What will we celebrate? BLESSINGS!!*Trip # 10

[Disney Mommy 3]

Mon. Dec 7 Day 2

Well, today is gonna be a Monday...so we should be having lots of high energy still at this point!!!! Hopefully two good nights of rest also...gotta be pumped...lots to see and do!!!!! Today is Hollywood Studios day!!!! We are aiming for RD here also!! Not necessarily to see the opening production...but to get in line for TSMM!! My most favorite thing over here!!! (Moderators..we need some Toy Story smilies please!!!!!). Hopefully, we can get over there and get FPs and do the line. Last Jan it was crazy, as you all know!!! I am curious how the lines are now...with attendance being down. I still think it'll be long...but I don't mind waiting a little bit...I am not waiting for hours at a time though.So.. we kinda have some random plans for today...we want to also do ToT,RnRC, Indiana Jones, Great Movie Ride, VotLM, One Man's Dream, Beauty and the Beast. Of course, some of this will be Mike and DS13...but, still, gotta get those FPs!!!!
Also, we loooove watching those crazy Streetmosphere people. My Dhs favorite is Francis!!! So..you can't really schedule those in...just got to catch them as you see them.
We are doing a TS for lunch....we are gonna grab crackers/granola bars in the room...so we are gonna want an early lunch. We have ADRs for the 50s Prime Time....we really like that atmosphere and the kids eat most of their food here!!! Which is great..they usually get more than Chicken nuggets because they also eat off our plates....I can never eat all that food...so for us, this is a good one!!! Also, you just feel like you can relax! I love that!! Even though the other places are pretty good...we just enjoy the banter...have met some very nice people. Year before last, our waitresses mother(we found out through talking) lived right across town from MY mother!!!! Is it not really A Small World?!!!
so...hopefully after lunch we will have our headliner rides and know what time we can weave from show to show!!! I loooove B&tB...so I think that I will push that closer to the end...we can sit and enjoy it and not run to something else. Also...at some point we HAVE to go to Al's Toy Barn today and see Buzz/Woody/and Gang!! I am waiting for the show schedule that comes out around one month out to get us a more organized plan...I hate not going into it without a battle plan!!!! Ha!! But..that really is time enough for me to get it all together!!
At this point it should be supper time!!! Which for today will be a CS....I never remember the name of this little place..but it is a bit before and katty-corner to the B&theB show. It is a CS with little picnic tables--they have burgers and such...next to it is a little area that sells pretzels,grapes, drinks. Does anyone know what I am talking about?I think it is California something...anyway...that's where we are gonna grab some grub!!! After this, we are gonna go back and get our spot to see them turn on the Osborne Lights!!! I think they are saying 6ish...so we should eat around 5, and have time to get over there.After we see that for a little while and mosey back to the gate...I am sure we will all be beat!!! I know it's gonna be a day with no hotel breaks, but it's just to hard to transport us back and forth for break time!! Last year, we found a bench across from Echo Lake in the shade(it was a sunny day) and we just sat there and watched people for a long time!!! We were waiting for Dad to finish up his Lunch with an Imagineer (which I recommend for ya'll to do!! He loved it...this was his 2nd time)....so, me and the kids just took our break then!! We had a stroller too, so dd laid down on her jacket and I put my feet in it...the boys kinda lazed on the bench and we just had the best time!!! We love watching people...some are very interesting...some are funny...some are crazy....some are lonely. It's a good time to just see people interact! We have met some nice people doing the same thing we were doing!! Ha!! I guess you can tell when the Disney thrill is replaced by the need for breaks!! Everybody just starts sitting around watching everybody else!! Ha!!! It really is fun-I highly recommend it!!! Anyway...that will be our break...lunch, and people watching if the smallest members of our group are pooped!! Of course, if you sit to people watch..you gotta have a mickey Ice Cream!!!!! That'll rejuvinate you every time!!!!
After all the excitement and shows, and seeing O. L...it's time to say goodbye to Hollywood!!! We will maybe ride the boat home...it's a good way to end the day.Again..baths and watch the castle from our balconey!! Life IS good!!!!!!!And we ARE blessed!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Your plans look great so far!!

And congrats on being under 2 months!!!!!!!!

Thanks!! I am trying to catch up with you!!! I have to say I am so glad someone else understands my need to start preparing a loooong way off!! I don't usually pack our clothes until the day before because its not too different weather wise than at home. And we need the same clothes...but I do stay more on top of the ....Food, snax, all that stuff I get ready earlier...just not the actual clothing!!! I know you do this too, but I gotta ask!! (directed to Shelly...but anyone can jump in here!)...do you totally clean your entire house before vacation? I HAVE to do it!! I wouldn't feel like I could rest if I left with a dirty house!!!! Of course, this is a good time to clean out closets, drawers, nooks & crannies....we always find something that we will take!! Lanyards with pins are usually stored away and we have to get them out too....so I just feel like I have done a good job & can go on vacation knowing I can come home to a clean/organized home and just do laundry and rest that first day!!! It's OCD...I know...but hey.....some have this----others procrastinate!! I am one way, my hubby is the other!!! Opposites do attract!!!!!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hey Shawna! Love your first two days' plans. Thanks for the shout-out in Day 1! Looks like we may be bumping into you a few times. We will be at MK by 4 on Sunday and will be at DHS at least in the morning on Monday! We're probably going to see OL a different day since we're going to Epcot for dinner.
You know, I've never seen any of the street performers at DHS? Are they in any certain areas?
As for cleaning before we go? I used to always, but on our last trip I just made sure the clutter was picked up. Why, you ask, didn't I clean? Because right before we left, I hired my neighbor who cleans for a living, to clean my house!! She came while we were gone and did an AMAZING job! She comes every two weeks now, and then I don't have so much to do in between. It's wonderful. Saves me so much time (so I can DIS more ) Money well spent!
Can't wait to see the rest of your plans so we can try to meet up!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I know you do this too, but I gotta ask!! (directed to Shelly...but anyone can jump in here!)...do you totally clean your entire house before vacation? I HAVE to do it!! I wouldn't feel like I could rest if I left with a dirty house!!!! Of course, this is a good time to clean out closets, drawers, nooks & crannies....

Absolutely!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Morning Shawna,

Add me to the list of those who have to get the house all sparkling clean before we go on vacation. I do not want to come back to a dirty house!

I am in constant Disney vacation planning mode. As a matter of fact, I just bought a new shirt yesterday for our May, 2010 trip. Our 12 year old son has decided he'd like to start collecting pins so I bought several from my favorite seller on ebay. It's never too early to plan and pack for your next Disney trip!

Have a great day,

Lisa

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Shelly~ I knew it! ha!!!
Sheree~ I do love having those ladies come in and clean!!!! Even tho I am officially a SAHM, I do consider myself working. Since we are homeschooling...it keeps me so busy...and with all 3 kids home all day, I don't have big blocks of time per day to get it all done! This has been wonderful for me!!! As far as the Street performers..they come out every 30 minutes or so...they are up and down the streets from where the street starts...once you get past the stroller rental....down to the left, where you cross the first street, and down to the first right, toward ToT and all that. They are sooooo funny...most are in 40s garb...or just plain goofy!!! Some are janitorial people, some are 'police' they are just hysterical! I will try to post some of our favorites!! some just make up names, others take hollywood diva names and turn them around. Our favorite lady is Dorma Nesmond--who uses old screen star Norma Desmonds name with a twist!! She is wonderful. Another girl is an aspiring writer...her name? Paige Turner!!! Your Paige needs a pic with her!!!! Our favorite movie director is Otto Von Bonn Bonn!! And of course, ds10s favorite(in our pic on Page 1) is Ready Freddie Fiddlesticks. They are just joyful and witty!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Faves: Mike and Desma Norman

little 2 with Buzz & Woody

The Green Army man

Otto--Movie Director

If you haven't seen them..ask the CMs in the shops...or at the show times board...they can usually tell you. The city plumbers are pretty funny too...they do a game show and you get picked to play in it....they will all take pictures with you too!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thanks Shawna! I'd love to find Paige Turner! I remember one time my parents had a priest from their church over to dinner and he would spin Paige around and say, "I'm turning the Paige!" She thought that was so funny!
I agree, you need a cleaning lady! I could NEVER do what you do. SAHM and teacher? Crazy! but good for you. I have no patience, so teaching is definitely not for me. I stayed home with the girls for about a year and a half, they were about 3 and 1 and nearly went nuts. I need to be around the adults and get out of the house. I guess we need all kinds though, don't we?

 

[Monny2AE]

Under 2 months!!!!! How exciting!
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I ALWAYS clean my house top to bottom before we leave on any vacation. The only thing I want to have to do when I come home is the laundry from the trip.

 

[jordanyosh]

Great plans and pretty thorough as well.

Thank you to all who don't like Animal Kingdom! It keeps my favorite park from getting too crowded. I love aquariums and zoos and the like so AK is right up my alley.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Thanks Shawna! I'd love to find Paige Turner! I remember one time my parents had a priest from their church over to dinner and he would spin Paige around and say, "I'm turning the Paige!" She thought that was so funny!
I agree, you need a cleaning lady! I could NEVER do what you do. SAHM and teacher? Crazy! but good for you. I have no patience, so teaching is definitely not for me. I stayed home with the girls for about a year and a half, they were about 3 and 1 and nearly went nuts. I need to be around the adults and get out of the house. I guess we need all kinds though, don't we?

Yep...it does!!!!!!

 

[floridascgirl]

I've been reading along on your PTR and am excited to say that my ticker is now UNDER 2 months.

We are still keeping our upcoming trip to AKL a secret from our DS11, so I can't talk about it around the house. I have to get my excitement vicariously through others' December PTR's!

Count me in as another person who has to furiously clean before leaving on a trip. It's already depressing enough to come back home after a holiday...I can't add to the sadness by walking in to a bunch of housework.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've been reading along on your PTR and am excited to say that my ticker is now UNDER 2 months.

We are still keeping our upcoming trip to AKL a secret from our DS11, so I can't talk about it around the house. I have to get my excitement vicariously through others' December PTR's!

Count me in as another person who has to furiously clean before leaving on a trip. It's already depressing enough to come back home after a holiday...I can't add to the sadness by walking in to a bunch of housework.

Glad you joined in!!! Well---you can talk to all of us to your hearts conent!! I did a surprise last Jan...so this is the only place I could discuss!!!! Dh got REAAAALLLLLY tired of being the sounding board..so, I had to yak with my Dis buddies!!!!! I will try to post about our next days plans tomorrow..I am just toooo tired tonight!!!
We went to see the Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3D today!! It was awesome!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Guess what!! We are now in the 50s!!! 59 days and counting!!! I am gonna let the kids do a countdown calendar...probably just the younger 2...big'un doesn't want to do it.
So... I may let them start with 60 (will work on it this week) and then they can just add a sticker for a couple of extra days to catch up. I think what I am gonna do is.....use a piece of Scrapbook solid colored paper(got some at WalMart) and find some good stickers at Michaels or Hobby Lobby and just let them put down one sticker per day. Or, on each day, do a little flap and stick it on the square with a sticker on top of the flap and the # of the day underneath....not quite sure how I am gonna do it yet.Any of you got one or doing one now?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Day 3 Tues Dec 8

Okay!!! time for an update!!! Well, we have by now, visited DTD, MK, and DHS---hopefully with both parks being a RD morning!!! Followed by early-to-bed evenings! So, this Tuesday morning is gonna be much more relaxed! We have decided that we are not doing AK this trip--but if they change their minds and decide to go...this will be the morning for that.....if not...we will walk over to the MK!!! This is going to be a good day to scout out characters and just be more relaxed(if I can do it!! I tend to get all bossy!!! Ha!!)
Lunch is going to be a CS today...whatever we didn't do on Sun...Caseys, or Pecos Bill...I am sure that Cosmic Rays will have won out on Sunday!!!!
After lunch we will see how we are doing time/rest wise. If we are still full of vim & vigor...we will not need a rest time today!!! This afternoon we are gonna head over to Epcot...the kids want to ride the monorail over...but, we have a 5:00 TS dinner ressies at the World Showcase....and I am thinking it'll be sooooo much easier to just take the boat!! I would rather ride the boat over there and then take the monorail home that evening! so...I think that's what we will do!!!!! After dinner, we have to go back to the UK and look for the Britsh Invasion!! We love sitting and watching this group-if you have never watched them before, make a note to do that on your next trip. As you may alreay know..this is my ultra favorite part of the WS!!! I am a lover of all things British!! Can't wait to get to go there someday!!!! This is the part of the park I just roam around, and around....So.. after I hang out there a bit...we will make our way out of the park.
Back to dinner~ our country tonight will be China!! I love this place We know some people hate this food...I have read lots of mixed reviews...but we really like it. Also, the kids that perform outside are so good!! Another thing to add to your list!! They spin plates and do all kind of little tricks that make me hold my breath!! I don't know HOW they do it!!!! The kids like watching them as well. But...we have to leave at a reasonable hour tonight..we have to get up early again tomorrow!!!!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

YAY Another Great Day Shawna!

I too very much wish to be more relaxed on this upcoming trip! We are FINALLY going to be telling the girls tomorrow! That will give us 17 days to get a plan in place before we need to make our ADRs! I have been playing with some ideas but I really can't put anything "down in stone" until EVERYBODY has their input!

I am curious to know, which boat are you planning on taking ? The friendships that travel betwen DHS and Epcot? The boats that travel from MK to CR? I didn't think there was a boat that went right from CR to Epcot? Or will you take the boat to MK and then hop the monorail? THAT would be a great plan!

Love it so far! Can't wait to hear about Day 4!!!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Good looking plans Shawna! Maybe I should just tag along with you!

Kim - how exciting to tell the girls! Be sure to let us know how they reacted!!

I'm off for my big scrapbooking weekend soon. Hope to get a lot done!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim~ I think it goes from the CR to over by the Boardwalk..if it does, we can walk over from there...if not,we can just do the monorail!! How fun to tell the kiddos!!!!!!They are gonna be so excited!!!
Sheree~ Sure!! You can just hang out with us all week!!! That would be fun!!!!
Well, we did get some rain & a biiiig cool down today! We met Mike for lunch and it started raining.....it dropped 16 degrees just while we ate!!!! So...it has been in the low 60s this afternoon and tonight it's suppose to be about 55 Which of course brought with it a great big headache for me!!! I am ready to go to bed and try to sleep it off!!!! Chat with you tomorrow!!!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Well Shawna your plans sound great but all I got out of them was Cosmic Rays being stuck in my head- I'm hungry now!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well Shawna your plans sound great but all I got out of them was Cosmic Rays being stuck in my head- I'm hungry now!

Ooohhhhh!! I'm sorry!! My younger son told me yesterday he was thinking about Caseys corner and could NOT wait to go get a hot dog!!!!! I don't let them eat hot dogs since all the hoopla about the wienees...but we splurge at Caseys!! I just pray they don't get sick from it!ha!!!! Speaking of sick....Kim have all your germs left ya'll yet? I hope so!! You have been dealing with it for a while now!! I know the flu is running rampant down here. Some of our area schools have closed it's so bad.