Prelude to a WDW Dream...Sept. 08 *NEW 9/9 Post 350*

[jaycns]

I just talked to the IPO live and now I have some updates to offer. I have asked for two separate surprises. The first being on our arrival day, if the items can be placed in the room ahead of time (not always possible, but at least a possibility with staying at the club level) they will be there...if not, we will come back to them after our first dinner.

The arrival day gifts will include:
for our little prince- a stuffed baby Mickey or Pluto made for infants.
for our Stitch-a stuffed Chip
for our Goofy- a stuffed Dale
for our Aladdin- a book about the behind the scenes imagineering that goes on at each park.

The second surprise will come on Tuesday night. The night before our big adventure luncheon. I have asked that each of the boys get some sort of Indiana Jones t-shirt along with some sort of Indiana Jones toy each. Well, at least for the older boys. I asked that the Little Prince be left a mylar balloon to play around with in the room. At that age, it's way more about the simple pleasures in life!

I am really excited about these surprises for the boys! They are going to love them and I am going to love seeing them so happy and surprised. For someone with a huge mouth when it comes to surprises, I have really found my niche for giving them...do it at Disney!! I have so many other things I am excited about when it comes to the trip that I can babble on and on about those with the boys that I can keep back a few tidbits to allow for surprises!

Up next-the dessert party aboard the Grand 1...what the pastry chef came back with!!

 

[jaycns]

I will cut and paste an excerpt from the email I received.

"Our Culinary Team will create an Indiana Jones Style Backdrop for all desserts to be displayed in front of. There will be a lard Treasure Chest (I believe edible) and it will be filled with Truffles and Gold Coin candies. There will also be some type of large Snake creature on the display. There will be White Skull desserts, Chocolate Pyramids with Gold and Chocolate Indiana Jones Hats. It will be a nice size display and plenty of desserts for the entire
group."

Uhh...okay, if you are me that sounds fantastic BUT... I have no idea if any of the offerings will be anything other than solid chocolate (with the exception of the lard treasure chest and there is no way I am biting into that thing) . So I gave our event planner a call and asked a ton of questions. She said she didn't really have the answers as she had talked to the private dining manager who had talked to the pastry chef (does anybody remember that old game of phone where one person whispers something to the first person and then on down the line? ). She said she had seen a layout for the display drawn out and explained in more detail how things would be arranged and that the every dessert treat would be part of a big display. The backdrop would be a printed in edible ink on to a sheet of solid sugar and would be like the backdrop for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Think the creepy moss covered stone walls with torches and spears. Every single item will be edible (although, as in the case of the lard treasure chest, what is edible is not always something you would ever want to eat). I told her that I was looking for more than a display of chocolates and she assured me that although she didn't know what each part was going to be made of, (she was going to speak with the pastry chef herself this week to find out for sure) she was sure that they were an assortment of pastry items, chocolate items and maybe even some fresh fruit thrown in. I also requested the the truffles have a peanut butter filling...YUM!

While this is not really an answer as to what we will be eating...the big picture idea has my smiling from ear to ear thinking of our friends and the boys reactions when they see such a fabulous and fun display! I can also imagine my snap happy reaction. I wonder how many pictures I can get of the display BEFORE it is torn apart by the rest of the group?

I will update the menu when I hear back as to what the individual desserts are to be.

 

[LindaBabe]

Like always, Jay, I wish I was one of your children! You're an amazing mom.

 

[jaycns]

In less than two weeks, Aladdin will be 12. We are having an Indiana Jones birthday party for him. He is inviting five of his best little buddies and they are going to see a movie of his choice at the Movie Tavern (they serve lunch or dinner while you watch the movie, it's a whole lot of fun) for an early dinner. After that, they are coming back to our house and playing soccer, basketball, water balloons and whatever other games eight boys (counting him and his two older younger brothers)will come up with until dusk. Once it gets dark, dh and I will pass out glow sticks and the first clue to a long treasure hunt that goes both in and out of the house. The clue will invite Aladdin's guests to help him hunt for his birthday treasure (aka presents) that has been taken by some sinister someone. We will hidden the things we got him along with the gifts his friends bring in a large box. The clues will lead them both inside our home and outside into the pitch black yard. We are lucky enough to have a big dark yard with lots of different areas to lead them through...perfectly spooky enough for that age boy!

At the end of the treasure hunt the boys will find a box for the guests to open full of candy, chips, popcorn and other treats to eat that night during the sleep over part of the party. They will also find gross fake bugs and plastic snakes (enough for all of them to have a few) and the box will also contain a silly string blaster for each boy to use OUTSIDE that night. While they are opening that box, Aladdin will open another one filled with his presents. We plan on giving Aladdin the Indiana Jones movies on DVD and a complete Indiana Jones costume that I have been piecing together for over a month now. It will have a real Indiana Jones fedora, a whip, a belt with a gun holster and whip holder, a short sleeve explorer shirt and a satchel just like the one Indiana Jones carried around in the movies. I am so excited for him to see this stuff! We saw the fedora at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History last week while we were on vacation in Pittsburgh and Aladdin loved it. He was about to buy it for himself with his own money before he saw the $140 price tag! I can assure you that I did not even pay anywhere near half of that by bidding on it via eBay yet it was the exact same hat, made of the same materials and with the same "official" Indiana Jones pin and tags on it. SCORE for me (well really for him)!!

After opening the gifts and having the silly string fight outside the boys will end up camped out in our family room all night with the box of snacks and the Indiana Jones movies. I figure they will be relatively quiet as they are up all night if they have movies to watch...or at least that is my hope!

The reason I am including this update in my planning report is that this is the costume that Aladdin will be wearing at MNSSHP! I figured he might as well get some play time out of it beforehand!

 

[jaycns]

Like always, Jay, I wish I was one of your children! You're an amazing mom.

Like always, Linda, I wish I was as sweet as you! You are an amazing person!! Always such sweet words about everyone. You really know how to make a girl happy!

I still am sitting here starring at your thank you card. SHAME ON ME. I will get that out in the mail this week. You are on my list! HA HA HA. That sounds sort of ominous. But I do promise to drop the card and pictures in the mail.

 

[jaycns]

I forgot if I mentioned this earlier, but I always get our pins for pin trading before we leave for vacation. I have used the same seller three times now on eBay and never been disappointed in the result. I just won another lot from them today. The seller's name is mikebiteme. Terrible user name, great cheap real Disney pins. My only problem with this seller is that he sends TOO MANY GOOD PINS! We have a hard time finding ones we want to trade...too many of them end up in our permanent collections here at home. I am in no way connected to this person and I guess things can always end up going wrong with an eBay transaction but in my personal experience, this has been a great seller to buy Disney pins from! The prices they put their individual pins up for is expensive (still cheaper than Disney prices in most cases) but if you buy one of their pin lots you can get pins for less than $2 a pin!! A great deal for great pins. I have gotten them as low as $1 a pin before but most of the time it is closer to $2 a pin.

I just wanted to pass this tip on for those who might be pin traders. There are lots of good pin deals on eBay. I just found this seller to be honest and have good pins. I have had a few bum lots in the past (with cheap Sedsma pins) when I went with other sellers so I am sticking with what I know now.

 

[SkyGirl]

Everything sounds wonderful from the treats and the back drop (well, the lard thing ...... ewww ) but otherwise it is just going to be positively amazing. Get a ton of pictures of their faces. I can't wait!!

And Aladdin's birthday. I miss those kid birthdays that I used to throw for DD! It all goes by so fast! I can just imagine how excited those boys are going to be on their hunt! I'm excited just reading about it! And at a perfect age where they can still be boys without having to be teenagers (cuz you know you'll have to go on rescue missions when that happens!!! ) That's going to be such a great night.

And where is our Mini TR from Pittsburgh, my hometown??? I demand it!! There is much to see there!!

 

[jaycns]

And where is our Mini TR from Pittsburgh, my hometown??? I demand it!! There is much to see there!!

Well, since you have taken to demanding me around.. I guess I will just have to write a little something up!

 

[SkyGirl]

Well, since you have taken to demanding me around.. I guess I will just have to write a little something up!

 

[Figment's Friend]

The goodies at the party sound fantastic! I like the idea of a big snake in the middle of all the tasty treats! Aladdin's party sounds fun - like that "treasure" hunt!

I enjoy your PTR so much, I check it everyday to see if you've updated!!

 

[Illini4ever]

The Dessert Party is going to be out of this world! The boys are going to be so excited.

I love all the attention to detail. I wish I was more creative. I may have to steal your treasure hunt idea for my son's next birthday!

 

[DisneyTiger]

No idea what I'm doing. This is my first post ever. Hope I don't look like an idiot. I can see how this would be addicting. Just wanted to say hi!

 

[momoftriplets]

No idea what I'm doing. This is my first post ever. Hope I don't look like an idiot. I can see how this would be addicting. Just wanted to say hi!

HI!!! Welcome to the party!

It is addicting!

 

[cyjmhill]

Hi Jay!!!!

I saw a picture of your baby - he is cute!!!!

Another trip to WDW - wow!! You are the luckest mom in the world!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

Cy

Ps Hope all is well.

 

[disneydusted]

Hi Jay.... you are an amazing mom!! I love the Indiana Jones dessert you are planning with the Disney planners, so cool! It is great that you can do so much planning with them. And the birthday party sounds super! My 12 year old son will be right up!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

OK, I've been out of town for a week at a baseball tournament for DS12, and I'm just getting caught up. (Before I leave again tomorrow for my short WDW trip )

Anyway, all I can say about your new plans and Aladdin's birthday party is I absolutly can't wait for the TR from this trip!!!

 

[jaycns]

The goodies at the party sound fantastic! I like the idea of a big snake in the middle of all the tasty treats! Aladdin's party sounds fun - like that "treasure" hunt!

I enjoy your PTR so much, I check it everyday to see if you've updated!!

Does your mom pay you to check my report...to make sure I am doing what she demands me around to do?

I love that snake idea too! I am so excited to get back a final description!

I am almost as excited as he is for his birthday! I love treasure hunts! Too bad I will have to set this one up instead of go on it!

The Dessert Party is going to be out of this world! The boys are going to be so excited.

I love all the attention to detail. I wish I was more creative. I may have to steal your treasure hunt idea for my son's next birthday!

The treasure hunt idea is used over and over in this house. Santa leaves a candy cane trail with hints to the next candy cane and a gift for all of the boys to share at the end. The Easter Bunny leaves a treasure hunt with bunny print shaped clues to a treat to share (usually a DVD all of them have been wanting or a game to share). The Tooth Fairy even leaves you a treasure hunt for the first baby tooth and last baby tooth you loose. Not to mention Valentine's Day heart hunts, St. Patrick's Day shamrock hunts. I am the queen of theming a treasure hunt BUT the boys have yet to grow sick of me doing that, so I will keep it up. And trust me, if I can do it...anybody can.

No idea what I'm doing. This is my first post ever. Hope I don't look like an idiot. I can see how this would be addicting. Just wanted to say hi!

HI Disney Tiger!! Glad to see you here! And you are very right...addiction is likely. I just wear it around like a badge of honor instead of something to be ashamed about...DIS ADDICT!!

HI!!! Welcome to the party!

It is addicting!

WHO YOU, BARB!!

Hi Jay!!!!

I saw a picture of your baby - he is cute!!!!

Another trip to WDW - wow!! You are the luckest mom in the world!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

Cy

Ps Hope all is well.

Hello CY-GUY! Congratulations to your wife! College graduate...awesome! And thanks, we sort of like the little critter, so I think we might just have to keep him. I am thankful every single day that he is such a happy baby. If he would have been anything like Stitch was... life would be very unpleasant right about now.

Hi Jay.... you are an amazing mom!! I love the Indiana Jones dessert you are planning with the Disney planners, so cool! It is great that you can do so much planning with them. And the birthday party sounds super! My 12 year old son will be right up!!

Amazing mom, nah. My trick is I use the boys as my excuse for my own Disney dreams. Send on your son, what is one more pre-teen boy. I am sort of terrified of that night. How late can a group of 11-13 year olds stay up?!

 

[jaycns]

OK, I've been out of town for a week at a baseball tournament for DS12, and I'm just getting caught up. (Before I leave again tomorrow for my short WDW trip )

Anyway, all I can say about your new plans and Aladdin's birthday party is I absolutly can't wait for the TR from this trip!!!

WOW, a week long tourney...now that proves someone is a wonderful mom!! I bet you all had a lot of fun.

ENJOY YOUR TIME AT WDW! Travel safely and report back to us!! We are greedy with the trip reports around these parts!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Indy theme!!! Very cool ideas. I cant wait to hear it all put together. We are leaving today for a surprise trip to the mouse. I will catch up again when I get home.

 

[LindaBabe]

Darnit! I WISH our trips overlapped - I'd love to see Aladin in his Indy outfit (and just incidently hug you and cuddle the baby, lol) You must create in your mind 24/7 - Jay, that sounds like just an amazing party.