Well, this trip was....different. UPDATE - 9/1!

[annmarieda]

I LOVE the costumes!!! Reid is absolutely adorable!

I have now done a split stay twice... and I think I liked the first time we did it better than this last time. It is a bit of a hassle...either way, but I am also one who has to unpack. It was easier for me to not unpack for a couple nights than to pack up and then live out of the suitcase for just one night. (first time we did a 2/11 night stay...this time was 9/1) It was just easier the first time... not sure I would do it ever again like we did this last trip.

The rain the night of MNSSHP was crazy!!! We were in line for the dwarfs when the skies opened up! Not fun. I hope you managed to stay dry.

 

[Belle83]

Great costumes! Love the picture on the Tomorrowland Speedway

 

[RGirl]

Hi Amanda! Finally caught up again.

B&C looked so good! Hmm - I wonder if they have gluten-free buns because I could totally enjoy that place!

Thanks for giving your thoughts on BC. I’ve always thought that it looked great, but after staying at BWV, I kind of would rather keep going there. YC looks beautiful, however, and I would LOVE to try that someday! And, of course, I would not turn away a chance to stay at BC either. Okay - I just love that location SO much - being able to walk to TWO out of four parks? That is AMAZING!

You have confirmed my feelings about split stays (which, obviously, we have never done). I think I would be so annoyed by it - never be able to fully settle in at the first place and then feeling like I was giving up half of my park time one day to move (even if it was really just an hour or so).

Love the pics of OKW and SO glad that you liked it after all the angst!

Oh my goodness!!! Your MNSSHP costumes are AMAZING!!!! You all three look brilliant - so impressed!!! I love Hook and Smee in the car!!!

Love the new Storybook Circus pics. (Which reminds me - I am going to seriously need your help with my itinerary for my friend on the MK day - I am totally lost about where characters are, what new things there are to do, etc. I don’t want to steer them wrong!)

Oh, I hope you aren’t rained out.

 

[emma212010]

Your costumes are awesome!!! Reid is the cutest pirate I've ever seen!!!

I thought it was hilarious when Reid decided to correct the lady on the tram! He knows his Disney

Oh no!! Raaaaiiiiiiinnnnnn I hope it passes quickly!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Oh my gosh your costumes were perfect! You and Ed looked great but Reid really stole the show. He makes the perfect little Captain Hook! The costume is so adorable on him!

I'm trying to remember what night you guys were at MNSSHP, was it the 30th? We were caught in that rain storm leaving Epcot, I hope that it didn't totally interfere with your night. Nothing is worse than rain on party night!

 

[KatMark]

LOVE the costumes...you all look absolutely great. I'm telling you that Reid's smile just lights up a room.

I'm glad dinner was good (love Cosmic Rays), but sorry to hear about the rain and Reid wanting to leave the Villian show. I hope the rain stops and you can stay.

 

[pas130]

Oh Amanda! Your costumes look FANTASTIC!!!! I hope it doesn't rain on your parade all night

BTW...stop by the new RC thread

 

[shan23877]

Your costumes were AMAZING! Love the PP pics!

You guys were getting a lot done before the party started, and the pics of Hook and Smee trying to figure out the car is hilarious.

Oh no! I sure hope that it didn't rain all night.

 

[TinksThree]

I really haven't seen much of OKW and so it has never topped my potential places. I have friends who have OKW as their home DVC and love it.

Reid is too stinkin' cute in his costume! Sorry about that rain! I have heard some stories of complete nights being ruined this year thanks to the rain!

Congrats on the LSU win... but this time around we were for State! But the Saints pulled it out over the Dirty Birds!! Didn't you say Ed likes them...ha on him!! JK

 

[afwdwfan]

We were parked in the “Zurg” parking lot. As we were walking to wait on a tram, a lady behind us kept saying, “Who is Zurg? I don’t remember a Zurg from any movie.” After saying it a couple of times, Reid decided to turn around & inform her who Zurg is. He then proceeded to talk her ear off about Toy Story.

Way to straighten her out, Reid!!!

As we were waiting for a tram, she was kind enough to take a picture of us:

I really love the costumes. You guys look great! Reid makes an awesome Captain Hook.

I just wanted to be in the moment with my family. So, I apologize that I don’t have any pictures from our first moments in the park.

No apologies needed. Your first priority is to enjoy the trip and spend time with your family. Pictures are just an extra.

That really is a cool picture of the castle. I don't think I've ever known Cinderella Castle to look quite that ominous.

I was really starting to get discouraged that we’d just have to leave.

NOOOOO!!!

I hope the rain lets up and you can make the most of the evening!

 

[petals]

luvin your costumes for the party

 

[amandaw]

Yall's costumes look so great!

Thank you!!

Isn't Storybook Circus awesome? I haven't even seen the complete thing, and I love it. Hahaha.

I really love the Storybook Circus area! I wasn't sure how I would feel about it since I really liked being able to walk through Mickey's home and such. But, I think it's a much better themed area now.

OH NO... not rain! Oh man, I really hope it doesn't rain all night!

Stinking rain! I was so sick of the rain on this trip.

Bummer about the rain!! I hope it stops for you! And you all look amazing! The costumes turned out great!

Thank you so much!!

Can I just say that Reid is SO stinkin' cute! Seriously, that costume is awesome. All of your costumes are, but that pirate costume is so cute.

Awww....thank you so much! The costumes from the Disney Store always look so great and are great quality. But, I do think Reid makes them that much cute. Of course, I'm biased.

Ugh - bummer about the rain. I really hope it stops and doesn't ruin the party for you.

I really didn't want that rain to ruin the party. It was the thing I had been looking forward to the most for this trip.

Nice pics!

Thank you!!

I love your costumes !!! I hope the rain stopped for you.

Thank you so much!!

I LOVE the costumes!!! Reid is absolutely adorable!

Thank you so much!!

I have now done a split stay twice... and I think I liked the first time we did it better than this last time. It is a bit of a hassle...either way, but I am also one who has to unpack. It was easier for me to not unpack for a couple nights than to pack up and then live out of the suitcase for just one night. (first time we did a 2/11 night stay...this time was 9/1) It was just easier the first time... not sure I would do it ever again like we did this last trip.

It is just an inconvenient hassle, right? I can definitely see where doing 1 or 2 nights at the end would be more of a headache. Just as I say I won't do another split stay, I'm working on trying to get us an additional vacation next year. But, it would involve a split stay.

The rain the night of MNSSHP was crazy!!! We were in line for the dwarfs when the skies opened up! Not fun. I hope you managed to stay dry.

Oh no! Did y'all stay in line for the Dwarves? Did they even end up coming out that night? I'm thankful we were able to get under some shelter relatively quick once the sky really opened up.

Great costumes! Love the picture on the Tomorrowland Speedway

Thank you!!

 

[amandaw]

Hi Amanda! Finally caught up again.

Hey! I feel like I can't stay caught up anymore. I used to have time to come on here at least once a day. Now, it's more like 2x a week. Things are just so busy.

B&C looked so good! Hmm - I wonder if they have gluten-free buns because I could totally enjoy that place!

You never know....they may have them....ask! It really was a great meal!

Thanks for giving your thoughts on BC. I’ve always thought that it looked great, but after staying at BWV, I kind of would rather keep going there. YC looks beautiful, however, and I would LOVE to try that someday! And, of course, I would not turn away a chance to stay at BC either. Okay - I just love that location SO much - being able to walk to TWO out of four parks? That is AMAZING!

That location is fantastic! I really do think Boardwalk will be our next resort to try out when we stay in that area again. I just don't know when that will be.

You have confirmed my feelings about split stays (which, obviously, we have never done). I think I would be so annoyed by it - never be able to fully settle in at the first place and then feeling like I was giving up half of my park time one day to move (even if it was really just an hour or so).

Yeah, I definitely didn't love the split stay. But, I would do it again if it got me another trip. Which is a scenario that has come up for us that I'm working on.

Love the pics of OKW and SO glad that you liked it after all the angst!

Thanks! It was definitely a relief to get to OKW and be pleasantly surprised.

Oh my goodness!!! Your MNSSHP costumes are AMAZING!!!! You all three look brilliant - so impressed!!! I love Hook and Smee in the car!!!

Thank you so much!! That picture of them in the car just cracks me up.

Love the new Storybook Circus pics. (Which reminds me - I am going to seriously need your help with my itinerary for my friend on the MK day - I am totally lost about where characters are, what new things there are to do, etc. I don’t want to steer them wrong!)

I can definitely still help out. Just PM me whatever you need to know!

Oh, I hope you aren’t rained out.

That darn rain was on my nerves!

Your costumes are awesome!!! Reid is the cutest pirate I've ever seen!!!

Thank you so much!

I thought it was hilarious when Reid decided to correct the lady on the tram! He knows his Disney

I bet that lady was sorry she ever said anything. He would not stop talking about Buzz and Zurg to her.

Oh no!! Raaaaiiiiiiinnnnnn I hope it passes quickly!!

I really wanted to cry when it started but I was trying my hardest to stay positive.

Oh my gosh your costumes were perfect! You and Ed looked great but Reid really stole the show. He makes the perfect little Captain Hook! The costume is so adorable on him!

Thank you!! Oh that little Reid always steals the show!

I'm trying to remember what night you guys were at MNSSHP, was it the 30th? We were caught in that rain storm leaving Epcot, I hope that it didn't totally interfere with your night. Nothing is worse than rain on party night!

Yeah, we went to MNSSHP on the 30th. Funny - we got caught in a rainstorm leaving EPCOT on a different night. I was so sick of rain on this trip.

LOVE the costumes...you all look absolutely great. I'm telling you that Reid's smile just lights up a room.

Awww....thank you! I know his smile always makes my day brighter. I tell him all the time that he makes my heart happy.

I'm glad dinner was good (love Cosmic Rays), but sorry to hear about the rain and Reid wanting to leave the Villian show. I hope the rain stops and you can stay.

We love Cosmic Rays too. I like that you there's a decent variety.

I couldn't believe the rain that was coming down. I was trying so hard to stay positive.

Oh Amanda! Your costumes look FANTASTIC!!!! I hope it doesn't rain on your parade all night

BTW...stop by the new RC thread

Thank you so much!!

I stopped by the new RC thread tonight! I promise to try & keep up this time.

 

[amandaw]

Your costumes were AMAZING! Love the PP pics!

Thank you so much!!

You guys were getting a lot done before the party started, and the pics of Hook and Smee trying to figure out the car is hilarious.

I was glad we could get dinner and a couple of rides in before the actual party. I knew Reid would want to ride Buzz right away.

Don't they look so confused in that car? I know they really weren't but with the costumes and their expressions it just looks funny.

Oh no! I sure hope that it didn't rain all night.

UGH - the rain would be a common theme on this trip.

I really haven't seen much of OKW and so it has never topped my potential places. I have friends who have OKW as their home DVC and love it.

It's a really pretty resort. And quite peaceful. With a car, it's very easy to get around. I can see where it wouldn't be as easy just using the buses but definitely not horrible either.

Reid is too stinkin' cute in his costume! Sorry about that rain! I have heard some stories of complete nights being ruined this year thanks to the rain!

Thank you! Yeah, I've read where some people got tickets to parties for other nights because the weather was so bad. Luckily, it wasn't quite that bad for us.

Congrats on the LSU win... but this time around we were for State! But the Saints pulled it out over the Dirty Birds!! Didn't you say Ed likes them...ha on him!! JK

I did think of you during the LSU/Miss State game! I don't know what made me happier.....LSU winning or Alabama getting beat!

Ed is a Falcons fan. Let's just say he wasn't too happy Sunday. In fact, he didn't even want to really watch it. So, we went to the movies to see Wreck-It Ralph.

Way to straighten her out, Reid!!!

I really started to feel sorry for her after a little while. As it is, Reid likes to talk. But, get him started on a subject he really likes and he'll go on forever.

I really love the costumes. You guys look great! Reid makes an awesome Captain Hook.

Thank you!!

No apologies needed. Your first priority is to enjoy the trip and spend time with your family. Pictures are just an extra.

I really appreciate the understanding. I had a lot of moments this trip of just wanting to enjoy the time with my guys. I worried about whether or not I should even do a TR since I don't have as many pics as normal.

That really is a cool picture of the castle. I don't think I've ever known Cinderella Castle to look quite that ominous.

Thanks! I thought it was really neat to see the castle in such a different way.

NOOOOO!!!

I hope the rain lets up and you can make the most of the evening!

That rain really had me worried for a while!

luvin your costumes for the party

Thank you!!

 

[amandaw]

Hi, everybody!

Sorry I didn't get an update posted on Monday. Looks like we have another busy week ahead of us again. But, I'm going to try to type up my next installment before I go to bed tonight and will try to post it after I bring Reid to school in the morning.

Speaking of school, I'm already having to deal with the fact that my "baby" is going off to kindergarten next fall. We've been busy exploring our schooling options: private or public. This has been so stressful. I don't want him going off to big kid school but I know he has to. And so I don't want to make the wrong choice for him.

The public school we're zoned for is a really good school in our district. We toured the school last week and were pleased with what we saw. But, we still wanted to explore private school options. Most of the private schools were either (a) way too expensive or (b) just didn't mesh well with our religious views/beliefs and what we want in his education.

So after touring the last private school on our list today, I think we've chosen to just give our public school a try. Everyone says how great it is. We shall see. Now, I just have to prepare myself for next August.

In more light-hearted fun news, I may have found a way to get us back to WDW next year in addition to our June cruise! It would most likely be in October. But, I'm not 100% positive yet if my evil plan will work! Once I finish scheming, I will let y'all know more...........

 

[shan23877]

I know how hard it is to make the choice for Reid's schooling. It sounds like you're doing every thing you can to make sure that you make the decision that's right for your family. I have faith that it will all work out.


Ohhhhh. I love a good Disney scheme....

 

[afwdwfan]

I really appreciate the understanding. I had a lot of moments this trip of just wanting to enjoy the time with my guys. I worried about whether or not I should even do a TR since I don't have as many pics as normal.

Pictures are never a priority for us. DW and I are neither one photographers. We just take some to capture the memories and that's about it. I just hope that with keeping track of 2 kids this time there are enough salvagable pictures for a TR. If not...

We shall see. Now, I just have to prepare myself for next August.

Either way, I'm sure the choice will be fine. As long as Reid is comfortable there I'm sure it doesn't matter whether it is public or private. I'd lean towards public anyway as long as you're in a good school district. You're already paying for his education there, no point paying for it twice.

In more light-hearted fun news, I may have found a way to get us back to WDW next year in addition to our June cruise! It would most likely be in October. But, I'm not 100% positive yet if my evil plan will work! Once I finish scheming, I will let y'all know more...........

Hope it works out. Are you looking at the same time frame to make the ToT run again?

 

[amandaw]

I know how hard it is to make the choice for Reid's schooling. It sounds like you're doing every thing you can to make sure that you make the decision that's right for your family. I have faith that it will all work out.

Thanks! I hope we're making the right decision. Guess only time will tell and if we're not happy with our public school, we'll go back to our private school options.

Ohhhhh. I love a good Disney scheme....

Me, too!! I'm hoping to nail down some specifics tonight with Ed and then I will fill y'all in!!

Pictures are never a priority for us. DW and I are neither one photographers. We just take some to capture the memories and that's about it. I just hope that with keeping track of 2 kids this time there are enough salvagable pictures for a TR. If not...

No, you definitely have to do a TR! You'll probably have more pictures than you think. That's how it was for me when I got home. I definitely don't have as many as I normally take but I figured I had enough to fill up a TR. And besides, you have to tell me all about the New Fantasyland!

Either way, I'm sure the choice will be fine. As long as Reid is comfortable there I'm sure it doesn't matter whether it is public or private. I'd lean towards public anyway as long as you're in a good school district. You're already paying for his education there, no point paying for it twice.

You are right about that! I couldn't get over the price of some of the private schools. 10K a year for kindergarten? I didn't see what you get for that kind of money. We looked for a house specifically in this school's zone, so we need to at least give it a chance. Hopefully, it will be as great as everyone says.

Hope it works out. Are you looking at the same time frame to make the ToT run again?

Thanks! Actually, it would be more mid-October so we would miss the run. But, we would be able to do MNSSHP again!

 

[amandaw]

We stood under the covered pavilion in the Rose Garden trying to have as much fun as we could. I have to say that Reid was really being quite good and just having fun being silly. Eventually, it looked like the rain wasn’t falling as hard so I stepped out from underneath the pavilion.

Thankfully, the rain had slowed to just a slight drizzle. I quickly got Reid buckled back into his stroller and told Ed for us to book it to Adventureland. Looking at the sky, I could tell the rain wasn’t done yet. My thinking was that I could at least get us to Pirates for some indoor ride fun.

When we got to PotC, I was very happy to see that they were allowing stroller parking under the covered entrance....especially since I had forgotten our stroller rain cover. We got the stroller parked and went into the ride. Given the weather conditions, I was very surprised that hardly anyone was over there and we were able to walk right onto the ride.

By the time we got off of Pirates, the rain had returned in full force. Thankfully, they had one of the trick-or-treat lines going underneath the covering, so we decided to go there real quick:



We put Reid’s treats back in the stroller basket and decided to go hang out with the Pirates again:





I am happy to say that when we got off of Pirates this time, the rain was gone. And it was gone for good! Well, at least for that night.

We went down another trick-or-treat line by the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse:



From there, we cut across to Frontierland. We saw everyone lined up and realized that the first parade was just about to start. Now, I don’t know if we missed it but we didn’t see the Headless Horseman ride. My guess is that they didn’t do it that night. I had read that if it rains at all they don’t do the Headless Horseman due to safety concerns. Given the amount of rain that had fallen, I’m thinking they didn’t do it.

Anyway, we didn’t have the best spot but I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to catch the 2nd parade. So, Ed put Reid on his shoulders (there was no one behind us) and we enjoyed the parade the best we could. So, sit back and enjoy some really junky pictures of the Halloween parade:









Even though we didn’t have the best vantage point, all 3 of us really enjoyed the parade and agreed that it’s the best Disney parade.

We headed back into Adventureland and then towards the Hub. Passing Aloha Isle, Ed asked if I wanted a Dole Whip. I was determined to finally try one on this trip. But, I just wasn’t in the mood. So, I declined and said I would get one later in the trip.

As we were getting into the Hub, we realized that everyone was getting ready for HallowWishes. We were able to find a place on the Adventureland walkway close to the Hub, just left of the castle. Ed went and got all 3 of us some drinks. Reid was quite happy sitting there drinking his water. But, then he was done and wanted to know what we were doing next. I explained to him that the fireworks would be starting soon.

This is where our next meltdown of the trip commenced. He absolutely did not want anything to do with the fireworks. We had talked about it at home prior to the trip that we would at least watch HallowWishes. But, 4 year olds don’t always stick to the deals they make. He proceeded to scream at me from his stroller and just be plain ugly. I, on the other hand, did something that I normally don’t do when he acts this way in public: I ignored him. Well, before ignoring him, I bent down and very sternly informed him that I was watching the fireworks and that if he didn’t want to watch them, he could close his eyes. I know, I’m a mean mommy. He continued to be mad at me and pulled the sunshade of his stroller down. But, he did stop fussing at me.

Right before the fireworks started, a French family came and stood right in front of us. They were speaking French (which I speak/understand somewhat) and the mother was telling the family just to stand in front of us, that it didn’t matter. Now, because it’s fireworks, I didn’t care about them standing in front of me. However, when you see that my child is in his stroller, could you just scoot over a bit for him? Especially since it wasn’t crowded & there was more than enough room. Anywhooooo.....the fireworks started and as soon as the first big bang was heard, guess who wanted to see the fireworks? Yep, Mr. Reid!

So, I scooted his stroller out from behind French Daddy so he could see better. Then, he insisted I sit by him and watch. I sat on the ground next to his stroller and enjoyed every moment of those fireworks with my baby without worrying about pictures. He held my hand during the whole thing, just “Ooohing” and “Ahhhing” at every big firework. It was one of those perfect moments in life.

Since I don’t have pictures of the fireworks, y’all will just have to believe me when I say they are spectacular! It is by far the best fireworks show that Disney does. Even Ed was very impressed with them and kept saying how great they were.

When the fireworks were done, I had a destination in mind. So, we started making our way through the Hub and turned to go down Main Street. But, when we were almost to our destination I made a change to the plans. The sign at the Town Square Theatre was showing the wait for the princesses to only be 10 minutes. Could that be right? Would Reid even meet them?

Surprisingly, he agreed to finally meet some princesses!!! In we went and we might have waited 15 minutes at most. First up was Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.



I thought Rapunzel was by far the best princess in there that night. And Flynn was great, too. They were asking Reid if he knew their ruffian friends, especially Hook Hand. Now, as I’ve said, my child loves to talk. However, he gets very shy around pretty girls. Needless to say, he didn’t want to say too much in front of the princesses.











Up next was Snow White and her prince. What’s his name? Snow Prince? Anyway, whatever his name is, I was glad to have him there because Snow White was boring. I’m sorry she just was. Maybe she just didn’t know what to say to a little boy. But, the Prince was really nice and saying that Reid must be royalty since he had a feather in his hat.







And last, but not least, was Cinderella and Prince Charming. They were both very nice though Prince Charming did most of the talking. I do think the Princes were happy to see a boy in there.







Cinderella looks a little bit afraid of my son right there!



With the princesses out of the way, we were back to our original mission:

Meet the Main Mice in their Halloween costumes!

 

[MEK]

I am going to have to reread your update when I can see pictures, but I am so happy that Reid decided he wanted to see the fireworks after all. That's awesome. My oldest always hated the noise of fireworks. He would hold his ears the entire time.

I agree, the Hallowishes fireworks were absolutely spectacular this year. You know that yours truly took a million pictures of them, but they are not even uploaded yet or I would share a few.

Glad you made your decision about next year. I hope you are very happy with your school choice. Sounds like you will be.