WDW 2008, just us and the weans - NOW WITH PICS!!!

[Alysa]

I'd love it if you would stop by and say hi!
And you would be surprised about the DVC - ebay and the Timeshare store have some amazing resale deals right now! I mean if we can afford it!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

The picture I thought was you was the one on the bus. I don't know what I was thinking

Glad CP was better for you the second time. We have enjoyed it there

I just made ressies at Whispering Canyon too, I saw a pic of the skillet in another TR and it looked good! We've been there before, very fun, but never had the canyon skillet.

Sounds like a great day at MK ~ can't wait to hear more!!!

I've not heard of the skillet! Will need to check that out - thanks

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

We are going two nights. Friday the 26th & Sunday the 28th.
We can't wait!!!

You're so lucky going twice!! But then when you love halloween as much as your son does...he must be thrilled!!! He's a very lucky boy!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi there,
Back again, DIS, my favourite place at the moment!
But on the Tuesday, we abandon WDW and head for the competition Universal Studios!!

Have to say we love US and IOA just as much as WDW! Ordered our tickets online when US were doing a deal for them £40 pp Last time we got an even better deal: free child tickets! But looked for ages this time with no joy - they'll have put the offer up now though of course!

Plan to just grab a CS breakfast at POFQ and then head out. Kids are wanting to try The Simpsons ride and are considering Jaws. DS friend was round, just came back from Orlando, and was telling DS how Jaws was 'not scary at all - I could see it was a fake shark, it was rusty!' Then when his mum came to pick him up and I was telling her she said 'Oh, he didn't mention screaming and climbing over people in the boat trying to get out then?'
Might take them on Terminator, definately Shrek, MIB, probably not The Mummy - unless they're really annoying us.

One of our favourite places in US is Fievel's Playground It's just really nice to relax in while the kids run around and play, they really like the raft ride too!

[/IMG]
We used this for their 6th birthday party invites

Will spend all day there, then go to I Drive for dinner, were going to Bennigans but just heard it's closed! Credit crunch is everywhere! So will no doubt end up in Friendly's - and will just have to have one of their sundaes

Depends what time we get back will maybe go for a swim. another day in Paradise!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

We're onto 1 month to go now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am holding back from packing just now !
Onto the next installment of the PTR, otherwise will be getting the suitcases down from the loft
Wednesday we'll head back to AK, are considering maybe going shopping for an hour or so before we hit the park, will depend on how well we did at the weekend. DH wants to go to Nautica, I want to get us all some crocs and go to the Sketchers shop, and get myself some classy make up.
We should be able to get all of that in one go but depends on how accomodating the kids are .
Will do anything we missed the last day at AK, but will most likely redo EE, Kali and get the Character greeting...The Donald - where are you?

[/IMG]
Donald Duck Rules OK!!!!

We have a lunch ADR at the Yak and Yeti - have checked the menu and it looks lovely!!
Will stay at AK the rest of the day and will either grab a CS dinner there or back at the hotel, though I do fancy trying Flame tree Barbecue, the UG rave about it!
Then maybe take a leisurely swim in our lovely hotel pool

Am watching the Olympics at the moment and I'm feeling very guilty. I should really start jogging again.

Bye for now, keep reading/posting!

Di x

 

[Alysa]

Ooooo - Yak and Yeti - I'd love to go. It sounds great from the website.
I'm with you, the pre-trip report is the only thing that keeps me from packing. That, and the rubble that is our home right now...
And I need to start running again too. I keep telling myself when DS begins nursery school in September I will start... one hour a day. Hopefully I will be able to get rid of the last of my post-baby pudge.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Ooooo - Yak and Yeti - I'd love to go. It sounds great from the website.
I'm with you, the pre-trip report is the only thing that keeps me from packing. That, and the rubble that is our home right now...
And I need to start running again too. I keep telling myself when DS begins nursery school in September I will start... one hour a day. Hopefully I will be able to get rid of the last of my post-baby pudge.

Hi Alysa,
Are you building at the moment? We did an extension last year, the garden is only now starting to recover. Though I'm still waiting on the kitchen tiling to be finished...we thought we would save some money doing it ourselves but DH keeps 'forgetting' - I need to nag some more!
My kids go back to school on Monday - I keep saying I'll start running again then... Probably not 1 hour a day (you must be really fit!) but I'll aim to do 5K.
Keep posting!
Di

 

[Alysa]

I am not really fit but after a year preparing for a 1/2 marathon with no weight loss, I am tired of fooling around. I am going to cut out sweets, breads and pastas and see how I do. I weigh 25 pounds more than I did before the kids so my goal is to get back to that. I am also thinking about forgoing my earl grey and switching to green tea but I think that might be a VERY BAD idea. I don't know if my family could take it.

I'll aim to do 5K.

We should be running buddies!

Right now we are finishing the basement off so we have someplace for the kids to play safely while we replace the floors throughout, put in a new kitchen and take out a wall in the living room. We just had troops of gas men through today and now we get to finish off the bathroom walls downstairs! It's not pretty here lately. We are doing it ourselves too and I feel like we will never recover.

 

[earthfaries]

Tuesday and Wed. sounds like fun!

Have you guys tried Sweet Tomatoes off of International? Kirkman Rd. It's wonderful! If you don't know what it is, check it out on the web, www.sweettomatoes.com

It's our favorite place to eat in Orlando and we will be going there quite often next month

US sounds fun, we will try it one of these years for sure.

If you're looking for crocs, they have the largest selection at World Of Disney in Downtown Disney. We all got the Mickey crocs. Be careful with the Jibitz though, you know the little castles, tinkerbell, etc. you put onto/into your shoes. They come out of the Mickey ones. I lost all mine the first day at Epcot

Can't wait to read more of your plans ~ one month How exciting!!! When will you start packing, a couple of weeks?

​

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Alysa,
A half marathon! The most I've run is a 10K, and I thought that was bad!
I'm with you with the tea! I'm a real tea-jenny (tea addict), I can't function in the morning if I don't get my cuppa!
good luck with the building - I know your pain!


Hi Earthfairies,
Will check out earthtomatoes, thanks!
Thats a shame about the jibbitz! I can't wait for this holiday, though I have a horrible feeling nothing can match our expectations!
What am I saying - its Disney, of course it will.
I'll start to pack in a couple of weeks, that's when I know it's real! What about you, you don't have long either

Diane x

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Back again, DH is out tonight , so who knows when he'll come in, or in what state! He's going out with my Dad and brother so you think it'd be ok...
I'm preparing for a very Grumpy Hangover tomorrow...
So, back to my favourite subject
Thursday we spend our second day at the competition: IOA. Will just grab breakfast at POFQ then head out.
DH loves the pain au chocolat at the bakery just at the entrance, and DS and DD love the Cinnabon sticks
Plan to start at The Hulk - will child swap as we don't think they're quite ready for that yet...though if they misbehave... Will definately do Spiderman, ripshaw Falls (though probably not DH - "what about my camera!" ), think they should be ok for Jurassic Park.
Will definately avoid pteradactyl flyers (we'll be extinct by the time we wait in that line), we love Bluto's Bilge Rats, but again probably not DH ("my camera!"), Duelling Dragons. DD is really keen to try that, DS not so much so will need to child swap. If we're lucky we should see some of Harry Potter land being built
It's a shame flying Unicorn is closed due to the building - it's DD favourite.
Then head round to Seuss Landing. I can hear 'One fish, Two fish' already! Need to stock up on new Thing 1 Thing 2 t shirts!

[/IMG]
I love this photo of them, it was taken at the fountains at Citywalk. we always have to take a change of clothes for them as if there's a chance of getting wet they will take it!

Have also been warning them to stay with us, as the last time we were at IOA, all of us (me, DH, Susan and Michael and kids) were standing at the bridge at the Hulk deciding what to do next, we literally turned our backs for a second and DS was gone!!!
We looked and looked, shouted his name and couldn't see him anywhere, it was SO busy!!! This was just after Susan had been telling me how children are snatched from theme parks and they change their clothes, dye their hair. DH crossed the bridge to look for him, I was on the verge of hysterics, looked again, and saw him!!! Sitting on the kerb about 7 feet away(how we hadn't see him I don't know - panic I suppose). He'd gotten bored and went to sit down, poor lamb..
POOR LAMB!!!***?????!!!
I was a hairs breadth away from screaming like a banshee "SHUT THE PARK!!!!! BLOCK THE EXITS!!!!! CALL THE FBI!!!! CALL THE ARMY!!!! SHUT THE PARK!!!!!"
We were so relieved to see him I didn't know whether to hug him or strangle him first...he KNOWS not to wander off!
To make matters worse the little ***** did again in Pizza Planet in MGM about 3 days later. DH was definately grumpy then, and he had the worst telling off!!! It seemed to sink in though, he's never done it again and always says where's he's going to play.

Just to make sure though, i've been going over the rules with them at EVERY opportunity:

1. DO NOT WANDER OFF!!!!
2. Behave.
3. Be polite at all times.
4. DO NOT WANDER OFF!!!!
5. Behave.
6. If there is something on your plate you do not like, just leave it, don't throw a hissy fit.
7. No fighting.
8. DO NOT WANDER OFF!!!!!!
9. Do what you are told, when you are told, this is not just your holiday.
10. DO NOT WANDER OFF!!!!

If there is a replay of his last little escapade he'll be on the first plane back home.
We're also considering tagging them, or just tying them to us with ropes.

Anyway, going now. Criminal Minds is on!

Bye for now, keep posting

Diane x

 

[earthfaries]

Hi Earthfairies,
Will check out earthtomatoes, thanks!
Thats a shame about the jibbitz! I can't wait for this holiday, though I have a horrible feeling nothing can match our expectations!
What am I saying - its Disney, of course it will.
I'll start to pack in a couple of weeks, that's when I know it's real! What about you, you don't have long either

Diane x

Definately check out Sweet Tomatoes, if you love salads, soup and muffins, pasta, it's the place for you. We love it as we're vegetarians and the quality of food is good, not like most buffets.

Don't worry about your holiday ~ people have planned for YEARS and it always supasses expectations ~ like you said, this is Disney!!!

We don't have long either. 41 days 6 weeks from right now we'll be about 4 hours from Orlando!!!

I have started a list, and we're working on our countdown calendar, which we'll put up this weekend.

I will pack when we're down to 2 weeks. I like to be totally ready the week before, less stress that way

After 6 years of travelling to WDW, we've gotten pretty good at packing

***You're day at IOA sounds perfect. Love the pic of the kids playing in the water and their shirts are too cute. Do they love US or IOA as much as or more than Disney?

So scary about your son wandering off ~ there is nothing more scary than thinking they are gone or missing! Hopefully no problems with that this year!!!


Have a good evening

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Thanks earthfairies,
Grumpy hangover not too bad this morning, he was sensible for once!
You definately need to check out US and IOA - we love it just as much as WDW - it's just a different type of park. I think when the kids are older they'll be more into IOA (more thrill rides), but WDW has the magic!
I'll be packing soon as well
Di x

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Just off the phone to Disney dining - had to double check my ADR's. Had a moment of sudden panic...what if the ADR's had disappeared!!!!
Pathetic i know.
Even more pathetic is the fact I phoned Disney Dining 2 weeks ago to double check, but didn't go through them, the agent on the phone just said 'Yes you have 13 ADR's'.
Then I started worrying, what if they're wrong
So, I had to phone up and go through all the details. Just as well as initially she said there was only 4 in my name! But it was just that on the others my name was wrongly spelt. How the other agent said they were all ok I don't know as she just checked through my name, not by the booking references! Plus we actually had 14 as they count BBB in with your ADR's as a reservation.
Anyway, I can rest easy now. Our ADR's are safe.
I need to get out more...

Going to see WALL.E today with the kids, can't wait! Was going to take them to see Prince Caspian, but then DD cut her own hair as well as DS, with a pair of scissors from a craft set "Ben wanted me to"
She now has a fringe, it only took me nearly 2 years to grow her last fringe out. Then when we were sitting in the hairdresser (emergency appointment, DS at Barbers) and I said to take a bit off the length she says "I like it this long, I don't want it cut!!"
It was all I could do not to shout at her "Then why did you cut it yourself!"
Give me strength...One day we'll look back and laugh...one day...

[/IMG]
DS and DD on their first visit to WDW, age 4

Di x

 

[earthfaries]

You know, it never hurts to check. Better safe than sorry! Glad all your ADRs were there and good

That picture is SO cute

And that your DD cut their hair!!! Hopefully it looks okay now...

Kids will be kids. I think almost all kids will cut their hair or someone else's at least once in their childhood

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Kids will be kids. I think almost all kids will cut their hair or someone else's at least once in their childhood

I would agree, but this is the 2nd time she's done it!!!! 2 years ago she gave herself a fringe and layers...quite a complicated style for a 5 year old working with a pair of nail scissors. I feel like we should do a Sleeping Beauty - instead of spinning wheels we should banish all scissors.

Better change the subject before my blood pressure rises again - what could possibly calm me? I know, our trip to WDW!!!

Last Friday of our holiday We head to Hollywood Studios again, do any of the rides we missed before. Will also see Car Stunt Show, apparently it's being revamped the first week we're there, but will be up and running this day.

Also just read on DIS that HSM show is stopping 13 Sep and restarting in October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it, we'll miss seeing it!!!! No fair!!!

After being forced to watch HSM/HSM 2/HSM the concert/The Suite Life HSM repeatedly on Sky +, and listening to the CD's I am now a huge fan!

I think I mentioned before my motto is 'Get'cha Head in The Game', well I also know the lyrics (off by heart) to Bop to the Top, Fabulous, and Breaking Free can move me to tears.

I can't believe we'll miss it, will just need to see Beauty and Little Mermaid again.

Anyway, will grab a CS lunch and then head off to Epcot for our 750pm ADR at Akershus. We'll miss Fantasmic but we plan to see it our first day at HS. Will need to remember to take one of DD's Princess outfits for her to change into for her dinner with the Princesses.

DS says he's not keen on it...I think a picture speaks a thousand words though...

[/IMG]

The boys look happy - I wonder why?

Will take a leisurely stroll back through WS and FW before going back to the hotel.

Nearly at the end of the holiday

Bye for now,

Di x

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Just while I'm still on, DS started rugby today, I had to drive as DH was still a bit fragile after his night out .
DS had a good time for the 1 1/2 hours it was on for - he was certainly muddy enough! We got him proper boots to wear, but the coach said he needs a gum shield for next week
DH laughs at me because I want to buy him all the protective gear. it's only mini rugby and there's hardly any contact, but I'd have him geared up like an American footballer!
I said to DH "Should we get him shin guards as well?". He just gave me 'his look' and said "it's rugby - they don't kick". I don't know
DD restarts her ice skating next week - early start - 8.30! I'm still in school holiday mode!

 

[crmscotland]

Enjoyed catching up with your PTR again - it's really interesting & entertaining to read, useful too - gives me lots of info & ideas.

When l read about your DD doing some home hairdressing it brought back memories of my DD (now 11) doing the same herself 3 years ago (our hairdresser couldn't do much to rectify her handiwork , the top of DD's head was the worst, she had to wear a clasp there for ages to keep a spikey bit down ) She told her teacher that her brother (aged 2 at the time) had cut her hair while she was sleeping. Worse thing was she was getting her school photo taken a couple of weeks later - l wasn't sure l wanted a copy, but DH said to get it. She hasn't cut her hair since, better not speak too soon.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I just found your pre trip report and am subscribing. What I have been able to read so far sounds great! Looking forward to more!

 

[earthfaries]

Twice she's cut her hair!!! Yeah, I'd hide the scissors and other clippers, etc.

I would be suiting my kids up in lots of protective gear too, I'm the mom of the kids skating with knee pads, elbow pads and helmets. Better safe than sorry!

Your Friday sounds great ~ your DH and son look very happy in that pic