It wouldn't be spring without an Epcot F&G Festival! New pg 35

[MEK]

An MK day with Chef Mickey's and the dessert party sounds like the perfect change. You are such a great planner. I really need to do that for my June trip but its so hard when my brother has 100% confirmed they are going. Oh well.

Almost half way through Feb, your trip really is just around the corner.

And I noticed you ticker for the girl's trip - that's great!

 

[MeMom]

This morning I was finally able to get a Chef Mickey's ADR for Wednesday night 4/25. I've been trying since we started thinking about dropping Universal with zero availability. Finally this morning they had a 5:15, which is perfect for us! I always go for the earliest possible.


In other news, Tim got his quarterly bonus today so I tried to pay our Beach Club balance. So it's not paid, but the money is here to do so. !

Yay for Chef Mickey's!

It feels good to have the trip paid. As soon as my income tax money comes in, part of it goes straight to pay the summer trip.

 

[Native NYer]

Your plans look great!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Amy- quick question about flying into Tampa. I heard it's cheaper to do this. What airlines fly into there? How long does it take to get to Disney?
Sorry about the questions but my sister might be able to join us if more flights open up.

Thanks, Deb

 

[DisMomAmy]

I love reading everyones stories on here including yours, Amy.

My husband & I are going to be in Disney around the same time you guys will be except we arrive on the 16th of April which will be our 11th anniversary. Maybe we could meet up or something.

We will be riding in ECVs & Im trying to get my Mom and someone else to go but my Mom is stubborn. Shes never been before but has been to Disneyland & thinks Disney World is the same thing. We are trying to convince her its not.

We are from NYC & live in Queens. You & the family will love NYC especially Times Square.

Happy Anniversary & I hope you can convince your mom to go along with you!

An MK day with Chef Mickey's and the dessert party sounds like the perfect change. You are such a great planner. I really need to do that for my June trip but its so hard when my brother has 100% confirmed they are going. Oh well.

Almost half way through Feb, your trip really is just around the corner.

And I noticed you ticker for the girl's trip - that's great!

Uggghhh... I hate waiting on other people to plan things! That used to happen a lot when Tim's brother would join us. They would wait until last minute to tell us when they were coming & expect us to be able to juggle things around easily!

Just over two months to go for this trip!! I'm super excited for the October trip too!!

Yay for Chef Mickey's!

It feels good to have the trip paid. As soon as my income tax money comes in, part of it goes straight to pay the summer trip.

Chef Mickey's is a must do for this trip since we are celebrating Alex & it's his favorite. I made THREE different ADRs but of course, in the end, I wanted one on a completely different day!

Your plans look great!

Thank you!! I'm really happy with our current itinerary!

Amy- quick question about flying into Tampa. I heard it's cheaper to do this. What airlines fly into there? How long does it take to get to Disney?
Sorry about the questions but my sister might be able to join us if more flights open up.

Thanks, Deb

We like flying into Tampa - it's a much easier airport to get through. The drive is easy - just over an hour & it's a straight shot between Tampa & Orlando. We always fly Southwest because we like to fly direct from our small local airport in Manchester, NH. It's definitely worth flying into Tampa if the price is right & you don't mind renting a car.

 

[disneyfan61]

Hi Amy. I just left you an email about our plans. So we do arrive at Beach Club on the same day!!

Our morning park plans are different but our evenings are pretty open. Also we will be at that wonderful pool in the afternoons so maybe we can plan an afternoon by the pool.

The first trip to Disney (1999) we went to Disney Quest (on Mother's Day) & my boys were 6 & 10 & we spent the WHOLE day there. I mean the whole day. They absolutely LOVED it & I am sure your boys (all three) would love it also. I was ready to leave after a few hours but they loved it so much. So that is where I spent my Mother's Day in 1999.

Also HDDR is a great show & we loved it!! I want to see it again someday soon.

 

[MeMom]

Hi Amy. I just left you an email about our plans. So we do arrive at Beach Club on the same day!!

Our morning park plans are different but our evenings are pretty open. Also we will be at that wonderful pool in the afternoons so maybe we can plan an afternoon by the pool.

I am always happy when DISers get to cross paths. Be sure to take a picture. Sometimes I forget.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Amy. I just left you an email about our plans. So we do arrive at Beach Club on the same day!!

Our morning park plans are different but our evenings are pretty open. Also we will be at that wonderful pool in the afternoons so maybe we can plan an afternoon by the pool.

The first trip to Disney (1999) we went to Disney Quest (on Mother's Day) & my boys were 6 & 10 & we spent the WHOLE day there. I mean the whole day. They absolutely LOVED it & I am sure your boys (all three) would love it also. I was ready to leave after a few hours but they loved it so much. So that is where I spent my Mother's Day in 1999.

Also HDDR is a great show & we loved it!! I want to see it again someday soon.

Yay!! I'm sure we'll see you at SAB on Thursday 4/19! Our flight gets into Tampa at 10:30 so I think we'll be at the BC between 12-1. The only other plans we have that day are for dinner at 'Ohana at 5pm. We plan to spend the afternoon at the pool!!

Too funny about DisneyQuest on Mother's Day! I'm sure my gang will love it there!

I'm excited for HDDR! I hope Tim enjoys it more this time. Actually, I didn't realize that he didn't like it when were went in 1997.

I am always happy when DISers get to cross paths. Be sure to take a picture. Sometimes I forget.

Funny thing, MeMom, is that we live less than 30 minutes from each other here in NH & haven't met! We were at Disney together for one day in 2010 (is that right Doreen?) and weren't able to meet up.

 

[disneyfan61]

Yay!! I'm sure we'll see you at SAB on Thursday 4/19! Our flight gets into Tampa at 10:30 so I think we'll be at the BC between 12-1. The only other plans we have that day are for dinner at 'Ohana at 5pm. We plan to spend the afternoon at the pool!!

Too funny about DisneyQuest on Mother's Day! I'm sure my gang will love it there!

I'm excited for HDDR! I hope Tim enjoys it more this time. Actually, I didn't realize that he didn't like it when were went in 1997.



Funny thing, MeMom, is that we live less than 30 minutes from each other here in NH & haven't met! We were at Disney together for one day in 2010 (is that right Doreen?) and weren't able to meet up.

Yes we were at AK but had an ADR & you were getting ready to leave. I know I keep thinking we need to get together for a trip to the Disney Store in Manchester.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yes we were at AK but had an ADR & you were getting ready to leave. I know I keep thinking we need to get together for a trip to the Disney Store in Manchester.

Oh that's right! I knew we were at AK that day but I couldn't remember exactly why we didn't meet up.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sunday will mark 2 months until our trip!! Two bananas for two months!! We have a busy weekend with sports & a night out Saturday (Tim & I are going out with Heidi/MRYPPNS & her DH!) and Tim’s mom’s birthday on Sunday so I thought I’d take advantage of some down time to post the 2 month update today!

Now that you’ve seen our plans, I want to talk about some of the details. Hoop-Dee-Doo, another surprise & the to-do list!

We need advice on Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue! I’ve been there twice. The first time was when I was nine so I have no recollection of getting there. Plus we were staying at the FW Campground so it was probably pretty simple! The last time was in 1997 when Tim & I visited and stayed offsite. We must have driven there, but again, I have no recollection of how we got there! So how do you get there? I think we have to park then take a bus?? And how much time do we need to allow from when we arrive at Fort Wilderness to actually get down to the show? Has anyone done this before? What's the deal?

We’re pulling off another surprise!! I’m not sure how we are going to tell them, but so far the boys don’t know about this trip! It wasn’t totally our intention, the time has just never seemed right. Well it’s seemed right to me but Tim wants to wait longer so it doesn’t become an obsession. I figure we have four opportunities to tell them… first, their school February vacation is coming up in a week… I suspect they are going to be whining about why we aren’t doing anything. This would be one time to tell them, but who wants to reward whining. We'll see if I can hold out, since I'll be the one home with them all week!

Easter is the second opportunity. Alex’s 5th grade class goes to environmental camp for a week in early April. When he gets back would be the next good opportunity to tell them. The last chance would be the day before or day we leave. Tim really wants to get on the plane & see how far we can get without them figuring it out. But I think that ship has sailed… since we surprised them in November, I’m sure they wouldn’t accept a decoy trip as the truth.

How to tell them? I’d love to do another scavenger hunt or something like that, but again, since we did that in November, they’ll probably figure it out right away. We will either just have to spit it out & tell them, or surprise them in a more low key way. Have them open a piece of mail or something that doesn’t seem to be set up. I'll keep you posted!

What do we have to do over the next two months?

Jan/Feb:
To Buy:
• Order new Guide to the Magic for boys - DONE
• Buy Earplanes for the boys - DONE
• Check in with IPO – room requests – requested quiet room/away from elevators & lounge
• Order boys new crocs – DONE
• Sharpies - DONE
• Universal Tickets from UT (Feb Bonus) – On Hold (Most likely not doing IoA)
• Order boys new bathing suits – waiting for sale
• New bathing suit for me? - DONE
• Check expiration date on Disney Rewards Card – 12/12 - DONE

To Make/Do:
• Work on “rules”/Self Help cards – DONE/using same
• Start working on kids ID cards – DONE/using same
• Work on Touring Plans – Mostly done, tweek mid-March when hours are updated
• Work on packing Lists – Use the same one
• Plan surprise – Still working on this
• Create surprise/itinerary books – Almost done

I don't have a ton on the March list, but I'll start chipping away at the April list when I have time.

Early March:
• Buy any meds needed
• Update first aide & foot care supplies
• Organize trading pins
• Pull out Disney box
• New washable markers for the boys
• Make souvenir certificates
• Collect Photopass Share Money

Then, the home stretch!!
Late March/April:
4 weeks to go: (March 23 – 29)
• Prepare for Easter!
• Coordinate pet care
• Pull out Disney box
• Make grocery list (for villa)
• Inventory batteries – buy more if needed
• Buy more Ziploc bags
• Diamond Lane (to speed up check-in & note requests at Vistana)
• Order Photopass CD

3 weeks to go (March 30 – April 5)
• Get ready for Easter
• Put ADRs in phone (cancel any extra ADRs)
• Put Touring Plans in phone
• Let schools know about kids
• Organize/label toiletries
• Roll coins from change jar
• Get quarters & pennies for pressed pennies
• Order cake
• Order any Rx refills

2 weeks to go (April 6-12)
• Easter
• Buy snacks for travel day
• Buy extra cat food & litter
• Pull apart Disney folder and take only what’s needed
• Start packing into suitcases (after Easter)
• Get money organized
• Transfer Disney rewards to rewards card
• Get my glasses/sunglasses adjusted at Lenscrafters
• Make list of DISers at Disney & put in phone
• Find/redo DIS tag
• Organize DVDs & kids games
• Organize ipods/ipad - music, videos, games
• Pre-order Photopass CD
• Pack copy of auto insurance

Last week: (April 13 – 18)
• Check weather
• Print grocery list & put in phone
• Finalize rental car
• Clean Frog Tank
• Stop Mail & Paper
• Program addresses into GPS (Vistana & BC)
• Clean Gerbil Cage
• Chiropractor
• Pedicure
• Haircuts
• Remind school about kids missing days/get homework
• Pay Bills/check online banking/Get cash
• Clean house/change sheets
• Southwest online check-in
• Charge everything
• Final laundry/packing
• Make sure park tickets are packed!
• Turn down heat/turn off water to washer
• Online rental car check-in

That's it! I'll continue to post updates of my progress as we get closer.

Up next: Day by Day touring plans. And ride closures!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Sunday will mark 2 months until our trip!! Two bananas for two months!! We have a busy weekend with sports & a night out Saturday (Tim & I are going out with Heidi/MRYPPNS & her DH!) and Tim’s mom’s birthday on Sunday so I thought I’d take advantage of some down time to post the 2 month update today!

Now that you’ve seen our plans, I want to talk about some of the details. Hoop-Dee-Doo, another surprise & the to-do list!

We need advice on Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue! I’ve been there twice. The first time was when I was nine so I have no recollection of getting there. Plus we were staying at the FW Campground so it was probably pretty simple! The last time was in 1997 when Tim & I visited and stayed offsite. We must have driven there, but again, I have no recollection of how we got there! So how do you get there? I think we have to park then take a bus?? And how much time do we need to allow from when we arrive at Fort Wilderness to actually get down to the show? Has anyone done this before? What's the deal?

We’re pulling off another surprise!! I’m not sure how we are going to tell them, but so far the boys don’t know about this trip! It wasn’t totally our intention, the time has just never seemed right. Well it’s seemed right to me but Tim wants to wait longer so it doesn’t become an obsession. I figure we have four opportunities to tell them… first, their school February vacation is coming up in a week… I suspect they are going to be whining about why we aren’t doing anything. This would be one time to tell them, but who wants to reward whining. We'll see if I can hold out, since I'll be the one home with them all week!

Easter is the second opportunity. Alex’s 5th grade class goes to environmental camp for a week in early April. When he gets back would be the next good opportunity to tell them. The last chance would be the day before or day we leave. Tim really wants to get on the plane & see how far we can get without them figuring it out. But I think that ship has sailed… since we surprised them in November, I’m sure they wouldn’t accept a decoy trip as the truth.

How to tell them? I’d love to do another scavenger hunt or something like that, but again, since we did that in November, they’ll probably figure it out right away. We will either just have to spit it out & tell them, or surprise them in a more low key way. Have them open a piece of mail or something that doesn’t seem to be set up. I'll keep you posted!

What do we have to do over the next two months?

Jan/Feb:
To Buy:
• Order new Guide to the Magic for boys - DONE
• Buy Earplanes for the boys - DONE
• Check in with IPO – room requests – requested quiet room/away from elevators & lounge
• Order boys new crocs – DONE
• Sharpies - DONE
• Universal Tickets from UT (Feb Bonus) – On Hold (Most likely not doing IoA)
• Order boys new bathing suits – waiting for sale
• New bathing suit for me? - DONE
• Check expiration date on Disney Rewards Card – 12/12 - DONE

To Make/Do:
• Work on “rules”/Self Help cards – DONE/using same
• Start working on kids ID cards – DONE/using same
• Work on Touring Plans – Mostly done, tweek mid-March when hours are updated
• Work on packing Lists – Use the same one
• Plan surprise – Still working on this
• Create surprise/itinerary books – Almost done

I don't have a ton on the March list, but I'll start chipping away at the April list when I have time.

Early March:
• Buy any meds needed
• Update first aide & foot care supplies
• Organize trading pins
• Pull out Disney box
• New washable markers for the boys
• Make souvenir certificates
• Collect Photopass Share Money

Then, the home stretch!!
Late March/April:
4 weeks to go: (March 23 – 29)
• Prepare for Easter!
• Coordinate pet care
• Pull out Disney box
• Make grocery list (for villa)
• Inventory batteries – buy more if needed
• Buy more Ziploc bags
• Diamond Lane (to speed up check-in & note requests at Vistana)
• Order Photopass CD

3 weeks to go (March 30 – April 5)
• Get ready for Easter
• Put ADRs in phone (cancel any extra ADRs)
• Put Touring Plans in phone
• Let schools know about kids
• Organize/label toiletries
• Roll coins from change jar
• Get quarters & pennies for pressed pennies
• Order cake
• Order any Rx refills

2 weeks to go (April 6-12)
• Easter
• Buy snacks for travel day
• Buy extra cat food & litter
• Pull apart Disney folder and take only what’s needed
• Start packing into suitcases (after Easter)
• Get money organized
• Transfer Disney rewards to rewards card
• Get my glasses/sunglasses adjusted at Lenscrafters
• Make list of DISers at Disney & put in phone
• Find/redo DIS tag
• Organize DVDs & kids games
• Organize ipods/ipad - music, videos, games
• Pre-order Photopass CD
• Pack copy of auto insurance

Last week: (April 13 – 18)
• Check weather
• Print grocery list & put in phone
• Finalize rental car
• Clean Frog Tank
• Stop Mail & Paper
• Program addresses into GPS (Vistana & BC)
• Clean Gerbil Cage
• Chiropractor
• Pedicure
• Haircuts
• Remind school about kids missing days/get homework
• Pay Bills/check online banking/Get cash
• Clean house/change sheets
• Southwest online check-in
• Charge everything
• Final laundry/packing
• Make sure park tickets are packed!
• Turn down heat/turn off water to washer
• Online rental car check-in

That's it! I'll continue to post updates of my progress as we get closer.

Up next: Day by Day touring plans. And ride closures!

OMG Amy you are so organized!!
You did remind me to call my dog's boarding lady. She gets booked so fast! I need to call ASAP.
I know what you mean about the surprise- been there done that. We surprised the boys for their b-day 5 yrs. ago. OMG I can't believe it's been that long. Their IOA/Uni. tickets are a surprise for their b-day from my parents so my mom is taking care of that

Thanks for giving me the info. about Tampa. Later on I remembered we had gone to Tampa from Disney to see the Red Sox. It was only about an hr. drive. Something to think about for future trips. I don't think my sister will be able to come after all- there are zero flights except if you wanna pay $300+ one way. I'm so bummed I wish she would have known when I bought mine.

 

[Terkina]

Great list you have made. I also like to make lists before a trip. It's so much fun planning a trip and making those lists

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Wow...another surprise! I don't know how you do it! I get so into planning and so excited that I'm sure I couldn't keep it a secret for long. Can't wait to see what you decide!

Love the lists, as always. You are so organized and that is the key to a successful trip, as far as I'm concerned. And all that planning is half the fun!

 

[Native NYer]

Your to-do list/schedule is amazing! So organized

 

[disneyfan61]

Your lists look amazing as usual. I have all those things to do in my head (well most of them) but seeing them all written out is a lot of things to do before we go!!

I forgot what is the cake for?? Where are you getting it?

I am one of those Dissers you have in your phone!!

I know I always have to go to get my sunglasses tightened up again before we go.

Stopped at Kohl's today on the way back from soccer. I got my new Nike's for the trip. The girls at work gave me a $25 gift card for my birthday & I also got a 30% off coupon so that paid for the sneakers!! DH got some cargo shorts.

Have a great weekend. What a nice sunny day in NH today!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

OMG Amy you are so organized!!
You did remind me to call my dog's boarding lady. She gets booked so fast! I need to call ASAP.
I know what you mean about the surprise- been there done that. We surprised the boys for their b-day 5 yrs. ago. OMG I can't believe it's been that long. Their IOA/Uni. tickets are a surprise for their b-day from my parents so my mom is taking care of that

Thanks for giving me the info. about Tampa. Later on I remembered we had gone to Tampa from Disney to see the Red Sox. It was only about an hr. drive. Something to think about for future trips. I don't think my sister will be able to come after all- there are zero flights except if you wanna pay $300+ one way. I'm so bummed I wish she would have known when I bought mine.

I'm probably more organized about Disney trips than anything else in my life! And most of my lists are recycled from previous trips and were originally stolen from other DISers.

Definitely keep Tampa in mind for the future.

Great list you have made. I also like to make lists before a trip. It's so much fun planning a trip and making those lists

I love being able to spread everything out - it makes the waiting much more fun!

Wow...another surprise! I don't know how you do it! I get so into planning and so excited that I'm sure I couldn't keep it a secret for long. Can't wait to see what you decide!

Love the lists, as always. You are so organized and that is the key to a successful trip, as far as I'm concerned. And all that planning is half the fun!

It worked out so well last time, we decided to keep it a secret this time - at least for a while. We'll see how long I last.

Your to-do list/schedule is amazing! So organized

Thanks! I just keep the list going & add to it as I remember things or read about them on other reports here.

Your lists look amazing as usual. I have all those things to do in my head (well most of them) but seeing them all written out is a lot of things to do before we go!!

I forgot what is the cake for?? Where are you getting it?

I am one of those Dissers you have in your phone!!

I know I always have to go to get my sunglasses tightened up again before we go.

Stopped at Kohl's today on the way back from soccer. I got my new Nike's for the trip. The girls at work gave me a $25 gift card for my birthday & I also got a 30% off coupon so that paid for the sneakers!! DH got some cargo shorts.

Have a great weekend. What a nice sunny day in NH today!!

Thanks Doreen! Yes, you are definitely one of the DISers in my phone!

Oops - I meant to delete the cake from my list... We are celebrating Alex's 5th grade graduation. (And creating a good excuse for a spring trip in three more years when Zach graduates 5th grade! ) I was originally planning to order a cake on our first night at Chef Mickey's & bring it back to our resort. But now we are eating at Chef Mickey's on our MK night so I just decided to skip the whole thing - too complicated!

 

[MEK]

You do continue to amaze me with your organization!

I did drive to Fort Wilderness and take the internal bus. It was awhile ago, but if my memory serves me right we got on the bus about 45 mins to an hour before show time (perhaps less) and we had plenty and I mean plenty of time. We walked around a little bit.

You basically just have to find the entrance to FW where check in is located. We may have asked which bus before we got on it, but we also asked when we got on it and I think the bus drives pretty much know where you are going!

Woo Hoo for 2 months!

Oh - and the surprise - I think the mail idea is good and perhaps wait until 2 weeks or so before the trip. But I'm terrible at surprises, so you might not want to listen to me.

 

[DisMomAmy]

You do continue to amaze me with your organization!

I did drive to Fort Wilderness and take the internal bus. It was awhile ago, but if my memory serves me right we got on the bus about 45 mins to an hour before show time (perhaps less) and we had plenty and I mean plenty of time. We walked around a little bit.

You basically just have to find the entrance to FW where check in is located. We may have asked which bus before we got on it, but we also asked when we got on it and I think the bus drives pretty much know where you are going!

Woo Hoo for 2 months!

Oh - and the surprise - I think the mail idea is good and perhaps wait until 2 weeks or so before the trip. But I'm terrible at surprises, so you might not want to listen to me.

Thanks MEK! I love my lists because I can cross things off as I go.

Thanks for the HDDR info!

Still working on the when/how to reveal the surprise...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Two months from today, we'll be on a plane headed to Florida!! ​