"A Very Very Unbirthday, to you!"

A very Disney Birthday to me!

Last week saw me turn 33.  Only the day was such a disaster from start to finish, that I asked my husband to promise me I can re-celebrate when we get to Disney!
Do I really need to go in to details?  I'd rather not relive it.  I will tell you that our smallest disaster was when our Playstation3 decided to die, with my brand new DVD inside it.  Yes, that's the smallest - there were many more and much more frustrating, upsetting and annoying!

So I am going to have a BIRTHDAY AT DISNEY WORLD!!!  Squee!  What better place to enjoy your special day?  Although I am going to have to hold Liam to this and remind him - I expect a cake and a present if nothing else...
So what do you get for a birthday at WDW?  I can answer this because we celebrated Frazer's last time we were there.  His actual birthday was just a few days after our return but we couldn't book our holiday to cover it.
Don't expect a day full of freebies - I think this is something that many in our 'entitled' culture want.  It's fun, but you wont be getting a free dinner with Cinderella for it!  There must be hundreds of people (if not more) celebrating something at Disney World every day.
You can get a button for it.  Button?  A badge to my UK friends:

Err yeah it's a big button.  Nothing to do with me being too lazy to resize... *ahem*

And you write your name on the front and all day long people wish you a very happy birthday!  If you're lucky, you might even get a little freebie - my Drummerboy was given a cupcake when we ate at Chef Mickey's.  He wasn't expecting it and the poor love had eaten so much that he couldn't fit his birthday treat in!

Birthday wishes all day for the Drummerboy!

You may also be in for other little treats, like a card signed by the characters, or even confetti on your (full service) table, if you let a CM know you're celebrating when you book and/or arrive that is!

Secretly, I'm hoping that my husband orders me a birthday cake while we're there.  From what I've gathered on the disboards cake chatter thread, it can sometimes be a little hit and miss.  Depending on what you want, how you ask for it and who you ask, it can be spectacular, or it can be just not special enough.

Of course there's the price too.  These speciality cakes aren't going to cost the same as what you would pay in your local supermarket, but as I've read elsewhere, it is the experience you are paying for.

I highly recommend that if you're thinking of ordering a cake at WDW, that you do your research.  Know who to call and how to explain specifically what you want from them.  From what I have gathered if you call and don't get the response you hoped for, your best plan is to try again in a few hours and see if you can speak with someone else!  The chefs are quite accommodating if you have something unusual to ask for, but the people on the phone cakeline often aren't aware of this.

Anyway, I don't want anything special!  It was only a vague idea in the corner of my mind - UNTIL...

Until I saw this and it completely and utterly *melted my heart*

Taken from http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=13634732&postcount=3

OK well not exactly this cake.  I'm sure the one I saw was round and chocolatey and a bit messier, but it had "Happy Birthday Mommy" written on it and I want that cake!  I'd definitely need less (as in, none) flowers and more stars/hidden Mickeys though!

Not sure I can convince my husband...

Hmm, but a present.  What Disney themed gift would you want?  There are so many I would love to pick from if I could!

"Big news, REALLY big news!"

"So what's all this noise about London?"

"Big News, really big news!"

I've been sitting on this for a while and no idea how or when to say it so I'm just gonna come right out with it.


WE ARE BOOKED!!!


Eep!


Next year.  We have booked our trip for next year.  We are going back to Disney World!!

Coronado Springs
12th May 2014
14 Nights
Quick Service Meal Plan
Park Hoppers

Yikes!

Bizarrely, I've had a bit of a slump since.  No idea what that is about - maybe I'm worried about getting it right now that it's real?

More to come, but for now I'm hitting submit and coming back to this subject later!

"Do you care for tea?"

Alice: Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea.

March Hare: If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation!

Oh tea, how I do love thee.

Yes, I bite my nails.  Shameful I know.

But I'm a Brit, it comes with the job description, right?

You may have noticed, I've been struggling to get on and update for a while.  I could give you a list of excuses but instead I have decided to go with my good friend the March Hare.

Maybe this will help me!  

What's crazy is that I'm a perfectionist.  I want to blog about my road to Disney but I can't think of the *right* thing to say, so I say nothing.  The moment I decide to just write about something else I find that I've turned it in to Disney!

So yeah - uhm, tea.

I have a baby recently recovered from Measles, children on summer holidays from school and a serious addiction to the Dis boards.  I am TIRED.  Like Sleepy, I may well just fall asleep on the job today.  Maybe I should get off the Dis before 2am tonight...

So - tea is good!  I'm so not a coffee drinker, which means my caffeine fix is limited to Coke and tea.  Now Coke is good, but you cant dunk these bad boys in a glass of fizz!

Om nom nom.  Full of Disney goodness.

Well actually, I can't dip them in my tea either.  Or rather wont.  I need to shift the baby flubber, and I need to save my pennies towards our big trip!  Fortunately the two work quite well together as I save money when I don't buy fatty treats.  This one is going in my Christmas treat pile - cos it's gonna be a frugal Christmas too!

On that note, I need to talk to you about saving money.  Now, being a stay at home mum to five (plus cat and dog), my time for earning is somewhat limited.  I manage to do some voluntary work, but really only because I can bring the Starbaby with me.

I wracked my brains for ages, trying to think of how I could contribute more to the Disney Pot and this is what I came up with:

1)  CUT BACK.  On everything.  It's a real wake-up call when you realise that you could probably survive on half of what you once used to spend.  I have no magazines, I cut my own hair (using this tutorial on youtube), I don't even shop for chocolate half as much as I used to - hey, it's good for the hips too!

Note I said 'survive' - the dilemma I've had is providing my children with more than survival; they have no idea that this trip is planned for any time soon so don't have the same thing to look forward to that I have when I force myself to miss out on things.  So there's finding a balance.

2)  We walk almost everywhere, London transport isn't terribly priced, but you can save an amazing amount by not using it.  A bus pass for 7 days is almost £30!

3)  Meal Planning.  So so important.  No more wondering around Tesco, not sure what to get so falling for their shelf 'offers' which make me spend even more money.  And there are so many resources online to help cut your meal spends.  Recently I've been amazed at this blog of 'Below the Line' budget recepies: http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/below-the-line-budget-recipes/

4)  Don't shop at Tesco.  Asda is my place now - they not only price match, but guarantee 10% less.  And I have been vigilant about saving those receipts for vouchers!

5)  Competitions.  Wow there are LOADS online!  I'm still hoping for the *Big Win* on one of those TV comps that pay out in the thousands, but for now I'm being helped out by smaller prizes, mostly from facebook competitions.  I started out thinking that if I could manage to win a few things that I could put aside for Christmas or birthday presents, then it would save a few pounds.  There's even been a couple of bits that I've sold for a low cost to people on a local 'for sale' page on facebook.
What has been lovely though, is one competition recently where I won a £250 giftcard to spend at Boux Avenue!  They are a company that sells women's nightwear, lingerie and swimwear, plus a few gift bits and some gorgeous bridal bits too.  I've been able to treat myself for a change, both in things desperately needed, and some swimwear and dresses that I CAN WEAR TO DISNEY!  Oh yeah.  Happy dance indeed, no more fear of my tatty old clothes on vacation, I'm gonna look hawt.

With my soon to be red hair and previous wardrobe, this could be me.
Who am I kidding, Ariel still wins.  She has a rope.

And all of these competitions can be done from my arm chair while snuggling my baby and watching Big Brother with a cuppa.  Which suits me to a T.

Teeeeaa?  Just half a cup, if you don't mind.

Coming up, some big news...  BIG.

Think of a Wonderful Thing...

...Or rather, think of three wonderful things.  Things 1, 4 and 5, to be precise.

The reason I have been so quiet recently (or one of the reasons) is because we have been celebrating the birthdays of Drummerboy, Sunboy and Starbaby.  Their birthdays are all within three weeks of each other so it made sense to combine the celebrations and we had the most wonderful picnic at the Diana Memorial Playground  in Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park.

Did you know that Kensington Gardens is where the story of Peter Pan begins?  When he was a baby he lived nearby, but when he heard his mother talking of his future he decided he didn't want to grow up, so he ran away.  The fairies found him in Kensington Gardens and he stayed with them too long - When he decided to return home his mother had another baby boy to love, so he left forever, never to grow up.


Now if you knew my Sunboy at all, you'd know that he loves Peter Pan and pirates.  He could happily watch Disney's Peter Pan every day and never get bored.  So where better to have a Piratey Peter Pan Picnic?

The Diana Memorial Gardens have the most wonderful playground.  In fact, it's a collection of playgrounds.  Captain Hook's ship sits beached in the middle of a huge sand pit, surrounded by smaller boats that bob about when you climb on them, treasure chests, rocks for climbing on and one with a mermaid's tail carved in.  There are treasure chests to be found and water that can be pumped in to the sand, where dozens of children were working together to build as elaborate a castle as they could manage.  And an enormous crocodile - of course!

You can fly!

Turn away from the glorious ship for a moment and explore a little - you may see teepees peeping over the trees - yes, the indian emcampment is there!

I think I'll be an indian brave

Three big teepees to hide and make believe in - fabulous!  We didn't get rain on the day, but my backup plan was to hide in these!

Look around some more and you'll find Wendy houses, a Lost Boys' adventure playground and things to climb on in one section.  Go explore in the trees and bushes and you might find toys to sit on, or instruments that only play when you stand, walk or dance on them - the tinkling noise they make gives the feel of fairies flying all over the playground.

In another section there's a more traditional play area with swings and slides, one for bigger children and one for smaller kids.

Even if I tell you about the cafeteria, convenient and clean toilets, and pixie tree I've still not covered it all.  Best of all, it's a fenced in play area with only one gate that you need to buzz to get through.  There's a security guard at the gate and monitors patroling the playground.  So we really did feel able to let our children live as Peter and the Lost Boys would - wild and fun and free!

When there's a smile in your heart...

I had made enough maps of Neverland to go around our party.  I wish this picture would show it better.  I sketched one out from a map I found online and photocopied it, then tore the edges and went over them all with wet tea bags to give a genuine distressed look.  These went down very well!  Robin and his friends were using them to 'find treasure' in the playground.
Along with this Frazer and Scarett made some very basic telescopes using tissue/kitchen roll tubes with black card around the edge.  Let me tell you, I could have made fancy telescopes, but honestly 4 year old imaginations don't need them!

I made Peter Pan's hat the night before using green felt for the main and red for the feather.  

Any merry little thought

All stitched by hand and I thought it came out great!  But unfortunately I don't have a single good picture of it, as my Sunboy left it inside the ship and apparently another little pirate couldn't resist swiping this booty.

We provided our guests with pirate hats, masks, mini foam swords, eye patches and temporary tattoos.  We do love to dress up in this family!  (expect more of that at Disney to be sure)

Up you go with a heigh and ho

Starbaby was pirate for the day.  He was lucky enough to get skull and crossbone baby legwarmers, and a fab pirate ship hoody, both of which matched his stripy pirate suit perfectly, how's that for luck?
He had a great time, with lots of attention from everybody, lots of children to make laugh at his antics, and while he isn't keen on cake at all(!?!), he did have fun attacking a pot of hummus when no one was looking!

WHY do you not like cake child, why?!

Frazer turned 12, and you might think that's getting a bit big for playing such games, but no!  He appointed himself the director of the sand castle structure I mentioned earlier.  And in this family you're never too old to dress up!  You'll see more of that at Disney I'm sure.
I can remember eight years ago when my Drummerboy had a Peter Pan party for his fourth birthday, complete with Captain Hook costume and a crocodile cake that I made.  Now he's more interested in  Minecraft lands than Neverland, so I did my best to accommodate.

I made him a creeper t-shirt with a sharpie and green top.  His friends bought him the pixel sunglasses which went down *very* well with Frazer, and suited his theme perfectly.  I also made him a minecraft pig t-shirt, which he let our Emokid wear on the day:

Sssss. - that sure is a nice birthday you have there...

I made a Mincraft picnic:

Note the bacon.  It's unsigned, but very important to minecrafters!

Complete with Creeper Juice:

Ssssssss....

And I even made him an AWESOME (their words, not mine) Minecraft cake!

Yes, I do understand just how crap this will look
to you if you don't know about minecraft.

Yup, that's blue jelly (jello to my US friends) 'water', crispy marshmallow treat 'sand blocks', and chocolate cake 'dirt blocks' with green icing and coconut 'grass' on top.  It was a weird cake to make, but SO well appreciated that I'm glad I did.










So three birthdays means three cakes, right?

Well here's Jasper's.  It's actually a mini version of his smash cake, but the weather has been so poor here that we've not had the chance for the outdoor shoot I wanted.  I'm now having second thoughts anyway, as he really doesn't like cake!

That's a gluten and dairy free chocolate cake made in a mug.




















Robin's was my favourite.  He wanted a pirate ship cake.  I googled some home made ones - but they weren't good enough!  They looked difficult enough to me, but he did not approve and instead his eyes landed on a stunning masterpiece.  Erk.  Not gonna happen mate.

So I suggested this cake to him and he agreed, on the provision that I make sure the ship is included.  I've seen a few similar looking cakes online, but the inside was a lemon sponge that I adapted to be dairy free.  Glad I did - it was delicious!

I did waves around this side at the base of the cake, and clouds around the back.  It has lemon curd and five layers of lemon sponge.  Noms.

So there we go, three big reasons and one big picnic to celebrate my boys growing yet bigger and stronger.  Having fun being Neverlanders and eating yummy things.

12, 4 and 1.  I Love those boys.

"Be... Our... Guest"

"...be our guest!
Put our service to the test,
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, Cherie
and we provide the rest."

Could I really call this post anything else?  Yep, I'm gonna cover the accommodation.
Now in the grand scheme of things - that is, if you're anything like me - you could be excused for thinking that the hotels and resorts aren't much to consider when you compare it to the ENORMITY that is the AWESOMENESS of the Disney Parks.
However, I've got to say that Disney, as usual, goes above and beyond when it comes to accommodation.

What I'm going to start with is the resort I have experience in: All Star Music.

I left my heart at ASMu...

Often known as ASMu on forums such as the Disboards (which is a fab site for finding out multitudes of WDW related stuff), All Star Music is one of Disney's budget resorts.  It has less of the luxuries, but is perfect if all you want is a place to lay your head and crash after a day at the parks.  We chose it because we thought we didn't have much option - we needed a room that would fit all of us in, and the All Star Music resort had recently started offering family rooms, when we went.

A family room is ace.  Well, we thought so!  It's actually two rooms knocked in to one.  You'll have one entrance door, but two bathrooms (with toilet, bath, shower, sink and hair dryer in each).  One main bedroom with desk, drawers and bedside tables, etc, and one living room, with a big TV, sofabed, chair-bed and an ottoman that can convert in to a bed.  When we stayed we never even opened the ottoman, as two of our children shared the sofabed while the other took the folded out chair.  They all found it very comfortable and huge fun!  The only downside really is that the space is very limited when the beds are out - I know this from trying to lay out the clothes for the next day while my children slept!
Also in the family suite is a kitchenette.  It's a small space, but has everything needed, considering we would be mostly eating out.  Sink, kettle, fridge and cupboards with basic disposable (but Disney - check out the Mickey heads!) plates, bowls and cutlery.

Mousekeeping still comes around as usual.  They even make the little animals out of face cloths that you'll find in the moderate and luxury hotels.  What I wish I knew was that it's OK to keep your cloth animals!  I didn't even want my children to touch ours - in case they messed them up!  I've found out since that they are usually made from cloths ready for retirement anyway, so when I go back I really do hope I get another to bring home!

I digress.  I do that.
So at a budget resort you might expect to miss out on some of the luxuries.  You wont find a gym or spa at ASMu - but you will find a gorgeous fun swimming pool.

Ay ay ay!   I miss you guys! 

The pool is themed!  It's in the shape of a guitar, with the top end of it a small pool for younger children.  The three Caballeros will squirt you as you swim past, there are lots of seats around the pool and plenty of towels.  You can even borrow a life jacket for non-swimmers, so they can bob about independently.
There's another pool - and it's piano shaped!!  How cool is that?  It's bigger too, but we were so happy with our guitar pool (right on our doorstep!) that we never even went to tinkle the ivories of the other resort pool.

Man I just felt like a superstar every time I stepped out of our room!

Much of all the All Star resorts are themed.  This is probably the main thing I loved about them, as you just don't get fun quite like it at the other resorts.  At All Star Movies you'll be able to pose with some of your favourite characters from various Disney films, like 101 Dalmations, Herbie, Donald and Daisy.  All Star Sports is the place to go if you're the active type - quite often Cheerleading teams will meet up there for local competitions.
All Star Music is of course, music themed.  We stayed at the Jazz Inn.  At the end of our building there were huge instruments for decoration.  My children are quite musical and loved this - many photo opportunites without even leaving the resort!  I also loved the stars everywhere - so bright, so fun and so happy.



You wont find a 5 star full service restaurant at the All Stars, but what we did get was a lively and friendly environment and quick service menu at the Intermission Food Court.  Each day I would dash down to fill my cup with a Diet Coke to wake me up, and grab some breakfast that was easy to eat on the go - as we would probably be eating while waiting for an early bus to the parks!
We only ate a full meal at the Intermission a few times and while breakfast was just lovely, I can't say that dinner was the best ever.  But neither was it bad - it was just fine, I guess!  The pizza isn't great but the other foods are pretty yummy.  Not out of this world, but will fill you up and taste good.  Better foods are to be found in park restaurants if you are on a quick service meal plan, or full service restaurants if your budget stretches that way.  We did have a giggle when Liam was offered bacon to go with his sweet waffles and strawberry sauce!  That's so American - and one of our first examples of how British we are that it seemed so odd.

If you need it, there's a laundry room at ASMu.  While some people like that so they don't have a mountain of dirty clothes when they get home, I can tell you that the LAST thing I want to do while away is household chores!  And of course a general gift shop.  Loads of souvenirs to buy here, plus more useful things like sun screen (an *amazing* spray on sun protection!), headache tablets and similar.

I wish I had taken more photos of All Star Music, as it's such a lovely place and I don't think my words can do it justice.  I'm quite sad to think we wont be going there again as I've found a way of making it cheaper, but a different resort (more on that next time), but at the same time rather excited at the thought of trying something new.  If I learned anything from our first stay at WDW, it's that Disney really does want you to be their guest, and they really will look after you as well as they can!

"My boy, you are *allergic*

"Allergic?"

"Yes, and there is only one cure: a vacation on Pleasure Island!"

I never really considered food allergies or intolerances at Disney World before, but then I never had my Starbaby before.  Since before birth he has plagued me with food worries and pains - In pregnancy I couldn't tolerate whole eggs or gluten without shocking gut pains that would last for days.  When he was a few weeks old we realised that the near-constant screaming from him was because he had reflux, and that it was exacerbated by what I ate - wheat, dairy, soy caffeine and eggs were all struck off my diet, lest they affect him through my milk.

Then weaning age came around and the reflux lessened - I was able to eat freely again!  But when I eventually introduced wheat to him as a finger food he reacted with pain, despite enjoying eating with much vigor!   And then despite Starbaby no longer eating these foods, he developed an appalling case of eczema on his face, so I was back to food eliminations in my diet again.

Safe to say, what we eat has become something I think about far more now than I ever used to.  When we first went to Disney World my only concern regarding food was whether we would be sick of fat and junk after two weeks (as it turned out, not really) and would we be able to find better alternatives on the Quick Service Dining Plan (Yes, more on that later).  But now I have the possibility of a toddler being miserable and uncomfortable if he eats the wrong things, so I've been doing some research.

I think that most people, including me, might make an assumption that WDW would be an awful place for people with intolerances and/or allergies.  All that ice cream at every turn?  America is known for it's fast food, and fast food isn't known for making people-friendly changes, because it takes too long!  Add in the sheer number of people using Disney World restaurants every day and you couldn't blame the staff there for not wanting to accommodate really. 

Ahh, but there's the word! ^  'Accommodate'.  If there's one thing Disney aims to do, it's to make you feel happy and at home on their grounds.  So the first place I checked for information was the WDW website.

Hmm.

"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will use reasonable efforts"

"However, it is ultimately up to the Guest"

"...cannot guarantee that allergens may not have been introduced"

It doesn't look that good at first glance. All a bit negative and disappointing really. The page does then go on to list restaurants that "may accommodate" guests' common food allergy or intolerance requirements. This is useful, but I thought I'd dig further - am glad I did!

Next stop:  Allergy Free Mouse "Your allergy-free guide to Disney World"

Oh MUCH better!
Here are people that love WDW, love food, know about food issues, but do not have the litigation worries that obviously cause Disney to be cautious on their web information. If you need it, this is the place to go for people with experience that are willing to share.
I am now armed with so much more information, and weighed down with so many less worries.  It seems that going to Disney with a food intolerance doesn't need to be the nightmare I had thought it might be, but - as with all things WDW - scrupulous planning beforehand is key.  Sure, avoiding certain foods will limit your options somewhat, but then that would be the case anywhere.  From what I have found, Walt Disney World will do all they can to accommodate, to a level I find quite generous, considering how busy their restaurants can get.

So I have the official word.  I have the word of experience - do you know what I need?  I need PICTURES of course.  And here is is; allergy friendly food at Disney World in pictures.  So many yummy foods to get your belly growling!  And they look so delicious you'd never even guess they were on the 'free from' list.  I particularly like the ice cream sandwiches on page 10 - YUM, and check out those cute sprinkles!
Bear in mind that the first few pages of this post are older, so menus may have changed since.  It's always worth checking out and I do find that either the Disboards or Disney themselves are the best people to ask if you're unsure.


As any mum of a baby with food issues will know, it's an ongoing test with daily checks and concerns.  Will this food be ok for my baby?  Why has he flared up now?  What did he have that's different?  Is his diet varied enough?  Is he missing out?  And of course I'm hoping that in time my Starbaby's food sensitivities will become something we don't really need to think about.  He's come on leaps and bounds and now doesn't even seem to react to things in my milk.  This is big news for me - who knows, but with lots of mama milk and leaving him free to pick and chose his own foods so he dictates what's safe (check out baby led weaning, people), he might even be ok to eat treats on holiday when we get there.  Maybe not junk food all day, every day, but now I know that even with sensitivities he'll be able to join in the foody fun without me needing to bring along a load of free-from foods from the supermarket!

"What makes mothers all that they are? Might as well ask, What makes a star?"

Mothers' Day

Mothering Sunday.  Here in the UK it was celebrated on the 10th of March this year.  That goes to show how long this post has taken in coming!  It didn't take me too long to think of a title, as Wendy's song always comes to mind when I think of mothers. The title 'Your mother and mine' didn't quite work - but the bit about the star is perfect, considering I've made 5 of them!

I told both my husband and my children that I would rather money get saved towards Disney than lots of treats, although I did really need a pair of shoes for when the warmer weather eventually gets here (it's actually still snowing now, so it turns out I had time yet!)  So what did they get me?  Well, only the perfect present, of course!

The pot, not the radiator that I tried to crop out.  Though the rad is appreciated in this weather.

Supergirl even gave me a £2 coin to put in it, knowing that it's considered bad luck to give a wallet or money purse with nothing in it, so a savings pot would probably be the same!  Each child (except Starbaby) decorated a section, so I have a (now rather smudged) picture of Peter Pan fighting Captain Hook on the other side - I think I'm going to have to ask the kids to re-do their art and see if I can fix it in place somehow.

The rest of the day passed without too much event, as I like it.  I had of course done that mum thing of blitzing the house the day before, to be as clean and tidy as possible in the hope that I would get a 'day off' on my one day of the year!  It's true that there's no such thing as a day off for mums, but I did get a big bubbly bath in peace for a while - a Lush 'Ma Bar' that I had been saving, as they are discontinued now  (floating in caramel chocolate?  Yes Please!  Who else thinks they should be brought back for Mothers' Day each year?)

And yes I did get my warmer weather shoes - I'm too spoiled!  Converse with stars on - it did not pass me by that they would be the perfect Disney World shoes, but alas they will probably be retired by then, I do walk a lot!

So the butterflies are back in my belly with renewed vigour now, every time I think of what's to come - squee!  I may have been busy recently, but the planning is definitely back on track.  First step - the hotel.