The Phillies won the world series & I'm taking my nieces to WDW! *update 9/2*

[ZeroToHero]

I did buy some candy to add to the girls' welcome gift bags... and zip lock bags so I have plenty to use when packing (ever since my tube of toothpaste exploded all over my suitcase at my first sleepover when I was 7, I have been the queen of packing things in zip locks)... and more luggage tags because I think my nieces will need to borrow some of my luggage, and a luggage tag was a casualty of my last trip...

Totally forgot I was going to reply to this...

Whenever I see a ziplock bag lying around my house, I grab it. I've been hoarding them in my room, so I too can pack anything that can spill in them.... I don't want all of my clothes to smell like apple bodywash. :gross:

I'm horribly lazy about getting my hair cut... with the result that it is now really long and the color is all faded... I usually only get motivated to get my hair done when there is a trip coming up- have to look decent in all the photos. It's pretty bad when I can't even remember the last time I got a cut...

I'm the same way. Unfortunately, all my attempts at long hair have looked horrible, so I need to keep it short. I just don't like the expense. My hair is just way too thick to let grow out on its own. It looks like giant tidal waves, all going in different directions.


So I had a question - you never actually said your dates anywhere... are you leaving the night you eat at Chef Mickeys, or staying until the following morning?

And if you are staying, what are your plans for that night?

And... (and this is the last thing, and I completely understand if you say no), would your nieces (and more you) be interested in going to American Idol, if, and only if, Lou makes it to the finale?

Either way, we're going out for ice cream at the Yacht Club Beaches n' Cream after 1) Hollywood Studios closes at 7 -or- 2) the finale is over at 8. You'd be welcome to join us, no matter the outcome. We could also go to Downtown Disney and go to the Godiva Chocolate Fountain.

It's entirely up to you, since you know your nieces better than I do. You can decide that day if you want. I just ask so that if you are remotely interested, we can trade cell numbers or something, so I can let you know what's going on.

Watch him not even make it now, because I'm being such a stage mom... And this could be totally moot if you're leaving Saturday night.

 

[BelleBway]

I'm the same way. Unfortunately, all my attempts at long hair have looked horrible, so I need to keep it short. I just don't like the expense. My hair is just way too thick to let grow out on its own. It looks like giant tidal waves, all going in different directions.

You just described my hair!
Except it somehow actually looks good long, despite everything. I've always gotten a lot of compliments on my hair (of course not when it's waaaaaaaay overdue for a cut like now) Plus my mom made me wear it short as a kid, so now that I can do what I want, it's long.

So I had a question - you never actually said your dates anywhere... are you leaving the night you eat at Chef Mickeys, or staying until the following morning?

And if you are staying, what are your plans for that night?

And... (and this is the last thing, and I completely understand if you say no), would your nieces (and more you) be interested in going to American Idol, if, and only if, Lou makes it to the finale?

Either way, we're going out for ice cream at the Yacht Club Beaches n' Cream after 1) Hollywood Studios closes at 7 -or- 2) the finale is over at 8. You'd be welcome to join us, no matter the outcome. We could also go to Downtown Disney and go to the Godiva Chocolate Fountain.

It's entirely up to you, since you know your nieces better than I do. You can decide that day if you want. I just ask so that if you are remotely interested, we can trade cell numbers or something, so I can let you know what's going on.

Watch him not even make it now, because I'm being such a stage mom... And this could be totally moot if you're leaving Saturday night.

We're leaving late Sunday, so we will be around.

I'd definitely be up for going! But I'm not sure I could even make it on time after Chef Mickeys at 5:30.

Am usually up for ice cream... but don't they have make your own sundaes at Chef Mickeys? Bad timing! Did I post here about how J asked me if they had ice cream at WDW? She is still looking forward to the ice cream! You'd think she never had ice cream at home or something....

Even if I can't make it, I would definitely be interested in knowing how Lou is doing! I will have to remember to send some good vibes your way.

I was just realizing that I may only see the girls once more before WDW! They are away til next Sunday so I probably won't see them next wknd... then the wknd after that, I'm getting my hair done on Sat when we usually go skating... so there's only that Sunday! (as well as the day before we leave, I guess, but I don't count that because as of end of the day Friday? I will already be so on vacation!)

 

[ZeroToHero]

Oo, that's true. I forgot that 5:30 is the time that you get seated (maybe), and not the time that you finish eating. In that case, good vibes will be appreciated.

I've never been to Chef Mickeys, so I don't know about the make-your-own sundaes, but if that's true, I bet my sister will want to go there next family trip - she's a total ice-cream-a-holic.

Do you know what parks you're going to what days yet? Or are you just going to wing it, and hop to your ADRs if needed?

 

[Smile4Me]

2 reasons why I don't want it on every ADR...

#2... I don't want J to get so much attention that M will get jealous (since we can't come on M's birthday). The girls are funny in that sometimes they get along marvelously... and then other times are ruled by total sibling rivalry/ jealousy/fighting. J is more likely to get jealous of attention showered on M... but M has her moments. Last yr, I took off work to spend the day with J after her elementary school graduation- I bought her Webkinz at the mall and we went ice skating. When we got home, M was in tears because we didn't get her anything. (I hugged her, explained that this was a special occasion, and promised that when she graduates in 4 yrs, I will spend time with her and get her Webkinz or the equivalent... she was eventually ok)
.

I had a feeling that this was the case! I do remember my grandma getting me and my two sisters (one two years older than me, the other three years older than me) presents on each of our birthdays until we got old enough to understand that each person gets their turn to be special!

Anyone read anything official about Living with the Land being down relatively soon?

 

[BelleBway]

Oo, that's true. I forgot that 5:30 is the time that you get seated (maybe), and not the time that you finish eating. In that case, good vibes will be appreciated.

I've never been to Chef Mickeys, so I don't know about the make-your-own sundaes, but if that's true, I bet my sister will want to go there next family trip - she's a total ice-cream-a-holic.

Do you know what parks you're going to what days yet? Or are you just going to wing it, and hop to your ADRs if needed?

I haven't been to CM's for dinner, but I read that they have sundaes and that's one reason I wanted to eat there. Is it bad that a bunch of my ADR's have been influenced by dessert options?

I have plans for where we will start each morning, plus plans for when we will do F! and Spectro (and backup plans in case those don't work out) and some options for each night that are not F!/Spectro nights. (although Disney killed my plan to do evening EMH at AK by shortening the hrs) We may change some things, but it's important to me to at least start out with a plan, especially when I am taking kids. Kids need some structure. If it's just me, I'm more likely to wing it... plus I already know what my favorites are so it's easier to just randomly decide what I'm in the mood for.

J keeps saying that she is going to decide what to do on her birthday... but I'm thinking not so much since it's our first day at MK and I definitely have a strategy in mind. I always do Fantasyland first... then I'm thinking we'll work our way toward Splash/BTMRR via the Haunted Mansion and later do PotC and head for some things in Tomorrowland that won't have crowds. We'll have the birthday FP so that makes it a little easier. I'll give them more input after we've been to each park once. (she does say that she will decide within the limits I set, so she won't fight me)

I had a feeling that this was the case! I do remember my grandma getting me and my two sisters (one two years older than me, the other three years older than me) presents on each of our birthdays until we got old enough to understand that each person gets their turn to be special!

Anyone read anything official about Living with the Land being down relatively soon?

J and M are both old enough to know they get turns to be special, but they have their moments. And J even admits to being jealous when M is better at something... and totally discounts it when I tell her that she is better at other things. *sigh*

From what I've read, it's already down for an emergency refurb and the official sites haven't been updated yet because it was so last minute. We shall see.

 

[BelleBway]

15 days....

Getting excited (of course) and also sorta nervous... Aaaaaaaaaaaah!

Their mom was only going to allow the girls to bring 2 Webkinz/ stuffed animals each. I didn't like that at all. I got her to up the limit to 4 each. Which is better... but I still think the more, the merrier! I guess that is why I am a Fairy God Aunt and not a Mom.

I am planning to bring 2 of my own stuffed animals- a teddy bear that has traveled around the world with me since ~2000, and the stuffed Phillie Phanatic that I got at game 5 of the world series (part 2). Just seems right to bring the Phanatic along.

 

[ZeroToHero]

Just make sure you have them all when you're getting off the airplane! I once had a Baby Born (wayyy long ago) that, when we were getting off the plane around midnight, I forgot. And of course, realized once we were in the terminal, so I had to run back down - imagine how scared the flight attendants would have been if they saw a "baby" left behind in the semi-lit cabin.... whoops!

ETA: 15 days!!!!!!

 

[BelleBway]

Just make sure you have them all when you're getting off the airplane! I once had a Baby Born (wayyy long ago) that, when we were getting off the plane around midnight, I forgot. And of course, realized once we were in the terminal, so I had to run back down - imagine how scared the flight attendants would have been if they saw a "baby" left behind in the semi-lit cabin.... whoops!

ETA: 15 days!!!!!!

I once lost a doll that I got when I was born when I took her to a camp out/sleepover. It was very traumatic. After I lost her, my parents got me a stuffed cat which I still have... although it's getting kinda mangy nowadays....

But anyway, M took an entire backpack full of stuffed cats to NYC and those all came back ok... so I think a few plushies could survive WDW. They are pretty good about taking care that they have their Webkinz. And I'm also a meanie about not letting them take them out anywhere that they are likely to get lost. (I think I only let M take them out on the train)

Now other things? Can be a problem. We got a playbill signed by the Disney channel star who was playing Belle and my friend who was Gaston, and what did J do? Leave the playbill at the fast food place where we'd grabbed food at the train station. And of course we only realized this when we were already on the train home. Argh. Luckily I was going to NYC for something else soon thereafter and I got another playbill signed for her. I hope she still has it somewhere after the trouble I went through!

15 days! The guidebook I'm making for them is looking awesome!

 

[BelleBway]

2 weeks from right now, I will (hopefully) be watching Fantasmic!!!!!

Just had to say that.

 

[BelleBway]

It seems like every time I travel, especially to Disney parks, I find a theme song... something that reaches out and touches me, and just meshes well with my emotions. For example, "Just around the riverbend" was my unofficial theme when I decided to take a long solo road trip to WDW.

Doing my daily Disney DVD watching, it hit me today. The perfect song. Something I knew... but just hearing it in context... and really listening to the lyrics... well, I now know that I can jog and cry at the same time.

This yr's theme?

Wait for it...

*drumroll please*

"Go the Distance"! (I have a feeling someone will approve of this choice! )

When I was a kid, I was always looking for a place where I fit in... And even as a young adult to an extent... But now, I've sort of found that place- with my nieces.

I think I completely lost it at the line "Till I find my hero's welcome/
Right where I belong" because it reminded me of the little project M did at school where she said I was her hero. (it's on my wall at work)

And going to WDW? Well, that is just furthering my quest. And hopefully, I will feel like I belong there, with the girls. And that feeling will be priceless.

13 days!

 

[ZeroToHero]

It seems like every time I travel, especially to Disney parks, I find a theme song... something that reaches out and touches me, and just meshes well with my emotions. For example, "Just around the riverbend" was my unofficial theme when I decided to take a long solo road trip to WDW.

Doing my daily Disney DVD watching, it hit me today. The perfect song. Something I knew... but just hearing it in context... and really listening to the lyrics... well, I now know that I can jog and cry at the same time.

This yr's theme?

Wait for it...

*drumroll please*

"Go the Distance"! (I have a feeling someone will approve of this choice! )

When I was a kid, I was always looking for a place where I fit in... And even as a young adult to an extent... But now, I've sort of found that place- with my nieces.

I think I completely lost it at the line "Till I find my hero's welcome/
Right where I belong" because it reminded me of the little project M did at school where she said I was her hero. (it's on my wall at work)

And going to WDW? Well, that is just furthering my quest. And hopefully, I will feel like I belong there, with the girls. And that feeling will be priceless.

13 days!

I do!!!!

At least you didn't slip in your tears and have your face meet the treadmill/ground... that would have been very un-magical.

Yay 13 days!!!!!! Less than two weeks!

 

[BelleBway]

Man that was a quick reply.

I came here to edit my post because I also wanted to say that the song also reminded me of how dedicated I've been to pursuing this goal of doing Disney with the nieces for these past months.

I've done just about everything I said I would- including getting up an hr early to treadmill every (work) day, which people doubted I could do. The only thing I haven't done yet was to meet my goal of being able to run 3 miles by my trip- which I sorta figure I would have done if it hadn't been for getting sick. Today I was back up to 2 miles for the first time since I got sick, so I think it's realistic to do 3 by next Friday. Even if it kills me.

I do!!!!

At least you didn't slip in your tears and have your face meet the treadmill/ground... that would have been very un-magical.

I've done that before... and I wasn't even crying. Not fun.

 

[Smile4Me]

I love that you picked a theme song! In fact I was just thinking about Go the Distance the other day when I was listening to Wishes....I don't understand why they only play the music, not the lyrics,,,,I thought it would've been an easy choice!!

Yesterday there was an all day Phineas and Ferb marathon on Disney XD. And we watched a good chunk of it while we cleaned the apt and then I spent the afternoon baking cookies to snack on once we get to Orlando, cause it will be close to lunch time and we always get hungry! (after we check in the the first thing we do is get a bite to eat, and then head to the parks!)

It isn't nearly as sentimental as yours, but I think our trip's theme will be the theme from Phineas and Ferb! (maybe I just decided on that because I just watched the marathon...who knows!)

 

[BelleBway]

Yesterday there was an all day Phineas and Ferb marathon on Disney XD. And we watched a good chunk of it while we cleaned the apt and then I spent the afternoon baking cookies to snack on once we get to Orlando, cause it will be close to lunch time and we always get hungry! (after we check in the the first thing we do is get a bite to eat, and then head to the parks!)

OK, you baked cookies now and you're still going to have some left in 2 weeks? You must have waaaaay more willpower than I do!

It isn't nearly as sentimental as yours, but I think our trip's theme will be the theme from Phineas and Ferb! (maybe I just decided on that because I just watched the marathon...who knows!)

I've only seen Phineas and Ferb once- after my nieces spent a car ride talking about it. Fun theme songs are good- not everyone can be a total sap like I can.

(it's a good thing I get to work way before everyone else because my favorite song was playing in the car and that got me all teary eyed again...)

 

[Smile4Me]

OK, you baked cookies now and you're still going to have some left in 2 weeks? You must have waaaaay more willpower than I do!

LOL! I wish! I have two rubbermaids of them in the freezer and have one out for consumption! Anything to keep me working toward our trip! Today I'm typing a packing list for the nephew! Will probably mail it tomorrow with some stickers!
Getting soo close!!

 

[BelleBway]

Today I'm typing a packing list for the nephew! Will probably mail it tomorrow with some stickers!
Getting soo close!!

I emailed my nieces' packing lists a couple weeks ago....

I've been having some deep discussions with their mom on making sure they have several pairs of comfortable shoes because this is a lot more walking than just being at camp, and shoes aren't the kind of thing you can just buy new ones if yours aren't working out...

12 days for me! 14 for you!

 

[ZeroToHero]

You could always get them Crocs. They probably wouldn't be caught dead in them, would they? I love mine though for Disney.

 

[BelleBway]

You could always get them Crocs. They probably wouldn't be caught dead in them, would they? I love mine though for Disney.

They have (or had) Crocs. They seemed to like them last yr.... but I haven't seen them wear them since. I did suggest that to their mom.

I think it would be psychologically traumatic for me to spend my money buying Crocs, even if they weren't for me.

 

[BelleBway]

M (age 8) has informed her parents that she is packed as of yesterday. I guess the girls are a little excited.

(her mom will check at the end of next week, because we think she may need some stuff that she packed between now and then... or she may change her mind...)

 

[Smile4Me]

that is too precious! I want to announce that I still have cookies left that I baked on Sunday for our trip!