Memories of Little Green Men and Sardines (6/8-17, 2010) **FINAL UPDATE 2-25-2011**

[photographymom517]

Just an update for anyone stressing about airfare like me! lol

I was able to search for airfare through JetBlue, AirTran, and a few others for December dates. JetBlue actually had lots of dates until January 2011, but they don't seem to have any non-stops.

I found AirTran rates for $664.20 for 3 people...thats a nonstop flight both ways...should I buy it now or wait??? Any opinions???

Last time, I bought through AirTran about 2 months before our trip & it cost about the same for only 2 people. I might just wait to see if I can find a better deal. I also wanted to wait for Southwest's schedule to come out June 1st. Anyone have suggestions/opinions/advice???

 

[photographymom517]

Also, check this out: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneypackages.htm#visa

Looks like Disney Visa holders are able to get FREE dining until October 2nd...I posted the link above...but here's what it says:

August – October 2010 Free Dining Offer!

Valid for stays most nights 08/15/10 – 10/2/10.

Use your Disney Visa card to pay for a Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a minimum 3-night stay at a Walt Disney World resort and a 2-day park ticket, then receive the Dining Plan for free!

Book a Disney Value Resort and and get the Quick Service Dining free!

Book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas Resort and and get the Regular Dining free!
Discount Codes: The following codes can be used to for obtaining these discounts by calling Disney directly, or by contacting Dreams Unlimited Travel.

Value Resorts with free Quick Service Dining: QD4
Moderate Resorts with free Regular Dining: WG7
Deluxe Resorts with free Regular Dining: NF4


Dining plans can be upgraded at an additional cost. This discount must be booked by 8/14/10. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. Blackout dates may apply.

Now here's my question...I already booked our trip with a 30% off pin for Moderate resorts. So, let's say that they DO extend the offer through the end of the year...would I have to get rid of my 30% off pin in order to get the Disney VISA offer?

Regular Dining would be AWESOME since we are planning to do at least 3 character meals & 3 TS meals. I was originally thinking about getting Quick-Service dining, but this would be a great upgrade! I'm just afraid we might waste some of the TS meals. We'd each get 9 & only have 6 planned. I suppose I could always do Tusker House at AK and Garden Grill at EPCOT to add 2 more meals to our schedule!

According to my calculations, it would cost $719.82 for myself & my DH to get the regular Dining Plan. (it would cost $539.82 for the QSDP) We saved $535.24 with the 30% off pin. So, I'm further ahead to get the Dining Plan deal if they extend this offer. Let's keep our fingers crossed! I've been saving up money to pay OOP for the Character Meals since we were going to get the QSDP...I could use that money to pay off some of our trip or for souvenirs!

 

[DenishaT]

Glad you found my PTR! Please keep following along, I promise it will get more interesting! lol

Your dates sound great!!! I'm still unsure about ours, but hopefully will find out soon because I really want to buy tickets for MVMCP! Are you planning to go to MVMCP? When I logged onto DIS this morning, the dates were posted, so definitely check that out if you are going!

Thank you for saying our blankets were adorable...it took my mom & I along time to make them all, but we really enjoyed it! We made 10 all together. What a great cause to support!

Hopefully I will post another update either tonight or tomorrow sometime! Have a nice evening!

I really want to go to MVMCP. We did MNSSHP last Sept. and it was such a blast. i'm hoping the Christmas one is just as fun. I was considering the 7th or the 9th, then saw that the 7th (on a Tuesday) was not being sold at the advance rate (which I've read could mean that it's going to be super packed). Either way, I bought Christmas wrapping paper today (on sale!) to attempt to get me in a Christmassy mood while it's 90 out!

 

[Charlefours]

Your shirts sound great. You will defintely need to post pictures when you get them made. I am so glad Tiger made his way home safe and sound (albeit hungry and tired). Last year was the first year they extended the dining out through December. I hope it gets extended for you! It certainly is a great deal! And I am sure you can always find more TS ADRs that you would like to make.

 

[photographymom517]

I really want to go to MVMCP. We did MNSSHP last Sept. and it was such a blast. i'm hoping the Christmas one is just as fun. I was considering the 7th or the 9th, then saw that the 7th (on a Tuesday) was not being sold at the advance rate (which I've read could mean that it's going to be super packed). Either way, I bought Christmas wrapping paper today (on sale!) to attempt to get me in a Christmassy mood while it's 90 out!

I've heard both parties are alot of fun!!! I've never gone to either, but after this year's Christmas trip, I definitely plan on going to the MNSSHP within a few years. I figure we should wait until our son is older anyway so he'll get more out of it. Last year, he really wasn't that interested in Trick or Treating...we had to get most of his candy for him (he was 17 1/2 months old at the time). And he's still scared of the dark & some scary things, so I'm not sure what he'd think of the parade, shows, & different events at MNSSHP. BUT in the future, he will love it!!! We'll probably wait & go to that when he's 4 or 5.

I'm not sure what day we're going to MVMCP but I can't wait!!!

I was very excited when I logged onto DIS this morning & saw the dates & prices were announced! I'm also glad to get an extra day at the Magic Kingdom! Since we're able to enter the park at 4pm for the party, that will give us about half a day there! I think it will be interesting to see Christmas-time without all of the snow that I'm used to back home! I'm just afraid I won't want to leave!!!

Are you saying its 90 degrees in Texas right now??? If so, I am completely jealous!!! The weather is PA has to be the worst anywhere in the US! lol It was 70 or 80 degrees here (probably 3 weeks ago) and that only lasted 2-3 days. It has been freezing almost every night for the past week! There was FROST on my car this morning! I am seriously considering moving down South!

Your shirts sound great. You will defintely need to post pictures when you get them made. I am so glad Tiger made his way home safe and sound (albeit hungry and tired). Last year was the first year they extended the dining out through December. I hope it gets extended for you! It certainly is a great deal! And I am sure you can always find more TS ADRs that you would like to make.

Thanks for saying the shirts sound great! I'm excited to be doing them. I actually found tshirts at a discount price yesterday at a craft store...they were $1.50 each! They didn't have my size (the adult sizes were picked over since it was the last day of the sale) but they did have toddler sizes, so I was able to get 2 more for my son. I figure it doesn't matter if I make him "extra" shirts because he usually changes his clothes 2-3 times while we're on vacation...either from making a mess with food, getting soaked with water, or sweating. I also didn't think of what he'll wear at DTD...I think I might make him a Dinosaur shirt & maybe a Mr. Potato Head shirt! Or maybe something with Legos!

I'm glad Tiger came home as well. I was very worried. Its just not like him to wonder that far away from home.

I really hope they will extend the free dining. We are debating right now whether or not to get a dining plan & if so, which one. So if they extend free dining to December, we won't have to decide! lol Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[photographymom517]

Not completely trip-related, but it is partially! Since I've been babysitting for a few weeks, I decided to use some of the money to buy Disney stuff & things for our trip. Since our son is older this year, I'm going to make him a bag of things to do in the car on the way to the airport (its about an hour drive), while waiting for the plane, and on the plane ride. I've gotten alot of good ideas from fellow DIS-ers & also from just looking at Disney merchandise in stores! It seriously is everywhere!

My son and I took a trip the other day to get some scrapbooking supplies. Since starting to plan this vacation, I realized that I better get working on my son's scrapbook from last year's trip! Oops...not even started yet! I did have a photo book made, I'll have to take pics of it & put them on here! While we were shopping for scrapbook supplies, I was keeping an eye out for Disney stuff of course!

I'll make 2 separate posts...one of the items I actually purchased & one of the items I just took pics of to show everyone! Also, I didn't buy all of this on one shopping trip...I just have been a bad DIS-er & haven't been posting pics!

 

[photographymom517]

A Mickey serving dish I found at Target. It was $9.99. I am actually going to use it in my office/craft room instead of using it as a serving dish. I'm just not sure what to put in it yet!

Books that I purchased at various stores...Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Kmart, Walmart, and Dollar General. The Color Wonder & coloring books I am planning to take on the plane.

2 Scrapbook kits that I found on Clearance at Hobby Lobby. I think the one is just paper & the other has paper & stickers. I almost ordered the one through an online scrapbook store a few weeks ago...I'm glad I didn't now since I found it on sale!

Disney scrapbook stickers! I got the Pooh ones for this year's trip...Crystal Palace! I got the Nemo ones for last year's trip...my son never even knew who Nemo was until our trip & then he LOVED Nemo!!! The Toy Story ones are for this year's trip. The Mexico ones are for our meal at San Angel Inn this year or just for EPCOT. I found IASW ones too! I also found the perfect stickers for me...Goofy & photography, what a perfect combination!

This is a really bad picture because I took it on my cell phone, but this is the half-shirt I was trying to explain at the beginning of my PTR. I got it to wear over my tanks/spaghetti strap tops if its chilly or during meals.

This is the Baggalini that I bought. I found a "park bag" thread on DIS & it seemed like everyone was suggesting these. I was able to use a discount & get $10 off...so it ended up being around $24 with shipping! I also got it via UPS about 2 days after I ordered it! I obviously haven't used it yet, but I think it will work well as a park bag. I'm going to test it out this year when we go to the zoo, so I'll let you know!

You can't see it in the picture, but it has a little compartment on the strap where you can put credit cards, money, PhotoPass cards, etc. It also has a side pocket for a water bottle. It has one large zip compartment, then it has a zipper pocket on the back & one on the front. There is also a second compartment that has organization built-in so you can organize your keys, credit cards, and other little items. I definitely think this will be a great park bag! Its very light-weight, too.

Right now, its listed on ebags.com for $39.59 as a Mother's Day sale. I got it for around $24 with shipping included. If you're interested, let me know & I'll look for that DIS thread with the coupon code that I used. I'm not sure if it expired already or not. I ordered the bag awhile back, but I can still check for you. Here's the link to the site http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/messenger-slingbagg-crinkle-nylon/47360 I ordered the "pewter" one. I hate purple, so I was afraid it would look too purple & I'd hate it...but it actually is a really nice shade of dark gray just as I hoped!

 

[photographymom517]

Here are some items that I found but didn't buy. Just trying to help everyone find Disney stuff to buy! LOL


Bambi items at Target...they also had Tink & Alice items. I swear I took a pic of them, but I can't find the Tink/Alice picture. Most of it was $9.99

Mickey items at Target...again most were $9.99. There were trays, plates, water bottles (the nice aluminum ones), cups, serving dishes, and some other items.

This is the 12x12 Disney scrapbook album that I really wanted to buy, but didn't! One reason being that it cost $34.99 and wasn't on clearance. All the other albums were 50% off except for licensed albums. It did include 10 scrapbook papers, the clear protector sheets, and I think 3 sheets of stickers. I looooved this album! The 2nd reason I didn't buy it is that I'm saving part of my "budget" for souvenirs to go to the scrapbook store at DTD. Does anyone know...do they have a large selection of albums there?

The album I really wanted with 2 other Disney albums! They are all cute!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Hey Hope, the $1 seek and find books....did u find those at Target? I will have to see if our Target has all the Mickey dishware I love the bowl .....I have alot in my kitchen so I would love more! Well I will chat more with you later...off to work =(

Have a great day!! Can't wait to hear if you will be at Disney when I am. TTFN

 

[Tinkermom76]

Hey I followed you over from my PTR. I love the scrapbook stuff, I just finished my scrapbook from my last trip and I can't wait to start next years. I didn't know there was a scrapbook store at DTD Do you know where it is located?

I'm so glad you found your cat, we have 4 and I worry if I can't find them before I go to bed. Our youngest is an adventurer and I usually find him sleeping by the back door in the morning.

Chef Mickey's is a great choice to eat at and we really loved the dinner last trip (did breakfast and dinner) Crystal Palace was ok but we are not big Pooh fans, but an early ressie to get pics in front of the castle with an empty park is worth it. We had BBB ressies at 8am last time so we got lots of empty park pics.

I hope you can get a for sure on your dates, I don't know how you handle that cause it would drive me freaking crazy!

Can't wait to read more of your plans

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Love all your pics of Disney Merchandise!!
I will tell those of you that haven't been to MVMCP it is awesome! We purposely go to MK then cause we can hit almost everything with no waiting. It snows on Main St, well Florida fake snow. My kids laughed at the southerns going crazy for that , knowing we see the real stuff. If you have done MNSSHP , it is kinda the same, just a Xmas parade, snow on main st, xmas decorated, hot chocolate and cookies. Personally we don't trick or treat but maybe 4 stops at MNSSHP cause we aren't there to get candy my kids can't have, we are there for the parade and the opportunity to now have lines to wait in. I plan on eating around 3:30 before we head to MK and then taking some fiber one bars or nutrigrain bars for my kids later on. we don't like taking time out to eat at MK...That's important ride time....LOL Well off to get dinner in the oven and then I am off to get my tattoo!! TTFN

 

[photographymom517]

Hey Hope, the $1 seek and find books....did u find those at Target? I will have to see if our Target has all the Mickey dishware I love the bowl .....I have alot in my kitchen so I would love more! Well I will chat more with you later...off to work =(

Have a great day!! Can't wait to hear if you will be at Disney when I am. TTFN

Love all your pics of Disney Merchandise!!
I will tell those of you that haven't been to MVMCP it is awesome! We purposely go to MK then cause we can hit almost everything with no waiting. It snows on Main St, well Florida fake snow. My kids laughed at the southerns going crazy for that , knowing we see the real stuff. If you have done MNSSHP , it is kinda the same, just a Xmas parade, snow on main st, xmas decorated, hot chocolate and cookies. Personally we don't trick or treat but maybe 4 stops at MNSSHP cause we aren't there to get candy my kids can't have, we are there for the parade and the opportunity to now have lines to wait in. I plan on eating around 3:30 before we head to MK and then taking some fiber one bars or nutrigrain bars for my kids later on. we don't like taking time out to eat at MK...That's important ride time....LOL Well off to get dinner in the oven and then I am off to get my tattoo!! TTFN

Hi! I found the $1 Seek & Find books at Dollar General. That's also where the coloring books came from.

All of the Disney stuff at Target is great! I loved it all! Definitely check it out as soon as possible! I was actually there to buy a few other things & came across it by accident...what a good accident! lol Anyway, there were 4 of the Mickey serving dishes & then I picked up 1...literally 10 minutes later, I walked past the display again & the other 3 were GONE!!! I was in complete shock! I saw this lady walking around with her shopping cart completely FULL of Disney stuff! I'm not sure if she was buying it for herself or to resell but she pretty much got everything that was left! If your Target doesn't have them, let me know. I have to stop at Home Depot to get some paint one day next week & can stop by Target again & see if they have one & pick one up for you. Let me know!

So...its tattoo day, huh??? That's awesome!!! I loved the design & can't wait to see pics of it once its done! You will have to PM me a photo of it once it is healed a little bit...I know they are red & sore for a few days, so maybe you can show me a pic next week sometime!

How are the wait times at the rides during MVMCP? I'm worried about missing alot of stuff at the parks because my son is completely impatient! Hopefully in the next 7 months that will change, but I'm not so sure. My nephew is 2 1/2 which is the same age my son will be on our trip...and he acts exactly like my son does now! Its easy to get him to wait in line IF he's in the stroller or is eating...but I can't take the stroller in line & I can't give him food at every single line (he'd get sick & I can't take that much food into the park...lol) so I'm not sure what to think.

This year, he wouldn't even wait in line to see the Easter bunny. I had to go back 3 times before I could get a picture when there wasn't a line! lol I know the character lines are very long during MVMCP & just in general on regular days, so thats why I'm planning so many character meals.

I wish we would have done more things last trip when he was 10 months old & he just kinda sat or stood wherever we put him. But he was always soooo good that I just assumed he would always be that good!

Will let you know about the dates as soon as I find out. I was thinking about keeping the original dates of November 29th through December 8th until I checked flight prices...through AirTran, it was $77 more per person (each way) if we fly out Monday instead of Wednesday! It depends on what Southwest offers in June. Its just so hard because I have to base the dates on my husband's work schedule AND flight prices!

Hey I followed you over from my PTR. I love the scrapbook stuff, I just finished my scrapbook from my last trip and I can't wait to start next years. I didn't know there was a scrapbook store at DTD Do you know where it is located?

I'm so glad you found your cat, we have 4 and I worry if I can't find them before I go to bed. Our youngest is an adventurer and I usually find him sleeping by the back door in the morning.

Chef Mickey's is a great choice to eat at and we really loved the dinner last trip (did breakfast and dinner) Crystal Palace was ok but we are not big Pooh fans, but an early ressie to get pics in front of the castle with an empty park is worth it. We had BBB ressies at 8am last time so we got lots of empty park pics.

I hope you can get a for sure on your dates, I don't know how you handle that cause it would drive me freaking crazy!

Can't wait to read more of your plans

The scrapbook store is called "Disney's Wonderful World of Memories"...I think the store name is awesome! It is located beside The Rainforest Cafe, The Art of Disney, and across from Disney's Days of Christmas & Goofy's Candy Co. Follow this link & click on the right hand side where it says "View Map" and you'll be able to see exactly what I mean. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/

I have lots of souvenir money saved up for the scrapbook store! I definitely want to get a Disney themed album & am hoping to find some unique things that they don't sell in regular stores or craft stores. As I said, I still have to work on our scrapbook from last year's trip & then want to start one for this year's! I have alot of work to do!

Its nice to hear that so many people relate to my cat story! I get worried whenever I can't find him before we go to bed. He actually went outside last night & was out all night again. He came back in around 9:30 this morning & made me a nervous wreck! I'm just very thankful that he always seems to find his way home!

I know what you mean about my dates...and I AM going freaking crazy!!!! I was very, very, very mad when I first found out. I was driving myself crazy worrying about all the little details I had planned that would be completely ruined...I have been planning this trip & looking forward to it for a long time. I had to take alot of time to calm myself down & realize that there's nothing I can do about it. I just have to plan as much as I can & hope that we can keep the dates that I pick out. Of course, I will always & forever wish that I could plan my vacations 3 years ahead of time like alot of people do...I am completely envious of those people!!! But for my own sanity, I have accepted the fact that I can never do that. I guess I'd rather go to Disney with no plans than to not get to go at all. But I have a back-up plan & think I can still get most of what I want & have planned...even if we don't know exact dates until the last minute!

I am an obsessive planner & although I have always enjoyed my trips to Disney, until I found DIS I had no idea there was so much I was missing out on!!! I am soooo excited to be planning ADR's this trip & am looking forward to seeing alot of attractions we missed last trip! Hopefully I will post another update soon! Thanks for reading!!!

 

[Tinkermom76]

I must have walked right past that store last year... I can't believe I missed it
Thanks for the map

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

ok don't fret. I don't think we waited more then 15 minutes for a ride and after 7 when they kick all the people out without wrist bands , we walked on rides. Also...if you wanna see some characters without lines....check out the dance parties...my girls love them. I don't think my Sis waited too terribly long for her pic with piglet and we waited about 20 for the princess. It's all a matter of timing. Like I said we don't like to waste a minute, which is why we eat before and then snack...usually by midnight they need a good snack so they don't fall asleep hungry. I love those bars I mentioned or dry cereal goes well. I am sure your son will do fine, and if not u'll deal I am sure. I just always try and distract them and that seemed to work.

This is right after it was done so once healed I will post a final.....My tribute to my cousin and all those who have died of breast cancer and those who survived. With just a little Disney flair!!
Off to bed. TTFN

Ps I will check my Target tomorrow....tattoo took priority tonight....LOL

 

[photographymom517]

ok don't fret. I don't think we waited more then 15 minutes for a ride and after 7 when they kick all the people out without wrist bands , we walked on rides. Also...if you wanna see some characters without lines....check out the dance parties...my girls love them. I don't think my Sis waited too terribly long for her pic with piglet and we waited about 20 for the princess. It's all a matter of timing. Like I said we don't like to waste a minute, which is why we eat before and then snack...usually by midnight they need a good snack so they don't fall asleep hungry. I love those bars I mentioned or dry cereal goes well. I am sure your son will do fine, and if not u'll deal I am sure. I just always try and distract them and that seemed to work.

This is right after it was done so once healed I will post a final.....My tribute to my cousin and all those who have died of breast cancer and those who survived. With just a little Disney flair!!
Off to bed. TTFN

Ps I will check my Target tomorrow....tattoo took priority tonight....LOL

LOVE the Tattoo!!!!

And thanks for the info about MVMCP. I'm thinking we might schedule the party earlier in the trip, just wish I knew when that was!

I must have walked right past that store last year... I can't believe I missed it
Thanks for the map

No problem! I have to remember to print the DTD map for myself. I got an extra copy of each map last year on our trip, but for some reason didn't get one for DTD

 

[Nancy F]

We're going Dec. 5TH. This is a must do for us every year. We just love it.

Nancy

 

[photographymom517]

We're going Dec. 5TH. This is a must do for us every year. We just love it.

Nancy

Nancy -- That is great!!! How exciting to have ordered your MVMCP tickets! I've heard a few other people say they were planning to go the 5th as well.

How did you order your tickets? Through the Disney site? I've never ordered special event tickets before, so I am clueless! lol I also don't have my final vacation dates yet, which is getting more & more frustrating especially now that I could be ordering tickets for MVMCP!

Does anyone know if you can sell the tickets somehow if you can't make it to the party that day? Or do you know if any dates sell out? I might have to wait until October to get a ticket & that's making me very nervous!

 

[Nancy F]

(407) 939-1289

And I'm sure they can answer any question you may have. I ordered mine with DVC member services.


Here's a nice source of info.

http://allears.net/tp/hol_mk.htm


Nancy

 

[Charlefours]

That is a cute serving bowl! Where in target did you find it? We are going to have a 90 day celebration party and that would be perfect for it! : I will have to be on the lookout on Tuesday when I head there. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[photographymom517]

(407) 939-1289

And I'm sure they can answer any question you may have. I ordered mine with DVC member services.


Here's a nice source of info.

http://allears.net/tp/hol_mk.htm


Nancy

Thanks for the phone number! I think I'm going to order tickets for the 3rd. I might not be able to go, but I'd rather have them ahead of time just in case. I'm worried if I don't buy them ahead of time, they will sell out. I'm assuming the dates that sell out are usually closest to Christmas or on weekends, but I still don't want to take the chance! I'd be upset if I go to Disney for Christmas & can't go to MVMCP!!!

That is a cute serving bowl! Where in target did you find it? We are going to have a 90 day celebration party and that would be perfect for it! : I will have to be on the lookout on Tuesday when I head there. Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks! I love the bowl! Its sort of hard to explain where I found it because it was sort of just stuck on an endcap. But I will try my best to explain it for you!

It was on an endcap near where the glassware, kitchen bowls/cups, and bins/organization stuff is located. The endcap isn't in a main aisle, it was on one of the endcaps beside the vacuum cleaners. I hope that can help you. I think if you look around the kitchen aisles, you'll be able to find it & if not, make sure to ask an associate to help you!

90 day celebration party sounds like fun!!!