I love SWW and SW Celebrations...does that mean I am a geek? A PTR of a SW family.

[jmskinner]

Hope everyone is doing well! Not much going on here, Jacob has two weeks of school left. Finished his last state test today, fingers are crossed he did well.

A couple of new things we hope to do at WDW in August, one being the Carbon Freeze Me Experience. Ok, this isn't for me, but for the boys. Hopefully they will offer it after SWW.

The other thing I am sure we will all do this [URL="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/build-your-droid-at-the-droid-factory-coming-to-tatooine-traders-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/"]http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/build-your-droid-at-the-droid-factory-coming-to-tatooine-traders-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/ . Jonas asked if it had to have Mickey Ears, sometimes he is not much fun. I wonder if just one will do it?

Hope you all have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

That build a droid looks like fun, Joey wants to do it too. Do you know how much they cost? Because he said he wants to make a lot of them

Have a safe weekend

 

[Alysa]

Ooooo - another family that loves Disney as much as mine! I'm with you though, mostly I love it because they do. My 6 year old actually beat me at SW trivial pursuit this weekend.
We've never gone to any conventions, just the SWW and we are missing it this year so looking forward to hearing more!

 

[jmskinner]

That build a droid looks like fun, Joey wants to do it too. Do you know how much they cost? Because he said he wants to make a lot of them

Have a safe weekend

I haven't seen anything on cost. Be sure to check out what I am about to post, this is about to turn into a PTR like yours. lol

Ooooo - another family that loves Disney as much as mine! I'm with you though, mostly I love it because they do. My 6 year old actually beat me at SW trivial pursuit this weekend.
We've never gone to any conventions, just the SWW and we are missing it this year so looking forward to hearing more!

Can't remember if I posted this story, but the last time I played SW Trivial Pursuit my DBIL asked "You have seen the movies, right?"

Thanks for joining along!

 

[jmskinner]

Looks like I am going to have to change my plans just a little. Not the dates, just which days at which park and then maybe some meals.

A little history here, Jacob has seen an Occupational Therapist since he was 4. When we left Florida the OT said he wouldn't need to be seen anymore because he had met his goals. Since he has now been diagnosed with Aspergers, the Pediatrician thought he should go back, so we had him evaluated a few months ago, and they did want to see him, but didn't have any openings. Last week they had a cancellation and he was seen. Then the receptionist found an opening for 3 weeks due to a family being out. I thought that would be perfect, since it fell where we could still get him to see both Grandmas and to the camp we signed him up for. And wouldn't miss any OT appointments. But on Thursday, therapy called again and they can now fit us in every Tuesday at 5:30pm. Perfect appointment time since he wouldn't miss school and it works with my work schedule. So, I have to take that, but I don't want him to miss any of those appointments due to Summer activities. But I think we have worked it out where Jonas' Mother can get him and he only miss one visit. And I spoke with my Mother and she said it would be fine with her that instead of them driving up here and getting him a couple weeks before out trip, they can meet us at WDW and take him for a few days. We score since we get some adult time at the parks. But, that means some rearranging of the schedule.

I'm thinking I might need to change the WCC ADR, which is going to be the hardest. Jacob likes this restaurant (not the food, just the atmosphere) and I don't think he wants to miss it. My Mother and I thought Legoland might be the place to meet and handoff the kid. Well, I had SWC planned for Thursday and Saturday, with Legoland on Friday. I know Jacob won't want to miss one day of SWC, so thinking of switching Legoland to Wednesday and Friday we can spend with Jacob doing the things he wants to do at WDW.

Now I just realized, we could have a King size bed for the time at POR and maybe bring an air mattress for the one night before we move to POP. Or could save money and switch to POP a day earlier. I feel the planning coming on.

Quick question, when you have fewer people for an ADR, do you call and change it, or just show up with fewer people than the reservation made?

 

[natebenma]

Well, sounds like you are handling the changes life is throwing at you for this trip.

Unless the ADR you have is one with a credit card hold, I don't think you need to change it. Or if you are 100% sure you won't need the extra seat, you could call to see if a two-top is available at the time you want, book that, and then cancel the original.

In Lego/Star Wars related news- we got Ben the Lego Death Star for his birthday. He put it together in less than two weeks, before school, after school and weekends. This was all he really wanted, and he has had such a fantastic year.

Nate's class trip is MONDAY!!! Finally, we got flight info and I am NOT happy. There are two flights for our group, I am on the later plane. I won't land in Orlando until 5:30 PM on Monday. Coming back will be better. I think the early flight is 9 am, which probably means a 6 am departure for that group.

Did the Energy and Waves class have Space Mountain, too or just HM? In the past they have done the class where you ride SM with the lights off and then on. We were told this year was a class involving HM secrets. But the teachers are still telling the kids about SM. I think the other class we are doing is an animation class- it may involve Tower of Terror.

Not being involved in the planning for this trip is killing me! I started spamming the coordinators of the trip with info a couple of weeks ago- Park Hours, Food Court Menu, Fast Pass Tutorial and Photopass Tutorial (I prepurchased the Photopass CD for the class for the trip)

Talk to you when I return!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Busy Busy, glad all the scheduling worked itself out.

And hooray for some adult Disney time. Legoland sounds like so much fun, we were looking at a brochure for Legoland today. Boys are hoping to visit there sometime in the next year.

Can't wait to see how your new plans play out with the park changes and stuff.

 

[Alysa]

Can't remember if I posted this story, but the last time I played SW Trivial Pursuit my DBIL asked "You have seen the movies, right?"

Well, when the questions are stuff like:
"What was the serial number of the storm trooper uniform that Luke stole?"
Those are the ones I seem to get...

In Lego/Star Wars related news- we got Ben the Lego Death Star for his birthday. He put it together in less than two weeks, before school, after school and weekends. This was all he really wanted, and he has had such a fantastic year.

natebenma, My son has been saving for this for over a year now. He'd be so jealous! You should post a photo!

 

[natebenma]

Well, when the questions are stuff like:
"What was the serial number of the storm trooper uniform that Luke stole?"
Those are the ones I seem to get...

Wow! Great question!

natebenma, My son has been saving for this for over a year now. He'd be so jealous! You should post a photo!

Ben had been saving up for it too. We debated whether we should get it for his birthday, since this was what he really wanted, and he has had such a great year, we did it!

I'll post a picture when I get a chance, but I leave tomorrow for a trip to Disney with my son and his class, so it will have to wait until I get back. Still have a LOOONNG To Do list for tomorrow, most of it involving getting my DH prepped for 5 days at home with Ben.

 

[jmskinner]

Well, sounds like you are handling the changes life is throwing at you for this trip.

Unless the ADR you have is one with a credit card hold, I don't think you need to change it. Or if you are 100% sure you won't need the extra seat, you could call to see if a two-top is available at the time you want, book that, and then cancel the original.

In Lego/Star Wars related news- we got Ben the Lego Death Star for his birthday. He put it together in less than two weeks, before school, after school and weekends. This was all he really wanted, and he has had such a fantastic year.

Nate's class trip is MONDAY!!! Finally, we got flight info and I am NOT happy. There are two flights for our group, I am on the later plane. I won't land in Orlando until 5:30 PM on Monday. Coming back will be better. I think the early flight is 9 am, which probably means a 6 am departure for that group.

Did the Energy and Waves class have Space Mountain, too or just HM? In the past they have done the class where you ride SM with the lights off and then on. We were told this year was a class involving HM secrets. But the teachers are still telling the kids about SM. I think the other class we are doing is an animation class- it may involve Tower of Terror.

Not being involved in the planning for this trip is killing me! I started spamming the coordinators of the trip with info a couple of weeks ago- Park Hours, Food Court Menu, Fast Pass Tutorial and Photopass Tutorial (I prepurchased the Photopass CD for the class for the trip)

Talk to you when I return!

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Guess you are either still enjoying your trip, or resting.

And I am not handling the planning well at all. It is making me crazy.

Busy Busy, glad all the scheduling worked itself out.

And hooray for some adult Disney time. Legoland sounds like so much fun, we were looking at a brochure for Legoland today. Boys are hoping to visit there sometime in the next year.

Can't wait to see how your new plans play out with the park changes and stuff.

I'm excited for some adult time again. And this time it won't be all about the food.

But, there is something else that might happen. I'll post that separately. Wait, that could be taken several ways.

Well, when the questions are stuff like:
"What was the serial number of the storm trooper uniform that Luke stole?"
Those are the ones I seem to get...



natebenma, My son has been saving for this for over a year now. He'd be so jealous! You should post a photo!

That is funny, I wouldn't even know there was a serial number.

 

[jmskinner]

I am now freaking out about this trip. Don't know why really. I moved our Yachtsman ADR to Sunday thinking that would be great since it would just be the two of us, and then realized that is EMH at MK night and we will be all dressed up. Then tried to change it but now I can't get my ADR's to come up. WDW website makes me nuts at times.

So the other night we were watching TV and all of the sudden Jonas turns to me and says he has a conference to attend in October, in .....ORLANDO!!! Then he says we can go to the "Spooktacular". Of course I correct him and say "You mean Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?" He then calls me a Disney snob.

But that means we may be going back in October. I would fly in on the 11th and we could go to the party that night, then we have a one day ticket from our anniversary trip a couple of years ago. But, Jonas is wanting to get an exec position and if he gets that, no conference. The exec job would look good when he goes in front of the promotion board. Hmmm, promotion or WDW? Hard choice.

Have a great weekend everyone and I will keep you updated on our plans.

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, spoke with the hubby and he called me down, and then the WDW website worked properly. Here is the new plan.

Arrive Saturday Aug 18.
Sunday, Aug 19, we will get Jacob to his Grandma and then do whatever we want. The only plan I have for the day is Biergarten at 1:30 and MK that evening for EMH.

Tuesday, about the same, no real plans except for Yachtsman at 8pm.

Wednesday we will now meet my parents at Legoland and spend the day with them and Jacob. Probably head to Tampa to check out the house before that or afterwards.

Thursday is still breakfast at Kona. Move over to Pop! Sure hope the room is ready. Then we are off to Celebrations.

Friday we will be taking Jacob to WDW. He wants to go to Epcot to ride Mission:Space and to Japan to check out the toy selection. DHS for Star Tours and MK for Pirates and Haunted Mansion. At some point he may want to go to DTD but I am thinking we can meet my parents there on Saturday when they pick him up.

One more little piece of news, I had purchased some shorts at work that I thought would be comfortable. Not only are they comfortable, but my Iphone in the Otterbox fits in the pocket. Sounds silly, but I like having my phone in my pocket for quick FB updates.

Ok, now I can get busy and clean this house.

Hope you all have a great weekend and think of me as I work the whole time. But it is Disney funds!

 

[thumperjr9]

He wants to go to Epcot to ride Mission:Space and to Japan to check out the toy selection.

This makes me laugh That's always been on my DS's list of top things to do in Epcot. We have literally spent hours in that shop over the years. Though, not sure he will be as interested this trip.....he's not as interested in Pokemon etc. anymore.

You are doing better with plans than me. About the only thing I'm know is our dates 8/18- 8/26 (at CSR), though flights aren't booked yet. Y.E.S. class on Mon. 8/20 and MK EMH on Sun. and Fri. (but not too late on Sun. due to class on Mon.). Not even sure which day we will do SW Celebration. I am usually much better at the planning but this trip is a little more complicated than most as we will be doing several things beside WDW. Also with my older DS's upcoming wedding ( next Sat. 6/16 ) my mind has been on other things. I hope after the wedding I can get down to some serious planning.

 

[natebenma]

I'm back! Arrived home Friday afternoon. It was an interesting trip, definitely some ups and downs. Started my TR today.

I'm glad that your plans are falling into place. At least for now. Sounds good to me!!!

Let us know when you know about October. A win-win either way?

 

[natebenma]

Y.E.S. class on Mon. 8/20

Which class are you doing? We attended Energy and Waves at MK and The Art of Imagineering at HS this past week.

 

[thumperjr9]

Which class are you doing? We attended Energy and Waves at MK and The Art of Imagineering at HS this past week.

We are doing Energy and Waves! This will be the 2nd class my DS12 has done. He took the Animation class last October. I was about to ask you how the class was but looks like you are doing a TR, so I will hop over there....plus I am curious how you survived a trip with a class of middleschoolers??

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I LOVE your new plans (or lack there of, which is often fun when it's just adults and you can go with the flow)

And Legoland will be a cool fun adventure.

Hooray for a possible October trip, when will you know?

 

[jmskinner]

This makes me laugh That's always been on my DS's list of top things to do in Epcot. We have literally spent hours in that shop over the years. Though, not sure he will be as interested this trip.....he's not as interested in Pokemon etc. anymore.

You are doing better with plans than me. About the only thing I'm know is our dates 8/18- 8/26 (at CSR), though flights aren't booked yet. Y.E.S. class on Mon. 8/20 and MK EMH on Sun. and Fri. (but not too late on Sun. due to class on Mon.). Not even sure which day we will do SW Celebration. I am usually much better at the planning but this trip is a little more complicated than most as we will be doing several things beside WDW. Also with my older DS's upcoming wedding ( next Sat. 6/16 ) my mind has been on other things. I hope after the wedding I can get down to some serious planning.

It's funny, Jacob collected Pokeman cards, but never looked at the merchandise there in Japan. He likes the Bakugan and the Transformers. But a couple of years ago he realized the difference between Japan's prices and Wal-Marts and even said it was too much money. My boy is growing up.

I'm sure after you have relaxed after the wedding you will have a plan. We plan to do the EMH at MK on Sunday also. Special plans just made and I will post about that in a moment. Hope the wedding goes smoothly, how exciting!

I'm back! Arrived home Friday afternoon. It was an interesting trip, definitely some ups and downs. Started my TR today.

I'm glad that your plans are falling into place. At least for now. Sounds good to me!!!

Let us know when you know about October. A win-win either way?

Ok, already clicked on your link for your TR, so I will read it as soon as I finish an quick update here. Trying not to think of October since if I get that wish, Jonas doesn't get his Exec position, which really would be a boost for when the promotion board meets. Military messing with Disney again.

I LOVE your new plans (or lack there of, which is often fun when it's just adults and you can go with the flow)

And Legoland will be a cool fun adventure.

Hooray for a possible October trip, when will you know?

I will share Jonas' thoughts on the "lack" of plans in my next post.

Now that I am sitting here thinking about that October trip, it could be in the planning and cancelled at anytime. Jonas is going to conference for his current job there in Orlando, so if he ends up in another position he wouldn't be going to the conference.

 

[jmskinner]

The last two weeks have been crazy at work. Last Thursday, the district manager came in to look at the Men's department to see if we were ready for Fathers Day, so I worked some extra hours to help prepare for that. Then with graduations in the area, a lot of people wanted off to attend and I offered to work for them since I didn't have any to attend. So, I ended up working Tuesday the 5th through Wednesday the 13th without a day off. So today I am finally off work. The store manager asked me last night if I could work Friday morning because now we have the district manager and regional manager coming in, and I just had to say "No!" I have reached my limit. Plus, I'm afraid we may just have to burn this house down it is so dirty.

What's this about another ADR? Yesterday I had to take Jacob to his doctor and while waiting I look at my emails and here is post on a thread I subscribe to "Just booked the Dessert Party for 08.29!!!! sounds yummy!"

Maybe I was just tired and hungry, but it got me thinking. We have done the dessert party and my picky child didn't eat anything or drink anything. So I paid for him to get to see Wishes. Plus, whenever he doesn't eat, it always makes me feel like everyone around me is thinking I don't allow my child to eat. Well, if Jonas and I are going to be alone, why not do this? So I emailed him and he said sure. So, I booked it.

You are probably wondering about the "When are we going to ride rides?" This is a quote from my husband yesterday after hearing I booked the dessert party. He sees me making all these plans. I explained we have one lunch or dinner ADR each day, except for Sunday when we have Biergarten around 1:30 and then the dessert party at 8:00. Then it is EMH after that. Jonas is worried since we had the anniversary trip where we went premium and I did have a lot scheduled with ADR's and tours, but it was all included so why not fit as much in as possible. The man makes me crazy at times.

And thought I would share a little story about a nice family bike ride last Sunday. We live close to the W&OD bike trail. It is this beautiful trail that goes all the way to DC. Jacob always states we won't ride the whole thing, don't know why he doesn't want to bike over 30 miles. Jonas has purchased himself a speed bike, and Jacob has hit a growth spurt, so his bike is now too small, so we had Jacob on Jonas' old bike. On our way back to the truck, Jonas rode ahead of us, which I was ok with. He didn't have his phone since the new bike doesn't have a bag for it yet. So, Jacob had the phone (now why didn't we just take the bag off and put it on Jonas' bike. Just thought about that.) After Jonas leaves us, Jacob gets really tired and decides to walk. Then he starts getting too hot. He almost gets sick to his stomach, so I have him lay down. After a bit he feels up to walking. Then he decides that since we are past the large hills, he can ride. He takes off ahead of me and then my bike chain comes off. I pull on it, getting my hand all greasy, and the thing is jammed between the gear and bike frame. So I start walking again. Try to text Jonas thinking Jacob has caught up to him. Finally I jerk the chain loose and am on my way. Run into Jacob who is off the bike again. Turns out he got scared that he may have missed a turn and crashed trying to turn around. When he crashed, he messed up the brakes so bad the front wheel won't turn. Finally Jonas returns wondering where we have been. He can't fix the bike either. I tell him to go get the truck since we are close to a road, which he does while I carry the bike to the road. Doesn't that sound like a nice little bike ride?

Today I have to run over to Fairfax, I saw there is a Firearms Museum, thought I would take Jacob. I may post pics later.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Hooray for Dessert party, yummy yummy I think he'll have fun once he is there