My family thinks I'm crazy..but I know you all won't! Back and my TR is started!

[AKL LOVER]

By the way Hurley--how was your DL trip?? Have you started a TR yet or updated your PTR recently about it?? I have seen any notifications come up recently, so I'm thinking not. Get on that--I love your Disney math and deals!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Boy am I glad to be back on the DIS. Let me tell you...I have had the worst stomach bug. EVER. When I first felt sick, I thought, no biggie. In fact, this is a good excuse for me to stay in bed and do some DISing. Uh uh. I was so sick I couldn't sit up, let alone get on the computer (even if I was in bed). I couldn't even lay in bed and watch TV or read, that's how bad it was. Blech...just terrible.


But now I'm better and ready to get back into my planning....Next I want to map out my days more specifically. There are some attractions at each park that we haven't done that I want to make sure to fit in this time around. Since Day 1 is a late arrival day, our days in the parks start the next morning.....



....with MK!! I mean, how can you not start your trip here?? It's all I can do not to head over there the night before as soon as we check in, but I know that we will all be tired for the day, so I am resisting


Day 2: MK (a magical morning!) Tuesday 5/3

Breakfast--CP @ 8 am
Finish breakfast and head into the park:
Dumbo (can't skip this one with kids!)
Peter Pan
Winnie the Pooh (get FP for this one if the wait is too long)
Tea cups (not for me...can't stand the spinning ...but DH and the kids love them)
Snow White
Phillarmagic
Small World (if the wait is super short, if not, we'll hit it later)
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mtn and Splash Mtn (standby for the shortest wait, FP for the other)

Head back to the hotel to rest/swim.


Head to DHS...continued in the next post...

 

[AKL LOVER]

I feel like before I can move on to more plans that I must confess a tiny transgression on my part. I have a feeling it will come out eventually, so better to get it over with quickly (you know, rip off the proverbial bandaid.) So here goes....

I have issues with DHS! I know, I know...it's practically a sin, right, to think that there is a part of Disney that is less that magical? There, now that I've said it and now that it's out there , at least let me explain before you go high-tailing it away from my PTR Our experience with this particular park has not been the best...therefore, this is the park where we've done the least, hence why I have issues . But, the good news is...I plan to fix that this trip

The first 2 years we went to WDW, we did not go to DHS at all. The kids were little and I just didn't feel there was much at the park that would appeal to them. So we chose to spend more time at MK, Epcot and AK.

Last year I booked a Fantasmic package. I really wanted DH and the kids to see it (I have already seen it). We showed up in the afternoon with plans to tour DHS and then finish the night with F!, but alas, that was not to happen:

By the time we arrived, many attractions were already closed for the day. No more Back lot tour or Stunts, Motor, Action or Indiana Jones. Beauty and the Beast's last showing was during our ADR. Even the Honey I shrunk the kids playground was closed ....This of course made the waits at TSM, ToT and RnRC ridiculous...which in turn put DH in a bad mood. He decided that he wanted to leave, but I wanted the kids to see F! So DH takes the bus back to the hotel and I stay with the kids. The wait for little Mermaid is not worth it, so we head to the Magic of Disney Animation. We did the show, but did not stay for the Animation Academy...afterwards there were characters in the greeting area, but all the lines were already closed, so yet another thing we couldn't do ...so after all this, you'd think that seeing F! would make it all better. Wrong again! We didn't even get it to see F! Long story short, we headed to get into the show but the crowds were so bad...seriously, wall to wall people ...I had no idea that crowds like that exsisted during May in WDW ...that we couldn't get up to the entrance of F! and by the time we made it there they had filled the theater to capacity--even the reserved F! seats (and I still had my ticket/voucher for that!!)

Needless to say, this experience makes my DH a little leery of DHS. But this year I have planned an afternoon of touring as well as another morning of touring. We are hoping to have a better experience. And I am thinking of dumping my F! package. Based on my experience above obviously and also I've heard the seats suck so you're better off waiting in line...OPINIONS anyone??? Also, do attractions normally close early at DHS, or did we catch it on an off day??

So here are my plans for our Day 2 afternoon/evening of DHS (still Tuesday 5/3):

Dinner @ Mama Melroses
Indiana Jones Stunt show (for DH)
Honey I shrunk the kids playground (for the kids)--while the kids play I think I will run and check out TSM on the off chance that there might be a FP still available for later that night (I'm not counting on it, but hey, it could happen!!)
Great Movie Ride
By this time, I'm sure we'll have to head over for Fantasmic
Starring Rolls (if we're hungry, for a butterfinger cupcake!) while we wait for F!
After F! head back to hotel for bed.


Day 3: DHS Wednesday 5/4 (I figure that this is a great day to go to DHS again b/c it's the day after a F! day and no EMH. Hoping this will equal low crowds!!)

Arrive as close to RD as possible.
TSM--ride standby and get FP's after riding for later in the day.
Studio backlot tour (I want DH and the kids to see this for sure in case they decide to nix this attraction altogether in the near future)
ToT (I'd like to do a rider switch on this...DD will try anything once, but will she ride a second time?? I'm hoping yes, so that both DH and I will get to ride!)
Stunts, Motor, Action
Beauty and the Beast (for DS--he is in love with this movie right now!! which I find amusing, but DH does not )
Lunch at Sci-Fi
After lunch--

If I don't come up with anything to do after lunch, it's no big deal. I figure we can decide to stay and tour a bit more or head back to the hotel for a swim and to rest up for our evening plans...

Day 3 evening plans and Day 4 plans to come shortly...like a true DISer I've made a change to my ADRs!!


...until then, thoughts on F! package and attractions closing early at DHS??

 

[teachermommy78]

Something to look for at DHS...

When we were there in June 2008, my dd and I stumbled upon this character dance party. It was on an EMH night. After dark, though not sure what time. Anyway, there were maybe 100 people there total (during PEAK season!) and every character you can imagine dancing with the kids. They just kept coming out. I want to say it was by the playhouse Disney stage. Does anyone know what this is called? I'll have to google.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Something to look for at DHS...

When we were there in June 2008, my dd and I stumbled upon this character dance party. It was on an EMH night. After dark, though not sure what time. Anyway, there were maybe 100 people there total (during PEAK season!) and every character you can imagine dancing with the kids. They just kept coming out. I want to say it was by the playhouse Disney stage. Does anyone know what this is called? I'll have to google.

ooohhhh...sounds like fun. If you happen to find out more info please do pass it along. I would love to stumble upon something like this! I bet you guys had a blast!

By the way, I see you're a teacher--so am I! **

**(I'm not really sure what this upside down smiley means, but I have been dying to use it and this seemed like as good a time as any!!)

 

[bcnorth]

Well, you went through this also, however, we actually save over $850 if we go down to a pool view room from CL. This means that over the 9 night stay we can add the DDP and only be paying about $100 more then we are right now. I think my logic is a little off but here is what I think:

At the moment our OOP expenses will be about $1100 (not including tip or taxes)for food and non alcoholic drinks according to a wonderful spreadsheet I found on the boards and the DDP will only be $948 (not including tip or taxesfor all of us for 9 nights. If we down grade to the pool view it pays for the DDP (almost!!!!!!).

I was hoping that we would meet up in the lounge but I'm sure that we will bump into one another somewhere in the lodge....I am wavering though, since this may be the one and only time we venture this way it would be nice, and I would have to cancel our sunrise safari for May 5th, I was really looking forward to that....

PS I have my teaching degree also!!!!!!

 

[Joyciemc]

Hellooooo! I have been very bad at keeping up with PTRs, but I am now all caught up with yours.

I hate when airlines change flights! I had a similar problem years ago and lost my arrival day and the late departure flight. Not cool.

Sorry I can't help with your DHS questions.. I've never seen Fantasmic! and I don' know anything about the dinner package.

We had a bad time at DHS on our last trip, mostly because I was dumb about waiting way too long for TSM. And then we ended up not even liking it that much (we are strange, I know).
In general, though, I like the park- the streetmosphere actors are a lot of fun, and I love TOT and RnRC.
I hope your time there is better this trip!

 

[DeckedOut]

When we were there in May of 2009 it was the Playhouse Disney Dance Party. It was after 9am when our kids were dancing, jumping, runing around. Mickey & Minnie, Bubbles floating everywhere, loud kid music. Kids loved it! It wasn't very crowded.

I didn't specifcally remember things closing early, but once it's dark I don't think some of those shows can continue. We don't park hop - so when we went in the evening after our afternoon resort rest time we had a couple of Fastpasses from earlier in the day to burn through. After using those up and hitting the dance party it was pretty late.

DHS was a family favorite park and our kids were 6 & 4. This next trip (we are going the week after you) ours are excieted to try ToT and for DS the RRC (but I think DD will miss the height by about 1 inch).

We purposly skipped Fantasmic last trip - but are doing the package this trip. We orginally had dinner reservations, but it was so early that we switch to a late lunch - we wanted to get in that swim and down time in so that they didn't melt down during F!.

So when you were there & did the F! package & had your vourcher for the reserved seating you didn't get in? I thought they gave out a limited number of those so that everyone that got a vourcher got into the stadium/arena?

I'm interested to hear what other say about F!, the package & seating.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Well, you went through this also, however, we actually save over $850 if we go down to a pool view room from CL. This means that over the 9 night stay we can add the DDP and only be paying about $100 more then we are right now. I think my logic is a little off but here is what I think:

At the moment our OOP expenses will be about $1100 (not including tip or taxes)for food and non alcoholic drinks according to a wonderful spreadsheet I found on the boards and the DDP will only be $948 (not including tip or taxesfor all of us for 9 nights. If we down grade to the pool view it pays for the DDP (almost!!!!!!).

I was hoping that we would meet up in the lounge but I'm sure that we will bump into one another somewhere in the lodge....I am wavering though, since this may be the one and only time we venture this way it would be nice, and I would have to cancel our sunrise safari for May 5th, I was really looking forward to that....

PS I have my teaching degree also!!!!!!

I totally understand your logic, because that's exactly what I was thinking...until I found out about the price difference. Then that point was null.

You know what? Even if you down grade, you will have a fantastic time! AKL is the best resort, we just LOVE it . If I would have saved that much $$, I would have definitely done the downgrade because we love adding the DP to our trip. And it looks like you will save by getting the DP so you defnitely want to add that! Oh and by the way, when you are factoring in your cost for DP vs OOP, you don't have pay taxes on meals when on the DP, just tip. But you will pay taxes (and tip) on any meals that are OOP--so you will be saving even more than you've already figured into your spreadsheet!!

And you would also save even more by not doing the safari. How about making an early morning ADR at Tusker house (shoot for 8 am) then right after eating you can ride the safari? With an 8 am ADR you should finish up breakfast right after RD, so the ride will practically be walk on. I know it's not the same as the Sunrise Safari, but we really enjoy the Tusker house breakfast!

Good luck with your decision. Let me know what you decide.

Hellooooo! I have been very bad at keeping up with PTRs, but I am now all caught up with yours.

I hate when airlines change flights! I had a similar problem years ago and lost my arrival day and the late departure flight. Not cool.

Sorry I can't help with your DHS questions.. I've never seen Fantasmic! and I don' know anything about the dinner package.

We had a bad time at DHS on our last trip, mostly because I was dumb about waiting way too long for TSM. And then we ended up not even liking it that much (we are strange, I know).
In general, though, I like the park- the streetmosphere actors are a lot of fun, and I love TOT and RnRC.
I hope your time there is better this trip!

That sucks that you waited so long for TSM and didn't really like it. That's such a bummer when that happens, isn't it??

I also hope we have a better time this year at DHS. If not, I may never get my DH back in that particular park again!

When we were there in May of 2009 it was the Playhouse Disney Dance Party. It was after 9am when our kids were dancing, jumping, runing around. Mickey & Minnie, Bubbles floating everywhere, loud kid music. Kids loved it! It wasn't very crowded.

I didn't specifcally remember things closing early, but once it's dark I don't think some of those shows can continue. We don't park hop - so when we went in the evening after our afternoon resort rest time we had a couple of Fastpasses from earlier in the day to burn through. After using those up and hitting the dance party it was pretty late.

DHS was a family favorite park and our kids were 6 & 4. This next trip (we are going the week after you) ours are excieted to try ToT and for DS the RRC (but I think DD will miss the height by about 1 inch).

We purposly skipped Fantasmic last trip - but are doing the package this trip. We orginally had dinner reservations, but it was so early that we switch to a late lunch - we wanted to get in that swim and down time in so that they didn't melt down during F!.

So when you were there & did the F! package & had your vourcher for the reserved seating you didn't get in? I thought they gave out a limited number of those so that everyone that got a vourcher got into the stadium/arena?

I'm interested to hear what other say about F!, the package & seating.

The last time we did the F! dining package was at a point in time that Disney was trying something new, so this is what caused the problems for us...Right before our trip, they did away with the seperate entrance for guests with the F! dining package guests. Dining package guests had to enter at the main gate with everyone else but showed their slip they got at their meal and were escorted to the reserved section.

Basically what happened was that we arrived 40 minutes prior to the show, but it was so crowded by the time I made it to the entrance they had already finished filling the theater (at that point it was 25 min til show time). The CM explained that once they fill the regular seats they will fill the rest of the reserved section with regular people (I guess they are assuming that the people who should be in the empty seats of the reserved section are no shows).

I'm not sure if they do this on a regular basis or not.

But in our case we had shown up, just couldn't get through the crowd. I was PISSED when this happened. This completely defeats the purpose of RESERVED SEATING!! Not having to line up so early and having my seat saved for me were the 2 reasons I booked the package.

Of course, a couple months after our trip, they added the seperate entrance perk back (I know I sent them a flaming email when we returned from our trip, so maybe they got a lot of complaints and it wasn't just us!). So you should not have an issue getting to your seats because you will get to use the alternate entrace with your reserved seating pass.

I'm still debating if I want to do it this time or not though because I have seen a lot of people talking about how the reserved section seats are not really that good and it's just better to wait in line to get a better seat. I'm hoping crowd levels may be lower this time around because F! is being shown 3-4 times the week we are there and we are going on a Tuesday night, not Friday. No matter what the crowd levels, I'm thinking that this time we will arrive at least an hour early (I learned my lesson!!).

 

[AKL LOVER]

By the way everyone...






I'M FINALLY DOING THE DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!!






97 days to go....

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

 

[Joyciemc]

Meeee tooooo!!!

I lurve double digit dancing!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Hmmmm.. I haven't even thought about it.. Could i be close to a double digit number as well???

i think I am.. 99 days to go.. WHOOO HOOOOO!!!

 

[Becc1]

Yay for you! We still have 121 days to go

 

[hurleysweety]

By the way Hurley--how was your DL trip?? Have you started a TR yet or updated your PTR recently about it?? I have seen any notifications come up recently, so I'm thinking not. Get on that--I love your Disney math and deals!

It was fun! It was a little short trip and a perfect getaway. I've just slowly started to write about it - but the live mini-report days are already there. Oh, and an ugly yuck review of House of Blues.

Now, we gotta talk DHS. I really like this park. DH loves this park. Between TSMM and some of the shows I'm pretty sure he's set for the entire day. Now with shows like American Idol, note that my DH is a man's man and has maybe watched 25 minutes of this show in the last seven seasons. That said, he doesn't mind sitting in some A/C and watching people either do really well, or not so great, and then get to vote for them. He also did fine sitting through Beauty and the Beast. No, this kind of entertainment/theater/show stuff is not his style at all, but he actually does like it. We will be skipping BATB this time around, since its a memorable show, and we'd rather see some others that we've still missed. Its impossible to see all the shows because of the times they're offered at - so pick the ones you and your family want to see most, and work around those.

So here are some things I've learned about DHS.

1. You're on the right track with getting TSMM FP and then riding it as well. Its a great start to the morning. Even if you're not the very first person there, don't fret. Just make sure you get the FPs first. It will be chaotic. So be prepared.

2. Find the show times before you go. Usually the last shows of the day start in the late afternoon. Any many of the shows start at the same time. On your first evening there, is it possible to arrive before dinner, and catch the last show of Beauty and the Beast or Indiana? Somewhere between 4:00-5:00pm. This gives you one less show to watch the next day. For me, I'd rather wait in line at 4, not 12.

3. Here is the entertainment schedule for the showtimes. I'm sure you've heard of this before, but just in case. http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

4. And here is my favorite DHS website. http://www.studioscentral.com/

5. Rides for the kids - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Star Tours, Muppet Vision, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, stunt show, backlot tour, great movie ride, and American Idol. ToT is sooo fun, so if you can get DD to go, I would do it! And the animation studio, when you need a break in the middle of the morning or something, is a great way to waste some time. If you hit it right, you can get character pics, and do the animation studio drawing lesson too.

I really hope that DHS proves a better experience for you guys this time around. I think as your kids grow up, you might learn to like it more, as I agree it isn't the most kid friendly. Best of luck on those DHS days!!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Last night we finally had our second family movie night. We were supposed to do this 2 weeks ago, but I came down with that terrible stomach bug, so we had to put it off.

If you recall, it was DS's turn to pick the movie...so without further ado, his choice for the evening was.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


.....


The Incredibles!!

I don't know what it is with us, but I am so over picking movies that are hard to find decorations for! No local stores had any Incredibles themed decor, so I had to make my own up. Although, I do think that what I came up with turned out great and it was fairly expensive too-WOOT!

More of the decor:

Notice the red, black and yellow stars hanging from the chandelier!

Dash made an appearance...

...and so did his sister, Violet (I had to make a mask for DD).

And it wouldn't be an INCREDIBLE night without a picture of their best superhero pose!

Dinner was HERO subs and Dash's FAST fries ...

...Dessert was make your own FROZONE sundaes!

Had a great night and of course, enjoyed the movie! It's DD's turn to pick for our next movie night...Any guesses on what she picks??

 

[amyrella]

i think your incredibles theme looks great!!! and your kids are so cute!!

i would try to guess but i know with my daughter she changes her mind all the time lol looking forward to reading about it!!

 

[teachermommy78]

Super cute!!!! Is your plan to do this weekly (when not sick, that is!). I think we may copy you about 10 weeks from our trip.

 

[AKL LOVER]

It was fun! It was a little short trip and a perfect getaway. I've just slowly started to write about it - but the live mini-report days are already there. Oh, and an ugly yuck review of House of Blues.

Now, we gotta talk DHS. I really like this park. DH loves this park. Between TSMM and some of the shows I'm pretty sure he's set for the entire day. Now with shows like American Idol, note that my DH is a man's man and has maybe watched 25 minutes of this show in the last seven seasons. That said, he doesn't mind sitting in some A/C and watching people either do really well, or not so great, and then get to vote for them. He also did fine sitting through Beauty and the Beast. No, this kind of entertainment/theater/show stuff is not his style at all, but he actually does like it. We will be skipping BATB this time around, since its a memorable show, and we'd rather see some others that we've still missed. Its impossible to see all the shows because of the times they're offered at - so pick the ones you and your family want to see most, and work around those.

So here are some things I've learned about DHS.

1. You're on the right track with getting TSMM FP and then riding it as well. Its a great start to the morning. Even if you're not the very first person there, don't fret. Just make sure you get the FPs first. It will be chaotic. So be prepared.

2. Find the show times before you go. Usually the last shows of the day start in the late afternoon. Any many of the shows start at the same time. On your first evening there, is it possible to arrive before dinner, and catch the last show of Beauty and the Beast or Indiana? Somewhere between 4:00-5:00pm. This gives you one less show to watch the next day. For me, I'd rather wait in line at 4, not 12.

3. Here is the entertainment schedule for the showtimes. I'm sure you've heard of this before, but just in case. http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

4. And here is my favorite DHS website. http://www.studioscentral.com/

5. Rides for the kids - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Star Tours, Muppet Vision, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, stunt show, backlot tour, great movie ride, and American Idol. ToT is sooo fun, so if you can get DD to go, I would do it! And the animation studio, when you need a break in the middle of the morning or something, is a great way to waste some time. If you hit it right, you can get character pics, and do the animation studio drawing lesson too.

I really hope that DHS proves a better experience for you guys this time around. I think as your kids grow up, you might learn to like it more, as I agree it isn't the most kid friendly. Best of luck on those DHS days!!

Thanks so much for your idea of seeing Beauty and the Beast the afternoon/evening of our first DHS day. I hadn't thought about it but it's a great idea ! Seeing it this day would allow us to free up some touring time for the next day as well. We have the F! dinner package booked right now for 4:05 that day, but I think I may drop that. I'd rather have some touring time in the park and wait a little longer for F!

Super cute!!!! Is your plan to do this weekly (when not sick, that is!). I think we may copy you about 10 weeks from our trip.

We are doing ours every 2 weeks. The main reason I picked this time frame was because we started at 4 months out and I didn't want to plan 16+ Disney nights in addition to planning our trip...all of that along with our regular day to day stuff = for me! So far I like the spacing of our movie nights. It gives the kids something to look forward to that isn't too far off. In fact, DS has started asking when the next movie night is instead of when we go to Disney, so it's the perfect diversion!

i think your incredibles theme looks great!!! and your kids are so cute!!

i would try to guess but i know with my daughter she changes her mind all the time lol looking forward to reading about it!!

Thank you so much for your compliments I am, in fact, quite familiar with the ever changing mind of a little girl. My DD has changed her mind about her movie choice no less than 10 times...and that was before it was even her turn to choose! I'm thinking that I won't try to plan this next one too far in advanced...I'll just ask her the night before and throw something together the next day. Hope she picks an easy one!

 

[Becc1]

Love the Incredibles night, that movie is on our to do list so I'll be taking some ideas from you!