Trick-Or-Treat & Birthday Sweets! Oct 2013 PTR *NEW* 11/4 TR Link Posted!

[amazingact21]

What a fun day for the birthday boy...Paxton's a very lucky kid, getting to spend another bday inside the Magic Kingdom. Be careful, you're setting a precedent.

The New Fantasyland is great, I haven't read any reviews where people weren't impressed with the new area, so I'm sure you'll enjoy exploring it.

 

[khertz]

Yeah way better for our trip. Thanks for going over hopefully I can keep that PTR going this time lol

With less than a month to go till your trip, you should be golden!

What a fun day for the birthday boy...Paxton's a very lucky kid, getting to spend another bday inside the Magic Kingdom. Be careful, you're setting a precedent.

The New Fantasyland is great, I haven't read any reviews where people weren't impressed with the new area, so I'm sure you'll enjoy exploring it.

Oh my gosh, I know...how in the world to top this next year when we will not be going to WDW?! That's going to be a rough one for sure. We have all been spoiled on his birthday so far! Although for his first birthday, we only went to the pumpkin patch, we at least knew we were going to be celebrating in WDW just a few days later.

I can't wait! Between Disney and Universal, there are SO many new things for us to see and do this year!

 

[Leger13]

With less than a month to go till your trip, you should be golden! :

Yeah that's what I was thinking

 

[khertz]

Before I get into the plans for day 4, I realized in my last update that I forgot one big important fact...it will be an EMH day! So while I'm still hoping to get into MK well before 8 am for those pictures, heading straight to ETWB probably will not be the best move after breakfast since the EMH go-er's will have had an hour long advantage over us. I still think we will want to at least go check out New Fantasyland first even if we have to save ETWB for another day. Anyway, on to the plans for the next day!

Friday October 25th

After what is hopefully a super fun and exciting birthday celebration the day before, we will be up bright and early for our park choice for the morning, Animal Kingdom!

I was REALLY happy to read last week that AK has now adopted the same opening procedure that DHS and Epcot have been using and we won't be held at the rope any longer. While I was sad when I heard they had done away with the opening show (only saw it once in 2011 but it was REALLY cute!), in its absence, it will be great to get a jump start on a few of the attractions. In this case we will be heading over to the Safari.

After our safari, I'm sure the next stop will be Expedition Everest, either to ride while the waits are low or grab a FP for later.

We had a good time at Conservation Station last year when we saw a kangaroo getting a dental exam, so I think we might head over there earlier in the hopes of seeing another procedure. Plus, DS loves riding the train and we will have to meet Rafiki! We may have to adjust the time for this depending on when Rafiki actually starts meeting though, because I doubt we will have time to go back later just to get his autograph.

At some point, we will also have to check out some character ops around the park before lunch.

I'm thinking maybe a meal at Restaurantosaurus may be in order again so that we can be in close proximity for DS to get some time to play in the Boneyard and maybe take a quick spin on Triceratops Spin.

Then it will likely be time head back to the resort for a nap. After our break, we will be on our way to DHS for the afternoon for one specific reason...Characterpalooza!

If the current schedule holds true, since there is only one Fantasmic show that night, there should be two opportunities for Characterpalooza at 4:30 and 5:30. While I would love to do both, we may only be able to see the 5:30 set. The other thing we may end up doing that afternoon (and really, this would probably be the only day and time we could make it happen of the whole trip) would be going to see Lights Motors Action.

We have skipped this show the last two years, mostly for lack of interest on DH's or my part having seen it a few times in the past. But now that DS is around with a longer attention span and an intense devotion to all things race cars (and Lightning McQueen!) I think we will have to stop putting off the inevitable and take him to see this show. I have a feeling it will be a big hit with him!

At some point, we will grab a quick CS dinner...DH and I will likely split something to save room for later. Anything else we manage to accomplish will be lagniappe.

But our night is not even close to over yet! We will actually be heading to a THIRD park when we are done at at DHS! From there, we will go on over to Epcot to meet up with my parents, who are already planning to spend their afternoon there.

From that point, we will be leaving DS in their capable hands to take him back to Bonnet Creek for the night while DH and I have a little date night full of dessert...We will be attending the 3D Dessert Discovery party that evening!

You might remember we were trying to come up with something fun to do that night just the two of us since it was really the only night that we would have the grandparents still there to keep an eye on DS (figuring the night before would be too hectic with the birthday festivities and all). With three of the four parks closing early and Epcot being insane on a Friday night, we were short on ideas. I tossed around Splitsville or a dine-in movie at DTD, or heading to the Boardwalk and finally getting to experience a sundae from Beaches & Cream. But then the F&W events brochure came out, and it was inevitable, really. A dessert party just the two of us? Heck yes! Plus we will get a special viewing area for the 10 pm IllumiNations after the party. I think that is a fun way to get to be in the park without being crushed in the sea of humanity around World Showcase!

Luckily I was able to book the party quite easily during the 4 hour window they had open the day before booking opened to the general public to Disney Visa holders. I only waited on hold for about 7-8 minutes at 9 am CST to book the party with no problems whatsoever. Other DIS'ers didn't seem to have the same luck, especially not those who had to book on Tuesday with the masses. There was one other event that same day DH and I would have LOVED to do (the Kitchen Memories with the Voltaggio brothers) but it was quite a bit more expensive and would have necessitated being in Epcot all day and most of that without DS.

And after all that, it will definitely be time to call it a night and get to bed!

​

 

[Leger13]

Wow what a busy day! Sounds like so much fun though!! we have never eaten at AK before. I'm hoping to try the BBQ this time. And as you know we are planning on trying characterpalooza per your raves about it I don't think we have ever been to 3 parks in one day so I'll be curious to see how it goes for y'all with Paxton

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Yeah, it is terribly sad that that all the morning shows are gone except for Magic Kingdom. There isn't even any out West. But I guess it does make the MK one even more special.

I bet your DS will LOVE LMA. I've been skipping it for years, so maybe it's time to try it again.

3 parks in a day sounds AWESOME! Especially how you have it planned. It seems VERY doable.

 

[afwdwfan]

Ok, this day is a complete and total failure if you don't find a way to work the MK in so that you can say you did all 4 parks.

Seriously though, it looks like a lot of fun. You're hitting the main attractions at AK, working in some things at DHS that are hard to schedule into a day plan there and getting some quality time at EPCOT. That is hard to beat... but then you went and scheduled a couple's evening dessert party. I'm impressed.

 

[abbybeth]

Yay for getting the F&W event you wanted! I'll look forward to your review - a whole party for sugar sounds amazing!

This year will be our first time doing any of the F&W special events too, so it's pretty exciting. I got the one thing we wanted, but it sounded like the entire process was a complete mess, especially with the more popular ones.

3 parks in one day is quite a feat! I feel like you should set foot in MK, just to say you did all four in one!

 

[khertz]

Wow what a busy day! Sounds like so much fun though!! we have never eaten at AK before. I'm hoping to try the BBQ this time. And as you know we are planning on trying characterpalooza per your raves about it I don't think we have ever been to 3 parks in one day so I'll be curious to see how it goes for y'all with Paxton

Yes, it will be a LONG day, especially for DH & I! I think for nap time, we will all three try to catch some z's. We are not big BBQ fans, but my parents love the food at Flame Tree and it seems to get good reviews on the DIS.

Characterpalooza is SO fun! It's a little frustrating right now that they keep changing the location, so I'm hoping by October they have it down to a specific location every day. I would hate to miss it!

Yeah, it is terribly sad that that all the morning shows are gone except for Magic Kingdom. There isn't even any out West. But I guess it does make the MK one even more special.

I bet your DS will LOVE LMA. I've been skipping it for years, so maybe it's time to try it again.

3 parks in a day sounds AWESOME! Especially how you have it planned. It seems VERY doable.

The MK show was always the best one, but the others made it more fun to be entering the parks and got me excited for the day ahead. But if they were going to get rid of them anyway, at least they work out in favor for those who are there at least 30 minutes before rope drop every morning (ie. US!!)

Yes, even without the addition of Lightning I think he would love it...seeing Lightning will just send him over the edge!

I certainly hope it will be doable! It makes me a little nervous to think about it, but we are really not planning to be in DHS too long, so I think it will be fine.

Ok, this day is a complete and total failure if you don't find a way to work the MK in so that you can say you did all 4 parks.

Seriously though, it looks like a lot of fun. You're hitting the main attractions at AK, working in some things at DHS that are hard to schedule into a day plan there and getting some quality time at EPCOT. That is hard to beat... but then you went and scheduled a couple's evening dessert party. I'm impressed.

Three parks in 1 day with a toddler will be challenging, four is a suicide mission!! It would be cool to do if MK was open late, but it's a Halloween Party night.

I think we did pretty good for ourselves.

Yay for getting the F&W event you wanted! I'll look forward to your review - a whole party for sugar sounds amazing!

This year will be our first time doing any of the F&W special events too, so it's pretty exciting. I got the one thing we wanted, but it sounded like the entire process was a complete mess, especially with the more popular ones.

3 parks in one day is quite a feat! I feel like you should set foot in MK, just to say you did all four in one!

DH is most excited about the flambeed donuts, I think! I think it will be fun just to be doing something different and getting some adults-only time in the park at the same time.

I guess I am happy that the event we are doing seems to have higher capacity and isn't as popular, because it wasn't hard to get into at ALL compared to the experiences of other DIS'ers I read about! I'm glad you got the one you wanted as well!

Trying to get to MK would be so fun, but I just don't see it being realistic with our plans for the day and the fact that it closes early. Which is a bummer because now y'all have all put the idea in my head!!

 

[MEK]

Heck yeah to the dessert party for two of you. That sounds like a lot of fun! Love it!

Love Paxton's pictures from AK. He is so cute. Can't wait to see how much he's grown this last year.

 

[skier_pete]

Yipes - that's a pretty full day! The desert party sounds like lots of fun, though.

I had heard they got rid of the opening show at DAK, but I didn't know they eliminated the rope drop. So your saying it's now like DHS where they just start letting people in the turnstyles about 15 minutes before park opening, and then you go get in line for your favorite ride?

If that's the case, my family is NOT going to like me prodding them to get up even earlier!

Oh, also, I haven't seen mention of it here, but I assume you heard that Peter Pan's Flight will be in refurb for your trip. (For close to two months actually.) We should just catch it when it reopens Nov 14th.

 

[amazingact21]

Whoa, busy day at Disney!

Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun, though!


Doing 3 parks in one day is always exciting, you feel accomplished for mastering that feat.


A date night with the DH that involves dessert and IllumiNations sounds amazing, I have to say. It might be bad, but I'm already super excited about getting an evening in Disney with my DH without Landon around.
I'm glad you had no issues with booking the party; everyone knows the Disney booking lines can be crazy, so it's a nice change of pace to have something go smoothly.

 

[khertz]

Heck yeah to the dessert party for two of you. That sounds like a lot of fun! Love it!

Love Paxton's pictures from AK. He is so cute. Can't wait to see how much he's grown this last year.

I'm pretty excited about it. I think it will be a great way to spend the evening just the two of us!

He's grown so much! I look back at pictures from that trip that doesn't seem all that long ago but he seems so much smaller back then. They definitely grow up WAY too fast!!

Yipes - that's a pretty full day! The desert party sounds like lots of fun, though.

I had heard they got rid of the opening show at DAK, but I didn't know they eliminated the rope drop. So your saying it's now like DHS where they just start letting people in the turnstyles about 15 minutes before park opening, and then you go get in line for your favorite ride?

If that's the case, my family is NOT going to like me prodding them to get up even earlier!

Oh, also, I haven't seen mention of it here, but I assume you heard that Peter Pan's Flight will be in refurb for your trip. (For close to two months actually.) We should just catch it when it reopens Nov 14th.

Attempting three parks in one day is scary, but I think it will be worth it. I didn't want to totally change our plans for the afternoon to accommodate the dessert party because it's really the only day we can fit in a day for characterpalooza at DHS.

Yes, the AK opening is now just like the DHS opening but with only a few attractions open prior to 9 am. I think it's the Safari, EE, and Triceratops Spin. With DS, I think it will be great to get onto the Safari and be done with it just after official park opening! I'm so thankful DH, DS and I are all on the same page when it comes to waking up early every day in WDW! Not so much every other day of the year...

Yes, I know about Peter Pan. I really adore that attraction, and I was excited to take DS on it again now that he has seen the movie a few times and knows the characters. And especially because we are going with the Peter Pan theme for our costumes! It would have been so fun to take a ride on it while dressed up. That's good that it will be opening for your trip! Honestly, the only thing that would really devastate me if it was closed would probably be the Railroad or Small World because those are the two things DS talks about doing in Disney World non-stop. Luckily they are completing a refurb on the railroad just before we arrive...Hopefully it does not take longer than planned!!

Whoa, busy day at Disney!

Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun, though!


Doing 3 parks in one day is always exciting, you feel accomplished for mastering that feat.


A date night with the DH that involves dessert and IllumiNations sounds amazing, I have to say. It might be bad, but I'm already super excited about getting an evening in Disney with my DH without Landon around.
I'm glad you had no issues with booking the party; everyone knows the Disney booking lines can be crazy, so it's a nice change of pace to have something go smoothly.

I can't think of a time we have EVER attempted 3 parks in one day, even without DS along. So if nothing else, it will be interesting, for sure!

I don't think it sounds bad at all! I was even looking into the kids clubs to maybe have another night for just DH and I later in the trip after the grandparents leave. But I figure the only time we'd want to do that would be a night we could stay in a park late and it doesn't make sense to leave DS in the kids club so far past his bedtime and screw him all up when we went to pick him up. I think he would have fun in them, though, getting to play with other kids. Maybe next time, just for a dinner date or something not too late.

 

[abbybeth]

DH is most excited about the flambeed donuts, I think! I think it will be fun just to be doing something different and getting some adults-only time in the park at the same time.

I guess I am happy that the event we are doing seems to have higher capacity and isn't as popular, because it wasn't hard to get into at ALL compared to the experiences of other DIS'ers I read about! I'm glad you got the one you wanted as well!

Trying to get to MK would be so fun, but I just don't see it being realistic with our plans for the day and the fact that it closes early. Which is a bummer because now y'all have all put the idea in my head!!

Where there's a will, there's a way! Can you take the bus or monorail on your way to Epcot, walk in to MK, walk out and monorail it over to Epcot? Just to say you did it?

Seriously though, 3 in 1 day is indeed a feat in and of itself.

 

[marDgreen88]

I'm all caught up! Your trip sounds like it'll be great! I also enjoyed reading about your trip to TN because I went to school in the town next to Chattanooga. Very cool!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I don't know how I missed your last update. The 3D Dessert Party sounds so good! It's too bad that it's offered on the day before I arrive. You're going to have to tell me all about it.

 

[khertz]

Where there's a will, there's a way! Can you take the bus or monorail on your way to Epcot, walk in to MK, walk out and monorail it over to Epcot? Just to say you did it?

Seriously though, 3 in 1 day is indeed a feat in and of itself.

It's tempting. I don't know if I'm up for the challenge myself, but DH might feel like giving it a try and heading to MK while DS & I are napping.

I'm all caught up! Your trip sounds like it'll be great! I also enjoyed reading about your trip to TN because I went to school in the town next to Chattanooga. Very cool!

For my first real time spent in TN, I had a really great time. DS seemed to really enjoy everything too! It will probably be somewhere we visit again in the future.

I don't know how I missed your last update. The 3D Dessert Party sounds so good! It's too bad that it's offered on the day before I arrive. You're going to have to tell me all about it.

I'm excited about the Dessert Party! More expensive than the Wishes one, for sure, but at least I don't have to worry about leaving early because DS is acting up.

 

[khertz]

I know some of you are listeners to the DIS Unplugged podcast, so maybe you heard the announcement on yesterday's show that the "European trip in Fall 2014" they were working on has been officially announced as a DIS Exclusive Viva Italia trip in September. And DH and I are going on that trip! In fact, if you did listen to the show, you heard Kevin mention that he explained pricing to "a gentleman" recently who had asked about it, and that was definitely DH. We were both a little sticker shocked at the price, being that it is quite a bit more than the regular ABD Viva Italia trips. But when we knew we wanted to go on this trip, we said if there was a podcast trip available, we'd take it. I'm actually excited about the changes, especially the hotel actually IN Florence! Of course, nothing is totally official until we pay the deposit, which we are not able to do just yet, but DH and Kevin have been emailing back and forth, so we are as good as booked already.

We have known about the trip since the beginning of May or so, but I was hesitant to say much until it was officially announced on the podcast or boards. Before the ABD dates and rates were released for 2014, I told DH he should email Kevin to start a rapport with him for when we were ready to book something, and at that point Kevin told us they were working with ABD to customize a fall Viva Italia itinerary, so we have been on pins and needle since! Now at least, we finally know dates and can start to plan accordingly. I'm excited to be doing a DIS exclusive trip, although I'm a little worried that it sounds like a lot of the other DIS'ers included in the "interest list" email Kevin sent out will be repeat travelers and we will not be part of the "group." But I hope that's just me being over dramatic. I think we will still have a great time, even if we are the only "first timers" to this trip and this group! I think for podcasters, it will probably only be John & Kevin, but that's cool for me.

Traveling to Italy will be a dream come true for me!! DH was initially not as excited about it as I was, but ever since he has gotten more and more interested in the trip. Recently we have been recording a lot of travel shows about the cities we are visiting, and that has been getting me even more excited! I just wish it wasn't over a year away. Also, if you have seen me make mention of our upcoming WDW trip being the last one for awhile, this trip is why! It's going to be a pretty big hit to the pocketbook, so a WDW trip is out of the question until at least 2015, probably LATE 2015, either fall or Christmas. That's going to be rough, but I'm sure Italy will more than make up for it!

Anyway, sorry this has nothing to do with October 2013 WDW trip planning, but I was too excited to share (mostly DH's "mention" on the podcast! ).

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

That is awesome! It's going to be so much fun and I'm sure will be more than worth the trade-off of missing a Disney trip. And I don't think you have anything to worry about fitting into the group which I'm sure you'll do just fine. Besides, when you have cities like Florence to stare and ogle at, does it really matter who's sitting with you at the table in the cafeteria?

 

[khertz]

That is awesome! It's going to be so much fun and I'm sure will be more than worth the trade-off of missing a Disney trip. And I don't think you have anything to worry about fitting into the group which I'm sure you'll do just fine. Besides, when you have cities like Florence to stare and ogle at, does it really matter who's sitting with you at the table in the cafeteria?

It's hard to think of skipping Disney while Paxton is still so young and into it. But we made the decision to take this big trip before he starts school since he will have to go stay with my parents in New Orleans and I can't justify taking him out of school for two weeks just so DH and I can go on a trip! So between that and wanting to take him to WDW this year for one more "free" trip, 2014 was the only year to do it if I wanted to go before retirement age! It will definitely take the sting out of missing Disney though.

VERY true. If for some crazy reason we don't get along with the group, it's not like we won't be able to find something else to do!!