"I"m Only Going Because My Teacher Told Me To" Nov. 2016 PTR * update 12/2 TRIP REPORT STARTED! *

[JennyWren]

Just found and binge read to catch up. It sounds like you have a couple great plans, I'm not sure I could be that organized.

 

[Whit64130]

I did hear about the OUAT show being after Wishes which kind of blows, because I figured Chris and I could watch it and then book over to the carousel to watch Wishes since we like it there. But I don't see how, if we watch Wishes from back there, we'd be able to fight the crowd and find a decent spot to see the projection show. So now if I want to see it I have MORE rearranging to do.........and like you I've had no desire to see the castle stage show in recent years because I'd seen it countless times, but did you know it's new? Mickey's Royal Friendship Fare started in June! That's why I want to see it; it has Tiana, Naveen & Louis from their movie plus Rapunzel and is quite different from the previous show!

Yes I know the feeling! I figured we may just have to grab a snack or something to hang out in between depending on the times.. This trip is driving me bonkers with all of the changes! I hope we catch the castle stage show. If not there will always be January.

This weekend we had Chris's family birthday party since mom was away last weekend. It was a little tough for Chris since my baby got braces Friday and he's still in quite a bit of pain He did manage to smile once for me!

Looks like he has festive braces at least!

I'm up to day 6 of our plans which brings us to Thanksgiving!!! My holiday do-over in Disney. For those of you who didn't read my TR from last Nov., I unfortunately was stuck in bed in our room at the BW with a nasty stomach bug on Thanksgiving day. I had awesome big plans for the day which we had to squash and it broke my heart. So this year all illness better stay away, because I have even bigger, more awesome plans for Thanksgiving 2016!

Hoping this year's Thanksgiving is a complete turnaround from last year!

Nowadays the boys just pick their ornament and we have the year inscribed on it. Steve and I always pick one of
the bigger ones and have it personalized with both our names and the year Tradition!

I always have to bring one home too. Haven't been to the Christmas place in DS yet. Always go to the one in Liberty Square. Do they have a bigger selection?

Fort Wilderness for TE dinner
-HS for Jingle Bell Jingle BAM dessert party

Awesome plans!!

We are officially going to Disney this month!!!!

 

[kittylady1972]

Ha, that's me, too! 18 days today I think most of here would agree planning is almost half the fun! We don't have our next trip planned either, and it's SO much easier to leave Disney when you know exactly when you're returning. I believe we're going in the spring and would love to solidify the dates before leaving for this trip, but with all the stuff Steve and I have going on the next couple weeks, I don't think we'll have the time even if he was willing!

Yes I do love the planning part! Definitely let me know when you plan to return. Right now I'm looking into TWO possible dates. One would be the weekend of March 4th. I saw that DVC may have an event that Saturday night at MK and while tickets aren't on sale yet I would LOVE to be able to attend it! Plus it would work out well because the kids have a long weekend (out of school early on Thurs 3/2 and out all day Friday 3/3) and PLUS it was be a great early birthday gift since my bday is March 8th! So it's an option I am considering.

The other option is Memorial Day weekend because once again the kids get a 4-day weekend as they don't have school on Tuesday of that weekend. I'm not sure what crowds are like for the Memorial Day holiday as it would be our first time experiencing that there but I'd be willing to try and if not...we'd have some extra pool time or something.

I'm not even close to solidifying any of these those, just have done some preliminary scoping them out.

 

[Saphire5742]

We're both close to our trips, you must be getting ready for yours, too!!!

Well not really so much for me to do as it's an organized tour and all. I'm a last minute packer. Even when I moved across the ocean the bulk of my packing was the night or two before (with lots of help from mom!)

 

[ariane37]

​

I don't remember the last time I commented, I'm the worst!

Good for you for being able to keep two different schedules straight! You must be getting close to fining out about Ricky's basketball schedule now?

You're so close to your trip! I can't wait to read your trip report

OMG to be honest, the two schedules is making me now! In fact a little while ago I went upstairs and had to ask Ricky a few questions to help me figure things out. So coming up is a big Thanksgiving Day change for us!
Definitely doing another TR - and I think a separate dining report. I liked doing my first dining report for our quick August getaway

 

[ariane37]

Just found and binge read to catch up. It sounds like you have a couple great plans, I'm not sure I could be that organized.

and thanks for coming over and reading the whole long, drawn-out thing LOL I'm enjoying writing this and honestly, it's a big help writing everything out with these split plans

Looks like he has festive braces at least!


I always have to bring one home too. Haven't been to the Christmas place in DS yet. Always go to the one in Liberty Square. Do they have a bigger selection?


We are officially going to Disney this month!!!!

Ugh I wish my stupid computer would let me multi-quote! Guess it's not as bad as not having wifi at my house though, right??
Yes Chris got NY Knicks colors this time around so it does look cool when he opens his mouth Ricky used to get colors too; always sports teams, his school colors, or something to go with a holiday. Hoping when Chris goes in Dec. and gets the bands changed he goes with Christmas colors!
The Christmas Store in DS definitely does have a bigger selection of ornaments than the one in MK, as well as tons of Christmas decor. In fact I've spent upwards of $300 in there on occasion It's dangerous! Are you heading to DS at all? You have to see the 15 Christmas trees!

Yes I do love the planning part! Definitely let me know when you plan to return. Right now I'm looking into TWO possible dates. One would be the weekend of March 4th. I saw that DVC may have an event that Saturday night at MK and while tickets aren't on sale yet I would LOVE to be able to attend it! Plus it would work out well because the kids have a long weekend (out of school early on Thurs 3/2 and out all day Friday 3/3) and PLUS it was be a great early birthday gift since my bday is March 8th! So it's an option I am considering.

The other option is Memorial Day weekend because once again the kids get a 4-day weekend as they don't have school on Tuesday of that weekend. I'm not sure what crowds are like for the Memorial Day holiday as it would be our first time experiencing that there but I'd be willing to try and if not...we'd have some extra pool time or something.

I'm not even close to solidifying any of these those, just have done some preliminary scoping them out.

This is so funny, because 2 of the dates we're looking at are that first weekend in March or Memorial Day! If we go in March it would just be Steve and I as the boys aren't off at all. I saw the info. on the DVC event, that would be cool to go! For Memorial Day they have off the Fri. before so a 4 day weekend; then if they don't use all their snow days, they'll have the Tues. off so a 5 day weekend. Even though if we choose that time we won't know about Tues. when we book, we'd probably come home Tues. and if they miss that one day, so be it. I think it's kind of crowded.........probably less than Thanksgiving??
Our 3rd option is MLK weekend which we did this year. That's also my 3rd choice but Steve rather go then instead of March.
BTW, your birthday is our anniversary

Well not really so much for me to do as it's an organized tour and all. I'm a last minute packer. Even when I moved across the ocean the bulk of my packing was the night or two before (with lots of help from mom!)

True, I think there's more to do getting ready for a Disney vacation than most other vacations! I have trouble packing early too; I'm a procrastinator. Although if I were moving to another country-on another continent-I may start earlier than 2 nights before lol. Thank goodness for moms!

 

[Whit64130]

Ugh I wish my stupid computer would let me multi-quote! Guess it's not as bad as not having wifi at my house though, right??
Yes Chris got NY Knicks colors this time around so it does look cool when he opens his mouth Ricky used to get colors too; always sports teams, his school colors, or something to go with a holiday. Hoping when Chris goes in Dec. and gets the bands changed he goes with Christmas colors!
The Christmas Store in DS definitely does have a bigger selection of ornaments than the one in MK, as well as tons of Christmas decor. In fact I've spent upwards of $300 in there on occasion It's dangerous! Are you heading to DS at all? You have to see the 15 Christmas trees!

Ughhh just took me literally 10 mins to quote your last reply from my phone. It was trying to quote everything from the entire page. Lol

I thought he was participating in Halloween with his braces

We are going to DS our first night since we are going to try to go to bed early. I may should stay out of the Christmas store but there is some Merch I've already been eyeing. Plus I seen the MVMCP merch also and may have to have a shirt and a pass holder pin since well you know I may never be a pass holder again Hana. When will the Christmas trees be put out at DS? I must've forgot about that info.

 

[ariane37]

Who's Up For (more) Changes?​

So, I've been sitting here the last couple days trying to work out a plan for the 4 days Steve and Ricky will be with us *if* Ricky makes the team and they only come down Tues. night. I was seriously having trouble fitting in what I considered enough time at all the parks plus bowling plus getting those 2 to DS at night to see the new trees lit up, so tonight I went over the plans I had with Ricky. This included no MK until our departure day. We'd be there from 8am until about 5 but - Ricky wasn't happy. This made me happy because my sweet 14y.o. still loves MK! We discussed a couple things, including not spending their (possible) first day at AK but instead doing MK and only going to AK for Yak & Yeti dinner and a night ride on EE, but instead this is what he decided:

RICKY'S THANKSGIVING PLAN 2.0
if we don't all make it down on 11/19 (16 days BTW!)
instead of hitting Splittsville when they open at 10:30, we will be hitting......
MK WHEN THEY OPEN AT 8!!!
I cannot believe we're going to what will be the busiest park on a holiday! But that's what my baby wants. I went ahead and make some FP's last night and they look like this:
Splash 9:50 (may be chilly!)
Jingle Cruise 10:50
BTMRR 1:35 (earliest available)
we'll try getting on Big Thunder first thing anyway but I wanted to grab the FP just in case. If MK gets too crowded for us or we do all we want to early enough, we'll still head down to DS and see what the wait is for Splittsville. If it's long we'll skip it until next time; the one thing Ricky definitely doesn't want to miss down there is stopping by the Trophy Room, the store M. Jordan's son Marcus opened. Then it'll be back to my original plan of
Trail's End dinner 4:45
HS afterwards for Jingle Bell Jingle BAM dessert party
and hopefully a couple rides!

I feel much better now about this day. I'm happy to bowl if we're all getting lots of park time in, but was hating the idea of doing it when 2 of us may have limited time. I'll be back very soon with Day 7, Black Friday

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Ariane, we have so much in common...Not only do we both LOVE Dooney and Bourke Disney bags...But, I too buy Disney ornaments every year we go down for my 4 kids and for my husband and me. I actually just bought them on the 24th while in DS. There are a lot of new ones this year. I have 3 trees in my house that I decorate for Christmas, and 1 is a DISNEY tree I also bought a Disney tree skirt this year (at the Disney Store). I am very excited for your trip. I hope everything works out and all your plans go smoothly...

 

[kastoney]

Yup, 19 days today!

I know its less than 19 days now, but how on earth is your trip this close and how on freaking earth is Thanksgiving just 3 weeks away. This fall is going way to fast.

Nowadays the boys just pick their ornament and we have the year inscribed on it. Steve and I always pick one of
the bigger ones and have it personalized with both our names and the year Tradition!

We have the same tradition. We get at least one ornament on every trip we take, disney or otherwise. Of course I use the fancy sharpie on the bottom with the date method

But then a coupe weeks ago the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM show was announced for HS and I decided we need to not only see it, but do the dessert party on Thanksgiving! We haven't done a dessert party since 2012 when we tried the Wishes one at MK and we weren't impressed. However the SW dessert party desserts and drinks sound so good, I figure these might be similar, plus our week will be crowded and I think other than staking out a spot 90 minutes early the only way we'll have a good view is by doing the party. So! From DS we'll go to
-Fort Wilderness for TE dinner
-HS for Jingle Bell Jingle BAM dessert party

First this name just makes me laugh every time I hear it. In addition to the obvious Emeril Lagassee references the BAM is just so random. What in the heck is a jingle bam? At least I have you to tell me. Seriously though sounds like a great thing to do on Thanksgiving. Can't wait to hear all about the FREE DRINKS and of course the show!

roblem is Steve's starting to get mopey about his very possible lack of park days and wanted to skip bowling, but last night the boys said nope, we're bowling. So now I feel like we should try rushing through DS and get to HS for at least 1 or 2 attractions before dinner, bus to FW, eat, bus back to HS. It won't be as relaxing as only hitting HS after dinner, but we've done it enough that I know we can handle it and even to get one ride on RnRC or TOT before dinner would be worth it to him and Ricky

Well I was gonna suggest reservations between dinner and all that BAM, but.....

MK WHEN THEY OPEN AT 8!!!
I cannot believe we're going to what will be the busiest park on a holiday! But that's what my baby wants.

Better you than me. I can barely get my bones to work by 8 am. But at least Ricky (and presumably Steve) should be happy.

 

[ArielSRL]

@kastoney I think the Jingle Bam has something to do with the movie Prep and Landing, but I've never seen it so I'm relying on Google for that info.

@ariane37 the things we do for our children! Hopefully MK won't be too crowded that morning for you guys...well, if you go to Plan B. Or wait, is it C at this point? Lol. Just kidding. Major props for keeping it all together!

And 16 days?? I'm so envious!

 

[Karabear15]

Alright, I'm back...it's been a very busy few months! I'm so excited things are falling into place for you, and I hope that everything works out as far as basketball goes

I am also shocked that you are going to possibly do MK on Thanksgiving...props to you guys! I'm not so sure if the day before is going to be any better, but that's what we are working with right now. Oh my goodness...18 more days for us!!!

 

[ariane37]

Ariane, we have so much in common...Not only do we both LOVE Dooney and Bourke Disney bags...But, I too buy Disney ornaments every year we go down for my 4 kids and for my husband and me. I actually just bought them on the 24th while in DS. There are a lot of new ones this year. I have 3 trees in my house that I decorate for Christmas, and 1 is a DISNEY tree I also bought a Disney tree skirt this year (at the Disney Store). I am very excited for your trip. I hope everything works out and all your plans go smoothly...

Good to hear they have lots of new ones this year, the last couple years there were a lot of repeats! We do 2 trees here every year and I would love to do a Disney one but the kids nixed that a couple years ago I tried making the main tree Disney but they wanted all their ornaments on it, and many of them from the time they were babies aren't Disney. They weren't happy when I suggested hanging those on the "secondary" tree lol. So I tried making our slightly smaller tree Disney but all my Disney ornaments don't fit on it, so then I'd have overflow on the bigger tree and it seems silly and like it defeats the purpose then to have a specific Disney tree . So I have the main tree with Disney and all the kids ornaments, and then the other tree in our family room has a jungle theme to match the decor in there. I also am a little anal when it comes to my trees. Possibly when it comes to my Christmas decorating in general I sound like a nut job. Please don't leave me!!

I know its less than 19 days now, but how on earth is your trip this close and how on freaking earth is Thanksgiving just 3 weeks away. This fall is going way to fast.

We have the same tradition. We get at least one ornament on every trip we take, disney or otherwise. Of course I use the fancy sharpie on the bottom with the date method

First this name just makes me laugh every time I hear it. In addition to the obvious Emeril Lagassee references the BAM is just so random. What in the heck is a jingle bam? At least I have you to tell me. Seriously though sounds like a great thing to do on Thanksgiving. Can't wait to hear all about the FREE DRINKS and of course the show!
. I can barely get my bones to work by 8 am. .

OMG every time I say or write Jingle BAM, I have to yell out "BAM!" like Emeril. First thing I thought of! No idea where the name came from unless @ArielSRL is correct that it's from Prep and Landing, which I've heard of but never seen. Even if it is I prefer to continue yelling "BAM!" like Emeril Oh, and of course I'll report on the FREE DRINKS!!
I'm afraid to even take a sharpie to any ornaments we'd buy, because I know I'd screw that up, too. So while I"m willing to attempt MK on Thanksgiving for my kid, I think the fact that you attempt creativity for yours is much cooler

Ummm, the only time I'm happily up and properly functioning prior to 8am is when I'm in Disney

@ariane37 the things we do for our children! Hopefully MK won't be too crowded that morning for you guys...well, if you go to Plan B. Or wait, is it C at this point? Lol. Just kidding. Major props for keeping it all together!

And 16 days?? I'm so envious!

Ha ha, I feel like I have plans A through E at this point! And I'm also pretty sure MK will be a hot mess on Thanksgiving, but I'm going to cross my fingers it's tolerable at least until 10 or so.

Alright, I'm back...it's been a very busy few months! I'm so excited things are falling into place for you, and I hope that everything works out as far as basketball goes

I am also shocked that you are going to possibly do MK on Thanksgiving...props to you guys! I'm not so sure if the day before is going to be any better, but that's what we are working with right now. Oh my goodness...18 more days for us!!!

Good to see you again I know, isn't it exciting now that our trips are practically here?? We were at MK the day before Thanksgiving last year and while it was crowded, it wasn't crazy, we got a lot done and we were comfortable. So not only am I certain it'll be ridiculous on Thanksgiving like I said above, I'm also certain it'll be quite a bit less crowded and not ridiculous at all for you the day before
Thanks for the well wishes on basketball! We'll find out in about 12 days......

 

[cinderkelly]

It was a little tough for Chris since my baby got braces Friday and he's still in quite a bit of pain He did manage to smile once for me!

Ugh, braces. Poor guy. They are a pain. Literally!

I'm up to day 6 of our plans which brings us to Thanksgiving!!!

I think it's awesome you'll be there on Thanksgiving. Even though the crowds may be insane it should be awesome!

the boys chose bowling at Splitsville

I've always thought this place looked cool

Nowadays the boys just pick their ornament and we have the year inscribed on it. Steve and I always pick one of
the bigger ones and have it personalized with both our names and the year Tradition!

I love your tradition!

HS for Jingle Bell Jingle BAM dessert party

How can you go wrong with a dessert party!? Especially on Thanksgiving day. While the rest of us are in a turkey coma at home you'll be at DW!

MK WHEN THEY OPEN AT 8!!!
I cannot believe we're going to what will be the busiest park on a holiday! But that's what my baby wants. I went ahead and make some FP's last night and they look like this:

I like your new plan, and very cool that you were able to score FP's late in the game. I'll be interested to see how the temperatures are when you go, we have about 4 weeks until our next trip and I've never been in December so I have no idea what to expect.

 

[Elevationist]

I'm anxious to see how things work out with the scheduling and the tryouts and who's going to be there on what days! I can't believe your trip is so close and such details and still up in there, and you're handling it so well. You're awesome! I'd be popping Xanax just to deal!

 

[ariane37]

The 2016 Magic Band U.S. Tour
​

Our Magic Bands finally arrived yesterday! 15 days out, which is the closest to a trip we've ever received them. Normally I have them by 3 weeks out but this time was weird from the day our time to customize them was up which was 10/19. We had a couple days where on MDE it said no MB info was available; then the normal "they're being customized" but it lasted way longer than normal. And for some reason during that time I could still go in and change the color if I wanted, which I didn't Finally on 10/28 we got the email they'd shipped from Tennessee but not the normal link to click to "track your MB" but it did give an alert in red with the tracking #, so this past Wed. 11/2 I searched for the package since it had been 5 days since it shipped. Here's how it went:
-Tues. 11/1, 10:03 pm: package accepted in Albany, NY, about 90 minutes from me
-Wed. 11/2 at 12:06 am: 2 hours later - 2 package arrives Newburgh, NY. This is about 15-20 minutes from me with no traffic. Technically I could drive here quicker than I could walk from the IG at Epcot to HS. Pretty quick movement here though!
-Wed. 11/2 1:23 am: an hour and 17 minutes later - package arrives (back) to Albany WHAT?? First of all someone drove pretty freakin' fast. Second of all, why are my MB's now farther away than they were an hour or so ago??? WHO is screwing around with my MB's????????
-Wed. 11/2 2:46pm: package en route to a distribution center somewhere in Pennsylvania
And estimated arrival is Monday 11/7, over a week after shipping. And they came the the 4th.
Of course this really doesn't matter at all because they're here, and it was only 2 bands anyway and only 1 is being used. And because none of you have ever seen Magic Bands before, I present ours to you:


Exciting right? Totally new to all of you. We only need Chris's yellow one since Ricky will use the Sorcerer Mickey band. I chose to order him one because I'm using all our MB's as decoration on our Christmas tree this year.
Steve and I will be using our cool AP bands that came back in Sept:


How neat is the Mickey slider? Last time we had AP's the slider was green, and said "Passholder 2015" on it. I like this
one better!
Want to see something else pretty cool? After Christmas I think I'm going to do this with our MB's. Or should I say I'm going to attempt doing this, get real frustrated, and have Steve do it

I love this! Love the pattern on the wreath, too. I'm just trying to figure out exactly what that is on the very bottom, the Minnie. It looks like a watch - is it a Minnie MB slider or something? Anyhoo, that's all the MB talk I have for now. I'm going to try my best to get our Day 7 update done tonight but I do have quite a few shows I need to catch up on so we'll see what wins out!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good to hear they have lots of new ones this year, the last couple years there were a lot of repeats! We do 2 trees here every year and I would love to do a Disney one but the kids nixed that a couple years ago I tried making the main tree Disney but they wanted all their ornaments on it, and many of them from the time they were babies aren't Disney. They weren't happy when I suggested hanging those on the "secondary" tree lol. So I tried making our slightly smaller tree Disney but all my Disney ornaments don't fit on it, so then I'd have overflow on the bigger tree and it seems silly and like it defeats the purpose then to have a specific Disney tree . So I have the main tree with Disney and all the kids ornaments, and then the other tree in our family room has a jungle theme to match the decor in there. I also am a little anal when it comes to my trees. Possibly when it comes to my Christmas decorating in general I sound like a nut job. Please don't leave me!!

I got the purple MB last trip too...

I am just as anal. I have one snowman tree, one Disney tree and the family tree with a hodge podge of ornaments. I think I will eventually have to get a 2nd Disney tree...

 

[ariane37]

Ugh, braces. Poor guy. They are a pain. Literally!

I think it's awesome you'll be there on Thanksgiving. Even though the crowds may be insane it should be awesome!

I like your new plan, and very cool that you were able to score FP's late in the game. I'll be interested to see how the temperatures are when you go, we have about 4 weeks until our next trip and I've never been in December so I have no idea what to expect.

Braces are definitely a pain, but apparently they are much more of a pain for Chris than they've ever been for anyone else in the history of braces This kid should go into acting, let me tell you! The funny thing is Ricky handled his braces so well and adjusted so quickly. But I knew that wouldn't happen with my baby!
I am excited to be in MK on a holiday I think the fact that we've been so many times combined with knowing we aren't going to stay there all day will make it bearable. And yes I was a bit surprised at the FP availability, with the exception of 7DMT, meeting Cinderella and earlier BTMRR everything was available.
I'm hoping the temps are like last years' Thanksgiving week - high 70's to low 80's during the day and mid-50s to mid-60's at night. Looking at the extended forecast that's about what it looks like right now. Of course I know it can change and in 2012 the week after Thanksgiving was almost cold! Hopefully Dec. is nice as well, and I'll be sure to report on ours

I'm anxious to see how things work out with the scheduling and the tryouts and who's going to be there on what days! I can't believe your trip is so close and such details and still up in there, and you're handling it so well. You're awesome! I'd be popping Xanax just to deal!

I'm anxious to see too, and I wish we didn't have to wait so freakin' long! Even though I'm not as organized a planner as you, I've NEVER had so much up in the air 2 weeks out
Can you maybe send me some of that Xanax if I give you my address? Nothing wrong with sending drugs through the mail, is there

 

[Raeven]

That happened with our last batch of MBs too! And when it arrived nearby they sat there for a couple days before they were delivered out. I was expecting them much earlier.

 

[ariane37]

Day 7 Plans
​

Wow, we're up to Black Friday already! Gee this trip is going fast Last year on the day after Thanksgiving we did MK at RD until about 1:30-2, including breakfast at CRT. Then we spent the rest of the day/night at Epcot in WS, mainly listening to the Holiday Storytellers and watching some of the entertainment. Oh, and Chris got into the act in Norway!



We'll kind of do a similar thing this year for part of the day depending on which schedule I use. And since I'm all messed up as far as my multiple schedules, for our last 2 days let's go with "Plan A", or, "we've all been down the whole time", and "Plan B", or "Chris and I went down alone first". Got it? Good, then you're in a better place than I am!

Day 7, 11/25, PLAN A: HS/EPCOT
FP: TSMM 9:15, TOT 10:30
FOOD: breakfast at either Marketplace or Starring Rolls, lunch Epcot QS/snack booths, dinner Il Mulino
I'm sure you don't remember this, but originally we were doing Il Mulino on Monday. However Steve was just so completely devastated at the thought of possibly not eating there that I changed it to tonight when either way, he'll be there.
Back to HS!
If we're full blown Plan A then we'll only have spent a partial day at HS and possibly been able to sneak in a ride or 2 before JBJB! Ricky and I need to get as many rides as we can on TOT which is why we're spending a little more time here today. But other than our FP's and most likely RD'ing RnRC for Ricky and I and TSMM for Steve and Chris, we'll eat if we didn't grab something at Marketplace first and then go right to Epcot.
Like last year, my main reason for spending this day at Epcot are the Holiday Storytellers! We all enjoy them and there were some we missed last year that we'd like to catch this time around, specifically Morocco, Germany, China and the UK. We'll most likely try to see Norway again also because that one is so good. Plus something I'm TOTALLY psyched about this year is the addition of the Holidays Around the World food booths! So we're definitely going to enjoy some of these and maybe pick up some QS food (I'm sure the kids will), but we won't want to be too full for our 6:00 ADR at Il Mulino . Yup we're exiting the park but we don't care! And then we're returning for 9:30 Holiday Illuminations, which I saw back in 2012 but missed last year because of the *@%* stomach bug.
**Let me add a little side note here. Since we're staying at the BC, if the boys don't want to come back to Epcot for Illuminations with us after dinner, they don't have to! they can go hang out in the room while Steve and I return to Epcot. A nice perk of having older kids, and of course staying at an Epcot resort**

PLAN B: EPCOT/HS
(sigh) You see above that the parks won't change but the order will. This will be Steve and Ricky's first and only day at Epcot if they've only arrived on the 22nd, so I'll want to use FP's here and spend pretty much the whole day here. However HS has evening EMH from 11-1 so instead of going in the morning, I'll cross my fingers that Ricky is up for a ride on TOT after Illuminations. With Plan B we'll actually have less time in HS because Chris doesn't like that park, so my first time will most likely be on Thanksgiving when we go for JBJB! unless I talk Chris into a quick stop there on the 22nd before MK
So the changes under this plan will be: switching FP's from HS to Epcot, hopefully going to HS for pm EMH instead of in the morning, and most likely grabbing breakfast at Marketplace. I'll try to get FP's for TT, SE and maybe Turtle Talk since it might be busy and we'd like to do that with the characters from Finding Dory added. We'd most likely either RD Soarin' or RD TT and then go to Soarin'. Oh man, as I type this I'm getting more concerned with the ability to change my FP's around a few days before we leave. I'd do all the changes now but then I feel like I'm jinxing Ricky's chances of making the team..........OMG!!!!!