Shh! Don't tell them we're going back! May 2012 (updated 4/25)

[wakica]

I LOVE all your purchases!!!! I sure wish we had a few more disney things in the stores here. It's just the basic over the top stuff which dd won't wear but i'd love some more milder disney tops for dd14 like you were able to find for your dd!!

I need to get travel entertainment taken care of soon too. DD said she'd like to colour some pictures while on the plane to keep our mind on Disney but I don't want a large colouring book so i'm finding it hard t find something more compact. I like the little booklets you got. Should provide some good entertainment.

MK day sounds good too We are hoping for low crowds too but won't find them as low as you considering we aren't heading in for an ADR. I bet it's nice to be in the park before opening to get some great pics of an empty park!!!

 

[amazingact21]

Love the shirts you bought for your DDs! The "Toys Just Wanna Have Fun" made me laugh....

Looks like a fun day at MK, and what better way to start it then a CP breakfast?

The tea at the GF sounds like a lot of fun, hope everyone is feeling up to it this time.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I LOVE all your purchases!!!! I sure wish we had a few more disney things in the stores here. It's just the basic over the top stuff which dd won't wear but i'd love some more milder disney tops for dd14 like you were able to find for your dd!!

I need to get travel entertainment taken care of soon too. DD said she'd like to colour some pictures while on the plane to keep our mind on Disney but I don't want a large colouring book so i'm finding it hard t find something more compact. I like the little booklets you got. Should provide some good entertainment.

MK day sounds good too We are hoping for low crowds too but won't find them as low as you considering we aren't heading in for an ADR. I bet it's nice to be in the park before opening to get some great pics of an empty park!!!

Thanks! We got dd16's shirts at the Disney store. They also have them online. It is hard to find shirts for her. Last year she got some really cute ones at Sears.

I love the early entry ADR's. We are doing the same for Tusker House/Animal Kingdom. I don't know that I would do them if we could not get in early.

We got the play packs at Michael's. Last year we also go her a Tangled sticker book.

Love the shirts you bought for your DDs! The "Toys Just Wanna Have Fun" made me laugh....

Looks like a fun day at MK, and what better way to start it then a CP breakfast?

The tea at the GF sounds like a lot of fun, hope everyone is feeling up to it this time.

Thanks! That was one of my favorites. She was looking at a Muppets shirt (Animal) but they did not have her size.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Day 3 (May 2nd)

Hollywood Studios​

We are planning on being there bright and early!

I am thinking that we will head to TSM and perhaps ride it. After that, DH and DD16 will most likely head to TOT. DD8 and I might get 2 TSM fastpasses for later.

Star Tours was closed last year, so we want to do that this time.

DD8 is thinking that she might want to try TOT this time.

Here are some of the repeats and new things we would like to do at Hollywood Studios.

Repeats:
TSM
TOT
Muppet Vision 3D

Animation Academy

New:
Star Tours

Indiana Jones
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast Live
Lights, Motors, Action **This is supposed to be closed on the 2nd, so if DH really wants to do it, we may come back later.**


We will, of course be stopping at the many fountains.

Last year we ate lunch at Sci-fi

But this year we are going to grab a CS lunch (girls are voting for Pizza Planet) and we have an ADR for dinner at 50's Primetime Cafe.

We are going to skip Fantasmic this year also.

DO YOU SEE MY TICKER!!! IT STARTS WITH THE WORDS TWO WEEKS!!!!!

Next will be MK for EMH and Epcot

 

[amazingact21]

Busy day at DHS!

I think 50's will make for a fun dinner that evening.


Curious to see if your DD8 rides ToT...I'm an adult and am still terrified of it.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Busy day at DHS!

I think 50's will make for a fun dinner that evening.


Curious to see if your DD8 rides ToT...I'm an adult and am still terrified of it.

Well, some of those things only DH and DD16 will do. And we have free days at the end of our trip for any last minute things we missed.

TOT - I agree with you. I try not to influence my girls, but that will be a ride that Daddy takes her on!

I know that DD16 is also thinking that she may want to try RnR!

We are pretty flexible. What we have planned now, may not be what people feel like doing on that day. It's all about having fun!

I am more uncertain this time because of the fastpass enforcement. DH swears that we used all of our Fastpasses within the time frame, but now that we HAVE to, I am stressing a little.

 

[MHTeacher]

DHS day sounds fun and busy!

You must try to see Beauty and the Beast! We love it, and never miss it during any trip!

I think y'all will enjoy 50's Prime Time. It's a fun place to eat dinner.

So close....You must be getting pretty excited!

 

[racefanof88]

Loves the shirts . Your plans sound great!! The new Star Tours is AWESOME, we love it!!

 

[accountingbabe08]

I enjoyed reading about your plans and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Elleshoodat]

OMG, two-and-a-half weeks!!!

I am at exactly three weeks today ... is the anticipation killing you, or what?

 

[wakica]

See you on May 2nd!!!

I just had to say that b/c I'm SURE we will run into you. lol We plan to be there early that day and will head straight to TSM FP's then ride it, then head down to the busy area of RnR and ToT. After we get those thrills out of our system we'll do FP returns times as needed and fit in ST and the Animation place too (the rest are different) so we HAVE to run across each others paths at some point right?? Oh we have ressies at 50's too but it's a late lunch for us at 2:55.

Hopefully it'll be while our families are in line for opening so we can pop over and say hi while we wait b/c if it's during the first rushed hour or so it'll just be a quick hello! lol. We are total commando tourists in the first hour or so of park opening.

I'll be watching for you!!!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

DHS day sounds fun and busy!

You must try to see Beauty and the Beast! We love it, and never miss it during any trip!

I think y'all will enjoy 50's Prime Time. It's a fun place to eat dinner.

So close....You must be getting pretty excited!

We cannot wait. We are really looking forward to Beauty and the Beast. I have heard great things about it.

Loves the shirts . Your plans sound great!! The new Star Tours is AWESOME, we love it!!

DH and dd16 are really excited for Star Tours, but I am just hoping I will not get Motion Sickness. I have heard that the new version is better (at not causing motion sickness). Fingers crossed!

I enjoyed reading about your plans and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I am so glad you stopped by!! I wanted to thank you for doing the fridge swap. It really makes a difference in our trip!

OMG, two-and-a-half weeks!!!

I am at exactly three weeks today ... is the anticipation killing you, or what?

I am about half crazy (well, maybe half crazy is normal for me? ) between excitement and stressing a bit about getting everything done in time.

See you on May 2nd!!!

I just had to say that b/c I'm SURE we will run into you. lol We plan to be there early that day and will head straight to TSM FP's then ride it, then head down to the busy area of RnR and ToT. After we get those thrills out of our system we'll do FP returns times as needed and fit in ST and the Animation place too (the rest are different) so we HAVE to run across each others paths at some point right?? Oh we have ressies at 50's too but it's a late lunch for us at 2:55.

Hopefully it'll be while our families are in line for opening so we can pop over and say hi while we wait b/c if it's during the first rushed hour or so it'll just be a quick hello! lol. We are total commando tourists in the first hour or so of park opening.

I'll be watching for you!!!

We will keep an eye out for you!

Though last time at DHS, I had to keep both eyes on dd8, to keep her from being run over during rope drop!

I am hoping that the new entry will cut down on the amount of craziness.
We are also commando the first hour or so too! Then we stop and take a breath.

Definitely stop and say hi if you see us!!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Day 4 - May 3rd


EMH at Magic Kingdom and then hopping over to Epcot

This morning we are going to take advantage of the EMH at Magic Kingdom.
We will focus on mostly Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

I am thinking that we will get fastpasses for Winnie the Pooh (and hopefully Mickey's Philharmagic will come with those, since they did last year)

Then we will head to Dumbo/Barnstormer.

We will hopefully ride Dumbo first and then barnstormer. (I really want to make it back to ride Dumbo at night too, since they have added the cool water/light show)

We want to all ride Peter Pan (DH and DD16 missed it last year).

There is some debate about doing the Snow White ride before it closes, however dd16 was totally traumatized by it when we took her to Disneyland when she was 5. This is making me think that her and DH could do it and dd8 and I will ride the carousel or something.


Then we will head over to Tomorrowland and catch Buzz lightyear and Monsters Inc. (Last year DD8 submitted a joke that was used!)
The peoplemover will be in there somewhere also.
DD16 and DH will most likely ride Space Mountain too.
DD8 has mentioned an interest in the Speedway, but we may just skip it.

As always, these plans are very flexible, depending on crowds and what people are feeling like.


We plan on leaving MK after this. (Depending on what time it is, we may do lunch at MK or after we leave) Some options are, Columbia Harbor House, Pecos bills, Contempo Cafe, Captain Cook's or just go back to Pop and grab something there.)

Oh and I am guessing a visit to Main Street Bakery will be in there somewhere too.

After a break at Pop, we will head to Epcot for dinner and to watch Illuminations! We are planning a nice leisurely stroll, with many stops, in the World Showcase.

We have an ADR at

Rose and Crown! I am torn about this ADR. I was looking forward to this meal the most, until they changed their menu!!!

No more Potato Leek soup! No Bangers and Mash! No Scotch Cake!

I have no idea what I will order, but dd8 is happy because they still have the fish and chips. This was her Favorite meal from last year.
Our ADR should be time perfectly to watch Illuminations. Hopefully we will get a patio seat.

 

[wakica]

sounds like a great day

We had originally planned to pop over to Epcot this everning for some walking around the WS and then illuminations but i just don't know now I had to change our plans and it was supposed to be an easy day with DH doing exotic car and evening at Epcot but we had to swap the driving experience and Sea World so this will be our SW day and I don't know that we'll have the energy to head over to WS after a full day at SW

Oh well, there is no way I would have run into you anyway this day b/c you have AWESOME seats for Illuminations b/c of your Ressie! Good for you!!! I love Illuminations. It's about the only show that's a MUST for me anymore.

 

[MHTeacher]

Love Peter Pan! Our favorite---We always try to make it the first ride of the day when we're at MK!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I have some SUPER, GREAT news. We added on a few days to go to Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens!!!

We are going to Busch Gardens on the 10th and Discovery Cove on the 11th!

I am so excited!!! We are keeping this part of our trip a surprise. I am HORRIBLE at keeping surprises secret. I hope I can manage to not spill the beans in the next two weeks.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Day 5 - May 4th
Animal Kingdom
​

We are going to Animal Kingdom today!!

We have an early ADR for Tusker House at 8:05am. woohoo: for early entry!!)

After we eat, DH will head to

to get some fastpasses for him and dd16

Then we are heading to the Safari. I am looking forward to seeing the new part.


We will also do

We want to watch Finding Nemo, since last time we did the Festival of the Lion King (which we loved!)


We are also thinking of these things.
Flights of Wonder
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Boneyard
Checking out the animals on the Trek and Trail
Some Character Meet and Greets


We will get lunch at a Counter Service and we have an ADR at Rainforest Cafe at 6:30pm

Here are some pictures of Animal Kingdom from last year.

Next Day is a "Rest" Day...but there will be no resting!! lol

 

[wakica]

I have some SUPER, GREAT news. We added on a few days to go to Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens!!!

We are going to Busch Gardens on the 10th and Discovery Cove on the 11th!

I am so excited!!! We are keeping this part of our trip a surprise. I am HORRIBLE at keeping surprises secret. I hope I can manage to not spill the beans in the next two weeks.

YAY!!!!! That's GREAT news We love Busch and ADORE DC. wish we could afford to do DC every trip down. You'll have such a GREAT time have you been to either of them??

Wait, now that i'm thinking of it - we'll be at Busch the same day as you!!!!!! lol. We'll be sure to wave if we see you again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your AK day sounds nice too We Loooovve EE and Kali in that park and pretty much spend most of our day between the two and grabbing fast passes and viewing animals. it's never a late day for us in that park which makes for some nice down time in the late aft/eve.

I can wait to read about your so called REST day - it sounds like our REST days.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

YAY!!!!! That's GREAT news We love Busch and ADORE DC. wish we could afford to do DC every trip down. You'll have such a GREAT time have you been to either of them??

Wait, now that i'm thinking of it - we'll be at Busch the same day as you!!!!!! lol. We'll be sure to wave if we see you again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your AK day sounds nice too We Loooovve EE and Kali in that park and pretty much spend most of our day between the two and grabbing fast passes and viewing animals. it's never a late day for us in that park which makes for some nice down time in the late aft/eve.

I can wait to read about your so called REST day - it sounds like our REST days.

Sounds like I am stalking you guys!

We have not been to DC or BG Tampa. We did go to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and we were not impressed at all. But when I noticed the pictures in your PTR from your visit to BG, I decided to go online and check it out. We were already thinking of doing DC and since we get a free ticket to BG, we thought we would go.

Spoiler Alert!!!! We signed DD16 up (DH will go with her) for the Tiger and Orangutan Keeper Experience. It was a great price. You pay $199 but you can have up to 6 people!! Unfortunately dd8 is too young (you have to be 10 and up), so her and I are doing the Serengeti Safari.

Oh do say hi if you see us! Don't worry if I look lost or crazy, I am really mostly sane.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Day 6 - May 5th
REST DAY!​

This day started out as a Non-park, rest day. But with over 8 months to plan and think, I started doing this...

"What if we are bored?"

"I know, we could do a dinner at Kona, that would still leave time for resting, laundry, swimming, etc."

"Hey, did you see this about the Dine with an Animal Specialist? It looks like fun and the girls LOVE animals. It is educational too! (This is a side effect of Homeschooling, everything can become educational and therefore, not a splurge but an investment in our children's future.) Looks like they only do it on certain days. Oh, they have an opening for the 5th!"

"Oh, we could also go to DTD and get our ornament"

"Avengers will be out, we could watch it at DTD." (this one was mostly DH!)


So, this is our rest day. We still get to sleep in but we have to be at Sanaa at 12:00pm and then we have a dinner ADR at Kona at 6:55pm.

Sounds restful, doesn't it!