The dream my heart wished coming true Oct 2013

[babynala]

I think not hitting the park on the first day is a good choice with all the travel that you will be doing. Plus you have to pay to park the car so it is probably not worth it.

I love your epcot plans and I think you will have plenty to eat with all of the booths in world showcase. My DH loves to eat the small portions from all the countries. I found a list online that showed what each booth would have. I am going to make him read it on the ride down so he can plan his attack. He always wants to try everything but gets full before that happens. Let me know if you can't find it with Google and I will send you the link.

Everything you read talks about taking a break during the day but we have found this is not necessary in October. For one thing he park hours are shorter si hy the time you leave the park and come back a good chunk of your day is gone. Also the weather is bearable and not so hot that you need to get out of the parks. Since you don't have little ones you will be ok. I would suggest taking a break to sit down and watch one of the entertainers or the eat to the beat concerts. You will need to rest your feet and recharge as Epcot is very big. If it is hot go to one of the counter service restaurants with ac just to people watch and chill out for a bit. We always drive and get to the parks before opening to enjoy the parks before the parks get too busy. Be sure to write down or text yourself the location of your car in the parking lots!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip

Love the shirts you made for the trip. Glad everyone agreed to take part. Anything goes at Disney!

 

[kayemgi]

I agree that not bothering with a park on your arrival day is a wise decision! Especially since your flight doesn't arrive until 5:15. Better to rest and get in a full day the next day. I LOVE your Epcot shirts! What a clever idea and nice way to match but not really match. We plan to gorge at Food & Wine on our Epcot day as well. I hope our bellies have room for all the foods we want to try! There are so many choices!

 

[Skycat]

I agree that not bothering with a park on your arrival day is a wise decision! Especially since your flight doesn't arrive until 5:15. Better to rest and get in a full day the next day. I LOVE your Epcot shirts! What a clever idea and nice way to match but not really match. We plan to gorge at Food & Wine on our Epcot day as well. I hope our bellies have room for all the foods we want to try! There are so many choices!

Thanks - I like the way the shirts came out. I think you are right that we should just have a quiet first night and try to trick our bodies into thinking it is three hours later than we are used to.

I think not hitting the park on the first day is a good choice with all the travel that you will be doing. Plus you have to pay to park the car so it is probably not worth it.

I love your epcot plans and I think you will have plenty to eat with all of the booths in world showcase. My DH loves to eat the small portions from all the countries. I found a list online that showed what each booth would have. I am going to make him read it on the ride down so he can plan his attack. He always wants to try everything but gets full before that happens. Let me know if you can't find it with Google and I will send you the link.

Everything you read talks about taking a break during the day but we have found this is not necessary in October. For one thing he park hours are shorter si hy the time you leave the park and come back a good chunk of your day is gone. Also the weather is bearable and not so hot that you need to get out of the parks. Since you don't have little ones you will be ok. I would suggest taking a break to sit down and watch one of the entertainers or the eat to the beat concerts. You will need to rest your feet and recharge as Epcot is very big. If it is hot go to one of the counter service restaurants with ac just to people watch and chill out for a bit. We always drive and get to the parks before opening to enjoy the parks before the parks get too busy. Be sure to write down or text yourself the location of your car in the parking lots!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip

Love the shirts you made for the trip. Glad everyone agreed to take part. Anything goes at Disney!

Thank you for all the advice and tips. I think you are right that paying for parking for a limited time would not be a good idea. I did not know that they was a list of the food - I will be googling that right now. I think a mid day break is certainly much more needed when the kids are little - but mine is not so little anymore. The size of the part does concern me as I have no frame of reference, but I guess that is part of the excitement. Resting and taking in the sights in the park sounds like an excellent idea. Thanks again for the tips - they are appreciated since I am new to this.

 

[Skycat]

Our second park will be Hollywood Studios. This park seems a little crazy with all of the specific show times. We have reservations at Mama Melrose for 3:45 (late lunch, early dinner?) for the Fantasmic package. I remember getting up at...I think it was 3:00 in the morning here in AZ... to make reservations. four days in a row. Initially I had an ADR in Epcot, but canceled it when I realized how extensive the F&W Festival is. Another occasion when my fiance thought I was completely crazy. I am not a morning person, so to wake up that early to make an ADR was a bit out of character for me.

I decided to get the Fantasmic package to try to minimize the waiting and standing in line to some degree for Dan since he is a bit skeptical about all of the standing in line.

Must Dos
Rock....Coaster (don’t remember the name) - my son loves coasters. Me...well I do them...with my eyes closed and saying a prayer...but I do them and like it afterward...
Tower of Terror - I really hate this one at California Adventures - really hate it - but will do it for Andrew
Toy Story Mania - get fast pass right away from what I have read
Fantasmic

Attire - Different shades of blue with the Mickey Sorcerer Silhouette. Thank you Denovagirl for your inspiration, pictures, instructions, and tutorial.



Dan says he does not like coasters, so I am not sure what he will go on. He says he will go on some things. The first five days are Disney, then the last three days are things he will enjoy more. Trying to keep everyone happy. I try to enjoy everything.

 

[DMGeurts]

I love your Epcot shirts and I really love your DHS shirts, and plans!

Ecellent idea doing the F! package... We have only seen F! one time, and it's something I'd like to see again -but those crowds are so intimidating!

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

I have been reading your PTR - okay I skipped around a bit in the 90 some pages, but I have been reading faithfully since I discovered it. It is so fun getting to know you. We haven't met in person...maybe someday since Dis Meets seem to be the thing to do.

Well then HI! thanks for reading that CRAZY report!!!

I love the shirts!!!

i like Epcot the first day! thank it is great touring plans so far.
I have to Laugh at the close your eyes and pray!!! what a great Mom to do it all for your son!!!

i am a HUGE fan of HS.. HUGE.. glad your have the dinner package. it's a great show!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I love your shirts!! they are so cute and a great idea! my DH is not a matching person either, so our next trip is the first time I've matched us. i'm so excited for the day I put the girls in tutus and princess Minnie shirts and he wears his tshirt that says "princess protection agency". him....not so excited, but he'll do it for the girls! gotta love those daddies! I like your idea of just shirts that go together. i'll have to remember that!

your plans for epcot sound great! we've never gone during F&W but we do have a list of snacks to get while we're there this time.

HS is my favorite park after MK. you'll love rockn rollercoaster. it is sooooo fun! I agree on TOT. the themeing and the CMs creep me out, and I dread the waiting for that first drop. after that I'm good with it. we've only seen fantasmic once, but I love it! we didn't do a dinner package with it--that sounds like fun.

great plans!!

 

[Skycat]

I love your Epcot shirts and I really love your DHS shirts, and plans!

Ecellent idea doing the F! package... We have only seen F! one time, and it's something I'd like to see again -but those crowds are so intimidating!

D~

Oh I am glad to hear that the package seems like a worthwhile thing. Thanks for the compliments. I was a bit nervous doing the shirts - I usually commission my mom with all things arts and crafts. She sews, knits, etc., but I decided to give it a try.

Well then HI! thanks for reading that CRAZY report!!!

I love the shirts!!!

i like Epcot the first day! thank it is great touring plans so far.
I have to Laugh at the close your eyes and pray!!! what a great Mom to do it all for your son!!!

i am a HUGE fan of HS.. HUGE.. glad your have the dinner package. it's a great show!!

Your crazy FUN report Yes we do strange things for our kids - you do amazing things for your kids (times 3) WOW

I love your shirts!! they are so cute and a great idea! my DH is not a matching person either, so our next trip is the first time I've matched us. i'm so excited for the day I put the girls in tutus and princess Minnie shirts and he wears his tshirt that says "princess protection agency". him....not so excited, but he'll do it for the girls! gotta love those daddies! I like your idea of just shirts that go together. i'll have to remember that!

your plans for epcot sound great! we've never gone during F&W but we do have a list of snacks to get while we're there this time.

HS is my favorite park after MK. you'll love rockn rollercoaster. it is sooooo fun! I agree on TOT. the themeing and the CMs creep me out, and I dread the waiting for that first drop. after that I'm good with it. we've only seen fantasmic once, but I love it! we didn't do a dinner package with it--that sounds like fun.

great plans!!

Thanks for the compliments. I never thought my guy would go along - but he did - so YAY! For me the moment of weightlessness on TOT is nerve wracking!

 

[Skycat]

A couple of weeks ago, we signed up for a Disney Visa card. We used it to pay off a couple of vacation costs and will use the vacation fund to pay it right away. We had to spend $500 and they would send us a $200 gift card. I was not sure if it would get here in time, but it arrived today. YAY! That's a couple of Mickey ear ice cream bars for sure. :

 

[DMGeurts]

A couple of weeks ago, we signed up for a Disney Visa card. We used it to pay off a couple of vacation costs and will use the vacation fund to pay it right away. We had to spend $500 and they would send us a $200 gift card. I was not sure if it would get here in time, but it arrived today. YAY! That's a couple of Mickey ear ice cream bars for sure. :

Yay!!! Free $$ is always good!

D~

 

[babynala]

For me the moment of weightlessness on TOT is nerve wracking!

I usually scream the entire fall. The waiting for the inevitable plunge makes me crazy. I will go on that ride at least once a trip but don't enjoy it. I do LOVE Rockin' Rollercoaster. They have a single rider line that goes pretty quick if your DS wants to ride a few times after everyone goes by themselves.

Your DHS plan sounds good. We have never eaten at Mamma Melroses but it is on my short list and the Fantasmic package is a great idea too. I really want to see Fantasmic this year so we will have to endure the crowds.

We like to get a FP for Toy Story Mania and then ride right away because the stand by line moves pretty quickly in the morning. My DS loves this one so we always have to do it a few times.

I think DHS is a hard park to get to see everything in because of all the shows. I don't usually do a major plan for our park days but I think this year I am going to try and make a rough outline of which shows we will see so we don't miss anything. I think your son will like Star Tours (ride) and probably the Indiana Jones stunt show. My dad is a car guy so of course he loves the Lights Motor Action show but I'm not sure if they have a similar show in DL that you might have seen. You guys will probably enjoy the Great Movie Ride too and that line usually moves really quick.

Love your different colored Mickey shirts. Perfect for Fantasmic. You did a great job on them.

A couple of weeks ago, we signed up for a Disney Visa card. We used it to pay off a couple of vacation costs and will use the vacation fund to pay it right away. We had to spend $500 and they would send us a $200 gift card. I was not sure if it would get here in time, but it arrived today. YAY! That's a couple of Mickey ear ice cream bars for sure. :

Cool that it arrived before your trip. I think they have special gift cards in Epcot that are small and on a stretchable cord that you wear like a bracelet. People like them because they are easy to scan at the food and wine festival booths. You might be able to buy one of those with part of your GC (it is a regular Disney gift card so you can use it for any purchase but the small size appeals to those doing the food and wine festival).

 

[Skycat]

Great tips - thank you so much - I am starting to realize that DL is quite a bit different from what I have read - certainly a lot fewer shows.

 

[Skycat]

Day 3 will be Animal Kingdom. My son and fiance are most excited about this park. I know that some people don’t love this park as much. However, my boys love zoos and animals. DS wanted to be a zookeeper for quite some time, but has recently switched to wanting to write the story lines for video games. Probably a better fit quite honestly. I am sure there will be several new directions though - that’s the beauty of being young and having time to figure it all out.

We have seen the documentary on the construction of the tree of life several times, so seeing it person will be cool.

Must Dos
Expedition Everest - not looking forward to going backward
Rapids ride
Safari
Lion King show - I once saw the Broadway show when it came to town, but was so sick with a fever (should have stayed home. but it was the Lion King)

Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ or Yak and Yeti - I have heard great things about Flame Tree, but we are in store for a meat heavy dinner....

Since this park closes earlier and we do not have park hoppers, we have an ADR for Ohana’s. Our reservation is for 6:45

If I can con the boys into it and we aren’t too exhausted, I would like to try to see Wishes from the Polynesian (beach???).

Attire - Safari Mickey/Minnie shirts. Different colors, but coordinating ones.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Don't forget about the jalapeno pretzel!!! YUM!!!!
No dinosaur ride? or the treck?!?!

Yes DL is very different then WDW.

I want to try DL in 2015.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I agree with Mo--you have to do the dinosaur ride! So fun! We also like the nemo show. It's so creative with the puppets and the people working them. Worth seeing if you have time (I guess I don't know if they have something like that at DL that you may have seen already). And check out the fruit bats-they are my favorite!!

 

[wiigirl]

Cute shirts!

 

[Skycat]

Don't forget about the jalapeno pretzel!!! YUM!!!!
No dinosaur ride? or the treck?!?!

Yes DL is very different then WDW.

I want to try DL in 2015.

Jalapeno Pretzel?? Where is that? My boys would love that. Dinosaur is on the list too. We are going to try to do as much as we can! I listed the things that we would be super disappointed about not seeing...I will add Dinosaur to that list then.

I agree with Mo--you have to do the dinosaur ride! So fun! We also like the nemo show. It's so creative with the puppets and the people working them. Worth seeing if you have time (I guess I don't know if they have something like that at DL that you may have seen already). And check out the fruit bats-they are my favorite!!

I want to see it all! I know it won't be possible, but going to make the most of it. There is nothing like AK at DL. Look at the newbie (me) using the acronyms.

 

[Chicago Mo]

It's at:
Harambe Fruit Market

they are AMAZING!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Hmmm... Did someone say Jalepeno pretzel??? Mmmmm... Yes - for sure a must do food at AK!

I love your AK shirts! They turned out fantastic!

FOLK is a must do - and in case you haven't heard my favorite tip (hey, I invented it... along with the Target GC discount - but that's a different story) - SIT at the BACK... then you can lean back on the back of the risers... otherwise it's hugely uncomfortable.

We have only eaten at FTBBQ once, and I remember it being good - but filling. The Jalepeno pretzel makes a good lunch too. LOL

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hmmm... Did someone say Jalepeno pretzel??? Mmmmm... Yes - for sure a must do food at AK!
The Jalepeno pretzel makes a good lunch too. LOL

D~

Told ya.....