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

[Happydog]

FIFTEEN MORE DAYS!!! FIFTEEN MORE DAYS!!!


AND how about a few of these...



YIPPEE!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Love the tshirt design.

 

[java]

Yes I too am panicking. We leave shortly and I have done zero "goodie bag" shopping. And we are driving from NJ! Oh I shouldn't say zero, I did buy some DVDs. I keep checking the cheap bins and buy one when I find a goodie.

Today I have to go buy some birthday presents(one for a party today) and I am determined to make a dent in the car entertainment bag.

 

[Happydog]

WELCOME back everybody!!!

SO the day AFTER our BIG 4th of July extravaganza in Epcot...

we will be celebrating NO crowd day in the big Magic Kingdom!!!

OH let me tell you, the Magic Kingdom was THE park to be in on the 5th of July... well, it was LAST time we were there... Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, we walked into the Magic Kingdom like NYC on New Year's DAY... deserted streets!!!


WE headed straight for this family favorite...

And rode it three times walking on and off each time!

I also have this photo, SPLASH Mountain, also a walk-on!!! This is the second time through I think, it said 20 minutes, but I remember it not being a wait at all, because I was trying to get photos along the way and couldn't!!!! LOL!

Here is a photo of Liberty Belle looking very pretty with the red, white, and blue!

We went to see the new show with President Obama having just been added, if I recall correctly...

NOTICE the absence of PEOPLE??!!??!!

Of course, when we were walking, "right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A!" , we met up with these people... BUT again, deserted Main Street = more fun for US!!!

Now, this day was our travel day home, so I remember we left around 1pm. So here is my photos on the way OUT...

This tells me that the crowds were coming around noon...

and THAT tells me that we will have pretty much the whole morning without anyone bothering us as we make our way "... around the Magic Kingdom! All Aboard!!!"

Should be a great time and lots of fun on this day, because we will not be in a hurry and can get fast passes, which we will be able to use within the windows pretty easily...

Anyhow, I am MORE than excited about this day, we will of course already have visited the MK with the boys, but this will be DH's first time back... AND he will see all the cool things happening "behind the wall"...


AND that, my DIS friends, is MY gauntlet. My metaphorical gauntlet.

Because I know my husband... and to actually SEE what is behind that wall, in all of it's glory, will be a challenge to him... and it will whet his appetite to come back again to see it FINISHED... SO. You want to know how I will manage ONE more FULL family trip to a Disney park??? It is right there, right behind that wall...



I know we are going back, don't get me wrong. We will always stay on Disney property, that is a given, and we will likely do water parks... But DH is convinced that our DISNEY park days are coming to a close, turning his sights instead to UNIVERSAL... yeah, I know, that OTHER park...

BUT, I know him too well. I know he will want "closure" -- just like we have plans to hit DisneyLAND because he wants to see CARSland!!! Yep, it will happen here too...

SO never fear, DIS friends. It is coming, and we will have more Disney vacationing in our plans, cruise, vero, etc. just maybe not epic trips which are exclusively Disney parks...

AND of course he has already said "I know you wan't to renew your AP, right?"...

It is all going to be a great plot I have laid... ALL in DUE time, of course. ALL in DUE time.... LOL!!


SO the rest of the day? WELL, first we have a wonderful BRUNCH at 1900 Park Fare. DH loved this brunch last time we went, so we wanted to go again…
Last trip/time, was at Christmas 2009…

DS10-to be was positively smitten, and DS7 hid under the table. Alice called him her “door mouse” the one in the tea pot!

He came out for this guy, and Winnie the Pooh, though!!!

We are looking forward to this brunch!

THEN of course we will head back to the MK, and continue to experience all of our favorite rides…

PIRATES, Anyone??!!

(recognize that shirt, Jackie??!!)

Who knows, maybe DS10-tobe will get picked to drive the boat again!!!! LOL!!!

At some point, frozen orange slushies and dole whips aside, we will probably get too hot to stand it anymore, and will boat back to the Wilderness, for some R & R…

We THEN have dinner planned at Ohana with FRIENDS!!!! WIGD and her gang, and Charleston Princess and her gang! LOOK out. We will ROLL out of here for sure…

Now AFTER dinner, the plan is to play Miniature golf. THIS should be a hoot. I believe we are planning for here...

WinterLAND golf!!! What fun we had DH and I SOOOOOOO know we are looking forward to playing with the GANG!!! I know my guys are going to LOVE coming here!!! I think this is going to be a wonderfully FUN evening, and I am looking forward to it!!!

Sleep will be on the agenda eventually, and we wake up looking forward to our next fun day, Disney Hollywood Studios!!!! At least that is what I THINK is on the agenda!!! I better check my plans…

FOr TODAY...

Family BBQ celebrating all the JUNE birthdays in the Happy Dog Family is today… MY DH, the two boys, my DBIL, and DFIL… so the family is here today, and we are going to definitely get some pool time it. It is to hit 90!!!

TTFN folks!!!

 

[Happydog]

Love the tshirt design.

Thanks! I think it is a good choice for the shirt!

Yes I too am panicking. We leave shortly and I have done zero "goodie bag" shopping. And we are driving from NJ! Oh I shouldn't say zero, I did buy some DVDs. I keep checking the cheap bins and buy one when I find a goodie.

Today I have to go buy some birthday presents(one for a party today) and I am determined to make a dent in the car entertainment bag.

Yes, you have to have entertainment on a drive!!! It is fun to have a new movie or two... I am planning on one for the train myself!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

How is it that when I read your last post, I got sad....
and, yes it's going to be a fabulous night!
It's also our last night. We will head out in the morning.
After being away from home for 26 days, will I be ready to leave?
I'm never ready to leave!
Pathetic huh.

 

[Happydog]

How is it that when I read your last post, I got sad....
and, yes it's going to be a fabulous night!
It's also our last night. We will head out in the morning.
After being away from home for 26 days, will I be ready to leave?
I'm never ready to leave!
Pathetic huh.

Nope, you won't get a pathetic out of me!! Lol!! What a fun amazing time you will have! Please!

That is what summer is for. We just added another fun trip to our summer plans, too!!

I will look forward to hanging out with you guys before Jen leaves, too. SAB will be a great place to lounge!

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a absolutely perfect day - love, love, love your plans for this day!! I hope it holds true that MK is deserted that morning

Your dinner and mini golf plans with CP & Wigd, well you guys are just going to have so much fun together

 

[jenjolt]

What an absolutely perfect way to end your trip!!! I'll definitely be looking forward to stories of the mini golf get together!!! I'm so looking forward to meeting up with you and your boys!!!

Love the DISign and can't wait to see the shirts, they will be fabulous I'm sure!!

I love your plots...I'll have to use some of them myself LOL!

 

[newtexan]

MK day sounds awesome. We are hitting a waterpark this day, not sure which one though.

 

[shannon47142]

just found your PTR-- Im not much on posting but you are among my favorite trip reporters so I look forward to catching up on this report and reading about your actual trip

 

[MeMom]

With the new Dumbo being farther away now, our Fantasyland touring will be changing a bit. We used to go straight to Dumbo, then over to Peter Pan. We would often ride Peter Pan twice while there was no line. I don't know if we will now go to PP first, ride twice, and then go over toward Dumbo to do it and Barnstormer together. This will be our 'test trip' for a new strategy.

Sorry I won't make that golf outing. I will back in Alabama by then. You'll have to get everyone to put some FB pictures up as the evening plays out.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Our plans for July 5th will look suspiciously like yours, Happydog, only with different kids in the recap pictures. I love the idea of an early start at the MK that day to beat some of the crowds. Charles is not a fan of MK, but that's mainly because it is so crowded -- I am hoping he will feel differently about it with lower crowds.

I love that you have a plan to keep DH wanting to go back. Did the two of you go to Universal on one of your couple trips? I really think that once DH does it with the kids, he will decide that Disney is better. He's just talking crazy talk right now. After all, how could your trips to Disney possibly be winding down? Chelsea is almost fifteen and is still excited about going.

As far as Ohana's and miniature golf...we better have those camera batteries charged. We may actually need the pictures to remember what all happened.

 

[Happydog]

What a absolutely perfect day - love, love, love your plans for this day!! I hope it holds true that MK is deserted that morning

Your dinner and mini golf plans with CP & Wigd, well you guys are just going to have so much fun together

THANK YOU!!! Yep, I think it will be a great day. I am excited to boat over from WLodge (like we did!) and enjoy the MK. I think it will be a good morning there... I am trying to count on it, anyhow!

And the evening will be a riot I think! I can't wait to play! The boys LOVE miniature golf!

What an absolutely perfect way to end your trip!!! I'll definitely be looking forward to stories of the mini golf get together!!! I'm so looking forward to meeting up with you and your boys!!!

Love the DISign and can't wait to see the shirts, they will be fabulous I'm sure!!

I love your plots...I'll have to use some of them myself LOL!

Oh I know! Well, it isn't an end to our trip, just Anita is finally treking home after all her Disney fun! Of course we will make sure she leaves in style!!!

I am sorry you won't be there, but we will have fun for sure before!

Working on the shirts this week!

MK day sounds awesome. We are hitting a waterpark this day, not sure which one though.

Thanks! It should be fun. A waterpark day is a great way to spend the day recovering!!!!

just found your PTR-- Im not much on posting but you are among my favorite trip reporters so I look forward to catching up on this report and reading about your actual trip

Well HI there! And welcome here! I know you have been on other trips with me!!!! Glad to have you coming along for the fun!

With the new Dumbo being farther away now, our Fantasyland touring will be changing a bit. We used to go straight to Dumbo, then over to Peter Pan. We would often ride Peter Pan twice while there was no line. I don't know if we will now go to PP first, ride twice, and then go over toward Dumbo to do it and Barnstormer together. This will be our 'test trip' for a new strategy.

Sorry I won't make that golf outing. I will back in Alabama by then. You'll have to get everyone to put some FB pictures up as the evening plays out.

Hmm.... well, we don't "do" Dumbo... I barely get those boys on Its a Small World without them overcoming my fun with their mock "gagging" noises... BUT, I think they will be impressed with the new changes, so much so that I KNOW we will be on Pooh's Adventure and Peter Pan a few times for sure!! Barnstormer, is that new Goofini ride ready yet? I may have missed that...

We'll take pics, don't you worry!

 

[Happydog]

Our plans for July 5th will look suspiciously like yours, Happydog, only with different kids in the recap pictures. I love the idea of an early start at the MK that day to beat some of the crowds. Charles is not a fan of MK, but that's mainly because it is so crowded -- I am hoping he will feel differently about it with lower crowds.

Ha! You don't say??!! LOL!!! It really was a lot less crowded. On the 3rd, it will be busy, I will say that, but more so towards the evening. So just know you can make up the difference with rides on the 5th, if it is crazy on the 3rd...

I love that you have a plan to keep DH wanting to go back. Did the two of you go to Universal on one of your couple trips? I really think that once DH does it with the kids, he will decide that Disney is better. He's just talking crazy talk right now. After all, how could your trips to Disney possibly be winding down? Chelsea is almost fifteen and is still excited about going.

Actually, we have not been to Universal in a long long long time. We were going to go check it out but we ran out of steam (that was last year). No this would be with us as a family. OH, I know the kids will still come back for more, and there will be so much that is exciting with changes, etc. I suspect though that we will likely stay on property, I will go more with the boys to the parks, and DH will do the water park, maybe a park day or two, but mostly Universal with them... and of course cruises! No, this is just what he is suggesting... it will be somewhere in the middle I am sure!!!

As far as Ohana's and miniature golf...we better have those camera batteries charged. We may actually need the pictures to remember what all happened.

YES, I think so...

 

[eandesmom]

Fifteen days! That counts as 2 weeks in my book!

What a great great day you have planned and I love (and can relate to) all your plotting!

FUN meet, wish we could be there for it!

 

[Happydog]

Fifteen days! That counts as 2 weeks in my book!

What a great great day you have planned and I love (and can relate to) all your plotting!

FUN meet, wish we could be there for it!

Thanks! I agree!!! I can't believe it really is that close!

Yes, plotting often works!

 

[Happydog]

So in TWO weeks I will be riding on a train bound for Disney! We will be hunkering down for our train ride evening at this point, and in the morning we will be rolling into the train station! I cannot believe it is almost here!!!



Summer has arrived of course, officially today! My DS10-tobe is now 10! His birthday was yesterday, school had a 1/2 day yesterday, so it was nice to celebrate the end of school at the same time!

I made the boys shirts, and I thought you would like to see them...

Ta-Da!!!

They are not as bright white as the Teeshirts, but they look good, and just a subtle difference which seems more pronounced in the photo. The shorts with the hawaiian retro print are for DS10, and the railroad stripe for DS7... he has red ones too, but I like the blue contrast better. He has red shorts with white stars, but the red is a faded red, which doesn't look good.

But there is one problem... did ya notice the flag was reversed??? Yep. I printed the transfers with the transfer paper printing feature, and guess what. It reversed the DISign without me noticing it... the type of iron-on transfer paper I had was for dark colors, so it DOESN'T reverse them during the iron-on process. But the printer did it automatically... SO. The question is do I rip them off, or try to, OR just leave them alone... Be honest! I have not tried to remove them yet, I fear new tee shirts will be required though.

SUGGESTIONS?!! LOL!!!! Serves me right, trying to get all fancy with my printer... This s just the kind of silly that happens to me! I have not made shirts in forever, and I vaguely recall this problem before, but I caught it before I put them on the shirts!!

They have not seen these, obviously. I just finished them and thought I'd share and share this dilemma. MMore trip updates coming up in the next couple days -- I need to figure out how to put goodie bags together!

And I think I am going to go with the whole Perry Platypus theme... it will be a fun "secret mission" LOL! The case of the backwards American flag apparently!!!

SO glad summer has finally come.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Now, you are less than two weeks!!!

I would just leave the shirts as is. It makes them unique, and I didn't even catch it at first. They turned out super cute aside from the reversal thing.

Yeay for going with the Agent P theme for the surprise. Can't wait to see how you unveil the trip to the boys!

 

[SoonerGirl]

The OCD part of me would not allow me to leave the shirts with a backwards flag, I fear I would be running to the store to buy new t-shirts and start over.....

Other than that they look really cute!