The Mouse-KIDS are in charge...a Jan '12 PTR NEW 2/5 TR link & new tickers

[DisMomAmy]

I'll let the boys answer the TS part:
I asked Zach & he said "The Chinese place... OBVIOUSLY!" (He actually means the Japanese place... Teppan Edo!)

I asked Alex & he said, "McDonalds." Then I reiterated, "at Epcot" and he said, "There's a McDonalds on the way to Epcot, right?" Then he said, "Just kidding, I guess I'd have to say Teppan Edo."

Tim & I will take the CS choice: We love the breakfast at Sunshine Season!

 

[Parla]

Sunshine Seasons for sure but we've never actually had TS at Epcot.

IKR?

Trying a few places this trip though.

 

[KathyRN137]

I'll let the boys answer the TS part:
I asked Zach & he said "The Chinese place... OBVIOUSLY!" (He actually means the Japanese place... Teppan Edo!)

I asked Alex & he said, "McDonalds." Then I reiterated, "at Epcot" and he said, "There's a McDonalds on the way to Epcot, right?" Then he said, "Just kidding, I guess I'd have to say Teppan Edo."

Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

I'll have an actual planning post coming up real soon...but in the meantime, here is the next Challange Q. to keep you entertained...

The Mouse Kids WDW Challenge:

3. What is your favorite restaurant TS or QS in Epcot?

Hmmm....

TS: I do love the filet at LeCellier! Yummy-Yum!

QS is a bit tougher. I have to go with Sunshine Seasons for their variety.

My new favorite place to grab a sweet treat in Epcot is Karamelle Kushce I'm still dreaming of that chocolate caramel fudge!!


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hmmm....

TS: I do love the filet at LeCellier! Yummy-Yum!

QS is a bit tougher. I have to go with Sunshine Seasons for their variety.

My new favorite place to grab a sweet treat in Epcot is Karamelle Kushce I'm still dreaming of that chocolate caramel fudge!!


Kathy

Yes! Yes! Yes! Karamell-Kuche! Mmmmmmm....

 

[mommytothreeboys]

The only TS place we've tried at Epcot is Coral Reef and we enjoyed that. But..I really have nothing to compare it to, so not sure it qualifies as a "favorite."

As far as TS, it really depends who you ask. Both Jeff and I would say Tangierine Cafe in Morocco. We love that type of food and don't get it often....when we do it's a treat! Dan would say Lotus Blossom Cafe in China because he is a big fan of the noodle bowl. Isaiah would say the Cantina in Mexico because of the churros! Jonah would probably say Yorkshire Fish Market in the UK because he can get a fish fry.

That's one of my favorite things about Epcot...all the choices for food!

 

[mousescrapper]

Hmmm...favorite restaurant in Epcot? This is a tough one, since there are so many I still want to try! La Hacienda is great, and I have wonderful memories of Le Cellier (hopefully it's somewhat the same when we go back in January!). As far as CS, I absolutely have to go with Boulangerie Patisserie. Their Napoleons are awesome. And they have great sandwiches there too on baguettes.

And now I'm getting hungry....

I bet the mexican place sounds really good, we may be eating in CS in mexico...I like French stuff cause it sounds fancy, so must be a fun place to eat

Favorite CS - Sunshine Seasons
Favorite TS - Le Cellier

the CS sounds good and I liked eating there last yr.

I'm going to go with Le Cellier on this one.

I like cheese and I like soup...so maybe I would like that TS too

A girl after my own heart -- I love Tutto Italia as well! The Mexican QS would have to be my favorite in that category, though.

I love Mexican food too but not as much as Italian food

I'll let the boys answer the TS part:
I asked Zach & he said "The Chinese place... OBVIOUSLY!" (He actually means the Japanese place... Teppan Edo!)

I asked Alex & he said, "McDonalds." Then I reiterated, "at Epcot" and he said, "There's a McDonalds on the way to Epcot, right?" Then he said, "Just kidding, I guess I'd have to say Teppan Edo."

Tim & I will take the CS choice: We love the breakfast at Sunshine Season!

I have never tasted Japanese food but i bet it is very good

Sunshine Seasons for sure but we've never actually had TS at Epcot.

IKR?

Trying a few places this trip though.

Sunshine Seasons seems to have good food

Hmmm....

TS: I do love the filet at LeCellier! Yummy-Yum!

QS is a bit tougher. I have to go with Sunshine Seasons for their variety.

My new favorite place to grab a sweet treat in Epcot is Karamelle Kushce I'm still dreaming of that chocolate caramel fudge!!


Kathy

Oh I love LOVE the karamelle place too

The only TS place we've tried at Epcot is Coral Reef and we enjoyed that. But..I really have nothing to compare it to, so not sure it qualifies as a "favorite."

As far as TS, it really depends who you ask. Both Jeff and I would say Tangierine Cafe in Morocco. We love that type of food and don't get it often....when we do it's a treat! Dan would say Lotus Blossom Cafe in China because he is a big fan of the noodle bowl. Isaiah would say the Cantina in Mexico because of the churros! Jonah would probably say Yorkshire Fish Market in the UK because he can get a fish fry.

That's one of my favorite things about Epcot...all the choices for food!

your family sounds like mine we like lots of different foods too

 

[mousescrapper]

Time to Plan…

With the end of the summer and beginning of school crazies, and realizing my anni trip is coming up fast I sort of put the Jan trip on hold…a few things have been discussed and a few things purchased (share photos later) but no REAL planning has begun for our park days, except for the basic itinerary…

I got to thinking I need to find a helpful and fun way to plan this out w/ the kids and still allow them to be in charge

I decided my way of planning may not work for them…

* writing down a master list of Must Do’s and If times, tracking hours, times, EMH’s….etc. for each park

* converting said lists into each touring plans for each day

* making individual touring cards for each day​

This may be a tad to intensive and complicated for them…ya think?


I bought some Composition notebooks on sale after school started last yr I think? And the twins needed some for school, so I went to look for them and was inspired by my original plan of creating journals w/ them and seeing the Disney planners that Kari B made for herself and her kids on her PTR :

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40700645&postcount=15

I decided to make a Planning Notebook for them to use to jot down notes and help them figure things out…I made tabs for

* Planning Details- calendar, itinerary, to-do list, clothing theme ideas, packing lists

* Movie Nights- space to list ideas and plan them out, plus we can add some pictures too

* Park Plans-overall picks

* MK, DHS, EP, AK tabs- top 5 picks and park day touring plan ideas​

I also updated my Blog about the planner and a basic how to, plus more pictures if you are interested:

BLOG post: A Planning Journal

Lastly to help them get into the Disney frame of mind, one night last week for our weekly family night we watched the vacation DVD from Disney parks and each of us had a pad of paper and pencil to write down things we saw that we liked and wanted to do.

We decide our first park to plan would be Disney Hollywood Studios! DHS
We plan to go to this park on Day 2) of our trip.

We have a character bfast planned for the late morning at O’Hana then a game of mini golf at Fantasia Gardens (I think it will be best if we split into 2 groups of 3). Our evening will be for DHS and staying for the eve EMH (hope it won’t be too cold)

I had the kids look over the attraction list for here on the Disney site:

I looked up the attractions avail during an eve EMH that we would ride:

TGMR
MV3D
Star Tours
TSM
ToT
Voy lil mermaid (check times)
? Disney Junior Dance party (is this just a summer thing? Saw listed on wdwent)
Dinning QS: Catalina Eddies, Rosie’s All-American​

The kids and I went throught the lists made by them and Mom/Dad input…we knew we’d need to concentrate on items not open after park closing first and do all the big stuff during EMH!

Here are the main things on the kids lists:

TSM
Cars stunt show
MV3D and store
Pizza planet (to eat)
One man’s dream
IJSS
ToT (Mom and Bekah)
Beauty and Beast Show
Star Tours and store
Honey I shrunk the kids play area
TGMR
Disney Junior Show (NR)​

I next looked up the times (showed the kids how) for the shows…hopefully it won’t be too different in Jan…but we’ll check again when it gets closer! And Bekah got to work coming up w/ a plan…

I told her we wouldn’t get into DHS any earlier than 2 pm most likely…

If the show times stay the same…this is our first draft of an itinerary…

Arrival will be mid afternoon. I am targeting the hour of 2 pm. As a reminder our morning plans consisit of a sleep-in, 10 am ADR at O’Hana, stop back at resort…then pack up for the rest of day.
Mini golf (hopefully) at Fantasia Gardens, then over to DHS. I feel I need to discuss w/ the kids a back-up plan in case we need to nix mini golf for weather or time…

So once in DHS I’d like to say we can just be relaxed, but I think at first we have places to get to!

* Head to Annimation Courtyard
* If time characters
* 3:20 pm (3) showing Disney Junior Show (Mom, NR, Rachel?)
* Shopping or Star Tours (Dad, twins, Rachel?)
* 4:30 pm (4) showing of Cars Stunt Show
* 5:45 pm Beauty and Beast show (PLAN A)
* HISTK playground (PLAN B)
* Dinner time: Sunset Blvd/Pizza Planet
* One Man’s Dream
* EMH:
(in no particular order)
* TSM
* Voy LM
* Split-up TOT (Mom, Bekah) TSM (others)
* TGMR
* MV3D-muppet shop (would it be open still?)
* Picture Mom/Dad NY backdrop
* Star Tours (again?)
* Disney Junior Dance Party?
* Treats (which will have purchased earlier to save)!​

So some adjusting will probably have to made as it gets closer…but for now this is a good base

What do you think?

J~

 

[teekathepony]

Hmm looks like a good plan to me! That's a great way to subtly take charge but allow them to plan it. Love your notebooks too!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sounds pretty good to me! It's a very tight timeline but as long as you have some flexibility built in, which it looks like you do (plan A/B, question mark attractions, splitting up), you should be OK. I forget... is this your only DHS day? I'm thinking it is, so you'll want to pack it full! Do you get to sleep late the next morning?

I love the planning books!! I'm headed to your blog now!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I think the list of attractions is doable in the the amount of time.....but you are all over the map pre-EHM criss-crossing the park. Are you in two groups and that's why??

What if you did stuff in the middle of the park (so to speak) and split for the 4pm ish shows of Lights! Motor! Action! and Disney Junior then meet back up??

 

[Parla]

I think that you are so organized my head might explode.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hmm looks like a good plan to me! That's a great way to subtly take charge but allow them to plan it. Love your notebooks too!

thanks Wendy... did you catch that I am gently nudging them w/ choices...but ultimately it still is up to them

Sounds pretty good to me! It's a very tight timeline but as long as you have some flexibility built in, which it looks like you do (plan A/B, question mark attractions, splitting up), you should be OK. I forget... is this your only DHS day? I'm thinking it is, so you'll want to pack it full! Do you get to sleep late the next morning?

I love the planning books!! I'm headed to your blog now!

Yes the only park we are doing twice over the 5 days is MK it's our bookend park I had to look up what the next day was...I am getting confused w/ the two in progress trips we have AK the next day and an semi open evening w/ just MP shopping and eating planned...be nice to arrive as close to opening as we can...but we'll just go w/ the flow I think DEf need some switchable plans...right now in my head i think we should not ruch to other side of park to catch B&B...but for now it's fine on paper...

I think the list of attractions is doable in the the amount of time.....but you are all over the map pre-EHM criss-crossing the park. Are you in two groups and that's why??

I know...hard not to though at this park pretty much after arriving we are in two groups and meeting back up for the cars Show together.

What if you did stuff in the middle of the park (so to speak) and split for the 4pm ish shows of Lights! Motor! Action! and Disney Junior then meet back up??

good thought...but like to all see the Cars show...well actually me I can totally pass rather see the B&B show...so idk maybe we satya split up longer but as of now the show times don't jive enough to do Disney Junior then B&B while matt and twins do Cars show...too much down time for one group? something to think about...

I think that you are so organized my head might explode.

not laughing at your head about to explode...I am a bit Disney obessed in life and a generally organized person

 

[mousescrapper]

just giving myself a little bump...don't worry January we havn't forgotten about you

* Mom has several clothes actually already pulled for the trip...I know very silly

* Nathan has thought up a cool way to countdown the trip which we may start later next month on our 3 months to go (BTW which is right before the little Oct. trip)

* Bekah is going to start thinking about our AK plans

* Rachel and Daddy are thinking about movie nights and family Disney activities

* Naomi-Ruth is packing her bag

hope you don't feel abandoned by the Oct. trip or feel jealous...cause we can't wait for you to come too!

 

[Parla]

I think the trip that you meet me is more important.

I love how NR is already packing. I started that early too!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I can't wait to see Nathan's countdown idea!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Can't wait to hear about all the fun things you have planned!!

 

[mousescrapper]

So a lot has been going on and I haven’t had time to keep up e/ even updates on both of my current PTR’s plus of course my next trip is now under 30 days…it will make for a quick turn around for this one then!

We ended the summer w/ our 4th annual Labor day craft of creating a summer collage of photos and mementos from the summer to have fun remembering all the fun we had. The one we did was in 2008 and I think I was inspired by a Family Fun magazine article! Here are some pictures of this yr's board:

And a picture of two of our previous boards that hang in our basement stairwell:

********************************************************************************


The other bit of life I wanted to share was from this past Sunday (Sept. 18th)…as most of you know our oldest children (the twins) Nathan and Rebekah live each day w/ the daily challenges of Autism. Through the organization Autism Speaks, my sister in law and brother in law rode w/ 500+ motorcyclists for awareness of this disorder and for our children in Team Nathan (when they began riding 4 years ago, Bekah was yet diagnosed). Here are some pictures from the rainy send off…

The Rescue Riders (w/ the twins)

Nathan and his grandma (my Mom)

Matt and his Dad

Bekah and I

Nathan and Uncle Goat-Face (my brother in law Steve)

Getting ready to see them leave

Clapping them on…

And they return:

As usual a wonderful group of people coming out to support some great kids!

Stay tuned for some more planning soon!

Julie

 

[DisMomAmy]

I love the summer fun collages!! What a great idea. I love that Steve & Larry signed the back. Silly girls!

Looks like the weather wasn't so hot for the autism ride, but otherwise a great day!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

The summer fun collages look so nice!

Definitely looks like the weather wasn't the best for the autism ride, but what a great cause! It's so wonderful that such a great group participated!