The Non-Catchy Title PTR

[onescgirl]

I love your autograph books . You did an awesome job on them.

My niece and nephew were still collecting some autographs at 10, but they were quite picky about what they'd wait in line for.

Thanks!

Hey there! Officially subbing to your PTR!

I can't wait to hear about your experience with CBR. We used to go when I was a kid, so it was a long time ago, but we *loved* it! Yes, it is spread out, but it's just so pretty and so much more relaxed than a Value resort. Don't get me wrong, we usually stay Value and enjoy ourselves! However, CBR is going to make you feel more like you're on vacation .

I can't wait to be there!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey Amy! I'm here! Now I'm going back to read all of your details.

 

[flamestarrdust]

Joining in and getting caught up on your PTR!

 

[annmarieda]

Joining in! I love your "non-catchy" catchy title! I had lots to catch up on, but love it so far!!

On my 1st WDW trip, my TA told me to make my dining reservations early. Not knowing how booked WDW restaurants get, what early meant in my head was a LOT different than how early you have to be in WDW, especially during free dining.
I had my itinerary set for which parks we were going to each day and I picked my dining selections according to that. I called to book to our dining reservations.
Every restaurant I asked for was booked. The CM said to me on the phone, "What did you expect calling 5 weeks before your trip?". After hanging up & crying, I made new plans. I would call back everyday and ask for whatever was available for my dining choices for that week. We then scheduled our park plans around the restaurant instead of vise versa. I was able to get every ressie I wanted, but lesson learned.
This trip I reserved online on the very day that I could!

It definitely takes a shift in thinking. I have friends (like how you talked of you and yours) who look at Disney as something you take the kids to, once, because you have to. They think I am nuts when I start talking about how far out I have to make ADRs. I don't think they believe me.

The choices the kids & I made for dining -

I need to cancel one, I can't decide between Coral Reef or Tuskers House. Which do you think?

I know that you have had lots of input on this, but in my opinion, I would cancel something else over either of the two of them. Both Coral and Tusker are at the top of my own list.

Today the kids & I made shrinky-dinks.

How very cool!! This trip, I am all about the little projects to help fill the time. This looks like a good one.

I was going to say the same thing! You all look like you just walked out of a movie or magazine! What a beautiful family!

Yes, I totally agree. Your family is beautiful and you are no way 40!

I made a autograph scrapbook from our last trip. I know most people like to scrapbook, but I do not enjoy it at all. It's just too time consuming for me. I thought by just doing a autograph scrap book it would not take long, but I was wrong. It would have been easier if I only made one book. But I made a book for each child to have and I wanted each book to look different.

On this trip I thought I would just buy the regular autograph books at the resort gift shop once we arrive and not even worry about them getting autographs. But this week I've started thinking that it would be nice to add the character's autographs to their scrapbook that they did not get on the last trip.

Are 10 year olds even interested in getting autographs anymore?

I've posted just a few pages from Lexi & Levi's autograph scrapbook. I made a page for each character & it did turn out pretty cute. All the stickers are dimensional, but it doesn't show well in the pictures


Ariel signing autograph

Eeyore is signing book while Levi is taking a picture of him

You may not like to do it, but you certainly are really good at it! Those books look awesome.

As for if the kids will still want to do autographs this time... I think each kid/family is different. In all of our disney trips, my kids only did the first one. They were all under 10 or 11. Then dd got a bit older and even though she may have been 12...ds was only 7 but he didn't want any part of it. I think this was mainly cause the older ones didn't. Anyway, this will be the first time we attempt signatures with my youngest. I figured that she may enjoy it. Who knows though, maybe it won't be her cup of tea either.

 

[onescgirl]

Hey Amy! I'm here! Now I'm going back to read all of your details.

Glad to have you! BTW, I've been a lurker of all of your TR for a while now! They are always my favorite & one of the reasons I picked CBR!!!

Joining in and getting caught up on your PTR!

I noticed you are double blessed w/twins too! I'm going over to read your PTR!

Joining in! I love your "non-catchy" catchy title! I had lots to catch up on, but love it so far!!

They think I am nuts when I start talking about how far out I have to make ADRs. I don't think they believe me.

I know that you have had lots of input on this, but in my opinion, I would cancel something else over either of the two of them. Both Coral and Tusker are at the top of my own list.

Yes, I totally agree. Your family is beautiful and you are no way 40!

You may not like to do it, but you certainly are really good at it! Those books look awesome.

Some friends still don't believe me on how far ahead that you have to plan for a WDW trip.
There's no way I could cancel any of the other restaurants. My kids are too excited about the others!! I think between the two, my kids would like Coral Reef the best for atmosphere, but Tuskers fits better with our schedule.
And, thanks for the family & scrapbooking compliments.

 

[onescgirl]

I've been doing a little bit of shopping for Lexi & me!

I bought this Minnie dress for Lexi on ebay. We even have zebra striped shoes!
You can't tell in the pictures, but the black trim ribbon has Mickey heads on it.

I bought these 3 t-shirts for me (don't pay attention to the wrinkles )

45 Days & Counting

 

[Queenofallthings]

I love the shopping pictures

That dress is so cute...and matching shoes.....so chic!

Your t-shirts are really nice too! I think my favorite one is the red one....super cute!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Love your purchases

That dress is so cute!

I'm with Queen.....the red shirt is my favorite too!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Great purchases! I too love the red but something about the classic Mickey might tie it for me. haha Love the dress for your daughter too!

 

[annmarieda]

Nice shopping finds! I personally love the red, but I know my dd prefers v-necks. I have such a hard time finding Disney related t's for her that are v-necks.

 

[Clemsonramsfan]

Hey Amy,

We are going (DW, DS9 DD11) in Spetember for our first time, well I went about 21 years ago, that dont count.

Hey we are BIG, HUGE, Clemson Tiger fans. Where did yall get those Clemson Mickey shirts I saw on page one?? I'd love to get my hands on a few. We live in NC, now.

Maybe we'll see yall down there. Thanks!!

Matt

 

[onescgirl]

I love the shopping pictures

That dress is so cute...and matching shoes.....so chic!

Your t-shirts are really nice too! I think my favorite one is the red one....super cute!

Thanks, I love having a girl to dress up!

Love your purchases

That dress is so cute!

I'm with Queen.....the red shirt is my favorite too!

Thanks, I really like the red one too!

Great purchases! I too love the red but something about the classic Mickey might tie it for me. haha Love the dress for your daughter too!

The red one also has shiny rhinestones on the pants that I really love.

Nice shopping finds! I personally love the red, but I know my dd prefers v-necks. I have such a hard time finding Disney related t's for her that are v-necks.

Thanks! I usually prefer round necks vs V necks. But, I really like how these two v-necks fit.

Hey Amy,

We are going (DW, DS9 DD11) in Spetember for our first time, well I went about 21 years ago, that dont count.

Hey we are BIG, HUGE, Clemson Tiger fans. Where did yall get those Clemson Mickey shirts I saw on page one?? I'd love to get my hands on a few. We live in NC, now.

Maybe we'll see yall down there. Thanks!!

Matt

Hi neighbor!
I made the Clemson shirt from a design in the Creative Design Thread section of disboards. There are a LOT of designs in that section. You just save the clipart to your computer then print it out on Fabric transfer paper (purchased at Wal-Mart) & iron it on a shirt. It would be very easy for your DW to make some.
That's what I'm doing today, making shirts for this trip.
I just tried to find the thread with the Mickey Tiger paw, but couldn't find it (it was 2 yrs ago that I found it). I still have on my computer, so I'm going to post it next for you. If that doesn't work, just send me a PM w/your e-mail & I'll e-mail it to you.

 

[onescgirl]

 

[Clemsonramsfan]

Thanks Amy. Can you email me your file as well? rams8821 @ yahoo.com[/email]

 

[seamama71]

Subbing in - looks like we're headed down around the same time, and it's getting SO CLOSE!!!

Your family is gorgeous, as everyone has said and your plans look great!

My only real Disney vacation (other than a brief work conference with little time to play, stayed off site) was 21 years ago when I was 12. We stayed at CBR, which to me was amazing. The pool was such fun, and we didn't notice anything about transportation challenges or long distances. I think it's only improved since then!!
And I'm drooling over all your yummy ADRs -
Good choices!

 

[onescgirl]

Thanks Amy. Can you email me your file as well? rams8821 @ yahoo.com[/email]

Just sent it to you!

Subbing in - looks like we're headed down around the same time, and it's getting SO CLOSE!!!

Your family is gorgeous, as everyone has said and your plans look great!

My only real Disney vacation (other than a brief work conference with little time to play, stayed off site) was 21 years ago when I was 12. We stayed at CBR, which to me was amazing. The pool was such fun, and we didn't notice anything about transportation challenges or long distances. I think it's only improved since then!!
And I'm drooling over all your yummy ADRs -
Good choices!

Glad to hear that you loved CBR as a child. I think my kids are going to LOVE the pool! It looks so cool!
I'm so excited, our trips are next month!!!!!!!!!!

 

[taymacsmom]

It"s getting so close!!! I am jealous. We have a year to go still!!

 

[onescgirl]

It"s getting so close!!! I am jealous. We have a year to go still!!

One year, wow!
My trip always seemed so far away, & now all the sudden it seems time is flying towards the trip & it's almost here!

 

[onescgirl]

Good news: It's August, time is flying & our WDW trip is almost here!
Only 45 days until our WDW trip!
Bad news: It's August, time is flying & only 13 days until Lexi & Levi start back to school
It always makes me sad when a new school year starts because I know they're growing up. This year will be their last year in Elementary school, so I'm especially sentimental!
Plus, I love having our summers together playing! Right now we're getting ready to go on one last beach trip before school!

On a pretty cool note, one of our schools teachers called me today & asked if I could bring Lexi & Levi to the school tomorrow morning. They are starting a new healthy kids campaign and they want to have pictures made of Lexi & Levi exercising. They are going to have posters made of the pictures. The posters will be placed on the schools walls advertising the program in time for open house. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

Next post: My Itty-Bitty Itinerary Book

 

[onescgirl]

I stayed up late last night & finished my travel itinerary. I will keep it in my backpack during our trip.
My itinerary is in a Excel spreadsheet and it has ALL our information on it.
It has each of our planned days in the parks. Every ride for that park is listed & color coded by rides we definitely will do, maybe do & not interested in.
Wake-up time for that day listed & any special notes about the park we're visiting.
Also have pages with dining reservations #'s and WDW maps.

I purchased a cheap photo album to put our pages in.

Here's what it looks like:

Front cover - I look like a nerd holding the ruler like I'm on QVC, but I wanted to show how nice of a size it is for carrying.

The back cover

The 1st page list each parks times, & parades/fireworks (I just noticed I left Mondays date off)

Book

Closer look at two of our days

Two of our maps

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