Oregon to WDW Will Be Quite the Adventure~Going LIVE!!

[OregonMomToWDW]

I don't have a trip report. I have a pre trip report. I really should do that trip report. If you haven't been in August, it is hot. However, not unmanageable. Our first year, we bought the water fan mister that they sell, but after the first day, we were always forgetting to bring it, it was just to big and bothersome. So, smaller misters would be good. We are early risers, so we are at rope drop. Then we would take a few hours off in the afternoon for rest (pool time for Chelsea - 11 year old). Jacob loves Disney, he is old enough to go around by himself. He never leaves the parks. Then we come back in early evening and close the park.
Ponchos are a must. It will rain. Coming from Oregon, we know rain, but the rain there is unbelievable.

We haven't been any other time of year, and we would go back in late August every year if we could. There is so much to do, so it is hard to try not to do everything. You probably aren't going to be able to do every single thing there is to do.

Oh, a quick story about the first time I took Jacob to Disneyland. He had a total meltdown and was screaming, "I hate you!". It worked great for parting the seas of people, but we learned he had just had too much and that mandatory rests were needed, whether he liked it or not. He wasn't happy about the rest periods, but he was much more manageable.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

You're going at the perfect age for the kids. However, I just realized that Jasmine and Addy will be 10 before the trip, right?

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm sure Derek could take Anthony around Tomorrowland while the girls are at BBB.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I don't have a trip report. I have a pre trip report. I really should do that trip report. If you haven't been in August, it is hot. However, not unmanageable. Our first year, we bought the water fan mister that they sell, but after the first day, we were always forgetting to bring it, it was just to big and bothersome. So, smaller misters would be good. We are early risers, so we are at rope drop. Then we would take a few hours off in the afternoon for rest (pool time for Chelsea - 11 year old). Jacob loves Disney, he is old enough to go around by himself. He never leaves the parks. Then we come back in early evening and close the park.
Ponchos are a must. It will rain. Coming from Oregon, we know rain, but the rain there is unbelievable.

We haven't been any other time of year, and we would go back in late August every year if we could. There is so much to do, so it is hard to try not to do everything. You probably aren't going to be able to do every single thing there is to do.

Oh, a quick story about the first time I took Jacob to Disneyland. He had a total meltdown and was screaming, "I hate you!". It worked great for parting the seas of people, but we learned he had just had too much and that mandatory rests were needed, whether he liked it or not. He wasn't happy about the rest periods, but he was much more manageable.

I'm so sorry I haven't responded back.....I did not know there was new activity on this thread! Weird.......

We figured it would be hot, humid & wet. Just they way it worked out with Derek's College Program ending. He's done on the 7th, we're arriving on the 7th. I will bring ponchos (pick up at the Dollar Tree) and also some of the shammy clothes....good for wiping sweat, rain, etc. I'm not sure how to do the breaks. We are a big group with one girl in an adaptive stroller. I don't know if we'll just try to find a place to kinda getaway or actually try to go back to the motel. We are relying on their transportation & would hate to miss a meal reservation because we were fighting big crowds. I guess we'll just have to play it by ear.

I'm guessing as much as I would like to close down the parks, that just won't happen with our group. Of course, they will be on "Oregon Time" so who knows.....I guess if they're still happy and awake, we'll stay to enjoy the lighter crowds.

We know we can't do everything and there are things we're not interested in....so that helps.....lol We are giving the Magic Kingdom 3 days as the kids will be most familiar with some of the layout & attractions.

You're going at the perfect age for the kids. However, I just realized that Jasmine and Addy will be 10 before the trip, right?

I'm sure Derek could take Anthony around Tomorrowland while the girls are at BBB.

Yes, Addy & Jasmine will turn 10 end of June & early July.......which sucks when it comes to Disney stuff. I'm guessing the boys will go off to do something while the girls are getting all beautified at the BBB.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Big News!! I just booked our flights to Orlando and back!!! Got a great price for the return trip but the trip over....... Anywhos.....it had to be done & since the tax refunds came in, it was the time to do so. We'll be flying Southwest (2 free bags.....can't beat that). I made sure that we weren't doing long legs and tried to break up the flights & switching planes so Mike didn't set off his sciatica nerve again. Coming back from WDW in 2013, our flight from Orlando to Las Vegas (5 + hours??) was too much and he was down & out after getting home.

Our flight to Orlando will be 2 1/2 hrs to Denver and then 3 1/2 hrs to Orlando. Coming home will be 2 3/4 hrs to Kansas City and 3 3/4 hrs to Portland (not sure why there is 30 minute difference going & returning but close enough I guess.....) We'll have a 2 1/2 hr break in Denver to get the kids some breakfast and check in with them to see how they are doing & make adjustments if possible. Coming back we only have about an hour to grab some lunch but we will get home mid-afternoon. (which is good since we will have a 2 hour drive from the airport to our home).

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Woot!!! Unfortunatley, my layovers have been short so I don't have much help on those. I flew Southwest in 2010 to New England (stopped in Denver on the way there, stopped in Chicago on the way home, had to switch planes in Denver, didn't have to in Chicago). I flew it also on my last trip where we stopped in Phoenix, where we had to change planes both ways

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woot!!! Unfortunatley, my layovers have been short so I don't have much help on those. I flew Southwest in 2010 to New England (stopped in Denver on the way there, stopped in Chicago on the way home, had to switch planes in Denver, didn't have to in Chicago). I flew it also on my last trip where we stopped in Phoenix, where we had to change planes both ways

We flew into Chicago and had an hour & a half I believe when Mike & I went in 2013. Coming back, we didn't change planes when we landed in Las Vegas and poor Mike had a terrible time with his sciatic nerve getting pinched because of being cooped up too long on the plane.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I have never flown Southwest, but I am always intrigued by their 2 free bags. Shorter flights with some breaks are nice. My big idea to try last year was an overnight flight so we could land in Orlando bright and early. Total disaster! The men in the seats behind us kept playing games on the consoles that are attached to the back of the headrest in front of you and the consoles weren't working so they were pressing hard. We weren't able to get any sleep. I have considered driving up to Seattle for a direct flight into Orlando, but the breaks might be nice too. We usually have a connection in LA or San Francisco and then on our return flights, we got Denver our first year and Atlanta our second year.

As far as breaks in the park, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and Carousel of Progress were great to get out of the heat, get off your feet and to not have to really deal with the crowds for a few minutes. Plus, they are inside and air conditioned. We haven't tried Hall of Presidents. I have seen people sleeping during the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Due to the special adaptive stroller, you and your family should be able to load first if you stand near the handicap portion. They would load her first (I am assuming she would stay in the stroller and the stroller would be strapped down in the wheelchair bays that the busses have) and the family gets to load at the same time. I would inquire about this. Your son should be able to find that out for you. If that is the case, then the busses shouldn't be a problem for you.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I have never flown Southwest, but I am always intrigued by their 2 free bags. Shorter flights with some breaks are nice. My big idea to try last year was an overnight flight so we could land in Orlando bright and early. Total disaster! The men in the seats behind us kept playing games on the consoles that are attached to the back of the headrest in front of you and the consoles weren't working so they were pressing hard. We weren't able to get any sleep. I have considered driving up to Seattle for a direct flight into Orlando, but the breaks might be nice too. We usually have a connection in LA or San Francisco and then on our return flights, we got Denver our first year and Atlanta our second year.

As far as breaks in the park, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and Carousel of Progress were great to get out of the heat, get off your feet and to not have to really deal with the crowds for a few minutes. Plus, they are inside and air conditioned. We haven't tried Hall of Presidents. I have seen people sleeping during the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Due to the special adaptive stroller, you and your family should be able to load first if you stand near the handicap portion. They would load her first (I am assuming she would stay in the stroller and the stroller would be strapped down in the wheelchair bays that the busses have) and the family gets to load at the same time. I would inquire about this. Your son should be able to find that out for you. If that is the case, then the busses shouldn't be a problem for you.

That's the biggest reason I usually go Southwest. The baggage fees add up quickly! We actually wanted to do the overnight flight but JetBlue prices for those went sky high, so we decided to do the day trip. Kinda glad we didn't do it that way......sleeping sitting straight up is difficult and I don't think I would have slept at all.

I liked the Hall of Presidents, but I enjoy "history" lessons like that.

We are getting the tie down brackets put on her stroller so we can keep her in the chair for the bus trips. We think she will travel better this way and it will keep her safer.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

That's the biggest reason I usually go Southwest. The baggage fees add up quickly! We actually wanted to do the overnight flight but JetBlue prices for those went sky high, so we decided to do the day trip. Kinda glad we didn't do it that way......sleeping sitting straight up is difficult and I don't think I would have slept at all.

I liked the Hall of Presidents, but I enjoy "history" lessons like that.

We are getting the tie down brackets put on her stroller so we can keep her in the chair for the bus trips. We think she will travel better this way and it will keep her safer.

We flew United. There was a huge layover at LAX that was so boring. Baggage fees are the worst. I will look closer at Southwest next time.

I can't seem to get my kids near Hall of Presidents. Wish I could. I just like to try everything.

Glad you are getting the straps for her stroller. How long does that take?

 

[kaoden39]

Hi! I'm here, late but here!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We flew United. There was a huge layover at LAX that was so boring. Baggage fees are the worst. I will look closer at Southwest next time.

I can't seem to get my kids near Hall of Presidents. Wish I could. I just like to try everything.

Glad you are getting the straps for her stroller. How long does that take?

I've never been to LAX & have ZERO interest in doing so...... The baggage fees add up so fast! Southwest usually has the better fares too!

I haven't called yet, but I'm assuming the hardware won't take too long. I'm guessing they just send it to us with instructions on where to attach them and we wouldn't have to send the stroller somewhere.

Hi! I'm here, late but here!

Yay!!! Welcome Michele!!! Not too late.....we're just getting started!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Good News~~~Bad News......
We deposited money into Derek's bank account so he could purchase our park tickets with his CM discount. I did that on Thursday. Friday morning he went to buy them and found out they can only buy up to 5 days at the discounted price. Well buying 5 day and then a 3 day would be a whole lot more than if I purchased them online for full price. So now trying to figure out how to get the money back to me. Derek's bank is a local credit union, so I can pop in and add money to his account easily....getting money back from him a little more difficult. We stopped in the bank to find out what his options were...... Luckily, Tyler also banks there, so Derek can call their customer service line (even weekends/off hours) and ask them to transfer money to his account. I will probably get it back in my account Monday or Tuesday and then I'll go online and purchase our 8 day tickets.

 

[kaoden39]

I've never been to LAX & have ZERO interest in doing so...... The baggage fees add up so fast! Southwest usually has the better fares too!

I haven't called yet, but I'm assuming the hardware won't take too long. I'm guessing they just send it to us with instructions on where to attach them and we wouldn't have to send the stroller somewhere.



Yay!!! Welcome Michele!!! Not too late.....we're just getting started!!

I'm glad! I'm especially following along for ideas. After the Diva trip got cancelled Kacy continued to save and booked a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral. Because we are sailing from there

Good News~~~Bad News......
We deposited money into Derek's bank account so he could purchase our park tickets with his CM discount. I did that on Thursday. Friday morning he went to buy them and found out they can only buy up to 5 days at the discounted price. Well buying 5 day and then a 3 day would be a whole lot more than if I purchased them online for full price. So now trying to figure out how to get the money back to me. Derek's bank is a local credit union, so I can pop in and add money to his account easily....getting money back from him a little more difficult. We stopped in the bank to find out what his options were...... Luckily, Tyler also banks there, so Derek can call their customer service line (even weekends/off hours) and ask them to transfer money to his account. I will probably get it back in my account Monday or Tuesday and then I'll go online and purchase our 8 day tickets.

I'm glad that it's easily correctable but it sucks that Disney does.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm glad! I'm especially following along for ideas. After the Diva trip got cancelled Kacy continued to save and booked a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral. Because we are sailing from there



I'm glad that it's easily correctable but it sucks that Disney does.

Ooh, awesome!!! We've looked at the cruises, but they couldn't accommodate Michayla so we wouldn't get a break. When are you doing the cruise?

It's just weird.....the discount doesn't end up being a big deal since it was for 10% off and then they add the 6.5% tax back on.

 

[disneyguy4life]

You say Beaches and Cream and I think of the No way Jose!!! That is good stuff!!

 

[kaoden39]

Too bad they can't accommodate her. We fly to Orlando on December 3, cruise on the 4th, we are in Nassau on the 5th, Castaway Cay on the 6th, back to Orlando on the 7th. Then we start WDW, we are renting points from a friend and renting a two bedroom villa at Wilderness Lodge. There are going to be 5 women so we need two bathrooms. It's myself, my 2 girls, my best friend and her daughter which is Kacy's age. We're going to visit the different resorts to look at all of the different decorations. MK on the 8th, Epcot, the 9th and AK on the 10th. Move to the hotel on the 10th and fly home on the 11th.

That makes the discount not that great then.

 

[DizNee Luver]

You say Beaches and Cream and I think of the No way Jose!!! That is good stuff!!

I've never been so I had to go look at the menu to see what the No Way Jose was.......oh my, yum!!!

Too bad they can't accommodate her. We fly to Orlando on December 3, cruise on the 4th, we are in Nassau on the 5th, Castaway Cay on the 6th, back to Orlando on the 7th. Then we start WDW, we are renting points from a friend and renting a two bedroom villa at Wilderness Lodge. There are going to be 5 women so we need two bathrooms. It's myself, my 2 girls, my best friend and her daughter which is Kacy's age. We're going to visit the different resorts to look at all of the different decorations. MK on the 8th, Epcot, the 9th and AK on the 10th. Move to the hotel on the 10th and fly home on the 11th.

That makes the discount not that great then.

The kid places on the cruises aren't set up to deal with special needs kids, but it would be nice if they figured out how they could. What a fun cruise!! Excited for you!!

 

[kaoden39]

I've never been so I had to go look at the menu to see what the No Way Jose was.......oh my, yum!!!



The kid places on the cruises aren't set up to deal with special needs kids, but it would be nice if they figured out how they could. What a fun cruise!! Excited for you!!

You'd think Disney would find a way to do that. Maybe you and Mike alone? That'd be great for you!

 

[DizNee Luver]

You'd think Disney would find a way to do that. Maybe you and Mike alone? That'd be great for you!

Sounds like one of the other cruise lines offers an autism cruise but I don't want to do a cruise with all autistic families, I'd like to think we could maybe pay an extra fee to have a more specialized care provider while on board. It would be nice if you could check a box for that sort of thing. I can understand that it would be very hard for them to care for Michayla's needs and still watch over hundreds of kids. (they also wouldn't allow her to use the pools because she's still using a pull-up/swim diapers....they don't allow swim diapers in their pools)

A cruise actually has been a off & on interest for me. Who knows, maybe Mike & I can do a cruise & WDW trip for our 40th. (9 years from now). Most of the kids would be on their way to their own lives by then. I don't know......I know Mike says no more big trips until we can get back to Hawaii. Our goal is to go in 4 years for Anthony's graduation. He was supposed to go when Mike's mom took us back in 2003. His plane ticket was bought and then bio mom wouldn't sign off saying he could go (he was still foster at that point). The caseworker tried & tried to get her to sign but she was just a B**** about the whole thing, so we had to leave him behind. Broke all our hearts.