The Great Disney Do-Over—PTR for Aug 2010 - UPDATED 8/2 - Page 19 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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OK - finally all caught up. WOW. What a first trip you had - I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason, and I agree that your Disney Grandpa was sent to you for a reason - made me teary. Then you outright had me crying with the story of your daughter's happy tears. How special Thanks so much for sharing!
On a side note - have you thought about trying the Boneyard at AK? I don't remember if I saw it on your plans and this could be a good area for some down time. My kids love running around the play area and then heading over the dinosaur bridge to dig up 'bones' in the sandbox.
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
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I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason, and I agree that your Disney Grandpa was sent to you for a reason--
On a side note - have you thought about trying the Boneyard at AK? I don't remember if I saw it on your plans and this could be a good area for some down time. My kids love running around the play area and then heading over the dinosaur bridge to dig up 'bones' in the sandbox.
I know some people think that view is silly, but I cannot see it as mere coincidence!
About the boneyard...Its something on our "maybe" list. We planned to do it last time, but ran out of time. Honestly, the reason it is a "maybe" is that I am planning for 100 degree temperatures and know that last place we will want to be is in hot sand! So hopefully, AK will be a cool (for Aug) day and we will get to play there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gorsh
I just got caught up on your plans! It sounds like you have planned really well and have taken a lot of time to think everything through. You will LOVE BC and it sounds like you have set up your plans (park & dining) to work well with your location. You might want to request a room close to the Epcot side of the resort. We watched Illuminations near England and were out of the park and back to the room in no time.
The only thing we didn't like about BC was transportation to/from MK, but you already have the cab in your plans, so that is great! When my parents wanted to take an afternoon break from the MK they had to wait an hour for a bus to BC. Hopefully that was a fluke!
There are a couple things I am not sure about though...
On your arrival day, you are heading over to HS to do TSMM in the afternoon...won't there be an incredibly long line there? Or, wait, does your GAC help you out with this? If your GAC works like a FP then you won't have a problem. There might still be a wait in the FP line in the afternoon though. Just keep that in mind.
The other thing is your MK day sounds LONG. Are you going in August? We were just there in June and the heat was killer. If you don't want to go all the way back to BC for a break on your MK day, you could take the monorail or the boat (this boat is open air & really nice) to the Poly and probably have fun "resting" in the lobby. You can get Dole Whips as a snack from Captain Cooks to cool off and the kids can search for hidden Mickeys. Just a thought! For us, even the air conditioned shows like Tiki Birds & Country Bear wouldn't work as a break for us--we needed to get out of the park during those peak sun hours.
As for Tokyo dining, we didn't eat here, but we ate at Teppan Edo. These two restaurants are in the same building, so I would assume the food is similar just without the "show." We thought our food was absolutely delicious! Would your son like teryaki chicken? I think most kids like this.
If you are going to do the evening EMH at MK, then I wouldn't rush to get over there...you will enjoy the park in the cooler evening temps so much more than during the afternoon sun.
I can't wait to hear more about your trip!
Thanks for taking so much time to comment on our trip plans!
About room location at BC--we have requested a room close to a laundry room--both of which seem to be on the east side of the building. If we get our laundry request, we should also be on the side closest to Epcot (That was my way of making 2 requests in one while at the same time making my request seem more practical than picky ).
TSMM on day 1--we were hoping to use our GADGAD fast passes for TSMM, but I am expecting them to be gone for the day. In that case, we will use the GAC, but it seems a bit like we are manipulating the system. The GAC works like a FP, when there is a FP lane. The one day we used it last trip, some of the FP lines were still 20-30 minutes, but we can handle that if the line is moving. What was way too much was standing in a practically paralyzed line for 40-60 minutes or more. I am also hoping that on the first day, DD will do better with the waits--we should not be so exhausted and overwhelmed at that point. We tried to plan our trip for a time when the parks would not be as busy. Where lines are 20 minutes or less, we will wait like "normal" people, as line times beyond that are when things break down. My DD has a pretty mild form of Asperger's (we are fortunate), but her anxiety/OCD stuff can manifest much more severely when she is irritable or over-stimulated.
Thanks for your tips on the MK days. Being so far from MK. it does not seem practical to take a midday break, but whichever resort we chose, we could not be close to all of the parks! Our plan is to remain flexible. We hope to make it the whole day, but at the first sign of meltdowns, we will change plans. Both of our MK days are EMH days, but we would definitely not be able to stay until 1 or 2 am, so I expect the extra crowds may get us out of there before even the fireworks. I love the idea of exploring the Poly as a midday break! Thanks for that tip!
About the boneyard...Its something on our "maybe" list. We planned to do it last time, but ran out of time. Honestly, the reason it is a "maybe" is that I am planning for 100 degree temperatures and know that last place we will want to be is in hot sand! So hopefully, AK will be a cool (for Aug) day and we will get to play there.
I totally agree about not wanting to bake at AK! However, the Boneyard area doesn't have fans, but the sandbox area has several strong fans - we were actually relatively cool in there since we sat right in front of one. Enjoy your trip - we'll overlap a few days I think - we're there from the 17-27. Not much longer!!!!!
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
I totally agree about not wanting to bake at AK! However, the Boneyard area doesn't have fans, but the sandbox area has several strong fans - we were actually relatively cool in there since we sat right in front of one. Enjoy your trip - we'll overlap a few days I think - we're there from the 17-27. Not much longer!!!!!
Thanks for the info on the fans! I will DEFIITELY try to work it in! Hoping that we both have great weather!
I made appointments for Hannah and Delaney at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique for our second MK day. It was something Hannah (the one with ASD who has been obsessed with princesses) wanted to do last time, but she changed her mind while we were in Disney. It was a relief, though. I think we were all feelling like we had too little time to do all that we wanted to do.
I was not planning to do BBB on this trip, but she mentioned a few days ago that she really wanted to. It came out as I was asking her if it was time to get her hair cut to "cut off the tangles," as we say. She has been wanting to grow her hair longer lately, which has been a surprise in itself! It was this day when we were discussing a haircut that she revealed she wanted her hair long so the fairy Godmother will be able to make it beautiful at Disney. I am glad we had this conversation since in her mind she had been planning for BBB, and even dealing with longer hair and more tangles to be able to go there. It would have been a great disappointment to her if we could not get appointments.
I planned it for later in the trip so she still has time to back out if necessary
Concerns for Hannah at BBB-she does not do well with her hair being messed with (sensory issues). She does better for others than for mom and dad (especilly bad with dad--it is not uncommon for her to kick and hit him when he tries to brush her hair). There have been a few times when she has chosen to get her hair in a certain style, and she has done ok with the tugging. Hoping that she is good for the fairy Godmothers--I think she will be as long as it is her choice.
Our son will be able to choose a special activity with dad at some point during the week as well. At this point, he is not interested in the Pirate League, but renting SeaRaycers or going to Disney Quest seem interesting to him now.
Glad you were able to get appointments at the BBB so close to your trip. I am sure the girls will love it. Sounds like Hannah is very prepared for getting her hair done and since it is something she is so exctied then hopefully it will be a magical experience for all. The fairy godmothers are really great with the kids, I am sure they will both have an amazing time.
Love the idea of some dad / son bonding time, I am sure whatever they choose to do they will have a blast.
With the MK day, I will be another to say that the resorts around the MK are a great way to take a break without heading back to your resort. Even if you take a look at some of the CS restaurants there, maybe plan a CS lunch at the Poly or WL and spend some time wandering or letting the kids play in the sand at the Poly and just enjoy some downtime.
Another option being there are EMH hours at the MK would be go early, enjoy the parks, head back for a afternoon break, nap, swim or just relaxing time and then head back in the evening to enjoy. EMH can bring crowds when they first start but the crowds do die down as it gets later so if you have a not so early morning the next day they might be an idea as well.
My DD loves the boneyard and surprisingly I always find it a bit cooler in there so it might be great for a break.
Glad you were able to get appointments at the BBB so close to your trip. I am sure the girls will love it. Sounds like Hannah is very prepared for getting her hair done and since it is something she is so exctied then hopefully it will be a magical experience for all. The fairy godmothers are really great with the kids, I am sure they will both have an amazing time.
With the MK day, I will be another to say that the resorts around the MK are a great way to take a break without heading back to your resort. Even if you take a look at some of the CS restaurants there, maybe plan a CS lunch at the Poly or WL and spend some time wandering or letting the kids play in the sand at the Poly and just enjoy some downtime.
Another option being there are EMH hours at the MK would be go early, enjoy the parks, head back for a afternoon break, nap, swim or just relaxing time and then head back in the evening to enjoy. EMH can bring crowds when they first start but the crowds do die down as it gets later so if you have a not so early morning the next day they might be an idea as well.
My DD loves the boneyard and surprisingly I always find it a bit cooler in there so it might be great for a break.
Thanks for the tips and more feeback on the boneyard.
Our first MK day, we have 8:30 ADRs at chef mickey and then 4:30 at Crystal palace. I still think the spacing will be good in many ways, it would make it tough to go back to our resort to have a midday break. The second MK day we have no ADRs (and will be meeting our FL family for the day). That may be a great day to check out QS at one of the monorail resorts. I think I will do some research! Thanks!!!
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Just did a garage sale today--it was actually "day 2" of the sale we started in June. It was a beautiful day, and we made over $100, but I sure was hoping for more Disney money!
Congrats on the $100, even if you were hoping for more.
Glad to hear you were able to get the appointments at BBB. That is something I am waiting just a tad longer for with my DD. Sounds like Hannah is excited about it though, which is awesome! Make sure to get lots of pics!!
I see your countdown timer has 20 days on it!!! Getting real close now!! Yay!~
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so close to your trip. I am sure the girls will love it. Sounds like Hannah is very prepared for getting her hair done and since it is something she is so exctied then hopefully it will be a magical experience for all. The fairy godmothers are really great with the kids, I am sure they will both have an amazing time.
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