Returned last weekend, what worked for us..

[mrsbornkuntry]

We went the last week of March, returned on Saturday. We planned our park days for Wed. and Thurs. and on Fri. we hopped back and forth, doing what we missed the other days.
A couple glitches we had were:
1. The fireworks were daily, I'm almost positive the calendar on the Disney website said they were still weekends only.
2. The schedule at the entrance said the Electical parade was daily, it wasn't, luckily we asked a CM to be sure before planning on it.
3. The schedule also posted a 6pm time for Aladdin which we did plan on so we missed it that day, but we were able to return on Friday to see it at 4.
4. We had meal issues. The first one was at Whitewater Snacks, mostly our fault. We thought that we had to get our own drinks for everyone so we did, but when we ordered kids meals they told us we had to get drinks with them so we just ordered more water and carried those with us for later.
5. You can't JUST order a PB&J, you have to order a kids meal , but LOVED Pizza Planet (or is it port, I can't remember).
6. We missed the Flag Retreat, my own fault, I lost track of time.

Tips that worked great:
1. FASTPASSES
2. Going to Fantasyland in DL and Bug's Life area in DCA first thing in the morning, it was great, we hardly had any waits and it wore my toddler out so he napped in his stroller after lunch while the big kids got to ride what he couldn't. (Big Thanks, Hydroguy!!)
3. Getting to the park at opening, The kids especially liked that.
4. Stashed a "neat sheet" in the stroller, great for sitting on during the parade and covering up DS2 when he got chilly. Also bringing sweatshirts for the evening.

Some magic moments:
1. DS2 meeting Mickey Mouse and giving him a big hug, also kissing Pluto. You had to be there, but it was so sweet.
2. A CM put a Chip pin on DS2's harness (leash) while we were waiting in line for DCA, he was very proud.
3. The look on DS9's face after riding California Screamin' for the first and second time with his Dad was priceless. They got off the first time and he said "I think I'm gonna puke." Dh said "So you wanna ride again?" and he said "Okay!"
4. The look of sheer terror on DD10's face going up the big hill on Grizzly River Run and the dimples on DS7's face (who had already ridden it before) as he tried not to say anything and spoil it for her.
5. Now that DS2 is bigger we got to ride alot of rides as a family instead of splitting up, it was really nice to finally be able to do things together.
6. DS7, my biggest Star Wars fan, was chosen for Jedi training, it made the whole trip for him, now I have to find a decent priced tunic for his birthday this month, it's all he talks about .

Here are some links to pictures, I won't include them in my post since it's already getting long. If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them. Oh, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL. Around 75.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/mrsbornkuntry/100_5808-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/mrsbornkuntry/100_5799.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/mrsbornkuntry/100_5858.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/mrsbornkuntry/100_5807.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/mrsbornkuntry/100_5787-1.jpg

We had a great time, my Dh left for Iraq 3 days after we got home and I'm so glad my kids will have those memories while he's away. He put the picture of our family with Mickey as a screensaver on his laptop that he took with him.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Glad you had a great trip! Where was the picture with Mickey taken? I dont recognize that background at all.

Wishing your husband and quick and safe trip to Iraq.

 

[Hound 109]

Great information for folks with kiddos. Sounds like you had a great vacation. I SO agree with you in regards to getting to the parks at opening or at EE opening & doing all the FL rides in DL (or Bugs life rides in DCA). It makes the day much more relaxing knowing you've done so much the first hour or two.

My 7 y/o son missed out on the Jedi training last time...I'll have to schedule that on our tour next time.

I want to thank your family & your husband for his service to our country. I know everyone on the Disboards prays that he returns safely to you and your home.

 

[HydroGuy]

I want to thank your family & your husband for his service to our country. I know everyone on the Disboards prays that he returns safely to you and your home.

Me too! Thanks so much.

 

[PeterPansPixie]

We would love to hear more! Sounds like a fun trip with lots of wonderful memories.

I want to thank your family & your husband for his service to our country. I know everyone on the Disboards prays that he returns safely to you and your home.

I also want to say a BIG "me too"!

 

[KrisKC]

"on Grizzly River Run and the dimples on DS7's face (who had already ridden it before) as he tried not to say anything and spoil it for her"'

OK tell the new girl what the surprise is
I have a almost 10 year old boy who is kind of a chicken & would like to get him on as many rides as possible.
He's mostly afraid of the rollercoasters - he doesn't mind the spinning or fast rides. I'm sure I can get him on Thunder Mountain, not sure about Space Mountain & Splash Mountain though!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I don't know how to do multiple quotes so I'll just put the answers in here:

First, the Mickey picture was taken in his house. It was a Steamboat picture, it was a different room than they took us to last year.

Spoiler alert: on Grizzly River run you go up this big hill thinking that when you get to the top you're going to go back down the same size hill, but you actually just go around a little curve (but there is a big drop near the end of the ride). DD was terrified all the way up that big hill, she's a big chicken, too, no roller coasters for her, she cried on POTC, but once she gets off GRR she always wants to ride again, she loves it.

The poster who wanted to plan on Jedi training, they have it at certain times of day, it's on the schedule at the entrance. We read on Mousesavers that you should arrive about a half hour early and stake a place right at the ropes and wear something Star Wars related to get chosen. My son did wear a SW shirt, we almost thought they weren't going to choose him, but he was one of the last ones they picked.

Thank-you for your prayers. And your welcome, but I'm sure my husband would say he's just doing his job .

 

[hlbtimes2]

We've never been in that room at Mickeys! Maybe we'll have to go again on our next trip and see if we can get in there.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Glad you had a wonderful time. It sounds like you created some great memories!! Time to start planning you next trip I think!

Andrea

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We've never been in that room at Mickeys! Maybe we'll have to go again on our next trip and see if we can get in there.

I wanted to add, I saw a thread about this a few days ago, but didn't have time to post, all of the pictures that I posted were taken with my camera. When we went into the room to see Mickey they had two people there, a Disney photographer and another CM and the CM offered to take a pic with my camera. The one with my camera actually came out better, not because of the photographer, just because of the looks on the kids' faces.

Anyone with little ones, now that Splash Mountain is closed (don't know for how long) Critter country is practically a ghost town, we walked right on to the Pooh ride when everything else was busy.

We rode Star Tours twice, once with me, once with DH because it was DS5's favorite. We also did Buzz 4 times because it was DS2's favorite.

Hydroguy probably covers this, but just in case, if you want to do GRR get fastpasses FIRST THING. We waited probably about two hours after opening and our fastpasses were for 8pm when it was starting to get cold. The second time we rode it we waited in the 60 minute line, not fun, but it did go pretty fast.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Glad you had a wonderful time. It sounds like you created some great memories!! Time to start planning you next trip I think!

Andrea

I'm working on that , we always stay offsite because that's in our budget, but after going through GC to get to Whitewater snacks Dh wants to stay there next time so we need to start saving. This trip had to be REALLY budget since it was last minute, not something we had been saving for.

He'd also like to eat at Blue Bayou, is it appropriate to take kids there? Maybe I'll start another thread for that...

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We've never been in that room at Mickeys! Maybe we'll have to go again on our next trip and see if we can get in there.

We HAD to go in there, we drove down from WA and all the way DS2 kept saying "where are we going?" so I told him we were going to see Mickey Mouse at his house far away. When we did the rides in FL he forgot about it, ate lunch, took a nap, then woke up saying "I wanna see Mickey Mouse!" so we headed to Toontown (crowds were dying down in there by then, too, since it was getting close to it closing). He also loved the Gadget Go-coaster which my 10yo DD wouldn't ride, he yelled "woo-hoo" over and over again during it.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Really enjoyed your photos and comments and so glad you had a nice trip! Like others, I really wish to thank you and your husband for the bravery and sacrifice you all are making for all of us. Thank You. May the time pass quickly and safely so that you will all be able to go back to Disney very soon!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm working on that , we always stay offsite because that's in our budget, but after going through GC to get to Whitewater snacks Dh wants to stay there next time so we need to start saving. This trip had to be REALLY budget since it was last minute, not something we had been saving for.

He'd also like to eat at Blue Bayou, is it appropriate to take kids there? Maybe I'll start another thread for that...

Blue Bayou is absolutely great for kids. They have a fun kids menu that is actually makes into a pirates hat. My kids love Blue Bayou and I"ll bet yours would too. Good luck saving for the GCH! Sometimes we do a split stay, staying offsite first then moving to one of the onsite hotels. Helps with the money thing since they are so darn expensive!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Blue Bayou is absolutely great for kids. They have a fun kids menu that is actually makes into a pirates hat. My kids love Blue Bayou and I"ll bet yours would too. Good luck saving for the GCH! Sometimes we do a split stay, staying offsite first then moving to one of the onsite hotels. Helps with the money thing since they are so darn expensive!

Thanks so much, we'll have to make sure to do that the next time we go, Dh thought Blue Bayou looked really cool after seeing it from the POTC side.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks so much, we'll have to make sure to do that the next time we go, Dh thought Blue Bayou looked really cool after seeing it from the POTC side.

Well when you go at least one of you has to order the Monte Cristo sandwich. Your basic ham , turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, battered, deep fried, dusted with powder sugar and served with a side of jelly! It has about 5000 calories and worth every one of them!

 

[HydroGuy]

Well when you go at least one of you has to order the Monte Cristo sandwich. Your basic ham , turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, battered, deep fried, dusted with powder sugar and served with a side of jelly! It has about 5000 calories and worth every one of them!

As much as I want to disagree with Amy here , I agree you should try the Monte Cristo. Once. For some people it works, for others it doesn't.

FWIW, I always wanted to go to the BB when I was a kid - but it never worked out. It was so cool being right there by the POTC ride. I never got to go until I was all grown up. Yes, it works for kids too, but is on the pricey side.

 

[Amy&Dan]

As much as I want to disagree with Amy here , I agree you should try the Monte Cristo. Once. For some people it works, for others it doesn't.

FWIW, I always wanted to go to the BB when I was a kid - but it never worked out. It was so cool being right there by the POTC ride. I never got to go until I was all grown up. Yes, it works for kids too, but is on the pricey side.

What disagree with me? You are right though (Oh how I hate to admit it again). That thing is the size of a Winnebago and so rich my husband and I have to share it. My daughter said its like a donut and a hamburger mixed together. Its a bummer they charge you to share it now.