a Disneymoon with my parents?!?

[BELLE1109]

of course it does! truth be told I did hit the mall but it was a complete bust! don't you hate when that happens?
I also got a cool new camera cover for my Canon XTi
I don't want to have to tote a camera bag through out the parks. This will protect my camera and I can just throw it in one of my many enormous purses

 

[BELLE1109]

Day One
I get butterflies in my tummy just thinking about this!

depart Boston at 6am, change planes in DC
arrive Orlando 11am

Take ME to AKL! We will let ME pick up our luggage and head straight to the hotel. I will make sure to pack our carry ons to include a bathsuit, medications, toothbrushes, dinner outfits, Pjs, and one all purpose outfit for each just in case there is a snafu with the luggage (please Mickey don't let me have just jinxed myself)

I plan on checking in online in advance so hopefully, check in will be a breeze! pixie dust for an upgrade?

unpack, change and hit the pool/explore the hotel. I have never stayed at AKL though I have eaten at Jiko. I can't wait to check out the savanna, explore the grounds and play in the pool

during pool time I will execute my plan for a DYI in room celebration. I will pretend to need DH's room key, return to the room to 'go to the bathroom' and set up his surprises!

I have made ADRs at Boma at 6pm. Just enough time to shower, change and dig in

Post dinner, we will hit DTD and boardwalk! I figure we will spend awhile strolling around and most importantly shopping in DTD before heading to Jellyrolls or ESPN zone for a night cap.
I figure that everyone will nap on the plane or by the pool- but I am happy to defer boardwalk until night 2 if everyone wants to hit the hay.

 

[carps09]

I love your countdown calendar! I wish I had thought of something like that. Also, LOVE that Target bathing suit. I may need to pick one of those up before our trip. Did you make a decision about your in-room celebration? I had looked into doing one as well, but couldn't justify the price.

 

[BELLE1109]

I love your countdown calendar! I wish I had thought of something like that. Also, LOVE that Target bathing suit. I may need to pick one of those up before our trip. Did you make a decision about your in-room celebration? I had looked into doing one as well, but couldn't justify the price.

thank you!
you can totally do a countdown! you still have days to X out- I am happy to send you my 'template' if you PM me
Isn't the bathing suit darling? the price is right too! I was looking at a similiar one from Juicey for $170- ummmm NO lol its a swimsuit!

as for the in room celebration.. see the post below

 

[BELLE1109]

Labor Day Weekend
I hope that everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!
I spent the majority of my weekend on our boat
BUT....I did manage to hit up the opening of the new Disney store at my local mall. It was a mad house- but so fun.
My mission was to pick of things for my DIY in room celebration- and boy did I shop

first
The line outside of the store

when I walked in I was given a Mickey Pez dispenser and 2 sets of ears- score for free stuff!

I picked out a super soft tshirt for everyone going on the trip
retro tees for DH and Dad (Dad's is blue) these puppies were only $6.99!

a tink shirt for Mum (Tink is her favorite)

and a mini shirt for me- although I can't seem to find a picture

I also got some silly things, a Mickey football for DH, a Tink pin for Mum
ears for the girls

I also picked up 2 large reusuable totes with my other man on the front

Every bag counts I think these will be great to bring home all the goodies we will buy at the parks.
I just picked up some new vinyl, so I am off to make a special car decal for the trip.......stay tuned

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Plans for day 1 look good! Aw you reminded me that I should probably go check out my Disney store and see what they have. You managed to find some good things...cute shirts! And, free stuff is always good

 

[Disneychix]

I'm so jealous you got a new DIsney Store! They closed all of ours!! (but now I have hope that maybe they will open another one someday!)

Love Love you celebration ideas! HAve fun counting down!

 

[BELLE1109]

Plans for day 1 look good! Aw you reminded me that I should probably go check out my Disney store and see what they have. You managed to find some good things...cute shirts! And, free stuff is always good

Love the Disney store- they have some great things right now

I'm so jealous you got a new DIsney Store! They closed all of ours!! (but now I have hope that maybe they will open another one someday!)

Love Love you celebration ideas! HAve fun counting down!

thank you! They had closed ours about 3 years ago and then reopened it! check out disneystore.com and www.disneystore.com/outlet/cdo/12845/ too!

 

[BELLE1109]

When I lived in NYC, I used to walk by the site of the World Trade Center every day to get to school. Today especially, I am grateful for all the wonderful things and oppertunities this country has afforded me. I am beyond grateful to those men and women who defend our country.

Never forget

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[BELLE1109]

quick sidenote: yesterday, the concept art was release for the expansion of fantasyland!!!! OMGOMGOMG who is joining me in 2012?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0


Day Two

The Animal Kingdom!!

Yipee!

AK is my second favorite park (Epcot being numero uno). My DH LOVES animals- seriously, if we didn't live in the city- I imagine we'd have a zillion pets. As it is, we have one charming schnauzer-pictured here driving our boat

we are hitting AK on day 2 bc it is EMH day!
the park will be open 9am to 8pm

my goal is to be there for rope drop- then head directly to Kilimanjaro's safari. I have always had great luck seeing animals when going on this ride first thing. I believe that it is bc animals are more active when the day isn't at its hottest. However, Goddess Deb at all ears has testimonial from a CM claiming 2 or 3pm is the best time to visit. Maybe I just need to ride twice
This will be my first safari with my SLR- I just purchased a new telephoto lens so hopefully I will have something worth posting in my TR!

My not to miss list
Kilimanjaro's safari
Its though to be a bug
Kali River Rapids (with a change of clothes packed & ziplock bags for electronics)
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur
Jungle Trek
Oasis
Wildlife Express to Rafiki's Planet Watch (Affection Section petting zoo)

Dining
lunch-counter service at Restaurantosaurus

Special Events
3:45pm Jammin Jungle Parade viewed from Dawa Bar in Africa- while sipping a mai tai

After the Park
I have not made ADRs for this night- I am thinking we will just grab room service- although this could change

depending on what time we get home from the park and how tired we are I have 2 plans:
a) order a bottle of wine, enjoy the hot tubs (open until midnight at AKL) and hit the hay
b) catch a bus to MK and take the monorail to GF. watch wishes from the dock (if we are in time) on at least the water parade (9:15pm at GF). Stroll the beach, grab a drink or just take in the beauty.
Catch the last shuttle boat (10pm) to MK and grab a bus back to AKL

When calculating transportation time I find the Twiz to be very reliable! check it out!
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx

 

[dax248]

Joining in on the countdown.

We did a semi-disneymoon with my parents, and it was awesome. I know you will have a great time.

All your surprise ideas are making me want to go shopping this afternoon.

 

[BELLE1109]

hello friends!

I am committing a cardinal sin and updating during a Patriots game! LOL
work has been super busy - I apologize I am slacking on this PTR. DH injured his knee in jiu jitsu class. jiu jitsu is Brazilian wrestling...kinda. Technically it is called ‘submission grappling’ honestly its guys trying to tap each other out- there is a lot of skill and technique involved. DH has been training in it for 10 years. He has been to his orthopedic surgeon twice and they are stumped. He will have an MRI next week. Unfortunately, its painful for him to walk long distances. The ortho gave him a new knee brace- but he might be in a freakin wheel chair for our trip!

What can you do though? thankfully WDW is fully wheel chair accessible and he is able to walk short distances- it might not even be an issue (fingers crossed) we won’t know until the MRI.

As I mentioned before, next Saturday is DH’s birthday. We are going to Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut for the night. I have made reservations at Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse for dinner. I haven’t told DH about this yet- I will keep it a surprise until we get there. I am looking forward to shopping, eating, and playing the craps tables

In other news I bought a jacket for our Disney trip. Its a lightweight North Face apex. The jacket is so thin I have no idea how it keeps you warm...but it does!!! technology is amazing isn’t it?

Next up.....Day 3 plans!

 

[Disneychix]

That was a bad thing updating during the Pats game! I can't make too much fun of you though, I'm from Buffalo!!

Sorry to hear about your DH, lots of good thoughts being sent your way! Hopefully he'll recover by the time of your trip!

 

[BELLE1109]

Day Three- Hollywood Studios

This goes against every Disney instinct that I have but I promised everyone one day to sleep late. We will not be at HS for rope drop

I figure we will grab a light breakfast at AKL and head over to the park at around 10:30. We have reservations at one of my all time favorites 50s prime time café!

There is something so fun about this place. I love everything about the 1950’s. I feel like it was a simpler time. This restaurant brings me back to my Nana’s kitchen which was a time capsule itself!

My do not miss list:
o Great Movie Ride
o Lights, Motor, Action
o Muppet Vision 3D
o Rock n’ Roll Roller Coater fastpass
o StarTours
o Toy Story Mania fastpass
o One Man’s Dream

We will need to leave the fast by around 5- so unfortunately there will be no fantasmic for us. One of the great things about being a Disney veteran is you don’t feel like you need to fit in every single activity. It will always be there next time
I have a surprise planned for us that night….








The Aloha Show at 8pm!!!! Yipee!
Like pretty much everyone else on the planet I am in love with the Poly. I have actually never been to the Aloha show before. I can’t wait to see the famous fire dancers and then stroll the beach.


In other news- I have downloaded the iphone app “WDW wait times”. There have been mixed reviews about this app- although they have updated the program to take the user’s geographical location into account. Basically, the app relies on users to enter wait times at the rides they are at. Sounds cool huh? I will let you know if it works!
I also downloaded a Disney trivia app ”WDW Secrets”. What better way to pass the time waiting on line then with trivia about the land or ride? I’m betting on this being a hit!

 

[Monny2AE]

What a great PTR so far!

I love that pic of you guys in the water- never seen one like that before and it was beautiful!

Dad (60) golfer extraordinaire, lover of mirco brews, recently retired- go Dad!

Have you thought of telling your Dad about Big River Grille and Brewing Works at the Boardwalk? I've never been but might be taking my DH on our next trip. I've heard they have good beer- not the usual kinds. Your Dad might like it. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=2 No ADR's needed- just walk in

DIY in room celebration?

I am in love with the idea of an in room celebration but I am not in love with the price. Last night I was meeting some girlfriends for drinks and had a few minute to kill at Walmart- danger alert- hide my credit card!
While in the craft section I came across an awesome Mickey banner that said 'welcome'- this got my wheels turning- could I pull off an in room celebration myself?
I think so! they also had Mickey confetti- perfect! I am pretty excited about this idea. I am racking my brain to think of a distraction to get DH out of my room and parents out of their room. I think I'll just sneak up to the room during pool time- those sun lovers won't miss me

So now I am amassing goodies. In a stroke of fab luck- the Disney Store is opening at my local mall Monday

Who has ideas for me?

I am also mildly obsessed with my vinyl cutter- I cannot wait to make some custom shirts for the fam- these will be included in the goodie bags.

I am looking forward to finalizing our schedule this weekend so I can begin work in the fun extras!

Just wanted to say thank you for inspiring me! I've loved the idea of the in room celebrations but the cost is outrageous! I think I'm going to come up with my own too! My kids will be thrilled to find a surprise from Mickey when we arrive! I may even do a little something for my DH since it will be his birthday while we're there. Hmmm you've got my creative wheel turning- gotta get shopping now

 

[BELLE1109]

thank you so much for joining in and for the compliment on our picture.
The picture was during a shoot we did while on our honeymoon- photogs call it 'Trash a dress". It was so fun- we went in the ocean, jumped in a pool, sat on a palm tree. They are honestly some of my favorite wedding pictures.

Dad will definitely be hitting Big River- have you ever tried their blueberry beer? Its pretty good (this is coming from a wine drinker)

I'm so glad that I could inspire you!!! Yours kids and DH will love it. Honestly I thinks its less about the 'stuff' then the act of the surprise!
If you are by a Target or Walgreens grab some Disney window clings and put them on the mirrors- or buy blank cling at Michaels and cut out your kids names and mickey heads!
grab a mickey puncher at Michaels and make your own confetti. If you have a Cricut- boy have I got some ideas! Hit up ebay/Walmart/Disney store for stuffed animals and tshirts! There is so much that you can do without spending $200 to plan a special experience. If you're by the Boardwalk- the bakery has Mickey Cakes for $4.99 (assuming prices has not increased).
An adorable idea I have seen for an in room celebration is to have gift wrapping ribbon leading from the door to the beds (gifts were on the beds)
The ribbon was peaking under the door as to been seen from the hallway.

For DH- You can also have custom cakes created starting at $25 (and going up and up of course). You can set this up by calling (407) 827-2253. If you are driving or a careful packer (LOL) you could bring a bottle of your favorite wine from home to celebrate or pick something up in the gift shop of your hotel.

For a more romantic surprise- I am going to pick up some silk rose petals and 2 electric candles (the type used in Christmas decor)
what ever you do your family will love b/c no one is expecting it!