Loosen your belt buckle-We're doing Deluxe Dining!Our 12/10 PTR!Update 12/18 TR Start

[Nermel9]

Looks like a great Day 1!!! I'd love to try California Grill someday!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Looks like a great first day! I may have to take some tips from your first day. Not really sure what to expect from Animal Kingdom.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Hi there!! I'm so sorry that I have gone MIA for so long. I have barely been on the Dis for the past 2 months due to work & life in general. I finally have some time again, and I just got all caught up on your PTR and mini-TR. That is so awesome that you got to go for a mini-vacation!

So I just started my PTR for our trip. The link is in my siggie. I will have to check my exact dates, but I think that we leave the day before you get there. I'm bummed because it would have been fun to get a picture of our kids together. Your planning sounds great so far, and it is making me realize that I need to get it in gear and start planning.

Dylan just had his 3rd birthday last week. We had a little party for him at a gymnastics place and he loved it. I will try to post pictures soon on my PTR. I can't believe he is 3. I'm still kinda sad over it. LOL

 

[eecteacher82]

Great first day plans!!!! I wish I lived as close a you, at least we are flying so it won't take too much longer to get there

Thanks! I have to admit, I am jealous of those of you who get to fly in and take the ME!! Unless we actually move up to Wisconsin (I would love to), we won't ever take the ME!

Your first day looks awesome! I miss living in Orlando and being able to go all the time I literally lived right up I-4 and was about 20 minutes away by car. Of course I didn't HAVE a car, which is why I lost my job there, but that's another story...

I miss living in Orlando too! I went to college at the University of Central Florida, so my friends and I went to DTD about once a week. I can't believe I wasn't as big of a Disney fan then as I am now, I could have gone even more than I do now! That stinks that you had to leave Orlando

That looks a fun action packed first day! I love both Nemo and Lion King. I am not sure if I could pick a favorite!

It sure will be a busy day! Although I think there will be enough down time so we won't drop mid-day! We haven't seen Nemo since Olivia was 15 months old, and at that time she really wasn't in to it, so she was wiggly and we couldn't fully enjoy the show. I think now that she is older and loves Finding Nemo, she will love the show! I can't wait to actually see the whole thing!

Looks like a great Day 1!!! I'd love to try California Grill someday!

I'm SO excited to eat at California Grill!! I love nice restaurants and this seems like extra nice with the Disney touch! I can't wait to see the view for myself!

Looks like a great first day! I may have to take some tips from your first day. Not really sure what to expect from Animal Kingdom.

Yeah, glad you found some useful info! I wasn't sure what to expect the first time we went to AK either! I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! The whole theme is amazing! Olivia loves the animals and pretty much everything there is to do! I bet your kiddos will love it!!! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Hi there!! I'm so sorry that I have gone MIA for so long. I have barely been on the Dis for the past 2 months due to work & life in general. I finally have some time again, and I just got all caught up on your PTR and mini-TR. That is so awesome that you got to go for a mini-vacation!

So I just started my PTR for our trip. The link is in my siggie. I will have to check my exact dates, but I think that we leave the day before you get there. I'm bummed because it would have been fun to get a picture of our kids together. Your planning sounds great so far, and it is making me realize that I need to get it in gear and start planning.

Dylan just had his 3rd birthday last week. We had a little party for him at a gymnastics place and he loved it. I will try to post pictures soon on my PTR. I can't believe he is 3. I'm still kinda sad over it. LOL

Yeah! So glad you are back!!!! I know how life can get in the way, but how dare in interfere with anything Disney related!

I already hopped over to your PTR and subscribed! I can't wait to see what you have planned! Aww, I hope you are confused and you really don't leave the day before we arrive! We were actually going to arrive on the 4th, but my hubby has to work that day and can't get out of it. It would be so great to get them together!

I know the feeling! I would like to just stop time for a bit and have Olivia stay little! I can't believe she will be 3 in less than 2 months!! She is such a little person, withe the grown up attitude to go with it! I definitely want to see pics of you little (well, he really isn't little is he?) man!

 

[eecteacher82]

Hi guys! I figure d I was due for an update since I haven't been on in a few days! Not too much going on with the trip. I made another payment the other day, so we only owe about $60 now!!! Our payoff day is October 21, so we have plenty of time. I'm going to try and pay off by next weekend, so we can start using any extra money and putting in on Disney gift cards to use on the trip. What might we be using the cards for you ask? Well, here is a list of what we KNOW we will be buying. (Keep in mind that we really don't need souvenirs since we visit so often).
*The Cinderella Castle playset-this will be a Christmas gift for Olivia
*The BBB!!!!!!
*Olivia and I will be doing the pick a pearl in Japan at WS
*Tips for our meals
*We are finally going to pre-purchase Photopass! We have never done this!
*A few other surprises that will be revealed after the trip in the TR!

Olivia and I are going to Disney for the day on Saturday!! There is a Moms Panel meet at Epcot, so I figured that since Toby has to work, Olivia and I would drive up just for the day and hit MK and Epcot! Would you believe that we have never had a girls only day?! I am super excited!

In other news; I am starting to plan Olivia's birthday!! She wants a princess party (no big surprise there)! She couldn't pick one princess, so her cake will be a castle with all the princesses, and it will be mostly pink (these are all Olivia's requests). Lucky for me, my mom makes cakes as a side business, so I know it will be amazing! I do have a gift dilemma that I am hoping you guys can help me out with. If you saw our living room and Olivia's room, you would realize that my single child has as many toys and things to play with as an entire daycare center!!! Don't even get me started on the amount of clothing she has! Her closet is bursting at the seams, the dresser is begging forgiveness, and there are 3 rubbermaid storage bins under her bed of clothes that will fit her soon (and for the next 5 years). Here is my dilemma. She obvioulsy doesn't need anymore toys or clothes, so I was thinking of wording the invitation to say that people don't need to bring her anything, them being there is perfect, but if they wanted, to get Disney gift cards instead. This way she can get her face painted, or do some other fun stuff that we weren't planning on/budgeting for. What do you guys think? As for putting gift requests on invitations, I can't remember a party I have been to in the last year where there wasn't a wish list, but my mom seems to think that putting requests is inappropriate. I really could use some help!

I think that covers it for now. I will try to get on in the next day or two and add our Day 2 plans! I am pretty darn sure that Day 2 will be my favorite day of the trip!!

 

[ag98]

I think it's lovely that you realize your child has so much and does not NEED anything else. I think it would be fine to tell family members about the gift cards, but for friends and classmates, it might seem a little presumptious. I only say this because we do not currently have a local (within 30 miles) Disney store. So for convienence, I would have to order a GC online. The minimum GC online at Disneystore.com is $25. BUT this is my 2 cents and you don't know me from Adam. I hope Olivia has a great Princess Bday!

 

[Tinkermom76]

I think that would be fine if you have a Disney store near your house. Another idea is if she has any toys that need refils of anything (my kids have easy bake oven so the mixes would be a refil) stuff like that

 

[eecteacher82]

I think it's lovely that you realize your child has so much and does not NEED anything else. I think it would be fine to tell family members about the gift cards, but for friends and classmates, it might seem a little presumptious. I only say this because we do not currently have a local (within 30 miles) Disney store. So for convienence, I would have to order a GC online. The minimum GC online at Disneystore.com is $25. BUT this is my 2 cents and you don't know me from Adam. I hope Olivia has a great Princess Bday!

I think that would be fine if you have a Disney store near your house. Another idea is if she has any toys that need refils of anything (my kids have easy bake oven so the mixes would be a refil) stuff like that

Thanks for the quick replies and honesty! Lucky for us, you can buy the Disney gift cards at our local grocery stores, Walgreens, CVS, etc... and the best part is that you can do any increment from $5 to $500! I wish Olivia had toys with refills-it would make my house a whole less full! Unfortunately, since she isn't quite 3 yet, none of the refill type toys are age appropriate for her just yet.

 

[Tinkermom76]

Thanks for the quick replies and honesty! Lucky for us, you can buy the Disney gift cards at our local grocery stores, Walgreens, CVS, etc... and the best part is that you can do any increment from $5 to $500! I wish Olivia had toys with refills-it would make my house a whole less full! Unfortunately, since she isn't quite 3 yet, none of the refill type toys are age appropriate for her just yet.

if you can buy them at the local store then for sure it's ok... man I wish we could here

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm getting caught up from last weekend/last week!!

Sounds like a good first day in Dec!!! We will be arriving on the 9th which is just a few days after that so you got me alllll excited and I really need to start my PTR for Dec!

I think Sat will be a great girls day! I'm thinking about upgrading to an AP because it would only be an extra $300 next month and being that the trip will be paid off, I think I might be able to justify the extra costs plus it gives more more excuses to go on more trips and hopefully move back down there by next summer!!

As far as the gift cards goes, I think alerting family would be a great idea but as far as friends/party guests not sure?? At our stores here, you can buy a standard WDW gift card and put any amount on it from $5 + which is nice!! We also get gas points if you buy gift cards at our grocery stores!! My 4 and 5 yr olds at school go to the stores and register for their parties and it blows my mind!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

OK, I just need to say again that I am completely jealous that you can leave your driveway at 8am and pull into the Pop at 9:30am and bus it up to AK by 11:00am.

Great park plans and California Grill! I cannot wait to try this place out when Demetri's a bit older. He's just a little too rambunctious for that place right now!!

Great first day!

I too think you're just fine explaining to family and friends about the birthday party gift cards. Are you in a position to explain to the parents of the other children coming the same thing too? Maybe when they RSVP?

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Tracy--I am with you, doesn't seem fair to me! I want to be close to the happiest place on Earth too.

 

[eecteacher82]

I'm getting caught up from last weekend/last week!!

Sounds like a good first day in Dec!!! We will be arriving on the 9th which is just a few days after that so you got me alllll excited and I really need to start my PTR for Dec!

I think Sat will be a great girls day! I'm thinking about upgrading to an AP because it would only be an extra $300 next month and being that the trip will be paid off, I think I might be able to justify the extra costs plus it gives more more excuses to go on more trips and hopefully move back down there by next summer!!

As far as the gift cards goes, I think alerting family would be a great idea but as far as friends/party guests not sure?? At our stores here, you can buy a standard WDW gift card and put any amount on it from $5 + which is nice!! We also get gas points if you buy gift cards at our grocery stores!! My 4 and 5 yr olds at school go to the stores and register for their parties and it blows my mind!

Thanks for the advice! I am thinking that I just might suggest the gift cards since they are available just about everywhere and from $5 and up like your stores, BUT I am going to make sure to say that she really doesn't need anything, the real gift is having everyone that loves her around. Since she isn't in daycare/preschool there really aren't many other little kids. It will mostly be family and some of my mom's friends from work who I have known since I was a kid and are like Olivia's aunts.

You definitely need to start a PTR!!!!

OK, I just need to say again that I am completely jealous that you can leave your driveway at 8am and pull into the Pop at 9:30am and bus it up to AK by 11:00am.

Great park plans and California Grill! I cannot wait to try this place out when Demetri's a bit older. He's just a little too rambunctious for that place right now!!

Great first day!

I too think you're just fine explaining to family and friends about the birthday party gift cards. Are you in a position to explain to the parents of the other children coming the same thing too? Maybe when they RSVP?

I have to say that living so close to WDW makes for easy and quick trips, but that is the ONLY thing I like about living in Florida!

I really can't say enough how excited I am about California Grill!!! Luckily, we go out to eat about once a week so Olivia is used to behaving while in restaurants,and if all else fails, we have an iPod touch with a bunch of games and movies loaded on it for her!

Since Olivia isn't in preschool there really aren't many kids coming that aren't family, so that won't really be an issue. I think I will just make sure to emphasize that no gift is necessary, but if they really want to bring something, the GC would be great.

Tracy--I am with you, doesn't seem fair to me! I want to be close to the happiest place on Earth too.

LOL! I am being totally honest when I say that WDW is the only good thing about living in Florida! 90% of the time it is miserably hot and filled with tourists that make it impossible to get a table at and restaurant, or drive safely on the roads. Don't even get me started on the number of elderly people here...

 

[therussells08]

Ugh, I'm so ashamed of myself for not posting on your PTR in so long! I have been beyond busy, but I am all caught up now!

That's so great that your trip is almost paid off! I wish I only owed $60 on ours!

I wish I could just drive to WDW on a Saturday! That is so awesome! But I will say, I love living in NC. I enjoy the hot summers, but the cooler winters are always a welcome respite.

 

[eecteacher82]

Hi guys! I know it's been a while since I have been on here, but we have just been SO busy lately!!!

I'll start out with Saturday. *(Sorry, not a "real" TR, and no pictures-but they are on FB. I just don't have time right now to do a full TR for the day).* Olivia and I had a FANTASTIC time at Disney!! We work up early and left the house at about 6:30 and made it to Pop at 8:10- Pop waffles were on the menu for breakfast!!! I'm not sure why, but the waffles at Pop just seem to taste better! After we ate, we looked around for a little while since Olivia loves all the huge statues and then hopped on a bus to MK (yes I realize that we were not staying there and used the buses, but we did use the hotel services, so please don't flame me). We arrived a little after 9:00 and headed to PotC since it was Olivia's request. Next it was off to The Magic Carpets of Aladdin where we got to ride with Princess Jasmine!!!!!! Olivia didn't know what to think! After the ride we were lead to Jasmine's greeting area (where there was already a huge line of people), and got lots of pics taken with her! Next we were off to the Castle Couture shop for a showering of Pixie Dust of course. After my little princess was dusted, we hopped on Dumbo followed by the carousel. The next stop was Goofy's Barnstormer and a visit with the Princesses. Once Olivia had her fix of royalty, we we to save the galaxy with Buzz Lightyear, and then a nice relaxing ride on the people mover! Once we finished up in Tomorrowland we made our way to the exit so we could hop on the monorail to Epcot for the MP meet!

After a quick ride, we hopped off and headed to the Electric Umbrella for lunch. We had never eaten here before so I figured we would give it a try. It was your basic burger and fry joint...not bad, but nothing to write home about. After lunch we hit up MouseGears and I bought matching shirts for all of us that I had been eyeing for a while. They are the retro logo shirts, and Olivia and I got pink (although slightly different shades) and I picked navy blue for Toby. Don't worry, I called and made sure he was OK with us getting matching shirts before I bought it! By the time we left MouseGears it was about 2:00 and the Moms Panel meet was starting at 2:30 so I wanted to stay close to the Odyssey Center, so I decided to take a little trip to Mexico and ride the Gran Fiesta Tour. I've always loved this little ride, and Olivia loved it too! By the time we got off it was 2:25 so we had just enough time to go potty and head to the MP meet!!!

We checked in just after 2:30 and headed inside to meet some Moms! After about 10 minutes I knew Olivia had had enough. She had been up since 6:15 (she normally gets up around 8:00) and it was well past her normal nap time of 1:00 and she was getting cranky. As much as I didn't want to, I had to do the responsible mom thing and put her back in her stroller (which was out in the foyer since the room was pretty crowded), and push her back and forth until she fell asleep. Of course because I wanted her to fall asleep quickly, she didn't. I had to waste valuable Mom meeting time until about 3:15!!!! When she finally gave in I scurried back to to chat for the last few minutes! It was a really nice event, and it was great to be able to talk to so many of the moms on the panel!

When they kicked us out of the building at 3:30 I decided to find a nice quiet shady spot to sit so Livy could nap a bit longer. At about 4:15 I decided to wake her up so we could finish up Future World. Thank goodness she woke up in a very good mood and was ready for more fun! Our first stop was the Character Spot since I was sitting on the benches right outside enjoying the breeze while Olivia slept. There really wasn't much of a wait so we were in and out pretty quickly. I can't say enough how much Olivia LOVES the Fab 5!!! Her smile melts my heart every single time. Next up was The Seas with Nemo. Olivia talks about the ride All. The. Time. at home!! She gets super excited as soon as she sees the pavilion! After we found Nemo, we moved on to the Land pavilion and my favorite boat ride, Living with the Land. I have loved this ride since I was a kid! Thank goodness Olivia likes it too, so there is never a protest when I want to ride. Now it was time to start heading back up to the front of the park because we were heading back to MK for the Main Street Electrical Parade. On our way out, we made a quick stop on Spaceship Earth. Again, this is another ride I love!

Once we saw into our future, we made our way up the monorail platform and hopped on the Tronorail to MK. By this time it was almost 6:00 and we were getting hungry for some dinner. I wanted to make sure we got a great parade spot, and Main Street was already getting pretty full, so we hurried off to Cosmic Rays (our go to CS in MK) and I got a Chicken Caesar salad and side of fries and Livy and I shared. I got our food to go and we found a great spot in Liberty Square just past the bridge from the main hub. Once we finished eating, we had about 30 minutes until the MSEP was going to start so I gave Olivia her glow necklace that we have had since her first trip and the glow sticks we bring from home as well as her light up automatic bubble gun.

At about 8:10 the parade made it to us!! Olivia was in love! I thought it was ok...I am a Spectromagic girl though.... I decided to skip out on fireworks since it was already closing in on 9:00 and I had been up since 6:00, AND we still had to drive home. As soon as the parade passed us we made our way to the exit and the bus back to MK. By the time we made it back to Pop, made a potty stop and got everything back in the car and ready to go, it was 9:45. After leaving Pop, I got myself all turned with the marathon traffic and was lost for a couple of minutes, but quickly asked a CM and he pointed me the right direction. Once I was back on track the ride home was uneventful, and we pulled in the drive way at about 11:30. I emptied the car, put Olivia to bed and crawled in my bed around 1:00 to get a few hours of sleep before I had to wake up for church!

All in all, it was an amazing day and Olivia and I had a wonderful girls day! Of course I can't wait to go back again! I think my mom and I might take Olivia for her actual birthday, but nothing is for sure yet.

On another note...check out my ticker! It is below 2 months!!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Great trip!!!!

I agree with you on the parade. When I saw it in Aug, I was like eh, it was alright but I'm a Spectro girl too!!!

I have the retro shirt in green!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Sounds like a great girls day! I so wish we lived closer and could do our girls day that way!

 

[exwdwcm]

Love your AK day, looks fantastic.

sounds like a wonderful mommy and me day too. so did you just get to talk to the moms, did they have anything else going on? sounds like a fun event too- so nice to be able to hop down there for the day. you are a trooper to go all day long though! I got tired just reading it. But that's what we do for our love of the mouse, right?

 

[eecteacher82]

Hi guys! Sorry I have been MIA for a while. Olivia managed to get yet another cold/URI so we have been dealing with that. I am happy to report that she is almost back to 100%. It's perfect timing since we are heading out for a girls day with my mom tomorrow at the local farm/pumpkin patch/fall festival. We are looking forward to pony rides, hay rides, TONS of pumpkins, crafts, games and lots of other fun stuff. We have been going to this festival since I was about 8, and this will be Olivia's 3rd trip. The only thing that would make it better was if the weather would be cooler! We still have highs in the mid to upper 80s with lows around 70. I have mentioned how much I cannot stand the weather here???!!!

In other news, our countdown is getting smaller, and next week is my 45 day payoff! I've been picking up a few things here and there for the trip and putting them in our suitcase (or knowing me I will forget them at home).

I've also been working on planning Olivia's birthday party. I still refuse to believe that my tiny little baby who was 3 pounds and 8 ounces at her smallest will be 3 in less than a month! We are having a small party at home with a few friends and family. I am lucky enough to have a mom with an amazing talent for cake making (so amazing that it is actually her side business), so Livy has requested a pink princess castle cake with all the princesses. Speaking of my little baby growing up, we went and had her 3 year old pictures taken the other day. Yes, I know it is a month before her birthday, but I found the cutest outfit and I refused to let her wear it before the pictures for fear of getting it horribly stained! She has been begging to wear it, so I finally just gave in and had the pictures done. They came out AMAZING!!! As cute as they are, she looks like a little grown up! I miss my little baby (but I love the fact that she is potty trained, sleeps through the night, and can feed herself).

I promise I am almost done with our day 2 plans, and they should be up in the next few days!

**I also have to say, I am VERY sorry to those of you whose PTR I am following...I have just been so busy I haven't had time to post **

 

[exwdwcm]

so when is Olivia's bday? my son turns 3 on Oct 30th!!! we already had his party (with his cousin- joint one in sept), but we will do soemthign fun on the acutal day too. i hope Olivia is over her cold soon and that you guys have fun at the pumpkin/fall festival!