*****Official February 2015 Thread! Come check in and chat!*****

[Gisele]

My best friend who joins us on most of our adventures has bought us matching shirts for many trips now. The decision is which ones:

Red 4th of July Minnie
Blue 4th of July Mickey
Black Mickey
Grey Muppets
Grey Pooh
and new for this year: grey Olaf sunning himself on the beach.

Ooh plus we have matching purple fleece pooh and purple hoodie Tinkerbell

I know a bit over but it does make it easier to keep track of each other.

Not too sure about the grey pooh.
It might be a dietary tissue issue.

 

[jasy]

Does anyone come prepared with Disney gear? We always make sure we have an assortment of Disney related t-shirts for our trip! We purchased a few each at the Disney Store right after Christmas and got them super cheap! Much cheaper than purchasing a bunch in the park.........although we always buy a few things while we are there too.

I do! I sew, so I usually make myself outfits, or at least pieces. This time I've made a couple of skirts from vintage disney fabrics (actually a curtain and bedsheets). I also grabbed a couple shirts from H&M and made a marvel superhero dress (which I am stoked to wear since Marvel is now Disney).

My last trip I made a dress for every day with vintage disney bedsheets. My favourite was a Minnie Mouse one. I wore it to Goofy's Kitchen and got some great pictures wearing it with Minnie.

 

[jasy]

Not too sure about the grey pooh.
It might be a dietary tissue issue.

LOL, Gisele, I love your posts

 

[AZMermaid]

For Christmas, I got this shirt for DH and he got me this one. DH has a few of those Mickey Polos and he is wearing his Ironman (the character, not the race ) shirt today which I told him he should wear one day! I have an Ariel shirt that I think fits as well. All of these are short sleeve, so if it is cold.... well, plan B!

I got my son (4) this one and this one. He is sort of in between a 4 and a 5 and the Disney store sizing is a 5/6 so these might be too big. He has a few other older Cars and Mickey shirts I could choose from. He says he wants to wear his Peter Pan costume one day, so we will see. I also bought both kids matching Mickey/Minnie shirts off Etsy that should be here any day.

My daughter (2.9) wants to wear her Elsa dress and her Rapunzel dress (or Cinderella, I told her we can bring 2 and the second choice changes often). I will bring a change of clothes to the park. Well, I will every day just in case, but I will plan on needing them on dress days. Although, she just wore her Elsa dress all morning without complaints. She also has the matching shirt with DS. Then she has a slew of dresses and shirts to choose from. She has the most adorable Ariel dress that is recycled from an old T-shirt. I was going to pack for Ariel's Grotto, but since it is closed, I think I will leave that one at home. It is well worn! She is in this phase right now where she only wants to wear dresses and maybe skirts. So this will influence my decisions! The day she wears the matching shirt with her brother, I am hoping the matching shirt is fun enough to distract her from the fact it is not a dress, ha ha!

 

[Gisele]

LOL, Gisele, I love your posts

Gracias.
Your sewing sounds awesome! I wish that I knew how to sew too.
I tell ya, I sew a button on a shirt Monday and will come off on Wednesday. With sewing like that, who needs a calendar? Lol

 

[Eira]

My older 2 were the same age when we first went, and my husband is a software engineer who is a total introvert Obviously, I'm the extrovert of the 2 of us! Anyhoo, those are GREAT ages. February will be lower crowds too, I'm hoping so that helps with the hubs.

Things that we try to do every time that help keep everyone sane and might work for you -

1. Into the parks early (I think they open at 9-10am so it's not super early) and back to the hotel to have rest time at lunch
2. Never stand in line for meet and greets, we do a character meal. Totally worth it.
3. Disney Junior at DCA was wonderful for downtime in the afternoons - it's dark and cool and not overstimulating. The Tomorrowland pavilion (I don't know what it's called, Land of Tomorrow or something?) worked well for this in DL. The Goofy's House play area in Toontown was also a big hit.

I've been debating a character meal, so glad to hear you think it's worth it, because I don't think the husband will be into waiting in line for characters. I also like the idea of something less stimulating in the afternoons, maybe it'll help them wind down for nap time.

KalamityJane has some great advice but especially the last one about retreating! Never try and push kids past when they want to stay, it only ends in tears. We still take an afternoon "rest" time and my son is 9 1/2. He doesn't fall asleep anymore but he needs the time to relax and decompress.

I've been thinking about this and sort of resisting it, because my kids can sleep anywhere if they need a nap, but the more I hear it from other people the more I think I've been crazy for not wanting to, because although they can sleep anywhere, my daughter can sure resist nap time,and what kid wants to fall asleep at Disneyland? I am going to schedule rest time at the hotel every day!

Just make sure when taking part in the baby swap, that you get the right baby back. Believe me, taking the wrong baby can happen, just ask me how I got my sister, well for a little while anyway.

brilliant.

Also I found heading to an area, like Fantasy Land, and then parking the stroller and wandering, etc. worked best as opposed to moving the stroller from ride to ride.

I love this tip! I wanted to use a carrier in the parks, but I also wanted to be able to have somewhere to put him down because he doesn't always want to be held,but I didn't want to push a stroller all day. This solves it!!! And super plus of having the stroller is that it can hold the diaper bag!
I am also so glad there is no time change, I went to Edmonton a couple of times with the kids and the hour even threw me off!

Woah, how did I miss that you are also from Victoria???

We're in Esq, what about you?

We're in the Westshore area!

 

[PixiDustDears]

We will be there the 4th - 7th. I'm really looking forward to this trip because it's our first trip during the "off season" (not that there really is one). Because of the kids we usually go during school breaks and holidays. In fact all of our trips in the past year have been during holidays! So even though a lot of our favorite rides will be closed I still look forward to doing some of the things we skip during the super busy time.

 

[Aladora]

We will be there the 4th - 7th. I'm really looking forward to this trip because it's our first trip during the "off season" (not that there really is one). Because of the kids we usually go during school breaks and holidays. In fact all of our trips in the past year have been during holidays! So even though a lot of our favorite rides will be closed I still look forward to doing some of the things we skip during the super busy time.

Welcome! I'll add your info to the first post in the morning!

 

[Larissa]

IF I could sew I totally would, but every time I try to sew I end up tearing my machine apart because I've gotten fabric stuck inside it...

I always try to wear only Disney clothing. I haven't changed sizes substantially in the last...almost ten years so I've got stuff from Disneyland, the Disney Store, Target, etc. My dilemma for this trip was which shirts to bring! I also have the polka-dot Minnie Mouse baseball hat with ears that I'm going to bring. I haven't washed it yet though and I'm afraid the red might run through the dots if it rains...we'll see.

 

[Aladora]

We will be there the 4th - 7th. I'm really looking forward to this trip because it's our first trip during the "off season" (not that there really is one). Because of the kids we usually go during school breaks and holidays. In fact all of our trips in the past year have been during holidays! So even though a lot of our favorite rides will be closed I still look forward to doing some of the things we skip during the super busy time.

And added!

 

[StyledSugar]

I do! I sew, so I usually make myself outfits, or at least pieces. This time I've made a couple of skirts from vintage disney fabrics (actually a curtain and bedsheets). I also grabbed a couple shirts from H&M and made a marvel superhero dress (which I am stoked to wear since Marvel is now Disney).

My last trip I made a dress for every day with vintage disney bedsheets. My favourite was a Minnie Mouse one. I wore it to Goofy's Kitchen and got some great pictures wearing it with Minnie.

Very cool! I'm not that crafty lol The most we've done, other than buying shirts at the Disney Store like we did this time, is when we all went with the in-laws for Halloween, we made matching shirts. It was a GREAT way to keep track of each other and I couldn't believe how many people came up to us asking where we bought them and if they could get them made in the park. I was pretty impressed with myself for creating such an amazing product lol

 

[Quam]

Wow, this thread has been amazing…love all the recommendations, questions and thoughts about the refurbishment list. We are only 28 more days out from our DL trip (Feb 8 - 14)…super excited!

Does anyone have a recommendation for watching the fireworks now that the castle will be covered? Normally, the castle is part of the firework show and has lower level fireworks from the roof and sides. Since it will be covered, it doesn't make sense to be right in front of the castle. I am thinking, more down Main Street since the fireworks (I am assuming) will be high with no low one around the castle.

In terms of the refurbishment list, totally get and agree with the disappointment. Our family 5 year tradition is to ride Peter Pan first thing on Early Entry. It will be sad not to kick off the day, with "And away we go" but I understand the need to prep and upgrade in time for the 60th! Hopefully, we'll be able to add another trip this year …trying to justify to DW, since we will be missing our family favorites (Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Soaring, Splash, Grizzly and Matterhorn). Got to work my magic before we order our tickets, so we can switch out to APs

All in all, we are going to have a great time, my son turns 11 on Feb 10, so it will be a huge celebration and fun no matter what.

Thanks again for the great thread. It makes planning and anticipating the upcoming trip all the more enjoyable! It is the opposite of "Misery loves company" - "Disneylander_planners loves company"

 

[SMorgan711]

With 4-5 days, you should be able to do just about everything you want to do!

I would look at the attractions and shows lists and pick which are the ones you absolutely cannot live without doing and get those done first thing. After that, work you way to the ones you really want to do.

For meals, I would pick which restaurants you really want to eat at and if they take reservations I would make them now.

Thanks for the advice! It's crazy to me to think we can walk everywhere at DL compared to WDW. I think we may do quick service for the most part so we have more time in the parks. I love all the shows and such so I can't wait to see those. I'm excited for Aladdin the musical! It'll be our 1 year anniversary on 2/10 and we're planning on eating at Steakhouse 55 in DLH. Can't believe it'll be here in a month!!

 

[StyledSugar]

I'll ask this in here as well since I haven't received any responses from the thread I started on the main page:

Boardwalk Bazaar vs Games of the Boardwalk

Are these not the same thing? On one calendar is states that the Boardwalk Bazaar is closed for our trip but then on a daily calendar it shows the Games of the Boardwalk as being open. I thought these were the same thing....

 

[Aladora]

I'll ask this in here as well since I haven't received any responses from the thread I started on the main page: Boardwalk Bazaar vs Games of the Boardwalk Are these not the same thing? On one calendar is states that the Boardwalk Bazaar is closed for our trip but then on a daily calendar it shows the Games of the Boardwalk as being open. I thought these were the same thing....

I might be wrong but I am pretty sure that the Boardwalk Bazaar is a shop, one of a few shops along there.

 

[AZMermaid]

I might be wrong but I am pretty sure that the Boardwalk Bazaar is a shop, one of a few shops along there.

I think you are right.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks again for the great thread. It makes planning and anticipating the upcoming trip all the more enjoyable! It is the opposite of "Misery loves company" - "Disneylander_planners loves company"

To quote one of my favourite authors, Spider Robinson, "Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy."

Thanks for the advice! It's crazy to me to think we can walk everywhere at DL compared to WDW. I think we may do quick service for the most part so we have more time in the parks. I love all the shows and such so I can't wait to see those. I'm excited for Aladdin the musical! It'll be our 1 year anniversary on 2/10 and we're planning on eating at Steakhouse 55 in DLH. Can't believe it'll be here in a month!!

DH and I had dinner at Steakhouse 55 on our honeymoon and just this past August we went back for our 15th anniversary!

Make sure you let the restaurant know that it is your anniversary, they brought us a lovely dessert to share!

 

[StyledSugar]

I might be wrong but I am pretty sure that the Boardwalk Bazaar is a shop, one of a few shops along there.

I think you are right.

Yep, you are both right! Someone else responded in the thread I started. I should have just asked here! lol Thanks!

 

[welley]

DH & I will be there 24 February to 8 March. Can't wait.

 

[Aladora]

DH & I will be there 24 February to 8 March. Can't wait.

Wow, what an awesomely long trip! I've added you to the first post!