****Official May 2012 Thread**** ALMOST TIME TO LEAVE!!

[sray563]

I spontaneously decided today to book the Wishes Dessert Party for Wednesday May 9! We are celebrating my college graduation, so I decided why not. Will anyone else be there?

My husband and I attended the dessert party on our last trip, so we know what to expect. We were lucky enough to have one of the front tables, but it was freakishly cold weather. I'm talking in the 30's with an even lower wind chill! It'll be nice to enjoy the desserts in warmer weather.

This time we'll have our 2 year old son with us. For anyone who is curious, he is free! It's so nice to be able to take our first family vacation and still enjoy some discounts.

 

[katibosch]

Where's everyone else at for packing??

I've found our suitcases and am working on gathering up things I want to be sure and take. We're flying down with only carry-ons so that's harder. Not nearly as much room as I am used to taking a minivan. I think we'll be taking about 4 or 5 outfits each so will have to do laundry at least once and maybe twice while we are there.

We also won't have a car so I'm trying very hard to think of things that can't be bought on property or are very expensive to buy on property to bring along so we won't have to call a cab to go to Wal-Mart or something.

I've started making a list of things I want to bring (a lot of help from these boards ). My thinking is the more time I have to think of things the less likely I am to forget them.

I admit to being a little stressed by the lack of space and restrictions on what we can bring. I am the one that wanted to fly, though. Two trips from Kansas to Virginia in the last two years in an aging minivan just didn't make the idea of driving this trip too appealing.

I am hoping to get packed a little bit at a time. The extra money we would spend on buying an extra toothbrush, etc. just to pack will be well worth it to me to avoid forgetting something.

 

[katibosch]

I'm curious: What ADR's or special events are you planning for your trip?

We are going to Akershus for supper at 5:10 on May 14. DD really wanted to do the breakfast at Ohana but the only time they had was too early for us to get all the way from ASMu to the Poly on the buses. Maybe another time. She's plenty happy with this one I think.

I'd really like to do another ADR or something special like the dessert party but DH doesn't really want to be locked into going to a particular park on a particular day for the most part. Maybe I can pin him down on some days at least!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi, love to join the list! We're at AKV 5/26-5/29, then our first stay at Bay Lake 5/29-6/3. Time is going sOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLOOOOOOOOOOw!

 

[salann]

Beers & Ears -- I think this one will be my favorite on our upcoming trip. It lists all the beers served by all restaurants, and you can search by location or beer. So useful!

Must download this tonight!!

 

[mom2clr]

We also won't have a car so I'm trying very hard to think of things that can't be bought on property or are very expensive to buy on property to bring along so we won't have to call a cab to go to Wal-Mart or something.

Just an idea, but since we have a little one (i.e. tons o' baby crap ) I'm mailing down a box of diapers, wipes, snacks, sippies, toiletries etc that I don't want to take up room in our suitcase. We are flying Jetblue and each get one checked bag, but we don't have the space in the car for the drive over with large suitcases AND a stroller.

 

[katibosch]

Just an idea, but since we have a little one (i.e. tons o' baby crap ) I'm mailing down a box of diapers, wipes, snacks, sippies, toiletries etc that I don't want to take up room in our suitcase. We are flying Jetblue and each get one checked bag, but we don't have the space in the car for the drive over with large suitcases AND a stroller.

That's a good idea! I'll have to see what we have that we would use up while there especially.

 

[mom2clr]

That's a good idea! I'll have to see what we have that we would use up while there especially.

I meant no space in the car on the way over to the airport...

The 2 times I have gone solo with oldest DD, that's what I have done. I sent a box down a week before via FedEx costing me maybe $15 and then place an order for perishables through Garden Grocer (milk, yogurt etc).

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[mindystar]

I'm curious: What ADR's or special events are you planning for your trip?

Doing the Wishes Dessert Party on one of our MK days/nights. Otherwise have our ADRs at Ohanas (dinner), Garden Grill, 1900 Park Fare (dinner), Kona (dinner), Cape May Cafe (dinner), Chef Mickey's (dinner), and LTT (dinner). Looking forward to them all Well I'm not big on seafood type, so I'm hoping that Cape May shows me wrong since I'm not totally looking forward to it. My sis and bil 's food from their wedding came from here, and that was delish so I'm sure I'll end up liking it best

Where's everyone else at for packing??

I've pulled out my suitcase from the closet, but now it's just sitting next to the closet. Bought some sunscreen today and new sunglasses. Bought one pair of capris, but will need to get another pair. I'm starting to write down my need (ok, and some wants) list to pack/take down, but I still have two months before we go. So I'll be fine As the crazy one in the family who usually has a checklist for everything they bring and then checks it off as I pack back up to go home, I was able to pack in an hour for the last trip to WDW as I didn't know I was going until at work that day Luckily my years of writing everything down helped me to check off things in my head and wasn't missing anything

 

[racefanof88]

Changed our resort to POFQ. Was reading there is a cheer/dance competition the week we arrive and that the All-Stars were filling up and spilling over to POP and CBR. DBF is doing this trip for us, but I want him to be comfortable and do not want to chance too much craziness at the resort. POFQ was my first choice anyway. The extra money we are paying will be worth the peace of mind.

Competition this year is April 27-29, and we arrive May 5th . We miss it by a week .

 

[mom2clr]

Competition this year is April 27-29, and we arrive May 5th . We miss it by a week .

We don't arrive til 5/1 but I'm afraid they will stay to play. Made the switch and feel 10000% better.

 

[Jessica527]

I can't wait to get my Mickey Mail!

For those who have asked the question of "What is Mickey Mail?" - It is the package of information you receive after you pay your package off at the 45 day mark. This package includes everything from ME luggage tags, to ME luggage stickers to identify your luggage at the airport. It has all of your package information and other information you might need.

 

[racefanof88]

We don't arrive til 5/1 but I'm afraid they will stay to play. Made the switch and feel 10000% better.

 

[Tiggerrific]

We are now 32 days out from our trip and have not received ours yet. When should I start worrying, and give them a call if I haven't received it? TIA for your replies!

 

[Jessica527]

We are now 32 days out from our trip and have not received ours yet. When should I start worrying, and give them a call if I haven't received it? TIA for your replies!

No worries! It is typically sent 3 weeks prior to your arrival date - so 21 days!

 

[abcangie87]

Competition this year is April 27-29, and we arrive May 5th . We miss it by a week .

Where is the cheer/dance competition going to be? Our first park day is April 29th so I'd like to head the other direction!


Also in regards to groceries, shipping yourself a box, etc... A few years ago I shipped a box of stuff to us at the Contemporary. Called and got the address directly from the Contemp and reconfirmed that I could do that. The address was the same as the one I found here/passporters... when we got there, found out the package was at some central delivery location, and that it would take 24 hours to get brought over to us, and for a fee. Now, I don't know if I did something wrong or what, but shipping a box to ourselves did NOT work well.

In 2010, I did gardengrocer, and couldn't have been happier. You go to their website, go through and pick what you want (we did breakfast items, milk, bottled water and diet dr pepper! ), schedule the day and two-hour window that you want it delivered to your resort. IF you aren't there, they leave it with bell services (who also have a fridge to keep your cold stuff) and then you just call bell services when you return and they'll bring it to you. I believe there is a $12 fee for orders under $200. It was soooooooo worth it. We even ordered a package of diapers. You can get toiletries too, etc.

So anyways, my two cents. I highly suggest garden grocer over shipping yourself a box any day of the week1

 

[mom2clr]

Also in regards to groceries, shipping yourself a box, etc... A few years ago I shipped a box of stuff to us at the Contemporary. Called and got the address directly from the Contemp and reconfirmed that I could do that. The address was the same as the one I found here/passporters... when we got there, found out the package was at some central delivery location, and that it would take 24 hours to get brought over to us, and for a fee. Now, I don't know if I did something wrong or what, but shipping a box to ourselves did NOT work well.

I have shipped boxes to POFQ & POP without any issues. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that convention resorts are the ones who will charge for package deliveries and the ones who have a central location for packages to be held.

 

[budafam]

I went through my kids' shorts yesterday and had them try everything on. DS5 is in size 3 shorts!!! He has nothing to him! I took time to wrap all of their special surprise gifts and now I'm just debating on whether or not I should begin the actual packing (the suitcases are out though!)

As for ADR's, we have LTT lunch & the dessert party for the first night. The dessert party is a surprise for everyone. When 7pm rolls around and they think we need to get a spot for the parade, I get to surprise them and say that we can ride for another hour and 45 minutes!!! Woohoo!

Then we have ADR's at TRex, Hoop De Doo, Ohana dinner, Hollywood & Vine breakfast, 50's Prime Time lunch, Tusker House breakfast, Boma dinner, CRT dinner, Cape May dinner & Flying Fish dinner. We also have BBB & Pirates League booked for the kiddos & I'm surprising DH with parasailing (he has no idea)!!!

37 days, 4 hours, 19 minutes and 50 seconds!

 

[Colleen27]

Question of the Day:

Do you have a Disney Application on your smart phone? If so which one, and which provider?​

I have Mobile Magic, Lines, and the Undercover Tourist app.

Where's everyone else at for packing??

I've just started throwing a few of DD's things in the suitcase. I make customs for my girls for our trips but this trip I've got nothing to make, which is a little weird. So I'm packing the outfits from past trips that I know she's going to want, along with some of her warm-weather stuff that we just don't need before June here at home. I'll wait to the last minute to pack for myself, though, because I keep a pretty minimalist wardrobe and am more likely to need something that would get packed.

I'm curious: What ADR's or special events are you planning for your trip?

Right now, just California Grill for my birthday and maybe a special cake. We're going to try to wing it for the rest of our meals and if that means ending up with counter service from time to time so be it.

Also in regards to groceries, shipping yourself a box, etc... A few years ago I shipped a box of stuff to us at the Contemporary. Called and got the address directly from the Contemp and reconfirmed that I could do that. The address was the same as the one I found here/passporters... when we got there, found out the package was at some central delivery location, and that it would take 24 hours to get brought over to us, and for a fee. Now, I don't know if I did something wrong or what, but shipping a box to ourselves did NOT work well.

There are two potential pitfalls to shipping things. First, you have to ship UPS/FedEx rather than using the post office, because the post office delivers to a central location for all of WDW while UPS/FedEx deliver directly to the resorts. Second, the convention resorts do charge a handling fee for deliveries because they handle such a high volume with convention organizers shipping materials.

 

[racefanof88]

Where is the cheer/dance competition going to be? Our first park day is April 29th so I'd like to head the other direction!

It is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. I have had several friends who's children were in the competition and they always come home after it is over because the kids are still in school.