She's Turning Five at Disney World, a September 2014 PTR

[GrandCalifornian]

Just checking back in from 11 nights at WDW. I love seeing your DLR photos because it's like another world to me - eerily familiar, yet not quite the same.

Can you give us a countdown update from your fancy schmancy special watchthingamajigger?

Hello, and welcome back. It looks like you had a nice trip, and survived the summer crowds. WL looks great, and we'll be visiting for sure in September.

We'll have to post some more DLR pics. It is so funny how we felt out of place at MK because it is so similar, yet different enough in layout to feel strange. Now we're familiar enough with both that we have a feel for both, but DL is still home.

Here's our countdown update, from today at lunch:


That means our FastPass+ date is fast approaching. We'll post an update soon with our plans for that, which is a new experience for us.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

It has been a little while since we posted an update, and since we're 66 days out is is just about time for our Fastpass + date. Normally we don't do many or any fastpasses at WDW, but with the new system we figured there are a few things we want to take advantage of it for.

We have been so busy lately! As Allie gets older it seems she keeps me busier and then we've got some major overhauls going on at work right now which suck my time away from the DIS.
So I've been following the FP+ discussions at a distance on the DIS for sometime. The discussions can get super heated and theres a lot of negativity surrounding it. The only bummer for us I think is only being able to preschedule one park per day as we do alot of hopping, however we normally have a headliner park for the day then hop to others to revisit attractions or for a meal so I think we'll figure out how to make it work.

We also have the recurring pass expiration issue, so we might actually be limited to booking fastpass + in advance to the two days which we have tickets for in our package, since our APs that we will actually be using show as expiring before then. That issue will be fixed when we get there, but not in time for the 60 day ADR window. But, ignoring that complication, here are the FP+ selections we want to try for:

1st: Anna and Elsa at MK. Yup, just like every other little girl in the country, Allie would like to meet Anna and Elsa. We think we'll try for this on the day of her BBB makeover, so she could meet Elsa as Elsa. Should be interesting. This is the one we'll try for at midnight , so we'll let you know how it works out.

if we get it our kid will be stoked, if not we'll pretend they don't exist...

2nd: Test Track on our first day. We think we can talk Allie into this one, so it will be our first chance to ride it all together. Besides being my favorite, it will fit our schedule nicely as we make our way to our ADR at Via Napoli.

3rd: 7 Dwarfs Mine Train on either Tuesday or Saturday, since we'll be in MK on both days. We could do it after LTT lunch or CP breakfast. We'll see what we can get.

4th: Expedition Everest shortly before our Yak and Yeti reservation on Tuesday. I figure that's better than doing them the other way around....

5th: Enchanted Tales with Belle before BOG. We might not wait until Thursday to do this for the first time of the trip, but we might as well schedule a return visit to make it a BandB evening since Belle is Grandma Nancy's favorite, and currently second only to Elsa in Allie's book.

6th: Tower of Terror on Friday morning before Hollywood and Vine. We want to experience the different ride mechanism for this ride than the one in CA. We'll see if everybody goes for it. I imagine Allie and at least one grandparent will sit this one out.

In sewing news... I haven't done any yet... not one stitch. Unfortunately with things busy at work and Allie's activities I just haven't had time. So when I found an Elsa dress on Zulily that looked like it might pass muster I ordered it so I'd at least have something.


It was so cute when Allie saw it. She looked all confused and asked Melissa when she had sewed it. She knows that Elsa doesn't have a snowflake on her chest, and in general she wants one that Melissa made (which is too cute) but she has agreed to a short sleeve version that might be cooler.

So I think the current plan is to make an Elsa dress without sleeves. as you can see the dress I ordered is a little big too so hopefully the one I make will be a better fit too. Without the snowflake of course though because Elsa doesn't have one of those on her dress.

That sewing project will be delayed yet again though because we leave later this week for our annual vacation trip to Southern Utah. We'll be gone for nine days, but once we get back we'll be completely focused on getting ready for WDW.

In other news, I've been training for the Disneyland Half Marathon which is at the end of August. It's going well and I'm super excited and terrified at the same time.

We have been doing training runs together, with Allie riding in her baby jogger stroller when she gets tired of running along.

I have a new DIS thread obsession lately and no surprise it has to do with being creative. I've been stalking this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3190181 where people have been coming up with all sorts of creative ways of decorating and personalizing their magic bands. I am seriously intrigued and am contemplating doing something with ours time permitting. I will for sure keep you updated if I decide to do anything crazy In the mean time that thread is full of inspiration, beware though, it's a time sucker.

In other Disney related ways of passing time, Melissa got me a neat book for Father's Day that I have been enjoying . It is: "Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disneys Magic Kingdoms" by Marty Sklar. He worked for Walt Disney as part of opening Disneyland and participated in the design and Imagineering of all the parks. It makes for some fascinating reading, and gives some more perspective on why things are as they are in the parks. One part that fascinated me was that when Michael Eisner took over as CEO in 1984, there were only two Disney hotels at WDW. They sure have come a long way.

 

[kastoney]

Welcome back! Our trip dates must be close as we hit 60 days on Monday at midnight so we will either be staying up or getting up to try for the elusive A&E fast pass. We plan on trying from 2 devices at once to hopefully get one for a day later in the trip. We are like you though, if we don't get it then our daughter will never know it'd an option. We are also hoping the events at MGM get extended.

Good luck on the sewing and marathon training! And thanks for the magic band link. We are craft incapable in our house so we are looking for some good and easy ideas. We have already accumulated some disney duck tape but may venture a bit further if we feel ambitious. By the time we leave we will be up to 8 sets of magic bands each due to multiple repeat mailings so we have lots of decorating to do ; )

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are you glad that you decided to stay at POR this year instead of the WL? I would think that the worst of the WL pool construction mess would be in September.

It has been a little while since we posted an update, and since we're 66 days out is is just about time for our Fastpass + date. Normally we don't do many or any fastpasses at WDW, but with the new system we figured there are a few things we want to take advantage of it for.

It will be fun to have a new ride to try on your trip. We will only be at WDW for five days and I think I'm going to try to go on the Seven Dwarfs ride three times. I want a spare, just in case.

So I've been following the FP+ discussions at a distance on the DIS for sometime. The discussions can get super heated and theres a lot of negativity surrounding it. The only bummer for us I think is only being able to preschedule one park per day as we do alot of hopping, however we normally have a headliner park for the day then hop to others to revisit attractions or for a meal so I think we'll figure out how to make it work.

We always park hop, too. Hopefully, there will be plenty of rides that you can go on without a fp. There is always the option of getting a fourth fast pass.

2nd: Test Track on our first day. We think we can talk Allie into this one, so it will be our first chance to ride it all together. Besides being my favorite, it will fit our schedule nicely as we make our way to our ADR at Via Napoli.

Test Track always reminds me of driving the Mustang that we used to own. I tended to drive fast once or twice.

5th: Enchanted Tales with Belle before BOG. We might not wait until Thursday to do this for the first time of the trip, but we might as well schedule a return visit to make it a BandB evening since Belle is Grandma Nancy's favorite, and currently second only to Elsa in Allie's book.

This is a cute attraction. Does Allie want to play any of the roles this year?

So I think the current plan is to make an Elsa dress without sleeves. as you can see the dress I ordered is a little big too so hopefully the one I make will be a better fit too. Without the snowflake of course though because Elsa doesn't have one of those on her dress.

That will be cute.

In other news, I've been training for the Disneyland Half Marathon which is at the end of August. It's going well and I'm super excited and terrified at the same time.

That's really great that training is going well. It is tough to run that far. I ran the WDW half marathon about 12 years ago. It was lots of fun. It most likely won't be a high pressure race. Have you run any shorter races? I hope your training continues to go well.

We have been doing training runs together, with Allie riding in her baby jogger stroller when she gets tired of running along.

Sounds like a fun family activity.

I have a new DIS thread obsession lately and no surprise it has to do with being creative. I've been stalking this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3190181 where people have been coming up with all sorts of creative ways of decorating and personalizing their magic bands. I am seriously intrigued and am contemplating doing something with ours time permitting. I will for sure keep you updated if I decide to do anything crazy In the mean time that thread is full of inspiration, beware though, it's a time sucker.

I wish that I was good at painting because those decorated MB's look really cool. We have a lot of spare bands, too. I should get brave and try decorating one.

In other Disney related ways of passing time, Melissa got me a neat book for Father's Day that I have been enjoying . It is: "Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms" by Marty Sklar. He worked for Walt Disney as part of opening Disneyland and participated in the design and Imagineering of all the parks. It makes for some fascinating reading, and gives some more perspective on why things are as they are in the parks. One part that fascinated me was that when Michael Eisner took over as CEO in 1984, there were only two Disney hotels at WDW. They sure have come a long way.

When we first started taking our kids to WDW there were only two resorts and one park. Boy has it come a long way since then.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Bumping up from page two and wishing our favorite DLRers a HAPPY 59th ANNIVERSARY! Did you make it over there today for any celebratory activities?

I can understand and appreciate the whole busy thing, but have you started the Elsa dress yet? I'm looking forward to checking out your MB link. There should be some fun and creative photos posted. When I last checked MDX, we had 15 MBs in our account. When we checked in to WL, they had to deactivate some because they said we could only have 8 at a time activated

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Welcome back! Our trip dates must be close as we hit 60 days on Monday at midnight so we will either be staying up or getting up to try for the elusive A&E fast pass. We plan on trying from 2 devices at once to hopefully get one for a day later in the trip. We are like you though, if we don't get it then our daughter will never know it'd an option. We are also hoping the events at MGM get extended.

Good luck on the sewing and marathon training! And thanks for the magic band link. We are craft incapable in our house so we are looking for some good and easy ideas. We have already accumulated some disney duck tape but may venture a bit further if we feel ambitious. By the time we leave we will be up to 8 sets of magic bands each due to multiple repeat mailings so we have lots of decorating to do ; )

We arrive on September 13th, and can't wait. We are still on our way home from a Utah vacation, but we were able to get A&E fast passes for our last full day. We also got everything else we wanted on the days we wanted, so it should be fun. Once we are home we'll make our final payment and start Magic Band decorating.

Are you glad that you decided to stay at POR this year instead of the WL? I would think that the worst of the WL pool construction mess would be in September.

It will be fun to have a new ride to try on your trip. We will only be at WDW for five days and I think I'm going to try to go on the Seven Dwarfs ride three times. I want a spare, just in case.

We always park hop, too. Hopefully, there will be plenty of rides that you can go on without a fp. There is always the option of getting a fourth fast pass.

Test Track always reminds me of driving the Mustang that we used to own. I tended to drive fast once or twice.


This is a cute attraction. Does Allie want to play any of the roles this year?

That will be cute.

That's really great that training is going well. It is tough to run that far. I ran the WDW half marathon about 12 years ago. It was lots of fun. It most likely won't be a high pressure race. Have you run any shorter races? I hope your training continues to go well. Sounds like a fun family activity.

I wish that I was good at painting because those decorated MB's look really cool. We have a lot of spare bands, too. I should get brave and try decorating one.

When we first started taking our kids to WDW there were only two resorts and one park. Boy has it come a long way since then.

We are following the WL pool situation, and we still feel that it wouldn't be bad if we were there. We are looking forward to trying something else, and saving some money, but we really wouldn't have any problem if we were booked at WL.

We got two 7DMT fast passes so we are looking forward to that. I think we will be at MK more this trip than we have in the past. Allie says she wants to be something when she visits Belle's house. Last time she was a plate, but she now says she wants to be Belle's Papa. Whatever, I am sure she will have fun.

The Disneyland Half will be Melissa's first race, but the goal is just to finish. It has been fun training for it, and will be a neat accomplishment.

Bumping up from page two and wishing our favorite DLRers a HAPPY 59th ANNIVERSARY! Did you make it over there today for any celebratory activities?

I can understand and appreciate the whole busy thing, but have you started the Elsa dress yet? I'm looking forward to checking out your MB link. There should be some fun and creative photos posted. When I last checked MDX, we had 15 MBs in our account. When we checked in to WL, they had to deactivate some because they said we could only have 8 at a time activated

Thanks for stopping in and thinking of us in relation to DLR. We were in Utah though, and are on our way home now.

Melissa hasn't started the Elsa dress, but once we are home some time should free up. In less than two months we will be there, so the clock is ticking.

That is something about hitting the MB limit. That shows you make it to WDW almost enough, although more times always seems nicer.

 

[fancifull]

I have not actually read ANY of this pre-trip report yet, but I did just finish reading your entire Sept 2013 report! I couldn't comment there because it's closed But my friends and I are taking our first September trip this year so I was looking for some Sept 2013 reports to see how their experiences were and I found yours and we ended up LOVING IT. Allie is so cute. I've only been to WDW once so far and you all experienced completely different things than I did my first time so I learned a ton of new things, and your pictures were great too.

We arrive on the day you leave and I'm kind of sad about that! Even though you don't know us, we would have thought it was pretty cool if we passed you and Allie on the monorail or something.

Our party is a group of 3 adults who are all on the Dis and your idea of using blue/orange to show different speakers is really inspiring us too, we just started our Pre-Trip Report with that concept, so thank you for that as well. I'm definitely going to be following along with your (pre) trip report.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have not actually read ANY of this pre-trip report yet, but I did just finish reading your entire Sept 2013 report! I couldn't comment there because it's closed But my friends and I are taking our first September trip this year so I was looking for some Sept 2013 reports to see how their experiences were and I found yours and we ended up LOVING IT. Allie is so cute. I've only been to WDW once so far and you all experienced completely different things than I did my first time so I learned a ton of new things, and your pictures were great too.

We arrive on the day you leave and I'm kind of sad about that! Even though you don't know us, we would have thought it was pretty cool if we passed you and Allie on the monorail or something.

Our party is a group of 3 adults who are all on the Dis and your idea of using blue/orange to show different speakers is really inspiring us too, we just started our Pre-Trip Report with that concept, so thank you for that as well. I'm definitely going to be following along with your (pre) trip report.

Great, we're glad to have you following along! I didn't realize the TR posts had been closed, but I suppose they do that after a period of time. At least you found us here, and feel free to post anywhere.

We love going in September! Our first trip together was in July and it was super busy. Then we went back in September 2012 and fell in love with the lack of crowds. We have done well the last two years with weather, which helps too. It is hot, and does rain some, but overall it has been very nice. We are hoping our good luck continues this year.

Isn't it amazing how many totally different things to do there are at WDW? We have had similar experiences where we read TRs and discovered things that we just had to try next time. It is really amazing how many different neat things are possible.

Perhaps we'll see you somewhere before we head home. If so, feel free to say hi! We'll probably just be around POR and DTD our last day, but you never know.

We're glad you like the different colors for us speaking. We share the username although I (Paul) post most of the time on other threads, we wanted a way to discuss things back and forth on the reports. We have fun with it, and will check out your report to see how it works for you. It should be fun.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Today is the day we decided to make our final payment, and we're proud to be joined by a guest from the wonderful WL FAQ thread:



Yep, Mr. PIF dancer guy!!!

We are all official.

I had planned to make the payment online from work today using Melissa's Disney Visa (for our 6 months 0%), but of course when I log on today MDE brings up the "We're sorry. Detail payment information is not available at this time. Please try again later." message.

So I had a short break at work and got all of the details done over the phone.

and yes, I have my very own Visa, so I have my very own rewards points.

And yours is the deluxe one, so you get even more of those fun souvenir buying points

Plus the cool Castle design.

I also gave them our flight information for ME and requested additional luggage tags. In the past we have gate checked the stroller and Allie has used a carseat. This year we are leaving the carseat at home.

We are still debating what to do with the stroller because we always have gate checked it, and it has worked well, but now Allie is big enough that she could do without it until we get to the resort. If she's asleep at the airport though it sure would be nice to have.

But since we aren't carrying the carseat we could carry her or wake her up.

It is a funny reversal since I used to be very concerned about dealing with gate checking, but it has been easy the last two years (except for a small hiccup last year when we got off the plane before they had brought it up, and we had to ask someone to look for it.

My thought is that it is one less thing to deal with, one less thing to get through security but it's never been a big issue so I'm torn. We probably won't decide until the last minute.

At least now we'll have enough tags so that we have the option.

So, I think that's about all for today. We'll have more updates soon as we get things done in the 45 days and 16 hours left until we're headed to Disney World!

 

[WDWKOOK]

YIPPEE for PIF Dancing Guy! He always makes a trip seem more real and he really likes Dancing Banana Boy. Maybe these will be new Marvel characters?

I find it hard to believe that you had any issues with MDX. I've gotten plenty of ADR errors telling me to politely try later. I like that you didn't give up and you used your Kastle Kard

I would go ahead and gate check the stroller. You'll be surprised how much Allie will still use it and if she does konk out at the airport, no one will have to hold her or lay her down in those airport seats. I know she's a big girl now, but you'll be surprised how much they don't mind still being pushed around and you won't have the car seat so you've still lightened the load this trip.

45 DAYS

 

[kaelalala]

joining in!! I read all of your last year's TR and had so much fun seeing all the shenanigans you guys got up to. cant wait to read more

 

[njkastle]

Gramma Nancy votes for the stroller. She wants to use it as a walker or crawl in it herself!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

YIPPEE for PIF Dancing Guy! He always makes a trip seem more real and he really likes Dancing Banana Boy. Maybe these will be new Marvel characters?

I find it hard to believe that you had any issues with MDX. I've gotten plenty of ADR errors telling me to politely try later. I like that you didn't give up and you used your Kastle Kard

I would go ahead and gate check the stroller. You'll be surprised how much Allie will still use it and if she does konk out at the airport, no one will have to hold her or lay her down in those airport seats. I know she's a big girl now, but you'll be surprised how much they don't mind still being pushed around and you won't have the car seat so you've still lightened the load this trip.

45 DAYS

Hello! Yes Allie still likes her stroller, and when she doesn't want to ride in it she does help push it, so that works out well. We have a City Mini Baby Jogger that we love (and will do another post about soon as we get it cleaned up for the trip) so it folds easily and is pretty light.

joining in!! I read all of your last year's TR and had so much fun seeing all the shenanigans you guys got up to. cant wait to read more

Great, we're glad to have you following along. We should have some more updates soon since we've only got 44 days and 10 hours to go. Melissa has time scheduled this weekend for sewing.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Gramma Nancy votes for the stroller. She wants to use it as a walker or crawl in it herself!

We will definitely bring the stroller, but the question is do we want it at the airport. We'll probably still gate check it like we have before. Allie would love to push you in it. If we don't carry it though at least you'll have your new suitcase to walk with.

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Congrats on paid in full!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We will definitely bring the stroller, but the question is do we want it at the airport. We'll probably still gate check it like we have before. Allie would love to push you in it. If we don't carry it though at least you'll have your new suitcase to walk with.

Our daughter didn't take a stroller for Luke (the one with the same birth date as Allie) for their stay at All Star Music last month. Their room was in the building that was as far from the buses as you can get. It was quite a walk. They ended up renting a stroller at the park starting with their third day. It just made things easier. But they didn't really need the stroller at the airport or for checking in and out of the resort.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Congrats on paid in full!!

Thanks! We got the email confirmation today which is neat to see. Now all that's left is waiting, some sewing, and before long packing.

Our daughter didn't take a stroller for Luke (the one with the same birth date as Allie) for their stay at All Star Music last month. Their room was in the building that was as far from the buses as you can get. It was quite a walk. They ended up renting a stroller at the park starting with their third day. It just made things easier. But they didn't really need the stroller at the airport or for checking in and out of the resort.

Ahh yes. One of the things we discussed was what we would do if we checked the stroller and something happened to it, and we would want to rent one just like it, or would order one from Amazon to have it shipped to the resort. Even last night at the mall Allie decided she didn't want to walk and the stroller was in the car, so Daddy got to carry her. She gets heavy really quick.

 

[kastoney]

Congrats on paying in full!!!! Such a nice feeling to know you've paid for everything and whatever else you spend is just cake.

For what it is worth we use one of the orlando area stroller rentals that meets us at the hotel. That way we don't have to lug the stroller through the airport but still have one for the parks. I think our last week long visit was pretty cheap, something like $70. It was a very nice citi mini which was a step up for us.

 

[godders]

I looked at your TR from your Sept trip last year as that's when I'm headed to WDW this year and your family family seems so lovely!

I was 4 the first time I went to WDW so it's amazing to see someone 20 years on taking their own little one there. Allie looks awesome btw! Reminds me of me at that age wanting to go shopping for my birthday!

Anyway our trips overlap (just) as I leave on the evening of the 14th and am staying at POR as well (stayed there way-back-when it was Dixie Landings) so I can give you a heads up just before you come about how things are going.

Will keep an eye out for you guys as well as it would be awesome to meet you!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Congrats on paying in full!!!! Such a nice feeling to know you've paid for everything and whatever else you spend is just cake.

For what it is worth we use one of the orlando area stroller rentals that meets us at the hotel. That way we don't have to lug the stroller through the airport but still have one for the parks. I think our last week long visit was pretty cheap, something like $70. It was a very nice citi mini which was a step up for us.

Yeah, it is nice having the Disney balance be zero, now the next step is the credit card balance, but we have six months for that.

Melissa had looked at renting a stroller from one of the places that had the City Minis, but her cheap husband (me) doesn't want to spend the money when we can bring ours for free. We considered that last year when we saw the rental places will deliver water too so we would avoid the garden grocer minimum, but it still would cost more for us. Thanks for the idea though, it is a good one.

I looked at your TR from your Sept trip last year as that's when I'm headed to WDW this year and your family family seems so lovely!

I was 4 the first time I went to WDW so it's amazing to see someone 20 years on taking their own little one there. Allie looks awesome btw! Reminds me of me at that age wanting to go shopping for my birthday!

Anyway our trips overlap (just) as I leave on the evening of the 14th and am staying at POR as well (stayed there way-back-when it was Dixie Landings) so I can give you a heads up just before you come about how things are going.

Will keep an eye out for you guys as well as it would be awesome to meet you!

I was five for my first visit, and I still remember how much fun it was. I didn't get to go back until my honeymoon over 20 years later. We have made up for it the last two years though.

We love going in September, and have tended to be there earlier on the month than we will this time. The relatively light crowds are really great, so your time there should be nice.

We'll arrive in time for dinner on the 13th, so perhaps we will see you there. We are looking forward to made to order pasta from the food court.