Only 615 Days and Counting!!! ***UPDATE 6-21*** complete! New PTR added

[Jackiemarie21]

I talked to someone online not too long ago about that bag. They said they just get them randomly and probably the easiest way to get one is to just constantly check disneystore.com for when they have them in stock. The other thing I saw was a website called your wdw store dot net.They have them listed in their site as in stock right now for the hipster and the bag and the duffel is supposed to be in stock in march I think.

They are awfully popular aren't they! I really want the backpack, I use a Vera backpack as a diaper bag now and LOVE it! The only thing that could make it better is to be the midnight mickey one! I also want the duffel and the hipster...who am I kidding I want them all!

Boooo!

I was hoping to grab one of those bags on my trip as well I didn't know they were still having trouble keeping them in stock. Maybe by fall it will be cooled down for me!!

I sure hope after the fall the demand will not be so high! I would want the hardest thing to find!

No problem! I knew that this trip stemmed from a Christmas present for that bag! I'm definitely hoping the same for the both of us!!

I had heard people say the preferred to buy them at WDW so they could see the design placement before purchasing so I had not paid much attention to trying to find one online...maybe I should rethink that!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I am so excited the easyWDW crowd calculator and operating hours for Sept. has come out! This really helps with my planning. It appears as though the MNSSHP may be on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday of our trip. Friday is our travel day and that will be out for the party. I was originally planning on the Tuesday party. It will the last night of our trip and I thought it would be a fun way to end things. However, I have been reading about how rainy Sept. can be. I have been thinking it might be better to go to the party on Sunday. That way if the party is a total wash out we can try for the Tuesday night party. Just a thought.

I do have another issue though. It looks as though my park plans, are on the worst possible days according to the crowd calendar.

So my original plan was this:

Friday: arrive around 10-11pmish
Saturday: HS
Sunday: Resort
Monday: MK
Tuesday: rest/MNSSHP

So here is a possible new plan:
Friday: arrive around 10-11pmish
Saturday: HS
Sunday: MNSSHP
Monday: resort
Tuesday: MK
The thing I do not like about this plan is that MK will be closing early for MNSSHP on Tues and I would like the option of staying late if we have the stamina for it. MK however is the recommended park for Tuesday so that may be best. i was thinking we could make our dinner ADR for the latest possible time that day and then maximize our park time. This plan also gives us the day after MNSSHP off so we can stay out as late as we can for the party.
I just don't know!

I have also been driving myself crazy trying to find a way to fit "everything" in. I don't know if it is the short nature of the trip or what but I just have this feeling I have to do so much. I have to keep telling myself that every previous trip I have ever been on we did not do it all and we have always had a fabulous time. In fact, some of my favorite WDW memories have been those when we were just kind of wandering around the parks soaking in the atmosphere. Our touring style is not for everyone, but, part of what we enjoy about Disney is just being there. Plus I really have no idea how much FP+ and lower crowd levels will play into how much we can get done. We have never really taken much advantage of the old FP system, but the advance scheduling of FP+ may make it more convenient for us to use. Last trip we saw crowd levels of 8's and 9's and I did not feel all that overwhelmed. I am not sure how 2's,3's and 5's will change how we do things.

In other news, DH and I were also talking about how much we also want to see WDW at Christmas time. We are pleased that we made the choice to go for the fall this time but still really want to do Christmas time! We postponed our July 2015 trip due to some factors (I will share, I promise) but in looking at our finances, we can probably do another shortish trip like this one in Dec. 2015! So, we potentially have another trip coming up in 2015! I know its early, but it makes me feel better we have another Disney goal to work towards.

 

[Denovagirl]

I am so excited the easyWDW crowd calculator and operating hours for Sept. has come out!

Oh! I need to go take a look and see how it matches up with touringplans.com crowd calendar! Sidenote: You are up EARLY on the Dis!!! I'm thinking you were tossing and turning in bed, thinking about Disney plans, until you just couldn't help yourself and had to jump on the Dis!?!? I know it's happened to me!

I have been thinking it might be better to go to the party on Sunday. That way if the party is a total wash out we can try for the Tuesday night party. Just a thought.

Good idea!!!! I must note, I have yet to read a TR where anyone has gotten rained out of a MNSSHP, have you?? I haven't really thought of it as a big concern, but maybe I should. We have 2 other parties after ours we could catch if we wanted to though!

So here is a possible new plan:
Friday: arrive around 10-11pmish
Saturday: HS
Sunday: MNSSHP
Monday: resort
Tuesday: MK
The thing I do not like about this plan is that MK will be closing early for MNSSHP on Tues and I would like the option of staying late if we have the stamina for it. MK however is the recommended park for Tuesday so that may be best. i was thinking we could make our dinner ADR for the latest possible time that day and then maximize our park time. This plan also gives us the day after MNSSHP off so we can stay out as late as we can for the party.
I just don't know!

I like this new plan better, for the reasons you've already stated mainly, that you get rest after MNSSHP, and if it gets rained out you can move it to Tues. Like you said, you will still get a lot of time in the park, especially if you make it to rope drop, and you can book that last meal at like 6:45 and stay in the park later! The only thing you will be missing out on is the regular Wishes, and thats okay. I think you will be able to do SOOOO MUCH with the crowd levels anyway, especially if you were used to 8's & 9's!! We went late August-Sept last time and crowds were 4-6's and I thought it was wonderful. We got sooo much accomplished, and posted wait times for most attractions weren't that long, except maybe the mountains, they were usually about 45min. So with FP+ I think you'll be just fine!

In other news, DH and I were also talking about how much we also want to see WDW at Christmas time. We are pleased that we made the choice to go for the fall this time but still really want to do Christmas time! We postponed our July 2015 trip due to some factors (I will share, I promise) but in looking at our finances, we can probably do another shortish trip like this one in Dec. 2015! So, we potentially have another trip coming up in 2015! I know its early, but it makes me feel better we have another Disney goal to work towards.

Yay!! We are thinking either WDW at Christmas for 2015 or a Disney cruise.... I think we will see how we feel after this trip!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I obviously don't know since we' e never done a MNSSHP but I hear Tuesdays are a great day to go. They are supposed to be the least crowded party day of the week.

I also like having some downtime after the party since you'll be out so late.

I really think planning a short trip is harder! I have to keep reminding myself not to expect to do as much and that it'll still be an awesome trip cuz it's DISNEY!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Oh! I need to go take a look and see how it matches up with touringplans.com crowd calendar! Sidenote: You are up EARLY on the Dis!!! I'm thinking you were tossing and turning in bed, thinking about Disney plans, until you just couldn't help yourself and had to jump on the Dis!?!? I know it's happened to me!

I have heard that Easywdw and touringplans.com are often different and easywdw is usually more accurate.
Ha I am actually a night owl. I have trouble making myself go to bed, and then I think oh well I am up this late, I might as well jump on the dis and one thing just kind of leads to another...

Good idea!!!! I must note, I have yet to read a TR where anyone has gotten rained out of a MNSSHP, have you?? I haven't really thought of it as a big concern, but maybe I should. We have 2 other parties after ours we could catch if we wanted to though!

I have read two TRs where the party was a total washout and Disney offered free tickets to another party during their trip. I have read several others where it rained, but the show went on, so to speak. When I thought there would only be on party offered on our dates, I wasn't all that concerned, however, now that there may be two, I am thinking better safe than sorry!

I like this new plan better, for the reasons you've already stated mainly, that you get rest after MNSSHP, and if it gets rained out you can move it to Tues. Like you said, you will still get a lot of time in the park, especially if you make it to rope drop, and you can book that last meal at like 6:45 and stay in the park later! The only thing you will be missing out on is the regular Wishes, and thats okay. I think you will be able to do SOOOO MUCH with the crowd levels anyway, especially if you were used to 8's & 9's!! We went late August-Sept last time and crowds were 4-6's and I thought it was wonderful. We got sooo much accomplished, and posted wait times for most attractions weren't that long, except maybe the mountains, they were usually about 45min. So with FP+ I think you'll be just fine!

I think this will work out better for us. I think this may be typical for Sept. but the non-party dates are crowd level 5 and party dates 2. I am thinking if we go on a party day, which will be much less crowded, that would be the better option. Plus it gives us a chance for a make-up party.

Yay!! We are thinking either WDW at Christmas for 2015 or a Disney cruise.... I think we will see how we feel after this trip!

The Disney cruise is the best! We went on our honeymoon and it is amazing! We will hold off before we go on another one for a while. We will probably add another kiddo to the family in the next year or two. Kids can not swim in the ship pools until they are potty trained. The pools are kind of a big party of a cruise to us, so we will wait until all our children are potty trained! But you will not be disappointed with one. There really are no words to describe how amazing the cruises are!
Christmas time in Disney looks so magical. I really want to check it out!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I obviously don't know since we' e never done a MNSSHP but I hear Tuesdays are a great day to go. They are supposed to be the least crowded party day of the week.

I also like having some downtime after the party since you'll be out so late.

I really think planning a short trip is harder! I have to keep reminding myself not to expect to do as much and that it'll still be an awesome trip cuz it's DISNEY!

That was the reason I was originally thinking Tuesday! However, since they are adding so many more parties this year (or at least that is the rumor) I am thinking all the parties may not be as crowded. I really like the idea of having a "back-up" party, just in case. I really worry too much!


A short trip is so hard! Don't get me wrong I am so happy to be going, but you just do not have the flexibility to move things around like you do on a longer trip. Especially when you are trying to work around the parties!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

We have had some Disney fun lately I thought I would share!
Last Friday we went to Disney On Ice. It was the passport to adventure show. We really enjoyed this for the most part. Although about 5 minutes before intermission the little girl sitting next to me (a total stranger) threw up and it went all over my legs and onto my new Sperry shoes I just got for Christmas! Charlotte was having an amazing time so, I did want to leave. Luckily I carry Clorox wipes everywhere I got. So I wiped my self down and washed my hands about 50 times and we finished the show. It did kind of ruin the rest of it for me. I was so afraid I might have missed an area of germs and Charlotte would touch it. Bob is a little OCD about germs and this totally ruined his night.
Here are some pics from our evening:

Charlotte wore the Rapunzel hoodie I made her. I didn't get the best picture of it. It had a long braid in the back just like Rapunzel. Rapunzel was not a part of the show, but she is currently Charlotte's favorite so I wanted it to get worn after the show and I knew a Rapunzel one would!

Charlotte LOVED it!

Getting these impossible to eat snow cones in a neat cup is a Disney on Ice tradition that dates all the way back to me being a kid. My mom still has all the cups from when I was a kid. This time we got Stitch! Although Charlotte kept going back and forth between Stitch and Flounder.

During the show Charlotte was on my lap so I asked Bob to take some pics for me. Here is one of the best he got:

We were only 15v rows from the ice! He really needs some help using my camera! So there really is not much point in sharing the rest.

Tonight (or I guess yesterday at this point) was Mardi Gras which is kind of a big deal here in St. Louis. We have the second largest celebration in the country. We don't usually go because the weather is normally awful here around this time of year, but being the proud St. Louisian I am, I like to celebrate it. Normally, we just make a king cake for dessert with dinner, but this year I decided to step it up a notch. We had a full Mardi Gras menu and watched Princess and the Frog! Can you think of a better way to celebrate Mardi Gras? Because I sure can't! It was kind of holiday celebration and movie night combo!

I got some masks from the dollar store, that I fancied up with sequences ribbons and feathers. We had beads already so we used those. For dinner we had gumbo (all day long I kept saying "Hey everbody, I made gum-bo!" Just like little Tiana in the movie), fried okra, cornbread and beignets. It was not exactly a healthy meal, but isn't that the point of Mardi Gras? After dinner we watched the movie. It was an awesome night!

Everyone loved dinner!

Yummy dinner

Beignets! I used the POFQ recipe and they turned out great!

We ate our beignets while we watched the movie, a decision I would later come to regret! Powered sugar was everywhere!

My boys enjoying the movie

You know the part of the movie where Tiana gives Stella a beignet? Yeah, Charlotte thought Daphne would like to try one like Stella did. This was after she ate a piece Charlotte threw to her. She wanted more and begged the whole time we were eating dessert. Doesn't she look pitiful? How do kids pick up on those things?

Charlotte had so much fun danicng to the music in the movie! Charlotte picked out her own outfit, she wanted to wear her pettiskirt, because she felt like a princess today!

While we were watching a thought came to my mind...For our MNSSHP costumes we could have Charlotte dress up like Charlotte LaBouff and Bob could be Big Daddy, and I could be Tiana. I think that might be cute! Oh this silly costume is going to drive me nuts until we make a final choice!

Anyway, that is about all for now. Not too much longer until our ADR date! I can't wait!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Love your mardi gras/princess and the frog night! Those beignets look exactly like the ones at POFQ. Now I want beignets.... And of course Charlotte shared with daphne--who could resist that face?!?

And I think those costume ideas are great too! Charlotte would make an adorable Charlotte!

 

[Denovagirl]

LOVE IT ALL!!!!!!!

You are one awesome mommy!!

I think P&tF would be an adorable costume idea, and not too overdone either!! You could fund a stuffed frog to carry with you too!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Love your mardi gras/princess and the frog night! Those beignets look exactly like the ones at POFQ. Now I want beignets.... And of course Charlotte shared with daphne--who could resist that face?!?

And I think those costume ideas are great too! Charlotte would make an adorable Charlotte!

Thanks we had a fun night! Can you believe we stayed at POFQ and didn't try the beingets? Its unbelievable, I know! But that was in my pre-Dis days so I had no idea I was missing out on! I found the recipe online and they were fantastic. I can only imagine how much better they will be there.

Charlotte loves to share with Daphne they are BFFs!

I am seriously considering switching our costumes! I think this idea would be so fun. I am pretty sure Charlotte is the reason my Charlotte loves that movie so much. She thinks she is so funny!

LOVE IT ALL!!!!!!!

You are one awesome mommy!!

I think P&tF would be an adorable costume idea, and not too overdone either!! You could fund a stuffed frog to carry with you too!

Oh thank you! I love celebrating! Doing stuff like that is my favorite part of being a mommy!

I am really starting to like my idea. I LOVE the stuffed frog idea, this is going to be awesome!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

So it wouldn't be a Jackiemarie21 trip report without some changes right? Well this afternoon DH sent me and email that was titled "Bad News". The contents went on to explain that his school's Homecoming was being changed to Sept. 20. Which just happened to be right in the middle of our trip! DH is the student council sponsor and has to be there for homecoming. You have to be kidding me!
DH told me not to get upset, just call Disney and see if we can change our dates. I knew changing our dates would not be a problem. But, I wasn't sure about the PIN code I had used to book. The offer date ended on the 27th, so I wasn't sure that rate would be applied to our new dates. I called to see if we could just move the trip one week the 9/26-10/1. Well, that was a no-go the PIN rate only applied to one night and the trip went up by $600!!! That would not work! So, the very patient CM went through just about every combination of dates in Sept. We finally settled on 9/23-28. These dates came to about $50 more than our previous dates, which we could handle that. So, whew, crisis averted! But, how annoying! In Dh's 10 years of being Student Council sponsor they have never changed the dates! I have mixed emotions about this change. On one hand, DH will be so much more relaxed and "present" with homecoming behind him. Plus the days that we want to go to the parks are lower crowd levels, so that is good. But, we only have one party option and that is Friday night. I really wanted to try and avoid the Friday night parties if at all possible. I also liked the idea of having two parties while we were there. I suppose there is no point in worrying about it, there really is no other option for us. I am just grateful to be going! But anyway, that is our trip news!

 

[Denovagirl]

So it wouldn't be a Jackiemarie21 trip report without some changes right? Well this afternoon DH sent me and email that was titled "Bad News". The contents went on to explain that his school's Homecoming was being changed to Sept. 20. Which just happened to be right in the middle of our trip! DH is the student council sponsor and has to be there for homecoming. You have to be kidding me!
DH told me not to get upset, just call Disney and see if we can change our dates. I knew changing our dates would not be a problem. But, I wasn't sure about the PIN code I had used to book. The offer date ended on the 27th, so I wasn't sure that rate would be applied to our new dates. I called to see if we could just move the trip one week the 9/26-10/1. Well, that was a no-go the PIN rate only applied to one night and the trip went up by $600!!! That would not work! So, the very patient CM went through just about every combination of dates in Sept. We finally settled on 9/23-28. These dates came to about $50 more than our previous dates, which we could handle that. So, whew, crisis averted! But, how annoying! In Dh's 10 years of being Student Council sponsor they have never changed the dates! I have mixed emotions about this change. On one hand, DH will be so much more relaxed and "present" with homecoming behind him. Plus the days that we want to go to the parks are lower crowd levels, so that is good. But, we only have one party option and that is Friday night. I really wanted to try and avoid the Friday night parties if at all possible. I also liked the idea of having two parties while we were there. I suppose there is no point in worrying about it, there really is no other option for us. I am just grateful to be going! But anyway, that is our trip news!

BUMMMMMM-ERRRRRRR! You will miss me by ONE DAY!!! One silly, little ole, day!!! Darn!!

I got excited when I saw your first set of dates then you said that was a no-go... lol. You know, when they release the fall sales you never, know, there could be an awesome sale come out.

But still, I think those dates are great, you're right about it being lower crowds, and it will feel more fall-ish and not as summer-ish being closer to October.

I wouldnt worry about the party on a Fri night, It's still sept and they tend to get more crowded into Oct! I think itll all work out for ya!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Those are our dates and that's the party we're going to!!!!! I know it's a bummer about the pin code but I'm super excited that we'll be there at the same time!

 

[AprilRenee]

Those are our dates and that's the party we're going to!!!!! I know it's a bummer about the pin code but I'm super excited that we'll be there at the same time!

Dude! Seriously! Now I'm extra jealous! Lol

 

[Denovagirl]

Dude! Seriously! Now I'm extra jealous! Lol

Ditto on that jealousy!

 

[anniebabymu]

Those are our dates and that's the party we're going to!!!!! I know it's a bummer about the pin code but I'm super excited that we'll be there at the same time!

When she posted her new dates I immediately thought that was when you guys would be down there! Same arrival day and departure day??? If so... maybe you guys will be on the same flight! How awesome would that be!?

 

[Jackiemarie21]

BUMMMMMM-ERRRRRRR! You will miss me by ONE DAY!!! One silly, little ole, day!!! Darn!!

I got excited when I saw your first set of dates then you said that was a no-go... lol. You know, when they release the fall sales you never, know, there could be an awesome sale come out.

But still, I think those dates are great, you're right about it being lower crowds, and it will feel more fall-ish and not as summer-ish being closer to October.

I wouldnt worry about the party on a Fri night, It's still sept and they tend to get more crowded into Oct! I think itll all work out for ya!

That is such a bummer!
I really wanted the 26-30th to work, but I am sure this will still be good!
I totally agree with you about the more fall-ish feel! I think we will be in a more Halloween spirit!

Those are our dates and that's the party we're going to!!!!! I know it's a bummer about the pin code but I'm super excited that we'll be there at the same time!

I know! I am so excited we will be there at the same time! And the same party even better!

Dude! Seriously! Now I'm extra jealous! Lol

I wish we could all be there at the same time! That would be amazing!

Ditto on that jealousy!

You could always go a day early! LOL@

When she posted her new dates I immediately thought that was when you guys would be down there! Same arrival day and departure day??? If so... maybe you guys will be on the same flight! How awesome would that be!?

I think we have different arrival and departure days, but it is so awesome we will be there at the same time! I went from going at the same time as you to now the same time as Lori!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I know! I am so excited we will be there at the same time! And the same party even better!

I wish we could all be there at the same time! That would be amazing!

You could always go a day early! LOL@


I think we have different arrival and departure days, but it is so awesome we will be there at the same time! I went from going at the same time as you to now the same time as Lori!

i know!!! let's plan a mom trip and we'll all go together!! i'm sure all the kids and DHs would be fine with that, right?

you're right--different arrival/departure, but that would be nice to be on the plane together. the girls could entertain each other!

i'm excited that hopefully we'll see you at the party and get to see your costumes in person!!!

 

[Denovagirl]

I would TOTALLY go a day or two early but my hubby's stupid schedule wont allow it!

He's on this rotating schedule with the police dept. and it is difficult to schedule time around it sometimes!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I would TOTALLY go a day or two early but my hubby's stupid schedule wont allow it!

He's on this rotating schedule with the police dept. and it is difficult to schedule time around it sometimes!

dang it--doesn't the police dept understand that we need to have a DIS meet when we're all there? geez!