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

[THiiNKTiiNKx0]

Joining in!! We are going in December this year, but the next trip are thinking about going for MNSSHP so im excited to see how you plan for this and your thoughts! We did breakfast at H&V last time and we really enjoyed it. The food was good and the character interaction was the best we've experienced so far. We're going to be doing the Disney movie nights also, and I love reading about yours. Cant wait to read more!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Yay for new plans!!

How funny! We are doing H&V and Sci Fi on our HS day too!

Flying does suck but you'll be there sooo fast! So that's a plus!

About the one night hotel conundrum, that is a doozy. Stinks you can leave any earlier and get a couple hours to enjoy AoA more! But even if you get there by 9-10pm, you'll probably have lots of energy bc you just got to Disney! So you could still spend an hour walking around and taking photos and then maybe do a quick 30 min in the pool! You won't get too worn out for rope drop the next day. Lots of people will still be swimming and stuff at that time!

You could also book you and the DD for an earlier flight and go to AoA and have the DH fly separate. I know that sucks, but some people don't mind that sorta thing!

Love the Frozen costume idea too! I hear Anna and Elsa are getting a float in the new Festival of Fantasy parade! Hope that's true! So you can see them in MK!

You know it was weird... on our last trip some parks had TONS of photogs...some had like none! Epcot, for one, had hardly any! We literally have like 2 photos from that day! I didn't see a single one in the WS!! And none by SSE in the morning! I was super bummed. Also HS we really didn't see any except the ones with the character M&G areas... I didn't even get a photo with the sorcerer hat! But AK & MK we have tons of photos! This time I will be seeking them out, I am paying for it, so I want my photos! LoL!

And I agree, another $150 on top...lol... I am glad that you can just add it on your package through Disney now though. It makes it so much easier to just bulk it in with everything else!!

Yay for new plans!!

How funny! We are doing H&V and Sci Fi on our HS day too!

Flying does suck but you'll be there sooo fast! So that's a plus!

About the one night hotel conundrum, that is a doozy. Stinks you can leave any earlier and get a couple hours to enjoy AoA more! But even if you get there by 9-10pm, you'll probably have lots of energy bc you just got to Disney! So you could still spend an hour walking around and taking photos and then maybe do a quick 30 min in the pool! You won't get too worn out for rope drop the next day. Lots of people will still be swimming and stuff at that time!

You could also book you and the DD for an earlier flight and go to AoA and have the DH fly separate. I know that sucks, but some people don't mind that sorta thing!

Love the Frozen costume idea too! I hear Anna and Elsa are getting a float in the new Festival of Fantasy parade! Hope that's true! So you can see them in MK!

Sounds like we think the same! I am super excited for our HS plans! I thought about how the Disney adrenaline will kick and give us a chance to look around. I really want to see AoA!

I never thought about going down separately, but that is not a bad idea, I a defiantly adding that to the list of considerations! I am sure DD and I would do fine flying alone! Especially since then we could fly in the morning which seems to better for Charlotte. Thanks for the idea, that never would have occurred to me! This is why I love the Dis!

I am loving everything Frozen right now! I am so hoping they give them another meet area in MK or HS as I have heard rumored! But the parade would be awesome too!

I like that you can add it to your package now too! That makes it so much more convenient! I am thinking what the heck just go for it!

I agree with you MK and AK had tons of photogs, but HS and EPCOT you really had to hunt them down. Getting as many pics as possible is a mission for me! You never know which photog will get the best photo or which ones will be cardworthy or frame worthy so I like to get as many as I can! That is probably why DH hates it so much.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

snow day for us--no work or school! more time for the DIS!

I hope you had a great snow day! We sure did!

I like your choices of park days! I am torn between epcot and HS too. right now my plan is epcot the first day, but I keep thinking about changing to HS. my main issue is wanting to do stuff at both of those parks but not wanting to pay for park hoppers. it's hard to plan a short trip!

I totally understand! I have to keep telling myself not to expect to do everything! Its a short trip and its better to focus on having a nice time rather than getting in all in...we will be back!

sci fi is so fun! you'll love it. I don't remember being super impressed with the food, not bad, but nothing stood out. the movie clips and sitting in the cars were fun and the girls loved it.

Every trip I always have it on my list and then end up scraping it in favor of something else. I am really excited to try it!

we tossed around the frozen idea too because rich wanted to be olaf. maddie would be elsa, Hannah would be anna, and I was going to be sven! we did all get excited about that idea too. it still sounds like a good idea.... I can't wait to see what you come up with!

What is it with these husbands and wanting to be Olaf? When I threw that idea out there I thought for sure Bob would say no way, now he is always asking me if I made up my mind yet! The other night I was looking at tutorials for Frozen costumes on pintrest and I am pretty excited!

I can understand wanting to drive, but for a short trip, flying will save some time. here's my two cents on the hotel issue--i'd just get another night at AKL. it's more expensive, but when you weigh the cost of that night against the time spent checking in/out of a different hotel, getting to AKL the next day, checking in again and getting to your room again....to me, it's more "worth it" to just get where you're going and be there. just my opinion...

I think in the long run, flying will be totally worth it! I would truthfully rather drive, but I think this is the best use of our time for this trip. I really don't know what we are going to do for the one night. I think it would be neat to see AoA, but I really don't want to "eat" too much of our trip with moving. decisions, decisions!

oh, photopass....I was so bummed at the lack of photographers on our last trip, but I want to do magic shots and get some group pictures. I know we can ask people/CMs to take pictures with our camera, but it's just so much easier to have them do it. I guess i'm pretty much resigned to just ordering memory maker for this trip....what's another $150, right?

I agree with you for sure! I am pretty sure I will do the MM as well. I think it is worth it!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Joining in!! We are going in December this year, but the next trip are thinking about going for MNSSHP so im excited to see how you plan for this and your thoughts! We did breakfast at H&V last time and we really enjoyed it. The food was good and the character interaction was the best we've experienced so far. We're going to be doing the Disney movie nights also, and I love reading about yours. Cant wait to read more!

Welcome! glad to have you along!
I am really excited to go to the MNSSHP! I would really like to go at Christmas time someday as well. You should totally share your movie nights! I would love to see your ideas.

 

[Denovagirl]

I think the fact that the hubs knew how much we paid for the photos made him never complain when I made us stop! He wasn't always thrilled but deep down he wanted to really get his money's worth!!! Lol! Another perk because if is simply suggested we stop and take pics that many times with our own camera he would've said no way!!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I think the fact that the hubs knew how much we paid for the photos made him never complain when I made us stop! He wasn't always thrilled but deep down he wanted to really get his money's worth!!! Lol! Another perk because if is simply suggested we stop and take pics that many times with our own camera he would've said no way!!

That is so true! Why don't these men understand how valuable photos are. Every time I want to stop and take a pic DH is like didn't we just take one. I always say it is totally necessary to 25 different angles of the castle, every day we spend in the MK of each vacation!

 

[AprilRenee]

just saw this elsa costume tutorial and thought it might be handy for you if you go with the frozen costume theme
http://www.marinobambinos.com/2013/11/disney-frozen-preivew-queen-elsa-costume-tutorial/

 

[LB1122]

You so need the MM option!! Those photos are totally worth it 100%. You can add a cute Halloween Border and send them friends as a Halloween card!!

MM allows you to download them all to your computer for same price as disk I believe

 

[Jackiemarie21]

just saw this elsa costume tutorial and thought it might be handy for you if you go with the frozen costume theme
http://www.marinobambinos.com/2013/11/disney-frozen-preivew-queen-elsa-costume-tutorial/

I have that tutorial pinned and that is the reason I really want DD to go with Elsa because it looks simple but turns out very similar to the movie version.
Thanks for thinking of me.

You so need the MM option!! Those photos are totally worth it 100%. You can add a cute Halloween Border and send them friends as a Halloween card!!

MM allows you to download them all to your computer for same price as disk I believe

I agree, I think that is what I am going with. I think it will be worth it even for a short trip.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

saw this on pinterest and wanted to share it with you....thought it'd be so pretty as part of an elsa costume!

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/6d/34/db/6d34db0b8fa78dbc61d2ef1da7830d7c.jpg

i'm horrible with makeup but I think I could glue on some sparkles like that! and I think the girls wouldn't mind it if I didn't get it too close to their eyes. anyway, I just thought it was so pretty and girly!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

saw this on pinterest and wanted to share it with you....thought it'd be so pretty as part of an elsa costume!

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/6d/34/db/6d34db0b8fa78dbc61d2ef1da7830d7c.jpg

i'm horrible with makeup but I think I could glue on some sparkles like that! and I think the girls wouldn't mind it if I didn't get it too close to their eyes. anyway, I just thought it was so pretty and girly!

Oh that is so pretty! I wonder if Charlotte would let me do that to her?

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day! We sure did! I know lots of people just think its a silly Hallmark holiday, but I love it. After Christmas is kind of depressing so I enjoy another holiday to decorate for and another reason to celebrate.
On Thursday I took some Valentines photos of Charlotte. I have been trying to get better at taking pictures. My FIL is really into photography and has been trying to teach me how to use my SLR camera. I was pleased with our photo shoot. I don't have any editing software or anything.

On Valentine's day Charlotte and I made cookies:

We also had a special heart lunch:

Last night a very good friend of ours who is single offered to watch Charlotte so we could go out. Bob and I went to see a movie. I wanted to see Saving Mr. Banks, but I guess we waited too long and now it is only at one theater and the time just didn't work out for us . So we ended up seeing Monuments Men. It was good, but not Walt Disney good. Then, we went out for tapas. I love tapas because I can never decide what I want when we go out to eat and tapas is designed for trying a little of everything.

It had been a long time since we had a "real" movie night since we have been so busy lately, so we had one tonight. We watched Gnomeo and Juliet. I know it isn't a real Disney movie, but I did order it from Disney movie club so it counts if you ask me! I think it is so cute, I love it. Here are some pics from our evening:

I found cute little Gnomeo and Juliet statues at Hobby Lobby and with a coupon they were $4. We already had an actual Gnome and my mom is obsessed with pink flamingos. Charlotte went over there on Thursday and picked some out to use as decorations for our movie night. As for food this was kind of a hard one to get food for. DH said that since it was Valentine's weekend I should extend my holiday and not cook So, we just had KFC, I was thinking movie about Garden Gnomes, picnic, fried chicken is picnic food, it works right? For dessert I made toadstool cupcakes, which Charlotte helped with and declared them the best cupcakes ever! It was a good night. Everyone really liked the movie, even Bob!



In trip news we have made another decision! Our dilemma about where to stay the evening we arrive has been settled! We added another night onto our AKL reservation. DH and I went back and forth about what to do about this. But, we ultimately it was not worth the hassle to change hotels. By just going straight to AKL we can get settled in right away and have a more leisurely morning the next day. Now, I have a better idea of how to plan our days! This trip is really coming together nicely.

 

[Denovagirl]

Your valentines photo shoot is adorable! And I LOVE you heart lunches!!

What a cute movie night idea! I think that's a cute movie as well!

And good news on adding the day at AKL! That will be so much easier for you!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

love all your pictures from valentines day! in the second picture of charlotte holding the sign, she looks a LOT like you!

i'm glad you all decided to stay another night at AKL! then you can soak up even more Disney, even if it is just one night!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Your valentines photo shoot is adorable! And I LOVE you heart lunches!!

What a cute movie night idea! I think that's a cute movie as well!

And good news on adding the day at AKL! That will be so much easier for you!

Thank you! Charlotte has asked to watch that movie again twice since our movie night, so I guess she loved it too! I think the extra night at AKL will be the best choice, less hassle.

love all your pictures from valentines day! in the second picture of charlotte holding the sign, she looks a LOT like you!

i'm glad you all decided to stay another night at AKL! then you can soak up even more Disney, even if it is just one night!

Thank you! I am so excited to have an extra night at AKL, I can not wait to walk into that lobby!

 

[anniebabymu]

Some potentially bad news! We have good friends that just went down to WDW this past week. My DH knows how much I've wanted the Midnight With Mickey tote or duffle, so he talked to Becky about grabbing me one while she was down there for my birthday... and they were out EVERYWHERE! Poor girl went on a wild goose chase for me! I'm totally hoping that changes before we go in May and DEFINITELY before you guys go!!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Some potentially bad news! We have good friends that just went down to WDW this past week. My DH knows how much I've wanted the Midnight With Mickey tote or duffle, so he talked to Becky about grabbing me one while she was down there for my birthday... and they were out EVERYWHERE! Poor girl went on a wild goose chase for me! I'm totally hoping that changes before we go in May and DEFINITELY before you guys go!!

Yikes! I would have thought the popularity would have died down a bit by now! I am really hoping it will be better by May for you! Thanks for letting me know! I am dying for one of those bags!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Yikes! I would have thought the popularity would have died down a bit by now! I am really hoping it will be better by May for you! Thanks for letting me know! I am dying for one of those bags!

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.

 

[Denovagirl]

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!!

 

[anniebabymu]

Yikes! I would have thought the popularity would have died down a bit by now! I am really hoping it will be better by May for you! Thanks for letting me know! I am dying for one of those bags!

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!!