McMonsters..........Kelly

Welcome! We'll be there during that time!

I agree, keep it simple. Im thinking that we could try meeting up somewhere but I still want it too be different than the site.

Thats a thought Judy! I'll have to see if he's up to it. We will be there a week before he arrives. Edit: Just checked on how this works, they no longer allow you to sign up. They pick someone randomly. http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/patriotic-disney/veterans-can-participate-in-disneys-magic-kingdom-flag-retreat/ http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/patriotic-disney/veterans-can-participate-in-disneys-magic-kingdom-flag-retreat/

As some of you know, my husband is currently deployed and wasn't expected to be back for Christmas. Me being the awesome mom that I am decided to book a trip for Christmas at the Fort to help us get through the holidays without Daddy. We found out recently that my husband "may" be back! I am still going to Disney because it can always fall through but we are planning on him coming into Florida mid trip. I don't want to tell the girls and plans change, that would crush our oldest. So I need to figure out how to surprise them. He'll be renting a car with his team and getting dropped off at

We stayed in 1311 this past trip. While it is on a "corner" and has some privacy and yard space, the backing in was a nightmare! 90 degree angle on the left inside of the loop. I can't imagine a big rig trying to maneuver, especially if the site across the way is occupied.

We got the ones at the gift store onsite that wrap around the band. We also made a game out of searching for the Croc style ones in the park that lost their owners. There were a lot on the ground around the waiting areas:)

Update. I went to guest relations at the gate when we arrived and the let me put our old tickets towards the APs. Easy peasy!

I hope all these changes are able to help those who truly need the assistance. Thanks for sharing your observations, I had been wondering about that.

We'll be there soon, the girls can entertain here:)

I live in the coastal NC area and we have mild winters as well. I'm leaning towards the air compressor and pink goo in the traps for us. I'm looking at getting away as much as possible during the winter months and don't want the hassle of flushing everything so often.

When I was dealing with Disney pre travel agent, I had the same issue. I had to raise double hockey sticks to get it fixed. Mine was done over the phone and the CM made the mistake, not me on the computer which may cause you some pain. Get a TA, you won't regret it

I'm going to get the military annual passes tomorrow before we leave and keep the others for a later date, Thanks for all your help!

That is wonderful!!! I wish I could do that! I'm having a heck of a time just pulling off the manufactures decals.

I do steel cut oatmeal add a little salt, chopped apples, raisins, brown sugar and cinnamon. Not a casserole but its yummy, warm and smells awesome!

I too prefer the Beast to pretty boy, Thanks for doing a great job at bringing us along on your adventure!

HOLY AWESOMENESS!!! I seriously got goosebumps when I read this!!! I'm so envious but very glad one of our fiends gets such special treatment!

Well I learned something new! I assumed since Disney stopped, everyone did. Interesting!

See, thats what I thought. I think my options are to wait until we go and if I'm still denied than save them go to Shades of Green and purchase our Military AP. On a side note, I called AAA in our area and they don't do AP's but they still offer a "no expiration" option for their tickets.

I called the Disney people this evening to get some info on the APs and specifically ask about our tickets. Its a no go. Any tickets to switch over have to be done within 14 days of the purchase, in our case sometime in the early 90's.

I'm looking at adding a trip in May, my kids are almost 4 and just turned 2. It's supposed to be one of the better times to go. We've got one trip under our belt and a few more planed over the next year. Best advice I can give, take your time! Don't rush it and plan for days to hang out at the Fort. Its exhausting for everyone and we found out the hard way. I think the sit down meals are a little much for the small kids, mine were too occupied to eat much and I felt like it was a waste.

For just me and the girls, I agree. We did the dining plan this past August(Me, Hubs and one child) and while it was fun and easier than me cooking, it probably wasn't worth it for us. I have a few character meals spread out over our next trip but I'm still not 100% sure on keeping them because its not the best way to spend our money with the girls being so young. Granted I'm only paying for myself and one child but with our dietary restrictions we don't get the moneys worth, it's mostly for the experience and their joy.

For just me and the girls, I agree. We did the dining plan this past August(Me, Hubs and one child) and while it was fun and easier than me cooking, it probably wasn't worth it for us. I have a few character meals spread out over our next trip but I'm still not 100% sure on keeping them because its not the best way to spend our money with the girls being so young. Granted I'm only paying for myself and one child but with our dietary restrictions we don't get the moneys worth, it's mostly for the experience and their joy.

Thats what intrigues me about the AP, no planning! We tried that in August and while we did have a great time, we felt pressured and it led to frustration.

The tickets we have are actually old tickets from the 80's that my inlaws gave us and we turned them into cards instead of paper at our last trip in August, they are the non expiring, all inclusive ones that we have yet to use. I'm hoping they will give us a decent face value for them to make it worthwhile.

I've been thinking....scary I know......anyhow, to annual pass or just stick with our military discount tickets. We can get military annual passes but I'm wondering if I can trade in my 4 day hoppers w/ wp and no expiration for the military like I can with the regular annual pass. We have two upcoming trips, 8 days and 10 days. I'm liking the annual pass gig because I think it would help me get over the "we have to stay in the park all day" mentality because we paid a small fortune for them. I think it would also give us more freedom with less planning. I'm looking at passes for myself an