Happy Birthday Mr. Disney

Disney Firsts

One thing I wanted to be sure I jotted down is a list of "Disney Firsts" from our last trip. People ask how many times we are going to go to Disney or haven't we seen it all yet.  The answers are "as many as we can" and "no- we haven't come close to seeing it all yet."  There are always new things to do or see (or eat) at Disney. Always. So in our quest to discover more...we had quite a list of firsts...

Firsts in 2010
*Taking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour which included our first time to go backstage and even down into the utilidors.
*Behind the Seeds tour at the Land in Epcot.
*New restaurants- Columbia Harbour House, Ohanna, Rose and Crown
*Riding the boat from DHS to EPCOT.
*Making it to rope drop at DHS.
*Seeing the Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom (twice!)
*Slowing down to watch some shows- Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, and the film in France
*Strolling down Main Street to take time noticing the details- this was actually part of the KTTK tour but we promised each other we will make a true effort to slow down in the parks and enjoy the scenery.
*Experiencing Epcots Food and Wine Festival.
*Seeing Disney with fall decorations (very nice but not as magical as Disney at Christmas)

Even with all those firsts...we still have a Disney To Do list...
*Stay at the Contemporary
*Take family pictures in Canada (Epcot)
*Be at Epcot for rope drop
*Resort hop to visit Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk, & Pop Century
*Eat at Sci Fi
*Eat the bakery in France
*Have a Dole whip
*Stay in a Magic Kingdom room at the Contemporary & watch the fireworks from our balcony
*Watch Fining Nemo at Animal Kingdom
*Go to that Conservation area at Animal Kingdom (I actully don't like Animal Kingdom...but if I have to go there...I need to see these areas)
*Draw Minnie Mouse at the animation studio
*See all of Downtown Disney
*Spend a little bit of time at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (ok, so this isn't on my to do list...but it is on the kids)
*Take the Epcot backstage tour
*Take the Walt tour
*Stroll instead of sprint
*Stay awake during the Hall of Presidents presentation
*Watch them retire the flag at dusk at Magic Kingdom
*Make my kids watch the 360 degree Canada film like I remember having to do as a kid.
*Ride the Astro Orbiters (I chicken out every.single.time because of the height!)

See. We do need to go back next year. And the next. And the next...

Holy Tea Cups

Now they are saying the Teacups will also be down for refurbishment during our trip.  First Its a Small World, then One Man's Dream, and now Mad Tea Party. I think I deserve a partial refund.

The Science of Snacks

So initially you may think that researching where to use your Disney snack credits is a bit over the top. But I gotta tell you- not all snacks are created equal. With the dining plan every person receives one snack credit per day. If these aren't strategically planned out, one might waste their credit on Coke, popcorn, or bagged cookies. A little bit of research will lead you to The Disney Food Blog- the Bible of all things food Disney. Before long you will be salivating over something like this chocolate peanut butter cupcake from Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's ok. Go ahead...scroll and drool. I'll wait.

Yes, that would be chocolate shavings on top of peanut butter icing on top of chocolate cake with more peanut butter icing in the center. Of course if you are some alien being and don't find the combo of chocolate and peanut butter to be the end all of all snacks. There are many more options. Like this runner up for me...

The carrot cake cookie available at The Writers Shop (also in DHS). Yummo.

Another option- the Butterfinger cupcake.

Moving to EPCOT...here is our very own snack try from Sunshine Seasons (along with Brad's counter service meal).

This was butterfinger cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, and chocolate cake.

Now, you understand why snack research is essential. Plan wisely and you can eat your way through the World. (for free!!!)

I beg of you- for the love of all things Disney- do not waste a snack credit on Dr.Pepper!

How To: Disney

Sure. You could get a basic package, grab a guide map at the entrance, and wing it. You could do that. That's just not how I do it. When I do Disney- there is alot involved. The travel dates are strategically picked based on crowd records, weather trends, and current promotions. This September will be our 2nd trip not paying for any food. That is not a coincidence.

I price everything. I book everything. I settle on ADRs (advance dining reservations) as early as possible. (Disney dining can be booked 180 days out.) Meals are planned according to park happenings. You wouldn't want to be in EPCOT on the night Spectromagic is happening at Magic Kingdom :gasp:

I buy the best guide book ever. I write down all ADR confirmation numbers on the corresponding date page. I highlight the attractions of utmost importance. Then I put together daily touring plans based on variables such as EMHs (extra magic hours), park hours, parades, fireworks, and our family must do list.

All of this is done WEEKS in advance. Weeks. Has to be. Planning ahead makes the last few days before the trip open to just plain excitement.

Upon arrival, grab the daily itinerary and set yourself on autopilot. Does everyone not have a DisneyWorld autopilot button? I thought it was standard issue. If you don't have that button, you should travel with someone that does. That is the only way to see it all. Do it all. Experience it all.

When you pass under the train station...it is pure magic. Turn the corner. Wait for it...wait for it...ahhh...there it is- your first glimpse of The Castle. Be sure to have cameras ready if it is anyones first time to see the castle.

I promise you- this is the point where Tinkerbell sits on your shoulder and whispers, "Welcome home." What? You've never heard her? You better go back and listen again. She is a quiet little thing.

So. That's it. That's how I do Disney. Sure, it takes time and energy and work. Doesn't everything worth having take time, energy, and work? But at the end you will be rewarded with fabulous family time, a vacation to end all vacations, and memories to talk about for years.

So Thats How They Do It

Who knows exactly where this pumpkin might be found? The answer of "Disney World" is not specific!

Refurbishment Trouble

Brace yourself. Walt Disney- One Man's Dream will be closed for refurbishment August 16- November 2nd. Sad sad day for us because our trip falls smack in the middle of that refurb time. This is one of those inspiring, educational attractions that everyone must sit through. Multiple times. Learning of Walt's journey...how it really didn't all start with a mouse...how he was such a risk taker...believing in his dreams. Beautiful. Some have even been known to get a bit teary during the film at the end. (Don't tell Brad I told you.)

Also disturbing...It's a Small World will be on the refurb schedule during our visit as well. That is most disappointing for baby Cade. He will be at the perfect age to enjoy the simplicity of the attraction- and not be left humming that song for the rest of the day.

Don't worry family...I have a plan. If I start now- perhaps I could whip up several multicultural puppets and we could put on our own version of Small World for CaderTot. Anyone have a boat? Practice the song people....practice the song.

Crunching Numbers

See that food up there? That is a tiny tiny sampling of what we ate at Disney and it didn't cost us a !dime Literally. We got in on the "free dining" promotion which entitled us to 1 counter service, 1 table service, and 1 snack- per person per day. The above tray was from The Land at Epcot.

What we did have to pay for was the gratuity on the table service meals. Brad also purchased some breakfast items and we partially paid for our last meal at Hollywood Studios (day 8) because we were out of credits. We spent a grand total of $261. Not bad for 8 days and 5 people! Especially not bad when you consider that our bill for Teppan Edo at Epcot's Japan totaled $214. The night before at Crystal Palace came to a grand total of $206, and the average counter service bill was $60 for our little family.

After adding all the receipts, we ate $1754 worth of food for $261!

Obviously taking advantage of the free dining is a no brainer.

If we would have had to pay for the dining, it was going to cost us $1200. Taking into account the additions we purchased we still would have been ahead $293. However, while the dining plan is convenient and a great way to splurge, you really won't save money purchasing it vs. not purchasing it. Not unless you plan to have a dessert with EVERY meal- including counter servce, always order drinks- sometimes smoothies, and stuff yourselves with an additional snack per day just for the heck of it.

Moral of the story....free dining...best deal in the World. Plan on it...wait for it...snag it! Every. Time.

In Case You Can't Wait

When Disney's parade comes on Christmas morning and says "Live" at the bottom of the scren, they are fibbing a bit. I wouldn't even say it was recorded live because there are multiple takes on everything. So maybe it means the performers are live rather than the audio-animatronics versions that are so common in the parks. Yeah. That must be what they mean.

Anyway, they did the taping last weekend. There were weather "issues" (downpours) on Friday morning which led to them moving Celine to the Floridian and the parade taping to Sunday. We missed the Jonas Brothers but were fortunate enough to be a part of Celine's taping. Here is a video of some pretaping fun (that went on almost 2 hours!) followed by Nick Cannon and then Celine's performance. If that first guy looks familar, he played Ken on the Barbie videos back in the day. For real. He actually was a really funny guy and did a great job with the improv entertainment!

The Pictures

Better take a seat if you plan to look at them all...

ReEntry

Much like Epcot's Mission Space, the re-entry into the real world from Disney World can be a bit rough. Because the blog is my version of scrapbooking, I have several posts coming on our trip. I want to cover the dining plan breakdown, things to remember for next time, funniest moments, etc. etc. But for now I just wanted to say we are back and in that "I wish I was still at Disney...but I'm not so I'm going to go through the pictures, passporter, and plan the next trip" funk. Right now I am off to work on our Christmas picture...you knew it would be a Disney picture didn't you?? ;)

Thanks Brownies for sharing this magical experience with us!!

Hang on gang....we are on our way! See you soon.

Are You Kidding Me?

I don't think this has ever happened to us before- all three kids are currently on antibiotics for strep. Maci came in first with Andy following 6 days later and then Aaron joined the party today. Thank goodness for a doc that writes 3 Rx's at the first appointment. She knew how this was going to go down. Now...anyone know a doc that will write a "just in case Rx" for Brad and me? Otherwise we may be looking for a doc in the crowd at Disney!

Over Due

The last time we went to Disney World Maci and Aaron looked like this-

Brad and I looked like this-

As you can see, we are loooonnnng overdue for another Disney trip. Thank goodness the next one is only about 40 days away. Get ready Mickey because Maci, Aaron, Andy, Payten, and Carter are headed your way!!!

Follow that Mouse

One of our teachers just got back from DisneyWorld. As we stood on the bus parking lot looking at pictures and reliving her trip, I was mentally making a packing list. Don't ya just want to load up and head out with me? Here are the top 10 reasons why I NEED to get back to Disney-
10- That's the only place on earth I don't mind getting up at 6 am.
9- That's the only place on earth I don't mind walking 5 miles a day.
8- That's the only place on earth I am oblivious to the weather conditions. Hot? Cold? Raining? I don't even notice.
7- I need to sit on that curb and wait for the parade. I just need it.
6- I can barely remember the taste of the hot dogs at Casey's Corner on Main Street- but I remember they are the best.
5- It's downright frightning how excited I get about the planning involved in a Disney trip.
4- My Andy has NEVER been to Disney. That's just wrong and makes me a bad bad parent.
3- Since I plan to retire there I need to stop by HR and get an application. I like to plan ahead you know.
2- The expressions on the kids faces makes it worth every penney...and dime...and quarter...
1- I miss that mouse- and his little girlfriend too!