Pilgrms on the Move-updated 11/21-leaving in the morning!

[cam&phoebsmom]

Congrats on hitting the double-digits in your countdown!!!

My DS and DD are very sad about the Barnstormer too...that was DS's favorite ride last time and his little face just dropped when I told him it wasn't there anymore when we started planning this trip. But BTMRR is a close 2nd favorite and I'm hoping to get him on a couple of "new" rides (for him anyway) this trip.

And, I'm thinking we need more details, possibly some pictures to go along with the Oktoberfest story. Particularly someone getting shoved into the phonebooth and the dropped cheesebread.

My son is a super wimp when it comes to rides-but he has tried something ne each trip. Right now the only rides he has not ridden are Dinosaur (S has a funny story about taking Rapunzel on that), Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, and Rock n Roll RC. He has said he will do EE and Dinosaur on our, "next trip" which we have said will probably be in a year or two. He has no idea that he will get to face his fears (or wimp out) in less than 100 days!

Our Oktoberfest trip was luckily for us before the days where we all had cameras on our phones (or even always had cell phones!). But I will say that S and myself were the LEAST embarassing that evening.

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Cute pictures!
We have 99 days until we leave, double digit dance!

 

[kdka421]

My son is a super wimp when it comes to rides-but he has tried something ne each trip. Right now the only rides he has not ridden are Dinosaur (S has a funny story about taking Rapunzel on that), Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, and Rock n Roll RC. He has said he will do EE and Dinosaur on our, "next trip" which we have said will probably be in a year or two. He has no idea that he will get to face his fears (or wimp out) in less than 100 days!

Hehe. I'd definitely not call your son a super wimp if those are the only rides he hasn't done!! That's pretty good

I myself do like thrill rides for the most part, but there have always been a few that are over the top for me; but recently I've said the same thing as your son, and each trip I've tried to do something new. The 2 I was most scared of were Mission Space, and Rock n Roller Coaster. Last trip I got up the nerve to do Mission Space (the intense side!) and this upcoming trip I've decided to finally to RnRC. Yikes! But I think I'll enjoy it once I do it, it's just a little scary to think about.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Hehe. I'd definitely not call your son a super wimp if those are the only rides he hasn't done!! That's pretty good

I myself do like thrill rides for the most part, but there have always been a few that are over the top for me; but recently I've said the same thing as your son, and each trip I've tried to do something new. The 2 I was most scared of were Mission Space, and Rock n Roller Coaster. Last trip I got up the nerve to do Mission Space (the intense side!) and this upcoming trip I've decided to finally to RnRC. Yikes! But I think I'll enjoy it once I do it, it's just a little scary to think about.

You would call him a super wimp if you could watch the build-up to get on rides if he thinks they moght be scary-even if has ridden them before. Our last trip we got in line for POTC-he has ridden that multiple times starting when he was 5 and also at DL.

Boy-I think I am feeling sick-I have to get out of line
me-no we are staying in line
Boy-no really-I am going to vomit
me-then make sure to turn your head so that it does not get on me
Boy-I mean I have to go to the bathroom
me-we just went, you are fine
Boy-no I have to go number 2 (then cue the holding his stomach and acting lik he is going to pop a squat right there)
me-oh well, then I guess we will have to buy you some new shorts-but you are using your money for them

etc., etc., etc. I am sure the woman next to us thought I was either the cruelest most uncaring mom ever, or that I was mentally unstable and she should be careful of any body fluids that were about to leak out of my son!

Until we got off the ride-then he said, "Oh I thought there was a big drop like Splash Mtn. That wasn't scary at all!"

He makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes! Our deal is that if he rides a new ride he will get a pin (bought by us) to commemorate it. I do love TOT but I know for sure he will not enjoy it so I let that go. I think he would like EE and I know he would lie Dinosaur. He did the Indiana Jones ride in DL and liked it and it is very similar.

D and S and Rapunzel and my family are hitting Hersheypark in October so we will see if he is brave enough to try something new. Last year D, S, and I rode the following ride-our mistake was that for some reason we did not look at the track when we got in line, we just saw the beginning when the cars take off and it looked like fun. It was hands down the scariest coaster I have ever been on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wqfu9wWxDo&feature=related

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Cute pictures!
We have 99 days until we leave, double digit dance!

Your TR is great so far


yeah-congrats on double digits!!!! We have 98 days until we get to WDW but we have 97 days until we leave.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

We interrupt this pre-trip to go to the beach...

W just spent a long weekend with D and S and Rapunzel at the beach. We had a hard time talking about Disney with the kiddos around, but we were able to sneak in some discussions here and there.

The kids had so much fun at the beach. I really hope nobody had a video camera trained on S and I as we got PUMMELED by the waves on Saturday. It was out of something from a bad movie and somehow we just could not get our timing right and we kept standing in the exact wrong spot, LOL.

But here are some pics of children that had better timing than we did:

we had such a good time and it was so nice to relax on the beach while the kids played

Sadly, TheBoy started school yesterday. I am very nervous about this year as he ended up with 31 kids in his class-and that is just too many! I guess when we go on vacation his teacher will at least be happy to have one less kid in there!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

D, S, and Rapunzel were still at the beach this week but were being evacuated out so they came home yesterday-better safe than sorry. S ended up on crutches (the evils of a waterpark) and was supposed to take Rapunzel to see Selene Gomez at the state fair. I don't know if she ended up going being n crutches, but hopefully she can update on the concert.

We are now having to wait and see what damage may come with Irene. After Hurricane Isabel we were out of power for 5 days-but luckily did not have any damage at home. We live in a neighborhood with MANY MANY old, super big trees and I always get nervous during storms. There is nothing I can do now but wait and see what happens, and hope for no damage to our house. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't REALLY nervous! We certainly are not expected to get the brunt of the storm like NYC or other more coastal areas, but we do live very close to 2 rivers and the wind gusts are predicted to be around 60-80mph which can do a lot of damage!

Our freezer is full of ziploc bags full of water (to make bags of ice packs), canned food has been bought, flashlights and lanterns ready, and all our outside items put away or tied down. I think we have done what we can-hope it is enough!

So even though I am reasonably sure nobody cares, LOL, it may be a few days until i can update the pre-trip if/when we lose power.

I hope everyone stays safe this weekend!

 

[Missyrose]

We in D.C. are probably won't get hit as badly as you guys farther east. I hope you guys stay safe and don't lose power! At least we have the DIS boards to keep us occupied as the storm approaches.

 

[prisjoyce]

Hiya! How did you guys do w/ Irene? We're in northern MD and we lost a few shutters and a few branches, but the basement didn't flood, and we have power. My SIL and her family live in Annapolis near USNA and they still don't have power. Hope you have had better luck!!!

Considering our earlier convo, I also wanted to tell you that when we told our kids (DD 8, DS 5) that we're going for Thanksgiving, one of the first things my DD said was, "Can we go back to that restaurant w/ the yummy pumpkin pies?" It was Capt's Grille. So glad I booked that again!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Hiya! How did you guys do w/ Irene? We're in northern MD and we lost a few shutters and a few branches, but the basement didn't flood, and we have power. My SIL and her family live in Annapolis near USNA and they still don't have power. Hope you have had better luck!!!

Considering our earlier convo, I also wanted to tell you that when we told our kids (DD 8, DS 5) that we're going for Thanksgiving, one of the first things my DD said was, "Can we go back to that restaurant w/ the yummy pumpkin pies?" It was Capt's Grille. So glad I booked that again!

We only lost power for full day-so we totally got lucky. Some people in the neighborhood that connects to ours STILL did not have power today-but we saw lots of BGE trucks go by so hopefully they have been restored today. 2 trees fell right behind our fence, but luckily they fell away from the house-one was completely uprooted! We slept in the basement b/c of all the branches falling on our roof, but really we were totally fortuanate.

So glad to hear of your kids' reaction to Capt. Grille-someone else said they hated it but I have heard mostly good and considering the size of our party I don't think we have a lot of choice, LOL.None of us have been there so I am happy to be trying something new

 

[ToodlesRN]

What is our plan for day one?
*Arrive at Wilderness Lodge and check-in to get our park tix.
* Head to EPCOT and pickup some FP for the headliners
*Help KimPossible save the world
*meet some Princesses

and then get some yummy food in a setting that will bring us back to the place we all met!

BIERGARTEN!!!

^that will be us dancing around to the oompa band!

The fun thing is that D and S, and DH and I all have been to the REAL Oktberfest together in 1998 (I think it was 1998). In 1998 D and my DH were stationed together and DH and I drove down with S from where we were living to meet up with her DH ("D") who was in southern Germany for training (did you follow that?LOL). We got a train headed for Munich and the festivities began.

I am hoping the evening at the Biergarten ends up better than our original Oktoberfest experience which included:

*homemade East German pickles that had "unusual" effects on DH, D and S (I don't eat pickles so I was safe from the pickle effect)
*one of the group (I will refrain from saying who, LOL) eating cheese bread that had fallen in the road
*somebody getting shoved in a phone booth for safe keeping
*another from our group sliding headfirst down a flight of stairs on his way to the bathroom, and getting no help from the rest of us b/c we were laughing so hard

Hmmm that was one of the funnest nights we have had

My family has eaten at the Biergarten twice and we love the atmosphere and dancing. The only thing my son does not like is the chicken dance (he once got in trouble at school for giving the chicken dance a thumbs down).

^The kids getting their groove on at the Biergrten Jan. 2010*

^D and Rapunzel getting down at a mutual friend's b-day party. It has nothing to do with Disney, but I love the picture and D is a great dancer.

Another added bonus of the Biergarten is the beer that is served. Both D an DH are homebrewers and I am sure will enjoy a sampling of some of the Biergarten's drink options (or two).


Illuminations is presented that night so depending on how the kids do we will stay for Illuminations or head back to WL. Most likely our room won't be ready when we check-in so we will have to settle in and get our things put away. We will have to get a good night's sleep b/c the next day is THANKSGIVING!

Love the Star wars shirt where did you find that? Our son is into Star wars and going to try out for the Jedi academy if he gets picked!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Love the Star wars shirt where did you find that? Our son is into Star wars and going to try out for the Jedi academy if he gets picked!

My super creative sister made it for him-it was a great shirt and when he got chosen for the JTA the Jedi said, "You-I see the force is strong in you...."

Now they have a sign-up for JTA so you can be guaranteed a spot of you get there early enough

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Another quick trip-Labor Day weekend the 7 of us went camping in Western MD. All went well-we hiked up to a waterfall and the 2 dads, TheBoy and Rapunzel climbed up the waterfall like spider monkeys. Walking sticks were whittled, and marshmallows toasted up for S'mores. BUT on Sunday night we had a storm that caused ferocious downpours throughout the night. It was LOUD!!! and constant. We packed up around 7am and folded up the tents the best we could and hightailed it out of there. My backyard currently looks like the Beverly Hillbillies could live here. We have 2 tents, 3 tarps, and room dividers hanging off of our deck and playset. The rain here has not let up so we have not been able to dry them out and don't want to fold them up as they are b/c they will get moldy. Considering the forecast for our area for the next week or so I think we will be living like the Clampetts for a while!

Back to the PTR!

After a morning in MK we are going to have an early dinner at one of two places. If it is just the 7 of us we will be eating at Cape May, but if it is the whole clan we will be dining at Captain's Grille for their T'giving buffet. Either way we will get a sampling of traditional holiday food and seafood. YEAH!

If all goes according to our plans we will be able to head back into MK and use some of our FP collected earlier.

************

I want to take this moment to wish S a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!!




May all your wishes come true!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

For the record there are only 75 days until we will be walking around the world!!!

 

[ToodlesRN]

My super creative sister made it for him-it was a great shirt and when he got chosen for the JTA the Jedi said, "You-I see the force is strong in you...."

Now they have a sign-up for JTA so you can be guaranteed a spot of you get there early enough

Thanks! That is good to know about the sign up sheet, where is it located?

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Thanks! That is good to know about the sign up sheet, where is it located?

We have not tried for the JTA since they started doing the sign-ups, but I believe you go towards Star Tours and there is a place there. I have read about groups having one person go towards TSM for passes and another heading to JTA to sign up. My understanding is that the child needs to be there when they sign up to answer some questions and get their time.

Good luck!

 

[sbynon]

Back to the PTR!

After a morning in MK we are going to have an early dinner at one of two places. If it is just the 7 of us we will be eating at Cape May, but if it is the whole clan we will be dining at Captain's Grille for their T'giving buffet. Either way we will get a sampling of traditional holiday food and seafood. YEAH!

If all goes according to our plans we will be able to head back into MK and use some of our FP collected earlier.

************

I want to take this moment to wish S a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!!




May all your wishes come true!

First, thanks for the birthday wishes--it was awesome turning 29 again.

An addendum to Thanksgiving Day plans--I just booked the Dessert Party for D, R and I. Our lovely PTR-writer did not think her youngest would be up for being out that late, but this is something I've wanted to do since I read about it. I am PSYCHED that it was available, and still hoping our companions change their minds and join us . If not, I will just have to sneak out some of the lovely desserts I've seen pictures of!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Soooooo-we booked the dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace as well. I was thinking it would be too late for my DD, but then my DH and I talked and since we are going to Animal Kingdom the next day and it is our "sleep in day" I think it wil be fun!

Friday's plans-
This is a day where the plan is split up. I am hoping D or S will pop in and talk about their plans which include Universal for Harry Potter. I woud love to go, but since my DD is still too little and my DS would most likely chicken out, we are skipping it this year in favor of sleeping in.

Our plan is to wake up with no alarm, and head over to Animal Kingdom. Our list of "must do" things in this park is small so I am not pressured to see too much. We would like to:

*finally find the elusive Pocahontas
*see Flights of Wonder
*ride Expedition Everest and/or Dinosaur (hoping my DS will ride at least one of those)
*Safari
*Kali River Rapids if it is warm enough

I know many people love FOTLK but it is not a must do for us. We hope to have a relaxing day and take it easy.

That night we have diner reservations together at BOMA. It is one of our favorites-my DS particularly loves it in our family. I am happy that both families have raised our kids to try new things-we have been able to do dinners at places with no kids menu and everyone has left happy.

I have not been to Universal but D and S have so I hope they will pop in and give more info on their plans

 

[sbynon]

Hmmm...so you want to know about our plans for Friday. Honestly, it depends on whether my lovely Aunt and Cousin decide to join us. I haven't heard from them recently, so I'm thinking they have changed their minds (or at least my Aunt has, and she's the one who'd be paying ).

If the are still joining us, then Friday for us will be spent at Universal Studios, getting our Harry Potter fix in at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We went last year and it was AMAZING. LOVE LOVE LOVE the ride in the castle (the name of which I can't remember and am too lazy to look up). Honestly, just love being there. I don't think Universal compares when it comes to customer service and having a pleasant theme-park experience, but they do an AMAZING job on theming, and WWOHP is just one of the most awesome theme park experiences I have had. The Dr. Seuss area is pretty cool, as well, and this may be one of the last year's our DD is actually interested in that. She's also a little more into thrill rides than she's been in the past, and there are more of those at Universal, so we'll try to hit the ones she's tall enough for. Also love the Simpsons ride, which we didn't get to do last year because I stupidly only bought 1-park tickets for Universal, and when we tried to upgrade there was only 1 person working the booths and they were taking FOREVER with the people in front of us (goes to what I mentioned earlier about their customer service).

This is not my ideal day for going to WWOHP, soooo if my Aunt and Cousin do not join us, we will be join our lovely PTR writer for their day at Animal Kingdom. I don't think we went to Animal Kingdom last year--it's not really my favorite park and there's nothing there that I feel compelled to do every year. Maybe if R is tall enough for Expedition Everest, I'll feel differently about that, but she's always been too short, even though she's wanted to go on it.

I guess this would be a good time for the story that was alluded to earlier by my dear friend. Two years ago, when R was 5, we made what has become our annual trip to WDW. R was not the most agreeable person on this trip. She wasn't bad, she just wasn't interested in going on many rides. One night we went to the Christmas party and when we went on Splash Mountain, they said we could stay on if we wanted because there was no one in line, and R did not want to. Then she didn't want to go on any other rides, even though there were no lines. We went with it, and had a great time watching shows and the parade and fireworks, but were still slightly annoyed. (Earlier in the day she had said she wanted to go on Test Track and then changed her mind when it was our turn--DH and I still rode, but it was becoming a pattern.)

So this is the mood the next morning when we went to Animal Kingdom. We decided to ride Dinosaur, which none of us had ever been on. Halfway through the line, R decides she doesn't want to go on because it will be scary (which, if you've been on it, you know it is, but we did not). We were kind of sick of the "no rides" attitude, so we told her she was going on. She starts begging. We stick to our guns. I even show her how there is no exclmation point on the map for this ride, so it can't possibly be scary. I am sure everyone else thought we were horrible people. As soon as the ride started, with the darkness and the dinosaurs roaring and flashing lights and steam, I decided the people in line were right--we are horrible people.

 

[prisjoyce]

Just popping in to say hello and catch up on your plans. Do you know how you're going to tell the kids yet?

Not much longer!!