Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[glennbo123]

for 2 weeks!

Those Disney airplanes are super cool!

 

[eandesmom]

Those Disney planes are SO amazing! Never seen one in person - as you would imagine, living in St.Louis. What a fun start to your trip to get on one of those (um, if that's what you were doing. you know what I mean)

So, good grits, but otherwise mediocre food. What a bummer. I can honestly say I've never tried grits. Even after living in the south for four years. It always reminded me of Cream of Wheat, which I hated and my parents made us eat as a kid. But maybe if they were cheesy I'd like them. I'm a big mashed potato fan.

Cheesy, rich, creamy, amazing!

But...if you don't like cream of wheat you might not like them. Texturally, they are quite similar. I love Cream of Wheat. And Polenta...

We may not get to fly in one but we will see one at the airport I bet!

Actually, they have a great catfish and pepperjack grits dish at Coral Reef that I have had before! Very tasty!

Yeay for leaving in two weeks! Suddenly, I have that song about leaving on a jet plane stuck in my head!

At our house, Benedryl works like a charm.

now it's stuck in mine.

my boss made a good point today, I should give him a trial run to see if it even works on him. Valid point, it doesn't work on me!

You have a busy day planned for yourself that day! This "2 weeks from now" thing is probably good for you because it's almost like a dry-run for the actual trip. You can plan for everything now, rather than remembering everything last minute on the day you are leaving.

Good call on the no electronics rule. They would probably stare at a video game all night instead of sleep!

Oh they would! Or be thinking about it, wishing for it, you name it! I hope the "2 weeks from now" will make me feel more organized.

 

[eandesmom]

for 2 weeks!

Those Disney airplanes are super cool!

They are! We were secretly glad we didn't get one on the spring break trip though, or the kids would have clued in.

 

[Native NYer]

Yay for 2 weeks!!!

 

[Happydog]

I lost my internet connection last night before I could finish reading and updating so here I am catching up a day late for the "two weeks" bit, but hey, now you are a day closer!!!

Good to hear your take on the Jazz Kitchen restaurant, I have not even started thinking about what do do for dinner! I think we are going to go for a WOC dining package, though. Still have time before 60 days!

I like your list of all those things we gotta do -- it is funny but I think everyone has that same list, the all before vacation list!!! BUT it always works out, even if you forget something!!!

I am sure you are all just really getting excited now!!!

 

[MEK]

That Disneyland plane is sooooooooo cool! I would love to fly on a Disneyworld plane. How great would that be?

 

[eandesmom]

Yay for 2 weeks!!!

is right!

I lost my internet connection last night before I could finish reading and updating so here I am catching up a day late for the "two weeks" bit, but hey, now you are a day closer!!!

Good to hear your take on the Jazz Kitchen restaurant, I have not even started thinking about what do do for dinner! I think we are going to go for a WOC dining package, though. Still have time before 60 days!

I like your list of all those things we gotta do -- it is funny but I think everyone has that same list, the all before vacation list!!! BUT it always works out, even if you forget something!!!

I am sure you are all just really getting excited now!!!

Very cool on the WOC package, obviously they didn't have those while we were there. What are the dining options for it?

Too true on the list, there are a bunch of things not even on it that will end up on it I am quite sure. Like I do plan to get my 5:30 Pilates class in so I don't have withdrawal. Especially since I may have a business trip late next week that will wreak havoc on my workout schedule.

That Disneyland plane is sooooooooo cool! I would love to fly on a Disneyworld plane. How great would that be?

I think they are missing the boat just having Disneyland planes! But I also get it, it's a lot more "local" for that Airline...even though that airline is the ONLY one with a direct flight to Orlando from here.

 

[eandesmom]

In two weeks……..

I will be……………..IN ORLANDO! Well technically, as I write this, we will be approaching and not quite landed but…close enough!

7:25 am - Arrival. DME to resort. I am DYING for this moment. Jeff and I plan to just head, nonchalantly, into the WL bus line after we get our docs at the ME counter. We expect K&T to follow as they don’t track the details so much but it will be interesting to see if the E’s trot off, on their own, to the POP line. First surprise of the trip.

9:00 am - Check in. Ask about room requests, flag family and confirm ranger time for the 14th.

9:40 am - Breakfast at WCC OOP for all except use 1 child TS (Eric)
Second suprise of the trip, hand out pins for trading. Right now I have a bag made up of 8 pins for each kid that I know will trade and another bag that either they can divvy up or Tay or Jeff can have some if they decide to play. I found a seller who would make a themed grab bag on ebay so ended up getting a few more pins. Great pins, I'm betting they each keep at least half and don't trade away!

We may tell them about the water park add on at breakfast, we may not! I can't recall if it will spell out the kind of ticket on the KTTW or not. Anyone know? If not, we probably won't tell them yet.

11am-1:30pm - Magic Kingdom (or hang at resort if wiped out)

My notes say….

MAGIC KINGDOM.
Get there before 11 or after 11:30 to bypass Move it! Shake it! Parade times: Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party Daily at 11:00am, 12:30 & 5:40pm, Dream Come True Parade 3pm - plan around! (should be gone by then).

Get FP's for Splash first thing?
Must Do's - Hit Main Street Barber, First Mickey Bar Snacks #1. Splash

Lunch at CHH or Caseys CS (if needed) CS#1

Other Highlights to check out

MAIN STREET
* Casey's Corner Pianist - Daily at 12:10, 1:35, Could time with Lunch
* Main Street Philharmonic - Daily at 11:20am, 12:20, 1:35
* Dapper Dans - Barbershop Quartet on Main Street U.S.A. - Sunday-Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at 11:05 & 11:50am, 1:00
ADVENTURELAND
* Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial - Daily at 11:20am, 12:25
TOMORROWLAND
* PUSH, The Talking Trashcan - Daily at 11:40am, 12:40, 1:30
FANTASYLAND
* Fantasyland Woodwind Society - Monday-Thursday at 11:45am, 12:30, 1:15

1:30 pm-3pm WL Pool and room Check in if wasn't ready earlier, nap if needed

maybe Eric won't plug his nose this year!

and Kendall will get a "10" on her handstand

or make a hidden mickey with her sunscreen

Evan can attempt the limbo

Up to room by 3, shower and change, target being on AK bus by 4


Head to Animal Kingdom!

Parade is at 3:45 to should safely miss it

Must Do’s. EE, FOLK, Nemo Lost on Safari
Get EE FP's first thing? Probably save Kali and Safari for morning AK day given 1, not wanting to do to dinner wet and 2, animals may not be out in the heat and FP’s could be gone or long wait time. But we will see. Will have to choose between Nemo and FOLK based on the times OR could try for the 8pm FOLK and then head straight to the bus but is cutting it close to make it to dinner on time.

Other highlights

CAMP MINNIE-MICKEY
* FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING at Lion King Theater (Arrive 30 minutes prior to show) 5:45pm also 8:00pm for Extra Magic Hours
DINOLAND U.S.A.
* FINDING NEMO -- THE MUSICAL - Please arrive 30 minutes prior to performance. No admittance after show starts. 6:15pm

Adult Drinks - Yak & Yeti, Dawa Bar or Tamu Tamu

8:25 Catch bus to AKL for dinner (no later than 8:25)

8:55 AKL Kidani, Dinner at Sanaa (TS#1 - 5 adult TS, OOP for Eric)

If we haven't told them about the water park add on, we will likely do it at dinner, Surprise #3. Hopefully we can convince everyone that TL is the way to go. For some reason the E's have BB on the brain all of a sudden and Jeff and I would both prefer to go to TL. However, we can hit both over the course of the trip if we want, though probably not on the same day.

Back to WL via AK (change bus there)

Bed!

This will be a LONG day. So it's flexible. At the end of the day all we really have to do is make that dinner ADR and even that, if it has to be, is flexible. The boys really do NEED a haircut though



We are really going to try to just keep everyone up and hope they crash after dinner which will really get us on the right time zone. Keeping them busy will be the day to pull that off, we think. It will be interesting to see. We are actually leaning against naps but it will depend on how the overnight flight goes. I may dose everyone with melatonin!

and the DCA TR continues. Surf's up with Mickey!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Can't wait to see what the E's do when it is time to get in the ME line!!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh My bet is that they will or one will get in the wrong line, because I think boys at this age seem to want to "demonstrate" their independence... That will be funny if they forge ahead and look for it and then get off track!!!

Great plans there! So is all that in the TRIPit app????

 

[eandesmom]

Can't wait to see what the E's do when it is time to get in the ME line!!!

I can't either! I seriously bet they run ahead into the POP line.

Oh My bet is that they will or one will get in the wrong line, because I think boys at this age seem to want to "demonstrate" their independence... That will be funny if they forge ahead and look for it and then get off track!!!

Great plans there! So is all that in the TRIPit app????

We are both betting they will. And rather enjoying not telling them!

Yep, I have it all in TRIPit. What I decided to do was two entries, one for am plans and one for pm plans as we are doing pool breaks mid day every day (pretty much, with the exception of TL day) so it wasn't too long to read and we are switching parks after the pool breaks everyday.

I'm entering it under the "activity" category.

 

[All7OfUs]

That is one seriously packed day!! I totally think the Es will clue in! Can't wait to see those pix!

I love that haircuts are first thing. So fun!

Good move to keep Kali for later in the week, no need to freeze at dinner.

Adorable sunscreen Mickey!!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Love the "In two weeks" updates. And the Disney jets. Somewhere I missed an update or two so I need to go back and catch up.

 

[glennbo123]

You and your surprises! No way my kids would let me get this far in the planning without asking what resort they were staying in! They're going to be so excited.

 

[eandesmom]

That is one seriously packed day!! I totally think the Es will clue in! Can't wait to see those pix!

I love that haircuts are first thing. So fun!

Good move to keep Kali for later in the week, no need to freeze at dinner.

Adorable sunscreen Mickey!!!

Isn't that mickey cute? All her doing. We will see if they clue in or just forge blindly ahead. As is typically their modus operandi

Love the "In two weeks" updates. And the Disney jets. Somewhere I missed an update or two so I need to go back and catch up.

I updated my links yesterday so you should be good to catch up quickly. Or just jump right in.

You and your surprises! No way my kids would let me get this far in the planning without asking what resort they were staying in! They're going to be so excited.

Well they have no need to ask because they think they know. They are aware that Paul and Sandie changed their dates. So they think we are at POP for 3 nights and YC for 5. K&T may not be tracking it that closely, they tend to just show up.

What they don't know is that POP, went POP.

Which frankly, they may have some initial disappointment about as they are pretty stoked to check out the bowling pin pool but....I think they will get over it darn quick. They LOVE the WL.

 

[eandesmom]

In the interest of getting the DCA TR done before the next trip starts, we will have a couple of double update days! Today being one of them!

We were pretty wiped when we returned to the hotel after dinner at Ralph Brennan’s. Straight to bed. No pie. One full apple pie still sitting in the fridge.

When we woke up, I called to see if we could get late checkout. We had breakfast booked and while the kids and Jeff knew where, none of them knew it was a Character Breakfast. Of course, had they looked it was pretty clear on the signage but no one did! I was hoping, since our flight wasn’t until almost 7pm we could pack up, go to breakfast, hit the pool one last time and then do shopping and lunch before we left for the airport.
Sure enough, the Paradise Pier pixie dust continued and they said SURE! Not a problem. Happy dance! Our ressie wasn’t until 10 but after a quick chat with Jeff, we decided that on my morning coffee run to the lobby espresso bar, I’d see if we could get in earlier. And they could! They suggested we be there by 9:30 as that’s when the main interactions started. They called it something else but I have no idea what. So we got ready for the pool and headed to breakfast, figuring we’d just head straight up there after we ate. Besides, swimsuits at Surf's up...seemed appropriate!

So at about 9:15 we checked in for our Surf’s Up with Mickey and Friends Breakfast. They gave us all pins! I was not expecting that at all so it was kind of fun.

It was pretty cool. The characters are around the corner so you can’t see them until you are ushered in. Which, of course, it straight to the big man himself for the photo op.
Which obviously I purchased.

Photo op done we headed to our table. We were greeted by our CM who explained the buffet and that the characters would be making their way around and to go ahead and help ourselves to the buffet.

All ears had given me a hint to the menu

All-You-Care to eat Buffet includes: Omelet Station, Delicious Flatbreads, Mickey Waffles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana French Toast, Smoothies
​

And the reviews I’d read raved about it.

It did NOT disappoint!

SOOOO yummy and different. The breakfast flatbreads and smoothies were amazing. I didn’t try the chocolate peanut butter banana French toast but Eric loved it.

Smoothie. There were 2 kinds but of course I don't recall what was in them lol!. Except I think I had seconds...

My plate, you can see two of the flat breads, a chorizo egg one and a mushroom spinach one as well as some frittata thingy (I think)

Eric‘s plate. The French toast is in the right corner of his plate.

Evan went light on the food, having been scolded nearly every day for the eyes too big syndrome. I don’t know what he got but he did eat all of it. Looks like it may have been cereal? Clearly he liked it.

I didn't get a picture of Jeff's but I seem to recall an omelet and a plateful of meat. All kinds of different sausages if I recall.

My take on the Surf’s Up breakfast?

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would eat here again in heartbeat. And that’s just for the food! I’m generally not big on buffets but this one made a big impression.

While we were eating, the characters were making the rounds

Pluto wanted to show us this, I’m not really sure why!

My FAVORITE picture of the entire trip (and my computer wallpaper at home lol) Jeff won’t let me frame it though (so I have it out at the office instead!).

Pretty soon, the big guy announced it was time to get up and play

The kids headed up, not entirely sure about it….

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

The CM jumped in, encouraging everyone to come up

But to play what?

Why Hula Hoops of course!

Minnie demonstrated

Eric tried

Daisy was checking it all out

Evan was…the master. Who knew that kid could hula hoop like that! It was seriously impressive.

After hula hooping, Evan spotted Goofy, who had yet to make it to the table.

After the Goofy tackle we settled up, bought our pictures and headed up to the pool.

Would the slide be open?????????

In two weeks....Day 3! Lets get wet

 

[jenjolt]

WOW what a great morning!! The food looked yummy and the character interaction looks like a lot of fun!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

WOW what a great morning!! The food looked yummy and the character interaction looks like a lot of fun!!!!

It was fabulous! I'm almost scared to try another character breakfast since this was so very perfect.

 

[eandesmom]

Great plans there! So is all that in the TRIPit app????

I forgot to mention, on the app, you can also synch it to your calendar so not only is all of this in the app itself but is in my calendar on my phone.

All I have to worry about is my battery dying!