Sunday, March 25, 2007

Time and Energy Suck

So why haven't I been posting? I love to talk about myself ad nauseum... so it can't be that. I love to talk about my children even more, so it can't be that either. So what is it that keeps me from boring you all to tears with my lackluster writing?

Two words...

Disney Planning.

Now... don't laugh, but I normally am not a huge planner when it comes to The Mouse. I know the parks well enough, and keep up with enough of the news about them, that I usually can just go and enjoy them. I haven't even paid that much attention to crowd calendars (wonderful sites that take lots and lots of scientific data gathered at the parks over years and years, and spit back the best and worst times to visit each park... my favorite is TouringPlans.com). This is because I normally go off season and I travel with other Disney know-it-alls... so we just see what we want to see, and if something has a line that is unreasonable... we skip it. Unless it's REALLY important to us. After all, we've done it before and we'll do it again.

But this year, there are two issues. My kids. There is a third issue as well, which is our "free" trip falls right in the smack dab middle of the chaos of high season, which means bigger crowds and longer lines. These issues are forcing me to research every last detail. To seek out the best way to approach everything. And to make every little moment at Disney seem like a casual, non-rehearsed magical moment. No pressure, right?

I've ordered invitations to be sent out to everyone who will be attending Athena's birthday, and I had them specially printed to look like they were sent from Her Royal Highness, Cinderella herself. I've made a complete packing list AND made a list of everything that needs to be in our diaper bag(s) (both specially purchased for this trip) and our stroller. In making this list, I realize I'll need a different list every day, depending on the plans for the day, so I'm going to work on that next.

I've also been thinking about what the kids will wear (a bright color that will be easy to spot in a huge crowd) and also how to "tag" them in case they get lost. I've had nightmares about them getting lost, too. This actually happens all the time at Disney. Hell, it happens all the time at the library, so it MUST happen all the time at Disney.

Tonight, I even called into a live podcast to ask about getting Marcus' first haircut at the Magic Kingdom. I did this for Athena, as you may remember, but it was a fiasco... as we ended up waiting about an hour and a half in line, with Athena falling asleep five minutes before her turn. I don't want that to happen again, so I called the professionals at WDWtoday and probably sounded like a huge dork. Fortunately, they always take forever to post their live shows, so I'll probably be completely over the humiliation just in time to hear what I actually sounded like and get humiliated all over again. They did give me some tips... so we'll see how it pans out.

To make matters worse, I actually got a reservation for an Illuminations cruise for our second trip only to find out that Illuminations may not be happening. There is no date set yet, but they are going to be taking the "video globe" (the centerpiece of the show) out for refurbishment "sometime this year." There are only five boats that go out for Illuminations, and they book each day in five minutes. These reservations are highly coveted and are also quite expensive. Fortunately, I have until 24 hours before the cruise to cancel, but I GOT THE BOOKING! I hate that I may have to give that up! Argh! So now I'll be continuously watching the boards to see if there will even be a reason to take the damn boat ride. *sigh*

But it's all in the name of fun, right? sheesh.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Elizabeth! It's been quite some time since I packed the old diaper/stroller bag, but all I remember putting in it was diapers, wipes, plastic bags, boxes of apple juice, animal crackers and maybe a spare set of clothes. Same thing every time. Bring me up to date. What else IS there????

Brant said...

so let me get this right, you're spending all this time doing something you're not thrilled doing, trying to figure out how to, er, not spend time doing something you're not thrilled doing... seems a bit circular to me ;)

Anonymous said...

Uh, you? Not a planner? Excuse me while I go laugh hysterically in the corner.... :)

eaf said...

Judy... that's about it... although we will need sunblock, umbrellas, ponchos, and sometimes swim suits depending on the plan for the day. There is also a day we "need" a full Cinderella costume. And let's not forget park tickets, money, cell phone, etc. But regardless, the list is needed... as we once discovered we left our diaper bag in the car at a theme park (way too late, I might add). And without a change of clothes. It was bad, trust me. I don't want to forget anything.

Brant, I'd _rather_ not plan, but I don't exactly mind doing it. Just would rather not. I mean... it's Disney. I don't mind thinking about Disney. I just don't usually allow myself to devote all my spare time to it.

Sophie, Shush!

Bern said...

Don't forget your camera!

eaf said...

Oh yes... that's on the list too... along with a memory card and a digital tape. Can't forget that!

Anonymous said...

You may want to put Athena on the list. You don't want to forget her in the hotel room.

Brant said...

A look inside Disney

http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/

A Girl From Texas said...

Wow! You're a Walt Disney World officianado (sp). I havent been to Disney World since 1979, I believe. It was the same year that Star Wars came out. It was really a lot of fun. And the lights. So many lights!