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

[Steppesister]

I live in Philomath and my mom & brother live in Salem and I'm there quite often (it's only an hour from here). Love the chit-chat and view but will pass on the wine......lol

It is a lot of money, but this being the kids first time and all their sensory/autism issues (and my panic/anxiety issues).....that a smaller crowd would be a better way to view the fireworks. Sounds like they raised the prices when they "revamped" the party. Not sure it will be a big dessert buffet like they offered before, but since I love fireworks and the kids do too, we'll just write this off as having a reserved seat to the big show. Don't see us doing this again in the future but this time it seemed like the right fit for our family dynamics.

Philomath isn't far at all! Yay! OK, so let me spread the word, and see if any of the "Northerners" are up for a Meet as well. But for sure sometime in June after school is out.

I love the smaller crowd idea too; elbow room is always a great thing! That's why I like to eat at off times for meals there too. Lunch at 10:30, a snack at 3ish and a nice sit down dinner around 8 is great! I haven't seen any reviews for the new dessert thing, but I'd imagine it may be scaled back too. And I gotta say, I do love that Disney makes a way for all dynamics to still have a wonderful visit.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I am in Eugene, so Salem isn't that far for me either. Since I don't get to do Disney this year, I might as well get to have a Dismeet!

 

[Steppesister]

Loving the sound of that, Shannon!

 

[Steppesister]

LOL



Hi!! Thank you so much!! I'm the one that feels blessed to have these kiddos in my home & family!! We lived in Medford for a couple years but we never made it over to Klamath Falls. This is a big undertaking, but it will be worth it in the end. The kids know we are going, but the little girl that we are adding to our family isn't here yet. We are waiting to tell her after she is living with us. We are pretty sure she hasn't ever experienced anything like this before.

Ok, Laurie! Ready to give some time here- wanted to wait to really reply when I could invest a bit.

I know that our kids really bless our socks off, and like you say, we are the ones to be really the lucky ones.

A trip to Disney with that many people does take a bit more planning and a LOT more money. But yes, it will totally be worth it, for sure!

How fun to already be planning a trip for your new little girl and that she has something so very special in store for her that will make lasting memories for her AND her new family!

Good for you & congrats on getting into the nursing program!! My husband debated between the nursing & paramedic program at Chemeketa and went with the paramedic program. (this was back in the mid 90's).
Maybe Florida will experience a mild summer with less heat & less rain.......lol A girl can dream right??

Thanks so much!!! It took me two years to get in, plus about a year and a half of pre-requisites to be able to. It is a VERY rigorous program that I easily put in 60 hours a week. Lots of work, but totally worth it! Does your hubby still work as a paramedic? Did that work out for him? I heard that program is also difficult to get into with several of the same pre-reqs.

Yup, one can always dream...

I was hoping to catch the eye of fellow/former Oregon people.

You sure did! 3 of us already!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Philomath isn't far at all! Yay! OK, so let me spread the word, and see if any of the "Northerners" are up for a Meet as well. But for sure sometime in June after school is out.

I love the smaller crowd idea too; elbow room is always a great thing! That's why I like to eat at off times for meals there too. Lunch at 10:30, a snack at 3ish and a nice sit down dinner around 8 is great! I haven't seen any reviews for the new dessert thing, but I'd imagine it may be scaled back too. And I gotta say, I do love that Disney makes a way for all dynamics to still have a wonderful visit.

Sounds good.....I will look forward to as small meet up!!

We have some dinners after 8pm (which as you know, is around the 5pm hour for us....lol) But I'm hoping to adjust those times......I don't know if the kids will react to the time change or they will adjust and 8pm dinners would be too late.

I am in Eugene, so Salem isn't that far for me either. Since I don't get to do Disney this year, I might as well get to have a Dismeet!

Yay!!

Ok, Laurie! Ready to give some time here- wanted to wait to really reply when I could invest a bit.

I know that our kids really bless our socks off, and like you say, we are the ones to be really the lucky ones.

A trip to Disney with that many people does take a bit more planning and a LOT more money. But yes, it will totally be worth it, for sure!

How fun to already be planning a trip for your new little girl and that she has something so very special in store for her that will make lasting memories for her AND her new family!

Thanks so much!!! It took me two years to get in, plus about a year and a half of pre-requisites to be able to. It is a VERY rigorous program that I easily put in 60 hours a week. Lots of work, but totally worth it! Does your hubby still work as a paramedic? Did that work out for him? I heard that program is also difficult to get into with several of the same pre-reqs.

Yup, one can always dream...


You sure did! 3 of us already!!

My husband did the paramedic thing for over 12 years, but going out on children & babies was taking it's toll and he walked away. The program was tough & if your grades dipped under a certain % you would be removed from the program. It always starts out with a decent sized group but quickly weaned out the ones that weren't serious about it.

I'm looking forward to sharing "our world" with the twins sister. She's had a rough life & needs a little (or a lot) of *+*+*Disney Magic*+*+*!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Woot!!! Why has she had a rough life? I think I missed hearing the story. I was also thinking for Anthony, he could do some rides with Derek that I'm sure the twins are most likely not gonna want to do

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woot!!! Why has she had a rough life? I think I missed hearing the story. I was also thinking for Anthony, he could do some rides with Derek that I'm sure the twins are most likely not gonna want to do

I can't really go into details, but she's been in foster care basically her entire 9 years (almost 10) of life. She deserves a permanent home & family and a place she can be safe and never have to see her bio dad again.

We will probably do the FP+ for the bigger rides that the twins wouldn't/couldn't do and use the DAS for the rides they can do & enjoy.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I had to contact Disney about the My Disney Experience on my computer. Somehow, Derek's name got eliminated off the room reservation (on my end). I wrote to the Internet Help and they wrote back saying I needed to call the reservation # and have them see who is listed on the reservation so they could fix it. Well they had it correct and so they connected me to the Internet Help and in one minute it was fixed. It seemed like the long way to go around it, but it's fixed. Now that it's fixed & Derek now actually shows in the MagicBands, I was able to purchase some of our park tickets. I got the 6 adult tickets and will still need to purchase the 2 child tickets (and the Memory Maker).

We also need to get our dining plan added, but Derek has to wait to add this. Right now he wouldn't get a discount.....in fact, with us going during peak summer days, we might not get any kind of discount.....but we are waiting to add this. The CM he spoke with at the CM reservations, told him to wait a couple months before adding it.

Things are coming together.....now if the money fairy would bring us some cash, I'd feel much better!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just made a change on 2 of our meals.....I've been debating between the Ohana Character Breakfast or the Ohana Dinner. My son says the dinner is super good, so I decided to take a look to see if we could even book a dinner for 8 people. I was able to do so pretty easily. I went with an 8:05pm time, hoping we might be able to catch the fireworks afterwards from the Polynesian Beach Area. The other meal I had been toying with, was the 1900 Park Fare. We were going to do the dinner with Cinderella and her steps, but I really wanted to do the Mary Poppins Breakfast since we were able to get Cinderella's Royal Table. I love Cinderella, but I really don't need two meals around her. So I started the Ohana Dinner reservation & then opened another tab to make sure we could get a decent time for the 1900 Park Fare breakfast. I was & so I got both booked and canceled the Ohana breakfast & 1900 Dinner. I'm actually pretty excited with this change. I was a little concerned that Stitch would have been way too much for Jasmine to handle. Stitch can really be "in your face" and my kids have done a character meal with Stitch (and Lilo a few years back) at Disneyland. I think Mary Poppins at 1900 will probably be a better match for our girls needs.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

We did 1900 Park Fare for dinner our first trip. The food was ok. The characters were ok, but we had already seen most of them in the park earlier that day, (except Prince Charming). I don't even remember meeting him at 1900 Park Fare. It was really crowded and noisy. Difficult to relax and that wasn't good for someone with sensory issues. We did the best we could, but it wasn't a must do or repeat for us. Hopefully, breakfast will be less crowded. Don't get me wrong, the character interaction was great, it was just pretty stressful.

We haven't done Ohana for dinner. We always want to, but it usually doesn't make the final list. Someday. We had the breakfast there. My son loves Stitch and Lilo, so it was a must do. I am not sure if we would do it twice though. Possibly.

I think you made good choices, especially since you were able to get CRT.

It is frustrating to have to wait on things, when you want it all sorted out and planned now. It will all work out.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We did 1900 Park Fare for dinner our first trip. The food was ok. The characters were ok, but we had already seen most of them in the park earlier that day, (except Prince Charming). I don't even remember meeting him at 1900 Park Fare. It was really crowded and noisy. Difficult to relax and that wasn't good for someone with sensory issues. We did the best we could, but it wasn't a must do or repeat for us. Hopefully, breakfast will be less crowded. Don't get me wrong, the character interaction was great, it was just pretty stressful.

We haven't done Ohana for dinner. We always want to, but it usually doesn't make the final list. Someday. We had the breakfast there. My son loves Stitch and Lilo, so it was a must do. I am not sure if we would do it twice though. Possibly.

I think you made good choices, especially since you were able to get CRT.

It is frustrating to have to wait on things, when you want it all sorted out and planned now. It will all work out.

I have discovered since we took the twins to Disneyland, that most restaurants are noisy. Michayla will wear headphones with music going & this usually helps. Since our breakfast is after 10am, hopefully it won't be as bad since the die hard families will have wanted an earlier time so they could get to the parks. (actually it probably won't matter what time it is....it will be busy & noisy....we just have to deal with it & help the girls cope).

The Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland used to have the Lilo & Stitch breakfast. The kids loved it. Now it's the Mickey & Friends breakfast. (2009)





My son Derek, who is working at WDW, loves Ohana's dinner.....so he was happy with the change!

We did CRT for breakfast when Mike & I went in 2013. Loved it and the food was my 2nd favorite of our trip (1st being BOG dinner). Thought we'd try a different meal this time & lucked out and got dinner on my first try!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Made a small adjustment~~we decided to drop Beaches & Cream and switch to Cape May Dinner Buffet. The draw to B&C was the ice cream, but the menu was not very motivating for the dinner part. We were more interested in the seafood buffet and figured even the kids that aren't big on fish will find plenty of options at this buffet.

 

[Steppesister]

I'd say great changes all the way around! O'hana dinner is great! and yeah I think a quieter breakfast will be more up your alley.

Soooo glad you got the ressie issue worked out! I'd type more , but I'm having some major computer issues....

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Made a small adjustment~~we decided to drop Beaches & Cream and switch to Cape May Dinner Buffet. The draw to B&C was the ice cream, but the menu was not very motivating for the dinner part. We were more interested in the seafood buffet and figured even the kids that aren't big on fish will find plenty of options at this buffet.

We ate at Beaches & Cream. We went for the ice cream but started with dinner. Then we were too full to try the ice cream. I was very upset with this. Next time, we will try to go but know that it is just for the ice cream and not try to have a regular meal. Sometimes, it is ok to have ice cream as dinner.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'd say great changes all the way around! O'hana dinner is great! and yeah I think a quieter breakfast will be more up your alley.

Soooo glad you got the ressie issue worked out! I'd type more , but I'm having some major computer issues....

Thanks, I'm feeling pretty good about the changes! Getting the My Disney Experience on the right track is a relief! I was concerned that it would add some real problems if I hadn't made them fix this.....lol
Boo on the computer issues......I'm typing this on my new laptop since our desk top & my old laptop were both dying.......

We ate at Beaches & Cream. We went for the ice cream but started with dinner. Then we were too full to try the ice cream. I was very upset with this. Next time, we will try to go but know that it is just for the ice cream and not try to have a regular meal. Sometimes, it is ok to have ice cream as dinner.

See that's what I thought might happen. The menu was kinda dull but the ice cream treats looked delicious! I think just going there for a treat would be the way to go. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening this trip.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Since I've done some switching up on my dining reservations, I thought I would update.

8/7: Travel day from Oregon, arriving in Orlando at 5:05pm. Will get dinner at Everything Pop at the Pop Century Resort

8/8: Kona Café ~ A mid-morning breakfast at the Polynesian Resort
8/8: Earl of Sandwich ~ Mid-afternoon lunch at Disney Springs (or Downtown Disney)
8/8: Cape May Café ~ Late seafood dinner buffet at the Beach Club Resort

8/9: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/9: Casey's Corner ~ Lunch at the Magic Kingdom
8/9: Cinderella's Royal Table ~ Character Dinner in the castle at the Magic Kingdom (this is the day that 3 of the 4 girls are doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique)

8/10: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/10: Sunshine Seasons ~ Lunch in the Land of EPCOT
8/10: Garden Grill ~ Character dinner in the Land of EPCOT

8/11: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/11: 50's Prime Time Café ~ An early lunch at Disney's Hollywood Studios
8/11: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ~ Dinner at Disney's Hollywood Studios

8/12: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/12: Flame Tree BBQ ~ Lunch at the Animal Kingdom
8/12: Ohana's ~ Late dinner at the Polynesian Resort (hoping to catch the fireworks from the beach)

8/13: 1900 Park Fare ~ Character breakfast at the Grand Floridian Resort
8/13: Everything Pop ~ Lunch at the Pop Century Resort (this is an off day from the parks)
8/13: Boatwright's ~ Dinner at the Port Orlean's Riverside Resort

8/14: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/14: Golden Oak Outpost -OR- Peco's Bill's ~ Lunch at the Magic Kingdom
8/14: Crystal Palace ~ Character Dinner at the Magic Kingdom
8/14: Wishes Dessert Party ~ Tomorrowland Terrace at the Magic Kingdom

8/15: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/15: Yak & Yati Local Foods ~ Lunch at the Animal Kingdom
8/15: Mara ~ Dinner at the Animal Kingdom Resort

8/16: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/16: Liberty Inn ~ Lunch in the American Pavilion at EPCOT
8/16: Coral Reef ~ Late dinner at The Seas in EPCOT

8/17: Everything Pop ~ A grab-n-go breakfast (snack) at the Pop Century Resort
8/17: Columbia Harbor House -OR- Cosmic Rays in the Magic Kingdom
8/17: Be Our Guest ~ Late dinner in Beast's castle in the Magic Kingdom

8/18: Everything Pop ~ Last breakfast at the Pop Century Resort
Travel day back to Oregon

 

[DizNee Luver]

I forgot to share this......I made a countdown calendar. Each day the kids get to put a sticker on the date. They are excited to see the calendar pages fill up!!



The calendar pages came from here: http://mydisneylifebymelissa.blogspot.com/2014/02/countdown-calendars.html I don't want to take credit for their awesome designs!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Woot!!! I did the 1900 Park Fare in '06 for breakfast. I've done the following meals:

Cinderella's Royal Table (4/06, I was 1 month away from 11 at the time and went for breakfast)
Sunshine Seasons (2010, food was okay)
Garden Grill (12/06, did it for the candlelight)
50's Prime Time (we LOVE this place. Done it on all trips except in December)
1900 Park Fare (12/06, only did breakfast)
Crystal Palace (LOVE this place, did this in 2003 and 2010)
Be Our Guest (did this last summer, please see TR for more info)

I also did Ohana's breakfast in 2003 so I can't help on that.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woot!!! I did the 1900 Park Fare in '06 for breakfast. I've done the following meals:

Cinderella's Royal Table (4/06, I was 1 month away from 11 at the time and went for breakfast)
Sunshine Seasons (2010, food was okay)
Garden Grill (12/06, did it for the candlelight)
50's Prime Time (we LOVE this place. Done it on all trips except in December)
1900 Park Fare (12/06, only did breakfast)
Crystal Palace (LOVE this place, did this in 2003 and 2010)
Be Our Guest (did this last summer, please see TR for more info)

I also did Ohana's breakfast in 2003 so I can't help on that.

Mike & I did CRT for breakfast, 50's Prime Time & Be Our Guest for dinner in 2013. We loved all of them!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Love the countdown for the kids