Oh me, oh my! Are we really going to WDW in.....JULY!?! UPDATES TODAY 07/19 pg 30!!

[pooh'smate]

First congrats on the new job. I am sure this next year will be so much easier on your family.

We ate at Tusker House on our trip and loved it. I have pictures on my tr (which I have sadly neglected but I am determined to get it updated this week) if you want to see it.

50 days will go by so fast you will be in Disney World before you know it.

 

[IluvXU]

A Disney store... good news to cure my drought that will be coming (no points= no trip in 2012). I am hoping to hit a Disney Store tomorrow- headed to Mall of America and MN for the weekend - a wedding! Love to see the article.... so let me know!

 

[MegansMom]

Laura, I will go find the article I read the other day...it is going to be one of their new concept stores. I think it is going somewhere in or near the Kenwood Towne Centre. I will post it here when I find it!!! Up for some SHOPPING!!?!?!?!?!?


I heard it was going to be IN Kenwood and one of their new interactive type stores...Certainly can't wait!!

It is going to be in the Towne Centre!!! I think I see a DISmeet in the future when that place opens up!!! Can you imagine how much fun that would be if we all met up there to shop?!?!?!

First congrats on the new job. I am sure this next year will be so much easier on your family.

We ate at Tusker House on our trip and loved it. I have pictures on my tr (which I have sadly neglected but I am determined to get it updated this week) if you want to see it.

50 days will go by so fast you will be in Disney World before you know it.

Thank you so much for the congrats!!! I already know I made the right decision! I am so excited about the position for next year!

We ate there on our last trip in 2009, and I agree---YUMMY!!! I will look forward to the pictures!!!

I almost think the trip is getting here too fast....I need things to slow down a bit so I don't feel like it goes too fast, and I miss it!

A Disney store... good news to cure my drought that will be coming (no points= no trip in 2012). I am hoping to hit a Disney Store tomorrow- headed to Mall of America and MN for the weekend - a wedding! Love to see the article.... so let me know!

Here we go dearie....the article where I found the details!!!

http://www.wxix.com/story/14696253/kenwood-townc

I think we should all meet up there for the GRAND OPENING!!! Oh what fun! I can't wait!

Have some fun shopping!!! Enjoy your wedding!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

I can't believe that I missed all of your good news!!! And I had posted from my phone, but apparently it didn't post to PTR. Congratulations on teaching at Megan's school. I know that that will make your life easier and Megan will enjoy seeing you at school. And extra days at Disney are always a bonus!!!!

 

[KristEn87]

Fall of Winter 2011...I bet they try to open before Thankgiving for the Holiday season...I foresee a Mickey Christmas for Evan. I'd love to do a DISmeet!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Congratulations on the new job!!! So exciting and I am super happy for you!!! I can tell you from experience that it is awesome being in the same school as your child!!!

Yeay for adding more days! All of your plans look fantastic!

 

[MegansMom]

I can't believe that I missed all of your good news!!! And I had posted from my phone, but apparently it didn't post to PTR. Congratulations on teaching at Megan's school. I know that that will make your life easier and Megan will enjoy seeing you at school. And extra days at Disney are always a bonus!!!!

Thanks for all the congratulations!!! We are SO excited about so many wonderful things happening this summer!!! Looks like your ticker is getting smaller too!!!

Fall of Winter 2011...I bet they try to open before Thankgiving for the Holiday season...I foresee a Mickey Christmas for Evan. I'd love to do a DISmeet!

You are probably right!!! I will keep my eyes peeled on the info, and when it gets closer to their opening, we will all have to do some planning!!!

Congratulations on the new job!!! So exciting and I am super happy for you!!! I can tell you from experience that it is awesome being in the same school as your child!!!

Yeay for adding more days! All of your plans look fantastic!

Welcome home sweetie!!! So glad to see you back on here! I know you will laugh, but everytime I think of the new job, I think of you! I am so excited, and I know that we will love being in the same school! It is such a wonderful feeling! We will have SO much to chat about this year girlie!!

 

[MegansMom]

See all those smileys dancing up there??? Going a little cuckoo??? Yeah, that was me on Friday trying to adjust and make as many ADRs as I needed for this beloved trip. I literally went a little crazy at one point in time---BUT, the madness led to a stroke of genius, ultimately leading me to some sheer ADR PERFECTION!!! (......I think!) See, I was starting to run into some problems....I was running OUT of restaurant choices for the MANY days that we will PROBABLY be at MK!!! I know...BIG problem to have, right??? Life really can NOT be that bad when that is the problem you are dealing with....right?!?!?! SO, some major changes had to occur, and now, I will HAPPILY share them with you....and then we can discuss!!!

OUR NEW AND IMPROVED ADRs!!!!

Thursday, July 21: MK Day #1 Kona Cafe @ 5:00pm

Friday, July 22: MK Day #2 Cinderella's Royal Table @ 8:05am and Grand Floridian Cafe @ 5:00pm

Saturday, July 23: MK Day #3 Liberty Tree Tavern @ 5:45pm

Sunday, July 24: DHS Day Sci-Fi Dine Theater at 11am and Mama Melrose's for Fantasmic Dinner Package @ 4:55pm (I have a feeling that we won't be using Sci-Fi though!)

Monday, July 25: EP Day Nine Dragons @ 12:30pm or Nine Dragons @ 5:00pm

Tuesday, July 26: AK Day Tusker House @ 8:00am Boatwright's @ 6:05pm or Boma @ 6:25pm

Wednesday, July 27: MK Day #4 The Plaza @ 12:15pm or 'Ohana @ 5:30pm (I am rooting for 'Ohana! Love that place!)

Thursday, July 28: Freebie Day--We are going to see where the girls want to go back to on this day, so I have tried to make as many ADRs at different places as I can. Still trying to figure a way to get a Sci-Fi one in here in case we head back to DHS. Tony's Town Square @ 5:00pm or LeCellier Steakhouse @ 11:55am!!! Can you believe I was able to snag a LeCellier ADR for 6 people this late in the game?!?!?!?! I am SO rooting for EPCOT for this day!!!

Friday, July 29: MK Day #5 Whispering Canyon Cafe @ 11:45am or Whispering Canyon Cafe @ 5:00pm

Saturday, July 30: No ADRs....just going to chill out at the resort!

So in order to free up some possibilities for us on that Thursday and Friday where we are alone, I moved some restaurants around, and doubled one of the existing ADRs to lunch so that we still have choices, but the difference is just the time we go. That freed up Kona and GFC so that we could venture to those locations on our extra days. I had a difficult time choosing between GFC and WCC on that Friday night before our last day--just wasn't sure which Allen and Nicole would like more, but I ultimately went with WCC because I think their taste buds would prefer the food selection at WCC more. My question is, if part of the party chooses the skillet meal, can another part of the party opt to order off the menu??? I would GREATLY appreciate any help on this issue if you have it!

My other struggle is trying to fit ADRs on Thursday when I am not sure where we will be yet. I actually DON'T think Megs will want to go back to MK on that day with so many other chances to be there. BUT, not sure if their choice will be EPCOT or DHS! I thought I should try to get at least some type of ADR at each park--MK, EP, and DHS (I seriously doubt AK will be the choice)--to give us options. I already had the Tony's ADR and my Tutto ADR somehow disappeared, so when I tried to get something at EP and LeCellier popped up, I nabbed it RIGHT away! I have been trying to get a Sci-Fi ADR at DHS, but have not had much luck of getting around my other two ADR times.....will keep working on this though! Now that we have a LeCellier ressie though, I am secretly rooting for EPCOT!!! Yes, at times, I too can be ruled by my stomach!

Now the Wednesday we go to MK, I made the Plaza ressie for lunch just to have a choice, but I am again rooting for 'Ohana. I have never been to the Plaza (at least, not since I was a child), but I just think 'Ohana is a more worthwhile choice for a TS selection. Again...silently rooting for one to win out over another!!!

Okay, now that these ADRs are "set," I am going to once again send the updated list with menus to Allen and Nicole for their perusal. I really don't foresee too many changes to our schedule, so this really should be our final itinerary. (Keeping fingers crossed!)

Now on to the SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did some "damage" for Tom and Megan over the weekend....stay tuned for another update REALLY soon about their purchases!!! It is getting SO close when you know we start talking about trip purchases!!! YAHOO!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

So many ADRs so little time! I'm sure that that took a long time to do and a lot of thinking. Kind made my head hurt a little for you.
Of course I'm looking forward to the shopping pictures!!!! YAY shopping!!!

And yes, my ticker is getting closer and closer to departure day. My kids will be out of school at the end of the week, then summer can finally begin. I will be working, however, but the kids have a busy end of June/early July. Both the younger kids will be gone for 2 weeks and the oldest is out at college. DH will be with the kids too. What will I do with myself for 2 weeks as a "single" woman??? TONS OF DISNEY PLANNING!!

 

[Trentmom]

WOW, that must have made your head spin

Sounds like you got a lot of great adrs

As far as WCC, if one person orders skillet, it doesn't affect anyone else. We went there and my dh got skillet and my ds and I ordered off the menu

 

[MegansMom]

So many ADRs so little time! I'm sure that that took a long time to do and a lot of thinking. Kind made my head hurt a little for you.
Of course I'm looking forward to the shopping pictures!!!! YAY shopping!!!

And yes, my ticker is getting closer and closer to departure day. My kids will be out of school at the end of the week, then summer can finally begin. I will be working, however, but the kids have a busy end of June/early July. Both the younger kids will be gone for 2 weeks and the oldest is out at college. DH will be with the kids too. What will I do with myself for 2 weeks as a "single" woman??? TONS OF DISNEY PLANNING!!

I am so glad you can understand my dilemma!!! So many good choices...so many decisions to be made!!! How tough life is when you have to somehow split up ADR ressies because you have MORE days to book at MK!!! I am so glad it all worked out for us!!!

We have been shopping fiends...unfortunately, none for me yet...but hoping to rectify that soon!

I agree...time on your hands...sounds like PERFECT Disney planning time! ENJOY!!!

WOW, that must have made your head spin

Sounds like you got a lot of great adrs

As far as WCC, if one person orders skillet, it doesn't affect anyone else. We went there and my dh got skillet and my ds and I ordered off the menu

Made my head spin like a tornado!! SO glad I was able to figure it all out!!!

Thanks for the info on WCC....I am glad we have that option in case there is anyone who is not up for the skillet food!!! Makes me even happier!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

It is going to be in the Towne Centre!!! I think I see a DISmeet in the future when that place opens up!!! Can you imagine how much fun that would be if we all met up there to shop?!?!?!



http://www.wxix.com/story/14696253/kenwood-townc

I think we should all meet up there for the GRAND OPENING!!! Oh what fun! I can't wait!

Thank you for posting this!!! I am sooo excited. I really missed the one at Florence. This will be great!!!

 

[MegansMom]

Thank you for posting this!!! I am sooo excited. I really missed the one at Florence. This will be great!!!

Megan and I miss the one in Florence SO much!!! I almost hate going there now knowing that it is no longer there! The sooner this place opens, the better!

 

[KristEn87]

Your ADR's sound great! We still only have one with 22 days left!

 

[MegansMom]

Your ADR's sound great! We still only have one with 22 days left!

I hope you have your suitcases out....the trip will be here before you know it!!!

 

[MegansMom]

So you all know what HAS to happen as soon as a trip begins to near, right?!??!?!? SOME SHOPPING!!!!! This trip has been no different for us either....we needed to all get a GREAT deal of new things for the trip for many different reasons: Megan has gotten SO tall that so many of her Disney shirts are now becoming too short, I have lost weight rendering my summer wardrobe TOO big, and Tom needed to add to his very small summer wardrobe. I first started to tackle Miss Megan's needs, and purchased these shirts from the Disney Store online:

They have all arrived, and are SO cute!!! We spent Friday matching them up with shorts and scooters to make sure she has enough bottoms to go with the tops. I think she still needs a few more bottoms---those legs are just getting SO long--but I think she is looking PRETTY good for the trip! She does need a new bathing suit and possibly some athletic sandals she could walk all day in, so that is on my to-do list to find good deals on those. Anyone know where I can get either online or in a store some good athletic sandals for a young girl in a size 1-2? I would LOVE some suggestions!!! I will probably get her suit at Disney online again...if I can't find a Princess suit somewhere around town in her size! She has already asked when we can get the suitcase out to start packing up the outfits!!! Can you tell we are getting excited?!?!!?

My next person of focus was Tom. He has fallen in love with wicking shirts for the summer, and had about 3 already. But then we were in Target two weekends ago shopping for a sprinkler, and we found a sale on wicking shirts for only $8.50 a piece! That is a STEAL!!!! So, he now has a rainbow of shirts to choose from for the trip....I think he has 7 or 8 altogether!!! He also picked up 3 more pairs of cargo shorts at the same time. This weekend, we also bought him a new pair of New Balance shoes--oh how we love those running shoes--and I even convinced him to switch to the shorter no-show socks for the summer! He really should be all set for the trip, and not need any other clothing items.

I then sort-of switched gears to me. (Sidenote: I HATE shopping for myself....YUCK!) Last Thursday, I stopped in a local store to pick up a new swimsuit since we were going swimming later that afternoon, and my old one was so big on top that you could have stuck another person in there with me. SO, out of sheer desperation, I went out to buy a swimsuit...and that was SUPPOSED to be it! After trying on about 30 different tankini tops, I chose this one:


It is so much prettier in person than the picture, and is SO flattering!! I have already gotten so many compliments on it--so you KNOW it was a winner!
I paired it with a swim skirt bottom...I just like those better:


I look TOO cute if I do say so myself!! The great miracle though, was that while in the store shopping for the suit, I just so happened to see that they had an ENTIRE rack of knit SKORTS!!!! If you don't know me well enough yet, let me tell you---I LOVE SKORTS for the summer! I was so excited, and became over-the-top elated when I realized they were all on sale for $14! Seriously, I about fell over! So, I picked up one in every color/style and took them home! (I paid for it first of course, but then took them home to be MINE!!!)
Here they are:

Navy with aqua stripe

Black with white stripe

Black with hot pink stripe

Gray with white stripe

Plain white

Plain black


Now I just need to focus on tops....yes, that is on my to-do list too!!! But then I should be set!

The last thing on our list was our Disney tickets. Tom received an email on Friday from Undercover Tourist that Disney was raising the prices on Sunday, so he quickly purchased 7-day tickets for Allen and his gang, and 10-day tickets for us to beat the price hike. They are all being mailed to our home, so I am hoping they arrive QUICKLY!!!

So now that MOST of the shopping is done and we ONLY have 37 days left---time for list making!!!!!! STAY TUNED!!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, you got some great purchases for your trip! Congrats on getting those tickets in time. I totally missed the ball on that one and will have to pay the higher price for our AP's.

 

[MeMom]

My question is, if part of the party chooses the skillet meal, can another part of the party opt to order off the menu??? I would GREATLY appreciate any help on this issue if you have it!

Yes, part of of your group can get the skillet without everyone getting it.

Cute shirts. We saw some of those on our Atlanta Disney Store trip.

Both the younger kids will be gone for 2 weeks and the oldest is out at college. DH will be with the kids too. What will I do with myself for 2 weeks as a "single" woman??? TONS OF DISNEY PLANNING!!

You can have a lot of fun with this time. Maybe meet a friend or two for a meal, lots of DIS time, long soaking baths....

 

[micandminforever]

Shopping for the trip always makes the trip more real.

I love your bathing suit and shorts.

Meagan will be cute as a button in all her new Disney shirts.

 

[MegansMom]

Wow, you got some great purchases for your trip! Congrats on getting those tickets in time. I totally missed the ball on that one and will have to pay the higher price for our AP's.

OH NO!!! So sorry that you missed the cut-off!!! Tom luckily got the email notification and did not even miss a beat!!! I am SO glad!

Yes, part of of your group can get the skillet without everyone getting it.

Cute shirts. We saw some of those on our Atlanta Disney Store trip.

Good to know....don't know if that will happen, but thought I would get the details just in case! The shirts are so cute...a little big on her, but still so adorable!!!

Shopping for the trip always makes the trip more real.

I love your bathing suit and shorts.

Meagan will be cute as a button in all her new Disney shirts.

I agree!!! I don't know what it is about this trip, but I feel like it is racing here...which is a good thing, but I still have so much to do!!! I need the brakes to be applied just a little bit!