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

[anjalee6]

Today, I am doing the double digit dance!!!

YAY for you and YAY for me!!!! We are doing the double digit dance at our house too! SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

It's getting closer!!!!

 

[buffettgirl]

yay for those dancing!!!

 

[DFD]

well, this thread seems contagious. My son is now home from school sick too.

Well then just to warn everyone, I think my daughter has pinkeye.

Ohhh so sorry for the kiddos... hope all is well soon for both kids

 

[buffettgirl]

well, better sick now than in June...get it all over with now as sick for disney is NOT allowed. DH and I handle that all by ourselves (colds..every single time....)

 

[itsalebeau]

Well, my son and daughter had strep and pneumonia respectively, about two weeks ago, so I've been inadvertantly infecting the thread for a while now!

My son had pneumonia (what is up with my kids?!) last summer on our vacation. I'm hoping they are getting all illnesses out of the way now so we have a sick-free trip to WDW!

((( ))) for everyone!

 

[anjalee6]

We'll be at POP June 15-25. Our last couple of trips have been to Disneyland so we haven't been to the world since our now 3-year old DD was born, so this will be our first "Princess" trip.

I saw earlier in the thread some comments about the Chilly Pad, but I've never seen them before; Do they really help with the heat that much? I already had to buy some water bobbles because of the reviews on here - I need to stop reading!

And my wife would like to know if anyone knows how to add a Disney vacation countdown to her facebook page.

Just found the thread today so here goes! This is our first trip to WDW
Staying at POR June 13 - June 19. DH, DS 9, DD 7, DS 5 & myself.
Since it's our first time I've been reading everything Disney, especially the Unofficial Guide & this board!
It's a surprise for the kids but I think we'll tell them one month in advance. I think it would help build up the excitement and they could help plan what they would really like to see.

Welcome to you both! I have added your information to our first page lists.

msii,
We love chilly pads. The kids think they are the best for staying cool. I don't know how others feel about them, but I really like them and we use them all the time.

 

[txtara]

Welcome to you both! I have added your information to our first page lists.

msii,
We love chilly pads. The kids think they are the best for staying cool. I don't know how others feel about them, but I really like them and we use them all the time.

I was going to ask about the Chilly Pads...have intentions on investing in them. Anyone else have an opinion on them?

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

My girls love their chilly pads! They use them on vaca but also during their sports (cheerleading & track).

 

[Singledad]

can't believe I missed this posting for so long!

have a split stay planned.

may 31st-june 3ed- ASMu
june 3ed-june 5th - CBR


Both are new resorts to me, although I have been in All Star Sports (and pop) before.




Tuesday, may 31st:
Arrive at orlando around 11:30am.
5:15pm dinner @ planet hollywood

Wednesday, June 1st: MK day
9:05am breakfast @ Cape May Café
Magic kingdom
2:05pm Lunch in park @ The Crystal Palace

Thrusday, June 2ed: DHS day
12:55pm lunch in park @ Hollywood and Vine
7:50pm dinner @ Chef Mickey's

Friday, June 3rd:
Move hotel day/Blizzard Beach

9:50am breakfast @ ohana
dinner off proptery @ Kobe's

Saterday, June 4rd: MK day/Red day!

9:10am Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Castle
10:05am breakfast @ Cinderella's Royal Table
4pm snacks in Adventureland @ aloha isle

Sunday, June 5th:

Check out day
magical express to airport by 2:30pm or so
5:20pm fly out

Monday, June 6th:
Turn 28!(my birthday!)

 

[Lees3rwe]

I am getting really excited now.
Has anyone stayed at All Star Sports before?
We stayed at Music last October and it was fine.
Just wondering...

I just looked at touring plans crowd calendar again. Hoping it doesn't go up TOO much!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Singledad]

1) What things do you pack in your suitcase that are just for Disney?

Something to use as an autograph book, 'fancy' dresses for DD to wear, and last year... a car seat/booster seat. Yup, I fit the actual car seat into the suitcase. left enough room in the suitcase for things we bought for the return trip. Also, SUNBLOCK. Yes, disney is the only time this guy is in the sun for any real amount of time. I have a sun allergy, and work 3rd shift.... me + sun = <--not anger, just flames.

2) Ok, be honest, how many people have started packing for Disney already?

I don't pack until about a day or two before hand. Actually, last year I didn't pack until the day we headed out. However, I DO mentally think about what I want to toss in there, even this far out. We just don't have enough clothes to pack up our travel stuff this far out.


3) What special traditions do you have to prepare for Disney? (making T-shirts, watching movies, countdown calendars, etc)

We don't have ones set yet. This is only the second time my DD is going. Last year she was a bit young to really think ahead about the trip. This year I am doing my best to get her prepared ahead of time. We made a paper chain, with something 'cool' to do every 10 days. I've been trying to get a hold of Disney movies to watch, so she is finally learning the stories behind some of them. Poor Dora has been abandoned. Disney Jr. channel is the choice I push. We also are looking up videos on youtube of the rides and restaurants we will visit. I do NOT let her what the whole ride video unless I think she might be scared of part of it (IE: haunted mansion).


4) Does your family tour commando style, absolutely care free, or somewhere in the middle?

Since I am not 100% sure what commando style actually means, I assume I am somewhere in the middle. Last year I made one ADR, and we just hit whatever we saw and wanted to do. But we never STOPPED MOVING. had only one day in the park(s). We got into MK before RD due to our CRT ADR, and we left after the closing fireworks. is that commando-ish? This year we have more days, and I have a basic outline of where we will be each day (see above post) and many ADR (got us the DxDP). But I am not set in stone, and we can always change where and what we do.


5) What is the one thing you really want to try "new" at Disney this year? (in other words, something you have never done before)

Get on tom sawyers Island! bonus if we get there early enough in the morning to find a paint brush, but with having breakfast ADR's, I don't think we'll have that happen.


6) Describe your family to us so we know who to "look out for" in Disney?

pooh-sized, red faced dad. I will be wearing ballcap, and a backpack. my DD (5) has red hair, and the habit of not only talking to everyone, but hugging them as well. I am working hard on getting her to ASK before hugging and/or kissing the hand of strangers... and as someone else did.. this is a picture from last year:

this is early in the day, so the face is merely pink... but within an hour or two of outdoors..

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Has anyone here done the Fairy Godmailer thing for their kids? I think it's when people who are at the parks mail post-cards to your kids saying the child's favorite character is looking forward to seeing them; like: "Hi, Johnny! This is Goofy, can't wait to see you June 15 when you come to POP! Look for me at Chef Mickey's breakfast the next day!"--or something like that. What do you think about us being FGM's for each other? I'm going kinda early (June 2-8) & could cover, say 5?, postcards for anyone going the 16th or later. Just a thought. We'd have to PM addresses. My son (who BTW is also home sick ) would flip over a post card from Woody or Buzz.

I do this everytime we go and still have all the postcards sent to my children. The characters are always happy to sign a postcard when I tell them what it's for.

I will PM you my info if there is still room on your list.

 

[buffettgirl]

can't believe I missed this posting for so long!

have a split stay planned.

may 31st-june 3ed- ASMu
june 3ed-june 5th - CBR


Both are new resorts to me, although I have been in All Star Sports (and pop) before.




Tuesday, may 31st:
Arrive at orlando around 11:30am.
5:15pm dinner @ planet hollywood

Wednesday, June 1st: MK day
9:05am breakfast @ Cape May Café
Magic kingdom
2:05pm Lunch in park @ The Crystal Palace

Thrusday, June 2ed: DHS day
12:55pm lunch in park @ Hollywood and Vine
7:50pm dinner @ Chef Mickey's

Friday, June 3rd:
Move hotel day/Blizzard Beach

9:50am breakfast @ ohana
dinner off proptery @ Kobe's

Saterday, June 4rd: MK day/Red day!

9:10am Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Castle
10:05am breakfast @ Cinderella's Royal Table
4pm snacks in Adventureland @ aloha isle

Sunday, June 5th:

Check out day
magical express to airport by 2:30pm or so
5:20pm fly out

Monday, June 6th:
Turn 28!(my birthday!)

Hey Single Dad! Glad to see you here. We're nearly birthday buddies ...I'm on the 8th.

CBR is one of my all time favorites, but I haven't been there in so many years. It just makes happy every time I drive by it though.

 

[Singledad]

Has anyone stayed at All Star Sports before?

We did last year! LOVED IT! It wasn't a large sprawling property, so even though we were not right next to main building it wasn't a hike to get to the bus stop. I ate in the food court one night, and it was so good I wanted to go get seconds, sadly I was the last customer of the night, so I couldn't. You know a place has great service if even the last person's food is awesome, imho.

and the main pool was not very crowded. I think it helps that you can go to any AS pool. either way, my DD loved it.

I'm not actually big on sports, but it was still fun.

The only photos I have are ones that are focused on DD, just happen to be in the hotel... sharing them here also lets a proud dad show of his kid.

Main building, near Reg. Desk:

Can see the bedspread, and mouse we got on arrival day:

Can see part of the curtain:

and of course you can see my pretty girl!

and lastly, a random photo for yall to smirk with me at just how tired my DD was at the end... our ride to the airport via Magical Express:

don't worry, I removed the face plant, so she layed better in the chair right after the photo.

Hey Single Dad! Glad to see you here. We're nearly birthday buddies ...I'm on the 8th.

CBR is one of my all time favorites, but I haven't been there in so many years. It just makes happy every time I drive by it though.

Hello again! and happy birthday early! Are you going to celebrate yours there? I do wear the button on Saturday.

I've not even seen CBR outside of the photos. my main worry is, how much extra walking will I be doing? looks HUGE... both my DD and I SO want to nap in one of those hammocks.... I wonder, would they wake someone up and make them go back to their room at night?

 

[buffettgirl]

I've not even seen CBR outside of the photos. my main worry is, how much extra walking will I be doing? looks HUGE... both my DD and I SO want to nap in one of those hammocks.... I wonder, would they wake someone up and make them go back to their room at night?

well, we're leaving on the 8th, and I have Chef Mickey's booked for early that morning, but otherwise I'm not going to do anything. Just being there will be enough....

CBR does have a lot of walking, so maybe request a room closer to the central location. http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm
So for the least amount of walking you want to be in the closer martinque or trinidad north(not trinidad south) Or even directly across the water in Jamaica or Aruba in the closest buildings there (you're also close to the playground) The last time we were there my daughter was 4, and what we'd do is go for breakfast at Old Port Royale and then grab the bus from there. Then on the way home, we'd take the bus that looped around so we wouldn't have to walk as much. I'm not sure anymore what the bus pattern is like, but you'll figure it out. There are also quiet pools in each of the 'villages' so you can minimize a lot of walking by using those.

but for me...just hearing the steel drums and the colors..I just love it there. I'm hoping once the oldest is out of the house and we no longer need so mcuh room we'll be able to go there again (10 and 17 boy/girl - they don't share a bed LOL)

 

[kittylady1972]

So after a few days of research, I ended up making some phone calls yesterday to Amtrak. DH really wants to upgrade from our coach seats to rooms but I wasn't sure what our options would be for that. Yesterday I learned that it won't be as expensive as I thought. They will allow us to book two roomettes with 5 people...2 kids and 1 adult in one room, and 1 kid and one adult in another. DH would like a room with a bathroom, but I don't want to spend the extra $150 for that...even if that's for one room. We may reconsider as we get closer to the trip.

It looks like I don't need to book it quite yet. I get the feeling the travel date is going to mean our train is pretty empty based on the fact that the rates are still pretty low. I can upgrade us to two roomettes for an additional $252 which isn't horrible. I will probably go ahead and do that next month.

We are even consdering taking the train home as well, if we can swing the rewards points. Right now DH doesn't have enough in his account but I applied for a credit card that would earn me enough points as part of the introductory offer that if I transfer them to him, or he transfers his to me, we might be able to book our trip home in bedrooms for FREE! That would be awesome.

Don't know that his family will be thrilled that we won't be travelling by car home with them. We were the ones insisting on driving...but now that it might only end up costing us about $600 round trip to take the train down and back...it's much more doable for us! We'll see.

 

[Gummie Bears]

After reading the posts I guess I need to get started buying our travel items. This being our first trip I'm so nervous & overwhelmed! We've done family vacations before but WDW just seems like a whole other world!



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[toomanycars]

After reading the posts I guess I need to get started buying our travel items. This being our first trip I'm so nervous & overwhelmed! We've done family vacations before but WDW just seems like a whole other world!





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Just keep reading and plan, plan and plan. If you are like all of us it will be one of the best times you can have with your family.

 

[txtara]

After reading the posts I guess I need to get started buying our travel items. This being our first trip I'm so nervous & overwhelmed! We've done family vacations before but WDW just seems like a whole other world!



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Remain calm ....10 years ago when I took my kids to WDW for the first time it was very last minute...like week of. I had been going to Disney all of my life but never stayed on the property as I have family in Orlando. I knew about dining reservations but never gave it a second thought. We stayed at AKL (this was right after it opened) and walked into Boma every morning for breakfast except one. We had the character brkfst in AK with reservations made the night before. We had no touring plans except flying by the seat of our pants. We ate at the quick service places with the exception of our breakfasts and never regretted it. It was an awesome trip. What I am trying to say is that your trip will be magical regardless...relax and have a good time.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Thanks, Singledad! Your baby girl is adorable.

We really enjoyed Music, and I am sure Sports will be great too.