November 2012 Trip planners #4~almost Disney time! Everyone welcome!

[squirrel4569]

I met my new students today. So as a getting to know you activity, we do a scavenger hunt to find people with certain characteristics. One of the things listed was find a person who has been to Disney World. A boy says, "I have, but really wished I didn't. I hated that place." We are not going to survive together this year together as I use Disney references for everything. Seriously, I am sure he's a wonderful kid, it just made me laugh.

While it's unfathomable for most of us to not like WDW, I just remembered my personal experience with my ex's kids about 11 years ago. My ex and I planned out a week in Florida with her three boys, aged 7,8 and 9. We drove down from Michigan, hit Sea World when we arrived, stayed off site at a suite in Kissimmee and did 4 days at Disney plus a day at the beach. My ex was terrified of coasters, even the tame ones like Thunder Mountain Railroad. As such the kids were scared about a lot of the rides *before* they rode them, but had a blast once they got on them and through them. Fast forward a year and my ex and I decided to go again. We told the kids and they were decidedly NOT happy about this. They didn't want to go at all. When asked why they said "Because Dad made us go on all the rides!" My ex and I opted to go on vacation without them and hit up Universal Studios for a couple of days instead.

To each their own I guess right?

 

[Broncobilly83]

ARGH! Just when I thought I was done planning, now I have to try and help a co-worker who wants to take his 10 year daughter to the park for the first time, at the end of September!

 

[kerriemiller]

I pre-ordered (got it about a week later) so I'm glad to hear people like it... a co-worker purchased it at the park recently and she said it wasn't worth the price I plan to use the FP photogs every chance I get -- and we are going to just about every meal included in the package, so the girls will get tons of character pics.

I'm usually the one behind the camera so I'm really looking forward to being IN the family photos for this trip!

Not to take this to a sad place. But when my mother passed 7 years ago almost 8 this coming January. We were looking for pictures for the funeral and literally found two pictures of her and my youngest brother. Both were from him at about age 10, 11, 12. So I try to be very good about taking pictures of myself with my kids. And not just pictures of my kids alone.

That is why the photopass really appeals to me this trip. I want to be in the pictures. What I look like isnt that much of a concern. I want my kids to have pictures of their mom.

 

[ireneryan]

Not to take this to a sad place. But when my mother passed 7 years ago almost 8 this coming January. We were looking for pictures for the funeral and literally found two pictures of her and my youngest brother. Both were from him at about age 10, 11, 12. So I try to be very good about taking pictures of myself with my kids. And not just pictures of my kids alone.

That is why the photopass really appeals to me this trip. I want to be in the pictures. What I look like isnt that much of a concern. I want my kids to have pictures of their mom.

A very good point!!

 

[Smileybug]

ARGH! Just when I thought I was done planning, now I have to try and help a co-worker who wants to take his 10 year daughter to the park for the first time, at the end of September!

Awww, I bet you are excited about helping!!

Not to take this to a sad place. But when my mother passed 7 years ago almost 8 this coming January. We were looking for pictures for the funeral and literally found two pictures of her and my youngest brother. Both were from him at about age 10, 11, 12. So I try to be very good about taking pictures of myself with my kids. And not just pictures of my kids alone.

That is why the photopass really appeals to me this trip. I want to be in the pictures. What I look like isnt that much of a concern. I want my kids to have pictures of their mom.

So true....

 

[disneychic2]

ARGH! Just when I thought I was done planning, now I have to try and help a co-worker who wants to take his 10 year daughter to the park for the first time, at the end of September!

Given how soon that is, it will be a challenge! I'm sure you'll do great, though.

Not to take this to a sad place. But when my mother passed 7 years ago almost 8 this coming January. We were looking for pictures for the funeral and literally found two pictures of her and my youngest brother. Both were from him at about age 10, 11, 12. So I try to be very good about taking pictures of myself with my kids. And not just pictures of my kids alone.

That is why the photopass really appeals to me this trip. I want to be in the pictures. What I look like isnt that much of a concern. I want my kids to have pictures of their mom.

How sad for you! Thanks for the reminder. I never like to be in pictures.

 

[AquaDame]

The nice thing about the photopass photogs is that they will also gladly take a picture with your camera as well. You can't get the 'magical' pictures with characters in them but its a nice alternative if the cost of the pass is a hinderance.

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

If you pre-order your PhotoPass CD thru this following link & save $50:

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

We ALWAYS get the CD. I am a scrapbooker, we use the pass at every opportunity, & to me it is totally worth it! We usually en up with 500-700 shots on a disc which is either awesome or embarrassing according to point of view For example, at JTA, the have a PhotoPass person snapping shots of all the kiddos. They get shots I simply cannot due to crowd, etc. Another perk, sometimes bonus professional photos of special events/attractions are added free of charge to disc (example: several shots of topiaries from Flower & Garden festival were added to our disc, several shots of Electric Parade, etc.). Finally, if you like to get the "magic shots" when PhotoPass photogs can add digital images to your pose (example: holding Tinker Bell or in your hands) then the disc will have those on it. I believe Stitch Kingdom has some great examples of magic shot poses from around the various parks.

HTH

 

[barriosfamily]

Am I welcome to join? Just joined and surprising my kids with disney for the first time 11-22-12!!

 

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Good morning to all! It's a beautiful morning here in North Texas which made the 60 mile commute on my bike very pleasant. And it's Friday, which is almost always A Very Good Thing (tm).

In regards to the Photopass, we'll be purchasing the plus package prior to our trip this year. We used PP a lot during our previous trip but didn't pre-order it, so we wound up paying more for it. This year, with the addition of the plus options we'll also pick up the dining and ride pictures at a bit of a savings too. The 400+ stock photos will also come in handy for my wife's scrapbooking hobby. Her and a bunch of her friends are Disney & scrapbooking fans so I'm sure they'll get quite a bit of use out of that.

Last night we had a bit of a Disney night at the house without the kids really knowing it. We took our change jar and separated out the different coins and then did a vinegar and salt bath with the pennies to get them shiny for pressing. After that we watched Disney Parks: Undiscovered Disney Parks on Netflix and the girls got real excited about the parks. The girls were all excited because they think that we're going for DD#2's 5th birthday, not her 4th birthday this year!

One thing I saw during the video last night was the VIP tours that they do of the parks. While I'm certain if that is still done it comes at a price premium, but it was interesting to see some of the families say that they wouldn't come to the park without a tour like that. If you haven't seen the video basically you get a personalized tour guide who helps you get FPs, shows you around and gets you to where you want to be, including dining, shows, rides, etc. Does anyone know if they still do that? Have you or anyone you know done that?

Hope everyone has a good Friday and a great weekend!

Sigh. I wish I loved near you & your wife, I could use a scrapbooking buddy like her. Too cool!

Have a Magical Day!

 

[Broncobilly83]

Awww, I bet you are excited about helping!!

Given how soon that is, it will be a challenge! I'm sure you'll do great, though.

I am excited and it will be a challenge. It usually takes me a good month or so to go through different dining choices, etc, and now you have a group of 3 instead of 2.

The first thing I suggested is if they want any type of character dining, or ADR, get on the website now or call in and Book It. Since he is so close to his trip time, ADRs will be open regardless if he is on site or off. I am suggesting All Star Music since she is big on music. I gave him my planning DVD and will help him with trip planning Monday.

 

[Smileybug]

I am excited and it will be a challenge. It usually takes me a good month or so to go through different dining choices, etc, and now you have a group of 3 instead of 2.

The first thing I suggested is if they want any type of character dining, or ADR, get on the website now or call in and Book It. Since he is so close to his trip time, ADRs will be open regardless if he is on site or off. I am suggesting All Star Music since she is big on music. I gave him my planning DVD and will help him with trip planning Monday.

I knew you would be on top of things. I hope he appreciates it.

 

[uscgmouse]

So we are almost to the 3 month marker!!! I just started the couch to 5k training and am in week 1. I hope this will help me lose some unwanted pounds before Disney.

I also picked up some fun Disney stuff this week for our trip!

I am going to spend the weekend sewing and making some things for our trip!


Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[barriosfamily]

My birthday is 4 days before we go to disneyland. Is there any deals or anything?

 

[aubreysmom09]

Aubrey is watching Lilo and Stitch. She loves stitch. He stole her tigger hat in April and was running around with it on his head, and teasing her with it. I hope he is as fun in November!

 

[Smileybug]

So we are almost to the 3 month marker!!! I just started the couch to 5k training and am in week 1. I hope this will help me lose some unwanted pounds before Disney.

I also picked up some fun Disney stuff this week for our trip!

I am going to spend the weekend sewing and making some things for our trip!


Have a great weekend everyone!

Sounds like you have a great weekend planned. I hope you enjoy!!

My birthday is 4 days before we go to disneyland. Is there any deals or anything?

Happy early birthday. Most of us in here can tell you anything you want to know about Disney World. I personally do not know anything about Disneyland other than I would like to go someday.

 

[Smileybug]

Where are ya'll? You better not be off packing.

 

[princesshope1982]

happy friday all....dh ordered us 75 disney pins to trade...yay

gonna try to make some bows tonight

 

[Broncobilly83]

happy friday all....dh ordered us 75 disney pins to trade...yay

gonna try to make some bows tonight

Out of curiosity, where did you get the 75 pins and for how much?

 

[princesshope1982]

Out of curiosity, where did you get the 75 pins and for how much?

he order 3 lots of 25 on ebay..about 12 bucks each