Oh, Great, Mom's on her Disney kick again - 1st time ptr

[2princesses2princes]

This the nondisney update color of my choice. Had a great Halloween weekend, my brother and his fiance' came up from North Carolina to visit, we suprised the kids, they were ecstatic. Trick or treating was a blast too, they got lots of candy. Sunday we had church, and a wonderful potluck lunch afterwards. Then had the afternoon to get things done around the house so we worked on winterizing. Got plastic on windows and got a good 50% or so of the leaves cleaned up. I should say my neighbors leaves, since our horrendous storm last week blew every leaf from their yard into ours, GRRRR. I so wanted to blow them right back into their yard, but that wouldnt' be very nice.

So for anyone that might still be reading, what is your favorite or traditional first experience when you arrive? Wow that was hard to word, what if anything is your favorite thing to do on arrival?

Our tradition is to take the bus from our resort to MK, then take the monorail to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey's. Then afterwards we take the monorail to Epcot and the bus back to our resort. This way we can see MK and Epcot, kind of a teaser for what is to come.

 

[20thingamabobs]

Hm, we don't really have an arrival day tradition other than the fact that we usually always go to MK first. We also usually try to take in the parade and fireworks this night too.

We do however have a last day tradition. We always do MK on our last day. We usually head out to eat dinner at our favorite restaurant, Kona Cafe, then head back to MK to watch the parade and fireworks one last time. But, the big tradition is Splash Mountain is ALWAYS our last attraction.

 

[jenseib]

Joining in, but only read 2 pages so far!

So I went over breakfast options with my husband last night. He looked at each menu, the prices and locations and said Cape May all the way. I had to know how it was so easy for him, I struggled with it. You want to know his response? "They have smoke salmon!" Are you freakin serious? Our last meal in Disney World is going to be based on fish????? Thank goodness I have 4 months to convince him otherwise. I was really leaning towards Ohana or Boma. But I have done most of the planning and I should be thankful that he was so into making this decision.

I have only done a few Disney breakfasts, but Cape May wins hands down for best food. We loved it. But the service was poor. But I think that was just our waitress.

 

[jenseib]

Today I thought I'd post our driving plans. This is definitely not set in stone and if anyone has any suggestions or anything, please feel free to pick it apart or whatever. We have 3 possible driving plans so far, but I will post the one that is most thought out and researched. However while reviewing this keep in mind I may change my times by 3 hours, as in leave 3 hours earlier than what we planned. The plan is to arrive at POR by noon on Friday the 11th, to have time to explore, swim and nap before a 5pm ressie at Chef Mickeys. We are new to the driving and all that so please if you think I am nuts let me know.

So here's the plan
11:00am pack up van, get gas and pick kids up from school
12:00pm on the road (eat lunch while driving)
3:10 potty break
3:25 hit the road again
6:25 dinner and gas fill up
7:30 hit the road
9:50 potty break before kids hopefully passing out for the night
10:00 hit the road
1:00am break
1:10 on the road again
2:40 break and gas
2:50 back on the road
5:50 break
6:00 on the road
7:40 break, breakfast and gas
8:40 hittin the road
11:20 arrive at POR

Now I realize this is just a tenative schedule driving leaves lots of room for change, traffic, weather, the fact we will have 4 kids in a car for 20+hrs. So that is why I thought that leaving 3 hours earlier gives us more time for breaks if need be. I just don't see the point in stopping at a hotel, I really don't I wont sleep neither will the kids any better than in the car, however we might just possibly make a reservation somewhere just in case. But that will totally change our schedule. However the drive home we will be stopping. Are my breaks too short? Are there not enough? I thought I'd try not to break during "nap time" and limit the at night stops aside from Dan and I switching the driving position. I have never driven more than 6 hours at once and we did that with one stop and I drove the whole thing.

I'll give you a litte driving advice...since we live kind of near each other (I live in NW Ohio). I have driven down to Disney once and to Zephyhills twice (which is about 1 1/2 hours east of Disney) Allow 24 hours!
I think when my friend and I drove straight through to Zephyhills it took about 20 hours. That was with very limited stops and ate in the car.
My mom , 2 older kids (who were almost 5 and 8 at the time) and I went, we left at night and drove through the night while the kids slept. It is much nicer to drive with sleeping kids. I think we left about 7 PM and they went to sleep a few hours later. We drove to Ocala the next day, which was probably around 5 PM. got a hotel for the night and left very early the next day for the few hour drive to Disney (we stayed off site that time). With kids, I think this is the best plan. Can you switch it up so you can leave the night before? It's a LONG drive and you really need to stretch a bit every few hours. Once we got to Ocala we ordered pizza, swam a bit in the pool and then went to bed. It was nice to just move around a bit and get away from the car. We were very refreshed the next day and since we arrived early, we got settled and were off to MK by about 1 PM.
Of your kids aren't used to driving for that long, you may be going crazy by the time you get there. Also you will be amazed at how many times little ones need to potty when traveling.
We went to TN a few summers ago, it was about a 10 hour drive, and our DD who was 3 1/2 at the time had to go potty almost every 30-45 minutes for part of the way down. We drove mostly at night, and she slept off and on, but kept waking to have to go. She is a late nighter normally, so she never actually went to sleep for good till aout 1 AM.

My other suggestion is to keep watching airfares. You can get ther so much wuicker, and you may all like each other better at the end of the trip. LOL!

 

[jenseib]

7am Be at Bus stop
8am Donald's Safari Breakfast
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Grab FP for ITTBAB
Dinosaur/Primeval Whirl - Big Kids
Tricera Top Spin/Boneyard - Little Kids
Finding Nemo Musical (hopefully time works out)
Everest
Kali River Rapids (Alli is 37 inches now, so hopefully by then . .)
LUNCH - thinking snacks, nuggets, pretzels, possibly Flametree BBQ though
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Flight of Wonder????
Camp Minnie Mickey
Festival of the Lion King (Dan's naptime )
Throw in It's Tough To Be A Bug whenever our FP is good. Would be grea if we could do it right before Camp Minnie Mickie

Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade
and if there's any time left
Rafiki's Planet Watch and Pangani Forest Trail

I can handle criticism and all that, so bring it on. Anything we should change, if you think I need a reality check at being able to accomplish all of this with 4kids and a husband aka another big kid please tell me. I just know the first time we went we did it all and were done by 3pm, the 2nd time our little guy was sick so we took it really easy and still hit almost everything.

Skip the bug FP. No need for one at all. Get one for Everest!
Also check to see what time buses start running, but you may even want to be at the bus stop earlier than 7.
I think you have A LOT planned for the day, so make sure to pick which things you definitely want to do and which you will be Ok with missing.

 

[jenseib]

Ok, so first off we made another big payment on our trip. We are over halfway paid off, definitely behind where we planned on being by this point, I was hoping to have it paid off by Nov 1st, but thankfully we have til the end of December to pay it off. Things got a little crazy after I was off for my back surgery.

So next up is our plans for our first day at Epcot

Epcot 1
Be at bus stop by 8am
Rope Drop 9am, be near right side/innoventions west
Soarin (send dan ahead for FP for all meet at escalator then ride as well)
Living with the Land
Circle of Life
LUNCH Sunshine Seasons (Soarin again?)
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Captiain EO??????
Character Spot
Innoventions??? Depends on time
Station Cool
Check Spaceship Earth
Test Track/Mission Space ride if time allows
Mexico start Kidcot stations
Norway/Maelstrom
6:30 DINNER at Akershus
China
Scope place for Illuminations/ Watch Illuminations
Back to hotel


If I'm totally off my rocker please tell me. When Dan and I went we did all of this with time to spare, well what was there in 04 anyway. Then in 07 we did next to nothing because we had my inlaws with us and they were slow moving, and one of the kids wasn't feeling well that day, and I was a CRAB I dont' recall why, just that I had a HUGE attitude that day.

Get FP for Test Track if you want to do that.
Again, I think the day is overplanned. I would take more of a lets do what we can approach and just plan on 1 favorite for each person and anything else you do is extra fun.
You can wait in line for characters anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes.also be aware of your kids and how tired they are. In 2007 I had overplanned and byt the last day DD (who was 3 at the tome)was throwing up from over stimulation.
Without knowing the rest of your plans, be sure to plan some slee in days and some early to bed days.

 

[2princesses2princes]

Skip the bug FP. No need for one at all. Get one for Everest!
Also check to see what time buses start running, but you may even want to be at the bus stop earlier than 7.
I think you have A LOT planned for the day, so make sure to pick which things you definitely want to do and which you will be Ok with missing.

Thanks so much for all of you input, especially on the driving stuff. The great thing about driving is that the plan doesn't have to be set in stone. Hubby and I are both only working a half day the day before we planned on leaving so if we decide to leave the night before and stay the night somewhere the next night we can do that. A lot will depend on the weather, that's the scary part about going in February, anxious to get away from the Great Lakes Winter, but it can be risky as well. I am watching airfare, but in all honesty I am really excited to give the drive a shot. Our drive to NC went so smoothly, however we did not have kids with us either. ANother reason our first day there only consists of Chef Mickey's, and nothing else, downtime and early to bed or naps or whatever. In case we need time to make amends and like each other again.

 

[Jdougherty]

Our tradtional Frist day

(we fly)

Normally arive at MCO around 12-1pm depending on flights. Quick lunch at the airport.
Arrive and check in to resort
While waiting for Cousin Jill to arrive with groceries, Unpack some luggage (stroller, stroller shades i.e. things we will need for the next day/that night)
Once my cousin Jill arrives , unpack groceries, Vist and off to DTD!
We always have our frist dinner at Earl of Sandwich.
Do some shopping and do pick a pearl with Elba (have had same pick a pearl person for 6 years)

Back to resort for early bed and get ready for MK next day.

We have the same tradition we always do MK the last day

 

[Jasperann]

Our family really enjoys Epcot. So our first day is at Epcot and our last day is usually at Epcot too. As a family we have only gone once... but I've been a lot with my family growing up, and it has always been that way.

 

[2princesses2princes]

Our family really enjoys Epcot. So our first day is at Epcot and our last day is usually at Epcot too. As a family we have only gone once... but I've been a lot with my family growing up, and it has always been that way.

We always do 2 days at Epcot, but it's not really a favorite. Don't get me wrong I love all the parks, but for us MK is the biggie for the kids.

Our tradtional Frist day

(we fly)

Normally arive at MCO around 12-1pm depending on flights. Quick lunch at the airport.
Arrive and check in to resort
While waiting for Cousin Jill to arrive with groceries, Unpack some luggage (stroller, stroller shades i.e. things we will need for the next day/that night)
Once my cousin Jill arrives , unpack groceries, Vist and off to DTD!
We always have our frist dinner at Earl of Sandwich.
Do some shopping and do pick a pearl with Elba (have had same pick a pearl person for 6 years)

Back to resort for early bed and get ready for MK next day.

We have the same tradition we always do MK the last day

DTD is a great way to start it off. I love that you can get in the spirit but without overdoing it. We have never tried Earl of Sandwich, we were planning too last time and ran out of time. Definitely on the list this time. Hope we'll love it.

 

[Jdougherty]

The sandwhiches are SOOOOOOO GOOOOD at the Earl. Plus it's in the middle of DTD.

Here is a link for the menu
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=335

There is a great Toy store called "Once Upon a Toy" one of DD favorite things we did this past summer was we let her do the "stuff a box" my little pony bin. DH did the Mr. Potato Head for DS and for 20.00 a box it was a great little thing to bring home. They can both be found playing ponies or Potato together. It's going to be a repeat next year. This also gives them something to play with during done time.

 

[bvkramer]

Alright now what you've been waiting for. The tentative plan is to leave our house by 10am on February 10th and arrive at Port Orleans Riverside Resort by 2pm on the 11th, please tell me if I am nuts here. It's suppose to be 19hrs without stops about 1250 miles. So I figure on driving straight through, with a few breaks and long stops for meals.

We are staying with regular park tickets and Free dining until the 18th, but we are hoping to extend it for a day but can't at this moment. Then head home the 19th, stopping in NC to visit my baby brother and get home late Sunday night.

Next up ADRs and park plans

How exciting! My hubby and I went on our honeymoon and it was our first trip. We're taking our DS(20 months ToT) for the first time February 11-17! Maybe we'll bump into you!

 

[2princesses2princes]

I missed my official day to do the double digit dance. Well better late than never. Were looking at 93 days and counting and we'll be in the most magical place in the world.

 

[Jdougherty]

YA!!!!!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Woo Hoo! Pretty soon you'll be at the three month mark! It actually goes pretty fast.. I'm still shocked my trip is already so close...

 

[jenseib]

 

[2princesses2princes]

I am going to try to get my ptr back on track, be more active on here. It's just sooooo hard right now. I am super excited about our trip, but I run out of things to put on here. Hubby and aren't talking about the trip (he vetoed all conversation until it is paid in full), and I made a HUGE MISTAKE in front of my 8yr old.

So after parent teacher conferences last week I was talking to my hubby about my promotion at work and the stipulations that got put on me. One was no vacations in February, I said HOLD IT, I already put in for 2 weeks off and there aint' noway I am cancelling this trip!!!! So fast forward, they approved it. I didn't even think about the fact that my 8yr old (need i remind you is the one that did NOT want to know when we were going) he overheard it and started flipping out. Saying he's gonna tell his sister, he knows when were going, yadda yadda. Well come to find out, he heard November, so we are going with it and trying not to talk about it at all. It's part of their Christmas gift so I figure if they think they aren't going til Nov of next year, getting to find out it's in Feb on Christmas morning, along with Disney goodies will be exciting for them. What do you think?

Me and my big mouth, so no Disney speak, so no planning has been done. I CANNOT WAIT until I can make the final payment and tell the kids so we can start talking and planning. When they find out we'll only be 6 weeks out.

 

[jenseib]

Oh no. Congrats on the promotion! But that stinker child needs to stop listening when he's not supposed too. Isn;t that always the case

 

[pinkxray]

Glad to see I didn't miss too much over here!

Congrats on the promotion!

 

[2princesses2princes]

Today my plan is to get at least one more days touring plans up. I am resisting this for several reasons. One is that I feel that the sooner I finish these details the sooner my trip will be over. It's almost like a virtual trip in my head. That and I am afraid I wont have anything to post here about. Although I am failing at that right now. So anyway, I am working on some finishing touches and will be back today with the next installment.