"We're going wild - Disney style" - A Oct 15-25th Pre-TR (10/12...for the ladies!)

[Overexcited]

Well, besides giving myself dancing bananas because there's a mere 4 weeks to go....



...I thought I would mention that I decided to check to see if we could add that last day that we are switching to POP to my DVC/AKV rental. I found someone with the points...but alas there was no availabilty at all DVC on 10/24.. It's not that I mind going to POP...but I am not totally looking forward to the idea of moving all our s**t for one night.

Also, we put up our countdown calander, which I made earlier in the week. If I get a chance, I'll print/scan it in.

Has your family figured out where your staying yet?

YEAHHHH 4 weeks, that is so close now! In 4 weeks you will be going and I will be bummed that our much hyped trip is over

 

[If U Had Wings]

Woo Hoo for 4 weeks! That's too bad about the one day. Kind of a hassle to move for such a short amount of time. You never know something may turn up.

 

[skier_pete]

Has your family figured out where your staying yet?

YEAHHHH 4 weeks, that is so close now! In 4 weeks you will be going and I will be bummed that our much hyped trip is over

Nope, the DD has even stopped asking me. I don't know how they are remaining so calm. I think DD is probably convinced we are staying at AKL, and therefore will be all "No Big"...nah she'll be thrilled. Not sure what DW is thinking...I've told her we are not staying value, but otherwise have not given her much of a hint. We had this conversation a few weeks ago:

Her: "Maybe we'll have time to go to the pool when we get there." (Flights coming in 7 PM on Friday).
Me: "How do you know there's going to be a pool."
Her: "What?"
Me: "I didn't say the hotel had a pool, did I?"
Her: "Well, all the hotels on Disney property have a pool."
Me: "Maybe we're not staying on Disney property."
Her: "Ummmm....well I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have this 'extra-special' trip and have us staying off property. Plus we're taking ME."
Me: "Oh, you got me there. Your right, there is a pool."

Another close friend of ours that we went with in 2007 is irritated I won't tell her where we're going. I say "It's a secret" to everyone I know. You folks on the DIS are the only ones that have a clue!

Woo Hoo for 4 weeks! That's too bad about the one day. Kind of a hassle to move for such a short amount of time. You never know something may turn up.

I figure for the day we'll mostly pack up all our stuff, and just have a day bag with change of clothes. We added the extra day because it would've cost us about $150 more to fly out on Sunday...so figured for the $100 for the extra night it is worth it that we get a full day on Sunday and save some money - even if it means changing resorts. I was going to do the adder as cheap as possible, but had a recent financial windfall that I thought for another $30-50 we would stay at AKV....but we'll see, maybe something will open up. I can be pretty charming with those ladies at the front desk!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

It's not that I mind going to POP...but I am not totally looking forward to the idea of moving all our s**t for one night.

Well, look at it this way, at least most of your stuff can remain packed and you won't have to spend much of your last night/day doing that.

Woohoo for 4 weeks!!!

 

[skier_pete]

Just 16 days to go and a few minor tweaks going on:

1) Just saw the post on here / Alllears that Camp Kidani is closing down. Bummer! Well, at least DD and DW have no idea it exists. So, I called today to make a reservation for Simba's Clubhouse instead. I think she'll like this a lot too...and it makes dining a Jiko a little easier....first off, we will be dropping her off at Jambo instead of Kidani. Second, we are no longer limited to two hours as we were with Kidani. If we want to go for a stroll after dinner, we just have to pay the piper. Probably won't want to keep her in there much past 9 pm though.Third, I was kind of looking for a slot to try out Simba's Clubhouse, and could never find it, so while I'm disappointed Kidani is shut down, it is "so not the drama" as our good friend Kim Possible would say.

2) Called ME and got our extra bag-tags mailed out as well as finally added on our return ME booking. I really wish i could find a way to stay at AKV for that last night instead of switching over to Pop without it costing 2 arms and 3 legs.

3) Wine and Dine Weekend! We have booked a limosine and us and four other couples are doing a winery tour this Saturday. DMIL is coming to watch DD for the day, so we are doing 5 wineries in 5 hours. We've been up to the Niagara County Wineries before (the closest are only about 20 minutes from our house) but this will take us to some of the farther ones we don't normally get to. Very much looking forward to this, and if it is as fun as i hope, maybe it will become a fall tradition!

4) Hockey season approaches! I am not as big a sports nut as many guys are. I could take or leave basketball, NASCAR, baseball and even football (though I do enjoy a good game). But my favorite spectator sport in a landslide is hockey. I split season tickets and go to about 12 games a year. The seaon starts October 8th, and I'm taking DD to the pre-season game on Sunday, since it was both free and early. We probably will only stay for two periods, but enjoy watching my Sabres play the Philthy Flyers.

While I won't go out of my way to watch games while in Florida, it is one of the few "outside world" things I will actually pay attention to...and will request a friend to update scores while there.

 

[onescgirl]

5 wineries in 5 hours! I'm glad you've got that limo to get you home! Have fun!

 

[skier_pete]

5 wineries in 5 hours! I'm glad you've got that limo to get you home! Have fun!

Yup! No driving for us!

BTW, Welcome back! I haven't seen a TR pop up from you yet...did you have a great time!

 

[laashley]

Sounds like you are doing a good job keeping busy before Disney. Visiting 5 wineries sure sounds like fun and even better when you have a driver!

I am not much for watching hockey on tv, but actually going to a game is fun.

Glad you decided to put dd in the kids club and having a night just you and dw. I'm sure you dw will appreciate it!

 

[skier_pete]

Sounds like you are doing a good job keeping busy before Disney. Visiting 5 wineries sure sounds like fun and even better when you have a driver!

I am not much for watching hockey on tv, but actually going to a game is fun.

Glad you decided to put dd in the kids club and having a night just you and dw. I'm sure you dw will appreciate it!

DW was asking me if her or DD had to dress up at all. Again, having to stay vague since she has no idea what we're doing I said: "Well, DD does not, but you should bring something nice."

"How nice" she asks.
"You know, not real nice, Disney nice." I respond.

We have been quite busy lately...right now we don't have anything planned the weekend before we leave - though it's possible that DW aunt and uncle are coming from New Jersey to visit.

It's start to get close, though isn't it? There's always that between time where it's close but not really - but now that we're getting down to two weeks left - that's close!

 

[laashley]

DW was asking me if her or DD had to dress up at all. Again, having to stay vague since she has no idea what we're doing I said: "Well, DD does not, but you should bring something nice."

"How nice" she asks.
"You know, not real nice, Disney nice." I respond.

We have been quite busy lately...right now we don't have anything planned the weekend before we leave - though it's possible that DW aunt and uncle are coming from New Jersey to visit.

It's start to get close, though isn't it? There's always that between time where it's close but not really - but now that we're getting down to two weeks left - that's close!

Disney nice, new term!

I know I have been neglecting my PTR. I keep saying we leave 2 weeks from friday! And yes 2 weeks is close!!! This weekend me and the kids are headed to visit my hometown and see one of my bff's who just had a baby. Next weekend I hope to start my packing. Still have lots to do.

Oh, and guess what I think I am changing a couple of days around. The 17th really has me worried on crowds at Epcot. Touring plans has that rated as less than a 1, but I just don't think it is right. Being a weekend and F & W, usually means bigger local crowds. Maybe not on the rides so much, but I really want to be able to enjoy WS too. I think we will hop there for the Garden Grill ADR and watch Illuminations, just have to figure out what park to switch with (either AK or MK). Thinking MK, but I am one of those crazy people who doesn't like to go to MK first. Guess I like a build up to it. Sorry I'm rambling. As usual lots going through my head!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Disney Nice! I like this and it's now going to be added into my vocabulary as well.
Have fun with the wineries.....

Not long to go now

 

[skier_pete]

Disney nice, new term!

I know I have been neglecting my PTR. I keep saying we leave 2 weeks from friday! And yes 2 weeks is close!!! This weekend me and the kids are headed to visit my hometown and see one of my bff's who just had a baby. Next weekend I hope to start my packing. Still have lots to do.

Oh, and guess what I think I am changing a couple of days around. The 17th really has me worried on crowds at Epcot. Touring plans has that rated as less than a 1, but I just don't think it is right. Being a weekend and F & W, usually means bigger local crowds. Maybe not on the rides so much, but I really want to be able to enjoy WS too. I think we will hop there for the Garden Grill ADR and watch Illuminations, just have to figure out what park to switch with (either AK or MK). Thinking MK, but I am one of those crazy people who doesn't like to go to MK first. Guess I like a build up to it. Sorry I'm rambling. As usual lots going through my head!

Well, I'll give you my thinking on why we are doing Epcot on Sunday:

1) ALL the parks are crowded on a Sunday - gerenally the day most people start there vacation - and when ALL parks are crowded, Epcot will usually feel the least crowded. Switching to another park won't really avoid crowds. (I've been to all 3 other parks on Sunday over the past 5 years - and it's always crowded)
2) yes, it's F&W - but this is really popular to do on Fri and Sat nights...therefore I don't think it should be as crowded on Sunday, as most locals see it as an evening out type thing which they'd be less likely to do on a Sunday.

and for you specifically:
3) Switching MK from Tuesday to Sunday with Epcot is not a good choice. Tuesday is considered typically the WORST day for Epcot crowds all week, while at the same time Tuesday is the LOWEST crowds for MK. If you move MK to Sunday - you will likely have heavy crowds even though it is a MNSSHP day, whereas Tuesday will be very quite. Likewise, Epcot on Tuesday has morning EMH, which typically brings the crowds. If you choose to make the switch - I would think AK would be the better move of the two. However, my chart shows Sunday as AK - early EMH - which means that park will be very crowded too! However, if you take advantage of those early EMH - it may be worth it.

 

[If U Had Wings]

1) Just saw the post on here / Alllears that Camp Kidani is closing down. Bummer! Well, at least DD and DW have no idea it exists. So, I called today to make a reservation for Simba's Clubhouse instead. I think she'll like this a lot too...and it makes dining a Jiko a little easier....first off, we will be dropping her off at Jambo instead of Kidani. Second, we are no longer limited to two hours as we were with Kidani. If we want to go for a stroll after dinner, we just have to pay the piper. Probably won't want to keep her in there much past 9 pm though.Third, I was kind of looking for a slot to try out Simba's Clubhouse, and could never find it, so while I'm disappointed Kidani is shut down, it is "so not the drama" as our good friend Kim Possible would say.

I saw that yesterday. That's too bad, but at least she never know about the other so she can't be missing it.

2) Called ME and got our extra bag-tags mailed out as well as finally added on our return ME booking. I really wish i could find a way to stay at AKV for that last night instead of switching over to Pop without it costing 2 arms and 3 legs.

Wow, 2 arms and 3 legs! If you go with a family, will they take just one limb from each of you, or does one person have to lose all their limbs.

The Wine weekend sounds like a great idea. Sadly no wineries near me, although you could go on a tour of all the famous New Haven pizza places instead. Probably just as much a chance of feeling ill if you over-do it.

 

[skier_pete]

Disney Nice! I like this and it's now going to be added into my vocabulary as well.
Have fun with the wineries.....

Not long to go now

Definition of dressing Disney Nice - "Dressed so that you look better than the sweaty family next to you dressed in tank tops, cut-offs, and crocs."

Wow, 2 arms and 3 legs! If you go with a family, will they take just one limb from each of you, or does one person have to lose all their limbs.

The Wine weekend sounds like a great idea. Sadly no wineries near me, although you could go on a tour of all the famous New Haven pizza places instead. Probably just as much a chance of feeling ill if you over-do it.

Oooh...I'd take a Pizza tour! Coming from New England, it was a good thing the Pizza in Buffalo was good too! Much of the country this is not the case!

The 2 arms and 3 legs are from your entire party...though if your party is larger than 4 additional limbs are required.

I'll make sure to toast your race at one point on our wine tour! Hope the weather doesn't affect your flight!

 

[JLR]

Hey Pete -

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and your family. I'm sure you will have a great time! I'm glad you are getting a bit of couple time with your wife.

Julie

 

[skier_pete]

Hey Pete -

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and your family. I'm sure you will have a great time! I'm glad you are getting a bit of couple time with your wife.

Julie

Hey Julie...Thanks for thinking of me....just 9 days to go.

Single Digit Dancin'!

 

[skier_pete]

In honor of Single-Digit Dancin I thought I would post the last little bit of planning.

I've been trying to work up a plan for MNSSHP - of all our park time, this seems like it is the most limited time with the most to do. I can see why people go to multiple parties - but I personally cannot give Disney that much of my money for 5 hour windows of time. (With our APs - I figure we are paying roughly $22 per person for per full park day - yet have to pay more than twice that for 5 hours in the MK: Yuk! What a gouge-job.)

Anyways, the great variable here is: How long can we stay in the park before DD gets too cranky/stubborn to want to deal with anymore? Now, my intent is to have this be a hotel-only day until we leave for the park for dinner. In addition, I am going to try very, very hard to force a nap out of DD. I figure if we spend some time in the pool mid-morning to early-afternoon - if I can get her in the room by 2 PM, we can maybe get her to fall asleep for an hour. If we do this...we are much more likely to last longer for the party. Even so, I think 11 PM is probably the maximum she will last before becoming unbearable.

I actually came up with TWO plans - the first got the parade / Villians Mix and Mingle done early. The second put those later in the night. I am leaning towards the second one for a couple of reasons...but here they are:

Early parade plan:
3:45 PM Leave Hotal for MK
4:30 PM Arrive MK - FP for Jungle Cruise (If available)
4:50 PM Dinner at Crystal Palace
6:00 PM Jungle Cruise / PotC - if time allows
6:30 PM Line up for 7 Dwarves M & G
7:10 PM 7 Dwarves M & G
7:20 PM Trick or Treat / Cinderella Coach / FL
7:45 PM Villians Mix & Mingle
8:15 PM Boo To You Parade
8:45 PM Rocketeer Plaza / Mix & Mingle
9:30 PM Hallowishes
9:45 PM Adventureland M & G / BTMRR
10:15 PM Woody's Round-up Party
10:40 PM Toon Town / Alice's Treat Trail
11:15 PM Head back towards hotel.

Late parade plan:
Same as above through 7 Dwarves M & G.
7:20 PM Frontierland / Woody's Round Up Party / BTMRR
7:40 PM Adventureland Character Meets
8:00 PM Toon Town / Alice's Treat Trail (During Parade)
8:30 PM Rocketeer Plaza / Mix & Mingle / Rides?
9:30 PM Hallowishes
10:05 PM Villians Mix & Mingle
10:30 PM Boo To You Parade
10:50 PM Winnie The Pooh Characters (Front of Park)
11:15 PM Head back to hotel.

OK - why do I like the second plan better?
1) The "running around the park" occurs early in the second plan, and later in the first. Towards the end of the night we are mostly hanging on main street watching the shows and parade.
2) The second plan has us greeting the Toontown folks during the parade. Shorter lines perhaps? (I haven't been able to confirm that they are actually open, though.)
3) The second plan ends with us on Main Street for the parade, then meeting the Winnie the Pooh characters on our way out of the park if the lines not too long. More direct exit perhaps? (We will see them at CP too...but might be worth it to see them in costume.)
4) Seems like the crowds for the second parade are typically lower - don't have to stake a spot as early?

So, I'm leaning towards the second plan - though once we get there and talk it over, we may modify it. Or throw it out completely.

Oh who cares at this stage - we're 9 days from the biggest Disney trip ever!

 

[skier_pete]

BTW - For those that are interested, the wine tour was wonderful. Everyone had a great time...got a little bit sloshed - mostly because we also opened bottles in the limo as we went, but not as many as I thought we would. One of the "wineries" also had beer tastings, which the guys all loved.
We came home and had dinner (ordered a giant sub and DW made noodle salad - we had also eaten in the car the whole ride). Everyone tried out the hot tub before wrapping things up about 9 PM. It felt much later because, as someone pointed out, we had been partying for 9 hours. DW and I came home with about 9 bottles as well...

We definitely want to do it again next year...like to scale up to 7 couples instead of 5. Anyone want to join in?

 

[laashley]

Woohoo, single digits for us both!

Here's my thoughts on MNSSHP- 1. do what you think will fit DD best, sounds like the 2nd choice. 2. the characters do still greet during the parade (definitely, have heard reports of people meeting princesses/princes and mickey/minnie while the parade is going on.) So, I would say that is a perfect time to see them. 3. I have heard that after one of the villian show there is no mix and mingle. Unfortunately, I don't remember which one. Will let you know if I find it in my notes.

Sounds like the wine tour was lots of fun!

 

[skier_pete]

Woohoo, single digits for us both!

Here's my thoughts on MNSSHP- 1. do what you think will fit DD best, sounds like the 2nd choice. 2. the characters do still greet during the parade (definitely, have heard reports of people meeting princesses/princes and mickey/minnie while the parade is going on.) So, I would say that is a perfect time to see them. 3. I have heard that after one of the villian show there is no mix and mingle. Unfortunately, I don't remember which one. Will let you know if I find it in my notes.

Sounds like the wine tour was lots of fun!

Thanks for the tips! If the characters are greeting during the first parade, that may be the perfect plan. Our DD is not really into characters other than the Fab 5 and also the Pooh characters, but DW and I sometimes are. Last trip DD was a real pooper when it came to characters, but we tend to be - we want to meet them as long as the lines aren't long. I want to see if we can get 50 characters this trip! I think with the party this is pretty doable.

The answer to the Villians Mix and Mingle question is that it was the one immediately before the fireworks where they didn't greet. However, this year they moved that one forward about 15 minutes, so I think now they DO mix after every one, but I can't confirm that!