Worrier plans DS's 5th Bday Celebration, DD/DH's first visit, & our 9th ann! Whew!

[soontobewed07]

Woo Hoo planning a disney trip. I am so in for your pre trippie. I can't believe it took me this long to get over here. Stupid FB

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Woo Hoo planning a disney trip. I am so in for your pre trippie. I can't believe it took me this long to get over here. Stupid FB

I'm here Lorrie! I somehow missed the start of this - too distracted I guess. Your plans sound great! It's exciting that your DS gets a gift card for his BD! I wondered what they did for people with passes or packages!

Hi there! So good to see you! Listen, I dropped my FB account. I never checked it and people were asking me all the time why I was or wasn't responding to this or that. I just deactivated it. I don't have time.

Glad you guys made it over here - and can't wait for Ms. Jillian to give us her report. The trip is SOOOOO close. It is always fun for me once you can start getting the 7 day forcast!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Today I picked up two white shirts to make my DS his birthday attention grabbing shirt!

I picked up two, because that is one for me to screw up, and one to hopefully work out. I'm super nervous about this to say the least.

I've also read a lot about people printing out labels but I couldn't quite tell what they were doing with them. To label each item you take to the park -

Anyone do this or have some great park tips with little ones to share?

Hope you are all having a Magical Sunday!

PS - checked into earlier ADRs for CM for kiddos birthday - still nothing. I'm keeping the 7:55pm and seeing what happens, but last time I think we had a 7:15 and we got out of there in time to catch wishes finishing up!

 

[CRdisMom]

you are so on the right track for planning. I love reading about the plans,

 

[TxRabbit]

Don't worry about the t-shirt iron thing. If you are doing the print it at home and then iron on version. We did that a while back and it came out great. The only thing that we had to remember was to print the design backwards because of the way the paper we used was. Then when you ironed it on, it was facing the right way. Make sense?

Post of pic of your finished creation for us all to admire!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So today I returned the little ballerina Belle costume. We're going with the softer Cinderella one. I scored a great little $1.99 Stitch plush (valentines day sale) for my son's birthday- he'll love that.

I'm getting excited about getting things together. I've been thinking of my packing list and pitching things into a bin for the trip. I got some great smaller little light up spinning toys at Target that I plan to take for the kids. I doubt I'll find them at WDW for $2 each!

I'm also in the process of trying to get my picture stuff straightened out so I can start getting some photos of my "stuff" going for you all to see.

I just have this odd feeling right now that I'm forgetting to do something very important.

ADRs made :check
Reservation made : check
Airline tickets bought : check
Magical Express : check
Still have days before the remaining balance of the trip is due...

I have no idea what I'm missing, but I feel like it is something.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Last night - while itching myself silly (recently found out I'm allergic to red hair dye ) I started obsessing about if no rental car for a 7 day stay was really smart.

DS and I came down for 3 nights - fine with no rental car.

DH - hum... Know the big frumpy domesticated Mr. Incredible? Yeah - that is DH mixed with Grumpy. I'm really beginning to worry how he will handle things.

So... might look into a rental car. I've been a little ehhhhh about it all since DH has family in Orlando. I just don't want to "HEY, let's go visit..." to mess with my plans.

Then again - the ability to drive might be worth it.

Then there is lugging two car seats through the airport.

ME or Rental car. Rental Car or ME. ME or Towncar.



Suggestions?

 

[TxRabbit]

Personally, I LOVED ME. I know that some people complain about the check in lines, etc. We found that the ME line moved right along. And yes, there tends to be a line to check in at the resort because a bunch of people all get dropped off at the same time, but it wasn't bad. I loved checking my bags at the curb and then having them show up in the room.

When we flew Southwest, they wouldn't do the check the baggage at the resort thing. So we had to lug it from the bus drop off point on up to the check in area, which was a pain. Not horrible, but a pain. I vowed that we would fly an airline that would accept resort bag check in. We did the next time and it was heaven all over again.

But things are changing with the airlines. I don't know if you are checking baggage or what airline you are flying. You do have a few resort dining experiences planned. Having a car and being able to go directly to the resort with out having to figure out the transportation hop to get to your meal could be pretty handy. Especially with your young kids.

In general, I find that the Disney transportation is rather convenient. I don't mind the bit of waiting. I figure it all comes out as a wash if I had to park and walk etc etc my own car. One except to that for me is the DTD bus, which I can't stand. We are driving to WDW this year, so I am pretty happy to have my car for a few planned excursions to DTD and resort dining. I have mostly avoided resort dining on our other trips because I didn't want to deal with transportation. It also helped me narrow down the list of potential TS!

All in all, we have been to WDW twice and never rented and just totally relied on Disney transportation. It was nice actually. But our plans were made with that thought in mind as well. If money isn't as issue, you might enjoy having the additional options a car can provide.

I know that you can also rent child car seats, boosters, etc., so you wouldn't HAVE to lug your seats.

Not too helpful, huh?

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Recently I started watching that show. I actually TIVOed an episode about Disney - imagine that.

In it, I noticed - she has my camera. I also noticed she was having some "issues" with it too. SO it isn't just me. She was talking about it being a pain, not firing when it should, etc. I AGREE! That camera lag time is just crazy. And it is BIG. And I've burnt the flash out almost from that STUPID STRAP being in front of it as I photograph something. My husband got it for me a few years back, and I appreciate the thought, but it isn't what I would have bought for myself. I think it just isn't Mommy Friendly.

So that put the seed in my head that a smaller - less fussy camera might be what I needed for everyday life as well as my Disney trip.

Alas... the newest memeber of our family?

Canon Power Shot A1000 IS. I think this is a really good move. Maybe it will help me get some pictures going on this thread. Well, that and finding my photopass!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Today I've downloaded Christmas pictures (finally) and taking steps to get some pictures going, so that is good!

Now if I can just find my photopass cd from the trip. Where it is, I'd like to know!

Here are some things that I'm mulling over in my planning today.
1. Need to order photopass cd early again - like saving money!
2. Need to decide if we need to take our own pack-n-play or borrow theirs at CSR
3. Need to figure out just how many suitcase we are really going to need for this trip
4. Need to learn more about DHS and EPCOT to do those little cheat sheets - I'll get a picture of that for you too.
5. Need to get dining schedule sorta straight and plan on park movement.

I've got some housekeeping errands to do today, but it is rainy and I'm really wanting to do some Disney planning.

You'd think I would be focused on the CKC scrapbooking convention I'm attending at the end of March, but nope, I just want to plan Disney

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Personally, I LOVED ME. I know that some people complain about the check in lines, etc. We found that the ME line moved right along. And yes, there tends to be a line to check in at the resort because a bunch of people all get dropped off at the same time, but it wasn't bad. I loved checking my bags at the curb and then having them show up in the room.

When we flew Southwest, they wouldn't do the check the baggage at the resort thing. So we had to lug it from the bus drop off point on up to the check in area, which was a pain. Not horrible, but a pain. I vowed that we would fly an airline that would accept resort bag check in. We did the next time and it was heaven all over again.

But things are changing with the airlines. I don't know if you are checking baggage or what airline you are flying. You do have a few resort dining experiences planned. Having a car and being able to go directly to the resort with out having to figure out the transportation hop to get to your meal could be pretty handy. Especially with your young kids.

In general, I find that the Disney transportation is rather convenient. I don't mind the bit of waiting. I figure it all comes out as a wash if I had to park and walk etc etc my own car. One except to that for me is the DTD bus, which I can't stand. We are driving to WDW this year, so I am pretty happy to have my car for a few planned excursions to DTD and resort dining. I have mostly avoided resort dining on our other trips because I didn't want to deal with transportation. It also helped me narrow down the list of potential TS!

All in all, we have been to WDW twice and never rented and just totally relied on Disney transportation. It was nice actually. But our plans were made with that thought in mind as well. If money isn't as issue, you might enjoy having the additional options a car can provide.

I know that you can also rent child car seats, boosters, etc., so you wouldn't HAVE to lug your seats.

Not too helpful, huh?

I think I'm leaning towards not renting. I know that my husband gets all "manly" and refuses to let me help with the driving. So it would be such a break for him. We were there mid April last year and it was pretty busy and I thought the buses were fine. Again, I'm a LOT more easy going about that sort of thing than my husband.

I just really think that if I were there with a van we'd have to visit the inlaws. I don't generally mind that sort of thing, but when you are messing with my Disney time...

 

[TxRabbit]

You'd think I would be focused on the CKC scrapbooking convention I'm attending at the end of March, but nope, I just want to plan Disney

I totally relate! Spring break is just around the corner. Not that we are doing anything big, but we will do SOMETHING. We'll end up doing NOTHING if I don't think about IT instead of DISNEY!

I think I'm leaning towards not renting. I know that my husband gets all "manly" and refuses to let me help with the driving. So it would be such a break for him. We were there mid April last year and it was pretty busy and I thought the buses were fine. Again, I'm a LOT more easy going about that sort of thing than my husband.

I just really think that if I were there with a van we'd have to visit the inlaws. I don't generally mind that sort of thing, but when you are messing with my Disney time...

I loved not having a car on vacation. It does take away the pressure of doing things outside Disney. Are your inlaws into Disney at all? Maybe they could join you for a meal that is outside the parks. I can't see your schedule right now, but I thought you were doing Ohana and Chef Mickey? Maybe they could just meet you there and enjoy the characters (if at that meal), see the Grandkids enjoy Disney, etc. Just an idea. After all, THEY have a car.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Honestly, that is a great though. Especially since them actually coming to see us would be too much trouble. It is my husbands Aunt, Uncle & Aunt, Cousins, and then his brother & wife (who could fill an episode of Cops if you get what I mean). So my honest interest in visiting with them is pretty much zero. But I could throw the token "they could meet us for dinner" because I KNOW they'd never do it! Oh thank you so much! That is a great plan!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Not many here - but a few. I can't locate my CDs still. I'm beginning to get more than a little worried about that.

SO.... I took a photo of a photo for little DS - this is us last year on our Mom & Me trip - that turned out to be "I want my Daddy here too" after about 3 hours. I thought today of the perfect name for him. Chicken Little. I love him, but that poor child is just as skiddish as me.

I could have kissed this photographer. He did a great job of making me look about 30 lbs lighter than I am!

Our daredevil, Snow. A little ready for her royal nap. She LOVES her naps.

These are the autograph books I've made. Now, Kinkos made me a little upset. They were suppose to bind them on the side, which is why it is off center a bit. I was going to tie a cute ribbon there to attach the sharpie to. On a good note, they only charged me for one. I did not do the DISign you see, that was from Natalie. I had a link to her from the last trip, but for some reason it worked once and then no more.

And to mark our stroller

Well - that is it for now. I'll try to get some photos up of my wacky little cheat sheet. I'll also show you my 1 1/2 inch planning binder that is bursting at the seams. Mostly it is menus -

Why is it that I just can't wait to plan the food when I know a trip of any kind is looming?

 

[Happydog]

This morning, I decided I was going to put this thing to bed with the ADRs. Remember I told you that I found a way to make our DDP work with only being OOP for two Char Breakfasts? Well I have several ADRs that I'd have to drop/change and I hadn't done that yet, so I thought - let me see what I come up with and then I'll go from there.

SO... I sat up an Excel worksheet. In one side I figured out my "wish I could" adrs with two snacks daily. This was with us eating a few OOP char meals - 5 to be exact. I calculated price if we didn't do a DDP, savings if we did DDP, savings if we did DDP+. I also did the same thing for the revised worksheet where I had us following the DDP and only having two OOP meals - both Char Breakfasts (Ohana & Tusker) and 1 OOP snack per day for seven days.

I did NOT take into account the expense of the appetizers, because honestly if we are getting a big meal and a dessert, we just won't do that. I know us. For that reason, I just glossed over that potential savings.

Now, I won't bother you with specifics - but I will tell you I WAS FLOORED! Here is basically what I found.

1 - DDP+ still didn't make sense with our eating style/plan. Under version 1 with the extra 5 meals - we would still "save" only 111.90 which was LESS than our savings under the DDP ($218.57) for the same thing.

2. Doing the revised only 2 dinners OOP vs the 5 OOP was MINIMAL difference in savings.
- 5 dinners OOP would make our savings ($214.07) with a total cost of OOP costs and DDP fee to be $1052.62
- 2 dinners OOP would make ours savings ($218.57) with a total cost of OOP costs and DDP fee to be $792.23

I really didn't expect that, but I'm still leaning toward just 2 OOP dinners and the DDP. That gives us by far the smallest OOP cost at $792.23. Most other senerios under the plan span from $1003.65 - 1266.69.

So if you ever wondered - there you go!

Hi! Just found your PTR from Rabbit's... Great ideas here! I had the same dilemma with the DDP. We are paying OOP for a few meals but keeping with the DDP. It was still less than the DlxDDP. So I agree. I have two boys, 6 & 3 , who will be turning 4 & 7 by our trip. DS6/7 and DH will have B-days on our trip, so we are paying OOP for a character breakfast and a B-Day dinner for DH and me. Sounds like you have had great experiences at DW!
I got the UG book too, didn't think to get passporter since I am making my own binder...
Hope you have a great trip!
Enjoying your PTR!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Hi! Just found your PTR from Rabbit's... Great ideas here! I had the same dilemma with the DDP. We are paying OOP for a few meals but keeping with the DDP. It was still less than the DlxDDP. So I agree. I have two boys, 6 & 3 , who will be turning 4 & 7 by our trip. DS6/7 and DH will have B-days on our trip, so we are paying OOP for a character breakfast and a B-Day dinner for DH and me. Sounds like you have had great experiences at DW!
I got the UG book too, didn't think to get passporter since I am making my own binder...
Hope you have a great trip!
Enjoying your PTR!

Hi Happydog and welcome!!!!

I am loving Rabbit's trip report too! I can just relate on SO MANY LEVELS!

What are you guys thinking of doing for the birthday dinner? My husband still thinks that TRex would scare the living pants off my son, so I'm not so sure what we will end up doing that night. He was really scratching his head about the DHS choice. I guess I can understand it more, because he REALLY loved meeting the characters and was really bummed not to meet the Power Rangers and Buzz last time. We were only at DHS for 2 hours last time.

Yes - I am making my own binder too. I just had to have the Passporter one because I LOVE their maps so much more - especially with the travel times on them. I think I am going to photocopy them and take them with me!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Well, I still can't find the photopass cd. I'm getting really upset about that!

Here are the pictures that I found on the external hard drive.
This one is of Chicken Little at rope drop in MK. This was our first morning there and we did the early breakfast at CP and rope drop from the Castle. Here we are waiting - I'd say we left breakfast, took a pic in front of the castle, and then waited - maybe 10 minutes? He did really well.

We stuck the stroller outside the rope and ran to Dumbo - just like the books says! We laughed so hard all the way there. It was fun. We were the first in line!

Then there were several others but this is the best one - after we rode Barnstormer - again the first , he wants to get his face painted - NOW???? Okay, I give in. He pointed out the Stitch he wanted. They wanted the NUMBER, not the name, so I run back out and look quickly at the list, mumble the number - and away she goes. Look how excited this boy is!

Well, seems we hit a little snafu. Mommy told them the Genie one - not the Stitch one. Want to know his reaction? NOT HAPPY!

HE WANTED IT OFF - NOW! Luckily the lady talked him into letting me have a little picture before he made me wash it off (ps - that wet washcloth was a lifesaver for this).

And for my little boy who never naps - this was him at the end of day one. Dead to the world in his stroller.

It is so funny looking at these pictures. He is so much more "grown" now. Mickey Mouse if for girls and babies. Don't even ask him to watch the Wiggles. He wants Power Rangers - not even Stitch so much anymore.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

I know a few of you reading are planning your own trips, so I thought why not put some of the pics in from our Char Dining. Sooo...

Breakfast at Tusker won my vote for best Breakfast - CP was okay, but I liked Tusker better. I had read the juice here was the same they served at Ohana but it was REALLY good. I thought they had the best coffee here too. To me, breakfast is breakfast... but the food was much more fresh and yummy here - and both Tusker and CP breakfasts were 8 am, so the timing of us eating was the same. Tusker did a cute little parade around where the kids got to play instruments. All seemed to have a really good time. CP did a little parade too, but the kids just sort of marched around behind the characters.

For Dinner, there was CM and CP. I felt CP by far outdid CM's. CM was really not the best food at all - I just didn't get that into it. The atmosphere was more "electric" but I didn't really see what all the hype was about. My son by far had the best time at the CP dinner - I'm not sure if it was because it was our first character meal or what, but he was beyond excited. Hands down, I felt that our dinner here was the best we had the entire stay too. I even liked it better than WCC.

 

[Happydog]

What are you guys thinking of doing for the birthday dinner? My husband still thinks that TRex would scare the living pants off my son, so I'm not so sure what we will end up doing that night. He was really scratching his head about the DHS choice. I guess I can understand it more, because he REALLY loved meeting the characters and was really bummed not to meet the Power Rangers and Buzz last time. We were only at DHS for 2 hours last time.

Yes - I am making my own binder too. I just had to have the Passporter one because I LOVE their maps so much more - especially with the travel times on them. I think I am going to photocopy them and take them with me!

I would have to agree about the TRex restaurant.... my DS 6 rode the Dino ride in the AK this past Nov and he was scared... I saw the TRex opening day video on YouTube, and it actually looked intimidating, almost sensory overload, and with a 2 yr old? Yeah, I think DHS is a better choice... As far as which restaurant instead, that is hard to say.... We had dinner at Mama Melrose, and it was pretty good. We were supposed to have dinner at Sci Fi, but we were so burned out that we opted to go eat Pizza on the boardwalk and veg out instead, so I have never been there. I am making an ADR for desert there this time... But it does look fun, so maybe that would be a good restaurant? But definitely if he likes Starwars, the Jedi camp, Indiana Jones, the stunt car show, lots of engaging things, and of course TSM... There is the great Bug's Life play yard, which can get crazy, but both mine 6 & 3 loved it to just climb about... You'll get to see all those characters, for sure, if you are there for a good portion of the day... They have the schedule for the character meet and greets... Are you trying to find a fun dinner spot in DHS to celebrate his birthday? DD would like the Beauty and the Beast show, so that would be a good activity for her, and the Play House Disney circuit. I'll take a closer look at the Passporter...

 

[CRdisMom]

love the photos!!!