The Magic The Memories and THOSE people! An Aug PTR **GOING EARLY!!!**

[__disneygirl]

Hey, i'm joining in on your PTR... love it so far! That is so amazing that your video was picked for the show. I'm not surprised, cause your boys are too adorable!! That clip of your son on Dumbo is perfect, you can totally feel his joy. Those commercials with the home videos make me cry every single time, I can not escape it, I just get so emotional!

You will LOVE Sci-Fi.. it is a must do for us every single trip. I'm sure your boys, especially, will love it! It's really really REALLY cool in there and so magical... I overuse that word when it comes to Disney but it's so true!

You missed so many of my top favorite things at WDW so you are in for some amazing stuff. I don't know if you are still looking for input, but I figured why not... just so you know, my comments are based on the fact that you have two boys, a friend of mine does also (ages 8 and 10) and has told me a lot about what her sons love at WDW!

What you mentioned at AK ~ the Jungle Trek is amazing - I knew I'd be obsessed with the tigers, but I spent just as much time staring at the bats on our last 2 trips, they are fascinating! Again especially for 2 boys. I also am with everyone else who has told you to do FOTLK... you can not miss it. I think Nemo is an incredible show as well but FOTLK is in the round and there is just so much action going on from every angle, the singers and dancers are BEYOND talented, It's just the best show at WDW. I always tear up during it, too!

For MK, you mustmustmust do Philhar Magic. I think it's one of the best things on property. Honestly, I always tear up during that one too! You're right about IASW being a right of passage + again, Monsters Inc is a must do. Not as good as Philhar but really really funny and the boys will love it - my friend's boys were shown on the screen and they talk about how awesome that was all the time.

Epcot.. I understand how WS may not be the most exciting thing for two young boys but def spend some time there, who knows what they will pick up on and enjoy. The Kim Possible thing, I haven't done, but everyone tells me I MUST on our next trip. It's not really as much about Kim Possible as it is just an adventure around the WS, I've heard it's really incredible so maybe you should try it. DO NOT MISS Turtle Talk With Crush, your boys will be rolling on the floor laughing and you and your DH probably will too. During the first trip I took after Crush opened, we did it three times! Club Cool is one of my favorite things at Epcot. The sodas are DELICIOUS (except the Beverly, of course) and it's sooo refreshing. My favorite is the pink watermelon soda from China, and the orange pepsi from Germany. And of course you're right about Illuminations, it can't be missed.

MGM - I will always call it MGM too! I'm with you on Idol - I enjoy watching it from time to time actually, but I would never ever want to sit and hear random people sing while at Disney, I just don't get why people would give up precious WDW time for that! To each their own, though, of course. As much as I LOVE Fantasmic, the crowd last time was absolutely HORRENDOUS and we will not be seeing that show again for a LONG time unless we book the dinner package. I've never done L,M,A! but my friends have young boys also and they LOVE this show and do it twice per trip. I think the Backlot is great, and I'm sure your boys will love the Catastrophe Canyon part, but may find the rest a bit boring.

Congrats on the Couch to 5k! I started running in March, and I can do a ton more than I ever thought, but running for 43 minutes?!?! The thought of that makes me want to die LOL so kudos to you, really!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for sharing your iphone pictures! That's a fun way to look back!

Great picture of the week!!

 

[Kari-B]

Wow that cake looks awesome!

 

[beebeeryan]

Oh my, that looks delicious!

Disney might be the only place it seems normal to take pictures of your food! Yet I still feel silly doing it! Maybe this year.

Yeah I feel silly doing it last, but last night I whipped out my iPhone to take a picture of my Peanut Butter Pie dessert. We went out for my birthday and it just looked to good not to share with my friends on Facebook. DH just shook his head at me.

Hey, i'm joining in on your PTR... love it so far! That is so amazing that your video was picked for the show. I'm not surprised, cause your boys are too adorable!! That clip of your son on Dumbo is perfect, you can totally feel his joy. Those commercials with the home videos make me cry every single time, I can not escape it, I just get so emotional!

Ahhh thanks, it was so exciting to see, still is!

You will LOVE Sci-Fi.. it is a must do for us every single trip. I'm sure your boys, especially, will love it! It's really really REALLY cool in there and so magical... I overuse that word when it comes to Disney but it's so true!

I'm excited for Sci Fi!

You missed so many of my top favorite things at WDW so you are in for some amazing stuff. I don't know if you are still looking for input, but I figured why not... just so you know, my comments are based on the fact that you have two boys, a friend of mine does also (ages 8 and 10) and has told me a lot about what her sons love at WDW!

What you mentioned at AK ~ the Jungle Trek is amazing - I knew I'd be obsessed with the tigers, but I spent just as much time staring at the bats on our last 2 trips, they are fascinating! Again especially for 2 boys. I also am with everyone else who has told you to do FOTLK... you can not miss it. I think Nemo is an incredible show as well but FOTLK is in the round and there is just so much action going on from every angle, the singers and dancers are BEYOND talented, It's just the best show at WDW. I always tear up during it, too!

For MK, you mustmustmust do Philhar Magic. I think it's one of the best things on property. Honestly, I always tear up during that one too! You're right about IASW being a right of passage + again, Monsters Inc is a must do. Not as good as Philhar but really really funny and the boys will love it - my friend's boys were shown on the screen and they talk about how awesome that was all the time.

Epcot.. I understand how WS may not be the most exciting thing for two young boys but def spend some time there, who knows what they will pick up on and enjoy. The Kim Possible thing, I haven't done, but everyone tells me I MUST on our next trip. It's not really as much about Kim Possible as it is just an adventure around the WS, I've heard it's really incredible so maybe you should try it. DO NOT MISS Turtle Talk With Crush, your boys will be rolling on the floor laughing and you and your DH probably will too. During the first trip I took after Crush opened, we did it three times! Club Cool is one of my favorite things at Epcot. The sodas are DELICIOUS (except the Beverly, of course) and it's sooo refreshing. My favorite is the pink watermelon soda from China, and the orange pepsi from Germany. And of course you're right about Illuminations, it can't be missed.

MGM - I will always call it MGM too! I'm with you on Idol - I enjoy watching it from time to time actually, but I would never ever want to sit and hear random people sing while at Disney, I just don't get why people would give up precious WDW time for that! To each their own, though, of course. As much as I LOVE Fantasmic, the crowd last time was absolutely HORRENDOUS and we will not be seeing that show again for a LONG time unless we book the dinner package. I've never done L,M,A! but my friends have young boys also and they LOVE this show and do it twice per trip. I think the Backlot is great, and I'm sure your boys will love the Catastrophe Canyon part, but may find the rest a bit boring.

Always looking for input, so thanks! Philharmagic is a MUST this trip and we may just to the Kim Possible to have something specific to do in WS. I think the boys will love that specific part of the Backlot tour too, they are pretty good with dealing with the boring to get to the good stuff. They did Ellen's Energy Adventure and didn't complain once, although they almost fell asleep before the Dinosaurs part.

Congrats on the Couch to 5k! I started running in March, and I can do a ton more than I ever thought, but running for 43 minutes?!?! The thought of that makes me want to die LOL so kudos to you, really!

Good for you too! It's really not that bad, I mean, boring yes for the most part but the feeling when you're done is great. During a race the 43 minutes goes by so fast you don't even realize it, on the treadmill it's long. LOL I am now doing more interval stuff and trying to get faster. I did 3 miles the other day for the first time since the race and it was tough, felt really long but I did it in just over 41 minutes so I got a little faster.

 

[DrMomof3]

I love the pics!! We have the same problem with my eldest and pictures. Some of the more thoughtful characters at meals would sit next to him so we could get a pic of him with the character.

Amanda

 

[PixieMama]

I'm back from a (much-needed) week at the beach... trying to catch up on everyone's PTRs!

Enjoyed the mini-photo trip report!

And now I want a piece of chocolate cake.

 

[beebeeryan]

Okay, so apparently Fantasmic is now showing every night in August. I had decided to skip the hassle since it was only showing 1 night and just didn't want to deal with it. But as it's showing every night we might be able to get it in since we can pick a night with no EMH to keep crowds down. Another revelation came to light this weekend that helps with the schedule. The kids can totally handle staying up late and being pretty well behaved the next day. We went to a minor league baseball game Saturday night and the game didn't end till 10pm and then they had fireworks. We didn't get home till 11pm and while DH was falling asleep in the car, the kids were still wide awake and perfectly fine. And they weren't cranky Sunday either.

With the Disney schedule, I was trying not to go past 9pm shows to get back to the hotel before 10pm whenever possible, but we may just be able to get away with staying at MK at least until 10pm once or twice, which frees up another night or 2. It just a short walk away so we can get back fairly quickly. We can then get the MSEP and Wishes and Memories show in all in one night if we do that. I don't want to push my luck on the kids behavior when tired, but I think 1-2 nights past 10pm or so probably will be fine.

Just when you thought you were all done...

 

[PixieMama]

I know how you feel... I keep meaning to check the crowd calendars to see if they've changed now that F! is playing every night. Grrrrrr... this does not make me happy. I specifically chose the day we're going to DHS because F! was NOT playing.

Ah, well. Hopefully the crowd predictions won't have changed much (or at all)!

 

[Kat in GA]

I know what you mean about relying on touring plans! I went this weekend to adjust some hours for my trip next week (ACK - next week!!) and for the August girls trip. And it's amazing how much has changed. We went from mostly 8s to all 9s and 10s. And all the best/worst days have changed. I am sure they will change again before we leave. It's really not a big deal as we don't have any ADRs - so we can be pretty flexible - but we revamped most of our penciled in days to different penciled in days!

I am not too worried about August though. We have hoppers. And it's just not that crowded anyway, so I don't think it'll make a huge impact. And with Fantasmic showing nightly, it might actually help to spread out the crowds.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've always tried to get the kids in bed at a reasonable time at Disney. Like you, I'm finding that the kids are starting to be able to handle later nights than before.

Amanda

 

[beebeeryan]

I'm kinda hoping too that since it'll be showing every night, it won't be this crazy mad crowd situation since it's not just 1 or 2 nights a week. It might change the show from this crazy hassle of a thing to something actually doable and enjoyable for more people. Guess I'll be on these boards seeing how the nightly show changes things in early August for a better perspective.

 

[taymacsmom]

I'm kinda hoping too that since it'll be showing every night, it won't be this crazy mad crowd situation since it's not just 1 or 2 nights a week. It might change the show from this crazy hassle of a thing to something actually doable and enjoyable for more people. Guess I'll be on these boards seeing how the nightly show changes things in early August for a better perspective.

That was exactly what I was thinking! We"ll be watching to gether I think.

Kelly

 

[beebeeryan]

Tickets from UT came today!!!!!!!!! That is all.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I somehow didn't see that Chocolate Extinction until now… wow is that a beautiful piece of dessert!! We are going to T-Rex on our upcoming trip and I might just need to order us one of those!!

Great news about Fantasmic! I was hoping to catch it as well, and it definitely helps being on nightly! Your boys should love it! And it is nice to hear that they can handle a late night here and there!

 

[__disneygirl]

I'm kinda hoping too that since it'll be showing every night, it won't be this crazy mad crowd situation since it's not just 1 or 2 nights a week. It might change the show from this crazy hassle of a thing to something actually doable and enjoyable for more people. Guess I'll be on these boards seeing how the nightly show changes things in early August for a better perspective.

That's what I'm thinking. That's how it was before they limited it to 2 nights a week. Disney made a huge mistake doing that in my opinion. I think you should definitely go see it now, i'm sure the crowds will be a lot more manageable.

 

[beebeeryan]

I just love this photo, it shows how nice this particular week is at WDW. This was taken on a weekday, Thursday maybe, at around 10am. We were heading to Splash and BTMRR, which were both listed as walk on and it was clear they were considering there is not a single person in this photo. As we were walking along I noticed there was hardly anyone around so I thought I better take a picture of this. I turned around and took one aiming behind me as well and there is not a single person in that one either. We rode both rides twice.

 

[cadek]

Wow, amazing how empty it is in those pictures. What great shots! Looking at them makes me realize I don't slow down nearly enough to appreciate everything around me, I'm too busy avoiding people with the stroller and hurrying to the next ride!

 

[__disneygirl]

Great pictures! I love Disney always, but when the crowds are that low, it's just so special. I have some like that. Last April during evening EMH we had the park basically to ourselves and road Splash 3 times without getting off cause of no lines!

 

[Kat in GA]

Those are from the last week of August?! I can't wait for my girls trip! It is going to be vastly different from the crowds there in the next two weeks (Ack!).

And yippee for tickets arriving! We had a hard time receiving ours because we had to be home to sign for them - and my timing and the mail lady's timing never quite synced for a few days...but we did finally sign and receive them.

 

[Kari-B]

Love the Frontierland pics! I would love to experience that!