Meet Santa @ DL turn right @ Aulani and fly on..Single Digit Dance

[taaren]

I have never rode Big Thunder or the Jungle Cruise at night
Dine at the Blue Bayou and Riverbelle Terrace
Ride the ships on ROA, have only done the canoes
Visit Tarzans treehouse
Talk to Crush and visit Animation Studios
Meet Santa at the Reindeer Roundup
Get a silhouette done on Main Street

Most importantly I am looking forward to having all my family together. This year has reminded me over and over how important family is. Mine live over 1700km away and so for my girls to spend three weeks with ther parents and grandparents with no work, school or extra activities, that gift alone is going to be priceless.

Jungle Cruise at night we . If you can, get a Fastpass for Big Thunder early in the day then use it about the time the fireworks start. Amazing way to watch part of the show. I've been trying to convince DH to stop and get a silhouette done of our DS5 for the last few years but we always seem to run out of time, even though we had 10 park days this last trip (though only 4 with the DS)
I know what you mean about having people together at Disney, for us we have a special group of friends that our Disney trip is the only guaranteed time we get to see them since they live about 2500 miles away. We just got lucky this year since there were some extra events like weddings so we got to spend more time with them than usual. Disney is such a relaxing and magical way to spend time with loved ones.
Coming up quick!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Jungle Cruise at night we . If you can, get a Fastpass for Big Thunder early in the day then use it about the time the fireworks start. Amazing way to watch part of the show. I've been trying to convince DH to stop and get a silhouette done of our DS5 for the last few years but we always seem to run out of time, even though we had 10 park days this last trip (though only 4 with the DS)
I know what you mean about having people together at Disney, for us we have a special group of friends that our Disney trip is the only guaranteed time we get to see them since they live about 2500 miles away. We just got lucky this year since there were some extra events like weddings so we got to spend more time with them than usual. Disney is such a relaxing and magical way to spend time with loved ones.
Coming up quick!

Thanks for the tips Taaren. Hadn't thought of the firework effect.

Thanks for the kind words, and you are right, Disney is a relaxing and magical way to spend time with family, especially when we all love Disney as much as the next person. My dad never stops smiling when he is there. My mum and dad had always dreamt of going to Disneyland and took us as kids for the first time. It was such a big deal to travel from Australia to Disneyland in the eighties. Mum and dad grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club and the Wonderful World of Disney and my brother and I were forced to watch too! At the start were the teacups and Mum was going on them no matter what. They were closed, she almost cried, but my the time we came back a couple of weeks later near the end of our trip they were open. She still rides everytime we go.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Into the twenties...

29 SLEEPS TO GO....or 16 LUNCHBOXES and 17 sleeps

Off to work to decrease the to do list so that I can go away without a care in the world.

 

[maryr1oz]

Can't wait to read your Aussie report!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Can't wait to read your Aussie report!

Thanks Maryr1oz

It is always great to follow an Aussie abroad. I am sure there will be drama, laughs and plenty of mischief to be had.

In 4 weeks I will be packed and waiting to go....

It is 31C where I am today and I am looking forward to visiting some warmer clothes for Christmas this year.

If only it would trooly rooly snow at Disneyland for Christmas.

I hope you enjoy reading along

Mia

 

[areweindisneyyet]

14 LUNCHBOXES AND 17 SLEEPS.... Under 4weeks and counting.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

No lunchboxes to count on the weekend...hurry up Monday.

DH is away all week with work at the moment so I had him pull down our cases and put them where I can reach them.

Doesn't mean I will start packing, but now I can if I want to.

There are few things that I would like to get stashed away and out of site.

Also the girls wear a uniform to school so I want to take things from their wardrobes before the start of school holidays so I do not have to rewash the things we are taking away. They forget what clothes they have, so if they cant see it they wont ask for it

In February I purchased bricks to be placed outside of Disneyland on the walk for both my parents and us. Noone but DH knows and so this will be a special Santa present on Christmas morning and then as we go to the park we can find our special little piece of Disneyland. I had my parents brick dated with our first family trip in 1985 and ours for our first family trip in 2007.

Hopefully hawkeye DD2 doesn't notice it before Christmas morning but knowing my luck in planning surprises that is exactly what will happen.

Tried to surprise DH with a new ride on mower for his birthday. Thought I had checked all the boxes, even the supplier knew it was a surprise and was even keeping it in their showroom for me longer than normal. Their work experience girl was being helpful and posted an invoice that was for their records (i have mine hidden) and DH checked the mail.

Could not think on my feet fast enough and so now has his new ride on two weeks early.

Surprises and me just don't work out, the karma of the universe is against me. But I shall keep trying. Hoping for Pixie Dust.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hope the time passes quicker for you!

The bricks are a great idea.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Hope the time passes quicker for you!

The bricks are a great idea.

Thanks PIO

The time is flying it is just the list of things to do before then. I work full time plus have my own business so getting everything in order at this time of the year is crazy. All of the end of year school things are on as well and as the girls are now in separate parts of their school it means quite a few double ups.

I think I will feel much better when school has finished. The pace of life will just have one of the big balls drop away. Last week we had three days where we had left home at 7am and did not get home until after 8. It was also a huge assessment week for DD1.

I have had quite a few late nights or early mornings. I achieved heaps last week and if I can do that again this week I should start to feel a little less stressed. A holiday is just what is needed. For my business I will need to be contactable so have been sorting out communications, internet and the like which is all done.

It will all be fine...

I thought the bricks were kind of cool as well... at least there is one present done.

 

[BelleBway]

Saw your reply to my Christmas eve post on the Christmas thread and had to check out your PTR to share your Disney Christmas excitement. I'll also be there in the same crazy holiday crowds. But it really wasn't too bad last year in the early mornings and late evenings... Actually, 12/24 wasn't bad all day but I fear it will be worse this year with it being a Saturday and the parks open late. 12/25 last year was dead in the morning, crazy in the afternoon, and wet at night. 12/26 was crazy all day until late. Although I really don't care too much because I'll still be in Disneyland.

I'm actually not overly excited about Disneyland right now. Why is that, you might ask....? Because I actually have a trip to Australia coming up first!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm actually not overly excited about Disneyland right now. Why is that, you might ask....? Because I actually have a trip to Australia coming up first!

Have a great trip in Oz. When and where are you going?

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Thanks for popping in. Thanks for some crowd advice. We plan on being there early each day. Head back for a break most days and then head back in the evenings with fast passes.

Where are you planning on visiting in Australia. Feeel free to ask lots of questions. I have lived up and down the east coast so am familiar with quite a few of the main cities. It truly is beautiful. I am so lucky to live here. How exciting for you. It is a big thing to cross the Pacific.

Hope you enjoy Christmas at DL too!

Mia

 

[BelleBway]

Have a great trip in Oz. When and where are you going?

Don't really want to hijack the thread... but am going to Sydney, Uluru, Cairns and Melbourne. I leave in less than 2 weeks!

Thanks for popping in. Thanks for some crowd advice. We plan on being there early each day. Head back for a break most days and then head back in the evenings with fast passes.

That should hopefully be a good strategy. I'm staying offsite so I'll only get 1 magic morning this time... not that I actually got out of bed in enough time to use it half the time last year.

If it rains, that will also help clear out the park. However, last year I couldn't enjoy that benefit because my Fantasmic package got rained out and they forced everyone to wait in line (in the rain) at City Hall for refunds/ exchanges. Not fun! Although it was amusing listening to the guy behind me talk about how he wanted a refund because the rain cancelled stuff. I have no idea how well he did with that!

Where are you planning on visiting in Australia. Feeel free to ask lots of questions. I have lived up and down the east coast so am familiar with quite a few of the main cities. It truly is beautiful. I am so lucky to live here. How exciting for you. It is a big thing to cross the Pacific.

Hope you enjoy Christmas at DL too!

Thanks! It's a bit of an unexpected bonus that I'll be at DL again this Christmas and I feel like I could have an amazing time just taking in all the holiday cheer.... and buying more peppermint fudge! (that stuff was unexpectedly yummy) I'm going solo but have some friends in the area that I hope to spend at least one day with. I'll look forward to comparing notes with you after you get back, and reading about the other places you visit!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

10 lunchboxes and 17 sleeps

 

[PrincessInOz]

Look at that lunchbox count!!!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Look at that lunchbox count!!!

I know, I even had to go to the supermarket tonight for more supplies. Surely there was enough in the cupboard to get to the end of school but alas no.

More fruit, and enough goodies to get us to the end of school, and the secret Santa presents for classmates, and the teacher presents....

Note to self: Leave before the end of school next time

The girls are also eating advent calendars that they have been given counting down to our trip instead of Christmas... They are too funny.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I know, I even had to go to the supermarket tonight for more supplies. Surely there was enough in the cupboard to get to the end of school but alas no.

More fruit, and enough goodies to get us to the end of school, and the secret Santa presents for classmates, and the teacher presents....

Note to self: Leave before the end of school next time

The girls are also eating advent calendars that they have been given counting down to our trip instead of Christmas... They are too funny.

I'm definitely NOT telling my DS about this one. He'll want to start his advent calendar now....to count down to the start of the advent countdown!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

8 lunchboxes and 17 sleeps

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Dreamt of Disneyland last night, sigh.

Our vouchers arrived for our day trip to LA overnight. Next week I can book Fantasmic and the Holiday Tour and then we are all organised.... oh except the packing, and finishing work....

It will happen!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not long now.