PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[mom2rtk]

I am not sure where to start with so many incrediblle pictures. I love the shots on Main street and in front of the castle, it looks like you have all of Magic Kingdom to yourselves. It looks like the girls had a lot of fun at BBB, they looked like they were having a grand time and that's what it's all about. I imagine you were stopped by a lot of people asking about the girls gorgeous gowns! It is so nice that Katie got to share Disney with her best friend. We went to Disney with our best friends in 2011and did the same thing you did with part of the trip just our family and part of it with our friends. We all had so much fun together. Did you guys get to do MVMCP together?

Thanks Glennie!

It's so funny that it looks like we had the MK all to ourselves. I had to keep looking over my shoulder. All those shots down right by the castle were done with the crowds RACING toward us!

Katie did have a ball with her friend that day. I'm so glad we get to do the same thing this year. Isn't it just the best of both worlds to get family time AND friend time all in the same trip?

We actually stayed in the park that night for MVMCP together. 8 AM through around 11:30 PM. After a short night of sleep the night before. Katie says she'd do it again in a heartbeat. I hope so. That's what we're doing this Decermber!

The dresses are beautiful and the dos are funky! It does look fun!

Don't know if you've seen this but it's pretty funny.

Bell from the hood.http://failblog.org/2012/06/28/music-fails-ghetto-beauty-and-the-beast/

OMG! That's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time! Thanks for sharing that!

Oh my gosh!! Dh and I are obsessed with this video right now and have been showing it to anyone we can get to watch it! Lol!! It's so funny. Even more so cause we live in the ghetto(ish) right now.

I hear you. It hit a little too close to home for us too. I'll have to show Drew later. This is one Disney video I might get him to watch!

hi! I love your trip report! I looked at the be our guest threads but I guess I missed the one that said that they were going to start taking adr's on 8/4. can you direct me?

We're going in jan and this is on our must do list for that trip.

Thanks for reading along! Here's the link. I haven't seen it reported anywhere else, but this one clearly says 8/4. I guess time will tell.

You guys do know that I'm going to Be Our Guest if I have to arm a band of locals with pitchforks and storm the castle, right?


http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Details_released_about_Magic_Kingdom_s_new_Be_Our_Guest_restaurant.htm?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Hello! I just finished reading BOTH your TR's! They are such a pleasure to read Thank you for sharing your memories!

I wanted to ask your advice on a princess related issue since it seems as though you and your daughter are experts . My niece's birthday is two days after we return from our trip to WDW so I thought I'd bring a birthday card with us for the Princesses to sign. I had it all planned out and now the whole Rapunzel replacing Aurora thing is throwing me for a loop. Aurora is my nieces favorite princess so she is a MUST. I can fill up the whole card with any other princess but it would all be for not if Aurora doesn't sign. What would your plan of attack be? We have 1 full day and one morning in MK and two days in Epcot. I figure those will be places we'll see princesses, right?

Also, I am in awe of your sewing talents! WOW! Those costumes are gorgeous! Looking forward to reading the rest of your TR!

 

[mom2rtk]

Hello! I just finished reading BOTH your TR's! They are such a pleasure to read Thank you for sharing your memories!

I wanted to ask your advice on a princess related issue since it seems as though you and your daughter are experts . My niece's birthday is two days after we return from our trip to WDW so I thought I'd bring a birthday card with us for the Princesses to sign. I had it all planned out and now the whole Rapunzel replacing Aurora thing is throwing me for a loop. Aurora is my nieces favorite princess so she is a MUST. I can fill up the whole card with any other princess but it would all be for not if Aurora doesn't sign. What would your plan of attack be? We have 1 full day and one morning in MK and two days in Epcot. I figure those will be places we'll see princesses, right?

Also, I am in awe of your sewing talents! WOW! Those costumes are gorgeous! Looking forward to reading the rest of your TR!

Well, that was a lot of reading! Thanks for the kind words!

For starters, be sure you get a fastpass for Town Square Theater where Cindy, Rapunzel and Belle will be. And be sure to be there during the times printed on the FP. They used to let you use them any time later that day, but are enforcing the end times now.

Aurora took Rapunzel's place during the day over near City Hall, so you can see her there. If you don't see her, ask any CM with access to a phone and they can call the character hotline to confirm when she'll be back.

But honestly, if you're going to Epcot, I'd find Aurora there. She's usually in those outdoor gardens in France, and the area is just beautiful. And that spot she took over from Rapunzel in the MK has really harsh lighting in the mornings.

Be sure if you want to see Rapunzel in TST though that you go before 4. She's either gone after then, or rotating with Aurora. And I'm sure you'd like to get as many as you can........ as long as you find Aurora.

Don't forget Tiana over behind the Christmas Shop in Liberty Sqare and Jasmine with Aladdin in Adventureland. Ariel and Eric are also in Adventureland. In fact, unless you're doing a princess character meal, Adventureland is the only place you'll find Ariel.

Merida (from Brave) is in Fairytale Garden over across from Cosmic Rays behind the castle. If you want to see her though, she's best done at rope drop.

Others you'll find in Epcot are Snow White in Germany, Mulan in China, Aladdin and Jasmine again in Morocco and Belle (part of the time with the Beast) in France.

Good luck on your princess hunt! And let us know how it goes!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Well, that was a lot of reading! Thanks for the kind words!

For starters, be sure you get a fastpass for Town Square Theater where Cindy, Rapunzel and Belle will be. And be sure to be there during the times printed on the FP. They used to let you use them any time later that day, but are enforcing the end times now.

Aurora took Rapunzel's place during the day over near City Hall, so you can see her there. If you don't see her, ask any CM with access to a phone and they can call the character hotline to confirm when she'll be back.

But honestly, if you're going to Epcot, I'd find Aurora there. She's usually in those outdoor gardens in France, and the area is just beautiful. And that spot she took over from Rapunzel in the MK has really harsh lighting in the mornings.

Be sure if you want to see Rapunzel in TST though that you go before 4. She's either gone after then, or rotating with Aurora. And I'm sure you'd like to get as many as you can........ as long as you find Aurora.

Don't forget Tiana over behind the Christmas Shop in Liberty Sqare and Jasmine with Aladdin in Adventureland. Ariel and Eric are also in Adventureland. In fact, unless you're doing a princess character meal, Adventureland is the only place you'll find Ariel.

Merida (from Brave) is in Fairytale Garden over across from Cosmic Rays behind the castle. If you want to see her though, she's best done at rope drop.

Others you'll find in Epcot are Snow White in Germany, Mulan in China, Aladdin and Jasmine again in Morocco and Belle (part of the time with the Beast) in France.

Good luck on your princess hunt! And let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the quick response and the great tips! This character stalking thing is new to me. I will definitely let you know how the princess hunt goes!

 

[fairestoneofall]

i am laughing at your post-BBB pictures. Addie got that hairstyle one year, only it was red/green for Christmas (but mostly red). even though i'd tried to warn her, her mouth dropped when she saw it. one CM at CRT told her she looked like a porcupine. we have her on video telling her dad "i look like a pork-ee-pine."

your girls look great though! it's too funny with the fancy Belle dresses.

anyway, i'm also jealous that you saw the steps behind the castle. they moved them during our week to across from Pooh. they were in front of the blue wall and in full sun. Addie could barely keep her eyes open. it was a terrible location.

i also cringe when they change the MK opening time. they did that to us while we were there. we BARELY got any pictures before the crowds came. i didn't realize until i got home that, while we'd gotten other groupings, we didn't get one image of me, DH and our kids (just us).

 

[petals]

Luv your BBB pics and characters meet and greet! I noticed that with the head mouse there was no wait for him anytime I was in Magic Kingdom last year

 

[ladeeesquire]

Thanks for reading along! Here's the link. I haven't seen it reported anywhere else, but this one clearly says 8/4. I guess time will tell.

You guys do know that I'm going to Be Our Guest if I have to arm a band of locals with pitchforks and storm the castle, right?


http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Details_released_about_Magic_Kingdom_s_new_Be_Our_Guest_restaurant.htm?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Thanks so much! I'd been looking everywhere for some info on when they'd start taking adr's. I hope it does turn out to be 8/4. We live near disneyland and planned a couple WDW trips so we got premier passes. We have a trip planned for this sept then again in jan to celebrate my dd's 5th bday but then we probably won't be going again for several years. I want to make sure we get that adr!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the quick response and the great tips! This character stalking thing is new to me. I will definitely let you know how the princess hunt goes!

Good luck with it! I bet you'll have a ball.

Try this site. He seems to be good at staying current and is the only place I've seen where they actually print a schedule. Take it with a grain of salt, as anything like this would be, but I do think it's pretty good info:

http://kennythepirate.com/

i am laughing at your post-BBB pictures. Addie got that hairstyle one year, only it was red/green for Christmas (but mostly red). even though i'd tried to warn her, her mouth dropped when she saw it. one CM at CRT told her she looked like a porcupine. we have her on video telling her dad "i look like a pork-ee-pine."

your girls look great though! it's too funny with the fancy Belle dresses.

anyway, i'm also jealous that you saw the steps behind the castle. they moved them during our week to across from Pooh. they were in front of the blue wall and in full sun. Addie could barely keep her eyes open. it was a terrible location.

i also cringe when they change the MK opening time. they did that to us while we were there. we BARELY got any pictures before the crowds came. i didn't realize until i got home that, while we'd gotten other groupings, we didn't get one image of me, DH and our kids (just us).

LOL! I was realy surprised when Mary Poppins didn't comment on their hair. I figured maybe they were under orders not to comment on a money-making service they sell there in the park. But believe me, we laughed a lot too, especially in the Belle dresses......... it was just such a stark difference.

I LOVE meeting the FG and the steps over behind the castle. And yeah.... I'd be ticked to find them meeting in full sun as well. I thought it was pretty awful that up until about a week ago, they ha Rapunzel meeting in full sun (well, half sun, half shade which was even worse) over near City Hall.

Did you ever get to do MVMCP when they did the stepsister dance party? They REALLY need to bring this back......... We did it in 08 and it was just as awesome as you might expect......


Is this a Mirror??? by mom2rtk, on Flickr

And believe me, I can totally see how you could miss some shots on an early open morning. We tried hard to avoid that again this year, but just can't. We're doing the BBB with our friends on a Thursday morning, which is EMH morning, which means we'll be right ahead of the crowds again. Sigh........ We tried hard to come up with another plan. It just didn't work out. The problem is that we're doing the party together again and are pretty committed to that Thursday night party so we can skip the Friday night madness.......

Luv your BBB pics and characters meet and greet! I noticed that with the head mouse there was no wait for him anytime I was in Magic Kingdom last year

I know! I was really surprised at how short th wait was for Mickey last year on the several occasions we went in there. I LOVED when they added FP for the princesses, but not as much now that they enforce end times. I LOVED just getting FPs early in the day, then stopping in on our way out of the park.....sort of like one last bit of magic before heading out..........

Thanks so much! I'd been looking everywhere for some info on when they'd start taking adr's. I hope it does turn out to be 8/4. We live near disneyland and planned a couple WDW trips so we got premier passes. We have a trip planned for this sept then again in jan to celebrate my dd's 5th bday but then we probably won't be going again for several years. I want to make sure we get that adr!!!

Well, nobody knows anything more than that date. And that date hasn't been reported anywhere else. The official Disney blog still says late August.

I'm just skeptical that they're ready to commit to much yet. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them open it up on 8/4 to dates 180 days away, and keep those of us going sooner still guessing. But that's all just pure conjecture on my part.

 

[mom2rtk]

Happy 4th of July everyone!

 

[fairestoneofall]

LOL! I was realy surprised when Mary Poppins didn't comment on their hair. I figured maybe they were under orders not to comment on a money-making service they sell there in the park. But believe me, we laughed a lot too, especially in the Belle dresses......... it was just such a stark difference.

I LOVE meeting the FG and the steps over behind the castle. And yeah.... I'd be ticked to find them meeting in full sun as well. I thought it was pretty awful that up until about a week ago, they ha Rapunzel meeting in full sun (well, half sun, half shade which was even worse) over near City Hall.

Did you ever get to do MVMCP when they did the stepsister dance party? They REALLY need to bring this back......... We did it in 08 and it was just as awesome as you might expect......

it's been awhile since we did MVMCP. i know we did the dance party at a MNSSHP, but i don't think we did Christmas. we didn't do the Christmas party this year. we did it in 08, but Addie wasn't into the steps quite yet.

on the Saturday of our trip, the steps were behind the castle. since it wasn't our Driz or Ana, we didn't go. we were SO bummed that they moved them for our Tuesday visit. but that was Addie's birthday and we HAD to go see our Driz.

when Addie had her crazy hair, i know Jasmine asked if she'd run into Tink. Pinocchio kept playing with it. and i didn't notice until watching a video later, but her bun was actually shaped like a hidden Mickey.

 

[francis6306]

Sadly, I've now heard that our Fairy Godmother is no longer appearing during regular park hours. I think the word on the street (Main Street????) is that she's doing some parade work now. Thanks to some friends here on the DIS, we sent her some goodbye hugs. But I do still hope we'll at least get to wave to her in the parade........

Oh NO!!!! After all your pictures, she had become THE FGM to me as well! Did your insider give you any reason for the change?

I'm sure any of you who care have been watching the Be Our Guest thread. But now they're saying we can start making ADRs on 8/4! Stay tuned!

The dresses are beautiful and the dos are funky! It does look fun!

Don't know if you've seen this but it's pretty funny.

Bell from the hood.http://failblog.org/2012/06/28/music-fails-ghetto-beauty-and-the-beast/

That is SOOO funny!

 

[kswm30b]

This is my first time posting in any of your trip reports, but I always read them! I even have the first page of this one bookmarked so I can keep checking if there's an update.

But as a fellow character hunter, I just HAD to respond when I saw that pic of Mary. She's my favorite, I'd die to see her in that outfit!! And I've been there when it was freezing (our trips the last 2 Decembers have overlapped, so you know how cold my Dec 10 trip was!), but I've still never seen her. I'm going to Disneyland instead of WDW this Dec, so I'll have to try to find her in 2 years, lol.

It's really fun reading since I was there the same time, I know exactly where you are going with the weather most of the time. like your first MVMCP report, I knew what was coming since I was stuck in that rain all night at Epcot (I kept wanting to take pics of NPH during the CP, but it always started pouring just then & my camera does not come out in the rain, lol.)

And it's always funny reading about your fairy godmother, since when I met her, she seemed kind of out of it. It was probably my most disappointing character meetings since she only seemed interested in taking the pic & moving on to the next person. So I guess she was just having an off day. Or she was just missing you guys. (ok, it was a different fairy godmother, but I like to think there's only one of each character )

 

[mom2rtk]

it's been awhile since we did MVMCP. i know we did the dance party at a MNSSHP, but i don't think we did Christmas. we didn't do the Christmas party this year. we did it in 08, but Addie wasn't into the steps quite yet.

on the Saturday of our trip, the steps were behind the castle. since it wasn't our Driz or Ana, we didn't go. we were SO bummed that they moved them for our Tuesday visit. but that was Addie's birthday and we HAD to go see our Driz.

when Addie had her crazy hair, i know Jasmine asked if she'd run into Tink. Pinocchio kept playing with it. and i didn't notice until watching a video later, but her bun was actually shaped like a hidden Mickey.

LOL! You took a picture of that hidden Mickey, didn't you?

I'd love to have the Tremaines do a dance party again now that Fantasyland is close to opening again. Adi would absolutely love that too I'm sure. We stayed at the dance party for an entire set, over 45 minutes and had a BALL!

I still miss having the photo of Belle with some "regular" hair, but I'm totally happy we have the ones we've got. I just figure we'll give it another go this year. I might have to remake the gown McKenna is wearing, and I have to get creative to add some length to Katie's, but hopefully we'll get a chance to complete our set of Belle photos this year.

Any chance of you guys getting back this year?

Oh NO!!!! After all your pictures, she had become THE FGM to me as well! Did your insider give you any reason for the change?







That is SOOO funny!

No rea reason given for our FGM change. I just hope we can find her to wave to in the parade. Anyone going between now and then, be sure to watch the Electrical Parade closely for us and report back, ok?????

I really have my fingers crossed for the 8/4 date. I really need to get that missing piece figured out. Not WANT mind you.... NEED!

This is my first time posting in any of your trip reports, but I always read them! I even have the first page of this one bookmarked so I can keep checking if there's an update.

But as a fellow character hunter, I just HAD to respond when I saw that pic of Mary. She's my favorite, I'd die to see her in that outfit!! And I've been there when it was freezing (our trips the last 2 Decembers have overlapped, so you know how cold my Dec 10 trip was!), but I've still never seen her. I'm going to Disneyland instead of WDW this Dec, so I'll have to try to find her in 2 years, lol.

It's really fun reading since I was there the same time, I know exactly where you are going with the weather most of the time. like your first MVMCP report, I knew what was coming since I was stuck in that rain all night at Epcot (I kept wanting to take pics of NPH during the CP, but it always started pouring just then & my camera does not come out in the rain, lol.)

And it's always funny reading about your fairy godmother, since when I met her, she seemed kind of out of it. It was probably my most disappointing character meetings since she only seemed interested in taking the pic & moving on to the next person. So I guess she was just having an off day. Or she was just missing you guys. (ok, it was a different fairy godmother, but I like to think there's only one of each character )

Well first of all

So glad you're reading along.

We're of the mind that the lady with the wand (the FGM) really runs the place, so no trip is complete without a trip to see her. Ok, so maybe she's just MY favorite because we both like to make Cinderella gowns........

Sounds like you saw one of her imposters.

We'll still visit the FGM on this trip. It just won't be the same.

And yes, it's hard to forget where you were on 12/11 around .... what...... 8:15 PM?????? Here's hoping for dry weather this year! Although even that was better than the long-lasting uber-cold of 2010.........

And I had hoped for a long time to find Mary in her red coat too. I REALLY wanted to find her in 2008 since I had made Katie that version of Mary's costume. We found her for the first time in 2010 on our second really cold morning there. It was a COMPLETE shock to see her in that costume last year since the weather wasn't the least bit cold. Since we had seen her earlier in the week, I wasn't even looking for her that day..... but just couldn't resist when we saw her in her coat!

 

[shan23877]

You got some great photos as usual!

I'll bet the girls really loved their crazy hair, I'm pretty glad that my little princess would never dream of choosing it though.

I don't know if you've started hunting for the Merida fabric yet, but we went to see the movie yesterday and then went to the Disney Store after. In the movie the dress is definitely more blue, but the dresses the dolls are wearing are more green. Since the one I'll be making will be more for dress up at home, I'm going to go with whatever fabric is easier to find. I asked DD5 which dress she wanted (the blue/green, or the ice blue 'princess' one) and of course she replied "Both!" The princess one would be much easier. I'm a little concerned about finding the right stretch/pleated/ruffled off white for the sleeves and top of the blue/green one. I'm going to go start looking next week. And the sleeves look challenging.

She needs a new Aurora dress too. Have you ever been able to find the light pink sheer for the sleeves in a stretch? The non stretch sheer isn't very comfortable for her to wear.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Your report is AMAZING!!!
your pictures are to die for... the girls look perfect. i LOVe THE ROCK N ROLL signs... what fun!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

You got some great photos as usual!

I'll bet the girls really loved their crazy hair, I'm pretty glad that my little princess would never dream of choosing it though.

I don't know if you've started hunting for the Merida fabric yet, but we went to see the movie yesterday and then went to the Disney Store after. In the movie the dress is definitely more blue, but the dresses the dolls are wearing are more green. Since the one I'll be making will be more for dress up at home, I'm going to go with whatever fabric is easier to find. I asked DD5 which dress she wanted (the blue/green, or the ice blue 'princess' one) and of course she replied "Both!" The princess one would be much easier. I'm a little concerned about finding the right stretch/pleated/ruffled off white for the sleeves and top of the blue/green one. I'm going to go start looking next week. And the sleeves look challenging.

She needs a new Aurora dress too. Have you ever been able to find the light pink sheer for the sleeves in a stretch? The non stretch sheer isn't very comfortable for her to wear.

We finally just saw Brave yesterday. I actually liked it. Didn't love it like I did with Tangled, but really did like it more than I expected. I guess that's the advantage of having everyone lower my expectations before we went!

I have also been working on a pattern for Merida for Katie. It's sort of a nightmare becuase she's too big for child patterns, too small for adult patterns. I just finished my second trial mock-up and think I'm good to go on the pattern FINALLY. I haven't even tackled the sleeve yet, but have thought it through and think I'm about ready to roll on that too. Can't wait to give it a go in fact!

I do think the dress in the movie is green, but teal on the version she wears in the parks. I looked high and low for some sort of velour, but went with panne velvet. I have 10 yards laying here waiting to be cut.

I LOVE the ice blue gown she wears in the movie, but probably won't do that one. I like to mimic the park version when I can.

I'm going with an organza for the ruffle edges on the gown. It might be a little itchy, but I'll do as much as I can to minimize that. It really is the only way to get the look I want.

Stay tuned. Could end up completely ditching the entire thing still!

Your report is AMAZING!!!
your pictures are to die for... the girls look perfect. i LOVe THE ROCK N ROLL signs... what fun!!!

Awwww...... thanks! And the RnR signs were all their own. I just shook my head and wondered what on earth I had unleashed......... But they had an absolute ball, so all was good!

 

[vamassey1]

We saw "Brave" the Saturday of opening weekend. I really did like it but I agree, I liked "Tangled" a lot more.

I can't wait to see the dress you come up with!

 

[jenseib]

Thats what I felt about Brave too. So many people said they weren't impressed...and I left happy. I did like the different than normal storyline. Claire loved the 3 boys....especially when they were naked at the end.

 

[mom2rtk]

We saw "Brave" the Saturday of opening weekend. I really did like it but I agree, I liked "Tangled" a lot more.

I can't wait to see the dress you come up with!

Thats what I felt about Brave too. So many people said they weren't impressed...and I left happy. I did like the different than normal storyline. Claire loved the 3 boys....especially when they were naked at the end.

I loved the little boys too. Couldn't help laughing at them a lot.

I had the gist of the story before going in, but there were some nuances that made it better than I thought it would be. I guess next time there's a high profile Disney movie coming out, I need to get there opening weekend, even though that's not my style. I hate huge crowds.

I was a little uncomfortable with what I knew about the storyline to be excited going in. Katie is closing in on 12, and I know that we have our share of battles ahead of us in the teenage years. I really wasn't looking forward to having it right there in my face in the movie. I thought they would make the mom more of the heavy, but I think they had a nice balance.

I left the movie happy too, so I'm glad we saw it. It was really a very nice girls outing.

 

[Caretames1]

Thats what I felt about Brave too. So many people said they weren't impressed...and I left happy. I did like the different than normal storyline. Claire loved the 3 boys....especially when they were naked at the end.

I liked that it wasn't the normal, "I found my Prince" movie.

That's just what Kadence thought was sooo funny! That and when the old guy mooned someone!

I loved the little boys too. Couldn't help laughing at them a lot.

I had the gist of the story before going in, but there were some nuances that made it better than I thought it would be. I guess next time there's a high profile Disney movie coming out, I need to get there opening weekend, even though that's not my style. I hate huge crowds.

I was a little uncomfortable with what I knew about the storyline to be excited going in. Katie is closing in on 12, and I know that we have our share of battles ahead of us in the teenage years. I really wasn't looking forward to having it right there in my face in the movie. I thought they would make the mom more of the heavy, but I think they had a nice balance.

I left the movie happy too, so I'm glad we saw it. It was really a very nice girls outing.

I'm glad we didn't go on opening weekend, I hate being crowded in with people. We just about had the theater to ourselves until just before the movie.

Ahh, teenage battles....I have a stubborn one, so some have been tense, but I'm more stubborn, so I won......so I think (I'd rather not know now)

I think I will have a harder time with Kadence, not that Sam isn't my baby, but I having a harder time with Kadence getting older. I think she grew again last week

In all, we enjoyed the movie... plus it was air conditioned!! Our A/C has been fighting the hard battle and losing ground slowly. Relief is coming today!