We Survived! 9 days of land & sea - with a 3 year old! -9/1- NEW PIC I HAD TO SHARE!

[amandaw]

Wow! Those extra pics are beautiful!!! I'm there with you!- I wish I was there toooo!!!

Thank you! I think I pretty much with I wish I was there everyday!

 

[amandaw]

Okay, I have 2 more pics for y'all, but they are not from our vacation.

Back story: A couple of weekends ago, I had to upgrade my cell phone. Then, I needed a new case for my phone. I looked online at the Disney store. While those were really cute, the reviews stated they didn't fit the phone well. So, instead I decided to order a skin & case for my phone from Skinit. Well, it finally came in the mail today & I am very happy with it. Thought I would share with my DIS friends since y'all might be able to possibly understand my excitement about it.

Front:


Back:


In other exciting news:

I have booked us for a quick get-away in December! I've been trying to figure out some sort of way to take advantage of the FD promotion. Well, today I booked us for Friday, December 2nd - Monday, December 5th. We'll stay at POP & have the free QS dining. We'll only do 2 days of parks. It's a quick trip, especially for a lengthy drive, but we're okay with it. Our wedding anniversary (12 years) is December 6th. So, it's kind of like a short anniversary trip....only with Reid included! And even though it'll be a short trip, I'll still do a TR when we get back & I'll let y'all know when it's started!

 

[hstrickland]

Love, love, love the phone cover!!!! And WHAT???!!! Y'all are going back to WDW in December??? Seriously?! That's awesome! Aren't you excited?! Are you going to do the Christmas Party?

 

[pinkxray]

Yay, a quick getaway sounds great. I was thinking of pushing our dates back and doing the xmas party but for some reason I want to do the Halloween party with Caitlin while she's younger. I think it will be more fun to dress up at her age whereas in a few years she might not be into it.

Love the phone cover

 

[petals]

I'm going to be there same time as you in December

 

[amandaw]

Love, love, love the phone cover!!!! And WHAT???!!! Y'all are going back to WDW in December??? Seriously?! That's awesome! Aren't you excited?! Are you going to do the Christmas Party?

Thank you! I was so excited to get it in the mail today.

I am so excited for our quick weekend get-away! It's a long drive for us just to spend 2 days in the park(s), but we talked about that & decided we were fine with it, so it is booked! We're not going to do the Christmas Party. We did do it last December & we liked it okay. But, if I do spend some extra money, it'll be on a character breakfast. Or on one extra day! I don't think I'll push my luck with Ed on that one!

Yay, a quick getaway sounds great. I was thinking of pushing our dates back and doing the xmas party but for some reason I want to do the Halloween party with Caitlin while she's younger. I think it will be more fun to dress up at her age whereas in a few years she might not be into it.

Love the phone cover

I think the Halloween party will be so much fun for y'all! I can't wait until we go in October 2012. I'm already trying to think of what our family can dress up as for the party. Reid said he wants to be Buzz and I can be Jessie & Ed can be Woody. If he still likes that idea come next year, that's what I'm going with.

We are actually going to skip the Christmas Party. We did it last December when we took Reid on his 1st trip. It was okay, but nothing I HAVE to do again. I'd rather either save the money or spend it on a character breakfast.

I'm going to be there same time as you in December

That's too funny! I'm getting a little worried about our only 2 park days being the 1st weekend in December. I just realized the Christmas parade is normally taped on the 1st Sarurday. I definitely want to do MK that day. I'm just unsure if we should do MK both days or MK Saturday & then DHS on Sunday.

 

[afwdwfan]

I like the phone and that is awesome news that you're going to be able to sneak an extra trip in!!! We're going to overlap a day. We head home from Disney on the 3rd. I can't wait to get a dose of Disney Christmas.

 

[amandaw]

I like the phone and that is awesome news that you're going to be able to sneak an extra trip in!!! We're going to overlap a day. We head home from Disney on the 3rd. I can't wait to get a dose of Disney Christmas.

Thank you! I am so excited about our weekend get-away! I can't believe we'll overlap by a day! I'll be looking out for you to start a TR when you get back! I love Christmastime at Disney. I'm worried that it's going to be super-busy that weekend we're there. But, since we'll be going again in Oct. 2012, I'm going to try & just relax & enjoy what we do get to do on this short trip.

 

[PirateKate]

The extra pictures are beautiful! I'm sorry Reid had a meltdown outside EOS. At least you got to stay for WPE.

Your December trip sounds like a lot of fun. If you decide to do a PTR for it, let me know. I bet Reid would love MVMCP and the Osbourne Lights.

 

[amandaw]

The extra pictures are beautiful! I'm sorry Reid had a meltdown outside EOS. At least you got to stay for WPE.

Your December trip sounds like a lot of fun. If you decide to do a PTR for it, let me know. I bet Reid would love MVMCP and the Osbourne Lights.

Thank you! WPE was a very good lunch so I'm glad Ed talked me into staying.

I'm excited for our little get-away! I haven't decided yet if I'm going to do a PTR or not. But, even though it's a very short trip, I will do a TR & I'll definitely let you know when I start that. We actually took Reid last December for his very first trip. We did the MVMCP. He was only up for like the first hour. We didn't even stay that long. Ed & I enjoyed it but said we don't feel the need to HAVE to do it again. I love the Osbourne Lights! Last year, Reid just stared in awe at them. And then, he fell asleep! I think I've decided that we'll do DHS on the Saturday & then MK on the Sunday. It'll be short & sweet....just enough to get my Disney fix!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Awesome news about taking a mini-trip! I LOVE the parks in December, so I would totally be on board for a short trip, just to see the decorations. I am so, so hoping we will get to move back to Florida next June, because that means I'll be able to see the castle dream lights in 2012 (they are my favorite Disney decoration, EVER).

If you decide to start a PTR, I'm sure you'd have some faithful readers!

 

[baseballmickey]

Hey! Finally finished reading your TR! I think you did a fantastic job! Honestly, it made me rethink doing my TR since I didn't takes notes and I don't have as many pictures. I don't think mine can measure up to yours.

I had to drag my DW in to look over my shoulder as I read about your time on DCL. We just booked a 4 night cruise on the Dream for next summer and we loved seeing your pictures. Especially the ones of the Nemo splash area and the Oceaneers Club. I think we're staying in a room similar to yours on deck 6too. So your TR really was informative as well as entertaining!

Thanks for taking the time to share it!!

 

[KatMark]

Amanda, I love the new phone case.

And for a short trip. Hey, a short trip is better than NO trip. And be srue to get anniversary buttons.

 

[amandaw]

Awesome news about taking a mini-trip! I LOVE the parks in December, so I would totally be on board for a short trip, just to see the decorations. I am so, so hoping we will get to move back to Florida next June, because that means I'll be able to see the castle dream lights in 2012 (they are my favorite Disney decoration, EVER).

If you decide to start a PTR, I'm sure you'd have some faithful readers!

Thanks! We also love the parks around Christmas. It'll be a really long drive just for 2 days at parks, but I think we'll have fun.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that y'all get to move back to Florida. I can't even imagine what it would be like to live so close to Mickey!

I did think about doing a PTR, but with it being such a short trip, I don't know that I'd have much to put in it. Even though it'll be a quick trip, I will do a short TR when we get back.

Hey! Finally finished reading your TR! I think you did a fantastic job! Honestly, it made me rethink doing my TR since I didn't takes notes and I don't have as many pictures. I don't think mine can measure up to yours.

I had to drag my DW in to look over my shoulder as I read about your time on DCL. We just booked a 4 night cruise on the Dream for next summer and we loved seeing your pictures. Especially the ones of the Nemo splash area and the Oceaneers Club. I think we're staying in a room similar to yours on deck 6too. So your TR really was informative as well as entertaining!

Thanks for taking the time to share it!!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You should definitely be doing your TR! It is so gripping...with the snow drama & all! I can't wait to read more!

Y'all are going to have so much fun on the Dream! Your daughter will LOVE the Oceaneer Club...it is so cool in there! I liked deck 6 because it only has staterooms on it so you only get the traffic of the people staying on that deck. The oceaneer club is right below on deck 5. Overall, it's a pretty quiet deck & not too far from everything. I'll be looking for your cruise TR next summer!

Amanda, I love the new phone case.

And for a short trip. Hey, a short trip is better than NO trip. And be srue to get anniversary buttons.

Thank you! I was so excited to finally get it in the mail!

That's what I keep telling myself....a short trip is better than no trip! And especially since our next big trip is so far off!

I'm glad you reminded me of the anniversary buttons...I almost forgot about those! I did make an ADR for the character breakfast at OHana on our MK day and put that we are celebrating our anniversary.

 

[petals]

That's too funny! I'm getting a little worried about our only 2 park days being the 1st weekend in December. I just realized the Christmas parade is normally taped on the 1st Sarurday. I definitely want to do MK that day. I'm just unsure if we should do MK both days or MK Saturday & then DHS on Sunday.

I've gone by park hours. I'm pretty sure MK has MVMCP on that night so if you're not planning on doing that they'll kick you out at 7

 

[amandaw]

I've gone by park hours. I'm pretty sure MK has MVMCP on that night so if you're not planning on doing that they'll kick you out at 7

Naturally, all the touring plans are telling me to steer clear of the 2 parks we want to visit that weekend....MK & DHS. I've been thinking we'll do something like this:

Friday: We will be driving all day & won't get to POP until like 5 or 6. So, we'll just check-in, grab dinner in the food court & walk around & check out the resort. And let Reid play in the playground.

Saturday: I think we are going to do DHS. They have EMH that morning. It'll be busy but there's no Fantasmic that night, so I'm hoping (& praying) that'll help keep some crowds away.

Sunday: Right now, I have a 7:30am ADR @ OHana. Then, we'll head to MK. As of right now, I don't think we're going to do the MVMCP. We did it last year & liked it but don't feel the need to have to do it again. Actually, I was thinking it might be a good thing for us to get kicked out @ 7pm since I'll need to pack & we have to leave early in the morning.

Monday: We'll probably leave around 6am.

That's my tentative schedule. But, of course, as I'm typing this, I'm wondering if we should do MVMCP.

 

[afwdwfan]

Naturally, all the touring plans are telling me to steer clear of the 2 parks we want to visit that weekend....MK & DHS. I've been thinking we'll do something like this:

Friday: We will be driving all day & won't get to POP until like 5 or 6. So, we'll just check-in, grab dinner in the food court & walk around & check out the resort. And let Reid play in the playground.

Saturday: I think we are going to do DHS. They have EMH that morning. It'll be busy but there's no Fantasmic that night, so I'm hoping (& praying) that'll help keep some crowds away.

Sunday: Right now, I have a 7:30am ADR @ OHana. Then, we'll head to MK. As of right now, I don't think we're going to do the MVMCP. We did it last year & liked it but don't feel the need to have to do it again. Actually, I was thinking it might be a good thing for us to get kicked out @ 7pm since I'll need to pack & we have to leave early in the morning.

Monday: We'll probably leave around 6am.

That's my tentative schedule. But, of course, as I'm typing this, I'm wondering if we should do MVMCP.

I think that's a good plan. With the parade taping and only 1 day to do MK, I'd definitely avoid Saturday since you won't be able to access Main Street. We're probably going to use Saturday to hit anything we need to do again at DHS and EPCOT before we start driving North Saturday evening. From what I've seen so far, I think DHS should be manageable, especially if you can make RD.

That's a tough call on MVMCP. I think we are going to do it while we are there, partly because we want to experience it since we never have, and partly because we want to use it as a way to get a little more time in MK. With a 2 day trip I think I'd definitely lean towards it as a way to get a little more done. It would be very tiring though doing 2 full park days, with MVMCP and then 2 days of driving.

 

[pas130]

Okay, I have 2 more pics for y'all, but they are not from our vacation.

Back story: A couple of weekends ago, I had to upgrade my cell phone. Then, I needed a new case for my phone. I looked online at the Disney store. While those were really cute, the reviews stated they didn't fit the phone well. So, instead I decided to order a skin & case for my phone from Skinit. Well, it finally came in the mail today & I am very happy with it. Thought I would share with my DIS friends since y'all might be able to possibly understand my excitement about it.

Front:


Back:


In other exciting news:

I have booked us for a quick get-away in December! I've been trying to figure out some sort of way to take advantage of the FD promotion. Well, today I booked us for Friday, December 2nd - Monday, December 5th. We'll stay at POP & have the free QS dining. We'll only do 2 days of parks. It's a quick trip, especially for a lengthy drive, but we're okay with it. Our wedding anniversary (12 years) is December 6th. So, it's kind of like a short anniversary trip....only with Reid included! And even though it'll be a short trip, I'll still do a TR when we get back & I'll let y'all know when it's started!

I love the phone cover And you will have a great anniversay trip

 

[amandaw]

I think that's a good plan. With the parade taping and only 1 day to do MK, I'd definitely avoid Saturday since you won't be able to access Main Street. We're probably going to use Saturday to hit anything we need to do again at DHS and EPCOT before we start driving North Saturday evening. From what I've seen so far, I think DHS should be manageable, especially if you can make RD.

Yeah, I was thinking of doing MK on Saturday & just braving the crowds. But, then I realized I was losing my mind! It's not our 1st or last trip to WDW, so I just need to remember that we don't have to do everything. I'm glad to know you think DHS will be manageable on Saturday. Helps me to think I've got the best possible plan for us. And we'll definitely be at RD. Ed has gotten into running lately & has bought fancy running shoes & a fancy GPS watch for it, you name it. So, I told him he better be ready to put those running skills to use on that Saturday morning at DHS to go get our TSM FP's!

That's a tough call on MVMCP. I think we are going to do it while we are there, partly because we want to experience it since we never have, and partly because we want to use it as a way to get a little more time in MK. With a 2 day trip I think I'd definitely lean towards it as a way to get a little more done. It would be very tiring though doing 2 full park days, with MVMCP and then 2 days of driving.

I definitely say it's worth doing at least once. Your little one may or may not stay up late but y'all will still have a good time! And the cookies & hot chocolate are good. Also, if you don't want the hot chocolate, they also have free apple juice which was surprisingly VERY good! Part of me wants to do the party again, Ed has said he does not. We should be able to have a good full day in MK so I think leaving at 7 will be good for us to get packed & start resting up for our big drive home the next morning. Of course, if we change our minds while we're there, I could just see if they have available tickets for the party.

I love the phone cover And you will have a great anniversay trip

Thank you! I love getting to see Mickey every time I pick up my phone! And I'm really excited about our little trip. Hopefully, I'm not putting too much on us with the drive & all. I keep watching Southwest for cheap airfare but it just ain't happening!

 

[rustytss]

Thank you! Y'all are so lucky getting to go to Castaway Cay twice. That's why I'm thinking in 2013 I want to do the 5 night Bahamian on the Dream & not the 7 night on the Fantasy. But, it would also be nice to try out the newest ship then & get more time. Who knows what I'll end up doing! I just need to worry about our trip for next October right now!

I hope you can get in some leisure time on Castaway Cay! But with the 3 kids & all....good luck!

Don't let my sister fool you. She will get plenty of leisure time. She will put her kids in the kids club and never look back.

By the way...I finally got back to reading your whole TR. You have really gotten me excited about the trip. I was glad to see that you put Reid in the kid's club while yall did the evening shows. I might try Jonah one night for a show, but not sure he will sit through the whole thing. How long do they usually last?

Stephanie