Three Generations at Disney – C’mon, Grandma! WE HAVE 3 DAYS TO GO!! Update 9/21

[DexLabDeeDee]

I think a planning meeting is a good idea. As great as WDW is, it can be overwhelming!

I'm very excited to be able to be @ WDW for another milestone - none of them were planned, they just happened. When we decided to go this year, our original plan was for a week earlier. But when I realized it would be WDW's 40th on Oct 1st, I told the family that we had to push it off a week. (Though our next milestone yr will be planned...I've already told DH that we are going back in 10yrs too...it will be WDW's 50th AND our 25th Anniversary! I'm already excited about it!)

The last time we went to MNSSHP, DH and I did not dress up...just the kids did. But this time we are....and my parents even said they would....so I was thinking the 7 dwarfs. (When will we be a group of 7 @ WDW for Halloween again?! So it just seemed to fit.) They probably won't be the best though...because honestly, I'm not a fan of Halloween in general so I refuse to spend alot of money on our costumes. Just khakis, store bought t-shirts and I'm going to attempt to sew up some hats with attached beards for us (though I'm not crafty) and write the character's names with fabric paints (and maybe if people see the names, they can use their imaginations to pretend we look like them...LOL). Hopefully they will turn out decent enough.

Are you making your own Belle costume from scratch?

You should save and stay some place extra special for WDW's 50th and your 25th! Or make it a longer stay. The trip of a lifetime!

I would like to stay 10 days at Disney sometime. I would love two weeks but I think 10 days would be a little more reasonable for DH. I never seem to be able to squeeze in the water parks and I would love to also pop over to Harry Potter. I don't think either will work this year.

I think with costumes, it's the thought that counts! I'm not super crafty myself but my mom sews. She made most of my costumes growing up. Nothing too fancy, though, because she doesn't like to spend the money. I plan on wearing Belle's blue dress (I much prefer it over her ballgown). There is a Simplicity pattern for the blue part of the dress that isn't official but really similar. I'll buy a white collared shirt to go underneath and we'll either make or buy a white apron for over the blue dress. I have to get crackin' though! I'm having a hard time finding the white shirt that I want. I think I'm too picky.

Make sure you take a picture of your costumes if you decide to make them. I would love to see it!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I can't remember if I have posted here or not, but I love your PTR - so much enthusiasm! How lucky are you getting a Dooney as a gift! It is beautiful! It is nice to hear that your family members have found ways to enjoy Disney! Sorry to hear about your other uncle though

I saw that Mickey t-shirt when I was shopping in the states a few weeks ago. I thought it was really cute, but I ended up buying a different one lol

Congrats on paying off your trip, and you will be there before you know it!

Thank you for your kind words! I hope that my enthusiasm doesn't exhaust my family!

My uncle who had the bypass is doing really well. Even though they do many many bypasses, there is always the fear of infection or complications. So far so good!

I see that you're going to be in Disney very soon AND at AKL! That's my mom's dream resort. I hope you have a great time. Stay cool!

 

[crazy4mm]

You should save and stay some place extra special for WDW's 50th and your 25th! Or make it a longer stay. The trip of a lifetime!

I would like to stay 10 days at Disney sometime. I would love two weeks but I think 10 days would be a little more reasonable for DH. I never seem to be able to squeeze in the water parks and I would love to also pop over to Harry Potter. I don't think either will work this year.

I think with costumes, it's the thought that counts! I'm not super crafty myself but my mom sews. She made most of my costumes growing up. Nothing too fancy, though, because she doesn't like to spend the money. I plan on wearing Belle's blue dress (I much prefer it over her ballgown). There is a Simplicity pattern for the blue part of the dress that isn't official but really similar. I'll buy a white collared shirt to go underneath and we'll either make or buy a white apron for over the blue dress. I have to get crackin' though! I'm having a hard time finding the white shirt that I want. I think I'm too picky.

Make sure you take a picture of your costumes if you decide to make them. I would love to see it!

Belle's dress sounds perfectly adorable! Be sure to share pics as well - love to see them.

As for our 25th Anniversary trip, I definitely want it to be extra special! DH and I don't do/spend much for our anniversary each year - which is why we planned this trip to celebrate our 10th (though I think we used our anniversary more as an excuse to justify the trip - LOL!). So that trip will DEFINITELY be a "big" one. When I mentioned it to our kids, I laughed and said they would be either adults and on their own, or away at college - so it will be just the two of us. LOL!! (They didn't appreciate that.)

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Belle's dress sounds perfectly adorable! Be sure to share pics as well - love to see them.

As for our 25th Anniversary trip, I definitely want it to be extra special! DH and I don't do/spend much for our anniversary each year - which is why we planned this trip to celebrate our 10th (though I think we used our anniversary more as an excuse to justify the trip - LOL!). So that trip will DEFINITELY be a "big" one. When I mentioned it to our kids, I laughed and said they would be either adults and on their own, or away at college - so it will be just the two of us. LOL!! (They didn't appreciate that.)

Haha! I wouldn't have appreciated it either - however, it would be great to do a trip with just you and your husband. You could do whatever you wanted without others' opinions, have nice romantic meals, stay up late, sleep in, act in ways your children wouldn't approve of ....

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I just ordered the Four Parks, One World 2-Disc CD from The Magical Memories store and I'm totally stoked! I can't wait to listen and really get in the mood for WDW. I tried to order it from the Disney Store but it's sold out! I then tried to order it from Amazon and it said that it was coming from The Magical Memories store and shipping was $5.09! That is completely outrageous for such a small item! So I looked for other places and then went to the Magical Memories store itself. Shipping there was only $2.59 - that's more like it! So I bought it and now I'm waaaaaiiiiting (I think it's been 20 minutes so far ). There are a times where I have infinite patience but those are few and far between.

Here is a pic of my purchase:

There are still a few little things that I am mulling over in my head.

One, I've been reading FosterA's PTR (it's great!) and she was talking about eating lunch on arrival day. Her family gets in at noon and I realize that lunch is going to be an issue for us too. We're coming in at 1pm from Minneapolis and probably won't get to the resort until 2pm. I think that is getting a little late for lunch and we'll be crabby lunatics by then. So I'm wondering if we should eat a meal at MCO or should we just have a snack and then eat a meal at the resort? We could bring a snack instead of buying at the airport to save money. I'm just not sure. We'll be eating CS at DTD later for dinner so there's no time constraint. I think my family will want to chill and swim for a bit before we go to DTD.

Two, I still am trying to think of something for my Dad and I to do while the ladies are taking afternoon tea. I would really like to do the Wild by Design tour but it's $60 each and in the morning. I don't think my dad will want to spend the money. I have some birthday money saved, so perhaps I'll just go on the tour myself.

Three, I want to do something fun for me and Mandy since we just turned 30. Mandy had a hard time with the milestone. I didn't really end up celebrating because I got called away on a several week business trip during my birthday. I was so bummed. I really wanted to have a Big Deal birthday. By the time I got back, I could never manage to get people together at the same time.

Anyway. Disney. I would love to have breakfast in Cinderella's castle just the two of us but I would feel bad doing it (if I could even get an ADR!) when I know that my mom and sister would LOVE it. I'm not sure how much my cousin would enjoy it anyway. My sister would love it more. I'll have to continue to mull it over.

Those are the Disney thoughts rattling through my head.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

30 Days to Go!!!!!​

I got the 4 Parks, 1 World CD a couple of days ago and I've been listening like mad. Especially to Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Swisskapolka, Carousel of Progress and Tower of Terror. I can't get enough! I really recommend this to anyone who wants a good Disney fix.

I also got my DME documents yesterday. This weekend I plan on working on a few things for our final planning meeting. The meeting was supposed happen Sept. 9th but Mandy is going to be out of town so we've changed it to the 18th. I'm bummed to have it pushed back so far but I hope to have some pictures of my materials to show you after the weekend is over!

Also this weekend I'm going to the Minnesota State Fair. It's a good test of endurance for Disney. We'll see how I do. I feel pretty good about it. And I can't wait to eat all those things that are completely terrible for you! Like Fresh French Fries, giant pretzels, gyros, onion rings, hotdish on a stick, sweet corn, icees, cinnamon rolls and cookies. Mmmmmm. Just for the record, we get a lot of different things and share within our group. I wish I could eat it all myself....

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Whew! Back at work after a long weekend!

We did the MN State Fair this weekend and the weather was nice but the fair was really busy! I wore tennis shoes and went for about 12 hours. I need to do more walking! My feet and legs were hurting by the end of the day. I'm a little concerned about Disney. Mandy said her feet were fine and she was in sandals! I was there longer than she was and I didn't sit much so I'm hoping that it'll be better at Disney since there I feel like I sit more. At the fair, we stand even while eating because there isn't enough places to sit. I'm still going to start walking more.

In addition to walking, I need to step up my rollerblading. We have the inline marathon in a little less than three weeks. I also need to sweat out all the junk food I ate this weekend. It was soooo good, though.

On the Disney front - I GOT ALL MY MICKEY MAIL!!!

I haven't opened it yet because we're going to open it as a group this Friday night. We're getting together for a family birthday. Originally, I wanted to have everything sent to me but the CM on the phone said that it would go to the main person on each room reservation. I think I've heard of people getting all the documents before but I couldn't speak from experience so I didn't argue. Then I thought we could just open it together at our meeting on the 9th but now it's been changed to the 18th. I don't want to wait that long in case there is a problem with our reservations. So, we're opening everything this Friday and then I want to take all the DME paraphernalia because I've made folders for everyone:

Everyone has a different character on their folder. Also In the picture above, you can see cards on the folder. Each card has a character from a folder. That character represents the person whose folder they are on. As you can see, mine is Belle. These are ride/dinner cards. There's always an issue with who is sitting with who on a ride or at dinner. Yes, we are adults and you would think that this wouldn't be a problem. However, if us cousins want to sit together, my aunt always complains that the young people don't want to sit with the old people. So, we're going to have it completely random and draw cards. I hope to get them laminated so they'll last the week.

I've also put together a booklet that contains all the information that everyone will need for our trip, including touring plans. I've clipped the pages together so you can easily take out the pages that you need for the day.

The booklets will be in each folder along with the DME paraphernalia, MNSSHP tickets, photopass locations and average transportation times from our resort to the parks and DTD (taken from the 2011 UG).

In the next couple of weeks, my mom and I are going to work on personalized luggage tags for everyone. I know that we get them from Disney but I don't like to put that on my checked luggage. I usually have it on my carry-on. These ones will just be made from the 3M adhesive luggage tags so that if they are ruined, it's no big deal. I'll be scouring the DISigns board for some good ideas.

That's it for now! 4 more weeks to go!!!

 

[ZFamily5]

What a great idea to mix up who rides with who! Never would have thought of that! And it's so cool that you guys have family meetings to discuss the trip! We never do that!

 

[RooRach0906]

Joining In, sounds like you will all have a blast!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

What a great idea to mix up who rides with who! Never would have thought of that! And it's so cool that you guys have family meetings to discuss the trip! We never do that!

Thanks! I hope it'll be fun and not an obvious ploy to shut down complains. We'll see how it goes! Normally, we don't have family meetings either but we have some newbies that definitely need some orientation. And I LOVE to orient people!

Joining In, sounds like you will all have a blast!!

I hope we do have a blast! We're getting in to the home stretch so things are happening all over the place now. It's getting exciting!!! I feel like I finally have really good things to add to my PTR. I'm so glad that I'll have a trip report to look forward to writing after our vacation is over. It's so depressing to see that DME slip hanging from your door the day before you leave!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Just a quick pop in to say that my dad and I are signed up to do the Wild By Design tour at AK!! I really like this park and I hear that the tour is really great. I think my dad will enjoy it as well since he always talks about how the detail in the park is astounding. Like the coke glass on the electrical wires in Harambe. And the prayer flags in Anandapur. This is an amazing park with so many little things to see. I can't wait!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

8 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crazy! We just have a little over a week left. Ahhhh! I'm freaking out just a little bit because I feel like I'm forgetting to do something. I need to start making lists!

We have a big weekend coming up. My mom, sisters and I are doing the Duluth, MN Northshore Inline Marathon tomorrow and then on Sunday night, we're getting the whole Disney crew together for our last meeting. I'll have to take pictures so you can see what it's like!

My mom and I are also furiously working on my Belle costume for MNSSHP. Well, she's sewing and I'm supervising. It's shaping up but it's really hard to get a good fit. I'm a little chesty but I have a small waist and then a little more curve in the hips. So I'm not the same Simplicity size all over. I'm going to look like a very voluptous Belle. I'll also try to get a picture when we're all done before the trip. In the meantime, here is the Simplicity pattern we used:

We used the pattern of the dress that is the second to the left, on the bottom. It's the red one. We squared the neckline and then lengthened the skirt. It's actually not as full a skirt as the sketch implies but with added length, it got a little fuller. My mom is so awesome for making this for me! I bought a button-up shirt for underneath and we're just going to free form an apron. Let's hope it works!!

Besides my costume, there's still a lot left to do! I need to do a bit more clothes shopping. I'm trying to go for light and loose but we'll see. The weather report sounds terrible but then again, we are 8+ days out. I'm also concerned about the large amount of crowds that UG is predicting for our HS day! Disney also extended the park hours until 10pm and then added on EMH to that! And there is also two Fantasmic! showings that night. That's a lot going on that I'm not sure I want to tackle. Oh well, we already have everything set, it would be hard to change it now. I've done the crowds at Easter, we can handle a few extra people. I just hope that day isn't too hot otherwise my dad might have a meltdown. He doesn't really like big crowds to begin with and if you add uncomfortable heat, he's extra grumpy.

Oh, btw, it's currently 50 degrees F here in MN. This whole week has been quite cool. I think that the FL heat will be a shock to everyone but Aunt Anne - she LOVES LOVES LOVES heat. Totally thrives. I, on the otherhand, completely wilt in the heat. I also get cold really easily. My mom is the same way. We have about a 10 degree window (70-80F) where we are completely comfortable. Anything outside of that is either freezing or melting. Going to Disney is a truly peculiar experience. We wilt outside in the heat and then freeze our patooties inside with the blasting AC. Totally worth it, though!

In a week, I'll be checking into my flight and packing like mad! I can't believe we're so close. What am I going to do once it's over????

I'll be back next week. Have a good weekend, everyone!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Ack! I totally forgot to take pictures of our meeting last night! Shoot! I was late coming home from the Inline Marathon up in Duluth and I had to scramble to get things done before people came so I forgot to take pictures!

The marathon this weekend went well. I was trying to get sub-2 hours but I came in at 2 hours and 5 minutes. So close! It was really really cold. We were at the start of the race at 7:20am on Saturday and the temperature was 30F. It's hard to imagine that it's going to be really warm in Florida.

The meeting was a little chaotic. I realized that there is a lot of confusion over how the meal plan works. I forget that it's confusing at first. They were wondering how much a credit is worth and how many credits you have and how to use your credits, what is considered a snack, etc. That actually was the hardest question - "What is considered a snack?" There are somethings that are considered snacks that I would consider a meal and other things that I would definitely think should be snacks but are not covered by the meal plan. I told them that they were just going to have to trust me and in order to understand, they'd just have to experience it. We'll just have to ask as we go. Aunt Anne wanted to use her snack credit for something for breakfast so we're going to stop in at Riverside Mill our first day and ask what could we get for breakfast with a snack credit.

There was some confusion over what exactly DTD was and where it was located and what was there. I'm so glad I included a map of the World in everyone's packet. Uncle Dan thought that DTD was attached to a park and would not be open after the parks closed. Aunt Anne thought that you could perhaps walk to Epcot from POR. I think that even with seeing the map, they still don't understand the size of WDW. Another thing that they will just have to experience to understand.

As we were discussing how our days were going to go and I kept giving them options, they all said, "Jenna, you just tell us where we are to be and when and we'll be there. We will do whatever you say." Awesome! You should totally trust me, I do know what I'm doing! We'll see how long it lasts but yay!

Tonight I am going shopping and doing laundry for the trip. I'll check out Target and see what they have left for summer clothes. I think it's safe to pack my shorts now since it's frigid out. I don't think I'll miss them.

5 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!! ​

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hello everyone! Happy Tuesday.

I'm feeling a little bummed today. I looked at the weather report and it says storms every day next week. I know that it doesn't mean that it will storm all day or that it would even storm at all. Plus, I think Disney is great in the rain. Crowds thin out, it's a warm rain. It just looks depressing seeing that dark cloud and lighting for every day. I know it will be fine but my emotions won't listen to my logic!

Also, I was on the Theme Parks Board and some people were reporting that they didn't like MNSSHP at all this year. Too crowded, poor products, nothing interesting. Again, I know that this is someone's opinion and my experience is probably going to be completely different but, again, my emotions won't listen to my logic!

Sooooo, I've decided to talk about each of my days' itinerary to get me back in the Disney Spirit! Today, I'll start with Day 1:

Day 1 - Arrival

We have a flight out in the morning with a 1:00pm arrival at MCO. We haven't decided what we're going to do for lunch yet. I think that we're going to see how we feel. I plan on bringing a few snacks for the plane.

I love seeing this as we walk through the airport to the Disney Welcome Center. We'll get on a bus and head to POR!

I love this resort! We usually stay in Alligator Bayou because we love the cool tree cover and the walk from the lobby to the back of the resort.

We'll check-in, hang around for a little while, maybe swim.

Then we'll take the boat from POR to DTD for some shopping and dinner! We love to do this our arrival day. It's a way to get our feet wet without stressing about getting to a park, crowds and rides. We'll eat at either Wolfgang Puck Express or the Earl of Sandwich. Or some of us will eat at one and some at the other. I love the pizza at WPE. We have one in the Mall of America and the airport here and I can't get enough of that pizza!

Next to french fries, I think that pizza is one of my favorite foods. Have we talked about my selective eating habits yet? I have very specific likes and dislikes when it comes to food. More dislikes than likes. I think I must taste things really different than everyone else because if people could taste what I taste, they would never touch certain things either!

I've always been like this. I was apparently fussy about food even as a baby. I will say that I always try something even if it looks/sounds horrible. I go purely by taste. Normally, I do not like red peppers. But if you put them in a sauce where I can't taste them very well and the overall sauce tastes good, I'll still eat it. Anything that tastes bitter is out. Sour as well. I love savory and sweet. I can't handle spicy very well. My DH jokes that ketchup is too spicy for me. Not quite true but you get the idea. Needless to say, it can make finding something to eat very interesting. And it gets difficult to find anything healthy that I like. Everyday is a bit of a battle for me. Even at home. I’m pretty okay at Disney, though. There is usually chicken somewhere on the menu and I LOVE chicken. It’s the side dish choices that screw me up.

Anyway, back to the PTR - after dinner and shopping we’ll call it a night and head back to our rooms. Nothing too late because we have a park day on Sunday!

Hey, whaddaya know! I feel better now!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

3 DAYS TO GO!!!!!

We're getting close. Being at work is torture! I have a hard time concentrating and I have a lot to get done if I want to be gone all next week!

Let's go into day two:

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom

We'll be up, breakfasted and at the North Depot by around 8am today. AK opens at 9am. Once the park opens, we're all heading over to EE to get FPs and ride! Well, at least some of us will ride. I want my Grandma to at least go through the queue if she decides that she doesn't want to ride. She probably won't. Last night, she said that she's been on Space Mountain and she doesn't get the point of hurtling through the air and getting banged from side to side. I think EE will be out for her. It's totally in for me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ride!!

Next, we’ll probably pop over to either Dinosaur or Kilimanjaro Safaris. My Grandma is really looking forward to this. As I mentioned before, she went to Africa and loved it and would like to know how the ride compares to the real thing. I’m curious to know too!

We’ll probably split our FPs between the Safari and EE. I have never been on Primeval Whirl so I was thinking I might try that this time if the line isn’t too long. Meanwhile, while we are bopping around the park. We are going to be on the lookout for this lady:

I really hope we can spot her again!

I think we might skip ITTBAB but we’ll see. This will definitely be the more leisurely of the park days. I really want to soak up the atmosphere and take time on the trails. I would love Mandy and Aunt Anne to see the Festival of the Lion King. My mom wants to see Nemo again. I love the movie, I enjoyed the show but I really have no desire to see it again. It’s kind of strange. I love musical theater and it was a great production but there is just something inside that is rebelling at the idea of watching it again. Perhaps it’s the time commitment?

Lunch will be at either Pizzafari or Flame Tree Barbeque, depending on people’s choices. We’ll be leaving AK right before close and taking the bus to AKL. There, we have reservations for dinner at Boma. This will be my grandma, aunt, uncle and cousin’s first look at a deluxe resort and I’m anxious to see what they think. This is my mom’s favorite resort. Someday…

I hope I can get one of these again:

It was very delicious and I love the glowing cube!

After dinner, we’ll head back to the resort and our beds. Another park day is up next!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I just called POR and put in a request for building 38 in Alligator Bayou!

I hope we get it or, if not, somewere nearby. We like to go to the North Depot in the mornings to grab the bus. The South Depot is usually pretty crowded and the last stop that the bus makes so the buses are already pretty full by the time they stop there. I know that we often leave people behind at the South Depot because there isn't room left on the bus. However, on the way back we get off at the South Depot because it's the first stop. We walk through Fultons and out the door to the marina. We then cross the bridge and walk by the lit pool and along the lit path to our building. It's a very nice walk. I think a lot of people would rather be closer to the lobby so they don't have to walk as far but I just love the atmosphere at POR at night. It's a good way to mentally relax and get ready for bedtime.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I have to stop looking at the weather report! It's making me anxious. I really don't care about any day but the night of MNSSHP has me worried. After spending all this time on a costume, I don't want to have to wear a poncho over it! Also, I would really like to see the Headless Horseman again and he doesn't ride if it rains. <sigh> We'll just have to see when we get there. I know I'll be in Disney and I shouldn't complain but I just can't seem to help myself!

Anyway. Tonight is my final fitting for my Belle dress along with a sand volleyball game. It is cold out so that'll be fun. I'm going to have my camera and I'll take some pictures and post them tomorrow. We just have to do the hem and then we'll be all done! I packed a bit yesterday. I have all my clothes together. I just have to grab the miscellaneous items. Then I'll have to pare down from that. I am not a light packer. I try to be. I bring lots of things "just in case". So I have to go back and take some stuff out. It all seems to add up really quickly, though. And my suitcase is a little larger so it is heavier.

I'm starting to really lose concentration at work. Even more than before. I wish I could take tomorrow off. I'm going to be completely useless! It would also be nice to have a day before vacation to savor the moment. Oh well. Whatever!

I can't believe it! 2 More Days to Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Grrrr! I can't get my pictures off my memory card. There's a corner broken off but the metal itself isn't touched so it shouldn't make a difference but it isn't reading. I suppose that's good news in a way. Now I'll buy another memory card for my camera. Bad news is that I'll have to wait to show you pictures of my costume! Stay tuned for the trip report...

I have to say that I'm excited and not at the same time. The weather is still bumming me out. It's ridiculous. I need to slough off this bad feeling. I'm going to Disney tomorrow!! What could be more wonderful? Get your mind in gear, Jenna! How many people would kill to go to Disney, rain or not? That includes you!

I wonder if I'm caught in that post-planning, pre-trip funk. Do you ever get that?

1 More Day to Go!!!

 

[RooRach0906]

The weather report told us it was going to rain everyday of our trip and it only did the last two days. One day was rain on and off all day the other was a short 30 min storm and then was done. Hope that makes ya feel better!!!! Have a great time.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

The weather report told us it was going to rain everyday of our trip and it only did the last two days. One day was rain on and off all day the other was a short 30 min storm and then was done. Hope that makes ya feel better!!!! Have a great time.

Thanks, it does make me feel better! It's starting to sink in that I'll be in WDW tomorrow!!!!!

Zip a dee doo dah,

Zip a dee ay.....