Saratoga Springs it's been too long Jan 2013 PTR..

[jpmom97]

ok, the big kids are at school and the little guy is watching Star Wars so I have some time to talk about our revised plans which I am sure will be revised again in the next 10 months.

I made a Disney notebook, only things related to our trip are allowed in it. I printed out a little calender to glue into my notebook. While looking that over, I notice MLK day is the 21st. Why did I think it was the week before? Now I'm in a panic. Did I just ruin my dates? But with a little tweeking and adding the extra 2 days, I think we will be ok.

Here is the Plan:

Still leaving on the 11th. I am going to put in to work the afternoon shift, get home around the same time the kids do. DH can drop t he dog off at the kennel during the day. Pack the van the night before so we can leave around 6 or 7pm. We have one of those big plastic things for on top of the van and we keep a cooler inside the van w/ water and sandwhiches. I also seem to do a lot of baking the day before so we have cookies for snacks. Drive through the night, rest in NC, then off to my dad's house. Hopefully we can do this by 3pm Saturday. Sometimes we stop in Savannah, it's usually raining.
this year I would like to stop, maybe on the way home, at Juliette Gordon Lowe's birthplace. I am a Girl Scout leader, my daughter has been a scout for 4 years, so it would be nice to see where it all started.


We will hang out with my dad on Saturday, play in the pool. My kids favorite part is making sandwhiches. My dad usually buys a bunch of Boars Head cold cuts and salads and the kids eat it like I don't feed them. Even though in the car there are the same type of sandwhiches, it tastes better when Pop buys them and when we are in Florida


Sunday we will check into SSR. Eat lunch at EOS and dinner at Chef Mickeys.
Monday- Magic Kingdom.
A few tidbits about us and the MK. We like to get there at RD. We usually hit FL while DH gets us FP's to BTMRR.

Hoping to get a breakfast ADR , I can just taste the breakfast lasagna now.


And a confession, we have never ridden this:

Yes, I know. Who goes to DW and not does this ride? Me, the scaredy cat. And sadly 2 out of 3 kids has inherited my scaredy cat gene. When we did build up the courage to go on our last trip, it rained and it was closed down. I was relieved.

I also have never gone on

Again, scared, yellow, a chicken. I did, like any good mother would, tell Jace this was a fun ride and he and daddy should go on it. They did and he liked it. Now that Georgie is big enough, they will go on it again for him. How does this ride compare to BTMRR? I like that one and can handle it. I have only been on one rollercoast in Dorney Park when I was 12 and I hated it. Made me sick and I thought I was going to fly right out of it.

Also have never been on

Jace really wants to go here so it's a must do for us.

We will ride my favorite

Can't wait to see the new stuff

Georgie and Jace's favorite


Natalie doesn't really have a favorite but I am going to guess it will be the new Ariel ride. Oh and another confession, we have never seen the...

Hoping to catch this one night.

Next day will be......

 

[jpmom97]

I know you were at the edge of your seat ha ha. Second day will be Epcot. DH's favorite park.


We will start off our day with some princesses!

And one of DH's favorite meals.

Now it never fails when we eat here, I will get one of the first ADR's of the day and the bus at SSR will be late and we wind up sprinting to this restaurant. DH of course will make it first b/c he is super tall. The rest of us trailing behind out of breath. Mark my words, this will happen.

Lunch and dinner are TBA. If we eat enough, we usually skip lunch and just get a snack. Dinner would be a QS at one of the countries. The little guy likes hot dogs and chicken nuggets, Jace is a bit more adventurous, Natalie likes salad. They are all very easy to please though. Easy food day. I know our snack credits plus extra $$ will be spent on school bread, iced almond pretzel, and various pastries from the French bakery. And amazingly, I never knew about that caramel place in Germany!! It's on our list of places to try. I also have a bad habit of buying alcoholic drinks, taking one sip b/c they are too strong and giving them to DH. I want to try a Grey Goose slushy. I don't even know what Grey Goose is but I have seen so many pictures on here, I need to try it. This picture also says its a Pomegranite Kir. I thought it was Rosa Regale from Italy. I will for sure drink all of that, it's my favorite.


Some of our favorite rides here are:





Confession time, we have never stayed for Illuminations! I know!!

I promise we will this time though.

What else are we missing? Oh yeah, Kim Possible. This was the kids favorite thing the whole trip, they still talk about it.
Just wanted to share a few pictures, don't want to give away the whole experience. If you have time, do it, so much fun.


Oops, almost forgot this!
The kids loved the Piggy Bank Adventure, they did it twice!



Also, a stop at Club Station Cool, who wants to try some Beverly?

Not Jace, he learned his lesson.



That is our EPCOT in a nutshell. Would like to take our time, get lots of pictures, eat lots of food.

Up next.....

 

[Sam33]

The Grey Goose slushie is DELICIOUS and not too strong at all. When I drink it I always wish it was stronger because it's so dang expensive

You have a beautiful family! Can't wait to read more

 

[DMGeurts]

Still lovin' your plans!

I can't believe you've never ridden splash... Honestly, it isn't as bad as you think it will be. I remember the first time I rode it - I kept freaking out because that drop looks so huge - and once we went down (they don't even buckle you in - if you're not buckled in on a ride - there's nothing to worry about) I was hooked!!! It is my all time favorite ride - the theme and the music alone are the best... Too bad there isn't a "chicken exit" right before the drop...

I do have a list of drinks I want to, ahem, try.... Lapu-Lapu... the Napoleon (France)... are at the top of my list... I've also heard great things about a few others that I can't remember - LOL.

D~

 

[jpmom97]

The Grey Goose slushie is DELICIOUS and not too strong at all. When I drink it I always wish it was stronger because it's so dang expensive

You have a beautiful family! Can't wait to read more

Oh good, that sounds right up my alley. I am not a drinker. I only drink that Rosa Regale when I am in Epcot every other year so I am a light weight. Last time I got one of those colorful margaritas from Mexico, took one sip and handed it right over to DH.

Thanks for reading!! My son and I get so excited when someone replies!!

 

[jpmom97]

Still lovin' your plans!

I can't believe you've never ridden splash... Honestly, it isn't as bad as you think it will be. I remember the first time I rode it - I kept freaking out because that drop looks so huge - and once we went down (they don't even buckle you in - if you're not buckled in on a ride - there's nothing to worry about) I was hooked!!! It is my all time favorite ride - the theme and the music alone are the best... Too bad there isn't a "chicken exit" right before the drop...

I do have a list of drinks I want to, ahem, try.... Lapu-Lapu... the Napoleon (France)... are at the top of my list... I've also heard great things about a few others that I can't remember - LOL.

D~

The Lapu Lapu is on my list too! I forgot all about it last time we were at Ohana. What is the Napoleon?

We have built up the courage for Splash. I just hope we don't chicken out when we get there. Have you gone on Space Mountain? How bad is that?

 

[jpmom97]

I know you were on the edge of your seat. I won't make you wait any longer it's....


Jace, Georgie and I are HUGE Harry Potter fans! Jace and I have read all the books and Georgie has seen all the movies. We absolutely loved the WWOHP section. I wish it were bigger. I wish all of IOA were a Harry Potter world. Universal got it right with this one. On our last trip Georgie was too little to go on the Forbidden Journey ride and I think he still isn't tall enough this time around. He did love Flight of the Hippogriff, I was too scared to go on that one but not on FJ. Well, that's a lie, I was scared a bit but I got over it. That is the best ride I have ever gone on. We still have 10 months, Georgie can grow a few inches and put on a few more pounds, you never know.




Now, don't ask me what happened but I hardly took any pictures of IOA! The first day we went (had a 3 day park to park) I had my little camera. I just snapped a few here thinking we were going to be back, I would bring the big camera then. When we came back a week later, it was spring break. The crowds made me so mad (or I was mad at myself for not knowing these crowds would be here) I didn't take any pictures. I swear I will this time, crowds or no crowds.

We do the meal plan here. We aren't picky about our food at all. The counter service food here, I know isn't the best but we think it's a good value and not so bad. I LOVE the caeser salad. I know it's just a bag probably from Sam's club or Costco, but it's so delish!!

Georgie's favorite part

He knows the Cat and the Hat by heart, no we don't own the book, we just ride it so many times.



So this is our day, what do you think?

 

[jpmom97]

Next day will be Animal Kingdom. We haven't been to this park since 2005! We are all very excited to go back. I don't even have pictures from here b/c they are on my old computer. Looking forward to the safari, the rapids and Georgie is excited for the Dinosaur ride. I remember sitting by the exit, nursing Georgie, hidden behind a garbage can or something while the others went on.

Georgie would also like to go on

Just looking at this photo scares me. If big George will go on it, then Georgie is all set. I am not sure if I can do this. How bad is this? How does it compare to BTMRR?

Natalie is looking forward to seeing all the animals and birds. I remember when she was little she got so scared of the show in the tree.

We also plan to eat at Tusker House for lunch. I didn't realize that it was a character lunch which is great! We love those and Georgie loves Mickey and Donald. Are Chip and Dale here? They always have fun with Natalie, she loves the attention.

Later that night we will go to Epcot and eat dinner at Biergarten. Stay for Illuminations.

 

[jpmom97]

Next day is an easy one..you could have guessed Hollywood Studios or Georgie still calls it MGM.


Everytime we go here it rains. Every. Time. Just like it rains everytime we drive through the Disney arch. Every. Time. On our last trip it was ESPN day and the park was soooooo crowded. We got there at rope drop, DH booked it to TSM. The line was already at an hour wait and he couldn't get near the FP machine. By the time we got back to it, maybe a half hour later, all FP's were given out. so we didn't ride it. Georgie was upset about it. Star Tours was closed too. It wasn't Georgie's day.



Another confession. Never done Fantasmic. I know. I know. Our plan is to eat at Prime Time Cafe but I just noticed that dinner deal at Mama Melrose. Jace has his heart set on eating at PTC so I don't know if I can convince him to change. If we get the dinner deal at MM, do we still have to wait in the long line to get into the show or can we go closer to show time?

Something else we have never been on

You see that in the background right? Georgie begged to go on Tower of Terror on this trip and none of us were brave enough to go on it with him. I am trying to convince the guys to do it for Georgie, so far no luck but we still have time.

Here are some fun things we do like to do at this park. We usually never stay until closing but if we do Fantasmic I guess we will have too. I just think there isn't enough to do here.

Even with someone telling me what to do, I can't draw but everyone else did good.

Natalie loves to get her face painted. You may have noticed in the pictures she has it a lot! The kids save their birthday and Christmas money for spending money, she spends most of it on face painting.


I love characters!!

I can't believe Lottso smelled like Strawberries! Disney doesn't miss a thing!



So how is the food at Mama Melrose? or should we just keep 50's Prime Time?

 

[jpmom97]

So tomorrow (real tomorrow, not vacation tomorrow) I start my new job. I got a job just so I can pay for vacation. Crazy right? If I didn't get this job, we would never go. My husband wouldn't pay for another Disney vacation, he wants to do other things. Other things that me and the kids don't like to do. I don't like the beach, I dont' like water sports, I don't like race cars or fishing or hunting. These are things he likes, which is great, he can do these things on his own. Or wait until the kids are older and I will go with him to do it but when we have kids, I think it's all about them. And Disney is where they want to go (me too!). So I got a job at Target. I haven't worked in 10 years so I am very nervous. It's part time, it will be good to get out of the house right? I used to work there 10 years ago as manager (team leader as Target calls it) but I only am going to be a cashier now. Easy work, nothing that follows you home.

Ok, onto the plans. Our next day will be a pool day with a dinner ADR at Ohana.


The next day pool day with a dinner ADR at Boma.



The next day will be a pool/Disney Quest day with a dinner ADR at either Raglan Rd, Cape May Cafe, T-Rex or House of Blues. I wanted to have a girls day with Natalie and have George take the boys to DQ but Jace convinced Natalie she will like DQ so I think that is what we will do. I thought taking Nat to the tea would be fun and I Love that trifle but I don't think I will be seeing it this trip. Jace really wants to try HOB but I Georgie and Natalie want to try T-Rex. I wanted to do Cape May Cafe and Raglan Rd. Maybe we should throw the names into a hat and choose one.

I know 3 pool days seems like a lot but this is MLK weekend so I know everything is going to be crowded. We can spend time with my dad these 3 days too. I really hope he will come to the parks with us too.

Where to next?

 

[jpmom97]

I won't keep you waiting, it's....


We really enjoy Universal Studios. Also will get the meal deal. I actually think the choices are better at IOA but that's ok, we'll live with it. I am not sure if we will do park to park tickets or just 1 park 1 day tickets (not sure of the official name.) I think we can finish this park in half a day, maybe being able to squeeze in some HP. The meal deal is a little more if you do 2 parks but it may be worth it to do HP again.

I have tons of pictures from Universal on our 2009 trip. This one not so much. Not sure what happened. The kids favorite rides are




Natalie and Georgie hated Jaws, they are glad to see that go.

I also enjoy this show


Where I spotted this lovely young man


Was it him? I don't know. But he was super adorable and had a British accent. He also was escorted to the back stage area and shook the employee's hands as he went back there. I heard his accent when I spotted him talking to someone b/c I followed him as he was walking backstage LOL.

Our next day is our last in the parks, I don't even want to think about it.

 

[jpmom97]

Ok last day. It has to be


and also


I love how the ball looked greyish blue!


I think it will be Epcot morning and finish with MK. We always do this on our last day, our 2 favorite parks.

Going to try for a lunch ADR




Finish up the countries, ride TT and Soarin one last time.

Then to MK for dinner at

I am not too sure about this one. Jace really wants to try it but I am wondering what I can eat here. I guess I will let them know when I make the ADR. I wonder if I should just surprise everyone w/ the castle for dinner and pay OOP. That would free up a credit for a breakfast the next day.


While reading other TR's I learned about this


I never knew! But I think this will be a sweet ending to a perfect vacation.

Sadly, the next day we will pack up and be out the door headed home.
If I do surprise everyone with a castle meal, then we will do breakfast somewhere. Ohana? 1900 Park Fare? Cape May? I will research that and let you know.

But, it doesn't stop there...we like to do a few fun things on our way home....not as great as Disney but we seem to enjoy it.

 

[jpmom97]

I know that Disney is very educational. And my kids will be missing school for 9 days, please don't lecture me about it. If I could afford to take them in the summer, had a great resistance to heat and crowds, I would do it. But I don't. I also enjoy leaving the cold weather behind and going to warmer climate. My kids will make up their work, they always have. But to make their experience a tad more educational we like to stop at something historical on the way home. The South has so many great places to see. Last time we stopped here:






This was actually the family's summer home. They harvested rice here. You would think the kids would find it boring but they actually enjoy it. They like history, we go to Gettysburg once a year too, my husband is a bit of a war buff.

I am looking into a new plantation to visit on our way home. I really want to find a big one, with an amazing grand home to tour. I also am going to look into a battlefield too.

So these are our plans. What do you think?

 

[aspiringprincess1]

Your plans look awesome! I love them! I'm a little late, and will probably miss on commenting on a lot of things, but here are a few little things!

I love Earl of Sandwich. Seriously. I think that I could eat there for every meal. I also saw that you are eating at Ohana! I have only been there once, but I would love to eat there again!

I WANT TO EAT AT BE OUR GUEST RESTAURANT. We are planning on going next July (of 2013) just for the Fantasyland expansion. I HAVE to see it!

The character breakfast at CM is my FAVORITE. Cape May is a close second! I love their beach attire!

We toured SSR when we went on the DVC tour. It seriously looks so nice. Did I just read that they recently sold out?! That's pretty cool, but I don't know where I would buy into now! Maybe Old Key West? Or AKL? ha! I have a while until I make that decision! Gotta get a hubby first

I LOVE LOVE LOVE planning! Have you ever made a Trip Planner?! I'll be posting pictures on my TR of the one we had! You might really love it!

Alright, enough ranting! Can't wait to see your more of your plans!

 

[jpmom97]

Your plans look awesome! I love them! I'm a little late, and will probably miss on commenting on a lot of things, but here are a few little things!

I love Earl of Sandwich. Seriously. I think that I could eat there for every meal. I also saw that you are eating at Ohana! I have only been there once, but I would love to eat there again!

I WANT TO EAT AT BE OUR GUEST RESTAURANT. We are planning on going next July (of 2013) just for the Fantasyland expansion. I HAVE to see it!

The character breakfast at CM is my FAVORITE. Cape May is a close second! I love their beach attire!

We toured SSR when we went on the DVC tour. It seriously looks so nice. Did I just read that they recently sold out?! That's pretty cool, but I don't know where I would buy into now! Maybe Old Key West? Or AKL? ha! I have a while until I make that decision! Gotta get a hubby first

I LOVE LOVE LOVE planning! Have you ever made a Trip Planner?! I'll be posting pictures on my TR of the one we had! You might really love it!

Alright, enough ranting! Can't wait to see your more of your plans!

Thank you so much for reading!! I can't wait to see pictures of your Trip Planner! I just have a notebook right now, wasn't sure if I should purchase a book or a binder.

 

[jpmom97]

Today I started my job at Target! This is how we will be paying for most of the trip. DH said he has the tickets covered, all my money will go to dining plan, gas and spending money. It was very weird to work, I haven't worked in 10 years! After DH got transferred to another part of the state, it wasn't worth putting Jace in day care so I just became a SAHM. Now that all of them are in school I do something part time, just forgot how tiring it is LOL. My back is killing me!!

Some goals I have before this trip for the trip are:

1. To pay off the dining plan by July. I hope to have all the money so when the new rates come out I can just call and pay.

2. Make all the kids autograph books, including the 14 yo! I love to scrapbook so I think I can do this. With part of my first pay check I am going to buy a book binder machine, The Cinch V2. I will post them when I start making them.

3. Lose another 20 lbs. Since going vegan I have lost 20 lbs, so more would be good. Hoping DH surprises me with a tread mill with our tax check money. I keep dropping hints.

4. Be packed by September and only buy clearance clothes for the kids at work. Georgie has all of Jace's clothes from when he was little (I save them all!) but Jace and Natalie will need new stuff. They wear uniforms to school so they are pretty low on jeans, shirts, shorts etc. From the pictures of January TR's that I have read, everyone is in jeans and long sleeves! I have a tendency to go nuts when I shop so if I can keep it to clearance, I think Iwill be ok. I don't want to dip into my Disney budget. I already have all the poncho's packed LOL.

5. Make sure the kids save all the birthday and Christmas money for spending money at Disney. This shouldn't be too hard, only for Georgie who is a summer birthday, the other 2 are November and January, I think they can do it.

I think these are pretty reasonable goals, hopefully I can stick to them.

 

[jpmom97]

I have been reading many PTR's and TR's talking about the YES program. Had no clue what it was. When I finally looked up and researched it, wow what a deal! I had planned on using it for my Girl Scout troop and our trip in 6 years (we are too young to travel, have to wait that long to be allowed to go to Fl.) I didn't know the program was available for individuals. If there is a class during our trip, we are going to take advantage of this program. Jace wants to take the photography one, Natalie the marine animals and Georgie animation. This means we can actually add more days in the parks b/c the tickets are much more reasonable

I just wanted to share some pictures I was able load from our December 2009 vacation. We were there from the 6-16th. It was a great trip and our first with bringing friends. It was a different experience as we like to get up and go at the crack of dawn, not everyone is like us but we had a good time.

The kids at a fountain near The Lady and Sons


Looking for alligators at my dad's place


Getting out tickets at Shades of Green (I guess Georgie had to use the potty)



Downtown Disney


These are from our March 2011 trip

Hangin out at Epcot


While the boys rode Test Track a few times, Nat and I checked out the characters






Poor little guy has a broke bill! I bet he gets taken care of by everyone here.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hi I just found you and love the sound of your plans I've been to both Italy and epcot and will say I think Tutti Italia is closer to what I experienced in the real Italy. Have to admit though I do love them and Mama Melroses too. I think I'd rank them 1st Tutti I 2nd MM and 3rd VN. Hope that helps. Also love Raglan Road though my kids prefer Rainforest

 

[DMGeurts]

I loved all the photo updates! I am glad that you are able to go for extra days now - that's so awesome!

D~

 

[teekathepony]

Hello! Followed the link in your sig, caught myself up and am subbing for the rest!