Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog! LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[tinacaplan]

Love your dining places; hooray on the great CM and getting CSR for the extra night. As for WL, we hated it and won't go back (bad food, worse service). I hope you guys are all doing great (I'm trying to keep up on threads while here at Marco).

Hi, Kathy! Great to hear from you. Judging from your posts, I see that you've been having a great time. We're all fine here! I think I'm keeping the Chef Mickey's ADR. Hopefully, it will be great for Max. I think I want to be in the same building you were just in, so I'm looking forward to your trip report. It also looks like you're going to have some work to do when you get back, as the CSR thread is about to hit its limit again!

Enjoy the rest of your time in Florida and your time with Nicky. Thanks for checking in.

 

[tinacaplan]

One of the remaining big questions for our trip is whether or not we should travel with a stroller. As far as I can tell we have three options:
1. Bring our own small umbrella stoller
2. Rent one from one of the stroller rental places so its there for us when we arrive at CSR
3. Rent one daily at the parks

Let me lay our a couple of pre-conditions:

1. Max will be three and a half and he is a very active little boy who loves to run and walk.
2. Even though he loves to walk and run around, he still moves pretty slowly. I KNOW we will use a stroller in the parks, but I'm not sure we need one in the airport?
3. We're flying Southwest and will have Magic Express handling our checked luggage, so that's not an issue.

My husband thinks we don't need one for the airport, I think we do. Our home airport is tiny and doesn't pose a problem, but I'm having a hard time envisioning us going through MCO without one.

Thoughts? Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Mindy5767]

I would go with the stroller at the airport. Just make sure if you take it to the plane, that they gate check it properly. Once I did this, and for some inexplicable reason, they took the stroller from me at the gate in Dallas, and put it in the belly of the plane. When I arrived at Dulles, I had to walk through the airport, up and down stairs (non-working elevators) about a mile or more carrying a sleeping toddler, my purse, my carry-on and diaper bag. There were no skycaps or anyone to assist with mobility. It was a nightmare!! I had to pick up my stroller on the baggage carousel. Now, if you don't know Washington Dulles, the baggage carousel is a good mile from the arrivals terminal, in a separate terminal on a different floor. I was livid!! It was United Airlines that did that to me! But anyway...... it is my preference to push the stroller and hang my purse or the diaper bag or anything I can from the handles or under it. If your child would rather walk, and is moving in a forwardly direction, you can always just plop your carry-on's into the stroller and let you child walk along side. When moving through a crowded airport, we always liked those "hand holders". The tether things that non-parents call leashes. Now that my DD is 8, she uses the "hand holder" to attach to herself and her doll or stuff toy.

The rental stroller is perfect for older kids like mine who really can't justify using a stroller in normal public. When Disney is hot and humid and crowded, even an 8 year old needs a stroller. Luckily mine is petite and fits in one. The big advantage of your own stroller is that it probably has that basket underneath. The Disney ones don't. I really like that for purchases.

 

[annmarieda]

If you remember reading in my TR, we ended up buying one in the park. It was cheaper than renting one for the week. It actually isn't a bad stroller. If we go again... I will take my maclaren...but in a pinch I would choose the one we got in the park as a close second choice. As for the airport...now here is the thing. For us...it was so nice to not have it on the way in. On the way out...I was so glad to have it once we landed.

 

[Mindy5767]

If you remember reading in my TR, we ended up buying one in the park. It was cheaper than renting one for the week. It actually isn't a bad stroller. If we go again... I will take my maclaren...but in a pinch I would choose the one we got in the park as a close second choice. As for the airport...now here is the thing. For us...it was so nice to not have it on the way in. On the way out...I was so glad to have it once we landed.

We bought that one in the park a couple years ago. Its great! Even has a nice basket underneath. Unfortunately, on the way home, the airline broke off the cup holder when it went at gate check. I'll probably bring that one in November if she still fits into it.

 

[annmarieda]

We bought that one in the park a couple years ago. Its great! Even has a nice basket underneath. Unfortunately, on the way home, the airline broke off the cup holder when it went at gate check. I'll probably bring that one in November if she still fits into it.

This one was a bit different. There was no basket on bottom but rather a mess bag on the back side. It also had a snap on/off cup holder and rain/sun hood. It was a bit on the small side though..and that is why next time round, I would bring the one I specifically have for our trips.

 

[Mindy5767]

This one was a bit different. There was no basket on bottom but rather a mess bag on the back side. It also had a snap on/off cup holder and rain/sun hood. It was a bit on the small side though..and that is why next time round, I would bring the one I specifically have for our trips.

Hmmm sounds similiar but maybe they've changed the model. Ours did have the bottom basket, and the cup holder did snap on/off, which is why we should have thought to remove it before sending it through gate check. It does have a rain/sun hood too. It is larger than the umbrella stroller that we had bought at Sunsations on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, but smaller than a standard all-purpose stroller and smaller than our jogging stroller. Our jogging stroller is from the days before they figured out how to pivot the front wheel. It has huge wheels. My husband can actually push it up and down the stairs in the buildings at the University of Maryland, but it doesn't turn well, so its bad for shopping and anyplace there are alot of people like at Disney. Its great for jogging on the bike path though and worked great in Washington DC on the grass areas of the mall and just goes right up those monument stairs (like at the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials). I'll just have to get it down from the garage loft and see if Heidi still fits in it. She only weighs 39 pounds and is 45 inches tall, tiny for 8. so she can get away with it.

 

[tinacaplan]

Of course not! Although, at this point, its all just mental.

The great stroller debate continues between my husband and I. He is promising to carry Max whenever necessarry, and since we ditch our luggage curbside at Bradley (gotta love ME!), I think that might be OK.

Here again, I am looking for some advice. My husband and I seem to always overpack. While its nice to have options when we're away, I know that I don't end up wearing half of what I pack. I have a good sense of what I'll want to wear at the parks in the morning, regardless of temperature: a zip-up sweatshirt, a Disney t-shirt, and a pair of black yoga pants with Croc flip-flops. Despite the nearly arctic temps last February, I was completely comfortable in this every morning. I got a bit more dressed when we went out in the evenings for dinner, but not by a whole lot, to be honest. I did not, for example, touch the dress I brought. And that was for a trip where we did a different signature almost every night.

I suppose my plans will work similarly for my husband and son...but just curious? How many toys do you let your child bring? What items do you bring for your family that you consider "essential?" We've never traveled to a resort with a three and a half year-old (who's not totally potty-trained, btw ), so any and all advice is great appreciated.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

[annmarieda]

I cant give you advice on the packing. I am an overpacker!! I wish we could cut down since checked luggage cost us $120 this trip and that was just for 3 of us.

As for toys, I really stick with just things that I know she can do use on the plane. We just don't spend that much time in the room and what we do spend, we use to play at the pool. This is the standard we bring; coloring book with crayons or pens, leapster with games, card game and a her mini princess doll set that fit nicely into a little purse.

Essentials? I am learning as I go. Each trip I discover something else to bring that was helpful. Hangers were in february. Toothbrush holder with suction cups were this last trip. Dd has medical issues so we have tons of pullups we have to bring..not fun on vacation...but the upside is you have a bunch of room in your case on the return

 

[tinacaplan]

Thanks for the advice. The stroller we would probably bring is just an umbrella one, with nothing in the way of cup holders or storage baskets. So, maybe I'll just practice breaking down our larger one, with the cup holders and basket. My husband hates it, but it might be the best way to go.

 

[tinacaplan]

So, as it is Saturday night and Max is sleeping and my husband is watching the premier of Boardwalk Empire and its not holding my attention, so I thought I would turn my attention to another top ten list...this time the top ten things I'm looking forward to doing in Disney...and I don't mean the things I'm excited to do with my son, either. I mean, the self-ish stuff. Obviously, there won't be a lot of it, but there will be some!

1. Dinner at California Grill...one of my favorite restaurants, anywhere, fireworks or not.

2. Expedition Everest..need I say more?

3. EMH's at MK...I plan on riding BTMRR until my head explodes...and I hope Dizneat is around to join me! If not, it will be my first ever solo park experience.

4. Illuminations...my favorite fireworks show, by far.

5. This might sound weird, but I can't wait to hear the announcer on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs..."

6. Soarin'

7. TSM...I know my son and husband will also enjoy this quite a bit, but it is among my absolute favorite rides.

8. Trying Via Napoli for the first time

9. World Showcase...any time of the day or night its probably my favorite place in the world! So much to look at, so many people to watch.

10. And, well, truthfully....seeing how Max reacts to the whole thing, from the plane ride to the busses to the resort to the parks to meeting the very same characters whose pictures are on his wall.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi. I just found your PTR. I've got some catching up to do.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi. I just found your PTR. I've got some catching up to do.

And, really, feel free to skip the first several pages, where I thought I was still planning a Grand Gathering! That did not happen...at least this time!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello! So, with the upcoming Columbus Day holiday, I had a brilliant idea that involved some genius fuzzy Disney math...adding three days onto a non-expiring park hopper ticket would be like nothing, I could get twenty percent off at CSR...and, well, plane tickets weren't totally ridiculous!

My husband nixed the idea...doesn't think it sounds even remotely relaxing with a three year old who's not potty trained and has never been a plane before?

I don't see the problem....just kidding. Although, I can see a point in the future when I could save up the money in advance and this trip just might be possible!

Also, anyone know how many times you need to go to make APs worth your while?

 

[tinacaplan]

After a day at school that was only medium stressful, I came home to some scary house news, which I will not bore any of you with here. Max has also been having trouble at daycare, so I was bit on edge as I tore open the letters. We are getting closer to our move date (still six to nine months away, mind you) but seeing it in black and white really set me off.

Point being, Max and I decided it would be a fine time to distract ourselves by starting our trip binder! There isn't much in it yet...but here it is:

That's the cover. I picked these binders up from Target many months ago...I bought two, in fact, because I thought I was still planning a bigger trip and had wanted to put togther one for my parents. Didn't quite work out that way!

This is a small, squarish red envelope I had left over from a friend's shower invitations from at least three years ago. I glued it into the front cover and Max put stickers on it. We can put receipts and other small bits of paper in it.

And finally, the first page, featuring a picture of CSR and some more stickers I picked up for next to nothing at Michael's. I also added in our flight info and our most recent resort package invoice. It should be neat to have everything all organized and then I have the perfect place to start a scrapbook when we get back! Keep in mind, my three year-old son is helping me and I'm not the craftiest person in the world.

 

[Mindy5767]

Don't know where you question went about what toys to bring? We usually bring too many. Especially since our last trip involved 1. an overnight stay part way there. 2. a 2 night stay at my son's college

We typically bring an electronic game system with some games, whether that be a game boy, leapster, leap pad; coloring books and crayons as well as workbooks with word and math games. Plenty of stuffed animals. There are the essentials, her beloved "lovie" bear Dejeaux (which is just about falling apart), her Toy Story 3 Alien plushie, sock monkey, doll, this trip, we brought Perry the platypus, Jesse (from ToyStory) a dalmation, in addition to all this other stuff. If we fly, I go lighter on the stuffed toys. Heidi really enjoyed the way the mousekeeper carefully posed her toys while we were out. Our next trip does not involve as much time away from Disney, however, we'll be going down most likely unless something happens to it, mini van, which seats 8, but will have 3 people in it. We'll likely remove the back seat and maybe the middle middle too.

 

[Mindy5767]

Hello! So, with the upcoming Columbus Day holiday, I had a brilliant idea that involved some genius fuzzy Disney math...adding three days onto a non-expiring park hopper ticket would be like nothing, I could get twenty percent off at CSR...and, well, plane tickets weren't totally ridiculous!

My husband nixed the idea...doesn't think it sounds even remotely relaxing with a three year old who's not potty trained and has never been a plane before?

I don't see the problem....just kidding. Although, I can see a point in the future when I could save up the money in advance and this trip just might be possible!

Also, anyone know how many times you need to go to make APs worth your while?

I think the AP's make sense (for me) with at least 10 days. However, as a DVC member, our passes cost less than the public rate. Just a little more than the Florida rate I believe. The DVC renewal rate (which is even less), makes it a no brainer for 9 days or more. We renewed our AP's before our 8 night trip in August, and we have 6 nights/7 days in November, so we're good. During the period Nov 07-Oct 08 we squeezed 3, 6 night trips in. Our average daily cost per person was about $18.00. Of course, prices went up a little after that, at least twice. You also have to make sure you're comparing the AP to a park-hopper, because all AP's are hoppers. You also have to look at another thing.... if you're going to take say, 2, 5 day trips. You don't compare by looking at 10 days vs. AP cost. That's because 2, 5 day tickets costs WAY more than 1 10 day ticket. If you looked at comparing 2 separate 5 day hopper tickets, a 10 day no expiration hopper ticket , and the AP you'd see where the AP will make sense.

 

[KatMark]

So, as it is Saturday night and Max is sleeping and my husband is watching the premier of Boardwalk Empire and its not holding my attention, so I thought I would turn my attention to another top ten list...this time the top ten things I'm looking forward to doing in Disney...and I don't mean the things I'm excited to do with my son, either. I mean, the self-ish stuff. Obviously, there won't be a lot of it, but there will be some!

1. Dinner at California Grill...one of my favorite restaurants, anywhere, fireworks or not. Never done--I hope to try it one of these days

2. Expedition Everest..need I say more?We missed it this year due to Mark's surgery

3. EMH's at MK...I plan on riding BTMRR until my head explodes...and I hope Dizneat is around to join me! If not, it will be my first ever solo park experience. I got to ride this with MaryAz's girl...love this ride.

4. Illuminations...my favorite fireworks show, by far.Skipped this...we prefer Wishes and Fantasmic and we only had one day at Epcot this trip

5. This might sound weird, but I can't wait to hear the announcer on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs..."I don't use ME, but this would be music to my ears.

6. Soarin'LOVE THIS ride.

7. TSM...I know my son and husband will also enjoy this quite a bit, but it is among my absolute favorite rides.GREAT RIDE (although Mark cheats)

8. Trying Via Napoli for the first time We took a peak in and it looks really night

9. World Showcase...any time of the day or night its probably my favorite place in the world! So much to look at, so many people to watch.I agree

10. And, well, truthfully....seeing how Max reacts to the whole thing, from the plane ride to the busses to the resort to the parks to meeting the very same characters whose pictures are on his wall. TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES

Comments in red above.

 

[tinacaplan]

Thanks, Kathy...I certainly will.

 

[Mindy5767]

So, as it is Saturday night and Max is sleeping and my husband is watching the premier of Boardwalk Empire and its not holding my attention, so I thought I would turn my attention to another top ten list...this time the top ten things I'm looking forward to doing in Disney...and I don't mean the things I'm excited to do with my son, either. I mean, the self-ish stuff. Obviously, there won't be a lot of it, but there will be some!

1. Dinner at California Grill...one of my favorite restaurants, anywhere, fireworks or not. Never tried this. Won't spend $$$ on DD8... not worth it.

2. Expedition Everest..need I say more? Too Scary for me. My kids love it.

3. EMH's at MK...I plan on riding BTMRR until my head explodes...and I hope Dizneat is around to join me! If not, it will be my first ever solo park experience. fun but can give whip lash!

4. Illuminations...my favorite fireworks show, by far. We do once per trip! at least

5. This might sound weird, but I can't wait to hear the announcer on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs..." I'd love to hear that someday.

6. Soarin' I like it, but I"m not a heights person... so it can be scary if I"m not in the right row where I can see people's feet hanging or the edge of the screen.

7. TSM...I know my son and husband will also enjoy this quite a bit, but it is among my absolute favorite rides. So much fun, but I won't wait an hour for any ride... so Fast pass or skip!

8. Trying Via Napoli for the first time. We ate there in August---Fabulous!

9. World Showcase...any time of the day or night its probably my favorite place in the world! So much to look at, so many people to watch. I agree!!

10. And, well, truthfully....seeing how Max reacts to the whole thing, from the plane ride to the busses to the resort to the parks to meeting the very same characters whose pictures are on his wall.

That makes you feel like a kid again!

My comments in Magenta! Ok... not enough contrast... sorry!!