How do a Princess & Pirates go from Wilderness Lodge to a Disney Cruise PTR

[TxRabbit]

"A PRINCESS PARTY AT AKERSHUSH FOR 4 y.o. BOYS????" You say with astonishment in your tone. Why, Yes! And you never saw so happy and excited little boys to hear that they were going to have a PRINCESS PARTY for their birthday. At the time, they did not differentiate between "that's for boys and that's for girls." So to them, this was a great idea and they loved their Mommy for it.

Hi there! I just had to chime in here. My wonderful, beautimous son is now a big time second grader. He just turned 8. Our first trip to WDW was during his spring break in kindergarten. DH was in consulting at the time and so his schedule was erratic and totally dictated by clients. In February, we decided to plan an early March trip. I was so happy to find these boards!

Anyway, I had discovered that the coveted ADR to the castle would be hard to get, and thinking that my young man wouldn't be all that interested in princesses, I decided to not pursue it. But then I got to thinking Why wouldn't he interested in eating at the castle? When I asked him, sure enough, he says, are you kidding? Of course I do? I was blessed to get a lunch ADR with 3 weeks to go to our trip. He had the BEST time interacting with all the princesses. It was the HIGHLIGHT of his trip.

I just had to jump in here, I haven't read further yet. Enjoying it so far!

 

[TxRabbit]

How awesome that you are participating in the half marathon! What an achievement!

We are also staying at WL. I too am very excited. Looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi JMSAdams
Thanks for popping by. I saw by your signature that you were going to WL. Are you as excited as I am? Is it your first trip there?

How about our boys loving their Princesses!! I do not have a daughter, so that party may have been my only shot for playing Princess. Maybe that's why I signed up for the PRINCESS Half Marathon (unsolicited psychological advice freely given).

Speaking of Princess. Here is one photo of them with a Princess that I haven't posted yet. Check out the exchange with Cinderella...

Gotta luv those boys

 

[2BoysMom]

Sorry, duplicate post!

 

[TxRabbit]

Hi JMSAdams
Thanks for popping by. I saw by your signature that you were going to WL. Are you as excited as I am? Is it your first trip there?

It is my first trip to WL. I know this will sound funny...but I am on my way to getting excited. I was originally planning an extreme budget trip, and so I had gotten myself excited about a couple moderate resort options, which were barely more expensive than the values with the 4/3 deal. Sort of. Excited that is.

One of my favorite times in Disney is after DS goes to bed. Generally, DH and I sit on the balcony, enjoy some adult libation, adult conversation. It's our quiet time. We just talk and enjoy each other. I was really, REALLY missing that idea in the moderate resorts. When I orginally checked out WL, they still had a cheaper room catagory available, but when I switched our ressie, I had to get a more expensive room. So I'm spending a little more than I orginally wanted to...

But I am slowly getting over it and getting excited. Part of my frustration is the lack of park hours!!! I get more excited as I picture what I am doing, where I am going, and so this is really throwing off my groove! LOL.

Reading other people's experiences gets me excited too.

 

[2BoysMom]

But I am slowly getting over it and getting excited. Part of my frustration is the lack of park hours!!!

What do you mean lack of park hours?

 

[TxRabbit]

What do you mean lack of park hours?

I'd done know if it is because they changed the ADR window to 90 days, but there aren't park hours available past April. I don't know when they are open exactly, what days EMH are, etc etc. It's very frustrating.

The last time I planned a WDW vacation, the ADR window was 180 and they had the hours available way in advance because of that.

 

[2BoysMom]

I'd done know if it is because they changed the ADR window to 90 days, but there aren't park hours available past April. I don't know when they are open exactly, what days EMH are, etc etc. It's very frustrating.

The last time I planned a WDW vacation, the ADR window was 180 and they had the hours available way in advance because of that.

Huh wow, I have never heard of that.
Try not to stress though. I only made my early March reservations like a week or so ago and got EVERY ADR that I asked for, including 3 character meals. I just don't think Disney is getting the crowds they normally do b/c of the economy.

 

[TxRabbit]

Huh wow, I have never heard of that.
Try not to stress though. I only made my early March reservations like a week or so ago and got EVERY ADR that I asked for, including 3 character meals. I just don't think Disney is getting the crowds they normally do b/c of the economy.

Maybe. WL is SOLD OUT for my dates. So is Poly, CR, GF, and BWI (except for some club level rooms). I think there will be PLENTY of people around. Which is another reason why I'm not entirely sure about what to do about the DDP this time around. We did it on both of our trips before. But tips and appetizers were included. I'm not sure how many TS I really want this time. Especially dinner TS. I have a much easier time planning lunch and breakfast TS, and I'm not sure that the DDP is worth it for those meals. I have to do the analysis.

 

[DISNEYDUET]

OMG I could eat your boys up!!!! They are going to be heartbreakers. I just know it!

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi!!!

Great pre-trip report! DH is a twin, so when I'm reading your posts I can pretend I'm seeing what he and his brother were like when they were little (except with WAY more WDW trips!).

One of the ways that I have discovered to do that, particularly if we have to fly someplace with the boys, was to purchase a product called Ride On-Carry On.
It is a small chair that straps to your carry-on luggage, that transports your kids around in the airport.

This thing a FABULOUS!!! Do they make one for adults?

 

[2BoysMom]

YAY! I'm so touched that the great LurkyLoo has graced the pages of my PTR. All Hail LurkyLoo!

Hi!!!

This thing a FABULOUS!!! Do they make one for adults?

RIGHT!?! Well, if they did, I can certainly imagine a Root photo of your husband pulling you through LAX!

Thank you, really LL, for stopping by. You made my day.

PS: Does this remind anyone else of Guinness or is it just the Irish in me?

 

[carissanboys]

PS: Does this remind anyone else of Guinness or is it just the Irish in me?

Most definitely reminds me of Guinness (which happens to be my most favorite beverage).

 

[2BoysMom]

Most definitely reminds me of Guinness (which happens to be my most favorite beverage).

Ah, bless you. I knew we had a special connection.
And here's some good news: I heard recently, that if you are in a bar and want to order a beer, that Guinness is actually one of your better choices because it apparently has substantially fewer calories than traditional ales.

How's that for some news! Cheers!

 

[carissanboys]

Wow. I find that hard to believe! It's such a filling beer. I always joke it's like having a meal in itself.

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi Guys
I've learned something new today, and these items may have to be incorporated in my List of Firsts. Some of you may already know about these things, but for those who are reading and do not.... maybe I can help you reach RDE status! It's only the finest Disney fanatics, oops I mean ENTHUSIASTS that reach RDE.

It's about Photopass. I thought I already knew everything about Photopass, but check this out:
You can get something called Disney’s Photomovie! (Below is from the DisneyPhotopass.com website)

Combine your photos with Disney video scenes, music and interactions with the Disney characters in a unique photo DVd $74.95, additional copies $19.95

Include up to 7 themed chapters with as many as 112 pics. Use any combination of photopass, photogallery or your own uploaded pics.
Includes a bonuse full screen slide show set to Disney music
Running time depends on # of pics. Up to 28 min. long.​

2. You can preorder a photopass for $99.95, instead of $124.95

3. You can arrange for a 30 min. private photo shoot with a photopass photographer, if staying at one of the deluxe resorts. $74.95 vs. 149.95. 8 am until sunset.

How about that for some new ideas and for some Firsts. Check out the videomovie option on the website. I think it is really cool, and we will definitely do that for a trip this special!

 

[carissanboys]

I knew about number, and we'll never stay at a Deluxe (unless we become rich), but the first one is cool! I knew you could make a book, but not a movie! What a wonderful keepsake that would be. Thanks for the info.

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi Carissa-
Really. Check out the movie. When you go to the Photopass website, you can go to the videomovie option, and they have an "extended version" to show you what your video would look like.

It's MUCH cooler than I expected. I really think it might turn out to be a new tradition in our house, to get one of those for every trip. I know the kids would love to see themselves in a "movie" with the Disney characters, and then in the future, it will be a wonderful way to look back on family memories.

I think for a souvenir, one that won't be tossed in the garbage after a few months, it's really worth it.

As far as the family portrait thing... I'm not sure my vanity would let me do it unless I dropped more weight. But like you, we don't usually stay in a Deluxe. We are only able to do it this time, b/c of the 4/3 special.

 

[TxRabbit]

That is AWESOME info Donna! Thank you so much for posting it. I had no idea about any of it.

I'm going to have to check that out.

 

[2BoysMom]

As this is a PRE-TR, I am going to go ahead and type out my PRE-scheduling plans. I know that this is something NO ONE ELSE does on these boards, to actually plan out our days ahead of time...(is there a sarcasm smilie? )

Fri, March 6th Arrive at Disney hopefully around 4 or 5.
Pick up Race Packet before 7pm at race EXPO - WWS Complex
(THOUGHT: there is SHOPPING at the Expo, so I am hoping to have a little time to do a little shopping. You know I gotta..)
Do a Counter Service Meal that evening, maybe at WL
(THOUGHT: I've never been to WWS Complex, would there be food there?)

Sat. March 7th 8am - 1900 Park Fare Restaurant at GF - character breakfast
Magic Kingdom Day
5pm POR - pasta dinner - DIS Meet

Sun. March 8th 6:30am - Princess Half Marathon! done by 10 am
Resort day so I can recuperate
(THOUGHT: will there be a hot tub in my future???? )
5:10pm Whispering Canyon Cafe @ WL
(THOUGHT: have shy DH order ketchup, bouahaaaaaa )

Mon. March 9th 8:05am - Tusker House character breakfast @ AK
Early entry (!) Animal Kingdom Day

Tues. March 10th Open Day
A go with the flow, maybe putt-putt golf day, etc
7:40pm Chef Mickey's @ CR

Wed. March 11th Epcot Day
12:45 lunch at Le Cellier in Canada

Thurs. March 12th DHS Day - go to rope drop for Toy Story Ride
12:30 lunch at Sci Fi Dine In Theater
(THOUGHT: Will I try RR this time, to include it in my list of Firsts? I might have to for just that reason)
5:45pm Raglan Road date night with DH

Fri. March 13th Go Home Day
9:35am WCC for breakfast

That's it folks. What do you think? Those of you with DDP knowledge and experience, do you think the DDP is worth it based on my ADR's? I would really like your DDP feedback, as that would be another FIRST for me, we have never done the DDP before.