fladogfan aka Gretchen

Speaking as someone that once drove 20 hours to spend 36 hours at WDW and then drive 20 hours home... totally doable.  

All right!!
 

Here's a pic from the news showing how they are designing for people with disabilities.

We have always had our Photo ID out when we entered the lot and we always hand it to the person on the gate. 
Why are people so upset about following the rules?

This jaded/veteran visitor wouldn't use it. As convenient as it is, I hate it when they route you backstage to empty out a park. When I'm at WDW I prefer wall-to-wall, 24/7 magic... even if that means crowds.
We stay until park close most of the time and we never count on getting out quickly or easily.  Instead we pull up a snack or a drink, find an out of the way bench to chill out and people watch until the crowds clear, then enjoy strolling out of a mostly empty park.
But hey, we're crazy like that. 

Obviously "passive cooling" was tested in Cali or Switzerland. Someone needs to take some Disney Execs for a Sunday drive down I-4 in August, turn off the A/C, and roll down the tinted windows so they can enjoy some Florida passive cooling. LOL!

Same here. The kids all have smaller vacuum insulated bottles that we carry, and I have a large one that I will fill halfway with ice then add 4 propel packets and water. It is heavy, but worth it. Staying hydrated makes the day a lot more enjoyable. I am used to the heat, but I need my water. Now that the kids are older this next trip they are each going to have their own backpacks with water, snacks, an umbrella, and any other accessory. I am tired of being the Disney Sherpa.

Just as an update -
 
It worked like a charm. We got the 10 day hoppers for $996
We entered Epcot with the hoppers and walked in a circle to the exit. Went to their guest services and upgraded to 2 AP’s for $700. 
That ended up saving $110 plus a few cents over just purchasing 2 AP’s!
While at guest services we had our tickets prioritized on the Magic Bands so the AP’s get used rather than the 7 das remaining on our non-expiring tickets. We even found we had 4 remaining “pluses” each, giving us 4 water park entries....

Yup, turning into county and state fairs with drunks wandering around, and carnies trying to get every last dime out of you.  Except they are called CMs.

Back in the 60's when Walt was secretly buying up the land for WDW, if someone from the future had told him that someday they'd be serving booze for breakfast in the Magic Kingdom, he'd have replanted the orange trees, put the land back up for sale, and headed back to California.  

I'd expect SW will draw crowds from all the parks and while HS will be crowded overall, most of that traffic is likely to be headed to SW which may make TS easier to get in/around. 
I vote November. Jersey Week is generally less crowded than spring vaca. Also if you're staying on site, room rates will be cheaper in November. Annnnnd as a bonus for the grown ups- you'll be there during Food & Wine. 

I'll admit this is one thing I really don't even need to consider. If you think your kids are cranky getting up early...  😎
But if I did, I'd skip the meal too. Sure I'd want to be able to grab something to eat somewhere (cranky adults are no fun either), but a sit down meal just wastes too much time - especially if time is exactly what I'm paying for.

How wonderful!  I imagine Bill will always be happy about these times you are spending with Annie.  The last thing we want after our loved ones are gone is regret that we didn't spend more time with them.  That lesson alone is worth more than any pictures you could have posted in this report.  Thanks for sharing.  

Last Friday, September 21, Bill and I took his Mom, Annie, to MGM.  Yeah, yeah OK I know it's called something else, but my old brain thinks MGM.
So anyway, we entered HS  about 3pm, amazingly the weather was decent, lots of clouds kept the temp around 89 and a small breeze helped too.
Now Annie is 96 and can walk with a walker around the house, but for jaunts out of the house it's in a wheel chair she goes.  Of course she is not into rides any more, but we got to Indie's stunt show just before the show started, after that we started to Toy Story area, just to look around.  Bill and I hadn't been there yet.  On the way we stopped at Little Mermaid's show. Annie seemed to like both shows.
So onto Toy Story!  Time might have been between 5 and 6pm.   The rides look like fun, but the 70 minute wait for the Slinky Dog coaster and the 40 minute wait for the little green aliens did not appeal.  Annie kept saying "go on the ride, I'll sit here'.  But the waits were not appealing.  Then we stopped at the open air eatery across from Beauty and the Beast.  We had 3 kids meals for just under $22.00.  Annie still was not able to finish her meal.  We were too late to see a B&B show, so something for next time.
End of report .         except we didn't have a camera with us!

Our marriage saving deal is that I drive the thing 1400 miles and he backs it into the spot with a bit of help, no yelling allowed. 

Oh yes please!  I can lend you one of mine.  

I dare you to submit a request to the sommelier team to bring a box of Franzia.
  

(insert grumblings of toll bridge on major interstate in the first place...) ;)

How cute would it be to have a Wilderness Explores Club at the Fort. Kids could go on scavenger hunts, build craft projects, do service projects, etc to earn badges. You save your badges and add to them on each trip. Along with the pool party where the kids play games, there could be Explorer Club meetings where something similar takes place. There could even be a meet and greet with the UP characters, or just have them at the camp fire with Chip and Dale. 

My sister lets me know every year how old I really am. If involves adding or subtracting the two numbers. I forgot to find out if I am 2 or 6 this year. LOL

Don't worry, Mickey's Backyard Massage Parlor and Casino will continue to feature weiner roasts and 2 for 1 cocktails every Tuesday from 9-11pm.  Tell 'em Minnie sent you and enjoy a free Mickey bar, while supplies last.    

Or attendance was down and Disney started the rumor to spike attendance 😂

I would totally be up for that!!

How about Musket Mickey?  Or should I say tree limb walking stick Mickey! 😀

Hi Kristie