Our family thinks we're crazy....My first ever PTR

[alliesmommy]

Hi all

This is my first ever pre-trip report. I'm a lurker who has just recently come out of hiding. I really enjoy reading everyone's trip reports. I am a obsessive planner and I have nothing to do now! Our trip is booked, ADRs are made (though I'm still trying to snag a couple more), fabric to make Allie's pillowcase dresses is being shipped, and I'm bored.

As the title says, both sides of our family think we're completely nuts. This will be our 8th trip in 8 years to the World. Those of you that read this probably know what I'm talking about. No one understands why we love Disney so much. The majority have never been, so its easy to forgive them. . I'm not even sure how to put into words what it is that we love so much. It's just magical. (Insert cheesy violin music) When we walk onto Main Street for the first time each trip, it's like we truly are in a different world. We get to be kids again for a week or so and not think about jobs or stress or anything for that matter. And now that we get to bring our DD, the experience is just that much more memorable.

So, a little about us. Our family consists of:
Me-Kelly. Favorite park: MK. Favorite character: Tigger. Completely obsessed with planning our WDW trips. I live for it! DH had to talk me into a Disneymoon and after that trip, I can't get enough. I have tried on more than one occasion to persuade DH to move to Orlando.

DH-Chris. Loves Disney as much as I do. He lived in Orlando for a couple years growing up and has been numerous times. Favorite Park: Epcot (WS specifically.....he gets a black and tan half yard at the Rose & Crown at least twice each trip...enough said) Favorite characterluto. He puts up with my "overplanning" because he loves me. Best Daddy in the whole wide world. He loves DD even more than me.....no really.

DD-Allie (Allison Grace to be specific). The smartest little four-year-old ever....honestly. Well, she has the smartest mouth, anyway. She cracks us up! Funniest, brightest, most adorable little girl in the world. And yes, I'm absolutely biased. This is her third trip to the World. Favorite park: MK....Dumbo specifically.....only ride she EVER talks about. Favorite character: What hour is it? She loves Tink, Minnie, and all the princesses except Snow White (sorry Snow White....I love you though). Here's an old pic of her, but I love it so. Taken at Mousegear at Epcot.

Now on to the plans. Our anniversary is in September. It's our favorite time of the year to go. It's hot, yes, but when you live in North Texas and can literally fry an egg on the sidewalk in July here, you're a little used to the heat. We'll take heat over crowds any day of the week. So, anyhoo....we're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside this trip. It will officially round out our stays at the mods. We'll have stayed at all of them after this trip......then on to deluxe, baby! (Wishful thinking)

We'll be there from September 14th-21st. And have free dining. I have to say that while we love the fact that dining is free, I HATE that I have to plan out our days 6 months in advance now....and I'm a obsessive planner. But I like to plan what outfits to make Allie for each park, and I LOVE researching to get the best rate of airfare and rental cars. I do not, however, like that if we want to eat at Le Cellier in September, that I have to know if Epcot has EMH and will be more crowded versus going on a day that MK will be more crowded thus Epcot should be less crowded. Oops can't do that cause we can't get an ADR for that day. All in March. UGH! (Woah....that sounded like a rant. I promise going forward to not do that again. )

So, here are our ADRs: Feel free to critique.
9/14 is a travel day, so we're just going to check in, swim, and have dinner at the resort.
9/15
Nine Dragons 6:15pm. Should be done with plenty of time for Illuminations (my favorite fireworks show EVER. Tears and everything. Have the soundtrack in my car as I type this) We've never eaten here before. How is it?
9/16
Crystal Palace 8:05am. Tradition every trip.
Tony's Town Square 5:00pm. Meh. Could take it or leave it, but MNSSHP is this night and this is the only place with availability for an early dinner around MK.
9/17
Garden View Tea Room 2:00pm. So stinkin' excited about this one. Afternoon tea with just me and my princess. I cannot wait. Allie is really excited too.
Boatwrights 6:00pm. Never eaten here either. This is our shopping/downtime night. Just going to play it by ear.
9/18
Coral Reef 12:10pm. Lunch because I couldn't find anything for dinner at Epcot.
9/19
50's Prime Time Cafe 12:55pm. Again, lunch. Never eaten here before either.
9/20
1900 Park Fare 5:35pm. This is a new one too.

So, that concludes the introductory phase of our pre-trip report. Thanks for hanging in with me. Updates to come.

 

[ajworthy]

This will be our first time trying 50's prime time. I think you'll love 1900 Park Fare. My daughter was 4 last year when we went and she loved Cinderella, the prince and the ugly step sisters

 

[OrangeJuice]

I also love the Illuminations Soundtrack. I can't wait to see it live.
Looking forward to reading your PTR

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Your little girl is so cute! You both are going to LOVE the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. I did this on my last trip and it's so nice and relaxing, and a great way to see the GF if you've never been there before. I love all your ADRs, looks like you're hitting old favorites and trying out some new ones! Looking forward to reading more about your plans!

 

[alliesmommy]

I think you'll love 1900 Park Fare. My daughter was 4 last year when we went and she loved Cinderella, the prince and the ugly step sisters

I think this will be the one place that DH grumbles about. Hoping for good character interaction.

I also love the Illuminations Soundtrack. I can't wait to see it live.

You'll be moved to tears.....it's that good. I get chills when I think about it.

Your little girl is so cute!

Thank you!

You both are going to LOVE the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. I did this on my last trip and it's so nice and relaxing, and a great way to see the GF if you've never been there before.

I think I'm most excited about this! Allie is my little girlie girl and loves having tea parties at home. She's going to feel like such a big girl. I'm thinking about getting her this uber fancy dress for it. Its on a day that we're not going to the parks in the evening.....not sure though. I don't want to feel overdressed. What was the atmosphere like when you went?

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

Hi Kelly! I just read your pretrip report! Looks great! I'll chat with you more on the other thread!

 

[alliesmommy]

Wow....just re-read my first post. I seriously like the word specifically, I guess. Anyhoo. On to the plans.

It felt like Christmas when I got home from work! I had five packages by the front door. YAY! Two of them were from the Disney Store and two were these:

Fabric for Allie's Minnie Mouse pillowcase dress. Our local Joann's has a TERRIBLE selection, so I found this ebay store that carries a ton of cute fabric for cheap. I'm excited to get started! Will post pics when the dress is complete!

Now to get Allie to decide which princess dress she wants so I can get that fabric ordered next. I plan on making at least one more for our Animal Kingdom day. Thinking robin's egg blue and leopard print. Not sure yet though. She loves her dresses. They are really lightweight and comfortable for the parks. And so easy to make!


Now on to planning.....DH really wants to eat at Ohana's this trip. We haven't been there since 2005. I'm reading mixed reviews about service and food quality. When I showed him some of them, he said he still wants to try it. Problem is, I can't find an open ADR for any night of our trip. Oh well. I'm still trying.

We're doing another thing this trip that we haven't gotten to do before. MNSSHP! For those of you that have been, how far in advance did you purchase your tickets? Would we be pressing our luck if we waited until we checked in to purchase? Having them shipped here and then having to keep up with them while we travel makes me a little nervous. Insights?

Well, time to get sewing. Thanks for taggin' along! This is fun.

 

[ksl5f123]

Hi! Just joining in on your PTR! Your DD is very cute!

I love the fabric you found for her dress. I make pillowcase dresses for my girls too. You are right about them being cool and comfortable.

The only one of your ADRs I have eaten at before is 1900 Park Fare. I would say the food is average and the characters are awesome.

I am looking forward to more.

 

[alliesmommy]

Hi! Just joining in on your PTR! Your DD is very cute!

Thanks! We think she's a keeper. She's a great kid.

The only one of your ADRs I have eaten at before is 1900 Park Fare. I would say the food is average and the characters are awesome.

We're not expecting much by way of food, but I'm hoping that the characters will interact with Allie....and that she will let them. We had an unfortunate experience at Chef Mickey's last trip. She pretty much melted down every time one of the characters would come near her. Hoping for better luck this time.

 

[PixieMama]

Yay for 1st PTRs! (I'm writing my 1st, too)

My family has been to WDW twice, both times staying at ASMovies. On our last trip, DH said we're done staying at Values... he thinks a Mod will be fine, but I'm pushing for Deluxe (although, it's probably "wishful thinking" as you said!)

We love breakfast at CP! That one's a good choice. However, we didn't care for Tony's. But it was 2007 when we ate there, so it may have changed for the better since then!

We also enjoyed 50sPTC. Good food and our waitress was great at interacting with us, but I've heard it's hit or miss on the interaction.

Looking forward to reading more about your plans!

 

[jamiesmom07]

Can't wait to follow along with another Disney-planning-obsessed Mom! Your little girl is a doll!

 

[teekathepony]

I'm doing my 1st PTR too! I came to yours to see if I was doing mine right...

My family (and coworkers) also think I'm crazy, but I love it too much to care about what they think.

I ate at Tony's Town Square and although I hated my meal, I tried some of my parents' and they were delish! I've never eaten at 50's PT and I want to. I'll be interested to see how you like it.

Happy trip planning!

 

[alliesmommy]

Hi again everyone! Thanks for stopping by and posting. And thanks for all the complements on Allie. I'm one proud Mommy.

We are officially in double digits now! YAY! So stinkin' excited about that!

I changed some of our ADRs around because DH decided he didn't want to try Nine Dragons. So, we're going to Garden Grill instead. We figured Allie would enjoy this more. I've heard the food is only so-so.....we will see. We probably wouldn't try most of the new places if we didn't have free dining. Still hoping for an Ohana's opening that isn't at 9:55pm!

Anyway, my Disney Store order came in yesterday! Got Allie a couple pair of really cute flip flops and this for our trip:

I ordered a size 4....Allie's a true size 4 in everything, but the top was too small. It wouldn't even fit over her head! So, now I have to send it back and hope that a size 5/6 is in stock and fits.

Well, on to sewing. Hope everyone has had a great day.

 

[ksl5f123]

I have had that same problem with Disney swimsuits. Their t-shirts seem to run big, but their swimsuits run very small. I bought one for my 7yo that just barely fits my 5yo!

 

[alliesmommy]

I have had that same problem with Disney swimsuits. Their t-shirts seem to run big, but their swimsuits run very small. I bought one for my 7yo that just barely fits my 5yo!

I really hope the 5/6 that I ordered today will fit her. I just love the suit, but the 5/6 is the biggest size they carry.

 

[Kat in GA]

I'm in, too!

I love Ohana's. We have had both breakfast and dinner there and they are delish. We are doing dinner again this year when we are there in September. I have a late dinner, too - but 8ish late rather than almost 10ish late!

I am looking forward to seeing your sewing projects. I have always wanted to learn how to sew. I keep thinking that I might get a sewing machine - and then make my homeschooler learn - so she can teach me!

 

[alliesmommy]

I'm in, too!

I love Ohana's. We have had both breakfast and dinner there and they are delish. We are doing dinner again this year when we are there in September. I have a late dinner, too - but 8ish late rather than almost 10ish late!

I am looking forward to seeing your sewing projects. I have always wanted to learn how to sew. I keep thinking that I might get a sewing machine - and then make my homeschooler learn - so she can teach me!

Hi! I love sewing. I'm self taught and admittedly not that good at it. I went and bought a cheap Brother machine at Walmart and watched a lot of Youtube videos.

You are a homeschooler? We are starting Allie in September! I'm so excited! My last day at work is August 5th. I haven't stayed home with her since she was 18 months old and I can't wait to do it again. If you don't mind me asking, what curriculum do you use? We are looking at a couple different ones. Honestly, it's a little overwhelming.

 

[Kat in GA]

Hi! I love sewing. I'm self taught and admittedly not that good at it. I went and bought a cheap Brother machine at Walmart and watched a lot of Youtube videos.

You are a homeschooler? We are starting Allie in September! I'm so excited! My last day at work is August 5th. I haven't stayed home with her since she was 18 months old and I can't wait to do it again. If you don't mind me asking, what curriculum do you use? We are looking at a couple different ones. Honestly, it's a little overwhelming.

We are homeschoolers. My oldest - Katie - is 13 - and going into 8th grade. We've been homeschooling since 1st grade. My youngest goes to public school.

We are classical homeschoolers - and follow The Well Trained Mind. The older Katie gets the more deviations we tend to take - but we still follow it in theory.

I also teach homeschool classes. We go twice a week and I teach high school Latin, mythology and geography. It's great for Katie to take classes there, too - especially since she is so far beyond me in math!

Feel free to message me if you want to talk more about it - I can give you my email too

And with the sewing - there is a homeschool sewing class that is on dvd - I keep contemplating that!!

 

[alliesmommy]

Feel free to message me if you want to talk more about it - I can give you my email too

You've got mail.

 

[alliesmommy]

Hi everyone! Hope you've all had an awesome day.

Last update I was going to go get busy on Allie's Minnie pillowcase dress. And here it is! Excuse her hair....it's been a long day in the land of preschool, apparently.

Excuse the quality....I took it with my crappy Android camera.

Here's another view, just because I like the pic.

I didn't tie the bow tight enough, so that's why it looks like it's falling off her shoulder.

I ordered a Minnie iron on with a yellow bow on Etsy. When it comes in, my aunt is going to embroider her name across it and then I'll sew it in the middle of the dress.

So. YAY! Go me!