Deb, Kel, Kristen, oh who else am I forgetting...Wishes...Iris...oh well hi to everyone!

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning Everyone!!

I haven't read everything to catch up this morning yet, because I wanted to see if I could catch Channing and ask her a quick question for a friend.

Channing ~ A friend of mine leaves Sunday and is going to be there for the opening day of High School Musical 3. Are you seeing anything special for this? Do you think it will be playing DTD? Her girls are so upset that there not going to be home for the first weekend its out. Thanks!!

Sorry to hear about you day, people are crazy and I am sure without your DH your alittle more on your toes with your girls.

I am so excited you get to stay at the GF today, have a great time!!!

Dawn ~ I get so excited when you talk about your older kids still loving WDW!! I am so tired of people telling me that my kids are going to stop wanting to go there, that I only have another year or two. We ALL love it and we ALL love it for so many different reasons and everyone has different favorite things to do and sometimes their favorite things change as their getting older.

 

[mandymommy4]

Morning

Have I mentioned how great the weather is here! Beautiful! DS and I have to wear lite jackets on the way to school in the AM!

Channing~ If meeting me was the highlight of your trip then you and the girls really are having a awful time!

I am sure when you move over to the GF, things will get better! You will be close to friends!

I was gonna ask if you have tried the AK but I know you all don't like that place..... I bet there are no crowds there

those stories made me smile

okay so heres a question...what is like going to Disney now they are older? We spend a lot of time in Fantasy Land...I guess you all have to fast pass a lot for the big headliners. This will be the first year our kids are big enough to ride Soarin...

Traci~ It is changing all the sudden for us! DS6 and DD5 are now going on Big Thunder and Splash (last Sat was the first time) It is kinda cool because they have grown up there, but it is like discovering a new side of Disney! Now we have to split up which is a PITB, the little girls got inpatient waiting and of course we did rider swap, so we spend time at the little play area under the train station at Splash and then go and explore. They still like Pooh, SW, Peter Pan, Magic Carpets, ect..... but now we are moving beyond Fantasyland! It will happen sooner then you realize, especially if they like Barnstormer!

 

[WishesQueen]

those stories made me smile

okay so heres a question...what is like going to Disney now they are older? We spend a lot of time in Fantasy Land...I guess you all have to fast pass a lot for the big headliners. This will be the first year our kids are big enough to ride Soarin...

Its funny that ask...our last trip, my DH looked over at a family having dinner and said "I miss being able to hold the kids in my arms". In a matter of minutes he turned and looked at our family and he said "but I love sitting here having a grown up conversation, planning what we're going to order and what rides we're going to hit next".

Its so different every trip for us, I am just so happy that they still love it. Its nice not to have a stroller and its nice not to having a melt down on line or in the parks, its nice to walk around with snacks and drinks, but I do miss that character interaction.

 

[mandymommy4]

Annette ~ I am not Channing but i can answer the question..... Yes they are! Here is a link to the show times for opening day, October 24th, this Friday. Hope this helps! Oh I just noticed they are showing it at 12:01am, but you have to click on Thursday to purchase those tickets! How fun! I like HSM and am taking a group of middle schooler with my friend Rhonda to see it after opening weekend. http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?exid=amc&house_id=3509&rdate=10/24/2008&edata=mw_home

HI Siobhan ~ Those shirts are from last year and I bought bigger sizes so they could wear them this year! They were in the baby section and only went up to a 5t so Em is gonna grow out of hers by next year

I do have to say I saw the most adorable shirts at Mickey Merc. at the GF Sunday , they say things like "please return this princess to the nearest castle" and another says "Minnie by stature fabulous by nature......." So CUTE! They are all bling bling and cute! I wanted them for my girls but they did not have small sizes in the ones i liked. I am gonna keep checking and mabey take a trip to DTD to search for them!

OK have a great day!

 

[minnie my my]

BlueSkies- Yeah, I do think the F&WF does have a lot to do with. All of the parks were crowded but it was much worst in the World Showcase, especially at night. I am used to leisurely walking through the WS and being relaxed when I was done. I don't think I will attempt the F&WF anymore. We have been every year for many years but I think I'm done with it. Last year we walked out after 10 min. and this year we left after our 40 min. wait for counter service in Mexico. You're right though - those priceless moments with my children make it all worth it.

 

[traci]

CHANNING,
The crowds are supposed to start a decline today! Hopefully the rest of the week will die down for you.

 

[mickeynut1]

Siobhan ~ Hey there . It's getting cold here, too (NW Indiana)....and I HATE it . I love Thanksgiving/Christmas time.....but I can't stand the cold and snow . I didn't know you had a trip coming up in December......how fun . It's been 5 years since we've been to Disney around the holidays and I can't wait to go back . I'm ready to book for December 2009 but I can't make a decision on which resort to stay at .


Traci ~ Only 3 more days !!!! Friday will be here before you know it . Another thing about kids getting older is they want to go off by themselves . Last year we started letting our DSs go off together for about and hour or two and then we'd meet back up with them . It is nice for me and DH to spend time together shopping or just walking around the park.....but to think our boys are old enough to go off on their own for awhile is really sad . They know the parks inside out but I'm still not to the point of being comfortable letting them go to a totally different park......but I always think back to our very first trip when they were only 8 and 6 and now they're teens . Time does not stand still, that's for sure .


Annette ~ I'm sure your kids will still love Disney as they get older . DS15 is kind of going through a "I don't want to go to Disney AGAIN" stage, but once he's there he has a great time . I think it's just his age right now that he's becoming more independent and wants to do his own thing . DS13, on the other hand, can't wait to go back . I wouldn't worry about character interaction as they get older......my two ham it up with the characters even though they're teens . Of course it's not that same as when they're little, but it's still cute seeing the big kids play around with the characters pretending they're still little .


Chan ~ Hope you're checking in at the GF soon . Enjoy .


Deb

 

[traci]

Deb, thank you for that sweet reminder. Sometimes days can be so hectic with kids. That sounds fun though that you and DH can relax together while your kids get a couple hours of independence. Kinda the best of both worlds Our first trip when Avery was only 8 months old I held her on my lap for a Small World. I have gotton to to that every trip since. I have a feeling this trip may be different. I hope I can hold her one more time on that ride.....

 

[traci]

Here is the email I just got from sweet Miguel:

Hello Traci

If your flight is on time you might meet Channing, we are schedule to pick her up just about the same time that we are dropping you off.

Miguel
Southern Elegance Limousines

I will look for you at the airport. okay so it wont be as cool as meeting at the GF like you and Mandy, but what fun to get to say hello!

 

[mickeynut1]

Deb, thank you for that sweet reminder. Sometimes days can be so hectic with kids. That sounds fun though that you and DH can relax together while your kids get a couple hours of independence. Kinda the best of both worlds Our first trip when Avery was only 8 months old I held her on my lap for a Small World. I have gotton to to that every trip since. I have a feeling this trip may be different. I hope I can hold her one more time on that ride.....

I think I'd try to get atleast one more time in as well . I have to admit that it is nice for me and DH to have some time to ourselves but also that the boys can bond as well . They're only 2 years apart in age so I'm hoping they'll be best friends as they get older .

And I definitely hear ya about some days being hectic . But it seems to get worse as they get older . During the pre-teen and teen years the mouths start running and the "I know everything and you (mom and dad) know NOTHING" phase begins . I often think it's just my kids that do that but I think it's all kids that age . And I think it gets worse when they start driving because then they're REALLY independent since they don't have to rely on mom and dad to take them places anymore . But our time will come when we can sit back and watch their kids do the same things to them when they become parents .

 

[mickeynut1]

Here is the email I just got from sweet Miguel:

Hello Traci

If your flight is on time you might meet Channing, we are schedule to pick her up just about the same time that we are dropping you off.

Miguel
Southern Elegance Limousines

I will look for you at the airport. okay so it wont be as cool as meeting at the GF like you and Mandy, but what fun to get to say hello!

How fun that will be . I hope you guys are able to meet .

 

[WishesQueen]

Mandy ~ Thanks so much, she really appreciated it!!!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Channing - I'm so sorry to hear about the horrible crowds! I know it will get better for you today now that you're at the GF. We must have been lucky last week. We didn't have to stand in any lines at F&W Fest. Although, we avoided the nighttime crowds after 7pm. Do you think the massive crowds are due to the free dining promo? I'm not sure what the dates were in Oct.? I really hope the crowds diminish for you and stay that way for us next week.

Hang in there and the magic will find you like it always does! Have fun at MNSSHP!!!