Just back from Disney

[Suejeffali]

Hi everyone! We just got back from Disney yesterday. If anyone has any questions, I would be glad to answer them. We were there for 10 days. We did 5 days at Disney, and then we also went to Seaworld and Universal. We saw lots of the characters and did many character meals. So if I can answer any questions for anyone, ask away!!!

 

[betsywdw]

Welcome back! Has the "Home from Disney Depression" set in yet? Mine usually does pretty quickly!

Where did you stay at WDW? We have only done Universal one time and we stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel, it was really nice. We did a split trip also and had a great time!

 

[DizzDoll]

Hi! Welcome home! I've had Disney Depression since last August ! We're heading down the last 2 weeks in August. So...with that said...SPILL YOUR GUTS!!! Tell us all: what you did, where you ate, what little things you saw, you know - the whole nine yards. Also where did you stay on DIsney property? I'm living vicariously through you guys until we get down there so please keep feeding the IV drip.

 

[Cinderaven]

Welcome home. "Disney Depression" hits quick, we a suffering from it for over a year. We normally go about 3 times a year, (drive) now we are down to 1 a year. (haven't been there since Aug. of 2006. Free DDP) Things change with teenagers.

When I get too Disney deprived, I put in the WDW Vacation Video and watch. My DW thinks I'm a little nuts, but she gets into as well. We also look for all the Disney we can find on the TV, including the Daily Buzz, they are WDWat least once a month.

We are going the 22nd of August for 12 days @ Disney, 2 at Universal, 3 days between Daytons Beach and St. Augustine, then the long drive home.

Len

 

[Suejeffali]

OKay.....we didn't say at a resort. My MIL lives in Winter Haven (she also works at the Tickets & Transportation at the MK). We ate at: Chef Mickey's, Ohana's, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus in Norway, CRT...these were breakfast's. We also ate dinners at Liberty Tree Tavern, Garden Grill, Hollywood & Vine (this was character lunch).
We bought my daughter a Pal Mickey then on the last day someone stole it and I had to buy her another one!!
We saw tons of characters!
We got a magical moment. When we went to CRT for breakfast we got in line to have her picture taken with Cinderella and someone came up to us and said we can go to the front of the line!! That was so nice not to have to wait in that line!!
We also went to BBB and got her princess makeover done.

By the way the Disney Depression set in within the first 5 minutes of our drive home!!
Any other info I can give you, please ask! I just love to talk about our trip!
Also...it was so HOT!! Next trip we are going in December!!

 

[Creekermom]

How did someone still My Pal Mickey?

Also What were some of Alicen's favorite moments?
Which rides were her favorites?

Did you take a stroller? I have heard that even older children that normally don't use a stroller need one.

Anything else you can share regarding going with Children?

Oh One more thing, What did you forget to take that you wish you had?

 

[Suejeffali]

We did rent a double stroller. Alicen rode in it when she was tired and it good to carry the backpack and and bags!!
I guess it is our fault that Pal Mickey got stolen. All week long we would sometimes leave it in the stroller and nobody bothered it our any of our stuff. On the last day we went into a store and when we came out it was gone. And it was only a matter of being in the store for no more than 2 minutes.
Alicen loved all the character meals her favorite thing was BBB and then going for breakfast the next morning.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Sounds awesome.. I have been thinking of getting our daughter a My Pay Mickey... can you get them before you get to Disney???? I thought it might be fun for her to have it right away...

 

[mom2001scrapper]

Did you find your pal mickey to be worth the money beyond the jokes?

 

[Suejeffali]

Yes, I thought it was worth it (after I bought the first one!!!lol). She still plays with it. I don't know if you could buy it before (besides on ebay), but they sell them in all the gift stores at all the parks & resorts. We bought the first one at Downtown Disney. I also ordered her a name badge like the castmembers wear with her name on it. It was so much easier when anyone (especially the princesses!!) asked her name (because I HAD to be original and spell her name different).

 

[Dedejf]

Did you use any late FP? If so, were they accepted by all CM?

 

[scotlass]

Yes, I thought it was worth it (after I bought the first one!!!lol). She still plays with it. I don't know if you could buy it before (besides on ebay), but they sell them in all the gift stores at all the parks & resorts. We bought the first one at Downtown Disney. I also ordered her a name badge like the castmembers wear with her name on it. It was so much easier when anyone (especially the princesses!!) asked her name (because I HAD to be original and spell her name different).

where did you get her name tag???

 

[Suejeffali]

I ordered her nametag from www.giftsofalifetime.com . It was shipped very fast. I think I received it in about 5 days after I ordered it. It's nice because you can pin it on, clip it on, or use it as a keychain. I am going to use the keychain part to attach it to her backpack when school starts. It was nice to have it, then the characters knew her name and how to spell it.

 

[GoofyTraci]

so glad to hear that you had a good time and sorry to hear that pal mickey was stolen.

 

[crazy4having3]

Sounds like fun!

 

[Higginsgirls]

where did you get her name tag???

I got tags for my girls at www.laughingplace.com - took a while longer but it was cheaper. It looks like you can get them in the parks as well - for even less.

 

[Mickeysangel49]

I love them -- I want to get them for my sister and myself! This is her first trip, and someone told us to go to Guest Services in the park and get her a "First Timer" badge -- does anyone know what those are like? I don't want to get her one of these if she'll get a nice badge for that. She can only use so many name tags!

 

[Tink3Belle]

Did you visit Universal in one day - If so were you able to get in all that you wanted there? We will b e spending one day there and I thought I would maybe get the 2 park 1 day ticket and try to cram all that we need to see in one day. May 3 kids are 5 and under so we wouldn't be going on anything big so I am wondering if you think this is doable or should I just try to do islands of adventure. Sorry not a Disney questions but we will be there for 6 days.

 

[scotlass]

Did you visit Universal in one day - If so were you able to get in all that you wanted there? We will b e spending one day there and I thought I would maybe get the 2 park 1 day ticket and try to cram all that we need to see in one day. May 3 kids are 5 and under so we wouldn't be going on anything big so I am wondering if you think this is doable or should I just try to do islands of adventure. Sorry not a Disney questions but we will be there for 6 days.

we have always needed the two days but my wee fella is 6 and my husdand and i do all the big rides so there is a lot to fit in.

if your kids are 3 and 5 maybe universal would be better if you can only do 1 day.Barney,rug rats,shrek and Jimmy neutron are all in the universal prk.

 

[BigGreen73]

I love them -- I want to get them for my sister and myself! This is her first trip, and someone told us to go to Guest Services in the park and get her a "First Timer" badge -- does anyone know what those are like? I don't want to get her one of these if she'll get a nice badge for that. She can only use so many name tags!

If you go to guest services at your resort you can get a 1st time pin/ button. They are very nice, round, and about 3 inches or so in diameter. My wife and I went in May and got Aniversary buttons.

The buttons can trigger better responses and sometimes "extra treatment" from CM's and charaters.

With our happy anniversary buttons, we got into out dinner reservation at Crystal Palace an hour early, got many discounts etc at quite a few stores and other dining, and got some really awesome character group photos.