Category Archives vacation

First plane ride adventure

Dear NHL and JSL,

Daddy and I were just talking the other day about how you would both be having a big milestone together. Neither of you have been on an airplane yet. With our trip to Disney World both of you will be seeing/doing a lot of items for the first time. Not only will you be flying for the first time, but you will be seeing Mickey Mouse and all of Walt Disney World together. Watching your faces as you experiences these memories together will make this first real big family vacation even more special. Now I just hope that you have a wonderful time on our adventure and sleep well so we can put on a lot of miles at Disney World together.

Tired NHL    Tired JSL

 Love,

Mommy

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Dear Kid Saturdays at Cutest Kid Ever

 

 

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Magical vacation memories

Timing really is everything. Today a package arrived with two pairs of Mickey Mouse ears for the boys. I happened to win a giveaway from MousekeTIPS, the vidcast for Destinations in Florida. Their first weeks giveaway was for a Walt Disney World package that included Mickey Mouse ears, a Pirate Donald stuffed friend and a surprise. Guess what we did when we saw the Mouse Ears? Here is a clue: 

Boys sporting the Mickey Mouse ears

Of course, we all took turns. . . even the kids at heart! 

JL sporting the ears      C'est Moi a la mouse ears

Can you tell we are basically ready for Disney World?

So my questions for this week are inspired by our upcoming trip:

What was the most magical vacation that you have been on? Have you ever been to Walt Disney World? If you have, what was your favorite experience.

TheAngelForever

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

 Aloha Friday by Kailani at An Island Life

Aloha #47

 

 

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Pre-Disney travel stress

We head to Disney World very soon and there is a ton that need to get done. Lists need to be made and items need to be bought and packed. If I sat and really thought about it long enough I think my head would start to spin.

Can you tell a big family vacation is new to this mommy of almost 6 years?

 

Seriously, I know I just need to sit down with JL and we have to make a "game plan" of sorts. The lists of items to pack has to be done. From there, we will determine whether we have all of said items. Then I have to get my rear in gear and pack things. Thank goodness we are going on an airline that still allows two checked pieces of luggage per passenger. That means IF we wanted we could haul eight suitcases stuffed with things. Of course, that is not my plan. I would like to stay with 4 or under. Please realize that one of them will likely be filled with diapers, wipes and breakfast supplies/snacks. The great part of that is it will be ready to load up with items we take home from Disney.

I must admit that our Vice President, Joe Biden, did not help matters this morning when he went on the Today Show and basically said he would not advise his family to travel by plane anywhere these days. Thanks Joe!

*shaking head*

I can not wait to see the damage control that comes out of the White House on that one.

Seriously, Swine Flu is in the back of my mind since we are traveling to a place that packs in a ton of people, including many international visitors from Mexico. Of course, I worry more these days about JSL and another ear infection on our trip since it will be a little over a week after he is done with his antibiotic. I won’t even mention my fear of bedbugs at hotels since those are raging out of control all over the country.

So, for those of you that have traveled with kids a lot. . . how do you stay settled and make sure you pack everything that you need? Any words of wisdom and thoughts on items that are a must to take for the vacation, or to entertain the kids on the airplane, would be greatly appreciated.

Now I am off to think about the fun we will have exploring Disney World with the boys for the first time.

Disney honeymoon memories - 2001

TheAngelForever

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Disney dining plans

Bright and early this morning, I sat with my paper plan for meals while we are at Disney World. I actually felt butterflies since I was nervous about not getting things. Seriously, it was just like the way I felt before an exam when in school.

At 7:00 I dialed the number and immediately talked to a person at Disney dining. There were a few little glitches, but I expected one of them. Here is the plan right now

 

  • Chef Mickey – Great character meal for the night of our arrival.
  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe – Fun meal for the entire family. Hubby and the boys have never been here before, but I remember my father being scolded for not eating his veggies when I was little.
  • Boma – We have heard amazing things about this and are looking forward to it.
  • The Wave – A quick switch landed us here. We had wanted to go to Spoodles, but for some reason nothing was available that week. We suspect it may be closed or being refurbished.
  • Coral Reef – Should be fun for the boys to watch the fish in the tank while eating. Have fond memories of this place from my childhood.
  • Crystal Palace – Character meal with Pooh and friends for JSL’s 2nd birthday.
  • Le Cellier – Took the one and ONLY time they had a table for six available for dinner during our entire stay. Loved this place and ate there twice on our honeymoon. Back then it was easy to get a reservation there, my how times have changed!

Now we are debating if we should make breakfast reservations. Contenders are Ohana’s (Lilo & Stitch), Cape May Cafe, Tusker House (Donald Duck) or something else. Since the boys will be staying up later, it probably is not the best plan. We also have to weigh in the cost and whether we want to have a buffet before going into the heat for a day at the parks.

TheAngelForever

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100 days to go

Starting tomorrow, there will no longer be a three digit number standing between us and Disney World. The magic number is 100 today and it seems quite surreal. Of course, part of that could be the snow and ice that was left on our lawn yesterday turning our front  porch into a hockey rink.

Since I last wrote about our family Disney trip some things have changed. My parents, otherwise known as Nana and Papa on my blog, will be joining us. They were not sure about it at first, but eventually were excited to jump at the opportunity. JL and I think it will be fabulous to have them there to see the boys on their first trip to see the magic of Disney. My parents are the ones that started this "illness" with me so many years ago. We will be going down on the same flight, staying at the same hotel and making some dinner reservations together.

We have a little over a week to go until we can make our advanced dining reservations (ADRs) with Disney. This means that we are in the final preparations of making our list for dinner sit down restaurants. Some of this is complicated right now thanks to the calendars for May still not being available at the parks. We would like to know which nights certain events will be at locations so we can be there. It obviously makes sense to have dinner at those parks, or nearby so we can get to them.

One other little item, we need restaurants that are vegetarian friendly. JL and I have a kosher kitchen at home. When dining out JL prefers to eat vegetarian or fish (like salmon, mahi mahi, tuna…. not seafood) to make things easier for him. This has certainly nixed going to some restaurants that barely had any food options for him.

At this point we know that we will make the following reservations:

  • Chef Mickey – the evening that we arrive. Perhaps this will become an arrival day tradition. This reservation is already made since it can be done 180 days out.
  • Crystal Palace – likely for JSL’s 2nd birthday. He knows Winnie the Pooh and friends and should have a blast there (assuming the characters do not freak him out).
  • Boma – at the Animal Kingdom Lodge this restaurant has a buffet that has African specialities that look amazing.
  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe – fun restuarant that has really expanded more options to JL since our honeymoon. We did not go there 8 years ago, but I loved the antics there when I was a kid.

With the four choices above, it only leaves us with three sit down meals that need to be covered. Of course we also need to figure out if we want to do a more leisurely breakfast and make reservations for that.

Places that are on the likely list for dinner:

  • Le Cellier – JL and I ate here twice on our honeymoon. It is an amazing restaurant that is now quite difficult to get into. Who knew it would become so popular over the years?!
  • Coral Reef – although it has mixed reviews we think the boys will love watching the fish. My parents and I also have fond memories of eating there years ago. Nothing like watching a waiter teach your little brother how to eat a lobster!

Still debating:

  • Spoodles – JL and I also ate here twice on our honeymoon. It was on the Boardwalk right near our hotel and had amazing food. Not too sure how the boys and my father will do here thanks to the limited menu that is online.
  • Marrakesh – The restaurant at Morocco in EPCOT looks fabulous, but I have read that the quick service Tangierine Cafe is great, so that may just hit the mediterranean fix we need.
  • Sci Fi Drive In – A really neat restaurant with decent food. JL and I went there on our honeymoon and think that the seating with the boys may be hard to deal with. This is probably a place we will leave to do when they are older and will appreciate the fun movies more.

That is the short list of places that we came up with using the restaurant information here, in the DIS discussion forums, and in books. There are so many options and everything sounds so amazing. This week we hope to have more information on park hours and night events so we can make our plans. With any luck, we will be able to get our reservations with no issue on the 90 day mark. I know my alarm will be set on that morning.

If you have been to Disney lately any dining suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

TheAngelForever

 

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