****Official August 2014 Thread****

[nadira36]

Yippie! I'm going to MNSSHP on my BIRTHDAY! Sept 1st looks official!

 

[alicat8]

Question for the late august frequenters. (I've only done it once in 2011) how are the busses? I don't remember, and I also went for new years 2010-11. I remember being busses being a nightmare, but not sure if that was just Xmas, or if it was both trips.
Starting to get nervous like maybe we should rent a car...

 

[alicat8]

Question for the late august frequenters. (I've only done it once in 2011) how are the busses? I don't remember, and I also went for new years 2010-11. I remember being busses being a nightmare, but not sure if that was just Xmas, or if it was both trips.
Starting to get nervous like maybe we should rent a car...

Whoops, I hit send again...can't find the delete option on my phone!

 

[Disneylover99]

Yippie! I'm going to MNSSHP on my BIRTHDAY! Sept 1st looks official!

Lucky You! You will have an amazing birthday!

 

[Disneylover99]

Question for the late august frequenters. (I've only done it once in 2011) how are the busses? I don't remember, and I also went for new years 2010-11. I remember being busses being a nightmare, but not sure if that was just Xmas, or if it was both trips.
Starting to get nervous like maybe we should rent a car...

We love the buses! This will be our fifth late August trip in a row and we've never had a problem. We also used the buses in October and December and loved them then as well.

But, I've never used a car in DW, so I can't really compare it to driving.

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm 2nd guessing my stroller decision, venting it out here because I don't want to start yet another stroller debate thread. I'm not worried about age, if you think a 2 year old can walk all day, great, if you think an 8 year old can't, great. Makes no difference to me.

My son is 6, we have used the stroller last year and the year before and it admittedly did come in handy for more direct/faster walking from point A to point B, it was parked a lot, which was fine and it would be parked a lot if we did it this year as well. My initial plan this year was to not bother with the stroller and my son was on board with this plan. He's recently started to question it when I reminded him no daddy with us this trip, which means no shoulder carries from time to time for rest. So that's when I started to 2nd guess myself.

Here's my list of pros and cons for having a stroller:
Pros:
- We do lots of full day outings with tons of walking and he's fine, but that's 1 day every so often, not 8 days straight.
- My hubby is not coming with us this time so there won't be access to shoulder carries (I just physically can't carry him like my DH does).
- Nice to have somewhere to throw our stuff without always having to lug it around.

Cons:
- Having to maneuver it around crowds, parking it/retrieving it, etc...
- Loading it on the tram can be a bit of a hassle (we drive to the parks).

So bottom line, I'm trying to decide if the convenience of being able to give him a place to rest from time to time worth the hassle of a stroller?

Thanks for letting me get that out there, it's helping me think through the issue. Of course any input/experience from you would be great too.

 

[PennockFive]

I'm 2nd guessing my stroller decision, venting it out here because I don't want to start yet another stroller debate thread. I'm not worried about age, if you think a 2 year old can walk all day, great, if you think an 8 year old can't, great. Makes no difference to me. My son is 6, we have used the stroller last year and the year before and it admittedly did come in handy for more direct/faster walking from point A to point B, it was parked a lot, which was fine and it would be parked a lot if we did it this year as well. My initial plan this year was to not bother with the stroller and my son was on board with this plan. He's recently started to question it when I reminded him no daddy with us this trip, which means no shoulder carries from time to time for rest. So that's when I started to 2nd guess myself. Here's my list of pros and cons for having a stroller: Pros: - We do lots of full day outings with tons of walking and he's fine, but that's 1 day every so often, not 8 days straight. - My hubby is not coming with us this time so there won't be access to shoulder carries (I just physically can't carry him like my DH does). - Nice to have somewhere to throw our stuff without always having to lug it around. Cons: - Having to maneuver it around crowds, parking it/retrieving it, etc... - Loading it on the tram can be a bit of a hassle (we drive to the parks). So bottom line, I'm trying to decide if the convenience of being able to give him a place to rest from time to time worth the hassle of a stroller? Thanks for letting me get that out there, it's helping me think through the issue. Of course any input/experience from you would be great too.

I would say bring one. Maybe the first day or two you don't have to bother with it, and you can leave it in the car or hotel. But probably when it gets towards the end of the week, you might really need it. Even though some people say certain ages "should" be able to hoof it, is it really worth hearing the complaints if he does get very tired. Good luck

 

[anjalee6]

I'm 2nd guessing my stroller decision, venting it out here because I don't want to start yet another stroller debate thread. I'm not worried about age, if you think a 2 year old can walk all day, great, if you think an 8 year old can't, great. Makes no difference to me.

My son is 6, we have used the stroller last year and the year before and it admittedly did come in handy for more direct/faster walking from point A to point B, it was parked a lot, which was fine and it would be parked a lot if we did it this year as well. My initial plan this year was to not bother with the stroller and my son was on board with this plan. He's recently started to question it when I reminded him no daddy with us this trip, which means no shoulder carries from time to time for rest. So that's when I started to 2nd guess myself.

Here's my list of pros and cons for having a stroller:
Pros:
- We do lots of full day outings with tons of walking and he's fine, but that's 1 day every so often, not 8 days straight.
- My hubby is not coming with us this time so there won't be access to shoulder carries (I just physically can't carry him like my DH does).
- Nice to have somewhere to throw our stuff without always having to lug it around.

Cons:
- Having to maneuver it around crowds, parking it/retrieving it, etc...
- Loading it on the tram can be a bit of a hassle (we drive to the parks).

So bottom line, I'm trying to decide if the convenience of being able to give him a place to rest from time to time worth the hassle of a stroller?

Thanks for letting me get that out there, it's helping me think through the issue. Of course any input/experience from you would be great too.

I don't know if this will be helpful, but this was our experience last October when we went. We have two kids 4 at the time of trip and 7. We brought two umbrella strollers because the last trip we used them occasionally.

when we got there, we took them to MK the first night and we ended doing MNSSHP. Due to needing to walk to candy stations we just parked the stroller and told the kids they had to walk the trails. This actually meant walking the whole park to get candy. The kids didn't even miss the stroller. The next two days since they did it before, we knew they would be fine without it and they were.

It is a hassle to push around if no one is sitting in it. It is also a pain to have to walk back to go and get it. It also means having to leave it ouside restaurants, shops, etc.

This time, we are bringing one only because we are driving. But I would prefer not using it and hope it just sits in the car.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I'm 2nd guessing my stroller decision, venting it out here because I don't want to start yet another stroller debate thread. I'm not worried about age, if you think a 2 year old can walk all day, great, if you think an 8 year old can't, great. Makes no difference to me.

I say bring it. At the least, if you bring it to the park and decide you don't want it, leave it at a spot and pick it up at the end of the day. But I think you'll probably end up using it!

For me, my 8 year old (soon to be 9) will be walking, but we will probably use an umbrella stroller again for my 5 year old (soon to be 6). Although she is fully capable of walking the parks, I am a fast walker and don't like stragglers. So, for my own sanity, I generally like pushing her around when we can and having her walk when needed.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would say bring one. Maybe the first day or two you don't have to bother with it, and you can leave it in the car or hotel. But probably when it gets towards the end of the week, you might really need it. Even though some people say certain ages "should" be able to hoof it, is it really worth hearing the complaints if he does get very tired. Good luck

 

[ariane37]

Another vote for bringing it. Youngest DS used the stroller when he was 6, and we even ended up renting one for 2 days when he was 7. This will be our first trip in the summer heat but I imagine that just makes it harder for the younger ones to keep their stamina up! If you find after a couple days he isn't using it, you can just leave it in the car.

 

[GillianP1301]

Thanks for all the input, I'm definitely leaning towards using one. I think it will be parked much more than it has been in the past, so I will still need to come up with a bag solution for carrying a few things around with us (water bottle, autograph book, etc...) that way I'll have lots of flexibility and not be tied down to moving the stroller between every single stop we make.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Yippie! I'm going to MNSSHP on my BIRTHDAY! Sept 1st looks official!

Lucky!!!

I am glad at least one member of Team August is getting to enjoy a MNSSHP!

 

[WAHkoMom]

I just went to Old Navy to do some shopping for DS (turning 14 this week) and thought I'd share: they have cool t-shirts (men's sizes) with Star Wars and Marvel Super Heroes designs. My DS picked out a blue heather tee with R2D2 and C3PO, which he plans to wear to HS!

(Can't post this on the Budget Boards because I'm not supposed to be shopping! )

 

[ariane37]

Lucky!!!

I am glad at least one member of Team August is getting to enjoy a MNSSHP!

We'll be hitting that first MNSSHP too! Went in 2010 and 2011; I think it's my favorite thing about WDW! DH and both DS's love it, also. Both of those times we only saw one parade and one villian show, but I think this time we'll hit 2 villian shows and both parades. I'm especially excited they're (hopefully) having one Sept. 1st b/c we originally discussed going down Columbus weekend this year, but then DH found out his week long work conference is then. The cool thing though, is that next year's conference is the same week - in ORLANDO!!!

 

[BudgieMama]

Yippie! I'm going to MNSSHP on my BIRTHDAY! Sept 1st looks official!

We have the same birthday

 

[nadira36]

Lucky!!!

I am glad at least one member of Team August is getting to enjoy a MNSSHP!

We'll be hitting that first MNSSHP too! Went in 2010 and 2011; I think it's my favorite thing about WDW! DH and both DS's love it, also. Both of those times we only saw one parade and one villian show, but I think this time we'll hit 2 villian shows and both parades. I'm especially excited they're (hopefully) having one Sept. 1st b/c we originally discussed going down Columbus weekend this year, but then DH found out his week long work conference is then. The cool thing though, is that next year's conference is the same week - in ORLANDO!!!

Th CM I talked to on the phone for booking the BBB sounded very certain that the party was a definite. Plus it's listed on the actual operating schedule, not just hours, but actual party dates.

We have the same birthday

It's a good day.

 

[jaz0308]

I'm 2nd guessing my stroller decision, venting it out here because I don't want to start yet another stroller debate thread. I'm not worried about age, if you think a 2 year old can walk all day, great, if you think an 8 year old can't, great. Makes no difference to me.

My son is 6, we have used the stroller last year and the year before and it admittedly did come in handy for more direct/faster walking from point A to point B, it was parked a lot, which was fine and it would be parked a lot if we did it this year as well. My initial plan this year was to not bother with the stroller and my son was on board with this plan. He's recently started to question it when I reminded him no daddy with us this trip, which means no shoulder carries from time to time for rest. So that's when I started to 2nd guess myself.

Here's my list of pros and cons for having a stroller:
Pros:
- We do lots of full day outings with tons of walking and he's fine, but that's 1 day every so often, not 8 days straight.
- My hubby is not coming with us this time so there won't be access to shoulder carries (I just physically can't carry him like my DH does).
- Nice to have somewhere to throw our stuff without always having to lug it around.

Cons:
- Having to maneuver it around crowds, parking it/retrieving it, etc...
- Loading it on the tram can be a bit of a hassle (we drive to the parks).

So bottom line, I'm trying to decide if the convenience of being able to give him a place to rest from time to time worth the hassle of a stroller?

Thanks for letting me get that out there, it's helping me think through the issue. Of course any input/experience from you would be great too.

If I could keep my kids in a stroller until they were 12 i would! LOL! So i guess you know what my vote is! We pretty much believe"rather have it and not need it" than the opposite.

 

[sayheyrenee]

We've been booked for August. 8/23-8/28 Pop

Last year was May in ASMo

My Plans: flight 6ish am?
Saturday 23 MK

Sunday 24 HS
One of these will cancel. Like early entry but would like to try late breakfast/lunch here since last year was breakfast.
Hollywood and Vine 8:10am
Hollywood and Vine 10:25am

Monday 25 EP
Ohana Breakfast 9a
Garden Grill 6:50pm


Tuesday 26 AK
Boma Din 7:00pm. May use Simba childcare for this meal

Wednesday 27 MK
Crystal P Dinner 6:55pm

Thursday 28 ? which park -late night flight

 

[kariss]

Hi there! We will be there Aug 5-12th @ CBR, would anyone else be around those times?
I'm taking along my 12 year old nephew for his first time

I'm going to Disney! I'm so excited, I can't breath!!