I have to wait HOW LONG to go back to Disney?!!!!

[elizablake]

At this time last year we were right in the middle of our trip to Disney. After a late night at EPCOT and a few too many drinks, we slept in a bit. We were worried about the crowds at EPCOT but when we arrived about 11:00 we were able to do everything we wanted including Soarin' and Turtle Talk.

Now these crowds we can handle :

We left EPCOT about 2:00 in hopes of catching the afternoon parade at HS.

Where the heck did all these people come from!:

We saw the parade, Playhouse Disney and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Then we rode Star Tours and had a quick dinner at ABC Commissary (yuck!)

We arrived at Fantasmic! 45 mins early. As we were walking in the CMs were announcing that it was standing room only. Luckily there were a few seats left but DD had to sit on my lap....for 45 mins....and I didn't bring anything to entertain her. She was being so good that I let her buy a $15 light up toy (that I could have gotten at the $1 store). We still have it, the stickers have fallen off and it barely lights up anymore but I refuse to throw it away until we get $15 worth of enjoyment out of it.

I took this photo right after we sat down.

The show was totally worth it!

Run Mickey Run!

 

[elizablake]

One year ago today we were at Hollywood Studios. We made it to the park before rope drop. DD rode Toy Story Mania 3 times! She loved it. DH and I both got to ride TOT and RRC. We saw Beauty and Beast and ate lunch at Hollywood and Vine.

After an afternoon break, we went to Downtown Disney for shopping and desert. We got treats to go from Goofy's Candy Co.

 

[elizablake]

One year ago today we had an awesome day at the Magic Kingdom. We saw the opening ceremony. Rode Dumbo, TTA, and several other rides. We met tons of characters including the Faries. We took an afternoon break and returned after dinner and enjoyed an empty Fantasyland. We watched Wishes from Fantasyland as well. It was one of the best days of our trip.

 

[elizablake]

The last two days of our trip last year were super busy. We didn't even take afternoon breaks. On the 15th, we started at EPCOT and hopped to the MK.

On the 16th, we started at HS and hopped to the MK. We had lunch at Rainforest Cafe. We saw Wishes one last time. Our last ride was Peter Pan. The next morning we packed the RV and made the long journey back to Ga. I'm sad just thinking about it.

 

[elizablake]

......4 months, two weeks, 0 days, 23 hours and 35 minutes.

There's an app for that!

I got the WDW wait times app for my phone and I can’t stop playing with it. In meetings at work I pretend I’m at MK and decide what to ride next. How about BTMR..let’s see…wait time is 45 minutes..grab a fast pass…I wish Splash Mountain was open…Buzz only has a 15 minute wait…we’ll ride that instead…my feet are tired…Carousel of Progress sounds like a nice break...no wait…TTA is next.

I don’t even know if the wait times are correct but I will be using it at WDW next June even if I’m only entering wait times for other people.

DD is addicted too. Last week at girl scouts she called out in the middle of the meeting, “Mom, how long is the wait for Peter Pan now?!” It was a tiny bit embarrassing. The other parents were starring. I just shrugged and said, “Crazy kid, I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

I have an unhealthy obsession with my iPhone and I plan to use it for everything on our Disney Trip. Here are some of the apps I plan to use:

My Packing App
I already use it for all of our weekend trips and vacations. So much easier than the paper lists I used in the past.

My Shopping List App
I use it for grocery shopping every week and it was handy for Christmas shopping. I’m sure I will make a shopping list for before the trip and grocery shopping once we get to the rental house.

E-mail
I plan to e-mail myself all our Ridemax touring plans before the trip. Also, I created a spread sheet with info about each park like EMH schedule. I’m going to e-mail those to myself as well. I’m also going to e-mail myself all the maps of the parks. I know I can buy interactive ones for 99 cents a piece but I’m going to try e-mail first.

Starbucks App
I love me some coffee. The Starbucks app simply gives directions to the nearest Starbucks. Should be very handy for the drive there.

Mouse Memo
I also have Mouse Memo but I’ve barely looked at it. I’ve only entered my ADR information and confirmation numbers. Also, I know you search for restaurants and view their menus. That may come in handy for counter service.

Main Screen:

Here's an example of when I looked up MK Counter Service:

Disney List App
Disney List is another free app that I downloaded. It is basically a to do list for the parks and a pre-trip to do list. I don’t think it will be useful to me though so I will probably delete it.

Hidden Mickey App
I plan to get the Hidden Mickey app before the trip. I think we will all enjoy it especially while waiting in line.

Weather Channel App
I’m sure we will use the Weather Channel app. Especially to check the radar and see when the afternoon showers will subside.

Radar:

I think the where is my parking spot app would be useful. I may get it before the trip.

Website to access in the parks.
I bookmarked the Disney mobile website. The touring plans mobile website is awesome. They are offering it for free right now with a membership to touring plans. It has wait times based on past research but also offers real time wait times entered by users. It seems very accurate. Hopefully, the subscription will remain free until June.

Disney's Mobile site:

Last but not least, I’m going to get some new games for DD before we leave. Hopefully, they will help to keep her occupied during long waits. Two of her favorite games that we have now are Toy Story Mania and Tinkerbelle Fairies Fly.

Anyone know of other must have Disney apps?

 

[elizablake]

Well....it looks like we are going to skip the water parks this year.

Mom and Dad decided that they would save the money and not get the Water park and more add on. Which makes perfect sense because they wouldn't have enjoyed the water parks anyway and they need a slower paced week than we do. But that got DH thinking and he feels that we are trying to accomplish too much and we should skip the water parks as well. I want to go to BB and TL since we have never been and they look awesome but DH is pretty convinced. Also, he is concerned that we are not going to be spending enough time at the rental house relaxing. RELA
XING...we can relax at home!! I should add that he rarely has an opinion about vacations and I usually get everything I want so I kinda have to bend when he feels strongly enough to state his case. I can't aske DD (and get her on my side) because we haven't mentioned the trip to Disney since last Sept. I'm sure she knows we will go one day but we haven't mentioned specific plans since the trip is so far away. Plus, we may surprise her! So good bye waterparks.

Now the revised official schedule has a bit too much free time for my taste. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Friday: Arrive, unpack and a few drinks to celebrate I'm sure.

Saturday: Hopefully, we won't have too many drinks because Sat is a busy day. MK at rope drop. Probably hang out in Fantasyland and meet Ariel . We have a BBB appointment at 11:30 AM. We reserved the package with nails, hair and make-up. I plan to purchase and bring the dress with us. The men can find an air conditioned restaurant to hang out in while Mom and I take DD to the BBB. We should be done a little after 12:00. We may check out some of the shows or less popular rides. Then CRT at 2:00. After CRT we will leave. Hopefully, we will have the energy to come back to the MK for Spectro and Wishes.

Sunday: Sleep-in. Enjoy the rental house in the morning. Nothing planned in the afternoon but we can't go to a park because we are not getting hoppers. Then Fantasmic in the evening. If rain is forecast Sunday night and Fantasmic may get cancelled, then we will go to AK at rope drop and rest in the evening instead.

Monday: Nothing planned. We were going to go to a waterpark. Maybe EPCOT in the evening for Illuminations.

Tuesday: HS rope drop. Stay till about 1:00. Rest in the afternoon and possibly return to HS in the evening to meet the extra characters at Magic of Disney Animation. Hopefully, HS will not be very busy since this is the only day without EMH, Fantasmic, or Star Wars Weekend. ADR for Sci-Fi at 1:15!

Wednesday: MK Crystal Palace Breakfast. Leave about 1:00. Maybe return to MK but otherwise nothing planned. ADR for Crystal Palace at 8:05 AM.

Thursday: AK rope drop. ADR for breakfast at Donald's Safari at 8:00 AM. Stay till about 2:00. Rest in the afternoon, and nothing planned in the evening. If it rained Sunday, we will take the morning off and go to Fantasmic in the evening.

Friday: EPCOT rope drop. Possibly go back to EPCOT in the evening. ADR for Akershus at 1:15 PM.

 

[Bridora]

Hi! I'm all caught up on your PTR now! I liked your 'One year ago mini TR' You got some good pictures--loved your DD's princess dresses!

Aren't Southerns & Snow funny? What you said is so true.

I'm sorry for your loss of Water Park days. We've never done any water parks, but I think we will eventually when the kids get older. You can always go to Downtown Disney during your free time. Or hit a Mini-Golf Course. You could also park at the Boardwalk and just wander around there--we did that once and really enjoyed it. Or you can use your free time at the house to do some Live TR updates!

 

[elizablake]

I'm sorry for your loss of Water Park days. We've never done any water parks, but I think we will eventually when the kids get older. You can always go to Downtown Disney during your free time. Or hit a Mini-Golf Course. You could also park at the Boardwalk and just wander around there--we did that once and really enjoyed it. Or you can use your free time at the house to do some Live TR updates!

TR updates it is. Mini-Golf sounds OK but it we do that so much at home. Downtown Disney is a must. I LOVE Goofy's Candy Co. What is there to do at the Boardwalk?

I'm glad someone is still reading.

 

[Bridora]

At the Boardwalk? Well, just walk around and look at stuff, but it's Disney and that kind of thing is fun there! We wandered around and took pictures...You can take a boat launch and pretend you are going to Epcot, then just ride it back, or walk back. I've never been, but Beaches & Cream is there somewhere and that's the place that has the "kitchen sink" ice cream mountainesque conglomeration.

I wonder if they have any of those apps for Blackberry? I'll have to find out...I'm still new to it!

Girl, I am still reading, I just have sporadic DIS time!

 

[elizablake]

The Boardwalk sounds like it's worth checking out in the evening when it's cooler.

We always loved the Chip and Dale sing-a-long at Fort Wilderness. We may swing by there one night for old times sake.

 

[Disneyfan71]

I'm on board.

After looking at how much it would cost to stay even at the value resorts---staying off property is still much cheaper

 

[amosser]

subbing Your DD is adorable, I love the pics from your last trip. We went for 2 wks in 2009 and never did make it to BB or TL even though we had planned too

 

[elizablake]

I'm on board.

After looking at how much it would cost to stay even at the value resorts---staying off property is still much cheaper

We loved staying at Fort Wilderness but it didn't cost very much because we brought our RV. I think we'll miss the Disney magic by staying off site but enjoy the lower price and extra space. I'll let you know when I get back if it was worth it.

subbing Your DD is adorable, I love the pics from your last trip. We went for 2 wks in 2009 and never did make it to BB or TL even though we had planned too

and thank you. I've stopped mourning my loss of BB and TL. DH may have a point we have plenty to do.

 

[elizablake]

I got DD yet another princess dress. But that's it! No more dresses!

For Christmas she got the cutest Jasmine costume:

She loves it! But the long pants will probably be too hot for June.

I also bought a Minnie and Snow White costume and plan to surprise DD with them on our trip:

She also has a Cinderella dress and Belle dress from last year that still fit. So why does she need more dresses? I've come up with a really good excuse..I mean reason. We are planning to have lunch at CRT after BBB. Snow White and Jasmine may not be there. Belle most likely will but we are eating in Cindy's castle so it might be seen as rude to dress like Belle. You may be asking, "Why can't she wear her Cinderella dress from last year?" (I know my DH is asking) We'll I have an excuse...I mean reason for that too. The old dress is not NEW and therefore not as exciting for me...I mean DD.

So here what I got. Did I say one dress? I meant two. But they came as a package.

I know DD is going to love the pink one since that is her favorite scene in Cinderella!

 

[Bridora]

Cute Cinderella dresses! I know your DD will love them.

 

[elizablake]

Cute Cinderella dresses! I know your DD will love them.

Thanks!

 

[elizablake]

I'm determined to spend the $50 per person we are not saving by not doing the water parks.

I was thinking another ADR might be in order but not a character meal.

Possibly something in EPCOT or maybe Ohana, Rainforest Cafe or Boma. I want something that can be enjoyed by the adults but not too fancy for a 5 year old. Also, DD has been really picky about trying new foods lately so some kid friendly food would be nice.

I'm off to do some research on the dinning board so any suggestions would be great!

 

[Bridora]

Since you are already thinking 'Ohana...I think you should give it a try. The food is wonderful. They bring all the selections right to your table, appetizers, salad, main course, dessert. You don't have to get everything they bring around, and you can have more. It is a great atmosphere in a beautiful setting. They have a limbo contest and some other things for kids & adults (whoever wants to) to participate in.

We also like Rainforest Cafe. The storm can be a little scary, though.

Boma is also a great choice. Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful! It's buffet, so everyone would be able to have whatever they like. Plus, there is the kids' section on the buffet, so your DD would be able to get something she likes. Our DD has requested we go back there this year. She's 9 & hasn't been since she was 6.

 

[elizablake]

Both Ohana and Boma sound great. We've been to Rainforest Cafe before and we liked it. I wonder if DD will like anything at Ohana. She used to be willing to try anything but recently she has changed and won't eat anything new.

Thanks for your help!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Hi, Elizablake! Since you posted on my PTR, I thought I would check yours out...and CRACKED UP at your "thanks, Mom!" comments about your views! I often think that, too -- I write, and think, "well, somebody's looking, but I guess I'm too boring to comment about...: FAIL."

Oh, and it's so weird what you said about daydreaming -- I do it, too. Especially when I'm not anywhere near interested or engaged in what I am doing at work. I get to thinking about how Space Mountain was down the last time we were there...so what will it be like, now? and all types of things, which are far more interesting to think about....

Thanks for sharing everything about your plans...since WE ARE GOING on the SAME DATES!! Too cool. We're flying, though. Must be nice to be close enough to drive.

See ya,

Vickie