[Goofette]

Hello. I'm posting this thread because I was starting to thread drift really bad over in News and Rumors section about spaceship earth. So I'm quoting Disneybound re: vacation plans since I wanted to talk about it some more. Hope I'm making sense LOL.

By Disneybound (Hi Goofette,
I really haven't posted too much about our vacation other than we are going to be taking the Disney "Wonder" Cruise.
We will be staying at the Grand Floridian for 6 days, followed by the cruise. We decided to extend our stay at Disney World as it is the first time that our 7 year old son will be visiting the parks since he was 4 months old! We have tickets to see Cirque de Soleil and I am really looking forward to that event.
My birthday is the day that we will be arriving in DW so we are hoping to have dinner at the Crystal Palace and have wonderful viewing for an evening parade after dinner.
I know that our son is really going to enjoy the dinosaur part of AK as much as I am going to enjoy the safari section.
I just know that we are going to allow him to decide "what to do". The trip is really for him. My husband really enjoys Pleasure Island...so I know we will be there at least a few nights and our little guy will be amazed by celebrating the "New Year" ....
I am just sooooooooooo excited about this trip.
If anyone has any advice.....I am all ears!)


Disneybound, It sounds like you have some great plans for your vacation, what a Special Birthday you'll have also you're 7 year old is going to have a wonderful time. I know what you mean about letting him choose what to do, I was that way with Maegan. She is 8, and loves Dinosaurs too. She didn't ride the ride since it would be too intense for her (she was scared on HM), but she had a blast digging in the dinosaur bones. She stayed in their so long. DH went to ride some rides while we stayed there. I couldn't get her out of there! lol.

I've never been even inside Grand Floridan, it looks so amazing. You'll have to tell us all about that. We stayed at AKL last time.

A suggestion you might want to do is to take your son by the barber shop in Magic Kingdom and let him get his hair cut there and sprinkled with Pixie Dust. We did that for something different, and it was great! They really make over your children and they get a lot of Mickey Stickers also. You don't have to have an appt either, we just walked right in and there was just one other family in there getting their childs first haircut. And the price was so inexpensive. It wasn't anymore than our regular haircuts here.

Can't wait to hear more about your vacation

:) :)

[trishb]

Great idea, Goofette! I am sure that Disneybound will get lots of great tips!

Since you will be letting your boy decide what you will do while you are there...have you considered WDW for kids by kids? Let him read about what he will be seeing. My niece is 7 and cannot get enough of Disney World. She sits for hours asking me questions about the rides. She wants me to tell her all about it. I let her see the Walt Disney World Souvenir books, watch the "free" vacation planning video, and look at old snapshots of our vacations.

Every little bit helps! Have fun!

[Disneybound]

HI...It's Disneybound again.
I really like the idea of going to the barber shop....Now, hopefully Chris, our son, will like the idea as well. He is really attached to the person that has been cutting his hair....
We purchased the WDW kids book that was mentioned....

I think that will be a great keepsake...his thoughts in his own handwriting.

We have decided to stop in Tennessee on our way to WDW.
Chris hasn't been on a road trip longer than 4hours since he was just a baby. My dear friend, (also the maid of honor in our wedding) has invited us to stay overnight ...we graciously took her up on the offer. Her son and our son are app. the same age so it will be nice for them to get together again...they haven't seen each other for 2 years.
From Tennessee, we are heading out to the Orlando area.....we will be staying at the Parc Carniche....and have made arrangements to visit Sea World with our friends that are also going to Florida at the same time. I haven't been at the hotel before but I have been informed that it is really nice. I will be sure to check back in and let you guys know.....
Sea World offers a behind the scenes educational "class".....we will have the opportunity to see some of the animals up close and personal. Chris studied penguins recently and he will be overjoyed to actually get to touch one.....
From SeaWorld we will be heading to DW.....6glorious days! I can't wait. My birthday is 3/24 the day we arrive in DW and I am making dinner plans at the Crystal Palace so that we will be perhaps in a good position to catch the parade after dinner. I figure if we eat at 5-5:30 once dinner is over we can grab a spot along the parade route....What do you guys think?
The only other event planned for WDW is to see LaNouba at Downtown Disney ....
After DW is the 4day cruise.....
I grabbed a room at the Atlantis so that the day we are docked in Nassau our family is going to hang our there.....we are going to explore the sites all day and into the evening. It will be nice to have a room....if Chris gets over stimulated or something we can go there for a "rest". I know we will spend a brief time in Nassau...I still want to go to the straw market and do a quick tour perhaps by horse and buggy....
And before we head back home we are going to visit St. Augustine.......giving the kids (and myself) one final opportunity to enjoy the ocean.....
and then it is back to reality! UGH! Housework, cooking, UGH!
But, it will be really wonderful to see our 2 year old golden retriever, Loki....and our cats Misty and Moka (ages 10y and 5yr).
Lets see, our lizard (Lizzy) and our turtle (Rocky) will have to be gathered...friends are taking them while we are away.
Another friend will either come here to feed the gerbils and the birds.....or, take them to her home.....Not sure on that yet!
Well, now that I have talked your head off and you have read a journal........I guess it is time to close for now. Have a great Sunday!

[trishb]

Disneybound...you sound so excited! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!
We will all be happy to answer any planning questions that you have!

[mattomouseman]

Yes your trip sounds wonderful Let us know how it turns out! And if you have any questions we will try (And probalby will) help you out!

[Goofette]

Disneybound, you've done your homework! You've got everything planned out so well. Did you mean that you were getting a room when you dock...in Nassau?

That's terrific that your friend offered to let you stay with them. It's nice to see old friends again, and really good if they have a child about the same age so you're able to get a chance to visit with your friend without hearing "mom, I need this, Mom I need that :D " .

Thanks for giving us more information about your vacation. It will be here before you know it!

:)

[Disneybound]

I asked my travel agent to reserve a room for us at the Atlantis...it will be ready for us when we get there. Unfortunately, we won't be able to spend the night there as we have to be back on the ship by 11. However, I plan on being back on the ship for dinner. I would hate for something unexpected to happen.....and we would miss the ship.

Chris will have the opportunity to do things at the Kids Discovery Camp since we have a room key. It sounds like he will have a wonderful time there (if he chooses to do any of these activities).
I understand that some of the sessions run hourly....

I called reservations tonight and have scheduled dinner at Crystal Palace. Breakfast one morning at Breakfastosarus...(AK)
and Lunch at Tony's at the MK. The woman I spoke with was wonderful and said it was great that I called to reserve our places.

Who can advise me about the MGM? Our son is 7. Thanks.

[trishb]

Disneybound....Disney Studios? Your son will probably love Star Tours and the Tatouine Traders with their huge selection of Star Wars merchandise.
My family was bored by the backstage tour, but we loved the Rock n Roller Coaster (fun!) and Muppet Vision (if he's not too old for the Muppets!)
The adults in your party will love the 50's Prime Time Cafe...but your son will probably love the Sci-Fi Dinner Theater. You are seated in a car parked in a drive-in theater where everyone watches science-fiction movies. And, the food is served by rollerskating waitresses. The food is okay...but it is pretty cool having a milkshake with a burger while you watch clips of 'The Blob".

[Willbegone]

Sounds like an amazing trip. You should definetly go pick up a "It's my birthday pin" to wear on your birthday!! We are going to Crystal Palace for lunch in a couple of weeks for the first time so I'll be sure to give a detailed report on it.

Have a great time!

[Disneybound]

Trish: What a wonderful suggestion. Chris loves StarWars.....and I know for a fact that we can't miss Star Tours and the Tatouine Traders. These will definately be on our "to do" list.
Willbegone: Thank you for the Birthday Pin idea. Where would I pick one up?

[mattomouseman]

Tower of Terror! My oldest was 5 the first time he went on it and he LOVED it! That was all he talked about from teh minute he got of it until we got home!:)

[trishb]

Oh! Let him go fishing, too. They have a special kids fishing excursion at the BoardWalk at 10 am (I think!) Terry is the guide...he is so terrific with kids!

[Willbegone]

I believe you can get them at Guest Services in the MK. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong please.
Thanks!

[Disneybound]

I will keep all of your suggestions in my mind...thank you all!