Island Hopping: A WDW PTR for Sept. 2012-- Link to TR! 10/10

[LifeIsDis]

Well I’m glad that everything is going well with Brynn. Even though she might have Asperger’s, I’m glad that she will be able to get the services in school. That will help!

Seriously, Sawyer is ADORABLE. Happy belated birthday to him!

I love how the girls found out about Pirate’s League from the Disney Planning DVD. I have to say, it does look really cool! It's really too bad I'm too old for it. I am very surprised though that they picked that over BBB!

I am planning on making a vacation video for my next trip. We will see how that goes. If you do make one, I can’t wait to see it!

 

[shan23877]

You must be so relieved to have some answers for Brynn!

Sawyer looks adorable, can't wait to see the haircut photos.

The planning video does have lots of info about Pirate's League. What Maddie took from it is that it's where bad girls who don't get to go to BBB have to go. I'm sure that she'd feel differently if she met your girls. I'm excited to hear about it! I think it looks really cool!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

You must be very relieved to be getting answers about all of Brynn's testing! I'll be continuing to keep my fingers crossed for her!!!

Happy belated birthday to Sawyer!!! He is getting so big!!! Hahaha Yo Gabba Gabba is a bit strange, but it is kind of funny!

The Pirates' League sounds like it's going to be awesome! I think that's a great way to start off your trip!!!

 

[mxkris]

Well thank god you finally found some answers for Brynn! I'm sure that really was a big relief! I hope this means the schools can get things straightened out for her and continue to help her along with all the therapy and everything she'll need to continue to progress so well!

Sawyer's party looks so cute and I love the idea of the idea of the Harmony Barber Shop haircut!

I'm glad you got the Pirates League booked! I can't believe they wanted to do that instead of BBB! But hey, like you said, cheaper, and i'm not a fan of those hair styles they give the girls either! I think I'd rather do Pirates League too!! I bet it will be easy for me to spot you guys in MK on the 15th with the two little girls dressed like pirates!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Well I’m glad that everything is going well with Brynn. Even though she might have Asperger’s, I’m glad that she will be able to get the services in school. That will help!

Seriously, Sawyer is ADORABLE. Happy belated birthday to him!

I love how the girls found out about Pirate’s League from the Disney Planning DVD. I have to say, it does look really cool! It's really too bad I'm too old for it. I am very surprised though that they picked that over BBB!

I am planning on making a vacation video for my next trip. We will see how that goes. If you do make one, I can’t wait to see it!

They are hard core about their research, just like their Mommy! I've seen lots of adults all pirated up. You should totally do it.
I really hope both our videos turn out great!

You must be so relieved to have some answers for Brynn!

Sawyer looks adorable, can't wait to see the haircut photos.

The planning video does have lots of info about Pirate's League. What Maddie took from it is that it's where bad girls who don't get to go to BBB have to go. I'm sure that she'd feel differently if she met your girls. I'm excited to hear about it! I think it looks really cool!

I am so very relieved! For a while they were thinking she's been having absence seizures, but it turns out it's just a coping mechanism she has and isn't an epileptic episode. I was so happy to hear that news!!
LOL! Maddie should know that they are not bad...most of the time. The only reason that they want to go really is because they love Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Octonauts, which has a cat who is a pirate. Julia is also very interested in giant face jewels, a pink eye patch, and a fake earring. Brynn wants the mermaid package because she loves sea creatures and pretending to be one!

You must be very relieved to be getting answers about all of Brynn's testing! I'll be continuing to keep my fingers crossed for her!!!

Happy belated birthday to Sawyer!!! He is getting so big!!! Hahaha Yo Gabba Gabba is a bit strange, but it is kind of funny!

The Pirates' League sounds like it's going to be awesome! I think that's a great way to start off your trip!!!

Relieved doesn't even begin to describe it! I'm so happy that nothing is medically dangerous for her and that she's going to stay my quirky little genius!
Yo Gabba Gabba is VERY strange. When Julia was a baby, I tried to watch an episode and was just overwhelmed by the weirdness. Then when we were taking our second trip to Disney two years ago, we played a Nick Jr. DVD that had a continuous loop of several of their shows, and the girls fell in love. There's been no turning back. Brynn also had a YGG birthday party for her third. The music on it really is great, as are the guest bands and stars. But it's still odd.

Well thank god you finally found some answers for Brynn! I'm sure that really was a big relief! I hope this means the schools can get things straightened out for her and continue to help her along with all the therapy and everything she'll need to continue to progress so well!

Sawyer's party looks so cute and I love the idea of the idea of the Harmony Barber Shop haircut!

I'm glad you got the Pirates League booked! I can't believe they wanted to do that instead of BBB! But hey, like you said, cheaper, and i'm not a fan of those hair styles they give the girls either! I think I'd rather do Pirates League too!! I bet it will be easy for me to spot you guys in MK on the 15th with the two little girls dressed like pirates!!

That's a great point! I'm sure we'll be pretty easy to spot! And you'll probably hear us coming from a mile away. If you do see us in the parks or at CBR, please make sure you come introduce yourself. I'm pretty distracted sometimes and don't notice everything around me, and I don't want to miss you!

 

[danimaroo]

So glad to hear that you figured things out with Brynn! That has to be kind of worrisome when you have no idea exactly what's going on, so it must be nice to have an answer.

Holy SMOKES Sawyer has grown so much! That hair!! So cute. I can't wait to see photos of his experience with his first haircut!

OMG, so I want to give your girls a high five for wanting to do the Pirate's League! So so awesome. Again, can't wait to see photos and video of that experience! I bet they will look awesome!

I bet your videos are going to be amazing. Basically, your TR will be awesome. I told Matt that I want to take a lot of photos again, but also a ton of video, too! Last time the only video I ended up taking during our trip was us being stuck on Splash Mountain for 50 minutes, hahaha.

Can't believe how soon your trip is! I'm totally jealous. And is it also weird that I seriously wish I could be there when you guys are?! Maybe one year our trips will overlap!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

So glad to hear that you figured things out with Brynn! That has to be kind of worrisome when you have no idea exactly what's going on, so it must be nice to have an answer.

Holy SMOKES Sawyer has grown so much! That hair!! So cute. I can't wait to see photos of his experience with his first haircut!

OMG, so I want to give your girls a high five for wanting to do the Pirate's League! So so awesome. Again, can't wait to see photos and video of that experience! I bet they will look awesome!

I bet your videos are going to be amazing. Basically, your TR will be awesome. I told Matt that I want to take a lot of photos again, but also a ton of video, too! Last time the only video I ended up taking during our trip was us being stuck on Splash Mountain for 50 minutes, hahaha.

Can't believe how soon your trip is! I'm totally jealous. And is it also weird that I seriously wish I could be there when you guys are?! Maybe one year our trips will overlap!

LOL! I remember that video well! Hey, if you only took one, at least it was memorable!
I am so psyched! And then other times I'm in disbelief. AHHHHH! I really do hope our trips overlap one year. I'm pretty sure we could get up to all kinds of shenanigans!

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a relief...I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now...that' sfor all of you!

Cannot even believe that Sawyer is two...how did that happen so fast? Wait, wait, I know, mine was two now she's gonna be 20

Cute pics btw!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

What a relief...I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now...that' sfor all of you!

Cannot even believe that Sawyer is two...how did that happen so fast? Wait, wait, I know, mine was two now she's gonna be 20

Cute pics btw!

We are surely relieved! And we do appreciate the !

I know, I'm in shock that he's so big! I can totally see how I could blink and he'd be twenty!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Today I begin the process of planning each of our days. I’ll tell you a few things in advance.

First of all, we are planning very loosely this time around. Our last experience showed us that you really do have to completely overhaul plans sometimes, and we are okay with that if it happens. These plans are not strict in any way.

Secondly, we have three kids. That pretty much says it all, right? But just in case you don’t know what that entails, I’ll fill you in. It means lots of potty breaks, but never at the same time, even if you make them all “try” when one has to go. It means mealtimes are productions that last a loooong time, but inevitably end with pretty much no food consumed. It means that someone will fall asleep in the stroller at precisely the moment that you need them to be awake to make a plan work. It means several clothing changes because you aren’t sure what’s all over their clothes and it kind of freaks you out a bit. It means there might be nap-times. It also means there may not be nap-times, even when they need it (and I need it). It means there will be meltdowns when our Fastpasses say we need to be at Splash Mountain, but someone thinks we need to ride “it’s a small world” JUSTONEMORETIMEPLEASEEEEE!!! There will be rider swap passes, and there will be rides we decide aren’t worth the trouble of rider swapping. Also, someone will probably get sick, but hopefully it won’t be all of us like last time. We’ll see.

Lastly, I have been playing around with Touring Plans to see what our best order of rides may be and on which days. But as with most things, I don’t always listen to or believe them, and I have put my own spin on their advice. Let’s face it—I know my family better than any computer can.
With all that in mind, I’ll begin our plans with our travel day and first full park day.

Friday, September 14, 2012
Driving Day

Brandon will be taking the day off work (I know he’s got to be really sad about that), and Julia will be missing a day of school. Right now she’s okay with the idea, but I’m not sure she realizes that it will nullify her perfect attendance status (the rest of the trip will be over her Fall Break, so no missed days there). What are the odds we could go another entire year without her being sick, anyway? Not good. Last year, we waited to leave until 11:00, when we could check her out of school and still have her counted as present. We got into Orlando really late, and none of us wants a repeat of the last two hours of that trip when everyone was melting down.
Hopefully we’ll begin the drive by about 7:00am. I’m sure we’ll just grab breakfast on the way and eat it in the van. It seems the morning hours in the van go much faster than afternoon ones, so we should be able to get a good portion of the driving done without noticing it too much. At least that’s the plan.

Lunch will be at a fast food restaurant with a playground so the kids can run around.

We’ll check in at Caribbean Beach Resort sometime in the late afternoon, I’m guessing. I will hopefully remember to pick up our rental stroller from Kingdom Strollers. Dinner will most likely be at Old Port Royale. Then I’ll get to work on organizing our room for my sanity’s sake. Once that’s settled, I’ll make a trip to Publix before bed. I will make sure we have everything we need for the parks set out, and we’ll make it to bed at a reasonable hour…hopefully.

Saturday, September 15, 2012
Magic Kingdom!

We LOVE getting to the parks for Rope Drop, and we can’t wait to kick off our vacation with the Welcome Show at MK!

We’ll make our way down Main St. USA, gazing at that spectacular castle, and then veer off towards Adventureland for the girls’ 9:15 appointment at The Pirate’s League.

Must rides (and possibly in this order):
-FP for Winnie the Pooh
-Barnstormer
-Dumbo
-IASW
-FP for Peter Pan’s Flight
-Ride Winnie the Pooh
-lunch at Pinocchio’s Village Haus (can’t wait to try the caprese flatbread!)
-Ride PPF
-FP for Splash Mountain
-1:15 first haircut appointment for Sawyer at Harmony Barber Shop. Yes, this is a change. His appointment was on Friday, but his hair is getting out of control and I don’t want all of our pictures to include wild, scraggly baby hair. I called a couple of days ago and got the one spot they had on the first day.
-Ride Splash Mountain
-Most likely go back to room for short rest.
-Drive to Contemporary Resort for 5:30 ADR at Chef Mickey’s!
-Walk to MK from CR for MSEP and possibly Wishes.

We are having so many MK days this trip that we really don’t feel the need to cram in a bunch of stuff every day. Actually, our kids probably wouldn’t allow that anyway! Anything we do in addition to the above is a bonus.

So, there’s lots going on around here. Julia is starting school a week from today. We’ve got eye doctor appointments and school shopping and teacher meet-and-greets this week. I’m signing both girls up for dance, hopefully tonight. I actually found a day and time for them to have their two different classes at the same time so I don’t have to make two trips! YAY! Julia’s been a dancer since she was 2, but this will be the first year for Brynn. I’m hoping it really helps with her muscle tone and coordination, and I hope she has so much fun! The best thing to happen this week is that we finally were able to take down two of our huge baby gates for the first time since moving here four years ago! Now Sawyer has access to our kitchen and office, and our “open floor plan” downstairs is actually open! It looks twice as big. Love it.

I think that’s about it for now. I am vowing to do more shopping so I can finalize our clothing choices! Everyone likes to see purchases, right???

 

[shan23877]

Sounds like a great plan! I had to laugh at your explanation. Even with only one kid we spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. And even being at a Disney restaurant for and hour, she probably won't have eaten-especially if characters are present.

I'd love to see the outfits when you get them chosen! Are you doing themed ones each day again?

I can't believe that they're starting school so early! We have another month, but then again we don't have fall break.

Yay for dance class! I'm getting Maddie signed up next week (in addition to soccer for fall and gymnastics for winter/spring).

 

[danimaroo]

Ahh, I just love reading about your plans! I hope no one gets sick this time though... because there should just be a rule that it's impossible to get sick in Disney World! Just sayin'.

How long is your drive to Disney World? I've always wondered what it would be like to drive to Disney World or Disneyland! Unfortunately we're 439493409 miles away from WDW, and Disneyland would be like a 19 hour drive... so I think it'll always be a plane for us!

I like your plans for your first day! Sounds like you guys will be off to a fantastic start. I am so stinkin' excited to see photos of the girls as pirates! AND Sawyer's first haircut?! So cute! That really is an awesome way to start off the trip though!

I hope Sawyer is still in love with Mickey at Chef Mickey's! Those were the best photos ever and you could see how much both he and Mickey were just having fun with it.

Can't wait to hear more plans! And I hope Brynn loves dancing!! You'll have to keep us updated on that front!

 

[jojosmom23]

We love the pirate league. I have 3 kids also..3 boys..they will be 7 almost 5 and 1 when we get to disey. we will be there sept 20 -30th. the baby is having his first haircut at harmony also on the 22nd. Enjoying your trip report. maybe we will run into each other!!!!
Jenn

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I think your plans sound great (and perfect for you guys!). I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed that everyone is feeling well this time around!

I can't believe how early Julia starts school!!

 

[Dream426]

Joining in!! My daughter will be 20 months when we go so I love to read how children her age do. Your children are too cute. Glad everything went well with your daughters test results.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Sounds like a great plan! I had to laugh at your explanation. Even with only one kid we spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. And even being at a Disney restaurant for and hour, she probably won't have eaten-especially if characters are present.

I'd love to see the outfits when you get them chosen! Are you doing themed ones each day again?

I can't believe that they're starting school so early! We have another month, but then again we don't have fall break.

Yay for dance class! I'm getting Maddie signed up next week (in addition to soccer for fall and gymnastics for winter/spring).

I was pretty sure all kids worked the same!
I'm most likely doing semi-themed ones this time. Maybe not all Disney-themed, but at least color-themed. I'll probably reuse some from last year if they fit, too. Moving up to moderate and deluxe means I have to save somewhere!!
Yes, school does start early. They're on a modified year-round schedule. Their summer is the last week of May, and all of June and July. Then they have lots of time off during the year--a week for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, two weeks (and sometimes an extra couple of days) for Christmas Break, and lots of one or two day holidays throughout the year. We LOVE it! Just when we get to thinking that we could use a break, we get one!

Ahh, I just love reading about your plans! I hope no one gets sick this time though... because there should just be a rule that it's impossible to get sick in Disney World! Just sayin'.

How long is your drive to Disney World? I've always wondered what it would be like to drive to Disney World or Disneyland! Unfortunately we're 439493409 miles away from WDW, and Disneyland would be like a 19 hour drive... so I think it'll always be a plane for us!

I like your plans for your first day! Sounds like you guys will be off to a fantastic start. I am so stinkin' excited to see photos of the girls as pirates! AND Sawyer's first haircut?! So cute! That really is an awesome way to start off the trip though!

I hope Sawyer is still in love with Mickey at Chef Mickey's! Those were the best photos ever and you could see how much both he and Mickey were just having fun with it.

Can't wait to hear more plans! And I hope Brynn loves dancing!! You'll have to keep us updated on that front!

It usually takes us about 10 hours. It should probably take a few hours less, but...kids.

Aw, who am I kidding? I have the smallest bladder known to man!

All the kids are so excited, and I'm curious to see how everyone reacts this time, too...and I don't mean how we react to a virus.

We love the pirate league. I have 3 kids also..3 boys..they will be 7 almost 5 and 1 when we get to disey. we will be there sept 20 -30th. the baby is having his first haircut at harmony also on the 22nd. Enjoying your trip report. maybe we will run into each other!!!!
Jenn

I'm so stoked to try Pirate's League! So neat that we'll be there at the same time. We love September!

I think your plans sound great (and perfect for you guys!). I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed that everyone is feeling well this time around!

I can't believe how early Julia starts school!!

I know, she starts so early! (See the above explanation to Shan.) I'm actually much more prepared for her school to start this year than last year when I was a wreck over her starting kindergarten.

Joining in!! My daughter will be 20 months when we go so I love to read how children her age do. Your children are too cute. Glad everything went well with your daughters test results.

My children have always done so well, even when they were sick. She will do great!

 

[LifeIsDis]

Your plan so far sounds great!

 

[mxkris]

Wow! It takes you 10 hours to drive!!! Man, might have to re-think kiddos if they're going to put a kink in my Disney plans!

I'm hoping it will only take us about 8 or so. But we will traditionally stop at Cracker Barrel somewhere in south GA around breakfast time so maybe more like 8 and 1/2! We're gettin so close though! We're almost a month away!!!

 

[hlrababy]

Hi Jennifer! I have joined your PTR!! Let me tell you, I am in love with any and all things Hawaiian!! So I am super excited you are staying at the Polynesian. I have stayed there only one time. It was with my mom, my Aunt, my Grandmother, and younger cousin. I am counting down teh days until I stay there again!

Oh, and I am so glad you said hi today!!

 

[katt789]

I dissappeared for a while, but I'm back now!! The birthday looks awesome! For someone that doesn't have any kids, or even younger siblings, it's definitely surprising that I know about Yo Gabba Gabba haha!! The Pirates League looks like so much fun! Definitely an added bonus that it's cheaper than BBB, not to mention no need to run around in hot itchy princess dresses all day!

It looks like you guys will be headed over to PL right as Mom & I are headed out of MK, haha! We have a Crystal Palace ADR that morning, but then will be park hopping elsewhere.

The plan for MK looks pretty good! I'm glad the PL settled the argument of what to do first! Aw man, the caprese flat bread is delicious! I had it a few days ago, my one comment: where all the forks are, they have extra bags of like, ranch, and balsamic, grab one of those as I was all "it needs more balsamic" but just kept eating, only to find the extras at the station when I was done...yup...

Chef Mickey's is a place I definitely want to try one of these days!