The Mad Ramblings of an Over-Planner (A Sept 14 trip - Anderson style!)

[karaokevixen]

Hello!!! This is my first trip to WDW in over 20 years, and my first as a parent. (I was 13 the last, and only, time I went) So, let's get this started! My apologies in advance: I'm new to DISboards, I'm incredibly scatterbrained, and I'm HIGHLY loquacious.

First, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer and I'm a 35 year old stay at home mom from the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania. I've finally managed to convince my relatively *gasp* anti-Disney husband, Mike, to take a family vacation to WDW. Our children are just about the right ages for a Disney vacation. Our daughter is 10, our older son is 8, and our youngest will turn 5 just a few days after we are planning to return home from our trip. The kids are really into Disney and Pixar (and Star Wars, that I don't care how long Disney owns them, they will never be Disney to me. lol) and have been asking to go for a few years now. So we're finally going!

The tentative plan, as we haven't booked anything yet, is to head down during the last full week of September. Our oldest two are school age, the youngest misses the cutoff for Kindergarten by a month, but we aren't worried about them missing any school due to a scheduled week off. Did that make sense? No? Let me rephrase. School's here go back around the 20th of August every year due to the fact that we have a rather large fair that comes to town in late September. The fairgrounds are just a few blocks from the main elementary school (one of three) in town, therefore they close down our entire district for the week. This means that we have a week off when the rest of the country is having class. Since we've been living with the fair our whole lives, we're sick of it, and very much looking forward to leaving town for most of the week.

Moving on, as we haven't booked yet, I'm looking into either Art of Animation or Yacht Club. There really are pros and cons to both, and it's REALLY doing a number on me to make this decision. (DH said that I can make the plans and he'll pay for it. lol I love my husband. hahaha) I'm also looking into various dining options and know that while I know my kids would LOVE Chef Mickey's, I can pretty much rule out Cinderella's whatever it is and Be Our Guest. (NONE of my kids are really into the Princesses, and looking at the menu for BOG, I can't see my kids enjoying the food there.)

So this is us, for now. There's a LOT more going on inside my brain that I'm looking forward to getting your opinions on, but I feel this is a good starting point. I will be back to write more later, but for now, I need to run. Kids have swim lessons, I have errands to run, and just general other nonsense that only seems to occur on the weekends.

Type at you later!

Cast of Characters
We Have Our Dates!
A Few Replies and Some Birthday Planning
Daily Plan
Dining Ramblings: Part 1
Dining Ramblings: Part 2
Four Hundred Dollars in 98 Minutes
Strollers and Nap Time​

 

[karaokevixen]

So apparently I don't have enough posts to share pictures, so that will have to wait. However, I'm excited to post an update today! WOO!

This morning, while enjoying our coffee and breakfast, my husband and I sent the kids downstairs to the playroom, and we began our official Disney discussions! YAY! We still don't have concrete dates yet, but we're waiting to see when it would be the least expensive to fly. As of right this moment, it looks as if we're going to attempt to fly from Philly and get a direct flight down, but again, we'll see. However, even without that, we've officially decided on Art of Animation for our resort! There were a couple others that I'd been looking at, but in the end we're opting for more of a Disney theme theme rather than a hotel room with Disney touches. It also doesn't hurt that the AoA family suites have more room for a more affordable price...if the word "affordable" could ever be used when discussing Disney...

I've also been looking at different dining options. In the past, I know that Disney has offered "free" dining, but I'm pricing everything out as through we'll have to pay for the dining plan ourselves. From what I understand, the "free" dining is the middle dining package, so we'll end up paying a bit more anyway, as we want the deluxe plan.

A few questions for the peanut gallery:

What bits of advice can you offer in regards to traveling with children of varied ages? I'm really concerned that at least one of my children will feel left out at any given time, seeing as I'll be trying to appease an almost 5 year old boy while also trying to keep an 8 year old boy and a 10 year old girl happy.

Are the restaurants that require two dining credits per person REALLY worth it? (my husband and I discussed Cinderella's Royal Table this morning, and after hearing his thoughts, I think we might try for breakfast there one morning)

To anyone who has done the Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios, was it worth it for the 20 minutes that the website says? Is it appropriate for all of my children or just the older two? Did your kids like it? (my kids are HUGE into Star Wars)

That's it for now! Thanks for your answers!!!
Type at you later!

 

[karaokevixen]

*Continues talking to myself*

The good thing about this is that it's helping me maintain a shred of sanity. Last year...well, a year and a half ago now... Anyway, in September of 2012 I booked a cabin on the New Kids on the Block cruise that left Miami for the Bahamas in May of 2013. The day I reserved my room, I started a cruise blog that I kept up with daily and it truly helped me organize my thoughts and get my concerns and pre-trip jitters out of my system. Looking back now, I can tell from my words how happy/scared/excited I was and I predict that after my trip to Disney, I will be able to read back on here and laugh/shake my head at my thoughts.

So we have our dates! We'll be leaving PA on the 19th and returning on the 24th. Originally we were thinking about the 20-25, but it's cheaper to fly Friday/Wednesday than it is to travel Saturday/Thursday. This means we'll have to take the kids out of school for a day, but I really don't think they're going to mind. Personally, I don't want to take them out at all, especially knowing that they have a full week off, but whatever. It also looks like we'll get to our resort (Art of Animation, most likely) around lunch time, so depending on the park schedule, we might do a park on Friday. I don't know... The only thing I do know is that today is booking day!!! YAY!!! Now I can go into the various sites, look at schedules, and figure out a general idea of what we're going to do and when. I'm not going to micromanage the trip, but I want at least some semblance of a plan. (i.e. NO Magic Kingdom on Saturday or Sunday... I will NOT do that to my family!!!)

Well, now I'm off. I have notes to take, research to do, meals to plan, etc. I'm going to look into MNSSHP and the Food and Wine Festival, both things I really want to do. I'm also going to start organizing my trip binder. Should be a fun day!!!

Type at you later!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[karaokevixen]

Following along!

Great to have you!!! Hope you enjoy my particular brand of insanity.

So, it's official! We're going! This evening after dinner (fettuccine Alfredo... YUM) DH and I went to the computer together and booked! We leave at some horrific hour on Friday the 19th of September, but we'll be in Orlando shortly after 10am! Hurray!!! We will be staying at Art of Animation in a Nemo family suite. I can't WAIT for my kids to see it! They're going to LOVE it!!!

My brain is going a mile a second and my OCD is seriously kicking in. I've already made a reservation at Chef Mickey's and am looking into Yak and Yeti as well as Teppan Edo, but above and beyond that, I have no idea. We got the Deluxe Dining, so I'm not really worried about what we're going to eat... I went back and forth on the whole dining plan thing, but in the end, I feel the Deluxe dining was the way to go. We are three meal a day people, and my children and I eat two of them together every day. (they eat lunch at school, but on weekends, we all sit at the table for lunch as well)

I can't even think straight right now, I'm that excited. I want to plan everything, write my packing lists, write my lists of things I need to buy before we go, write my list of things I want to order to have in our room... I know I want to have a little "Welcome to Disney" package waiting there for my babies, but I don't know exactly what I want to have there...

So Disney! September 19-24th. Art of Animation!!! I can't wait!!!

Type at you later!

 

[karaokevixen]

Cast of Characters

So I've reached a post count so now I can finally properly introduce us all!!!

Hello! I'm Jennifer and I'm a 35 year old domestic goddess.


I'm usually the one behind the camera, so pictures of me will be limited to REALLY old, or selfies. Sorry. My husband hates having his picture taken, so I don't have any good ones of him on my computer. Sorry again.

DH and I have three beautiful children.


They like to play in the snow... lol


Our oldest is 10. She LOVES Lilo and Stitch, so I'm looking at Ohana. Our ODS (older son) is 8 and really into Star Wars, so I'm going to try and get him into the Jedi Academy at DHS. (my goofballs...don't mind the mess in the background. we were remodeling at the time. lol)


Our youngest will be turning 5 a few days after we get home. He's my little minion. (despite the previous picture, the hat was actually made for the Lunchbox...which is my nickname for my baby)



So, now you've met most of us!!! I look forward to getting to know you all!

Type at you later!​

 

[chellewashere]

Jedi training is so much fun. My daughter has done it 2 times now. You learn how to be a Jedi then fight Darth and you get a cute little certificate to go with it. Plus there is also a memory maker photographer there so you can get lots of pictures.

CRT is great for a once in a lifetime thing. Personally we dont like the food, but you cannot beat the ambiance/experience I mean seriously you get to eat in the CASTLE

We live right outside of Philly but we have never flown down so I cant give you any hints for that..we always drive.

There will be so many things all the kids can do together. It will be a blast.

Enjoy the trip!!! Look forward to reading more about it..we will be coming home just as you are going down

Forgot to ask...are you going to be doing the Halloween Party?

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Joining in! Looks like you should have a great time. Beware though, it gets addicting...

As for your question about the 2TS meals, we generally don't do them. We have only done the standard dining plan, so we only get 1 TS for each day, and spending two on one meal just doesn't go over well for us. We did do Hoop De Doo in 2012, but we did it out of pocket so that we could get better seats and would have extra credits, which worked well.

Some of our favorite restaurants are Trail's End at Fort Wilderness (a bit out of the way but a good buffet dinner), Yak and Yeti (we found it last trip and fell in love), Crystal Palace (for breakfast, inside MK, preferably before the park opens), Liberty Tree Tavern (for lunch, since it isn't a buffet then), and Ohana for dinner (the worst part is there is too much good food, and we left stuffed). Just a few more ADRs for you to consider.

Staying in a family suite at AoA should be great. That will avoid the long walk to the Little Mermaid rooms, and will increase the likelihood of being eligible for a free dining promotion, should one come out.

Happy Planning!

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

Yay, so excited that you booked! Nemo suite sounds like the perfect choice. We're also planning to do the deluxe dining plan, but I haven't decided yet. The nicest thing about the dining plan is not having to worry about what you're ordering - you can just get what you want, and that's that. Also, it means mandatory dessert, which is never a bad thing

 

[karaokevixen]

Jedi training is so much fun. My daughter has done it 2 times now. You learn how to be a Jedi then fight Darth and you get a cute little certificate to go with it. Plus there is also a memory maker photographer there so you can get lots of pictures.

CRT is great for a once in a lifetime thing. Personally we dont like the food, but you cannot beat the ambiance/experience I mean seriously you get to eat in the CASTLE

We live right outside of Philly but we have never flown down so I cant give you any hints for that..we always drive.

There will be so many things all the kids can do together. It will be a blast.

Enjoy the trip!!! Look forward to reading more about it..we will be coming home just as you are going down

Forgot to ask...are you going to be doing the Halloween Party?

I have family in the Philly area, but when they go down they fly. I'm going to ask my one cousin what she does for her girls when they make the trip, but I think my kids will mainly be on their tablets or DS's. I'm not sure about MNSSHP. It seems like a good time, but I don't know if it would be worth the money...and it looks like it is a LOT of money.

Joining in! Looks like you should have a great time. Beware though, it gets addicting...

As for your question about the 2TS meals, we generally don't do them. We have only done the standard dining plan, so we only get 1 TS for each day, and spending two on one meal just doesn't go over well for us. We did do Hoop De Doo in 2012, but we did it out of pocket so that we could get better seats and would have extra credits, which worked well.

Happy Planning!

I pared down your post, but I've looked at a few of the ARD recommendations you've given me. I might have to book a couple more! lol Specifically, though, I wanted to ask about Hoop-Dee-Doo. Was it worth the money? Was it a good show? I get that it's supposed to be a western themed thing, but I'm afraid that my kids will HATE it. ...though perhaps that is a sign that I could just forget it. Thanks for your help! hahaha (and I'm already addicted to the planning part, but more on that later)

We're also planning to do the deluxe dining plan, but I haven't decided yet. The nicest thing about the dining plan is not having to worry about what you're ordering - you can just get what you want, and that's that. Also, it means mandatory dessert, which is never a bad thing

And this is exactly why we're doing the deluxe dining. We don't want to have to worry about what we're ordering, when we're ordering, if we have enough credits left, etc. As (I think) I've said before, we are three meal a day people. I've heard that the portions down there are good, but I don't want us to be hungry. And who can say no to dessert!?

This morning I logged onto the MDE site today and saw that my Memory Maker wasn't linked to my reservation. So after I got my big kids on the bus, I picked up my phone and called Florida. While I had the woman on the phone, I asked a few questions.

First, I asked about the memory maker, because I was concerned. She told me that it was on the reservation that we've purchased it and it will be activated when we get to the resort. One concern down.

Next I asked if I could request a higher floor, so as to try and avoid the noise of the pool area. The CM was very nice and notated on our reservation that we'd like floor 4 if possible. When we get a little bit (read: a lot) closer to check in, I will call AoA directly and request a higher floor with a certain view. I know they can't guarantee anything, but it never hurts to ask nicely.

Once that was set, I inquired about my youngest's birthday. I told her that Lunchbox will be 5 a few days after we get home. She got his exact birth date from me and made a note on our reservation that we'd be celebrating while we were there. She told me that it wouldn't be just a one day thing, but rather little things every day. Even if that isn't the case, it'll be nice to get this button I've been reading about and just watch the characters and CM interact with him. The CM I spoke to this morning also notated that this was our first trip, so I'm anxious to see if there will be anything special in the room for that. (I'm hoping for pins. lol)

So that is that for now. I was happy to get a few things settled this morning and the CM was very accommodating. Now I'm going to (try and) stop worrying about the details of the stay and focus more on what I need to do before we leave. My lists have already started, and I may even share a few along this journey!

Thanks for reading!
Type at you later!

 

[karaokevixen]

The Plan of Attack​

So I've been trying to figure out a plan for our days in Florida. I've even made dedicated pages in my Disney binder for each day. Here's what I have this far:

Friday 19 September
Arrive in Orlando ~10:30AM

Saturday 20 September
Hollywood Studios (AM EMH)

Sunday 21 September
ADR Chef Mickey's @7:40AM
Animal Kingdom
ADR Yak and Yeti @4:15pm

Monday 22 September
Magic Kingdom (PM EMH)
ADR Cinderella's Royal Table @10:15AM

Tuesday 23 September
Epcot (AM EMH) (Food and Wine Festival)
possible hop over to Magic Kingdom for late afternoon and MNSSHP

Wednesday 24 September
Downtown Disney
Fly home

In order to make these tentative plans, I looked at some crowd predictors and used some common sense. I knew I didn't want to go to Epcot on the first weekend of the F&WF. I also knew that I didn't want to go near MK on a Saturday or Sunday. A few years back, I worked at a local amusement park and those were THE busiest days of the week. Now I know that my little podunk park is NOTHING compared to Disney, but still. Our first day, we will end up somewhere, but I don't know where yet... Might end up being MK because DH will want to take the kids to The Park that first day. The final day should be the best to go to DTD, as there won't be enough time before ME takes us to the airport to do a park. We can also pick up last minute souvenirs, have a good lunch, go to Ghirardelli... lol I'm just hoping that DH will trust me on (at least most of) this and go with what I have planned.

This does, however, lead me to a question. If touring plans are so popular, and crowd predictors are allegedly so accurate, why do people still go to the parks that are supposed to be busy? ...I worded that badly. If you see that Epcot, for example, is supposed to be busy, why not go elsewhere? How do they know places will be busy or not?

As a bit of a post script, I would just like to say that I'm trying to figure out a way to afford to go to Universal. (and by afford, I mean both with time and money. I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan and with the expansion this summer, I would need tickets to both Universal and Islands of Adventure in order to see all of WWoHP... I WANNA GO!!!!! )

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I wanted to ask about Hoop-Dee-Doo. Was it worth the money? Was it a good show? I get that it's supposed to be a western themed thing, but I'm afraid that my kids will HATE it. ...though perhaps that is a sign that I could just forget it.

In our opinion Hoop De Do is worth it to see once. They do a good job getting everyone into it, and the food is nice too. We agree that it is the best dinner show on property, but the question is whether you want to spend the time on a show. It isn't far to hop over to FW from MK by boat, but the whole experience will take an evening. We are glad we did it, but don't have to do it every time. Hope that helps.

 

[karaokevixen]

In our opinion Hoop De Do is worth it to see once. They do a good job getting everyone into it, and the food is nice too. We agree that it is the best dinner show on property, but the question is whether you want to spend the time on a show. It isn't far to hop over to FW from MK by boat, but the whole experience will take an evening. We are glad we did it, but don't have to do it every time. Hope that helps.

That does help, actually. Thanks! I'm going to discuss it with my husband and not worry about it. lol

 

[karaokevixen]

So, it's been a while since I've updated. I've been busy with a few crochet requests and the weather has been relatively nice. I don't like to sit outside and play on my computer, so I don't. lol Anywho, I'm still around and I have a bit of an update!!!

First off, I have an updated list of my ADR's!!! I sat down and was looking at one day in particular and realized that I REALLY don't want to go from AoA to Contemporary for Chef Mickey's and then down to Animal Kingdom, which is the chosen park for that day. Therefore, I've cancelled the CM ADR. I'm kinda sad because I was looking forward to that particular character breakfast, but I think my new choice will work out better. I've also added a Signature for our first day, and my daughter and I are both REALLY excited about that!!!

Here's the list:
Narcoossee's - Dinner
Hollywood and Vine - Dinner
Boma - Breakfast
Yak and Yeti - Dinner
Cinderella's Royal Table - Breakfast

That's it for now. I know that I'll add more to that list, but I'm content at the moment. I'm also considering a Dining Review for when we get home. Twist my arm to take pictures of my food! lol

We got Mickey Mail the other week! I was VERY excited about it! ...I think I'm a little excited in general and I might have to come up with another word... Elated, perhaps? Meh. I'll ponder this more...

Just this quick update for now. My dinner is on the stove/in the oven and I need to get back to it.

Thanks for reading!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I sat down and was looking at one day in particular and realized that I REALLY don't want to go from AoA to Contemporary for Chef Mickey's and then down to Animal Kingdom, which is the chosen park for that day. Therefore, I've cancelled the CM ADR.

Sounds like a good call. We had a CM breakfast that was probably the least exciting meal we have had at Disney food wise. While the characters were great, it wouldn't be worth the trip in my opinion.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

Your new list of reservations looks great! I debated about Narcoossee's for a really long time, and I'm still not 100% sure it won't decide to make an appearance on our trip.

The only other place on your list that we've been to is Yak and Yeti, which we loved. We did Boma for dinner, and it was amazing. I really want to do breakfast there some day, but we are not morning people, and it's hard enough to get up to make rope drop as it is, forget about adding breakfast reservations in there!

 

[Hardheadedwoman]

Just joined and following along! I'm hoping to go around that time of the year myself. My husband and I went last year for our first anniversary September 15th - 22nd and the weather was amazing! Not too hot but hot enough to enjoy the pools!

OK, back to reading!

Lissette

 

[karaokevixen]

Sounds like a good call. We had a CM breakfast that was probably the least exciting meal we have had at Disney food wise. While the characters were great, it wouldn't be worth the trip in my opinion.

I've managed to acquire a different ADR with the big characters, so I'm glad I cancelled CM. (see update that will be written as soon as I finish these replies) Also, I read through your September 13 TR and LOVED it!!! You're DD is just so precious and I LOVED the pictures, especially of the WL. Makes me want to stay there!

Your new list of reservations looks great! I debated about Narcoossee's for a really long time, and I'm still not 100% sure it won't decide to make an appearance on our trip.

The only other place on your list that we've been to is Yak and Yeti, which we loved. We did Boma for dinner, and it was amazing. I really want to do breakfast there some day, but we are not morning people, and it's hard enough to get up to make rope drop as it is, forget about adding breakfast reservations in there!

I figure with the DxDP, I'd be a fool NOT to take full advantage. Even at 2 Credits per meal, the meal I'm intending on getting would run well over $100 just for me! I know I'm paying for it anyway, but the whole paying in advance makes it seem so much better! lol On another note, I'm not a morning person, though I'm getting more so every day because my kids ARE morning people! My middle child could stay up til midnight and STILL be up by 6 without an alarm clock!

Just joined and following along! I'm hoping to go around that time of the year myself. My husband and I went last year for our first anniversary September 15th - 22nd and the weather was amazing! Not too hot but hot enough to enjoy the pools!

Good to have you with us, Lissette!!! I'm really hoping to have good weather for the trip. Where I live, that time of year can be either sunny, hot, and humid, or COLD and RAINY!!! Usually it's cold and rainy.

 

[karaokevixen]

I've decided that I want to do Hoop-Dee-Do Review, but I'm having issues. Here's where my OCD comes into play, and I assure you that I'm not suffering, but rather enjoying every last second of my insanity! hahaha

I made a few lists, and a few more reservations, and discovered my issues... I'll spell it out by day and then explain. Then I hope you all can help me out.

Without further ado, here's my meal planning list!

Friday
Breakfast: Home
Lunch:
Dinner: Narcoossee's

Saturday
Breakfast: Hollywood and Vine
Lunch: *Snack Credits*
Dinner: Hollywood and Vine

Sunday
Breakfast: Boma
Lunch:
Dinner: Yak and Yeti

Monday
Breakfast: Cinderella's Royal Table
Lunch: *Snack Credits*
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cape May Cafe
Lunch:
Dinner:

Wednesday
Breakfast:
Lunch: Airport?
Dinner: Home?

Our flight to Disney is at like 6-something AM, so the breakfast at home thing will end up being more like in the car or at the airport before the flight. We SHOULD made out resort just before noon, so that will end up being our first Disney meal. With our ADR for that night, I don't want anything HUGE for lunch, but with the EARLY breakfast and the travel down, I fear major hunger. Therefore, we will most likely end up using QS credits at AoA for lunch.

Saturday, I've reserved breakfast late enough and dinner early enough that we should be able to get by on a snack "lunch" for the day. My thought is that we'll be tired from Friday and want to relax in our room, not getting started too early and therefore missing EMH and Rope Drop at HS. Plus, my husband has already informed me that I'm not to schedule anything too early on our first day there. Not a big deal. If I'm up with the kids and he wants to sleep in a bit, I think our resort has an arcade. I can keep the kids occupied.

Sunday's breakfast ADR is a relatively normal breakfast time for us on a Sunday. Dinner is a little early, but only by an hour. We MIGHT be able to get by with just snacks that day, but I think we're going to end up with QS at Animal Kingdom.

Monday falls along the same lines as Saturday: late breakfast, early dinner. Therefore, snacks for lunch.

Tuesday's Cape May Cafe is at a normal breakfast time. This is the day that I want to do Hoop-Dee-Do, but that would mean COMPLETELY relying on snacks for the day. This is also the day that I'm planning on doing the Food and Wine Festival, so snacks may not be such a bad thing.

Wednesday I have NOTHING on the schedule and, if my food plans go as they are now, we probably won't have anything but snack credits left, if we have that. Also, our Magical Express probably won't leave until 1pm so we will HAVE to eat at Disney. Part of the plan with getting the Deluxe Dining was so that we wouldn't have to pay for food out of pocket...well, as much as possible.

...and between the end of the last paragraph and the beginning of this one, a half hour has passed. I've been thinking about what I can do to do the Hoop-Dee-Do and I just don't see anything I can do. So now I'm off to the Disney site to see what's available for Dining at Epcot that day... Give me a minute and I'll be right back with you.

Any thoughts on Garden Grill? Also, while I'm on it, I was looking today at the Dining Reviews board here and it seemed like almost NO ONE eats at Narcoossee's! Any idea why?

 

[karaokevixen]

First off, I would just like to say that I have no idea how to edit the title of my thread. I would really like to change said title, and I would appreciate any help to do so. Thanks. lol

This morning after my big kids boarded the school bus, I came inside and picked up my cell phone. An hour and twenty minutes later, my call was finally taken off "hold" and I spoke with an extremely helpful CM. When I originally booked our vacation, I got in with a package that featured a free Memory Maker. My goal today was to see if I could get the "free" dining. I accomplished that goal, and then some.

We are no longer in a Finding Nemo family suite, as that wasn't eligible for the "free" dining. However, we are still at AoA but in a Cars suite. With the change to the dining promotion, we lost the free Memory Maker. No big deal; I added it back on. I will GLADLY pay $150 or whatever to ensure FAMILY pictures at Disney. We also still have the Deluxe Dining, but only had to pay the difference between the Quick Service and the Deluxe. When all was said and done, my one hour and thirty-eight and a half minute phone call today saved me over $400. I'll take it.

While I had the CM on the phone, I asked about MNSSHP and am happy to report that I've added that to our plans! My cost was just over $300, but even with those tickets for the five of us, I STILL came out ahead of our original booking cost by about a hundred dollars! Actually, if you add that $300 to the $5200 we initially paid, I did save $400. So I suppose what I said at the end of my previous paragraph was correct. Whatever. We're still going to Disney World! WOO!

My ODS is convinced that he's going to meet Jango Fett and Kit Fisto while we're on vacation and isn't taking "no" for an answer. My DD is excited to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch and has been asking why we have to wait until the last morning to do so. My YDS goes back and forth between wanting to meet all the characters to only wanting to meet Star Wars ones. (my boys like Star Wars, can you tell?) He's also of two minds in regards to the princesses. Some days he wants to see them and others he wants nothing to do with them. No matter how you look at it, though, they're going to have a blast!!!

To anyone reading this: have you ever done MNSSHP? Any advice for a first timer? Thanks!

Have a MAGICAL day! hahaha