Was 15 family members now 11 EEK!?!? July 2011 - *updated* 6/24/11

[Becky2005]

This is the first time I've attempted a pre-trip report so we shall see how it ends up. I went back and read my 2005 trip report and realized it wasn't very good. Lacked a lot of details.

Looks like it's going to take one whole post just do introduce everybody.

The cast of characters:

My family (5 of us)

Myself -- the "unofficial" Disney expert of the group (even DD said so!). I'm basically a big kid. I'm also the "baby" of the family for my siblings.

DD -- will be 17 on the trip. She is into theatre/performing and basically her entire goal of this trip is to see all the shows & characters. She LOVES Beauty & the Beast.

DS1 -- 14 -- basically told me he just wants to EAT. Stitch is his favorite character. Personality is somewhat that but Tigger comes to mind because this child is ALWAYS bouncing around.

DS2 -- will be 11 on the trip. The quietest child known to mankind. He is just going along for the ride I think. He doesn't like "high & spinny things" that's pretty much all he has told me when I have asked what they want to do.

DS3 -- is 7 and obsessed with Toy Story. His favorite is actually Jessie, Woody comes in a 2nd but Jessie is the one that has his heart. He is also into theatre & performing (big sis has a BIG influence on this one! He did a musical this summer and keeps asking when he can go on stage again!).

Here is our group in 2005 -- so add a few years onto each kid.

Sister's family/group (5 of them)
​

DSis -- Coming from CT and definitely a kid at heart as much as I am. Last time she was at Disney her youngest was about 7 or 8. She is the oldest and we are always plotting with my brother just going along for the ride.

Ex-BIL -- yes, I know weird but my ex-BIL is coming on the trip too. He is the military connection.

DNephew1 -- I think he's 27. He will be celebrating his birthday in the middle of this trip with us.

DNiece1 -- She is in her 20's...she just got married in June 2010 so this will be a delayed Honeymoon for her and her husband. Although she SAYS she wants to go off on her own, she still seems to be making lots of plans to hang with us crazies.

DNiece1Hubby -- Only met him at the wedding this summer. Obviously, if it's niece's delayed honeymoon, it's his too.

Brother's family (4 of them) - cancelled their trip

And then there is Grandma!

DMom makes 15 -- She is pretty much going on this trip much to her chagrin. She basically is taking my DH's place but we all talked her into it. We think she will have fun?!? Or she is going to complain the entire time. We all wouldn't let her know how much it's going to cost per se. She was told she only needs $200 and that's it (as I already have things set up for 6 people anyway -- plus it makes my DH feel better). You'll see more in the background. As far as she's concerned "Disney is for kids" and the last time she was here was my first visit back when there was only Magic Kingdom.

 

[Becky2005]

Backgrounds/How this trip came to be:

I have been trying to get back to WDW since 2005. I knew our little guy wouldn't remember anything, etc...

Originally was trying for 2009 since we have a 2000 baby and that would be before he jumped over. THAT didn't happen.

DH does NOT like Disney at all...so most of it has been attempting to convince him.

I also started talking to my sister about going -- this started when my niece was getting married last year...I was joking around about doing a Disney Destination wedding (actually I would have loved if she DID!). We had to travel anyway and it was about the same distance. Although that didn't pan out, turns out my niece got all excited about the idea of us all getting together and doing Disney. We knew 2010 was out because of not only her wedding but my brother's oldest child (who can't make the trip was also getting married in 2010).

It morphed into a 2011 trip. We all wanted to go in June but alas, my sister's office does their yearly audits in June so that was out. I told them we did NOT want to be in Disney over the 4th of July so we are going toward the end of July.

Throughout all the planning, my sister found Shades of Green and realized ex-BIL qualified to stay there. During our e-mail conversations back and forth -- all of a sudden I get a message from her with "I don't quite know what I did but I just got a confirmation e-mail from Shades of Green" -- SO...looks like our vacation was booked for that week. Nothing like accidentally booking your vacation. I had to tell my DH at dinner that night regarding the vacation we had just been talking the possibilities of was now booked. We are able to get 3 rooms so that works. I got a suite since I have a family of 6, my niece & her hubby have a room, then my sister, ex-bil, DNephew1 are in a room.

My brother has a timeshare down there so he is staying "5 minutes away" so he tells us...he'd better not be late to the lunch we are going to set-up.

So in the middle of this, DH gets laid off..not quite sure what we are going to do but just leave everything as it is. DH did just recently get a job! Hooray but hmm..now we have a problem. He can't take a week off work. Remember he doesn't like Disney anyway. We had already discussed this possibility.

Oh, we are driving so that makes a difference. DSis had suggested maybe she fly into Chicago and drive with me since DH was being a pain in the rear about me driving by myself with the kids. It's not like they are babies or anything and it's not a difficult drive. You basically take 3 Interstates. NOT hard. Anyway, I asked him "If another adult comes would that make you feel better?" and he then said yes, he would feel better so THAT was the root of the issue about me and the kids.

OK...NOW....hmm....does my sis fly in or do we ask Grandma? Grandma is NOT big on vacation and we had already asked our mom & dad if they want to come along, which they both adamently wanted NOTHING to do with this trip. They think we are insane anyway. So, DSis and I hatch a plan. DSis plans on paying for most of mom but I told her no way on this earth will she go for free. DSis can get the Military Salute tickets and they only have a family of 5, so they can easily get one for Mom to use. We hatch the plan and ask mom, tell her it's $200 and that's it for the cost. I mean, we are already driving, so it costs NOTHING extra for her to sit in the car...we already have the suite booked for 6 people, so it costs nothing EXTRA for her to be in my hotel room. My sister was already going to get the 6 Military tickets and give one to me, so now it will just be my mom. Plus my sister, REALLY wanted my mom to come so she would have someone to hang out.

FINALLY Grandma agrees to come -- however, I was told in no uncertain terms that we aren't taking my van. We have to rent one (Mom & Dad will pay for that). We did that when we went to CT and it's bigger than mine plus they figure if the car breaks down the rental place has to give us a new one and we don't have to wait for it to be fixed. Should be interesting.

So...now we have all 15 of us on board. Before all of the "is grandma coming or not" issue, DSis lets me know that Nephew's birthday is smack dab in the middle of the trip. I didn't realize that at all...hey I was 14 when he was born, I can barely keep track of my own kids much less the older neice & nephew crew. I knew it was July but didn't know the date. We asked him where he would like to go on his birthday and it was EPCOT.

Knowing as much info as I do...plot thickens and I think HEY let's do an Illuminations Dessert Party....so find the number, get the information and we are now scheduled for our Private Dessert Party. It will be at the Norway landing. I hope it turns out OK. After I mentioned the idea, they were all over it, so that is how that plan was hatched.

We don't plan on doing a lot together but basically being in the same parks on the same day.

Right now the only thing we have scheduled where all 15 of us are going to be together is the dessert party.

In a couple days I have to make ADR and we are going to try to get Crystal Palace for lunch.

The rest will probably be counter service but I will make another post because this is getting LONG.

 

[Becky2005]

NOW to the planning -- not much has been done. I feel like a slacker. Our last trip I planned for 3 years. This one, no dining since we can't have it and I feel all out of sorts. No making a bunch of plans.

Our plans are the following:

Arrive Sunday, just hang out.

Monday -- Magic Kingdom, Lunch at Crystal Palace for all 15 of us...if it's even remotely possible.

Tuesday -- Animal Kingdom

Wednesday -- EPCOT along with our private Illuminations Dessert Party. I think we are all looking forward to this the most.

Thursday -- Hollywood Studios where my insane daughter wants to try out for American Idol.

Friday -- it's up to everyone to do whatever they want. What I *really* want to do is get a Deluxe VIP tour for my litle family since my brother will not be with us and no one else in the group is going to have tickets. I'm thinking it will be nice to just get some special treatment time. I also told DD about it and explained if we skip 90% of the character meals and just eat counter service, the cost of this is about the same (remember I have 4 Disney adults and no dining plan).

Saturday -- leaving.

Here is our Dessert Party menu:

Tie-Dye Cupcakes
Chocolate Brownies
Crisped Rice Treats
Cream Puffs
Fruit Punch
Coffee/Tea
We are also having milk since we have kids with us (besides I can't imagine Fruit Punch tastes good with all those sweets!)
​

That's our plans so far. Not much and I feel so far behind but we will punt I'm sure.​

 

[Becky2005]

I can tell you I REALLY don't like the new reservation system. I was quite bummed to not get to talk to a live person who is all excited about your upcoming trip.

Oh well, I guess it is what it is.

We are now booked to eat with Pooh and Gang for lunch at the Crystal Palace...all 15 of us!!

So...all official group plans are in place. Now just to see if I can get my own little group their plans in place.

 

[Becky2005]

Things have changed since I got a pin code for free dining.

We moved over to Ft. Wilderness Cabins and have added a few meals.

We are now dining with the Princesses in Norway on our EPCOT day.

I also added Donald's breakfast (anyone know if there is Jell-o? For some odd reason DD remembers there being Jell-o for breakfast here but I did tell her it has changed a lot since 2005, so don't count on it).

We also have 50's Primetime for lunch.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Hey there! I'M FIRST! I've never been first EVER!!! Going back to read now!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Joining in from the July 11 Board......I have a dd17 and ds14 too. I think your Illuminations Dessert Party sounds awesome. I have heard that the Donalds breakfast is awesome......don't know if the have jello though......

 

[Becky2005]

Yippee!!!! I have a couple people reading!

All I know is DD keeps talking about how she had Jell-o at the Donald's breakfast last time and it made her so happy to be able to eat Jell-O for breakfast. I don't recall that at all!!! I did tell her it has changed so who knows. We will have fun no matter what.

I'm waiting to see what all my sister & brother's family wants to do to make a plan of attack for the parks.

I know my DD wants to audition for American Idol and my youngest son wants to do the Jedi training -- that should be an intersting challenge in & of itself.

I think I need about 10 more days to get everything in. I am thinking about possibly extending the vacation by one day as we want to do a college visit while we are on the road & unfortunately they don't do them on Sunday....so we might have an extra day to deal with. I just haven't figured out how we are dealing with that extra day yet but can't really do anything until they put the things on the college website and we register for the visit.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Yippee!!!! I have a couple people reading!

All I know is DD keeps talking about how she had Jell-o at the Donald's breakfast last time and it made her so happy to be able to eat Jell-O for breakfast. I don't recall that at all!!! I did tell her it has changed so who knows. We will have fun no matter what.

I'm waiting to see what all my sister & brother's family wants to do to make a plan of attack for the parks.

I know my DD wants to audition for American Idol and my youngest son wants to do the Jedi training -- that should be an intersting challenge in & of itself.

I think I need about 10 more days to get everything in. I am thinking about possibly extending the vacation by one day as we want to do a college visit while we are on the road & unfortunately they don't do them on Sunday....so we might have an extra day to deal with. I just haven't figured out how we are dealing with that extra day yet but can't really do anything until they put the things on the college website and we register for the visit.

We are doing college visits this year too. What are your dates? You will have to post your date for DHS so if your DD makes Idol we can all cheer her on!! There is never enough time to do it all - at least for me!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I think the PTR is great so far! Enjoy the cabins! And I don't recall whether or not they have jello, but it is a FANTASTIC breakfast and you will all enjoy it! Great character interaction too. And lunch at Crystal Palace will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first TS ever in the World. And my first real character interaction. 50's Prime Time is a hoot! Your family will have so much fun! But no texting for the teenagers and keep them elbows off the table! Your Illuminations Dessert Party sounds wonderful!! You should defnitely do a TR from this one! Are you eating breakfast, lunch or dinner at Akershus??

 

[Becky2005]

We are doing college visits this year too. What are your dates? You will have to post your date for DHS so if your DD makes Idol we can all cheer her on!! There is never enough time to do it all - at least for me!

July 17 - 23 -- I think DHS day is the 21st. I just haven't decided if I want her to "win" her round...it will take up all our day!!! Basically, I'm crossing my fingers she gets picked to do a show and then I will be just fine if she doesn't get voted to go on. She would be over the moon if she does though...so I will be happy either way. If they let her do "Part of Your World" or "I won't say I'm in Love" -- she could nail both of those no problem, she's already looked at the list of songs that you can choose from IF you get selected to even get that far. Some of the other ones, who knows. The list is on the Disney Website after you do a bit of digging, they aren't all Disney songs.

50's Prime Time is a hoot! Your family will have so much fun! But no texting for the teenagers and keep them elbows off the table! Your Illuminations Dessert Party sounds wonderful!! You should defnitely do a TR from this one! Are you eating breakfast, lunch or dinner at Akershus??

DD doesn't have texting on her phone!!! That came and went quickly after a few $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ bills. Poor DS hasn't even gotten a cell phone yet. I might have DH put unlimited texting on my phone for the month if it works for the mobile stuff...I haven't figured that out. I don't have web access phone but it seems you can get texts or something like that.

We are eating breakfast at Akershus. We are a bit of a picky eater family...so we really wouldn't like the lunch/dinner. For that matter, DD might not eat anything anyway, she is not a big breakfast person but she so wanted to eat with the Princesses again!! I wasn't willing to shell out the $$$ for it when I knew she might eat 2 bites!!

It looks like this has changed quite a bit since the last time we went too, but I'm pretty excited. It seems we might get to see Ariel here and Belle (which are my DD's 2 favorite princesses!) in her ballgown -- I had no idea this switched around. Then I was reading something about part of it is a buffet with the rest delivered to your table. Last time, everything was just brought to us -- either that or we totally missed 1/2 the breakfast. It's a later breakfast though because this is our "sleep sort of in" day with having Illuminations party that night. I don't really care if we make rope drop or not on this day.

 

[tinkerbell60]

We are there around the same time.....July 11-23. I do not usually plan park days too much because we will have park hoppers. I will put a star by the 21st though, so maybe we can make that a DHS day. We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn so going over to DHS and Epcot are both really easy.

I can understand why you would be in two minds about making Idol.....it would take up a lot of the day - but what a great experience!

 

[Becky2005]

I can understand why you would be in two minds about making Idol.....it would take up a lot of the day - but what a great experience!

Exactly and as DD is a minor, I would have to be with her at all times backstage!! It wouldn't be so bad if you get in & make the first show but there is a lot involved from the reports I have read. Which means *I* won't get to sit in the audience and see her perform (she is REALLY happy about that! She doesn't like me to see her performances!! Doesn't stop me from going to see them though here at home. )..it appears I will be able to see it, just on a screen in the back. This is where having the extra family is helpful!!! They can take care of the boys.

I just have no idea what her chances are....and I know I will be more nervous for her than she will be!!! I know we want to be there as early as possible in case they are doing the auditions before the park even opens. It does make it hard to plan the day though since pretty much how we do what hinges on if she passes each phase of auditions. She could pass nothing, pass phase 1 and not phase 2, pass both and get a show and then which show? For that matter, she could be an "extra" (I think I read that somewhere that they have a few extras waiting in case someone doesn't show up -- I may have imagined that though).

 

[tinkerbell60]

Exactly and as DD is a minor, I would have to be with her at all times backstage!! It wouldn't be so bad if you get in & make the first show but there is a lot involved from the reports I have read. Which means *I* won't get to sit in the audience and see her perform (she is REALLY happy about that! She doesn't like me to see her performances!! Doesn't stop me from going to see them though here at home. )..it appears I will be able to see it, just on a screen in the back. This is where having the extra family is helpful!!! They can take care of the boys.

I just have no idea what her chances are....and I know I will be more nervous for her than she will be!!! I know we want to be there as early as possible in case they are doing the auditions before the park even opens. It does make it hard to plan the day though since pretty much how we do what hinges on if she passes each phase of auditions. She could pass nothing, pass phase 1 and not phase 2, pass both and get a show and then which show? For that matter, she could be an "extra" (I think I read that somewhere that they have a few extras waiting in case someone doesn't show up -- I may have imagined that though).

Yes, having the extra family will be very helpful! Last year when we were there, we saw one of the early shows and were able to get back for the finale. One of the contestants did not show up for the finale, but they were not replaced.......maybe they only use the"extras" in the early shows.

 

[Becky2005]

Yes, having the extra family will be very helpful! Last year when we were there, we saw one of the early shows and were able to get back for the finale. One of the contestants did not show up for the finale, but they were not replaced.......maybe they only use the"extras" in the early shows.

I could have made up the whole extra thing (although I thought I read about it but after a while everything just becomes information overload) but that would make sense that they wouldn't have one for the finale since those are all voted on. I guess in my head...it would be like having an understudy for the lead in a play. It just makes sense to have at least 1 extra in the wings in case of something happening. If it's all guests trying out, the likelyhood that someone doesn't get back for a performance is pretty high.

I'm sure 99.9% of everyone makes it back on time just fine but people do get sick, get hurt, forget what time it is (I can't imagine that one but who knows), get an emergency call and need to leave, a family member gets sick, a child gets seperated so they are dealing with a lost child, etc... Basically things that in normal people's lives would take precedent over everything else.

 

[tinkerbell60]

I could have made up the whole extra thing (although I thought I read about it but after a while everything just becomes information overload) but that would make sense that they wouldn't have one for the finale since those are all voted on. I guess in my head...it would be like having an understudy for the lead in a play. It just makes sense to have at least 1 extra in the wings in case of something happening. If it's all guests trying out, the likelyhood that someone doesn't get back for a performance is pretty high.

I'm sure 99.9% of everyone makes it back on time just fine but people do get sick, get hurt, forget what time it is (I can't imagine that one but who knows), get an emergency call and need to leave, a family member gets sick, a child gets seperated so they are dealing with a lost child, etc... Basically things that in normal people's lives would take precedent over everything else.

That makes a lot of sense. I think the reason we noticed that someone was missing from the finale was because she had been the winner at the earlier show we saw. I remember she was just there with her dad, and he did not seem overly excited when she won.....maybe he knew they couldn't stay or something. I just felt bad - for her AND the other contestants who lost the chance to go to the finale.

 

[disneywatcher]

Just caught up Becky! Loving the read! I could never plan a trip for 15 people so you have offically become one of my heroes!

We will actually be at WDW around the same time! Were July 14-21st! Were staying @ the Wilderness Lodge, maybe we can meet up @ the marshmellow roast they have @ the campgrounds?

 

[Becky2005]

Just caught up Becky! Loving the read! I could never plan a trip for 15 people so you have offically become one of my heroes!

We will actually be at WDW around the same time! Were July 14-21st! Were staying @ the Wilderness Lodge, maybe we can meet up @ the marshmellow roast they have @ the campgrounds?

I may crash & burn attempting to plan for 15 people. Especially with all of us driving and all coming from different directions....My intention is to make a plan, hand everyone the plan and then keep my fingers crossed they can follow the plan (at least the start).

I'm hoping to do the campfire on Sunday night when we arrive but it's nothing definite yet as we may arrive too late to do it or we may arrive early and then be so tired we crash. Who knows. That's about as far as I've gotten for Sunday -- hmm...does anyone know if anything there is considered a snack credit? I'll need to look into that.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Just caught up Becky! Loving the read! I could never plan a trip for 15 people so you have offically become one of my heroes!

We will actually be at WDW around the same time! Were July 14-21st! Were staying @ the Wilderness Lodge, maybe we can meet up @ the marshmellow roast they have @ the campgrounds?

I may crash & burn attempting to plan for 15 people. Especially with all of us driving and all coming from different directions....My intention is to make a plan, hand everyone the plan and then keep my fingers crossed they can follow the plan (at least the start).

I'm hoping to do the campfire on Sunday night when we arrive but it's nothing definite yet as we may arrive too late to do it or we may arrive early and then be so tired we crash. Who knows. That's about as far as I've gotten for Sunday -- hmm...does anyone know if anything there is considered a snack credit? I'll need to look into that.

We really should try to do a meet sometime that week since we will all be there around the same time.

 

[miprender]

Followed you over.

Sounds like your family is going to have a great time.

I love that you booked a private Dessert party. That sounds like so much fun

I just wanted to remind you that the last time you ate with Donald at AK that was a different breakfast but I can't remember if they served jello They closed that restaurant and now have it at the Tusker House. We booked a breakfast there too as I heard great things about it.