Mice, Legos, and a Vow Renewal OH YEAH

[LWatson]

I cant believe we are planning our 5th Disney Vacation since 2009...LOL. I guess they make wonderful families memories...okay no I KNOW they do. But, yeah we are planning our 5th. 2009 we went 2x, 2010 1x, 2011 1x, and now our 2012 trip!!!! YAY.

So, I guess I will start out by sharing a bit about us. We are a group of characters that is for sure. Here we are Opening EPCOT on our trip this past Jan so you can "meet" us.

Yep, we were chosen to open EPCOT that day. Made it very cool. BUT, this isnt about our Jan trip its about our April 2012 trip. LOL.

Well, I am Lillian. I'm turning 27 in 3days (ugh) and I have been married to Dennis (turning 30 in a few days) for 8yrs in 2wks (yeah we have a busy few weeks).

We are a couple of Disney Freaks. I'm more open about it than he is, but he secretly is. TRUST ME. LOL. We have 2 little boys REX (5) and HAMM (3)

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Both boys are big Disney fans. REX's Fav ride was the old Star Tours and is begging for a trip back to ride the new one, and HAMM's fav ride is Buzz Light Year Space Ranger Spin. Oh did I mention...we havent told them YET.

So, yeah we are deff in the beg of the planning stage. We know where we will be staying (Shades of Green), and we know when we WANT to go (April 15)....its just a matter of the Army letting us go then. DH is currently on his 5th deployment in 8yrs so we are celebrating him coming home when we go. We are still working on a lot of other aspects of the trip. I'm an over planner so 297 days just doesnt seem like enough, but I deff have pulled off trips in WAY shorter time. Actually this is the longest we have had to plan. But, its nice to have the extra time because this is actually like 3 vacations in 1. We are doing Chatanooga, Atlanta, Disney/Universal/Legoland. Yeah deff gonna need time to plan that huh.

DH said that if we were going to do a BIG vacation when he came home we had to do something that we all wanted to do. I wanted to hit up Look Out Mtn, he wants to do an Atlanta braves game and Six Flags, we ALL want to do Disney, DH and I wanted Universal, and the kids wanted Legoland. SO, yeah we are going to squeeze all this in in 10days...RIGHT???!!!

Well, next post....oh who knows. LOL. Have a great day Ya'll.

 

[LWatson]

Okay so time for part 2.

Like I said in Part 1 our plans are to stay at Shades of Green. I'm going to be calling them w/in the next few weeks to reserve a room for us at the OEF rate. I'll reserve it at his current rank, and then if his name comes up on the promotion list (praying for that) then I would call and let them know we need to go up a price bracket (got to be honest). I'm going to be requesting our room to be on the same floor in the same general area we were the past 2 trips there. It worked out great for us. Esp since we like to just walk to the Poly to catch the Disney Transportation since we are RARELY on time for SOG busses.

I'm really excited about this trip. I dont know if its the thought of walking around EPCOT again w/ DH (date night baby), walking on Main Street w/ my kids (stroller free...maybe), or the fact we are doing Universal (Harry Potter baby) and Legoland too. I'm leaning more though to that it means that the deployment is over and he is HOME. Just something about this one seems like its going to be more special than any other. DH has made something each trip special, but I have a feeling something is going to go really well this trip.

So, there are like a ton of thoughts running around between the 2 of us for dining locations. We know that if we plan on making ADRs we (no wait I) will have to be up at 0600 making reservations like 4x since we will be at SOG and cant do the 180+10. Just 180 from each day we want...LOL. I just hope that we can still get in to what we want!!!!!

So, what do we want you ask (DONT LIE I KNOW YOU WERE WONDERING ). Well....a lot of things. We have been playing w/ the idea of Sci Fi for a Family meal at DHS (we have never done it b4), Tony's at MK for a family meal (we love it...its a must do), and either Teppan Edo or Tokyo Dining (leaning more toward Tokyo Dining) for a Couples dinner at EPCOT. Trex or Rainforest Cafe would be good for our arrival day which we like to spend at DTD (I have to hit up Basin). But, we have also tossed out ideas of Liberty Tree Tavern, Mama Melroses, Hollywood Brown Derby (smells so good when we go by), Garden Grill once again (yeah its a fave of ours), and Coral Reef (for just us 2). Finding that couples meal is a biggie for us right now. DH wants a place that we can have a nice evening together, be able to see Illuminations easily after, and that would be kind of romantic. We did Akershus our last trip and the chef made it very nice, and to come out and catch Illuminations was just amazing. He keeps saying that he wants this one really special, so I'm tempted to email him and tell him if he wants to be picky then he can call Disney from Afghanistan and make the reservations Not meaning that in a mean way, but he keeps saying "Just make sure it can be special" but doesnt say how. I know that he would prefer not dining w/ others, but we will keep Teppan Edo on as a maybe JIC we cant get Tokyo Dining or Coral Reef. He also goes on w/ "I would love to be able to walk out and see Illuminations as we walk around the showcase for a few min until...." and then he trails off and never completes the thought even when asked. So, yeah that is part of the reason i'm like "JUST MAKE IT YOURSELF." but we still have a long while till we need to worry about ADRs. Stressing isnt doing me any good right. We can just continue to discuss them.

Part 3...OH the shirts we will wear (well, the kids)

 

[Angies1274]

Hi! Joining in! Your boys are adorable!! We're heading back in April for our 5th trip as well. I've been thinking about starting my PTR soon...as I've spent the last few days researching places to eat next year and I could use all the help I can get. I can't wait to hear more about your planning!

 

[LWatson]

Aw thanks for joining in Angie!!!! I am soooo excited for this trip. Not sure how I'm going to last the next 297 days. I'm already counting down till R&R in Dec (we are headed to Gatlinburg) and now I have this to look forward to.

 

[shelbys mommy]

I'm in! Your boys remind me of how my boys looked when they were little! I am also an overplanner...we leave in 357 days!

 

[LWatson]

I'm in! Your boys remind me of how my boys looked when they were little! I am also an overplanner...we leave in 357 days!

Nice to meet more over planners. I'm telling myself this time I need to limit the stuff we make for the trip. Usually its decorations, autograph books, passports, stroller tags, and shirts for everyday. I know its less than some, but more than my hubby likes. I'm actually cutting out the homemade autograph books this time and BUYING them. I have a friend going b4 us (see over planning again) and she is going to buy the boys each 1 and look for a cute pen to go w/ them. LOL.

 

[LWatson]

Part 3....SHIRTS

LOL. This is one of the parts my hubby hates. He is a really good sport though about it. The past 3 trips we have done matching shirts (at least the kids matched each other every day). The first time I did it we matched every day. We had the for every park. The next time I didnt do quite as many matching shirts (I think DH & I only matched the kids 2 of the day). Then the last trip DH & I matched the kids 2 days and each other 1 day...LOL. We have done TieDye, iron ons, and the infamous Perry the Platypus shirt. We actually did that one back in May of last year. That shirt got us a TON of attention. Wasn't quite ready to hear "Oh there you are Perry" over and over. LOL.

This trip I'm sooooo not sure what we will be doing at Disney FOR THE KIDS yet. DH & I have already talked and we wil only be matching 1 of the 7 days we are down in Florida. That shirt will be the "Welcome Home" shirt. I'm getting some shirts made for his actual Welcome Home from Afghanistan w/ a Design from a DISboards member.

We are talking about just wearing that shirt to Disney instead of making a diff one. That would be our MK shirt. That or a patriotic shirt of some sort showing he is home.

We do have an idea for the kids' shirts for Universal though. I know its been done a MILLION times, but Thing 1 and Thing 2. My oldest had a Storybook Character day at school this past year and went as Thing 1 and loved it. He loves the Dr Suess books. Legoland I'm not sure we will do matching shirts for the kids. Maybe matching colors. But, we do it at Disney because there are so many people and we can just take the other kid and go "He is wearing this" and show the one that is w/ us JIC one of the kids get separated (not saying they will and I really dont want it to, but I'm being safe).

We have tossed a few ideas back and forth over FB and our email for the kids, but havent really narrowed them down. We have discussed a Mickey around the world for EPCOT, a toy story one for DHS, and who knows even where we will be going for our 4th day (thinking MK in the morning and then doing our adult night at EPCOT that night). Just the whole planning shirts thing can take me MONTHS. Crazy right. DH asked if I wanted to just go to Walmart and get the kids matching shirts for Disney. Its tempting esp since they dont ruin. We did that w/ a few of their shirts this past trip (actually 3 of the 4...Perry, Phineas and Ferb, and Toy Story). BUT, I like creating shirts that not every little boy will have. SO, I am really wanting to do the Iron on things.

So, yeah still in the planning stage of this, and I'm sure its driving DH nuts in Afghanistan (I can hear him now "OMG we have 10m to go and she is worried about shirts already." LOL). Here are a few we like...






AMONG A TON OF OTHERS.

Sorry to let you down if you were looking for a "oh they are doing this w/ shirts" thing, but I just cant narrow it down yet. Other than the Welcome Home shirt its still up in the air.

 

[shelbys mommy]

Nice to meet more over planners. I'm telling myself this time I need to limit the stuff we make for the trip. Usually its decorations, autograph books, passports, stroller tags, and shirts for everyday. I know its less than some, but more than my hubby likes. I'm actually cutting out the homemade autograph books this time and BUYING them. I have a friend going b4 us (see over planning again) and she is going to buy the boys each 1 and look for a cute pen to go w/ them. LOL.

I have a monthly countdown chain already going I am planning on ordering their autograph books ahead of time with pens!

Part 3....SHIRTS

LOL. This is one of the parts my hubby hates. He is a really good sport though about it. The past 3 trips we have done matching shirts (at least the kids matched each other every day). The first time I did it we matched every day. We had the for every park. The next time I didnt do quite as many matching shirts (I think DH & I only matched the kids 2 of the day). Then the last trip DH & I matched the kids 2 days and each other 1 day...LOL. We have done TieDye, iron ons, and the infamous Perry the Platypus shirt. We actually did that one back in May of last year. That shirt got us a TON of attention. Wasn't quite ready to hear "Oh there you are Perry" over and over. LOL.

This trip I'm sooooo not sure what we will be doing at Disney FOR THE KIDS yet. DH & I have already talked and we wil only be matching 1 of the 7 days we are down in Florida. That shirt will be the "Welcome Home" shirt. I'm getting some shirts made for his actual Welcome Home from Afghanistan w/ a Design from a DISboards member.

We are talking about just wearing that shirt to Disney instead of making a diff one. That would be our MK shirt. That or a patriotic shirt of some sort showing he is home.

We do have an idea for the kids' shirts for Universal though. I know its been done a MILLION times, but Thing 1 and Thing 2. My oldest had a Storybook Character day at school this past year and went as Thing 1 and loved it. He loves the Dr Suess books. Legoland I'm not sure we will do matching shirts for the kids. Maybe matching colors. But, we do it at Disney because there are so many people and we can just take the other kid and go "He is wearing this" and show the one that is w/ us JIC one of the kids get separated (not saying they will and I really dont want it to, but I'm being safe).

We have tossed a few ideas back and forth over FB and our email for the kids, but havent really narrowed them down. We have discussed a Mickey around the world for EPCOT, a toy story one for DHS, and who knows even where we will be going for our 4th day (thinking MK in the morning and then doing our adult night at EPCOT that night). Just the whole planning shirts thing can take me MONTHS. Crazy right. DH asked if I wanted to just go to Walmart and get the kids matching shirts for Disney. Its tempting esp since they dont ruin. We did that w/ a few of their shirts this past trip (actually 3 of the 4...Perry, Phineas and Ferb, and Toy Story). BUT, I like creating shirts that not every little boy will have. SO, I am really wanting to do the Iron on things.

So, yeah still in the planning stage of this, and I'm sure its driving DH nuts in Afghanistan (I can hear him now "OMG we have 10m to go and she is worried about shirts already." LOL). Here are a few we like...






AMONG A TON OF OTHERS.

Sorry to let you down if you were looking for a "oh they are doing this w/ shirts" thing, but I just cant narrow it down yet. Other than the Welcome Home shirt its still up in the air.

We ALWAYS do matching shirts for at least one day & EVERY piece of clothes HAS to be Disney related. The only exception to the rule is Saints jerseys. I will let that slide. I have already ordered my daughter's clothes for Disney!

 

[LWatson]

Part 4...CHARACTER BRUNCH

SO, today was like a little mini vacation...well kind of. On post we had a character brunch w/ Disney and Universal characters. The kids loved it again. We had ok food (ok...it was deff not good), but the character interaction was fun for them. They LOVE doing this each year. This is our 3rd summer doing it. While there they were showing previews of the Universal parks and the Disney parks. My boys were all over the Universal parks just going "I WANT TO DO THAT". I havent told them yet that we are going to Universal. They know about the Legoland possibility because they heard Daddy and I discussing it. But, it was cool to see them get so excited about a park like that. My oldest goes "MOMMY HARRY POTTERS CASTLE...WE HAVE TO GO THERE ONE DAY." LOL...that's my boy.

Well, w/o further delay here are some pics from today....
REX & I

BELLE

TIANA

Cpt America and Boys

Spiderman and Boys

Snow White and REX

Ironman and Boys

Hulk and Boys

Wolverine and Boys

Shrek, Fiona, and HAMM

Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Tina, Tink, and Silvermist were there too, but we didnt get pics or autographs from them since my boys arent really in the Princess thing again this year.

Can't wait to take the kids to Universal now after today and seeing them so excited by the videos of it at the brunch.

 

[LWatson]

Part 5.

Okay, so I've been Disney dreaming this morning since I woke up because I would much wrather be there than here this morning. Its raining, cold, and its that dreaded day where I age once again.

I am thinking compared to most Disney Vacationers I'm weird in the aspect of I look forward to EPCOT more than Magic Kingdom scared1: RIGHT). But, I just love the fact it is nice, relaxing (well, other than Test Track which is AWESOME!!!), and just peacefull. I love walking around the World Showcase and exploring the countries, goofing off in Innoventions, getting that thrill at Test Track, SOARIN to diff places, or even going back in time in Spaceship Earth (yes...I DO LIKE SE). Oh oh I cant forget my fave little guy either...FIGMENT. I know b4 anyone says anything its not the original ride, and its not as good as the old one...but this one has a special meaning to our family. My kids rode this their first trip and remember Figment, wanted everything Figment, and they love to sing the "Imagination" song. They beg pretty much 1x a week at least to go to EPCOT to ride "Figment" (Journey Into Imagination b4 I get jumped on by the naming police). Its their favorite ride...not NEMO...Figment. Like I said they beg 1x a week at minimum to ride it, so we usually pull up Google Earth, go to EPCOT, then "walk" back to the Pyramids and then I switch to Youtube and we "ride" figment. They even pretend to smell the skunk smell. ITS GREAT. So yeah, EPCOT is my favorite park for lots of reasons. So, I guess I wasn't shocked when I woke up and went "Gosh if only I could spend today at EPCOT not here in the rain."

I am thinking of making an EPCOT Scavenger hunt for us, so we could really have fun. We've tried the Kim Possible things, but DH and I got annoyed at looking at a screen while Trying to walk...we dont walk and txt why would we walk and KP. NOT SAYING ITS BAD, but its not for us. We tend to run into people. So, yeah I was thinking of finding something easy for the kids to look for at each Pavillion and in Futureworld to do a little Scavenger hunt w/. And yes, that idea came to me this morning and its only 0800. LOL

Well, I think that is it for me on this one. I'll update if I find a good hunt after church.

 

[Angies1274]

Great updates!!

I like the shirt ideas! We always wear matching shirts on at least one of our days. It's so much fun! It reminds me that I need to start researching ideas for our shirts!

Aww...your boys look so cute in their Spiderman costumes! It looks like they are really going to enjoy Universal!

We love Figment! It seems like we are in the minority. Most people I talk to think that the original was better. But, we also fell in love with it on our first trip! (one of the very first attractions we saw in Epcot)

The scavenger hunt idea in Epcot sounds great! We did a scavenger hunt at Pop Century one year and had a blast! My boys loved finding the different items on the list and then taking a picture. It was a great way to explore the resort.

 

[LWatson]

Part 6

I know that I said b4 that we werent going to be making an autograph book, but my kids today may have changed my mind. They really enjoyed looking at our old autograph books today w/ the pics of them w/ the characters.

In the past I've just printed them out at Walmart and put them in a photo album, but I'm thinking this time I might try printing them on cardstock or something and then just having them bound. IDK I may just stick w/ my normal way since I have an empty photoalbum that is disney decorated w/ our name and stuff (i'll update a later post w/ a pic of it...I have to take one). I think I like the idea of the cardstock and binding them because of the fact that I dont have to pull the pages out of the plastic though. LOL.

I am so glad that I have till April for this trip. I have plenty of time to spread out the expense of making the book(s), shirts, passport, journal (for REX for show and tell at school), etc. I'm thinking I might discuss w/ Hubby about telling the kids now, and then having one night a month where we do a Disney or Marvel themed night where we watch a movie, watch a themed movie, and make something for the trip. Might help the kids pass the time till Daddy comes home too. I could have them help me plan the one night each month we have our Disney/Marvel fun night.

Well, I am gonna run today. Thanks to everyone sticking w/ me over the next 9.5 months. Got to go download the autograph pages and everything again (oh yeah forgot to share my computer crashed the other day and I lost ALL my disney planning stuff...so I guess I get the joy of searching for it all again). LOL!!!!

 

[LWatson]

Part 7

HUGE NEWS....LOL. Our trip just went from a trip for 4 to a trip for 8!!!!!!! My MIL, FIL, SIL and Nephew are joining us. I am kind of in shock because we never get to do something like this!!!! So, I am actually excited. I get to share Disney w/ other non Disney people. I'm working on an idea for a shirt for the boys (all 3 total now) for 3 days, and I've got our 1 family shirt figured out thanks to RustManFan!!!!

AMAZING ISNT IT!!!!!

LOL. So, yeah I went into "OMG HAVE TO PLAN NOW" mode today. I emailed my MIL a long list of places to eat and a description of each. She opted for Garden Grill for our one big meal. LOL...OUR FAV!!!!!! I think she knew that though from the kids talking about it a lot. So, since I'm thinking EPCOT will be our first stop (well park wise...we do plan on shopping DTD the night we arrive) then we will start w/ a character meal w/ Mickey that 1st day in the parks!!!!! Gonna get an early dinner too so that we can head back to the WS and walk around till its time to set up for Illuminations!!! OMG I'm so excited.

I've got shirts, autograph books, passports, and journals to do. I think I can do this!!!!!!

 

[LWatson]

Part 8

So, after doing some research we have changed our plans for our night out. We found that we could get a gift card to Shula's at the Swan and Dolphin for $25 off our meal for free (I'm a swagger). Then we looked up childcare again and found that S&D offered 2 free hours of childcare for people dining at the Signature restaurants there. So, we plan on checking the kids into Camp Dolphin and then going to dinner (we will make reservations for both!!!) Then after dinner we are going to go to EPCOT for a few hours and walk around and just enjoy it. Then we are going back and getting the kids.

DH is excited for some steak, I'm excited for some quiet time together and the kids well....they dont know about it still!!!!! LOL. So yeah I'm gonna get a GC for Shula's in a few months to make sure I have it in time to go. I'm gonna start setting all our GCs aside in a travel bag so we can make sure they are all in the same area. LOL.


Well, time to head over to my Independence Day celebration at my parents. Oh, but I wanted to share my little Celebrity encounter yesterday here on post!!!! Buddy Jewell (sweet southern comfort and help pour out the rain)....SUCH A SWEET GUY!!!!!

 

[LWatson]

Part 9...RANDOM

Well, today is our 8th anniversary!!!!!! I got a call from hubby and I treated myself to a bit of shopping. LOL. I've gotten the dress I plan on wearing to dinner at Shula's followed by a bit of time around EPCOT. Though my booty is so big, so I might need to put on some leggings under it to make me feel better. It doesnt show my booty at all, but I feel like it does, so yeah. LOL!!!! I cant wait to have him home next year. I am so ready to head to Disney w/ him!!!

 

[LWatson]

Part 10

WOW!!!! Talk about BIG changes...LOL. We have moved from Shades of Green to POP Century. We did this because it does save us some money (and my MIL even more...like $300). Plus we qualify as a Grand Gathering. We are so excited!!!!! We have the rooms reserved now. YAY. Oct 18 we can make our reservations, so I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about that. I just need to figure them out now. But, I have 3 months from today to do that...lol.

So, anyone who has done a grand gathering...what are somethings that you loved from it?????

 

[ljcrochet]

sounds like you have a great trip planned. Are you staying at pop for your whole trip/

 

[LWatson]

sounds like you have a great trip planned. Are you staying at pop for your whole trip/

Yeah we moved over there for the entire week. Figured since it was cheaper on everyone it would be the best option.

67 days 23hrs till ADRs!!!!!

Been working on the Autograph books and EPCOT Passports since I have to have them done by Christmas. Oh and I have 1 shirt done (we are doing 1 a month w/ a Diney Movie night)

(JUST COVER DONE)

(One down 2 to go)

These say Big Mid or Lil Monster on the back and are LIME GREEN

 

[LWatson]

Some of our newest stuff done. We also added the MK scav. hunt too.

OMG 1day and a few hours till ADRs!!!!! TOTALLY EXCITED

We are hoping for these for the 8 of us
T-Rex Dinner
Rest. Marakesh Lunch
Garden Grill Dinner
Tony's Lunch
SciFi Lunch
Chef Mickeys Dinner for 6
Wave Dinner for 2(mil/fil)

Then just the 4 of us
Boma Breakfast
BlueZoo Dinner
Ohana Breakfast

WISH US LUCK!!!!

 

[LWatson]

OMG OMG OMG!!!!

DH and I talked over SKYPE last night and we decided that instead of renewing our vows next summer on our anniversary we would do it at Disney while we are there. My family hated the idea and were very mean about it all even though we were paying for everything. His family is extremely excited, and have been the whole time. Since they are already going to be with us at Disney it just made sense. We are doing a Memories package, so its small and intimate and just those that care the most. YAY!!!!!!