The Smiths are Heading Back...For 10 Days of Disney Magic! (Updated 8/16)

[twob4him]

THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE! This is obviously dependent on us getting the ADRs (we have until 2/20 to make our ressies).

Day 1:
We plan to fly in to MCO in the afternoon, take ME over to BCV, check-in, and then have dinner at Cape May. MK has EMHs until 2am this night so depending on how tired we are...we might head over. Ash really wants to go but that situation will need to be assessed that night

OK I would suggest if you want to do a rope drop on day 2, that you don't do much more than dinner on the first night.

Day 2:
MK Day. This day with be a full day at MK with a break in the afternoon for swimming/rest. We actually plan to break every day. If you haven't read my TRs, my child prefers evening EMHs over rope drops any day so we go with her schedule. We also typically take a break every afternoon to cool off physically and mentally We are planning to eat dinner at Chef Mickey's this night and return to MK for MSE Parade and WISHES.

This sounds like an awesome day! I do breaks in the middle too especially in the heat. Save FP from the day to use after Chef Mickey before the Parade if you have time! To do a rope drop the next day make sure you leave the park right after though.

Day 3:
DHS Day. Another full day with an afternoon break. We are hoping to do dinner at Sci Fi and see Fantasmic this night. We have missed Fantasmic on every family trip so we promised Aisling we will make it a priority.

Another great day! I've never seen Fantasmic either and its not really on my priority list. I have heard its really good though! Are you going to do the special Fantasmic dinner thing?

Day 4
We plan to start off Day 4 at Epcot, doing lunch at Le Cellier, and heading back to the hotel for the rest of the day to relax. Aisling is dying to try the Kitchen Sink so this might be a good day for that adventure.

OK day four is the lul in the vacay. I would suggest that you try to sleep in if you can and not arrive in Epcot until 10 or 11am. Especially if you saw Fantasmic the night before!

Day 5
Day 5 will start off at AK. We are going to do the Tusker House breakfast and hang out in the park for awhile and will probably do CS lunch there as well. Then we will return to the hotel early afternoon to get prettied up for our family pics that evening. Pics are from 5-7 on the Boardwalk. There is a salon on the Boardwalk that I'm thinking about checking out to have something done with my hair for the pics. Somehow thinking the Disney braids won't cut it! Fantasmic is showing again tonight so if we miss it on Sunday, we'll try again.

Love this day too! Good luck with your pics!!!

Day 6:
Finally...a day off! Or as much of a day off as Randy and Ash can handle. We plan to do Cape May for breakfast, hang out swimming and seeing what else the BC has to offer and then head to DTD in the evening for dinner at TRex. I have more than enough MyPoints to pay for this (already have the gift cards) so this one will be OOP.

Very smart move..you'll will be exhausted by now!!!Yaaaa on the MyPoints!

Day 7:
Princess Day!!! Aisling wanted a full Princess themed day. We will be heading back to Epcot for breakfast at Akershus, play in Epcot for the day, break in the afternoon, and then 1900 PF for dinner.
Are you getting her a special custom for this day?

[

COLOR="SandyBrown"]Day 8:
Another Day off!!! After all that Princess-ness I'm thinking we could use another off day for at least the first half. We plan to do dinner at Boma this night. Afterward we are keeping open. We may just hang out checking out animals at AKL OR MK is having EMHs til 1am...which you know if really tempting to Ash. Another one we'll have to wait and see to make the decision.

Do you all like waterparks? You could fit one in here and it would be sort of relaxing.

Day 9:
Another Full MK day. We would also like to do O'Hana for dinner that night. Figured it was a good last ADR of the trip since it's Randy and Ash's favorite.

So sad....next to last day.

Day 10:
Now it's time to say goodbye We usually take the last flight of the day out of MCO when we go home but I'm debating that this time. Randy works 3rd shift and has minimal vaca days and if we take an afternoon flight, he COULD go to work that night meaning that for a 10 day vaca, he only needs to take 5 nights off. So I'm keeping this day open til we make the flights plans but I'm guessing that if anything, we'll pop over to Epcot since we can walk there.

What an awesome vacation. If you are a TGM'r, I am sure you checked your days with his least crowded schedule, right?
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Well there you have it....draft 1 of the plans. Any thoughts????

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Your plans sounds great-- I love the idea of an all-princess day! You'll love TREX, also. The theming's great and we actually thought the food was really good, too.

thanks. Heard good things about Trex. It will be new for us so I'm hoping it's good!

THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE! This is obviously dependent on us getting the ADRs (we have until 2/20 to make our ressies).


OK I would suggest if you want to do a rope drop on day 2, that you don't do much more than dinner on the first night.


This sounds like an awesome day! I do breaks in the middle too especially in the heat. Save FP from the day to use after Chef Mickey before the Parade if you have time! To do a rope drop the next day make sure you leave the park right after though.


Another great day! I've never seen Fantasmic either and its not really on my priority list. I have heard its really good though! Are you going to do the special Fantasmic dinner thing?


OK day four is the lul in the vacay. I would suggest that you try to sleep in if you can and not arrive in Epcot until 10 or 11am. Especially if you saw Fantasmic the night before!

Love this day too! Good luck with your pics!!!


Very smart move..you'll will be exhausted by now!!!Yaaaa on the MyPoints!

Day 7:
Princess Day!!! Aisling wanted a full Princess themed day. We will be heading back to Epcot for breakfast at Akershus, play in Epcot for the day, break in the afternoon, and then 1900 PF for dinner.
Are you getting her a special custom for this day?

[
Do you all like waterparks? You could fit one in here and it would be sort of relaxing.


So sad....next to last day.



What an awesome vacation. If you are a TGM'r, I am sure you checked your days with his least crowded schedule, right?
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Well there you have it....draft 1 of the plans. Any thoughts????

You took your suggestions seriously!!! Love it! I don't do TGM basically because I know how he predicts so I planned around how he would pick park days. Other than if you want to go to Fantasmic, you have to go to DHS on a Fantasmic day We aren't doing the package (don't think Sci Fi does it do they???)

We won't be doing any rope drops so we are good with the late nights. Well I take that back, we might do RD for DHS because of TSM but other than that no rope drops for us. Aisling would be a nightmare. I keep trying to tell my MIL this for Feb vaca. Found out Fri that they plan to be at the park at 8am (and they are staying off property). She is going to be in for a MAJOR meltdown.

We did think about doing the water parks but I can't justify another $100 when we have Stormalong Bay to play in. So I talked Aisling out of it. Also finally talked her out of BBB this trip. She's done it twice. We told her that third time SHE pays. Suddenly $75 for a bun sounded pricey to her

 

[sohappy]

She did well with all the rope drops on our last trip. Though I couldn't imagine the time we would have had without rope drop. It was waaaayyyyy busy.

So for Princess day, how many changes would be allowed/realistic? one for morning plus one for dinner. . .

 

[Jennifer48]

Where are those hills in HP?
Did you eventually get your money back from the evil ATM?

Your itinerary looks great!

I don't think Sci-Fi does Fantasmic Dinner packages. I thought it was only Hollywood & Vine?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

She did well with all the rope drops on our last trip. Though I couldn't imagine the time we would have had without rope drop. It was waaaayyyyy busy.

So for Princess day, how many changes would be allowed/realistic? one for morning plus one for dinner. . .

She did handle the rope drops pretty well but that was only for 4 days and she had the boys to entertain her. Without them...meltdown city!

She will be wearing Snow White for the morning of Princess Day. I know you have dibs on the evening wear

Where are those hills in HP?
Did you eventually get your money back from the evil ATM?

Your itinerary looks great!

I don't think Sci-Fi does Fantasmic Dinner packages. I thought it was only Hollywood & Vine?

I believe the cliffs are in the Half Blood Prince movie. I will reveal whether we got the money back....I promise!

Mama Melrose may too. I don't actually know. But Aisling loves eating in the cars so Sci Fi is on the must do list

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Since I can't share this on FB (must not let certain "friends" aka extended family see it)...I am going to Orlando BEFORE August!!!!! OK. I'm not going to WDW. But I'm flying into MCO because.......

My Mom and I are going on a 4 day/3 night cruise to the Bahamas!!!! Yup, the same mother who just purchased Randy and I a trip to Ireland for Christmas is taking me on a cruise for my bday/Mother's Day. (yes you read that right...my mom gets ME Mother's Day gifts ) Yes I know that I'm spoiled. But with the all around feelings of seasonal depression for this really bad winter we are having, my mom thought we should get out of here and get some sun!

So we are going April 1-4th. Just us girls, our bathing suits, some "beach read" books, money for girly yet potent drinks, and maybe a nice dress thrown in there for the Captain's Dinner

I have never been on a cruise. Cruising experts....feel free to share some advice!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Southwest opened their schedule this morning (and of course I had an alert on my cell phone to remind me ) So airfare is all booked! Now what is it they say about well-made plans???????

Well my plans had to change around a bit because SW got rid of afternoon flights in and out of Manchester NH On on the way there they only had a direct 6:50 am flight or a 3:50pm flight. OK well that stinks because Randy gets out of work at 7am and works an hour from home. But the 3:50 flight means we will miss dinner at Cape May. What to do what to do. So I called Randy. He said "book the early flight, I'll work a half day and come home. I want as much time on vaca as possible" (I will remind him of this when he tells everyone who will listen that we only vacation in WDW)

So that leaves the flight home. If you remember, I wanted to fly home in the afternoon. So there goes that plan. Only direct flights were at 9:40am or 6:40 pm I am not getting up and ready to be on ME at 6:30 in the morning. (And is really didn't matter to me...I don't need to get up the next morning...I'm off work for another week because school doesn't start til Wed!) Again Randy repeated I WANT AS MUCH TIME ON VACA AS POSSIBLE. So the 6:40pm fight it is.

The good news is that we now have basically 2 more days at WDW. Bad news...we'll clearly be paying for some CS meals OOP and Bailey will have to be boarded for another day Oh well!

 

[klacey1]

Your flight times sound good! Lucky you about the cruise-- sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!

 

[Jennifer48]

Can your mom adopt me?! I hate this saying but it could be true for me, I could be her redheaded step-child.
That's so great! Where will your cruise be heading? What cruise line will you be on?

for more time at WDW!

 

[tinytreasures]

Well we know how sweet you are so you must have gotten that from you mom
I am so excited for you.

for booking flights and getting 2 extra days

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Ah! How did I miss you plans post?! I think they look great! I love that you've got a couple of meals planned for Cape May. I feel like it's kind of under-valued here. We always love it, though!

I like Aisling's mentality of sleeping late and having late nights! I'll be interested to see if you make the evening EMH on your first night. And princess day sounds like so much fun!

Your mom is so sweet! This has been quite the time for vacations for you!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Your flight times sound good! Lucky you about the cruise-- sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!

Thank you. I certainly hope so! I always have a blast with my mom.

Can your mom adopt me?! I hate this saying but it could be true for me, I could be her redheaded step-child.
That's so great! Where will your cruise be heading? What cruise line will you be on?

for more time at WDW!

I'll discuss it with her. But then again, I might not get as many trips

We are going on Royal Caribbean. Only two ports since it's a short cruise. One day in Nassau and the other is Coco Cay (their private island). If it's warm and has sand other than snow...I'm in

Well we know how sweet you are so you must have gotten that from you mom
I am so excited for you.

for booking flights and getting 2 extra days

My mom is the single most generous person I know. And I'm not just saying that because she spoils me and my family. She used to be a lot less laid back...esp with things like spontaneous trips. After my dad passed, her mantra became "spending time with the people you love is the most important thing" and she totally stopped sweating the small stuff. Wish I could be more like her. I'm such a worry-wart.

Ah! How did I miss you plans post?! I think they look great! I love that you've got a couple of meals planned for Cape May. I feel like it's kind of under-valued here. We always love it, though!

I like Aisling's mentality of sleeping late and having late nights! I'll be interested to see if you make the evening EMH on your first night. And princess day sounds like so much fun!

Your mom is so sweet! This has been quite the time for vacations for you!

Wondering what happened to you. But you are a bride to be so you get a free pass! I'm really excited about Cape May. I've heard/read good things but we just never seem to have the time to get over to the Boardwalk. No better time than a stay at BC!

I informed Aisling that we would be taking a really early flight to WDW this time. She needs to be prepared for these things. Her FIRST question was...if we get there earlier, does that mean we can take a nap in the room and then go to EMH's after Cape May No clue how I'm going to give this kid a curfew when she's a teen. I'm in so much trouble

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Happy Early Valentines Day to all my readers! Love you all

I am starting WW next week in anticipation of our family photos in August. So Randy took me out to our favorite Mexican restaurant as a last hurrah/Valentine's Day. As we were getting in the car, I was gabbing away as usual and opened the door right into my face. Luckily I hit my eyebrow. Slit my eyebrow wide open. (Those who are on my FB and have the stomach for it- feel free to check out the pic). As Randy put it on my FB...nothing spells love like a head injury

 

[twob4him]

Ouch...I saw that! Poor thing. Make sure you get that tended to so it doesn't scar. If it makes you feel any better, I did close my hand in the car door once.

My hubby's romantic idea was to take us all out to breakfast today (with a coupon he has) and then he invited the neighbor who is in town...he lives in PA and his second house is next to ours. How romantic.

SCORE!!!! Yaaa on the cruise with your mom! That calls for three bananas! I have no cruise advise however...I've never been on one. lol!

 

[tinytreasures]

hope you are feeling better today

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Ouch...I saw that! Poor thing. Make sure you get that tended to so it doesn't scar. If it makes you feel any better, I did close my hand in the car door once.

My hubby's romantic idea was to take us all out to breakfast today (with a coupon he has) and then he invited the neighbor who is in town...he lives in PA and his second house is next to ours. How romantic.

SCORE!!!! Yaaa on the cruise with your mom! That calls for three bananas! I have no cruise advise however...I've never been on one. lol!

hope you are feeling better today

Thanks Ladies! Little Liquid Bandaid is keeping my eyebrow together and me from the ER

Cathy- sorry for the less than romantic Valentine's Day. Trust me , if I hadn't gotten a sitter, we wouldn't have been going out either I was totally shocked that he got me a gift though. That never happens. Randy proposed on our first Valentine's Day so he figured he could never top that. But he got me an Amazon gift card so I'm now closer to my new camera

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Oh my gosh! I hope you're ok!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sending a little bit of love and luck to my DIS friends

 

[tinytreasures]

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sorry for the lapse...just been super busy this week. Aisling leaves for Orlando on Monday so we have lots to do to get her ready! AND on top of a full packed week/weekend....Sunday is ADR day Alarm will be set for 5:45am so that I can refresh 900 times until the system lets me in! I promise that I will try to get another planning update and the conclusion of the Ireland mini-TR up soon (including the answer to the question...did we ever get our money back)



Which brings me to my latest tragedy...MY TICKER IS WRONG! I put this ticker up almost 6 months ago and I just realized that it's off by a day. I can't possibly change it now. That little Tink will go back to the beginning So i will be keeping the "off by a day" ticker. Happily it will say I still have 1 day left til vacation and I'll already be in sunny Orlando!: