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

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yeah, it's breakfast time, and you just showed me those pictures. Not fair! I keep leaning towards the Samoan and thinking I'll grab the Tonga Toast another day from Captain Cook's. Did you eat the Samoan? For some reason I'm thinking it was Wingnut? Either way, if you say it's good, I'll believe you! It looks delicious and different...though the green on top may have to scootch over. Can't have anything remotely looking healthy on that plate!

Haha you are correct, the Samoan was all DF's choice! (I know, I am weird, but I really do not like hollandaise!) He LOVED it though, and my mom also has had it before, and LOVED it too (if you're looking for a second opinion! )

(He totally relocated those greens too - you're not alone there!)

YOUR TRIP IS SO SOON!!!!!!!!!!!! 10 days!!! That's so exciting!! I have always done online check-in, and have never had a problem, if that makes you feel any better!

Sorry to hear about the grumpy CM! Hopefully there will be a P&P waiting for you there!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

OMG. TEN days?!?! This means that you're practically in single digits which means you're basically only a week off which means you're leaving like RIGHT NOW.

I'm so excited for yall!

Okay, does Dawn Marie not realize that she basically has the best job ever? She gets to talk to people about Disney all day. There is literally no reason to be grumpy. And btw, when I did online checkin it told me my requests didn't go through either! Basically the entire process in pointless, apparently. (I didn't ever call either, and look what that got me!!! )

YOU HAVE MY LOGIC!!
And about Dawn Marie...FOR REAL. I would be so happy to have her job. You're basically hired to make magic for people before they even get to the parks; how awesome is that!?
I'm kind of kicking myself over the whole online check-in thing. At least at CBR there's not a magical castle-viewing two-bedroom suite that they could upgrade me to if only I hadn't done online check-in! For the record, no online check-in for the Poly portion of our trip!

I'm so excited for you that the trip is so close! The only good thing about being so busy is that the time will fly by until it's time to leave!

I can't wait for the TR!

That is so true! Of course, MY busy-ness does not compare to yours before your last trip!

YAY for 10 days!! I am too nervous to do online check in. Sorry for the bad experience. Have fun packing. So exciting!!

Stay nervous. Don't do it!
Nine days now!!!

Haha you are correct, the Samoan was all DF's choice! (I know, I am weird, but I really do not like hollandaise!) He LOVED it though, and my mom also has had it before, and LOVED it too (if you're looking for a second opinion! )

(He totally relocated those greens too - you're not alone there!)

YOUR TRIP IS SO SOON!!!!!!!!!!!! 10 days!!! That's so exciting!! I have always done online check-in, and have never had a problem, if that makes you feel any better!

Sorry to hear about the grumpy CM! Hopefully there will be a P&P waiting for you there!

I thought I remembered the greens relocation! They're pretty, I guess, but kind of pointless. This dish is about PROTEIN!
We'll see how the online check-in actually plays out. If I remember correctly, I did it once and was fine and they even provided connecting rooms we needed that trip, then did it another time and had to ask to be moved and call for my pack-n-play. It really could go either way, I guess, but so can just showing up and checking in. At least we'll be able to go to our room quickly since we'll be arriving past the kids' bedtime...as long as there is a pack-n-play...

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Nine Days! SINGLE DIGITS!!!

(And thanks for pointing that out to me, Matt, aka GrimGrinningStitch...you could shorten that to GGS just like my favorite Epcot drink, ya know! Always on my mind, I guess...)

I have, indeed, taken care of more things today. No more packing, as I can't leave my wild toddler unsupervised for more than a millisecond, but I did get things done.

1. I went online and printed out activities for the girls to do in the van (road trip bingo and the like), which I'll put into page covers. They can use washable dry erase markers to do the activities, then wipe and do it again. Washable. Seriously, they came home after the kids' class at church one night covered in the non-washable kind, and that was not fun. Who would give kids permanent markers?! (Oh, my MIL...that's right...she's their teacher at church. Can't complain, though. She picks them up and drops them off, and we get a couple of hours just being parents of one. And when he is old enough to go? Oh, I'm just giddy at the thought!)

2. I coached Brandon over the phone about what to buy at Babies 'r' Us (of course, I can't do the backwards 'r' on here). Come to think of it, I better just move this to a more fitting list...

Things Brandon Has Done for Me Today:
1. Went to Babies 'r' Us. I sent him with a promotional $5 gift card and talked him through what I needed, and that was disposable place mats (Mickey, of course!), a child-proof door handle lock for the toilet part of the bathroom in the hotel (no worries, the girls will be able to get in there, but Mischief Man won't), and two of those leash-looking things that tether sippy cups/toys/blankets to strollers.

2. Updated our GPS with all the points we'll need for the stay. We're easily lost, even with the purple signage.

3. Went to Home Depot to get odds and ends he'll need to build a stabilizer rig for the video camera. Yeah, I don't know, either. All I know is that he said his materials would cost $5 instead of him spending $300 on one, so I'm good with that explanation.

If it's not raining too terribly tonight, I am going to try to go to the dreaded Walmart to find some of the things I'm missing. It's looking awfully dark and dreary, though.

I forgot to write in my last update that we've had Finding Nemo and Lilo & Stitch playing pretty much non-stop these days. I guess since we see them so often, I don't consider them part of our "try and watch a movie a day" initiative. And just as I am typing this, I realize that those movies are tied to both of our resort choices, as well! I'm dense these days.

I also have to brag a bit here...sorry.
Julia's been going through all the testing for the gifted program since the end of kindergarten last year. I never told her what she was testing for, as I didn't want her perfectionist spirit to freak out if she didn't make it, and I didn't want her putting pressure on herself. In our school system, up until third grade the qualifications for acceptance are very difficult; you have to score in the 99th percentile on all the different tests (ITBS, creativity, motivation), and starting in 3rd grade you only have to get in the 96th percentile. You also have to be recommended for evaluation before third grade, and in third grade every student is tested beginning with normal standardized tests. Anyway, all that to say...
SHE MADE IT! I finally told her what all the testing was about, and she said, "I'm very proud of myself!" I told her she should be!!

Okay, proud mommy moment over!

Also off-topic, I got new checks in the mail today, and they are precious Disney checks! I rarely write checks (really only to her school and dance tuition), but now I want to write them for everything! Don't worry, though. I won't be the person holding up the line just because I won't pull out the debit card...that would be my mom.

Done rambling now!
9 days!

 

[MrsBearcat]

Hmmm why am I not your FB friend??....Because you haven't friended me yet lol

I must tell you we don't call what my neice has as terribble twos we call it P.M.S.
Princess Moaning Syndrome- aka I did not have the exact number pink skittles I thought I should have so now I wil through myself dramatically on the floor and sob uncontrollably since the world will never be right again!

 

[danimaroo]

SINGLE DIGITSSSS!

I am fairly certain you have no idea how jealous I am right now. I mean, not having the best day at work, and I would LOVE to know that I'm going to Disney World in 9 days... though I guess I'll settle for 134 days til our trip to Disney World, haha.

Such a brilliant idea to do the washables! I have always wondered what it'd be like to drive to Disney World, or even Disneyland... but both are way too far away for us to attempt, so I guess I'll never know.

I hope you'll be posting videos from your trip!

I think we are going to start watching more Disney movies here soon. I watched Hunchback of Notre Dame for the first time ever last weekend... It's one of Matt's favorites. I enjoyed it but it kind of depressed me so it's not my favorite, but it's enjoyable! I LOVE Lilo & Stitch though!!

I already liked it on FB, but that is so amazing for Julia! I bet she is pumped, and you and Brandon must be so proud, as well! This might sound weird but I totally watched the videos of both her and Brynn reading at such young ages and I am seriously impressed. You've got smart kiddos!

Okay, I really want Disney checks.. but I'm like you and never use checks, hahaha.

9 DAYSSSSSS!

 

[GrimGrinningStitch]

Ohhh, I got a shout out! I feel so important! I'll have to go by GGS from here on out, haha. Though I'm not sure what drink that is. I'll have to find out!

YAY for Single Digits!

That's awesome about Julia! You guys must be so proud/excited!

Also, good movie choices! I'm a big fan of Lilo and Stitch (obviously ) and love Finding Nemo as well! We need to start buying some more Disney movies so we can do a pre-trip marathon as well!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Wooooo hooooo to single digits and gifted program! That is so exciting!

Amazing how quick all the last minute stuff comes up, isn't it!?!?

 

[MrsBearcat]

ohhh, i got a shout out! I feel so important! I'll have to go by ggs from here on out, haha. Though i'm not sure what drink that is. I'll have to find out!

Yay for single digits!

That's awesome about julia! You guys must be so proud/excited!

Also, good movie choices! I'm a big fan of lilo and stitch (obviously ) and love finding nemo as well! We need to start buying some more disney movies so we can do a pre-trip marathon as well!

ggs= grey goose slush!!!

 

[shan23877]

How awesome for Julia! You guys must be so proud!

Love that you were on the phone coaching Brandon while shopping. If I had a dollar for every time I've had to do that...

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hahaha I love that you were coaching Brandon through his shopping trip!!

Yay for Julia!!!! That's such exciting news, congratulations!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Yay for single digits! I'll be there soon too.

I have coached my DH through many shopping trips. Right after I had Cole, he had to go grocery shopping. I put the aisle numbers next to each item and I still got a phone call!

 

[marDgreen88]

AHHH I MISSED THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE PARTY! Well, I guess there wasn't really a dance party, but I still feel left out. So happy day between single digits and one week day!

Congrats to Julia! That is AMAZING! What a little genius.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Hmmm why am I not your FB friend??....Because you haven't friended me yet lol

I must tell you we don't call what my neice has as terribble twos we call it P.M.S.
Princess Moaning Syndrome- aka I did not have the exact number pink skittles I thought I should have so now I wil through myself dramatically on the floor and sob uncontrollably since the world will never be right again!

Well, I guess I can call his PRINCE Moaning Syndrome! That sounds like how his mind works, too!

SINGLE DIGITSSSS!

I am fairly certain you have no idea how jealous I am right now. I mean, not having the best day at work, and I would LOVE to know that I'm going to Disney World in 9 days... though I guess I'll settle for 134 days til our trip to Disney World, haha.

Such a brilliant idea to do the washables! I have always wondered what it'd be like to drive to Disney World, or even Disneyland... but both are way too far away for us to attempt, so I guess I'll never know.

I hope you'll be posting videos from your trip!

I think we are going to start watching more Disney movies here soon. I watched Hunchback of Notre Dame for the first time ever last weekend... It's one of Matt's favorites. I enjoyed it but it kind of depressed me so it's not my favorite, but it's enjoyable! I LOVE Lilo & Stitch though!!

I already liked it on FB, but that is so amazing for Julia! I bet she is pumped, and you and Brandon must be so proud, as well! This might sound weird but I totally watched the videos of both her and Brynn reading at such young ages and I am seriously impressed. You've got smart kiddos!

Okay, I really want Disney checks.. but I'm like you and never use checks, hahaha.

9 DAYSSSSSS!

You can be jealous of me leaving soon, and I can be jealous of you getting to go to DL AND WDW! It evens out, maybe??
It's not weird that you watched the videos. Personally, I think everyone in the world should because my children are too precious not to watch, but that's just me! I promise that they just started reading on their own without prompting from me at early ages. I guess being read to so much made it just "click" with them. I wasn't as shocked with Julia (she's always been my mini-me and seems like she's thirty some days), but I am never sure if Brynn's really paying attention. Obviously she pays more attention than I know!
YES, we will be posting videos, mainly because Brandon has promised me an epic Disney video upon return. And since I let him buy the video camera, that better be a promise he keeps with a quickness!

Ohhh, I got a shout out! I feel so important! I'll have to go by GGS from here on out, haha. Though I'm not sure what drink that is. I'll have to find out!

YAY for Single Digits!

That's awesome about Julia! You guys must be so proud/excited!

Also, good movie choices! I'm a big fan of Lilo and Stitch (obviously ) and love Finding Nemo as well! We need to start buying some more Disney movies so we can do a pre-trip marathon as well!

You're famous now!
I had never watched Lilo and Stitch until we went to the beach in June. Now I think I've seen it 3 billion times (approximately)! Still love it!

Wooooo hooooo to single digits and gifted program! That is so exciting!

Amazing how quick all the last minute stuff comes up, isn't it!?!?

SO. MUCH. STUFF. I will get it all done, though...I hope.

ggs= grey goose slush!!!

MATT! THIS! GGS=Grey Goose Slush. Yummmmmmmm!

How awesome for Julia! You guys must be so proud!

Love that you were on the phone coaching Brandon while shopping. If I had a dollar for every time I've had to do that...

We are so proud, and she is proud of herself! I love it when a kid realizes they did something great and that beaming smile that goes along with it.
I'm telling you...it is amazing he came back with anything resembling what I was telling him. He even had to let me go once so he could "search in silence!"

Hahaha I love that you were coaching Brandon through his shopping trip!!

Yay for Julia!!!! That's such exciting news, congratulations!!!

You've gotta do what you've gotta do! His office is near a BRU store, and it's thirty minutes from here. I didn't want to waste the gas for me to drive down there separately, so this was what we came up with. Not an ideal situation, but it got the job done...albeit with lots more time searching than if I'd just gone myself...

Yay for single digits! I'll be there soon too.

I have coached my DH through many shopping trips. Right after I had Cole, he had to go grocery shopping. I put the aisle numbers next to each item and I still got a phone call!

Don't even get me started on grocery shopping! Anytime I send him to the store for one thing, he comes back with ten or more things and fifty dollars gone!

AHHH I MISSED THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE PARTY! Well, I guess there wasn't really a dance party, but I still feel left out. So happy day between single digits and one week day!

Congrats to Julia! That is AMAZING! What a little genius.

There's always a time to dance! You don't need a reason! It's always a dance party in my head. You are more than welcome to join it at any time!

 

[cfw213]

I don't think I've commented but I've been following along on your PTR! I read your other TR and your kids are so cute. We're going in 8 days as well...the weather looks great so far!

Can't wait to read your next TR!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!!!

Just thought I'd give you the run-down on all our days. To be honest, I did start out making touring plans. I'll take them with us, but I highly doubt they'll be used much. That's why I really didn't bother giving a daily play-by-play after the first couple. If you're going to be at WDW during our stay, let me know if any of our days match up!

Friday, September 14--DISNEY DAY! Begin driving around 11 after picking Julia up from school. Arrive that night and check into CBR. Sleep.

Saturday, September 15--Magic Kingdom. Welcome show, Pirate's League at 9:15, Sawyer's haircut at 1:30, dinner at Chef Mickey's.

Sunday, September 16--Epcot. Dinner at Garden Grill.

Monday, September 17--Magic Kingdom. Breakfast at Crystal Palace, dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Tuesday, September 18--Hollywood Studios. Breakfast at Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine, lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In. Likely DTD at night.

Wednesday, September 19--Animal Kingdom. Dinner at 'Ohana.

Thursday, September 20--Resort switch day (yay, Poly!), Epcot. Breakfast at Kona Cafe. Plan on staying to see Illuminations, most likely.

Friday, September 21--Magic Kingdom. Girls' haircuts in the morning. Other than that, no plans. Most likely will check out resort offerings in the afternoon/evening. No evening plans yet. It's possible, though highly unlikely, that we'll do MNSSHP.

Saturday, September 22--Magic Kingdom.

Sunday, September 23--Departure day, possible MK morning if we want one.

That's it in a nutshell, folks! ("Help! I'm in a nutshell! How did I get into this bloody great big nutshell?"...oh, come on, you were quoting that, too...)

More soon. VERY soon.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I don't think I've commented but I've been following along on your PTR! I read your other TR and your kids are so cute. We're going in 8 days as well...the weather looks great so far!

Can't wait to read your next TR!

Thanks for reading along! We are SO CLOSE! I haven't even looked at the weather yet...off to stalk that now!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I really think you should go to MNSSHP on the 21st...I'll be there!

We'll also be at DTD on the 18th at night....can't wait for Raglan Road. As you just said on my PTR, we'll both be at Epcot on the 20th. Yay! We'll be at MK the morning of the 23rd too...Crystal Palace ADR.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I really think you should go to MNSSHP on the 21st...I'll be there!

We'll also be at DTD on the 18th at night....can't wait for Raglan Road. As you just said on my PTR, we'll both be at Epcot on the 20th. Yay! We'll be at MK the morning of the 23rd too...Crystal Palace ADR.

It's definitely possible, but I am non-commital because of last year's experience (I still shudder when I remember how I felt that night) and because it's so late in our trip. If we're all still gung-ho that night, we will totally be there. I didn't bother with all the costume coordination this year, though, so we might have to wing it.
I hope we run into each other! Sounds like there's a pretty decent chance!

 

[jojosmom23]

Jennifer

me and my family. husband and 3 boys will be at mk on 22nd. The boys will have matching mickey head shirts with birthday hats declaring their birthday. We will look for you guys that day!

Jenn

 

[danimaroo]

ONE STINKIN' WEEK AWAY! You guys must be just so excited right now. I am, and I'm not even going on the trip!

Your plans sound fabulous. I kinda wish we were there at the same time because then we'd make sure we overlapped so we could meet. Just sayin'.

I'm also just as excited for your TR when you get back. It's probably going to get me through waiting for our trips the next few months!