How 1 trip turned to 2 and now turning into 3!! Update Pg 40 Days 3, 4 and 5!!

[newtodis]

Dec TR Table of Contents:

Page 36
Post 532 Tease and Rest of Sept TR

Page 37 - Day 1
Post 551 Day 1 - Travel
Post 553 Day 1 - EPCOT
Post 554 Day 1 - EPCOT continued
Post 555 Condo Pictures!

Page 38 - Day 2
Post 564 Day 2 - AK
Post 565 Day 2 - AK continued
Post 566 Day 2 - DHS
Post 567 Day 2 - DHS continued

Page 39 - Day 3
Post 573 Day 3 - MK
Post 574 Day 3 - MK Breakfast in the Castle
Post 575 Day 3 - Breakfast continued
Post 576 Day 3 - MK continued
Post 577 Day 3 - MK continued again!

Page 40 - Day 3, 4, 5
Post 588 Day 3 - DHS
Post 589 Day 3 - DHS continued
Post 590 Day 4 - EPCOT
Post 591 Day 4 - MK
Post 592 Day 5 - DHS and Departure Day

Sept PTR:

Alright...Here's my PTR for those interested in the "details" that went into my two previous trips (Sept and Dec). For those just interested in reading the TR, please jump back a few pages and start in around page 18 post 261. I just posted some "teaser" pictures from our December trip since I'm so excited to get started!

This TR will "officially" begin when I do Jill's homework on my previous (Sept) TR and post the pictures from my last day. I'm hoping to have that wrapped up and this one under way by the new year.

Thanks for hanging out. Hopefully you'll have fun and enjoy the ride!


This is my first attempt at a pre-trip (or trip) report but thought I would give it a shot...

DH-if you're lurking on here...STOP reading right now!!

We're going to Mickey's House!!

I guess the title currently says it all. I am a plan-aholic! I must plan everything we're going to do, how long it's going to be, who's doing what and how they'll react. Ok, maybe not the reaction but if I plan well, the reaction should be good right?

Here are the basic details of the trip:

Trip Dates: September 17-21

Reason for Trip: You need a reason??? We're actually going on this trip to celebrate DS's 4th birthday and DH's 31st birthday. It will be a couple months late but with moving across the country, that's just the way it has to work out.

Here's the gang going on the trip:

DH- My hubby, Dan, is a fire inspector near Hilton Head, SC. He works with a wonderful group of people and we're so very lucky to have found some wonderful friends with that group. We'll be celebrating his birthday (which he shares with DS3) on this trip so I have lots of fun surprises planned.

Me- I work part time for the same fire district the DH works for. I answer phones and basic office stuff like that right now. I'm very much looking forward to this trip because I get to plan some special things for two of my boys. I love planning and just seeing the expression on all of their faces the entire time. I'm an avid scrapbooker and "wannabe" photographer so I'll take a million pictures while I'm there to remember every second!

DS3- Corbin is my child who has enough energy to run a marathon any day, any time! He's also my child who's litterally allergic to everything! After our move, we had him retested for allergies as there are things here in SC that wouldn't be tested for in MI. Our list of 6 not so bad allergies (the worst being peanuts for which we carry an epi-pen) rose to 18 after his testing! He deals with it all pretty well actually-he's learned to ask if everything has peanuts in it regardless of who gives it to him! We're also celebrating Corbin's birthday on this trip and he's so excited to see if Mickey will sing Happy Birthday to him. (mom's working hard on trying to make this happen!)

DS1- Carter is our little miracle man. He was a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks but we quickly learned about an hour after meeting him, that only one third of one lung was inflated. He spent the next week of his life in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU). This, by far, was the hardest thing in the world for me.

He came home after that l-o-n-g week and has been doing wonderful ever since! Now he's up with the best of them chasing his big brother all over the place! When not antagonized by his brother, he loves to just sit and watch birds or read books.

Gram- Gram's the most recent addition to this trip (today actually!). She was going to visit for DH and DS3's birthday but we suggested since she's coming in 9 days and we're going there to visit in a couple months, that she come to Disney with us. She's in! This means mommy might actually be able to have five minutes of peace on vacation! As Gram will see in 9 days, Mommy is a plan-aholic and she has nothing to worry about for her vacation!

Let me give you a bit of background information and explain who's going on the trip and why we're going:

DH, DS3 and DS1 and I moved from MI to SC at the end of January because my husband accepted a position here. With the snow in Michigan, who could turn down 12 miles from Hilton Head Island???

Certainly not me! I don't think anyone's packed their house faster than I did! We had a lot of help from friends and family to pack the Uhaul and move us down here. We also had a ton of help from wonderful local people here who we'd never met unloading the Uhaul so we could get it back without having to pay for an extended rental.

When we lived in Michigan, DS3 had seen the commercials for Mickey's house and always wanted to visit. Before DS1 came along, we actually had some plans in place to come down but I had a pretty demanding job and every time we would make plans, some client would schedule a visit or something would come up that wouldn't allow me to leave so I would have to stop planning our trip. Then, along came DS1...totally unplanned.

Now, how was I going to make it in Disney, having never been myself and DH hadn't been in who knows how long, with two very small children?? So we put Disney on the back burner.

We took our family vacations in Charleston, SC every summer over Labor Day. We loved being on the ocean and seeing all of the sights. We started talking about trying to take on Disney again when DH got the call. DH had seen a job posting in a local paper and sent his resume in for a job that he'd seen while we're on vacation. He flew down for the first interview, and wasn't selected for the position. We kind of put it out of our mind, and when DH saw another position available sent in a resume again. I didn't much much faith in it since he didn't get the first positon... I should have had more faith because a few weeks later (like two months!) DH got a call that they'd like him to start in two weeks! All I could say is "do they know we live in MI?" After making a tough decision for DH, as he's much closer to his family than I am to mine, we decided to move! All was great until I embarked on a 15 hour drive across the country with a 3 yr old and 1 yr old and my mother in law. What was I thinking???

Well, we all made it here just fine and things have been going very well. DH was talking about what to do for Valentine's Day (two weeks after moving across the country) and out of the blue said, "How about we go to Disney?". I just looked at him like something popped out of his head. My response was "how can we afford that?". He didn't have an answser but shortly came out of our bedroom and said he already bought the tickets! He then got on line and booked a cheap hotel room and it was done! We *loved* our first trip and DH was ready for another trip before the first was over!!

So that brings us to now....I *love* holidays, especially ones that I can decorate for so Halloween and Christmas are at the top of my list. I'd read on the Dis boards about MNSSHP and MVMCP. I knew I *had* to go to these parties! So I convinced DH to go during free dining to make up for the cost of the tickets. We even got the Disney VISA for the meet and greet! The boys don't know that Gram is even coming so that will be a huge surprise when she gets off the airplane and rides with us to Disney!

Now that we're so close (aobut 5 hours), we will be purchasing APs for our family as we have another trip planned in December-on my birthday weekend!

As mentioned previously, we're celebrating DH and DS's birthdays on this trip. Many surprises will unfold during our trip and I can't wait to see every magical moment!

Our current traveling and touring plans:

Arrival Wednesday, September 17 at Disney hopefully around 9:00 at night. This will now depend on what time Gram gets a flight and what time DH is able to get out of work. Upon check in, DH and DS will find (or get delivered) birthday baskets from Mickey Mouse! I'm working with a lady named Betsy (http://memoriesbybetsy.com/Memories_by_Betsy/Welcome.html) to have this arranged. I'm so excited. We've already been in touch about what to include in the baskets and things like that. I'm also going to be mailing her the t-shirts that I make for our group! It's going to be so great!!

Thursday, September 18: MK has early magic hours that we'll be taking advantage of. The little boys-not DH-are early risers so this will be no problem for them! We currently have reservations at Crystal Palace at 8:25. The only other thing currently on the plan for the day is to watch "Wishes" and the Eletric Water Parade from the beach at the Poly. I may go over to Epcot and take advantage of the Visa character meet and greet that afternoon if we don't come up with something else to do.

Another thing we'll be doing today is purchasing post cards. We're sending post cards from the "Fairy Godmailers" and "Paying It Forward" threads to several other families whos trips come after ours.

Friday, September 19: The park for the morning is AK. We have breakfast reservations at Tusker House for 8:00 this morning. DS3 has an appointment at BBB at 3:40 to get a "Cool Dude" for MNSSHP that evening. We have dinner reservations at Tony's Town Square at 3:40 but I may try to make these later. After dinner, bring on the party! I plan on staying as long as the boys can possibly make it. The wonderful thing about having Gram there is someone-DH or Gram-can take anyone sleeping back to the room while the rest of us stay and party.

Saturday, September 20: DHS has early EMH which we plan on taking advantage of. Boys boys *love* Lightening McQueen so he's a must see for the day. The afternoon plans include moving to Epcot. We have dinner reservations at Coral Reef at 4:20 and the diver is scheduled to bring a message for DH from the boys and for DS3 from Crush himself!

Sunday, September 21: Time to go back to reality. This day's totally open right now. We may go back to the parks or to DTD or hit the outlets or something. Once I get a better idea of anything Gram may want to do, I'll have to move some things around I'm sure.

Well, that's the basics of the trip right now. I'll post pictures later so you can see how cute my boys are! I'll post later in more detail about each day and each of the things we're hoping to accomplsih each day. I'll also make sure to keep up on what's going into the birthday baskets.

Have a wonderful evening. I hope I haven't bored you to death and you'll join for the updates!

 

[Leonsmom]

This is my first attempt at a pre-trip (or trip) report but thought I would give it a shot...

I am with you! Great start!
I just started my own first ever PTR too.
We have alot of simular traits.

I guess the title currently says it all. I am a plan-aholic! I must plan everything we're going to do, how long it's going to be, who's doing what and how they'll react. Ok, maybe not the reaction but if I plan well, the reaction should be good right?

Did I mention that we have alot of simular traits?

Reason for Trip: You need a reason??? We're actually going on this trip to celebrate DS's 4th birthday and DH's 31st birthday.

We are going to celebrate DS's 6th Bday

Me- I love planning and just seeing the expression on all of their faces the entire time. I'm a "wannabe" photographer so I'll take a million pictures while I'm there to remember every second!

Me Too! Big time!

So that brings us to now....I *love* holidays, especially ones that I can decorate for so Halloween and Christmas are at the top of my list. I'd read on the Dis boards about MNSSHP and MVMCP. I knew I *had* to go to these parties!

Long lost sisters????

As mentioned previously, we're celebrating DH and DS's birthdays on this trip. Many surprises will unfold during our trip and I can't wait to see every magical moment!
Arrival Wednesday, September 17 at Disney hopefully around 9:00 at night. Upon check in, DH and DS will find (or get delivered) birthday baskets from Mickey Mouse! I'm working with a lady named Betsy (http://memoriesbybetsy.com/Memories_by_Betsy/Welcome.html) to have this arranged. I'm so excited. We've already been in touch about what to include in the baskets and things like that. I'm also going to be mailing her the t-shirts that I make for our group! It's going to be so great!!

Great minds think alike! I am doing the same thing, only I am putting it together myself based on a photo I saw on the Disney florist website. And DS5 won't recieve it at checkin. I have to keep it hidden for the first two days since his bday falls on our third day. Don't forget to have Mickey call your room and wish DS Happy Birthday. What are you including in your basket?

DS3 has an appointment at BBB at 3:40 to get a "Cool Dude" for MNSSHP that evening.

I was thinking of doing either this or the Harmony Barber Shop. Be sure to take pictures. I'd love to see them

I'll post pictures later so you can see how cute my boys are!

I can't wait to see more pictures, and hear more about your plans

 

[Princesskeyblade]

Subbing

You're trip sounds like a blast. And I can not wait to hear all about your plans!

 

[newtodis]

I am with you! Great start!
I just started my own first ever PTR too.
We have alot of simular traits.
Did I mention that we have alot of simular traits?
We are going to celebrate DS's 6th Bday
Me Too! Big time!
Long lost sisters????
Great minds think alike! I am doing the same thing, only I am putting it together myself based on a photo I saw on the Disney florist website. And DS5 won't recieve it at checkin. I have to keep it hidden for the first two days since his bday falls on our third day. Don't forget to have Mickey call your room and wish DS Happy Birthday. What are you including in your basket?
I was thinking of doing either this or the Harmony Barber Shop. Be sure to take pictures. I'd love to see them
I can't wait to see more pictures, and hear more about your plans

Thanks so very much!! I'm certainly going to check your PTR out too! We're going to dinner at a friend's house tonight so I'm going to be a day behind from the start! That's pretty bad huh? Depending on how early we get home, I might be able to get the pictures up tonight. If not tonight, tomorrow for sure!

Subbing

You're trip sounds like a blast. And I can not wait to hear all about your plans!

Thanks so much! Hopefully it's going to be wonderful. I try so very hard to make sure everyone has such a wonderful trip-the planning is my "fun" part.

DS3 keeps telling me (especially when he's in some major trouble) "Mommy, I'm going to let you be a princess." He knows how to win a girl's heart over!

Ok off to finish up packing our stuff to go over for dinner. More tonight or possibly tomorrow! I seriously think I'm addicted to the dis boards...how do people plan trips without them??

 

[Leonsmom]

Thanks so very much!! I'm certainly going to check your PTR out too! We're going to dinner at a friend's house tonight so I'm going to be a day behind from the start! That's pretty bad huh? Depending on how early we get home, I might be able to get the pictures up tonight. If not tonight, tomorrow for sure!




Thanks so much! Hopefully it's going to be wonderful. I try so very hard to make sure everyone has such a wonderful trip-the planning is my "fun" part.

DS3 keeps telling me (especially when he's in some major trouble) "Mommy, I'm going to let you be a princess." He knows how to win a girl's heart over!

Ok off to finish up packing our stuff to go over for dinner. More tonight or possibly tomorrow! I seriously think I'm addicted to the dis boards...how do people plan trips without them??

Thanks for "dropping in on my PTR", don't worry about being behind... i am a few days behind myself.
Oh My Gosh - How cute is your DS!!! You have to write that down! Kids just say the cutest things. I used to write everything down...(in a photo blog - so I would always have it to look back on) but I have slacked off. You just reminded me I should start doing that again.
Hi, My name is Jill, and I too am a DISaholic.

 

[newtodis]

Ok for some reason my wireless internet works completely fine but my "real" computer won't connect to the internet. I'll have to do a little bribing with DH (maybe some time with his xbox) to get that taken care of.

I'm also in the middle of a mini-meltdown as DH's mom, aunt, uncle and grandmother are coming to visit in 7 days. Yes 7 days people....is my house clean enough? Are my kids clean enough? Am I clean enough? Hurry-scrub the floor, windows, walls, tables, cupboards, children and any other possible surface in the house!

Yes I know all of those aren't *that* important. But coming from my family, being "wanted" and feeling like I have to *earn* people's love is just part of being me. So here I am, scrubbing the heck out of every square inch of my house....wait! It's not my house yet. We're still only renting it. More on that tyraid later I'm sure!

So with DH's family being in town for 4 days-I know it doesn't sound like much-I have lots to plan for that as well. Next Thursday since I only work part time (20 hours a week), I'll be at work in the morning and *begging* my nanny to try and keep the demon spawn, err I mean children, clean and outside as to not distroy too much. We're having about 30 people over to our house for a cookout. Then Friday, it's all me with the relatives while DH's at work. Saturday we're heading to Charleston for the day with fun things like a dolphin tour to a "private" island with a lighthouse to go shelling. Sunday we're having brunch at Paula Dean's restraunt in Savannah before the family starts their drive back.

So yeah, I basically have the plans down for that trip. I've just been focusing on the cleaning and making Mother's Day presents for DH's mom. My mom's will be in the mail (hopefully) soon! Good thing we have a terrible post office here to blame it on!

So, back to the Disney trip. Now that Gram's "looking into" her vacation time and will more than likely be going with us, there's more pressure to have a wonderful vacation. I spent some time on the DISign board making a few requests for some names to hopefully print out and put on shirts or shorts.

As part of my controlling nature, I will plan out what everyone's wearing every day. Last trip, I bought the boys matching outfits from Walmart to wear each day. We always take a picture in the morning of the boys "just in case". I have a terrible fear that something will happen to one of them and try to be prepared for any situation and just wind up with extra pictures of the boys!

So, once the time gets closer, I'll invest in some transfer paper and start making the shirts and accessories for the trip! DH's going to be totally shocked by this as he's getting used to me laying out his clothes like the boys but he doesn't much like it. Oh well, it's Disney darn it and if I make shirts, you're going to wear them pal! For the most part he does very well and doesn't complain too much.

I'm also working on my "looks" to make sure DH knows what I'm trying to say without saying a word to him. This is vital for us while we're at Disney. Occasionally a bit of a story may need to be told to keep our day running as smoothly as possible. DH may have a different answer and it's very important that he has the "shut up" look down pat as to not ruin Mommy's story.

Ok I'm off to try and get some sleep. I ate some mac and cheese-seriously like five bites-for dinner last night while we were out with friends and didn't take my medicine. When we got home I forgot about it...boy I didn't forget at midnight when I woke up with terrible stomach craps and was up for a couple of hours wishing I would die. Won't forget my stomach medicine again! Hopefully tonight I can stop worrying about how I'm going to get the house spotless in one week and keep it that way with two boys and get some much needed sleep.

Have a wonderful evening!

 

[newtodis]

Sorry...I've been cleaning like crazy for those inlaws! I'm "supposed" to be working right now but who can work when they're planning a WDW trip??

Today I'm going to focus on the birthday surprises. Right now, there are only a few planned but I'm working on more to make this trip super special!

Birthday Baskets: I found a reccomendadtion from another dis'er on another board for http://memoriesbybetsy.com. I emailed her one afternoon looking for just some generic suggestions thinking it would be way out of the budget. She was back to me right away with several different options and prices that actually worked into the budget! We've been going back and forth for a little while now trying to "perfect" each basket. I'm also able to send her some things to include in the basket. I'm debating on having the shirts that I'm making with some DISigns from the Creative board sent to her to be dropped off at the hotel.

Anyhow, so far for the baskets I have the following things:
DH- birthday button, baseball cap, ESPN trivia book, arcade card and refillable drink mug.
DS- birthday button, Cars plush, 2 trading pins (probably Cars and Nemo), Cars pull back racers and Nemo light spinner.

I'm still going to keep an eye out here for things that I may find along the way-special hat, sunglasses, bag for the parks, something like that. I don't want it to be too much stuff, but I don't want just a bunch of junk in there either.

I might also have her get a refillable mug for DMIL and myself-still debating on this! (I'm also still debating on "upgrading" our dining plan to the deluxe plan-more on that later) For now, it will just be the two baskets for the birthday boys.

Currently, on all of our ADRs, in addition to Corbin's massive list of (18 in total!) allergies, I also have their birthdays listed. I'm hoping they at least get a nice "Happy Birthday" from the characters while we're at the charater meals. I have very low expectations so that I won't be let down. Corbin obviously doesn't know that they're going to do any of this so it's all going to be wonderful for him. DH doesn't know many of the surprises so it's going to be great to see his reaction as well. My TR will have TONS of pictures!

Also, at Coral Reef, the boys will be getting personalized menus and signs in the tank with Corbin's being from Crush and DH's from his boys. Should be super great-especially with DMIL there. I have all of the contact info to send the pictures to but am holding off to make sure that I have some current pictures in there to include on the menu. DH knows that there's going to be a sign for Corbin, but knows nothing about the menus or sign for him. This is my favorite part of occasions-I *love* the reactions. After this meal I've already ordered a chocolate cake for us to share.

I'm one of those people who spends months shopping for the "perfect" gift for birthday or Christmas. I love seeing that person's face when they open their gift or card or get to the location of the surprise. That's worth more than anything for me. Now, DH doesn't trust me very much and I'm sure knows that I'm up to something for this trip. He turned 30 last summer and was thrown a total surprise party! I had him convinced that we were renting a tent, tables, chairs, ect for a cookout at our house. We went to a nearby garden for some family pictures then to a park to let the boys get out and run around. At the park, it just so happened that about 30 of his family and friends were there too! He seriously had no clue about it and it was great! Even Corbin still talks about the "baseball party" almost a year later. (After the park, we went to a baseball game as a group-hence the "baseball party" name) So now I have a big reputation to live up to.

I also want to have the character (Mickey) call our room and wish the boys happy birthday while we're there. Corbin will *love* this!

Now being a "birthday boy" at Disney in our family will also get you some other special privilidges such as choosing the place to stop for a snack, what ride we go on first or what counter service location we stop at. I know this will really make Corbin feel important. He loves to pick things and helps his Mommy a lot with the planning-picking out rides from the customized maps I ordered or looking at the pictures in the planning guides. There will also be some other "down time" that the birthday boys will be able to pick some activities-more pool time, arcade time, park time, things like that. I'm normally a pretty crazy planner but am trying to lay off a little bit on this trip.

I'm very much a list maker and have a WDW book that Corbin calls the "No Touch Book" because I tell the baby "no touch" In that is everything that I have planned for this trip or our December trip and everything that still needs to be done for this trip especially. Here's the basic list of what to do:

Things still to be done for the trip:
Plan costumes for MNSSHP
Order MNSSHP tickets
Add Gram to room
Decide about upgrading dining plan
Update packing list
Finalize ADRs and make any additional ones that are needed
Make grocery list of things to pack for snacks/drinks
Make shirts to wear at park
Confirm basket order/delivery
Confirm trip details with WDW
Make photo shoot reservations at Poly
Finish planning birthday surprises
Finish making autograph books (clipboards are already done)

Ok back to work for a little while-it's almost time to go back home and finish cleaning the house again. Yippee!!

 

[newtodis]

So sorry for the double post!!

 

[devonsmommy]

Hopping on board to read your report!

I'm hoping to get some ideas! I also am a major planner and have just started my own report.

Good luck with the planning!

 

[newtodis]

Hopping on board to read your report!

I'm hoping to get some ideas! I also am a major planner and have just started my own report.

Good luck with the planning!

Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to give you some! Once the in laws leave, I'm going to start posting what we're planning on doing every day so I can start filling in some of the blank spots.

 

[newtodis]

Ok in laws on their way...I probably won't be able to post this weekend. Goal for next week-post pictures and more details!!

Have a wonderful weekend

 

[Leonsmom]

Is my house clean enough? Are my kids clean enough? Am I clean enough? Hurry-scrub the floor, windows, walls, tables, cupboards, children and any other possible surface in the house!
Yes I know all of those aren't *that* important. But coming from my family, being "wanted" and feeling like I have to *earn* people's love is just part of being me. So here I am, scrubbing the heck out of every square inch of my house....wait!

WE ARE SOOOOO SISTERS!!!!

So with DH's family being in town for 4 days-I know it doesn't sound like much-I have lots to plan for that as well. Next Thursday since I only work part time (20 hours a week), I'll be at work in the morning and *begging* my nanny to try and keep the demon spawn, err I mean children, clean and outside as to not distroy too much. We're having about 30 people over to our house for a cookout. Then Friday, it's all me with the relatives while DH's at work. Saturday we're heading to Charleston for the day with fun things like a dolphin tour to a "private" island with a lighthouse to go shelling. Sunday we're having brunch at Paula Dean's restraunt in Savannah before the family starts their drive back.

Sounds awesome .... can I come?

As part of my controlling nature, I will plan out what everyone's wearing every day.

Ditto!
Disney had a $5.00 Graphic Tees Sale last week and I bought matching Mickey shirts. Of course I will be making a few too from the various designers. Actually, I am waiting for someone to offer to makle them for me - I am allergic to ironing

So, once the time gets closer, I'll invest in some transfer paper and start making the shirts and accessories for the trip! DH's going to be totally shocked by this as he's getting used to me laying out his clothes like the boys but he doesn't much like it. Oh well, it's Disney darn it and if I make shirts, you're going to wear them pal! For the most part he does very well and doesn't complain too much.

DH's ....long lost brothers???????

I'm also working on my "looks" to make sure DH knows what I'm trying to say without saying a word to him. This is vital for us while we're at Disney. Occasionally a bit of a story may need to be told to keep our day running as smoothly as possible. DH may have a different answer and it's very important that he has the "shut up" look down pat as to not ruin Mommy's story.

okay so does that actually work for you? Cause my DH just doesn't get it!

Today I'm going to focus on the birthday surprises. Right now, there are only a few planned but I'm working on more to make this trip super special!

Birthday Baskets: I found a reccomendadtion from another dis'er on another board for http://memoriesbybetsy.com. I emailed her one afternoon looking for just some generic suggestions thinking it would be way out of the budget. She was back to me right away with several different options and prices that actually worked into the budget! We've been going back and forth for a little while now trying to "perfect" each basket. I'm also able to send her some things to include in the basket. I'm debating on having the shirts that I'm making with some DISigns from the Creative board sent to her to be dropped off at the hotel.
Anyhow, so far for the baskets I have the following things:
DH- birthday button, baseball cap, ESPN trivia book, arcade card and refillable drink mug.
DS- birthday button, Cars plush, 2 trading pins (probably Cars and Nemo), Cars pull back racers and Nemo light spinner.

I'm still going to keep an eye out here for things that I may find along the way-special hat, sunglasses, bag for the parks, something like that. I don't want it to be too much stuff, but I don't want just a bunch of junk in there either.

I might also have her get a refillable mug for DMIL and myself-still debating on this! (I'm also still debating on "upgrading" our dining plan to the deluxe plan-more on that later) For now, it will just be the two baskets for the birthday boys.

This sounds great! I like the refillable mug idea. Does she go to the resorts to pick them up? I have my stuff for my baskets all picked out (and adding more each day - Help I can't stop)

I'm one of those people who spends months shopping for the "perfect" gift for birthday or Christmas. I love seeing that person's face when they open their gift or card or get to the location of the surprise. That's worth more than anything for me.

I am the same way. I've become the designated shopper for my family. The reactions are always the best part.

Now being a "birthday boy" at Disney in our family will also get you some other special privilidges such as choosing the place to stop for a snack, what ride we go on first or what counter service location we stop at. I know this will really make Corbin feel important. He loves to pick things and helps his Mommy a lot with the planning-picking out rides from the customized maps I ordered or looking at the pictures in the planning guides. There will also be some other "down time" that the birthday boys will be able to pick some activities-more pool time, arcade time, park time, things like that. I'm normally a pretty crazy planner but am trying to lay off a little bit on this trip.

Yeah the planner in me won't let me give over too much control.
But I do have some things I am planning that will make DS think it's his idea.

I'm very much a list maker and have a WDW book that Corbin calls the "No Touch Book" because I tell the baby "no touch" In that is everything that I have planned for this trip or our December trip and everything that still needs to be done for this trip especially.

Listmaker here too! I even put things on the list I've already done just so i can have the satisfaction of crossing it out.
So... when are you going to PTR the Dec trip??

 

[newtodis]

WE ARE SOOOOO SISTERS!!!!

LOL I'm really starting to realize this!

Sounds awesome .... can I come?

You're more than welcome! They're gone now but it was a blast!! The *only* bad part was the baby got sunburned on his face so bad it blistered My sunblock didn't work too well...but he's fine-never even bothered him!

Ditto!
Disney had a $5.00 Graphic Tees Sale last week and I bought matching Mickey shirts. Of course I will be making a few too from the various designers. Actually, I am waiting for someone to offer to makle them for me - I am allergic to ironing

I wish we had a Disney store closer to us!! I miss ours up north. I always happened upon such great deals! I offered on your dis-ign thread...you made me my disign, I'm more than happy to. Will iron for dis-igns!

DH's ....long lost brothers???????

He's a stubborn old goat but I'm working on him!

okay so does that actually work for you? Cause my DH just doesn't get it!

It's starting to! I got lots of practice over the weekend "yelling" at him without saying anything. Not that I would *ever* have anything to yell at him for!

This sounds great! I like the refillable mug idea. Does she go to the resorts to pick them up? I have my stuff for my baskets all picked out (and adding more each day - Help I can't stop)

Yup she goes to Disney to pick everything up and asked if I wanted the resort specific mug so that should be cool! I've already added stuff to the order! I saw a very cute tote bag for only $10 if you spend $40 (which I totally did a couple times over!) So I just *had* to get one since I've been looking for a nice one and just can't find one. And since DMIL is going, I had to get her one too....then I started thinking about the baby. Everyone else is getting something and he's not? That's just not fair at all! So I had to get him a little something too!!!! Just don't tell DH!

I am the same way. I've become the designated shopper for my family. The reactions are always the best part.

Yeah that's the part that I just love. I'm really struggling with this year...I'm on the fence for Christmas to buy everyone gift cards to use towards a trip to come visit us or gift baskets of stuff from here...I've really got to make up my mind soon so I can start shopping!

Yeah the planner in me won't let me give over too much control.
But I do have some things I am planning that will make DS think it's his idea.

Yeah I was thinking about that too...sneaking some stuff in there-options that I'll like whatever he chooses! Or telling him "since you like such and such, we're going to do this now!"

Listmaker here too! I even put things on the list I've already done just so i can have the satisfaction of crossing it out.
So... when are you going to PTR the Dec trip??

I *so* do the same thing!!!

Yeah I'm thinking I should probably do one for the Dec trip too...There's not going to be nearly the fun stuff since I won't plan baskets in the room for myself or anything like that. Just for the baby on that trip. Probably basket in the room for DS1 (will be 2 then) and something small for DH and DS3 (will be 4 then) since they all got something this time. DH and I just started talking yesterday about asking my mom to come along and as her Christmas/birthday gift we would fly her down here or right down to Disney. Still not sure about this one....It'd be nice for her to come but I don't want to spend my vacation with her...not nice I know.

 

[newtodis]

Today I'm going to focus on the birthday surprises. Right now, there are only a few planned but I'm working on more to make this trip super special!

Birthday Baskets: I found a reccomendadtion from another dis'er on another board for http://memoriesbybetsy.com. I emailed her one afternoon looking for just some generic suggestions thinking it would be way out of the budget. She was back to me right away with several different options and prices that actually worked into the budget! We've been going back and forth for a little while now trying to "perfect" each basket. I'm also able to send her some things to include in the basket. I'm debating on having the shirts that I'm making with some DISigns from the Creative board sent to her to be dropped off at the hotel.

Anyhow, so far for the baskets I have the following things:
DH- birthday button, baseball cap, ESPN trivia book, arcade card and refillable drink mug.
DS- birthday button, Cars plush, 2 trading pins (probably Cars and Nemo), Cars pull back racers and Nemo light spinner.

I might also have her get a refillable mug for DMIL and myself-still debating on this! (I'm also still debating on "upgrading" our dining plan to the deluxe plan-more on that later) For now, it will just be the two baskets for the birthday boys.

I'm very much a list maker and have a WDW book that Corbin calls the "No Touch Book" because I tell the baby "no touch" In that is everything that I have planned for this trip or our December trip and everything that still needs to be done for this trip especially. Here's the basic list of what to do:

Things still to be done for the trip:
Plan costumes for MNSSHP
Order MNSSHP tickets
Add Gram to room
Decide about upgrading dining plan
Update packing list
Finalize ADRs and make any additional ones that are needed
Make grocery list of things to pack for snacks/drinks
Make shirts to wear at park
Confirm basket order/delivery
Confirm trip details with WDW
Make photo shoot reservations at Poly
Finish planning birthday surprises
Finish making autograph books (clipboards are already done)

Ok back to work for a little while-it's almost time to go back home and finish cleaning the house again. Yippee!!

Ok this is basically where we left off. In laws are safely back in MI now so I can continue with the Disney planning! It was a wonderful visit while they were here. I'll post a couple of pictures when I get home. Tonight's goal is to set up a photobucket account. Hopefully I'll figure it out. Thursday morning, DH dropped off a beach bag full of goodies and a tray of cookies to be put in the hotel room for them. (that's something I do for all of our visitors!) Thursday night's cookout was great. Friday we went to the beach-it was a little windy but everyone had a good time. We also did some shopping. Saturday we went to Charleston and everyone except DH and his grandma went on a dolphing tour. We saw dolphins and sharks-it was really cool! We also went shelling and found tons of cool shells, sand dollars and 2 star fish. DH and his grandma went on a bus tour while we were out. DH left my van in (a non-marked) non-parking spot and I came back to a nice ticket on my windshield. Lucky me! Then we went to lunch and on a carriage tour. Sunday we went to Paula Deen's restraunt in Savannah, GA and did a bit more shopping before sending them on their way.

Ok back to Disney...I was browsing around the gift basket site and found a very cute canvas bag that I fell in love with and it was only $15 on the website! When I emailed Batsy about it, she said it was only $10!! That's even better! So DMIL and I are getting new bags on our trip! With DS1 being the only one not getting anything, I picked out some Cars squirt toys for him! DH cannot see the total for this. The look of the boys alone will be worth the price and to see DMIL's face that Mickey left her something too will be great! So with those additions, I have to be finished shopping for baskets on this trip unless I see something around here that's a really good deal! I have to leave something for the next trip right??

So with the baskets taken care of (hopefully), I can move on to the rest of the planning. I asked DH to give DMIL a deadline of when for 100% she's going to give us an answer. He agreed to this week. Once I confirm 100% she's going, I have to call and switch *all* of our ADRs. I don't even want to try to take this on if something happened and she's not able to come with the MNSSHP and everything going on.

I activated my Disney Visa yesterday and put it to work earning points by eating out last night! It was a bit of a hard sell:

Me: We need to start using this (Disney Visa) to start earning our Disney dollars
DH: Yeah I know.
Me: Great! Corbin would you like a special treat for dinner?
DH: What?!?
Me: Gotta start earning the points!

Now no we won't do that all the time but I paid bills yesterday and didn't even think to pay them all on that card and just pay the card off. DUH!! I also paid off two other credit cards yesterday-one left plus whatever we put on the Disney Visa. WOOHOO!!!

I've also decided that if DMIL's able to come on our trip, we'll do a photopass photoshoot while we're there. I'll schedule it for early one morning (I believe the earliest they do anything is 8 am which is fine by me). Now that they've added the Poly, that's cool. I read that they're going to add AKL which I would love too!

I also joined TGM (Tour Guide Mike) last night. Haven't had a lot of time to look at it but it looks like there's a lot of information there that I'll be able to sift through and hopefully put to good use! DMIL will be amazed by my park knowledge and planning!

Tonight when I get home I'm going to post my plans before and after TGM. I'm curious to see what the differences are.

I'm also looking for costume ideas. I'm thinking DH will be pirate-ish and I'll do something princess-y since DS3 tells me that I am a princess! Gotta love that kid! I found some cute clip art/DIS-igns that I may just make shirts for the boys too...I'll make the shirts either way probably to have a back up in case something happens to the costume or they get tired of it.

**Something else you should know about me-I always pack like I may never see my house again! DH absolutely loves this about me until he actually needs something out of the 30 pound diaper bag! We have extra everything! If you're in the park, see us and need something, come on up and ask! I probably have it!

Corbin's been talking a lot more about his last trip (his first trip)-especially while the family was here. He told them all about how he saw Lightening McQueen and Mater and they tooted at him when he was done. He said he was going to wake up Carter next time so he didn't sleep through it 'cause "it's too cool to miss again!" I love him!

He also very clearly remembers that we were waiting in line for Handy Manny and he left and was replaced by JoJo and Goliath.

He told everyone the "Handy Manny is a bad man with bad manners". As much as he may be right, it's probably not something we should say around other little kids who don't think Manny's quite as evil! Corbin also has his sights set on talking to Crush on this trip. He's been practing his "Duuuuuuuude"'s for Crush. I plan on letting the CM at the door know when we get there about his birthday. I don't know that he'd actually talk to Crush anyways-he'll probably either stick out his toungue and spit or get up and run to me. At least we'll have the memory of it!

I also plan on taking the video camera and actually *using* it on this trip! I hauled it along last time and never even got it out. I would like to use it this time to have something for the boys to watch between trips.

Ok it's about time for me to take a lunch. When I get home tonight, I'm working on the photobucket process to get some pictures on here!

 

[newtodis]

I forgot to mention that DS1 had dr's appointment this morning and I had them measure DS3 just for fun. He's "officially" 42" tall!! He thinks he's so darn cool! Hopefully he'll hit a growth spurt before September!

 

[hurleysweety]

I'm in! Can't wait to read more about your surprises for birthdays! Sounds like a really fun time.

 

[newtodis]

We were predicted to have some bad weather last night. When I went to bed about 11 we could see some *very* bright lightening in the distance but the storm hadn't gotten to us yet. Needless to say, I didn't mess with the computer much with tornado warnings out there. So I set up the photobucket this morning and I'm adding pictures!!

I mentioned a couple of Corbin's favorite things from our last trip. Carter's by far was riding in the front of the monorail. He had his face smushed so far up there that he could hardly breathe. I can only imagine what the drivers we passed saw from the outside!

 

[newtodis]

I'm in! Can't wait to read more about your surprises for birthdays! Sounds like a really fun time.

Thanks!! It should be lots of fun! We walked by the castle on our last trip and there was a show going on. Corbin heard them say something about "dreams come true" (the characters were chanting this). Now when I say something about going to Mickey's house, he starts chanting "dreams come true! dreams come true!" lol We could be a commercial for them sometimes!

Congrats on your Disneymoon!!! How exciting!

 

[Leonsmom]

You're more than welcome! They're gone now but it was a blast!! The *only* bad part was the baby got sunburned on his face so bad it blistered My sunblock didn't work too well...but he's fine-never even bothered him!

Oh no! Poor baby! Did you check to see if your sunblock was expired? That happened to me last summer!

I wish we had a Disney store closer to us!! I miss ours up north. I always happened upon such great deals! I offered on your dis-ign thread...you made me my disign, I'm more than happy to. Will iron for dis-igns!

Oh Boy!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take you up on that offer!!! But somehow that doesn't seem like a fair deal . I am looking to make 24 shirts and some of them are double sided. - we gotta be all matchy -matchy!! I really REALLY appreiciate the offer but that is an awful lot to ask of someone.

Yup she goes to Disney to pick everything up and asked if I wanted the resort specific mug so that should be cool! I've already added stuff to the order! I saw a very cute tote bag for only $10 if you spend $40 (which I totally did a couple times over!) So I just *had* to get one since I've been looking for a nice one and just can't find one. And since DMIL is going, I had to get her one too....then I started thinking about the baby. Everyone else is getting something and he's not? That's just not fair at all! So I had to get him a little something too!!!! Just don't tell DH!

You could do the tink thing. Many people leave a little gift each day for someone special with a card that either says "Tink was here" or " You've been Tinked". Maybe each day a different person can get tinked, and don't forget yourself after all that makes it believable . Rumblytumbly has cut cards she made for that in her photobucket. And this way DH can't get upset cause it wasn't you - it was Tink!!!

I'm really struggling with this year...I'm on the fence for Christmas to buy everyone gift cards to use towards a trip to come visit us or gift baskets of stuff from here...I've really got to make up my mind soon so I can start shopping!

I usually don't like to give gift cards (although some people just can't be pleased so the easiest thing is a gift card - think my SIL) but I think in this case it's more personal because it's a gift of time spent with family.
I will have my own Christmas dilema this year. Usually I do most if not all my shopping on Black Friday. I save tons of money that way. But this year I will be on a plane arriving in MCO on Black Friday. So that means shopping BEFORE we go on our trip. I will be hard pressed to be seperated from my money. Every penny I gat is going towards this trip.

Yeah I'm thinking I should probably do one for the Dec trip too...There's not going to be nearly the fun stuff since I won't plan baskets in the room for myself or anything like that. Just for the baby on that trip. Probably basket in the room for DS1 (will be 2 then) and something small for DH and DS3 (will be 4 then) since they all got something this time.

Tink em'

DH and I just started talking yesterday about asking my mom to come along and as her Christmas/birthday gift we would fly her down here or right down to Disney. Still not sure about this one....It'd be nice for her to come but I don't want to spend my vacation with her...not nice I know.

Okay as your self-appointed Cyber-sister, DON'T DO IT!!
If you do, just go in to it knowing it is not going to be the same kind of WDW vacation as you are used to. I am sure you will still have a nice time for the most part. I don't mean to assume here, BUT if your mom is half as bad as mine you may need to lower your expectations quite a bit. Then again what do I know. I promised my mom that the next time we go she can come too, which means I have to invite the IL's at the same time. This way I can keep the peace and go insane at the same time

Thursday morning, DH dropped off a beach bag full of goodies and a tray of cookies to be put in the hotel room for them. (that's something I do for all of our visitors!)

I do the same thing!! What a surprise!

Thursday night's cookout was great. Friday we went to the beach-it was a little windy but everyone had a good time. We also did some shopping. Saturday we went to Charleston and everyone except DH and his grandma went on a dolphing tour. We saw dolphins and sharks-it was really cool! We also went shelling and found tons of cool shells, sand dollars and 2 star fish. DH and his grandma went on a bus tour while we were out. DH left my van in (a non-marked) non-parking spot and I came back to a nice ticket on my windshield. Lucky me! Then we went to lunch and on a carriage tour. Sunday we went to Paula Deen's restraunt in Savannah, GA and did a bit more shopping before sending them on their way.

Sounds like so much fun

Ok back to Disney...I was browsing around the gift basket site and found a very cute canvas bag that I fell in love with and it was only $15 on the website! When I emailed Batsy about it, she said it was only $10!! That's even better! So DMIL and I are getting new bags on our trip! With DS1 being the only one not getting anything, I picked out some Cars squirt toys for him! DH cannot see the total for this.

THINK ,THINK ,THINK

The look of the boys alone will be worth the price and to see DMIL's face that Mickey left her something too will be great! So with those additions, I have to be finished shopping for baskets on this trip unless I see something around here that's a really good deal! I have to leave something for the next trip right??

I have so much stuff for DS it isn't funny.... but I can't stop myself. I plan on posting the list of what I have so far (with pics) in my PTR soon.

I'll schedule it for early one morning (I believe the earliest they do anything is 8 am which is fine by me). Now that they've added the Poly, that's cool. I read that they're going to add AKL which I would love too!

I am doing this too. Are you pre-ordering the CD?

I also joined TGM (Tour Guide Mike) last night. Haven't had a lot of time to look at it but it looks like there's a lot of information there that I'll be able to sift through and hopefully put to good use! DMIL will be amazed by my park knowledge and planning!

I love TGM - My only problem is I am waiting for park hours/schedules to be released so I can plan my days. Nov & Dec are still not in!!

I'm also looking for costume ideas. I'm thinking DH will be pirate-ish and I'll do something princess-y since DS3 tells me that I am a princess! Gotta love that kid! I found some cute clip art/DIS-igns that I may just make shirts for the boys too...I'll make the shirts either way probably to have a back up in case something happens to the costume or they get tired of it.

Too bad we don't live closer - I have the perfect Pirate family costume set.
I love costumes. Especially peiceing together my own

**Something else you should know about me-I always pack like I may never see my house again! DH absolutely loves this about me until he actually needs something out of the 30 pound diaper bag! We have extra everything! If you're in the park, see us and need something, come on up and ask! I probably have it!

SCS!!!! (= SO CYBER SISTERS) - DH calls my bags (and I have many "The Black Hole of Abundance"

Corbin's been talking a lot more about his last trip (his first trip)-especially while the family was here. He told them all about how he saw Lightening McQueen and Mater and they tooted at him when he was done. He said he was going to wake up Carter next time so he didn't sleep through it 'cause "it's too cool to miss again!" I love him!
He also very clearly remembers that we were waiting in line for Handy Manny and he left and was replaced by JoJo and Goliath.
He told everyone the "Handy Manny is a bad man with bad manners". Corbin also has his sights set on talking to Crush on this trip. He's been practing his "Duuuuuuuude"'s for Crush. I plan on letting the CM at the door know when we get there about his birthday. I don't know that he'd actually talk to Crush anyways-he'll probably either stick out his toungue and spit or get up and run to me. At least we'll have the memory of it!

Too Cute! Isn't it amazing how much kids remamber a whole year later?

I also plan on taking the video camera and actually *using* it on this trip! I hauled it along last time and never even got it out. I would like to use it this time to have something for the boys to watch between trips.

I was debating on whether or not to take ours... Ours is ancient (10 years old) Read LARGE

Ok it's about time for me to take a lunch. When I get home tonight, I'm working on the photobucket process to get some pictures on here!

YEA!! PICTURES!!! The are great - You've got a beautiful family.
Oh yeah and Hooray for you you made it to page two

I mentioned a couple of Corbin's favorite things from our last trip. Carter's by far was riding in the front of the monorail. He had his face smushed so far up there that he could hardly breathe. I can only imagine what the drivers we passed saw from the outside!

 

[newtodis]

Oh no! Poor baby! Did you check to see if your sunblock was expired? That happened to me last summer!

I only used the spray kind since I was in a hurry. And since we were on a boat, he couldn't wear his hat. It's almost gone now thank goodness!

Oh Boy!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take you up on that offer!!! But somehow that doesn't seem like a fair deal . I am looking to make 24 shirts and some of them are double sided. - we gotta be all matchy -matchy!! I really REALLY appreiciate the offer but that is an awful lot to ask of someone.

I'm so serious-If you need help, PM me. I really don't mind at all! I'm going to be doing at least 20 shirts myself, what's a few more!


You could do the tink thing. Many people leave a little gift each day for someone special with a card that either says "Tink was here" or " You've been Tinked". Maybe each day a different person can get tinked, and don't forget yourself after all that makes it believable . Rumblytumbly has cut cards she made for that in her photobucket. And this way DH can't get upset cause it wasn't you - it was Tink!!!

I love this idea! I just may have to pick up a few other things!

I usually don't like to give gift cards (although some people just can't be pleased so the easiest thing is a gift card - think my SIL) but I think in this case it's more personal because it's a gift of time spent with family.
I will have my own Christmas dilema this year. Usually I do most if not all my shopping on Black Friday. I save tons of money that way. But this year I will be on a plane arriving in MCO on Black Friday. So that means shopping BEFORE we go on our trip. I will be hard pressed to be seperated from my money. Every penny I gat is going towards this trip.

A lot of stuff you can get on line! I was in the hospital last year and that's when I do a lot of my shopping too. Also try bfads.net (I think!) They list out the best sales and what you can buy on line early or when the on line sales start!

Tink em'


Okay as your self-appointed Cyber-sister, DON'T DO IT!!
If you do, just go in to it knowing it is not going to be the same kind of WDW vacation as you are used to. I am sure you will still have a nice time for the most part. I don't mean to assume here, BUT if your mom is half as bad as mine you may need to lower your expectations quite a bit. Then again what do I know. I promised my mom that the next time we go she can come too, which means I have to invite the IL's at the same time. This way I can keep the peace and go insane at the same time

Yeah it's going to be tough enough when she comes to visit!


I have so much stuff for DS it isn't funny.... but I can't stop myself. I plan on posting the list of what I have so far (with pics) in my PTR soon.

Can't wait to see the pictures! I'm sure it's all super cute!

I am doing this too. Are you pre-ordering the CD?

Yes we certainly are! I'm trying to figure it out so that I can only buy one cd for both trips but I'm sure we'll probaby end up getting two. They should have a buy 5 and get the 6th free or something!

I love TGM - My only problem is I am waiting for park hours/schedules to be released so I can plan my days. Nov & Dec are still not in!!

Sill trying to get the hang of it. Haven't had too much time to play on there but it looks like some good stuff!

Too bad we don't live closer - I have the perfect Pirate family costume set.
I love costumes. Especially peiceing together my own

Thanks! I think if we lived closer our neighborhood would be in trouble!


SCS!!!! (= SO CYBER SISTERS) - DH calls my bags (and I have many "The Black Hole of Abundance"



Too Cute! Isn't it amazing how much kids remamber a whole year later?

It blows me away! Hopefully he'll see Handy Manny this year and not tell him what he really thinks of him!


I was debating on whether or not to take ours... Ours is ancient (10 years old) Read LARGE

I took it last time-it's about 3 years old-and never used it. Think I was too caught up in Disney. Maybe I'll think about it this time especially with Grandma going.

YEA!! PICTURES!!! The are great - You've got a beautiful family.
Oh yeah and Hooray for you you made it to page two

Thanks so much!

Have a great day!