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

[momtwoboys]

thanks! I am afraid of the waiting along that long sidewalk for hours before being let into the theater. Any side better to sit on that is away from the fire? I heard there is fire and water? He has been asking me a million questions this weekend and he has gone every year since he was 1!?! Excited and perseverating Glad to find this PTR to read along with everyone's excitement!!!! Thanks

 

[MRYPPNS]

I literally just went to your super sized to do list on page 9 and made myself a list from it! Guess I have more to do in the next few weeks than I originally thought!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Beautiful snow pictures. Not complaining that we didn't get any, but it DOES look so pretty!

I'm over it... I'm ready for it to melt!

(snip)

I'm only responsible for 8 of us. (4 adults, 2 teen boys and 2 tween girls!)The rest of them are on their own! LOL They can tag along or go do their own thing! Is it April yet?

Love your snow pics!

That's good - but even 8 can be a challenge! We've had 7, 8 or 9 for parts of various trips - it's not always fun!

It's not April yet, but it's getting close! I have a feeling March is going to fly by!

Oh WOW! What an amazing story

Isn't it!

What an awesome story!!

The snow does look beautiful.....in pics

I'm looking forward to 50 degrees on Wednesday!

The snow looks beautiful! But very happy NYC didn't get hit hard this year.

NYC must be a mess when it snows! We didn't get hit hard at all this year either. Our only two major storms were Oct 31st and March 1st... go figure!

Amy I know you said you saved a ton on your rental but I was checking Dollar today and they went WAY DOWN!! I can get a full size for $230 total.
I know mini vans are a lot more but it wouldn't hurt to check again.

Glad you found a car deal too! I've been going back and checking Alamo every day & it's been holding steady at $374. I'm happy with that so I'm going to stick with Alamo even though we could possibly get a better price elsewhere. We LOVE being able to bypass the counter.

Just found your trip report and it is AWESOME!!!!! We have been going to WDW since 1997 on our honeymoon and then started bringing our 1st son when he was 10 months old. Always first week of May, love the Flower and Garden Festival! Since he started middle school we have been going during our April vacation. We are from Mass and also have 2 boys. The pics of your boys when they were small made me chuckle, we have tons of pics and footage from the many trips since 99'. We are going April11th- 20th and staying at AKV. Wish our trips overlapped and we could say hi

also wanted to ask how your guys do with Fantasmic? We have never braved it yet, and might this trip. Any tips? Ds 11 has Asperger's, ADHD, and sensory issues that can get ramped up if he is overstimulated or tired. Thanks and have a great weekend!!

Another one of my long lost sisters! I find it so interesting how so many of us find each other on the DIS!

We haven't done Fantasmic as a family since 2006 and we did the Fantasmic dinner package back then. I was planning to do it on this trip but I don't think we will now. I think we're going to hop over to MK on the evening of our DHS day. My boys are just not the best waiters & we don't love the restaurants on the FDP.

I'd suggest doing the Fantasmic package if you can so you can be over in the section on the side. Also sitting further up, away from the water (and fire) would help. Whenever we have to wait, we bring snacks & things to do to pass the time (DS, ipod, cards, etc.).

No snow for us this year, so I enjoyed seeing all your beautiful pictures. It looks like a winter wonderland. Alex did a great job shoveling the deck!

No snow for you -but it sounds like you've had other crazy weather down south!

Zach did the shoveling, then wondered why his leg & arm hurt the next day!

So happy for you for saving lots on your car rental . Saving anything is always a good thing!!

Some say the snow was pretty..Yeah for about 5 minutes!!
Alex did an awesome job on the deck!! Does he want to come to my house??
Only about a 25 min drive

Yesterday we drove to Hampton like every Saturday but it was nasty. It had snowed during the night (again) & it was pouring rain all the way there. But when we left an hour later everything had stopped & the sun was trying to come out. We have to be lucky though as no tornadoes & heavy storms like the south. I was thinking of all our Disfriends & praying they were ok.

The weather definitely hasn't been fun lately! But we're supposed to hit 50 on Wednesday!!

I've been thinking about all the people who have been hit by the tornadoes!

My DS10 has ADHD and my oldest DS14 has ADD (never diagnosed w/ aspergers but was always sensitve to loud noises and HATED characters. We've been to Fantasmic a few times and never had an issue. I would just sit towards the back.
HTH

thanks! I am afraid of the waiting along that long sidewalk for hours before being let into the theater. Any side better to sit on that is away from the fire? I heard there is fire and water? He has been asking me a million questions this weekend and he has gone every year since he was 1!?! Excited and perseverating Glad to find this PTR to read along with everyone's excitement!!!! Thanks

I think they only make you wait on the sidewalk for the second show. I went to Fantasmic on a girls only trip with a friend in October 2010. We got there very early & were able to wait in the theater. The second show is a good option too because you can show up later but you might have to wait on the sidewalk for a little while before the theater opens.

I literally just went to your super sized to do list on page 9 and made myself a list from it! Guess I have more to do in the next few weeks than I originally thought!

I need to check in with my list!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Zach did the shoveling, then wondered why his leg & arm hurt the next day!

Sorry, I am always doing that. I need your boys to wear nametags from now on.

 

[MeMom]

That amount of snow would have gotten us out of school for many days! It is storming for us again this morning. I hope these last few days are no indication of what our entire spring is going to be, because if it is, it's going to be one crazy season!

I agree with you about March. Seems like I was just writing February 29th on the board in the morning, and now it is March 5th!

I think it is great that parents of kids with similar issues (Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, autism, sensitivities, food allergies, mobility problems, whatever) have this venue to help each other make Disney trips (and maybe life in general) better with the helpful hints and ideas.

 

[momtwoboys]

thanks for the Welcome! Don't know how I've missed this group of fabulous people Anyway the info on Fantasmic sounds a little iffy. We do not like any of the FDP restaurants either. Did not know that they let you into the theatre to wait, so maybe won't be so bad. I have heard of the mass exodus trying to get out and it scares me! Every year we say we are going to try it, will this year be it? I also am so glad the snow is melting, this week is going to warm up, 55 wed, and 65 on Thurs! 5 weeks left until we go and I want to start packing!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

thanks for the Welcome! Don't know how I've missed this group of fabulous people Anyway the info on Fantasmic sounds a little iffy. We do not like any of the FDP restaurants either. Did not know that they let you into the theatre to wait, so maybe won't be so bad. I have heard of the mass exodus trying to get out and it scares me! Every year we say we are going to try it, will this year be it? I also am so glad the snow is melting, this week is going to warm up, 55 wed, and 65 on Thurs! 5 weeks left until we go and I want to start packing!

for warm weather!! I NEED spring- Disney will do
I really want to start packing too. I need to get my DS14 some new shorts first.

 

[momtwoboys]

me too! My DS 13 tried on his shorts and we all had a laugh! He grew so tall in the last year! Don't know how he got that way I am 5'1 and my DH is 5'10 he is going to be about 6'2 the Dr said. Luckily my DS 11 has not grown much so his shorts still are perfect (gotta love those Landsend elastic waist!) They still look brand new

 

[ddluvsdisney]

me too! My DS 13 tried on his shorts and we all had a laugh! He grew so tall in the last year! Don't know how he got that way I am 5'1 and my DH is 5'10 he is going to be about 6'2 the Dr said. Luckily my DS 11 has not grown much so his shorts still are perfect (gotta love those Landsend elastic waist!) They still look brand new

That's great that you only need shorts for one. I think my DS10 is all set too. My Ds10 won't wear elastic waste ish he would. I love Lands End!!
I got 2 bathing suits last year at the end of the season. Well not really the end b/c it was the beginning of August- got them just in time for our vacation.

 

[momtwoboys]

We got the bathing suits when on sale too!! They still fit thank goodness. Anyone else staying at AKL?

 

[disneyfan61]

So happy for you for saving lots on your car rental . Saving anything is always a good thing!!

Some say the snow was pretty..Yeah for about 5 minutes!!
Alex did an awesome job on the deck!! Does he want to come to my house??
Only about a 25 min drive

Yesterday we drove to Hampton like every Saturday but it was nasty. It had snowed during the night (again) & it was pouring rain all the way there. But when we left an hour later everything had stopped & the sun was trying to come out. We have to be lucky though as no tornadoes & heavy storms like the south. I was thinking of all our Disfriends & praying they were ok.

Zach did the shoveling, then wondered why his leg & arm hurt the next day!

And here I was giving Alex the credit for shoveling the deck!!

Good job Zach!!

 

[SilverMickey]

thanks for the Welcome! Don't know how I've missed this group of fabulous people Anyway the info on Fantasmic sounds a little iffy. We do not like any of the FDP restaurants either. Did not know that they let you into the theatre to wait, so maybe won't be so bad. I have heard of the mass exodus trying to get out and it scares me! Every year we say we are going to try it, will this year be it? I also am so glad the snow is melting, this week is going to warm up, 55 wed, and 65 on Thurs! 5 weeks left until we go and I want to start packing!

Fantasmic is a DO NOT MISS in our house. Levi's favorite! The boys sit in front of us and have them sit backwards playing a game until it is time. (we have a Bop It and a Simon on a key chain) Then we pull a snack out of the bag to eat while the crowd thins and then we head out. We will try to see it 2 times this trip. We only eat Starburst on Florida vacations. I'm not sure why but we do. I bring a bag of those in and every one seems happy.
I might have to cause an uproar and get some Starburst to eat when home work is done tonight...

 

[DisMomAmy]

That amount of snow would have gotten us out of school for many days! It is storming for us again this morning. I hope these last few days are no indication of what our entire spring is going to be, because if it is, it's going to be one crazy season!

I agree with you about March. Seems like I was just writing February 29th on the board in the morning, and now it is March 5th!

I think it is great that parents of kids with similar issues (Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, autism, sensitivities, food allergies, mobility problems, whatever) have this venue to help each other make Disney trips (and maybe life in general) better with the helpful hints and ideas.

I love the DIS & the great people I have met (both online & in person) because of it!

I hope the spring isn't a bad one for you MeMom!

thanks for the Welcome! Don't know how I've missed this group of fabulous people Anyway the info on Fantasmic sounds a little iffy. We do not like any of the FDP restaurants either. Did not know that they let you into the theatre to wait, so maybe won't be so bad. I have heard of the mass exodus trying to get out and it scares me! Every year we say we are going to try it, will this year be it? I also am so glad the snow is melting, this week is going to warm up, 55 wed, and 65 on Thurs! 5 weeks left until we go and I want to start packing!

We didn't find the mass exodus to be that bad - especially if you sit up near the top. I just watched the weather and the forecast is calling for 50/58/48 for Wed/Thurs/Fri here!

for warm weather!! I NEED spring- Disney will do
I really want to start packing too. I need to get my DS14 some new shorts first.

I love going in April because it always seems like spring is here when we get back!

me too! My DS 13 tried on his shorts and we all had a laugh! He grew so tall in the last year! Don't know how he got that way I am 5'1 and my DH is 5'10 he is going to be about 6'2 the Dr said. Luckily my DS 11 has not grown much so his shorts still are perfect (gotta love those Landsend elastic waist!) They still look brand new

I love that we can hand Alex's shorts down to Zach but they are almost the same size now! Zach wore Alex's shoes to school today! Luckily Alex is the neat kid because if I had to hand Zach's clothes down, I'd be out of luck. He destroys his clothes!

That's great that you only need shorts for one. I think my DS10 is all set too. My Ds10 won't wear elastic waste ish he would. I love Lands End!!
I got 2 bathing suits last year at the end of the season. Well not really the end b/c it was the beginning of August- got them just in time for our vacation.

Mine ONLY want to wear pants with an elastic waist. I wish I could get Alex in a pair of jean! We love Lands End too!

We got the bathing suits when on sale too!! They still fit thank goodness. Anyone else staying at AKL?

I need to get Zach another bathing suit - hoping for another Lands End sale. Zach so skinny that the 8 slim I bought him is too big. I'm going for an elastic waist this time rather than the board shorts I got him last time.

And here I was giving Alex the credit for shoveling the deck!!

Good job Zach!!

I didn't even notice that! (Don't tell anyone, but I get them mixed up sometimes too!)

Fantasmic is a DO NOT MISS in our house. Levi's favorite! The boys sit in front of us and have them sit backwards playing a game until it is time. (we have a Bop It and a Simon on a key chain) Then we pull a snack out of the bag to eat while the crowd thins and then we head out. We will try to see it 2 times this trip. We only eat Starburst on Florida vacations. I'm not sure why but we do. I bring a bag of those in and every one seems happy.
I might have to cause an uproar and get some Starburst to eat when home work is done tonight...

I love Fantasmic & I hope we can see it again soon! Sounds like you have a great plan for passing time.

Yum - Starbursts! Alex loves skittles.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Today I had my hair colored for the last time before our trip!! I know… we still have six weeks to go but I prefer to have it colored a while before our trip for a couple reasons. Having it colored makes my head itch for a few days, last trip I had it colored right before & it was SOOO dark it drives me crazy in our photos and I’m going to be swimming & in the sun so much that I’ll need to have it done shortly after our return anyways.

So that brings me to the phenomenon I’ll call, “the last time before our trip”. Do you find yourself saying that a lot prior to a trip? Today was the “last time” I got my hair colored before our trip. I order vitamins online & last week I ordered vitamins for the “last time” before our trip. I just noticed that it’s time to change the filter in our water pitcher for the “last time” before our trip. I also bought milk (Simply Smart has a really long shelf life) with a sell by date past our trip! I do this ALL the time! As we get under one month, I’m sure I’ll be doing it even more. I work as a bookkeeper and I do work for some of my clients monthly. I’ll be thrilled to get those “last times” checked off my list!

On the surprise front… We were in the car, headed to the movies on Sunday. We were going to see The Lorax – so cute! I don’t remember exactly how the subject came up, but one of the kids brought up the surprise we sprung on them in November when we went to Disney. We had told them we were going to North Carolina but then the morning we left, we surprised them with a scavenger hunt telling them they were going to Disney! They went on and on about how much they liked that. I asked them if they would want us to do that again or if they would want to know ahead of time to be part of the planning. Without hesitation, they want to be surprised. Zach said that if he knows ahead of time he gets a belly ache because it’s so hard to wait! Then I asked Alex about missing school. I asked him if he prefers to know ahead of time if he is going to miss school. He said, no, he would like a surprise. I reminded him that he might miss something at school and asked if he would worry about that or be upset to miss something fun. He said, no, Disney is always better and he wants a surprise.

So I wonder if they are on to us and have caught on to some of the clues that we are going to Disney in April. They are usually pretty oblivious to what’s going on. So much so, that I had all of the toiletries/first aid supplies spread all over my bed last week. Neither of them questioned it at all. I figured I would have to get out the suitcases in order to spill the beans… but now I don’t know.

For now, the plan is to surprise them the morning we leave! I have created another itinerary/surprise book for them. The tough part is that we won’t have a decoy trip to pack for so I’m going to have to do it all without having the suitcases all over the house. It should be an interesting & fun challenge. Now we just have to decide exactly HOW to tell them!

Checking in with my to do list, I’m doing pretty well!

This is the list of things to do leading up to the last four weeks before our trip.

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 lounge/elevators
• Order boys new crocs – DONE
• Sharpies - DONE
• Universal Tickets from UT (Feb Bonus) – Not Doing (used $ to pay off BC ressie)
• Order boys new bathing suits – DONE but need to reorder for Zach (too big)
• 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 – DONE – tweek mid-March
• Work on packing Lists – Use the same one
• Plan surprise – Morning of!! – still TBD
• Create surprise/itinerary books – Almost done

Early March:
• Buy any meds needed - DONE
• Update first aide & foot care supplies - DONE
• Organize trading pins
• Pull out Disney box - DONE (pulled it out, went through it & put it back downstairs so the boys won't see it)
• New washable markers for the boys - DONE
• Make souvenir certificates - DONE
• Collect Photopass Share Money – STARTED
• Print souvenir certificates – DONE

At this point, I can start picking away at the to do items for the last four weeks. I need to plan the surprise, finish up the surprise/itinerary books and organize the trading pins but then I’ll be done with the items I want completed before 3/23. Not bad!

I’m also anxiously waiting for the April park hour updates (and October park hours) to be released, which should be between 3/16 & 3/23. Then I can finalize our touring cards. I’m also anxious to find out the closing date for Test Track. I’m hoping we can squeeze in at least one ride before it closes in April.

Up next: Epcot

 

[eandesmom]

I am so jealous that color will last 6 weeks for you!!! I completely know what you mean though about the "last" phenom. I had a "first" phenom thanks to your posting that Lands End coupon...3 new rash guards arrived in the mail yesterday, which is our first official trip purchase! I love the new 3/4 version, what a great length. I probably should have gotten one pair of trunks for Eric but will wait on that for a bit.

I am very impressed at the completion rate of your to do list!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Let us know if you find anything out about TT. The boys would love to ride that too. So bummed when we heard both TT and BTMRR we out.

Surprising them will be fun. They probably have no idea.
My parents are suprising my boys w/ Uni/IOA tix. My DS10 asked me the other day if we were "just" doing Disney this year? I said JUST??? isn't that good enough? What do you mean? He said I mean are we doing Uni.? I said no not this year. He was disappointed. I hope they love the surprise.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I am so jealous that color will last 6 weeks for you!!! I completely know what you mean though about the "last" phenom. I had a "first" phenom thanks to your posting that Lands End coupon...3 new rash guards arrived in the mail yesterday, which is our first official trip purchase! I love the new 3/4 version, what a great length. I probably should have gotten one pair of trunks for Eric but will wait on that for a bit.

I am very impressed at the completion rate of your to do list!

I get my hair cut about every six weeks & actually only have it colored every other time. The last couple times, I've gone 18 weeks between professional colorings & done a root touch up thing at home about half way through. I'll probably need to do that before we go. Luckily my gray is mostly by my temples so if my hair is down, you don't see it so much. I don't have gray in the part of my hair yet so that helps.

Let us know if you find anything out about TT. The boys would love to ride that too. So bummed when we heard both TT and BTMRR we out.

Surprising them will be fun. They probably have no idea.
My parents are suprising my boys w/ Uni/IOA tix. My DS10 asked me the other day if we were "just" doing Disney this year? I said JUST??? isn't that good enough? What do you mean? He said I mean are we doing Uni.? I said no not this year. He was disappointed. I hope they love the surprise.

I'm sure your boys will love the Universal surprise!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

One more HUGE thing that wasn't on my to do list but I finished today...

I filed our taxes!!

And we're getting a nice refund!!

Just in time for Disney!!

 

[SilverMickey]

REFUND? I have a jealous.

The last time (2008) we surprised our kids I had a collage puzzle made at Walmart... with pictures from our previous trips. It said "We are going back to Disney" (or some such thing. It was 25 pieces or so and we did a scavenger hunt. We wrote on the back of each piece where to find the next piece. When they found all the bits they made it and we were out the door! They loved the surprise!

Another time (2007) we told the boys we had to pick up so and so from the Airport. They didn't realize we were gong some where until we were in the line to go through security.

You red "DONE" is impressive! I'm a tad jealous. I'm getting there. @ birthday parties to get through and then I can really get to work.

 

[MEK]

Congrats on your tax refund!

Congrats on getting so much accomplished on your "to do" list!

I don't think the boys are on to you. I think surprising them created an awesome memory and they were reliving it! Now you know what you have to do! How fun!