Our 1st family trip without a diaper bag! Jan 2012 PTR

[princess&her4princes]

So...I got a call tonight from Jetblue as I was putting dinner on the table, they started leaving a message "This is Jetblue with an itinerary change about your flight to Orlando...." gasp! Everyone could hear it clear as day, I quickly picked it up! This trip is a SURPISE for our boys for Christmas, we can't hear about our flights for January!!

Long story short, they have bumped our returning flight 10 minutes earlier that it was planned, which is fine. They just better not mess with it again!

Will update more soon!

 

[Monny2AE]

Your title made me giggle out loud! I'll do the "No More Diaper Bags at Disney" dance with you!!!! I'm going in December and this will be our first trip without one too!!! Someday I'd like to be able to say we're going without a stroller but not yet.

Good luck with the surprise- if JetBlue didn't ruin it already for you. We surprised our kids for our 2010 trip. We filled a huge box with balloons and some trip goodies. The last thing they opened Christmas morning was a box with a clue and they had to follow clues we left around the house that finally led to the box that was hidden downstairs.

Onto Day 1 travel plans!

We land at MCO about 9 a.m. after getting up about 3-4 a.m. and taking off from Boston at 6 a.m. I'm thinking we should be to our resort about 11, what do you think?

By the time we check out the resort and probably grab a CS at the food court, our plan is to head to MK! I'm thinking we'll get there by 2 or so and I think we're just going to wander. Let's face it, we'll be tired, but running on adrenaline for sure! So Todd and I think we'll just let the boys lead us...we'll do whatever they want! I think they'll love that and we'll all just be happy to be there, at that point!

After much deliberation, I did go ahead and make a dinner reservation at Tony's that night about 5 p.m. I figured we'd have a few hours at MK, go for an early dinner, and then take off back to the resort to settle ourselves in and unpack back at the resort. Maybe Todd will take the kids for a quick swim, while I unpack and then get to bed early as we are off to Epcot the next day!

Here are some questions for my DIS friends, we've been to Disney in early December, but never in mid January. I'm thinking layers? Anyone have a good feel on the weather that time of year? Will we be swimming? Remember, we're coming from Boston, so it will be warm to us in January, we are New Englanders! Any thoughts? Thanks!!

I'm from MD and our last 2 trips have been in January. We got some funny looks from locals when we stopped at a rest stop in FL (we drove) and were wearing tshirts and shorts. 70 degrees is warm to us!
I recommend packing layers. There were days when it was warm enough to wear shorts and tshirts and nights when my kids were wearing winter coats and it was 50degrees. It can really vary and each year can be different. 2009 was milder. 2010 was mild to start but a cool front came through midweek and it was downright chilly by our last night.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Your title made me giggle out loud! I'll do the "No More Diaper Bags at Disney" dance with you!!!! I'm going in December and this will be our first trip without one too!!! Someday I'd like to be able to say we're going without a stroller but not yet.

I'm glad I made you giggle and thanks so much for dancing with me!! It's so exciting to be going without one, isn't it?! It truly is the little things in life....lol

Good luck with the surprise- if JetBlue didn't ruin it already for you. We surprised our kids for our 2010 trip. We filled a huge box with balloons and some trip goodies. The last thing they opened Christmas morning was a box with a clue and they had to follow clues we left around the house that finally led to the box that was hidden downstairs.

Yikes, I know!! Thank you!! LOVE your idea of the surprise, I may borrow it! We have the suitcases for the kids, so somehow I need to coordinate that but maybe we'll hide them as the final clue? Hmm..my wheels are spinning now!

I'm from MD and our last 2 trips have been in January. We got some funny looks from locals when we stopped at a rest stop in FL (we drove) and were wearing tshirts and shorts. 70 degrees is warm to us!
I recommend packing layers. There were days when it was warm enough to wear shorts and tshirts and nights when my kids were wearing winter coats and it was 50degrees. It can really vary and each year can be different. 2009 was milder. 2010 was mild to start but a cool front came through midweek and it was downright chilly by our last night.

So funny, that's what I'm thinking, too! We're New Englanders, 70 degrees is fabulous! Especially in January! Thanks for the tip on the layers, sounds similiar to our December 2008 packing, we wore hoodies/jeans with a tshirt underneath for morning/ night and took the hoodie off for mid day. Works for me!

Thanks so much for joining me!

 

[Tickanee]

OMG! You need to switch to voicemail! Did the boys hear anything? Darn that JetBlue! I am still waiting for them to extend their schedule so I can book our flights for May. They are releasing them later this year than last year.

The days are gonna fly by for you, now that the holidays are upon us. I miss our Fall trips... Going 3 times in the last year and then having to wait a whole year is HARD!

 

[Lcaemom]

Good morning Kristen. I think by January you'll be so ready for 70 degrees...especially as we are hearing SNOW on Thursday!?!
Yes, you need voicemail!!! Did the boys hear? Do they have a clue? YIKES!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

OMG! You need to switch to voicemail! Did the boys hear anything? Darn that JetBlue! I am still waiting for them to extend their schedule so I can book our flights for May. They are releasing them later this year than last year.

The days are gonna fly by for you, now that the holidays are upon us. I miss our Fall trips... Going 3 times in the last year and then having to wait a whole year is HARD!

Good morning Kristen. I think by January you'll be so ready for 70 degrees...especially as we are hearing SNOW on Thursday!?!
Yes, you need voicemail!!! Did the boys hear? Do they have a clue? YIKES!!!

You girls are sooo smart! I should switch to voice mail!! Everything seems fine here, no questions were asked, I picked up so quickly I think they missed it. PHEW!!!!

And you're so right, it's going to FLY by! Between holidays and birthdays, it will be here before we know it!

Tiff, I feel your pain! I can't believe it's been over a year for us now! The boys keep asking when we'll go back. They think I said a couple more years when we got home last year, so Ethan keeps saying when I'm in 4th grade, right? Hope I can pull this surpise off, they will be thrilled!!

And Leighan, you're SO right, I will be MORE THAN READY come January to be in Florida, especially since they are predicting snow this week! They can't be serious, can they?!

 

[joelp]

Hey Kristen!!

I'm back for the ride ...

So far I've made it through page one of the PTR ... and my advice:

Bring the umbrella stroller!!

My last trip in March with the DD was our first without a stroller - and she was 7.5 ... and I ended up carrying her around waaaaay more than I wanted (especially after Wishes and Illuminations ...)

So save your DH's back - and bring the stroller!!!

Gotta get ready for work ... so page 2 will have to wait ...

 

[Lcaemom]

Hey Kristen!!

I'm back for the ride ...

So far I've made it through page one of the PTR ... and my advice:

Bring the umbrella stroller!!

My last trip in March with the DD was our first without a stroller - and she was 7.5 ... and I ended up carrying her around waaaaay more than I wanted (especially after Wishes and Illuminations ...)

So save your DH's back - and bring the stroller!!!

Gotta get ready for work ... so page 2 will have to wait ...

I remember you, Joelp from the Disney 2008 trip...I too, went that year and met Kristen on the plane ride home! I remembered that you took the BEST pics so of course, I have checked out your Sept 2009 TR...and I was right. How in the world did you get such great pics of Soarin and the Mexican pavilion? I have tried multiple times and they never come out, looking the way both of those places really look.
Got to get ready for work but, will catch up with the rest of your TR later...great to "see" you.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Kristen!!

I'm back for the ride ...

So far I've made it through page one of the PTR ... and my advice:

Bring the umbrella stroller!!

My last trip in March with the DD was our first without a stroller - and she was 7.5 ... and I ended up carrying her around waaaaay more than I wanted (especially after Wishes and Illuminations ...)

So save your DH's back - and bring the stroller!!!

Gotta get ready for work ... so page 2 will have to wait ...

Joelp! So glad you're back!! It's funny that you brought the stroller up today, it was on my mind this afternoon. Cole will just be about 4.5 years and he does get tired from walking too much. You're right, bringing it! Now here are my thoughts (not expecting you to come up with an answer per say...just rambling here...) are my Maclaren umbrella stroller has no storage, no cup holder, flips when he gets out, kind of annoying! It's the ONLY stroller I have...wishing I had kept my Graco lightweight and obviously at this point, I'm not buying a new one! So...my wheels are spinning...I think I need to see what friends will let me borrow! Thanks for listening.... And thanks for coming back around!! Glad to "see" you back on the boards again, too!

I remember you, Joelp from the Disney 2008 trip...I too, went that year and met Kristen on the plane ride home! I remembered that you took the BEST pics so of course, I have checked out your Sept 2009 TR...and I was right. How in the world did you get such great pics of Soarin and the Mexican pavilion? I have tried multiple times and they never come out, looking the way both of those places really look.
Got to get ready for work but, will catch up with the rest of your TR later...great to "see" you.

Leighan, you're so right! He takes the BEST pics!!

 

[joelp]

Just finished page 2 ...

Layers are definitely the way to go ... especially in the pool!

And as for Photobucket, have you tried:

(at least you'll feel better ...)

 

[joelp]

Joelp! So glad you're back!! It's funny that you brought the stroller up today, it was on my mind this afternoon. Cole will just be about 4.5 years and he does get tired from walking too much. You're right, bringing it! Now here are my thoughts (not expecting you to come up with an answer per say...just rambling here...) are my Maclaren umbrella stroller has no storage, no cup holder, flips when he gets out, kind of annoying! It's the ONLY stroller I have...wishing I had kept my Graco lightweight and obviously at this point, I'm not buying a new one! So...my wheels are spinning...I think I need to see what friends will let me borrow! Thanks for listening.... And thanks for coming back around!! Glad to "see" you back on the boards again, too!

We just used an old, second-hand, simple umbrella stroller - worked fine, was easy to use, and in a pinch could be used to fend off those birds at Flame Tree BBQ ...


Storage?!? You don't need no stinkin' storage!! That's what the kids are for!! It's time for them to earn their keep, dagnabbit!!

Plus, they'll just love to show off their new Disney backpacks to the CMs ...

 

[joelp]

I remember you, Joelp from the Disney 2008 trip...I too, went that year and met Kristen on the plane ride home! I remembered that you took the BEST pics so of course, I have checked out your Sept 2009 TR...and I was right. How in the world did you get such great pics of Soarin and the Mexican pavilion? I have tried multiple times and they never come out, looking the way both of those places really look.
Got to get ready for work but, will catch up with the rest of your TR later...great to "see" you.

I don't think I ever finished that TR - or started a TR for the March 2011 trip ....

Actually, I posted a March TR on the AllEars group, but haven't gotten around to putting in photos, etc. so I could post it here on DISBoards ... one of these days ...

Trick #1 to taking good photos: take about a bazillion, and one or two are sure to be "good" ...

Trick #2: have the DW - who is not supposedly "fanatic" about WDW - take the photos!!

... I'm usually stumbling around with the video-camera ...

However, I have recently developed a new philosophy - in part because we rarely look at the photos/videos we do take: put the camera down and enjoy the moment!!!

Seems to be working out pretty good, so far ...

 

[joelp]

Since my softball game was cancelled because of the weather - rain and 35 degree temps this morning ... with SNOW!!!! on the way!!! ... I had time to peruse Page 3 ...

I'd go with the Christmas surprise ... and don't forget to watch the WDW Parade on TV later in the day ... ... and include a "countdown calendar" as one of their "gifts" ...

... and don't forget to put those WDW luggage tags in with their new bags ... And maybe you can find some stickers with their favorite Disney characters so the boyz can personalize their luggage ... and ... (OK - I'll stop now ... It's that SNOW!!!! forecast ... getting me in the Christmas spirit, I guess ...)

I won't comment on your new bag - it's a "guy" thing ...

Have fun shovelin' ...

 

[princess&her4princes]

BOO!!!

Happy Halloween my Dis friends!!

Hoping to get an update in later today, if Cole cooperates, wish me luck!

 

[Tickanee]

Boo to You!!!

Hope you guys have fun tonight!

DH and I should be home, but we never hand out candy because of being on the main road with no sidewalks. First year in about 17 years that he has been home....he is usually in Maine hunting.

Be safe...and warm, LOL!

 

[mjwheelerali]

Totally loving your PTR!! We're bringing our 3.5 year old Dec 30-Jan 6. Hoping for good weather so we can get to an from Disney! We live in Ontario and the crazy Buffalo weather scares us!

 

[Monny2AE]

BOO!!!

Happy Halloween my Dis friends!!

Hoping to get an update in later today, if Cole cooperates, wish me luck!

Guessing Cole didn't cooperate.

Any plans on the surprise yet? You could also include the Guide to the Magic Journals for the kids. I just ordered 2 for my kids today!

 

[joelp]

wow--great picture!!

the plan to surprise them on Christmas sounds like so much fun. I love big Christmas surprises. Our boys got a kitten last year, and it kind of bums me out how I know I won't be able to match that this year.

Have you thought about getting them a mouse (not Mickey or Minnie) this year??? That should liven things up Chrstmas morning ...

(Sorry - it just had to be said ... ... back to reading page 4 ...)

 

[krd315]

Joining in...we will be at Allstar Music in the family suites Jan 23rd - 29th
with our daughter and granddaughters 5 & 7. This is a surprise trip for the granddaughters.

We have not been to the world since 2000 and I am so happy to finally be going back. thank goodness for grandchildren as my dh is not a disney fan but will go to make them happy....yes the grandchildren are very spoiled

I have really enjoyed you ptr so far, love the family picture and the park bag.

 

[joelp]

Moving on to Day 2! Let's just remind you, we'll be up SUPER early the day prior, having a 6 a.m. flight out of Boston, an hour ride to the airport...

Day 2 will be at Epcot! Our favorite things at this park are Soarin', Test Track, the Character Spot and the boys love doing the Kidcot stations.

Don't forget there are KIDCOT Stations at Innoventions and The Living Seas ...

We do have lunch plans at Coral Reef this day. I've found in the past the sit down meals at lunch time work out well for us. We're stay on the park all day long type of people, we aren't patient enough for trips back to the resort for a swim, nap or anything else.

Considering your LONG Day #1, this may a good day to break with "tradition" and take that afternoon break after lunch at the Coral Reef - otherwise, if you go whole hog on Day #2, you'll probably be dead on Day #3 ...

So spend the morning in FutureWorld (ride Soarin' first & grab FPs for it to ride again ...), then hit Test Track, the Character Spot, etc.

Our plan is to maybe have Sunshine Seasons for dinner on the run that night.

After your mid-day break, hit Sunshine Seasons for dinner on your way into the World Showcase that night ... You don't want to be in the WS at dinner time and then walk all the way back to FW ...

So what do you think?

That's what I think ...