Operation FOURTH! a July PTR - June 24th, shopping errands and lists!

[newtexan]

Love, love AK. We will be in that crowd at MK watching the 4th fireworks.
Plan to get there at rope drop and stay allllllllllll day.

 

[Happydog]

Great plans, especially the DIS meet! So great that you are getting to meet CP, Jen, and Wigd all at the same time!

The 4th of July Castle looks amazing!

Prom chaperone? My son Nick has his prom Friday night too. His GF's dress, shoes, earrings, hair - stunning. I'll post some pics the next time I update my TR.

Wasn't the weather fabulous yesterday?????? BEST WEATHER DAY EVER!

So the boys are fans of EE????? I wonder how many of my nephews will brave the Yeti? I am hoping at least one or two.

Oh the weather this weekend was AMAZING! NOW it is raining.

Well actually only Griffin likes Everest... Nolyn and I are staunch chickens!!! LOL!!

PROM is always fun to watch, I just hate staying up and out to 2pm...

I cannot wait to see Disney for the 4th again!!

I am going to need to see pictures!

Oh I will share, I promise!

I am the designated FP runner, too. We can "run" together, and if we get sidetracked then...LOL!

Our days look about the same -- MK on the 3rd, Epcot on the 4th, MK on the 5th, DHS on the 6th, and AK on the 7th. We will be having lots of fun!!!

YES, we can run together and forge the path!

Great! Did we decide on mini golf AFTER dinner on the 5th? That is a good plan! We have dinner plans all over the place during these evenings, Matt had his priorities!!!, but it will be fun to meet up with you guys at any point during the week as our paths cross! I'll be doing a lot of the shows with the boys the days before Matt's arrival, b/c he says once you have seen the stage hands roll the rock up the ramp (Indiana Jones) a few times, the show isn't as much of a "must see" I am excited for mini-golf!

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I think Connor and I need to make a couple of those, too. Very cool. I was afraid they were only for SWW, but I see it is going to be a permanent fixture.

SO glad! They will like building these...

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Woo hoo! Forty-four days for us! Hurray! Hurray!



I am so excited about this, I can barely contain it!!!



Do NOT post pictures like that! You know I am deathly afraid of these crowds! BUT I will fight them just to see the fireworks.

DON'T worry!!!! Just keep thinking about all the fun!!!!

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Me too! Me too! Can.Not.Wait! I saw this morning that MK will be open until 1am. That could be a lot of fun if I can keep my crew awake and going.

Yes, I agree! Yours are older, so you might have a half a chance!

Your plans look amazing!
Love both shows at AK.
I can't believe your trip is so close. When do you take out the suitcases?

I can't believe it either! Just need to get through the rest of this week, and a few more. Lots to do, but time should go quick!

Love, love AK. We will be in that crowd at MK watching the 4th fireworks.
Plan to get there at rope drop and stay allllllllllll day.

It will be a great show, and it will be crowded, but just roll with it! I hear that the park can get to capactity on the 4th, but I am sure you will be fine if you take your time.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Beach Club, Dawa Bar, holiday fireworks and DIS meets.... sounds pretty cool to me!

 

[MeMom]

YAY!!!!

Both DS6 and I have the same opinion of Everest...

Same for me.
It makes me kind of queasy to think about it, actually.
When I read about people riding it several times in a row...

We'll miss the big golf 'tournament' on the 5th. That's our departure day, so you are all safe from the camera that was going to be snapping away.
Promise you'll share some pictures, though!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just chiming in to say, I'm one of those that will ride EE several times in a row. Soooo much fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great! Did we decide on mini golf AFTER dinner on the 5th? That is a good plan! We have dinner plans all over the place during these evenings, Matt had his priorities!!!, but it will be fun to meet up with you guys at any point during the week as our paths cross! I'll be doing a lot of the shows with the boys the days before Matt's arrival, b/c he says once you have seen the stage hands roll the rock up the ramp (Indiana Jones) a few times, the show isn't as much of a "must see" I am excited for mini-golf!

Yep, I think mini golf after dinner on the fifth will work out best. We can just skip on over after Ohana's.

 

[SoonerGirl]

The Dawa Bar & a jalapeno cheese pretzel are calling my name right now!

So jealous of your DIS meets, you guys are going to have so much fun!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

The Dawa Bar & a jalapeno cheese pretzel are calling my name right now!

So jealous of your DIS meets, you guys are going to have so much fun!!!!

Michelle, you just need to hop a plane and join us! I'm sure we could make room for you in our 2br at the Beach Club!

 

[MeMom]

Just chiming in to say, I'm one of those that will ride EE several times in a row. Soooo much fun!

I felt a little the one and only time I rode it. I would like to walk thought the regular queue one of these days, though, to get pictures.

We'll be back home on the night of the 5th. You'll be sure to post FB pictures of mini-golf, won't you?

 

[SoonerGirl]

Michelle, you just need to hop a plane and join us! I'm sure we could make room for you in our 2br at the Beach Club!

Don't tempt me Anita!!

I will actually be cruising with Carnival that week, my hope is that Don is able to see Disney's superiority afterwards

 

[Happydog]

Yep, I think mini golf after dinner on the fifth will work out best. We can just skip on over after Ohana's.

That will be a fun evening, for sure!

The Dawa Bar & a jalapeno cheese pretzel are calling my name right now!

So jealous of your DIS meets, you guys are going to have so much fun!!!!

I agree, I WANT one of those pretzels right now too!!!! I am NOT kidding I am going to buy like five and take them home!!!

Michelle, you just need to hop a plane and join us! I'm sure we could make room for you in our 2br at the Beach Club!

Sounds like a plan!!

I felt a little the one and only time I rode it. I would like to walk thought the regular queue one of these days, though, to get pictures.

We'll be back home on the night of the 5th. You'll be sure to post FB pictures of mini-golf, won't you?

You should! Just walk through! and then walk away FAST

We'll get some photos I am sure!

Don't temp me Anita!!

I will actually be cruising with Carnival that week, my hope is that Don is able to see Disney's superiority afterwards

Carnival! Well, shoot a cruise is a cruise regardless! Out of Port Canaveral? OR TX?

 

[Happydog]

It is finally here!!! in a MONTH! YIPPEE!!!!

I CAN NOT believe IT!!!!!!

Good gosh so much to do, get to the end of the school year, get through two birthday parties, pack, plan, pack, plan.

Thank goodness for the pool opening this weekend and a sunny 90 degree forcast!!! I can't wait to enjoy the weather and my boys, and get an update out for you guys!!!

Look for it! Have a great restful weekend everyone!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Carnival! Well, shoot a cruise is a cruise regardless! Out of Port Canaveral? OR TX?

Actually out of NOLA! We are going to drive in the day before and have dinner at Bubba Gumps (cause I just love that place and can't pass up an opportunity to eat there) and then eat breakfast at Cafe du Monde before boarding the ship the next day.

I'm actually getting pretty excited! We are sailing with our best friends and I'm sure we will have an awesome time!

Yay for you being just one month away!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for 30 days!!! These last few weeks are bound to fly by!

 

[Native NYer]

Your trip will be here before you know it!
Your boys must be so excited.

 

[Happydog]

Actually out of NOLA! We are going to drive in the day before and have dinner at Bubba Gumps (cause I just love that place and can't pass up an opportunity to eat there) and then eat breakfast at Cafe du Monde before boarding the ship the next day.

I'm actually getting pretty excited! We are sailing with our best friends and I'm sure we will have an awesome time!

Yay for you being just one month away!!!

Hey that sounds just perfect to me!! Cafe du Monde!! LOVE LOVE LOVE that place!!!

Coffee is "okay" benigets I could eat a dozen!! I just like strong coffee, and that requires something with espresso!

I am interested in your comparison, we have thought about other cruise lines, too, but we keep just sticking with Disney because we love all the amenities... however I wouldn't discount it either, and going with friends will be fabulous!

Hurray for 30 days!!! These last few weeks are bound to fly by!

I know!!!! I have so much to manage at works still, makes my head spin, but it will be over this week, and then things will quiet down for certain... I only have a 3 day week as it is, taking Friday off for the 4th grade party and poetry slam day! I will be the mom in charge of the popcorn maker outside the "movie" room!!

Your trip will be here before you know it!
Your boys must be so excited.

Oh I am the only one with great excitement, because ... I still have not told them!!! LOL!!!

 

[Happydog]

WELCOME to the 4th of JULY POST!!!!

So on the 4th of July we will be spending our day at EPCOT, much like we did in 2009... it is going to be a FUN day for certain, and hopefully not toooo HOT!!!! LOL!!!

It will be a great morning! I plan to be up and at Epcot with the boys for rope drop, and I imagine we will spend our day there having a great time!!

I am very excited for this day, because we have a couple great ADRs, and we have a full day to catch everything we didn't get to experience on our little half days earlier in the trip. I am guessing we will make a straight line to Soarin' and get FPs, as well as ride it! With Test Trak down for refurbishment, we will have fewer attractions to rush to, but I hope to spend some time exploring the pavillions as well, with DH finally arriving, we hope to get the boys to make their own roller Coaster at "Sum of All Thrills"! I won't be doing that with them, and I know DH will have a blast with the guys as they come up with something fun!

What about DH, you ask? Where has he been? Well, my husband takes touring groups, both students and teachers on trips annually. This summer he is going to Vienna and Prague with adults. Now, I have (well, WE have) been there before -- before kids! -- so when it came down to summer plans, our moving plans, and where I wanted to spend money -- new house, new expenses, etc., staying behind these past two trips, especially since they were to places I have been before, made the most sense. I was happy to be able to save some money that way, for the expenses I know are coming this summer/fall with our new home, and getting a nice Disney vacation with the boys will make it worthwhile. PLUS, we have other fun this summer, a Disney cruise in November, a trip to Arizona this Christmas, and a family spring break 2013 trip to a very very exotic location, and when I think about the money that will be spent for all that, and the money I am trying to save, well.... I am trying to be somewhat fiscally responsible!!!!

SO, the point of that little birdwalk is to explain that Matt will be touring adults and coming home on the 3rd of July. His flight is not terribly late, but the next flight out to MCO puts him in Orlando at 11:58pm!!! So we decided that he will take a hotel right there near the airport, in DC, shower, sleep, and get up for his 6:08am flight to Orlando! And then he will be on the ME and meeting us in Epcot in no time!!! I think we will have him do what I did our last big summer of fun, in 2010, when I flew from NOLA after a work trip. I just took the ME to the Beach Club, and stored my suitcase, then walked to the park entrance... I will have Matt's ticket, so he can call me and we can meet him there. Should be a fun reunion for certain! And early enough to spend the whole day together!!! I suspect her will be at the park before the World Show case even opens!!! YIPPEE!!!!!


So in 2009 I made the boys Disney teeshirts... they were cute with their star shorts! BUT this year, I bought red ringer tshirts... like those above, but I am not sure what I am going to do with them yet... I have been looking for some fun images on the DISign boards... I am thinking I will go with a simple graphic, probably the American Mickey Head... I want to get the boys the American flag Mickey Head pin, too.... may have to figure out how to get those ahead of time, but will probably just buy them there... I will be on the look out for a fun themed tank top or something for myself, too! Target always has fun shirts for the holidays! And I am thinking baseball hats for the boys as well... I will probably get them hats at Disney this year, just want to look for a good one... I already bought them some new shirts and such, which reminds me that I have to do a SHOPPING UPDATE!!!!!

Here are a few photos from our July 4th at EPCOT back in 2009... just the random photos I had... clearly that trip I didn't take nearly enough photos!!!

When I see these photos, I am reminded about how fast my babies have grown!!!

I still had the stroller for them, Griffin was just 7... but it was mostly for Nolyn... however, Griffin was in it whenever there were big crowds to navigate, and it was just HOT, so sometimes it was nice to have a place to sit... Now interestingly enough, I am wondering if I should bring a single stroller for Nolyn. I am hesitant, but I keep thinking about the heat... AND the fact that I am solo for some of this trip. I hate to think about dropping money for the park stroller when I don't need it, if at all, and so I think I will end up throwing the small Maclaren I have into the car, better safe than sorry, I guess... What do you think?

This one is DS7 (he just turned 4 at the time!!!) trying to say "cheese" I think!!! LOL!! But you can see the shirt I made.

Now for LUNCH today, I made an ADR for Via Napoli... DH will be here in time for lunch, and I am sure he will be starving!!!

I ate here with my DIS friends last October, and am excited to try it again! I suspect we'll just get pizza, but I know I will be having a fabulous Italian Margarita!!! Thanks for tuning me into that fabulous drink, Christine!!!

I suspect we will undoubtedly be trying out the new wine bar as well!!!! LOL!!!

Believe me, my DIS friends and I have already been scheming, and DH will, without question, be excited for this as well!!! I don't think after lunch will be the exact time to try it out, however LOL!!!

I suspect we will spend the majority of the day at Epcot, like I said, it has been a while since DH and the boys have been to Epcot, so I am sure we will have fun exploring things together again. But inevitably we will have to head out of the park for a little R & R, collect DH's suitcase, and go back to the Wilderness Lodge. We will probably head back later in the afternoon, and the boys and I can pool side it for a bit, DH probably too, and take a snooze...

However, we will make sure to head BACK to Epcot in plenty of time for DINNER, which I made for a family favorite...

OH I cannot wait for my Filet w/risotto, my cheddar soup, my breadsticks!!! AND a fab bottle of red wine --Oh, and lets not forget my smores!!!! LOL!!!!

OH, and UNLIKE 2009, this time we have an ADR already in place, instead of our blind, dumb luck, getting a late ADR because the park stayed open an hour later than they officially advertised!!! Super score that it was, it was a shock and a fun Disney magic surprise back in 2009, when we were able to eat dinner at Le Cellier on the 4th of July with a WALK up reservation!!!! Here is a photo from that exact night...

My guys were troopers that evening, I still cannot believe they made it that long!! BUT of course we made it to see the fireworks, and then back inside to the restaurant for desert!!! The servers and the remaining guests all went out to see the fireworks! It was fun!

So WHAT about that show??!!

Well...

I didn't take too many photos... I think I was in awe... in fact I pretty much was amazed with the epic show of fireworks, and the extended show (because they did illuminations and THEN had the 4th of July show... we could even see the DHS fireworks at the same time as Illuminations!! it was amazing, and being in front of the Canadian Pavillion area was a great place to be for all of them! I am really really excited for dinner, and the fireworks... We will have time to eat BEFORE the show, however, LOL! And also probably squeeze a few more attractions in before the fireworks, so who knows where we will end up!!


I know, in the end, we will end up back at the Wilderness Lodge, and falling asleeps to dreams of red, white, and blue fireworks, and the excitement and anticipation of a fun-filled day at the Magic Kingdom, a park which LAST trip over the 4th was completely deserted!!!! Lets hope for the same this trip, too!!!!

TTFN everyone! A shopping update is coming up NEXT!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Don't tempt me Anita!!

I will actually be cruising with Carnival that week, my hope is that Don is able to see Disney's superiority afterwards

I can't wait to hear your take on the Carnival Cruise! We did one many years ago and actually had a good time. That was before DCL though...

 

[SoonerGirl]

Via Napoli & Le Cellier on the same day?! You do have great ADRs that day

Oh my, the boys look so little in those pictures! Time passes so quickly

 

[newtexan]

All that traveling sounds exciting!

I'd toss the stroller in just in case. We debated and decided to bring one for our 6 yr old just so we don't have to carry him if he gets too hot to walk.