Princess Caitlin pre trip August '10 costarring dawnbu40

[dawnbu40]

Yesterday we got a cool email from Disney. It was sort of like a newsletter welcoming our family on the upcoming trip and had a lot of suggestions on things to see and do in WDW. (we got something similar for the first time just before our Sept.2009 trip) This email also included a link to the offer to pre-order the PP cd for $99. A couple TRs I'm reading right now (the capells and MyMuse) have so many great pp pics that they pretty much sold me on the cd! So I pre-ordered and I'm pretty excited about it! Now I just have to make sure we stake out every PP photographer on property

ALSO-When you order the cd they also "give you" the option to order a "free" personalized Photo Pass Card. These are so cool! There is a choice of designs for the PP card and you pick which you want and then you can upload your pic to placed on the card. If you don't want to upload your own pic they give you many of theirs to choose from. I uploaded one of my favorite pics from last May and I'm really excited to see how it turns out! When it arrives I will post a pic. We'll now have 2 PP cards to take with us and I am using the hole punch and will hang them from Caitlin's pin trading lanyard for easy access

In other planning news.....since we got our tax return yesterday dance3 I've been checking on flight prices for Sept. Right now they are actually pretty good and running $200 less then March cost us. So the question is, do we book our flights 7months in advance or hope that the price either drops or at least doesn't rise?

 

[dawnbu40]

With the addition of the D23 party and looking at EMHs we have completely changed our plans for our first few days. Caitlin saw that our first day AK has pm EMH and after reading about how cool EE is after dark she asked that we go to AK our first day. So on arrival day we will still have lunch at the Pop food court and then head over to the AK. They will be open til 8pm so we should have plenty of time to explore over there. For dinner we will try the Yak and Yeti Counter Service.

Our second day we had planned to go to MK but since we will be going there on our 3rd day (Friday) for the party we switched our DHS and MK days. This will also mean we are at DHS on a Fantasmic day. Since DHS may be more crowded due to Fantasmic crowds we will use one of our "Give a Day" tickets to get the FP option which will cut down on any wait times we might encounter. We also decided against Pizza Planet since several of you told us how bad it was. Instead we'll take the boat over to the Beach Club and have lunch at Beaches and Cream. We ate there in May and really enjoyed it and the portions are big enough to share! Depending on how much we get done at DHS we may take an afternoon break at the resort and then go back for Fantasmic. For dinner we will probably get a sandwich from Starring Rolls and split it while we wait for Fantasmic.

I think that gets us corrected on the plans we'd shared so far. Up next-D23 Party Day!

 

[thecapells]

Nice plan!
You guys know how much I liked Yak and Yeti counter service so that's a good call.
And AK at nite is something we still haven't tried so can't wait to see your pics!

I've actually heard of people getting 5:00 or so ADR's at Yak and Yeti and then strolling the empty park on their way out.
I imagine there are some great photo ops at that time of night...

I think the best idea would be to find a group and do the Safari Celebration Dinner Grand Gathering event.
Now if I can only find 3 other people...
See - this is why we need to coordinate our trips next time around!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Nice plan!
You guys know how much I liked Yak and Yeti counter service so that's a good call.
And AK at nite is something we still haven't tried so can't wait to see your pics!

I've actually heard of people getting 5:00 or so ADR's at Yak and Yeti and then strolling the empty park on their way out.
I imagine there are some great photo ops at that time of night...

I think the best idea would be to find a group and do the Safari Celebration Dinner Grand Gathering event.
Now if I can only find 3 other people...
See - this is why we need to coordinate our trips next time around!!!

Thanks! Don't the Grand Gathering events all sound good! We would love to be able to do those but again too small a family.
That would be fun

 

[WrightFamily06]

So I was a little behind but now I'm all caught up .

Congrats on the D23 party tickets , it's sounds like it's gonna be such a good time , can't wait to see pictures !

You'll love PP we did it for the first time last year and I finally got to be in pictures for once , since I'm usually behind the camera . lol Just make sure you take the opportunity to stop at every Photopass Photographer can and it will be well worth the money

The changes in your plans look great , I'm so glad you decide against Pizza Planet IMO I just don't think you would have been happy with the meal .

I'm hoping to get my Pre-Trip Report up and running this week . Having trouble booking the room we want right now cause they don't have any available for the code we have . So we may have to change dates or change room type & pay a little more .

 

[dawnbu40]

So I was a little behind but now I'm all caught up .

Congrats on the D23 party tickets , it's sounds like it's gonna be such a good time , can't wait to see pictures !

You'll love PP we did it for the first time last year and I finally got to be in pictures for once , since I'm usually behind the camera . lol Just make sure you take the opportunity to stop at every Photopass Photographer can and it will be well worth the money

The changes in your plans look great , I'm so glad you decide against Pizza Planet IMO I just don't think you would have been happy with the meal .

I'm hoping to get my Pre-Trip Report up and running this week . Having trouble booking the room we want right now cause they don't have any available for the code we have . So we may have to change dates or change room type & pay a little more .

Glad you're caught up and still with us

The party is going to be a lot of fun. We are really excited about it!

We will be on the look out for the PP guys so we can get tons of pics!

Thanks for the advice on Pizza Planet!

As for your trip-Sept is usually free dining. Have you compared the code vs free dining? I hope the room you want becomes available! Keep us posted on your ptr!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hi girls!! Can you believe we're back? On one hand seems like forever ago that we left but then once you're home feels like you never left!! I forgot to order the PP Cd and kicked myself so I am really happy you've ordered yours already.

Can't believe how quick your trip is coming....we're so excited for you!!!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hi girls!! Can you believe we're back? On one hand seems like forever ago that we left but then once you're home feels like you never left!! I forgot to order the PP Cd and kicked myself so I am really happy you've ordered yours already.

Can't believe how quick your trip is coming....we're so excited for you!!!

I am so glad that you're back

I just mentioned to my mom the other day "When is Queen going to be back?"

I missed ya on our PTR and I am so looking forward to your TR!!!!!!

I know I can't believe that after tomorrow I have 5 more days of classes left

 

[WrightFamily06]

Glad you're caught up and still with us

The party is going to be a lot of fun. We are really excited about it!

We will be on the look out for the PP guys so we can get tons of pics!

Thanks for the advice on Pizza Planet!

As for your trip-Sept is usually free dining. Have you compared the code vs free dining? I hope the room you want becomes available! Keep us posted on your ptr!

The code was actually better than free dinning since we are staying at a deluxe resort . Our room became available yesterday afternoon , so we are officially booked & paid for the Wilderness Lodge, Standard View Room September 16-22 ! Pre-trip report hopefully coming today sometime , will send you a link

 

[dawnbu40]

The code was actually better than free dinning since we are staying at a deluxe resort . Our room became available yesterday afternoon , so we are officially booked & paid for the Wilderness Lodge, Standard View Room September 16-22 ! Pre-trip report hopefully coming today sometime , will send you a link

YAY!! How exciting! You guys are going to have a great time!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I am so glad that you're back

I just mentioned to my mom the other day "When is Queen going to be back?"

I missed ya on our PTR and I am so looking forward to your TR!!!!!!

I know I can't believe that after tomorrow I have 5 more days of classes left

I missed you guys too! We ended up eating at WPE 3 times while we were there and we thought of you everytime. I love that place.

I can't believe you only have 5 more days of classes!!!

Jasmine and Aladdin started their last semester of high school yesterday. Jasmine goes from 940am until noon, and Aladdin goes from 830am until noon.

I hope you enjoy the TR!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

I missed you guys too! We ended up eating at WPE 3 times while we were there and we thought of you everytime. I love that place.

I can't believe you only have 5 more days of classes!!!

Jasmine and Aladdin started their last semester of high school yesterday. Jasmine goes from 940am until noon, and Aladdin goes from 830am until noon.

I hope you enjoy the TR!!!

I have to ask, how are you coping with the last semester of highschool? I remember crying all the time that last year. Everything was the last-football game, conferences, report cards even lunch I was a mess hope it isn't that hard on you!

 

[praisehisname]

ALSO-When you order the cd they also "give you" the option to order a "free" personalized Photo Pass Card.

Can't wait to see it!

So on arrival day we will still have lunch at the Pop food court and then head over to the AK.

I'm so jealous about riding EE in the dark! Can't wait to hear about it!

Denise

 

[Queenofallthings]

I have to ask, how are you coping with the last semester of highschool? I remember crying all the time that last year. Everything was the last-football game, conferences, report cards even lunch I was a mess hope it isn't that hard on you!

Not well at all, I do the exact same thing you did I think it drives her crazy but I can't help it. She is on the school cheerleading team and decided for the first time she would try and make the pom and stunt teams as well, she made both...that made me cry!! Every year of high school I told her, you have what it take to make all three teams (she holds a second degree black belt in Taekwondo so is very flexible) but she still suffers from self esteem issues. I was so proud when she came home and said she made it, I cried, and I got the "what are you crying for". Do you think it has something to do with every first is also our last as we only have one child?

I am so happy she's decided to go to University here...the campus is actually 4 blocks from my work so depending on her schedule, I'm hoping we can travel together. I now know then, when I'm having a moment, I can send you a message cause you know exactly how I feel.

 

[dawnbu40]

Can't wait to see it!




I'm so jealous about riding EE in the dark! Can't wait to hear about it!

Denise

The personalized PP card looks really cool on the site so I'm anxious for it to arrive!
I tried EE once and NEVER again I will have Caitlin give a detailed report on EE in the dark!

 

[dawnbu40]

Not well at all, I do the exact same thing you did I think it drives her crazy but I can't help it. She is on the school cheerleading team and decided for the first time she would try and make the pom and stunt teams as well, she made both...that made me cry!! Every year of high school I told her, you have what it take to make all three teams (she holds a second degree black belt in Taekwondo so is very flexible) but she still suffers from self esteem issues. I was so proud when she came home and said she made it, I cried, and I got the "what are you crying for". Do you think it has something to do with every first is also our last as we only have one child?

I am so happy she's decided to go to University here...the campus is actually 4 blocks from my work so depending on her schedule, I'm hoping we can travel together. I now know then, when I'm having a moment, I can send you a message cause you know exactly how I feel.

Congrats to Jasmine! That's quite an accomplishment!

I do think parents of "onlys" are much more keenly aware of how fast their children grow up. We know that we only get one shot at everything they go and grow through.
I'm glad she's going to school close to home! The fact that Caitlin decided to live at home and commute made the transition much easier for me And you certainly can message me when you have a moment! I've totally been there (and survived )

 

[WrightFamily06]

Here is the link to my Pre-Trip Report , hope you two enjoy, it's not much yet . lol

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2393055

 

[dawnbu40]

So I told you I was tracking airfare and I'm really pleased with the price I found so I will be booking tomorrow with Delta What's really cool is not only is the price good but they are non-stops!
When I orginally booked our Bounceback, I booked a Wed-Tues because AirTran and Spirit are always cheaper mid-week. Well Delta offers the same prices everyday so I decided to switch our reservation. We are now booked Sun. August 29 through Sun. Sept.5. (yep I added an extra night ) This will make it easier for Dale to get a solid week off work and get Caitlin home for Labor Day, which is a big kickoff day for the university's student orgs.

This also means our adr date moves up a few days! It will be the day before we leave on our March trip! So with that adr date rapidly approaching, how bout some dining suggestions? Tell us your favorite restaurant on property and what you'd order....Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Congrats on the flight deal and the extra day! Good luck deciding on ADRs. I haven't been to WDW before and I can't even decide on all the choices. I need more trips to plan to fit them all in.

 

[thecapells]

Congrats on the extra day!
As for restaurants, you already know our favs.
Which Dining Plan (if any) are you guys going with?