I said we wouldn't do Disney again. I lied. April Vacation - 4 Days Left! 4/17

[ursalita]

Love your pictures of the storm! It sure was a big one. We only missed two days of school but it was still crazy over here!

The snow is crazy! I think I heard that Boston had a record 7 day snowfall or something. It looks like we have some more to look forward to. Sunny Florida cannot come soon enough.

I hope you guys are safe up there and stay warm! I complain about 40 degree weather in Georgia. I would die in that cold and snow!
80 days!!!! So close!!! yet so far!!!

Thank you. We're definitely safe but not exactly warm. It definitely seems far away with this weather but it will be here before we know it.

Hahaha! I knew I liked you. That Legolas gif is fan-freaking-tastic!

Thank you! I love seeing the gifs in other trip reports so I had to try it out. Glad you liked it.

Love your reference to the frozen tundra. I always tell people I live there now after growing up in Cali. Can't wait to keep reading! Glad I found your report

Thanks for joining in. With 2 feet of snow on the ground it is literally a frozen tundra. I don't mind New England except for the couple of winter months after the holidays. I think someday we'll be one of those retired people who fly south for the winters.

Just read you entire PreTR, I really enjoyed it. Sounds like you have it all figured out

Thank you for reading. I definitely don't have it ALL figured out but I'm getting there.

Looks like the kids were enjoying their time in the snow. It is always so much better when you are a kid (and don't have to worry about road conditions or shoveling). I hope you thaw out soon!

They were definitely enjoying it. But even they were getting sick of it after 3 straight days of sledding. Spring cannot come soon enough.

 

[Elevationist]

How did your PTR get to 7 pages?! I'm a terrible follower! (Honestly, 2015 has just been hectic for me, I haven't even been updating my own PTR much!) Your trip is getting so close! I'm so jealous! And I love your phone countdown, too!

 

[ursalita]

How did your PTR get to 7 pages?! I'm a terrible follower! (Honestly, 2015 has just been hectic for me, I haven't even been updating my own PTR much!) Your trip is getting so close! I'm so jealous! And I love your phone countdown, too!

Thanks! The countdown shows 72 days today. I haven't been updating much either. There's not much to do until next week when I make my FP+ selections. I should have a big update then.

I've been trying to stay busy to get my mind off the trip. If 2015 stays that way for you your trip will be here before you know it.

 

[Steppesister]

YAY for snow days!! What fun memories to be making together! Enjoy your week!

 

[ursalita]

YAY for snow days!! What fun memories to be making together! Enjoy your week!

One our two snow days? Fun!

Six in two weeks?


Oh, well. It's just going to mean I'll enjoy getting away to Florida that much more. At this rate we'll still have snow on the ground in April.

 

[-Hope-]

One our two snow days? Fun!

Six in two weeks?


Oh, well. It's just going to mean I'll enjoy getting away to Florida that much more. At this rate we'll still have snow on the ground in April.

Perk of homeschooling- no snow days. Or drawback depending on your state of mind on any given day...

 

[Steppesister]

One our two snow days? Fun!

Six in two weeks?


Oh, well. It's just going to mean I'll enjoy getting away to Florida that much more. At this rate we'll still have snow on the ground in April.

Perk of homeschooling- no snow days. Or drawback depending on your state of mind on any given day...

Ok, very good point! That's a LOT! If your district is like ours, we have to also make them up at the end of the year. Which sucks for everyone. But hey, yep! Florida and warmth are coming! I just posted some amazing pictures on FB of the flowers blooming all over my yard. Spring is here in Oregon! Although, we're probably headed into another drought year- not enough snowpack.

Hope, yeah, homeschooled most of my kids for the entire way through, (different stories for each), and there are some very definite perks. Sleeping in most days was surely one!

 

[TheLittleKatie]

I've just caught up, starting at the 99 day countdown post - I'm so happy I got a mention!! and even better that it was for influencing you to extend your park tickets!! Great news!

Aww, I hope Sam and Aidan had great birthdays! Oh my goodness, how did you make that bunny?!? That is amazing!! Well done you! So cute

That is such a funny Gaston video you should definitely try to meet him on your trip!

It looks like you've planned some great fastpasses. I'm looking forward to hearing about how the Illuminations fastpass works out, I'm considering booking one for September, so you can help me out with that decision

Wow you guys got a lot of snow too!! We have had so much through January and February. It's been a nightmare!! It looks like you made the most of it though, sledding looks fun and the boys look like they had a great time!

You guys must be getting so excited now

 

[ursalita]

59 Days til Disney!

It seems like a really long time especially given all the snow we have here. Luckily the relentless storms have stopped and now we just have to wait for it to melt.



The boys have been on school vacation all week. It seems like they haven't been to school all month. I hope once they go back the time will fly by. I'm running the school book fair which will keep me super busy over the next few weeks since I basically have no help.

Now on to the good stuff! I made my FP+ selections last night and I did pretty well. I was able to get Anna & Elsa for our second MK day! When I told the boys they said they only wanted to meet Olaf. Here's what I ended up with:

Tuesday, April 21 Epcot
3:40-4:40 Spaceship Earth
4:40-5:40 The Seas with Nemo and Friends

6:40 Beaches & Cream dinner

8:30 Illuminations

I was disappointed that I couldn't get an extra Soarin' or TT FP for later in the day. That's ok, the boys love Spaceship Earth and I wasn't even sure I'd be able to get them out of the pool on that first day anyway. My priority was Illuminations and I got it!

Wednesday, April 22 AK
9:05-10:05 Kali River Rapids
10:40-11:40 Safari
12:30-1:30 Dinosaur

6:15 bluezoo dinner

I got just what I wanted on AK day. I will try to look at a schedule and get a rough idea of where we can fit in Flights of Wonder and maybe Nemo or FOTLK. But if we only get to do the trails and meet some characters I'm ok with that.

Thursday, April 23 MK
9:25-10:25 7DMT
10:25-11:25 Peter Pan's Flight

12:45 Grand Floridian Cafe lunch

8:30 Main Street Electrical Parade

Again, just what I wanted here. At first all I was getting was the later parade time but when I went back into it to change the time it let me choose the earlier parade. I'm glad I double checked, the late parade would have made it a really long day.

Friday, April 24 Epcot
10:10-11:10 Turtle Talk with Crush
11:25-12:25 Soarin'
12:40-1:40 Character Spot

7:30 Biergarten

The only FP+ I really wanted was Soarin' and I wanted them all early in the day so we could go back to the pool during the middle of the day so it worked out.

Saturday, April 25 HS
10:25-11:25 Toy Story Midway Mania
12:10-12:25 Frozen Sing-Along
1:10-2:10 Star Tours

5:10 Mama Melrose's Fantasmic! Package

8:30 Fantasmic!

I hope we can get Jedi training and squeeze it in somewhere. I don't know what possessed me to get the sing along over one of the stunt shows. I'm hoping the boys will enjoy the show. I heard it's funny and I know at least Aidan likes the music.

Sunday, April 26 MK
8:15 Crystal Palace Breakfast

10:45-11:45 Pirates of the Caribbean
12:30-1:30 Meet Anna & Elsa
2:00 - 3:00 Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

2:50 Liberty Tree Tavern lunch

I was thinking I might try to get BOG lunch FP and drop LTT lunch. Does that FP+ count as part of the 3 allowed per day?

Monday, April 27 Epcot
9:35-10:35 Spaceship Earth
10:45-11:45 Test Track
11:45-12:45 The Sea with Nemo & Friends

12:45 San Angel Inn

Departure Day

I hope they like the Nemo ride the first day and want to do it again. I also am going to look into the Living with the Land tour since we love that ride and it doesn't seem too expensive. Has anyone done it?

So those are the plans. I'm so excited!!

 

[CaseFace5]

Loving your plans! Your time will fly by!

They changed BOG lunch so it's not a FP+ any more. Starting the 25th of Feb you now book lunch as an ADR. It's not available just on the dining site. I am looking for that too because it was something we really wanted to do, so I will be up early to try to snag one of those!!

 

[-Hope-]

Love your plans!! Congrats on getting Anna and Elsa!

 

[ursalita]

Ok, very good point! That's a LOT! If your district is like ours, we have to also make them up at the end of the year. Which sucks for everyone. But hey, yep! Florida and warmth are coming! I just posted some amazing pictures on FB of the flowers blooming all over my yard. Spring is here in Oregon! Although, we're probably headed into another drought year- not enough snowpack.

Hope, yeah, homeschooled most of my kids for the entire way through, (different stories for each), and there are some very definite perks. Sleeping in most days was surely one!

We had 5 snow days built into the calendar and we're one over that so it's not too bad. I think it just seems worse since it was over only a two week period and not spread out.

I'm actually getting a little tired of seeing all the pictures on FB from friends who live in warm places. I told a friend today who was gloating about leaving the New England for sunny Florida about the numerous and very large bugs in FL. It won't bother me at all when I visit in April, of course.

That's awful about the drought. All my complaining, I'm very grateful not to have that where I live.

Another perk of homeschooling I would think is getting to visit Disney during the off season when all the other kids are in school.

I've just caught up, starting at the 99 day countdown post - I'm so happy I got a mention!! and even better that it was for influencing you to extend your park tickets!! Great news!

Aww, I hope Sam and Aidan had great birthdays! Oh my goodness, how did you make that bunny?!? That is amazing!! Well done you! So cute

That is such a funny Gaston video you should definitely try to meet him on your trip!

It looks like you've planned some great fastpasses. I'm looking forward to hearing about how the Illuminations fastpass works out, I'm considering booking one for September, so you can help me out with that decision

Wow you guys got a lot of snow too!! We have had so much through January and February. It's been a nightmare!! It looks like you made the most of it though, sledding looks fun and the boys look like they had a great time!

You guys must be getting so excited now

Hey, Katie! It seems like yesterday when I posted about 99 days and today I'm at 59. It really is going by fast.

They had great birthdays, thank you. They banked a lot of their money in the form of Disney GCs so they still have some spending to look forward to. They are very interested in the Japan store in the world showcase.

Thank you! I knit the bunny. I'm not a great knitter but it came out ok and Sammy loved it.

This snow is so annoying. It was so high against our back fence the puppy realized she could walk over it so I spent yesterday chasing her around the neighborhood. I am so over it. Do you guys still have a lot of snow? It's been so cold here there's no melting happening.

We made our FP selections yesterday and did very well.

Loving your plans! Your time will fly by!

They changed BOG lunch so it's not a FP+ any more. Starting the 25th of Feb you now book lunch as an ADR. It's not available just on the dining site. I am looking for that too because it was something we really wanted to do, so I will be up early to try to snag one of those!!

Thank you! I hope it flies by. I can't believe it's been 40 days since I posted about 99 days so there's that.

Thank you for the information on the BOG lunch. So early on February 25th I can go on MDE and make a ressie for BOG lunch? I think I'll have to try that. I'm going to borrow Beauty and the Beast from a friend to watch with the boys so they will have a reference when/if we eat there.

Love your plans!! Congrats on getting Anna and Elsa!

Thank you! I'm excited even though the boys are kind of indifferent.

 

[pkondz]

So that answers my question of "are you counting the days".
So jealous that you're going to Beaches & Cream! That's been on my list for a looooong time.

(See? I Said I'd check out your PTR)

 

[misscmac]

Another Rhode Islander here, looking forward to hearing about your trip! We went during April vacation in 2013 and I was pleasantly surprised with the crowds - it was not nearly as bad as I expected! The cost of flights on the other hand, were worse than I thought that's the only reason we probably won't be back often during that time of year!

 

[-Hope-]

It's not ALL about tha kids.

 

[ashw100]

Love your plans! I have not done the behind the seeds tour, I assume this was what you were referring to? Anyway, I have heard great things about it and think it sounds pretty good especially at that price.

 

[ksl5f123]

Great job with your FPs! It looks like you got some great attractions and a lot of headliners. It looks like a really fun trip!

 

[SarahDisney]

When I told the boys they said they only wanted to meet Olaf.

Boys ....

FP+ selections look good!

Frozen Sing a Long is hysterical. Hopefully the boys will enjoy the jokes even if they don't enjoy the whole show.

BOG lunch is ADR now - they opened it up for ADRs this morning. I don't know if it's still available ... you may want to check and see if you can get the ADR. The castle really is amazing!

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Hey, Katie! It seems like yesterday when I posted about 99 days and today I'm at 59. It really is going by fast.

They had great birthdays, thank you. They banked a lot of their money in the form of Disney GCs so they still have some spending to look forward to. They are very interested in the Japan store in the world showcase.

Thank you! I knit the bunny. I'm not a great knitter but it came out ok and Sammy loved it.

This snow is so annoying. It was so high against our back fence the puppy realized she could walk over it so I spent yesterday chasing her around the neighborhood. I am so over it. Do you guys still have a lot of snow? It's been so cold here there's no melting happening.

We made our FP selections yesterday and did very well.

Well I think the bunny came out GREAT!

Oh no, you guys must've had SO much snow??! Hopefully it's mostly gone now though right? We've had a lot since the beginning of the year, but over 3 or 4 different periods. One of those times it was about a foot deep, but that's the worst we've had. I actually quite like it when it's fresh snow, but once it's been trodden into the ground and its just slippery ice, THEN I'm SO over it..!

You got some great FP selections! I'm really interested to hear your thoughts on the FPs for illuminations and the electrical parade, I would consider both of these this time around

 

[ursalita]

So that answers my question of "are you counting the days".
So jealous that you're going to Beaches & Cream! That's been on my list for a looooong time.

(See? I Said I'd check out your PTR)

Thanks for checking out my PTR even though it's not really your thing. Sure am counting the days! Can't wait for that warm sun after this winter. We're really looking forward to B&C, especially that No Way Jose. Only 47 days to go!!

Another Rhode Islander here, looking forward to hearing about your trip! We went during April vacation in 2013 and I was pleasantly surprised with the crowds - it was not nearly as bad as I expected! The cost of flights on the other hand, were worse than I thought that's the only reason we probably won't be back often during that time of year!

Lots of Rhode Islanders on the Dis. That's good to hear about the April crowds. We had the same trouble with flights so we had to do Tues - Monday after break. The kids will only miss one day of school which was worth the $1000+ I saved. Can't wait to get out of this snow and into the warm Florida sun.

It's not ALL about tha kids.

It's not?

Love your plans! I have not done the behind the seeds tour, I assume this was what you were referring to? Anyway, I have heard great things about it and think it sounds pretty good especially at that price.

Yes, that's the one I was referring to. I think we'll try it out.

Great job with your FPs! It looks like you got some great attractions and a lot of headliners. It looks like a really fun trip!

I think so, too! I cannot wait!!

Boys ....

FP+ selections look good!

Frozen Sing a Long is hysterical. Hopefully the boys will enjoy the jokes even if they don't enjoy the whole show.

BOG lunch is ADR now - they opened it up for ADRs this morning. I don't know if it's still available ... you may want to check and see if you can get the ADR. The castle really is amazing!

Thank you! I think they will like the sing along, I heard it was funny. They liked the movie so I don't think I have anything to worry about. The stunt shows might be too loud for them.

I did try for a ADR for BOG but I will keep you in suspense for my next post.

Well I think the bunny came out GREAT!

Oh no, you guys must've had SO much snow??! Hopefully it's mostly gone now though right? We've had a lot since the beginning of the year, but over 3 or 4 different periods. One of those times it was about a foot deep, but that's the worst we've had. I actually quite like it when it's fresh snow, but once it's been trodden into the ground and its just slippery ice, THEN I'm SO over it..!

You got some great FP selections! I'm really interested to hear your thoughts on the FPs for illuminations and the electrical parade, I would consider both of these this time around

We've had so much snow, Katie!! It's not gone, it's still piling up. We had a couple more inches last night but then rain so it's not so bad today. I'm so sick of it!! It's been so cold so it's not melting but now that it's March it's go to start melting, right?

I'm so pleased with my FP+ selections. Reading all the TRs here have really helped me. I will definitely be writing a TR and sharing our experiences.