The faceless children take a top-secret trip to WDW...

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Check with Karen! Do I need to open up my own site? Tour Guide Karen??

Yes, 10/1 is the actual Food and Wine opening day. It will be a madhouse, so just prepare yourself and you'll have a great time! Every year (so far) they have done a soft opening on the previous day (this would be Thursday). Not all the booths will be open and they may not open right away, maybe just in the evening. That's what I've heard at least!

 

[-Hope-]

Check with Karen! Do I need to open up my own site? Tour Guide Karen??

That's not a bad idea.

 

[lexmas]

Lol, not a bad idea at all. There's a way to supplement your income...

Good to know when the opening is...I got myself confused because in my notes I went from 9/28 to 9/30 and then I was all mixed up.

Guess that means we're out of luck on the soft opening because that's when MNSSHP is for us. And I would suppose we'd want to hit food and wine on Friday instead of Saturday because of locals. Plus, I should probably consider that because we'll want to be pretty done with Epcot before F&W starts. Things to ponder...

 

[lexmas]

These look great! It would drive me insane to have no plans but I know that's my issue, not because it's necessary. If we were springing for hoppers I'd definately be hopping over to take advantage of the PM EMH.

Haha I know you couldn't handle no plans. I like to see how the mood moves me though, and more specifically, how it moves the babies. If there's something they love I want them to be able to do it as much as they can. Plus, this trip J.J. will actually give some input as to where he wants to go, so that's REALLY exciting!

 

[lexmas]

I totally understand leaving a few days open. Last May my DH showed no interest in trip planning. A few days into the trip he grabbed Unofficial Guide and made plans for the last few days. It was good to have him excited and involved.

Amanda

Yeah, we won't just go to the bus stop and decide then, we'll get more of a plan as the trip goes on. Just have to see what everyone likes. When we went on our honeymoon our favorite park was DHS (although it wasn't DHS then!) and now we probably won't be spending much time there. Not too much for the kids...if they didn't have Toy Story Mania and Playhouse Disney we'd probably skip it entirely. The last few days will be planned before we get to them!

(And sorry, the multi-quote button failed me in responding to everyone here!)

 

[Disneychix]

Just remember it has been very hot and humid in late Sept for the past couple of years. Keeping up the early mornings and late night pace might be difficult even with naps for the kids (I'm thinking of you and DH!).

I love that you're letting DS have a say in what he wants to do. How fun!

 

[lexmas]

Just remember it has been very hot and humid in late Sept for the past couple of years. Keeping up the early mornings and late night pace might be difficult even with naps for the kids (I'm thinking of you and DH!).

I love that you're letting DS have a say in what he wants to do. How fun!

That is true...we really have no problem playing it by ear once we're there...we just like to have a plan in place for the first few days before we go anyway, irregardless of what actually happens! Ah, the fun of traveling during hurricane season...

 

[lexmas]

Despite J.J.'s complete and total Power Ranger's obsession, I forgot about it completely when I was thinking about not spending much time at DHS.

So, we may have to spend more time there than we had previously thought. We are going to have to meet the power rangers more than once, definately. Maybe we can hit up the meet and greets more than once in a day.

Has anyone met them? Can you give me more info? Are these meet n greets crowded? Do you have to get in a separate line for each power ranger?

The meet and greets are:

Power Rangers
Streets of America
10:30 & 11:30am, 12:30, 4:30 & 5:30pm

Are any of these times better than others? Where on the streets of America? Any hints?

I can't completely describe his obsession with the power rangers...I mean, it's bad. Really bad. Haha. He spends his days striking poses and yelling out "T-Rex!", "Sabre Tooth Tiger!" "Mastodon!" everywhere. Even like, the supermarket. It's really cool.

 

[Disneychix]

Yes, you have to get in line for each PR but it's probably not going to be that crowded. They are usually right in front of the stadium for the Stunt Car Show. They drive up in a PR car and blast music, then they jump out and start posing! THey spread out kind of so they are not right on top of eachother.
I did take DS to meet them but he didn't know who they were. We just stumbled upon them and it was a nice photo-op!

That's really funny about JJ! I would be cracking up!

 

[-Hope-]

I can't completely describe his obsession with the power rangers...I mean, it's bad. Really bad. Haha. He spends his days striking poses and yelling out "T-Rex!", "Sabre Tooth Tiger!" "Mastodon!" everywhere. Even like, the supermarket. It's really cool.

That's awesome!!

 

[lexmas]

Yes, you have to get in line for each PR but it's probably not going to be that crowded. They are usually right in front of the stadium for the Stunt Car Show. They drive up in a PR car and blast music, then they jump out and start posing! THey spread out kind of so they are not right on top of eachother.
I did take DS to meet them but he didn't know who they were. We just stumbled upon them and it was a nice photo-op!

That's really funny about JJ! I would be cracking up!

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it!

That's awesome!!

It's...something, all right. Yesterday I had to draw all of the animals associated with the power rangers (zords, maybe? I'm not the power rangers fan!) with chalk on our sidewalk. An artist, I am not.

 

[lexmas]

I'm not going to lie, I'm trying my best to stay cool, but I'm a little worried about free dining not being released. Especially because I went and looked at restaurant menus and WOW that food is expensive. I can foresee us bringing peanutbutter and jelly into the parks every day. I've done it before, I'll do it again!

It just all adds up so fast. Even with sharing food and picking the cheap meal...and since I'm a wizard at feeding my family healthy, inexpensive meals at home, I don't like shelling out $6.50 for a hot dog. If I'm going to feed them junk food like that, I might as well just bring some lunchables and bring a cooler. Interesting idea, actually.

I know it's a waiting game, but I am not good at this game!

 

[BabyEeyore]

I know, I'm not too great at this whole waiting game, either. I mean, come on, is it September yet? Food prices really are crazy. We are saving extra money right now for our trip... well, we're going to start doing that from now on since we'll be moving back to the states in just over a year (don't tell DH I said this, but ) and I know I'll be wanting to get new furniture like we've been talking about and go to a mall and we'll just want to go check out local restaurants and stuff. *ahem* Sorry about that rambling. Anyway, I totally feel you on bringing sandwiches or lunchables into the park with you. Not a bad idea!

 

[-Hope-]

I think it will come but not until the 24th. And if it doesn't come something else will. I'm actually reassured by the fact that they're still offering summer promotions. If they're trying this hard to fill rooms in the busy season then they'll also try in the slow season.

 

[DrMomof3]

No free dining stinks! I'm thinking about NOT doing the dining plan and taking advantage of the kitchen in the villa to save some $$$.

Amanda

 

[Charlefours]

I love your trading card idea--what a cute idea!! I may have to borrow that Lilian at 17 months was using sign language to tell use what she wanted. Would you be able to prep Sydney with using cards to tell you want? Like a drink, food, stroller, walk, toy cards? Or perhaps with her, maybe you can do character trading cards--either give them to her before hand to spot the character to the card or after she meets them?

Your plans look great to me. Having the open days really would allow you to get to what you miss, if anything, or visit favorites. Sorry--cannot help you with the Power Rangers. I have read a few TR where people run into them. There seems to be only one out but that may be their particular time or the only one they waited to see.

Everyone is playing the waiting game to see what fall promotions will be released. With them still focusing on summer, I am trying not get my hopes up with seeing a promotion until May.

 

[lexmas]

I know, I'm not too great at this whole waiting game, either. I mean, come on, is it September yet? Food prices really are crazy. We are saving extra money right now for our trip... well, we're going to start doing that from now on since we'll be moving back to the states in just over a year (don't tell DH I said this, but ) and I know I'll be wanting to get new furniture like we've been talking about and go to a mall and we'll just want to go check out local restaurants and stuff. *ahem* Sorry about that rambling. Anyway, I totally feel you on bringing sandwiches or lunchables into the park with you. Not a bad idea!

I'm glad I'm not the only one impatiently waiting! I'm excited for you that you're moving back to the states soon! I think you'll have the shopping spree of all shopping sprees if your afternoon at the mall on your last trip is any indication! I had a question for you, when you got Ashlyn's hair cut on your trip, were the ears free? Someone posted on another thread that they weren't free anymore.

I think it will come but not until the 24th. And if it doesn't come something else will. I'm actually reassured by the fact that they're still offering summer promotions. If they're trying this hard to fill rooms in the busy season then they'll also try in the slow season.

I hope you're right! I know something will come out, it's just hard waiting. And now it looks like we'll be waiting another month at least.

No free dining stinks! I'm thinking about NOT doing the dining plan and taking advantage of the kitchen in the villa to save some $$$.

Amanda

I wish we had a kitchen. Cooking is no big deal to me, I would love being able to!

I love your trading card idea--what a cute idea!! I may have to borrow that Lilian at 17 months was using sign language to tell use what she wanted. Would you be able to prep Sydney with using cards to tell you want? Like a drink, food, stroller, walk, toy cards? Or perhaps with her, maybe you can do character trading cards--either give them to her before hand to spot the character to the card or after she meets them?

Your plans look great to me. Having the open days really would allow you to get to what you miss, if anything, or visit favorites. Sorry--cannot help you with the Power Rangers. I have read a few TR where people run into them. There seems to be only one out but that may be their particular time or the only one they waited to see.

Everyone is playing the waiting game to see what fall promotions will be released. With them still focusing on summer, I am trying not get my hopes up with seeing a promotion until May.

I think maybe I will try simple things with the cards...I tried that with DS but it failed. I also tried signing with him and he wasn't into that either. He just wanted to be a really effective pointer.

That's a good idea about the character cards. I haven't started looking for pictures for those, but I plan to soon. DH is doing the ride cards, so that's in his hands!

I think it will be may as well. Not that I'm happy about it, but I think that is the most likely scenario at this point!

 

[lexmas]

Sorry no updates lately...I'm just completely frustrated by this free dining thing, and now park hours are changed AND character locations/availability. I feel like too much is in the air to do much in the way of planning. (*ahem* is this how people USUALLY feel about planning 6 months out? ) So I'm just in a little funk that I'll be out of soon and back to planning! Thanks for being patient!

I'm worried that the barnstormer will be closed by the time we get there. Probably likely, but I hope it's not true!

We are thinking about making an ADR for a character meal just in case free dining comes out (makes paying Off plan feasible)....either Ohana or Crystal Palace...not sure which. I'm probably leaning toward Crystal Palace because I love the pooh characters, but we had a great meal at Ohana last trip.

 

[BabyEeyore]

When we got Ashlyn's hair cut, as soon as it was done we were handed the 1st Haircut ears. I want to say it was included and it was $16 before tip, but I'm honestly not sure. Ashlyn was freaking out so I took her outside to calm her down while Aaron paid. I am going to ask him when he gets home so I can double check for you, but he didn't mention having to pay extra for them. I'll let you know for sure!

 

[-Hope-]

The waiting is hard, that's for sure. Now it looks like it may be even later than April 24th since Disney just put a new promo up that can be booked until May 8th.