Two Princesses and a Frog...Sept 2012

[JAMIESMITH]

My family is planning to go to Disney World September 24-29th (Mon-Sat) of 2012. I know that this is a long way away (598 days as of today), but I'm a type A personality and can't resist planning things way in advance. This being said, I welcome any input or advice from those of you who are Disney Veterans because this is our VERY FIRST TRIP! I have the best parents in the world, but they are just not Disney people. I went to the Smoky Mountain National Park MANY times as a child and it was great, but I've never hugged a mouse or eaten dinner with a princess. I want some Disney magic! There is a photo of Goofy drinking from my husband's baby bottle, but my husband doesn't remember anything from that 1977 trip. He hasn't been back since. I feel that we are all Disney "virgins" because a trip taken as an infant certainly doesn't count!

Some introductions: My husband and I are both Jamie (it can be very confusing!). Our daughter Madilyn will be four when we take our trip (she's 2 1/2 right now). One of the reasons we are waiting for next year is that we want he to be old enough to remember at least some of the trip. We are planning to surprise her! I am the office manager at a tractor dealership. My husband is a mechanic. We live in the east central part of Mississippi. We will definitely be driving to WDW.

Since our trip is a LONG way away this will be a long PTR...climb aboard and help me plan!

So far we know that we want a standard room at WL. We were originally interested in AKL, but that boat ride to MK sold us on WL. We chose September because we are accustomed to southern heat and want to be able to swim. Also, the crowds are supposed to be very low. As small town folks, neither my husband nor I like big crowds. I've been piecing together an itenerary that I will post soon. Hopefully someone here will give me some input when I do!

 

[BoBippity]

YAY! I am so excited for you! I have to say it was your tittle that got me...I love frogs. I am also going for the first time in dec 2011. I'm afraid the only help I can be is to share your enthusiasm!

 

[blessedmom4]

I'm in! Our PTR has turned into a long time coming trip as well. You will be leaving for the world on my BD . That will be easy for me to remember!

 

[disneyaddicted]

I am so excited for your family. The first time is amazing, I wish I could go back and relive my first time at Disney.

WL is beautiful, I have never stayed there, but I always go visit WL when I am at Disney.
I can't wait to read your plans.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in!

Bo: I must love frogs, too. I swear sometimes that I married one! I'm also suffering from PWDD I wish I had a sister, your trip is going to be so great

Ty: I am in love with the glitter mouse shirt you wore at Epcot on your last trip! I read that trip report and I'm tuning in to your sister's PTR.

Judy: I just want to say that you have a lovely family. When my cousin Jake was eight, he went on a MAW trip to WDW. At the time he was given only months to live due to an extremely advanced case of lung cancer. He is now twenty-five and the father of a beautiful baby girl. I hope that your daughter will be able to live an equally long and fullfillling life!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We've decided that we're going to spend our first day at HS because I think that is the park we'll want the least amount of time in and we are definitely going to need a nap after the long drive down. We're planning to leave at 10 p.m. on Sunday (after an afternoon nap) to make it to WDW on Monday morning. Hopefully, our little princess will sleep most of the drive down.

Monday
Hollywood Studios & Some Rest

Breakfast - get something to eat on the trip down
Check in around 9 a.m. (room may not be available, but luggage can be left at front desk)
(request a text message when room is available) (request activity guide and hotel map)
(look for penny press in hotel lobby) I am so excited about these as souveniers!!!
Take Bus to Hollywood Studios
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (also look for character meet & greet outside) (Any Height)
Studio Backlot Tour (Any Height)
Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show (Fast Pass) (Any Height) (Check for times in times guide)
Star Tours Attraction (40”) (Fast Pass)
Lunch at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano - Reservation
Rock N Roller Coaster (48”) (Rider Swap)
Take Bus back to Wilderness Lodge
Clean up and take a nap
Casual Family Portrait in lobby by Silver Creek Springs (Available 4:30-9:30 p.m.)
Dinner at Roaring Fork
Watch T.V. in room
Get Madilyn to bed early

So here are my questons: Are we trying to pack too much into a little more than half a day at the park? Can you use a Fast Pass and a Rider Swap at the same time? I'm asking this in particular for Rock N Roller Coaster.

I hate to miss Fantasmic on our first trip, but I think we'll have to sacrifice it this time My frog says that if we try to pack in too much it won't feel like a vacation.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Epcot is the park I'm most excited about. I also want Madilyn to get her Princess Breakfast out of the way early on.

Tuesday
Epcot

Take Character Breakfast Bus to Epcot (verify park with driver) (1/2 hour before first seating) OR (Which would be better?)
Take Boat to Contemporary Resort and Monorail to Epcot
Breakfast Norway Pavilion Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Reservation (early)
Future World- Test Track (First Thing) (40”)
Future World- Spaceship Earth (Any Height) (look for photographer outside)
Future World- Character Spot (if time permits) (Great photo opportunity)
Future World- The Seas with Nemo & Friends (also check out the coral reef aquarium) (AH)
Lunch Coral Reef Restaurant Reservation (early)
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros at Mexico Pavilion (AH) (left side of boat)
Maelstrom at Norway Pavilion (Any Height) (Fast Pass)
Dragon Legend Acrobats at China Pavilion
Reflections of China 360 degree film (Kidcot Fun Stop craft station at exit)
Explore China Pavilion (Temple and Gardens) (Look for Mulan) (Cheap Personalized Fan?)
Explore Morocco Pavilion (look for Aladdin characters & Mo’Rockin belly dancers)
Belle’s Libarary is behind perfume shop at France Pavillion?
Dinner snack around the world!!! (Boulangerie Patisserie Croissant) (also look for photographers)
Character greeting before crossing bridge to UK Pavilion (Belle or Sleeping Beauty)
Illuminations laser & firework show at World Showcase Lagoon (check for time) (try to find place to sit) (trail between UK and Canada is a good viewing spot)

Is there a good spot to rest in World Showcase?


All the guides say to save at least one day to stick around the hotel. I thought it would be good to do this mid-trip for some R&R.

Wednesday
Stick Around Wilderness Lodge & Dinner Show at Polynesian Resort

Breakfast at Roaring Fork (late)
Swim and relax by pool
Check out Fire Rock Geyser (erupts every hour on the hour 7a.m -10p.m)
Lunch at Roaring Fork
Boat ride to Magic Kingdom to catch resort monorail OR boat to Polynesian Resort (Which would be better?)
Dinner at Polynesian Resort Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show Reservation (early) (Is this good?)
Try to find photographer (Dress nice)
Watch Fireworks from beach


We originally wanted to stay at AKL so now we have to spend a day in the park.

Thursday
Animal Kingdom

Wear sandals to this park
Drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge
Breakfast at The Boma Flavors of Africa at AK Lodge Reservation
Drive OR take bus to Park (Worst Park for Character Meet & Greets)
Kali River Rapids – Asia (38”)
Maharajah Jungle Trek – Asia
Expedition Everest – Asia (44”) (Rider Swap) (Single Rider) (Fast Pass)
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ- Discovery Island
Dinosaur Time Rover – Dinoland (40”) (Rider Swap) (Fast Pass)
Triceratop Spin (AH)
The Boneyard – Dinoland (Great photo opportunity)
Kilimanjaro Safari Tour - Harambe Africa (AH) (Fast Pass)
Flights of Wonder (check for time in times guide)
Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade (check for time in times guide)
Discovery Island Trails to Tree of Life (look for photographer at ToL)
Drive back to Wilderness Lodge
Take (Blue) Boat to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
Dinner at Trails End Restaurant – Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Reservation
Get Madilyn to bed early


Any suggestions? MK is the park we plan to go to on Friday, but it is for me the hardest to plan for...

 

[JAMIESMITH]

So last night our grouchy frog saw a Disney World commercial advertising hotel rates as low as $82 a night. He commented about how expensive that was. Since I'm paying for this trip out of my commission checks, I'm thinking he doesn't really need to know that WL is any more expensive than this We've never had a vacation together, not even a honeymoon. I'm just not going to be a cheapskate on this trip!

This is what I've got in mind for the last day of our trip. We're leaving Saturday and won't be going to any park so I don't think it really counts. I really wish we had gone before Mickey's Toontown closed.

Friday
Magic Kingdom

Ride (Red) Boat to Park (be at dock ½ hour before park opens)
Splash Mountain – Frontierland (40”) (Let Madilyn ride if she’s tall enough)
There is a playground under Splash Mountain train tracks
Thunder Mountain – Frontierland (40”) (Fast Pass)
Breakfast at Main Street Bakery
Look for photographer in castle hub area
Mad Tea Party – Fantasyland
Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel – Fantasyland
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Fantasyland
Lunch at The Crystal Palace Buffet with Pooh Reservation (late)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Adventureland
Pirates of the Caribbean – Adventureland
The Haunted Mansion (AH)
Tour Cinderella’s Castle (Mosaics inside) & Gardens (Look for Rapunzel)
Purchase souvenirs- magnets, etc.
Space Mountain – Tommorrowland (44”) (Fast Pass)
Dinner at Columbia Harbour House – Liberty Square
Wishes 
Use any remaining snack credits
Ride Boat back to Wilderness Lodge
Make sure everyone gets a shower/bath tonight

Saturday
Sleep In & Head For Home

Sleep late (10:00 a.m.)
Pack up car and check out by 11:00

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Disney Store had some online deals I couldn't pass up. I ordered Madilyn two t-shirts for $8 each, two nightshirts for $12 each, and an adorable Minnie Mouse swimsuit and matching sun glasses. I ordered everything in a small since she's always been big for her age. Hopefully everything will fit by 2012

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I've decided to bump our trip up by a week. I wanted to make sure that I didn't end up experiencing mother nature's gift while we are in WDW (sorry if that's TMI).

I ordered Madilyn a Belle costume from wholesalecostumeclub.com I've also been eying a Rina Rich Sling Bag at overstock.com

That's about it for planning right now

 

[Diegosmom]

If DD has always been on the big side I am sure she will be 40" when she is 4...our DS has always been small-average height and he is already 40" (been for almost 2 months) and he doesnt turn 4 till april,

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I feel fairly certain she'll be tall enough for the rides with a 40" cut off. She was at 36" at her two year check up. I should measure her again since that was in August I just don't want to scare her with rides that she may be tall enough for, but not really ready for maturity wise. My girl does not like heights. She does like to go fast on her four wheeler (with Mommy) so maybe we'll be okay. The first big ride we have planned is Star Tours and I'm not sure how scary it will be when it is up and going. I'm confident that Test Track will be right up her alley. I guess saving MK for last is good in more ways than one. If she gets scared on Splash or Thunder Mountain at least the rest of the trip will have been okay.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I'm going to bump our plans up by one more week. I think this is as far as I can go, though We're going to plan to stay Sept 10th-15th 2012. Both my husband and I work at tractor dealerships. Things usually slow down after Labor Day so we should be okay to take off for a week.

The t-shirts and swim suit I ordered for Maddy came in earlier this week. Her Belle costume is due today. Now, I have to put them away for a year and a half At least we'll have them when the time comes!

 

[mtgirl29]

Trip time will be here before you know it!!! Love your enthusiasm!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

My favorite little cousin will be headed to WDW in one week with fifteen of her sorority sisters. (The only other trip she's been on consisted of a weekend long stay offsite and she was only able to go to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. She's really excited about Magic Kingdom, especially Wishes!!!) They're staying at All Star Music for five nights and hitting all four parks. I'm really wishing our trip wasn't a year and a half away!

Seriously, I hope she has a great time (I know she will). The only ADRs she made was for lunch at Akershus with just one other girl and a Fantasmic Package at Hollywood and Vine (with a group of four). They didn't start planning in time for a lot of ADRs. She's planning on eating breakfast in her room and carrying lunch to the parks (except Epcot, of course). She's also planning to eat dinner at some of the quick service resturaunts. They think it will be easier to eat as a group this way.

My mom is even showing some interest in WDW. She had a terrible experience with her mom and her mom's boyfriend back in the seventies and I thought she would never want to go back. Maybe I can convince my parents to go with us on our second trip. Maybe Coronado Springs? I want this first time to be just the three of us

 

[JAMIESMITH]

My cousin will be at WDW in less than two hours! She and her friends are planning to spend a few hours at their hotel (ASMu) before heading to MK tonight in time to catch the parade. We've been texting off and on all morning (she's not driving ) and I am SO excited for her!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

My cousin is one lucky girl! All Star Music was overbooked. She was given a free upgrade to Animal Kingdom Lodge. That would never in a million years happen for me! I don't mean to turn my PTR into her TR, but I am so excited that she's there right now and my trip seems so very far away. She is at Hollywood Studios this morning. Her first stop was Tower of Terror. That's a ride I don't think I'm all that interested in, myself. I don't like normal elevators so I don't think I would like that ride either.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

September 2011 Calendars are out. I'm wondering how much the calendars change from year to year? If next year looks like this, I'm definitely going to need to rearrange my schedule. I've heard that extra magic hour days should be avoided. Any thoughts?

 

[JAMIESMITH]

My little cousin is home from college for the weekend I saw her on my lunch break and should see her again after work this afternoon. This is the first chance I've had to see her since she got back from Disney. She has passed her Minnie ears to my daughter and her Fast Pass holder to me for our trip next year She also brought home the hand towel mouse from her hotel room (I'm sure that's a big no no) and a Tinkerbell charm bracelet for Madilyn (which I'm wearing right now!). I'm so ready for my own trip to the World!

 

[Tea4Alice]

What is a fast pass holder?