I wanna go to Izney World! A 1st timer's PTR May/June 2011

[lbuzz52]

I'm really jealous of thatknorail mail! That's really cool!

I like to keep a reusable shopping bag in the bottom of my stroller. Then if I accumulate any new stuff during the day I can toss it I the bag in the stroller. Then it only takes a second when I need to fold it up. No getting sleeping kids out until the last second!

I think the photopass cd is so great. We didn't hunt for opportunities and still ended up with hundreds. Maybe you could promise to use on for your holiday cards- saving a trip to the photographer? If not maybe you could ask for it for a Christmas or birthday gift? Maybe he won't fight it so hard if he realizes how important it is? And I'd bet he won't say much about it anyways after he gets his big surprise lol!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Recently I've been doing a lot of research about the photopass CD. I posted on the family board to see if people thought we'd get our money's worth with 2 toddlers that never look at the camera at the same time. The responses I received convinced me it was definitely worth the $100 pre order. Especially since I learned that you can get a refund if you don't like the pictures! However, DH is NOT convinced and he thinks it's an absurd amount to spend on pictures So... how do I convince him? I've told him that they get candid pics, and it'll be easy to get pictures of our whole family together, and it's refundable if we don't like the pics. We even have a $150 gift card we got for Christmas and I said we could use that and just not buy many souvenirs, but won't go for it I *really* want to do it. I'm worried we'll regret it when there's tons of great pictures, and we don't want to spend $150 for the cd or $15 for each 4x6 we want. We'd only have to get 7 4x6s to get our money out of it, or less if we want any 5x7 or bigger.

UGH! The only thing we ever fight about it money. I'm a spender and he's a saver. I say it's our girls' 1st trip to Disney... spare no expense! And he's of the mindset that we've already spent too much money and we don't need to spend a dime more

So... how do I get him on board?

I say just have him pose for the pictures AND at the same time have the photopass photographer use YOUR camera to take the pics too. You won't get the cool tinkerbell shots or borders but you'll still get some great pictures. After you get home you can look at the photopass pictures and compare them to the ones from your camera and make your decision. I have yet to run into a PP photographer that refuses to use my camera and some of them even offer!

 

[sahm2two]

A couple of quick updates
1. I decided to suck it up and let DH have his way about the photopass I think we'll end up not doing very many character meets where they have the photopass because we have 4 character meals. And I'm going to make DH ask the CMs to take a picture with our camera Both of us hate asking people to do things for us, so we always engage in a "no, you do it... no you" discussion. But since he didn't want to spend the $$$ he gets to ask!

2. We got Fairy Godmother mail today! If you don't know what this is and have kids, go check out the stickied thread in the Family forum! People that are at WDW right now will send a postcard to your kids "from Mickey" or whoever is their favorite. Alexis thought it was so great! Ours was from the Princesses

3. I have 2 new ADRs... but they're both for Kona Cafe, so obviously I'm not keeping both. I just have to decide which other ADR I want to cancel. One option is to cancel Crystal Palace on MK day 1, but Alexis keeps saying she's eating with Pooh, so I think she's looking forward to that, even though she's not super into Pooh (we've never actually seen him on tv! she just has books and a stuffed animal). Option 2 is to cancel Biergarten on our Epcot day. How long would it take us to get over to Poly from Epcot? Andrew was looking forward to Biergarten, but I think if I showed him some food porn from Kona he might change his mind...

I'm *really* close to finishing my planning journal! Pictures will be up soon. If my dang printer will cooperate it might be done tonight!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I think I'd cancel Biergarten. I'm sure it's good adult food but I'm not sure if kids would love it or not. I know my daughter wouldn't touch anything from there. Not sure if your kids are picky eaters or not but somethign to think about.

You could take a monorail over to the TCC from Epcot and then walk to Poly or transfer to the resort monorail if you wanted.

 

[sahm2two]

I think I'd cancel Biergarten. I'm sure it's good adult food but I'm not sure if kids would love it or not. I know my daughter wouldn't touch anything from there. Not sure if your kids are picky eaters or not but somethign to think about.

You could take a monorail over to the TCC from Epcot and then walk to Poly or transfer to the resort monorail if you wanted.

Thanks for the advice! I'm gonna try to convince DH. I know I would like Kona better, and I think it'd be easier to find something for the girls. DH was really looking forward to an all sausage meal

another Disney update-

I just called and made reservations for both girls to get their 1st real haircut at Harmony Barbershop! I'm really excited about it! It's at 9am on our 2nd MK kingdom day, so it's before our Chef Mickey's ADR. I'm gonna have them put some pixie dust in their hair too

 

[Eventer98]

Hi there! Just found your pre-trip report..we are going in May too! I saw one thing I was going to throw my two cents in on...your plan for DHS. I would go to TSM first thing. If you wait and get the STours FP first I think you will regret it. The line for TSM can be an hour in as little as 15m after parking opening. I would grab FPs for there first and then go to the Great Movie Ride or Playhouse Disney. Your return time will prob be for 60-90m after you get it. Then you can ride and grab the FPs for Star Tours. Or just check our the standby line for STours immediately after grabbing those TSM FP's. Just a thought!
We are trying Boma for the first time as well...it was either that or Tusker House but since we are staying at AKL I figure it will be easier. Can't wait for more

 

[sahm2two]

Hi there! Just found your pre-trip report..we are going in May too! I saw one thing I was going to throw my two cents in on...your plan for DHS. I would go to TSM first thing. If you wait and get the STours FP first I think you will regret it. The line for TSM can be an hour in as little as 15m after parking opening. I would grab FPs for there first and then go to the Great Movie Ride or Playhouse Disney. Your return time will prob be for 60-90m after you get it. Then you can ride and grab the FPs for Star Tours. Or just check our the standby line for STours immediately after grabbing those TSM FP's. Just a thought!
We are trying Boma for the first time as well...it was either that or Tusker House but since we are staying at AKL I figure it will be easier. Can't wait for more

Thanks for the advice! My original plans were to head straight for TSM to get a fastpass, but then I was thinking because Star Tours is reopening 10 days before *and* it's star wars weekend that it would be crazy packed We definitely want to ride TSM though!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Madeline had her first haircut at the barber shop. It was great!

I'll race you to TSM for fast passes I plan on getting those while DH takes dd to sign up for jedi training/ Then we'll meet up by star tours.

 

[Eventer98]

I hear you! I guess it depends which one you want to ride more...either way you can't lose
I also did both my kids 1st haircuts at the barbershop..it was great!!!

 

[Monknmom]

A couple of quick updates
1. I decided to suck it up and let DH have his way about the photopass I think we'll end up not doing very many character meets where they have the photopass because we have 4 character meals. And I'm going to make DH ask the CMs to take a picture with our camera Both of us hate asking people to do things for us, so we always engage in a "no, you do it... no you" discussion. But since he didn't want to spend the $$$ he gets to ask!

2. We got Fairy Godmother mail today! If you don't know what this is and have kids, go check out the stickied thread in the Family forum! People that are at WDW right now will send a postcard to your kids "from Mickey" or whoever is their favorite. Alexis thought it was so great! Ours was from the Princesses

3. I have 2 new ADRs... but they're both for Kona Cafe, so obviously I'm not keeping both. I just have to decide which other ADR I want to cancel. One option is to cancel Crystal Palace on MK day 1, but Alexis keeps saying she's eating with Pooh, so I think she's looking forward to that, even though she's not super into Pooh (we've never actually seen him on tv! she just has books and a stuffed animal). Option 2 is to cancel Biergarten on our Epcot day. How long would it take us to get over to Poly from Epcot? Andrew was looking forward to Biergarten, but I think if I showed him some food porn from Kona he might change his mind...

I'm *really* close to finishing my planning journal! Pictures will be up soon. If my dang printer will cooperate it might be done tonight!

1- Awesome that you finally came to an agreement about the PP! Your DH sounds a little more negotiable than mine!
2- I am going to check that out! I would love for Woody or Buzz to send DS a note from Disney! Thank you for that, I didn't know!
3- I agree with some of the other posters, Biergarten doesn't sound like a kid friendly place too much unless your children like that stuff! I am debating on some stuff too- I can't wait until you get back and give the TR I would love to hear how everything turned out!

As your getting closer are you getting antsy? I can't wait until it's time to go!

 

[sahm2two]

As your getting closer are you getting antsy? I can't wait until it's time to go!

um.... yes! Yesterday I was talking to DH about getting an ADR for Kona and he said "why do you keep changing everything?" I'm still working on the planning journal still, and I think by the time I get that done I'll be able to start packing!

 

[Corrine 1973]

such great planning. I am so sorry that you DH is not into paying for the photopass. I was lucky that during our last trip a DISfriend went at the same time and allowed us to be on her phontopass. We got tons of memorable pics and was able to add some great borders. I would definalty have the photopass people use your camera to take pics but still get some photopass pics. That way you can show the great pics you would have gotten on the photopass and maybe you can convince him to do it next time. Would it help that you can get an unlimited amount of pics on the photopass plus than add some great graphics. So if you have 100 pics taken, and than add borders to each of those pics you have 200 pictures. That come out to 50 cents a pic. A great deal in my book.

 

[pinkxray]

Haircuts at the barbershop sound great. If I ever have another kid they are getting their first haircut there.

I loved having the photopass last year. I am always the one taking pictures so if we didn't have photopass we wouldn't have had any proof that I was on the trip last year. We did have the photographer use our camera a few times, but it was much easier just handing of the photopass card.

 

[sahm2two]

I started packing today! yes... I still have 41 days

I decided the girls have enough clothes to go without their disney clothes for a month, when I would've normally started packing, so I started packing their clothes. I didn't get very far with all the "help" I had, so it's probably good I'm starting so early!

 

[Monknmom]

I started packing today! yes... I still have 41 days

I decided the girls have enough clothes to go without their disney clothes for a month, when I would've normally started packing, so I started packing their clothes. I didn't get very far with all the "help" I had, so it's probably good I'm starting so early!

Oh I bet that's so exciting, I can't wait to be packing! "helping" sounds like something my child would do!

 

[sahm2two]

yes, one of the ways Alexis "helped" was to insist on wearing her new Goofy shirt today. It wasn't like a big surprise or anything, but it was a new shirt I bought and I was going to wait till Disney for her to wear it. Oh well!

I did realize today that I have WAY too many Disney clothes to choose from though! I think I'm gonna plan on 2 outfits a day for the girls

 

[lledman]

yes, one of the ways Alexis "helped" was to insist on wearing her new Goofy shirt today. It wasn't like a big surprise or anything, but it was a new shirt I bought and I was going to wait till Disney for her to wear it. Oh well!

I did realize today that I have WAY too many Disney clothes to choose from though! I think I'm gonna plan on 2 outfits a day for the girls

I bought some new digs for Dis and then when I added them to what was in their drawers my kids have too many outfits as well. You have to love the extra help Our bags are in our camper right now - I packed them all out there so that I could purposely do it by myself

 

[lbuzz52]

yes, one of the ways Alexis "helped" was to insist on wearing her new Goofy shirt today. It wasn't like a big surprise or anything, but it was a new shirt I bought and I was going to wait till Disney for her to wear it. Oh well!

I did realize today that I have WAY too many Disney clothes to choose from though! I think I'm gonna plan on 2 outfits a day for the girls

the only time my kids like to help is when i dont need them to

i don't think two outfits/ day will be overkill, especially if you take breaks or have messy eaters!

 

[sahm2two]

the only time my kids like to help is when i dont need them to

i don't think two outfits/ day will be overkill, especially if you take breaks or have messy eaters!

oh man, they're incredibly messy eaters! The 18 month old makes everything into the messiest food I've ever given her. Who knew m&ms could be so messy! I figure we'll be taking a break every day back at the resort, and going swimming some. I won't want to put sweaty/dirty clothes back on them anyway... might as well get good use out of all their disney clothes!

 

[sahm2two]

We had a great Easter weekend here... thought I'd share some pictures

Saturday there was an Easter egg hunt at our mall. Our church meets in an old restaurant in the mall and we worked with the mall to put it on. The Easter Bunny was walking around taking pictures... for free!
I was really excited that the girls let us take them close to the bunny, because that gives me hope for the disney character pictures!

Our little mall has a carousel in it too, Kaitlyn used to hate it, but she finally likes it now. Alexis loves it!

Sunday morning they opened their baskets. Alexis got Tangled, which she was really excited about!

Before heading to church-

After naps we did a little egg hunt in our front yard

and then just cause I love this picture, we played with the bubbles the easter bunny brought!