Here goes, my first PTR.....*UPDATE 9/27* only one day left!!

[Lidian]

I have to ask why you're passing up Turtle Talk. I mean, there's nothing wrong with you not wanting to do things ... I'm just curious as to why you are "definitely not" doing it. (It's one of my faves)

 

[MARsMama]

I have to ask why you're passing up Turtle Talk. I mean, there's nothing wrong with you not wanting to do things ... I'm just curious as to why you are "definitely not" doing it. (It's one of my faves)

I'm not sure why they chose not to do it, as they've never done it before. I read what I had for information on it and they didn't seem interested. Of course, once there things may change....not to mention when they find out their cousins are going as well they may decide to do it if the cousins want to.
I've never really heard a whole lot of comments about it, but with you now mentioning it I might have to put a little more thought into it and see if it's something I should 'persuade' them to do

 

[Lidian]

I'm not sure why they chose not to do it, as they've never done it before. I read what I had for information on it and they didn't seem interested. Of course, once there things may change....not to mention when they find out their cousins are going as well they may decide to do it if the cousins want to.
I've never really heard a whole lot of comments about it, but with you now mentioning it I might have to put a little more thought into it and see if it's something I should 'persuade' them to do

Well, if its any consolation, I highly recommend it, as well as my kids. Perhaps its because my DH is part Turtle. I'm not sure what your description reads, but its an interactive show (like Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor - same "magic"). Crush talks to individual kids (and sometimes parents) and lets them ask him questions about the sea. It's a really cute show - and I think I'd still go see it on an adults only trip.

I wouldn't persuade them to do anything they don't want to do, but if they enjoyed the Nemo movie and like interactive shows, I think it would be something to check out. They don't allow pictures or video recording inside, otherwise, I'd have a video you could show your kids.

Can't wait to see what you guys end up doing!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Now that the kids know about the trip and are all excited about the planning, we decided it was time to sit down and find out just what they want to do for each park.
We started with Epcot and here's what we came up with...

'Must do' list:
Spaceship Earth (never done)
Mission:Space, mild (never done)
Test Track
Soarin'
Kim Possible Adventure (never done)
IllumiNations

To do if time permits, list:
Ellen's Energy Adventure (never done)
The Seas with Nemo
Living with the Land (it's one I really want to do so I just may bump it to the 'must do' list!)
Grand Fiesta Tour
Maelstrom (never done)
O Canada (never done and being from Canada we thought we'd like to see it)
we also picked a few things from Innovations East and West to try if time allows.

'Not doing' list:
Turtle Talk with Crush (never done)
Circle of Life (never done)
Journey into Imagination with Figment (I thought they'd like to do this again, but not one of them wanted to)
Reflections of China (never done)
The American Adventure (never done)
Impressions of France (never done)....while I would like to see these films I thought it would be too hard to keep the interest of the kids enough to enjoy them, in particular my 6 y/o!

So, anything on our 'must-do' list you wouldn't do again? How about the 'not doing' list you just have to do? As for the 'if there's time' list, we have three days scheduled for Epcot, so it's likely we'll get to do atleast some of what's on that list.

Your list looks great! I won't be much help b/c a lot of what you haven't done, we haven't either! I think we'll try to catch some of the movies this time, but my kids are older. I was SO exhausted on our Epcot day when we went to Circle of Life (4 hrs sleep) that I fell asleep! I wouldn't do it again though, seemed kind of like a Discovery channel show and I can see that anytime.

We've never done KP or Mission Space either, they are on our must do lists too!

You might want to reconsider Turtle Talk with your kids? I've heard good things and I think the younger crowd likes it. We may even go just b/c I think it will be fun. My teenage boys will have a hoot, I'm sure!

 

[PixieMama]

I've been away for a week and am now trying to catch up...

With 3 days for Epcot, I think you'll definitely be able to get done all that you want to!

If you don't get a chance to see Ellen's EA and Circle of Life, you won't be missing anything, LOL! These are 2 I would be happy to never do again. They're both sooo boring, IMHO.

Malestrom is on our list of definite "must do!" I don't know what it is about this ride, but my DDs absolutely LOVE it.

TT with Crush was really good... you should really think about adding it to your list of "musts"!

 

[mtgirl29]

I am finally caught up!!! How fun, that you already told the kiddos. The pics are priceless. I cannot wait to hear how it goes when they find out that there cousins are going, too!
I agree with the others about "Turtle Talk". It is very interactive and hilarious! You all will be laughing out loud! It is definitely worthy of a try to see if your family likes it. Cannot wait to read more!!!!

 

[MARsMama]

I wouldn't persuade them to do anything they don't want to do

My version of persuading them is to say "I've been checking into Turtle Talk and it sounds cool. I think it'd be fun....you sure you don't want to do it?" If it's still a no, I'd stick with it, but this time it was a yes, so it's been moved to the 'must-do' list

Wow, time keep slipping away from me and I find myself getting behind in my PTR!!!
Since my last post we've entered into the double digits on the countdown...at 92 days to go now

This past weekend we went to my cousins and presented the six kids their t-shirts with all of our names on them. They were super excited Unfortunately, we were so concerned with telling them the big 'secret' before someone said something that we didn't take the time to grab the camera or video We spent a lot of the weekend narrowing down the things we want to do together, and tweeking our plans There has been a slight change in our park days as well as our ADRs. Here's our updated list of park days and meals.....

Arrival day for us - T-Rex for supper, group of 10
Day 1 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon/evening and HDDR for a late supper, group of 10
Day 2 - Hollywood Studios all day, Sci-Fi at lunchtime, group of 10. Hopefully catch Fantasmic!
Day 3 - Magic Kingdom, 1900 Park Fare, group of 5. Hopefully get the Wishes Dessert Party for 10
Day 4 - Animal Kingdom (originally Hollywood Studios), Tusker House at lunchtime, group of 10.....MJ wanted to give up our Fantasmic! Dining Pkg and take the chance of catching the show on our other HS day so that we could have a day at AK with the cousins
Day 5 - Epcot, Garden Grill for dinner, group of 10....we were able to get my cousin and her family in hopefully catch IllumiNations for our last night in Disney together as a group of 10
Day 6 - Hollywood Studios (although we could switch this up with our last AK day, on Day 9), late dinner at 'OHana
Day 7 - Boma breakfast, and Blizzard Beach day
Day 8 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Magic Kingdom in evening for MNSSHP
Day 9 - Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney in evening
Day 10 - Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace for breakfast and CRT for surprise birthday dinner for MJ
Day 11 - Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and Epcot for the day.
Day 12 - check- out

I've also made a few 'trip purchases' since the last time I've visited this PTR. I picked up a binder to replace my poorly put together duotang, and I'm so excited to get working on it!!! I also got some body glide, a suggestion I got from here on the boards. I even picked up some alien green mickey heads
Most importantly we applied and paid for our passports!!! Should have them by the middle of July

Finally I've entered a challenge Since my cousin and her Dh along with myself and my dh all could stand to lose some weight, a lot actually, to be more comfortable on this trip we created a challenge to help us out!! My cousin's Dh and I are on a team and she and my dh are on a team. The two who lose the least percentage of weight from now until the Tuesday before they fly out (12 weeks) has to take the kids on TOT!!!!! Needless to say this is great motivation for me and my cousin's dh as we've both experienced it and are scared to death to do it again!!! So wish me luck!!!

 

[PixieMama]

I think your plans sound great! And you have some fabulous ADR choices, too.

Good luck on your weight loss challenge! Although I love ToT so I wouldn't mind not winning, LOL!

I also hope to lose weight before my trip. I actually told myself 2 months ago that I would lose 40 lbs by the end of August... at that time, I had 4 months until my trip so that meant I'd lose 10 lbs each month. Well, 2 months have gone by and not only have I not lost any weight, I've actually gained TWO POUNDS.

I'm down to just 63 days until I leave for my trip. So I'm now going to try for 20 lbs... still just 10 lbs each month. I just need to find the motivation!

 

[MARsMama]

I think your plans sound great! And you have some fabulous ADR choices, too.

Good luck on your weight loss challenge! Although I love ToT so I wouldn't mind not winning, LOL!

I also hope to lose weight before my trip. I actually told myself 2 months ago that I would lose 40 lbs by the end of August... at that time, I had 4 months until my trip so that meant I'd lose 10 lbs each month. Well, 2 months have gone by and not only have I not lost any weight, I've actually gained TWO POUNDS.

I'm down to just 63 days until I leave for my trip. So I'm now going to try for 20 lbs... still just 10 lbs each month. I just need to find the motivation!

I was planning on losing 40lbs when I had four months left as well, but now I'm down to just under three months and have yet to lose. Hoping now that I'm highly motivated by fear that I will be able to drop thirty pounds by then.
I lost 60lbs back in 2008, before Mom got sick, when I joined the online site, sparkpeople, so I'm getting back into that with the hopes that it'll help me shed some weight so I can enjoy my Disney trip and not have to ride ToT!!!

 

[walt's girl]

Just getting started on my first trip report ... you're doing a great job!!

 

[PixieMama]

I was planning on losing 40lbs when I had four months left as well, but now I'm down to just under three months and have yet to lose. Hoping now that I'm highly motivated by fear that I will be able to drop thirty pounds by then.
I lost 60lbs back in 2008, before Mom got sick, when I joined the online site, sparkpeople, so I'm getting back into that with the hopes that it'll help me shed some weight so I can enjoy my Disney trip and not have to ride ToT!!!

I recently joined SparkPeople... I actually did it just so I could download the app to my phone, which I use to log my meals and exercise. So I don't use the site much, but logging my meals on my phone has been a real eye-opener!

 

[Lidian]

I recently joined SparkPeople... I actually did it just so I could download the app to my phone, which I use to log my meals and exercise. So I don't use the site much, but logging my meals on my phone has been a real eye-opener!

I tried SparkPeople, and I hated it. I switched back to Weight Watchers and I use their app. I don't know if a SP app would have made me stay though ... I know I'm a bit partial to WW, because I've had such great success with them.

 

[MARsMama]

I don't use any apps, just the sparkpeople site itself (when I joined back in 2008 there wasn't such a thing as an app I don't think). I like it b/c it's free. I like tracking my fitness minutes the most. I hate measuring my food, although I did do it back in 2008, so I probably will start doing that again this time too....

 

[MissStitch626]

Just catching up on your report - love the team challenge for weight loss, wish I'd thought of that! I'm at the end of the my first week of actively trying to lose some weight for our trip, have managed to stick to the diet (more or less ) but exercise plan totally washed out by a head cold this week Trying the Slimfast plan for two weeks initially, will see how it goes!

 

[MissStitch626]

Have just been reading your must-do list for Epcot. I think you're probably right to skip Circle of Life - it's actually a must-do for me but that's out of personal interest and can totally see how it would be boring for others, particularly for kids. Ellen's Universe of Energy is fun once the ride gets going, again though I think alot of people find the pre-show section too much, especially if you've been walking all day and have to stand watching the movie for such a long time.

Turtle Talk, in my honest opinion, is a must do. DH and I have seen this show multiple times each trip (and I have actually queued for it). We both enjoy the marine displays in the waiting area, and the show itself is very funny and has some very cool effects.

 

[exwdwcm]

another vote here for Turtle Talk! It is great fun!

the updated plans look great!

and i LOVE the idea of the challenge. I am trying to drop some poundage myself too. I like the that there isn't a prize, but more of a challenge instead! great motivation! LOL! Good luck!

 

[MARsMama]

Wow, I can't believe how fast the time is flying and how little I get to post on here!! The summer is zipping by and with the kids and their busy schedules I haven't had much time for Disney planning We do continue to remove the links off of our chain and we are down to 60 days left

Since my last post we received our passports and I am down 9lbs In our 'challenge' my cousin's dh and I are ahead by nearly 2%

We've managed to change our plans up again so here's our new set of plans with the changes in bold and underlined...

Arrival day for us - T-Rex for supper, group of 10
Day 1 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon/evening and an early dinner at Rose and Crown, group of 10
Day 2 - Hollywood Studios all day, Sci-Fi at lunchtime, group of 10. Hopefully catch Fantasmic!
Day 3 - Magic Kingdom, 1900 Park Fare, group of 5. Hopefully get the Wishes Dessert Party for 10
Day 4 - Animal Kingdom, Safari Grand Gathering with Tusker House for dinner!!
Day 5 - Epcot, Garden Grill for dinner, group of 10....hopefully catch IllumiNations for our last night in Disney together as a group of 10
Day 6 - waterpark day, probably Blizzard Beach, late dinner at 'OHana
Day 7 - Boma breakfast, Animal Kingdom day
Day 8 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Magic Kingdom in evening for MNSSHP
Day 9 - Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney in evening
Day 10 - Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace for breakfast and CRT for surprise birthday dinner for MJ
Day 11 - Epcot day, dinner at Biergarten.
Day 12 - check- out

We were able to snag a Grand Gathering Safari and are quite excited about it. I haven't been able to find much information on it, does anyone know how many people they accept? Also, do you know if the Tusker House dinner is a buffet like it is for a regular lunch/dinner?

We are still keeping our fingers crossed on getting the Wishes Dessert Party, still unable to book for October though

Any thoughts on our new plans?

 

[mtgirl29]

Wow, I can't believe how fast the time is flying and how little I get to post on here!! The summer is zipping by and with the kids and their busy schedules I haven't had much time for Disney planning We do continue to remove the links off of our chain and we are down to 60 days left

Since my last post we received our passports and I am down 9lbs In our 'challenge' my cousin's dh and I are ahead by nearly 2%

We've managed to change our plans up again so here's our new set of plans with the changes in bold and underlined...

Arrival day for us - T-Rex for supper, group of 10
Day 1 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon/evening and an early dinner at Rose and Crown, group of 10
Day 2 - Hollywood Studios all day, Sci-Fi at lunchtime, group of 10. Hopefully catch Fantasmic!
Day 3 - Magic Kingdom, 1900 Park Fare, group of 5. Hopefully get the Wishes Dessert Party for 10
Day 4 - Animal Kingdom, Safari Grand Gathering with Tusker House for dinner!!
Day 5 - Epcot, Garden Grill for dinner, group of 10....hopefully catch IllumiNations for our last night in Disney together as a group of 10
Day 6 - waterpark day, probably Blizzard Beach, late dinner at 'OHana
Day 7 - Boma breakfast, Animal Kingdom day
Day 8 - Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, Magic Kingdom in evening for MNSSHP
Day 9 - Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney in evening
Day 10 - Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace for breakfast and CRT for surprise birthday dinner for MJ
Day 11 - Epcot day, dinner at Biergarten.
Day 12 - check- out

We were able to snag a Grand Gathering Safari and are quite excited about it. I haven't been able to find much information on it, does anyone know how many people they accept? Also, do you know if the Tusker House dinner is a buffet like it is for a regular lunch/dinner?

We are still keeping our fingers crossed on getting the Wishes Dessert Party, still unable to book for October though

Any thoughts on our new plans?

I hear ya, sister, about being so busy this summer. It is crazy. I feel if I had a little more alone time I would be able to get my TR finished....

60 days!!! Time is flying. You will be there before you know it!

whooohooo! about losing 9 lbs! That is fabulous!!!!! That is another thing on my agenda once the kids are back in school....

Your plans sounds wonderful. I'm sorry I can't be of more help with the Tusker House being buffet style or not. We've never been there. Would like to know how you like it in your upcoming TR, though. (hint hint)

I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the Wishes Dessert Party. That sounds wonderful. Would also love to hear how you all like it.

Good luck with the rest of your planning and I hope someone will be able to answer you questions.

 

[MissStitch626]

9lbs is amazing- you are my new inspiration!

The plans look great, what time is your reservation for Rose & Crown? I hear it's a pretty good location for watching Illuminations.

If I have the dates worked out correctly I think our Magic Kingdom days are the same!

As far as I know Tusker House is still buffet for dinner.

Time is definitely flying in now, I can't believe how something can seem so close and so far away at the same time!

 

[MARsMama]

I hear ya, sister, about being so busy this summer. It is crazy. I feel if I had a little more alone time I would be able to get my TR finished....

60 days!!! Time is flying. You will be there before you know it!

whooohooo! about losing 9 lbs! That is fabulous!!!!! That is another thing on my agenda once the kids are back in school....

Your plans sounds wonderful. I'm sorry I can't be of more help with the Tusker House being buffet style or not. We've never been there. Would like to know how you like it in your upcoming TR, though. (hint hint)

I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the Wishes Dessert Party. That sounds wonderful. Would also love to hear how you all like it.

Good luck with the rest of your planning and I hope someone will be able to answer you questions.

9lbs is amazing- you are my new inspiration!

The plans look great, what time is your reservation for Rose & Crown? I hear it's a pretty good location for watching Illuminations.

If I have the dates worked out correctly I think our Magic Kingdom days are the same!

As far as I know Tusker House is still buffet for dinner.

Time is definitely flying in now, I can't believe how something can seem so close and so far away at the same time!

Thanks I am still hoping to lose another 9lbs atleast before we go, maybe more if I can!

I read somewhere that the meal at Tusker House for the Grand Gathering is served family style instead of buffet, but am unsure if that was old information or not. Either way it doesn't matter, I was just curious.

Time is going waaay too fast, there seems to be so much I have left to do!! I think I better get a to-do list made so that I don't forget anything. I keep forgetting about figuring out costumes for MNSSHP.

Our MK days will be Oct. 1, 6 (for MNSSHP), and the 8th. Our dinner reservation for Rose and Crown is at 4:15pm, so not an ideal time to catch IllumiNations, but I thought with 10 of us we'd be taking our chances anyway as to getting a spot outside. Since that is our first full day there we are thinking of making it an early evening anyway so that we can get to HS for rope drop the next morning. We will catch IllumiNations on one of the other two Epcot days, providing the weather cooperates with us!!