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

[tinacaplan]

Last year, when we went, I brought in a small bag to hold my phone and camera, basically and the lanyard around my neck for my KTW card and that was it! This year, we'll need changes of clothes for accidents and a whole slew of other Max-related things. Thankfully, we will have a slower and I got a beautiful backpack from LL Bean last year that will make an excellent park bag for all of that.

Great to stash a camera in if you go on splash, hold ruined/wet clothes, all kinds of things!

Heidi (mryppns) has a great strategy. Pick three things per park. Three, and only three must do's that you feel you can't miss. That way your chances of success are really high and you aren't killing yourself to get them done.

I can't say I'm great at following that but...I think it's brilliant!

That IS brilliant!

 

[tinacaplan]

And if you know that song lyric reference...

Upon waking up this morning Max went to his countdown calendar straight away. I was looking at it and though, huh? We must have messed something up because there is simply no way we're down to TWENTY SEVEN days. But...well...look at my ticker...check a calendar! We are just twenty-seven days away! Pinch me...this is really happening. There will be quite a lot to do in the coming weeks. Packing. Buying last minute supplies (OK, most of my supplies, as I haven't bought much of anything yet). Going to the eye doctor to finally get a new pair of prescription sunglasses. I can't seem to get contacts onto my eyeballs and I need sunglasses. While my eyes are not terrible, it would be nice for everything I look at DIsneyworld to be nice and sharp.
There will be fun things to do, like get hair and nails done so I look pretty for all the pictures. I also want to put together tip envelopes and things like that.

And Cynthia gave me some great advice: pick three things that are must-do's each day. Great idea! So I am going to try that, as well. Sounds especially helpful for travelling with a toddler.

I also just got new index cards and markers to put together cards with my ADR and Ridemax information on them. Big improvement from last year when I almost forgot to print my boarding passes before leaving the house!

 

[annmarieda]

And if you know that song lyric reference...

Upon waking up this morning Max went to his countdown calendar straight away. I was looking at it and though, huh? We must have messed something up because there is simply no way we're down to TWENTY SEVEN days. But...well...look at my ticker...check a calendar! We are just twenty-seven days away! Pinch me...this is really happening. There will be quite a lot to do in the coming weeks. Packing. Buying last minute supplies (OK, most of my supplies, as I haven't bought much of anything yet). Going to the eye doctor to finally get a new pair of prescription sunglasses. I can't seem to get contacts onto my eyeballs and I need sunglasses. While my eyes are not terrible, it would be nice for everything I look at DIsneyworld to be nice and sharp.
There will be fun things to do, like get hair and nails done so I look pretty for all the pictures. I also want to put together tip envelopes and things like that.

And Cynthia gave me some great advice: pick three things that are must-do's each day. Great idea! So I am going to try that, as well. Sounds especially helpful for travelling with a toddler.

I also just got new index cards and markers to put together cards with my ADR and Ridemax information on them. Big improvement from last year when I almost forgot to print my boarding passes before leaving the house!

 

[dizneeat]

And if you know that song lyric reference...

Upon waking up this morning Max went to his countdown calendar straight away. I was looking at it and though, huh? We must have messed something up because there is simply no way we're down to TWENTY SEVEN days. But...well...look at my ticker...check a calendar! We are just twenty-seven days away! Pinch me...this is really happening. There will be quite a lot to do in the coming weeks. Packing. Buying last minute supplies (OK, most of my supplies, as I haven't bought much of anything yet). Going to the eye doctor to finally get a new pair of prescription sunglasses. I can't seem to get contacts onto my eyeballs and I need sunglasses. While my eyes are not terrible, it would be nice for everything I look at DIsneyworld to be nice and sharp.
There will be fun things to do, like get hair and nails done so I look pretty for all the pictures. I also want to put together tip envelopes and things like that.

And Cynthia gave me some great advice: pick three things that are must-do's each day. Great idea! So I am going to try that, as well. Sounds especially helpful for travelling with a toddler.

I also just got new index cards and markers to put together cards with my ADR and Ridemax information on them. Big improvement from last year when I almost forgot to print my boarding passes before leaving the house!

Yes, just 27 more days!!!!!!!!!! Today in just 4 weeks time we will "skip" through the Magic Kingdom during EMH together!!
Can't wait to meet you in person!!!!!!!! This is all so exciting!!!

 

[stephielela]

Just joining in! My son is 2 1/2 and is also a HUGE Disney fan, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Toy Story (1,2, &3) Cars etc. We are heading back to the world in September, so I am living through other's PTR's and TR's till then! I saw someone suggested packing water bottles. We got these things called Bobbles (they are $10 at Target) that have a filter in the mouthpiece, so you can just fill it up with tap water and not worry about the taste or content. They worked really well for us! I'm so excited for you!

 

[tinacaplan]

Yes, just 27 more days!!!!!!!!!! Today in just 4 weeks time we will "skip" through the Magic Kingdom during EMH together!!
Can't wait to meet you in person!!!!!!!! This is all so exciting!!!

That barely expresses how excited I am and how happy that thought has made me. Our winter has turned brutal; cold, mountains of snow, the works and I just can't wait to get to Florida and Disney...and EMHs!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Just joining in! My son is 2 1/2 and is also a HUGE Disney fan, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Toy Story (1,2, &3) Cars etc. We are heading back to the world in September, so I am living through other's PTR's and TR's till then! I saw someone suggested packing water bottles. We got these things called Bobbles (they are $10 at Target) that have a filter in the mouthpiece, so you can just fill it up with tap water and not worry about the taste or content. They worked really well for us! I'm so excited for you!

Thanks for the tip on the water bottles. By all means, chime in with whatever other advice and tips you may have!

 

[stephielela]

Whew! I finally made it through your PTR!!! It has taken me the better part of the evening here at work, so thanks for helping me pass the time!

First, let me say I hope your father is doing better. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Your plans sound great so far! Here's what I would keep in mind, having just experienced this phenomenon in December- kids like to screw with your plans. My son turns 3 in April so he is younger then Max, but he became very assertive on this last trip. If he didn't want to do something, he made sure he let us (and everyone in the vicinity) know. Wemissed out on several things due to his fits, and they didn't make any sense. He LOVES Toy Story, but when it came time to ride TSM again, he didn't want to. We made him and he cried the whole way through, and after wanted to ride again... there were of course no FP's available and the wait was around 2 hours. My opinion, go with the flow. Especially if you know this won't be your last trip there, don't force anything. Naps are helpful as well. I found it really strange that he acted this way in December since when he and I went alone in September he was much more agreeable. I later realized that in September Jack got a lot more sleep and our schedule was much less rigid. Food for thought!

I also wanted to say that picture of Max in his new bed made me laugh. Jack does the exact same thing with all his cars, (he has a bunch of the Cars ones as well as the Toy Story 3 ones) where he lines them all up on the side.

Yay for the Tusker House breakfast! It was great! Except for the part where thye try to make you pay $30 for your pictures with Donald (we made them take one with our camera) since they won't put it on your Photopass card.

As for potty training, I totally agree, it just happens. Some kids (girls) start way earlier. I tried to start with Jack shortly after his second birthday and it didn't take. He would go on the potty, but nowhere near consistently enough to take him out of pullups. I decided to hold off until after our trip in December and the starting in January, I switched him to underpants during the day. I started by setting a timer for every 30 minutes and I made him go, and then within a week he was saying when he needed to go. It's been less than 3 weeks and he almost never has an accident, though I do still put him in pullups at night time. He has stayed dry the past 5 nights at least though so I think next week we will switch to pullups at night too. For him it just seemed like he needed that safety net taken away, and it worked well. I NEVER want to potty train another child though, so I may not have any more kids!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wow...that's commitment for you! Hadn't thought about a last stop at MK. That could work. You do ME, so you might know this...I assume we'd have to leave for MCO around noon, if our flight leaves at 2:45? Or would it be earlier? It'll be nice to have that day as a wait-and-see day, because you're right... there are a lot of things we could do that morning. Also depends on early Max wakes up. He sleeps in at times. By sleeping in, I mean eight, but that's pretty late for a three year-old.

Yep, should be round Noon. Possibly a bit before, but likely right at Noon. Henry is the same way, he wakes up anywhere between 6:30 and 8:00. We just roll with it on the last day-if we can fit in a park/feel like it, we go for it! One last good-bye to the parks.

I wouldn't have even thought about the playgrounds outside of the one at our resort were it not for Henry's adventures at them in your TR. And yes...wipes! Now that we're moving away from diapers, I'm so quick to forget how nice they are for all sorts of things. And I completely expect Max to have at least one accident while we're in the parks....

I'm glad my TR helped! The playgrounds inside the parks are truly awesome. The Dig Site is probably my favorite due to the giant sandbox and it's not nearly as hot as Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

We never made it to the one at CSR when we stayed there - maybe if we end up resort hopping over there. It IS very, very cool looking!

And Cynthia gave me some great advice: pick three things that are must-do's each day. Great idea! So I am going to try that, as well. Sounds especially helpful for travelling with a toddler.

27 days! (and less now since I'm always behind on the DIS. ) I did the "3 Things" list last trip and it was GREAT. I tried to make it one thing for each of us, but something we'd all still enjoy - Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground (Henry), Toy Story Mania (me) Lights, Motor, Action! (Joe) This trip I'm doing a different approach because we have extra days....but I think the 3 Things list might be a normal thing on future trips!

 

[tinacaplan]

Got my official mickey mail today!!!!!! So excited!!!! Had to share!!!! ​

 

[tinacaplan]

Just a few not so great shots of Max not looking to excited about our envelope. Not sure he got it...he then asked to watch the CSR video on All Ears.... TWICE!

And yes, Max IS that kid who likes to fling off his clothes as soon as he comes in the door after school!

 

[annmarieda]

Got my official mickey mail today!!!!!! So excited!!!! Had to share!!!! ​

Oh..tooo exciting!!!!

 

[stephielela]

Yay for Mickey Mail!! It's the best part of the wait!

 

[tinacaplan]

Whew! I finally made it through your PTR!!! It has taken me the better part of the evening here at work, so thanks for helping me pass the time!

First, let me say I hope your father is doing better. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Your plans sound great so far! Here's what I would keep in mind, having just experienced this phenomenon in December- kids like to screw with your plans. My son turns 3 in April so he is younger then Max, but he became very assertive on this last trip. If he didn't want to do something, he made sure he let us (and everyone in the vicinity) know. Wemissed out on several things due to his fits, and they didn't make any sense. He LOVES Toy Story, but when it came time to ride TSM again, he didn't want to. We made him and he cried the whole way through, and after wanted to ride again... there were of course no FP's available and the wait was around 2 hours. My opinion, go with the flow. Especially if you know this won't be your last trip there, don't force anything. Naps are helpful as well. I found it really strange that he acted this way in December since when he and I went alone in September he was much more agreeable. I later realized that in September Jack got a lot more sleep and our schedule was much less rigid. Food for thought!

I also wanted to say that picture of Max in his new bed made me laugh. Jack does the exact same thing with all his cars, (he has a bunch of the Cars ones as well as the Toy Story 3 ones) where he lines them all up on the side.

Yay for the Tusker House breakfast! It was great! Except for the part where thye try to make you pay $30 for your pictures with Donald (we made them take one with our camera) since they won't put it on your Photopass card.

As for potty training, I totally agree, it just happens. Some kids (girls) start way earlier. I tried to start with Jack shortly after his second birthday and it didn't take. He would go on the potty, but nowhere near consistently enough to take him out of pullups. I decided to hold off until after our trip in December and the starting in January, I switched him to underpants during the day. I started by setting a timer for every 30 minutes and I made him go, and then within a week he was saying when he needed to go. It's been less than 3 weeks and he almost never has an accident, though I do still put him in pullups at night time. He has stayed dry the past 5 nights at least though so I think next week we will switch to pullups at night too. For him it just seemed like he needed that safety net taken away, and it worked well. I NEVER want to potty train another child though, so I may not have any more kids!

Max has been easy, now that he's turned the faucet on, so to speak. Yeah, and what is it with boys wanting to sleep with small, metal objects? Weird. I don't get it, but he wants to take them everywhere.

Yep, should be round Noon. Possibly a bit before, but likely right at Noon. Henry is the same way, he wakes up anywhere between 6:30 and 8:00. We just roll with it on the last day-if we can fit in a park/feel like it, we go for it! One last good-bye to the parks.



I'm glad my TR helped! The playgrounds inside the parks are truly awesome. The Dig Site is probably my favorite due to the giant sandbox and it's not nearly as hot as Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

We never made it to the one at CSR when we stayed there - maybe if we end up resort hopping over there. It IS very, very cool looking!



27 days! (and less now since I'm always behind on the DIS. ) I did the "3 Things" list last trip and it was GREAT. I tried to make it one thing for each of us, but something we'd all still enjoy - Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground (Henry), Toy Story Mania (me) Lights, Motor, Action! (Joe) This trip I'm doing a different approach because we have extra days....but I think the 3 Things list might be a normal thing on future trips!

Yep, that last day will definitely be a wait and see day. I'm glad to hear that Max isn't the only three year old who likes to sleep in! My husband has complained and I've tried to explain to him that most kids Max's age are up by seven! Every day. Including the weekends. So, we're lucky. And it has been so incredibly helpful to be able to read a TR from someone like you with a son like Henry.

Oh..tooo exciting!!!!

Thanks, Annmarie... I was literally jumping up and down earlier!

Yay for Mickey Mail!! It's the best part of the wait!

I know this may sound weird, but the anticipation is sometimes the best part!

 

[dizneeat]

Mickey Mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best mail ever! I am excited with and for you!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and btw only 25 more days!

 

[tinacaplan]

...and I just can't hide it!

OK, that was lame, but whatever, I don't care...I'm going to Disneyworld with my family in twenty four days!! And I'm now getting into the phase of excitement where I'm just walking around grinning like crazy! I'm sure that everyone I work with thinks I'm losing it..

I just feel that with meeting Karin (and possibly another famous Dis member!) and Tom, my mom coming down for part of the trip, and the fact that we'll be seeing Disney through our son's eyes for the very first time... This is going to be an incredible trip. Max will never go on another first trip to Disney so while his memories of this trip might fade over time, mine won't.

I want to say THANK YOU again to every single person who has posted on this thread, kept it going since May scared1, and given me wonderful advice and support through some genuinely trying times.

Here's my top ten list of things I'm super excited about:
1. Watching Max ride in a plane for the first time.
2. Watching Max when he sees the Disney video come on during our ME bus ride to CSR.
3. Driving onto Disney property and into CSR. Have I mentioned how many times Max has watched the video of CSR on All Ears? Can I get him to watch any videos of fireworks or rides? Um...no. A video of a walk through the entire CSR, yes! Its so hard to figure out what a three and a half year old is going to find interesting, which is what makes everything so much fun.
4. Warm weather... we are just being brutalized up here this winter. Officially, this is the snowiest January on record in CT and the last few days have been bitterly cold. It has been so cold this winter that temps in the 60's will feel incredible.
5. Seeing EPCOT for the first time...yes, I am one of those people. EPCOT is my favorite park, by far. Perhaps now that I'm going with Max, my opinion will change...
6. Hearing the announcer on the bus say, "This is Disney's Coronado Springs..." Don't ask me why, but all those announcements made me feel like I was really at Disney.
7. Meeting some of the wonderful people I've met here.
8. Max's first character interaction.
9. Max's first time seeing the Castle.
10. Max meeting Buzz and Woody.

I could go on...but I will stop there. I think that those are the top!

 

[tinacaplan]

Mickey Mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best mail ever! I am excited with and for you!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and btw only 25 more days!

Thanks, Karin! I think we have some plans we need to solidify!

 

[that's nice]

I love your list! I'm sure you will be able to do everything on there!



So the 3'' of snow we got today was pretty.... are you ready for another 8-12'' of snow tomorrow night? Today felt like a heat wave... it hit 27 here this afternoon. WOW! I thought I could go without a jacket!

 

[tinacaplan]

I love your list! I'm sure you will be able to do everything on there!



So the 3'' of snow we got today was pretty.... are you ready for another 8-12'' of snow tomorrow night? Today felt like a heat wave... it hit 27 here this afternoon. WOW! I thought I could go without a jacket!

I think I have fairly reasonable expectations. I'm definitely in the I'm-just-happy-to-be-there-camp.

The snow was pretty...made all the black stuff look nice and white and clean again. And I know what you mean... its crazy how the colder it gets, your tolerance for it just grows and anything about freezing feels great! And we are NOT ready for more snow. We've had four days already...now we're going for number five? Seriously? Crazy.

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks, Karin! I think we have some plans we need to solidify!

I am gonna PM you in a few minutes - I have some work to finish beforehand - but we roll with your new plans! They are

TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!