Summer and Serendipity ~ July PTR ~ LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[annmarieda]

Sorry I missed a couple updates! Looks like you have some good plans made. I hope you do make it to Cali Grill this time if for no other reason than you really want to.

Congrats on the camera... I think it takes lovely photos.

And on the Mickey Mail. What do you think of the new luggage tags? Personally, I am conflicted. On one hand, I like how colorful they are. On the other... they make my eyes hurt.

And... touring with a four year old... Stroller. That is my tip. Zoe was super good about hanging out in it. We did the parks open to close... some of that with her dead asleep in the stroller. I still plan to bring on this trip... cause if she falls asleep... I dont' want to carry her.

 

[MEK]

That picture of Max is adorable! And - I love the hydrangea - my favorite flower. Mine don't have blooms quite the size yet.

Summer rain - it never lasts long. It's usually between 3 and 6 pm, although can occur randomly. It usually cools everything down. You want rain when its hot. It comes out of no where. Dollar store ponchos - they are the best. Don't leave home without them.

 

[tinacaplan]

No big outside the box thoughts, but have you considered doing one of the Mini Golf Courses? Winter Summerland Golf Courses are HUGE fun and I guess a 4 year old might love them.

Speaking of a 4 year old. What a handsome little fella, with his glasses on and that ever so cute smile! Hug him from me please!

Awww..thanks Karin! I will.

Congrats on Mickey tags! I wish they would do the same for oversea's guests. We used to get the package when we arrived, but no longer ........ it seems, didn't get Mickey extras in a long time.

That's too bad. I'm assuming its because of international shipping?

As for Florida summer rainshowers - imagine you stand in the shower and put it on full blast - that's your usual Florida summer rainshower!
No, honestly these rain showers are hard and the best option is to "hide". Whenever we see the clouds we head back to our resort, hoping to get there dry and sit it out. Time to unwind, do some laundry, sit on the balcony, whatever!

Thanks for the tip!

Sorry I missed a couple updates! Looks like you have some good plans made. I hope you do make it to Cali Grill this time if for no other reason than you really want to.

Um...you've been a little busy...and thanks! I think we'll make it there. I figure I can get Max to do one long meal during the trip! I'm hoping the monorail makes up for it! And I'll bribe him with something from MK after dinner. Mark is also really good about taking Max out for walks, too, when necessary. Not the optimal situation, but it'll do for now.

Congrats on the camera... I think it takes lovely photos.

Yes, I think it does...although I was surprised, as I went around taking pictures last night and uploading them, that my husband did not become suspicious and ask about the camera.

And on the Mickey Mail. What do you think of the new luggage tags? Personally, I am conflicted. On one hand, I like how colorful they are. On the other... they make my eyes hurt.

So true...

And... touring with a four year old... Stroller. That is my tip. Zoe was super good about hanging out in it. We did the parks open to close... some of that with her dead asleep in the stroller. I still plan to bring on this trip... cause if she falls asleep... I dont' want to carry her.

We are absolutely bringing his stroller. Don't know how we would have done it all without it last time. Unfortunately, Max isn't much for the stroller nap unless he is complete exhausted!

That picture of Max is adorable! And - I love the hydrangea - my favorite flower. Mine don't have blooms quite the size yet.

Summer rain - it never lasts long. It's usually between 3 and 6 pm, although can occur randomly. It usually cools everything down. You want rain when its hot. It comes out of no where. Dollar store ponchos - they are the best. Don't leave home without them.

i

Thank you! We have a couple hydrangeas in our yard that are already that big. I love them, too!
If I am remembering correctly from my youth, the rain is quick, but there's a lot of it.
And I will definitely be picking up some ponchos and a few other dollar store items before we go!

 

[tinacaplan]

30 DAYS!!!!!


...and only eight more days of school!!! ​

 

[brookelizabeth]

Over on my thread I had a brain fart and thought you were still staying at AKL, then I started to get caught up here and realized we chatted about this and I was one of those that convinced you to switch. I'm sleep deprived! I have an excuse!

Anyway, I'm FINALLY caught up! First, I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. It sounds like a very moving and beautiful service to honor him. I'm also sorry to hear about the not-so-great news for your Dad. Hopefully that changes as technology advances and they are able to help him.

Can you make an entire meal out of caramel?

Yes.

So, I'm stealing a play from Brook: I think I'll send Mark to get FPs for Star Tours while Max and I make our way to the stand-by line for TSM. Mark can meet us there, FPs in hand. After that, we'll either hit Lights Motor Action! or HISTK the playground, as I would like to use this as our "homebase" while Mark and I sneak out to Star Tours. Max will not be pleased if he knows we're riding something he can't (can you blame my short little guy?), so this will take some maneuvering on our part. I imagine that if we're able to accomplish all of this, we'll be ready to head back to the resort for some serious time at SAB.

Excellent plan! TSMM is DEFINITELY more busy that Star Tours in the AM, but Star Tours backs up quickly after. So your plan is perfect.

I think the first LMA! show is at 1:00. I *think*.

If Max cannot yet ride Star Tours and isn't too happy about you guys sneaking off, bring a treat back. They often forget allllllll about why they were mad at the sight of sugar or a toy! Not that I've ever done that...

That evening, we'll stay close to home and hit a 7 p.m. ADR at Cape May Cafe. All of Nicki's pictures of crab legs have me seriously drooling and since its right there we might as well go for it. I'm not a huge buffet fan, but I have to admit, they are easier with a small child.

Two words about Cape May dinner buffet: Un-Real.

Serious drool action.

I have never even had crab legs (generally not a seafood fan) and those things were amazing! They had calamari on the night I went - crazy awesome. And those potatoes.

Of course, I promptly proceeded to accidentally set the language on what I believe is German. Oops... I have an e-mail into Nikon and I'm sure its an easy fix, even if I can't figure it out on my own.

This made me spit at my screen. Sorry, so so funny!

Seriously one cute kid you have there.

As our wonderful week of Disney magic winds down, I find that I have far fewer plans.

That's always how I end up planning too. The last few days are fillers for what we missed!

I also have no idea how Max is going to react to the parks or to any of the rides. He was not as into them as I might have liked when we went in February, but it will be interesting to see what a difference four and a half months makes, not to mention the level of familiarity he will have with the whole thing.

Again...bribery. Remember Henry with Pirates? I'm about to cover the time he refused in my TR...and after that we bribed him with presents...the kid now LOVES Pirates and Jack Sparrow!

Okay - now, we have probably discussed this...but what are your Feb dates going to be? We will likely be 18-26 or so. Please tell me our dates overlap!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Over on my thread I had a brain fart and thought you were still staying at AKL, then I started to get caught up here and realized we chatted about this and I was one of those that convinced you to switch. I'm sleep deprived! I have an excuse!

Its true...you did direct me to those great shots of SAB, which pretty much clinched it for me.

Anyway, I'm FINALLY caught up! First, I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. It sounds like a very moving and beautiful service to honor him. I'm also sorry to hear about the not-so-great news for your Dad. Hopefully that changes as technology advances and they are able to help him.

Thank you. Unfortunately, death is a part of life, isn't it? And I truly believe that he's in a better place. It was just frustrating timing that my dad had yet another procedure on the very same day. I remain hopeful for him, though.

Excellent plan! TSMM is DEFINITELY more busy that Star Tours in the AM, but Star Tours backs up quickly after. So your plan is perfect.

I think the first LMA! show is at 1:00. I *think*.

If Max cannot yet ride Star Tours and isn't too happy about you guys sneaking off, bring a treat back. They often forget allllllll about why they were mad at the sight of sugar or a toy! Not that I've ever done that...

Thanks for the tip! And thanks for letting me know about LMA. I hadn't considered that.

Max will not be riding Star Tours...still not tall enough! And I will be employing your advanced bribery techniques on this trip.

Two words about Cape May dinner buffet: Un-Real.

Serious drool action.

I have never even had crab legs (generally not a seafood fan) and those things were amazing! They had calamari on the night I went - crazy awesome. And those potatoes.

We're looking forward to it, and we love seafood, so it should be good for us.

This made me spit at my screen. Sorry, so so funny!

Yep...it was. Luckily, I got that figured out.

Seriously one cute kid you have there.

Thanks. I think this is a pretty cute age. Max just keeps getting more and more fun and more and more interesting. I'm sure you're finding the same with Henry.

That's always how I end up planning too. The last few days are fillers for what we missed!

Yup! I just overplanned a bit on the last trip! We ended up exhausted and as my husband said tonight, we just ran around trying to get to ADRs on time.

Again...bribery. Remember Henry with Pirates? I'm about to cover the time he refused in my TR...and after that we bribed him with presents...the kid now LOVES Pirates and Jack Sparrow!

Okay - now, we have probably discussed this...but what are your Feb dates going to be? We will likely be 18-26 or so. Please tell me our dates overlap!!

Jake and the Neverland Pirates has really piqued Max's interests in all things Pirate related, so we'll see how that goes. Max never even made it into Adventureland on the last trip! Plus, we all know that Disneyworld is load with small "gifts."

If, and this is a huge if, we make it back in February, those dates sound awfully familiar...as in the same dates we'll be there! That would be so cool!

 

[PirateKate]

I think it makes a lot of sense to make the plans for the last few days based more on what you've already done. It's easier to know what you want to do, once you know what you've already done.

As far as rain goes, just make sure to keep an eye on the clouds. You can usually see Florida rain coming, and if it is coming, find something indoors to do. It shouldn't rain too long.

Looks like your new camera works great! Max looks very cute in his glasses.

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats on the new camera! Have you been brushing up on your German?

Regarding having less plans late in the trip, I like to do that too. It gives everyone a chance to hit some of their "must do's" or things they'd like to re-do before leaving. I guess it's the least I can do after I've been hogging all of the planning leading up to the trip.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm a big fan of the last day (or 2) being "whatever we want, whenever we want" kind of days.

for new cameras!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm debating another lens...

 

[tinacaplan]

I think it makes a lot of sense to make the plans for the last few days based more on what you've already done. It's easier to know what you want to do, once you know what you've already done.

As far as rain goes, just make sure to keep an eye on the clouds. You can usually see Florida rain coming, and if it is coming, find something indoors to do. It shouldn't rain too long.

Looks like your new camera works great! Max looks very cute in his glasses.

Thanks, I rather thought it did. I remember the rain from when we went when I was a kid and it would come out of nowhere, rain for twenty minutes, and then be sunny again, with slightly less humidity.

Thanks...Max is pretty cute! I am so enjoying the preschool age. The more he talks, the more fun he gets! I am keeping my fingers crossed that doing two trips so close together will mean that he will be familiar with the parks more and enjoy them more, too. We played the Disney theme parks edition of Candyland last night and we had fun talking and laughing about all the rides. He did, however, say that he would NOT ride Snow White again, as the Evil Queen is just TOO scary. Poor kid...I think I totally traumatized him after I took him on that last year. After we did that, he wanted out of the park!

Congrats on the new camera! Have you been brushing up on your German?

Regarding having less plans late in the trip, I like to do that too. It gives everyone a chance to hit some of their "must do's" or things they'd like to re-do before leaving. I guess it's the least I can do after I've been hogging all of the planning leading up to the trip.

Ha. Yes, my German has gotten much better... Silly mistake, but the camera has a touch screen that is a lot less easy to manipulate than the one on my phone, thus the error.

And, hey, if my plans are Glennbo approved, they must be good.

I'm a big fan of the last day (or 2) being "whatever we want, whenever we want" kind of days.

for new cameras!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm debating another lens...

Nothing like travelling to get you into photography. I took about a zillion pictures of Max during his first eighteen months and then I just gradually stopped. Not sure why. But taking pictures is fun again, especially now that I've got a decent camera again.

I'm definitely not ready for a DSLR, though. Quite happy with my the point and shoot category. I have no idea what different lenses even do, really. My principal handed me her DSLR at a school event this year and I was just clueless!

 

[pinkxray]

Congrats on the new camera. Extra congrats on being super sneaky and finding a good purple camera to sneak past DH. I probably shouldn’t condone this type of behavior, but I would do the exact same thing. I would like to get a dslr next time, but I think DH will notice if I try to pass off a big black camera in place of a tiny pink one.


I know I am behind on many reports, but when did Max get glasses? He looks very smart reading his Mickey mail.


It looks like the new camera is taking some nice pictures. I expect a very picture heavy trip report this time around. You have no excuses any more. Well, you are traveling with a 4 year old, so maybe we can cut you a little slack.


Yum, I am so glad you are going to CG. I would love to go there and just order a bunch of appetizers and a dessert. The entrees look okay to me, but I would have a hard time picking an app. Now with no dining plan you can get whatever you want. I think next time I am going to book it too. If I only get one TS dinner this will be it. I think DH can suffer through it. I think Caitlin will really enjoy dressing up and a fancy dessert.

 

[All7OfUs]

Caught up once again! Nice new camera! I now have a severe case of camer envy. And uh, yeah, reading the manual and practicing would be a great idea!

Hmmm....rain? Best park for rain EPCOT FW. Max could spend hours in Innoventions. DTD sux, don't go there if rain is in the forecast. You could get a tour of WL. I've heard those are really great even for the kiddos. OH wait, how about going to Ridersmax or whatever that new place at DTD is called; he could build a car. So I take that back about DTD. But really going from shop to shop is hard.
Bring a ton of ponchos if your week looks dicey.

You will LOVE CG!! Excellent food, I thought!

 

[tinacaplan]

Congrats on the new camera. Extra congrats on being super sneaky and finding a good purple camera to sneak past DH. I probably shouldn’t condone this type of behavior, but I would do the exact same thing. I would like to get a dslr next time, but I think DH will notice if I try to pass off a big black camera in place of a tiny pink one.

I know that you of all people would understand this! It isn't something I'd condone either, but these are ordinary circumstances when Disney's involved! And, yes, I'm thinking a DSLR would be pretty noticeable!

I know I am behind on many reports, but when did Max get glasses? He looks very smart reading his Mickey mail.

He's had glasses for over a year, he's just four and doesn't wear them as much as he should. They're off a lot, depending on the activity he's participating in. He actually has a nerve condition in his face that causes him to have a lazy eye on the right side and they think the glasses might help. Either way, he's going to have corrective surgery to deal with the problem sometime in the next year or so.

It looks like the new camera is taking some nice pictures. I expect a very picture heavy trip report this time around. You have no excuses any more. Well, you are traveling with a 4 year old, so maybe we can cut you a little slack.

Between the new camera and the fact that we're taking a lap top this time (no live reporting, but I'll be able to sit down and write up a nice journal entry each night...I hate writing by hand, but I'm a super fast typist), my next TR should be MUCH better.

Yum, I am so glad you are going to CG. I would love to go there and just order a bunch of appetizers and a dessert. The entrees look okay to me, but I would have a hard time picking an app. Now with no dining plan you can get whatever you want. I think next time I am going to book it too. If I only get one TS dinner this will be it. I think DH can suffer through it. I think Caitlin will really enjoy dressing up and a fancy dessert.

Me, too! I think Max will be impressed at the beginning with the goldfish crackers and the view! I am definitely ordering a flatbread and sushi and skipping the entrees. They never interest me much at most places, to be honest!

Caught up once again! Nice new camera! I now have a severe case of camer envy. And uh, yeah, reading the manual and practicing would be a great idea!

Hmmm....rain? Best park for rain EPCOT FW. Max could spend hours in Innoventions. DTD sux, don't go there if rain is in the forecast. You could get a tour of WL. I've heard those are really great even for the kiddos. OH wait, how about going to Ridersmax or whatever that new place at DTD is called; he could build a car. So I take that back about DTD. But really going from shop to shop is hard.
Bring a ton of ponchos if your week looks dicey.

You will LOVE CG!! Excellent food, I thought!

Thanks for the rain tips, Liesa. Camera envy, huh? And yes, you're right...knowing how to use the thing will be helpful! I already got it out of German mode so...

I can't wait for my return to the Cali Grill. Truly my most memorable Disney meal thus far.

 

[tinacaplan]

WE'LL BE THERE IN A MONTH!!!!! ​

 

[MickeyNicki]

WE'LL BE THERE IN A MONTH!!!!! ​

YAY! I am so excited for you guys!

Is Max counting down the days too??

 

[KatMark]

for one month!

And congrats on the new camera.

 

[pinkxray]

One Month!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

YAY! I am so excited for you guys!

Is Max counting down the days too??

Thanks! Just wish Naples were a bit closer so we could stop in and say hi!

Max is super excited....don't tell Kathy...but I think I've finally got him over the fact that we're not staying at CSR!

for one month!

And congrats on the new camera.

Thank you.

One Month!!!

Thanks...

although we're under a month now... but who's counting?

 

[tinacaplan]

As we continue to get ever closer, I am finding it increasingly difficult to focus on much else. The school year is slowly winding down and there isn’t a whole lot for me to do this week, as the vast majority of my kids are on their class trip to California. I was going to go, but due to my uncle’s condition, I dropped out to stay here. It is what is, and in some ways, is actually a good thing, as the week-long trips are absolutely exhausting.

And yes, I’ve had quite a bit of time to hang out on the Dis... where no one will think I’m crazy for trying on half of my summer wardrobe last night in an effort to get a jump on the packing! I’m not a huge fan of summer clothes, hate wearing shorts, and tank tops...so I’m just trying to figure this one out. Yes, it does get hot up here in New England in the summer, just usually not crazy, ridiculous Florida in July hot. Plus, it often cools down considerably in the evening and we even catch days here and there where the humidity isn’t off the charts.

On with the actual planning... when I last left you all, I had planned a day full of...well, not a whole heck of a lot. Which brings me to our last day at Disney. So sad.

There are morning EMHs at MK this day, which could be a great way to end the trip. I had originally planned on doing Cape May breakfast this day, but realizing that we could get in a nearly full (for us!) park day, I cancelled it. Instead, I’ve made an ADR for lunch at the Plaza, which I loved and would be a nice last meal us...unless I make an ADR for somewhere in EPCOT for a late lunch/early dinner...ACK! Head spinning...too many choices! And no way of knowing what we’ll want to do...we might want to just hang at the pool.

Who knows? And what do I pack for clothes? Is it just going to be hot to the point where the difference between a t shirt and a tank top will be minimal?

 

[KatMark]

Tanks will definitely be needed. It's been in the upper 90's there now and July could get harder yet. We went once over 4th of July and it was super, super hot.