Happy Saturday Everyone!!!
We have 5 days before we leave for Disneyland!!!! I am getting so excited!!! It hit me this morning that I need to pack today! I have ALOT to do today. We are having a pre-easter with Andy's parents and my mom tomorrow. So, we need to clean the house (as it is a disaster from the girls being home for 2 days with snow), I need to go grocery shopping, Pack, and run some last minute errands for the trip! I am exhausted just writing all of that!
Our plan to tell the girls, is to wait till Wednesday evening. Morgan has her school play on Wednesday, so, I am going to set up there Easter Baskets on the dinning room table before we leave, so when they come back, they will find them. I am trying to fill them with travel themed stuff. I got some super cute neck pillows that turn into animals and new headphones for the plane. Oh, and i ordered the kids travel guide to Disneyland. So they can read up on the plane!
I also decided that in Disneyland, Mickey leaves the girls things and only on the first night! Tink is too busy in Disney World to do both! I ordered pjs for all 3 of us from Disney Store last week, along with a new shirt for both of the girls. I still have some pins from the batch I ordered off of amazon awhile back, so I will put a couple of those out and I ordered a disneyland autograph book for the trip. I just need to make a little note from Mickey saying welcome and some how word it that this is all the gifts...
Oh, that seems like such an awesome day! I really want to try Trader Sams now!
Have you been to Trader Sam's in Disneyland?
Love their purchases. Ellie got the samba pouch plush thing... looks like our girls have the same taste. First the Thumper with big feet and now this
. This trip was the first time we flew so there were so many things they wanted but I had to put a squash on them. I was so scared things wouldn't fit home.
I hate to admit it, but we ended up with almost a suitcase full of plush this trip. I wasn't paying enough attention to each days purchases. But we got it all home!
We've had a similar experience on a monorail before and it makes for a lousy trip.
They need to do something about the Monorail. They just need to rollout new cars.
This looks neat! I've never heard of pineapple cider before!
It was so good! Sweet and refreshing. Very much like a sweet cider. Def recommend if you aren't a huge beer drinker.
I never understand this with kids. Why does swimming always win out!? If it were me, I'd be all over the MK park time. But swimming has such a draw. I loved swimming in hotel pools as a kid, too.
It's true, but at least at Disney the pools are WAY cooler than most hotel pools. It was probably a good call on our first day. Morgan needed to be asleep on time since she had been sick. It was def a relaxing way to end the day. And I feel as adults, we forget to stop and relax a bit! At least I know I do. I def wanted to hop back over for another ride. But that would have turned into 2 or 3 more...
I totally am planning in the back of my mind to possibly hop back over to Disneyland at night next week. The park is open 8an till midnight every day we will be there. And I can't image we will make it that late all 3 nights. So, I am hoping that I can go in for a little bit by myself. We will see if that happens.
It's gorgeous! I recommend doing it around Labor Day if you can tolerate the heat!
They probably have that type of deal because Labor Day is not a good weekend if you live in the states and have kids. Half of the kids are already back in school. Here in Jersey, school typically starts the week after Labor Day. We are always the Thurdsay after. So, not the best weekend to travel.
Plus Andy has sworn off September after our last trip. He HATES being hot.
Following along! I totally want those stuffys, I won't lie!
It's why I have kids, to live through them! We tried to find the dole whip plush and was going to get it regardless, but they didn't have any when we were there.
I love The Polynesian! We stayed there on our first trip so it will always have my heart. With an extra kid in the mix and the way prices are headed now, it’s just out of our budget.
I think Port Orleans might be the next one we try. Are the Alligator Bayou rooms a really long walk from the main areas of those resorts?
We stayed at the Poly on our first trip as well! It was before they started construction and Gwen was under 3. So, it was MUCH cheaper than now! I think we are talking about staying next time at the POFQ again, do the parks for 3 or 4 days, then move to the Poly for 1 or 2 nights and just chill at the resort. No parks those days. Really get our moneys worth. And then move back to a cheaper hotel. We will see.
Port Orleans was really great! We were the farthest building away but really we weren't far at all. The girls were just tired that first night. I believe Alligator Bayou is at Port Orleans Riverside. Which is technically a different resort. We didn't make it over to Riverside, but my understand it is much bigger but just as nice. But they have rooms with the trundle pull down beds, so if you have 3 kids, would be perfect for you!
HAhaha I totally called this! I'm torn between letting my cousin (she's 8) swim to her heart's content and having a relaxing evening like you all had...instead of going back to Magic Kingdom!
I def recommend at least going back to the hotel one or two nights and doing some night swimming. It feels so good to hop in the pool after a long day in the parks. And with an 8 year old, you will want to balance out your days a bit. My biggest advise, don't over do it in the beginning, it's a marathon with kids and the parks!
Woohoo! Your photos are making POFQ look quite charming at night!
It really was! I didn't get a lot of photos of the different buildings at night but it was very quiet and beautiful. Probably the opposite of Mardi Gras at the real New Orleans! Ha.
I just can't even. SO. ADORABLE.
Thanks. She is a little show stopper. People comment on her hair all the time. And she is certainly a sassy little thing!
Luckily, you'll be heading to California soon!
I Can't Wait!!!
This is SUCH a smart parenting move for Disney!! It's way too easy to get sucked into buying something here, there, and everywhere. I love that you're teaching them limits, as well as making thoughtful choices.
They still get ALOT of items! But they def take the purchases seriously. Most of the time, instead of saying no when they ask if they can get something, it is Yes, but is that what they want for the one thing. And there are alot of times that they put the item down and wait. And now, they never ask for anything after they have made there purchase for the day. We have gone enough too that they know certain places where they like to get things, like Japan in EPCOT, and that Animal Kingdom does have different things...
I have started too, with there birthday money, if they get 20 bucks and they want to use it, they NEED to stay within that 20 bucks. Especially when it is something super stupid toy...
I love her
She is a cutie! Thanks. I feel like moms of boys just LOVE her.... My girlfriend has 2 boys and loves both girls, but she has a sweet spot for Gwen and her girly-ness.
We wanted to try Trader Sam's on our trip, but it didn't work out for us because it was always full with a long wait. Next time for sure!!!
It is really small inside. I knew it was small but I couldn't believe HOW small! I am hoping we can spend a night or 2 at the Poly next time, and am already plotting to be there 15 minutes early so we can at least get 1 drink inside. (for the trip that we haven't even decided when it will be mind you...)
Too cute! Love Morgan in this pic!
That is Morgan's I am hungry, where is the food in this picture look.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to this island! It looks like it would be a lot of fun to play on.
You should Def take the girls over there! I think it's great for little kids, as you can really let them run around on there own and not worry about loosing them in the crowds.
Love the family selfie! Gwen looks so much like you!
Yup, she is pretty much a mini me.
I’m worried about the days when my girls get a vote in what we do lol!
You have to be smart on when to give them the option and when not to. Especially because sometimes with lines, you just can't do what they want. I haven't been on Tower of Terror yet, because the girls refuse to go on it. ;(
I’ve never heard of this before! Is it like a treasure hunt with clues? My girls might be too young but it looks like a lot of fun!
It's basically a treasure hunt with no treasure! They map has symbols on it, so, they don't really need to know how to read. And once you do the first one, they tell you what symbol to go to next so, your girls def could do it. It is more of whether they would find it fun searching for clues. My girls LOVE that kind of stuff, so it was right up there alley. It is short so, if they aren't really into it, it's not a huge time suck. And really you could stop in the middle. Nothing is going to happen if you give up.
I love how determined she is!
pound for pound, she is seriously determined and stubborn!
It really was a great pool. We have stayed at 2 moderates now, and have loved both pools.
I'm sure we could all go for some of those citrus treats right around now! Sounds like a good continuation of your afternoon!
BTMR Family Selfie
BTMR_Staredown_03
Staying at the Poly someday is definitely on my list 
Gwen Try #2
