Where? Who? How? Photography? Help! Triplets take on the World!

[Chicago Mo]

Love the hair sparkles. I might just have to do that! Oh...and I LOVE your tattoo. Very cool.

I think MK on Day 1 is a great idea. But...driving straight through....YIKES! We drove straight through from KY last October. Left about 9:30pm, arrived at ASMo at 11am. Room not ready, I was a walking zombie. Got in room about 12:30. Napped until about 4:00. 6:45 ADR at Chef Mickey's. Bed early for Rope Drop the next morning. I missed not doing a park the first day, but there was NO WAY...it would not have been fun for anyone. However...in your situation it's their Birthday so you kinda HAVE to do a park that first day. Good Luck!

i recommend the Harmony Barber shop!!! brushing it out is another story...
My tattoo is the trinity, represents my kids.. I don't do names..

this is my concern... Did you sleep in the car at all? 14 hours from KY to Disney?? Which way did you go? I am also a little weary about the Rocky mountains... Tom has driven threw them before.. about 20 years ago...
Any recommendations on where to stop along the way???

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice pics of the hair!

I can't help out with any recommondations for places to stay but I have my own 14 hour flying time to deal with from Oz to California. I don't sleep on the plane (much) so I sympathise.

 

[Pixiedust530]

i recommend the Harmony Barber shop!!! brushing it out is another story...
My tattoo is the trinity, represents my kids.. I don't do names..

this is my concern... Did you sleep in the car at all? 14 hours from KY to Disney?? Which way did you go? I am also a little weary about the Rocky mountains... Tom has driven threw them before.. about 20 years ago...
Any recommendations on where to stop along the way???

You want me to rehash those awful memories of that drive?

Well...for starters, I drove the ENTIRE trip. There was no sleeping for me....NONE! Wayne swore he would help drive and at about 3am when I was sre I could go no more he said "I haven't really been able to sleep and don't think I'd be very useful driving." SAY WHAT? So...on I proceeded...downing 5 Hour Energy like water, chasing that with Mt. Dew, cranking the AC and turning the music up as loud as I could without waking the 4YO sleeping in the backseat. Needless to say I probably looked like this crazy2: We stopped for breakfast at Cracker Barrel as soon as they opened (5am, 6am, IDK). That at least allowed me to get out of the car, stretch, eat and let the sun come up. After the sun was up I was much better and made it through to WDW in one piece. I had the jitters like crazy from all the Mt. Dew and 5 hour energy (I think I drank 4)!

We took I-65 South to Nashville, jumped on I-24 East (through the Appalachain mountains...if you're driving through the Rockies you're definitely taking the scenic route ) and over to I-75 South. Looking back at my trip notes we didn't actually depart until 10:15pm and arrived at 10:45am...so actually 12.5 hours (Google Maps said 14.5)....and that included the stop for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

I don't really have any recommendations for where to stop. Sorry.

On a side note....even though I drove the ENTIRE way....Wayne swore we would never drive to Disney again, that we must fly. I'm totally OK with flying, but SERIOUSLY?!...like he has the right to make statements like that when all he did was chill in the passenger seat....GRRRRR! (OK...rant done.)

 

[solana131]

On the Poly??

Last time we stayed there we were in Fiji... We did love it. But read on the ALOHA poly board someone really liked Samoa. Close to the Great Ceremonial House is key for me.. i heard that they are very giving when it comes to upgrades??? all i can do is ask.

Well, I've only stayed there once, but we did alot of looking around trying to decide if we liked any other buildings better. We were in Tokelau and we determined that it was the best location by far. It is just a very short walk across the quiet pool courtyard and in between two other longhouses to the GCH. The ones right next to the GCH looked good in theory, but it was always so busy as most everyone there had to walk right by in order to get there. I thought they would be very noisy. Same with the ones next to the pool. And the ones over on the Grand Floridian side are the older buildings, so their foliage is really really grown up and most of the garden view rooms there you had no view at all! And Luau Cove got really loud at night. Tokelau is exactly halfway between the GCH and the TTC for ease to Epcot. Lots of times we would get off at the TTC stop if the monorail was too crowded and walk from there instead.

So as you know my plan is to be IN Disney on their 9th Birthday. September 8th
Which Park?
Which restaurant?
Maybe the dessert Party?

Dessert Party would be an awesome birthday celebration! And you don't have to scope out a spot 2 hours before the show! I will be doing it every time I go now. Loved it.

 

[Chicago Mo]

You want me to rehash those awful memories of that drive?

We took I-65 South to Nashville, jumped on I-24 East (through the Appalachain mountains...if you're driving through the Rockies you're definitely taking the scenic route ) and over to I-75 South. Looking back at my trip notes we didn't actually depart until 10:15pm and arrived at 10:45am...so actually 12.5 hours (Google Maps said 14.5)....and that included the stop for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

I don't really have any recommendations for where to stop. Sorry.

On a side note....even though I drove the ENTIRE way....Wayne swore we would never drive to Disney again, that we must fly. I'm totally OK with flying, but SERIOUSLY?!...like he has the right to make statements like that when all he did was chill in the passenger seat....GRRRRR! (OK...rant done.)

Umm YEAH! those mountains... I am on Google maps (well Google earth right now.) where about are they On I24???
and looking for places to stop along the way. good LORD this is going to be a LONG drive.
that's pretty amazing you were able to drive for that amount of time. Personally we would have been less one person threw the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS!! Along with Hoffa's body...

Well, I've only stayed there once, but we did alot of looking around trying to decide if we liked any other buildings better. We were in Tokelau and we determined that it was the best location by far. It is just a very short walk across the quiet pool courtyard and in between two other longhouses to the GCH. The ones right next to the GCH looked good in theory, but it was always so busy as most everyone there had to walk right by in order to get there. I thought they would be very noisy. Same with the ones next to the pool. And the ones over on the Grand Floridian side are the older buildings, so their foliage is really really grown up and most of the garden view rooms there you had no view at all! And Luau Cove got really loud at night. Tokelau is exactly halfway between the GCH and the TTC for ease to Epcot. Lots of times we would get off at the TTC stop if the monorail was too crowded and walk from there instead.
Dessert Party would be an awesome birthday celebration! And you don't have to scope out a spot 2 hours before the show! I will be doing it every time I go now. Loved it.

I did NOT know you were in Tokelau.. we were in Figi. LOVED it... Want to be close to the GCH.
Yes I fully agree. You mentioned on one of your reports about scheduling??? About what time do they come out with dates??


Last night Meg came into my room SOBBING uncontrollable. She said there was a sad song on her radio... It was the song from the Disney commercials "it's a good Life"... Said it reminded her of Disney and makes her sad because she misses it so much!
Do you have ANY idea how hard it was NOT to tell her "it's OK we ARE going for your BIRTHDAY!"
This is extremely harder then i thought it was going to be!!!

Complaint and bit of back story:
There has been a bump this past weekend. Nothing horrible but need to get back on track. hopefully we will be back, by the end of November.
**You all must know i live with a black cloud over my head. I definitely have the "Irish luck" I've had a house fire that took out the entire house (07). and what we could save.... The 2 floods took the rest (o8). then the little crappy things in between. So Disney is my happy place, all GOOD things are in Disney and the black cloud isn't allowed there! (I have a hard time putting it into words.) I'm sure you can understand! I refuse to let my kids know the background crap that goes on, they will have to deal with that latter in life. I want them to enjoy EVERY minute of their childhood...
OK sorry had to get that out of me.


So on with the planning!!
How should i do the "reveal"
When should i tell them? maybe an hour out?
When coming from the North do we still drive under the arch???
Do I drive under the arch when coming in???


Side note i read a GREAT TIP: take a sponge add the dish soap to it. once dry cut it up and put in baggies and you have instant sponge to wash the mugs!

Speaking of Mugs. So we know what the new design is?

Thanks for letting me get some stuff out...

 

[solana131]

You mentioned on one of your reports about scheduling??? About what time do they come out with dates??

For the dessert party? It is different every time. Sometimes they open it up at the 90 day mark. They opened July up at the beginning of June. I think it has something to do with waiting for all the special show dates and hours. There is usually a thread on here following along to tell you when it opens. Search for the dessert party and then look for your month.

Do you have ANY idea how hard it was NOT to tell her "it's OK we ARE going for your BIRTHDAY!"
This is extremely harder then i thought it was going to be!!!

You're doing better than I would be. No way I could keep it a secret. Of course...it probably has something to do with the fact that I can't talk about it with Bill, so I have to tell Bradey so I can have someone excited with me! Good luck!

So Disney is my happy place, all GOOD things are in Disney and the black cloud isn't allowed there! (I have a hard time putting it into words.) I'm sure you can understand! I refuse to let my kids know the background crap that goes on, they will have to deal with that latter in life. I want them to enjoy EVERY minute of their childhood...

Oh Mo... I can't even begin to imagine! So sorry...but it is so great of you to "hide" it from the kids. You are right...they are surely enjoying their childhood. You are a wonderful mother!

So on with the planning!!
How should i do the "reveal"
When should i tell them? maybe an hour out?
When coming from the North do we still drive under the arch???
Do I drive under the arch when coming in???

I don't know...but I hope you get the reveal on video so we can see it!
Can't help with the driving question....never done it.

Side note i read a GREAT TIP: take a sponge add the dish soap to it. once dry cut it up and put in baggies and you have instant sponge to wash the mugs!

Speaking of Mugs. So we know what the new design is?

Oooh good tip about the mugs. I usually rinse them right out, so it doesn't get a chance to dry on....and we don't share them, so I feel it is okay. But this is a much better idea!

The new design will be out at the beginning of the year...right? Can't wait to see them. I got a cool one in Feb at the Refreshment Port that had been leftover from the Flower n Garden. It had the monorail and farmer Mickey/Minnie with topiary Goofy and Donald. It is my favorite one because the others are all the same!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Drive:
Google is telling me it will take about 19 hours.
I'm mapping out the drive now. We should leave Chicago anytime before 1pm. thoughts are stop somewhere in Georgia to nap?? I, can and will, sleep in the car. Tom is telling me he will be fine and can do the drive all the way without the nap stop... He can't sleep in a car... Regardless of what he says there is no way you can deal with that long of a drive then do a full day at Disney.
I do have a heavy foot when driving i see we will be passing a couple of airports which means traffic.... Anyone help on this? Where is a good place to stop?
Do any of you know of good maps? or app for the phones??
Where should i tell the kids we are driving to?


I want to order the maps and planning DVD's!!! Should wait until next year...
Going to read more probably come up with MORE questions!

We used to drive from the Chicago suburbs to WDW all the time but haven't done it for quite a few years. It took us about 16 hours. We never drove all the way there non stop. The farthest we would drive would be to the Georgia-Florida border, Valdosta, GA to be exact. Then it was a nice drive to WDW the next day where we were ready to play.

The trickiest part is through the mountains near Chattanooga. Try to hit that area in the daylight. We have gone through there in some bad weather, ice and fog especially. I think we did drive nonstop home once or twice, but by then you just want to be back home and have the driving over with.

We used paper maps because that was the only kind that existed back then. I still need to see a map whenever I go anywhere, even it is on my smartphone.

 

[Pixiedust530]

Umm YEAH! those mountains... I am on Google maps (well Google earth right now.) where about are they On I24???
and looking for places to stop along the way. good LORD this is going to be a LONG drive.
that's pretty amazing you were able to drive for that amount of time. Personally we would have been less one person threw the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS!! Along with Hoffa's body...

If I remember correctly, the mountainous areas are mostly around Chattanooga. Theworst part is the twists and turns as you wind up (and then back down) the mountains. I like flat open road where I can set the cruise and go....you have to be very vigilant through that area.

I have NO IDEA how I managed that drive...I guess I had some Pixiedust on my side. thank goodness!

Complaint and bit of back story:
There has been a bump this past weekend. Nothing horrible but need to get back on track. hopefully we will be back, by the end of November.
**You all must know i live with a black cloud over my head. I definitely have the "Irish luck" I've had a house fire that took out the entire house (07). and what we could save.... The 2 floods took the rest (o8). then the little crappy things in between. So Disney is my happy place, all GOOD things are in Disney and the black cloud isn't allowed there! (I have a hard time putting it into words.) I'm sure you can understand! I refuse to let my kids know the background crap that goes on, they will have to deal with that latter in life. I want them to enjoy EVERY minute of their childhood...
OK sorry had to get that out of me.


So on with the planning!!
How should i do the "reveal"
When should i tell them? maybe an hour out?
When coming from the North do we still drive under the arch???
Do I drive under the arch when coming in???

I know what you mean about black clouds and bad things happening. Disney is my HAPPY place too! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job as a mom. So many kids have to grow up so fast these days....they definitely deserve to just be kids for as long as possible!

To answer a few of your questions:
Reveal? - Totally make them wait. I would wait til you drive onto property!
Arch? - It shouldn't really matter which way you come in. Most (if not all) of the main roads leading on to Disney property have the awesome WDW arch!!! There is one on Western Way, one on World Drive, one on W Osceola Pkwy, and one on EPCOT Center Drive that I know of for sure. I think if you enter WDW property near DTD (on Hotel Plaza Dr.) there is not an arch, just the brick walls with Mickey and Minnie to the right and left of the road...so if you definitely want to drive under the arch then take one of the 4 roads I mentioned above.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Last night Meg came into my room SOBBING uncontrollable. She said there was a sad song on her radio... It was the song from the Disney commercials "it's a good Life"... Said it reminded her of Disney and makes her sad because she misses it so much!
Do you have ANY idea how hard it was NOT to tell her "it's OK we ARE going for your BIRTHDAY!"
This is extremely harder then i thought it was going to be!!!

Complaint and bit of back story:
There has been a bump this past weekend. Nothing horrible but need to get back on track. hopefully we will be back, by the end of November.
**You all must know i live with a black cloud over my head. I definitely have the "Irish luck" I've had a house fire that took out the entire house (07). and what we could save.... The 2 floods took the rest (o8). then the little crappy things in between. So Disney is my happy place, all GOOD things are in Disney and the black cloud isn't allowed there! (I have a hard time putting it into words.) I'm sure you can understand! I refuse to let my kids know the background crap that goes on, they will have to deal with that latter in life. I want them to enjoy EVERY minute of their childhood...
OK sorry had to get that out of me.


So on with the planning!!
How should i do the "reveal"
When should i tell them? maybe an hour out?
When coming from the North do we still drive under the arch???
Do I drive under the arch when coming in???

Sorry that you had a life bump this week. Hope things are okay now.

How to do the reveal? Keep it a secret for as long as possible.
Tell them? Let them figure it out! (yes, I'm cruel that way )
Always drive under the arch. If the kids haven't figured it out before, they'll figure it out then.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Hmmmm~ did you ever hop over to my TR? (shameless plug )...you can see how we did our reveal! Keeping the secret was HE#*...but the reaction we got made it SO WORTH IT! You can do this!

 

[KatMark]

Since I've seen you on several of the same threads, I figured I might as well come over here and join you too. I hope you don't mind one more. I'll be back later to catch up.

 

[Chicago Mo]

For the dessert party? It is different every time. Sometimes they open it up at the 90 day mark. They opened July up at the beginning of June. I think it has something to do with waiting for all the special show dates and hours. There is usually a thread on here following along to tell you when it opens. Search for the dessert party and then look for your month.

Thank you!! will be searching today!

You're doing better than I would be. No way I could keep it a secret. Of course...it probably has something to do with the fact that I can't talk about it with Bill, so I have to tell Bradey so I can have someone excited with me! Good luck!

This. Is. Killing. Me.

Oh Mo... I can't even begin to imagine! So sorry...but it is so great of you to "hide" it from the kids. You are right...they are surely enjoying their childhood. You are a wonderful mother!

thank you. this made me tear up.

I don't know...but I hope you get the reveal on video so we can see it!
Can't help with the driving question....never done it.

I am SOOOOOOO taping the whole reveal!!!! Just trying to figure out at what time to do it!!!

Oooh good tip about the mugs. I usually rinse them right out, so it doesn't get a chance to dry on....and we don't share them, so I feel it is okay. But this is a much better idea!

The new design will be out at the beginning of the year...right? Can't wait to see them. I got a cool one in Feb at the Refreshment Port that had been leftover from the Flower n Garden. It had the monorail and farmer Mickey/Minnie with topiary Goofy and Donald. It is my favorite one because the others are all the same!

this is awesome!!! we always get 5 mugs.. and now it's on the DDP! yippee! one less thing to save for!

 

[Chicago Mo]

WOW sorry Suz.. that really came out crappy!!! my head is not thinking correctly.
i thought i hit PREVIEW post... DUH!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

We used to drive from the Chicago suburbs to WDW all the time but haven't done it for quite a few years. It took us about 16 hours. We never drove all the way there non stop. The farthest we would drive would be to the Georgia-Florida border, Valdosta, GA to be exact. Then it was a nice drive to WDW the next day where we were ready to play.

The trickiest part is through the mountains near Chattanooga. Try to hit that area in the daylight. We have gone through there in some bad weather, ice and fog especially. I think we did drive nonstop home once or twice, but by then you just want to be back home and have the driving over with.

We used paper maps because that was the only kind that existed back then. I still need to see a map whenever I go anywhere, even it is on my smartphone.

Hi!!!
Thanks for coming aboard!!!

ANY and all information you can give me i would LOVE!! i am near the Indiana border (still in Chicago) I do have the paper maps as well. i don't trust technology, i am sure there will be spots (miles) there will not be any coverage!!!
16 isn't that bad. 8 hours each driver and some napping this might work!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

If I remember correctly, the mountainous areas are mostly around Chattanooga. Theworst part is the twists and turns as you wind up (and then back down) the mountains. I like flat open road where I can set the cruise and go....you have to be very vigilant through that area.

I have NO IDEA how I managed that drive...I guess I had some Pixiedust on my side. thank goodness!

i'm already dizzy well i am feeling a bit better over this drive...

I know what you mean about black clouds and bad things happening. Disney is my HAPPY place too! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job as a mom. So many kids have to grow up so fast these days....they definitely deserve to just be kids for as long as possible!

Thank you..

To answer a few of your questions:
Reveal? - Totally make them wait. I would wait til you drive onto property!
Arch? - It shouldn't really matter which way you come in. Most (if not all) of the main roads leading on to Disney property have the awesome WDW arch!!! There is one on Western Way, one on World Drive, one on W Osceola Pkwy, and one on EPCOT Center Drive that I know of for sure. I think if you enter WDW property near DTD (on Hotel Plaza Dr.) there is not an arch, just the brick walls with Mickey and Minnie to the right and left of the road...so if you definitely want to drive under the arch then take one of the 4 roads I mentioned above.

WAIT UNTIL ON PROPERTY!?!? what are you trying to do to me!!!

Great to know I want to do a video reveal and tape it.. really want to make sure i show them the video before the Gate/Arch!!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Sorry that you had a life bump this week. Hope things are okay now.

How to do the reveal? Keep it a secret for as long as possible.
Tell them? Let them figure it out! (yes, I'm cruel that way )
Always drive under the arch. If the kids haven't figured it out before, they'll figure it out then.

They will be.. Thank you.


I would like to make a video the start of it like a Disney movie with the castle etc,. then go into a few pictures or videos of our past trips. then at the end of the video stating WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY...

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hmmmm~ did you ever hop over to my TR? (shameless plug )...you can see how we did our reveal! Keeping the secret was HE#*...but the reaction we got made it SO WORTH IT! You can do this!

OF COURSE i have been reading yours!!! I haven't responded to anything since i am the last one in!!!
the whole squirrel story! I will NOT allow my kids NEAR one now!!!

Are you guys seen in the Disney video taken when you were waiting at RR???

 

[Chicago Mo]

Since I've seen you on several of the same threads, I figured I might as well come over here and join you too. I hope you don't mind one more. I'll be back later to catch up.

Always room for more!!! I am so glad your here!
Thank you So much for coming aboard!!! PLEASE chime in i need all the help i can get!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Something like: THIS

I have a friend in the whole video realm so i asked him if he could me a video for me!
SO my idea is: either on the border or so of FL pull into a gas station tell them i am going to put in a movie (on my Laptop) for them that they MUST watch. and video tape the whole thing!!!

How does this sound???

 

[solana131]

WOW sorry Suz.. that really came out crappy!!! my head is not thinking correctly.
i thought i hit PREVIEW post... DUH!!!

Hehe...it looks crazy on my phone. Will have to check it out on a computer later ;-)