Planning our Wilderness Lodge Adventure! Nov 8-15 ~ We are back!

[brookelizabeth]

Hurray for Disney Mail!

I love the expression on your son's face in that picture, to cute!

Thanks! He's in that "I will eat anything within 10 feet of me" phase. When I'm working and he's on my lap, it's REAL interesting to try and keep everything out of his hands. The mouse, the phones, earpieces for the phones, random jewelery discarded onto my desk, books, papers... Thankfully if I give him a sheet of paper he'll usually be fairly satisfied for quite some time!

 

[stagemomx3]

I think the tea at the Grand Floridian sounds fabulous. I just couldn't see anyone in my family but me enjoying it, so I decided not this trip.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Brookelizabeth,

Disney Mail! Disney Mail! I love getting Disney Mail -- I always have to do a happy dance! I just wish it were more frequent!

Depending on DS, you should be fine having tea at the GF. As long as he isn't cranky at the time, and you can keep him happy and amused, I don't see a problem with it! Book it and have fun!

 

[CJsMom]

Tea at the GF sounds wonderful! Quick, do it now, before you have 2 little boys who would never sit still long enough to enjoy tea!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I think the tea at the Grand Floridian sounds fabulous. I just couldn't see anyone in my family but me enjoying it, so I decided not this trip.

I was SO surprised when DH said it sounded like "fun". Deep down I think he's just humoring me, but I'm going to take advantage of it!

Brookelizabeth,

Disney Mail! Disney Mail! I love getting Disney Mail -- I always have to do a happy dance! I just wish it were more frequent!

Depending on DS, you should be fine having tea at the GF. As long as he isn't cranky at the time, and you can keep him happy and amused, I don't see a problem with it! Book it and have fun!

As of right now, he's pretty easy to entertain and keep amused....hopefully that doesn't change!

Tea at the GF sounds wonderful! Quick, do it now, before you have 2 little boys who would never sit still long enough to enjoy tea!

Hmmm....I sense you have experience in this department...

BTW, I have your TR open on my computer - I just need to find the time to READ it all!



OKAY, that is 3 votes yes. Enough for me to feel confident enough to give it a whirl. If at 10 months old Henry suddenly becomes a difficult child (please Lord, no), I will re-think this, but as for now we are ON with the tea!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ugh, Minnesota

This past Thursday, it decided to snow. Not just a little bit, but an all day-almost white-out snow. I work upstairs at my desk in our living room, which has a large picture window. I kept glancing up and seeing the snow coming down in huge flakes, silently wishing I was somewhere warm, like, oh say, Disney World?!

The wind was just vicious. And yesterday, while it was warmer, the roads were pretty slick. I hate driving, and hate driving on wet slippery roads even more. This is one of the many reasons I miss NYC-I don't have to drive!

Think Spring.
Think Spring.
Think Spring.

Okay, enough with the whining... The icky weather has just fueled my desire to be somewhere warm!!!!

Here are a couple pics I took, the flakes were HUGE, the pictures don't quite do it justice:

This weekend I hear it's supposed to warm up into the 20s and 30s. Where are my tank tops?

 

[CJsMom]

I have that same view this morning. Yup - I am sick of it! Ready for spring here! I just keep dreaming of this:

 

[stagemomx3]

Ugh, Minnesota

This weekend I hear it's supposed to warm up into the 20s and 30s. Where are my tank tops?

Be sure to put on sunscreen if you start sunbathing!

 

[brookelizabeth]

03-01-2008 - Makin' Magic

First, I have to say....my little boy, Henry, is 6 months old today!
I cannot believe how quickly it has gone by. The first month was slooooooooow, but since then each month has gone faster and faster.

Okay, onto the Disney stuff now.

I've been researching all the "extra" little things to do at WDW, all this stuff I didn't know about in 2006 (well, I did hear about some, but it was all too overwhelming at that point being brand new to Disney), the different bakeries, fun things to do in and outside of the parks, etc. For the items that cost money, we don't have a huge budget for this area (or what I'm guessing, because well...I haven't done the budget yet!), but we do have some extra money for fun stuff like this.

Here is the list of "magic makers" that I have come up with:

Food Extras

• Goofy's Candy Company: I read that you can make chocolate dipped pretzels and your own candy apples here. Both DH and I would enjoy this!
• Garden View Tea Room: We've discussed this
• Mini Wedding Cake at GF tea: a surprise for DH in celebration of our Anniversary.
• Something delievered to room??? Choc covered strawberries? Cookies? Another surprise for DH!
• Epcot, Norway bakery, school bread and kringle with almonds: I've heard these are incredible! A goodie for DH
• Main Street Bakery, MK: A goodie for ME! And I'm sure DH will enjoy his coffee and pastry as well.

Inside Park Extras (non-food related):

• Diver in tank at Coral Reef: Another surprise for DH!
• Well at Indiana Jones, DHS: I have no idea what this is...but gotta try it.
• Make your own robot, Epcot: DH would really like this!!
• Epcot, watch the fish at the Living Seas, DS will love this! I don't even remember a big fish tank there...
• MK, Main Street: I read that you can get your sillhouettes done, might be fun with DS, good suvioner. Gotta do more research as to where/when/cost.
• MK, Main Street, I also heard you can watch a movie somewhere there-I'm guessing it's a short cartoon or something-but could be fun. Gotta do a bit more research as to where/when/cost.
• MK, Main Street Harmony Barber Shop, Henry's 1st haircut!! I REALLY want to do this, $14.
• MK Fireworks: time? Will DS even be awake?
• MK Parade: time?
• DHS Fantasmic: time? Will DS even be awake?
• DHS Parade: I hear it's Pixar characters now-gotta look into that, DH would like it more with Pixar characters.
• Epcot Illuminations: We saw this in 2006, not a biggee if we miss it this time, and would DS be awake for it anway?
• Is there a parade at Epcot?
• AK Parade: Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade-we were in the first float with Rafiki on this in 2006! It was so fun!! Maybe we'll get picked again!

Resort Extras

• Poly has a nice beach complete with hammocks to lounge about in. I told DH about this and as soon as I said the words "Beach with hammocks" he let out a low, "ooooooh...." This is SO up his alley.
• Horseback riding at FW: Probably will not do this, cost wise and I've heard the horses just walk in a line-they don't gallop or anything. Plus, DS...what would we do with him during this?
• Petting Farm at FW: Free and would be fun for all of us.
• Campfire at FW: Free and would be fun for all of us-if DS is even awake at this point!!

Outside Park Extras

• Mini golf at Winter Summerland: I think with the MYW packages you get a voucher for one free round, it's $10.75 for a round, so it could be fun for us to do on our first or last day-depending on flight times.
• AMC Movie Theater at DTD: Not my idea of what to do on vacation, but DH loves going to the movies. I've never braved it with DS though.
• Festival of the Masters at DTD: I'm excited about this!!
• Lego Sculptures at DTD: No, not for DS, for DH.

Okay, any other stuff that would be fun that you can think of? I think there are more bakeries we can hit in Epcot. Any that are superior above others? Or is Norway the best?

I know this list could be HUGE as there is so much to do at WDW...but I want to just make a good list for lots of options, then I can work in the "must do's" to our final plans.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have that same view this morning. Yup - I am sick of it! Ready for spring here! I just keep dreaming of this:

Me too!

Be sure to put on sunscreen if you start sunbathing!

Thanks for the reminder! I made sure to stock up on aloe too just in case I get burned.

 

[CJsMom]

03-01-2008 - Makin' Magic

Inside Park Extras (non-food related):

• Diver in tank at Coral Reef: Another surprise for DH!
  

• 
  
  I'm curious - what is the cost for this? I've heard of a lot of people doing it.

 

[emmiesmom]

I think the tea sounds like a great idea! I love the "magic makers" list ! It is giving me some ideas for our trip...
Another idea I've seen is getting DS his first set if "ears" I've seen some cute one for little ones on other threads

 

[stagemomx3]

I'm curious - what is the cost for this? I've heard of a lot of people doing it.

The diver in the tank, and personalized menu at Coral Reef are free. They only do 3 per "meal time." Which I took to mean 3 during lunch time hours, and 3 during dinner time hours. The divers are first request first served. Also they aren't guaranteed because the divers may not be able to get into the tank. Call Coral Reef directly.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I think the tea sounds like a great idea! I love the "magic makers" list ! It is giving me some ideas for our trip...
Another idea I've seen is getting DS his first set if "ears" I've seen some cute one for little ones on other threads

YES! Gooooooood one! Gotta search out the little ones ears...
And glad to help with the ideas list!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The diver in the tank, and personalized menu at Coral Reef are free. They only do 3 per "meal time." Which I took to mean 3 during lunch time hours, and 3 during dinner time hours. The divers are first request first served. Also they aren't guaranteed because the divers may not be able to get into the tank. Call Coral Reef directly.

Ya, what she said.

I'm hoping I get one....calling at the 180 day mark.

Chel, do you know if they do the personalized menu regardless of the divers? Are those only 3 per meal time too?

 

[CJsMom]

The diver in the tank, and personalized menu at Coral Reef are free. They only do 3 per "meal time." Which I took to mean 3 during lunch time hours, and 3 during dinner time hours. The divers are first request first served. Also they aren't guaranteed because the divers may not be able to get into the tank. Call Coral Reef directly.

Wow! That is one very cool freebie! If my 2009 trip goes as planned we will be there on DS7's birthday (I guess that will make him DS8!) so I am adding this to my "2009 Planning DOC".

 

[stagemomx3]

Chel, do you know if they do the personalized menu regardless of the divers? Are those only 3 per meal time too?

I think they will do the personalized menu regardless, but I'm not positive, I would just keep calling until you get in contact with someone at Coral Reef. There seem to be two contact people that do the diver and menu. One is Randolph, I'm not sure of the woman's name.

 

[brookelizabeth]

03-01-2008 - I have a feeling I have to do THAT...

The most dreaded...

budget.

Sigh.

With planning the DDP, the room - tossing around the idea of one more day, plane tickets, all the "extras"...ya, I've come to realize before I start making any solid plans I better do the budget.

I won't bore ya'll with the details and number crunching, but here is a quick run-down.

Savings: We are saving $150 each paycheck to put toward the package price. DH figured this would end up being more than we need, plus we have $200 down already. But, my question is....how much more? (Because I can certainly make plans for that money! )

Extra cash: We have a "Getaway Fund" that we put bucks into as we have them leftover from our bi-weekly cash fund. We do our budget a la Dave Ramsey (if any of you are familar).

BUT, we also have NYC to plan for in May. Those plane tickets are bought, and I know where to eat cheap (and we prefer the cheap places!). We are staying with a friend, so no cost for lodging. Just touring, eating and a couple souviners (gotta get DS a I heart NY tee!). And we are driving to Chicago the first day/night to see my brother graduate from school...so that means gas money, but it also means free food and lodging (thanks family!). But we do have to buy an umbrella stroller of some kind for both NYC and WDW.

For WDW we need to get plane tickets and figure out costs of any extra non-DDP covered meals and groceries for food in the room...and souvenirs and a few "Magic Makers".

I don't wanna do this. Blaaaaaaaaaah.

I gotta remember after this is done, I can start allocating the money for the things we really want to do-and that will be exciting because it will be more realistic and less dreaming!

I wanted to share a couple pics here of DS at his first trip to the Mall of America. He seemed to enjoy it alright-LOTS for him to look at!

Daddy & Henry

Mommy & Henry in front of Camp Snoopy (or whatever it's called now-they just "re-themed" it to Dora and something else...IMHO it should have stayed Camp Snoopy because Charles Shultz is from Minnesota! Oh well! )

All this shopping is exhausting!

Check out my hat! (I sooooo wanted to buy this for him!)

Henry is down for a nap. I better get started on the budget...

 

[blueeyesrnc]

03-01-2008 - I have a feeling I have to do THAT...

The most dreaded...

budget.

Sigh.

With planning the DDP, the room - tossing around the idea of one more day, plane tickets, all the "extras"...ya, I've come to realize before I start making any solid plans I better do the budget.

I won't bore ya'll with the details and number crunching, but here is a quick run-down.

Savings: We are saving $150 each paycheck to put toward the package price. DH figured this would end up being more than we need, plus we have $200 down already. But, my question is....how much more? (Because I can certainly make plans for that money! )

Extra cash: We have a "Getaway Fund" that we put bucks into as we have them leftover from our bi-weekly cash fund. We do our budget a la Dave Ramsey (if any of you are familar).

BUT, we also have NYC to plan for in May. Those plane tickets are bought, and I know where to eat cheap (and we prefer the cheap places!). We are staying with a friend, so no cost for lodging. Just touring, eating and a couple souviners (gotta get DS a I heart NY tee!). And we are driving to Chicago the first day/night to see my brother graduate from school...so that means gas money, but it also means free food and lodging (thanks family!). But we do have to buy an umbrella stroller of some kind for both NYC and WDW.

For WDW we need to get plane tickets and figure out costs of any extra non-DDP covered meals and groceries for food in the room...and souvenirs and a few "Magic Makers".

I don't wanna do this. Blaaaaaaaaaah.

I gotta remember after this is done, I can start allocating the money for the things we really want to do-and that will be exciting because it will be more realistic and less dreaming!

I wanted to share a couple pics here of DS at his first trip to the Mall of America. He seemed to enjoy it alright-LOTS for him to look at!

Daddy & Henry

Mommy & Henry in front of Camp Snoopy (or whatever it's called now-they just "re-themed" it to Dora and something else...IMHO it should have stayed Camp Snoopy because Charles Shultz is from Minnesota! Oh well! )

All this shopping is exhausting!

Check out my hat! (I sooooo wanted to buy this for him!)

Henry is down for a nap. I better get started on the budget...

Henry is too cute. I love this picture. Great pre trip report. Have you thought about doing Cirque then going to Raglan Rose for dinner?

 

[John's Mom]

I have read so many great reviews of the GF Tea that I talked my DH into going with me on our next WDW visit. Oybolshoi (Brenda) recently wrote a awesome review on the GF Tea. She also ordered a few special desserts from the GF Bakery to be served at the Tea.