Disney Planning

Since there's not a whole lot I can do until the park hours are posted and our Advance Dining Reservation window opens up, I've been working on some other stuff to make the trip fun.

I ordered some goodies for the kids.  When we arrive, I'm going to have hubby distract the kids in the lobby while I secretly run to our room to set up a "welcome" from Mickey & the gang.

For Mini Me, I bought personalized princess ears, a personalized lanyard with a set of cupcake trading pins (I thought since it was a birthday celebration, the cupcakes would be fun!), and an autograph book.  I also bought her a special Tinkerbell February Birthday pin as a birthday present.  That one will not be a 'trade' pin.

For Sweet Pea, I bought personalized Minnie ears and an autograph book.  

I'll also be checking the dollar stores and dollar bins for random Disney stuff so that Tinkerbell can leave a little gift for each of them each day.

The other things on my agenda:  planning activities for the car ride, figuring out how we're going to reveal the surprise, and outfit planning.

I've also been "planting" the idea of going to Disney.  We've been watching a bit more Disney shows & movies, than the usual PBS stuff.  We've also talked about when hubby and I went to Disney, and showed her some pictures.  Mini Me has started to talk about wanting to go to Disney someday and Sweet Pea is loving Mickey & the gang now.  

Seriously, the planning (even though we aren't really do a whole lot of structure when we're there-other than meals & special experiences) is so much fun! 

Disney Planning

So, as some of you may know, Mini Me is turning 5 in a mere eight months.  How can that be?  I have no idea, but, it's happening.  And, since I was pregnant with her, I have had this dream of taking her to Disney for her 5th birthday.

It's time to start planning!

We have decided that against my long held, super strong emotional attachment to walking into the Magic Kingdom for the first time ON her actual birthday, that we will go earlier in the month.  I won't go into the myriad of reasons, but I am slowly coming to terms with this.

Regardless, this is still a birthday celebration trip!

Here's what I've got so far:

We are driving.  Yes, we are crazy.  But, it's the best option for us.

Saturday:  Arrive late morning.  Check in to Animal Kingdom Lodge.  (We're getting a savanna view room!!!!)  The plan is to just hang out at the resort this day.  I'm not ruling out heading to a park, but there should be plenty to keep us occupied at the resort (you know---like animals right outside our window!!!!)

Sunday:  Heading to Animal Kingdom.  Hoping to get a reservation at Tusker House for a character breakfast.  Not sure if this will be a full day or not, but we will spend any remaining time at the resort, soaking up all the deluxe goodness, because...

Monday:  Check out of AKL and check in at POP Century.  We've stayed here before.  It's nothing fancy, but think it will be fun for the little ones.  Once we really start hitting the parks, I think they'll be too tired to really appreciate all the deluxe resorts have to offer.  So, this makes more sense for us.

We don't have park plans yet for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

I'm waiting for the park hours to be released (hopefully sometime next month) in order to get a better plan.

Originally, I was thinking we would skip DHS, but there are several things there that the girls will love:  Cars M&G, Disney Jr., etc.  So, maybe we'll make a half day of it.  Mini Me wants to eat at the Sci Fi, and we're going to surprise her with lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table.  I mean, what birthday celebration for a princess be would be complete without a meal in the castle?!?!

I'm also planning Sweet Pea's first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street-they do a cute little package.  And, Mini Me will also be getting a little princess hair treatment too.  I'm hoping to plan this for right before lunch.

At this stage, all my "planning" is hypothetical- reservations can be made 180 days in advance, so I am anxiously awaiting that date in August.  Woo Hoo!

And, this shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me, I've already started thinking about Sweet Pea's 5th birthday trip.

Oh, and remember:  Mini Me doesn't know about this!  Shhhhhhhhhh, it's a secret!