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#1
05-25-2011, 03:42 PM
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Starting to freak/stress out but...
it isn't really anything big like what people are dealing with after the tornados (although some days I feel like one hit the inside of my house with my 4 year old - today he decided to stick a lego man inside a marshmallow I had made for him in the microwave and then wipe him off with klenexes- sticky mess!). So I am truly thankful that we haven't been hit by all that (we were in a watch yesterday). This year has really been crazy and horrific in the devastation.
But it is three days until my family goes to Disney World for the first time as a family (DH and I did before we had kids after the Iraq war). And I know I know you cannot do it all, I know! But I'm so stressed out because I'm a planner not a winger and I want this to be a super memorable trip for the boys AND enjoyable at the same time. We are staying at the Shades of Green on the property, have a rental car, are getting the Park Hopper pass for the military, and I have our breakfast with the characters booked. But I still don't know which parks we'll get into an hour early, and it is a holiday weekend (which I didn't realize when we booked) and they are having STAR WARS WEEKEND at Disney Hollywood studios!!! OMG the boys are going to freak and we have to do it, but I'm so afraid we will get there the wrong time, won't get the proper Fast Pass and they won't get to do all the cool SW stuff. If I don't get a photo of my Kyle (4 year old) with Darth Vader it will be the end of the world (not really)!! Breathe. Panic. Breathe. LOL Ok I know I'm a little silly, but have you all felt this way about a big trip you have planned to take for ages? How did it all work out? Anything you wished you had done differently (planned more, less, etc)? 
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#2
05-25-2011, 04:28 PM
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This link might help you out: http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/
I do understand the stress you're talking about though. We booked our first Disneyworld trip three weeks before we went and it was crazy. Luckily Julie directed me toward Tour Guide Mike's site and that helped a TON. We're headed to NYC in a week (another trip we decided to go on only a few weeks ago, haha) and I'm feeling a bit stressed out too. We have most of the major things booked but I'd still like to have a better plan laid out before we go. But I find I feel this way about every trip. There's always more research/planning/preparing you can do but in the end everything usually works out just fine and a great time is had by all. 
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#3
05-25-2011, 04:33 PM
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Here's a link to find out the Extra Magic Hours parks for each day.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm
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#4
05-25-2011, 05:06 PM
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Quote:
I looked but didn't find, but at this point I'm overwhelmed and will miss stuff. I need my DH to read this and figure out our schedule (other than the Disney Hollywood Studios on Sunday because of the SW thing on the weekend).
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#5
05-25-2011, 05:10 PM
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Oh and we have Kyle's peanut allergy to deal with too. That is probably why I feel like I need it all "planned". I have read The Daily Digi's posts about WDW and have read some other blogs. If only it wasn't so costly to go then I could relax and say "we'll get that next time"!!
And I made the decision today to take my non-professional lens. I used it last time we were at WDW and it did "fine" and really since I bought the photopass CD already, I know we will get good posed shots and the rest are just the "action" shots of the rides and such and they don't need to be "professional", just for the scrapbook page.
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#6
05-25-2011, 05:11 PM
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I LOVE this place and used it with each of my planned trips...
http://www.disboards.com/ and you are right, you can't do it all....and you know what, your kids will have a GREAT and MEMORABLE time, even if they don't get to see/do everything...if you really want to get the Darth Vader picture, then make that one of the priorities and go with the flow on the rest of it  we had certain goals that we wanted to do, did those and winged the rest of it....we did want to have character dinners/breakfasts so we planned that well in advance, but that was really it and if WDW does like WDL, normally with a park hopper pass you can get in early to the park one day and for us that was totally worth it!!!
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#7
05-25-2011, 05:13 PM
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#8
05-25-2011, 06:39 PM
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the chefs at the restaurants are the best. Did you put his allergy on your dinner reservations? I read Disboards too and I see a lot of happy people that have gone and had a wonderful time despite worrying about a kiddos allergy. Enjoy yourself!!
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#9
05-25-2011, 07:24 PM
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Quote:
I don't like nuts in my desserts and anytime I asked if something had nuts, the first question they would ask was, "Are you allergic?" They were obviously very aware and very careful about it. Last edited by Nettio; 05-25-2011 at 07:26 PM.
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#11
05-25-2011, 09:28 PM
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We're hoping to go next year, and I know I would feel just the same! LOL
Have fun!
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#12
05-25-2011, 09:38 PM
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Check Disney's website for what parks will be open what hours. Get to Hollywood studios early - like before it opens so that one of you can run to get Toy Story fast passes because you don't want to miss it and probably don't want to wait an hour. Use your waiting time to see the other things. Star Tours is going to be packed so make that your second Fast Pass and do everything else as walk in. Don't miss the animation studio when it gets hot. It's cool in there...there are characters and if you think your kids can sit still there is a free class where you learn to draw a character - great free souvenier!
Realize that it's going to be hot, you aren't going to see everything...it's okay. Making what you do see enjoyable for you and your kids is what makes memories. It's okay to leave something to see again. It's so easy to get wrapped up in running around so plan a little down time at the pool or just crusing on Disney transportation around the lakes near Magic Kingdom. In MK - go to Fantasyland first thing in the am. Get it done, then head for fast passes at the coaster of choice. Take a break mid-day and go back to the room to swim and rest or relax a bit. Animal Kingdom - The safari ride can Fast Pass out so that's a must get early, but it's also in the back of park. Everest can be rode as single riders depending on how young your kids are. Pack bathing suits/flip flops for the water ride. Schedule time for your kids to play in dino land and enjoy a cool drink with hubby while they dig for dino bones in the shade. A great break in the middle of the day - plus the restaurant near there has refillable drinks. EPCOT - The countries are perfect night time activity. Don't miss the KIDCOT stations for the kids. Innoventions at the front of the park is open until 7pm and is a great place to spend some time when it's hot. Lots of educational/fun activities. Must get Fast Passes are Soaring, Mission to Mars (can single ride) and Fast Track (can single ride). If you have time the Kim Possible Adventure makes the countries more fun for kids and adults. Have fun, don't stress! If you have any specific questions you can PM me. We are passholders and have been there hundreds of times.
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#14
05-26-2011, 06:20 AM
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You've had great suggestions from everyone. Here is one more - the concierge at your hotel is a invaluable resource. Every time we've gone, especially if there is a special event, this is the person I made friends with as soon as we checked in. They will have up to the date info on things that are going on; the best way to get somewhere, do something, etc.
ETA: I forgot that you're staying at SoG. Since that's not actually owned by DW they don't have a cast member concierge. It's been a lot of years since I've stayed at SoG so I'm not sure if that's still the case. You have the park hopper, so that is good. Having the park hopper for us is always a MUST. It lets you be a planner, but it also lets you be spontaneous - if you want to spend the morning in the Magic Kingdom but want to go to a show somewhere else later in the day you don't have to worry about planning each day around one park. One time we went and it was gorgeous all week (late January/early February) but on our last day it started raining halfway through the day so we went to Hollywood (MGM still at the time) to take in some indoor shows until the rain stopped - if you can be flexible a bit you can work around weather and still have a great time. Anyway, I could ramble on and on - DW is one of our favorite places to go - LOL. It all comes down to having a good time, being able to plan what you can then go with the flow. Have a WONDERFUL time! Last edited by mariewilcox; 05-26-2011 at 06:47 AM.
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#15
05-26-2011, 07:40 AM
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Do they give you any grief about taking a camera bag on any of the rides. I will be taking my Tracy Joy one that is pretty water tight and I can take the flap off so DH will carry it (men!). I thought at first of going and getting a camera only bag at Best Buy last night, but then I considered we have to carry Kyle's Epi Pens with us at all times (and in a cooler pack for the heat), I needed something with a little room. Thank you all for all your suggestions and words, I'm starting to not stress as much!!
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#16
05-26-2011, 08:58 AM
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I take my camera on all the rides I go on - even the Cali Rapid River and Splash mountain. I have a waterproof bag and it was fine. I have one big enough to hold my camera (not a full size DSLR because I never want to lug that thing around, but a bridge camera that is just fine for shots at DW), snacks, inhalers, and drink bottles.
I don't have any advice about the Star Wars since we have never been there when that's going on, but you've gotten some good advice and stratgies. As for the rest of the time (not sure how long you're staying) just plan around your character meals and go from there. Relax and enjoy
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