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

[jillyb]

Wow...life has been a whirlwind for you lately! So glad to hear that Matt's surgery went well and, most importantly, so glad that he'll be able to go on the trip.

Enjoyed seeing all the celebrating ya'll have been doing!

 

[Marshay]

Wow you were busy today -- posting a lot of awesome updates!!

So glad Matt's surgery went well. HOpe the recovery is much better than expected!

Love your Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and your actual T-day meal looked scrumptious!!

Many happy birthday wishes to Naomi Ruth and Rachel!! Everyone looked like they had a lot of fun!

Your countdown calendar is still just truly amazing -- I love it! Tell Matt he did an awesome job again with those photos!

Forgot to say, yeah, DHS is just such an odd park for us. I finally decided to go on a EMH-AM day and we're just planning to do RnR/Tot (DH & me), TSMM, Star Tours, Disney Junior ..then we are trying H&V for a late (i.e., 10am breakfast) followed by characters, TSMM via FP if the timing is right and Animation Class. If all goes well, we'll be out of there by noon or earlier so Elie can take a nap. We've basically given up on everything else at DHS...sooo can't wait until they redo this park.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That is SUCH great news about Matt's recovery!!! I'm so glad to hear that he's doing so well!!! How great that he may be able to join you guys now!

Your celebrations all look like they were so much fun! I love the Disney ornaments for your tree!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow - lots of updates! Looks like a lot of fun birthday & holiday happenings at your house. I love your trees... are they real? They look real but I can't imagine trying to keep them alive until Christmas. We won't get ours until next weekend. Two to three weeks is about the max lifespan in our house.

I'm so glad Matt is doing well & you can work on your January plans with excitement.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

LOVE LOVE LOVE all your parties and planning going on! I'm so glad to hear that Matt is recovering well!

 

[MEK]

Wow - mega update and I'm new to your TR so let's see if I can remember what I want to say.....

First of all, so glad that your DH is recovering and the trip is a go! I bet you can't wait.

Second, before i forget, I have that same ornament (the last one you posted)in gold and red. I am hoping to find more when I visit in just a couple weeks!

Third, Happy B-day to your girls! All the celebrations look like so much fun.

Lastly - that turkey looks delish and I would say that's a great attempt at the EOS sandwich!

 

[Native NYer]

Looks like you had some fun events!
I love your countdown calendar!

 

[mousescrapper]

Wow...life has been a whirlwind for you lately! So glad to hear that Matt's surgery went well and, most importantly, so glad that he'll be able to go on the trip.

Enjoyed seeing all the celebrating ya'll have been doing!

it has been a whirlwind, but a good one for a change , yes it will be wonderful to have him go

Wow you were busy today -- posting a lot of awesome updates!!

thanks

So glad Matt's surgery went well. HOpe the recovery is much better than expected!

us too, so far so good, I'm just tired and looking forward to a break

Love your Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and your actual T-day meal looked scrumptious!!

thanks, we had fun being thankful

Many happy birthday wishes to Naomi Ruth and Rachel!! Everyone looked like they had a lot of fun!

they had nice b-days

Your countdown calendar is still just truly amazing -- I love it! Tell Matt he did an awesome job again with those photos!

I will, it's looking good now

Forgot to say, yeah, DHS is just such an odd park for us. I finally decided to go on a EMH-AM day and we're just planning to do RnR/Tot (DH & me), TSMM, Star Tours, Disney Junior ..then we are trying H&V for a late (i.e., 10am breakfast) followed by characters, TSMM via FP if the timing is right and Animation Class. If all goes well, we'll be out of there by noon or earlier so Elie can take a nap. We've basically given up on everything else at DHS...sooo can't wait until they redo this park.

your plan looks good! the kids would like to do more shows this time, so that will havew us in the park longer, but hopefully it will prove to be a good day

That is SUCH great news about Matt's recovery!!! I'm so glad to hear that he's doing so well!!! How great that he may be able to join you guys now!

Your celebrations all look like they were so much fun! I love the Disney ornaments for your tree!

thanks! I love Christmas decorating, we have quite the collection now of Disney ornaments too

Wow - lots of updates! Looks like a lot of fun birthday & holiday happenings at your house. I love your trees... are they real? They look real but I can't imagine trying to keep them alive until Christmas. We won't get ours until next weekend. Two to three weeks is about the max lifespan in our house.

no they are not real, I'm not a fan of the smell or mess, plus I like to decorate early

I'm so glad Matt is doing well & you can work on your January plans with excitement.

yes 30 days will be here before I know it its good and bad

LOVE LOVE LOVE all your parties and planning going on! I'm so glad to hear that Matt is recovering well!

thank you, it's been nice to have a bit of fun in the midst of everything

Wow - mega update and I'm new to your TR so let's see if I can remember what I want to say.....

yes I had been working on it for a few days

First of all, so glad that your DH is recovering and the trip is a go! I bet you can't wait.

I am looking forward to being back w/ the kids

Second, before i forget, I have that same ornament (the last one you posted)in gold and red. I am hoping to find more when I visit in just a couple weeks!

I have it in red too they are fun I also have two of the stars

Third, Happy B-day to your girls! All the celebrations look like so much fun.

thanks

Lastly - that turkey looks delish and I would say that's a great attempt at the EOS sandwich!

thank you, hadn't made a turkey for many years, so it was actually fun coming up w/ the stuffings and other seasonings, we had some good leftover turley sandwiches I wonder if they would have tasted better sitting in 70 degree weather though Matt says when the kids are a bit older we should make Thanksgiving at Disney a yearly thing I'm cool w/ that!

Looks like you had some fun events!
I love your countdown calendar!

we did, now onto Christmas! which actually is a slower month for us, I like to enjoy the season and thanks

 

[mousescrapper]

I made a to-do list for this trip shortly before leaving for our anniversary trip in October and then everything kind of fell apart and was all over the place, I wasn't in the Disney mood at all...which is SCARY

But since things have settled down a bit and we are very hopefull Matt is coming w/ on this trip, I have begun to become a bit more motivated w/ the trip plans and moving ahead...although the original theme and plans of this trip have shifted from the Kids mostly in charge to Mom adjusting their must lists...I still am trying to maintain a focus that this trip IS for the kids and what they want to do at Disney

Let's see what was on the original list and what is DONE and what still needs to be done...

November: 2 months

* Adjust food budget to reflect increase in kid meal pricing

mostly done, I actually did MORE adjusting than just that and there just is a bit of fine tuning to be done w/ the SNACKS budget​

* order trading pins from Ebay

* Plan MK days

* Plan EP day DONE!

* Plan AK Day Scratched from plans

* Replan DHS day DONE!

* Plan and have 70 (skipped), 60, 50 days till Disney Disney DONE and HAD!

* make itinerary cards

* Create door sign DONE!

* Create window decoration

This is something matt does, so I have to see if he wants to or has time​

December: 1 month to go

* decide if Matt can't go or to what extent

we are planning on him go and skipping several rides at this point​

* decide on clothes and pull items

I have several shirts set aside already in a box, but probably will start thinking more about this in the coming weeks​

* purchase Disney gift cards

* Plan and have 40, 30, 20 days till Disney

We have themes for each of these and I have decided on dates of when to do them if they don't work on actual countdown day. Now just to plan out what to actually do...may be spur of the moment plans... 40 days is tomorrow!​

* pull suitcases, start packing

I will probably do this in 2 weeks when the kids are off school I always like to get started about 30 days out​

* make final trip shopping list

* make mousekeeping and O'Hana tip envelopes

will have 1 of the kids make during Christmas break​

* create trip journals for kids

have to decide if I will do this or not ​

* create new general Dis-tag for myself and id tags for kids

* gather final funds for park passes and place order at 15 days out (12-30)


January: weeks to go

* determine if doing Photo Pass

* make final decisions on Garden Grocer order and place

* call/email schools and (NR Bus) to inform of missed days (2)

* arrange dog/fish care

* assess final $ needs and organize

* put together souvie list/budget per child

* Plan and have 10 days till Disney night

theme decided on​

* final trip packing (check weather)

* decide on kids park bags and carry-on's for plane-pack

* arrange ride to/from airport

* Online check-in (10 days)

* last minute planning, print itinerary cards, prpeapre travel binder, etc


Well that is it, not too many major changes but still quite a bit to do in the next 6 weeks leading up to the trip!

Up NEXT: Epcot Day touring plan

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your plans sound great! (I am always amazed at your planning/organization skills!) I think it's great that you're still focusing on the kids being in charge, while having to take the reins a bit.

 

[jillyb]

Matt says when the kids are a bit older we should make Thanksgiving at Disney a yearly thing I'm cool w/ that!

Heck yeah!!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Life is so crazy and busy sometimes...who am I kidding..all the time! Glad to be back and caught up on your planning!

So happy to hear about Matt's recovery and that he will be able to join the family at Disney! That is great news!

As usual, your Pirate celebration looked awesome! Aargh!

Cute pics of the girls' birthdays. It seems like just yesterday I was looking at pictures of them celebrating in the MK. How time flies!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'll come back and do "hello's" later but I wanted to get this planning post update up

first off...got Mickey Mail Today if that doesn't get you excited, what will huh our DME info and luggage stickers have arrived...that must mean I can start packing soon I love to pack!

second, while playing w/ an UT app on Matt's new itouch he won at a work luncheon sweet good thing he was there! I noticed that MK hours have changed for our arrival day and thought to myself I have got to get these park plans ironed out

so I have got days 1 -4 pretty well ironed out and feel good w/ what is planned. I feel like they are well packed days, but w/ alot of room to budge and move things around or skip things as needed based on time and want

so let's look at Days 1 and 2 first...

Day 1) Arrival day Sun. Jan 15th

Park choice MK hours: 9-11pm eve EMH till 2 am
MSEP 7 pm Wishes 8 pm

I think it's going to be a busy day w/ the "holiday weekend" in full swing, but we'll work around the crowds...they don't scare us, just don't want to make any stupid touring mistakes...

We have an early (but not too early) flight out in the morning and hopefully after arriving at MCO, DME to BLT we should be waltzing or skipping into MK between 1:30/2 pm

the basic plan is to do a few rides and lunch at Columbia Harbor House in the afternoon. Then take a break back a BLT after our room is ready to unpack, make and have dinner in the room and maybe go down to the Community Center.

Then back over to MK for some more evening fun. This is where the plan becomes a little sketchy ...w/ the extension in hours and unsure if they will change the current scheduled times for the parade and Wishes...we'll be playing the evening by "mouse-ear" as far as if we try to get back and see Wishes in the park this night if scheduled for 8 pm or if we'll see the MSEP if they push it back in time or offer two. And how long will we stay (we can always entertain the idea of splitting up too and some going back to room before others).

Here is a look at the Tour Card:

Moving onto Day 2) Monday 1-16

Park Choice EP hours 9-9 pm

Illuminations 9 pm

todays plan includes sleeping in (deserved so ) and then having a late character breakfast at O'Hana w/ Mickey, Lilo and Stitch

really looking forward to this, haven't eaten here since 2008

then we'll stop back over at our room before heading over to the park via the monorail.

The basic plan for the park is to hit some of our favorites in Future World. Soarin hopefully will be a full family ride, w/ Naomi-Ruth's first time too bad TT won't be the same, since Matt can't ride but we'll still have fun.

We plan on have a multi-country dinner in World Showcase and just go to a few countries. I have a few fillers or maybes in this plan like Living w/ the Land, Innoventions, etc...shopping at Mouse Gear is a must and we'll play it by "mouse-ear" again as far as if we decide to stay and watch Illuminations (I have a feeling it will be no for this trip)

Take a look at the Tour card:

I'd love feedback be back soon w/ some more Disney nights and tour plans for days 3) and 4)

thanks for reading!​

 

[DisMomAmy]

I think your plans look great! Having flexibility built in & low expectations will be key to a fun trip this time around! Can't wait to hear about your family fun nights!!

You are sooo close!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

WHAT??? YOU GOT YOUR MICKEY MAIL!?!?!? I still haven't gotten mine!!! Argh!!



Your plans sound great! I love your cute little touring plan cards! Playing things by mouse-ear sounds like a good plan!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Love your touring cards! I should make something similar, but Rey is really talking a lot about LEISURELY touring and I'm afraid he'll freak out if I start making touring plans on paper...they are already in my head, I just pretend like I'm being spontaneous while having a master plan!

 

[mousescrapper]

Your plans sound great! (I am always amazed at your planning/organization skills!) I think it's great that you're still focusing on the kids being in charge, while having to take the reins a bit.

thanks...I really enjoy being organized you just have to be w/ 4 kids and everything else, the plans are coming together!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Life is so crazy and busy sometimes...who am I kidding..all the time! Glad to be back and caught up on your planning!

no worries my life is nutty

So happy to hear about Matt's recovery and that he will be able to join the family at Disney! That is great news!

yes each day seems a bit better

As usual, your Pirate celebration looked awesome! Aargh!

thanks, decorating the table w/ different themes has been alot of fun

Cute pics of the girls' birthdays. It seems like just yesterday I was looking at pictures of them celebrating in the MK. How time flies!

I know, hard to believe that was just 1 yr ago or that a whole yr has passed...next yr they will be "old" 10 and 6 I don't have little babies anymore

I think your plans look great! Having flexibility built in & low expectations will be key to a fun trip this time around! Can't wait to hear about your family fun nights!!

You are sooo close!!

thanks Amy...I have to run all the plans over w/ the family, but they should be on board I am covering all the big stuff! and I know real fast

WHAT??? YOU GOT YOUR MICKEY MAIL!?!?!? I still haven't gotten mine!!! Argh!!



sorry...did it come today?

Your plans sound great! I love your cute little touring plan cards! Playing things by mouse-ear sounds like a good plan!

it will need to be the mantra for this trip

Love your touring cards! I should make something similar, but Rey is really talking a lot about LEISURELY touring and I'm afraid he'll freak out if I start making touring plans on paper...they are already in my head, I just pretend like I'm being spontaneous while having a master plan!

Oh I can't do Disney w/ out them they're not solid but a good guide so everyone is not asking what's next, when are we doing this...I can just hand them the card

 

[mousescrapper]

Have a few more things crossed off my list

order trading pins from Ebay DONE! should be here after the Holidays

adjust food budget for the 5 days DONE! as a reminder we are doing OOP: a combination of QS, villa meals and 1 TS character meal. I have a total park food budget of $500 that includes 5 QS meals, 3 dessert stops, the Character meal, and a small buffer for anything extra.

figure out Garden Grocer Order DONE! I just need to go over it w/ Matt and probably adjust a few things here and there. But i am budgeting approx $125 which includes tip, tax, & delievery and food for 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, plus drinks for in the parks.

if anyone wants more details on either of these budgets just ask.

Plan out MK days DONE! the first two MK visits are planned out and the last will be a flex plan w/ focusing on favorites and anything missed. I will do an empty tour card so we can write in a plan before getting into the park

not on the list, but I had a new Disney rewards card issued today that's $ for souvies

stay tuned for more updates...

 

[teekathepony]

Great job, crossing those things off the list! I love that feeling of getting things done.

 

[ditsypixie]

Your plans look great!

And I can't wait to hear about your family nights. I have really wanted to try many family nights but sometimes have a hard time pulling it off