I'm so excited!!!!

Sharon Kay

New member
I booked our FIRST REAL summer vacation EVER for our family!!! Our longest vacation in 20 years as a family that doesn't count visiting family was for 2 days and it was 5 years ago.

I never thought we would go here...my boys are ANTI-Mickey and do not like princesses...but thanks to relocated dixie chick (Kari) we are going!!!! She came over to my house...told the boys to IGNORE the mouse and look at the rides. She convinced them they will have a blast!

So......We're going to Disney World!!!

I am one happy mama! My scrapbook room is decorated in Disney because the kids don't care for it (think it's too young for them)...I have hand stitched pictures of Mickey, Donald, Jiminy Cricket, Lady & the Tramp, and several more! Statues, stuffed dolls, and more!

We're going to be gone for 10 days...and our plans are for Disney World (I guess called Magic Kingdom), Epcot, Hollywood studios (5 days), and 5 visits to any of the following ... 2 water parks, Disney Quest (oh this they will love), and Wide World of Sports.

Oh Jiminy Cricket is my fave...now can SOMEONE tell me WHERE the statue of Jiminy Cricket is located so I make sure I get my pic taken with him?!! :confused:

This is our 25th wedding anniversary...and I am soooooooo tickled! We're staying at the Disney's All Star Music Resort...my dh will be so tickled when he sees it since there is a jukebox on one of the buildings (he restores jukeboxes as a hobby).

We're also planning on going to the beach and to the Kennedy Space Center (there are 2 shuttle launches that week).

...and my 20yo doesn't want to come so he is staying to finish up his semester at local college, taking care of the house and dog...so we don't have to worry about that.

Do any of the designers have any DISNEY inspired kits coming out soon...so I can buy them HERE and use them for challenges? ...plus I know coming out of this group of designers that they will be the cutest they can be!!

Oh happy happy day!!! :w00t:
 
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OH, that's sooo awesome!! We went to Disneyland last April and it was SO much fun...now I'm really wanting to do a Disney land/sea cruise w/ 4 days at DW!!
 
If you go to watch the shuttle just be prepared to have ALOTTTTT of traffic!! I live like 15-20 minutes from the space center and deal with this traffic everytime we have one. There are a few nice places to go for shuttle launches so if you want PM me and I can tell you some places for veiwing and some places to eat etc while you are here (also some out of the way places that arent as crowded as the theme parks that you might want to visit while you are here)
 
If you go to watch the shuttle just be prepared to have ALOTTTTT of traffic!! I live like 15-20 minutes from the space center and deal with this traffic everytime we have one. There are a few nice places to go for shuttle launches so if you want PM me and I can tell you some places for veiwing and some places to eat etc while you are here (also some out of the way places that arent as crowded as the theme parks that you might want to visit while you are here)

Awesome! I'm going to PM you now! Thanks for the offer! Right now our plans are to rent a car for just 2 days while we are down there...and have Disney provide transportation to the parks for us (since we're staying at one of their resorts)...

Winging a PM your way!
 
Congrats!! I'm completely jealous!

Stay tuned... I may have a kit that you're interested in next week. ;)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you sooooooooooooo have my interest peeked...any advance sneaky peeky?

I'd really like to be able to buy a couple of kits before I leave...so I have something to scrap with on the flight home...and {insert laugh here} if I have time to scrap at night after going to the parks {I don't scrap when I'm exhausted so thinking it won't happen}
 
Sharon, I would really recommend Animal Kingdom. Hollywood Studios can be done in 1 day. Also just an FYI, Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority rides are both closed right now. Hall of Presidents is also closed.

I would def. consider at least 1 day at Animal Kingdom.
 
Oh I'm soooo jealous! Dh and I went to Disneyworld on our honeymoon and had a blast. I can't wait to take the kids there. We were considering going this summer but think we'll give ds another year or two so he'll really enjoy it. :) Have a great time!!!!

Oh and I definitely agree with Sara. Animal Kingdom was only partially finished when we were there on our honeymoon but it was my absolute favorite park there. Don't miss it!
 
Sharon, I would really recommend Animal Kingdom. Hollywood Studios can be done in 1 day. Also just an FYI, Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority rides are both closed right now. Hall of Presidents is also closed.

I would def. consider at least 1 day at Animal Kingdom.

Oh bummer on the Hall of Presidents. Not sure what the TTA is like...and couldn't remember Space Mountain except that I liked it. How do you find out what is closed?

My hopes are the haunted mansion (is it still there?)...it was closed in both 1983 and 1984 when I went....and the It's a Small World...but I know the boys are really wanting to go on some race track ride that goes over 60MPH.

What does Animal Kingdom have in it? I was thinking it was like a zoo?? Obviously I need to do LOTS of research on this in the next several weeks!

I hadn't done any because I didn't think there was ANY way to get my teens to go to WDW except under protest...and now that my friend mapped the way around the park "avoiding princesses" (hee hee) they are just fine with it.
 
Oh bummer on the Hall of Presidents. Not sure what the TTA is like...and couldn't remember Space Mountain except that I liked it. How do you find out what is closed?

My hopes are the haunted mansion (is it still there?)...it was closed in both 1983 and 1984 when I went....and the It's a Small World...but I know the boys are really wanting to go on some race track ride that goes over 60MPH.

What does Animal Kingdom have in it? I was thinking it was like a zoo?? Obviously I need to do LOTS of research on this in the next several weeks!

I hadn't done any because I didn't think there was ANY way to get my teens to go to WDW except under protest...and now that my friend mapped the way around the park "avoiding princesses" (hee hee) they are just fine with it.

TTA used to be the Wedway people mover. All that info is from allears.net I love that website. Animal Kingdom is a zoo, but it's got an african safari ride and a water ride, and neat things. If your boys like animals at all, it would be an excellent use of a day.
 
How exciting!! I've never been to Florida and would love to do that someday, although we've done all the California theme parks many many times!! (We live close by!!)
Too bad your oldest can't join you though...what wonderful family memories!
 
How exciting!! I've never been to Florida and would love to do that someday, although we've done all the California theme parks many many times!! (We live close by!!)
Too bad your oldest can't join you though...what wonderful family memories!

He could join us...he's just being a fuddy duddy. Our only real family vacation and he's boycotting it...but he said no matter where we went...he wasn't going to go. Oh well...his loss.
 
How cool! You will have a blast!

Make sure you go to the guest services right when you get there and get the Anniversary Pins to wear while you are there, you will be amazed at how many people say Happy Anniversary to you!
 
Honestly, I think you should skip Magic Kingdom. Its very much centered around the younger children. We went there, just my dh & I and yeah, it was for kids. We are planning to go in December and will go to Magic Kingdom cause we know have a 2 year old. Animal Kingdom is a for sure, for us, too. Though Epcot is my favorite, I got engaged there and have been to it 3 times. I love it. Have fun!
 
How cool! You will have a blast!

Make sure you go to the guest services right when you get there and get the Anniversary Pins to wear while you are there, you will be amazed at how many people say Happy Anniversary to you!

Well that is cool! I hadn't heard of that before! Would that be in Magic Kingdom, Epcot or where? Sounds like fun!
 
We're going to Disneyland in two months, and I'd love some Disney-fied kits. Sharon, you're going to have a blast at WDW! We almost went there, but decided to switch it up some.
 
Honestly, I think you should skip Magic Kingdom. Its very much centered around the younger children. We went there, just my dh & I and yeah, it was for kids. We are planning to go in December and will go to Magic Kingdom cause we know have a 2 year old. Animal Kingdom is a for sure, for us, too. Though Epcot is my favorite, I got engaged there and have been to it 3 times. I love it. Have fun!

Ahhhh but I'm a kid at heart! lol I am really looking forward to taking the kids to the haunted mansion...and I personally want to go on the It's a Small World. Our plans are to go to the different parks and then let the kids decide how to use the remaining day or days.

So what does animal kingdom have in it...looking at the brochure it just looked like a zoo ... ???
 
Ive never been to Animal Kingdom but when it first opened they had sooooo many commercials on tv here about how it is NOT a zoo LOL. It does have rides and I *think* it is not really so much a zoo because the animals are not like all caged up?? My best friend went because her aunt works at DW and she did NOT like Animal Kingdom. She said it was boring and at best a 1/2 day trip. While I love all things Disney I went as a kid alot and again as an adult and I have to admit that it defenitely lost alot of its "magic" I remembered from my childhood. If you have never been though it will be quite different I imagine
 
Hope you have a wonderful time! The last time we went was in 2003 and 2004 . . . we hope to go again in the next couple of years.
 
Hope you have a wonderful time! The last time we went was in 2003 and 2004 . . . we hope to go again in the next couple of years.

I hope we do too...I expect this will be our ONLY trip to WDW (and other parks) while the kids are at home. ...since it took 25 years to get back there...thinking I prob won't be doing it on our 50th. lol

Today is the try on the shorts and see how many fit you day. ...and they are going to try on jeans that are "too short" so I can mark them, cut them off, and hopefully get them sewed up sometime this month.
 
My DH and I just got back from WDW and we had a total blast despite not having any children. I really can't imagine anyone recommending you not go to Magic Kingdom. That's the iconic park there and it's most definitely not just for kids. Yes, Fantasyland and Toon Town are more geared towards kids but there's lots of fun rides for adults too - Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Splash Mountain. We had 5-day tickets and Magic Kingdom was the only park we chose to go back to for a second day. And this is despite having been to Disneyland many times - it's just that fun. :thumbup: Epcot was my absolute least favorite park though and I could have easily done a half day there and been fine so I guess it just depends. Test Track and Soarin were fun though.

Animal Kingdom was probably my second favorite park and while yes, there are animals, it's really nothing like a zoo. The themeing is amazing - it seriously feels like you're in the jungle. Plus that park is home to Expedition Everest which is an amazing rollercoaster that you're boys will absolutely love. I'd say it's probably the most intense ride at Disneyworld and certainly a million times better than Test Track or Rockin Rollercoaster (which is really overrated in my opinion :D).

Like I said, we just got back this week so if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
 
My DH and I just got back from WDW and we had a total blast despite not having any children. I really can't imagine anyone recommending you not go to Magic Kingdom. That's the iconic park there and it's most definitely not just for kids. Yes, Fantasyland and Toon Town are more geared towards kids but there's lots of fun rides for adults too - Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Splash Mountain. We had 5-day tickets and Magic Kingdom was the only park we chose to go back to for a second day. And this is despite having been to Disneyland many times - it's just that fun. :thumbup: Epcot was my absolute least favorite park though and I could have easily done a half day there and been fine so I guess it just depends. Test Track and Soarin were fun though.

Animal Kingdom was probably my second favorite park and while yes, there are animals, it's really nothing like a zoo. The themeing is amazing - it seriously feels like you're in the jungle. Plus that park is home to Expedition Everest which is an amazing rollercoaster that you're boys will absolutely love. I'd say it's probably the most intense ride at Disneyworld and certainly a million times better than Test Track or Rockin Rollercoaster (which is really overrated in my opinion :D).

Like I said, we just got back this week so if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Welcome back! My 13yo ds is looking forward to the Test Track and wants to know if he can be in the driver seat? lol

Well I had originally written Animal Kingdom off the list...but sounds like we are going to want to go after your praise! We have a 5 day pass so I guess that means we only get to go to one park twice. Guess I'll have to make sure I get to the haunted mansion and the It's a Small World on the first day...just to make sure! lol

Where did you stay? We're going to stay at Disney's All-Star Music Resort.

Did you go to the Wide World of Sports? Just curious as to what it is about.

It will be interesting to see what they boys like most.
 
OMGOSH!!! Congrats!! That's so awesome! We are one of those non-vacation families too so I am super jealous! hehe! I can't wait till one day we can do the same! Enjoy every second of it!!!
 
OMGOSH!!! Congrats!! That's so awesome! We are one of those non-vacation families too so I am super jealous! hehe! I can't wait till one day we can do the same! Enjoy every second of it!!!

Well our house needs painting and we need a new concrete driveway (isn't it always SOMETHING?)...but I put my foot down and said it is our 25th wedding anniversary and we are GOING on a REAL vacation!
 
Ahh..Animal Kingdom is my 2nd fave as well behind WDW..We love Universal too though! Animal Kingdom has by far the BEST shows and incredibly unique rides. Def check it out!

I have some Animal Kingdom pics SOMEWHERE I'll have to dig them up though. Might be a few days lol
 
Ahh..Animal Kingdom is my 2nd fave as well behind WDW..We love Universal too though! Animal Kingdom has by far the BEST shows and incredibly unique rides. Def check it out!

I have some Animal Kingdom pics SOMEWHERE I'll have to dig them up though. Might be a few days lol

Would love to see the pics! Well we just got our Disney vacation planning DVD in the mail today...waiting until after school and guitar lessons and then we will watch it. Hope the boys get all excited about it!

I honestly would not have given Animal Kingdom a second thought if you all hadn't said something about it!!
 
I loved Animal Kingdom but the kids were pretty bored with it. They did like the coaster there and rode it 4 times. I could have spent all day at Animal Kingdom. There may be a layout or two in my gallery with animal kingdom photos, oh and I am pretty sure that is where we saw Jiminy Cricket.

Yep, found the layout it was definitely at Animal Kingdom:
mbennett_autumnmist.jpg
 
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