One Family, One Year - An AP finale & June 2010 PTR! - 7/6 TR STARTED!!!

[SoonerGirl]

Sounds like a great solution! I know you would have been worried about him driving overnight alone, now he can relax on the train and you can relax knowing that they are safe

Jared could so relate to your younger DS and the hand me downs, I'm afraid he gets stuck with them too. He's actually pretty good about it though - thankfully!

 

[Happydog]

The autotrain is such a great solution.
You are so organized I need to get my act together.
The end of the school year is just so busy. When does school end for you? We end on June 25th in NYC. My third graders are antsy already.

Hey there! Yes, we think so best on many accounts, so I am glad the deal was still available for the train.

I have a lot to get square still... working on itineraries, etc. Still have time! We end school on the 16th for students, 17th for teachers. 1/2 day for younger kids on the 16th and the final week and a half at the high school is final exam week so not much going on. My DS4 goes to Montessori and that ends the week before, so my DMIL will be over the week leading up to vacation since he wont have school and I will be gone for most of that week.

The autotrain sounds like a great solution -- I must confess, I would be worried about making that drive all by myself, so my inner Piglet is quite pleased that DH went with the train idea. Although, I was hoping you would be able to snag a fall trip out of it all!

Can't wait to see all the shirts you are pulling together for vacation!

Oh I was a bit worried, truly, also because I know that end of school year fatigue. So it works out right. Well, that fall trip is not completely out of the question, though I forget that I AM going to DisneyLAND...

Waiting to get the shirts then will share the designs!

Sounds like a great solution! I know you would have been worried about him driving overnight alone, now he can relax on the train and you can relax knowing that they are safe

Jared could so relate to your younger DS and the hand me downs, I'm afraid he gets stuck with them too. He's actually pretty good about it though - thankfully!

I know it is unfortunate! But I bought some nice stuff for the older one and darn it, I am getting my money's worth!!! He really doesn't care, either -- and when you get stuff that is nicely made and take care of it, it looks brand new anyhow! He gets a few special things now and then! He got a really special something in the mail from CP's Connor! It will be shown soon!

Yes, I will relax that is true! I am not used to traveling solo without my DH -- he normally comes on all my training trips, but a few friends of mine are also attending and so that should make it really fun!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I just had the autotrain feeling! It sounds perfect to me...
Everything is falling into place.
Can't wait to see the new shoes and shirts!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Autotrain sounds great. That worked so well last time and will be nice for DH to be able to relax a bit (and wine & cheese don't hurt either!).

Everything sounds great! You teachers are going to start making me jealous with your summer vacation plans. I know how hard you work during the year and you absolutely deserve but I will confess now to being a wee tiny bit jealous.

 

[MeMom]

DH, after a little more research, decided to take the autotrain down to Disney one way! but we both agreed that it is a really hectic time of year -- those final few days, wrapping everything up, grading, classrooms, et al, and without me being there, it would be even more so for him at home, etc. So instead, he can leave as we had expected, on Saturday -- but earlier than we would have -- and have a nice trip, enjoy free wine and cheese, and relax on his way down. The kids love it, and this way I am not worried about him and them driving with no back up help.


All in all, a good choice for us. I will be away from work for over two weeks, which makes me laugh, since four days I will be at the training, and then I will be on vacation for the week and a few days following! A great way to start the summer, though, right??!!

In OTHER NEWS...

We have Birthday parties for the boys all lined up and booked, and that will fill the two weekends before I head out. And if all goes well, my new landscaping and patio will be finished by then, too, and we can have a send off BBQ for DH's birthday that final weekend.

I ordered blank Tshirts from Jiffyshirts today. So excited to make those up! And I went through all the boys shoes and ordered new Keens for DS4 and and flip flops for both! I had already just got them new sneakers. I am getting new crocs for them as well, (Bday gifts from Grandma -- the others are really worn on the bottom! -- just gotta get them to decide on the colors!)... Can you tell they were needing new footwear ??!!

Checked swim wear, ordered new swim trunks for DS7 and pulled all the pairs that fit DS4 (he gets the hand-me-downs I am afraid The plight of the second child!!!)

I am organizing all of their Disney Tshirts for park touring next week, and will take a few pics so you can see ...
And LASTLY...

I will hit FIFTY DAYS TIL DISNEY this week. THAT is CRAZY.

So much Disney planning!
Glad everything is falling into place.

I totally agree on making it as easy as possible on the hubby. You want him to be in a good mood to start a trip.

New shoes, new shirts, new swim trunks....

 

[stace208]

The autotrain sounds like the perfect solution!
You guys get out of school about the same time as us. Our last half day with students is June 18th. Unfortunately, they make teachers come in the next Monday and Tuesday. Such a waste of time.

Can't wait to see the shirts, shoes, and other fun stuff!

 

[Happydog]

I just had the autotrain feeling! It sounds perfect to me...
Everything is falling into place.
Can't wait to see the new shoes and shirts!

Will take pics when I get them going!

Yes, we like the autotrain option too, thinking this is the best bet for everyone!

Autotrain sounds great. That worked so well last time and will be nice for DH to be able to relax a bit (and wine & cheese don't hurt either!).

Everything sounds great! You teachers are going to start making me jealous with your summer vacation plans. I know how hard you work during the year and you absolutely deserve but I will confess now to being a wee tiny bit jealous.

NO, WINE and CHEESE do NOT hurt. I just wish I got to have some! That is okay. I will be munching on Benigets and I am sure I can find some wine in New Orleans...

Yeah, those teachers, I know! I am a 12 mos employee, so I still have to work when I am not vacationing, but summer still feels like summer, since the kids are gone!

So much Disney planning!
Glad everything is falling into place.

I totally agree on making it as easy as possible on the hubby. You want him to be in a good mood to start a trip.

New shoes, new shirts, new swim trunks....

Thanks MeMom! I am glad too!

Yeah, new shoes, shirts, and swim trunks, SOUNDS like summer

 

[Happydog]

The autotrain sounds like the perfect solution!
You guys get out of school about the same time as us. Our last half day with students is June 18th. Unfortunately, they make teachers come in the next Monday and Tuesday. Such a waste of time.

Can't wait to see the shirts, shoes, and other fun stuff!

Oh seriously??!! THAT is crazy, why ruin a perfectly good week!!!!!

 

[Happydog]

So..... as we begin the 50 day count down, I thought I would update everyone on our itinerary and add all the improvements that have been made! I changed our 6/21 dinner to Narcoossee's, and I am STILL on the fence about the Bistro in Epcot or Blue Zoo for Date night dinner! I think we will lean towards Blue Zoo... I have to go and get more feedback from the dining reviews...

Sunday June 20th
DH and the Boys ARRIVE by AUTO Train and DRIVE to BLT
Arrive at Bay Lake Towers and Check in
Park: Animal Kingdom / Magic Kingdom

Unpack if room is ready, if not head to Animal Kingdom
OR Stay at BLT, enjoy the pool...
QS Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ OR The Sand Bar

HAPPY DOG arrives from New Orleans, takes the ME from MCO, and is reunited with her family after a week of business!

Head to Epcot for dinner
Dinner ADR: Le Cellier @ 6:15pm
Walk to the Magic Kingdom for EMH evening, just for parade and fireworks!
Return to BLT for BED!

Monday June 21st
Park: Magic Kingdom / Epcot
Brunch ADR: Crystal Palace @ 10:25am
Head back to resort for R & R
QS Lunch @ the Sand Bar
Head over to the Grand Floridian by Mono Rail
Dinner ADR: Narcoossee's @ 6:30pm
After Dinner take Monorail back to MK, use FPs from earlier in the day, see the parade, Fire works, etc!
Return to BLT!

Tuesday June 22nd
Park: Disney Hollywood Studios
Lunch ADR: Sci Fi Dine-in Theater @ 12:25pm
Back to the resort for R & R
Boat to WL from the Contemporary
Dinner ADR: Whispering Canyon Café @ 6:30pm
Take the boat from WL to Fort Wilderness for the Campfire-Sing-A-Long
See the Electric Water Parade!
Head back to BLT!

Wednesday June 23rd
Park: Epcot
QS Lunch @ Taqueria del Lago
Back to the resort for R & R
Head over to Epcot
Dinner ADR: Tutto Italia @ 6:35pm
Use any AM FPs
See Illuminations!
Head back to BLT!

Thursday June 24th
Park: Animal Kingdom/ Magic Kingdom
Lunch ADR: Yak and Yeti @ 1:30pm
Back to the resort for R & R
Dinner ADR: California Grill @ 7:10pm
Walk to the Magic Kingdom for fireworks OR Watch the fireworks from the Cali Grill balcony!
Get organized and ready to move resorts tomorrow.

Friday June 25th
Park: TBA - not sure if we will make it to a park today, but am considering Epcot
Check out of BLT
Take the Monorail to the GF
Brunch ADR: 1900 Park Fare @ 10:00am
Return to BLT, and drive over to BCV
Check in at BCV!
R & R and a Storm Along Bay afternoon!
QS lunch at Hurricane Hannah’s
Sand Castle Club reservation for the boys!
Date Night ADR: Blue Zoo @ 7:30pm OR Bistro de Paris @ 7:30pm
Pick up boys and head back to villa

Saturday June 26th
Park: Magic Kingdom
QS lunch @ Columbia Harbor House
Back to BCV for R & R @ SAB!
Walk to Epcot
Dinner ADR: Tokyo Dining @ 6:00pm
Head back to Magic Kingdom to use FP's, see parade and fireworks
Back to BCV!

Sunday June 27th
Park: Disney Hollywood Studios
QS lunch @ WPE
DTD
Back to BCV for R & R @ SAB!
Walk to Epcot
Dinner ADR: Le Cellier @ 7:20pm
See Illuminations!
Back to BCV!

Monday June 28th
Park: Epcot
Boys on the Albatross Pirate Cruise from the BC
Check out of the BCV
Pick up boys from cruise
Walk to Epcot
QS lunch @ Taqueria del Lago or Yakitori House
Back to BCV
Head to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort!
Check in at Vero Beach!

Tuesday June 29th
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Wednesday June 30th
Check out of Vero Beach
Hang out at the resort/pool until after lunch…
Head home!

Now with this revised itinerary, I have an extra QS meal, but I think we will be able to find a time when we just want to split something -- we often do just get one meal to share with drinks, or a breakfast meal to share between the boys, so we will probably go that route a few times to use up those final four meals. As many on the boards say, QS meals come with dessert and chips or fries, and it can be more food than you might usually eat for lunch, but as something to eat with a round of drinks, the flat bread sandwich at Hurricane Hannah's FOR instance, is PERFECT!!!! So is something from the World showcase, so I am sure we won't have trouble using the extra set of credits from our arrival day. We ended up with them because the boys will get breakfast on the train, and they may not be hungry for breakfast when they arrive. We'll have a set to do with what we please.

I am still waiting to hear about our arrangements for this training. I am anxious to know my options!

I am also deciding on a few "Disney Nights" options for our countdown to the trip.... I am thinking Sunday night fun, vs. Friday night, because we have Soccer practice Friday, and we are all home and rested on Sundays... we always have dinner together Sundays, and there are not any activities that compete with the time. This way I was thinking I could include my Mickey Waffle maker -- try a Fab Five Brunch, or recreate the Crystal Palace breakfast! We'll see... I am still cooking up my plans!

So to start, though, what nights would you do with two boys?

I was thinking StarWars, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, and then I don't know! I need one more to do -- Maybe Pirates, so a POTC theme... OR maybe Haunted Mansion?? I have all the theme music on my Disney CD, Four Parks One World CD...

I am going to do this the final four Sundays before our Trip. If I chose Friday I would miss the final one! This way I get our fun family Sunday, and then on Tuesday I can take off and not miss all the fun! So I am still working out all the details, the menus, etc and that takes research, but I am looking at the threads about "Disney Theme Nights", and of course deciding which ideas to steal!!! HA!

MORE TO COME!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think your plans sound great, love your family fun night themes! Sunday seems perfect especially if you are busy with soccer on Friday!

Now, how about if I send you my ADRs and you plan our trip.....

 

[stace208]

Your plans look great!
I think we overlap on a couple of places. Maybe closer to time we can exchange numbers and meet up for a quick hello!
We do Disney night on Sundays too. It really works the best because I have time to plan and we don't usually have any activities that night to get in the way. We haven't been doing anything elaborate but I want to kick it up a notch as we get closer to the trip. I really think a POTC night would be a fun addition to your other ideas!

 

[Native NYer]

50 DAYS!

Great plans!
I love the Haunted Mansion theme.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I am all about Disney theme nights! Can't wait to see what you cook up!

What about The Jungle Book or The Lion King? Although, POTC is a fun one, and then, Mom and Dad could have a drink with rum in it since that's Captain Jack's favorite!

 

[Happydog]

I think your plans sound great, love your family fun night themes! Sunday seems perfect especially if you are busy with soccer on Friday!

Now, how about if I send you my ADRs and you plan our trip.....

Oh you bet! I love doing all the planning! Wait till you see my spreadsheet! I love my spreadsheet! I can't wait to get all my binder pages printed and laminated! I was robbed of time to put it together properly for Christmas (I had it all made but didnt get it cut and hole punched and laminated before we left... But this time, I am ahead of the game!

Sundays will be good days for us, I agree!

Your plans look great!
I think we overlap on a couple of places. Maybe closer to time we can exchange numbers and meet up for a quick hello!
We do Disney night on Sundays too. It really works the best because I have time to plan and we don't usually have any activities that night to get in the way. We haven't been doing anything elaborate but I want to kick it up a notch as we get closer to the trip. I really think a POTC night would be a fun addition to your other ideas!

Oh yes! I will certainly send you my phone #! I am glad to know that Disney nights work on Sunday! It does make sense in terms of not rushing, etc. Yes, I like the POTC, but CP had a couple good ideas, too!!!! AND HM is my DS4's self proclaimed "favorite" ride.. SO between the two I can't decide!!

50 DAYS!

Great plans!
I love the Haunted Mansion theme.

Thanks!! YAY!!!!!!!!! I know FIFTY days. HOLY COW!

Oh, I am all about Disney theme nights! Can't wait to see what you cook up!

What about The Jungle Book or The Lion King? Although, POTC is a fun one, and then, Mom and Dad could have a drink with rum in it since that's Captain Jack's favorite!

Those are both great ideas, but they have not been really interested in Jungle book, or the Lion King. They only recently, like this past weekend!, saw Aladdin. I know DS7 saw Lion King a while ago, but he never talks about it... I like the Jungle Book though!! It also comes down to what the boy will eat, as well! DS7 PICKY, DS4 will eat your shoes if you let him

Did ya see the free dining Visa offer?? VERY tempting, I agree!!!

 

[Happydog]

JUST HAVE TO SAY IT!

FIFTY DAYS
THE BIG 5 "oh" FIFTY! 50!​

Okay, and now that this little interlude is off my chest, let me ask you a question:

Would you ever guess that there was a cookbook called The Starwars Cookbook??!! All recipes inspired by the movies? Would you believe me if I told you there were TWO cookbooks? The Starwars Cookbook I and II??!! $11.55 apiece at Amazon... hmmmmmm

 

[IluvXU]

I think you should have dinner switch monorail resorts for dinner to Kona on 6/21 (we are headed there that night)!

Your plans look great... lots of yummy eats!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for fifty days!!!

Star Wars Cookbooks??? Who would have guessed??? I wonder what they ate in a galaxy far, far away... You just know there is probably a recipe for Princess Leia cinnamon rolls!

Now don't forget the season finale of Clone Wars is on tonight!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your plans look fantastic! I especially love the welcome to WDW dinner at Le Cellier on your first night! And I am SO jealous of your afternoons at SAB in just ~50 days!!!

Theme nights sound so fun. I want to come visit! How about something Kim Possible related (didn't they like those missions?) and then you can weave in some international food & drinks? I'm thinking any way you can work margaritas into theme night is a good one. Or grey goose slushies for that matter....

 

[stace208]

Woohoo for being so close!! That means we are just a few days behind you. Better get started on my countdown thingie since I promised the kids we'd start at 50!

Star Wars cookbooks?? Whoda thunk it...will check those out tonight! Thanks!

The planner in me can't wait to see your spreadsheets and stuff!

 

[Happydog]

I think you should have dinner switch monorail resorts for dinner to Kona on 6/21 (we are headed there that night)!

Your plans look great... lots of yummy eats!

No way! Are you at Kona's for dinner that night!!! You know I will check, but I have to say we picked Narcoossee's because this is an OOP meal for us -- we decided we would go somewhere where the Aps menu sounded fab, and just get those and a bottle of wine and call it dinner That is for us of course, kids get dinner So but does this mean you might be at MK that evening? Well maybe a parade rendezvous/watch!

Hurray for fifty days!!!

Star Wars Cookbooks??? Who would have guessed??? I wonder what they ate in a galaxy far, far away... You just know there is probably a recipe for Princess Leia cinnamon rolls!

Now don't forget the season finale of Clone Wars is on tonight!

You are so funny! We are like three seasons behind with Clone Wars! I didn't even know it was on TV?? WE have Season One on CD and Season Ttwo is coming out next month, I think my DH said, he has preordered something from Amazon. With the cookbook, YES there were Princess Leia's cinnamon "buns"!!!!! I have to look at it more closely. I think it looked silly, but fun -- with legitimate recipes. Might get one.

Your plans look fantastic! I especially love the welcome to WDW dinner at Le Cellier on your first night! And I am SO jealous of your afternoons at SAB in just ~50 days!!!

Theme nights sound so fun. I want to come visit! How about something Kim Possible related (didn't they like those missions?) and then you can weave in some international food & drinks? I'm thinking any way you can work margaritas into theme night is a good one. Or grey goose slushies for that matter....

I am TOTALY digging the Kim Possible theme, International dining -- YES! That is really great. A stop in Mexico for margaritas and tacos! A stop in Italy for pasta And a stop in France for Crepes. Sounds like a great contender! GADS! I am going to have to make some choices!

Oh you know we had to do Le Cellier the first AND last night!!! HAD to!!!!!!

Woohoo for being so close!! That means we are just a few days behind you. Better get started on my countdown thingie since I promised the kids we'd start at 50!

Star Wars cookbooks?? Whoda thunk it...will check those out tonight! Thanks!

The planner in me can't wait to see your spreadsheets and stuff!

I am trying to get all the planning stuff done here in the next week, and I will share

Crazy how fast it is coming isn't it!!!