What's new in the World?

[TinkerChelle]

So, it has been some time since I have been "Dis"ing and haven't really kept up on WDW in months!!!! Lo and behold, our vacation is less than 3 months away and I don't have any ADRs nor a rough draft of our itinerary!

We arrive in Florida on March 2nd and are flying into Tampa (unusual for us!) and spending the 2nd thru the 8th on the gulf coast. My DP wants to see some old friends and show Albie the ocean. I know, he will have NO memory of this but try and explain this to her.

So, far all I know is that we will be driving from Tampa to Orlando on Saturday the 9th and meeting Bubbe, Papa and Uncle Gordie at the airport and then checking in at AKL Kidani Village.

So, what is new, friends? What have I missed? I'm sure there is new info that I need to know.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Lo and behold, our vacation is less than 3 months away and I don't have any ADRs nor a rough draft of our itinerary!

I suggest you call JackSkellington'sGirl immediatly!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So I can fall over from cardiac arrest? THANKS, Mike!

I am happy to answer questions, but I am not sure where we need to begin! How long has it been since your last trip? How long are you staying? Do you need restaurant suggestions?

If you let me know what you need help with I will see what suggestions I have. I will tell you I have never traveled with an infant. DS was 8 when we took him to WDW for the first time.

(My June itinerary is almost finished. It was completely finished, but then I started messing with it yesterday so it's not finished anymore.)

 

[TinkerChelle]

So I can fall over from cardiac arrest? THANKS, Mike!

I know-this is SO unlike me. No one in the family can believe it! They complain that I over plan and then the minute we don't have an itinerary everyone is confused. Currently, we are arguing over Chef Mickey's. I want to take Albie there-it is his first trip! DP hates the food there. Seriously, when did she think this trip was about her?

Our last trip was in September 2008. The only thing I know for sure is that I finally have someone who will willing watch Disney's Playhouse at DHS with me!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have to tell you, I am not a fan of Chef Mickey's. We have been for both breakfast and dinner. I guess it was during our August '08 trip that we decided we are pretty much over Chef Mickey's. The food is not as good as Crystal Palace, and it is more expensive. Obviously you are paying for the "experience", but really, I might wait until Albie is older. Since Albie isn't eating the food I don't think you should subject DP to it if she won't enjoy it.

I don't think THAT much has changed in the past year. We went Aug. 08 and then waited until Aug. 09 to go back and things aren't THAT different.

Fantasmic isn't every night now, so plan accordingly. American Idol is open now, but we didn't see it so I can't critique it. Space Mtn. has been redone but it isn't much different. The TTA has also been redone and they have changed the audio - BOO! No more free valet for DVC members (not sure if you all are DVC.) Obama is now in the Hall of Presidents. Princess Tiana has a show on the river boat at MK, but I am not sure that will still be going in March? Spoodles is gone and Cat Cora has a new Greek restaurant there now. Liberty Tree Tavern is no longer a character meal.

Those are the main things that have changes in the past year.

What else do you need help with?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Princess Tiana has a show on the river boat at MK

A must do if it's still running!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I say just go without an itenerary, wing it and just have fun!!

*hears jackskellingtongirl fall over from passing out*

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I say just go without an itenerary, wing it and just have fun!!

*hears jackskellingtongirl fall over from passing out*

STOP THAT!!!

 

[zeitzeuge]

STOP THAT!!!

I swear one of these days, we're going to take you to DL and not allow you to plan a THING!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I swear one of these days, we're going to take you to DL and not allow you to plan a THING!

Note to self:
Decline all travel invites from the Mr. Z's.

 

[npmommie]

I don't have input on your trip, I just have to post about that beautiful baby picture, oh my goodness,that face is so darn precious,I could just plant a smooch right on him!!!!!!
gorgeous beautiful baby!

 

[Saxton]

I say just go without an itenerary, wing it and just have fun!!

*hears jackskellingtongirl fall over from passing out*

I completely agree!! I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't have a single thing planned and no ADRs ... heck, I'm not even done packing yet!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I completely agree!! I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't have a single thing planned and no ADRs ... heck, I'm not even done packing yet!

Atta girl!

Although I still love you JSG

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Atta girl!

Although I still love you JSG

I love you, too. I just won't be traveling with you!

 

[starann]

We went to WDW Sept 06, my boys were 1 and 2 and my brother and sister (twins, Dad had another family along with his midlife crisis) were 6 months old!!! SO I know a lil bit about taking a baby (well in our case, multiple babies!)

We drve so we took just enough diapers and formula for the drive down, then went to Walmart to stock up. We stayed at ASMo but my dad got a fridge and we had a cooler (if you ask me, a cooler with fresh ice stayed cooler than the dang fridge).

The kids all slept in their strollers (we had 2 double strollers from home) for naps, and we pretty much planned our meals by the kids schedules (no late dinner as we knew they would have meltdowns after 8pm and too keep everyone at WDW happy, we ate well before then). So I do suggest planning SOME ADRs...maybe one a day?!?!?! (Is that acceptable Elizabeth?)

Pack plenty of sunscreen and work on taking Albie in his stroller as much as possible. If my kids were younger I would have used a Maya wrap, but then again we were there in Sept during 100% humidity, so now that I think about it, we may not have! But if you plan to use a carrier, practice that as well so he and you or DP can get used to it. I must say it makes it easier for getting on some rides as you don't have to take him out of the stroller.

As a diaperbag I suggest a backpack....a lot easier to carry than your typical over the shoulder one.


And don't forget your camera, batteries and memory card!!!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I don't have input on your trip, I just have to post about that beautiful baby picture, oh my goodness,that face is so darn precious,I could just plant a smooch right on him!!!!!!
gorgeous beautiful baby!

YEAH! What she said!

 

[TinkerChelle]

Thanks for all the great info! I hope Tiana is still performing on the riverboat. I would love that! Oh yeah, I keep forgetting it's not about me anymore!

I'm definitely going to make some adrs. LeCellier for Bubbe's birthday dinner on the 10th and Biergarten for DP. I don't think I can NOT go to Chef Mickey's-it is my nephew's favorite and although he is 15 now he is an Aspie and deviating from any of our usual family customs can be hard on him. Therefore, DP will have to suck it up! Love u hunny! Also, Albie is in LOVE with Mickey. He always giggles when he sees him and if he hears his voice coming from the TV-he has to find it! Yes, he is being trained well. He'll be almost 8 months during our trip-hopefully he won't be scared of the "big" characters. Anyone have any ideas how to prepare him for that?

We do have DVC and I had not heard about the valet parking no longer being free!!!! It is the first time we will be staying at our "home" resort and we are looking forward to Kidani Village.

Thank you for the compliments on our little Albie. He is a dreamboat. Although he did wake up 3 times last night. Momma is tired today!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

In my experience (as a nanny for the past 16 years, currently caring for my 8th and 9th child ) kids are terrified or they aren't. There isn't much you can do about it. You could try a test run with Chuck E. Cheese or some other big costumed character before you leave home to see how he reacts.

If Albie is scared of the big characters, he may still do OK with the "face" characters like the Princesses.

My first little charge developed a HUGE fear of men with beards at about 8 months. It seems to be a common age for fears, separation anxiety, etc. but it varies so much from kid to kid there is no way to predict how it will go. Good luck!!