Now Bring Me That Horizon ~ It Begins P115

[TarzansKat]

I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go back and check: what kind of park tickets do you have? If you have, say, 7-day tickets, it's only a few more dollars to add on more days. And the thing is, it's kind of nice to have "extra" days to burn and not feel guilty about it. Maybe you decide to spend a few hours the day you get there at the MK? No big deal.

Just a thought.

The only issue with the park tickets is this. We arrive on the 27th and check into CSR with a room only reservation. When we check into Pop on the 29th, that's when we'll get our park tickets and free dining credits.

So in order for me to have tickets for the first two days, I'd have to add them to that reservation, and then bump the Pop ressie down to a one day ticket in order to retain the free dining promo. I hope I'm making sense.

I know what you mean about adding on a couple of days, and if it were a consecutive stay at one place, it would be fine. Because it's not, it would really cost me a lot more than I want to spend. The only kink in the works is that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is playing at Epcot on the 27th, and I would love to see them. I'm just not sure that I want to hit up that park and Food and Wine Festival on opening weekend. I would think you'd have huge crowds. But, I could be wrong. Basically, either way you slice it, it's tricky.

I'd have to run numbers, but I really love the idea of doing nothing. I've wanted a trip like that for a long time, and to be able to satisfy the side of me that just wants to relax (and let my DH go to DisneyQuest, which he's been dying to do and hasn't done in years), and satisfy the inner OCD planner who had to organize the family trip, well, it's just become the perfect trip for me. Combo relaxation and planning.

I'm in heaven.

Keep on, tie-dye princess.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Woo Hoo for the added days! I think it's an absolute wonderful idea, and perfect for a little added family togetherness for you and your pirate clan. A couple of days of relaxation at CSR will be wonderful!

and this...

It was called to my attention (thanks, Maroo!) that this is my 7,000th post.

And to make it a good one.

I consider this to be a good one.

and last but not least...

you are just way too good to all of us. I needed to see some Jack this morning.

 

[Normangirls]

I hear you. This is the first time we are planning days for relaxing (only another DISer would understand the importance of "planning" nothing).

And the pool at CSR looks absolutely beautiful. It would be very easy to while away a day watching the kids play in the pool.

Would your DS be interested in something like the campfire and movie at Fort Wilderness?

Oops, there I go again, "planning" something to do...

I can't help it.

 

[TarzansKat]

Woo Hoo for the added days! I think it's an absolute wonderful idea, and perfect for a little added family togetherness for you and your pirate clan. A couple of days of relaxation at CSR will be wonderful!

I'm so excited too, because I've never stayed at CSR. And given that we're leaning towards not doing a park on those days (although I still may try to score a ressie, I'm not sure), we can really see how we feel about the size of the resort and whether or not it would be a good fit for us in the future.

and this...



you are just way too good to all of us.

I won't deny that my motivations were not entirely pure.

I did enjoy finding all those photos.

I needed to see some Jack this morning.

A morning started by the viewing of Jack Sparrow is sure to be a good one.

I hear you. This is the first time we are planning days for relaxing (only another DISer would understand the importance of "planning" nothing).

Seriously. I don't know if I've posted this before in this particular report, but this is how DH and I used to do Disney before we had our son.

We'd pick a resort based on my CM (I used to work for the Disney Store) or Annual Passholder discount.

Then, each day, we'd head out to the bus stop.

And see which one came first.

And that's the park we'd go to.

I know there are a lot of people on here who would be thrown into a near tizzy by that prospect. We also (before the advent of the dining plan and free dining whatnot) would only plan 1-2 ADRs max. Everything else was fly by the seat of your pants counter service.

And the pool at CSR looks absolutely beautiful. It would be very easy to while away a day watching the kids play in the pool.

I can totally see my son loving that pool and loving that playground. I'm going to head to the Dollar Tree later and make sure we have some beachy sand toys to bring with us.

Would your DS be interested in something like the campfire and movie at Fort Wilderness?

Oops, there I go again, "planning" something to do...

I can't help it.

That's too funny, but I'm doing the same thing. I think, oh we could eat here and watch the fireworks on the beach, yadda yadda.

I think I'm just going to gather up some info on things we've never done that are either free or cost almost nothing. Like the campfire. Do they still give you vouchers for a round of mini golf? My husband and I love mini golf, and we never get to use those, because everything is so planned.

So I know there's lots we could do, I just hesitate to say, we're doing this.

We're going to be pirates.

 

[All7OfUs]

ENABLER! I hadn't even thought of it until you mentioned it. Would those be earth tones?

Yeah, I'm thinking soft earthy tones, beige, rust, the likes. Then something like The Three Caballeros on them saying something catchy. Let me know how they turn out, would ya?

 

[If U Had Wings]

Seriously. I don't know if I've posted this before in this particular report, but this is how DH and I used to do Disney before we had our son.

We'd pick a resort based on my CM (I used to work for the Disney Store) or Annual Passholder discount.

Then, each day, we'd head out to the bus stop.

And see which one came first.

And that's the park we'd go to.

I know there are a lot of people on here who would be thrown into a near tizzy by that prospect. We also (before the advent of the dining plan and free dining whatnot) would only plan 1-2 ADRs max. Everything else was fly by the seat of your pants counter service.

The thought of this just sent me into a complete Disney breakdown. It's one of those things in theory I'd like to do, but just know that the inner compulsive Disney planner in me would never be able to handle such freedom.

 

[TarzansKat]

Yeah, I'm thinking soft earthy tones, beige, rust, the likes. Then something like The Three Caballeros on them saying something catchy. Let me know how they turn out, would ya?

Good lord, woman! We're going to have to start calling you the head enabler.

Speaking of which, for all of you who are interested in tie dye shirts, I will be getting back to you. I'm entertaining the notion of setting up a separate EBay account for this purpose.

The thought of this just sent me into a complete Disney breakdown. It's one of those things in theory I'd like to do, but just know that the inner compulsive Disney planner in me would never be able to handle such freedom.

Do you need a hug?

I know, right? A lot of people can't handle that kind of touring. I'll admit, I couldn't have done that when DS was younger. But he's four now, and he's more go with the flow. Plus, the freedoms you get with that of being able to eat when he's hungry, and not having to work around ADR times, well, I'm really looking forward to it.

And I've definitely been spoiled by free dining. But would I actually pay for the dining plan if I had to? I don't know. Tink and I did in May because for where we wanted to eat, the dining plan came out cheaper than our estimated costs. So that totally was a win-win. But I find most of the children's menu options to be repetitive and sometimes, just gross. I like more variety for my little nut. So there is something nice about the no plan, eat when you want, go where you want kind of touring.

I swear.

Believe me.

 

[eandesmom]

I
Seriously. I don't know if I've posted this before in this particular report, but this is how DH and I used to do Disney before we had our son.

We'd pick a resort based on my CM (I used to work for the Disney Store) or Annual Passholder discount.

Then, each day, we'd head out to the bus stop.

And see which one came first.

And that's the park we'd go to.

I know there are a lot of people on here who would be thrown into a near tizzy by that prospect. We also (before the advent of the dining plan and free dining whatnot) would only plan 1-2 ADRs max. Everything else was fly by the seat of your pants counter service.

We're going to be pirates.

Oh I LOVE this! DH would be so into that. DS8 would have a complete and utter breakdown, it's all we can do to get him not to focus on what ride he wants to do first and go with the group flow.

We kind of did this on our 04 trip, at least a little bit. This time if we let the bus dictate it'd be easier than the "what do you want to do, I don't know, what do you want to do?" mantra.

But but but....what if the bus was for Blizzard Beach? or DTD? Hmmn...Maybe I can't let go as much as I'd like to think I could.

We only do dinner ADR's anyway so we could actually do this. Hmmmn....I might have to factor this in. Just so my family can realize I am really not as married to a schedule as they might think.

 

[TarzansKat]

But but but....what if the bus was for Blizzard Beach? or DTD? Hmmn...Maybe I can't let go as much as I'd like to think I could.

I should clarify. Because of my sensitive skin, we're not really water park people. Although I know we'll do it at some point (heck, maybe even these first two days, who knows), we were never into those, really.

So basically, whatever of the four major parks arrived first, that's what we'd get on. It's interesting, too, because now I'm so, well, I'll wear my new red and blue tie dye to DHS because I really want a picture with Sorceror Mickey and that would look so cool.

Or, I'll dress DS in his Star Wars shirt when we go to DHS. And he'll wear his Toy Story shirt another time there. I don't know, am I the only one who tries to match clothes to the parks? I swear, I wear virtually the same outfit to the animal kingdom every year. Black tank, green cargo capris.

We only do dinner ADR's anyway so we could actually do this. Hmmmn....I might have to factor this in. Just so my family can realize I am really not as married to a schedule as they might think.

You can do it! Even try it for a couple of days. Why not? As long as you're park hopping, the point is, you're not married the to the park you start off at. You can easily head to another one should you chose.

 

[eandesmom]

I should clarify. Because of my sensitive skin, we're not really water park people. Although I know we'll do it at some point (heck, maybe even these first two days, who knows), we were never into those, really.

So basically, whatever of the four major parks arrived first, that's what we'd get on. It's interesting, too, because now I'm so, well, I'll wear my new red and blue tie dye to DHS because I really want a picture with Sorceror Mickey and that would look so cool.

Or, I'll dress DS in his Star Wars shirt when we go to DHS. And he'll wear his Toy Story shirt another time there. I don't know, am I the only one who tries to match clothes to the parks? I swear, I wear virtually the same outfit to the animal kingdom every year. Black tank, green cargo capris.



You can do it! Even try it for a couple of days. Why not? As long as you're park hopping, the point is, you're not married the to the park you start off at. You can easily head to another one should you chose.

I too confess to matching the outfit to the park. That would be hard. But we could do it for a couple of days, at least in the am...maybe while teens are sleeping! I like it! Just get up and GO. Somewhere.

Hopping is the only way to fly We did not hop as much this past trip as the previous one but enough to wear hoppers make sense. I like having options!

 

[TarzansKat]

I too confess to matching the outfit to the park. That would be hard. But we could do it for a couple of days, at least in the am...maybe while teens are sleeping! I like it! Just get up and GO. Somewhere.

Honestly, it's a lot of fun. I wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't. And then when you get to the park, instead of having this preconceived touring plan, you just do whatever has the lowest wait time. I swear...it's a whole other world.

Hopping is the only way to fly We did not hop as much this past trip as the previous one but enough to wear hoppers make sense. I like having options!

I'm with you. Last year, to save a little money (because our trip was eight days and we were staying at the Wilderness Lodge) we opted not to hop. I figured eight days was enough time to hit every park twice.

Now there are definitely advantages to hopping, like being able to have more CS options than Roaring Forks.

But there are also some great advantages to the one park per day strategy. It was quite easy to get a lot done! More so than I'd previously realized. It really forces you to focus on one park, and what you can do, and it was nice for a change.

That being said, we're back to hopping this year.

 

[MegansMom]

Congrats on the added days.....and a stay at CSR......gives me even more of a reason to want to switch!!!! I know you won't be doing parks, but if we were at the same resort, you never know when we might accidentally bump into each other!!!!!! Hmmmmmm.........................

 

[TarzansKat]

I figure even if you're not confused, you all might like a little recap of what's been going on here, and how this trip has changed.

[Edit: I just realized through proof-reading, how unbelievably long this post is. To break it up, I'm going to throw in some pictures from past trips and help you out with a little visual break from the copious text.]

Basically, we've got some new dates, a new hotel, and new non-plans. I can't really call them plans since by the very lack of planning, they are in essence...not plans. Unless to not plan anything is considered some form of planning. In which I case I think I'm going to need another glass of wine. Or rum. A Pina Colava. You know.

First, let's start with the trip binder. She got a little face lift.

Yup. I took one of my DISigns, so to speak, and turned it into my trip binder cover. Along with my newly modified dates, which happen to be Sunday, September 27th to Sunday, October 4th, 2009.

I'm very, very excited about deciding to extend the trip. It gives my little family some much needed down time before the whole clan arrives, and it gives me the kind of trip I've wanted for many, many moons.

Well, it gives me two days of it, but still. It's something!

And that is the type of trip where you plan nothing. You do want you want, and you're happy doing it, and you have no pre-conceived notions and no pre-set expectations. Now that doesn't mean that I won't load up the trip binder with a bunch of ideas of things that we could do.

And I'd be happy to list some of my ideas for you right here. Things we want to (or have done before), but never or rarely do: mini golf, DisneyQuest, a water park, activities at the hotel pool in the afternoons, activities at the hotel for kids, take in a movie at Downtown, eat at the new T Rex restaurant, really enjoy and explore the resort we're staying in, spend the day at the pool, read by the pool, sit by the pool, sip by the pool.

I sense a theme involving the pool here. Quite frankly, I'm so excited about the Dig Site, I'm fit to burst. When I showed DS the pictures of it, my decision between Pop and CSR for $32 more was made. He was so excited about the pool and the play area, that was just it for me. I can't wait for him to see it in person.

Now, of course, once I change my itinerary, I get to itching about other things as well. And one of the things I got to itching about was my dining plans. For the most part, I was happy. But there was one thing that worried me. A lot. And that was MickeyNiki's review of Nine Dragons. I hadn't read it, I'd only heard about it. And I came across while actually looking for something else.

And I did it.

I read it.



Okay, seriously, I was shocked. And honestly, does this mean I'll never try that restaurant again? No. I wouldn't even worry about it if it was just going to be the three of us. But I have a big crew to worry about, and quite frankly, it's one thing for me to lead my little trio into something that could be potentially bad, but it's quite another for me to lead the whole family into it.

Never mind the simple fact that I get two sit down meals with my Dad. I want them to be good. I want him to enjoy them. I want him to enjoy them so much that he'll go back with me at some point. My Dad does not go to Disney a lot, and when he does, I like to make it count.

Now, of course, we all know how difficult the online system is, not so much in its use, just in the ability to find anything remotely close to what you're looking for. And in my case, I really think that party size is an issue. So when I tried to find something to replace that meal, which is the first night they arrive, the 29th, it was dang near impossible. They had openings in France, but we all know how I feel about France. It's not bad at all, but it's not my favorite. I tried maybe moving the Brown Derby. I tried looking for the Coral Reef. I tried Spoodles. I was really trying to stick in the Epcot resort area, but heck, I even tried Ohana's. No dice.

I was getting bummed. I called my mother the next morning, during the continuation of my search and told her my plight. Told her about the horrible review and that I couldn't willingly do that to everyone. So we both got on the reservation site, and we both got on AllEars, and by Mickey, we looked and looked and looked.

And Mom finally said, what about this?

And I said, let me check out the menu. Because I was almost positive that Bendy had reviewed it and that her review had been very favorable, but I wasn't sure.

And then I saw the menu. And I said, that's not bad. As a matter of fact, I like that. Mom, I like it a lot. Let's check it out. And what do you know? I was able to get a reasonable reservation time for 6 adults and 1 child. And I'll reveal it as I now give you the plans.

Sunday, October 27 - Wake up early. Try to contain my enthusiasm. WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!

Our flight leaves at 810 and gets in at 1110, so we'll have a great full day ahead of us. The beauty of having nothing planned is that we'll get to CSR, check in, and take it from there. I worry about the early flight, having done the 700am and remembering how rough that was for DS last year, but given that we have no plans, I think it'll be much easier to get him to take a nap, or do an earlier bed time and get some good rest for the next day.

I have a little aside here that I'll just put out there. Every year, we've taken DS' car seat on the airplane with us. It has a five point harness, and I've just felt more comfortable with how safe it is. This year, I'm debating leaving it at home, and just packing a booster to use when we transport to and from the airport. My son is so tall. I'm not even sure how tall right now, but I just don't think he'll fit comfortably in the confined space you have with that car seat anymore. Now, his pediatrician has okayed him for using either the car seat or the booster in the car, because he's tall enough and weighs enough to do either. I've kept him in the five point harness because he still falls asleep in the car, and with a booster, there's nothing holding them but that seatbelt. I'm wondering at what age you all stopped taking the car seats and just let your child sit in the airplane seat? My son will be 4.5 when we go, and he's plenty old enough to understand that's his seat. Actually, I think he'll be thrilled to be treated like a big boy. But, my worrying side wonders if this is the safest thing to do. Okay, thanks for letting me get that out, sorry it was so long.​

Monday, September 28 - Our blissful second day. What will we do? Who can say? Loose plans/non-plans are to head to DisneyQuest. Everything else, like where we'll eat and what else we'll do is totally up in the air. And DisneyQuest doesn't open until 1130, so we could easily do some swimming at the pool in the morning, or head to Downtown and shop, or whatever. I'm so whatever about these days and it feels so dang good. But don't let that fool you. That doesn't mean that I'm still not trying for the ever elusive Ohana's ressie. If I could score one on either one of these days, I'd be over the dang moon.

Tuesday, September 29 - Cue the arrival of the family.

Aren't we cute?

My parents, my Nana, and my FIL. We'll need to head to bell services this morning to get our luggage switched to Pop. After that's taken care of and we're checked out, we'll need to head to Pop so we can get checked in. I highly doubt our room will be ready that early in the morning, and if it is, I'll make sure to remind them I am traveling with a larger group, and to make sure we're still linked together. I know we're not guaranteed adjacent rooms, but we've always gotten them, even if they're not connecting, which is fine. Actually, I'd prefer they didn't connect.

DHS happens to have morning EMH, which I doubt we'll make given the amount of stuff we have to do, but you never know. Even if we could get there a little bit early, that would be great. We'd book it over to TSM, get fastpasses, and if the wait isn't too long, wait in the queue. I've never seen Mr. Potato Head, and I'd really love for DS to see it as well. He loves Mr. Tato. These are our loose plans before the family arrives. We'll have to see how our morning goes. Since we're park hopping, we could really go anywhere.

When the fam gets in, we'll meet them back at Pop (hopefully retrieve our luggage), and get them checked in and see if our room is ready. For those that are hungry, we'll grab a bite to eat at the Food Court, and then head over to Epcot.

Mom and I would really like to get everyone over to the Visa Meet and Greet, and our timing should be good for this.

Their flight gets in at 1100am, and I expected they'll be at the hotel between 1200-1230. By the time we eat a little something and head to Epcot, I'm sure we'll be within the 130-430 window. I just think it's such a great opportunity to get a photo of the seven of us, and I can't pass it up! I just hope DS is awake. His track record with the Visa Meet and Greet is not so good, if you recall.

We plan to tour Epcot. Mom hopes to maybe get on Soarin', but we're not entirely ride focused. We may just tour the WS, we're not sure. The ultimate plan is to end up at dinner.

Which is now at The Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club, at 605pm.

I feel really good about this reservation, which has taken the place of Nine Dragons. I think we'll have a much more relaxing evening. We can boat over to the Yacht Club (I wouldn't walk with Nana, and DS will like the boat ride), and after dinner, depending on the time, we'll maybe head over to the Boardwalk and just stroll. We'll either head back into the park to see Illuminations, or, if DS is awake, we'll watch it from the Yacht Club. You can see how beautiful it is without the benefit of the loud noise, which DS does not like. I'm hoping though, that we'll keep this a relatively early night. Not only will my family have been up early to make the flight, but I'm hoping to get up early the next morning.

Wednesday, September 30 - Magic Kingdom Day - I want to wake up early. For my little family, this is not an issue. DS is my alarm clock, and he wakes me up every day between 500-630am. It's extremely rare that he sleeps later than that. I'd really like to get to the Magic Kingdom for its opening. Even if we don't see the actual opening, I just want to get there and make a beeline for Fantasyland. I have discovered something. In order to do the rides in Fantasyland, I need to do them in the morning, when there are limited crowds, and it doesn't send me into panic attack mode. It makes for a very, very happy TK.

Plus, it will be nice to relive some of those memories of my parents taking me on those rides, and now taking my son on those rides. It's just a full circle kind of moment that I'm really looking forward to.

Now, to ply everyone into going along with this, I have promised a few things.

But first, lunch. Which is at 1145am at the Crystal Palace. This is pretty much my favorite restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. Even though we had a rough time with DS there last year (he was overtired, and we were all under the weather), I find myself looking forward to this more and more each day. Plus, the benefit of going with a large group is that there are more people to distract/entertain your child. It can work out to your advantage.

I also think it'll be a hoot to see everyone with the characters. Especially my dad and my fil. I don't know why, but I always get really, really amused when characters will walk up to either one of them and rub the top of their heads because they're bald. It never fails to get a giggle out of me, every single time. Never mind that I personally love a big ole bear hug from that silly ole Pooh. He's always been one of my favorites, ever since I was little.

So what have I enticed certain people...ahemmom...with in order to get this kind of early rush rush go go go commando touring?

The Tambu Lounge.

Oh yes, you heard me right. The game plan is to go to the MK, do our early touring, have lunch, and wait for DS to fall asleep in his stroller. Once he does, we're all going to take an adult break and head over to the Poly and to the Tambu Lounge. We'll sit, relax, take a break from the park, and feel as refreshed as DS will when he wakes up.

Afterwards, we'll head back to the MK and finish up whatever we didn't get to do that we'd like to, especially with my Dad there. I'm thinking pictures of him with the princesses would be priceless. And I can't wait to see how my DS will react to them. He's said he wants to meet them. He's got huge stranger anxiety. It should be, at the very least, interesting. And if he wants to hide behind someone, well, there are plenty of adults for him to choose from.

Boy, it's taking forever for me to write this update.

Thursday, October 1 - Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - I can't wait. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait. I live for this party. For the feel of it, the sight of it, the magic of it. I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm already being way too loquacious, and I'm sure you all want to do other things this evening.

- Thought you might like a little reminder of how great we look...even if we are headless.

I'm also excited about this day because I'm also going to get to meet some of my DIS friends. Now in the morning, we have nothing planned other than relaxing, hanging at the hotel, and maybe a little swim. This is also a good time for Mom and Nana to head to Downtown if they want to (I know my Mom wanted some time to do that, so I tried to plan it in.)

We then have tea at the Garden View Lounge in the Grand Floridian at 215pm. As do Paula, Jen, and Christine. Because great minds really do think alike. Now, I know they'll be coming from their pedis at the spa. And I almost thought of looking into booking something for the ladies this morning as well, and leaving the menfolk at the hotel. This is the morning that my dad leaves, so he won't be joining us for tea.

So I'm hoping that I can maybe hit the GF a little early and say hello to everyone before tea. I'm not sure how Mom and Nana really feel about all my DIS friends, although Mom's met Tink and absolutely adored her, so there is that. But I'm sure there's still some part of her that thinks I'm an absolute weirdo for getting so excited over people that I've never met but only talk to on the internet. Now, Heidi, will you be meeting up here as well, or later at the party?

Speaking of the party. After tea, we'll all get ready and get our costumes on. However long that takes. We'll head to the MK, and I'm thinking that for the earlier half of the party, I'll be pretty much occupied. Looking on the new thread (THANKS HEIDI!!!!!) I've sort of plotted out what I'm going to do when. And I know there are some of you who would like to ride POTC with me. I'm thinking a good time to do this might be right after Hallowishes. That will give me the time to spend with my son trick and treating and doing meet and greets while he's awake, and hopefully, he'll get to see the parade, and then we'll get him changed into PJs and sacked out before the fireworks start. Let me know what you all think, and what your touring plans are like for that evening.

Friday, October 2 - DHS Morning - We're going to recover from our late evening by sleeping as late as the young child will let us. When all is said and done, we have a ressie at Sci Fi for 1235pm. This is the day Mom and Nana will be doing lunch at the Brown Derby and dinner in France, so we have an open evening.

Not so open now. CP and I are planning to meet up for drinks this evening in Epcot. We're not sure what time yet, but suffice it to say, it's in the works, and I'm excited. Once I found out Jackie was going to be in the World at the same time as me, there was no way I could pass up meeting here.

During the day, we'll do some things together, and there are a few things I know Mom's not interested in like the (Jackie, cover your eyes and skip to the next line) Indy Stunt show and Lights Motors Action. Two shows that DH and I think our son will be over the moon for.

I mean even if it's not Harrison Ford, how could you pass up this?

To ease the blow, CP. To ease the blow.

Of course we'll try fastpasses for TSM again, and do classics like the Great Movie Ride. It'll definitely be nice to have our open evening, and I had entertained the notion of hopping over to Epcot even before CP and I talked, so I think it's really going to work out great.

Saturday, October 3 - Animal Kingdom - We're going to the Animal Kingdom. When I was talking to DS about all these plans the other night, he said he wants to see the Nemo show, so we're definitely going to make that a priority this year. Now that I know where the petting zoo is (thanks again to Heidi), I'm going to try to fit that in as well. Dinner this evening is in DHS at the Brown Derby at 5:$5pm, and Mom and I have been calling this my official birthday dinner.

It's not every girl who gets to have her 30th birthday dinner a the Derby, so I feel very, very blessed. Even if it's not my actual birthday, it doesn't matter. I'm celebrating my birthday in the World, with people I love. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Hopefully, we'll have enough time to do what we want at AK, and then head to DHS. We're planning on having a change of clothes with us so that everyone can be dressed more nicely for dinner. I don't do this sort of thing usually, but I know that in the AK, I typically sweat. Buckets. It's gross. I could either bring a change of clothes, or go on Kali and hope I dry before I get to DHS.

Sunday, October 4 - I am never, ever found of discussing departure day, but this one should be pretty nice as departures go. We plan to head out to the MK early after getting our bags checked with bell services and checking out of the hotel. We'll do a little park touring there, and then head to Chef Mickey's at 1100am for a late breakfast/early lunch.

We'll have a little more time to head back to the Magic Kingdom after that's done, and do any last minute shopping and say our goodbyes to our beloved castle. My least favorite part of every trip. I always stop, usually a different spot every time, and stand, and just stare at it. Burn it into my memory a little bit longer. And you know what? I remember it. I remember it from every ending moment of every trip of taken. From last September, from December when I saw it lit beautifully for the holidays, from May with Tink...

If you focus on it, it's a sight that'll stay with you forever.

Never mind all the other memories we'll be making on this trip. And it won't be perfect.

And even these carefully crafted plans won't go the way I want them to, not all the time, because they can't. But it's fun to try.

And it's fun to let life unfold the way it's supposed to. I wish I could remember that every day, and not just on my vacations. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all lived our lives like we were on vacation at Disney World?

 

[TarzansKat]

Congrats on the added days.....and a stay at CSR......gives me even more of a reason to want to switch!!!! I know you won't be doing parks, but if we were at the same resort, you never know when we might accidentally bump into each other!!!!!! Hmmmmmm.........................

OMG! We overlap now, don't we? I must mosey on over to your PTR and remind myself of your dates. I'd love to ACTUALLY bump into you, know accident about it, my dear!

 

[MRYPPNS]

That took me for-ever to read....glad I took notes.

DS on the plane: I wouldn't bring the car seat and you can't use the booster on the plane (as I'm sure you know). I'm sure he will be find with just the sit belt....it's really only to keep you from flying around in the cabin. But you could check out the CARES harness....but I don't know what that is rated for weight. Scrappie-Do got one for her toddler Mae, so she might know.

Capt's Grille....this made my short list 2 years running....just never got the chance to go. I think it's a really good pick. Spoodles may be open at the new Cat Cora restaurant by then so that could be a back-up

DS stroller napping: At 4.5 yo are you sure he is going to sleep in his stroller like his has in the past? You have cocktails ridding on that!

10/1 Dis-meet....I'll definately see you at the party that night. GF in the afternoon will be a toss up as to what I actually do that day vs. my "plan" and what time you will be there before your tea adr.

Epcot and drinks with Jackie....hope I'm invited to that <insert pout here>

I think that covers it!

 

[TarzansKat]

That took me for-ever to read....glad I took notes.

It was ridiculously long. And my DSL tanked while I was writing it. Thank god I copied and pasted into a word file.

DS on the plane: I wouldn't bring the car seat and you can't use the booster on the plane (as I'm sure you know). I'm sure he will be find with just the sit belt....it's really only to keep you from flying around in the cabin. But you could check out the CARES harness....but I don't know what that is rated for weight. Scrappie-Do got one for her toddler Mae, so she might know.

I'm going to venture a guess and say he's probably too big for that, but I can check it out, thanks.

Capt's Grille....this made my short list 2 years running....just never got the chance to go. I think it's a really good pick. Spoodles may be open at the new Cat Cora restaurant by then so that could be a back-up

Your opinion means a lot to me, so I'm glad to know it's something you've considered.

DS stroller napping: At 4.5 yo are you sure he is going to sleep in his stroller like his has in the past? You have cocktails ridding on that!

We'll see what the summer will bring. Right now, he's still a regular napper. He may skip it one to two days a week, but all the other days he does nap, some longer than others.

Besides. We are not the type of people who are opposed to bringing or toddler with us to have cocktails. He's actually been to the Tambu Lounge before, so no big deal.

10/1 Dis-meet....I'll definately see you at the party that night. GF in the afternoon will be a toss up as to what I actually do that day vs. my "plan" and what time you will be there before your tea adr.

Excellent. I will look forward to riding POTC with you.

Epcot and drinks with Jackie....hope I'm invited to that <insert pout here>

Of course you're invited! I couldn't remember what park you were in that day.

I think that covers it!

Thanks for taking the time to read it all. I appreciate it.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Epcot and drinks with Jackie....hope I'm invited to that <insert pout here>

Of course you're invited! I couldn't remember what park you were in that day

I'm hopping around on Friday and Saturday. My only semi-solid plans are MNSSHP on 10/1 and AK during the day on 10/2

So PM me the deets about an Epcot meet or on the Everythings Better thread

 

[jenjolt]

WOW what an update LOL!! I loved being able to read through it!!!

Can't wait to meet you at tea and I promise not to be obtrusive!!!! That way we won't scare your mom or your small child LOL!!!!

Drinks with Jackie sound excellent!! Friday is me and P's AK day so we are going to wait and meet up with CP on Saturday morning LOL!! I guess I should put that over on the other thread LOL!!

WOWzer look at those costumes, you guys made quite the pair I'm sure!!!

Well I can't help you with any of the kid advice considering I don't have any at this time!!

However I can agree to celebrating your bday at WDW its awesome!! I can't wait!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

First, let's start with the trip binder. She got a little face lift.

Love it!!! You already come up with wonderful designs!

And I'd be happy to list some of my ideas for you right here. Things we want to (or have done before), but never or rarely do: mini golf, DisneyQuest, a water park, activities at the hotel pool in the afternoons, activities at the hotel for kids, take in a movie at Downtown, eat at the new T Rex restaurant, really enjoy and explore the resort we're staying in, spend the day at the pool, read by the pool, sit by the pool, sip by the pool.

All of which sound like a lot of fun and just heavenly! Especially the sitting and sipping by the pool! I plan to do some of that myself.

Now, of course, once I change my itinerary, I get to itching about other things as well. And one of the things I got to itching about was my dining plans. For the most part, I was happy. But there was one thing that worried me. A lot. And that was MickeyNiki's review of Nine Dragons. I hadn't read it, I'd only heard about it. And I came across while actually looking for something else.

And I did it.

I read it.



Okay, seriously, I was shocked. And honestly, does this mean I'll never try that restaurant again? No. I wouldn't even worry about it if it was just going to be the three of us. But I have a big crew to worry about, and quite frankly, it's one thing for me to lead my little trio into something that could be potentially bad, but it's quite another for me to lead the whole family into it.

It was downright scary, wasn't it? If Nicki had just sad it was blah that would be one thing, but her description of her meal just plain put me off the place for evermore!

Aren't we cute?

Adorable! I take it you are the one wearing the tiara since you are the birthday girl?

Which is now at The Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club, at 605pm.

Oh, goody! A new place to hear about!

- Thought you might like a little reminder of how great we look...even if we are headless.

Can I just say how excited I am to be meeting you with your heads attached!

Not so open now. CP and I are planning to meet up for drinks this evening in Epcot. We're not sure what time yet, but suffice it to say, it's in the works, and I'm excited. Once I found out Jackie was going to be in the World at the same time as me, there was no way I could pass up meeting here.

So looking forward to this!!!

During the day, we'll do some things together, and there are a few things I know Mom's not interested in like the (Jackie, cover your eyes and skip to the next line) Indy Stunt show and Lights Motors Action. Two shows that DH and I think our son will be over the moon for.

(Sorry, I had to peek!)

To ease the blow, CP. To ease the blow.

So delicious! Thanks for letting him visit your PTR!

All of your plans look wonderful, TK!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Epcot and drinks with Jackie....hope I'm invited to that <insert pout here>

Yes, please!