I'm turning 30! What better way to celebrate than Disney World? 6/8 -6/16

[PirateKate]

I'm so looking forward to my boys being old enough to enjoy a countdown calendar. We might all make it together, though. I think they'd like that. It won't turn nearly as attractive as yours did, but that's okay.

I don't know much about SWW, but I did see a youtube video of the Hyperspace Hoopla, and I thought it was pretty funny.

Beautiful pictures of the Castle. We are trial and error photographers and it took us about 50 settings to find one that looked okay. Maybe I'll read that book you suggested.

 

[All American]

I just found your trip report and am loving it. I, too, have a husband who hates the heat and swore off the Value resorts. We'll be there at the same time you will be but from the 7th to the 15th. It's a family trip for all of us and a birthday trip for my husband who picked this week just for Star Wars Weekends. He wants to go the event each day it's offered, so maybe we'll see you there.

Happy Planning!

Oh, and by the way, your pictures are fantastic!

 

[TeresaG]

He had accepted your apology but is still a little pouty.

I hear that SWW is a wonderful experience for fans! I know he is going to have a great time. And who know, maybe it will help Alex develop a love, too, that way he and daddy will have another outlet for father/son bonding!

LOL! Well, he could always just agree to bring the stroller you guys already have...

My DH has said he wants to watch the movies with Alex so he at least knows who all the people are we're going to be seeing. Have I mentioned I'm not a Star Wars fan?

I'm so looking forward to my boys being old enough to enjoy a countdown calendar. We might all make it together, though. I think they'd like that. It won't turn nearly as attractive as yours did, but that's okay.

I don't know much about SWW, but I did see a youtube video of the Hyperspace Hoopla, and I thought it was pretty funny.

Beautiful pictures of the Castle. We are trial and error photographers and it took us about 50 settings to find one that looked okay. Maybe I'll read that book you suggested.

My son really loves having the countdown. He looks forward to bedtime every night so we can pull off a Mickey head and see what's under neath. It was annoying to make, but in the end it was really worth it.

Thank you for the compliments on my pictures. Photography is a lot of trial and error at first. At least it was for me.

I just found your trip report and am loving it. I, too, have a husband who hates the heat and swore off the Value resorts. We'll be there at the same time you will be but from the 7th to the 15th. It's a family trip for all of us and a birthday trip for my husband who picked this week just for Star Wars Weekends. He wants to go the event each day it's offered, so maybe we'll see you there.

Happy Planning!

Oh, and by the way, your pictures are fantastic!

Hi and Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Yay for going at the same time. If you find out anything about SWW pass it on. lol. I am trying to find out where to get pictures and autographs with characters and when the parade is.

Thank you for the compliments on my pictures.

 

[TeresaG]

Made a few more plans.

Since we're now going to SWW on the 12th we had to cancel our morning ADR at 1900 Park Fare and make a new one. I've heard good things about 50's Prime Time and the theme looks really cute and fun so I booked us there at 1:25pm. Hopefully that's after the Star Wars parade because that cannot be missed.


I was also considering getting Alex a new autograph book. He likes to ask for autographs but has had the same book for a while. I've decided to make him his own book (remind me of this later when I'm cursing myself and my brilliance ). Anyway, on the creative boards there are people who made autograph cards. All I'm going to do is print them as 4x6 pictures and then bind them at Staples. That way Alex will have a book with pictures of the characters AND their autograph. I figure he'd like that better since some of the autographs are tough to read for a 5yr old. I'm only doing characters I know we'll see at character dining or will wait in line for (read: Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Mike Wazowski and Sully) as well as the Star Wars characters since my DH will get out a kick out of getting some of those autographs.


Also yesterday my parents came to visit so Kenny and I took off faster than Lightning McQueen for a little 'date day' First place we went? The Disney Store at the mall. Hey, I was looking for an autograph book as well as some tshirts for the kids. I ended up buying 2 mugs for myself.

Tinkerbell

and

Green Earth Day Mickey (very me )

My coffee this morning tasted so much better.

 

[hurleysweety]

Star Wars Weekends (SWW) are great fun for Star Wars Fans. They do all sorts of fun events and crazy things that are very cool to all ages. The biggest part of SWW this year is the grand opening of the revamped Star Tours Ride, now called Star Tours 2.0, which is now in 3D and offers like 50 different experiences (so you never get the same ride twice). Here's a great site to learn about it in more detail than you could ever care to know.

http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/

Looks like the parade is at 11:40am, so you should be fine with a 1:25 ADR. And it looks like kids can be invited to participate in the parade! From the site:

"If your child(ren) wants to be in the parade, right when the park opens head over to a special table that is located between Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours and ask about the parade. You can't sign up directly for it, but certainly asking about it may get your child(ren) a invite into it."

 

[Minnie_Mom]

LOL! Well, he could always just agree to bring the stroller you guys already have...

My DH has said he wants to watch the movies with Alex so he at least knows who all the people are we're going to be seeing. Have I mentioned I'm not a Star Wars fan?

Exactly! I wish he would... Have I mentioned that I LOVE my stroller. Although, I have enjoyed researching and am looking forward to something a little more lightweight. Now, if I could just decide.

Lol, I can't say I blame you. I am one of those people who just don't get it. Ummmm, maybe you could plan a spa weekend, or at least go to the Disney Store, while they are watching the movies.

Since we're now going to SWW on the 12th we had to cancel our morning ADR at 1900 Park Fare and make a new one. I've heard good things about 50's Prime Time and the theme looks really cute and fun so I booked us there at 1:25pm. Hopefully that's after the Star Wars parade because that cannot be missed.

You should look at Glennbo123 most recent TR. He was there during Star Wars Weekend last year and talks lot about the activities.

I was also considering getting Alex a new autograph book. He likes to ask for autographs but has had the same book for a while. I've decided to make him his own book (remind me of this later when I'm cursing myself and my brilliance ). Anyway, on the creative boards there are people who made autograph cards. All I'm going to do is print them as 4x6 pictures and then bind them at Staples. That way Alex will have a book with pictures of the characters AND their autograph. I figure he'd like that better since some of the autographs are tough to read for a 5yr old. I'm only doing characters I know we'll see at character dining or will wait in line for (read: Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Mike Wazowski and Sully) as well as the Star Wars characters since my DH will get out a kick out of getting some of those autographs.

Let me know how this goes. I have said our last couple of trips that I am going to make these for the kiddos, but I never do. I always get overwhelmed when trying to decide which characters to include. I would to see pictures when you are done!

Also yesterday my parents came to visit so Kenny and I took off faster than Lightning McQueen for a little 'date day' First place we went? The Disney Store at the mall. Hey, I was looking for an autograph book as well as some tshirts for the kids. I ended up buying 2 mugs for myself.

Love them!

 

[TeresaG]

Star Wars Weekends (SWW) are great fun for Star Wars Fans. They do all sorts of fun events and crazy things that are very cool to all ages. The biggest part of SWW this year is the grand opening of the revamped Star Tours Ride, now called Star Tours 2.0, which is now in 3D and offers like 50 different experiences (so you never get the same ride twice). Here's a great site to learn about it in more detail than you could ever care to know.

http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/

Looks like the parade is at 11:40am, so you should be fine with a 1:25 ADR. And it looks like kids can be invited to participate in the parade! From the site:

Thanks so much for that link and parade info! That is so super helpful!! (and yes, packed full of way more info that *I* could possibly care about, but there was a slight twinkle in my DH's eye when I showed him some of the pics... )

You should look at Glennbo123 most recent TR. He was there during Star Wars Weekend last year and talks lot about the activities.



Let me know how this goes. I have said our last couple of trips that I am going to make these for the kiddos, but I never do. I always get overwhelmed when trying to decide which characters to include. I would to see pictures when you are done!

I'm going to check out that report! Thanks.
I was a little unsure about the autograph book at first too (heck, I still am sorta, but we need one and I figure lets see how this one goes ) but what I decided to do was include the characters we will definitely see through character meals and then the few lines I know Alex will wait in (ie Woody, Buzz, Jesse and Monsters Inc). That's pretty much it. There's 40 cards I need to print. If we didn't have so many character meals I really don't know how I would narrow it down since my son would much prefer to go on rides instead of wait in a long line to see anyone other than Toy Story or Monsters Inc. He loves Mickey, but not more than Splash Mountain.

 

[TeresaG]

Last night I made another ADR for 1900 Park Fare, but this time I made it for dinner instead of breakfast. We've never had dinner there before, so hopefully it's good. The plan is to eat dinner and then head back to Magic Kingdom.


I'm done collecting the autograph cards so now I'm going to give the file to my younger cousin who works in a photo lab and ask him to print them for me. Then I'll bring them to Staples and have them bind it. Hopefully this can all happen soon. I hate having a project lingering over my head. I'm the type of person who thinks something up and then wants it to be done as soon as possible.


DH stopped at Target on his way home from work yesterday to pick up something and while he was there he bought Alex a Start Wars shirt with Chewbacca on it. So yes, I think my DH is excited about SWW.



In non-Disney news, yesterday while driving home from picking my son up from preschool I noticed a pretty meadow right by our house with dandelions blooming (yes, dandelions are weeds, but they photograph so well...) so I stopped the car and took some pictures of the kids.

I think this is my favorite.

Yes, more shameless picture sharing.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Joining in! Followed you over from my PTR. First of all - Your photos are gorgeous!!! One day I'll find the time & money to learn how to take better pictures.

Second - I think you'll find the buses are better at Pop Century than the All-Stars. I've never stayed at the All-Stars but I have stayed at Pop and didn't think the buses were bad at all. Since the All-Stars share buses & Pop has their own (at least for now) you'll at least have fewer stops.

Great countdown!! We're big fans of countdowns but with this year's trip being a surprise, I won't get to make one...

 

[hurleysweety]

Last night I made another ADR for 1900 Park Fare, but this time I made it for dinner instead of breakfast. We've never had dinner there before, so hopefully it's good. The plan is to eat dinner and then head back to Magic Kingdom.

I've heard great things about 1900 Park Fare - and dinner looks delicious!

I'm done collecting the autograph cards so now I'm going to give the file to my younger cousin who works in a photo lab and ask him to print them for me. Then I'll bring them to Staples and have them bind it. Hopefully this can all happen soon. I hate having a project lingering over my head. I'm the type of person who thinks something up and then wants it to be done as soon as possible.

I am the same way! And people don't understand why I get stressed...

DH stopped at Target on his way home from work yesterday to pick up something and while he was there he bought Alex a Start Wars shirt with Chewbacca on it. So yes, I think my DH is excited about SWW.

For Star Wars fans, I hear this is one of Disney's best events!

In non-Disney news, yesterday while driving home from picking my son up from preschool I noticed a pretty meadow right by our house with dandelions blooming (yes, dandelions are weeds, but they photograph so well...) so I stopped the car and took some pictures of the kids.

I think this is my favorite.

Yes, more shameless picture sharing.

This is the most precious picture ever!

Its the kind of picture that makes me say, "I want one too!" and the kinda picture that makes DH wanna drive me to all my friend's houses who have babies so I can hear them fuss, and cry, and tire out my poor friends in hopes that it will change my mind for a few more months.

 

[Minnie_Mom]

I'm going to check out that report! Thanks.
I was a little unsure about the autograph book at first too (heck, I still am sorta, but we need one and I figure lets see how this one goes ) but what I decided to do was include the characters we will definitely see through character meals and then the few lines I know Alex will wait in (ie Woody, Buzz, Jesse and Monsters Inc). That's pretty much it. There's 40 cards I need to print. If we didn't have so many character meals I really don't know how I would narrow it down since my son would much prefer to go on rides instead of wait in a long line to see anyone other than Toy Story or Monsters Inc. He loves Mickey, but not more than Splash Mountain.


Lol... he sounds just Porter. He loves the characters and enjoys interacting with them at our meals, but given the choice between rides or characters... RIDES WIN! BTW, Splash Mtn is his favorite!

Still trying to decide about making an autograph book for our trip... Can't wait to see your!

Last night I made another ADR for 1900 Park Fare, but this time I made it for dinner instead of breakfast. We've never had dinner there before, so hopefully it's good. The plan is to eat dinner and then head back to Magic Kingdom.

It has been 8 years since I ate there, but I remember it being a fun meal! And, I hear lots of good reviews for it!

I'm done collecting the autograph cards so now I'm going to give the file to my younger cousin who works in a photo lab and ask him to print them for me. Then I'll bring them to Staples and have them bind it. Hopefully this can all happen soon. I hate having a project lingering over my head. I'm the type of person who thinks something up and then wants it to be done as soon as possible.

Me, too. We aren't leaving until Oct, but my to-do list is already starting to bug me!

DH stopped at Target on his way home from work yesterday to pick up something and while he was there he bought Alex a Start Wars shirt with Chewbacca on it. So yes, I think my DH is excited about SWW.

How sweet!

In non-Disney news, yesterday while driving home from picking my son up from preschool I noticed a pretty meadow right by our house with dandelions blooming (yes, dandelions are weeds, but they photograph so well...) so I stopped the car and took some pictures of the kids.

I think this is my favorite.

Yes, more shameless picture sharing.

Love, love, love this picture! You are so talented. Going to have some professional pics of Porter taken today. Crossing my fingers that he will cooperate! And... I love your picture sharing! I only wish that I had had talent like yours!

 

[TeresaG]

Joining in! Followed you over from my PTR. First of all - Your photos are gorgeous!!! One day I'll find the time & money to learn how to take better pictures.

Second - I think you'll find the buses are better at Pop Century than the All-Stars. I've never stayed at the All-Stars but I have stayed at Pop and didn't think the buses were bad at all. Since the All-Stars share buses & Pop has their own (at least for now) you'll at least have fewer stops.

Great countdown!! We're big fans of countdowns but with this year's trip being a surprise, I won't get to make one...

Hi! Thanks for joining!
I'm really hoping there are no bus issues at Pop. If DH feels even slightly annoyed by the buses we'll probably never stay in a Value again. Here's hoping. Either way, I think the theming looks really cute at Pop and so it's definitely a hotel I've wanted to stay in.

This is the most precious picture ever!

Its the kind of picture that makes me say, "I want one too!" and the kinda picture that makes DH wanna drive me to all my friend's houses who have babies so I can hear them fuss, and cry, and tire out my poor friends in hopes that it will change my mind for a few more months.

Thank you!! Your DH sounds an awful lot like mine used to before we had my DS... Interesting...

Love, love, love this picture! You are so talented. Going to have some professional pics of Porter taken today. Crossing my fingers that he will cooperate! And... I love your picture sharing! I only wish that I had had talent like yours!

Thank you! I love sharing my pics, but I don't want it to be over kill. lol.

 

[TeresaG]

OK, not much to report lately. I've been spending these last couple days getting the autograph cards ready to print. I'm planning on giving them to my cousin this weekend to print and hopefully I'll have them back next weekend. Then I can get them bound and be done with it.


What is still up in the air is whether we should add the Water Park option to our tickets. I really cannot make up my mind as to whether we should go or not. I love water parks and would love to see the Disney ones, but my son is not a strong swimmer and so I worry it's not worth it. I know Blizzard Beach has a nice kid area.

(not my pics, found on Google images)

and

But that really doesn't seem worth the extra ticket costs since they'd probably be just as happy playing at the pools at Pop

I guess that really makes up my mind. I think it's just that *I* love water parks and want to go, but what's best for my kids right now is probably NOT to go. I doubt they let you go down any tube slides with your kid on your lap, and I would be too nervous to let Alex float alone in a tube in the Lazy River in case he was to overturn for some reason. OK, yea, just writing it out scares me enough to say forget the water parks.

So what's the point of this update? lol. Well, I wrote it all out so...

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Thank you! I love sharing my pics, but I don't want it to be over kill. lol.

You can never share too many pictures! Keep on sharing... Can't wait to see more!

OK, not much to report lately. I've been spending these last couple days getting the autograph cards ready to print. I'm planning on giving them to my cousin this weekend to print and hopefully I'll have them back next weekend. Then I can get them bound and be done with it.


What is still up in the air is whether we should add the Water Park option to our tickets. I really cannot make up my mind as to whether we should go or not. I love water parks and would love to see the Disney ones, but my son is not a strong swimmer and so I worry it's not worth it. I know Blizzard Beach has a nice kid area.

(not my pics, found on Google images)

and

But that really doesn't seem worth the extra ticket costs since they'd probably be just as happy playing at the pools at Pop

I guess that really makes up my mind. I think it's just that *I* love water parks and want to go, but what's best for my kids right now is probably NOT to go. I doubt they let you go down any tube slides with your kid on your lap, and I would be too nervous to let Alex float alone in a tube in the Lazy River in case he was to overturn for some reason. OK, yea, just writing it out scares me enough to say forget the water parks.

So what's the point of this update? lol. Well, I wrote it all out so...

While you are making auto books, will you make a couple for me, too?

Hmmm, water parks... Hard choice. If you *love* water parks and are ok doing the slides by yourself, then go for it! The kids will love playing in the children's area and will enjoy the theming, too. You and DH can trade out playing with them and going on the slides. There may also be 1-2 family tube rides?
Yes, your kids will be happy in the Pop pool area, but they will love BB. Also if it makes YOUR trip more special, then do it! It is your birthday trip, afterall!

Good luck deciding!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Looks like your plans are well in hand!

We stayed at Pop several times and really enjoyed it. No complaints with the buses. The 3 of us just don't fit confortably in 2 full size beds, so that kind of killed it for us.

Good luck with the autograph books!

DH started out with an Olympus 410. Then he got a Sony Alpha. Then he got an Olympus 510, then an E1. Then, because he likes to see my head explode, he got a Nikon D90 and got rid of all the other stuff. Then of course there are bags. We have more bags than the lost & found at the airport. And lenses, and tripods, and so on and so on and so on. DS and I use point & shoot and call it a day. Well, I say that, but DS is also quite fond of video so he has a Flip and a Sony camcorder. I think he is just bringing the Flip to WDW.

We took DS to the local water park when he was 6. I would go first, then DS, then his friend, then the friend's mom. That way there was always someone at the top of the slide with the boys, and someone at the bottom to "catch" them. I don't know that I would brave it with a younger little dude.

 

[TeresaG]

You can never share too many pictures! Keep on sharing... Can't wait to see more!



While you are making auto books, will you make a couple for me, too?

Hmmm, water parks... Hard choice. If you *love* water parks and are ok doing the slides by yourself, then go for it! The kids will love playing in the children's area and will enjoy the theming, too. You and DH can trade out playing with them and going on the slides. There may also be 1-2 family tube rides?
Yes, your kids will be happy in the Pop pool area, but they will love BB. Also if it makes YOUR trip more special, then do it! It is your birthday trip, afterall!

Good luck deciding!

LOL about the autograph books. I'm only making one and hoping for the best so... Hopefully it comes out cute. Even more hopefully my son uses it.

My DH is really not the biggest water park fan so until the kids are strong enough swimmers I think mommy is just out of luck. Sniff. No point in paying the extra money when I'm the only one who can/will do anything there.

Looks like your plans are well in hand!

We stayed at Pop several times and really enjoyed it. No complaints with the buses. The 3 of us just don't fit confortably in 2 full size beds, so that kind of killed it for us.

Good luck with the autograph books!

DH started out with an Olympus 410. Then he got a Sony Alpha. Then he got an Olympus 510, then an E1. Then, because he likes to see my head explode, he got a Nikon D90 and got rid of all the other stuff. Then of course there are bags. We have more bags than the lost & found at the airport. And lenses, and tripods, and so on and so on and so on. DS and I use point & shoot and call it a day. Well, I say that, but DS is also quite fond of video so he has a Flip and a Sony camcorder. I think he is just bringing the Flip to WDW.

We took DS to the local water park when he was 6. I would go first, then DS, then his friend, then the friend's mom. That way there was always someone at the top of the slide with the boys, and someone at the bottom to "catch" them. I don't know that I would brave it with a younger little dude.

Hi and Thanks for joining in!

Fitting in the small rooms isn't too bad right now (even though DH prefers SSR). I think as they get older we'll be more likely to want to stay in larger rooms.

I think my DH wishes I didn't have such an expensive hobby... It adds up really really quickly. Plus bringing the camera and equipment to Disney is pretty annoying. I think I'm at the point where I'm happy to just bring two lenses (and then wish I had brought a different one while down there ) but it makes for lighter packing. Diaper bag + camera bag = annoying. No other way to slice it. It's just another bag to carry around.

I think the water park is off the table. I'm too nervous to let my DS go on any slides alone right now. So we'll wait until both kids are older.

 

[Minnie_Mom]

LOL about the autograph books. I'm only making one and hoping for the best so... Hopefully it comes out cute. Even more hopefully my son uses it.

My DH is really not the biggest water park fan so until the kids are strong enough swimmers I think mommy is just out of luck. Sniff. No point in paying the extra money when I'm the only one who can/will do anything there.

Have you gotten you book back, yet? Can't wait to see it!

Sorry about the water park Maybe you can lay at Pop's pool, close your eyes, and pretend that you are at Blizzard Beach!

 

[TeresaG]

Hi everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates. There hasn't been anything to update just yet. Nothing has happened.

I'm waiting to get my pictures back for the autograph book, so once that comes back I can get to work on binding it and finishing it.

I've been looking on disneystore.com because they sent out an email advertising $8 graphic shirts. When I opened the email I thought "Bingo! I'll buy a couple shirts for everyone!" Then I started clicking around and trying to actually BUY the darn shirts and realized...they were all out of stock. I seriously hate disneystore.com. There. I said it. Why have shirts out at all if they are all sold out? And half of them don't even say 'sold out' they just have no info next to them. That site really boils my blood.

So yea. No autograph book yet and no Disney shirts. And I am still looking for something for Maddie to wear to dinner at CRT. I need to get to work I think.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Don't you hate that lull where everything is finished but it isn't time to leave yet?

We have a Disney Store across the street that opened last October so I don't look at the website very often.

Good luck with the wardrobing!

 

[TeresaG]

Have I lost everyone?? I know, I've been MIA. Nothing new was going on so there was nothing to report.

Until now.

I picked up my autograph picture cards yesterday. They looked so so great. I am so thankful to the Disboards for so many reasons, and this autograph book is just another reason. I was so excited to see the printed pictures and finally finish the book. So today, after I dropped my son off at school, I ran to Staples to ask about book binding. The woman behind the counter kept going on and on about what a fantastic idea it was and she was so happy to bind the book together. She said it would take 10mins so Maddie and I walked around the store. I bought some Sharpie markers and 2 packs of rain ponchos (who knew Staples had rain ponchos? not me lol) and the grand total, with the autograph book, was $13.

I really love how the book looks and Alex is so excited to get autographs. I think from now on I'll make the kids a book like this each time we go.

Here are a few pics!

The cover (yes, the top got cut off, but it's ok )

Some pics of the inside pages

And the front and back covers

Slowly things are coming together. Only 23 more days to go. I feel like I need to iron out the plans for arrival day and our maybe free day, but otherwise we're pretty much ready.