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

[joshsmom]

We leave on May 10th for our first family trip to Disney. We haven't yet told our 4-year old twins about the trip. The days are ticking away and we are trying to finalize the details of our trip plans AND I still haven't figured out how or when we are going to reveal the trip to our peeps.

This is Plan A:
We present the kids with an envelope and a box. Inside the envelope will be Mickey head "cards" with one word on each - we, are, going, and to. They are at a stage where they can figure out letter sounds and we will help them figure out each word. The cards won't be in order so they will need to figure out what the "sentence" is. Once they have the sentence figured out we will let them open the box. When they open the box, a Mickey and Friends helium balloon will float out. The box will be filled with trip related items - autograph books, maps, t-shirts, stuffed animals, etc.

We don't have a Plan B. Nor do we know if we will do this the Sunday before we leave and include a count-down chain or other way to count the remaining days or if we will do this the night before we leave. We also don't know if we will do this just the kids and DH or if we will include both sets of grandparents who will be joining us on this adventure.

I'd love to hear others' thoughts/suggestions!

I've done two surprises for my DS.

First: I had him do a Scavenger Hunt to find "keys" (they were the ones that babies use to chew on) until he found the Disney World Planning DVD when he hit "play" on the remote control.

Second (and the better one): I told him we were going on a trip and he assumed it was Disney because we had been a few years before. But I told him that we couldn't go there so we were going to Chicago. We "decided" we would wear our Disney shirts on the plane "just because its fun". We got to the airport and the skycap asked if he was going to Disney and he said "no, Chicago." The skycap looked at me and I winked. He played along. The GATE said Orlando, but DS didn't get it. About 15 minutes before we boarded the plane, "Mickey" called him to say that he would be in Disney in a few hours and he couldn't WAIT to see him. Look on his face and tears that followed? PRICELESS!

 

[figmentswife]

Oh How am I going to get through the next 4 days at work???? SOOOOO excited for Disney. Everything is planned, most everything is packed. I pick up the rental on Thursday at 4pm. How in the world am I going to sleep Thursday night???? I am plan to set my alarm for 3:00am and hopefully we will hit the road about 4 or 4:30. That will put us pulling onto Disney property around 2pm.

 

[MissLiz]

I hope you guys have a wonderful party!!
We had one for my ds's 8th birthday last month. We also invited 16 kids and 15 came. Only one person didn't show up or call.
It's a real pet peeve of mine when so many people don't respond. It's hard to plan food and loot bags etc when you have no idea how many are coming.
In our case I can totally see that maybe one just forgot. It happens. But for 9 people to not pick up a phone? Grr.. well now I'm just getting on a tangent

Anyway.. you'll be so busy preparing for that party that the time until vacation will just fly by!!

Oh, trust me, I've been on that tangent for two weeks!!

Other than the "yes" responses, we only had 1 person respond "no", so that leaves 8 non responses. Lovely.

And once this party is done, I'm going to be in full-on packing/preparing mode for vacation!!! Woo HOO!!

 

[jdd]

Oh How am I going to get through the next 4 days at work???? SOOOOO excited for Disney. Everything is planned, most everything is packed. I pick up the rental on Thursday at 4pm. How in the world am I going to sleep Thursday night???? I am plan to set my alarm for 3:00am and hopefully we will hit the road about 4 or 4:30. That will put us pulling onto Disney property around 2pm.

I love driving to Disney! We're flying for this short, weekend trip, but will be driving again in August. There's just something about a road trip - I even love waking up at 3am - so exciting when you know you're on vacation

 

[pigletto]

Oh How am I going to get through the next 4 days at work???? SOOOOO excited for Disney. Everything is planned, most everything is packed. I pick up the rental on Thursday at 4pm. How in the world am I going to sleep Thursday night???? I am plan to set my alarm for 3:00am and hopefully we will hit the road about 4 or 4:30. That will put us pulling onto Disney property around 2pm.

You sound like you are just about where we are. My 8 year old gets so excited he gets tears in his eyes!! He's a sentimental kid and he just LOVES Disney. We all do.

That's why the August trip is a surprise

 

[Jessica527]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

 

[Annadesu]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

I don't know if this really counts, but I can never get my family to go on "Living with the Land". They claim that it's "stupid" or "boring". I personally find it very interesting, and a mini backlot tour of sorts.

20 days, over here! It's crazy to think we're in the "teens", starting tomorrow... I'm so ready to be away from this terrible New England weather. I got my hair cut short for the trip, too! Whoooo!

 

[TBLaube]

Going on my first solo trip in nine days to celebrate my retirement from the United States Navy!
Booked POFQ and POR (Royal Guest Room...whoohoo. I have boys so they would have zero interest to stay here) so I can enjoy the beautiful grounds and proximity to DTD.
Can't wait!

 

[budafam]

Did everyone see that the Tree of Life is now closed? I wish we could reschedule... that's 3 major attractions down... what a great first visit for my MIL

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Did everyone see that the Tree of Life is now closed? I wish we could reschedule... that's 3 major attractions down... what a great first visit for my MIL

I did. Hopefully they will get it back up and running in a couple days.

Hey, one can dream right!

 

[Annadesu]

I'm not TOO worried about it being closed, honestly... I mean, if it's just damage to one section of the tree, then I imagine they would set up an alternate path to the attraction sometime in the next 2 weeks.

If it's major damage, then I'm glad it's closed. I would not like having the tree collapse onto me as I watch a 3D show.

 

[pigletto]

Did everyone see that the Tree of Life is now closed? I wish we could reschedule... that's 3 major attractions down... what a great first visit for my MIL

Was just thinking the same thing budafam. I try not to complain and I am one heck of a make lemonade out of lemons person.. but this is getting irritating.
I realize it can't be helped and I will deal with it, but PHOOEY. There.. I almost feel better.
This is a first trip for MIL and FIL coming with us too. Did I mention FIL worked at GM his entire life and I was so excited to show him test track?

Like I said, there's no way we won't have fun but right now I am a little whiny about it.

 

[jdd]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

My kids love the train display in Germany, watching the Japanese drummers, walking around the koi ponds in Japan. Really, in all the countries there are such cool things to see - I personally love Morocco.

 

[jdd]

Did everyone see that the Tree of Life is now closed? I wish we could reschedule... that's 3 major attractions down... what a great first visit for my MIL

Is it just the show that's closed, or are all the trails closed off too? That's one of my favorite things in AK -walking around the tree and picking out all the animals.

 

[pigletto]

Is it just the show that's closed, or are all the trails closed off too? That's one of my favorite things in AK -walking around the tree and picking out all the animals.

Both.
So excited to show that to MIL. I swear, I need to stop planning the things I am most excited for so they stop breaking

 

[Annadesu]

It said that only a 5 pound branch fell... http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2012/04/23/tree-of-life-damaged-overnight-and-tough-to-be-bug-closed/

Unless there's major damage we can't yet see, I don't imagine it would be closed the entire month of May for repair. Maybe have an alternate route to get to the show?

 

[jdd]

Both.
So excited to show that to MIL. I swear, I need to stop planning the things I am most excited for so they stop breaking

Bummer! Hope there isn't additional damage - I love that tree!

 

[Disneyforus]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

I can't believe the number of people who have visited Epcot and have no idea there is an aquarium (what, like the 2nd largest in the world I think?) to visit. I think many just get off the Nemo ride and head out toward the gift shop. We could spend hours in the aquarium. They even have a Dolphin show that is way cool. It's a great spot to beat the heat, or rain too!!

 

[ocalla]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

I love to really take the time and stroll through all the gardens (Koi ponds in Japan!, maze gardens in UK, etc.) in the different countries!!! Then make sure and really look at all the shops offer (Morocco for example goes on forever!!)......as well as the buildings themselves.

Living with the Land is a MUST do for us every year. Some think it's boring, but it's just SO EPCOT!!!

My kids could spend hours shopping around in Mexico......and in the summer it's so nice and cool inside!!!

 

[budafam]

Question of the Day:

In Epcot, what are some “smell the roses” attractions that are easy to miss? ​

I may be the only one but I really enjoyed Ellen's Energy Adventure. It was a great way to relax and take a break plus pretty cool how the seats move. I can't wait to go on it again!