The all New *OFFICIAL JUNE* 2011 thread! Some like it hot!

[kittylady1972]

Four months to go!!!

I'm wondering if maybe we can even leave ANOTHER day earlier than planned? That might be pushing it. The weather here seems to be turning in the right direction so my hopes for NO MORE SNOW DAYS are certainly seeming very possible right now.

This means last day of school will be Monday for the kids and we can depart for Walt Disney World on Tuesday. I think pushing it to Monday might be tough...not impossible, but tough. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibilities though...I've booked a hotel room in Orlando just in case. The room is near Universal, since we plan to do those parks first anyway. I can always cancel the hotel later if we don't need it!

Packing hasn't begun yet but love that so many here are creating a stash. I might have to at least start making a list. I think earplugs for the train might be in order to help us get some sleep on that trip. I came VERY CLOSE to booking the train today...but think I can wait a little bit longer for that. I think by the end of this month I should be able to safely book it.

 

[nvsnot]

I'm getting besides myself with the preparations. I was lurking in some thread or another and was turned on to some very crafty ladies on this board who have etsy shops. Well, so far i've reserved, won't actually purchase until the end of the month, 4 tie-dye mickey head tank tops (2 for my daughter & 2 for me); 2 daisy safari t-shirts (1 for my daughter and 1 for me); and whenever I pay for those I will place an order for 1 Princess Tiana tee for my daughter and maybe an A-line dress.


Can you tell this is getting a bit out of hand ?

ETA: So, I watched the special Samantha Brown did on Disney Sunday night (Favorite Disney Memories) and I was discussing it with my aunt because she watched it too and she said the most blasphemous thing after the show went off.

Me: I enjoyed the show, but was expecting a little more.

Aunt: Yeah, I liked the first half, but not really the second half. I couldn't believe that grown woman got her butt in a Teacup!

Me: What, what? *flabbergasted* that's part of the Disney experienced...you know "where a kid can be a kid" and adults too!

Aunt: I guueeeeesss...

I hope she gets it when we actually get to the theme parks, but if not, she's more than welcome to sit her butt on a bench while me and the rest of our crew act like children.

 

[Cindy-rella]

I am getting the packing fever too! I keep a small suit case for just new Disney clothes or things for the trip. I just made my daughter the cutest disney top, I have new t-shirts for my son, Disney crocs I got on sale last year and the list continues.....

 

[ksloane]

Does anyone know if there's room under the bed for luggage or are they platform-type beds?

I'm pretty sure at Pop they were platform type beds when we were there last June. I know that one bed is almost right against the wall, and that's where we always line up the suitcases is that little space between bed and wall.


I have been anxiously trying to get a few things together. It's a surprise trip so it's that much harder because I can't really do anything, but I bought another lot of pins off ebay yesterday. I've requested a few more DISigns for tshirts and will print those during spring break and iron them on our shirts. I'm almost done with my daughter's autograph book. I plan to order it by Spring Break at the latest as well. Trying to see if they release any more characters between now and then (like they just did with Phineas and Ferb). It'll be here before we know it. I've also subscribed to TGM and Touring Plans and have our day to day park planned...

 

[Stargazer]

So close to being able to count-down in double digits. I think since this weekend, we will officially be in the 90s, we're going to start a Disney theme night a few times a month (Disney movie with themed menu) to help pass the time.

I've also started purchasing a few things -- picked up some rhinestone transfers from Ebay, some ponchos, light sticks, and other odds & ends. Even DH is getting anxious - he keeps saying "So, how many more days til Disney??"

 

[ksloane]

Just got an email stating: There is an update in the reopening of The Enchanted Tiki Room in the Magic Kingdom. The attraction is now scheduled to open on June 1, 2011.

 

[Band mom!]

Ok! Add me, Add me!! I so excited! Leaving 06/10 and will arrive at Disney All-Star Sports on 11th.... I am traveling with our high school band, about 140 teens! We've done this before and stayed at Music, but got a better deal with Sports this year.

Anyway, we will be there 11 - 17th. SO excited. There is nothing like seeing you child marching down Main Street with his HS Marching Band in front of the Disney Parade! We got to see our oldest DS do it 3 years ago and now middle DS turn.

I've started gathering stuff already also. And got some great deals on summer clothes at an end-of-summer sale that I'm saving for Disney! woohoo! and I printed out my Packing List for some of the other moms that had never been before. ) WE love, love, love Disney and if it wasn't so far away would go more often than every 3 years.

 

[anjalee6]

Ok! Add me, Add me!! I so excited! Leaving 06/10 and will arrive at Disney All-Star Sports on 11th.... I am traveling with our high school band, about 140 teens! We've done this before and stayed at Music, but got a better deal with Sports this year.

Anyway, we will be there 11 - 17th. SO excited. There is nothing like seeing you child marching down Main Street with his HS Marching Band in front of the Disney Parade! We got to see our oldest DS do it 3 years ago and now middle DS turn.

I've started gathering stuff already also. And got some great deals on summer clothes at an end-of-summer sale that I'm saving for Disney! woohoo! and I printed out my Packing List for some of the other moms that had never been before. ) WE love, love, love Disney and if it wasn't so far away would go more often than every 3 years.

Welcome to our group! How does one get the honor of marching down Main Street? Extremely cool! I don't know aobout the 140 teenager part , but the rest sounds really great ! lol.

 

[Band mom!]

Our high school band goes every 3 years (our hs is only 10-12 grades) so every child gets the chance to go and march. THere is a program through Disney for this. Last time there was one other band there same day as us. My tee shirt says Disney Performing Arts on it, if that helps. We started taking family trips to Disney years ago and when oldest DS got to high school we found out about this and were beyond happy - like we needed another excuse to go to Disney! As for all those teens.... well.... it's not too bad. We do a lot of traveling with them out-of-state competitions and such.. you get used to it... sort of...

 

[kalee45]

Hey, Band mom, wish our HS band would do that! But NO they have to go to DC for the Cherry Blossom Parade & this Thanksgiving they are planning a trip to Chicago?! We live about an hour away from WDW, so that would be a nice short trip! DD will be disappointed but she is NOT going to Chicago in November. However we are going to Disney in June!

 

[princesskelz]

Thought i would post our ADR's since we made them in January!

Liberty Tree Tavern: 6/12/11 at 12PM
50's Prime Time Cafe 6/13/11 at 12:55PM
The Garden Grill 6/14/11 at 6:40PM
Tony's Town Sq 6/15/11 at 5:05PM
Via Nopoli 6/16/11 at 5:45PM
Ohana 6/17/11 at 7:05PM
Teppan Edo 6/18/11 at 7:30PM
Narcoossee's 6/19/11 at 8:35PM
1900 Park Fare 6/20/11 at 10:00AM
Yak & Yeti 6/21/11 at 1:00PM

EDIT: What about crowds? Are they good or bad. Never been in mid june.

 

[anjalee6]

Thought i would post our ADR's since we made them in January!

Liberty Tree Tavern: 6/12/11 at 12PM
50's Prime Time Cafe 6/13/11 at 12:55PM
The Garden Grill 6/14/11 at 6:40PM
Tony's Town Sq 6/15/11 at 5:05PM
Via Nopoli 6/16/11 at 5:45PM
Ohana 6/17/11 at 7:05PM
Teppan Edo 6/18/11 at 7:30PM
Narcoossee's 6/19/11 at 8:35PM
1900 Park Fare 6/20/11 at 10:00AM
Yak & Yeti 6/21/11 at 1:00PM

EDIT: What about crowds? Are they good or bad. Never been in mid june.

I added them to the list on page 1.

 

[turtlebean]

Just got an email stating: There is an update in the reopening of The Enchanted Tiki Room in the Magic Kingdom. The attraction is now scheduled to open on June 1, 2011.

I'm so glad it's opening back up! I know a lot of people don't like this attraction, but my family loves it!

 

[Band mom!]

Hi Kalee, My DH knows if we ever move it will be closer to Disney!! wow, an hour away!! ~ We would love to go to DC (with or w/o the band). The band was invited last year to march in the 4th of July parade there, but our director decided against it. This school year we went to Atlanta for BOA (we have gone to St.Louis BOA twice) and we go over to Texas and Oklahoma every marching season for compititions also. (we live in southwest Arkansas). I've been to Chicago and love it there. Would really like to take the family - or even the band - Got to love band trips! However, I especially love the ones to Disney.

 

[nvsnot]

This is my first trip to Disney ever. For over a year now i've been utilizing sites like allears.net, mousesavers.com, and the Dis and feel that I am going into this trip with a good idea of what to expect although i'm aware that I won't fully "get it" until i'm actuall there. With that said, i've been working on my family's itinerary for the trip. We have the 7 day park hopper with the water parks and more option. So far, with the assistance of touringplans.com our itinerary is as follows:
6/7: arrive, get settled, TRex for early dinner
6/8: Animal Kingdom
6/9:Typhoon Lagoon
6/10: Magic Kingdom
6/11: Epcot
6/12: Blizzard Beach
6/13: Hollywood Studios
6/14: whatever floats our boat, depart "The World" & head to aiport by 1pm.

So, after getting our days scheduled as far as which parks when I'm now working on our Touring plans with the assistance of touringplans.com. Some of the touring plans for specific parks are pretty comprehensive and will actually work well for our group, but some i've had to tailor to fit the various ages and interests of our travel group of 10.

Anywho, please check out the touring plan i've created for Animal Kingdom, our first official day in the park, and let me know if it looks okay.

Plan Summary
This plan begins after 8:15 a.m. Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House.

Plan Steps
1. Tusker House Restaurant
Arrive at Entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom between 7:45 - 8:00 a.m.
Check in to be seated for Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House.
2. Expedition Everest
After breakfast, send one member of the family to obtain FASTPASSes for Expedition Everest in Asia.
The rest of the party should head for Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Experience the Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa.
Duration: 20 minutes
4. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Walk the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
5. Character Trails
Explore the Camp Minnie-Mickey Character Trails.
6. Festival of the Lion King
See the Festival of the Lion King in Camp Minnie-Mickey
Duration: 25 minutes
7. Finding Nemo: The Musical
Check the next performance time of Finding Nemo: The Musical at the Theater in the Wild in Dinoland. If the next show is within 25 minutes, see Nemo now. Otherwise, see the exhibits at the Tree of Life.
Duration: 35 minutes
8. Tree of Life Exhibits
See the exhibits at the Tree of Life in Discovery Island.
9. Flame Tree Barbecue
Eat Lunch.
10. Dinosaur
Thrill seekers should ride Dinosaur in Donoland U.S.A.
Duration: 3.5 minutes
11. TriceraTop Spin
The less adventurous/vertically challenged should ride Tricera Top Spin while the thrill seekers are riding Dinosaur.
Duration: 1.5 minutes
12. See the afternoon parade in Discovery Island.
13. Kali River Rapids
Ride Kali River Rapids in Asia.
Duration: 5 minutes
14. Maharajah Jungle Trek
While tweens and adults are riding Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest the vertically challenged should walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia.
15. Expedition Everest
Ride Expedition Everest in Asia, using the FASTPASSes obtained earlier.
Don't worry if your FASTPASS return times have passed; Disney rarely enforces the expiration time.
Duration: 4 minutes
16. Animal Kingdom Entrance
Depart Disney's Animal Kingdom.

So, what do you think?

 

[kalee45]

Nvsnot: Your AK plan looks great! I love the Jammin Jungle Parade & the Lion King show! My family, also, will not be riding Dinosaur & EE as a unit ! Band mom: I wish our band would go warm places like TX & OK. I, mean, c'mon I live in FL, I'm temperature challenged; so while Chicago sounds like a fun city, I have no wish to experience it at the end of November!

 

[Band mom!]

Nvsnot: Great planning! You know about the menus at allears.net right?? I've been reading menus to decide which places to eat at this trip. and have 2 ressies so far.
Kalee: You're right.... you may need to pack snow boots instead of marching shoes!


113 days!!!!

 

[juliebug1997]

Our trip is actually planned for July (2-9) but DH is probably going to a conference at the Hilton in DTD and I'll be going with him and entertaining myself during the day with our APs. We may be there now from June 25th to July 9th!

 

[nvsnot]

Nvsnot: Your AK plan looks great! I love the Jammin Jungle Parade & the Lion King show! My family, also, will not be riding Dinosaur & EE as a unit !

Nvsnot: Great planning! You know about the menus at allears.net right??

Thanks for your responses Kalee45 and Band mom! I've studied allears.net extensively and have view the menues for many of the table service restaurants my group will be visiting during our vacation. As for Flame Tree Barbeque, I only chose it because it was recommended by touringplans.com . I'm headed over to allears now to check out the menu. Thanks!

 

[anjalee6]

Plan Summary
This plan begins after 8:15 a.m. Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House.

Plan Steps
1. Tusker House Restaurant
Arrive at Entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom between 7:45 - 8:00 a.m.
Check in to be seated for Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House.
2. Expedition Everest
After breakfast, send one member of the family to obtain FASTPASSes for Expedition Everest in Asia.
The rest of the party should head for Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Experience the Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa.
Duration: 20 minutes
So, what do you think?

We found what saves our family some time is to have the family check in to Tusker House while someone in our family runs over to Expedition Everest and gets the Fast Passes then. They then meet up with us back at Tusker House. Then, usually by the time you are done with breakfast, you can head right over and use your fast passes without having to wait. This has worked really well for our family in the past and shaves some time off of your tour so that you can have time to do something else.