OH BOY!!*My 1st PTR for our 1st ever WDW trip JUNE 2011* 6/14: Started my TR.

[Lidian]

I like the strollers because you can push people out your way while you run for the FPs.

Boy, I'm glad I'm not going the same time you are.

 

[999ghostslover]

Mmm Chef Mickey breakfast! Your packing list looks great. I would see if you have a stroller you can fit in the car just in case. My almost 5 year old who is such a trooper would have never made it without a stroller. Just the amount of walking from our room at WL to the bus last time was enough to make her worn out. And we go for long nature walks all of the time. I think every guidebook recommends you have one for up to age 5 and then sometimes even older. I think it will be easier to navigate the crowds for your 4 year old. Those scooter people will run him down! You can always just stroll over to fantasy land park once and do everything there and then have him hop in and go to the next land. I know other people who will rent one just for Epcot because it is so much bigger than any other park.

 

[mrssmith06]

Boy, I'm glad I'm not going the same time you are.

No kidding, right? But I guess that's how to do it with a stoller, is just plow your way through the people!!

Mmm Chef Mickey breakfast! Your packing list looks great. I would see if you have a stroller you can fit in the car just in case. My almost 5 year old who is such a trooper would have never made it without a stroller. Just the amount of walking from our room at WL to the bus last time was enough to make her worn out. And we go for long nature walks all of the time. I think every guidebook recommends you have one for up to age 5 and then sometimes even older. I think it will be easier to navigate the crowds for your 4 year old. Those scooter people will run him down! You can always just stroll over to fantasy land park once and do everything there and then have him hop in and go to the next land. I know other people who will rent one just for Epcot because it is so much bigger than any other park.

Thanks! I think what I'm going to do is wait and see what our budget is before we leave. If I think we've saved up enough that we could afford the stroller rental without having it hurt us, then I won't worry about packing our own. But if I feel we may not have the extra for rental then I will pack it. If I have a stroller at all I'd rather be able to rent the double. I just know the kids will fight over who's turn it is to ride and that could lead to major break downs

 

[999ghostslover]

Good thinking! I had not thought about that. I can see Brady insisting on walking and Abby hopping in because her legs are tired and then him flipping out. Of course we rented a double already from orlando stroller because we have the 20 month old too. I am debating bringing our single mclaren just in case all three want a ride. Maybe for our afternoon trips to epcot. Can't hurt. Since we will not have the rental until our second day there (first day is visiting FL family) I may want to have an umbrella stroller anyway. Hmmm. I'm glad this all came up!I am looking forward ot a diaper/stroller FREE trip in our future!

 

[mrssmith06]

Some new purchases...
I'll have to post pics when these come in!

The Disney Store has a sale today, 25% off of their clearance items!!
I got this Mickey phone cover:
http://www.disneystore.com/oh-mickey-mickey-mouse-phone-case/mp/1280085/1001142/

and these personalized plushes:

Mickey for DS...it will say "Toylan Welcome to Disney World" (in 3 lines)
http://www.disneystore.com/personalized-mickey-mouse-plush-toy-16/mp/1268692/1000267/
Minnie for DD... "To: Mikaela Welcome to Disney World"
http://www.disneystore.com/disney-o...minnie-mouse-plush-toy-16/mp/1268694/1001142/

I'm going to use them as a surprise welcome gift, put them in the room for the kids to find!!!

 

[mrssmith06]

Good thinking! I had not thought about that. I can see Brady insisting on walking and Abby hopping in because her legs are tired and then him flipping out. Of course we rented a double already from orlando stroller because we have the 20 month old too. I am debating bringing our single mclaren just in case all three want a ride. Maybe for our afternoon trips to epcot. Can't hurt. Since we will not have the rental until our second day there (first day is visiting FL family) I may want to have an umbrella stroller anyway. Hmmm. I'm glad this all came up!I am looking forward ot a diaper/stroller FREE trip in our future!

Yep, it might not be a bad idea to bring the other stroller too just in case!

 

[999ghostslover]

I just hit up that same sale. Got the boys some sunglasses for their easter baskets and the family the large duffle. It was $11.50 for a large duffle. Crazy!

 

[britt_ji]

Some new purchases...
I'll have to post pics when these come in!

The Disney Store has a sale today, 25% off of their clearance items!!
I got this Mickey phone cover:
http://www.disneystore.com/oh-mickey-mickey-mouse-phone-case/mp/1280085/1001142/

and these personalized plushes:

Mickey for DS...it will say "Toylan Welcome to Disney World" (in 3 lines)
http://www.disneystore.com/personalized-mickey-mouse-plush-toy-16/mp/1268692/1000267/
Minnie for DD... "To: Mikaela Welcome to Disney World"
http://www.disneystore.com/disney-o...minnie-mouse-plush-toy-16/mp/1268694/1001142/

I'm going to use them as a surprise welcome gift, put them in the room for the kids to find!!!

I love your packing list...I will have to take note of it for our own trip. I always seem to forget at least one thing.

I placed another order at the Disney Store today too. I bought my brother one of the big personalized duffel bags and got a toiletry bag for myself.

When I ordered my Mickey plush, I was called a few days later and told I could not use "Disney World" or "WDW" since it is copyrighted. Someone else also had the same issue. So, you may recieve a call or e-mail telling you to change the personalization. I changed mine to "Welcome to Disney" since that was allowed. Just thought I'd give you a heads up beforehand

 

[PixieMama]

Yay for 1st trips to WDW! So exciting!

And your kids are totally adorable!


My youngest DD was 4 during our first trip... we did not bring or rent a stroller for her. Although, she was more like 4 1/2 when we went, not just turning 4 like your DS. But there are plenty of places to stop and take a rest if your kids get tired.

I love the idea of surprising the kids the night before you leave! I actually thought about doing this for our last trip (which was just last October). But it's so hard for me to keep a secret, LOL! And since we were traveling with my brother-in-law and his family, I figured it'd be too hard to do all the planning while still keeping my kids in the dark! Maybe next time I can pull off a surprise!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[mrssmith06]

I love your packing list...I will have to take note of it for our own trip. I always seem to forget at least one thing.

I placed another order at the Disney Store today too. I bought my brother one of the big personalized duffel bags and got a toiletry bag for myself.

When I ordered my Mickey plush, I was called a few days later and told I could not use "Disney World" or "WDW" since it is copyrighted. Someone else also had the same issue. So, you may recieve a call or e-mail telling you to change the personalization. I changed mine to "Welcome to Disney" since that was allowed. Just thought I'd give you a heads up beforehand

Oh no!!! GREAT...
Thanks for the heads up... I'll be sure to be on the lookout.

Yay for 1st trips to WDW! So exciting!

And your kids are totally adorable!


My youngest DD was 4 during our first trip... we did not bring or rent a stroller for her. Although, she was more like 4 1/2 when we went, not just turning 4 like your DS. But there are plenty of places to stop and take a rest if your kids get tired.

I love the idea of surprising the kids the night before you leave! I actually thought about doing this for our last trip (which was just last October). But it's so hard for me to keep a secret, LOL! And since we were traveling with my brother-in-law and his family, I figured it'd be too hard to do all the planning while still keeping my kids in the dark! Maybe next time I can pull off a surprise!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks and welcome!!!

 

[hollybearsmom]

The scavenger hunt sounds like a great idea.
Love your packing list. More condensed then mine is.
thanks for readng my ptr start, there'll be more soon

 

[mrssmith06]

The scavenger hunt sounds like a great idea.
Love your packing list. More condensed then mine is.
thanks for readng my ptr start, there'll be more soon

Glad you came over!

 

[mrssmith06]

Day 3 - Friday June 10th: Epcot/DTD day!
Happy 5th Anniversary to us!!! <3
6:30a - get up, ready and eat breakfast!
8:00a - Epcot opens! EMH!
----> Check out Spaceship Earth (Skip Innoventions, do those later?)
Future World:
----> The Seas: Nemo & Friends! Turtle Talk with Crush, Coral Reef.
----> The Land: *Soarin', Living with the Land boat ride, The Circle of Life film.
----> Imagination: Pyamids, *Captian EO, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, ImageWorks.
----> Start walking the World Showcase, visiting all of the many countries!(World Showcase opens at 11 a.m.)
12:30p - Grab lunch in whatever country we wish... or just eat here and there, sampling a little bit of everything!
World Showcase:
----> Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, The American Adventure, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, Mexico.
----> (If time allows) Check out the Test Track, *Mission: Space & Universe of Energy show (show is about 45 min) and/or go back to Innoventions and maybe the Showcase Plaza.
4:00p - Go to Downtown Disney!
5:15p reservation - Dinner @ Planet Hollywood! (use coupon!) Make sure we get our anniversary cake!
7:00p - Walk around Downtown Disney, then head back to Epcot!
9:00p - Illuminations!
9:45p - Back to hotel, Sleep!

^ DAY 3 !!!
Our 5 year wedding anniversary!!

Hoping to make it to Epcot for RD! (EMH 8am!)
We will probably skip Innoventions unless we have time for it later. Must see Nemo & friends and Turtle talk with Crush!! And we will grab a FP for Soarin'. Not sure if we will all do it or not...wondering if my DS who will be 4 will like it? He meets the height requirement. Maybe take the Living with the Land boatride, might skip the Circle of Life film though, not sure. Also not sure about Captian EO...any one have opinions for that???
After all of that we will check out Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and ImageWorks! By then the World Showcase should be open. What is everyone's favorite countries there??? I've been told that Donald's boat ride is Mexico is a MUST!
If we still have time one of us might take DD on the Test Track. And undecided about Mission:Space, but I heard that there is a "gentle" version? Anyone done it with kids?
Around 4p we will leave and go over to DTD for our ADR at Planet Hollywood! I'm going to try to have an anniversary cake ordered to be delivered to us there. If we have time after, we will walk around DTD a little and then head back to Epcot to see Illuminations!
After Illuminations, back to our resort, I'm sure we will all be ready to pass out!!!

 

[999ghostslover]

Sounds good. We will def. be skipping Captain EO. I know my kids will hate it. I hated it as a kid. Your 4 year old will love Soarin'. It is so gentle. I think that Mission Space Green is a great way to go. It doesn't spin so it just simulates the bumps and turns of space. And the dump shop area is not to be missed. They have a huge climbing thing (like Chick Fil A but tons bigger) and a huge screen where teams get to compete on a space mission at the little computer terminals. A lot of other interactive stuff. It is dark and air conditioned. I have spent a lot of time just sitting in there. One big tip is get your FP for Soarin before you do anything else. As you enter the park give him everyone's KTTW card and make him book it to The Land Pavilion. He will only have to follow the hoards of people. He can get the FPs and meet you at the Seas.

 

[Lidian]

^ DAY 3 !!!
Our 5 year wedding anniversary!!

Hoping to make it to Epcot for RD! (EMH 8am!)
We will probably skip Innoventions unless we have time for it later.

If you can, try to at least walk through Innoventions. It had a lot of kid-friendly activities in it - and they were all educational and fun to boot!! (Plus, its indoors where its air-conditioned! )

Must see Nemo & friends and Turtle talk with Crush!! And we will grab a FP for Soarin'. Not sure if we will all do it or not...wondering if my DS who will be 4 will like it? He meets the height requirement.

DS was 4 when he tried Soarin' for the first time. He was a bit apprehensive about it, but afterwards begged to ride again and again. Just be upfront with him about the experience and decide from there. You know him best.

Maybe take the Living with the Land boatride, might skip the Circle of Life film though, not sure. Also not sure about Captian EO...any one have opinions for that??

We haven't seen Captain EO - but I know a lot of people put it down because they wanted something new instead of something brought back. We will be seeing it - but really don't know what to expect. It can't be worse than the HISTA video.

After all of that we will check out Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and ImageWorks! By then the World Showcase should be open. What is everyone's favorite countries there???

All of them? But I think we usually spend more time in Japan than the other pavillions.

I've been told that Donald's boat ride is Mexico is a MUST!

I agree! We enjoyed the boatride in Mexico. It was soo pretty and fun!

If we still have time one of us might take DD on the Test Track. And undecided about Mission:Space, but I heard that there is a "gentle" version? Anyone done it with kids?

We will be riding Mission Space (Green) as a family this year. We last rode in 2009, and DD(7 then) rode and loved it! She was the Pilot or Captain or something .. she was excited to be given a role for the mission and felt on top of the world being in charge.

Around 4p we will leave and go over to DTD for our ADR at Planet Hollywood! I'm going to try to have an anniversary cake ordered to be delivered to us there. If we have time after, we will walk around DTD a little and then head back to Epcot to see Illuminations!
After Illuminations, back to our resort, I'm sure we will all be ready to pass out!!!

See above in red.

 

[PixieMama]

My youngest DD was 4 during our first trip to WDW... she absolutely LOVED Soarin'!

 

[hollybearsmom]

We skipped Captain EO, loved Soarin', and we liked the ride in Norway.

 

[mrssmith06]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback!!! Looks like Soarin' is a MUST DO now!!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Soarin' is definitely a must-do for us! Our favorite pavilion is probably Japan or Germany. Your plans are looking great!

 

[mrssmith06]

Soooo I added an ADR for Day 2, MK day... I keep flip flopping on my plans... "Should I do that...or maybe that...or keep just this?" I guess I'm officially a DISer!!!

I decided to make an ADR for Crystal Palace I've been really thinking about that one because we all LOVE the Pooh characters so much! I just wasnt sure about having 2 ADR's in 1 day. We have Chef Mickey's at 7:35am and then Crystal Palace will be at 1:05pm... then QS for dinner.
I may end up changing my mind back and canceling it but for now its a keeper....