Shark attack at WDW!!! (pre-trip report)

[SharkyGoddess]

1st ever Pre-trip report

Characters:
Babboo ~ 42 year old computer geek by profession
Sharky ~ 35 year old PSAHM, researching to be an LC/GN
DS #1 ~ 13 year old guitar lovin', King of Sarcasm, thrill ride seeker
DD ~ 11 year old, BIT who will be celebrating her birthday the day we arrive
DS #2 ~ 2 year old Buzz Lightyear's #1 fan, Einstein and Car's lovin', rowdy little boy

How our trip came to be: Babboo and I met through a Halloween enthusiasts group, hit it off and have aggravated each other ever since. We had been talking about taking a trip together for a few months when I mentioned US's Halloween celebration. We both agreed it would be too intense not only for the little guy but for my daughter as well and that's when I started looking at Disney. Until then, I had never heard of MNSSHP. This is where the madness began. We checked calendars, coordinated dates, agonized over hotel choices, and happened upon the DISboards. Through here we learned we had chosen the wrong hotel (for us anyway), and we learned all about ADR's.

Fast forward to now: It's taken us weeks to decide on costumes, but am happy to say they have been bought, and I think we'll all look great! Our hotel has been changed three times now, and I think we are finally satisfied with the arrangements. We have matched all of our park days to coincide with our ADR's, making the mad dash a little less stressful to meet our reservation times. Now we are just in the 30 day wait, and beginning our countdown! YAY!!!

Our Daily Plans:
Friday: Leave for Florida, drive as far as we can and then rest over night.

Saturday: Arrive bright an early. Check in (hopefully the room is available, if not, no biggie). Head off to Epcot for a relaxing, happy to be off our butts and walking day, snacking (and lushing) our way around the world. Then it's off to an evening ADR - Birthday celebration for DD, followed by some DTD exploring time.

Sunday: LOEMH then we're off to Animal Kingdom for the day. No ADR's today, but we are planning for a lunch or dinner (depending on what the crew wants) at Rainforest Cafe. I love this place!

Monday: Magic Kingdom for the day, then MNSSHP for the evening. No ADR's, since we will be leaving the park to get ready for the party I decided we needed just to keep the day flexible and grab something on our way to the hotel and take out time getting ready.

Tuesday: Breakfast ADR at Hollywood & Vine with Little Einstein's for the little guy. Then we plan on staying in MGM for the day. We may try to see the Cars parade. In the evening we have an ADR at SciFi for oldest DS (each kiddo was allowed to choose a restaurant using the WONDERFUL restaurant and menu pictures we found on here.)

Wednesday: LOEMH again, then our day is completely open to where ever we all decide to revisit. We have an evening ADR in Magical Kingdom at Tony's. This one was my choice since I love Lady and the Tramp and can't wait to see the decor.

Thursday: Today is another, no stress, do what we want day. Not even an ADR!

Friday: We'll be checking out and heading back home, but we'll be in no rush. We have a lunch ADR for Planet Hollywood and I am sure we will piddle around in DTD some.

Lessons learned about WDW planning: Since this is only my third trip to the World, and my very first week long one, I am very happy to have found this board and all of those truly happy, helpful DISers. I had no idea, having only spent a couple of one day trips to Magic Kingdom only, that reservations were even required, much less how far in advance they need to be made. I am also very happy for the suggestions of two excellent books which we have purchased and looked to several times for tips and suggestions. Hopefully with the planning we have done, we have made it so this trip will be fun and as stress free as possible!

*I'm sure I will add little tid-bits during the 30 day countdown*

 

[SharkyGoddess]

At least as far as Disney planning goes.

I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I decided I would create a trip binder and fill it with every little piece of paper I thought we would need. Babboo decorated it, and I and my oldest DS organized it. Inside I made two calendars. One I decorated in the YOAMS theme, since our trip is based around MNSSHP, and wrote on each day where we would be as well as the dates, times and confirmation numbers for all ADR's. The other I made notes of each parks EMH's and the LOEMH's so we could make plans and go if the mood struck us.

Next I made copies of all e-mailed and snail mailed booking confirmations for each ADR, our hotel rooms and even my DD's birthday plans and cake. You can never be too prepared for something to go wrong!

The rest of the binder is organized by park. I went online and printed off park maps, and park specific information such as rides, parades, fireworks (each with a brief description) and even the "secrets" for each park. This is where my oldest DS helped me the most. He thought it would be a good idea to make a list including all of the little hidden things we could be looking for along the way during our day, or things we may not notice while standing in line waiting for our ride. We then also decided to look at each restaurant in each park and make a few notes of which ones we'd like to try, provided they do not require ADR's. We even printed off the menu's for a few. My next task will be making a list for Babboo and I of which drinks we'd like to try and where they are located, and I know just the thread to get this info from!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

But why for the love of all that's good am I doing this at 2 AM?!?!?

Because the wee one knows I'm getting ready to do something fun, that's why!

Yes, I decided for the family that we all must match at least two of the days we are there, then to make the teen and tween happy, I let them pick out their DISigns and made shirts JUST for them.

***Here is where I shout out a HUGE we're not worthy thank you to the talented ladies in the creative DISigns section of this board. You gals are incredible!!!***

For our shirts we have the cute as can be little Mickey & Minnie stick people complete with our real names and the year of our trip. This will be pure torture for the teen & tween. Then for MNSSHP I decided we could all be cute and match again, so I picked out a Haunted Mansion tribute and I have to admit, it's my favorite shirt of them all! DS #1 chose a shirt with the Rockin' Roller coaster since he loves Aerosmith and guitars. DD chose a pirates theme, and added a bit about it being her birthday on it. For DS #2 we chose his favorite character and it is just too adorable! Even matches his lime green crocs!

Which brings me to our shoes. NEVER EVER EVER in my life did I think I would be wearing crocs. They were hideous! And how could they possibly be comfo.... heyyyyy these are pretty darn comfortable! I really like these! Lime green you say??? Well it's only one of my favorite colors anyway, so he77's yea!!! So for me, Babboo and the babe, we all have lime green crocs. DS #1 has black (cause ya know he's cool like that!) and DD has the black POTC, which she loves and DS #2 has a pair to match.

When we arrive at WDW I have already informed everyone, we will be getting Mickey ears, no questions, complaints or whining allowed.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

YAY!!! I found Ya! Sounds like you have a great plan! Looks like you have done a great job of planning something for everyone! Make sure you catch the Stars in Motorcars parade at MGM...It's my DH & DS's favorite parade and it ends this year, so if you want to see itn now's your chance! I'm soo jealous you're going during LOEMH time....my DD would love that!
I can't wait to hear more with your next update!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

YAY!!! I found Ya! Sounds like you have a great plan! Looks like you have done a great job of planning something for everyone! Make sure you catch the Stars in Motorcars parade at MGM...It's my DH & DS's favorite parade and it ends this year, so if you want to see itn now's your chance! I'm soo jealous you're going during LOEMH time....my DD would love that!
I can't wait to hear more with your next update!

Thank ya! I've had a lot of fun planning and I guess my next job is making sure (over the next 32 days) that we have everything we need to go!

 

[pixie dust 112]

Yippie I found ya! SOunds like you're going to have a lot of fun! DOn't forget your LGMHPCs!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Bonk (sound of me landing on my butt) I found you and i'm glad I did, this looks like it will be a fun read

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Glad to have you all here

LGMH's are signed and ready to laminate!

 

[crossfamily]

Sounds like you peeps have everything planned out great. You will have so much fun. Your shirts sound great can't wait to see pictures.. My ds and his friends got the yoamd's mickey ears I was so jealous. (I stole my son's he hasnt' noticed yet)

 

[2girlsmom]

Great Pre-TR, Sharky! Sounds like everything is well under control!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

This will be our official contribution to the LOTW! Babboo and I both enjoy a good drink, and I've started a little list that I'm sure he'll add to of the ones I would like to try. More than likely we'll just share, unless we find ourselves fighting over the strw... then he's on his own!

Hopefully we can find all (or most) of these drinks in portable form, and I LOVE keepsake glasses! We promise to take drink pics for our trip report after we return.


Whispering Canyon Cafe
Cactus margarita
Year of a Million Dreams


SciFi
Martians
Dad's Electric Lemonade


Animal Kingdom
Lapu Lapu ~Ohana
Last on Safari ~Africa


Epoct
Margaritas ~Mexico
Beer around the World
Frozen Alcoholic Drinks ~France
Peach schnapps and Oolong tea slushie ~China
Pina Coladas ~Morocco
Tangierine Daiquiri ~Morocco


Planet Hollywood
Blue Lagoon ~Y'all should have known the Shark would have her very own drink

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Yummy! Sounds like you like a lot of the same slushy fruity drinks that I do. I didn't realize they had a special YOAMD drink! The best part of that one is I an get it right at WL...after we put the kiddos to bed DHor I can go down and get a couple to take back to the room.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Whispering Canyon Cafe
This will be for our first night and DD's 12th Birthday celebration!

Hollywood & Vine
We are having breakfast with Little Einstein's for our little guy. I can't wait!

SciFi Drive In
This was oldest DS's restaurant pic.

Tony's Bistro
I picked this one because it just seemed so cute! Who doesn't love Lady & the Tramp?

Planet Hollywood DTD
We'll be having lunch here on our check out day. I figured we could look around DTD before we head for home. Stalling? Me? Neverrrrr

***These are not my pictures, they are some found searching the web***

Again, we promise to take detailed restaurant and food pics to share!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Yummy! Sounds like you like a lot of the same slushy fruity drinks that I do. I didn't realize they had a special YOAMD drink! The best part of that one is I an get it right at WL...after we put the kiddos to bed DHor I can go down and get a couple to take back to the room.

I searched the drink list and found you can get the drink several places actually. It looks/sounds yummy and comes with a cool LED ice cube!

I haven't really seen any info on whether ASMu has a pool bar, so we may be sol in the sneaking down after the kids pass out.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I searched the drink list and found you can get the drink several places actually. It looks/sounds yummy and comes with a cool LED ice cube!

I haven't really seen any info on whether ASMu has a pool bar, so we may be sol in the sneaking down after the kids pass out.

Cool! I'll have to give that a try...I think ASMu does have a pool bar, but I'm not 100% on that.

Your Adr's sound good! I'v heard the Hollywood & Vine char. meal is great....wish it had been there when DD was 2.

Just an FYI....My DD FREAKED OUT when she was 2 when we ate at Sci-Fi...I'm not sure if it was the darkness ot the movies or what, but she was fine when we took her out, but the second we went back in, she screamed like bloody murder...We got through, just took turns walking in the lobby with her.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Cool! I'll have to give that a try...I think ASMu does have a pool bar, but I'm not 100% on that.

Your Adr's sound good! I'v heard the Hollywood & Vine char. meal is great....wish it had been there when DD was 2.

Just an FYI....My DD FREAKED OUT when she was 2 when we ate at Sci-Fi...I'm not sure if it was the darkness ot the movies or what, but she was fine when we took her out, but the second we went back in, she screamed like bloody murder...We got through, just took turns walking in the lobby with her.

I can't wait to do the Character breakfast, I think it will be a great start to the day

My little guy should do ok with the SciFi, he's been going to movies of all kinds since he was just a couple months old, so he used to the dark theaters and loud screens. I think he'll really love the cars too!

When are you guys headed back?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I can't wait to do the Character breakfast, I think it will be a great start to the day

My little guy should do ok with the SciFi, he's been going to movies of all kinds since he was just a couple months old, so he used to the dark theaters and loud screens. I think he'll really love the cars too!

When are you guys headed back?

We leave in exactly 83 days!!! (Not that I'm counting or anything! ) We will be at WL from 12-1 to 12-5 We are bringing my In'laws, too, so I'm a little nervous about making sure that I plan enough that We're not standing around trying to figure out what to do next, but not so much I stress out over a schedule.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

We leave in exactly 83 days!!! (Not that I'm counting or anything! ) We will be at WL from 12-1 to 12-5 We are bringing my In'laws, too, so I'm a little nervous about making sure that I plan enough that We're not standing around trying to figure out what to do next, but not so much I stress out over a schedule.

We've been counting it down too!

Christmas time will be fun, I am sure you all will have a great time and I can't wait to see all the Christmassy pics!!!

 

[Babboo]

My little guy should do ok with the SciFi, he's been going to movies of all kinds since he was just a couple months old, so he used to the dark theaters and loud screens. I think he'll really love the cars too!

Don't forget the "dude rides" - those are the best!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Don't forget the "dude rides" - those are the best!!!

Speaking of "Dude", make sure you see Turtle Talk with Crush when you're in Epcot. They'll love that!