Pre-Trip Who Says You Can't Go Home? Final Days!

In planning for my trip (only 75 more days!) I have become obsessed with this Bon Jovi Song. I can picture my family doing all sorts of fun things in WDW when I hear it! You can bet I will be using this song for our vacation video -



I've been eagerly planning this trip to WDW since we ended our last trip in Feb 2012. F&W, MNSSHP and taking my son for the "first time" - okay he was there last time but he was only 11m so this is the first trip he can really participate in.

Here are the kids on their first trip to Orlando (we don't have lots of pictures of the two of them because Alec slept most of the trip).

So who is who?

This is me - Traci and my two kids Lily and Alec at the carnival earlier this summer. They will be 4.5 and 2.5 on our trip.

Here is my husband Chris with the kids on our resent nature walk. They made it to the river but not all the way back.

We are staying at the All Star Music from October 20 - 26. My DH has insisted on the DxDP. So there will be lots of food on our trip!

We will be driving for our home in the DMV (DC,MD,VA) to Orlando making stops along the way at some touristy places and an over night most likely in Atlanta. My daughter does really well in the car. My son tends to get bored faster so we shall see how it goes. Extra stops may be needed as he is a ball of energy!

The plan is to check in and head to MK at 4:00 to take advantage of our MNSSHP tickets. My daughter has decided that she will be Vanellope and Alec will be Wreck It Ralph. So I will be working on making them some costumes. Thankfully Alec is still to young to care what I dress him up as so they will be matching again this year.

Last year they were bugs

and the year before a witch and a skeleton

I LOVE Halloween! My favorite holiday and I'm really looking forward to sharing MNSSHP with the kids. We have only been once in 2007 but we had a great time and my hope is after spending a day and half in the car they will make it until the fireworks. My kids normally go to bed at 8:00 so it will make a late night with the fireworks at 9:30 but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Lily should be able to do it. Alec is iffy. Hopefully he will lay down in the stroller if he gets to tired so every one else can watch but if we have to leave after the first parade we will.

I will add more of our plans in the coming days. Thanks for reading!

 

[RandomPrincess]

My very excited son checking out our Magic Bands. He even remembered he picked blue. Both kids wanted to wear them right away. Even my husband seemed to like them - I caught him taking a picture to send to his friend.

 

[TheMouseFan]

My very excited son checking out our Magic Bands. He even remembered he picked blue. Both kids wanted to wear them right away. Even my husband seemed to like them - I caught him taking a picture to send to his friend.
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How exciting!! I am really hoping we are able to get them for our November trip! Have a great trip!!

 

[jkl2000]

Here is a quick break down of our Park Days and ADRs

Sunday October 20, 2013

• Check in All Star Music
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Monday October 21, 2013

• Epcot - World Showcase
  
• Food & Wine Festival
• Flying Fish Cafe - 6:00 pm

Tuesday October 22, 2013

• Animal Kingdom
• Tusker House - 9:50 am
• Raglan Road - 5:45 pm

Wednesday October 23, 2013

• Disney Hollywood Studios
  
• Kouzzina - 8:45 am
• Brown Derby - 3:30 pm

Thursday October 24, 2013

• Epcot - Future World
• Coral Reef - 11:30 am
• Ohana - 6:40 pm

Friday October 25, 2013

• Magic Kingdom
• Cinderella's Royal Table - 8:30 am
• The Plaza - 5:15 pm (hoping to switch to California Grill).

Saturday October 26, 2013

• Check Out
  
• Whispering Canyon - 9:05 am
• Portabello's - 2:00 pm
• Drive Home

Our dates and plans overlap a lot! Not the ADRs, but the parks we'll be in (I think we both relied on the TouringPlans.com crowd levels!). What are the ages of your kids? Do you take breaks at the resort during the day? It doesn't look like it from your plan. We have resort breaks planned for most days, and then hopping to a different park. Will have to see how that goes, if it's necessary, etc.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Our dates and plans overlap a lot! Not the ADRs, but the parks we'll be in (I think we both relied on the TouringPlans.com crowd levels!). What are the ages of your kids? Do you take breaks at the resort during the day? It doesn't look like it from your plan. We have resort breaks planned for most days, and then hopping to a different park. Will have to see how that goes, if it's necessary, etc.

You are right, I love Touring Plans.

We are planning breaks or short days if needed we decided not to hop since last trip with the kids we got park hoppers and only used them one day.

We will most likely be going back to the resort for the night following dinner and plan to split up if needed with one parent staying with my 4 yo and the other taking the 2 yo back for a rest. My 2 yo will nap in the stroller but we aren't sure if that will happen at WDW with all the fun stuff going on.

The last trip we found they did great the first few days and as the week went on days got shorter or breaks were needed.

 

[jkl2000]

You are right, I love Touring Plans.

We are planning breaks or short days if needed we decided not to hop since last trip with the kids we got park hoppers and only used them one day.

We will most likely be going back to the resort for the night following dinner and plan to split up if needed with one parent staying with my 4 yo and the other taking the 2 yo back for a rest. My 2 yo will nap in the stroller but we aren't sure if that will happen at WDW with all the fun stuff going on.

The last trip we found they did great the first few days and as the week went on days got shorter or breaks were needed.

Interesting - I'm starting to get more worried my wife will burn out than that DS4 will burn out!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Okay I lied, I'm not done planning my trip - I was looking at some Halloween Party info on Touring Plans and the 20th is supposed to be one of the busiest parties and the just 2 days later on the 22nd is one of the least crowded so I decided to switch party days. Thankfully everything was easy to switch. So we will now be going to dinner at Raglan Road arrival night and the party on our AK day. I only had to move a few FP+ which thankfully I was able to do with ease. I also pushed back our Kouzzina breakfast Wednesday so we can get a little slower start and move our TSMM FP+ to the afternoon.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We might have to push our trip back now due to the shutdown. My DH works for a government contractor and the always receive lots of last minute orders the end of September before the fiscal year ends. Now they have tons of product coming in and they can't driver any of it due to the shutdown. They have to keep the items in a secure area until delivery but their warehouse is no where big enough to keep all the items. They can't just leave the items anywhere to to government procedures. So finding secure storage space is an issue. Then once the shutdown ends the government will of course want delivery ASAP. So all that need to be coordinated as well. Since my DH is head of that department they don't want him on vacation until this all clears up.

I know it's not as bad as all the people not being paid (trust me I know) but is still annoying to not know what's going on with a trip we are supposed to leave for in 16 days.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Tomorrow is the big meeting. We find out if we are pushing back our trip. I feel very lucky they are only asking us to possibly move it back. Over 300 people at DH's work have been furloughed due to the government shutdown as they provide onsite services.

 

[RandomPrincess]

So there was no meeting. My husband showed up at 3:00 for the meeting and his boss was gone for the day. My husband promised me he would corner him in the morning.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Fingers crossed you won't have to move it!!!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Well it's official our trip is being pushed back. We will now be going Nov 1 - Nov 7. I'm in the process of sorting everything out.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Tomorrow is the big meeting. We find out if we are pushing back our trip. I feel very lucky they are only asking us to possibly move it back. Over 300 people at DH's work have been furloughed due to the government shutdown as they provide onsite services.

Keeping fingers crossed for you! My husband works for Homeland Security, and is considered essential personnel (in other words... work, regardless, without pay... for now) ALL vacations (during the shutdown) were to be cancelled, or the personnel would be considered AWOL. (Nice huh!?!?) I'm 23 day out, all paid, etc etc.... and scared goofyless... May be the first trip I do without hubby. So believe me, I know exactly what you're going through Your plans look spectacular!! and your wee little ones are just adorable!!!!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Keeping fingers crossed for you! My husband works for Homeland Security, and is considered essential personnel (in other words... work, regardless, without pay... for now) ALL vacations (during the shutdown) were to be cancelled, or the personnel would be considered AWOL. (Nice huh!?!?) I'm 23 day out, all paid, etc etc.... and scared goofyless... May be the first trip I do without hubby. So believe me, I know exactly what you're going through Your plans look spectacular!! and your wee little ones are just adorable!!!!

Unfortunately our trip has been moved. Thankfully my DH's company will be paying the differences since we lose free dining. We will be traveling Nov 1 - Nov 7 now. Even if the shutdown ended today my husbands job will need him until the end of the month. Starting in Nov his counterpart will be able to take over if still needed.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Unfortunately our trip has been moved. Thankfully my DH's company will be paying the differences since we lose free dining. We will be traveling Nov 1 - Nov 7 now. Even if the shutdown ended today my husbands job will need him until the end of the month. Starting in Nov his counterpart will be able to take over if still needed.

what a bummer but at least you don't have to push it out that much. We are arriving on the 6th so our trips will overlap by a day

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Unfortunately our trip has been moved. Thankfully my DH's company will be paying the differences since we lose free dining. We will be traveling Nov 1 - Nov 7 now. Even if the shutdown ended today my husbands job will need him until the end of the month. Starting in Nov his counterpart will be able to take over if still needed.

We will be there Nov 1 - Nov 11, and as it stands, right now... it will be just me and my son. HS doesn't pay differences unfortunately, so I'm up the creek without a paddle. Sigh.... well, who knows, maybe this mess will be over with soon. Best of luck!

 

[RandomPrincess]

We will be there Nov 1 - Nov 11, and as it stands, right now... it will be just me and my son. HS doesn't pay differences unfortunately, so I'm up the creek without a paddle. Sigh.... well, who knows, maybe this mess will be over with soon. Best of luck!

I hope everything ends soon so you can all enjoy your trip together.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Well it's official our trip is being pushed back. We will now be going Nov 1 - Nov 7. I'm in the process of sorting everything out.

That totally sucks! Darn Government! On the bright side you will get to hopefully see the Magic Kingdom under both Halloween and Christmas decorations! Maybe that will make up for the delay

 

[RandomPrincess]

Well everything is officially switched for our new dates. We were able to add an extra park day to our trip as well. I was able to replace all my ADRs except Ohana and CRT. I'm not to upset over either of them. My DD (4) had a countdown going so I had to explain to her that the dates had changed. She was a little disappointed but got over it quickly. Her main concerns we being able to Trick or Treat at WDW - which she can still do. I officially bought our tickets for the final party. She was also disappointed we may not be able to eat with the princesses but I replaced CRT with 1900 PF breakfast with Alice and Mary she thought that was a good trade. My TA and I are both checking for CRT openings so hopefully something will pop up and we can surprise her. My DS (2.5) only wants to meet Mickey and ride roller coasters (aka Barnstormer) so I have that covered.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm so sorry you guys had to push things back, but I'm sure it'll be wonderful when you do get to go. We've done 1900 PF breakfast twice and loved it. It's not CRT, but it's a lot of fun. And who knows, maybe something will open up before you trip.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Tomorrow was the day we were supposed to have left for our WDW trip - My DH has the flu so maybe it was a good thing the trip got pushed back. He's been home sick since Wednesday.

Monday I realized it was my DD's Fall Fest this Friday (today). I had promised her she could wear her Halloween costume to the party (all the kids get dressed up). So I spent the week finishing the kids costumes. You can' go to the store and buy Vanellope and Wreak It Ralph and anything on Etsy costs about $100 so I was piecing them together for a while getting overalls, leggings and shirts from our neighborhood consignment shop. I bought a white sweat shirt and had to dye it, along with dying an old purple shirt and some yellow overalls brown for DS costume. I used to dye clothes in the washing machine but since I have a new HE washer I had to do it on a pot over the stove. 3 rounds of dye Teal, brown and dark brown. I accidentally splashed the white tank top I was wearing so that went in the pot to and I now have a new chocolate brown tank top.

Striping the color so they would dye better - all the yellow came out the purple just faded -



I hand painted the leggings with soft fabric paint and they came out pretty good.


I cut the cuffs on the overalls and shirt sleeves for Ralph so they would fray in the wash I also cut off the collar of the shirt. I had to sew on the detail for Vanellope's sweatshirt including the pull strings for the hood (kids hoodies don't come with strings anymore). The only plain white hooded no zipper sweatshirt I could find for DD was a 6/8 DD was a 4t. So it was huge! I tried to shrink it but I ended up hemming the bottom of the hoodie since other wise you couldn't see the skirt. I also sewed the outline of a pocket on her sweatshirt since I couldn't find one with the front pouch pocket. I did buy the candies for DD's hair. Once I did the math on the supplies need to make them it was cheaper to pay $18 and get them on Etsy.

DS costume looked plain to me so I made him a Cookie Medal - It's not the exact colors as the one in the film but they didn't sell aqua foam and my white paint marker died. I chose foam because I thought clay would be to heavy for him.



So here is the final product - We WILL be taking these costumes to WDW with us and they will where them to MNSSHP on Nov 1 and then on our DHS to meet Vanellope and Ralph -

DS with the medal (he wore it about a minute)

Realized this post is really long, I hope you don't mind I was just really excited at how these turned out. I'm not very crafty and don't own a sewing machine so I was surprised how well it worked out making them.