Santa is coming with a mouse!!!

[zurekgirl]

Greetings all!

After months of reading others reports and cruising the DIS I figure it's only fair if I share as well. So here is my attempt at a pre-trip report that will hopefully turn into a trip report.

Cast:

DH - The BEST stay at home Dad there is! And a full time student, in his last (can we get a Halleluiah chorus here) year! He grew up on the west coast and had family that lived in Santa Ana so he visited Disneyland quite a bit. He has been to WDW once, 10 years ago with his parents.

DS - (3) The best thing that has happened to my DH and I. I suppose all parents say that sort of cheesy thing but I really do feel that way. DS loves all things Disney, especially the old cartoons which lead to his love of Donald Duck and Chip and Dale. He has more recently been watching Disney movies and of course found a love for Lighting McQueen, Buzz Lightyear and Mr. Incredible. He loves all things mechanical; gears, wheels, etc. And for a 3 year old he has a pretty sarcastic sense of humor. He has been to D-land once at two. Loved it but didn't really get it.... I don't think we did enough to prep him and he was so overwhelmed by everything.

DW - That's me. I work full time in a position that requires alot of planning and prep for events. Perfect training for this!! Or perhaps it adds to my compulsion to have plans and back up plans. I too grew up on the west coast and have been on countless trips to D-land. In college (with my annual pass) I would grab a punch in New Orleans square, go up to the Disney Gallery, stare out onto the rivers of america and people watch. I think my parents were worried I would leave college and run away with the mouse! I've never been to WDW and so excited that I could well ....I don't know I'm just beside myself. I'm driving DH and all my friends crazy with the WDW talk. I guess its a good thing there's the DIS.

Background:

So this is kind of a big year and we decided in April 2007 instead of nickel and dimming our celebrations we’d one big one. This year we will be celebrating...both DH and I's 30th B-Days, DH's graduation from seminary, our anniversary, Christmas, so what a better way to ring these things in but with a trip to Walt Disney World. Adding to the excitement, this is our first real family vacation. All other vacations have been to visit extended family, it's nice to finally plan something just for the three of us.

So as I said in April we began looking at this possibility. I did some initial research into the possibility of a trip, timing and cost. I think we did what everyone does...What's the cheapest we can do WDW for...which lead to looking at all resorts/options. Once we started looking around the conversation turned into well what about a Moderate.... Then next thing you know....

POFQ Jan 25th - Feb 2nd!!!!

Up next: The travel agent, the ADRs, discount codes

 

[zurekgirl]

So after we had our dates the debate began. . . Travel agent or no agent…. Everything I read made us decide to go with an agent. We contacted Lori at Small World Travel and boy am I glad I did. She has been so knowledgeable through this whole process. In July our 180 mark arrived. I freaked out because Disney had not yet released packages for 2008 so I wouldn’t be able to make ADRs. Lori was great and booked a room only package, allowing ADRs until we could switch it over. I called and made ADRs on the 31st of July and have reservations at the following restaurants.

Hollywood and Vine (Playhouse Disney Character Meal)
Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dinner Package
Biergarten
Teppan Edo
Chef Mickey’s
O’hana’s
Hoop de Do Review

It is a bit weird to think about what you may want to eat in 180 days. However all of the places we’re going to I think DS will enjoy, food or not. I guess that’s the difference between traveling with a little one and going on your own.

DH and I agree that we have loose touring plans of Mornings one park afternoon break and dinner at another park. Having a three year old (and a DH who loves a good nap) means we’ll need some down time. Also since we’ve upgraded to a nicer resort, we’ve planned one day that we’ll just spend at the resort. POFQ has fishing, boats, a playground and if its warm enough maybe we’ll try the pool.

I also have the unofficial guide to WDW and have been reading that. I feel like a bit of a nerd reading what basically is a reference guide but I don’t think you can ever know too much about WDW.

Oh and the best part: DS has no idea we’re going.

Up next how we plan on telling DS

 

[zurekgirl]

So I’ve mentioned that this trip is our way of celebrating a number of different occasions this year…well Christmas is one of them. To that end, DS knows nothing about Walt Disney World. Sure, he knows Mickey vacations in Florida and says he wants to go every time we see a commercial but as to our trip…not a clue. It’s been killing me not to share this. I’m horrible with surprises especially when it’s as exciting as this! DH and I talk in codes so he won’t pick up on it. When I asked my boss for the time off, she laughed and said every family has to make a pilgrimage to the swamp. She regaled stories of taking her own children and now grandchildren there. From that point on DH and I have talking about our trip to the swamp. DS has no idea what we’re talking about.

Okay so the big plan to tell him. On Christmas morning the big cheese himself will call DS and announce that he’s going to Walt Disney World. Then out comes the special box… Inside we have:

personalized maps, a skeleton key on a Mickey Keychain(he’s 3 and won’t know this isn’t a real key to the kingdom), planning video, Magic Kingdom DVD, a CD of theme Music from rides and attractions, Mickey and Friends masks, Dash Incredible PJs, a Kid’s Guide to WDW, a postcards from Donald, a postcard from Chip and Dale, and a letter from Mickey giving him all the details.

In addition we have a paper chain we’re using to count down the days. From Christmas we’ll be a month out. I think once he sees the video he’ll be excited. When we go he’ll be a few months from turning 4 and I think he’ll “get it” much more this time. Plus as the above shows we’ve gone to great lengths to prepare him better!

Here’s a picture of him last Christmas… I can’t believe how much bigger he is, actually he’s 40 inches tall to be exact. Perfect height to start enjoying some big boy rides.

Last Summer we did Legoland in CA. He loved the rollercoasters. We’ll start at Goofy’s Barnstorm and hopefully he’ll be able to do the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” before it’s all over.

 

[zurekgirl]

We've been scrimping and saving for this trip. The last thing we want to do is paying a credit card way after its over. Monthly payments are not a fun way to remember the magic...

So here's where having a job that makes you travel comes in handy...I managed to fly enough on the company dime that our roundtrip airfare for 3 is . . .drumroll please.... $45.00. It's going to cost us more to get to and from the airport

Then more good money news...We got the discount package for January!!! Whoo Wooo more spending $$$.

I think at this point I'm the only one reading this but it makes me giggle so that's all that's important right???

Sole reader: YES!!!

I know what it means if you talk to yourself what does it mean if you blog to yourself...

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Greetings all!

After months of reading others reports and cruising the DIS I figure it's only fair if I share as well. So here is my attempt at a pre-trip report that will hopefully turn into a trip report.

Cast:

DH - The BEST stay at home Dad there is! And a full time student, in his last (can we get a Halleluiah chorus here) year! He grew up on the west coast and had family that lived in Santa Ana so he visited Disneyland quite a bit. He has been to WDW once, 10 years ago with his parents.

DS - (3) The best thing that has happened to my DH and I. I suppose all parents say that sort of cheesy thing but I really do feel that way. DS loves all things Disney, especially the old cartoons which lead to his love of Donald Duck and Chip and Dale. He has more recently been watching Disney movies and of course found a love for Lighting McQueen, Buzz Lightyear and Mr. Incredible. He loves all things mechanical; gears, wheels, etc. And for a 3 year old he has a pretty sarcastic sense of humor. He has been to D-land once at two. Loved it but didn't really get it.... I don't think we did enough to prep him and he was so overwhelmed by everything.

DW - That's me. I work full time in a position that requires alot of planning and prep for events. Perfect training for this!! Or perhaps it adds to my compulsion to have plans and back up plans. I too grew up on the west coast and have been on countless trips to D-land. In college (with my annual pass) I would grab a punch in New Orleans square, go up to the Disney Gallery, stare out onto the rivers of america and people watch. I think my parents were worried I would leave college and run away with the mouse! I've never been to WDW and so excited that I could well ....I don't know I'm just beside myself. I'm driving DH and all my friends crazy with the WDW talk. I guess its a good thing there's the DIS.

Background:

So this is kind of a big year and we decided in April 2007 instead of nickel and dimming our celebrations we’d one big one. This year we will be celebrating...both DH and I's 30th B-Days, DH's graduation from seminary, our anniversary, Christmas, so what a better way to ring these things in but with a trip to Walt Disney World. Adding to the excitement, this is our first real family vacation. All other vacations have been to visit extended family, it's nice to finally plan something just for the three of us.

So as I said in April we began looking at this possibility. I did some initial research into the possibility of a trip, timing and cost. I think we did what everyone does...What's the cheapest we can do WDW for...which lead to looking at all resorts/options. Once we started looking around the conversation turned into well what about a Moderate.... Then next thing you know....

POFQ Jan 25th - Feb 2nd!!!!

Up next: The travel agent, the ADRs, discount codes

Great looking family...but no photo of yourself?

My annual Disneyland pass is about to expire...and I won't be renewing since we will only be making one trip there next year (if we're lucky.) We used to go there all the time just to walk around and people watch.

We'll be at POR the 24th - 30th. So maybe we'll see you on the bus or something!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

So I’ve mentioned that this trip is our way of celebrating a number of different occasions this year…well Christmas is one of them. To that end, DS knows nothing about Walt Disney World. Sure, he knows Mickey vacations in Florida and says he wants to go every time we see a commercial but as to our trip…not a clue. It’s been killing me not to share this. I’m horrible with surprises especially when it’s as exciting as this! DH and I talk in codes so he won’t pick up on it. When I asked my boss for the time off, she laughed and said every family has to make a pilgrimage to the swamp. She regaled stories of taking her own children and now grandchildren there. From that point on DH and I have talking about our trip to the swamp. DS has no idea what we’re talking about.

Okay so the big plan to tell him. On Christmas morning the big cheese himself will call DS and announce that he’s going to Walt Disney World. Then out comes the special box… Inside we have:

personalized maps, a skeleton key on a Mickey Keychain(he’s 3 and won’t know this isn’t a real key to the kingdom), planning video, Magic Kingdom DVD, a CD of theme Music from rides and attractions, Mickey and Friends masks, Dash Incredible PJs, a Kid’s Guide to WDW, a postcards from Donald, a postcard from Chip and Dale, and a letter from Mickey giving him all the details.

In addition we have a paper chain we’re using to count down the days. From Christmas we’ll be a month out. I think once he sees the video he’ll be excited. When we go he’ll be a few months from turning 4 and I think he’ll “get it” much more this time. Plus as the above shows we’ve gone to great lengths to prepare him better!

Here’s a picture of him last Christmas… I can’t believe how much bigger he is, actually he’s 40 inches tall to be exact. Perfect height to start enjoying some big boy rides.

Last Summer we did Legoland in CA. He loved the rollercoasters. We’ll start at Goofy’s Barnstorm and hopefully he’ll be able to do the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” before it’s all over.

Your son is adorable!! I have a niece that will be three in February. They were in town for our wedding in California in 2006 so we took her to Disneyland for a few hours. She was only about 16 months old so she didn't get it at all. But she really seemed to enjoy looking at everything. We only took her on Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, and the Haunted Mansion. It was way too hot out to keep her there all day. But it was fun to see her eyes get so wide when she saw all of the colors and things on the rides. Kids are just fantastic!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

We've been scrimping and saving for this trip. The last thing we want to do is paying a credit card way after its over. Monthly payments are not a fun way to remember the magic...

So here's where having a job that makes you travel comes in handy...I managed to fly enough on the company dime that our roundtrip airfare for 3 is . . .drumroll please.... $45.00. It's going to cost us more to get to and from the airport

Then more good money news...We got the discount package for January!!! Whoo Wooo more spending $$$.

I think at this point I'm the only one reading this but it makes me giggle so that's all that's important right???

Sole reader: YES!!!

I know what it means if you talk to yourself what does it mean if you blog to yourself...

Well...I'm reading it!! I think only one or two people are reading mine. But it's just fun to blog about Disney anyway.

 

[zurekgirl]

Per your request Mrs. Bee a photo with me in it. I'm usually the one snapping away and forget to turn the camera around. Something to remember for January!!

This is our family in July 06. See Sammy looks a little overwhelmed and I realized Dumbo can be scary. We seemed awefully high and Sammy seemed so little.

Yeah the bus... I'm a bit worried about it. I've read some reports that say people waited an hour. I think if it gets bad I'm going to try to convinse DH to hail a cab. I'm probably overreacting.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I'm reading too...waiting for more...

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Per your request Mrs. Bee a photo with me in it. I'm usually the one snapping away and forget to turn the camera around. Something to remember for January!!

This is our family in July 06. See Sammy looks a little overwhelmed and I realized Dumbo can be scary. We seemed awefully high and Sammy seemed so little.

Yeah the bus... I'm a bit worried about it. I've read some reports that say people waited an hour. I think if it gets bad I'm going to try to convinse DH to hail a cab. I'm probably overreacting.

We're hoping since it's January it won't be too bad. Keeping our fingers crossed. I was just about to write my Disneyland report but there's breaking news here. Apparently there was a shooting at the mall....so I'm going to watch that and figure out what's going on. Scary.

 

[irene_dsc]

Ooh, you are so lucky your ds is 40" tall! My dd (turns 4 in April) is only 37 1/4" right now, and we have less than a month before we leave! We watched the planning dvd over the weekend, and she was all excited about Soarin', and I had to tell her that she wouldn't be big enough for it. She also wants to ride Kali River Rapids (which I will only allow if it is relatively warm, anyhow), which is 38" - I'm hoping shoes will help if necessary. Tho of course, it may depend on how well she handles, say, Maelstrom - since she only thinks she wants to do a boat ride, but has never actually been on one. My 6 y/o ds at least is tall (48"!) so he can ride anything he might want to.

 

[zurekgirl]

Irene - Your message made me second guess myself about DS height..Did I hope he was 40? I measured him and thought he was 40...Hold on off to get the tape measure....

Argh 39 with out shoes. Hopefully shoes will add 1/2 and he'll grow the rest. We've got a little over 6 weeks. Where's that spinich?!?!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Ooh, you are so lucky your ds is 40" tall! My dd (turns 4 in April) is only 37 1/4" right now, and we have less than a month before we leave! We watched the planning dvd over the weekend, and she was all excited about Soarin', and I had to tell her that she wouldn't be big enough for it. She also wants to ride Kali River Rapids (which I will only allow if it is relatively warm, anyhow), which is 38" - I'm hoping shoes will help if necessary. Tho of course, it may depend on how well she handles, say, Maelstrom - since she only thinks she wants to do a boat ride, but has never actually been on one. My 6 y/o ds at least is tall (48"!) so he can ride anything he might want to.

Irene - Your message made me second guess myself about DS height..Did I hope he was 40? I measured him and thought he was 40...Hold on off to get the tape measure....

Argh 39 with out shoes. Hopefully shoes will add 1/2 and he'll grow the rest. We've got a little over 6 weeks. Where's that spinich?!?!

We leave in 26 days and Skyler will be 4 in April too but is only 36 1/4 inches tall at last measure. She was so upset in July when we were there and she wanted to go on BTMRR but was too small. We told her she would be but she went up to the measuring sitck and had to make us measure her anyway! When we go in 26 days it will be just me and the kids so if/when she does not make that 40 inch mark there will be no big rides for any of us! And she is my dare devil, so much more than her brother (who turns 9 three days before we leave and is plenty tall for anything he wants to ride!). I wish Disney based when a child needs a ticket by their height because she is not able to ride anythign different than before she was 3 (and FREE) so why have to pay now? What are the chances of a three year old growing about 4 inches in 26 days?

 

[irene_dsc]

Irene - Your message made me second guess myself about DS height..Did I hope he was 40? I measured him and thought he was 40...Hold on off to get the tape measure....

Argh 39 with out shoes. Hopefully shoes will add 1/2 and he'll grow the rest. We've got a little over 6 weeks. Where's that spinich?!?!

Hmm...hair gel, to make it spikey?

 

[zurekgirl]

What are the chances of a three year old growing about 4 inches in 26 days?

Basically if you didn't want her to grow (ie you needed her to fit into a certain pair of pants) then that's when it would happen. Last year I got DS the cutest christmas outfit and it fit perfectly at Thanksgiving. It looked like it had shrunk when he wore it Christmas eve! So who knows?!?! Here's hoping. If not, I do like irene_dsc's idea of hair gel. Maybe that princess hair do might come in handey!

Hmm...hair gel, to make it spikey?

This was actually DH advice too! He thinks between the winter tennis shoes that have a thicker sole, spikey hair and time we'll make it. I sure hope so..

 

[zurekgirl]

Okay so a quick update. My dh faculty advisor is a self described Disney nut. He went when his daughter was 3 for what he thought was a once in a lifetime trip and has been going twice a year for the past 11 years. I scheduled some time with him yesterday and it was great. First it's always so nice to connect with someone who is passionate about the same things. Second, he had great tips! The biggest one was don't be afraid to do some research, know what you want to see and what if you miss won't be that big of a deal.

So I've spent tonight really digging into somethings and I actually learned a few new things. I spent time really looking at my plans and time lines with him. He knows DS and made great suggestions of things to skip and things he's just got to see!

Plus I've caught mild mannered DH watching WDW videos on a certain site. I can't wait to tell DS and get him in on the fun!

 

[irene_dsc]

Lol - I was talking to my SIL over the weekend. Poster child for why you need to prepare for WDW. Her oldest dd (then about 5?) is nuts about Snow White. Can you see where this is going? First thing in MK, they see the sign for Snow White's scary Adventures. She claims the scary part was really, really small on the sign. Her poor dd was terrified - it took 5 rides on It's a Small World to calm her down. They also never rode Dumbo because the wait was 2 hours long. (I had started by saying that the biggest part of my plan was to get there at opening, then head directly for Dumbo, lol)

 

[camelotcats]

Irene - Your message made me second guess myself about DS height..Did I hope he was 40? I measured him and thought he was 40...Hold on off to get the tape measure....

Argh 39 with out shoes. Hopefully shoes will add 1/2 and he'll grow the rest. We've got a little over 6 weeks. Where's that spinich?!?!

We went this past May. DD was 3 and officially 39.5". She got on BTMRR, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours without incident (she just missed on splash, but an awesome CM let her on, since she had just come off of BTMRR).

She missed on Tower of Terror (talk about a tantrum), Dinosaur, and Soarin'.

The ride measuring sticks are not well calibrated...she missed by a LOT at the entrance to Splash, then almost made the stick at the front (the second measuring), she made start tours easy (more than an inch), they let her on BTMRR when she literally just touched the measuring stick. Some CMs are more understanding than others, and some are more lenient than others...and I saw one CM squish down hair.

I would just go with a comfy pair of sneakers. Many of them have generous heels, anyway. You should be fine.

Enjoy yourself!! Looking forward to more!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

We went this past May. DD was 3 and officially 39.5". She got on BTMRR, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours without incident (she just missed on splash, but an awesome CM let her on, since she had just come off of BTMRR).

She missed on Tower of Terror (talk about a tantrum), Dinosaur, and Soarin'.

The ride measuring sticks are not well calibrated...she missed by a LOT at the entrance to Splash, then almost made the stick at the front (the second measuring), she made start tours easy (more than an inch), they let her on BTMRR when she literally just touched the measuring stick. Some CMs are more understanding than others, and some are more lenient than others...and I saw one CM squish down hair.

I would just go with a comfy pair of sneakers. Many of them have generous heels, anyway. You should be fine.

Enjoy yourself!! Looking forward to more!

If I were a cast member...I would be one that everyone would hate. I'd be pretty picky about the height measurements for rides. Afterall, they have those restrictions for safety reasons. I wouldn't want some kid under the appropriate height to go on the ride and then get hurt.

 

[zurekgirl]

Her oldest dd (then about 5?) is nuts about Snow White. Can you see where this is going? Her poor dd was terrified -

We were actually one of those families that made that mistake in D-land. I went so frequently as a teenager that I didn't put much thought into how I felt much younger than that about that ride. If I had I would have remembered how much I hated that the witch peers out a window at you while you're waiting for Peter Pan. That alone freaked me out enough that I didn't go. My dad tells stories of seeing Snow White in theaters and was afraid of trees after that. Again reverting to my teenage mind, that seems funny my dad afraid of trees!! This trip it won't be an issue for us, SW is closed while we're there.

We went this past May. DD was 3 and officially 39.5". She got on BTMRR, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours without incident (she just missed on splash, but an awesome CM let her on, since she had just come off of BTMRR).

She missed on Tower of Terror (talk about a tantrum), Dinosaur, and Soarin'.

The ride measuring sticks are not well calibrated...she missed by a LOT at the entrance to Splash, then almost made the stick at the front (the second measuring), she made start tours easy (more than an inch), they let her on BTMRR when she literally just touched the measuring stick. Some CMs are more understanding than others, and some are more lenient than others...and I saw one CM squish down hair.

Yeah we'll play it by ear. It's tough because I'd like to prepare him for the rides but if we can't go on I don't want to have him be disappointed. How did your DD do with Star Tours? We were up in the air if we were going to allow that one.

If I were a cast member...I would be one that everyone would hate. I'd be pretty picky about the height measurements for rides. Afterall, they have those restrictions for safety reasons. I wouldn't want some kid under the appropriate height to go on the ride and then get hurt.

The last thing we want is DS first memory of WDW to be the view from an ambulance and we would never push anything that would make him (or us) feel he wasn't safe. I know this is Disney and we all let our hair down but on this issue, you're right and its not something DH or I would compromise on. That being said I think there are some rides that he'd be close enough for that he'd be fine and others that even if he were tall enough we don't think we'd allow him to go on. I guess we'll play it by ear and take the lead from CM.