We're not having a baby so let's go to Disney World. May 2009 PTR. We're HOME.

[wlwilliams9]

I agree! I'd just go with the ressies you have and not bother with changing them. Too risky!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Looks like Madeline had a great day!! She is adorable- I love her Easter dress.

On your reservations I called because we needed to add people (that may not end up joining us) and they told me I can always call to make the number lower- but adding people would be the only problem. Then I called back to confirm- got someone else and they told me that if I called to take away a couple people, I would have to loose my reservation and try to make one for the actual number of people in my group. I was so annoyed!!
I say just go and say you have one less!!

oh that is crazy! I don't think I'm going to call again except to see if we can get in earlier at Tusker house. OUr ADR for there is 8:25 at the moment and I'd like it a bit earlier I think.

I agree! I'd just go with the ressies you have and not bother with changing them. Too risky!!

Yeah I'm leaving it alone!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I've been worried about the drive and being really tired when we arrive. I don't want to be super tired for our first day in the Magic Kingdom so I've been thinking of tweaking our plans a bit. Here's what I'm thinking:

Saturday May 2: leave house at 4am, stop at Dino World in Kentucky and stop for the night in southern Georgia
Sunday May 3: leave hotel by 9am to arrive in Kissimmee by 3pm, get groceries, check into condo at 4pm then head out for supper at hopefully downtown disney
Monday May 4: REST DAY (was supposed to be MK day) Sleep in and then maybe go to Gatorland. I believe we'll play this by ear and if we wake up early enough to go to MK we'll go.
Tuesday May 5: MK day
Wednesday May 6: Epcot day
Thursday May 7: sleep in, maybe tour some hotels or Disney Quest/Downtown Disney, Gatorland if we don't go Monday
Friday May 8: HS day, rope drop and early Prime Time ADR that I'm still debating.
Saturdady May 9: Typhoon Lagoon. I was thinking that Saturday would be busy but I just read that it's the least busy water park day.
Sunday May 10: Animal Kingdom day. Before park opening ADR at Tusker house. I"m a little worried about this because I've read posts where they haven't let people into the parking lot until right before opening
Monday May 11: MK day before park opening Cystal Palace. This is also date night for Eric and I. ADR for Whispering Canyon. I'm thinking we'll do Spectro and Wishes this night.
Tuesday May 12: off day
Wednesday May 13: Epcot, behind the seeds tour and World Showcase
Thursday May 14: off day, pack
Friday May 15: leave

It feels like this week is going to go so fast!

 

[my2disneyboys]

I've been worried about the drive and being really tired when we arrive. I don't want to be super tired for our first day in the Magic Kingdom so I've been thinking of tweaking our plans a bit. Here's what I'm thinking:

Saturday May 2: leave house at 4am, stop at Dino World in Kentucky and stop for the night in southern Georgia
Sunday May 3: leave hotel by 9am to arrive in Kissimmee by 3pm, get groceries, check into condo at 4pm then head out for supper at hopefully downtown disney
Monday May 4: REST DAY (was supposed to be MK day) Sleep in and then maybe go to Gatorland. I believe we'll play this by ear and if we wake up early enough to go to MK we'll go.
Tuesday May 5: MK day
Wednesday May 6: Epcot day
Thursday May 7: sleep in, maybe tour some hotels or Disney Quest/Downtown Disney, Gatorland if we don't go Monday
Friday May 8: HS day, rope drop and early Prime Time ADR that I'm still debating.
Saturdady May 9: Typhoon Lagoon. I was thinking that Saturday would be busy but I just read that it's the least busy water park day.
Sunday May 10: Animal Kingdom day. Before park opening ADR at Tusker house. I"m a little worried about this because I've read posts where they haven't let people into the parking lot until right before opening
Monday May 11: MK day before park opening Cystal Palace. This is also date night for Eric and I. ADR for Whispering Canyon. I'm thinking we'll do Spectro and Wishes this night.
Tuesday May 12: off day
Wednesday May 13: Epcot, behind the seeds tour and World Showcase
Thursday May 14: off day, pack
Friday May 15: leave

It feels like this week is going to go so fast!

Plans look so great- what have you heard about AK? We have an 8:05 at Tusker House!? You have such a nice mix of down time and park time. My plans are a little too packed with parks- I wish I had a day to not go to the parks but I guess because we leave every day from 2-5 we are just doing 1/2 days.- hopefully it wont be too bad!!

I have been wishing these weeks away and then all of a sudden I have been feeling ... "YIKES! It's almost here....what else do I need to do?? OMG I have to get on a plane?!.... I am so nervous and excited!!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Plans look so great- what have you heard about AK? We have an 8:05 at Tusker House!? You have such a nice mix of down time and park time. My plans are a little too packed with parks- I wish I had a day to not go to the parks but I guess because we leave every day from 2-5 we are just doing 1/2 days.- hopefully it wont be too bad!!

I have been wishing these weeks away and then all of a sudden I have been feeling ... "YIKES! It's almost here....what else do I need to do?? OMG I have to get on a plane?!.... I am so nervous and excited!!!

We got our before park ADR at AK about 6 weeks ago. Eric has been calling once a week to try to get it earlier up until last week we could have still changed it to a later time. When he called last week there was nothing available all day (at least all of breakfast hours anyway) I hope it's not too busy. That will drive me NUTS! I really love the safari at AK. We haven't been on Everest yet. THey were building it in 2004 when we honeymooned there.

We're excited to do Soarin' also. That was also being built when we were last there.

 

[my2disneyboys]

We got our before park ADR at AK about 6 weeks ago. Eric has been calling once a week to try to get it earlier up until last week we could have still changed it to a later time. When he called last week there was nothing available all day (at least all of breakfast hours anyway) I hope it's not too busy. That will drive me NUTS! I really love the safari at AK. We haven't been on Everest yet. THey were building it in 2004 when we honeymooned there.

We're excited to do Soarin' also. That was also being built when we were last there.

I hear that this is one of the fastest breakfasts- so that should help to get you right out on time. I read on here a strategy would be to get the fast pass for EE and then go on the Safari and then go back and ride EE or if there is a little line - ride it, and then save the fast pass to ride it again later!
They make it so hard for one person to wait in line though while the other goes and grab fast passes- because how will you ever catch up to them in line?!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I hear that this is one of the fastest breakfasts- so that should help to get you right out on time. I read on here a strategy would be to get the fast pass for EE and then go on the Safari and then go back and ride EE or if there is a little line - ride it, and then save the fast pass to ride it again later!
They make it so hard for one person to wait in line though while the other goes and grab fast passes- because how will you ever catch up to them in line?!

I"m hoping it's a quickish breakfast. I think we may show up early and just hope we get seated earlier then our ADR. WE'll be doing rider switch on this one I think. So we should be able to get a couple rides out of our fastpasses. The parade at AK is the one parade I'm planning on seeing. The HS parade sounds really lame now and from what I've read the MK isn't much better now.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I"m hoping it's a quickish breakfast. I think we may show up early and just hope we get seated earlier then our ADR. WE'll be doing rider switch on this one I think. So we should be able to get a couple rides out of our fastpasses. The parade at AK is the one parade I'm planning on seeing. The HS parade sounds really lame now and from what I've read the MK isn't much better now.

It's funny that you say that because I was so torn about the parade at HS. I know we are staying for the parade at AK, and I really like to go back for naps in the afternoon- makes for a much nicer night. I am convinced now that on our HS day we will leave around 2:00 and go back to the hotel. Thanks for helping me make that decision. I like the parade at MK though- I am planning on seeing that one on our last MK day!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

It's funny that you say that because I was so torn about the parade at HS. I know we are staying for the parade at AK, and I really like to go back for naps in the afternoon- makes for a much nicer night. I am convinced now that on our HS day we will leave around 2:00 and go back to the hotel. Thanks for helping me make that decision. I like the parade at MK though- I am planning on seeing that one on our last MK day!!

Oh I thought they changed the MK parade for this year and made it more like the HS one. If it's still more of a normal parade then maybe we'll see that one too.

I'm getting so excited to go!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Oh I thought they changed the MK parade for this year and made it more like the HS one. If it's still more of a normal parade then maybe we'll see that one too.

I'm getting so excited to go!!

Really? I hadnt heard that. I know they have a Move- Shake it parade and that is a few times daily- but the main parade at 3:00 I think is the same as always it is just "celebrate" theme. I could be wrong though!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Really? I hadnt heard that. I know they have a Move- Shake it parade and that is a few times daily- but the main parade at 3:00 I think is the same as always it is just "celebrate" theme. I could be wrong though!

You could be right. I'm probably just confused. I wonder why the parade isn't on the schedule at all on the disney site.

 

[wlwilliams9]

I think Nickie is right! I think the 3pm parade is the same just with a "Celebrate" theme and the Move it, Shake it Party is a street party.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I think Nickie is right! I think the 3pm parade is the same just with a "Celebrate" theme and the Move it, Shake it Party is a street party.

That's good to hear! I'm glad I was wrong on this one. I haven't seen that parade so maybe we'll see it. I just want Madeline to be able to sit/stand and wave to the characters.

 

[chicagoshannon]

With 16 days to go my parents bought a new van!

They are majorly upgrading from a Kia to a Dodge Grand Caravan. We are very very excited. Here is what they got but in blue.

The middle windows roll down

It has stow and go seating for lots of storage!

It also has sunshades that can go up and down on all the back windows.

It also has automatic doors, foot pedals that adjust so you don't move the seat, and heated seats! Too bad it's my parents and not mine

Only thing it doesn't have it a built in dvd player so we'll bring our portable one. My parents didn't want to spend an extra $3,000 on a dvd player, go figure

They pick it up tonight. I can't wait to see it in 2 weeks!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Ooh! Sounds like a great ride! Is that what you'll be cruising to Disney in? NICE!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hooooooooooooowdy! Just found your PTR! First off, LOVE the Retro Reports. (For obvious reasons.)

Now for some multi-quoting.

Our plan, at least for the MK and EP days, is to take a break around 1pm for a couple of hours so Madeline can get a nap.

Most excellent plan! For this summer, we have built in at least three hours of "down time" every day for naps, swimming, and relaxing.

I'm trying to decide if I should make an ADR for just DH and I some night and if so where?

They say the way to man's heart is through his stomach. (The way to mine is actually through the gall bladder with a left hook at the spleen.) If you want to instill some Disney love, this would be a good way to do it. Figure out what kind of grub he loves and go for it. If you don't have an ADR or can't get in someplace, ESPN Zone at the boardwalk is a nifty "guy" place.

We'll probably bring our lunch into Animal Kingdom and if we decide to cancel our 50's ADR at MGM we'll bring our lunch there too. We don't like paying Disney food prices if we can avoid it.

Don't blame you with a group that size...the whole mandatory 18% gratuity has me a bit miffed about this summer. I can tell you that if the service is half par, I WILL be protesting.

I was talking to my mom and she said that they were most likely getting annual passes. They'd then make a 2nd trip early next year.

Now thats my kinda Disney math right there.

We'll get Eric a 10 day park hopper with water parks and more option. At first I was just going to get him a 7 day but for like $10 more we can get 10 day and that way if we want to run to a park for a show or ride we can.

I always found it odd how cheap the days get once you get past a week.

I'm kind of planning a trip for just Madeline and I in the fall. Shh don't tell Eric he doesn't know yet.

Ummm...the internet might not be the best place to hide a secret from a software engineer. But my lips are sealed.

Now I'm wondering what the annual pass looks like.

I always pictured a bar of gold with a hidden Mickey.

I have a fantastic camera, Nikon D40 DSLR.

That is a fantastic camera.

Quick trip update: I ordered our video camera last night. We decided to go with the Sony Handicam hard drive one. I can't wait to get it! I still need to order an extra battery for it but wanted to see how long the one that comes with it will last first.

Awesome! You'll enjoy it.

I need to decide if I want to get Madeline an autograph book or not and then decide if I want to just get one in the park or order from ebay.

Yeah, I'm having the same debate now for out two.

I found my photography book AND a FREE tutorial site. I went through the site last night and learned SO much! I think I have enough knowledge now to take halfway decent pictures. I'm very excited!

Awesome!

Seems I've lost my readers but I'll continue on anyway.

But now you've found more! HORRAY! It's like the circle of life or something.

Someone had broken in and stolen the rented video camera (that had my dad's evidence of the HUGE fish my dad caught while deep sea fishing the day before) and my parents wallet and purse.

That's the sort of thing that just burns my biscuit!

A picture of Nancy Kerrigan at MGM.

The hot tub did NOT work. I was LIVID! That totally put a damper on our trip. We called the office and the next day it was fixed. It was too late though. We had planned on staying there for 3 nights but the place just skeeved me out. The next day we spent some time at the beach. We then decided that it was way too boring and I seriously felt like someone was watching us so we checked out a day early.

I'm telling...off property honeymoon lodging is just cursed!

That's as far as I've read so far...but figured I'd better stop and post now or I'd run out of room!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Ooh! Sounds like a great ride! Is that what you'll be cruising to Disney in? NICE!

Yep that's our ride to Disney! They've been thinking about getting a new van this year and we were hoping they'd take the plunge before we went to Disney!

Hooooooooooooowdy! Just found your PTR! First off, LOVE the Retro Reports. (For obvious reasons.)

Now for some multi-quoting.

Most excellent plan! For this summer, we have built in at least three hours of "down time" every day for naps, swimming, and relaxing.

They say the way to man's heart is through his stomach. (The way to mine is actually through the gall bladder with a left hook at the spleen.) If you want to instill some Disney love, this would be a good way to do it. Figure out what kind of grub he loves and go for it. If you don't have an ADR or can't get in someplace, ESPN Zone at the boardwalk is a nifty "guy" place.


Don't blame you with a group that size...the whole mandatory 18% gratuity has me a bit miffed about this summer. I can tell you that if the service is half par, I WILL be protesting.

Now thats my kinda Disney math right there.


I always found it odd how cheap the days get once you get past a week.

Ummm...the internet might not be the best place to hide a secret from a software engineer. But my lips are sealed.

I always pictured a bar of gold with a hidden Mickey.

That is a fantastic camera.

Awesome! You'll enjoy it.

Yeah, I'm having the same debate now for out two.

Awesome!

But now you've found more! HORRAY! It's like the circle of life or something.

That's the sort of thing that just burns my biscuit!




I'm telling...off property honeymoon lodging is just cursed!

That's as far as I've read so far...but figured I'd better stop and post now or I'd run out of room!

YAY Great Biscuit is here!! Thanks for reading!

We decided on Whispering Canyon Cafe for our date night.

I agree off property honeymoon lodging should NOT be allowed! I had my hopes up so much too because of the private hot tub in the back yard. But I constantly had an eerie feeling we were being watched. NOT someone one needs on your honeymoon!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

That's not night that's how early I made Eric get to Magic Kingdom He was sort of grumpy for a while We were definitely the first people there. About 90 minutes later (I'm guessing might not have been that long) we were the first people let in the turnstiles.

They sat us early and we were the first there. We must have gotten there right when they opened.

Man you guys needed some type of early bird award!

On our Epcot day we arrived at rope drop again but not quite as early as our Magic Kingdom day

Probably a good thing.

Eric loves Star Wars and thrill rides so MGM was right up his alley.

Good Man!

After the ride we got out pictures taken as Padme and Anakin. Eric has it on his desk at work.

Awesome! I have a stuffed Yoda on my desk at work.

We saw Fantasmic. I loved it. I don't think we're going to catch it this year though. I wish we could but I dont' feel like waiting for 2 hours for this show. Maybe some evening Eric and I will venture out on our own to see it.

That's the most frightening aspect of this summer's trip for me....getting into Fantasmic. I just hope they have two showings....I hear it helps about a bit...especially with the later show.

I also had Eric make an ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe this morning. We decided to go there for our Date night!

Awesome choice. Ribs & Steak = MMMMMMMMMMMMM TASTY!

Time for some in depth plans:

Love the in-depth plans. They are almost as much fun as the trip itself.

Here is the list of extra things I've gotten and where I've gotten them:

glow bracelets and necklaces- Walmart $1
poncho's - Family Dollar $1
Little Mermaid and Princess sticker books - Target $1
2 pack of clip on bubbles- Michaels $1
Princess Lanyard- Michaels $1
2 pack of roller shades for the car- Walmart $7.50

Guess I'll be heading to Michaels.

Off to read more.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Well, I started my Disney binder yesterday. It has 5 tabs: Packing list, travel itinerary and directions, touring plans, Reservations, and other wish lists. I need to find a list of all the photo pass places and all the places the characters are.

Your park beast is getting hungry!

Disney Dreaming.

I had a very vivid dream just before I woke up this morning. I was grabbing everything to throw it into the car to pack. I found my lanyards (still lost in real life ) and then I suddenly remembered that I forgot to charge the video camera and hadn't packed the regular camera.

So this morning I told Eric to remind me to charge the video camera. lol

Last night I packed a bunch more. All I need to pack now are diapers/pull ups and our underwear. Now what am I going to do for 3 weeks???

I hate those. And why is that everytime I dream I am at Disney, it looks nothing like Disney? It's like Disney meets Picasso or something.



Well, I think I'm all caught up now. Looking forward to hearing how "The Plan" comes together. So what is our countdown for your TR?

 

[chicagoshannon]

Your park beast is getting hungry!


I hate those. And why is that everytime I dream I am at Disney, it looks nothing like Disney? It's like Disney meets Picasso or something.



Well, I think I'm all caught up now. Looking forward to hearing how "The Plan" comes together. So what is our countdown for your TR?

well it's 16 days until we leave and 30 days til we're back so I'm guessing I'll start the TR in 31-32 days. So I'll have it started and probably a good chunk of it done before you leave on your trip.