My first Pre Trip Report - Completed - with pics

[eeyorefanuk]

Yeah another update.

I do understand your decision on going for the QSDP. For us, I do not think it would work, but when I look at my visa for the amount it cost us for eight people for three weeks in tips maybe I should have

We enjoyed the Cape May Breakfast much more than CM.

I look forward to hearing about garden grove dinner and house of blues - not read much about these two

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah another update.

I do understand your decision on going for the QSDP. For us, I do not think it would work, but when I look at my visa for the amount it cost us for eight people for three weeks in tips maybe I should have

We enjoyed the Cape May Breakfast much more than CM.

I look forward to hearing about garden grove dinner and house of blues - not read much about these two

QSDP is not the way to go for everyone. I think it is sometimes easier for a larger group, especially if the plan is to eat all meals together, to go with the regular plan. I plan very carefully - but I plan for flexibility. It's not only that. I just can't eat a full on TS meal ever single day of the trip.

Actually I like Chef Mickeys. I don't think it is the best of the character meals but it certainly one I would recommend if you have not been to it before. We tend to pay for these meals for the kids and then be a little more critical than usual about them because they cost a bit more than what may be considered reasonable. Rather unsurprisingly however, I have noticed that my own daughter has managed to overlook every 'shortcoming' of every character meal. Now that tells me that the parent (read the person footing the bill for the meal and gratuity) judge by different standards to the children - ironically, the very people we claim we are doing it for. This proves to me that (1) character meals are not just for kids (well I knew that anyway ) and(2) If I went in to every Disney restaurant and saw every aspect of the dining experience through the eyes of my daughter, I would struggle to find anything to complain about. I love good attitides - they are the primary cause of good experiences.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

QSDP is not the way to go for everyone. I think it is sometimes easier for a larger group, especially if the plan is to eat all meals together, to go with the regular plan. I plan very carefully - but I plan for flexibility. It's not only that. I just can't eat a full on TS meal ever single day of the trip.

Actually I like Chef Mickeys. I don't think it is the best of the character meals but it certainly one I would recommend if you have not been to it before. We tend to pay for these meals for the kids and then be a little more critical than usual about them because they cost a bit more than what may be considered reasonable. Rather unsurprisingly however, I have noticed that my own daughter has managed to overlook every 'shortcoming' of every character meal. Now that tells me that the parent (read the person footing the bill for the meal and gratuity) judge by different standards to the children - ironically, the very people we claim we are doing it for. This proves to me that (1) character meals are not just for kids (well I knew that anyway ) and(2) If I went in to every Disney restaurant and saw every aspect of the dining experience through the eyes of my daughter, I would struggle to find anything to complain about. I love good attitides - they are the primary cause of good experiences.

Ah yes do not get me wrong, I loved every single character meal, whether breakfast or dinner. I just thought Cape May Goofy Character Breakfast was "calmer" and I did love their outfits Even my niece (15 going on 30!) loved the character meals. The one thing both my mum and I said was that we did not think the character interaction was as much as at Paris. Just our personal thoughts.

PS We did come home with loads of CS though, as it was so hot, we did not eat much for lunch and had our TS for dinner, or sometimes TS for breakfast and dinner.

 

[jockey]

you plans sound great, I cant wait to hear about your daughters reaction

 

[irongirlof12]

ah bless, she is going to be over the moon

 

[crabbie1]

Lee this is an absolutley fantastic holiday suprise.You must be so proud of yourself for keeping it this long.It must be really hard.Tove is the same age as Charlotte and charlotte is ecstatic at the moment and is marking off more days than she should on her countdown-down to 3 now lost 3 somewhere on the way
It really gave me goosebumps and made me cry to think so much thought had gone into it. Regards her dad all I can advise is "his loss your gain".Tove is getting older and will make her own mind up. He is the one that will have regrets.Believe me I know!!!!! You have done a great Pre trip report.I wish I had had time to do one but I am hoping to do a TR. Just need to learn how to upload photos.
Gonna check out cape may now as have CM booked twice but charlottes favorites. Looking forward to the next bit hun.

 

[2Tiggies]

Lee this is an absolutley fantastic holiday suprise.You must be so proud of yourself for keeping it this long.It must be really hard.Tove is the same age as Charlotte and charlotte is ecstatic at the moment and is marking off more days than she should on her countdown-down to 3 now lost 3 somewhere on the way
It really gave me goosebumps and made me cry to think so much thought had gone into it. Regards her dad all I can advise is "his loss your gain".Tove is getting older and will make her own mind up. He is the one that will have regrets.Believe me I know!!!!! You have done a great Pre trip report.I wish I had had time to do one but I am hoping to do a TR. Just need to learn how to upload photos.
Gonna check out cape may now as have CM booked twice but charlottes favorites. Looking forward to the next bit hun.

Thanks Alyson. I had good intentions of doing the next chapter tonight on this report, but so far nothing has happened.

I am now debating doing the MNSSHP. Yes, the party I swore I wasn't going to do....! I have gone a bit over the top on all the extras this trip and keep thinking, I don't want it to add another 6 month wait onto the next one. Sigh. It's not just tickets of course. The party means a costume for DD ...

 

[crabbie1]

Thanks Alyson. I had good intentions of doing the next chapter tonight on this report, but so far nothing has happened.

I am now debating doing the MNSSHP. Yes, the party I swore I wasn't going to do....! I have gone a bit over the top on all the extras this trip and keep thinking, I don't want it to add another 6 month wait onto the next one. Sigh. It's not just tickets of course. The party means a costume for DD ...

Have a look on ebay.i got mine and Daves from there both for £27 and they are really good quality and look ace.I am draculas wife and it is a long off the shoulder dress with a bussell on the back large neck collar and long black gloves.Charlottes I got from matalan as she wanted the werewolf.That was £8.Got the face paints from poundland Tand T pumkin bag some glow necklaces,fake blood and gory tattoos. Tove looks like a girly girl and some great costumes on ebay. Our first time as you know so splashed out a bit-also got dave some spray hair dye He looked horrified when I showed himLook forward to your next section. Im gonna have to log on at RPR snd let you know how things are.

 

[Chilly]

Great PTR!

Tove what a beautiful name - where is it from?

 

[2Tiggies]

Great PTR!

Tove what a beautiful name - where is it from?

Thank you. It's pronounced " Tovay" - original name was Tova (I think Hebrew root is Tovah?). It came out of one of many books of baby names. But of course I can never leave things be without personalising them to suit It sounded cute and cheeky and I had an inkling this little one was going to be a very girly girl so we changed it.

This PTR has been calling me for the next chapter but life seems to be hurling one thing after another. Guys coming to re-plaster living room wall tomorrow at 8.30 am. I had to find someone to come sit at the house while I am at work - easier said than done And of course I had to clear the area which happens to be the wall where the TV and all associated paraphernalia, Sound system, sideboard, enourmous framed picture ..... you ge the idea. I am going to be so stiff tomorrow. And what timing too. Tomorrow is DD's last day at her school and she starts at a new one on Monday (when the plasterers are coming for round 2 ) so that just adds to the chaos. I still don't have all the things for her new uniform. But when I get a minute, believe me, I will be posting here.

 

[stitcher3000]

I am loving everything you have already put in place for your princess, it really has bought tears to my eyes bless you xxxx I am so looking forward to the big reveal! and NEED to see pictures! You write with so much love it's an absolute pleasure to read

 

[Disneymad]

Wow Tiggs this is all sounding so fab - can I be your daughter too?

 

[2Tiggies]

I am loving everything you have already put in place for your princess, it really has bought tears to my eyes bless you xxxx I am so looking forward to the big reveal! and NEED to see pictures! You write with so much love it's an absolute pleasure to read

You are so sweet! TBH she has had so many disappointments this year not least of which, another unfulfilled promise by her dad that he would come and see her (another year rolls by ). Last night was really hard not to say anything. The first time I have really had to be careful and choose my words so as not to let on what is in store for her. When I collected her from after school care in the evening she was a bit tearful and it turned out that she feels her dad doesn't bother. Then the September weekend came up in conversation and when I explained that I only get the one day off work but schools are off from the Friday to the Wednesday inclusive, that was it. She completely came apart, very upset that I have to work and we don't get much time together. My heart was breaking. I promised her that when school is off for October I will make sure I am off work and we can spend the whole week together - just the two of us. Whew! It was really hard! Of course even better is that we are leaving a week before so we have two wonderful weeks together ..... at our Happy Place

It was her last day at her old school today and it seems like she had a great day and everyone made a big fuss of her. She went in with a cake and came home with bags of cards and presents so she is smiling today.

Plasterers finished up this afternoon (they are back on Monday), new uniforms arrived and tonight I can sit down and do my next bit on my PTR

It's going to be so worth it - 2 weeks to go!

Wow Tiggs this is all sounding so fab - can I be your daughter too?

That depends .... Are you high maintenance like the daughter I have? If your answer is yes, my answer is no I can barely keep up with the current demands as is!

 

[Disneymad]

That depends .... Are you high maintenance like the daughter I have? If your answer is yes, my answer is no I can barely keep up with the current demands as is!

Curses, foiled again!

 

[2Tiggies]

Curses, foiled again!

 

[2Tiggies]

Special stuff

This is the second time I am attempting to do this chapter. After a continuous string of interruptions last night I accidentally closed the tab before posting and it’s all gone!

13 days to go! It occurred to me this morning while we were out that Tove may pick up the mail on her way into the house, as is her habit, so she can see if there is anything for her. That resulted in a quick sneaky phone call to Disney UK to ask when they will send the documents out so that I can be expecting them and pop home in my lunch hour if need be to remove it from the rest of the mail. Well it turns out they posted them yesterday! I think my head is in denial that it is so close to our trip now. It just doesn’t seem to be sinking in at all.

The only special ‘official’ event we have planned is MNSSHP. I had intended to book BBB and skip the party and then I don’t know what came over me last week but I decided to do the party. I still toyed with the idea because I had been unable to find the fairy dress I wanted for DD (she had seen it in the Disney Store in the summer) in her size online. After several phone calls to different branches I finally found one that they were willing to keep for me and my aunt went to pick it up today. My aunt thinks it is a present for Christmas. So with that all being sorted, I changed our HoB reservation to the 5th, cancelled Garden Grove and bought the tickets to collect at Will Call. I got so enthusiastic I even printed the MNSSHP map onto an A4 sheet of glossy photo paper

I seem to have lost track of time with all the things going on at the moment. Here I was at DD’s tennis this morning telling someone that I am trying to get her in for a haircut next Saturday, but the following week would be free. When I got home I realised that the following week we will be enjoying the start of our holiday!!!! I have no idea how my life got this hectic.

So aside from MNSSHP we are doing more TS meals than usual. As per my other post, we are eating at places that Tove has expressed an interest in over the past year – some old favourites and some new ones.

I have also planned an extra water park day for us as well as a little bit more pool time than last year. I think last year we could have done well with slightly more chill out time so that has been planned into the itinerary for this year.

Of course not trip to Orlando is complete without a shopping trip. I think we will probably stick with Premium Mall again. It is close, quick and easy to get to and I know we always manage to find plenty of what we want there. It would be different if I had a few specific items I was trying to find, but it’s really just leisure .... and getting some nice things. I also find it refreshing to get out for a bit too so that has been planned at the end of our first week. I think if you stay onsite and don’t have a car you stay in a separate world. A lovely one at that, but I think my daughter does not get it that Disney is not all there is to Florida

I am planning to make use of the Disney discount voucher from our booking to enjoy a round of mini golf at Winter Summerland. Tove has never played and I used to do it a lot with my family as a child so I would like to let her experience it. My motto for this trip is “Try at least one new thing every day.”

I have booked our preferred fireworks viewing too. I am really looking forward to the Epcot one – I LOVE Illuminations. It gives me goosebumps every time! The Wishes one .... hmmm, not a great location. I booked it anyway but will only try it out if we are watching Wishes properly on another night as the view is quite obstructed. I doubt they have pruned all those trees!

Finally, last month I booked a resort photo session at the Poly for Tove and I. We have very few pictures of us together. I don’t really like to be in photos, but I do think we need some nice ones of us together so we are just going to go along, have fun and pay the money for the shoot. The reviews are really good and the pictures people have posted look lovely. So onto the shopping list went two similar tops for us to wear and we are going to do it!

So above is a rather dishevelled list of the little extras we are doing this trip (sorry about this, but my mind seems to be in so many places at the moment). However for me, some of the most special memories we come back are those from moments you can’t plan: Sitting laughing with Tove after 3 am at the end of evening EMH at MK in the Main Street bakery, giggling like schoolgirls (okay she’s allowed to ) because the cup my cappuccino came in has a hole in the bottom and I am being ‘accused’ of being too tired to hold a coffee cup. Or standing next to a hedge in the midst of the most heavily crowded time of the day watching Tove trying to get a ladybird to walk onto her finger. Or how about watching Tove run around in circles more times than I can count so she can run across the barrel bridge on Tom Sawyer Island with her eyes shining, with not a care in the world. It’s those moments when everything around you pales into oblivion for a while; those moments when I think to myself: This is worth everything I have had to do and everything I have gone without to get here! The moments that I can’t plan, can’t be bought, traded or sold are often the ones that hold the most precious memories. I am looking forward to grabbing some more of them!

 

[scottish mum]

What a great trip you have planned for yourself and your little girl. I am sure she will remember the surprise forever.

 

[2Tiggies]

What a great trip you have planned for yourself and your little girl. I am sure she will remember the surprise forever.

Thank you I think the children (and us ) remember each trip as special for different reasons, but I must admit, my dad used to surprise us quite regularly as kids and we loved it. I am hoping this will be a good one for her to!

 

[Latte Lover]

Wow! Your trip is going to be amazing, Lee. You've put so much thought into it, I know you're going to have a fabulous time. I can't wait to read about the surprise being revealed.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

"""""The moments that I can’t plan, can’t be bought, traded or sold are often the ones that hold the most precious memories. I am looking forward to grabbing some more of them"""""


I totally agree Tove will remember precious times like this in years to come, and I have no doubt she will be beaming because she is spending her holiday with her favourite person - mum