Walk-ing Back to Disney! COMPLETED 10/16! A Fall 2014 PTR!

[Denovagirl]

I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to comment on your DC trip since it's right in my backyard so to speak. I went to the Holocaust Museum for the first time when I was 17 as a class field trip. My father was a chaperone, and I can honestly say that I was super thankful he was there. The museum is pretty intense and was a lot to process when we were done. I'm not sure your little girl is old enough for the subject matter presented. There are train cars among other items from that time. On the other hand, she may just be young enough to not understand either. I know you're not close and it's a chance that might not happen again to see the museum, but I would really research it if I were you. Just my two cents.

Be sure not to miss the National Zoo and the sculpture garden while you there. You can also sign up for a tour of the Capitol Building and you can ask your representative for tickets to the gallery to watch Senate proceedings.

Yay and thank you for coming out of lurk-dom for me!

Thanks for the opinion! I feel what you are saying, and I think you are expressing my feeling when you say she may be young enough to not understand it too. That is kinda what I am thinking, that she may be wise enough to realize the big picture, that this was a sad event and a lot of people died and were forced to do thing and be singled out because they were different, but she is also young enought that she may not understand all of the bad stuff either. It kinda feels like the perfect storm, so to speak. If I wait until shes much older, it may be too intense with an understanding of all the awful things people had to endure, so we may have to wait until she is much much much older... right now I think she'd get and understand and be compassionate about the sadness, but she would also be able to leave there and turn around and go have fun, without being overly upset about it, ya know?

I have been doing lots of research, obviously, no photos allowed, so I haven't got to see many of the things, but I have read many peoples accounts. I have found a couple people who have taken kids in also.

Anyway, thanks for the input, it is very helpful to hear peoples opinions!! Like I said, if I dont take her in, I am pretty sure I will make a way to go by myself at least.

And yes! Definitely planning on the zoo, she is soooo excited to see the pandas! And the Capitol as well, though I haven't decided if I want to call a rep for a tour and all that. I know she will be excited to see these monuments and places we study, but listening to a tour guide may be borderline too boring for her, I go back and forth, I know she could do it and behave, but she probably will be ready to leave at the same time...

Also, we have a looong list of things I would like to see.. I am hoping to book a night tour to do all the major monuments around the mall. And we want to for sure try the Crime Museum, Spy Museum, Nat History, Air & Space and visit the Castle, oh and the hubs wants to see the wax museum, lol, hes excited for the Presidents display. Then we want to do the zoo and maybe see the Cathedral again. Not sure about doing Arlington Cemetery this time, we saw it when we visited our first trip, and it was our favorite thing, but it is a little out of the way and I don't know how much Olivia would really get out of it. Oh! And the botanical garden maybe!!

Haha, a hefty list, no??

BTW, LOVE your signature! <3 me some Cullens!

 

[spiritsim]

Ok sticking my two cents in too....Let me first say....I have not been to the exhibit but I have bee to Dachau in Germany. If its even close to that I think its way to intense for a small child. It was way to intense for me!! Gave me nightmares

 

[Denovagirl]

Ok sticking my two cents in too....Let me first say....I have not been to the exhibit but I have bee to Dachau in Germany. If its even close to that I think its way to intense for a small child. It was way to intense for me!! Gave me nightmares

Wow what an emotional place to visit! Thank you for your input!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I love DC! I went in March over spring break on my 8th year and the weather was nice kind of cool, but very pretty! We also went to the a Holocaust museum. I was really interested in World War II and the Holocaust. I think I was 14. I remember it being pretty intense, but I was not traumatized by any means. I totally understood what happened and was prepared for what I saw. I think you know your kid and if you think she can handle it, she probably can. Honestly, I think lots of it will go over her head.

 

[disneychic2]

First of all, congrats on being under 4 months to your trip!!!

Secondly, those toy story shoes are to die for!! And the Sophia shoes are fantastic. I wouldn't have thought you could paint on that type of shoe, but they look fabulous! Great job once again.

And as far as your trip to DC, there is sooooo much to see and do that would be fun and interesting for Olivia that you probably won't be able to do it all anyway. My two cents is to skip the Holocaust museum this trip and concentrate on doing things geared for the birthday girl since it is a trip for her birthday. There is no right or wrong answer here, so you just have to do what your gut is telling you is best. You have quite a while to think about it, so I'm sure you'll come up with just the right itinerary for all of you.

 

[MidnightParade]

Yay under 4 months! Love seeing that ticker drop down!

How many pairs of shoes have you done now?! Seems like many many which is awesome! So fun!

Yay DC! Love all that history!! I don't really have an opinion on bringing Maddie to the Holocaust Museum. I will say though that history is very important and I think everyone should learn about what happened. The trip is still months and months away(must go to Disney first!) so you have time to mull it over.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I say take her. You know her best and can have the right discussions before and after. In my opinion, the learning experiences and opportunities are too to skip over. But then I'm a homeschooler mom so I always am looking for those types of things and jumping at the chance.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

You know I've got to throw my 2 cents in--I think you're right, that she might understand it and be able to be compassionate and still leave and enjoy the rest of her trip, but, if it was me, I wouldn't take her. Here's why--I don't believe that you can or should shield your kids from all the crap in the world, BUT she's still little. She'll learn soon enough about how mean and horrible people can be to each other, why introduce the worst of people on her special birthday trip. Just my opinion...

Anywho--you know I love you shoes! And how exciting to get a picture of your shoes in the parks!!! She got a great photo too with no people behind her! And a pair going out of the country? You are taking off, lady!!

 

[Denovagirl]

Man! My Dis was being funky yesterday evening! Both on the computer and the app! Seems to be okay, today though!

First off, THANK YOU all for your honest opinions! I love that I basically have a panel of moms and friends at my disposal for things like this!!

I have decided I defintely have a lot of time to make a decision, so I am going to mull it over, as suggested. I think I will introduce talking about Jewish culture and such (I actually just finished a study on Passover where I learned a lot more about Jewish culture myself!) and then slowly begin to bring up the topic of the Holocaust. I found a couple childrens books that address it, and I think that is a good place to start. I figure I will gauge her reaction and interest in the topic and then she will decide if it is something she would like to see.

You are all SO GREAT for giving me such quick response! Love yall!

I love DC! I went in March over spring break on my 8th year and the weather was nice kind of cool, but very pretty! We also went to the a Holocaust museum. I was really interested in World War II and the Holocaust. I think I was 14. I remember it being pretty intense, but I was not traumatized by any means. I totally understood what happened and was prepared for what I saw. I think you know your kid and if you think she can handle it, she probably can. Honestly, I think lots of it will go over her head.

I agree, I think you can judge what your own child will be able to handle. Glad to hear how much you love visiting DC, we've only gone once, but I fell in love with it too!!

First of all, congrats on being under 4 months to your trip!!!

Secondly, those toy story shoes are to die for!! And the Sophia shoes are fantastic. I wouldn't have thought you could paint on that type of shoe, but they look fabulous! Great job once again.

And as far as your trip to DC, there is sooooo much to see and do that would be fun and interesting for Olivia that you probably won't be able to do it all anyway. My two cents is to skip the Holocaust museum this trip and concentrate on doing things geared for the birthday girl since it is a trip for her birthday. There is no right or wrong answer here, so you just have to do what your gut is telling you is best. You have quite a while to think about it, so I'm sure you'll come up with just the right itinerary for all of you.

Thank you, thank you! So excited to be under 4 months! I actually havent updated my ticker to account for leaving two days sooner, I can bring myself to do it because then the ticker starts back at the beginning! lol....

Thanks for the encouragement!

Yay under 4 months! Love seeing that ticker drop down!

How many pairs of shoes have you done now?! Seems like many many which is awesome! So fun!

Yay DC! Love all that history!! I don't really have an opinion on bringing Maddie to the Holocaust Museum. I will say though that history is very important and I think everyone should learn about what happened. The trip is still months and months away(must go to Disney first!) so you have time to mull it over.

Hmmm, I haven't kept count actually! I should go back and figure that out! I agree, that history is important and we need to learn about it!

I say take her. You know her best and can have the right discussions before and after. In my opinion, the learning experiences and opportunities are too to skip over. But then I'm a homeschooler mom so I always am looking for those types of things and jumping at the chance.

Awesomeeeeeee! Olivia officially starts kinder this year and we are homeschooling too! I used to work at a Montessori school and we have basically always kind of homeschooled and we integrate learning into everything, even Disney!

You know I've got to throw my 2 cents in--I think you're right, that she might understand it and be able to be compassionate and still leave and enjoy the rest of her trip, but, if it was me, I wouldn't take her. Here's why--I don't believe that you can or should shield your kids from all the crap in the world, BUT she's still little. She'll learn soon enough about how mean and horrible people can be to each other, why introduce the worst of people on her special birthday trip. Just my opinion...

Anywho--you know I love you shoes! And how exciting to get a picture of your shoes in the parks!!! She got a great photo too with no people behind her! And a pair going out of the country? You are taking off, lady!!

True, true! I don't want to pull focus from doing what SHE wants on her trip, so I think she will be the ultimate decider of this, but I will sneak away and go myself if need be, couldn't believe I missed it the first time I went!

Haha, I was so stoked that she took that photo of the shoes in Disney World! Made my day!!! I am glad someone else is excited for me with that!!!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I can't say I'm surprised. Its a shame we don't live in the same state. We seem to think a like!

On a side note... have you found your way to the Homeschool Thread yet? My is that filled with great resources!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2533652

 

[freckles04]

Wow! Pop at the same time!! Yay! Please stop me if you see me! I am planning on making a "Do You Dis?" sign for both my room window, and my stroller, so hopefully Dis-ers will be more apt to say hi to me, lol... I think EVERYONE should do that!

So I don't see a PTR for ya, so tell me all your plans! Do you know where youll be each day and where your dining and all that jazz!?!?!? I LOOOOVE to read peoples park plans!!

Cool idea!! If I see you, I'll say hi!!! Maybe I could make a button or sign for my backpack, which is always on me unless I'm in the pool!

I'm actually thinking about doing a PTR for the first time! I don't actually have all my planning done... I can't believe it because I've always been super OCD with our trips, I mean Excel spreadsheet OCD..lol. We are only doing one ADR this trip because we are wanting more spontaneity this time. We are used to at least one ADR a day so it will be a change. The only thing I know we are doing for sure is MNSSHP but I can't even figure out what night yet.

Anyway, when you make your Dis sign, please post it so I can get some idea of how to make one or how to make it cute. I'm NOT crafty!

 

[Dugette]

Yay for being under 4 months!

And that's awesome to see your shoes in Epcot!

Can't really weigh in on DC. Was there once as a teenager, but didn't do the Holocaust Museum. We'd like to get there someday, though, as Dug has never been. Hope you write up a little TR or something for it!

 

[hokieinpa]

Just popping in to say HI!! since it has literally been FOREVER since I've been on the DIS.

I'm all caught up on your PTR now and it rocks as usual!!

The snacks look so yummy. I have a list in my binder of all the snacks I want to try. There is no way I'll get to them all but I'll do my best!

And your shoes are super cute as always! And how cool that they have made it out of the country and to WDW!

I grew up just over an hour from DC so we went at least once a year when I was a kid. I also taught middle school social studies for several years before staying at home. I think it's your decision as a parent but it is a very intense museum. I went for the first time on a school trip when I was 14 and I was in tears most of the time. I took my 6th graders to the Virginia Holocaust Museum and had some parents opt their kids out of the field trip so it's a personal choice. But there is so much fun stuff to do in DC! The SPY Museum is pretty cool and different! But my two favorites are the Museum of American History and the Museum of the American Indian!

I'm going to try and post an update to my PTR tonight...we'll see what the night holds though!

 

[Denovagirl]

Just popping in to say HI!! since it has literally been FOREVER since I've been on the DIS.

I'm all caught up on your PTR now and it rocks as usual!!

The snacks look so yummy. I have a list in my binder of all the snacks I want to try. There is no way I'll get to them all but I'll do my best!

And your shoes are super cute as always! And how cool that they have made it out of the country and to WDW!

I grew up just over an hour from DC so we went at least once a year when I was a kid. I also taught middle school social studies for several years before staying at home. I think it's your decision as a parent but it is a very intense museum. I went for the first time on a school trip when I was 14 and I was in tears most of the time. I took my 6th graders to the Virginia Holocaust Museum and had some parents opt their kids out of the field trip so it's a personal choice. But there is so much fun stuff to do in DC! The SPY Museum is pretty cool and different! But my two favorites are the Museum of American History and the Museum of the American Indian!

I'm going to try and post an update to my PTR tonight...we'll see what the night holds though!

Yay! Welcome back!

Thanks for all the praises and input! How fun to really have the time to explore things in DC! We are def hitting the Spy Museum this time! We didnt go to it last time so I am super excited, the hubs is especially excited for all the Bond stuff, I am a little bummed that Olivia is not old enough to do the spy mission thing tho...

We also are doing the Crime and Punishment museum this time, my research indicates lots of fun to be had there! Also, the hubby, being in law enforcement, is very interested in that one!

I really do hope to cram a lot into this trip, when we went last time we only had 3 days also, and we did SOOOOO SO SO SO SO much!! My feet were more dead than at Disney!

Yay for being under 4 months!

And that's awesome to see your shoes in Epcot!

Can't really weigh in on DC. Was there once as a teenager, but didn't do the Holocaust Museum. We'd like to get there someday, though, as Dug has never been. Hope you write up a little TR or something for it!

Oh you should defintely plan a family trip there. We found a nice B&B on the website airbnb.com last time and had a GORGEOUS room with a fireplace in it for less than $100 a night (the hotels there are very pricey for whatever reason, I assume lots and lots of business trips) and aside from that and some food and of course our plane fare, we paid nothing else! Everything was free! I love it!!

I will for sure do a little mini-TR on it, since I am sure I will be in the process of my TR for the fall trip still!!

Cool idea!! If I see you, I'll say hi!!! Maybe I could make a button or sign for my backpack, which is always on me unless I'm in the pool!

I'm actually thinking about doing a PTR for the first time! I don't actually have all my planning done... I can't believe it because I've always been super OCD with our trips, I mean Excel spreadsheet OCD..lol. We are only doing one ADR this trip because we are wanting more spontaneity this time. We are used to at least one ADR a day so it will be a change. The only thing I know we are doing for sure is MNSSHP but I can't even figure out what night yet.

Anyway, when you make your Dis sign, please post it so I can get some idea of how to make one or how to make it cute. I'm NOT crafty!

Yes! We should ALL carry "Dis ID"!!!! I will come up with a design and post it in an update soon for everyone to print off so we can all find each other!! FUNNNNNN!

I can't say I'm surprised. Its a shame we don't live in the same state. We seem to think a like!

On a side note... have you found your way to the Homeschool Thread yet? My is that filled with great resources!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2533652

Um NO! I didn't know there was a thread for that! I will check it out!! And yea, I have yet to find any Dis friends that live near me..

 

[spiritsim]

Sneak peak of what I have been up to lately..........lol the rest is on our thread!!

 

[Iamthequeen]

I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to comment on your DC trip since it's right in my backyard so to speak. I went to the Holocaust Museum for the first time when I was 17 as a class field trip. My father was a chaperone, and I can honestly say that I was super thankful he was there. The museum is pretty intense and was a lot to process when we were done. I'm not sure your little girl is old enough for the subject matter presented. There are train cars among other items from that time. On the other hand, she may just be young enough to not understand either. I know you're not close and it's a chance that might not happen again to see the museum, but I would really research it if I were you. Just my two cents.

Be sure not to miss the National Zoo and the sculpture garden while you there. You can also sign up for a tour of the Capitol Building and you can ask your representative for tickets to the gallery to watch Senate proceedings.

I know there were other responses and all of them have valuable opinions, but I just copied one. I was a chaperone on a school trip for my ds's history class a few years ago. I was in tears almost the whole time I was in the museum. I don't think I will ever understand man's inhumanity to his fellow man. That said, I think you know Olivia the best. I don't think she will understand everything about this museum, but I'm sure she will understand some things, and they do have a children's exhibit.

You should also add the Museum of American History. The Museum of Natural History no longer has the dinosaur exhibit or the mummies - they are being cleaned and repaired and will not be back on display for several years. Also, there is an auxiliary Air and Space exhibit at Dulles Airport - the space shuttle is on display there.

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

My best friend is moving to DC next month, I am sooooo excited. There is so much to do there!!! That said, I think you will have plenty of other things to do without going to the holocaust museum..... I agree with Lori, I think there are things that we should share with our children and things to shield them from. I am not saying that we shouldn't teach them, but that museum is a bit much to bear......... of course, I went after I had gone to Dachau, so my perspective might have been a bit skewed!

I can't wait to hear about your trip and all of the fun things you get to do. Bravo, Olivia for choosing the trip over a party!!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Under 4 months is a wonderful feeling!!! Although, I am just realizing how much I have left to do....

 

[Denovagirl]

I know there were other responses and all of them have valuable opinions, but I just copied one. I was a chaperone on a school trip for my ds's history class a few years ago. I was in tears almost the whole time I was in the museum. I don't think I will ever understand man's inhumanity to his fellow man. That said, I think you know Olivia the best. I don't think she will understand everything about this museum, but I'm sure she will understand some things, and they do have a children's exhibit.

You should also add the Museum of American History. The Museum of Natural History no longer has the dinosaur exhibit or the mummies - they are being cleaned and repaired and will not be back on display for several years. Also, there is an auxiliary Air and Space exhibit at Dulles Airport - the space shuttle is on display there.

Good to know! Thanks for the opinion and suggestions! Bummer on the dinos and mummies being out of commission for a while. I looooove seeing mummies! But still, TONS of other fun and interesting things to see, so it will be fun!

My best friend is moving to DC next month, I am sooooo excited. There is so much to do there!!! That said, I think you will have plenty of other things to do without going to the holocaust museum..... I agree with Lori, I think there are things that we should share with our children and things to shield them from. I am not saying that we shouldn't teach them, but that museum is a bit much to bear......... of course, I went after I had gone to Dachau, so my perspective might have been a bit skewed!

I can't wait to hear about your trip and all of the fun things you get to do. Bravo, Olivia for choosing the trip over a party!!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Under 4 months is a wonderful feeling!!! Although, I am just realizing how much I have left to do....

Thanks for your thoughts on that! How cool your bf is moving there! You should totally go visit with your little too, eh?

I was actually pretty proud and happy she chose a trip over a party, for a 5 year old a party is a big deal, so I am glad she values mom & dad time more than that!!

And you're right! I am realizing how much I still have to do as well! Better get crackin'!

 

[Chicago Mo]

YAY your first set of shoes in the World!!!! FANTASTIC!!!! isn't that TONS of fun???

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG the 4 month mark!!! i am sure it's less now..


i saw something on TV about the Holocaust exhibit.. it's pretty intense.


Funny your mentioning this! WE ARE TAKING A DC TRIP!!!! hopefully next year too!!!! Going with my Parents of course. i eally want to see it ALL
the kids being 10 going on 11 at this time i think they will 'get it'

 

[disneychic2]

Just wanted to say Good Morning!

And I forgot to mention how excited I was to see your shoes at Disney!!! Looks like it's official…you're a ROCK STAR!! Don't forget us "little people" who believed in you from the beginning.

Have a beautiful day!