Suzy and Perla Skip the Lines Again: From roughing it to the lap of luxury

[Mommy2BnB]

The tips you have been posting lately are so great! Thanks for posting about the restaurants and budgeting for meals. I really need to be taking notes!!

And you and Suzy can keep preaching, I'm right there with ya! I think most parents are doing the best they can. It's just the people with no children or those who have forgotten what it is like to be a parent who are snubbing their noses at the rest of us.

 

[estherhead]

The tips you have been posting lately are so great! Thanks for posting about the restaurants and budgeting for meals. I really need to be taking notes!!

And you and Suzy can keep preaching, I'm right there with ya! I think most parents are doing the best they can. It's just the people with no children or those who have forgotten what it is like to be a parent who are snubbing their noses at the rest of us.

Clearly, you've been reading the "Too big for strollers" thread.

I, of course, had to post on it. Really, I am a troublemaker to my core. Suzy & I know this girl who is a newly married, idealistic, vegan, and an artist. We are both friends with her on Facebook and I find it absolutely impossible to let anything she says just go. She is always trying to educate us all. Sigh. We get educated on health and food and art and weddings and diseases and on and on. Because no one above the age of 25 has ever read a book nor done any research nor been out of the country nor visited an art museum.

I do TRY to be nice about it. Suzy takes the higher ground by simply not saying anything. I try to educate her back.

Because guess what? Everyone on earth has the opportunity to be vegan. But nearly 100% aren't. Veganism is like nudism. Don't educate me on this. The truth is, you want to be nude. And you are going to pretend you are taking the moral high road. When really, you just like to be naked. Boo likes to be nude too. But she doesn't try to convince me that it is a better way of living. She simply says, "I don't want to wear pants." This, I respect. No need to tell me why a pants free lifestyle is better and how tight waistbands ruin your inner organs and clothing in general perpetuate terrible body image and making clothing ruins the environment, kills animals to build factories, and uses child labor.

Being naked makes ya happy. Enough said.

I also like to bring Disney into our conversations whenever possible. Because that, too, is annoying. I guess half the time I should wear my, "I'm doing the best I can" badge and the other half I should wear a badge that says, "Born Troublemaker."

What is wrong with me on this TR? I just go soooo far off topic it isn't even funny. Well, ok, it is KIND of funny. But I meant to say, I should stay on topic. Off to write more TR!

 

[estherhead]

M-I-C-K-E-Y!!!!

It was OUR turn. Hi Mickey!

Look how excited Mulan is? I mean really? Where can you see a 10 year old girl that excited to see a person in a costume? I LOVE keeping my kids kids. Love it!

And look at Boo in this one:

For some reason on this trip Boo equated sticking her tongue out with smiling. When I got home and saw this I decided that before our June trip I was going to practice the "I'm smiling for the camera" smile with her until we got something useful. She LOVES to get her picture taken so she got this concept immediately.

"If you smile withOUT your tongue sticking out, I'll take your picture." It took several days of practice but we finally started taking consistent pictures without the tongue. But then she just had a neutral look. So I decided to try and get her to actually smile. It was the most terrifying look every and VERY far away from a smile. Fortunately, I started as soon as we got home. After a month of working on it almost daily she almost has a real smile for the camera when I say smile.

One more month to go. And here's hoping she can remember the lessons in June.

Autograph! LOVED this pen. Loved it more this day than before. It was so easy for the characters.

TIP! A lot of threads (ok, ALL the threads) on here recommend the Sharpie Clicks for your autograph books. And clearly, Disney loves Sharpies since they are at their KidCots. But if you look at the paws of the characters they have Sharpie all over them. Plus, I've had many of them get pushed in when bouncing around in my bag and then made a blot. Annoying! But a regular pen is hard for them to hold with their poofy hands.

I try to get a fat pen that isn't permanent marker. You can find these all over, I got this one at Big Lots (a $1.00). But they also sell chunky pens at Wal-Mart, usually at the Dollar Tree, etc.

While we were meeting Mickey, the boys were frolicking with his little lady:

After Mickey, we took our turn with Thumper. Boo, as you can see in this photo, was NOT going to meet a bunny who had no name. And when asked, "What is that bunny's name?" with Thumper's girlfriend being pointed to.

Thank goodness for the iphone! While Boo was tenatively deciding if this girl bunny could be a friend, I looked up the answer on the internet. Guess what? The bunny HAS no name. She's never named in the movie. So WDW calls her Miss Bunny. Once I had the answer and Boo and Miss Bunny were formally introduced, Boo moved in for her hug:

Boo really just endured the unknown bunnies. We had watched Bambi before this trip (we borrowed it from Suzy) but I guess Thumper didn't make enough of an impact in one viewing. So we rewarded her by letting her meet her FAVE!

Suzy doesn't carry an autograph book. Why? Because no one cares but Mulan. She is our only autograph collector. For me it is one of those things that looks cooler than it is. Mulan would GREATLY disagree with this.

TIP TIME! If this is your first visit, or your first visit in a long time, don't try to do penny machines, pins lanyards, autograph books, Vinylmations, etc. I recommend first timers do none of these things as they are time suckers. But if you do want to do one, just pick one. And if you think your kids would agree, let them pick. If they'll pick different things, you should probably pick.

I, personally, think the coin machines are the least invasive time wise in your trip. To do this one you just need: an empty large mini m&m container filled with 2 quarters for every 1 penny. And buy a pressed penny official book where they sell autograph books. If you run out of quarters and pennies your gift shop or front desk at your resort is an easy place to change a $20.00 into this.

The machines are located everywhere and it is really quite a fun thing to collect. Depending on how intense you are into it I'd say the cost could be $50.00 also making it one of the cheaper ones.

While we were meeting Donald, Suzy and boys were meeting Goofy:

If Buzz were looking at the camera this would be the best picture ever. Jack-Jack is being ADORABLE and McQueen is looking at him and saying, "Freak!" in his head. LOVE it!

We were meeting Chip & Dale. Which, if we knew then what we know now, we wouldn't have bothered. But hindsight, right?

Where the Goofy photo falls short for me, this one hits the sweet spot. McQueen is looking adorable, Jack is looking adorable, and Donald is saying, "What's up with this kid?"

OK, so Donald is probably saying nothing of the kind. But still. It's a great picture.

My girls were meeting Goofy. Boo is not normally into Goofy and we'd already met him. But Milo was generously letting Mulan wear his Goofy hat and letting her get Goofy to sign it. We had a Donald hat that Suzy & Milo had bought for us and I had left it at the campsite not knowing of this genius plan. So I'll still need to get it signed on our June trip.

This photo was a difficult battle for Boo. She HATES Goofy but she LOVES getting her picture taken. Which would win? Which would win?

She agreed to get her picture taken, but she wasn't gonna like it!

And another superfluous photo of Chip and Dale:

Now. Here's the dealio and it's up for you to decide. We finished meeting our last character at 10:24 a.m. Exactly 1 minute before our target time of 10:25.

We got to this park at 8:45. We did bag check & ticketing.

From 8:55-10:25 we:
Rode Dinosaur, rode Triceratop Spin (we would have ridden Primeval Whirl if it had been open), shopped, pottyed, met Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Lilo, Stitch, Pocahantas, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Thumper, Miss Bunny, had gotten face painting, and those who wished, had gotten coffee. We also had FP's to EE and KS with return times before noon.

And we had not rushed at ALL.

I would really appreciate if you all would not share this particular tip with anyone. It allows Suzy and I to spend less than 45 minutes meeting characters (other than princesses/fairies if my girls want princesses) for our whole trip and not HAVE to do character meals and if it were to, say, get published somewhere our great plan might be foiled. Just sayin'. It's that good of a tip.

 

[justakrazymom]

I also like to bring Disney into our conversations whenever possible. Because that, too, is annoying. I guess half the time I should wear my, "I'm doing the best I can" badge and the other half I should wear a badge that says, "Born Troublemaker."

What is wrong with me on this TR? I just go soooo far off topic it isn't even funny. Well, ok, it is KIND of funny. But I meant to say, I should stay on topic. Off to write more TR!

hee hee hee.. i am the same way. I can remember being so young and knowing everything..heck i can remember being older and still knowing it all.. then I had my last child...sigh.. he is the kid that has made me eat so much crow. I say he is my "reward" for all the judgemental looks, comments, the MY child would never do's that passed my mind and my mouth. also..he's almost 6 and WILL be in a stroller in WDW.. I'd rather be in a "your kid is too big for a stroller" thread than a " there was this whinny bratty outta control kid at WDW for 10 days and he did.." thread! I love him.. to pieces..and he has the best personality..but between sensory issues, last child issues..and just himself.. lord he tries me!

BTW I used your Just doing the best I can as my facebook status the other day!

 

[estherhead]

I'd rather be in a "your kid is too big for a stroller" thread than a " there was this whinny bratty outta control kid at WDW for 10 days and he did.." thread!

Amen, sister!

lmao: to the Facebook status. Maybe I'll use that tomorrow!)

 

[Kat in GA]

Another fabulous update! And the tips are flying fast and furious

Ugh on the stroller threads! Really - why do people care? My youngest was in a stroller our first two times at Disney - she was 5 and 6. She would never have been in a stroller anywhere else - but if she didn't have that stroller, we all would have had a miserable time. When she gave up the stroller, I took it over by getting a scooter. I am sure that people want to judge me for that, too - but if that is the way I need to get around the parks - keep up with my family - and not be in pain - again - why do people care?!

 

[YodaGirl]

Clearly, you've been reading the "Too big for strollers" thread.

I SO need to step away from that thread. I've already gotten started, though, and now I can't walk away.

 

[justakrazymom]

Another fabulous update! And the tips are flying fast and furious

Ugh on the stroller threads! Really - why do people care? My youngest was in a stroller our first two times at Disney - she was 5 and 6. She would never have been in a stroller anywhere else - but if she didn't have that stroller, we all would have had a miserable time. When she gave up the stroller, I took it over by getting a scooter. I am sure that people want to judge me for that, too - but if that is the way I need to get around the parks - keep up with my family - and not be in pain - again - why do people care?!

Pretty much the basic reason is they want the parks stroller free so they an walk around easier..it all comes down to being very selfish.. it's not what's best for the masses it's what's best for them. I really wish I could find some of the stroller haters and sick my youngest on em once he's walked the parks for a few hours in the heat of August.. wanna bet they would be singing a different tune after that encounter?

 

[estherhead]

Another fabulous update! And the tips are flying fast and furious

Ugh on the stroller threads! Really - why do people care? My youngest was in a stroller our first two times at Disney - she was 5 and 6. She would never have been in a stroller anywhere else - but if she didn't have that stroller, we all would have had a miserable time. When she gave up the stroller, I took it over by getting a scooter. I am sure that people want to judge me for that, too - but if that is the way I need to get around the parks - keep up with my family - and not be in pain - again - why do people care?!

You just need to wear your badge.

I SO need to step away from that thread. I've already gotten started, though, and now I can't walk away.

You are causing quite the commotion over there. Love it! Keep up the good work.

Pretty much the basic reason is they want the parks stroller free so they an walk around easier..it all comes down to being very selfish.. it's not what's best for the masses it's what's best for them. I really wish I could find some of the stroller haters and sick my youngest on em once he's walked the parks for a few hours in the heat of August.. wanna bet they would be singing a different tune after that encounter?

Agreed. The last post I read over there said something to the effect of "I have a right to have a say because your strollers make the walkways congested making my trip worse." Sigh.

One of my favorite memories of WDW ever was a couple trips ago (it's in one of my previous TR's but I can't remember which one) and Boo was having a HORRIBLE day and screamed for hours. I was sitting on the floor in the MK bathroom rocking her (really could have used a badge this day) and singing to her desperately trying to get her to sleep and this lovely lady came up and empathized with me.

It was such a little thing but it just made my day and years later I still love that lady.

And when I'm at WDW I try to be that lady whenever I can. It does make a difference. That's why I'm still ticked off I didn't buy that guy a beer. Do you think I'll ever get over that?

 

[justakrazymom]

I usually only read such threads..can't believe I even replied.

If your like me you will still be thinking about that beer in 30 years.. i am the same way.

The entire world has become so self center and selfish.. add in paying big money for a trip and that sense of entitlement just gets worse. I love the "my money is worth more than your money" attitude.

 

[estherhead]

add in paying big money for a trip and that sense of entitlement just gets worse. I love the "my money is worth more than your money" attitude.

You know, I've pondered this before. Perhaps it is because people are actually spending more than they can afford. So the expectation is ridiculous and can never be met. Because the stress of that is crazy. I think perhaps this is why so many end up cranky at WDW.

We try to spend $3000.00-$3500.00 on a 10 day trip. And we try to squeeze every bit of fun out of that.

So, for example, this time we had the cheap first 4 nights of camping which gave us the money to get a fancy-schmancy suite the last 3 nights.

We went to Yellowstone a few years ago and our budget was $2000.00. We scrimped and saved on some things (maybe a bit too much as we didn't spend our full budget) but it allowed us to stay in a water park hotel for two nights in the Black Hills of South Dakota as well as white water raft in the Grand Tetons.

I think too many people go to Disney and spend what they spend instead of first coming up with a budget that they actually have cash for. Suzy quite literally pays cash. Milo has several pay checks coming in and one is monthly and they don't need it for their mortgage nor groceries. When they get it she immediately turns it into cash and pays on whatever trip/clothing/etc things so it doesn't get spent elsewhere.

Perhaps this is too broad of a tip for this TR. But a HUGE tip we've learned over the years is: Have your trip 100% paid for before setting foot on WDW property. Then you can just enjoy the ride without thinking "$7.00 for a beer????" When the cash runs out, no more $7.00 beers. That simple.

 

[justakrazymom]

You know, I've pondered this before. Perhaps it is because people are actually spending more than they can afford. So the expectation is ridiculous and can never be met. Because the stress of that is crazy. I think perhaps this is why so many end up cranky at WDW.


Perhaps this is too broad of a tip for this TR. But a HUGE tip we've learned over the years is: Have your trip 100% paid for before setting foot on WDW property. Then you can just enjoy the ride without thinking "$7.00 for a beer????" When the cash runs out, no more $7.00 beers. That simple.

I agree.. we have paid 100% cash thus far.. well that's easy because we have no credit cards.. and never will. Every Monday I send down my pay from the weekend via my debit card. Right now I solely work to be able to take my kids to WDW...it's why I took the job! Our trip is costing a pretty penny..but there are 8 of us.. even with a value resort and free dining it's still not cheap..lol.. BUT we will have the entire thing paid off long before we go, plus I have all my envelops for tips, gas,tolls etc.

We have a very strict disney budget.. and my kids will have a very small amount of spending money.. but they don't need more. My oldest had $50 a day at 4.5 WHAT was I thinking ( I was young, single working 2 jobs and had one kid..lol).. this time they each get $50 and can't spend it til the last 3 days.. I am not a souvenir girl so Dh and i will only have about $100 between us..

 

[estherhead]

OK. Time to talk about one of my least favorite attractions at Disney World. It's Tough to Be a Bug. This is a GREAT show. Truly well done. I hate it.

Walking around the Tree of Life is awesome, though. I lingered a bit more than normal and actually took a few photos.

Inside the waiting room there were a LOT of people. It was fairly oppressive and Donald grabbed Boo and held her for fear of losing her once the doors opened. The benefit of this, is we didn't wait long since clearly it was an already full theater. This is the most people I've seen in this room and I knew then that it would be a fun show.

This is one of those shows that is way more fun with a full theater and AK was a 9.6 out of 10 this day according to our Touring Plans Aps. It proved to be a great showing.

Here is the classic:

Here again, Donald held Boo on his lap so no 4-D effects would get her and I covered the air vents that blow scary things at her. She made it through. Though there isn't anything I can do about Hopper, bad smells, nor spiders dropping down.

If you haven't been in a long time and have never done this show, please DO IT. Don't listen to me. It's a great show. {{Shudder}}

Boo and I made it through and we LOVED hearing everyone scream around us. Really it was super great to have a packed house and we were on the far right of the audience (when facing the stage) and in the middle from front to back. My favorite seats so far. So when the CM says to move all the way over, do it! You'll have great seats.

After we were done with this, we wanted to use our KS FP's. But we were HUNGRY so we decided to use some snack credits and get jalepeno pretzels we had heard about. On our way we discovered:

My first time I saw DeVine I was mesmerized and so excited. Then the past few times I've loved seeing her amazing flexibility and stability and balance with her leg above her head. Amazing. This time she was in the forest and it was interesting but not my favorite DeVine encounter.

When we got to the little snack area outside KS I realized the true error of my ways at the MK Bakery earlier in the week where I didn't use Snack credits but instead paid for the drinks. At this place we got a ton of drinks and snacks and used 13 Snack credits and still had 16 left! Whoops. We only had this day and the following to use them.

There was a little shady spot with tables behind the snack cart to eat. One of the tables was empty and Suzy & Milo grabbed a bench. I wandered about kind of stressed a tiny bit as there was a scorpion in a box that Boo was immediately drawn to. The CM holding it was nice and informative. But Boo was also frightened of it. This made my nice relaxing moment not at ALL relaxing. Which annoyed me. I don't want a roller coaster emotioned 4 year old when I'm trying to sit in the shade and drink a cool drink and eat a snack. Between that and trying to do the math of messing up both my CS and snack credits and having more than I could spend in 2 days, this was not the break I wanted. Waaaaa....

Clearly, by the look on Suzy's face, this wasn't the break she was looking for either.

I don't remember McQueen's issue here but I know that we had had enough snack credits for people to get what they wanted but he was still dissatisfied and wanted something else/more but there was a HUGE line by this point at the snack cart and we only had KS and we would get lunch so no way any of us were waiting in that line. So I'm not sure what this discussion was about, but I know I personally had that conversation with McQueen as he tried to talk me into getting him something else and I was all, "Uh, no way. Do you not see the scorpion that is ruining my life over there?"

Okiedoke. I have posted all the photos I had uploaded so I must upload more before telling you all about Beverly. And no, I don't mean the drink in Epcot. I mean the lady. Who more than likely is vegan.

 

[estherhead]

I agree.. we have paid 100% cash thus far.. well that's easy because we have no credit cards.. and never will. Every Monday I send down my pay from the weekend via my debit card. Right now I solely work to be able to take my kids to WDW...it's why I took the job! Our trip is costing a pretty penny..but there are 8 of us.. even with a value resort and free dining it's still not cheap..lol.. BUT we will have the entire thing paid off long before we go, plus I have all my envelops for tips, gas,tolls etc.

We have a very strict disney budget.. and my kids will have a very small amount of spending money.. but they don't need more. My oldest had $50 a day at 4.5 WHAT was I thinking ( I was young, single working 2 jobs and had one kid..lol).. this time they each get $50 and can't spend it til the last 3 days.. I am not a souvenir girl so Dh and i will only have about $100 between us..

Yup, we do the tip thing too. This year because of camping, I forgot the tips in envelopes and from the moment we stepped into the Dolphin we were behind the eight ball. I didn't have the right tip for the bag guy, the cleaning lady (long story which is coming up), the housekeepers, etc. Not cool! This coming trip we aren't staying in hotels, but in a rental house. Do you think Donald & Milo will remember to tip Suzy and I who will be the resident housekeepers?

 

[justakrazymom]

Yup, we do the tip thing too. This year because of camping, I forgot the tips in envelopes and from the moment we stepped into the Dolphin we were behind the eight ball. I didn't have the right tip for the bag guy, the cleaning lady (long story which is coming up), the housekeepers, etc. Not cool! This coming trip we aren't staying in hotels, but in a rental house. Do you think Donald & Milo will remember to tip Suzy and I who will be the resident housekeepers?

hee hee..I think if they did remember it would be epic..lol

I am really hoping we can see Davine.. she looks sooo cool! I am not sure I'll be seeing ITTBAB.. My 5 year old could not handle it.. dh and I plan to take turns with keeping him from sensory meltdown!

 

[Bengalfan32]

My first time I saw DeVine I was mesmerized and so excited. Then the past few times I've loved seeing her amazing flexibility and stability and balance with her leg above her head. Amazing. This time she was in the forest and it was interesting but not my favorite DeVine encounter.

I have to admit, between DeVine and Pocahontas this was definetely a great day in my book. If only we met up with Jasmine and Ariel...

 

[estherhead]

hee hee..I think if they did remember it would be epic..lol

For sure! Though Milo makes an awesome bartender and Donald is the world's best packer so maybe that is payment enough.

I have to admit, between DeVine and Pocahontas this was definetely a great day in my book. If only we met up with Jasmine and Ariel...

The priorities of young men are SO predictable! You forgot to mention basketball or football. Only THEN would it have perfect. And pizza.

 

[YensidCamper]

Perla and Suzy, Sorry so slow to respond to your great advice, my job is very busy this time of year. Your advice has been great and your outlook on life and raising children is even better. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Is the touring plans app you mentioned worth the $$$ in your opinion? AK looks great so far looking forward to more.

 

[houseful of boys]

Perla and Suzy, Sorry so slow to respond to your great advice, my job is very busy this time of year. Your advice has been great and your outlook on life and raising children is even better. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Is the touring plans app you mentioned worth the $$$ in your opinion? AK looks great so far looking forward to more.

We're crazy at work right now too. (we both work at our family run business). Thanks for the compliments.

You do not NEED the touring plans app. However it is included in the price of a touring plans website subscription. And you get a disboards discount (I don't know the code). Perla and I depend on either touring plans or tour guide mike for planning which parks to go on which days so we use the website a lot.

One app that we almost couldn't live without is wdwdining And it's free.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

I totally agree with both your comments on Morocco food: Didn't really enjoy my TS meal at Marrakesh, but did enjoy my CS meal at the Tangierine Cafe.

We LOVE O Canada. It's my ring tone for Milo. And since we work together and he calls me like 2-3 times a work day I get to hear it a lot. Which makes me smile.Milo even loves changing the words to apply to other things. It really is a useful, multi-dimensional song. Canada, O Canada, your a lifetime of wonder....
...............
I left smiling. And really wishing Canada wasn't so gigantic to make it absolutely impossible to see even a fraction of the things they show you in the movie.

And for those comments, We in Canada love you! (Hearing my provincial anthem "Ode To Newfoundland".....When sun rays crown thy pine-clad hills..., and also the national anthem "O Canada" often will bring a tear to my eye!)
.................

Two final notes before we move on:
...........
Second, it was confessed to me later that McQueen all by himself leaned on the door to Viewing Room 2 and when the doors flung open was the first to walk out. Meaning that unbeknownst to me, we actually caused that entire chaotic debacle. Whoops!

hahahahhahaha! Whoops!

Another fabulous update! And the tips are flying fast and furious

Ugh on the stroller threads! Really - why do people care? My youngest was in a stroller our first two times at Disney - she was 5 and 6. She would never have been in a stroller anywhere else - but if she didn't have that stroller, we all would have had a miserable time. When she gave up the stroller, I took it over by getting a scooter. I am sure that people want to judge me for that, too - but if that is the way I need to get around the parks - keep up with my family - and not be in pain - again - why do people care?!

Mostly because their feet are sore and they are tired, and they really would rather be in your stroller/scooter.

One of my favorite memories of WDW ever was a couple trips ago (it's in one of my previous TR's but I can't remember which one) and Boo was having a HORRIBLE day and screamed for hours. I was sitting on the floor in the MK bathroom rocking her (really could have used a badge this day) and singing to her desperately trying to get her to sleep and this lovely lady came up and empathized with me.

It was such a little thing but it just made my day and years later I still love that lady.

And when I'm at WDW I try to be that lady whenever I can. It does make a difference. That's why I'm still ticked off I didn't buy that guy a beer. Do you think I'll ever get over that?

If it helps, we could co-ordinate trips sometime, and I'll stand behind you in the drink lineup, and act as a stand-in for him, and you can buy me that beer!
I know what you mean tho! "Be that person": the one that makes a difference, whether it's just to one person or to society in general.