PTR July 2011 CBR - I think it's time for Annual Passes!

[cadek]

It's been a while, so where was I? I think we are at:

Day 4 - Hollywood Studios

This is a non-Fantasmic day. We will be there for rope drop. I will do the fast pass walk, not run, for Toy Story Mania. Maybe we should try getting in line and riding it right away too. As for the rest, well we never really have a plan or schedule here, as it seems to be the hardest park to plan for me!

What we would like to do / usually do:
Toy Story Mania
Backlot Tour
The Great Movie Ride
Star Tours (was closed in January)
Disney Junior Live (now that's it's changed, we had skipped it in January when it was still Playhouse Disney, been there, done that)
Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Lights, Motors Action Stunt Show (just saw a picture of Lightning McQueen on Disney's site for this show, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this change!)

I, and only I like doing Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster, however my Mom is usually with to give me a reason to go on. We took / dragged Dylan on Rock N Roller Coaster in January and he hated it. The year before that, took him on ToT, and he hated that. This year, 4 year old Evan said he will go on ToT with me. I guess I complained enough about not having anyone to go on the rides I like with me! I figured he would chicken out once we get there, but he is still talking about it, and even drawing pictures and telling me they are pictures of ToT. Dylan keeps telling him not to do it, it's scary, etc, and I then tell Dylan he should let Evan be the judge of that, not everyone likes the same thing. Maybe that gives Evan even more reason to go on, just to prove his big brother wrong. I am kind of nervous taking him on, afraid he won't like it, and I'll feel like a guilty Mom, and then DH, who doesn't like those rides, will be able to say I told you so. I hope he surprises me and likes it!

What we haven't done, but I'd like to try someday:
One Man's Dream (this trip)
Disney Animation (this trip)
Beauty and the Beast
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

We have an ADR for Sci-Fi Dine in Theater at 11:45 am. It was the most peaceful meal we had in January, so we are definately going back! The kids loved it.

The biggest challenge is doing the shows, trying to fit in Indiana Jones and Lights Motors Action. I don't know that I'll get everything done, plus some of the new things, especially since it's a busier, hotter time. More reason to go back! It is comforting to know we were just there, and will be back again. It takes off the pressure of trying to do it all.

 

[beebeeryan]

If it's any help, Eric who was 4 last summer loved TOT, says it's one of his favorites and can't wait to go again. So you might just luck out. Matthew liked it, but he could probably take it or leave it, he'd do RNR though, over and over again if Daddy could handle it. Once was enough for DH. I won't go upside down, but anything else is fine, so RnR is the only one I won't do at Disney.

We're looking forward to LMA this time too, haven't seen it yet at all, and have SCIFI planned for 11:45 as well, hope to get out of there just in time for LMA if it's still at 1:20 in August. The Animation Studio is a must for us this trip too! It's hard to fit in all the shows they have, especially when you don't want to spend all day in the park, the kids will be itching to go swimming by 2pm.

 

[Disneymomma41304]

The pool at CBR is so much FUN. The kids will LOVE it!!!!!!!!! U will 2!!!!!!!! Love Sci-Fi , its my favorite. My DS-7 will go NO where near ToT or RNR. Hopefully this year!

 

[ksl5f123]

Hi! I just read your whole PTR. We are going to be at WDW the same week as you!

We have a couple of things in common - my DH also dislikes Disney busses and we are considering our first stroller free trip.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your PTR!

 

[cadek]

If it's any help, Eric who was 4 last summer loved TOT, says it's one of his favorites and can't wait to go again. So you might just luck out. Matthew liked it, but he could probably take it or leave it, he'd do RNR though, over and over again if Daddy could handle it. Once was enough for DH. I won't go upside down, but anything else is fine, so RnR is the only one I won't do at Disney.

We're looking forward to LMA this time too, haven't seen it yet at all, and have SCIFI planned for 11:45 as well, hope to get out of there just in time for LMA if it's still at 1:20 in August. The Animation Studio is a must for us this trip too! It's hard to fit in all the shows they have, especially when you don't want to spend all day in the park, the kids will be itching to go swimming by 2pm.

Thanks, I'm really hoping he loves ToT and can be my ride buddy!

We usually leave the parks in the afternoon too, but it's January and not too hot. I'm really most concerned with the heat, and being more crowded, thinking we will get even less done. Maybe we will have to go back to the park after some pool time. I say we can relax once we get to the beach! When I'm in Disney I just can't help wanting to do as much as I can. I mean I dream about it everyday, and when I'm finally there, I need to be experiencing it all as much as possible! Yes, I got it bad. I'll try to tell myself we'll be back soon.

The pool at CBR is so much FUN. The kids will LOVE it!!!!!!!!! U will 2!!!!!!!! Love Sci-Fi , its my favorite. My DS-7 will go NO where near ToT or RNR. Hopefully this year!

Thanks, I think the pool looks fun too! I talk to the kids about it, and trying the slides, and then they mention the volcano! I don't think they understand that we aren't staying at the Polynesian! It's all they know there. I think they will like the CBR pools much better!

I hope your DS gives Tot or RNR a try this year, and likes it!

Hi! I just read your whole PTR. We are going to be at WDW the same week as you!

We have a couple of things in common - my DH also dislikes Disney busses and we are considering our first stroller free trip.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your PTR!

Thanks for joining in! I headed over to your PTR too. It's nice to hear from someone that will be there at the same time as us! I'm really dreading the heat combined with not always cooperative kids!

I have a feeling we won't be stroller free on this trip. Even DS7 is like, what no stroller! Well, for him, no stroller, but I think we will need a single. The whining I had to hear yesterday from DS4... I'm like what are you going to do when we are in Disney! We've never taken them when it's hot.

 

[PixieMama]

Last year we rode TSM then got FPs as soon as we exited the attraction... that strategy worked great, so hoping to do the same this year.

I agree, working in all the shows is the biggest challenge at DHS!

 

[PirateKate]

I think it's fairly common for a younger sibling to bravely ride and sincerely enjoy thrill rides when their older sibling won't. Hopefully, that will work out for you.

I have a hard time with DHS, too, at least now that we have kids. Without kids, DHS was easy, just going back and forth between ToT and RnRC as often as possible.

 

[Kat in GA]

Would your younger one insist that he likes a ride just to prove big brother wrong? That is the way things work here! When we were at Sea World in April, my youngest wanted to ride Kraken - but my teen did not. She doesn't like loops. But, my younger one bullied her to go on - and then they both loved it.

I really hope that you'll end up with a ride buddy!

On our trips this year, I am going to try and do the things we've yet to do in the five previous trips - like the Back Lot tour! Can't believe we've never done it! But, I am thinking we'll skip LMA this time - I don't think I can handle it in the heat.

 

[lbuzz52]

Hi there!

I just skimmed through this whole thing. I'm really curious to hear how July goes. My daughter's birthday is in July and I'm thinking of taking her on a birthday trip one year. Like you though, I'm used to going in slower seasons.

We just got back from our trip at CBR. Everyone is right, the pool is great. We didn't see any snakes. We did see a couple of turtles, and tons of lizards, frogs, and bunnies.
I chose to request building 44 or 45, near the courtyard for our room. (jamaica). We ended up in 44. I loved our location. It was just as close to OPR as most of the preferred rooms. The building we were in was one from the closest to the bridge to OPR and one from the closest to the bus stop. It also was the closest to the quiet pool, beach, and laundry in our village. Also, Jamaica is either the first bus stop, or the middle bus stop, depending on which park. The buses didn't seem bad to me. Most of the time we probably waited in the 3-7 minute range, and then took 5-10 to make all the internal stops. We did have one longer wait on a triathalon day. It was DTD, But I've also read before that it always is the longest wait, plus then you stop at TL first. I loved that CBR seemed to be central to everything. The bus rides in general were much shorter than when we stayed in the downtown Disney area last time at saratoga springs.
The peanut butter cupcake at OPR was so yummy! The food court in general was ok, nothing to write home about but good enough to eat at more than once. You can get a large pizza, 2 drinks, and 2 desserts for 2 cs credits if you pick up or eat at OPR. I thought it was a good way to conserve a credit or two.
So there are my rambling thoughts. Just ask me if you have any specific questions!

 

[cadek]

30 days! Maybe I'm crazy, but for the kids and I, Disney is a part of our life everyday it seems. It always tends to come up in conversation at some point. Guess I've succeeded in making them love it as much as me!

I've bought some goodies for the kids to give to them on our drive, but I'm horrible at keeping secrets! It doesn't help that they know there is something, as they've seen the boxes! I need to get some pictures of the goodies.

I think it's fairly common for a younger sibling to bravely ride and sincerely enjoy thrill rides when their older sibling won't. Hopefully, that will work out for you.

I have a hard time with DHS, too, at least now that we have kids. Without kids, DHS was easy, just going back and forth between ToT and RnRC as often as possible.

Kids do change how we do things, don't they! They make life more interesting though, and as long as they are happy, we're happy!

Would your younger one insist that he likes a ride just to prove big brother wrong? That is the way things work here! When we were at Sea World in April, my youngest wanted to ride Kraken - but my teen did not. She doesn't like loops. But, my younger one bullied her to go on - and then they both loved it.

I really hope that you'll end up with a ride buddy!

On our trips this year, I am going to try and do the things we've yet to do in the five previous trips - like the Back Lot tour! Can't believe we've never done it! But, I am thinking we'll skip LMA this time - I don't think I can handle it in the heat.

Yes I really want to try new things too, if time allows! I'm also looking forward to most of the rides being open. In January, there are more closed for rehab, including Dylan's favorite, Splash Mountain.

I'm hoping a little sibling competition earns me a ride buddy! If Evan does like ToT I think Dylan will be shocked! Maybe he will be so shocked that he will have to go on again to try and make sense of how his little brother could like it!

Hi there!

I just skimmed through this whole thing. I'm really curious to hear how July goes. My daughter's birthday is in July and I'm thinking of taking her on a birthday trip one year. Like you though, I'm used to going in slower seasons.

We just got back from our trip at CBR. Everyone is right, the pool is great. We didn't see any snakes. We did see a couple of turtles, and tons of lizards, frogs, and bunnies.
I chose to request building 44 or 45, near the courtyard for our room. (jamaica). We ended up in 44. I loved our location. It was just as close to OPR as most of the preferred rooms. The building we were in was one from the closest to the bridge to OPR and one from the closest to the bus stop. It also was the closest to the quiet pool, beach, and laundry in our village. Also, Jamaica is either the first bus stop, or the middle bus stop, depending on which park. The buses didn't seem bad to me. Most of the time we probably waited in the 3-7 minute range, and then took 5-10 to make all the internal stops. We did have one longer wait on a triathalon day. It was DTD, But I've also read before that it always is the longest wait, plus then you stop at TL first. I loved that CBR seemed to be central to everything. The bus rides in general were much shorter than when we stayed in the downtown Disney area last time at saratoga springs.
The peanut butter cupcake at OPR was so yummy! The food court in general was ok, nothing to write home about but good enough to eat at more than once. You can get a large pizza, 2 drinks, and 2 desserts for 2 cs credits if you pick up or eat at OPR. I thought it was a good way to conserve a credit or two.
So there are my rambling thoughts. Just ask me if you have any specific questions!

I'm curious to see how July goes too! I'm trying to mentally prepare myself that it's going to be hot! I don't know if anything can prepare me for it though! I hope going early, and pool breaks makes it bearable.

Thanks for the info on CBR. I'm looking forward to it! I don't think we will be disappointed! Peanut butter cupcake! I don't eat sweets much at home, I'd love to, but those darn calories! When I'm on vacation, bring on the desserts! Eyes bigger than my stomach, that's me! It's like I have to make up for all of the deprivation at home.

 

[beebeeryan]

30 days! Maybe I'm crazy, but for the kids and I, Disney is a part of our life everyday it seems. It always tends to come up in conversation at some point. Guess I've succeeded in making them love it as much as me!

If you're crazy then so am I, I have a countdown on my iPhone that goes off every morning telling us how many days left and the kids know it by heart and comment on something Disney every single day. 77 days today, it just went off.

 

[tinkerbell60]

I'm curious to see how July goes too! I'm trying to mentally prepare myself that it's going to be hot! I don't know if anything can prepare me for it though! I hope going early, and pool breaks makes it bearable.

July is hot - but with the parks open later I think it helps. I think you have a good plan with going early and taking pool breaks. Now that our kids are older, it really helps doing evening EMH, especially at MK....

 

[cadek]

2 Weeks!

I've bought some things for the road trip, and also just got Dylan his birthday presents. I've been so focused on vacation, and while I know it's his birthday during our trip, I hadn't put much thought into what will I get him! That's done now, and I think we are going to save the presents for him to open when we get home. We really don't need to take up space taking them with us, and it gives him something to look forward to when vacation over blues set in on our way home.

I told the kids we are watching 1 Disney movie per night until we leave... we'll see if I stick with it! So far we watched Gnomeo and Juliet, Cars, and Toy Story 3. Tomorrow night it will be Cars 2!!!

Evan's birthday is in August, so I ordered some of his birthday presents too, Cinderella's Castle playset and the Epcot playset. He has the Contemporary and the Monorail. He wants the castle, so I'm sure he'll be pesting to buy it on vacation. Figured I'd order it online, free shipping, and don't need to haul it home with us.

I think it's time for me to start getting some stuff together for packing! I can at least pick out shirts, the rest we will need until then. I also still need to buy some snacks for the road trip.

I sold some of the boys' clothing and toys at a yard sale and flea market, so I got them each a $100 Disney gift card for spending on vacation.

Here is what I have gotten so far:

New DVD's to hopefully keep them entertained during the drive. I know, they aren't Disney.

Yes, that is a Tangled playset for my SON!

I can't stand the suspense of which Vinylmations we got! I want to save them to give to the boys to open during the drive.

I might have caved in and gave them each one to open early.

We think Pinocchio is a keeper.

I got these really cheap on ebay, so now I have to do pick a pearl with the boys! I got the idea to buy these from another TR, sorry I can't remember who it was to give you credit!

I also bought these as the start of my new obsession:

Notebooks, and journals that have room for them to draw pictures on the top half of the page, and kid sized lines on the bottom half for writing, like the composition paper Dylan uses in school. 3 more Vinylmation, 1 for me and 1 for each of the boys. That gives them a total of 3 to decide from for keeping and trading. I had also gotten myself a Tron Vinylmation which is very cool.

My Disney Dooney & Bourke obsession has begun, and I couldn't resist the cosmetic bag for $15, so I now officially have my first Disney D&B. I've decided I want the Balloon Drawstring purse, and DH is now fully prepared for all I want. The more I hang out in the D&B thread, the more I want! I like black, I'm not a brown person, but I really want a 40th Anniversary bag, for nostalgic reasons I think. I also find myself liking the Sketch design too... HELP!!!

Oh, and the cosmetic bag is going back, as the D&B tag is on upside down! They are supposed to be sending my replacement right away, so I hope I get it in time!

I need to clean off the dining room table that only gets used to acquire junk, and start getting stuff for vacation gathered there. I tend to wait until the last minute and then spend the night before stressing over getting everything done!

 

[Kat in GA]

Tell me about the vinylmation - are they just collectible figures??

I love the dooney and burke - my husband would be thrilled if I had never heard of it! I wonder if I can get my AP discount on it?!

 

[cadek]

Tell me about the vinylmation - are they just collectible figures??

I love the dooney and burke - my husband would be thrilled if I had never heard of it! I wonder if I can get my AP discount on it?!

My fascination with Vinylmation grew from reading about them in other trip reports, like PirateKate! I'm no expert, but from what I understand you can go into certain stores in the park and trade them. I think they have a case with #'s, you can't see the actual vinylmations, you pick a number, and then they pull out the vinylmation. So you are making a trade but don't know if what you will get will be better or worse, but it sounds like an adventure! Maybe I should go do some research before we go... since I explained that so horribly!

Dooney & Bourke - from what I've read, you get 10% off with an AP, 20% with the Premiere? AP. I'm going to need to upgrade my park tickets to an AP as soon as I get there, just to get a discount! I have a feeling I might not be able to very easily though because we have the dining plan as well.

 

[PirateKate]

Looks like you've got a lot of great Disney stuff already. I love buying all the Disney stuff before a trip. The Pinocchio is cute. I can't wait to see what other ones you got.

I love the Dooney and Burke bags. I can't believe the tag was upside down, though. That sounds pretty strange. Are you sure it isn't a really rare and valuable like those baseball cards with the names misspelled?

I'm eager to hear all about Pick a Pearl. That carriage setting is beautiful.

 

[lbuzz52]

I need to clean off the dining room table that only gets used to acquire junk, and start getting stuff for vacation gathered there. I tend to wait until the last minute and then spend the night before stressing over getting everything done!

i think you may be my long lost twin

i love all the entertainment for the trip down! my daughter is a playset fan as well

 

[PixieMama]

My DDs have pearls from Sea World that we have never done anything with. I was thinking about looking for a "cage" or something while I'm at Epcot in September, but then I thought maybe I should wait until a time the girls are actually with me to pick something out.

I'm on the fence about the D&B bags. I do like them... but I'm a Coach girl, all the way! I don't have any D&B purses, and have thought about getting my first in September... we'll see!

 

[cadek]

Looks like you've got a lot of great Disney stuff already. I love buying all the Disney stuff before a trip. The Pinocchio is cute. I can't wait to see what other ones you got.

I love the Dooney and Burke bags. I can't believe the tag was upside down, though. That sounds pretty strange. Are you sure it isn't a really rare and valuable like those baseball cards with the names misspelled?

I'm eager to hear all about Pick a Pearl. That carriage setting is beautiful.

I"m very anxious to see what else we got too! How long into the drive to you give me until we are opening them?!

Have you seen the pictures of the D&B 40th Anniversary Messenger that the back panel pattern is on sideways? Quality control seems to be lacking.

i think you may be my long lost twin

i love all the entertainment for the trip down! my daughter is a playset fan as well

The playsets look so cool. I wonder how long until they break something on it! 5 minutes? Guess I better try to find the floor in their playroom, make room for new toys.

My DDs have pearls from Sea World that we have never done anything with. I was thinking about looking for a "cage" or something while I'm at Epcot in September, but then I thought maybe I should wait until a time the girls are actually with me to pick something out.

I'm on the fence about the D&B bags. I do like them... but I'm a Coach girl, all the way! I don't have any D&B purses, and have thought about getting my first in September... we'll see!

I was once a $20 purse girl, then I got my first D&B, and then another, and another... searching for the one that works for me. We have an outlet near us. I think i had 4, and then I got my first (of only 2) Coach bag. After that, the D&B were history. I do have a D&B large zip wallet that I love so much, i haven't looked at another wallet since. I might have to check out the Coach wallets. I'm not one to switch purses all of the time. I get one I like and use it all the time, until I get a new one. The more I see these Disney D&B though, the more i want them. A way to show off our love for Disney!

Of course sometimes I want something, and then once I finally have it How long until I'm back to my coach bags? I may just have to start alternating more.

 

[ksl5f123]

What cute stuff! I started organizing our stuff for the drive tonight too.

I love your vinylmations. I don't think I would trade the Pinocchio one either.

We got the carrige cages last year, but picked a pearl that was too big! I need to get that one put in a setting.