Welcome Foolish Mortals - I am your host, Your ghost host: Going to WDW in Oct '15 PTR-Updated 10/26

[totebagg]

I WILL NEVER WEAR MATCHING SHIRTS TO DISNEY...​

But before we get into that topic – I just have to say...

10 MORE DAYS TO DISNEY!!!!



I can't believe our trip is almost here. Even though I know I have done a lot to get ready for our trip, I am starting to feel that I have so much left to do! Please tell me this is normal (or at least not neurotic).

Okay back to the shirts. When I was planning our first Disney trip, Lane said that the only thing he would not do was wear matching shirts and I completely agreed. He did not even own a Disney shirt at that time. Tori and I had 2 a piece that we had bought for the trip and of course Bella had quite a few already plus I got her a few more.

Now fast forward to this year. Lane has several shirts now from Mickey to Donald to Star Wars to Jack and I have added several to my collection (every time we go into the Disney Store he finds a new one). I asked the group if they would be willing to coordinate themed shirts on a couple of days because I thought this would make for some really cute pictures and they agreed.
This is what we have come up with:

Our first MK day: Mickey shirts for the guys and Minnie shirts for the girls not the same design but in the same color palette.
Our first HS day: Star Wars shirts. Once again not matching but more themed!
Our second MK day: We have an early ADR at Crystal Palace so we are making an attempt at Disbounding as Winnie the Pooh & Friends.

Bella - Piglet Lane – Tigger Tammy – Eeyore​

Lawrence – Pooh: Red shorts and a yellow shirt
Tori – Kanga (with Roo): Beige/Pink top and beige shorts​

Our second Epcot day : Eat Around the World shirts. This is the one day we will all have a matching design but the color of the shirts will be different.

I have only made Bella's - this is another thing on my to do list!​

Our only AK day: Embroidered Mickey Safari hats for the guys and embroidered animal print Minnie Ears for the girls with the shirts in an autumn color scheme. I'll post a picture when I get them!
​

I can't believe I talked the group into this but we are actually excited and even more so for the pics! I have to say we have come along way because this year Lane has over 14 Disney character shirts – so from 0 to 14 in 2 years is quite amazing and we never thought we would be wearing matching t shirts to Disney!

 

[totebagg]

Unfortunately, after I read that post and getting that craving, I did not have any ice cream, however, I did go get some of my chocolate cookies and milk.

So sorry that you couldn't satisfy that specific craving but sounds like you got the next best thing! The other night my daughter (the pregnant one) and I were talking about snacks at disney and she loves ice cream sandwiches. I told her that we need to get one of the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches which she immediately got a craving for so off to the kitchen we went to make some homemade chocolate chip cookies then sandwiched some vanilla ice cream between them. I sent the rest of the cookies home with her since they would be detrimental to me and my waistline!

 

[ksromack]

I WILL NEVER WEAR MATCHING SHIRTS TO DISNEY...​

This is what we have come up with:

Our first MK day: Mickey shirts for the guys and Minnie shirts for the girls not the same design but in the same color palette.
Our first HS day: Star Wars shirts. Once again not matching but more themed!
Our second MK day: We have an early ADR at Crystal Palace so we are making an attempt at Disbounding as Winnie the Pooh & Friends.

View attachment 125049
Bella - Piglet Lane – Tigger Tammy – Eeyore​

Lawrence – Pooh: Red shorts and a yellow shirt
Tori – Kanga (with Roo): Beige/Pink top and beige shorts​

Our second Epcot day : Eat Around the World shirts. This is the one day we will all have a matching design but the color of the shirts will be different.

View attachment 125050
I have only made Bella's - this is another thing on my to do list!​

Our only AK day: Embroidered Mickey Safari hats for the guys and embroidered animal print Minnie Ears for the girls with the shirts in an autumn color scheme. I'll post a picture when I get them!
​

I can't believe I talked the group into this but we are actually excited and even more so for the pics! I have to say we have come along way because this year Lane has over 14 Disney character shirts – so from 0 to 14 in 2 years is quite amazing and we never thought we would be wearing matching t shirts to Disney!

Love the Disbounding Pooh ideas!!!!!
Where did you get the Eat Around the Shirts idea? Did you purchase the downloads and make your own iron on? I love these!

 

[totebagg]

Thank you! I actually got the download off one of the DISdesigning threads and just doing iron-ons. It really turned out well and hope it looks as good on the darker shirts. If you want a copy, I can send to you or point you in the direction of where I found it!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[samanthaw]

The Winnie the pooh outfits are so cute!!! I am also thinking I have so much to do, but its like I can't remember what I need to do. Your trip is so close!!!

 

[MataHari22]

I had an icecream sandwich today.

I was just not able to get it out of my head. I baked chocolate chip cookies and made my own sandwich with Ben & Jerry's Pistaschio Pistachio ice cream.

It was so good. Finally out of my system now. Lol

 

[totebagg]

The Winnie the pooh outfits are so cute!!! I am also thinking I have so much to do, but its like I can't remember what I need to do. Your trip is so close!!!

Thank you. This is our first try at anything like this so I hope the pictures turn out cute! We leave in 2 days and I am seriously stressing out which really isn't like me. I think it is a combination of leaving work for that long and then wanting to make sure we have a great time because of this being my SIL's first trip! I know it will be okay but even with my lists I feel like I am missing something.

 

[totebagg]

I had an icecream sandwich today.

I was just not able to get it out of my head. I baked chocolate chip cookies and made my own sandwich with Ben & Jerry's Pistaschio Pistachio ice cream.

It was so good. Finally out of my system now. Lol

So glad you got your ice cream sandwich - sometimes you just have to satisfy that craving! Plus that sounds delicious!

 

[MataHari22]

Thank you. This is our first try at anything like this so I hope the pictures turn out cute! We leave in 2 days and I am seriously stressing out which really isn't like me. I think it is a combination of leaving work for that long and then wanting to make sure we have a great time because of this being my SIL's first trip! I know it will be okay but even with my lists I feel like I am missing something.

I totally understand this, I feel like when I bring a person that's never been there, I feel definite pressure to make sure they have a great time. Actually, I still sort of feel that way now, even though Linda and I have gone 2x now, since I'm the one that does all the planning. It's even more pressure when they've never been before though. Feel like it can make or break whether they will ever go again, whether they'll love it or hate it..... I tend to put way too much pressure on myself, though.

 

[samanthaw]

Thank you. This is our first try at anything like this so I hope the pictures turn out cute! We leave in 2 days and I am seriously stressing out which really isn't like me. I think it is a combination of leaving work for that long and then wanting to make sure we have a great time because of this being my SIL's first trip! I know it will be okay but even with my lists I feel like I am missing something.

That will be me next summer we are going to take rylies mom for her first time. And she doesn't exactly get the whole Disney thing. But I'm sure your trip will be wonderful! Planners never fail lol!

 

[totebagg]

Some Final Words Before We Are Off To That Magical Place Where Mice Are Your Friend!​

I can't believe we leave tomorrow, so instead of focusing on my list of things to do I thought I would share some of my final thoughts with you guys – I am either a dedicated DISner or a procastanator, you decide!

In the last couple of days, I have started wondering if we were trying to do too much especially with Tori being 32 weeks pregnant! On this trip I had one down day, but as you know we decided to do MNSSHP and I then booked the Hallowishes Dessert Party. After reading the reviews, I felt like this will be a hectic night (albeit fun one), so I started to worry that Tori may not enjoy it as much and that is a lot of money to spend if you aren't going to get full enjoyment out of it. I have also been tracking the weather and as of yesterday, there were several days with rain but the greatest chance of rain (day/night) was being forecasted for our party night. I talked everyone out of the party and we had decided to go bowling at Splitsville, then see La Nouba. Fast forward to this morning...WEATHER IS PERFECT especially the party night 0% chance both day / night, so that is some good news! But now I am back to trying to decided which one to do! I haven't purchased the MNSSHP tickets yet and the dessert party would need to be cancelled by tomorrow. I guess I will see what tomorrow brings and let you guys know what we do once we get back!

Anyhoo – I wanted to lay out my final (semi-final) plans:

Thursday, October 1st – Travel Day:

Leave around 5 am and hope to arrive around 3 pm. This will depend on how Tori does traveling – I know we will need to stop and let her stretch.

Head to DTD to eat dinner – we have a couple of places in mind and depending on our mood):

Boathouse – 6 pm reservation through Open Table (if we want nice and fancy)

T-Rex – have Landy's Select Card which gives you priority seating (wanting fun and atmosphere)

Wolfgang Puck Express – this is definitely a must do either tonight or our travel home day for lunch

We will see how we are feeling and we may play Putt-Putt at Fantasia Gardens or just head back to the resort. This is definitely one of our most go with the flow kinda evenings.


Friday, October 2nd - Magic Kingdom (9a – 7p):

Have ADR for BOG Breakfast @ 8:05am (Tori's choice)

Wearing our Mickey / Minnie themed shirts

Ride 7SDMT after breakfast

Head to Tomorrowland – Ride Space Mtn, Astro Obitor & Buzz Lightyear

Head to Fantasyland – Ride Dumbo, Barnstormer & Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Stop by Gaston's tavern to see if Gaston is out then ride Carousel

11:10 – 12:10 FP+: Enchanted Tales w/Belle
12:10 – 1:10 FP+: Peter Pan's Flight
Eat Lunch at CHH (favorite MK QS)
1:30 – 2:30 FP+: BTMRR

Then hit some of the shows and look to see what 4th FP are available.

Head back to the resort depending on how Tori feels or head straight to Poly for our ADR.

Ohana ADR @ 6:40 (1st time - My choice and hoping it lives up to the hype!)

Saturday, October 2nd - Hollywood Studios (8a – 7:30p):

This is an EMH day and we would like to arrive around 7:30 as we would like to get a few rides in before 9 am.

Head straight to RnR then to TOT. If lines are long, then we will just eat!! We will also see if we can do Star Tours and Muppets 3D. We are all big Star Wars Fans so would like to ride Star Tours a couple of times plus we will be wearing our Star Wars shirts!

9:25 – 10:25 FP+: TSMM
10:25 – 11:25 FP+: Tower of Terror
Have Lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe – 11:30am ADR (1st time and Bella's pick)
12:20 – 1:20 FP+: Star Tours

Would like to catch the Indiana Jones show and the Lights Motor Action Show.

Plus see a few characters:

Phineas & Ferb, Mike & Sully, Buzz & Woody, & Cars

Snacks to try on one of our HS days: Carrot Cake Cookie, Red Velvet Cupcake, Butterfinger Cupcake.

Each day will depend on how Tori is feeling if we head back before our ADR or straight to it. I feel like today maybe one of those days!

Head to Beach Club for dinner @ Cape May Cafe – 6:35pm ADR (1st time and Tori's pick – she loves crab legs)

Walk some of our dinner off by walking around the boardwalk. We have only been here one time and it was a quick visit so would like to spend some time there looking around or we may head back over to Magic Kingdom since it is an EMH there. We will keep our options open.


Sunday, October 4th - Magic Kingdom (9a – 7p):
8:05 am ADR at Crystal Palace (family favorite). We will be dressing like Pooh and Friends.

We will head to Frontierland to ride BTRRM (Lane's favorite ride), PotC, then the Carpets.

9:05 – 10:05 FP+: Jungle Cruise
Start the Pirates Adventure – maybe grab a dole whip float.
10:15 – 11:15 FP+: Splash Mountain

Head to Liberty Square. Ride Haunted Mansion (favorite) and see if Tiana is out and not cleaning up Prince Naveen's messes in the kitchen (that is what happened twice last year) then depending upon time grab lunch at either Pinocchio (1st time) or head straight to next FP.

12:20 – 1:20 FP+: 7DMTR

Watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade from Frontier Land.
The rest of the afternoon we will check 4th fast pass availability, see characters if lines are not too long and catch some of the low wait shows and rides. Also want to get the Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom cards and play on a couple of our days.

Head back to the resort around 6pm if not earlier.


Drive to Ft. Wilderness for Hoop De Doo Review ADR @ 8:30 (1st time & a family choice)

Monday, October 5th – Epcot (9a – 9p) :


We would like to arrive around 9:30 but not later than 9:45. Today we will wear our Epcot shirts.

9 – 10 FP+: Spaceship Earth
10 – 11 FP+: Mission Space
11 – 12 FP+: Test Track

We will head to the Food and Wine Festival Center between our Mission Space and Test Track FP to pick up a festival pin, the Remy's Hide and Seek game and a food passport.

Head to Mexico to start sampling all the goodies at F&W. We have our spreadsheet ready and know how we will spend our snack credits!!!

We will stop in the countries at the stores and watch the shows along the way. Should be able to eat our way through to America.

We will be stuffed if it is like years past so we will waddle our way back out front to head to the resort to swim. For some reason, I think Epcot's World Showcase is the hottest!
Head back to Epcot for dinner at Le Celliar – 6:15 pm ADR. (Family favorite but we said next year we are going to try Yatchsman Steakhouse)

We have yet to see Illuminations all the way through so we will try to catch it tonight and if not then later in the week.


We have a late ADR at Beaches and Cream for dessert. Lawrence really wants to go there so we will see how we do since I feel this is getting to be a hectic evening!

Tuesday, October 6th - OFF Day:

We will get to sleep in then plan on eating breakfast at the resort and hanging by the pool.
The rest of the day is up in the air (per my ramblings at the beginning), so we will see how it turns out!


We do have a lunch at Sanaa @ 1:30 pm. I really want to keep this but we will see!

Then comes decision time - do we head to MK for MNSSHP and the Hallowishes Dessert Party or do we head to DTD for bowling, dinner and La Nouba. We shall see!

Wednesday, October 7th - Epcot/Magic Kingdom:

We would like to get there by 8:20 am for rope drop and head to Test Track first then do Sum of All Thrills.

9:15 – 10:15 FP+: Soarin'

10:15 – 11:15 FP+: Seas w/Nemo & Friends

11:20 – 12:20 FP+: Character Spot

Head to World Showcase and eat around the opposite half of the world starting with the new CHEW booths.

Once again waddle our way out of Epcot and head back to resort and depending on time - rest/swim.

Head to Magic Kingdom around 7pm for EMH until 1am or until we drop!

We have an ADR for the Wishes Dessert Party then we want to catch the second Electrical Parade in Frontierland at 11p.

Thursday, October 8th - Magic Kingdom/Epcot:


We plan on getting to MK around 9:30 and will hit our first FP. This will be a low key day and we will hit our fastpasses then do some of the things we missed plus hopefully redo some of our favorites such as Hauted Mansion. We also want to ride the train!

9:00 – 10:00 FP+: Mickey – Town Square
10:00 – 11:00 FP+: BTMR
11:20 – 12:20 FP+: Anna & Elsa

Lunch at BOG at 12:15 pm (Lane's choice)

Depending on how much we get accomplished, we may head back to the room that afternoon to swim.

We will head to Epcot around 6 pm. They have EMH until 11 pm.

Dinner ADR is at Chefs de France at 7:30 pm.

Friday, October 9th - Hollywood Studios (9a - 9p):

Hope to arrive around 9:45a – 10am.

9:30 – 10:30 FP+: RnRC
10:40 – 11:40 FP+: Tower of Terror

Lunch at Sci-Fi @11:30 am (really like the atmosphere and Lawrence wanted to eat here). We will just do some apps or split an entree but will definitely get a milkshake! YUM!

1:35 – 1:50 FP+: Frozen Sing along

Catch any shows, characters or rides that we didn't get on our first day.

Early ADR for Mama Melrose at 4:45 pm which is a F! Package. This is a first for – we all love Italian but don't have our hopes up too high!

Head to F! around 7:30 for the show.

Saturday, October 10th – AK (8a -8p):

So Disney updated their hours a couple of weeks ago and I am now at a loss for how to handle this day. If we do rope drop like we had originally planned then we will have to be there at 7:30! I guess we will play this one by ear and if we don't get there until after rope drop then we know we will just forgo the Expedition Everest Ride (we will get at least one ride because of FP).

8:35 – 9:35 FP+: Kilimanjaro Safari

After this head over to see Rafiki and then do some trails. Ride Dinosaur and see Festival of the Lion King.

Lunch at Yak & Yeti @ noon. Love the won-ton dessert!

1:00 – 2:00 FP+: Expedition Everest

See some characters, collect some badges and walk some more trails. We would like to see It's a Bugs Life. Last year it was down most of the day and Bella loves this show!

4:05 – 5:05 FP+: Kali River Rapids

Depending on how wet we are and how tired we are, we may head on back to the resort to get changed for dinner.

Head to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner at Jiko – 7pm ADR (my choice and I am very excited about this one!)

Magic Kingdom stays open unil midnight and I love beginning and ending our trip with Magic Kingdom, so we may head over there after dinner (it may just be me and Lane – we did that the first year and had so much fun).


Day 11 (Sunday) – DTD (AKA Disney Springs) & Travel Home


BOO HOO! This is the sad part of planning...the last day.

We will grab breakfast at the resort then head to DTD for last minute shopping/souvenirs, then grab lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express.

Hit the road by 1 pm.


Okay - I typed this up earlier today and had planned on adding some fun pictures but time definitely got away from me and I am just now finished packing/loading the car. Although I would love to spice it up with some pictures – I am out of time. I did take two pictures earlier today that I wanted to show you guys!

Here is a sideways view of a couple of our magic bands. We used vinyl decals for the mickey heads on the first three then crystals for the last mickey head.

Here is a picture of our animal kingdom shirts. I really like them!​

Hope everyone has a great week and I know several of you will be there soon, so if you see us – please say hi! So I am off to bed with visions of Mickey dancing in my head! Until later...

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[totebagg]

I totally understand this, I feel like when I bring a person that's never been there, I feel definite pressure to make sure they have a great time. Actually, I still sort of feel that way now, even though Linda and I have gone 2x now, since I'm the one that does all the planning. It's even more pressure when they've never been before though. Feel like it can make or break whether they will ever go again, whether they'll love it or hate it..... I tend to put way too much pressure on myself, though.

I'm glad someone else feels this way and you are right about even when it's not a new person you still feel that pressure as a planner. I think mine is because everyone no one wants to make decisions! That is one of the reasons I love Disney because I can make most of the decisions before hand!

That will be me next summer we are going to take rylies mom for her first time. And she doesn't exactly get the whole Disney thing. But I'm sure your trip will be wonderful! Planners never fail lol!

I hope Rylie's mom loves it as much as you guys. Honestly I can't understand why everyone doesn't love it! Thanks and I hope you guys have a great trip too!

 

[totebagg]

Sounds like a fabulous time! I hope everyone is feeling good, that the weather cooperates, and you come home with full stomachs and full of happiness!

Thanks!!! I love your Disney "blessing"!

 

[kastoney]

If my calculations are right you just ate dinner and are back at the hotel relaxing after a long drive!!!!! Hope all is well. Enjoy MK tomorrow

 

[MataHari22]

Hope you're having fun at MK this morning and hope the trip there went well!

 

[totebagg]

Well hello everyone - we are back and are alive! I forget how crazy it is once we get back and this year was even crazier since we were gone for so long. Trying to get caught up at work, school and home took all my time and this is the first time I've really been able to get on DIS! I am in the process of downloading pictures and hope to have my trip report started before the end of the week, but thought I'd give a mini report of what is to come...
First of all, we had a fabulous time - the rooms were great, the weather was great, food was fabulous and we had such a good time. Of course with so much good there had had to be some bad - well maybe a little but not much and more on that later! Hope everyone is enjoying Fall and are doing well!

 

[totebagg]

If my calculations are right you just ate dinner and are back at the hotel relaxing after a long drive!!!!! Hope all is well. Enjoy MK tomorrow

Kari - You are right! We had a fabulous dinner that night and was almost back at the hotel when you sent this! Lawrence was so excited and he wanted to take it all in, We didn't get back to the hotel as early as we would have liked but it was all good!

 

[totebagg]

Hope you're having fun at MK this morning and hope the trip there went well!

We had such a great time at MK that day and really the entire trip. The trip down was great even though we definitely had to make a few more stops!