The "How did I pull this one out of my hat?" TR - NEW! Updated 9/24

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have yet to meet a child who is truly grateful for anything. Have you ever seen that Veggie Tales episode about Madame Blueberry? She has everything she could possibly want or need, but she wants the things her friends have, or the things she sees in stores, or whatever. ALL of the kids I know are that way - from the 2 year old I nanny all the way up to my DS12 and my 16 year old sister. From huge entitlement issues to garden variety greed, I am pretty sure that good parenting doesn't wipe out those behaviors.

For us, WDW is more of a thing for DH and me. DS can sort of take it or leave it, and I think he would prefer to reallocate those funds for other things. Like video games. But it's not his money, it's ours. And I say we're going to WDW!

 

[cjhinch]

So, I know I have mentioned on here about possibly going ahead and driving down to Orlando on Saturday and getting a room so we can get a good start on Sunday, but I hadn't exactly mentioned it to dh yet. I casually threw it out there to him today over the phone, and he was completely on board!

I called today to see what we could get, and she told me All Star Movies, All Star Music or POP. We have stayed at POP, so I thought I would give All Star Movies a shot. She told me they only had preferred rooms left, and I couldn't use the discount code on it. I had her check POP, and cha-ching! They had it available! So for a mere $77, we are staying at POP Saturday night!!

I'm not sure how this is going to work though. To get our park tickets Sunday morning, are we going to have to go to the GF and check in? I need to do some research on this!

Oh, I found me a cute Baby Mickey tank top today at Wal-Mart for only $5! I have never been one to wear tank tops in public (my arms were too thick), but over the past few months, I have lost almost 15 pounds by eating low carb. Now, I feel so much more comfortable with my body, and I don't look too bad in a tank top!

I also bought some gallon zip lock bags to pack outfits in for the kids. I have never tried this before, but it sounds like an interesting idea to me!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Yes you'll need to pop on over to the GF on Sunday morning and check-in and you'll be given your Keys to the World cards. I doubt your room would be ready that early but you never know.

Good for you for buying that tank top!

 

[ampc3]

Hi there thought I would pop over here and check out your PTR since you have been following along on mine

Your family is too cute! I was laughing as I read your last post about your boys and the sleep overs... I thought that was just a girl thing! I swear my oldest is asking everynight to sleep next door or vice versa.. My Dh is the same way doesn't like it when he has to work etc...

Your iten so far looks great! I would try to stick to TGM's advice as much as possible, it worked out great for us...

Did you get one or two rooms at pop?

 

[cjhinch]

I hope I don't get flamed, but we told a little fib and said that my dh wouldn't be joining us until Sunday morning so we could all just be in one room. My DD still sleeps with us, so it's not like we need the extra bed or anything! We will basically be using the room to just crash when we arrive! Like I said, don't flame me!

 

[JaxJags08]

I hope I don't get flamed, but we told a little fib and said that my dh wouldn't be joining us until Sunday morning so we could all just be in one room. My DD still sleeps with us, so it's not like we need the extra bed or anything! We will basically be using the room to just crash when we arrive! Like I said, don't flame me!

Don't worry, I would do the same thing!

Uh-oh, now I might be flamed too!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't see a problem with it -- it's just one night and if you don't need the extra room, then I don't think it's a big deal. Don't worry too much about it!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Just a reminder that those beds at Pop are doubles, not queens.

 

[cjhinch]

I know, but there are nights when we end up with 4 of us in our queen bed at home! I am the queen of sleeping on about 18 inches of bed space! LOL

 

[cjhinch]

We had another fun-filled, baseball-filled weekend here at our house! The 4th was almost a bust because God decided to choose that day to give everything a good watering! We went to my BIL's to let off some fireworks, and we kept having to stop and jump back into the cars so we wouldn't get soaked! Although, on second though, having all the surrounding trees and shrubs a little damp, might have kept us from starting a fire on a couple of those things that decided to go sideways instead of up!

We had a great weekend of baseball. Casey's 8 year old all star team

was in the semi-finals of their district tournament, and we won on Saturday to get to the finals, but lost yesterday, so we got second place! They played great, and if a couple of plays would have gone differently we would have won, but I can't say they didn't do well. We are really enjoying this season because we have an awesome group of parents! Saturday after the game, 4 families all went out to eat together (20 of us in all!), and on Sunday, we had a spur of the moment cookout at a friends house! All but 2 of the families came (and one of the other families was out of town, and the other's Dad is leaving to go back to Iraq today, so I can imagine they were wanting family time). I just thought I would add this picture as well:

this little boy was playing first while my son was on base. They played basketball together and have been friends for a few years, they were having a laugh together, and it looks so cute!

Back to the planning! Our balance is due on Thursday! I can't believe we are so close! I haven't made any changes since my last update, I haven't even called to see! It is hard to sneak and call Disney reservations when you are trying to surprise your kids, and you are pretty much with them 24/7! Darn that summer break!

I have been tossing a few things around. One is the Grand Floridian phot shoot. We didn't learn about these until we were there last time, and when we tried to book one, they were full. Since we are trying to keep costs down on this trip, is it worth it. But, if we are going to buy the photo pass CD anyway, it is definitely worth it! These are things I need to discuss with DH. Too bad he rolls his eyes every time I mention Disney!

I have no idea how far in advance you can book one of those either. Something I need to find out.

I also started perusing the wishes/illuminations cruises thread as well. I thought if I could find someone needing a party of 5 added to their boat on one of our nights, we might splurge for it. Haven't seen anything yet. This would be a great idea for our "grand gathering" next year, will definitely be checking in to it for then!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You can book the resort photo shoot 30 days in advance. We're going to do one at SSR. Maybe another one at the Poly or AKL.

We did an Illuminations cruise a couple of years ago. It was really fun! We booked the boat and had a family of 3 from the UK and a honeymooning couple join us. Good luck finding a cruise!

 

[karajeboo]

Hey! I just started reading your PTR (so don't quiz me yet! ) after I saw your response on MY PTR and saw the link in your siggie! First thing I noticed in the pic of your DD is her name! I have an Ally, too! Spelled differently though it looks like. Mine is Allyson and shortened to Ally. DH wanted the traditional spelling but I won in the end! I'll catch up and post again! Cause I've got all kinds of opinions on traveling with extended family! Just did it in May......

 

[cjhinch]

People ask me all the time if her name is shorted from something, and it actually isn't. She was going to be Emma, until about 2 weeks before we had her. Both of my boys have middle names that are passed down from family members, and she wasn't going to, and that bothered me! So, I got to thinking, and realized that both dh and I have/had grandfather's named "Alfred", so I got Allie from that! Her middle name is Rae, which was dh's other grandfather's middle name.

 

[karajeboo]

OK, all caught up now!

As for the Norway lunch, we have done it twice and it's pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but I always get the open faced salmon sandwich and it's really tasty. Of course they have normal kid fare too.

When we went in May with our extended family (make that DH's extended family - I am NOT related to those people! ) I used TGM for the first time. We already had our ADRs all set, so we just sucked it up a couple of times and went on "red" days and ya know what? It was totally fine! Seriously, I did notice a difference at MK between a red and green day, but at DHS I didn't notice it at all. Remember that the end of August the crowds drop off quite a bit because kids are back in school now.

Here in Northern Florida, the kids start back Aug 14th.

And you're smart to drive in on Saturday, IMHO. Savannah is easily 4 hrs from Disney and there is so much construction in southern GA (if you're coming down I-95, which I'm pretty sure you will?) once you get about an hour out of Savannah, it gets really bogged down.

Love all the pics - you have a gorgeous family! Even with those little ungrateful devils! See? I'm trying to cram everything I can into one post!!!

 

[cjhinch]

OK, all caught up now!

As for the Norway lunch, we have done it twice and it's pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but I always get the open faced salmon sandwich and it's really tasty. Of course they have normal kid fare too.

When we went in May with our extended family (make that DH's extended family - I am NOT related to those people! ) I used TGM for the first time. We already had our ADRs all set, so we just sucked it up a couple of times and went on "red" days and ya know what? It was totally fine! Seriously, I did notice a difference at MK between a red and green day, but at DHS I didn't notice it at all. Remember that the end of August the crowds drop off quite a bit because kids are back in school now.

Here in Northern Florida, the kids start back Aug 14th.

And you're smart to drive in on Saturday, IMHO. Savannah is easily 4 hrs from Disney and there is so much construction in southern GA (if you're coming down I-95, which I'm pretty sure you will?) once you get about an hour out of Savannah, it gets really bogged down.

Love all the pics - you have a gorgeous family! Even with those little ungrateful devils! See? I'm trying to cram everything I can into one post!!!

Thanks for the info! I am still undecided on the Norway Lunch. Dh might just have to miss it and take the boys somewhere else! I don't want them to be unhappy.

I am so happy that we are driving on down from Savannah on Saturday now! It is going to make our trip so much more enjoyable!

Thanks for reading!!

 

[karajeboo]

I'm not sure if this will matter or not, but both times we've had lunch in Norway, we have been in/out in 45 minutes. The service is always great, the princesses make their way around, and there's really not much downtime. So your boys would probably be fine. And if they finish eating first, maybe your DH could take them out to explore the WS a bit while you and DD finish with the princesses. But they are "little men" after all, so they might just enjoy the princesses! I know my DH does !

 

[cjhinch]

I am now in the big debate over what shoes we will need for the trip! Allie has more shoes than any other person in this family, but she doesn't have any cute, comfortable shoes to trudge around the park in! So, I just got finished ordering her these:

I was undecided on which size to order, but then one of her friends had on a pair (in purple) the other day, so she tried them on. I think they are going to be a bit big, but better big than small!

As for the boys, My oldest conviced dh to shell out $30 the other day on these:

I hope they are comfortable, because he isn't getting anymore shoes! LOL He can still wear MY Crocs, so he may decide to wear those a few days as well. Lucky for him, I didn't choose some girly color, they are a lovely shade of chocolate brown.

As for my other son, he has Crocs that we bought him a while back that still fit (I think, we should try I guess). If not, he will get some new ones, or some flips like big brother has (that is what he really wants!)

Now, for me, I am dying to buy these:

A friend had on a pair the other day, and I tried them on.........let me just say HEAVEN on your feet!! But it is hard for me to just spend almost $70 in one fell swoop on two pairs of shoes! I am weird like that......now if I spend $30 today on one pair, and then in a few days spend $35 on the second pair, it just doesn't feel as bad. Is anyone else like this? I think it is somehow related to "fuzzy Disney Math" because logically it doesn't make sense, but in my brain it works!

So, I ordered the shoes for DD today........I may order the shoes for me in a few days......who knows. Shipping is free, so I won't be costing myself anything there!

As for surprising the kids, I know that I don't want to leave on our trip with them thinking that we are doing something OTHER than Disney. I have learned from reading other people's reports, watching videos on YOU Tube, and my own personal experience from last time, that this is where people seem to screw it up!

Kids don't like to be lied to! Heck, I don't like to be lied to, so why should they be any different?

So, I am thinking about trying to be creative and make them cards, inviting them to come to Disney. That way, I can covertly have the video camera set up so I won't have to have it in hand. Also, I if we tell them a week or so before we leave, then they can still have the fun of being excited!

Now I just need to find time to get out and get the stuff without the kids knowing! LOL

 

[karajeboo]

Go to the Creative Disigns board here on the DIS, and check out Natalie's thread. She has the most awesome invitations!!!! She is having surgery soon so she won't be able to personalize them, but quite frankly, I don't think they need to be personalized. If you can't find her thread (and then the link to "share her stuff") just let me know and I'll find it for you.

She made me all the invitations for our ADRs on our trip, plus "Welcome to Disney" signs that I used for the kids. But be careful, that's a dangerous thread over there - it's addictive!

 

[karajeboo]

OK, no sense you hunting around for it.... http://www.4shared.com/dir/5978989/a...s_DISigns.html

That's her personal account. You can either take the non-personalized designs and use them that way, or the personalized designs, and if you're creative you can add your own names to it. This is where I got all the designs for my Disney room (in my PTR).

 

[cjhinch]

THANKS! Now I know what I will be doing today (instead of cleaning of course).:lol