Weather Forecast

Here is a link the page for weather while we are down there. This site goes out to a 15 day forecast.

Universal Studios

Some suggestions for Universal. Everyone take a look at their website and make your own suggestions.

Recommended Universal Attractions

Islands of Adventure

Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Dudley Do Right’s Rip Saw Falls
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Pteranodon Flyers
Dueling Dragons Rollercoaster
Poseidon’s Fury ?
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
The Cat in the Hat
One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish

Universal Studios Florida

Twister
Revenge of the Mummy
Jaws
MIB
Simpsons
ET (hehehehehehe)
Terminator 2 3D
Shrek 4D
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (if open)

Food for the Timeshare!

Mom & I were talking and she wanted me to start thinking of what type of food to have in the rooms. If I could get some suggestions of what a few favorites would be for breakfast, snacks, & maybe lunch that would be very helpful. I believe we should only buy food in 3-4 day increments to ensure all the groceries get used. Let me know what all of you think on this!

Advice on Traveling with Valuables

Here is a great article on protecting your valuables while traveling.

Alternate Itinerary Schedule

Papa mentioned that he can save a GINORMOUS amount of money if the tickets do not have the park hopping option on them. I did a little minor tweakin on our little suggested travel thing and it totally works without park hopping. Just a couple things change.

Mike and Lisa

Friday, May 8

Arrive at airport 10:30 am
Relax all day and evening

Saturday, May 9

Family BBQ w/Lurlene and family
Relax – Evening

Sunday, May 10

Magic Kingdom – At opening
Breakfast reservations for 12 at 9:20 am – Crystal Palace
We need to be there by 9:00 am
Go back to room mid afternoon (we'll see how long the kids make it.)
Parents are watching kids in evening. Older kids are going out.

Monday, May 11

Epcot – Morning
Afternoon Break at room
Epcot – Evening, catch illuminations at 9pm

Tuesday, May 12

Disney Studios - Morning
Go back to room afternoon
Disney Studios - Evening

Wednesday, May 13

Mom and Dad watch kids for the day. Older kids go to Universal.

Thursday, May 14
Animal Kingdom – Morning (Best time to see Animals)
Stay most of the day. Most stuff can be seen by 1 or so. If kids making it through, stick around for 3:45 parade
Might be good time for family dinner Papa wants to do
Relaxing evening at timeshare/Get things packed to move to new hotel in morning.

Friday, May 15

Huge Breakfast!
Checkout of timeshare in morning, move to new hotel
Magic Kingdom - Morning
Michael wants NYPD Pizza for his lunch. Afternoon break for kids.
Magic Kingdom - Evening (catch fireworks)

Saturday, May 16

Most of family flies back early morning
Michael, Lisa and boys fly back late afternoon
Huge Breakfast!
Taco Bell for Lunch!

More Timeshare Pics

Time Share Pics

Things to See

We thought we should all post things that we would like to see. After showing Joshy the DVD we went to the website and looked at ALL the attractions, shows, etc. We asked Josh, should we see that and he would say Yes or No. Here is what Joshy wants to see. Put up a post with anything your really want to see. For the big kids, maybe you can do a Universal list.

Magic Kingdom

Ariel's Grotto
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Country Bear Jamboree
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Donald's Boat
Dream Along With Mickey
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Fantasyland Play Area
It's a Small World
Judge's Tent
Jungle Cruise
Liberty Square Riverboat
Main Street Vehicles
Mickey's Country House
Mickey's Philharmagic
Minnie's Country House
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Spectromagic Parade
The Crystal Palace (Character Breakfast)
The Enchanted Tiki Room
The Haunted Mansion
The Magic Carpets of Alladin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Peoplemover)
Tom Sawyer Island
Toontown Hall of Fame
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney World Railroad
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular (Fireworks)

Epcot

Dragon Legend Acrobats
Epcot Character Spot
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabelleros
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Illuminations, Reflections of Earth
Imageworks - The Kodak What If Labs
Imagination Pavillion
Innoventions
JAMMitors
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Kidcot Fun Stops
Mariachi Cobre
Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab
Off Kilter
Spaceship Earth
Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps
Test Track Pavillion
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Block Party Bash
Fantasmic
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Muppet Vision 3-D
Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Toy Story Mania!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

Affection Section
Camp Minnie Mickey Greeting Trails
Conservation Station
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Kids Discovery Clubs
Kiliminjaro Safari
Mahahrajah Jungle Trek
Mmickey's Jammin Jungle Parade
Pangani Forrest Exploration Trail
The Boneyard
The Tree of Life
Wildlife Express Train

Time Share Layout

Papa sent a room layout. Enjoy!

Travel Strap Update

In regards to the straps for putting the car seats on the back of your rolling carry on, Lisa and I made two of them on our own and it cost us like $4. If anyone would like us to make a couple more, Chris and Marlea, just call us and we will pick up the d rings we need and we still have enough of the material.

It worked out so good and Lisa likes it so much, we may patent it and sell them online ourselves. For less than the original and with a cooler design.

Suggested Travel Plan

Papa was discussing kind of ideas on when to hit what parks and so forth. I worked out a kind of suggested travel plan below. Taken into account were "Extra Magic Hours" which would make certain parks more crowded on those days. I feel this will allow everyone to be flexible, but still maximize what they can see without rushing anything. Post any suggestions in the comments. I know that the rest of you will be there before us so I have left those days untouched.

Mike and Lisa

Friday, May 8

Arrive at airport 10:30 am
Relax all day and evening

Saturday, May 9

Boys, golf in the morning
Family BBQ w/Lurlene and family
Relax – Evening

Sunday, May 10

Magic Kingdom – At opening
Breakfast reservations for 12 at 9:20 am – Crystal Palace
We need to be there by 9:00 am
Go back to room mid afternoon
Parents are watching kids in evening. Older kids are going out.

Monday, May 11

Epcot – Morning
Afternoon Break at room
Epcot – Evening, catch illuminations at 9pm

Tuesday, May 12

Animal Kingdom at opening – best time to see animals on safari
Go back to room afternoon
Magic Kingdom – Evening, catch Wishes fireworks

Wednesday, May 13

Mom and Dad watch kids for the day. Older kids go to Universal.

Thursday, May 14

Disney Studios – Morning (fewer lines)
Go back to room mid-afternoon (depends on how kids doing)
Might be good time for family dinner Papa wants to do
Relaxing evening at timeshare

Friday, May 15

Huge Breakfast!
Checkout of timeshare in morning, move to new hotel
Theme parks to catch stuff we missed, probably Magic Kingdom for kids
Lunch in parks
Michael wants NYPD Pizza for dinner!

Saturday, May 16

Most of family flies back early morning
Michael, Lisa and boys fly back late afternoon
Huge Breakfast!
Taco Bell for Lunch!

Travel Plan

So it should probably discussed, a basic travel plan. I will post what I was thinking in the next couple of days. Not a rigid travel structure, but one that is kind of open and makes sure we see most of what we all want to see.

For us bigger kids, my buddy Mike has secured us free tix for Universal. The best day to go would be either Tuesday or Wednesday. I am suggesting Wednesday as Mike has school on Tuesday and Thursday. It would work easier to get the tix.

Park Hours

I just wanted to post Park Hours for when we will be down there for the trip. I know some of us will be down there a couple days earlier. I have included that information as well. I think it will help in thinking about a basic plan for when to go to what parks.

Magic Kingdom

Wednesday May 6 – 9AM – 9PM
Thursday May 7 – 9AM – 10PM
Friday May 8 – 9AM – 9PM
Saturday May 9 – 9AM – 10PM
Sunday May 10 – 9AM – 9PM
Monday May 11 – 9AM – 10PM
Tuesday May 12 – 9AM – 9PM
Wednesday May 13 – 9AM – 9PM
Thursday May 14 – 9AM – 10PM
Friday May 15 – 9AM – 9PM
Saturday May 16 – 9AM – 10PM

Parades and Fireworks

Wishes Fireworks

May 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15 – 9PM
May 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 – 10PM

Spectromagic Parade

May 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 – 9PM


Epcot

Future World – 9AM – 7PM
World Showcase – 11AM – 9PM

Illuminations – 9PM


Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Wednesday May 6 – 9AM – 7PM
Thursday May 7 – 9AM – 8:30PM
Friday May 8 – 9AM – 7PM
Saturday May 9 – 9AM – 7PM
Sunday May 10 – 9AM – 9PM
Monday May 11 – 9AM – 7PM
Tuesday May 12 – 9AM – 7PM
Wednesday May 13 – 9AM – 7PM
Thursday May 14 – 9AM – 9PM
Friday May 15 – 9AM – 7PM
Saturday May 16 – 9AM – 7PM

Parades and Fireworks

Block Party Bash – 3PM Daily

Fantasmic
May 7 – 8:30PM
May 10, 14 – 9PM


Animal Kingdom

Daily – 9AM – 5PM

Mickey’s Jungle Jammin’ Parade - ?


Universal Studios Florida

9AM – 6PM

Islands of Adventure

9AM – 6PM

Food

Just a couple of comments and we wanted to post a question about food. Speaking with Papa, he has stated he is planning to cover most of the food cost on the trip. For example, I know that he will be stocking the timeshare units with food. For us that covers breakfast and lunch and helps a great deal.

I also know that he is covering the cost of our character breakfast and a dinner out he wants to do. Our question was, what else is being covered? Papa mentioned the possibility of a daily allotment given per family to help with other food during the day to grab a meal in the parks. We believe this will help everyone to realistically finish out budgets for the trip and know what to save. I do know that Papa mentioned he would like us to cover any special dinners we may be doing ourselves.

Air Travel With Kids

We wanted to share with everyone something that we have found that will greatly help in traveling with the youngins'.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JHN3AS/ref=s9_sdps_c2_s5_p75_t3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1KXK2HRER6K3W21DZ9DB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383371&pf_rd_i=507846

You can probably make your own for about 3 bucks. That is what we are going to do. However, if you don't want to make your own you can't beat the price. As we have layovers this will be extra awesome. Plus, since we are going to take our own stroller we can just check that as regular luggage.

Strollers

So a big concern to think about for some of us is how to handle the strollers. We were just planning on renting from Disney World. One less thing to lug through the airport. Chris did point out maybe buying a couple cheap strollers down there and then just donating them to the Salvation Army when we go home.

Stroller prices are below.

Single Stroller
One day rental - $15/day
Length of stay rental (pay for the whole stay at once) - $13/day

Double Stroller
One day rental - $31/day
Length of stay rental - $27/day

I don't know if the length of stay rental has to be consecutive days or not. That poses a slight problem because of breaks in days at the park. However, I figure you could do a 2 day rental, have a break, then do a 5 day rental, just as an example.

With purchasing a collapsable stroller with a canopy, the kids can be fairly comfortable and you would have something to push them in outside of the theme parks as well. I have posted the link to a good stroller FAQ below. It also has comments from people that have done various things.

http://allears.net/pl/strol_faq.htm

Right now we have been leaning towards renting, but I think we are going to take a look at other options as well.

Character Breakfast

I was able to make reservations for a character breakfast. We are going to be having breakfast at Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. It will be on Sunday at 9:20 am. So we should probably get their when the park opens at 9. Get some pics going up main street and end up at the restaurant about 10 minutes before our seating time. They were able to do the reservation for 12 of us, but will have to split us between two tables.

The characters are generally Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet.

Ground Transportation

I have 3 Full size cars reserved. Weds evening one from Avis and one from National, both located right at airport. I will pick both up and drive them around to baggage so it will be easy for loading up and then we can go to the resort. Friday morning I have another reserved at Avis and will drive to the airport and park my other one while picking up the new one and meeting Michael and Lisa at baggage so it will be right there for you also. All cars will be turned back in right at the airport. They will be a Chevy Impala or similar size 4 doors. All cars will be automatically charged to my card so nothing is required from anyone.

Lodging

I have changed the timing of the Timeshare. The timeshare timing will be Friday May 8 - Friday May 15th. I have reserved the first arriving group to stay at the timeshare location for Weds & Thurs night and have us all staying in rooms at TownPlace Suites for the last night in town. This saves me about $170. Good deal and less moving for the first of us arriving.

Grandma Arradien

I have invited my Mom and Dick down for Friday - Sunday evening to visit. I will have them stay in the unit Mom and I are in and they will have the fold out sofa. I don't know if I will get tickets for them or not yet. This will be a rar chance for you kids to see her and Dick and a real rarity for the Great Grand kids.

Tickets

I am buying 6 day Park Hopper Passes for each person inscluding Mara. They will expire 14 days after first using them. With Some of us arriving on Weds Evening the 6th and Michael and Lisa arriving the morning of the 8th, there is really only 6.5 days for Michael and Lisa and 7.5 days for the rest of us to use the passes. Since we are having Lurlene and her family down on Sat. afternoon, it seems that it will be a tight squeeze to use all the days but it is cheaper then buying 5 days and wanting to maybe go into the parks for a few hours one day.

Universal

For all of us big kids, I have secured at least 3 free tickets to Universal. If Banana dork can get 3 more, than all of us big kids can take a day at Universal for some grown up fun.

Dining Reservations

As we are less than 90 days to departure, woo hoo, I thought this should be the first post. Disney allows you to make dining reservations up to 90 days in advance. I highly recommend that anyone making their own dining reservations do so 90 days out. You can get information regarding the restaurants at Disneyworld via the two links below.

Official Disney Site

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/

Non-Official site with menus and all sorts of good stuff.

http://allears.net/din/dining.htm

The number for making dining reservations is below.

(407) 939-3463

Dad spoke of doing a couple special family meals. He said one of those would be the character breakfast we were talking about doing in the Magic Kingdom. We are looking at doing the reservation at 9am. That is at park opening time. They do allow you in a bit early if you have some dining reservations. We thought it would be an awesome Disney way to start the awesome Disney trip. Another time to go would be 10am. The idea would be to get about 45 to 50 minutes of rides in right at the beginning when the park opens to beat the crowds a tad and then eat breakfast. I would personally like to eat breakfast first at 9.

It Begins

Well, with less than 90 days left to our ginormous family Disneyworld vacation, I was looking for a way for the family to communicate information and make more plans for the trip. Lisa suggested creating a blog, so here it is. I will work on getting it setup so everyone can start posting to the blog. I will also post pictures and put up links in the blog to information on planning and what is down there to see. I will also try to pick a couple of topics to blog about and include links to more info on them.