The "Just the Five of Us" PTR - June 2011

[aprilfoolwed]

This week's list

• Buy snacks DID SOME
• Get extra luggage from mom & dad DONE
• Buy Dramamine, rolaids, etc
• Renew AAA membership & pick up maps DONE
• Pull kids clothes and set aside (already partially done)
• Buy any clothing items needed before trip DONE
• Email itinerary to MIL DONE

Tomorrow is laundry day, and I will pull the rest of the kids' clothes after that.

Just bought M some new sunglasses tonight so she's all set to go!

Bought the CUTEST cooler today to take into the parks:

http://www.igloo-store.com/detail/IGL+TOTE+16+IS+DO

We have a bigger cooler, but it won't fit under our small stroller. This one is so cute and just the right size to hold a few water bottles and snacks!

While at AAA today, I tried some Baggolini and ebags - but I really didn't find one that will work well for me in the parks. So I am planning on taking my trusty backpack and my crossbody purse.

Nearly at the 2-week mark!!!

 

[cadek]

That little cooler is so cute!

Deciding what bag to carry in the park is a hard decision for me! I can obsess over that one for a while!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

That little cooler is so cute!

Deciding what bag to carry in the park is a hard decision for me! I can obsess over that one for a while!

So what do you carry? And how much do you take into the parks?

I always carry ponchos, an umbrella (small one), sunscreen, camera, autograph books, bag of coins for pressed pennies, kids hats, sunglasses and a small first aid/medicine kit. Plus snacks/drinks in cooler. I want to keep my wallet and camera with me when going on rides, but don't mind leaving some of the other things in the stroller. So we always take a backpack, a cooler and my purse. I feel like a bag lady!!!! I would love to carry less, but I am not sure how.

 

[cadek]

So what do you carry? And how much do you take into the parks?

I always carry ponchos, an umbrella (small one), sunscreen, camera, autograph books, bag of coins for pressed pennies, kids hats, sunglasses and a small first aid/medicine kit. Plus snacks/drinks in cooler. I want to keep my wallet and camera with me when going on rides, but don't mind leaving some of the other things in the stroller. So we always take a backpack, a cooler and my purse. I feel like a bag lady!!!! I would love to carry less, but I am not sure how.

Hmmm, what do I carry? : Well, we've always gone in January, and have always had a double stroller. It's nice to have a stroller to stow a bag or two. This time, my dh thinks we don't need a stroller. I know we will need one because the 5 year old won't keep up, not to mention the whining I know we will hear non-stop! The thought of no stroller, it seems so free, but then I think, oh so I have to carry everything!

I have an Overland Donner bag, which worked nicely for me. The front flap folded open for asy access to small camera, KTTW cards, fast passes, change for pennies, and it can hold 2 bottled drinks. Last year I got a cute bag in WDW. It's really 3 different size zippered pouches. Basically it held all that I need right on me, with less bulk. I might have still used the Overland Donner bag but put it under the stroller. (How sad that I can't remember 4 months ago!) Either way, there was another bag under there! Of course we needed one for the layers we shed during the day, due to cooler weather. Not gonna have that in July, are we! I recently got a DSLR camera, so now I plan on carrying a Lowepro Passport Sling camera bag this time. Oh and the Disney Dooney & Bourke DH is going to let me buy, he just doesn't know it yet. Actually I don't want to carry that, but how do I justify buying it then?

Items to carry: Phone, Nintendo DS, Ipod touch, DSLR and the pocket size digital camera, possibly the video camera, fans/misters, travel size sunscreen, wet wipes, mini Bath & Body hand sanitizer, ponchos, ibuprofen, bandaids, KTTW cards (obviously), drivers license, 1 credit card (just in case), and coins for pennies. I don't carry my wallet, just what I need. I don't carry much cash, it all goes on the KTTW card. I will also carry a cloth bag that folds into a little pouch, for anything we acquire along the way. Sometimes I carry snacks, but will probably just buy a snack as needed, and same goes for drinks. Of course it will cost us more, but I guess we just like to spend money. Your cute cooler bag almost makes me want to carry our own drinks!

I'm sure I'm missing something! Kids have pin lanyards, but they've never made a single trade, and I usually end up carrying them too. Not sure if they will go with. I want to try vinylmation trading this time, so I'll be carrying that too.

I have an addiction to buying more bags/totes than I'll ever use. Right now I'm thinking of all the ones I've acquired from WDW, and which ones I should take with!

See, do you regret asking?

 

[aprilfoolwed]

LOL - don't regret asking at all! It's fun to see how others do things.

I can't imagine doing Disney without a stroller. I know we'll use it more for storing things than kids riding, but still worth taking. Last time, we used a double sit-n-stand, so we had lots of room. Our Graco is so small!

I am glad I got the new cooler bag (BTW - I picked it up for $12 at Big Lots), because we typically bring drinks and snacks that last us until lunch. Then we buy things in the afternoon - I figure we're getting 50% off then. This new bag can fold up when it's empty and store easily - or we can even use it to hold souvenirs.

My kids have lanyards and pins this year for the first time. I am not sure how much trading they will want to do. My middle guy may like it, but my daughter will probably be too shy (or maybe she'll talk her brothers into asking for her).

I have a whole collection of pins I got off ebay (good pins - from sellers with good ratings here on the DIS - not the cheapo lots of scrappers) that I will give the kids as we drive. They got their lanyards and one pin at Easter. As we cross state lines, I'll let them choose a pin and add it to their lanyard. they'll each have about 9 when we get to Florida.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Only two weeks to go, and I feel like Alice's White Rabbit friend - running around worrying about being late! So much to do, and so little time!

We have 3 Drama Club rehearsals in the short post-Memorial Day week coming up! Yikes! I need to dedicate tonight and part of tomorrow to finishing costumes and props for the show.

This morning, I packed the kids' suitcase! We're just missing a few items, which have been noted on a bright piece of paper stuck to the suitcase. 3 people down - two to go....

I found new cup holders for our little stroller. I will have to detach them when we fold the stroller, but they are easy enough to put on, and with the stroller bag I already have, it will give each of us a place to put a drink (I bought 2 of the snack pods). The cooler bag fits perfectly under the stroller! Now I just want to find a way to make our stroller stand out from the crowd a bit - I like to be able to find our stroller quickly when we come out of an attraction. Maybe some ribbons?

This weekend, DH and I need to make a list of all the electronic stuff we need. That's HIS job, but I still have to remind him what we need to take. Camera, laptop, DS, MP3s etc. Plus all the wires, chargers.... So many things to pack.

I am going to start pulling clothes for DH and me this weekend - hope to have our suitcase mostly packed by the end of the week.

I need to touch base with my MIL as well and talk to her about how to pack. Space is going to be at a premium this year (since we are taking an extra person), so she needs to pack lightly (like we are!). I also want to be sure we aren't packing double of things we don't need.

Two week! How did this trip get so close?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?

 

[PixieMama]

2 weeks!

How about a brightly colored bandana tied to the stroller to make it stand out?

We're heading to the beach in a few weeks... my MIL is coming with us. DH has already told me and his mom that we need to pack lightly, LOL! The good thing is we're staying in a condo, which will have a washer & dryer so we don't have to take as much. We'll just have to do a few loads of laundry!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

2 weeks!

How about a brightly colored bandana tied to the stroller to make it stand out?

We're heading to the beach in a few weeks... my MIL is coming with us. DH has already told me and his mom that we need to pack lightly, LOL! The good thing is we're staying in a condo, which will have a washer & dryer so we don't have to take as much. We'll just have to do a few loads of laundry!

I like the idea of the bandana - I know we have some tossed in toy boxes - I'll go digging this week!

Hooray for beach fun! I am so glad to have the washer & dryer! I don't mind tossing in a load or two at night after we get home from the parks. I've packed more outfits in the past, and we end up not wearing all the clothes. We're packing 5 outfits, and with the one we wear down, we'll have 6 things. That should be more than enough. It's the shows I worry about - especially my DH's - his are so big that they take up the whole suitcase!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

10 days until we leave! 11 days until we are there!

I can actually look at the weather forcast for our vacation now!

Got to get our garage sell ready - make some $$$ for Disney! We're doing it Friday and Saturday. Weather is supposed to be GREAT!

Drama Club show on Monday! Woo Hoo!

Packing, packing, packing in between!

 

[PixieMama]

Your trip will be here before you know it!

Good luck with the garage sale

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We just got the confirmation that our YES program will run as scheduled! The older two kids will be attending Synergy in Science at Epcot on Tuesday 6/14! I think they will really enjoy the program.

9 days until we're Florida bound!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We leave ONE WEEK from today!

I am so tired! We had a community yard sale this weekend. I got rid of a ton of stuff, and now have $150 in my pocket. Hooray for Disney spending money!

My DH is taking the kids to his parents' house tomorrow, so I have the whole day free to PACK! My plan is to do all the laundry and pack all of my clothes tomorrow. DH can pull his clothes this week. I want to get all of the other stuff done too - except for the last-minute things we can't pack until the night before we leave.

Aside from packing, I want to call Rainforest Cafe in DTD and try to get a dinner ressie for the night we get in Orlando. Nothing is available through Disney, so I hope that I am able to get one through the restaurant.

I also need to get the house ready to leave. Have to get all the timers on the lamps, etc.

Plus, Monday is our big Drama Club performance at the elementary school! What a busy week!

I am hoping to get an email from the owner of the rental house today or tomorrow with our info for accessing the house. ONE WEEK!

 

[PixieMama]

Woohoo, lots to celebrate... great yard sale, extra cash, and best of all...

ONE WEEK!

 

[beebeeryan]

WOOHOO 1 week!!!!! How exciting!!!!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

While I was waiting for my laundry, I decided to pop on Disney's website and just check for an available ADR for Sci-Fi. I got one for dinner on our first night there for all 6 of us! I have been trying several times a day to get an actual ADR for our whole party (I have one that didn't include my MIL - was hoping to squeeze the kids in one seat, but now I don't have to worry!). I wish it were for lunch rather than dinner, but we'll make it work!

So it pays to keep trying! 6 days out and I finally got what I was looking for!

Back to laundry - once everything is clean, I am packing my clothes for the trip! Yay!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Beebeeryan - looking at your photos in your signature is getting me so excited!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Made some more changes. So much work to manage these ADRs - and we're not even on the DDP!

Arrive in Orlando Sun 6/12 - maybe dinner at Rainforest Cafe?

Mon 6/13 - DHS - 5:20 dinner @ Sci-Fi

Tues 6/14 - Epcot - YES class in the morning

Wed 6/15 - MK - 7:00 AM (gulp!) breakfast @ Chef Mickey's; 1:05 PM lunch @ The Plaza

Thurs 6/16 - DHS - 8:05 AM breakfast @ Hollywood & Vine; 2:15 PM lunch @ 50s Prime Time

Fri 6/17 - Epcot

Sat 6/18 - AK - 8:05 AM breakfast @ Tusker House (only if my FIL opts to join us and my MIL does breakfast with just him. This ADR was made eons ago and I can't get her on our ADR with us. So, if she can go with my FIL - great. Otherwise, we'll have to cancel).

Sun 6/19 - MK

Hopefully this is it. I am thinking about seeing if I can squeeze in any good ADRs for our Epcot days, but there are so many good options for food there, that I am not worried.

 

[PixieMama]

Less than a week, woohoo!

I wouldn't worry about your Tusker House ADR... if your MIL joins you, I don't think it would be that hard for them to add one more person to your table. If it were me, I'd check in as a party of 6 and when/if they say you're down as a party of 5 I'd just say "The system must have made some mistake!"

 

[cadek]

Your trip is so close! How exciting!

I might be misunderstanding the breakfast ADR situation, but if it is for 5 people, and you have 6, I don't think it would be a problem. They don't have tables that only fit 5, so most likely you'd be getting one that seats 6. So looking at it that way, you still have the same table reserved. Now if you were 4, and needed 5, then you would be taking a different size table and that might be more difficult. Make sense? I saw it explained somewhere once, probably when we were in the same situation! We had an ADR for 4, then my Mom went with but I couldn't get the ADR for 5, so I was concerned as well. We had to do that a few times, and we didn't have a problem.

 

[Lovin'themouse]

HELLO FELLOW PA DISNEY LOVER!! I am from PA as well (Lancaster area) and we are headed down to Disney the 12th thru the 20th as well! We are first sailing away on the Dream from the 12th thru the 16th and then headed to WDW until the 20th!
It's my DH (37), myself (36), DS "K" (17), DS "C" (12) and DD "L" (10) and the rest of the crew, inlaws, sis inlaws, bro inlaws and the nieces and nephews! There are 19 of us going to celebrate the inlaws 40th wedding anniversary.

Our first trip was in 2002, second 2005 and for our 10th wedding anniversary in 2008, my sis inlaws 10th wedding anniversary in 2009 (which we drove to and from, I loved the drive with the kids) and we have been planning this trip since May of 2010!! With 19 we had to start early!

It sounds like you guys are going to have tons of fun!!
Wow 5 more days to Disney Fun!!!