OFFICIAL April 2012 DISers! 2 months and counting!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

This morning on my drive to work, I was debating with myself whether to buy the autograph books ahead of time or to buy it once we get to the parks. (Yup, this is what happens when I'm less than a month away from our trip - constant Disney thoughts racing through my head allllll the time )

Then I began wondering - what if we didn't have autograph books at all for the kids this time? All of the fun character interactions I've seen on youtube rarely has the kids handing them an autograph book. So for those of you who regularly do meet and greets, what do you think? Do you think that by not having an autograph book it gives more time for personal and creative interaction between the characters and the kids? Or do you think it's good just the same?

 

[momtwoboys]

I say skip the autograph books and just enjoy the hugs and smiles! We did it 1 year and it was enough! Its the pictures that my boys look back at.

 

[Kathymford]

We will be at AKV in 3 weeks - I really hope they have the keurig machines - that would totally win over my DH!

I would LOVE it if the Keurig's are at AKL. It would make it so much simpler; DBF doesn't even drink coffee, so all I really need is one cup....

Ok, maybe 2 cups.

 

[figmentswife]

THANKS now i'm curious to hear what your inspiration is. You could just say you have a craving for some good Disney stuff and say let's do a Disney themed week!! would that work?


When I come up with everything I will let you know - as of right now I am thinking Daily themes based on each section of each park = MK - tomorrowland, frontierland.....you get the picture

I know hey?!?! We are at 38 today and I was just so amazed when we dropped out of the 40's. Seems a bit surreal right now that it's actually that close now!!!
HEY! Did we compare schedules yet b/c i guess we'll be there the same time.

Our schedule is - 28th - Epcot, dinner at the Swan, 29th - Hollywood Studios, 30th Epcot, 1st - Magic Kingdom, 2nd Magic Kingdom & wishes dessert party, 3rd - Animal Kingdom, 4th Magic Kingdom, 5th Hollywood Studios, 6th - Animal Kingdom, 7th - Epcot - 8th go home

ugh!! what a pain BUT you ARE right!! Knowing if that is the case will help you to make the adjustment for good and start to feeling much better I'll be thinking of you!!!

Change in plans, I started feeling bad at work, so I came home early and changed my appt to Thursday - so a few more days until testing.

I finished glitterizing our shirts this weekend and I have them all on hangers and labeled per day, per park. I wrapped DD's friend shirts, so that she can open them for her birthday. Oh, also we looked through old pictures and I found pictures of Ariel as a kitten, it was nice to see pictures and have happy thoughts instead of them making me cry. But I still miss my kitty, even though it is getting easier.

Great job on all the prep work!! and hugs for missing your kitty.[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much for the info. Our DGD is an early riser, so early breakfast sounds good. Don't know where we'll be in relation to the Hippy Dippy pool, but we'll be sure to make our way there. The special things were if they did activities and movies for the kids like they did at WL last year.

YES - they have movies each night near the Hippy Dippy Pool, and you will find it easy - it's right outside of Classic hall (where everything is) We love POP Century, it's so fun.

This morning on my drive to work, I was debating with myself whether to buy the autograph books ahead of time or to buy it once we get to the parks. (Yup, this is what happens when I'm less than a month away from our trip - constant Disney thoughts racing through my head allllll the time )

Then I began wondering - what if we didn't have autograph books at all for the kids this time? All of the fun character interactions I've seen on youtube rarely has the kids handing them an autograph book. So for those of you who regularly do meet and greets, what do you think? Do you think that by not having an autograph book it gives more time for personal and creative interaction between the characters and the kids? Or do you think it's good just the same?

I am having the same debate - my DD has done the autograph things, and she doesn't really care anymore, but this is her friends first trip, and I don't want her to miss out....I had went through all the trouble of downloading pages from the Creative thread and even printing them, but now I don't know if I should even bother.?????

I hope everyone is having a Disney day!!!

 

[auprincess]

This morning on my drive to work, I was debating with myself whether to buy the autograph books ahead of time or to buy it once we get to the parks. (Yup, this is what happens when I'm less than a month away from our trip - constant Disney thoughts racing through my head allllll the time )

Then I began wondering - what if we didn't have autograph books at all for the kids this time? All of the fun character interactions I've seen on youtube rarely has the kids handing them an autograph book. So for those of you who regularly do meet and greets, what do you think? Do you think that by not having an autograph book it gives more time for personal and creative interaction between the characters and the kids? Or do you think it's good just the same?

I just bought the stuff to make the girls autograph books. This time I'm going to have the girls go up to the characters first and get some of those great interactions, and then I'll hand them the books after the initial interaction.

AFM ~ got my Mickey Mail today

 

[auprincess]

Oh, I meant to add, last year instead of doing books I bought photo mats and had the characters sign them. We chose to just have the Fab 5 (+ Daisy) sign. I love them! Once I got home, I added a few Disney stickers, as well as WDW and the year to fill up some of the space. They turned out really cute and is something we enjoy all the time (in the girls' rooms) vs a book put away. I'm actually thinking of doing another one this year, maybe with just the princesses. but I don't want to over due it on our time. however, we have 2 princess character meals, so I could probably just bring them to one of those.

 

[204charity]

This morning on my drive to work, I was debating with myself whether to buy the autograph books ahead of time or to buy it once we get to the parks. (Yup, this is what happens when I'm less than a month away from our trip - constant Disney thoughts racing through my head allllll the time )

Then I began wondering - what if we didn't have autograph books at all for the kids this time? All of the fun character interactions I've seen on youtube rarely has the kids handing them an autograph book. So for those of you who regularly do meet and greets, what do you think? Do you think that by not having an autograph book it gives more time for personal and creative interaction between the characters and the kids? Or do you think it's good just the same?

I just bought the stuff to make the girls autograph books. This time I'm going to have the girls go up to the characters first and get some of those great interactions, and then I'll hand them the books after the initial interaction.

AFM ~ got my Mickey Mail today

Hey you two!!!! Only a little while longer and we will all be at the Poly! auprincess - what is your real name again? I can't remember......

can't wait....can't wait.....can't wait......

 

[auprincess]

I know ~ I can't wait!!!!! My name is Stevie!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I just bought the stuff to make the girls autograph books. This time I'm going to have the girls go up to the characters first and get some of those great interactions, and then I'll hand them the books after the initial interaction.

AFM ~ got my Mickey Mail today

That's a good idea - handing the autograph book after the initial meet and greet. I think we'll give that a shot if DD insists on getting autographs this time.

Where is my Mickey Mail???

Hey you two!!!! Only a little while longer and we will all be at the Poly! auprincess - what is your real name again? I can't remember......

can't wait....can't wait.....can't wait......

Me neither!! Charity and Stevie, my "Ticker Buddies", it's been a lot of fun counting down with both of you! We're almost there at the Poly!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

We changed our resort today at one month to go! We were booked at the Beach club but with half of Stormalong Bay being closed, we decided to make a change. We are now in a 1BR villa at Kidani. I didn't have time to do much research so I'm trying to find out as much info as I can. We have two non-park days planned so I have to figure out what we're going to do!

New info for page one: Same dates, 4/19-4/29. First three night 4/19-4/22 at Kidani, last week 4/22-4/29 still off-site at Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Only one month to go!!

 

[momtwoboys]

I think I am going to head over to the POLY on our trip to hang with you guys!!!!

 

[auprincess]

I think I am going to head over to the POLY on our trip to hang with you guys!!!!

Come on over

 

[DisneyStitch626]

The final updated park hours for April have just been released!

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_apr.pdf

I may have missed it if anyone else commented on this. But how accurate is this compared to disneyworld.com? I only ask this because your link says MK is open until 1am on Saturday April 21st, and the disneyworld.com says it's open until 1am on Sunday April 22nd. We are planning on attending these late hours, and it would be nice to be able to know when we are going to be able to do it, so we can make sure our meals are planned ok.

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

We changed our resort today at one month to go! We were booked at the Beach club but with half of Stormalong Bay being closed, we decided to make a change. We are now in a 1BR villa at Kidani. I didn't have time to do much research so I'm trying to find out as much info as I can. We have two non-park days planned so I have to figure out what we're going to do!

New info for page one: Same dates, 4/19-4/29. First three night 4/19-4/22 at Kidani, last week 4/22-4/29 still off-site at Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Only one month to go!!

We love love love Kidani, the pool is WONDERFUL! My kids would just assume hang out at the pool then just about anything else. We were there shortly after they opened and I'm sure its even better now. I would suggest asking for a room that is close to the lobby, the resort is very long and its quite a trek if you have a room at the far end of a hallway especially if you are heading to the pool from the opposite way.

 

[204charity]

I think I am going to head over to the POLY on our trip to hang with you guys!!!!

Oh yes, you should!!! The more the merrier..... Stevie, Dave - we have to try and plan a meet I think. Maybe Wishes? Or the pool for a swim with the kids?

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Oh yes, you should!!! The more the merrier..... Stevie, Dave - we have to try and plan a meet I think. Maybe Wishes? Or the pool for a swim with the kids?

I agree! I like the Wishes idea!

 

[momtwoboys]

you will LOVE Kidani!!!! Just noticed your dates and we will be almost done our trip when you arrive. ah nuts!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I may have missed it if anyone else commented on this. But how accurate is this compared to disneyworld.com? I only ask this because your link says MK is open until 1am on Saturday April 21st, and the disneyworld.com says it's open until 1am on Sunday April 22nd. We are planning on attending these late hours, and it would be nice to be able to know when we are going to be able to do it, so we can make sure our meals are planned ok.

Those times don't look right

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I may have missed it if anyone else commented on this. But how accurate is this compared to disneyworld.com? I only ask this because your link says MK is open until 1am on Saturday April 21st, and the disneyworld.com says it's open until 1am on Sunday April 22nd. We are planning on attending these late hours, and it would be nice to be able to know when we are going to be able to do it, so we can make sure our meals are planned ok.

Disneyworld's official website is notorious for being the slowest when it comes to updating park hours. The link you have is also from the Disney company intended for travel agents, and it is accurate and most up-to-date. Disneyworld.com's updates usually lag about a couple of weeks behind.

Just to clarify, the new hours are:
April 21st - Regular Park Hours: 9am-1am
April 22nd - Regular Park Hours: 9am-11pm + Extra Magic Hours PM which I'm guessing is until 2am (you have to scroll down to the bottom row on the calendar to see the EMH schedules for each day on the travel agent website)

So MK will be open until late for both days for you if you're staying onsite. Hope this helps!

 

[angierae]

Called and re-upgraded our tix to 8 day hoppers (we had dropped to the required 2 day base tix on our FD package before our 45 days to lessen what was due right then) and tomorrow we can do online check in and in 11 days we'll be on our way to the World!

I am kinda nervous about this trip but I'm sure we'll have a blast no matter what. And I better get over it, because Mickey, here we come!