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

[lexmas]

I'm so glad I could help!!!! I've recently thought about becoming a TA, but I personally don't think I could book a trip using one! I'm such a control freak and I actually LIKE doing all the calling, planning, etc.

One of our personal favs for CS is Sunshine Seasons at the Land. Tony and I always split a meal there. Most entrees come with 2 sides, a drink and a dessert....so it's a lot of food. We usually end up getting the 1/2 rotisserie chicken with glazed carrots and mashed potatos. Yum! I'd go over to allears.net and look at their menus. You can get a good idea of how big CS meals will be.

DH would love being a TA too, I'm surprised he doesn't like to do it himself. I can't stand talking to strangers on the phone, so it's not for me. I don't even like ordering pizza!

I hear good things about sunshine seasons. I just don't like those pictures of the food they have posted up top. Reminds me of like, a bad Chinese restaurant. Sounds like a lot of food though, we will definitely have to put that on our list!

Glad that the question on my PTR got you thinking. I love how DISers are so helpful! And we can ask these questions without them rolling their eyes. I am so glad FD came out for Visa Card holders/coming out for general public. I sure hope all of us are able to get the rooms we want!

I think I am going to have a change of clothes for DD, they do not take up much space. Torn on the swimsuit, but probably not.

I really love the questions. Sometime, you should ask what top things people are afraid they'll forget. I would, but you have a much bigger reader base then I do! (Not that I don't love my readers, I do, I do! ) It's even more exciting that free dining came out since we can all celebrate together!

I think clothes for one kid don't take up a lot of space, but the problem is if I pack a change of clothes, I'll want short sleeve shirts, and long sleeve shirts, and pants, and shorts...I can't just pack one change. I have a serious over-packing problem. I should join over-packers anonymous. Or perhaps found over-packers anonymous.

Yay for free dining!!

At the top of every page on the dis boards you can click where it says "Dining" and then navigate to menus of most restaurants at WDW. And anything not found there can be found on allears.net. I have literally spent hours looking at those menus and deciding where we could eat that everyone would like and also get the most bang for our buck (well, Disney's buck since it's FREEEEE).

Thanks, I'll do just that to start my search! DH isn't crazy about my planning out restaurants, so I need to get an idea of where we'd like to eat, not just a specific place. Maybe I can make a list of good restaurants to eat at for each park and just carry that with me.

I'm so glad that Free Dining came out! I am not getting it since we'll only be there for one full day, but I knew that so many people on here were looking forward to it. So when I saw on Twitter that it came out, I was so excited for everyone! Glad it all worked out for you.

Thanks! I would definitely guess there's a better discount for you for just one day. But I bet it's nice to be able to know you're going so that it's not like everyone else has free dining and you're not just staying home!

Hooray for free dining!!!
We have a big backpack diaper bag that we bring to the parks. I leave a change for each child in the bag. When changing a diaper, I usually just grab and diaper and the wipes rather than dragging the bag into the bathroom. We're pretty free and easy with leaving the diaper bag on the stroller (without any valuables). I've never had a problem.
We haven't had experience with the water play areas yet but I guess I'll either pack bathing suits or have the kids wear them on days when that would come up.

Amanda

Seems like I will have to try and leave things in my stroller, and it's true, it's not the valuable stuff, my stroller itself cost much more money than anything I would leave in it! Alright, well, I better figure out how to just bring a few things in with me for diaper changes, because it does seem much easier than just bringing in the whole bag! And I thought about maybe just having Jay wear his swim trunks as well. Something to consider, I guess. Thanks so much for the input!

 

[lexmas]

I'm a little disappointed. Apparently Disney has really cut back their food department. When we took J.J. when he had food allergies I just e-mailed disney and they sent me lists and lists of foods that he could eat and where he could eat them. Today I tried to e-mail disney again, and the e-mail addresses I used before didn't work. So I tried to e-mail the only other disney special requests address I could find, and I pretty much just got a form letter back. And they sent me to a website that gave me no information. They told me just to talk to the chefs at the counter-service places.

So, that's annoying. Because the whole wonderful part about them being so helpful last time was that I knew what I was getting into before I went, and I could plan things out. Talking to the chefs was really inconvenient, because we had to make our decisions about what to eat really quickly and we kind of gave up and ate the same thing over and over in the interest of getting food ordered and made quickly. So I guess we'll just have to look at the menus with common sense, some things are pretty likely not to have been made "from a box". Fruit, meat, eggs, vegetables, baked potato...I would think Pop Century might have some good options since they actually have a kitchen. We might have to bring some organic prepackaged stuff from home...the preservatives and chemicals in the organic stuff we've tried from home seem to not bother her little system.

It's just a shame that they don't offer the assistance that they used to. It made me love disney so much more for making it easy to travel with a kid with food allergies.

I'll just have to take a closer look at the menus now. Not that I don't enjoy that sort of thing, so it won't be the biggest deal!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Sorry to hear about the lack of communication with the dining folks. That really stinks.

I'll tell you what I do with the menus. I buy a folder with the clasps in the center and then I print out the menus that interest me (and my family). I organize them by park (usually I color code them) and then when we're hungry, we pull out the folder. That way, we can look over the menus first and then make a decision. We don't have to wander from one CS place to another. I only print up the menus of places where all of us can find something that we like. It really doesn't take that long to do and the folder won't take up a lot of space in your bag.

 

[Charlefours]

I really love the questions. Sometime, you should ask what top things people are afraid they'll forget. I would, but you have a much bigger reader base then I do! (Not that I don't love my readers, I do, I do! ) It's even more exciting that free dining came out since we can all celebrate together!

I think clothes for one kid don't take up a lot of space, but the problem is if I pack a change of clothes, I'll want short sleeve shirts, and long sleeve shirts, and pants, and shorts...I can't just pack one change. I have a serious over-packing problem. I should join over-packers anonymous. Or perhaps found over-packers anonymous.

I will add that to the list! I am curious to know what people forget too. That is why I want to post lists on the doors before leaving home, my Dad's place and our resort room each day.

I am sorry that they are not being very helpful about the food preservatives. Hmm...what about trying Cosmic Rays--the half chicken would be a good option I would think. Columbia Harbor House seems like it would have some options as well. Harambe Fruit Market in AK for a snack but not sure on an actually lunch place. I thought for minute Yak and Yeti CS, but the kids option is cheeseburger and chicken nuggets sort of affair. Definitely Sunshine Seasons in EP. Anaheim Produce has fruit, veggies and trail mix in DHS for a snack. Starring Rolls Cafe has a veggie pita but I am not sure if that would work for you or not. Studio Catering Company looks decent as well.

You might find you have more choices looking at the adult menus. Many people have posted that the QS credits for both adults and children, so you might be able to get an adult meal for her.

 

[-Hope-]

I agree with Meghan about printing out the places your interested in and then choosing once you're there. Natalie on the DISign boards actually has menu cards that you can print out the size of an index card. Here is her thread- she doesn't have a direct link to the menu cards because they aren't as popular but you can just click on the link in her signature for her 4shared and photobucket accounts.

I'm sorry Disney wasn't as helpful as they were in the past. Maybe if you decide to print out the menus you could highlight the things you know JJ can have so you know you have some options. If there's anything you're not sure about and need to ask about the ingredients when you're actually there then maybe you could use another color highlighter. (I just love highlighters so ignore me if you think that sounds nutty!)

 

[lexmas]

Sorry to hear about the lack of communication with the dining folks. That really stinks.

I'll tell you what I do with the menus. I buy a folder with the clasps in the center and then I print out the menus that interest me (and my family). I organize them by park (usually I color code them) and then when we're hungry, we pull out the folder. That way, we can look over the menus first and then make a decision. We don't have to wander from one CS place to another. I only print up the menus of places where all of us can find something that we like. It really doesn't take that long to do and the folder won't take up a lot of space in your bag.

That is a great idea about the folder. I think I will have to do that. Much easier than going from place to place!

I will add that to the list! I am curious to know what people forget too. That is why I want to post lists on the doors before leaving home, my Dad's place and our resort room each day.

I am sorry that they are not being very helpful about the food preservatives. Hmm...what about trying Cosmic Rays--the half chicken would be a good option I would think. Columbia Harbor House seems like it would have some options as well. Harambe Fruit Market in AK for a snack but not sure on an actually lunch place. I thought for minute Yak and Yeti CS, but the kids option is cheeseburger and chicken nuggets sort of affair. Definitely Sunshine Seasons in EP. Anaheim Produce has fruit, veggies and trail mix in DHS for a snack. Starring Rolls Cafe has a veggie pita but I am not sure if that would work for you or not. Studio Catering Company looks decent as well.

You might find you have more choices looking at the adult menus. Many people have posted that the QS credits for both adults and children, so you might be able to get an adult meal for her.

Thanks for all the suggestions! She won't have her own credits anyway, so she can eat bits and pieces from everyone's meals. I never thought about yak and yeti, that would probably be good...I'll have to try peanut oil though...she had a bit of a nut thing when she was little. Nothing major, just another rash haha. But I'm not sure how that would work with oil.

I agree with Meghan about printing out the places your interested in and then choosing once you're there. Natalie on the DISign boards actually has menu cards that you can print out the size of an index card. Here is her thread- she doesn't have a direct link to the menu cards because they aren't as popular but you can just click on the link in her signature for her 4shared and photobucket accounts.

I'm sorry Disney wasn't as helpful as they were in the past. Maybe if you decide to print out the menus you could highlight the things you know JJ can have so you know you have some options. If there's anything you're not sure about and need to ask about the ingredients when you're actually there then maybe you could use another color highlighter. (I just love highlighters so ignore me if you think that sounds nutty!)

Thanks for the link...I will have to go find those menu cards, sounds like a great idea! I love highlighters too, so I didn't think it was nutty at all!

 

[lexmas]

This weekend was Sydney's 1st birthday! (May 1st) It was also my Dad's birthday (or would have been) so I was feeling a little sad as the day approached since this would have been their first year celebrating together. But luckily, I got that all out of my system before the big day, and we just had a nice time. We didn't really have a party, we just let people stop by if they wanted to.

I made a "Snow White" Tutu for Sydney and we had a photo session. There were some good pictures, and lots of not so good ones. But plenty of faceless ones!

J.J. made her a sign. There's an orange candle between the Happy and the 1st with a pink flame...or so he says.

And here are a few of the birthday girl on her big day:

We had a rag doll made up to look like snow white...it's in the front of this picture where Syd is running away from me and her dolls are being thrown everywhere!

It was a really great day. Syd was so excited about cake, and she didn't even smear it, she just picked up the cupcake and ate it, all ladylike!

And J.J. did his best not to be jealous of all the attention, or to steal all her toys. Did he succeed? Well, like I said, he tried!



Thanks for letting me show you some pictures from our little ladybug's big day!

 

[DrMomof3]

Happy Birthday Sydney!!! She looks adorable. I love the dress!

Amanda

 

[Charlefours]

cute tutu and dress! Happy Birthday to Sydney! She is such a cutie!

 

[BabyEeyore]

What great pictures. I'm so glad it was such a great day. Her tutu is adorable.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I love the pretty tutu and the Mickey dress! How adorable!!!! Madison had that same ball popper, but it didn't come in pretty pink 7 years ago. It's also great for entertaining cats.....just in case you wanted another use for it. It looks like she had a great 1st birthday!

 

[-Hope-]

So cute! I LOVE that tutu! I'm glad she had a great birthday.

 

[Disneychix]

Wonderful Birthday pics!! What a great day! Your DD looks like she is having a blast with all her dolls and toys. And I totally see the candle JJ made in the sign

 

[lexmas]

Happy Birthday Sydney!!! She looks adorable. I love the dress!

Amanda

Thanks! We picked it up when the disney store was closing...before I was even pregnant with Sydney, I just had to have it!

cute tutu and dress! Happy Birthday to Sydney! She is such a cutie!

Thanks! She had a great day, it was perfect!

What great pictures. I'm so glad it was such a great day. Her tutu is adorable.

It was really fun...we didn't have a lot of people because she doesn't like strangers (and strangers is anyone she doesn't see very very frequently!) and we just wanted it to be laid back. She ate it all up, she was waving at everyone and dancing all over!

I love the pretty tutu and the Mickey dress! How adorable!!!! Madison had that same ball popper, but it didn't come in pretty pink 7 years ago. It's also great for entertaining cats.....just in case you wanted another use for it. It looks like she had a great 1st birthday!

The ball popper is such a hit...it's something that I never would have bought myself but I'm so glad someone got it for her...it's really cute. I was so excited that it was pink...she just gets all of J.J.'s handmedowns so whenever she gets something girly I love it! And I don't think my cat has seen it yet, but you can bet I'm going to sit him infront of it and watch him go crazy!

So cute! I LOVE that tutu! I'm glad she had a great birthday.

Thank you! She had the best day...she was so worn out that she fell asleep early and very soundly...we changed her diaper before bed and she never even woke up!

Wonderful Birthday pics!! What a great day! Your DD looks like she is having a blast with all her dolls and toys. And I totally see the candle JJ made in the sign

She loves dolls so much...ever since she was teeny tiny. She's going to freak out on small world! about the candle. It is there...he went back and put the pink "flame" part on separately and everything! He takes his work seriously!

Thanks again to everyone for the birthday wishes for Syd, and thanks so much for letting me share!

 

[DrMomof3]

Happy Mother's Day!

Amanda

 

[Rosiekins]

I

I don't know if I've mentioned that we decided her favorite princess is Snow White (or that's who we're pushing on her, obviously a 9 month old doesn't have a favorite!). We make letters for the kids (I'll take a picture and post it later) with a "theme"...so J.J. has a giant blue "J" with a fish theme, and Syd has a (still unfinished) "S" with a Snow White/woodsy/Ladybug theme. She was going to have a blue "S" with an Ariel theme to go along with J.J.'s, but she brings out some freakish love of ladybugs in me, so I needed that and DH somehow stretched that into Snow White. Of course, Sydney has red hair, so Ariel probably would have been more appropriate, but we really thought it would change since no one in my family has red hair, and she has red hair and gray eyes. Hasn't changed yet, so maybe it's a gene mutation, because other that that, she looks exactly like J.J. did as a baby!

Do you know that there is a cute little movie called Sydney White? It is a snow white story and has Amanda Bines I think in it. When I saw this post I just had to mention it! Loving the PTR BTW.

 

[Nettaboo]

I don't know how I missed the B-day pics!! Soo adorable!!!

 

[Charlefours]

Happy Mother's Day!!

 

[lexmas]

Happy Mother's Day!

Amanda

Thank you so much!

Do you know that there is a cute little movie called Sydney White? It is a snow white story and has Amanda Bines I think in it. When I saw this post I just had to mention it! Loving the PTR BTW.

I do, actually, but I didn't remember it until Syd was like 6 months old...I will have to buy it and force her to watch it when she's older!

I don't know how I missed the B-day pics!! Soo adorable!!!

Thanks! She had a great day!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful day! We didn't do anything special, but I had a great day!

 

[lexmas]

Sorry I haven't been writing much lately, trip planning has really taken a back seat lately to the massive spring cleaning that I've been doing! But I hope to do some planning soon!

We have done some thinking though...I think I've mentioned before that we're getting AP's and taking a bunch of trips this year (4, if all goes as planned...September, February, April, and August). However, this throws another dimension into the trip planning, the long term financial aspects. We're terribly cheap, so we're figuring out what things we should do to help save money.

DH applied for a Southwest credit card, and as soon as his credits come through, we can buy our plane tickets and get a free flight! Plus, with the amount of flights we'll be taking, we'll get at least another free flight...maybe on our last trip to WDW, or we can always use it later. So that's really exciting! It's actually the perfect year for this, because DD will be free on our first 3 trips, and then we'll only need to buy her a plane ticket for the August trip.

Also, I did the math and figured out that it would cost us about $100 to buy diapers for Syd for these trips (because she has incredibly sensitive skin, so we'd have to buy natural disposables and they're expensive) so it's cheaper for me to just buy 2-3 days worth of a new diaper system that packs up lightly and will wash and dry easily, and do laundry while I'm there. Plus, since I'm excited about being able to buy diapers that I can use at home for going out or whenever I want instead of buying diapers that I can just throw away, my mom's going to pay for most of it for my birthday present. So that's a good deal and I'm excited about it! I have a slight obsession with cute diapers, and these are cute!

Not as cute as our normal diapers though...this is one of our favorites, and I know you're the disney crowd that can appreciate it!

But other than that, we haven't done any trip planning lately! As soon as the spring cleaning is done, I'm going to get in gear!