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

[Denovagirl]

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'

Yay!!! I was waiting for you to comment on that post! I KNEW you would get excited for my shoes in WDW!!

How crazy about DC!!! Great minds... When do you want to try to go?? They say you can't see everything, but you can see A LOT!! When we went last time we had 3 days and we saw:

Natural History Museum
American History Museum
Air & Space Museum
WWII Monument*
Lincoln Monument*
Vietnam Monument*
Washington Monument*
MLK Monument*
Korean War Monument*
FBI Building*
National Archives (PRE ORDER TICKETS!!! Line was SO long and we got in in like 1 min with them, its like a fastpass!!!)
Arlington Cemetery
National Cathedral (SOOOO COOL!)
National Zoo
China Town
Ford's Theater
Sculpture Garden
White House*
Library of Congress (Beautiful)
Pentagon & 9-11 Memorial (You cant go in the pentagon)
US Navy Memorial*
Nationals Baseball Game

*These we only stopped to look at and take photos, so they didn't take very long.

Have you been before? One neat thing we saw on a food channel was Uncle Ben's Chili Bowl, look it up, it was yummy and kinda fun

This time we will def be paying to do the 48 hour open top bus tour, it basically takes you to ALL those places and more, and will save our feet a lot of walking. We also want to do the night tour of the monuments on the mall this time, just to see them a little differently than before. We plan to try a couple museums that aren't free this time and skip some of the things we did before. Arlington Cemetery was my fave last time, but I don't know if we will do it this time, as it was out of the way and quite a long excursion.

Hoping to find more fun dining options this time, we didn't look anything besides the chili bowl up last time, and ate a lot of fast food... so hoping to research fun places this go round.

Have you looked into hotel options? They're all kinda pricey, we may rent a house from airbnb.com this time... I did see an awesome hotel The Helix that has these fun bunk bed rooms for kids though! But $$$....

Share some of your plans with me!! I wanna know what you're doing!!

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!

Awww, you're sweet!! Good morning to you too!! I'll never forget my Dis friends, ever!!

 

[Denovagirl]

Wanted to stop and do a little updating, because I know I will be busy tomorrow, because tomorrow is Maddie's birthday party day!

I have a long list of to-do's tomorrow, that include a lot of procrastination on my part, because it's all things I should have probably done already, like picking up her gift and wrapping it! Whoops... lol, but it's okay, at least I know what I am grabbing. I think we decided to get one of those VTech tablets for her, she loves to fight over her sisters, so it's time for her own, and I noticed they had an adorable Doc McStuffins one, that comes with the case and some extras, so that'll be easy.

Also gotta pick up her Tinkerbell cake she picked out, and then we are going to take her official 2 year old photo's before the party also! It's gonna be a long day!

In Disney news, the official count is 114 days, but tomorrow will mark only 7 more paydays until Disney!! That is feeling so CLOSE!

Also, yesterday I ended up with an $80 credit with Southwest!!! Thanks to the very nice people on a FB planning group I am a part of who posted about the SW sale, I was able to go on and update my flight to the new pricing!! Now when I go to purchase the last flight we need that will help out!

I also got a couple other random things checked off my list, like ordering a pair of Thorlo socks! You get a free pair, for your first time, you just pay shipping, and I got a notice that they had shipped yesterday, despite the "4-6 weeks" it stated on the site, so YAY! I am pretty sure they will be heaven, based off reviews, so I think I am going to go ahead and order a bunch more just to have that done... I poured over the "Foot Pain in Disney" thread (lol...) and all the suggestions you guys gave me here and I have come up with my Disney foot regimen:

1. Thorlo Socks
2. Orthaheel Shoes
3. Ibuprofen 1-2x a day
4. Elevate feet 15 min each night
5. Johnson's Foot Soap soak each night
6. Foot massager each night
7. Foot Pain relief cream each night

Wow, seems like a lot, but if it helps I will be soooo grateful! My biggest fear is having to rent a motorized scooter bc I can no longer walk, I am not even exaggerating, my foot pain can get that intense. But I really thing with all the walking I am doing in preparation, and all the touring plans I plan to follow to minimize back tracking in the parks, along with the great socks/shoes/and night time routine, it will do wonders. Not to mention I never took pain relief meds for my foot pain before, so maybe that will help as well. This trip is basically double the length of any past vacations, so I just want to be very well prepared!!

Other than that, not too much going on. I picked up a few more fun things for all my Dis meet gifts for the kiddos we will be bumping into, and they are gonna be so excited, I am sure. I am also just about done with my Wreck It Ralph and Dr. Who shoes, should finish those up today, and I have my bow lady working on bows to match Lori's Frozen-inspired outfits for the girls!

I have a huge list of to-do's but I still feel like I am at that awful stage in planning where there's not a lot to do. It's a busy month for us, so I don't have time for bigger projects, and I think I am just waiting to hit that 60 day mark, and I will be able to do FP+ and online check in, and then my butt will really be in gear to finish up all my outfits and such.

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great week! Sorry for the lack of photo's this update, I will be posting some next time of the party and the shoes!! See you all soon!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Yay for money back! That's always exciting!

I can't wait to see pictures from Maddie's party! Hope you all have a great time!

 

[MidnightParade]

Oooh I can't wait to see the Tinkerbell cake! (i totally want cake now. lol)

Grats on the money back! Always nice to get money back!

Happy to see you are preparing for your feet. Sore feet are the worst and better to be over prepared then under...although now I am being paranoid that I'm not prepared enough!!

Have so much fun at the party tomorrow!

 

[annegirl]

I have never heard of those socks. I will have to look into them. Sore feet are not fun to deal with!
Great news about southwest!

And have a great time tomorrow!

 

[Chicago Mo]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! ​

I hope you have a FANTASTIC PARTY!!!! can't wait to hear all about the big 2!!! i know you will be posting tons of pictures!!!

I saw the Dr. Who shoes on facebook and they are AWESOME!!! you really are doing a GREAT JOB!!!! Etsy here you come! Plus you have a set ALREADY IN DISNEY!!!! i mean HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!? yes i am really excited over this!!!

Yes I was talking with my Step dad and we both really want to go to DC. He is a Army. So taking him will be an experience!
the pictures.... oh what i will be able to do with PICTURES THERE!!! all the memorials! i will be in heaven then cry my eyes out.. Nope no thought in hotels or anything YET. Over the weekend of the Dis meet we were all talking about how each one of us want to go. and i think Tess lives close enough?!? i am really excited about going there.

So next year sometime i wanted May BUT that would be hard... So it's up in the air right now. i have to look into this!


You forgot moleskin on your list of stuff... and blister treatment from Dr Schols.. (sp?)

 

[Denovagirl]

Yay for money back! That's always exciting! I can't wait to see pictures from Maddie's party! Hope you all have a great time!

Thanks, she is sooooo excited for "Chuck-a-cheese" as she says and her "Tink-a-bell" cake!!

 

[Denovagirl]

Oooh I can't wait to see the Tinkerbell cake! (i totally want cake now. lol) Grats on the money back! Always nice to get money back! Happy to see you are preparing for your feet. Sore feet are the worst and better to be over prepared then under...although now I am being paranoid that I'm not prepared enough!! Have so much fun at the party tomorrow!

Haha! Sorry to make you paranoid!!! Though the reviews on those socks are glowing! And you get a free pair, so worth it for anyone to try!!

 

[Denovagirl]

I have never heard of those socks. I will have to look into them. Sore feet are not fun to deal with! Great news about southwest! And have a great time tomorrow!

Yes the reviews on the socks are amazing, and you can get the free pair to try. They also are like moisture wicking so as your feet get sweaty they take the moisture away to prevent blisters!

 

[Denovagirl]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you have a FANTASTIC PARTY!!!! can't wait to hear all about the big 2!!! i know you will be posting tons of pictures!!! I saw the Dr. Who shoes on facebook and they are AWESOME!!! you really are doing a GREAT JOB!!!! Etsy here you come! Plus you have a set ALREADY IN DISNEY!!!! i mean HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!? yes i am really excited over this!!! Yes I was talking with my Step dad and we both really want to go to DC. He is a Army. So taking him will be an experience! the pictures.... oh what i will be able to do with PICTURES THERE!!! all the memorials! i will be in heaven then cry my eyes out.. Nope no thought in hotels or anything YET. Over the weekend of the Dis meet we were all talking about how each one of us want to go. and i think Tess lives close enough?!? i am really excited about going there. So next year sometime i wanted May BUT that would be hard... So it's up in the air right now. i have to look into this! You forgot moleskin on your list of stuff... and blister treatment from Dr Schols.. (sp?)

Thanks on the Dr Who shoes! They turned out great! And I just made my first etsy sell the other day so I will be doing some little mermaids for that!

DC sounds like a really special place to go with your dad! And yes, the photos you could take!! Ya know cherry blossom season is march-April!!

Oh and I already have the moleskin and band aids in The Box! I'll have to look for blister stuff when I go get the pain cream, though I never get blisters, thankfully the one foot problem I don't deal with, but the rest of the fam may need it!

 

[spiritsim]

Tink!!!! a girl after my own heart. I love Tink, and was so sad they closed Tinks corner before we got there.........

Sounds like you have a great party planned, and wonderful news to get a cheaper flight yea!!

I am sure your shoe sales will expand you do such a great job.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

My daughter got a pair of custom made Doctor Who shoes a couple of years ago. She wore them to WDW in August. It was the funnest day for her. She actually had a cast member run out of a store (Hollywood Studios) after her to tell her how great the shoes were. She felt like a rock star. People are going to love having your custom shoes for the parks.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Happy Birthday Maddie! Charlotte's bday is Monday, so they are close! We are having her party Saturday and get ready to be jealous... Lori and April and their kiddos will be there! I am so excited!

The dr who shoes are so cool!

I am totally going to have to check out those socks! It stinks to be in Disney with sore feet! Sound like you have a souls plan for dealing with the foot pain!

I hope the party is great! I hope Maddie has a fantastic birthday!

 

[disneychic2]

Looks like you have your foot problem covered. I hope it works out for you! The magic bands will help since you won't have to criss cross the parks so much for fast passes and such. Ariana was explaining on D~'s report how that works best.

I hope Maddie had an awesome birthday party! Belated Happy Birthday to her. I'm sure the Tink cake was a huge success! Can't wait to see pictures!

Oh, and which kind of sock did you get from Thorlo? I am looking to get my first ones and can't decide which to get.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Denovagirl]

Tink!!!! a girl after my own heart. I love Tink, and was so sad they closed Tinks corner before we got there.........

Sounds like you have a great party planned, and wonderful news to get a cheaper flight yea!!

I am sure your shoe sales will expand you do such a great job.

I was actually surprised she went for the Tink cake, because they had a Frozen one too, and I thought for sure she'd pick that one!! I was happy with the Tink though!

Oh, and they re-opened Tinkerbell's Nook, it's now in the Town Square Theater where the Princesses used to be! It's pretty much the same, where it looks like you've been shrunk down to fairy size! Very fun!

My daughter got a pair of custom made Doctor Who shoes a couple of years ago. She wore them to WDW in August. It was the funnest day for her. She actually had a cast member run out of a store (Hollywood Studios) after her to tell her how great the shoes were. She felt like a rock star. People are going to love having your custom shoes for the parks.

AWESOME! I met the gal who ordered those today to deliver and she was very happy with them! They were so fun to make!! I see you have a PTR! I will pop over and check that out shortly!

Happy Birthday Maddie! Charlotte's bday is Monday, so they are close! We are having her party Saturday and get ready to be jealous... Lori and April and their kiddos will be there! I am so excited!

The dr who shoes are so cool!

I am totally going to have to check out those socks! It stinks to be in Disney with sore feet! Sound like you have a souls plan for dealing with the foot pain!

I hope the party is great! I hope Maddie has a fantastic birthday!

Their birthdays are super close then, because Maddie's birthday is actually on Sunday June 8th!

And you're right, I am extremely jealous that you will all be partying together!! I wish I could zap over and back... And knowing you, it will be so cute and themed!! Can't wait to see!

Party was ok.. I will update more on that later...

Looks like you have your foot problem covered. I hope it works out for you! The magic bands will help since you won't have to criss cross the parks so much for fast passes and such. Ariana was explaining on D~'s report how that works best.

I hope Maddie had an awesome birthday party! Belated Happy Birthday to her. I'm sure the Tink cake was a huge success! Can't wait to see pictures!

Oh, and which kind of sock did you get from Thorlo? I am looking to get my first ones and can't decide which to get.

Have a great weekend!

Yes, I have been devising some touring plans to minimize backtracking too much to save my feetsies! Hope it works!

Thanks for the birthday wishes! Her actual birthday is on Sunday! So it's not belated yet!!

I got the regular womens walking socks from thorlo. HERE is the link to the free pair offer. I selected "Walking" from the activities listed, and you go from there!

I actually ended up at a fancy REI sporting good store this weekend and I checked out the Thorlo socks they had, and I think the plain jane ones will suit me best. The running/sports ones had less padding. They felt really nice in my hand, I cant wait to see how my feel feel in them!

 

[Denovagirl]

Hello my friends!!

Well, party was okay. Unfortunately Maddie was in a mood ALL DAY. She would not nap, and it made for one of those parties where the child seems to be having zero fun and refuses to participate.

It was basically like pulling teeth to get her to even play games or do the little rides!! She was a total GRUMP! Seriously...

She wanted nothing to do with Chuck E. Cheese, everyone thought she was scared of him, but I knew better, she loves characters. Then, everyone thought she might be getting sick, but really I think she was just sick of us, lol... It was pretty loud and crazy, and without the nap I think she was just not having it. Also we had a pretty bad party host who was not helpful. We had to wait forever for pizza and had starving kiddos. Blah...

It was not ALL bad though, most her party guests had fun, she refused to blow out her candles, but she did eat some of her (YUMMY) cake. And just when I thought she was a lost cause she surprised me by actually wanting to get in the ticket blaster machine with her sis! This was nuts! She refused to get on a ride, but she willingly got into that air tunnel with everyone staring at her!! Oh well, at least it produced this smile:

​

But it was soon followed by her very neutral face most the evening...

​

The turning point was towards the end of the present opening when she got to my grandmothers gift and opened it to reveal a gorgeous Minnie Mouse swimsuit and a plethora of Disney clothes! She literally put her hands on her cheeks and smiled and gasped! It was the ONLY gift she genuinely got excited over! Clothes!! A girl after my own heart... I thought she would enjoy our gift of a Doc McStuffins tablet, but nope, throw it in the pile, take me back to the CLOTHES!!

I will have to take some pics tomorrow, because the outfits are ADORABLE!

She did perk up after that, about the time people started clearing out she grew happy and started playing and running around. The girls ended up with over 3000 tickets, so they actually got to pick out decent prizes, Maddie picked a GIANT ball, bigger than her, and a Tiana barbie. Olivia got to pick some stuff she wanted too, and then when we came home Maddie's, now good, mood continued and she wanted to try on all her stuff and play with her toys. Sigh... We let her play for a bit before finally getting them into bed.

So not the party I had pictured, but thats okay, it will be a funny story to tell one day, and overall still good.

I also finished up the Dr. Who shoes and I hand delivered them today!

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They were very well received!! I just have one tiny thing left one Wreck it Ralphs, and then I need to start the Little Mermaid etsy order! Woot!

No real Disney planning news.. though my friends who were at the 24 hour thing are home and have already recounted their entire stay for us, and brought us gifts! So nice to have some Disney time with them this week!

And I did cancel one ADR, I had two different times booked for Ohana on our last day, because I wasn't sure when our flight was going to be at the time. So I canceled my 8am one, and now I just have a 9:40am one, and the ME should be picking us up around 12:30, so that should be enough time!

112 DAYS TO GO! Very SOON I will be doing the DDD!!! (Double Digit Dance!!)

 

[disneychic2]

Oh, so sorry the birthday didn't go exactly as planned, but the pictures are great and that cake was adorable!! I'm glad she perked up eventually. No nap usually spells disaster for most 2 year olds, that's for sure! She looked so cute, though, and I'm sure, as you say, it will be a good story to tell later. Funny about the clothes love. So not typical for a two year old!

Thanks for the info on the socks. I was telling Dan about them last night and he said get as many as you think you'll need. I told him that my shoes may not fit with them and he said to go to our running store and get new shoes once the socks arrive. He's always wanting my feet to feel better. Honestly, he has the flattest feet on the planet and has zero problems with them. I'm glad for him, but it is so unusual. But I'm so blessed that hetotally gets how hard bad feet are to live with. I'm sure your hubby feels the same way.

Those latest shoes are amazing! I know your client had to love them to pieces!! You have really found a wonderful niche that is both in demand as well as fun for you to do. That's a great combination.

Can't wait to see the pics of Maddie's new outfits!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

Awwwww, sorry you had moody two year old instead of happy two year old, (wait, is there such a thing ) Evalyn seemed to spend her entire 18mo-4yr in a mood!!!!! The party looked like fun for the others though.

That's funny about the clothes. My kids immediately throw all clothes in a pile in search of toys!

I am gonna have to look into those socks. My paycheck on Thursday will be about $1000 bigger than normal due to all that extra work, so I am buying shoes and possibly socks.......(fun, I know!) I think I will also get the girls their anna and elsa dresses. I got myself a t-shirt at hot topic and one of the ladies that I work with is gonna make me a skirt. I might steal Lori's idea and make greg an olaf shirt.............

I have decided that since I have so many projects left to do, I am recruiting my kids. We will have a Disney movie night every other week until we leave (nothing fancy) mainly just an excuse to make them help me get crafts done Plus, I think that will give me a reason to make them watch some of the movies that they never choose for themselves......

 

[annegirl]

Awww... sorry she wasn't super happy for her birthday. At least she perked up for the clothes. I love that! So cute.
How in the world did they get so many tickets? That is awesome.

And THOSE SHOES! I love them. I can just imagine, as a Doctor Who fan, what the reaction of the recipient was. They are awesome.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

The Doctor Who shoes are perfect. Great job. My youngest was never interested in toys for gifts. She would go nuts over shoes. She is 10 and still would prefer shoes.

You get loads of points for doing a Chuck E. Cheese party. At ours you can pay the difference for the prizes. So if there was a 4000 ticket prize and you only had 3000 tickets...they would charge you $10 bucks. Only a penny per ticket. I used to spend 30 bucks for tokens. I could have just put that toward the prize. Oh wait, then the kiddos wouldn't get to play the games.

Hope you have a good weekend.