Is it May Yet? Little Buzz and baby Alien take over-Final Pictures pg 6- 5/15

[jm106]

I am very new to this PTR idea, but I really need something to do with myself until May! I am pretty intimidated by the idea of entertaining ppl with my plans and hope to get someone who wants to read. I see some pretty great PRTs out there in PTR land and appreciate the chance to share in others magic. So rather then just stalk others, I am coming out of lurkerdome to share our story.

First Ill begin with some history of our familes WDW trips-
Trip one was my family, first trip 1980, by car all the way from NJ to Orlando then onto Miami. This was just one MK day and some Fl beach visits.

2nd- 1986 8th grade trip with school on a bus from NJ all the way to Disney. We enjoyed Epcot and MK and stayed at the Cabins at Ft Wilderness.

DH and I then went in May 2001, Dh first trip. DH family had not done much travel and he never "got it" as to why an adult would go to WDW... until he went. I am super planner and we hit it hard,lol. We did 8 park days, including both Universal Parks and 1/2 day Sea World and Discovery Cove Swim with the dolphins (awesome BTW)

Much to my Dismay, we did not return to the world until 2008 with a brief Universal visit and stay with friends in 2004. We had some great trips and bought a house and well, bore 2 beautiful future disney lovers.

So May 16 2008 was the kids first trip. Along with the boys who were 11 months and 3.5 yo at the time we also took along my Dn and her now Fiance. We stayed off site at the Hilton in friends TS ( was free what can I say.) As much fun as the trip was we were unfortunatly there during record may rains My kids first views of WDW was through the bubble of a plastic poncho...
(a brief Dry moment- their excitement got me through the weather when I was frustrated.)

So with out further ado Please welcome my insainly excited family...

 

[littledreamer7]

Congrats on returning! I am new to these PTR ect. So I'm going to follow a newbie along

 

[jm106]

Thanks for following along. Now I need to figure out how to link my PTR to my siggy.

So back to who we are...
Little Buzz- Ods is 5, he takes his Toy Story Very Seriously. As I posted in another thread, I asked DS on Tuesday morning what he wanted to eat. His rather swift reply was "well first I want pizza from pizza planet." Quickly, I cut him off to inform him, I was asking what he wanted for breakfast..that particular day Ds "OOOH." I think we have been a bit engrossed in planning around these parts as of late.

Baby Alien...yds currently 2 1/2 years old with no memories of his first trip (obviously.) He is very excited, so much that I was able to use seeing Mickey and Lightening as a potty training reward. Some kids want stickers or candy, mine needs a trip to Disney! Aim high baby.
This photo was after I make his quickie halloween costume. I told him he would be Alien then couldnt find one so after a run to WM and some fabric glue, I had a passable Alien in under 30 min! OOOOO

Then there is US, the "Grown Ups" or that is what they call us. I have been married to my love for will be 13 years in June. We love to travel, not getting as much of a chance as we would like. We love the caribbean, before kids we took up Diving and last summer bought an RV to get some additional travel time.
Here we are awating boat to MK.

I am currently in college, as a very old freshman. Its been an adventure. Defintly a learning curve since I have been out of school for close to 20 years. I work part time as well. DH is a awesome Dad and hubby as well as a great travel mate. We have yet to travel apart since we enjoy each others company so much.

Also, my new hobby is photography, hoping to improve before the trip.

Before I get carried away with our life story, I should move on to something a bit more related to Disney World...Some travel details perhaps

 

[teachermommy78]

Joining in!!! Your pictures are great! I thought the one of your son as Buzz was really good. The quality was superb! I was going to comment on your skills and then I read that you are practicing! Keep it up! Your family is ADORABLE! Being a mommy is the best, isn't it? I started my first PTR as a newbie as well (feel free to follow the link in my signature!!!). I'm going in June.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Told you I would sub if you started a PTR! And I made the first page--WOOT!

Love the pics of your boys--they are too cute. My DS was Buzz 2 years ago for halloween and had that exact same costume with the exact same wings And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the alien costume you made--very creative and it looked great!

Definitely looking forward to reading more about your plans...oh and I see that you figured out how to link your PTR in your signature before I even go the chance to tell you how back over on my report! See, your like an expert already!

 

[DisneyKira]

Subbing Your boys are adorable! I am going in May 2011, too. My fiance and I are going to POR for our honeymoon May 16-May 23rd

 

[jm106]

Oh thanks everyone, I was worried this thread would die with no readers so I appreciate it! I am so excited to have you all and thank you for the pic compliments!

So on to the planning, I mean that IS why I am here right.
First, a revalation- not only do I need a semi plan for the park days I also need to consider Yds will be too small for many things that ods is anxious to finally have grown enough to ride. I need a plan for them both and we will have to split up briefly. This is a bit overwhelming but Ill get it I think. Suggestions are always welcome.

Ods is so thrilled to be tall enough to ride those things he was turned away from last trip. Soarin is a biggie(but I lost the ride thingie they gave him for when he returned big enough.) Splash Mountain,test track is a definite, BTMRR, Kali River rapids. I am leary of tower of terror so we will make the call when we arrive.

Ods is very into rides, the bigger the better which is funny because he is a very small kid. We recently took them to Great wolf lodge and nothing was too big, fast or scary for him, even riding in the dark tunnels at night was a thrill. He did rides I didnt want a second go on. Hershey park, he got onto the run away train-ish ride by mistake (no one noticed he was too small, oops) and his reaction was that it was the BEST .RIDE .EVER ! He loves ferris wheel and even on first trip no fears of snow white or POTC as I was warned about(both kids did great.)

Leading up to our trip will be a busy May packed with fun and excitement.
I complete my college exams May 11 which is why we are going so late in the month.
Od Niece(the one from '08 WDW trip) is getting married May 20 and boys will be in the wedding (Tomorrow is Tux measurements. )

May 19, 1/2 day of work for me then pick up the fam and drive to beach area for rehersal( I live in the country in NJ.) SIL will arrive that day from VA. She so graciously coming to assist with boys during wedding, take them to hotel when they are "done" and help dh get them ready as I am a hairstylist and have commited to bridal parties hair. Oh the Pressure...

May 20, wedding day. At this point we should be packed for vacation. We drive to beach, check in and enjoy a beautiful day, wedding beach front with an over night in hotel.

May 21, travel back home, time with SIL, last minute packing and a good nights sleep.

May 22 ITS VACATION DAY
DH and I up at 4 am, kids up just after. On the road by 5:30 am. The drive from home to Philly Airport is 1 1/2 hrs. Our flight from PHL is 8 am. My kids are sleepers so there is a good chance they will nap on the plane.

10:30 Arrive MCO!! Yah, we are here!!
And day one Begins...

 

[jm106]

As I said, we love the caribbean so we decided to stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We really loved the look of the pool and once Ods and DH saw the pirate rooms there was no changing.
I started to consider this trip in January after DH mentioned that his company requested that he put in his vacation time by the end of january. It seems I always start thinking vacation in January anyway. I even noticed I became a member of this board on Jan 3, 2008, last years summer trip was decided on NYE(St Thomas.)

My very wonderful friend offered me her time share again, even finding us a stay at Bonnet Creek but the dates werent ideal and I really wanted the kids to experience onsite. Also, If we used her TS I would want to pay her something (I wouldnt take it for free again, she gave us the '08 trip and my DN her honeymoon is Hawaii at TS for Free the same week. I didnt want to take advantage) rent a car, take car seats, drive back and forth I realized it wasnt worth it for us. I like the buses in WDW, the closeness and for me the magic.

All the while I was looking and pricing, I thought about the 4 pin codes I got last year, mostly free dining that we couldnt take advantage of.
I wouldnt let no pin change my ideas and kept planning and looking at options.
One fateful Saturday night, here I was on Disboards. I read about a family who had just gotten their pin via snail mail. Just before midnight, laughing at myself, I decided to go get the mail, just in case. DH sound asleep on the couch, me in my PJs, I throw on snow boots and walk to the mail box. Bills, flyers and a larger green and white card stock Ad of some kind, that in the dark I couldnt make out. What does it say... Disney Destinations? No, Couldnt be, its dark, my eyes are playing tricks.
I hustle inside, throw down the other mail and THERE it IS a Pin Code offer! I think I may have danced a bit. I woke poor Dh who had no idea of what was going on and when he came to enough to realize, he chuckled at me.
So here I was, at bed time with a pin sitting on the counter, laying in bed trying to sleep and not book a trip. Finally, the excitement subsided enough to let me sleep. That was it, we were going for sure.

Once I got to the actual planning, we decided on CBR and my pin only allowed Pirate room. No one was disappointed with that. I think DH believes he IS a pirate at heart,lol.

So the offical Plans are- May 22-28
5 days park days no hoppers and no DP. Ill get into my reasonings later for that.

Day 1- Arrive at MCO about 10:30 am and head to WDW via Magical Express.
My hope is that we will be at the resort and either granted an early check in and get into MK by 1 ish. If we cant get into our room, we will head to MK asap.
I am planning a Garden Grocer delivery that day for snacks and water. I hope we can get it day one so we have what we need for day 2.
At this point we have decided to take 2 strollers although probaby keep one in the room most days since ODS can walk more and they can alternate using it. Day one however, I think Ill take both so they can rest, nap if needed.

Once in, we will grab a QS meal. I have not made a solid touring plan for the days. I think Ill start in Fantacy Land or Tomorrowland since we missed it last time. We also missed its a small world, speedway, the boat ride, Haunted Mansion, jungle cruise and a bunch more. It was pretty bad weather that week, so even with 2 MK days, we missed a lot.
We do not have ADR for this day, I dont want a sit down meal to eat up our park time. There is plenty of QS food to get.

Its a EMH day but I dont plan that kids can stay up all that late. If they nap on plane or stroller I hope to make it for Electric light parade.

Back to CBR to rest up as we take on Day 2...

 

[jennyf2]

YEAH!! I made page 1 Your boys are ADORABLE!!! I love your castle firework picture.... Can't wait to read more

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in.

 

[jm106]

Welcome and thanks (and please forgive my terrible spelling in the last post, spell check isnt working on this lap top and I was hurrying. yikes was it bad)

 

[teachermommy78]

Hooray for the pin code! Great story! I wish we could go at a time where pin codes weren't blacked out. Maybe someday! Blasted teaching career!

 

[jm106]

Good Morning day 2!
Awake fairly early, coffee and quick breakfast in room (as long as garden grocer has delivered)
Bus to EP 8:15-8:30

First stop Soarin to ride or get FP wth child swap for yds.

DH may head to Mission Space as he skipped it last time to spend the time with the family. He could maybe get FP and he can return while I do something with the boys. Test Track for ods with one of us.

Nemo and turtle talk with crush is a must see and then make our way through Future world as far as we can get.

Lunch break for Quick service, hopefully some place in World Showcase.

By 2 pm, want to be back at CBR for rest and maybe a jump in the pool.

Need to firm up travel time but 4:30ish backon bus to get to San Angel for 5:30 ADR.
Gran Fiesta while in Mexico.

Then we plan to enjoy World Showcase, hitting Malestrom along the way.
Definitly plan to watch Illuminations at 9 pm.

Bus back to CBR
Kids off to sleep and DH and I can relax with a drink and some TV or a movie on lap top.

Upon looking at CBR, I see motel room corridors so I do wonder if its possible to pull the chairs outside of our door to enjoy the evening but still being with kids. Too red-neck ?lol. Does anyone know if we could do that? This is my one reason to want a deluxe.

After some ZZZs, we will wake to a glorious Day 3 of WDW adventure

 

[jm106]

Excuse my back tracking but this is an easy way for me to mentally work things out while bouncing ideas off of others.
On our last trip, Dh and I focused on getting to things kids would want to do with the exception of DH on expedition everist and a child swap at Soaring for us when we learned ds was a hair too short.
So now this trip, kind of deciding how much we as adults want to make it a point to do. I wonder as parents for anyone in our boat, what do you decide to do for you and swap or split up?
I have always wanted to ride Misson Splace however, I am a big whimp and wouldnt ride with out DH. Not sure what his presence would do fo rme, but some how I find comfort when he is along to hold my hand. So as I said, that will be for him to do andhe would do which ewver is the scarier verson since I wont be there to chicken out.
Space mountain, I want to do. Rockin roller coaster, Ill skip aganw ith out DH even though Aerosmith is in fact one of my all time favorites.
Besides the rides with swap, Dh and I need to alternate rides with ods and figure our what yds will be enjoying.
Dinosaur I think ods will like even though critics dispute this as good for younger kids.
Kali River rapids,Ill let Dh get soaked but I want splash mountain then.
Soaring, heck if ods could go with each of us and a swap I would do that, I think its worth a second ride.
Test track, this one may be a coin toss as we both love it.
Can I stretch yds before we go,lol. I have small kids so no chance of him making it on these. So he needs a plan. I have to look at my Maps and see what is close.
What am I missing? What else should Ods attempt? What else shoudl I make sure to get on myself?
My other quandry is pirates League- Ages 3 and up.
Isnt it so great that we dont need park tickets for yds because he will be 2 weeks shy of 3 but this rules him out of PL. Debate now, does ODS do it and yds cant or do they both miss out?
And this is what fills my brain for hours on end... what is next?

 

[teachermommy78]

Are you planning on going back again within the next few years? If yes, I would say to take a more relaxed approach and plan your top must dos for each park. Everything else is a bonus depending on how the boys are doing. If you aren't planning on heading back for awhile, utilize the switch passes to the fulles. Still do the must dos, but maybe push it a bit. Whatever you do, just have a ton of fun. I don't know if you've ever subscribed, but Tour Guide Mike has great guides to the parks with small children.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Maybe you already know this but just in case, the rider swap allows both you and your husband to take a turn riding while your older DS will get to ride twice, once with each of you. This way, if you both want to ride, you guys don't have to decide who does and doesn't get to

 

[BucsTex]

Whoa! Our trip dates overlap!!! And we're both flying out of PHL!!!

Freaky....

 

[jm106]

Are you planning on going back again within the next few years? If yes, I would say to take a more relaxed approach and plan your top must dos for each park. Everything else is a bonus depending on how the boys are doing. If you aren't planning on heading back for awhile, utilize the switch passes to the fulles. Still do the must dos, but maybe push it a bit. Whatever you do, just have a ton of fun. I don't know if you've ever subscribed, but Tour Guide Mike has great guides to the parks with small children.

Really, not sure. I would love to asy we will be back in 2 years again but with me in college and needing both time and money I am not sure. We weren't planning to even go this year but I suddenly inherited some money so I decided to splurge. I dont want to skip too much but I dont want to feel pressure to do it all either.

Maybe you already know this but just in case, the rider swap allows both you and your husband to take a turn riding while your older DS will get to ride twice, once with each of you. This way, if you both want to ride, you guys don't have to decide who does and doesn't get to

Ohh, I forgot that!! Awesome

Whoa! Our trip dates overlap!!! And we're both flying out of PHL!!!

Freaky....

No Kidding! Are you on the 8 am flight?

 

[AKL LOVER]

Excuse my back tracking but this is an easy way for me to mentally work things out while bouncing ideas off of others.
On our last trip, Dh and I focused on getting to things kids would want to do with the exception of DH on expedition everist and a child swap at Soaring for us when we learned ds was a hair too short.
So now this trip, kind of deciding how much we as adults want to make it a point to do. I wonder as parents for anyone in our boat, what do you decide to do for you and swap or split up?
I have always wanted to ride Misson Splace however, I am a big whimp and wouldnt ride with out DH. Not sure what his presence would do fo rme, but some how I find comfort when he is along to hold my hand. So as I said, that will be for him to do andhe would do which ewver is the scarier verson since I wont be there to chicken out.
Space mountain, I want to do. Rockin roller coaster, Ill skip aganw ith out DH even though Aerosmith is in fact one of my all time favorites.
Besides the rides with swap, Dh and I need to alternate rides with ods and figure our what yds will be enjoying.
Dinosaur I think ods will like even though critics dispute this as good for younger kids.
Kali River rapids,Ill let Dh get soaked but I want splash mountain then.
Soaring, heck if ods could go with each of us and a swap I would do that, I think its worth a second ride.
Test track, this one may be a coin toss as we both love it.
Can I stretch yds before we go,lol. I have small kids so no chance of him making it on these. So he needs a plan. I have to look at my Maps and see what is close.
What am I missing? What else should Ods attempt? What else shoudl I make sure to get on myself?
My other quandry is pirates League- Ages 3 and up.
Isnt it so great that we dont need park tickets for yds because he will be 2 weeks shy of 3 but this rules him out of PL. Debate now, does ODS do it and yds cant or do they both miss out?
And this is what fills my brain for hours on end... what is next?

Really, not sure. I would love to asy we will be back in 2 years again but with me in college and needing both time and money I am not sure. We weren't planning to even go this year but I suddenly inherited some money so I decided to splurge. I dont want to skip too much but I dont want to feel pressure to do it all either.

OK, here's my 2 cents...I figured, what they hey. That's what she's writing a PRT for, right???

I don't think that your ride/attraction to do list sounds at all unreasonable, especially if you are planning at least one day in each park. I think I remember you mentioning that you had 5 day passes (w/ no hoppers), right? So make a list of attractions/rides you and your family want to do in each park. The park with the most attractions should get 2 days to visit instead of one, like the others.

We have an older child and younger, so like you, our DD is tall enough to ride and our DS is not. My DH and I did not spend that much time apart to ride different rides with the kids. If DD wanted to ride a ride, DS and I would wait. And then we'd do a rider swap so I could ride too

We've gone in May before and with a solid touring plan, you should not have a problem knocking out just about everything on your list. We did and we took breaks in the middle of the day and did not stay out late at night. Back to our room right after dinner--my kids are early to bed, even on vacation.

Let DH ride the rides he wants to (without you) and you could use that time to find a playground/spot for the boys to burn off some steam. While waiting for your DH and older DS while they ride a ride, take your younger DS to see something the older one might not want to see or just sit on a bench/in the shade and relax--people watch, get a snack, have some ice cream, whatever strikes your fancy. Also, your younger DS may even nap while in the stroller and that's the perfect time to hit a ride that requires a parent swap! There aren't a huge number of rides that have height requirements at each park, so you'll really spend a negligible amout of time split up to ride rides due to the height issue.

And I think once you get there and see how much fun you are having as a family, you won't really stress as much about missing a ride as you might think you will. Although I can't promise you won't stress about it after you return ...3 trips and I still haven't gotten to see Festival of the Lion King...I WILL see it this May, even if I have to go by myself!

Oh, and I would wait to do the pirate cruise when they could both do it. The jealousy of the younger DS not getting to do something special would just stress me out. Besides, not doing the pirate cruise would free up an afternoon for more touring time (get in more rides!!) or for more pool time (which my kids adore!!)...

Hope this helps a little and doesn't stress you out even more.

 

[jm106]

Thank you, I really apprecate the feed back and want it. I am not stressed just really an over thinker
I do need to sit and look at what are must dos but the hard part for me is they ALL are. I want to ge to some things we just couldnt do last time. I have limited basis for what we can get done because 2 yrs ago also in May the weather kept the crowds way down but also limited what we could do. I do know at least what parks, which days just need to decide what in the parks we want to do. I dont want to do an official touring plan, I know I wont stick to it. There arent many height rides but there are several that yds will not be able to ride. I am less worreid about me and dh. I just want a plan so yds isnt left waiting when there is something fun he could do. I just want a plan enough to say, lets get FP and make sure to do XYZ but I am ok if we dont get to something as long as everyone is having fun and doesnt feel like its a marathon. I totally understnad the jea;ousy between kids, tha is why I am concerned with yds being stuck waiting while ods does cool rides. Just tinight ods was telling me he would go on Dinosuar with daddy and Yds said he would go withme. I said no baby, you cant go on it until you are bigger. Lets say he wasnt happyand I could see him being not too happy as Ods goes off and he is left behind so I wnt to have a plan of what I can say he is goin to do as his special thing.
I wasnt planning a pirate cruise, its the pirates League in MK with face painting and pirate name. Probably will skip it, not like there isnt enough that we do want to do anyway.