The Earls meet the Princesses:A June PTR *6/13 WE LEAVE IN THE MORNING!*

[cjackearl]

What a cute idea! I think the kids are absolutely going to flip out! As far as sneaking them into the room, could DH take the kids to explore the resort while you get the stuff into the room?

Thanks! I think I'm enjoying putting them together as much as the kids will enjoy getting them. Good idea about the resort tour!

OH! You were wise to tell "self" that she could do that, too! Absolutely! I am in the process of doing the same thing! I love squirreling away stuff for the Walle stuff sacks! (that is what mine are) And yes, you can get all kinds of fun stuff... another addition would be glow bracelets/necklaces... I got tubes of them at Target, I think it was in the dollar section, it was a while ago, but they had them in packages in the "birthday" section -- so you could get some and split them up for the kids? I also combed the Easter aisle for a few toys, found Playhouse disney card games for DS3 (who will be 4 about the same time yours will be) They had movie Cars stuff in the dollar section a few weeks back, not sure if they still do, but maybe a few odds and ends are still there? RE the pins, great great idea to get a "lot" of them and divide them up. I did the same for my two, and while DS3 wasn't into it at first, he saw his brother trading and got interested... I bought him a few pins, but they traded the rest... I think he will be more interested this coming trip in June...

Great ideas! Keep them coming!

Ooh, I have those glow thingies! I'll definitely divide them up and add them. Thanks!

 

[cjackearl]

I hope this update is coherent. I'm a little frazzled. I just took my three kids plus three extras to see Monsters vs. Aliens. I got the 3 year old and the three 11 year olds in my van. Wow can 11 year old girls make a lot of noise! Anyhow, everyone had a great time and we really enjoyed the movie. So funny! Ok, before I get to planning, I wanted to share a picture of my son dressing up this weekend.

Amelia wore this Dumbo costume for Halloween when she was 3. You can see in the background all of the costumes spilling out of his closet. His closet is picked up for approximately 5 minutes per day. The rest of the time it looks like that, but at least he's having fun.

Back to planning. Our drive to WDW is a long one, and I've decided to split it up into one very long day and one short day. We'll get up at o dark 30, by which I mean about 4 am. We'll drive for between 3 and 4 hours before stopping for breakfast. I'll bring Pop Tarts for anyone who decides they're hungry before we stop. I actually have McDonalds fruit and yogurt parfaits in my head for breakfast. Is that weird? I think I just want everyone to have some yogurt to help with tummy issues, and nothing heavy. I don't know how stomaches will respond to so much driving. There's plenty of time for heavy when we get to Disney.

I think we'll stop about every 4 hours from then on, probably switching drivers when we stop. Secretly, I'm looking forward to some uninterupted reading time, so if you have any favorite books, please recommend.

We'll drive past Atlanta around 5, wave to CP and Family as we pass, and hopefully make it to Valdosta or just north before stopping for the night. I know some people drive all night, but we're just too old to be able to recover quickly anymore.

We'll get up the next morning with a 3-4 hour drive ahead of us. We should be pulling into the BC parking lot around noon!

I hopped on the AAA site and ordered a trip tik from our town to Orlando to Ferrington, NC and back home. I also ordered a bunch of state maps and guide books as well as city maps of Atlanta and Orlando.

I like to navigate. It's fun to hold the power of the maps.

Next post: Tentative itinerary

 

[Charleston Princess]

What kind of books do you like to read? I am always full of book suggestions!

So, Monsters vs. Aliens was good? I think I am going to take our kids during spring break -- which is just five school days away for us (thank goodness)!

Yes, make sure you wave to us as you pass through Atlanta -- and get into that HOV lane as soon as you can -- it will make getting through rush hour a little bit better!

 

[cjackearl]

Before I post about our itinerary, I've got to tell you about something else new that is Disney related. Due to some CRAZY talk over on Lady Lallies PTR, I've decided to start a walking/running program to build up some endurance before Disney. Losing a little weight would be a nice benefit also. I'm going to try the couch potato to 5K program because its around 2 1/2 months long, which is how long until our trip. Wish me luck. I'm kind of a baby when it comes to excercise.


On to the itinerary!!

Monday, June 15-Arrival Day
Check in -if room ready, unpack, check out resort
if room not ready (more likely) go to ?? probably WS
Dinner at Chef Mickey 5:40
Return to Epcot for Illuminations

Tuesday, June 16-DHS Day
Breakfast in room
Rope drop @ DHS
Back to BC for afternoon break, perhaps lunch @ Beaches and Cream
CS dinner which we'll take in to eat while waiting for ---
Fantasmic?

Wednesday, June 17-MK Day
Breakfast in room
Rope drop @ MK
CS lunch in MK
Back to BC for afternoon break
Dinner @ Kona Cafe 5:35
MK evening for Spectromagic and Wishes

Thursday, June 18-Resort Day
Sleep in
Breakfast in room
Explore resort, maybe rent boats, play at SAB, shop
CS lunch
Dinner @ CMC Clambake
Smores and movie on the beach

Friday, June 19-Epcot Day
Breakfast in room
Epcot Future World rope drop
Lunch @ Le Celier 1:50 (16 year anniversary )
CS dinner

Saturday, June 20-Epcot WS and DTD
Breakfast in room
Late morning in Epcot WS
CS lunch
Afternoon in DTD
Dinner @ Raglan Road 5:30

Sunday, June 21-AK Day
Breakfast in room
Rope drop in AK
CS lunch in AK
Quick break at resort
Dinner @ HDDR 5:00

Monday, June 22-Departure Day
Breakfast @ CP 8:05
Morning @ MK
Check out


I'm completely up in the air re:hoppers. I'd decided when I first booked the trip that I'd not get them and joining TGM made me more convinced we didn't need them. Now, with all the talk of crazy Fantasmic crowds, I'm not sure. I'll have some extra $$ coming in soon, which I'll post about later, so it is an option. I guess I have to mull some more.

Any thoughts?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Your son looks so adorable in the Dumbo costume!!

I think your driving plan sounds great as does your itinerary. I am a big fan of park hoppers. I like having the security that I can use them if parks are too crowded or if you just feel like a change half way through the day. I feel like I get a second wind if I mix up two parks per day.

I am going to start the Walking 1/2 Marathon program that Crissy PM'd me the link. I am not ready to start running yet. I'm going to start next Monday after the big move. I can't fit anything else in this week with all the moving craziness! I'm kinda excited about getting in shape. I have never been fond of exercise but if I can reward myself with a trip to Disney to compete in a 1/2 Marathon, I might just stay motivated.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Your itinerary looks great!

As far as park hoppers go... we usually get them but I was on the fence for this trip. I considered not hopping to save the money, but after hearing about the Fantasmic situation we decided to hop again. I think hopping also works better for our family. We like to visit DHS & AK a lot, but only ride a few rides (ToT, EE) and then hop over to another park. As it turns out we are going to skip Fantasmic all together this year.

 

[Laura.bora]

The last couple of months I've been doing some plotting. It's what I do.... I said to myself, "Self, you could do that." I LOVE to put together gifts. It's a passion really, or maybe a sickness, one of the two.

We are so alike it's sick....It's like reading my own trip report.



trading pins and lanyards-I bought a 25 pin lot online that I'll split between the three kids. We've got at least 1 black lanyard, I'll need two more. I know this isn't a lot of pins to trade, but I'm not sure how my kiddos will take to it. If they love it, they'll have souvie $$ to spend on more pins.

Our kids had 6 pins each to trade, and if they wanted more they could buy their own. It worked well - they were all about pins in Disney, not so much at home. 6 pins was enough to trade for our kids.

I think we'll stop about every 4 hours from then on, probably switching drivers when we stop. Secretly, I'm looking forward to some uninterupted reading time, so if you have any favorite books, please recommend.

Oh boy - books are my favorite!! I personally love anything by Janette Oke. I think of more.


Friday, June 19-Epcot Day
Breakfast in room
Epcot Future World rope drop
Lunch @ Le Celier 1:50 (16 year anniversary )
CS dinner


And yet again - our anniversary is on the 15th!


I'm completely up in the air re:hoppers. I'd decided when I first booked the trip that I'd not get them and joining TGM made me more convinced we didn't need them. Now, with all the talk of crazy Fantasmic crowds, I'm not sure. I'll have some extra $$ coming in soon, which I'll post about later, so it is an option. I guess I have to mull some more.

Any thoughts?

To quote a TGM'er - "That's one expensive parade" or in your case, firework show thing. Go see La nouba instead! That's what we did!
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

 

[Laura.bora]

lol - I don't know what I did before, but obviously the quote button wasn't working so well!!

 

[cjackearl]

Oops, CP, I missed your response. I was typing up the itinerary when you posted.

What kind of books do you like to read? I am always full of book suggestions!
Most everything, save horror, romance and thrillers. A few of my favorites to give you some clues have been The Book Thief, #1 Ladies Detective Agency series, anything by James Herriot, Anne of Green Gables series,(yes, reread all of them as an adult twice) historical fiction by Edward Rutherfurd.
So, Monsters vs. Aliens was good? I think I am going to take our kids during spring break -- which is just five school days away for us (thank goodness)!
We've got the same break. We really liked it. I think you would enjoy.
Yes, make sure you wave to us as you pass through Atlanta -- and get into that HOV lane as soon as you can -- it will make getting through rush hour a little bit better!

What's the HOV lane? Any help with rush hour in Atlanta is appreciated.

Your son looks so adorable in the Dumbo costume!!
Thank you!
I think your driving plan sounds great as does your itinerary. I am a big fan of park hoppers. I like having the security that I can use them if parks are too crowded or if you just feel like a change half way through the day. I feel like I get a second wind if I mix up two parks per day.
ITA. I'm just having a hard time deciding if it's worth $250 for us.
I am going to start the Walking 1/2 Marathon program that Crissy PM'd me the link. I am not ready to start running yet. I'm going to start next Monday after the big move. I can't fit anything else in this week with all the moving craziness! I'm kinda excited about getting in shape. I have never been fond of exercise but if I can reward myself with a trip to Disney to compete in a 1/2 Marathon, I might just stay motivated.

Disney is a great motivator!

Your itinerary looks great!

As far as park hoppers go... we usually get them but I was on the fence for this trip. I considered not hopping to save the money, but after hearing about the Fantasmic situation we decided to hop again. I think hopping also works better for our family. We like to visit DHS & AK a lot, but only ride a few rides (ToT, EE) and then hop over to another park. As it turns out we are going to skip Fantasmic all together this year.

We're going to play it by ear. We all thought it was fantastic in '05, but I just don't know about the crowds.

 

[Happydog]

Hi There! We are not getting the hoppers b/c it is too tempting for me to want to use them constantly, even just two parks is going to be too much daily for us... We are not seeing fantasmic either, the day we selected for DHS is the "off day" for the show... and they were somewhat scared by it in Nov, and we didn't even have proper seats...

So re Monster's and Aliens, did you see it in 3D? We took our DS6 and his buddy to it in 3D.... great fun. The previews were great too! Some good kid movies coming this summer... Yes, CP, go see it!

Drive plan looks good, daily park choices etc., also look good

 

[cjackearl]

Hi Happydog! I tried to quote your message but for some reason the Dis isn't liking that tonight. No Monsters vs. Aliens 3D for the Earls and Co. It would be a fun movie to see in 3D, I bet. Yes, about the summer movies looking great! Ian kept saying, in his very sweet but very loud voice, "I have that book! I have that book!" Cloudy is one of our favorites.

 

[cjackearl]

Before I post about the importance of this trip to me, let me tell you how we celebrated April Fool's yesterday. The day started out with George calling from the shower. Apparently, Madeline had taken all of the shampoo, soap and shaving stuff out of the shower and put it under our bed.

Here are some pictures of April Fools dinner. We had dessert first. The cupcakes are meatloaf with mashed potato frosting.

Amelia stuck her finger in the "frosting" so she knew it was mashed potatos. Luckily she kept the secret.

Ian was so excited to have dessert first!

That is, until he realized his cupcake wasn't sweet.

Here are our "fish sticks" and "peas", made with wafer cookies and green apple laffy taffy.

Ian thought dinner was much better than dessert!

We had so much fun with this! Next post a little later tonight.

 

[DisMomAmy]

That's a riot!! I've never seen that done before and you are the second DISer who has posted pictures of meatloaf cupcakes!!! Mommytothreeboys did the same thing with her family!

The fish sticks & peas are great!! I'll have to remember that one for next year.

 

[cjackearl]

Maybe we both have subscriptions to Family Fun. Gotta love that magazine!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Those are so adorable!! What a fun meal!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love Ian's look as he digs into his "dessert." What a fun idea!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi! I had to pop over and see your "cupcakes" since you stopped in at my PTR to see mine! I don't have a subscription to Family Fun any longer, but I used to so I know to go on their website to check out all the April Fool's ideas! I was going to do the fish sticks too, but decided to wait till next year. They turned out really cute!

Well..I'll come back after I put the kids on the bus and read your report. Have a great day!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Okay, so I lied! I read your whole report just now!

First...your kids are absolutely adorable! At least you got to go through a Princess phase. With 3 boys, I don't see it anywhere in my future.

I when you said your DH said 4-5 and all you heard was 4! That sounds like me! Too funny!

We fly to WDW because my DH is NOT fan of the long drive. Unfortunately no advice there, but I would second the DVD player and DS idea! I personally get very sick if I read in the car so that is not an option for me at all.

Your ADRs look really good. You got some great ones! Congratulations!

I am the same way about giving gifts....I LOVE STOCKINGS AND EASTER BASKETS too! It's so fun collecting all the cool little things! I've been doing that for our trip for things the kids can take in their carry-on bags.

We are staying at POR....for the same reason you would need to. As much as I love the look of some of the Deluxe resorts, my budget-conscious alter ego is very loud and annoying! We love POR and are looking forward to staying there again this year. Maybe I can get DH to do a "2nd honeymoon" trip for our 20th anniversary in a few years and we can stay Deluxe---now that's a great idea!!

Hmm...I'm rambling, but I'm trying to remember all the things I wanted to comment on!

Oh...Park Hoppers. We don't park hop because (again that loud annoying alter ego of mine) I know that if I spent the $, I'd feel obligated to use the option every day! It's just less stressful for us to do one park per day. Although the crowd levels are a little nerve wracking this year!

Well, NOW I really do need to go put the boys on the bus! Can't wait to read more of your plans! Thanks for stopping in to my PTR and getting my attention!

 

[cjackearl]

I said earlier to explaining why this trip is extra special to me. In order to do that, I need to go into some personal information about me and be vulnerable in sharing my feelings. Scared yet? Anyhow, remember while you're reading this that some of this is going to sound ugly, but I'm trying to be honest. I think it makes the reason why this trip to WDW is so special to me make sense. Ok, scary disclaimer over.

I alluded, in my first post I think, to the fact that our son's birth was not exactly planned. We had talked for a long time about whether or not we wanted a third child and decided when Amelia turned about 4 1/2 that it was time to make a final decision. I was getting older, Amelia would be starting Kindergarden, it felt like it was time to move on to the next stage of parenting. We were able to take trips without diaper bags or worrying about nap schedules so we started talking about finally taking a trip to WDW. In August my husband got "fixed" and 10 days later I found out I was pregnant.

My husband and I took turns being hysterical. I felt so overwhelmed. This did NOT fit into MY plan! It didn't help that my midwife talked about testing at my first appointment because of my "advanced maternal age." I started thinking about all the changes that would have to happen, from the girls having to share a room to buying a new vehicle, to pushing back my return to work day. The one thing I refused to change was our trip to WDW. I felt like I just couldn't take it away from the girls.

We told the girls about the baby when I was about 11 weeks pregnant and their reaction helped so much. They acted like we were having this baby just for them! Talking and planning for the baby started to become fun for all of us, as did talking about and planning for our trip to WDW. Two fun events to plan.

I know intellectually that my initial feelings were "wrong" and that all babies are precious gifts. I truly believe that, but I wanted you all to know how far we've come in the past 4 years. This little "unexpected blessing" has brought unimaginable joy and laughter to our lives. He just fits, you know? I adore my two beautiful princesses and love my little prince charming just as much.

That first trip in 2005 was really despite Ian, but this trip is so much about him. I just can't wait to see the World through Ian's eyes. We'll have great fun making Earl family memories with all of the Earls, princesses and prince included.

Ok, end of full disclosure.

Next post: Mail!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

My husband had the same procedure in December and I have to tell you that I would have had the same feelings you did if I found out I was pregnant. I think that is totally natural. I know I have said that if that happened I would not think God's sense of humor was funny! Of course you adjusted and you LOVE Ian, but an adjustment period to the obvious change in plans is understandable! Leave it to the kids to see what's really important and embrace it! Ya gotta love em!